Refrigerator and assembly method therefor

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of refrigeration devices, and discloses a refrigerator. The refrigerator comprises: a refrigeration circulation pipe having at least a portion which extends into a refrigeration chamber and is marked as a reserved section; an ice making chamber housing provided with a first opening communicated with its interior; and a casing provided on the chamber wall of the refrigeration chamber, at least a portion of a refrigeration pipe being located inside the casing, the casing being further provided a second opening and a third opening, at least a portion of the refrigeration pipe extending out from the second opening and extending into the ice making chamber housing, and at least a further portion of the refrigeration pipe extending out from the third opening and be communicated with the reserved section, wherein when the ice making chamber housing is dismounted, the ice making chamber housing is disengaged from the casing, the portion of the refrigeration pipe extending into the ice making chamber housing is pulled out from the ice making chamber housing, and the casing is kept in a state of being connected to the chamber wall.

Description

Refrigerator and method of assembling the same

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410932658X, filed on July 11, 2024, and Chinese Patent Application No. 2024108075071, filed on June 20, 2024, the contents of all of the above-mentioned Chinese patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of refrigeration equipment, in particular to a refrigerator. BACKGROUND

[0004] With the improvement of people's living standards, the demand for ice cubes is increasing. In order to meet market needs, more and more refrigerator products begin to integrate ice machines.

[0005] In order to facilitate installation, the ice machine and the ice-making chamber shell are assembled first, then installed on the refrigerator as a whole, and finally the condenser pipe of the ice machine and the refrigerant pipe reserved on the refrigerator are welded together and form a passage.

[0006] However, when maintaining the ice machine, since the condenser pipe of the ice machine and the refrigerant pipe reserved on the refrigerator have been welded together, the ice machine and the ice-making chamber shell cannot be removed from the refrigerator as a whole, and only each part of the ice machine and the ice-making chamber shell can be removed for maintenance, which is difficult to disassemble and has high operation difficulty. SUMMARY

[0007] The present application provides a refrigerator, comprising:

[0008] A cabinet body comprising a shell and a tank arranged inside the shell, and a refrigeration chamber is formed inside the tank;

[0009] A refrigeration cycle pipeline, at least a part of which is located between the shell and the tank, and at least a part of the refrigeration cycle pipeline extends into the refrigeration chamber and is marked as a reserved section;

[0010] An ice-making chamber shell arranged in the refrigeration chamber, a first opening in communication with the inside of the ice-making chamber shell is arranged on the surface of the ice-making chamber shell;

[0011] The refrigeration pipe assembly comprises a refrigeration pipe and a shell, the shell is arranged on a cavity wall of a refrigeration cavity, at least a part of the refrigeration pipe is located inside the shell, the shell further has a second opening and a third opening, at least a part of the refrigeration pipe extends out of the second opening and into the ice-making room shell through the first opening, and at least a part of the refrigeration pipe further extends out of the third opening and communicates with the reserved section.

[0012] When the ice-making room shell is detached, the ice-making room shell is disengaged from the shell, the refrigeration pipe extending into the ice-making room shell is pulled out of the ice-making room shell, and the shell remains connected to the cavity wall.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0014] The shell is clamped at the first opening, and the shell is clamped on the cavity wall.

[0015] The force required to disengage the clamping between the shell and the ice-making room shell is less than the force required to disengage the clamping between the shell and the cavity wall.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0017] The shell is provided with a clamping part, the surface of the ice-making room shell is provided with a clamping part, the clamping part is hung on the clamping part to form the clamping of the clamping part and the clamping part, and the surface of the clamping part clamped with the clamping part has a first unhooking part.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0019] The surface of the clamping part clamped with the clamping part has a second unhooking part.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0021] The cavity wall is formed with a relief part for avoiding the clamping part and the clamping part.

[0022] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0023] The shell is further provided with a buckle head, the cavity wall is provided with a buckle clamping part, the buckle head is clamped in the buckle clamping part, and the contact surface of the buckle head and the buckle clamping part is a plane and is recorded as a first plane.

[0024] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0025] The vertical plane of the shell relative to the loading and unloading direction of the cavity wall is recorded as a second plane, and the included angle between the second plane and the first plane is not greater than 90°.

[0026] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0027] The shell comprises a plug-in part and a connecting part which are in communication with each other inside, the plug-in part is arranged on the connecting part, the refrigeration pipe passes through the plug-in part and the connecting part, the plug-in part is inserted into the inside of the ice-making room shell from the first opening, the second opening is arranged on the plug-in part, the connecting part is arranged on the cavity wall, and the third opening is arranged on the connecting part.

[0028] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0029] The shell is internally provided with a heat preservation part which wraps the refrigeration pipe located inside the shell.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0031] When the ice-making room shell is detached, only the cooperation between the ice-making room shell and the shell is released, and the refrigeration pipe and the shell are still located on the cavity wall.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0033] The refrigeration cycle pipeline is used for the heat exchange ice-making unit of the refrigeration cavity and is arranged in the ice-making room shell.

[0034] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0035] The shell is also detachably connected to the first opening.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present application:

[0037] The refrigerator further comprises an ice-making unit arranged in the ice-making room shell

[0038] Some embodiments of the present application provide a refrigerator, comprising:

[0039] A cabinet;

[0040] An inner container arranged in the cabinet to form a refrigeration chamber arranged towards a front side;

[0041] A refrigeration system installed in the cabinet and generating cold energy capable of being supplied to the refrigeration chamber;

[0042] An ice-making device arranged to be integrally placed in the refrigeration chamber from the front side of the refrigeration chamber, wherein the ice-making device comprises:

[0043] a shell formed with a containing space independent of the refrigeration compartment, and an outer side of the shell provided with a load-bearing portion connected to an inner wall of the inner container to fix the ice-making device in the refrigeration compartment;

[0044] an ice-making component disposed in the containing space and configured to produce ice at least by using the cold generated by the refrigeration system;

[0045] a water inlet communicating with the ice-making component to supply ice-making water to the ice-making component; and,

[0046] a first refrigeration pipe disposed in the containing space and connected to the ice-making component, and a portion of the first refrigeration pipe extending out of the containing space to the rear side wall of the shell to form a connection port;

[0047] and the refrigeration system has a second refrigeration pipe connected to the connection port to deliver the cold generated by the refrigeration system to the first refrigeration pipe so that the cold is introduced into the ice-making component.

[0048] In some embodiments, the rear side of the inner container is provided with a mounting hole penetrating the rear side wall of the inner container in the front-rear direction, and,

[0049] a portion of the first refrigeration pipe penetrates the rear side of the inner container through the mounting hole to form the connection port between the inner container and the box, and the connection port is arranged in the front-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment; and,

[0050] the second refrigeration pipe extends from the refrigeration system to the inner container and the box to be fixedly connected with the connection port.

[0051] In some embodiments, the connection port has a first end close to the shell and a second end away from the shell, an outer diameter of the first end is greater than an outer diameter of the second end, and,

[0052] the second refrigeration pipe is connected to the second end, and an outer diameter of the second refrigeration pipe is equal to the outer diameter of the second end.

[0053] In some embodiments, the rear side of the inner container is provided with a receiving portion recessed in the rear side wall of the inner container, and,

[0054] a portion of the first refrigeration pipe extends out of the containing space and into the receiving portion to form the connection port inside the inner container, and,

[0055] The second refrigeration pipe extends from the refrigeration system to the inside of the inner container and is fixedly connected with the connection port.

[0056] In some embodiments, the ice making component comprises:

[0057] An ice maker connected to the first refrigeration pipe to make ice using the cold energy generated by the refrigeration system.

[0058] In some embodiments, the ice making component further comprises:

[0059] An ice storage connected to the ice maker to store the ice made by the ice maker; and / or,

[0060] An ice crusher connected to the ice maker to crush the ice made by the ice maker; and / or,

[0061] A drainage mechanism connected to the ice maker to drain the water generated by the ice maker.

[0062] In some embodiments, the load bearing part comprises:

[0063] A first load bearing position arranged on the top of the shell and extending along the front-to-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment, and the first load bearing position is configured with a first opening facing the top of the inner container; and,

[0064] The inner container is provided with a first support block, which can enter the first load bearing position through the first opening, so that the shell is hung on the first support block.

[0065] In some embodiments, the load bearing part comprises:

[0066] A second load bearing position arranged on the outer circumferential side of the shell and extending along the front-to-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment, and the second load bearing position is configured with a second opening facing the inner wall of the inner container, and,

[0067] The inner container is provided with a second support block, which can enter the second load bearing position through the second opening, so that the shell is hung on the second support block.

[0068] In some embodiments, the load bearing part comprises:

[0069] A load bearing block arranged on the rear side of the shell and extending away from the shell; and,

[0070] The inner container is provided with a positioning part which is open to the front side of the refrigeration compartment, so that the load block can be embedded into the positioning part in the front-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment, and the shell and the inner container are fixedly connected.

[0071] The application further provides an assembling method of a refrigerator, applied to the refrigerator.

[0072] The ice-making component and the first refrigeration pipe are fixedly installed in the shell, and part of the first refrigeration pipe extends out of the rear side wall of the shell to the accommodating space to form the connection port.

[0073] The ice maker is placed into the refrigeration cavity, and the ice-making device is fixed in the refrigeration compartment.

[0074] The second refrigeration pipe is led out from the refrigeration system, and the second refrigeration pipe is connected to the connection port. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0075] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of part of the structure of the refrigerator according to some embodiments of the application;

[0076] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the ice-making compartment shell and the shell according to some embodiments of the application;

[0077] Fig. 3 is an enlarged schematic diagram of A in Fig. 2;

[0078] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration pipe according to some embodiments of the application;

[0079] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the shell and the refrigeration pipe according to some embodiments of the application;

[0080] Fig. 6 is another schematic diagram of the shell and the refrigeration pipe according to some embodiments of the application;

[0081] Fig. 7 is an enlarged schematic diagram of B in Fig. 6;

[0082] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration cavity after the ice-making compartment shell is removed according to some embodiments of the application;

[0083] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the installation of the shell at the refrigeration cavity according to some embodiments of the application;

[0084] Fig. 10 is an enlarged schematic diagram of C in Fig. 9;

[0085] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the clamping part and the clamping part according to some embodiments of the application;

[0086] Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the buckle head and the buckling part according to some embodiments of the application;

[0087] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of the refrigerator according to some embodiments of the application;

[0088] Fig. 14 is an assembly view of the ice making device and the inner container in some embodiments of the present application;

[0089] Fig. 15 is a view of the inner container in some embodiments of the present application;

[0090] Fig. 16 is an enlarged view of A in Fig. 15;

[0091] Fig. 17 is an enlarged view of B in Fig. 15;

[0092] Fig. 18 is a view of the ice making device in some embodiments of the present application;

[0093] Fig. 19 is an enlarged view of C in Fig. 18;

[0094] Fig. 20 is a view of the inside of the ice making device in some embodiments of the present application;

[0095] Fig. 21 is an enlarged view of D in Fig. 8;

[0096] Fig. 22 is a view of the ice making component in some embodiments of the present application;

[0097] Fig. 23 is an assembly view of the ice making device and the inner container in another example in some embodiments of the present application;

[0098] Fig. 24 is an assembly view of the first refrigeration pipe and the accommodation portion in the structure shown in Fig. 23;

[0099] Fig. 25 is a flowchart of the assembly process of the refrigerator 100 in some embodiments of the present application.

[0100] In the drawings: 100, refrigerator; 101, cabinet; 102, inner container; 103, refrigeration compartment; 104, ice making device; 105, refrigeration cavity; 106, cavity wall; 200, refrigeration cycle pipe; 300, ice making compartment shell; 400, refrigeration pipe; 500, housing; 600, first plane; 700, second plane; 110, avoiding portion; 120, buckling portion; 130, accommodating portion; 210, reserved section; 310, first opening; 320, clamping portion; 510, second opening; 520, third opening; 530, insertion portion; 540, connecting portion; 550, clamping portion; 560, buckle; X, disassembly direction;

[0101] 1, housing; 1a, accommodating space; 1b, bearing part; 10, positioning part; 10b, first bearing position; 100b, first extension part; 11b, second bearing position; 12b, bearing block; 2, ice making component; 2a, ice maker; 2b, ice storage; 2c, ice crusher; 2d, drainage mechanism; 3, water inlet; 4, first refrigeration pipe; 4a, connection port; 40a, first end; 41a, second end; 5, mounting hole; 6, accommodating part; 7, cover plate; 8, first support block; 8a, first connection part; 8b, first clamping part; 9, second support block; 10, positioning part; 11, second refrigeration pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0102] The specific embodiments of the present application will be further described in conjunction with the drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present application, but not to limit the scope of the present application.

[0103] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0104] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connecting" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0105] In addition, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise stated, the meaning of "multiple" is two or more.

[0106] For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0107] Please refer to FIG. 1, in combination with FIG. 8, a refrigerator according to some embodiments of the present application includes a cabinet. Wherein, the cabinet includes an outer shell and a tank arranged inside the outer shell, and a refrigeration cavity 105 is formed inside the tank.

[0108] In some embodiments, a mounting space is formed between the shell and the box body for mounting other component structures of the refrigerator and forming the foamed thermal insulation layer. The interior of the box body forms the refrigeration chamber 105 as a refrigeration chamber, a variable temperature chamber or a freezing chamber.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 9, the refrigerator further includes a refrigeration cycle pipeline 200 arranged inside the box body, at least a part of which is located between the shell and the box body and used for heat exchange for the refrigeration chamber 105, and at least another part of which extends into the refrigeration chamber 105 and is denoted as a reserved section 210.

[0110] In some embodiments of the present application, at least a part of the refrigeration cycle pipeline 200 is located between the shell and the box body and arranged in the foamed thermal insulation layer. The refrigerator is generally provided with a refrigeration cycle system to achieve a temperature of the refrigeration chamber 105 lower than an ambient temperature of the refrigerator.

[0111] The refrigeration cycle system generally includes components such as a compressor, a condenser, a drying filter, a capillary tube and an evaporator connected through the refrigeration cycle pipeline 200, and a working composition of the refrigeration cycle system includes a compression process, a condensation process, a throttling process and an evaporation process. Specifically, the compression process is as follows: after the refrigerator power cord is plugged in and the contacts of the temperature controller are connected, the compressor starts to work, low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator is sucked into the compressor, compressed into high-temperature and high-pressure superheated gas in the cylinder of the compressor and then discharged into the condenser. The condensation process is as follows: the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas is cooled through the condenser, the temperature continuously decreases, gradually cooled into saturated vapor at normal temperature and high pressure, and further cooled into saturated liquid, the temperature no longer decreases, and the pressure of the refrigerant in the entire condensation process is almost unchanged. The throttling process is as follows: the saturated liquid refrigerant after condensation flows into the capillary tube after filtering water and impurities through the drying filter, and the pressure is reduced through the capillary tube, and the refrigerant becomes wet vapor at normal temperature and low pressure. The evaporation process is as follows: the wet vapor at normal temperature and low pressure enters the evaporator, starts to absorb heat to vaporize, reduces the temperature of the evaporator and its surrounding, and achieves refrigeration of the refrigeration chamber 105, and the refrigerant becomes low-temperature and low-pressure gas. The refrigerant from the evaporator returns to the compressor again to repeat the above process, and energy conversion is performed through the state change of the refrigerant to transfer heat in the refrigerator to air outside the box, thereby achieving the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator. The structure and operation principle of the above refrigerator refrigeration cycle system are related technologies, and will not be described herein.

[0112] In some embodiments, the refrigeration cycle pipeline 200 can adopt a segmented design, and the pipeline is segmented and combined as needed. The length, diameter and material of each segment of the pipeline are designed to ensure sufficient flow and low energy consumption while improving heat exchange efficiency. The foamed insulation layer formed between the refrigeration cycle pipeline 200 and the tank can enhance the insulation effect by changing the density and thickness of the foaming material to prevent heat loss of the refrigeration pipeline. Anti-freezing heating wires can be designed at key positions of the refrigeration cycle pipeline, such as the inlet of the evaporator, to prevent freezing during the flow of refrigerant.

[0113] In some embodiments, the refrigeration chamber 105 can be provided with adjustable partitions or shelves, allowing users to flexibly adjust the space according to the size of the stored items. A plurality of movable drawers can also be provided in the refrigeration chamber 105, especially in the freezer compartment, to facilitate the storage and classification of food. Multiple cold air flow holes and fan systems can be added to the refrigeration chamber 105 to ensure uniform distribution of cold air and reduce local temperature differences. Multiple temperature sensors can be configured in the refrigeration chamber 105, and the temperature control system can accurately adjust the temperature as needed to improve energy saving. An antibacterial coating can be applied to the inner walls and shelves of the refrigeration chamber 105 to reduce the growth of bacteria and mold and keep food fresh. The refrigeration chamber 105 can be integrated with a self-cleaning function, such as an automatic steam cleaning system or built-in UV lamp, to periodically remove bacteria and mold from the interior.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 4, the refrigerator further includes an ice-making compartment housing 300 disposed in the refrigeration chamber 105, and a first opening 310 is disposed on a surface of the ice-making compartment housing 300 and communicates with an interior of the ice-making compartment housing 300.

[0115] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator further includes an ice-making unit disposed in the ice-making compartment housing 300. The ice-making unit is used to produce ice cubes, and the ice-making compartment housing 300 defines an ice-making compartment that is separated from the refrigeration chamber 105.

[0116] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the refrigerator further includes a refrigeration pipe assembly including a refrigeration pipe 400 and a housing 500. At least a portion of the refrigeration pipe 400 extends into the ice-making compartment housing 300 from the first opening 310. The refrigeration pipe 400 enters the ice-making compartment housing 300 to cool the interior of the ice-making compartment housing 300 and provide conditions for the ice-making unit to produce ice cubes and store the ice cubes.

[0117] In some embodiments, since the refrigeration pipe 400 can cool the interior of the ice-making compartment housing 300, the ice-making compartment housing 300 can be disposed in the refrigeration chamber or the freezer compartment.

[0118] The ice-making unit inside the ice-making room shell 300 is provided with ice trays, and water pipes are provided to supply water to the ice trays. The refrigeration pipe 400 exchanges heat with the ice trays. After the water in the ice trays freezes, the driving device drives the ice trays to flip over so that the openings of the ice trays face downward and the ice-making operation is performed. An ice storage box is usually provided below the ice trays. The ice cubes falling from the ice trays are stored in the ice storage box. The refrigeration pipe 400 exchanges heat with the air inside the ice-making room shell 300, which can also ensure a low-temperature state in the ice storage box. Thereafter, the ice trays are reset, the water pipes supply water to the ice trays, and the ice-making process is repeated.

[0119] Please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The shell 500 is detachably connected to the first opening 310. The shell 500 is also arranged on the cavity wall 106 of the refrigeration chamber 105. At least a part of the refrigeration pipe 400 is located inside the shell 500. Please refer to FIG. 6. The shell 500 also has a second opening 510 and a third opening 520. At least a part of the refrigeration pipe 400 extends from the second opening 510 and enters the ice-making room shell 300 through the first opening 310. At least a part of the refrigeration pipe 400 also extends from the third opening 520 and communicates with the reserved section 210.

[0120] When the ice-making room shell 300 is detached, the ice-making room shell 300 is disengaged from the shell 500. The refrigeration pipe 400 extending into the ice-making room shell 300 is pulled out of the ice-making room shell 300. The shell 500 remains connected to the cavity wall 106.

[0121] In other words, when the ice-making room shell 300 is detached, only the cooperation between the ice-making room shell 300 and the shell 500 is disengaged. The refrigeration pipe 400 and the shell 500 remain on the cavity wall 106.

[0122] In the refrigerator manufacturing process, the refrigeration cycle pipeline 200 is first assembled to the cabinet, and a part of the refrigeration cycle pipeline 200 extends from the outer wall of the refrigeration chamber 105 into the interior of the refrigeration chamber 105 to form the reserved section 210. The ice-making chamber shell 300 and the ice-making unit are also assembled into an integrated structure in advance, and the refrigeration pipe 400 and the shell 500 are installed on the ice-making chamber shell 300. The ice-making chamber shell 300, the ice-making unit, the refrigeration pipe 400, and the shell 500 together form an integrated structure, which is then installed on the cavity wall 106 of the refrigeration chamber 105 from the opening of the refrigeration chamber 105. Finally, the refrigeration pipe 400 extending from the third opening 520 is connected to the reserved section 210, and the refrigeration pipe 400 is connected to the refrigeration cycle pipeline 200, so that the refrigeration pipe 400 and the refrigeration cycle pipeline 200 are in communication. Thus, the modular installation of the ice-making unit is realized during the production and manufacturing process of the refrigerator.

[0123] When the ice-making unit needs to be maintained after sale, the connection between the shell 500 and the ice-making chamber shell 300 is released, and the shell 500 and the ice-making chamber shell 300 are separated. The shell 500 and the refrigeration pipe 400 remain on the cavity wall 106 of the refrigeration chamber 105. Please refer to FIG. 8. During the process of removing the ice-making chamber shell 300, the refrigeration pipe 400 is gradually pulled out from the interior of the ice-making chamber shell 300 until the ice-making chamber shell 300 is completely removed from the refrigeration cavity wall. At this time, the ice-making chamber shell 300 and the ice-making unit are still an integrated structure.

[0124] After the ice-making unit is repaired, the ice-making chamber shell 300 and the ice-making unit can be installed back on the refrigeration chamber 105 as a whole. Specifically, the refrigeration pipe 400 is aligned with the first opening 310, so that the refrigeration pipe 400 is gradually inserted into the interior of the ice-making chamber shell 300. After the ice-making chamber shell 300 and the shell 500 are connected, the ice-making chamber shell 300 and the ice-making unit can be quickly disassembled during the post-sale stage.

[0125] In the related art, only the installation of the ice-making unit in the refrigerator manufacturing process is modular. This is because the ice-making chamber shell and the refrigeration pipe are an integrated structure in the related art. After installation, the refrigeration pipe 400 is welded to the refrigeration cycle pipeline 200, and it is impossible to separate the refrigeration pipe 400 and the refrigeration cycle pipeline 200. In this case, the ice-making unit and the ice-making chamber shell 300 can only be removed one by one, so there is still a problem of complicated installation and removal during the post-sale stage.

[0126] In some embodiments, the ice-making compartment shell 300 can adopt a multi-layer composite material structure, the outer layer adopts high-temperature-resistant and anti-aging plastic or metal, the middle layer uses high-efficiency thermal insulation material (such as polyurethane foam, vacuum insulation panel), and the inner layer adopts anti-bacterial and corrosion-resistant material. The inside of the ice-making compartment shell 300 can be designed as an adjustable structure, such as a detachable, adjustable size partition or movable rack, to meet the storage needs of different users. A quick plug-in interface, such as a quick release buckle or a sliding rail device, is designed between the ice-making compartment shell 300 and the cavity wall of the refrigerator, so that the ice-making compartment shell can be conveniently connected or detached with the cabinet. The refrigeration pipe 400 can adopt high-efficiency heat-conducting alloy material (such as copper alloy or aluminum alloy) to improve its heat exchange performance. The refrigeration pipe 400 can adopt a double-layer heat-insulating pipe design, and the outer layer is provided with heat-insulating material to reduce the influence of external heat on the pipe. A quick connector or buckle device is designed at the connection part of the refrigeration pipe 400, facilitating the quick connection and disconnection of the refrigeration pipe 400 with other parts. The joint part of the refrigeration pipe 400 adopts a high-strength sealing ring or a press-fit design to ensure that there is basically no air leakage at the joint.

[0127] However, in some embodiments of the refrigerator, the shell 500 and the refrigeration pipe 400 passing through the shell 500 are provided, the shell 500 is detachably connected to the ice-making compartment shell 300, and the shell 500 is also arranged on the cavity wall of the refrigeration cavity 105. When installing the ice-making compartment shell 300 and the ice-making unit inside it, the shell 500, the refrigeration pipe 400 and the ice-making compartment shell 300 are first installed as a whole, and then the whole is installed on the cavity wall. When maintaining the ice-making unit, only the connection between the ice-making compartment shell 300 and the shell 500 needs to be released, and the ice-making compartment shell 300 can be removed, and the refrigeration pipe 400 and the shell 500 are left on the cavity wall. Through such a structure, when maintaining after sale, it is not necessary to remove each part one by one, reducing the difficulty of disassembly and simplifying the operation.

[0128] In some embodiments, the shell 500 is clamped at the first opening 310, and the shell 500 is clamped on the cavity wall; the force required to release the clamping between the shell 500 and the ice-making compartment shell 300 is less than the force required to release the clamping between the shell 500 and the cavity wall.

[0129] After the manufacturing stage of the refrigerator is completed, the clamping between the shell 500 and the cavity wall does not need to be released again in the maintenance stage after sale, and the shell 500 and the cavity wall remain in the clamped state, so that the shell 500 can always be left on the cavity wall of the refrigeration cavity 105. The clamping between the shell 500 and the ice-making compartment shell 300 needs to be released in the maintenance stage after sale, so that the ice-making compartment shell 300 can be removed.

[0130] Since the shell 500 is clamped to the ice-making chamber shell 300 and the cavity wall respectively, during the post-sale maintenance stage, when the ice-making chamber shell 300 is removed, the force required to release the clamping between the shell 500 and the ice-making chamber shell 300 is less than the force required to release the clamping between the shell 500 and the cavity wall, and the clamping between the ice-making chamber shell 300 and the shell 500 can be released separately without releasing the clamping between the shell 500 and the cavity wall of the refrigeration cavity 105.

[0131] The force required to release the clamping between the shell 500 and the ice-making chamber shell 300 can be measured as follows: when the shell 500 and the ice-making chamber shell 300 are in the clamped state, the position of the shell 500 is fixed, and a force is applied to the ice-making chamber shell 300 by a tension gauge or other measuring tool in the transverse direction, i.e., the loading and unloading direction X, to force the ice-making chamber shell 300 away from the shell 500, and the reading of the tension gauge is read when the ice-making chamber shell 300 and the shell 500 are separated.

[0132] The force required to release the clamping between the shell 500 and the cavity wall can be measured as follows: when the shell 500 and the cavity wall are in the clamped state, the position of the cavity wall is fixed, and a force is applied to the shell 500 by a tension gauge or other measuring tool in the transverse direction, i.e., the loading and unloading direction X, to force the shell 500 away from the cavity wall, and the reading of the tension gauge is read when the cavity wall and the shell 500 are separated.

[0133] In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, the shell 500 is provided with a clamping portion 550, and the surface of the ice-making chamber shell 300 is provided with a clamping portion 320, the clamping portion 320 is hung on the clamping portion 550 to form the clamping of the clamping portion 550 and the clamping portion 320, and the surface section of the clamping portion 550 clamped with the clamping portion 320 is in the shape of a circular arc.

[0134] The cooperation of the clamping portion 550 and the clamping portion 320 can realize the clamping of the shell 500 and the ice-making chamber shell 300. In the clamped state, the clamping portion 320 is hung on the clamping portion 550, and the clamping portion 550 can limit the movement of the ice-making chamber shell 300 to the outside of the refrigeration cavity 105, and maintain the connection state of the ice-making chamber shell 300 and the shell 500. When the clamping is released, the worker needs to apply a larger force to the ice-making chamber shell 300 to make the clamping portion 320 no longer hung on the clamping portion 550.

[0135] In some embodiments, the clamping portion 320 can be designed as a hook plate, one end of which is shaped as a hook or has a slope, and can be conveniently hung on the clamping portion 550. The hook plate can be a thin plate, the edge of which is shaped as a hook or a sawtooth, so as to form a firm hooking with the clamping portion 550. The hook plate structure is relatively simple, easy to produce and assemble. The hook-shaped design of the hook plate makes the clamping have a strong locking effect, avoiding loosening. The clamping portion 550 can be designed as a boss, and the shape of the boss can be circular, square or with a slope. The upper end of the boss can be designed as a slope or a circular arc, so that the hook plate can be smoothly hooked and kept in the clamped state. The boss design makes the hook plate have good stability when clamped with it, avoiding unnecessary displacement. The boss structure is simple, the production cost is low, and it is easy to process. In some embodiments, the clamping portion 550 is designed as a clamping groove, and the clamping portion 320 is designed as a clamping pin that can be inserted into the clamping groove. The clamping pin can be designed as a structure with elasticity or can be rotated, and after being inserted into the clamping groove, it is locked by the clamping pin. The cooperation mode of the clamping groove and the clamping pin provides more stable connection, and the clamping pin can avoid loosening due to vibration or external force. Through the rotation or elastic mechanism, the clamping pin can be conveniently disassembled, which is suitable for equipment that needs to be disassembled regularly. In some embodiments, the clamping portion 320 is designed as an elastic buckle, and the clamping portion 550 is designed as a part with a clamping ring. The elastic buckle makes the clamping ring tightly clamped on the clamping portion 320 by applying a certain force, forming a firm clamping. The elastic buckle structure can be automatically locked after insertion, which is convenient to operate and does not require additional tools. The elastic structure can alleviate the vibration and reduce the falling caused by external impact.

[0136] Please refer to FIG. 11, the surface of the clamping portion 550 clamped with the clamping portion 320 has a first unhooking portion, which can reduce the contact area between the clamping portion 550 and the clamping portion 320, thereby reducing the friction therebetween, thereby reducing the force required to disengage the cooperation between the clamping portion 550 and the clamping portion 320, that is, the force required to disengage the clamping between the shell 500 and the ice-making chamber shell 300.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first unhooking portion is provided as a circular arc shape of the cross section of the clamping portion 550, or a slope is provided on the clamping portion 550, so as to reduce the friction between the clamping portion 550 and the clamping portion 320.

[0138] The surface of the clamping portion 320 that clamps with the engaging portion 550 has a second unhooking portion, which is also used to reduce the contact area between the engaging portion 550 and the clamping portion 320, thereby reducing the friction therebetween. On the basis that the surface of the engaging portion 550 that clamps with the clamping portion 320 is in the shape of a circular arc, the clamping portion 320 is also provided in the shape of an arc, so that the contact between the clamping portion 320 and the engaging portion 550 is linear contact, thereby further reducing the force required to disengage the engaging portion 550 and the clamping portion 320.

[0139] In some embodiments, the second unhooking portion is provided in the shape of a circular arc on the surface of the clamping portion 320, or the surface of the clamping portion 320 is provided with an inclined surface, so as to reduce the friction between the engaging portion 550 and the clamping portion 320.

[0140] In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the cavity wall is provided with an avoiding portion 110, which is used to avoid the engaging portion 550 and the clamping portion 320.

[0141] The engaging portion 550 protrudes from the surface of the shell 500, and the clamping portion 320 protrudes from the surface of the ice-making compartment shell 300. When the ice-making compartment shell 300 is mounted on the cavity wall of the refrigeration compartment 105 through the shell 500, in order to prevent the cavity wall from interfering with the engaging portion 550 and the clamping portion 320, the avoiding portion 110 is provided to ensure normal mounting of the ice-making compartment shell 300 and the shell 500.

[0142] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 12, the shell 500 is further provided with a buckle head 560, and the cavity wall is provided with a buckling portion 120, the buckle head 560 clamps in the buckling portion 120, and the contact surface between the buckle head 560 and the buckling portion 120 is a plane and is denoted as a first plane 600. Through the provision of the buckle head 560 and the buckling portion 120, the clamping between the connecting portion and the cavity wall of the refrigeration compartment 105 is achieved, so as to facilitate mounting of the shell 500 on the cavity wall.

[0143] In some embodiments, the buckle head 560 is provided on multiple sides of the shell 500, and the buckling portion 120 is also provided correspondingly to the buckle head 560, so as to ensure that the connecting portion can be stably stressed, thereby enabling stable mounting of the connecting portion on the cavity wall of the refrigeration compartment 105. Since the contact between the buckle head 560 and the buckling portion 120 is surface contact, the friction therebetween is relatively large, and after the clamping between the buckle head 560 and the buckling portion 120 is formed, it is not easy for them to be disengaged from each other.

[0144] In some embodiments, the fastening portion 120 can be a fastening slot, a fastening hole, an elastic buckle, a clamping tooth, or a magnetic clamping. In some embodiments, the fastening portion 120 can be designed in the form of a fastening slot, which is a groove with a specific geometric shape that can accurately match the shape of the fastening head 560. The shape of the fastening slot can be optimized according to the geometric features of the fastening head 560, such as a U-shaped slot, an L-shaped slot, or a circular slot, etc. The width and depth of the fastening slot can be adjusted according to the size and shape of the fastening head 560 to ensure that the fastening head 560 can be stably clamped in the fastening slot. The edges of the fastening slot can be designed with chamfer or smooth to facilitate the smooth insertion of the fastening head 560 and reduce friction during insertion. The fastening slot provides a wider contact surface and a more secure clamping with the fastening head 560, avoiding disengagement due to excessive local pressure. The U-shaped fastening slot can increase the contact area and enhance the stability of the clamping, and the two sides of the U-shaped slot can effectively prevent the disengagement of the fastening head 560. The circular fastening slot is suitable for circular or curved fastening heads 560, increasing the adaptability. If a stronger clamping force is needed, a multi-stage fastening slot structure can be designed, with different depths and widths to support the fastening head 560 at different points. In some embodiments, the fastening portion 120 can be designed as a hole with a specific size and shape, and the fastening head 560 is clamped by inserting into the hole. The shape of the fastening head 560 can be hook-shaped, cylindrical, or other more adaptable designs. In some embodiments, the fastening portion 120 can be designed with an elastic buckle, such as using a spring or elastic material, and after the fastening head 560 is inserted, the elastic component will automatically reset and clamp the fastening head, maintaining a stable connection. In some embodiments, the fastening portion 120 can be designed with a clamping tooth structure, similar to the meshing of a gear, and the fastening head 560 is clamped by meshing with the clamping teeth. The clamping teeth are usually composed of small protrusions that form a lock when the fastening head is inserted. In some embodiments, the fastening portion 120 can also be designed with a magnetic structure, using magnetic force to attract the fastening head 560 for connection. Magnetic clamping is particularly suitable for occasions that require quick installation and disassembly.

[0145] Since the shell 500 and the ice-making chamber shell 300 are also clamped together, but through the form of the clamping portion 550 and the clamping portion 320, compared with the matching structure of the buckle head 560 and the clamping portion 120, the structure of the clamping portion 550 and the clamping portion 320 is easier to disengage. In other words, in some embodiments of the present application, the matching of the clamping portion 550 and the clamping portion 320 is equivalent to a live buckle, which can disengage the clamping of the two without damaging the clamping portion 550 and the clamping portion 320; while the buckle head 560 and the clamping portion 120 are equivalent to a dead buckle, and if the clamping is to be disengaged, the structure of the buckle head 560 or the clamping portion 120 needs to be damaged, or both. In the after-sales maintenance stage, when the staff dismounts the ice-making chamber shell 300, the force required to separate the ice-making chamber shell 300 and the shell 500 is smaller than the force required to separate the shell 500 and the cavity wall, so that the refrigeration pipe and the shell 500 are left on the cavity wall.

[0146] Please refer to FIG. 12, the vertical plane where the dismounting direction X of the shell 500 relative to the cavity wall is located is recorded as the second plane 700, and the included angle α between the second plane 700 and the first plane 600 is not greater than 90°.

[0147] In some embodiments of the present application, the included angle α between the second plane 700 and the first plane 600 is 90°, and the buckle head 560 is firmly clamped in the clamping portion 120, and it is not easy to disengage the clamping between the two, so a larger force is required to separate them.

[0148] In other embodiments, the included angle α between the second plane 700 and the first plane 600 can also be less than 90°, that is, a part of the buckle head 560 is equivalent to being embedded in the clamping portion 120, and the clamping between the two is more difficult to disengage, so a larger force is required to separate them.

[0149] In some embodiments, please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the shell 500 includes a plug-in portion 530 and a connecting portion 540 which are internally connected to each other, the plug-in portion 530 is arranged on the connecting portion 540, the refrigeration pipe 400 passes through the plug-in portion 530 and the connecting portion 540, the plug-in portion 530 is inserted into the inside of the ice-making chamber shell 300 from the first opening 310, the second opening 510 is arranged on the plug-in portion 530, the connecting portion 540 is arranged on the cavity wall, and the third opening 520 is arranged on the connecting portion 540.

[0150] The insertion part 530 is arranged to fix the position of the refrigeration pipe 400, and is inserted into the ice-making compartment housing 300 from the first opening 310. On one hand, the insertion part 530 can guide the movement path of the ice-making compartment housing 300 when it is disassembled. On the other hand, the insertion part 530 can facilitate the installation of the shell 500 on the ice-making compartment housing 300 during the manufacturing stage of the refrigerator.

[0151] In the direction in which the refrigeration pipe 400 extends outward from the second opening 510, the outer surface of the insertion part 530 is arranged as an inclined surface. The projection area of the shell 500 corresponding to the second opening 510 is the minimum projection area of the shell 500, thereby facilitating the entry and exit of the shell 500 from the first opening 310. The connection part 540 is arranged to connect the refrigeration cavity wall and the ice-making compartment housing 300.

[0152] In some embodiments, the shell 500 is internally provided with a thermal insulation member that wraps the refrigeration pipe 400 located inside the shell 500, i.e., the refrigeration pipe 400 inside the insertion part 530 and the connection part 540. The arrangement of the thermal insulation member can reduce the heat exchange between the refrigeration pipe 400 inside the shell 500 and the outside environment, and reduce the influence of the path arrangement of the refrigeration pipe 400 on the cooling capacity of the ice-making compartment housing 300.

[0153] In some embodiments, the cavity wall is formed with a receiving part 130 for receiving the shell 500 and the refrigeration pipe 400. In comparison with the related structure of the ice-making compartment housing in the related art, the shell 500 in some embodiments of the present application is newly arranged on the outer surface of the ice-making compartment housing 300. Therefore, the receiving part 130 is arranged at the position corresponding to the cavity wall, so as to prevent interference with the installation of the ice-making compartment housing 300, the shell 500, and the refrigeration pipe 400.

[0154] In some embodiments, the receiving part 130 is a receiving groove, and the connection between the shell 500 and the cavity wall is located on the groove wall of the receiving groove.

[0155] In the present embodiment, the buckle part 120 is arranged on the groove wall of the receiving groove. On one hand, this can facilitate the arrangement of the installation structure of the connection part 540 and the cavity wall. On the other hand, this can prevent the depth of the receiving groove from being too deep, thereby affecting the arrangement of the foamed thermal insulation layer.

[0156] In some embodiments, fixed points or buckle designs are added at multiple key positions of the plug-in part 530, so that the refrigeration pipe 400 can be more stably fixed during the plugging process. A ring buckle or a magnetic fastener can be used. A guide groove or slide rail structure is designed inside the plug-in part 530, which helps to accurately guide the refrigeration pipe 400 to the desired position. An adjustable plugging depth is added in the design of the plug-in part 530, so that the refrigeration pipe 400 can be accurately plugged to different depths as needed. The connection part 540 adopts a reinforced interface design, such as using an adjustable bolt or buckle system, to make the connection more stable. High-sealing materials or sealing ring designs are added at the interface of the connection part 540 to reduce air or cold air leakage. The connection part 540 can be designed as a rotary connection, so that the shell 500 and the ice-making compartment shell 300 can be fastened by rotating when connected. The groove width of the accommodating part 130 can be changed by adjusting the sliding device to adapt to different models of the shell 500 and the refrigeration pipe 400. Protective designs such as flexible pads, cushion pads, etc. are provided in the groove of the accommodating part 130 to prevent the refrigeration pipe 400 and the shell 500 from colliding during installation.

[0157] In order to realize higher efficiency and modular design of the refrigerator assembly and maintenance, the foregoing embodiments enable the ice-making unit to be installed and disassembled in a modular manner through the cooperation of the shell and the ice-making compartment shell, thereby simplifying the after-sales maintenance operation. Specifically, by assembling the shell, the refrigeration pipe and the ice-making compartment shell into an integrated whole, the integrated whole can be conveniently installed in the refrigeration cavity of the refrigerator, and when maintenance is required, the ice-making unit can be integrally disassembled by disengaging the ice-making compartment shell from the shell, without the need to disassemble the components one by one, thereby saving time and effort.

[0158] Based on this design idea, the following embodiments further optimize the assembly and function of the ice-making unit. The shell forms an independent accommodating space, and the ice-making components and the first refrigeration pipe are installed in the accommodating space, thereby realizing independent modular design of the ice-making device. This design enables the ice-making device to be assembled outside the refrigerator, sealed and verified, and functionally tested without directly interfering with the structure inside the refrigerator. At the same time, when the ice-making device is assembled into the refrigeration cavity, the internal sealing thereof is maintained, thereby further improving the overall assembly and maintenance efficiency of the refrigerator.

[0159] Therefore, the foregoing embodiments simplify the assembly and maintenance process of the refrigerator through modular design, and the following embodiments further enhance the independence and flexibility of the ice-making device, thereby enabling the production, verification, assembly and maintenance of the refrigerator to be more convenient and efficient.

[0160] The refrigerator 100 provided by some embodiments of the present application can have various implementation forms. FIG. 13 is an embodiment of the refrigerator 100 of the present application. In some embodiments of the present application, the refrigerator 100 includes a cabinet 101.

[0161] The directions described herein are based on the direction in which the user faces the refrigerator 100, wherein the left side and the right side are distinguished based on the direction in which the user faces the refrigerator 100, the side of the refrigerator 100 facing the user when the refrigerator 100 is in use is defined as the front side, the side opposite thereto is defined as the back side, and the upper side and the lower side of the refrigerator 100 when the refrigerator 100 is normally operating are defined to distinguish between the upper side and the lower side.

[0162] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the cabinet 101 is used to form the overall appearance of the refrigerator 100, the cabinet 101 is generally in the shape of a rectangular frame, the top of the cabinet 101 and the bottom of the cabinet 101 are opposite ends, the height direction of the cabinet 101 is from the top of the cabinet 101 to the bottom of the cabinet 101, the left side of the cabinet 101 and the right side of the cabinet 101 are opposite sides, the width direction of the cabinet 101 is from the left side of the cabinet 101 to the right side of the cabinet 101, the front side of the cabinet 101 and the back side of the cabinet 101 are opposite sides, and the thickness direction of the cabinet 101 is from the front side of the cabinet 101 to the back side of the cabinet 101. The cabinet 101 includes an inner container 102 and a cabinet shell, the inner container 102 is arranged in the cabinet shell, and an installation space is formed between the two for installing other components and structures of the refrigerator 100 and forming a foamed insulation layer. The inner container 102 has a refrigeration compartment 103 formed therein for placing goods, the refrigeration compartment 103 is provided with a chamber opening, the chamber opening is arranged in the direction of the front side of the cabinet 101, and the refrigeration compartment 103 can be a cold storage temperature environment, a freezing temperature environment, or a normal temperature environment. The chamber opening is provided with a door body, the door body is arranged in the form of a straight plate on the front side of the cabinet 101, and the door body is connected to the cabinet 101 in a hinged manner to open or close the refrigeration compartment 103.

[0163] The refrigerator further comprises a refrigeration system (not shown in the figure) for providing cold air to the refrigeration compartment 103; the refrigeration system generally refers to a closed system composed of a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, a drying filter, a return pipe and a throttling device, and a refrigerant, each component is distributed at different positions of the cabinet 101 according to its structural characteristics to meet the requirements of its corresponding functions. The working process of the refrigeration system mainly includes compression process, condensation process, throttling process and evaporation process. The compression process is as follows: after the power cord of the refrigerator 100 is plugged in and the contacts of the temperature controller are turned on, the compressor starts to work, the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator is sucked into the compressor, and after being compressed into high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas by the compressor, it is discharged into the condenser. The condensation process is as follows: the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant gas exchanges heat with the outside environment through the condenser, the temperature drops, and gradually cools into a normal-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant saturated vapor, and then into a refrigerant saturated liquid. The throttling process is as follows: the condensed refrigerant saturated liquid is filtered to remove water and impurities through the drying filter and then flows into the throttling device, and the throttling device is throttled to reduce the pressure, and the refrigerant becomes a normal-temperature and low-pressure wet vapor. The evaporation process is as follows: the normal-temperature and low-pressure wet vapor enters the evaporator, starts to absorb heat to vaporize, reduces the temperature of the evaporator and its surroundings, realizes refrigeration, and makes the refrigerant into a low-temperature and low-pressure gas. The refrigerant coming out of the evaporator returns to the compressor to repeat the above process, and through the state change of the refrigerant, the energy conversion is realized, the heat in the refrigerator 100 is transferred to the air outside the box, thereby realizing the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 100.

[0164] The refrigerator further comprises a blowing system (not shown in the figure) installed in the cabinet 101 for providing power for the cold air flow; the blowing system generally comprises a fan and a blowing air duct defined in the cabinet 101, in some embodiments, the air inlet end of the blowing air duct is arranged close to the fan, and the air outlet end of the blowing air duct is arranged away from the fan; in other embodiments, the air outlet end of the blowing air duct is arranged close to the fan, and the air inlet end of the blowing air duct is arranged away from the fan. The cabinet 101 further defines an air duct cavity in communication with the blowing air duct and the refrigeration compartment 103, so that the blowing air duct communicates with the refrigeration compartment 103 through the air duct cavity; it should be noted that the inner container 102 is provided with an air outlet for communicating the air duct cavity with the refrigeration compartment 103, and the cold air generated by the refrigeration system enters the air duct cavity through the blowing air duct by the operation of the fan, and then flows to the refrigeration compartment 103 through the air outlet to refrigerate the refrigeration compartment 103. It should be further noted that in some embodiments, the air outlet is arranged on the side wall of the inner container 102 opposite to the opening of the refrigeration compartment 103 or on the side wall adjacent to the opening of the refrigeration compartment 103. In addition, the refrigerator further comprises a door body (not shown in the figure). It should be further noted that the refrigeration system and the blowing system belong to the related technology in the art, which will not be described here.

[0165] In the refrigerator 100, referring to FIG. 15, the inner container 102 is arranged in the cabinet 101, and the inner container 102 is wrapped and insulated by a foaming layer. The refrigeration compartment 103 is formed in the inner container 102 and has a front access opening.

[0166] The refrigeration system is arranged in the cabinet 101 and generates cold energy that can be supplied to the refrigeration compartment 103. Referring to FIG. 20, the refrigeration system has a second refrigeration pipe 11 that can lead refrigerant circulating between an evaporator and a condenser. Generally, the refrigerant flowing in the second refrigeration pipe 11 is in a liquid state.

[0167] In some embodiments, the inner container 102 can be designed as a multi-layer structure, for example, a high-density plastic or stainless steel is used for the outer layer of the inner container, and an easy-to-clean and antibacterial material is used for the inner layer. The multi-layer structure of the inner container helps to reduce the influence of external temperature on the refrigeration space by increasing the thermal insulation layer, and the antibacterial coating or material can inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold to maintain the hygiene of the refrigeration space. The selection of the outer layer material can reduce vibration transmission and avoid excessive noise during the operation of the refrigerator. The inner surface of the inner container 102 can be designed as a smooth curved surface, which not only facilitates cleaning but also optimizes air flow and helps to distribute cold air more evenly. By eliminating uneven structures, dust and oil stains are reduced to ensure the cleanliness of the refrigeration space. Airflow guide grooves or airflow distributors can be added inside the inner container 102 to ensure that cold air can effectively cover the entire refrigeration compartment 103 when flowing. This helps to improve the refrigeration efficiency and avoid the situation of overcooling or overheating in local areas to ensure the uniformity of refrigeration.

[0168] In some embodiments, a partitioned temperature control design can be introduced in the refrigeration compartment 103, that is, different temperature control systems are used to set the temperature of different areas in the refrigeration compartment 103. Each area can have independent temperature control devices and humidity adjustment systems to ensure the best state of storing various foods. The top and bottom of the refrigeration compartment 103 are provided with air flow channels or air ducts, which help to distribute cold air more evenly to each part of the refrigeration compartment. In particular, air ducts are arranged at the top and bottom of the refrigeration compartment to help cold air cover each area more evenly by natural convection, avoiding the concentration of cold air in a certain place and optimizing the refrigeration effect. The door body of the refrigeration compartment 103 can be designed as a double-sealing structure to improve the closure of the door by two sealing strips, reduce cold air leakage, and enhance the refrigeration effect. In particular, in the case of frequent opening and closing of the refrigeration compartment, double sealing can greatly reduce the loss of cold air and maintain the stability of the internal temperature.

[0169] Referring to FIG. 23, the refrigerator 100 of some embodiments of the present application has an ice making device 104 to prepare ice cubes. Referring to FIG. 22, the ice making device 104 includes a housing 1, wherein

[0170] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 20, the housing 1 forms a receiving space 1a independent of the refrigeration compartment 103. The ice making device 104 further comprises an ice making component 2 disposed in the receiving space 1a and configured to produce ice cubes at least by using the cold energy generated by the refrigeration system. The ice making device 104 further comprises a water inlet 3 disposed on the top of the housing 1 and connected to the ice making component 2 to supply water for ice making to the ice making component 2. The ice making device 104 further comprises a first refrigeration pipe 4 disposed in the receiving space 1a and connected to the ice making component 2, and a portion of the first refrigeration pipe 4 extends to outside of the receiving space 1a at the rear side wall of the housing 1 to form a connection port 4a. The connection port 4a is connected to a second refrigeration pipe 11 to deliver the cold energy generated by the refrigeration system to the first refrigeration pipe 4 so that the cold energy is introduced into the ice making component 2.

[0171] The receiving space 1a formed by the housing 1 enables the ice making device 104 to be independent of the refrigeration compartment 103 of the refrigerator 100 as a whole, so that the ice making device 104 can be put into or taken out of the refrigeration compartment 103 as a whole. In this way, the ice making device 104 can be assembled outside the refrigerator 100 first and then put into the refrigeration compartment 103 as a whole, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the ice making device 104 on the refrigerator 100. Moreover, when the ice making device 104 is assembled outside the refrigerator 100, the assembled ice making device 104 can be transferred to an inspection device to detect the sealing of internal components, the effectiveness of connections, such as whether the ice making component 2 is effectively installed, whether the cold conduction of the first refrigeration pipe 4 is effective, and whether the water injection of the ice making component 2 is splashed, etc. Compared with installing the ice making device 104 on the cabinet 101 of the refrigerator 100, the ice making device 104 of some embodiments of the present application forms an ice making module independent of the refrigerator 100 by using the receiving space 1a formed by the housing 1, which can better ensure the quality of the refrigerator 100 product.

[0172] It can be understood that, after the ice making component 2 is wrapped by the housing 1, the ice making component 2 is only separated from the refrigeration compartment 103 by the housing 1. Therefore, the inside of the housing 1 can be additionally provided with a thermal insulation layer to ensure that the ice cubes produced by the ice making component 2 will not melt in the receiving space 1a. According to the thermal insulation needs of the housing 1, the thermal insulation layer can be made of suitable materials, which will not be described here.

[0173] After the ice making device 104 forms an independent ice making module through the shell 1, the ice making device 104 can be integrally installed in the refrigeration compartment 103. The outer side of the shell 1 can be provided with a bearing part 1b connected to the inner wall of the inner container 102, so that the ice making device 104 is fixed in the refrigeration compartment 103. The bearing part 1b is arranged on the outer side of the shell 1, so that the integrally assembled ice making device 104 can be directly connected to the inner wall of the inner container 102 by the structure outside the shell 1. The assembly process of the ice making device 104 does not involve the components inside the shell 1, and does not affect the sealing between the ice making components 2, the first refrigeration pipe 4 and other components inside the shell 1, so that the external assembly of the ice making device 104 in the refrigerator 100 can ensure the sealing and effectiveness of the ice making device 104 itself.

[0174] It can be understood that after the ice making device 104 constitutes an independent ice making module from the refrigerator 100, the water injection mode and the cooling mode of the ice making device 104 affect the assembly efficiency of the ice making device 104 in the refrigerator 100 to some extent. In an example as an embodiment, the water injection port 3 of the ice making device 104 is arranged at the top of the shell 1. Correspondingly, the water flow pipeline inside the refrigerator 100 can extend to the top of the inner container 102 through the space between the inner container 102 and the cabinet 101, that is, the area where the foaming layer is located, and is connected to the top of the inner container 102 through the opening (not shown in the figure) at the top of the inner container 102, so that the water flow pipeline provided inside the refrigerator 100 is connected to the top of the inner container 102, and then the ice making water flowing in the water flow pipeline can flow to the top of the inner container 102 along the water flow pipeline, and flow to the water injection port 3 at the top of the shell 1 through the opening at the top of the inner container 102, and then enter the containing space 1a and fall into the ice making component 2. Moreover, by adjusting the connection position of the bearing part 1b and the inner container 102, the water injection port 3 arranged at the top of the shell 1 can be communicated with the opening at the top of the inner container 102 when the bearing part 1b and the inner container 102 are connected in place. In this way, when the bearing part 1b and the inner container 102 are connected in place, the water injection port 3 is also communicated with the water flow pipeline inside the refrigerator 100, so that the ice making device 104 can be quickly installed inside the refrigerator 100.

[0175] It can be understood that the arrangement position of the water injection port 3 can be adjusted according to the water supply system of the refrigerator 100 and the structure of the shell 1. The water injection port 3 does not necessarily have to be arranged at the top of the shell 1. In other examples, the water injection port 3 can also be arranged at the back side or the left side or the right side of the shell 1, for example, the water supply system of the refrigerator 100 forms an access port in the refrigeration compartment 103. In this way, the water injection port 3 arranged at the back side or the left side or the right side of the shell 1 can be connected to the access port of the water supply system when the ice making device 104 is integrally placed in the refrigeration compartment 103. The water supply system and the water injection port 3 can be connected by a quick plug connector or other connection methods, which will not be described in detail in the drawings.

[0176] Moreover, the first refrigeration pipe 4 is pre-assembled in the accommodation space la, so that when the ice making device 104 is assembled outside the refrigerator 100, the relative position between the first refrigeration pipe 4 and the ice making component 2 can be pre-calibrated and fixed, so that the refrigerant flowing in the first refrigeration pipe 4 can effectively exchange heat with the ice-making water stored in the ice making component 2, and the ice-making water in the ice making component 2 can be quickly condensed into ice blocks. Moreover, part of the first refrigeration pipe 4 extends to the outside of the accommodation space la at the rear side wall of the shell 1, forming a connection port 4a. In this way, when the ice making device 104 is placed in the refrigeration compartment 103 as a whole, the ice making device 104 has a connection port 4a outside that can connect the refrigerant, so that when the ice making device 104 is connected and installed with the refrigeration system of the refrigerator 100, it is not necessary to disassemble the shell 1, nor is it necessary to adjust the various components in the accommodation space la, so that the second refrigeration pipe 11 of the refrigeration system can be conveniently connected, and the refrigerant of the refrigeration system can be introduced into the ice making component 2.

[0177] In some embodiments, in order to better organize and protect the various components inside the ice making device, the accommodation space la can be divided into multiple functional areas. For example, a special area can be set up to accommodate the ice making component 2, the refrigeration pipe 4, the water inlet 3 and other components. Each area can have a different isolation design to ensure that the condensed liquid, air flow and water flow do not interfere with each other. In order to avoid water droplets or water vapor from leaking to other components of the accommodation space la when water is injected, the accommodation space la can be designed as a space with waterproof separation, using a baffle or waterproof material to ensure that the water flow does not accidentally enter the refrigeration pipe or the external connection interface. A certain thickness of thermal insulation layer can be provided inside the accommodation space la, especially around the ice making component 2 and the refrigeration pipe 4. These areas may need to use high-efficiency thermal insulation materials such as polyurethane foam and vacuum insulation panels to ensure low temperature during ice making and prevent cold air leakage. In addition, the design of the thermal insulation layer should be able to avoid the problem of water droplets condensation due to excessive temperature difference. Between the accommodation space la and other internal areas of the refrigerator, an additional thermal isolation structure can be used to separate it from the refrigeration compartment 103. This can effectively isolate heat and prevent temperature differences during ice making from affecting the temperature balance of other areas.

[0178] Based on the foregoing refrigerator 100, some embodiments of the present application also provide an assembly method of the refrigerator 100, as shown in FIG. 25, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0179] The ice making component 2 and the first refrigeration pipe 4 are installed and fixed in the shell 1, and part of the first refrigeration pipe 4 extends to the outside of the accommodation space la at the rear side wall of the shell 1, forming a connection port 4a;

[0180] The ice making machine 2a of the ice making component 2 is placed in the refrigeration cavity as a whole, and the ice making device 104 is fixed in the refrigeration compartment 103.

[0181] The second refrigeration pipe 11 is led out of the refrigeration system and connected to the connection port 4a.

[0182] It can be understood that the ice making device 104 is configured as an ice making module independent of the refrigeration compartment 103 of the refrigerator 100 by the accommodation space 1a formed by the configured ice making component 2 and the shell 1.

[0183] Based on the ice making module formed by the ice making device 104 and independent of the refrigeration compartment 103 of the refrigerator 100, the assembly method is applied to the structure of the aforementioned refrigerator 100 and can achieve the technical effects that the aforementioned refrigerator 100 structure can achieve, which will not be repeated here.

[0184] Moreover, the refrigerator 100 of some embodiments of the present application is designed by the bearing part 1b, so that the ice making device 104 can be translated in and out of the refrigeration compartment 103 along the front-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment 103. Compared with the assembly method of installing parts one by one in the inner tank of the refrigerator in the related art direct-cooling ice maker, the ice making device 104 of the present application is assembled externally to the refrigerator 100, and the ice making device 104 is directly translated into the refrigeration compartment 103 to complete the assembly of the ice making device 104 inside the refrigerator 100, so that the ice making device 104 of the present application can be conveniently assembled inside the refrigerator 100, and the assembly is more convenient.

[0185] It can be understood that in addition to preparing ice blocks by using the cold produced by the refrigeration system, the ice making component 2 can also be configured with functions such as ice crushing, ice storage, drainage, and other functions suitable for the ice making device 104 according to the functional requirements of the ice making device 104. Correspondingly, the ice making component 2 can have structural members to realize these functions, referring to FIG. 20 and FIG. 22, the ice making component 2 can include an ice maker 2a, an ice storage device 2b, an ice crusher 2c, and a drainage mechanism 2d, wherein,

[0186] The ice maker 2a is connected to the first refrigeration pipe 4 to prepare ice blocks by using the cold produced by the refrigeration system; the ice storage device 2b is connected to the ice maker 2a to store the ice blocks prepared by the ice maker 2a; the ice crusher 2c is connected to the ice maker 2a to crush the ice blocks prepared by the ice maker 2a; and the drainage mechanism 2d is connected to the ice maker 2a to drain the water produced by the ice maker 2a.

[0187] It should be noted that the structural members provided by the ice making component 2 can be selected according to the functions required to be configured by the ice making device 104. Generally, the ice making device 104 has an ice maker 2a, in addition to which, an ice storage bin 2b, an ice crusher 2c, and a drainage mechanism 2d can be configured according to the functions configured by the ice making device 104, and in addition to the ice storage bin 2b, the ice crusher 2c, and the drainage mechanism 2d, the ice making device 104 can also be configured with structural members capable of achieving the functions required to be configured according to the functions required to be configured.

[0188] Generally, the ice maker 2a has an ice making grid for containing ice making water. In addition to the ice making grid, the ice maker 2a can also have other functional components such as a driving motor, an ice dropping rod, etc., according to the functions configured by the ice maker 2a, so that the ice making grid can be rotated to drop ice after the ice is prepared. The specific structure of the ice maker 2a can be set based on the functions configured by the ice maker 2a, which will not be described here.

[0189] The ice storage bin 2b is generally arranged below the ice making grid, and after the ice making grid prepares ice, the ice prepared by the ice making grid can be dropped into the ice storage bin 2b by flipping the ice making grid. The ice crusher 2c is arranged in the ice storage bin 2b, and according to the size of the ice required by the user, the size of the ice is changed by stirring, crushing, etc. The drainage mechanism 2d is connected to the ice maker 2a to discharge the water generated by the ice maker 2a to the outside of the shell 1 and into the pipeline system of the refrigerator 100. It can be understood that the ice storage bin 2b, the ice crusher 2c, and the drainage mechanism 2d can also be set based on the functions configured by the ice storage bin 2b, the ice crusher 2c, and the drainage mechanism 2d, which will not be described here.

[0190] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 22, in order to facilitate the connection of the connection port 4a with the second refrigeration pipe 11, as an example of some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 15, the rear side of the inner container 102 can be provided with a mounting hole 5, the mounting hole 5 penetrating the rear side wall of the inner container 102 in the front-rear direction, and part of the first refrigeration pipe 4 penetrates the rear side of the inner container 102 through the mounting hole 5 to form the connection port 4a between the inner container 102 and the cabinet 101, and the connection port 4a is arranged in the front-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment 103. The second refrigeration pipe 11 extends from the refrigeration system to the inner container 102 and the cabinet 101 and is connected and fixed with the connection port 4a.

[0191] By opening the mounting hole 5 on the rear side of the inner container 102, the first refrigeration pipe 4 can extend out of the rear side of the inner container 102 through the mounting hole 5, so that the connection port 4a enters the space between the inner container 102 and the cabinet 101, i.e., the area where the foaming layer is located. At the same time, the second refrigeration pipe 11 also extends from the refrigeration system to the space between the inner container 102 and the cabinet 101. In this way, the second refrigeration pipe 11 and the connection port 4a through which the refrigerant flows can be covered by the foaming layer to utilize the foaming layer for heat preservation. Moreover, by adjusting the position of the mounting hole 5, the portion of the first refrigeration pipe 4 that extends out of the accommodation space 1a can reach the position of the mounting hole 5 after the ice-making device 104 is installed in place in the refrigeration compartment 103, so that the ice-making device 104 can enter and exit the refrigeration compartment 103 in a translational manner. This undoubtedly makes the assembly of the ice-making device 104 more efficient for the assembler.

[0192] Furthermore, after the connection port 4a enters the area where the foaming layer is located, the connection port 4a can be connected and fixed with the second refrigeration pipe 11 first, and then foaming is performed between the inner container 102 and the shell 1. In this way, the foaming layer can completely wrap the second refrigeration pipe 11 and the connection port 4a, thereby avoiding the problem that the foaming layer is repeatedly cut during the assembly of the refrigerator 100 in the related art due to the installation of the ice maker 2a, which affects the heat preservation effect of the foaming layer.

[0193] Considering the length required by the second refrigeration pipe 11 to extend to the ice-making device 104 and the assembly tolerance of the ice-making device 104 installed in the refrigeration compartment 103, there can be a certain assembly tolerance between the connection port 4a and the second refrigeration pipe 11. In this regard, the connection port 4a and the second refrigeration pipe 11 can be provided with an adaptive structure capable of adjusting the assembly tolerance. As an example of some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 21, the connection port 4a has a first end 40a close to the shell 1 and a second end 41a away from the shell 1. The outer diameter of the first end 40a is greater than that of the second end 41a, and the second refrigeration pipe 11 is connected to the second end 41a, and the outer diameter of the second refrigeration pipe 11 is equal to that of the second end 41a.

[0194] It can be understood that after the outer diameter of the pipe is reduced, the hardness of the second refrigeration pipe 11 and the connection port 4a relative to the first end 40a of the connection port 4a is slightly weaker, and the internal diameter of the second refrigeration pipe 11 and the connection port 4a itself is not too large. In this way, the connection port 4a with the variable diameter design and the second refrigeration pipe 11 with the small diameter can be easily moved, especially the second refrigeration pipe 11 has a certain extension length, and the end connected with the connection port 4a can be easily adjusted in position, so that the second refrigeration pipe 11 can be aligned with the connection port 4a, and then connected in a way of lock ring connection or welding connection, so that the second refrigeration pipe 11 and the connection port 4a are sealed.

[0195] In some embodiments, the connection of the second refrigeration pipe 11 to the connection port 4a can adopt a quick connection joint, such as using a clamp, a quick plug joint, etc., to facilitate quick installation and disassembly of the ice making device 104. At the same time, in order to improve the sealing performance, a double sealing design can be adopted: first, a preliminary sealing is performed by inner and outer sealing rings, and then a secondary sealing is performed by mechanical locking, so as to ensure that the flow of refrigerant is not affected by leakage. The inner diameter and the outer diameter of the second refrigeration pipe 11 need to be matched with the interface end of the first refrigeration pipe 4, so that the pipe diameters of the two can be compatible in design. A gradual change joint can be used to adapt to the different pipe diameters of the two, to ensure smooth flow of refrigerant and avoid excessive assembly tolerance affecting the connection. The second refrigeration pipe 11 can be made of low-temperature resistant and corrosion resistant materials, such as copper pipe, aluminum alloy pipe or stainless steel pipe. These materials can ensure that they are not easily corroded or iced in long-term use, and can also adapt to high-pressure flow in low-temperature environments. In order to improve the refrigeration efficiency, the design of the second refrigeration pipe 11 can consider the heat exchange between the pipe and the condenser. A multi-layer composite pipe structure can be selected to enhance the heat insulation and heat preservation capacity by selecting multi-layer pipe wall materials, so as to avoid the influence of external temperature on the temperature of the refrigerant.

[0196] In addition to the above examples, in order to facilitate the connection of the connection port 4a to the second refrigeration pipe 11, another example is provided in some embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. The rear side of the inner container 102 can be provided with a receiving portion 6, which is located inside the inner container 102 and recessed in the rear side wall of the inner container 102. Part of the first refrigeration pipe 4 extends out of the accommodation space 1a and enters the receiving portion 6, forming a connection port 4a located inside the inner container 102. The second refrigeration pipe 11 extends from the refrigeration system to the inside of the inner container 102 and is connected and fixed to the connection port 4a.

[0197] By providing the receiving portion 6 inside the inner container 102, during the installation of the ice making device 104 into the ice making compartment, the part of the first refrigeration pipe 4 extending out of the accommodation space 1a can be accommodated by the receiving portion 6. In this way, when the ice making device 104 enters and exits the refrigeration compartment 103 in a translational manner, the first refrigeration pipe 4 can be assembled with the inner container 102, and the connection port 4a can be positioned to be connected to the second refrigeration pipe 11. Moreover, the first refrigeration pipe 4 is located inside the inner container 102, so that the first refrigeration pipe 4 can be insulated by the insulation effect of the inner container 102, thereby ensuring the insulation effect of the first refrigeration pipe 4 and the connection port 4a.

[0198] It can be understood that when the first refrigeration pipe 4 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 6, the accommodation portion 6 has an opening towards the front side of the inner container 102, so that when the ice making device 104 enters and exits the refrigeration compartment 103 in a translational manner, the first refrigeration pipe 4 can move accordingly, and the opening towards the front side of the inner container 102 can provide an operating window for connecting or disconnecting the connection port 4a and the second refrigeration pipe 11. After the ice making device 104 and the refrigeration compartment 103 are assembled, the opening can be covered and sealed by the cover plate 7.

[0199] In some embodiments, the accommodation portion 6 can be an accommodation groove designed as a recessed slot, the depth and width of the slot being adapted to the diameter of the first refrigeration pipe 4. In this way, the first refrigeration pipe can be completely embedded in the slot, and the connection or disconnection with the second refrigeration pipe 11 can be completed through the slot opening portion. The slot can be designed as a trapezoidal or circular arc shape, so that the entry and exit of the first refrigeration pipe are smoother, reducing the possibility of friction and jamming. The accommodation portion 6 can be designed as an accommodation space with a plug-in point, and a part of the first refrigeration pipe 4 can be fixed in the accommodation portion 6 by plug-in. The plug-in method can include elastic buckling, threaded connection or magnetic clamping, etc. The accommodation portion 6 can be designed as a slot with elastic fixing function, and the slot is covered with elastic material (such as rubber, silicone, etc.), which can adapt to the slight position change of the first refrigeration pipe and ensure its fixation. The elastic slot can be adjusted according to the size of the pipe to provide more stable fixation effect.

[0200] When the ice making device 104 is assembled in the refrigeration compartment 103 in the form of an independent module, the ice making device 104 is connected to the inner wall of the inner container 102 through the connection structure arranged on the outer side of the shell 1, which can avoid affecting the effectiveness and sealing of the connection of the ice making components 2, the first refrigeration pipe 4, etc. installed inside the shell 1. As an example of some embodiments of the present application, referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the load-bearing portion 1b can include a first load-bearing position 10b, a second load-bearing position 11b and a load-bearing block 12b, wherein,

[0201] The first load-bearing position 10b is arranged on the top of the shell 1 and along the front-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment 103, and the first load-bearing position 10b is configured with a first opening towards the top of the inner container 102; the second load-bearing position 11b is arranged on the left side of the shell 1 and along the front-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment 103, and the second load-bearing position 11b is configured with a second opening towards the inner wall of the inner container 102; the load-bearing block 12b is arranged on the rear side of the shell 1 and extends away from the shell 1.

[0202] Referring to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, corresponding to the first load-bearing position 10b, the inner container 102 is provided with the first support block 8, so that the first support block 8 can enter the first load-bearing position 10b through the first opening, and the shell 1 is hung on the first support block 8. Specifically, the outer contour of the first support block 8 is T-shaped, and the first support block 8 has a first connecting portion 8a connected to the inner wall of the inner container 102, and a first clamping portion 8b connected to the first vertical portion, and the first connecting portion 8a is vertically connected to the inner wall of the inner container 102, and the first clamping portion 8b is connected to the first connecting portion 8a in the transverse direction.

[0203] Furthermore, the first load-bearing position 10b is provided with a first extension 100b on one side or both sides of the groove, and the first extension 100b is located on the front side of the first load-bearing position 10b and extends towards the inside of the first load-bearing position 10b, and the spacing between the first extensions 100b arranged on both sides of the first load-bearing position 10b is adapted to the first connecting portion 8a, so that the first connecting portion 8a can enter between the two first extensions 100b, and the first clamping portion 8b is located below the first extension 100b and is limited by the first extension 100b and cannot be pulled out of the first load-bearing position 10b. In this way, when the ice making device 104 is installed in the ice making compartment, the first support block 8 can be first embedded in the rear side of the first load-bearing position 10b, and the ice making device 104 is translated and pushed into the ice making compartment, so that the first support block 8 moves in the first load-bearing position 10b until the first connecting portion 8a can enter between the two first extensions 100b, and the first clamping portion 8b is located below the first extension 100b, so that the top of the shell 1 is connected and fixed to the inner container 102.

[0204] Corresponding to the second load-bearing position 11b, the inner container 102 is provided with the second support block 9, which can enter the second load-bearing position 11b through the second opening, and the shell 1 is hung on the second support block 9. In some embodiments of the present application, the structure design of the second load-bearing position 11b is the same as that of the first load-bearing position 10b, and the structure design of the second support block 9 is the same as that of the first support block 8, which will not be described here. Based on the connection and cooperation between the second support block 9 and the second load-bearing position 11b, the second support block 9 can realize the same connection and cooperation between the first support block 8 and the first load-bearing position 10b, so that the left side of the shell 1 is connected and fixed to the inner container 102.

[0205] In some embodiments, the first load-bearing position 10b can be a first load-bearing groove, and the second load-bearing position 11b can be a second load-bearing groove, i.e., the first load-bearing position 10b and the second load-bearing position 11b can be designed as load-bearing grooves. A load-bearing groove is a groove with a certain depth, designed in the form of a load-bearing block or support block. The two sides of the groove can be designed with appropriate guide components (such as guide protrusions) to ensure that the support block can be stably positioned in the groove. The two ends of the load-bearing groove can be provided with certain limiting structures (such as baffle plates) to prevent the support block or component from sliding out of the groove. The first load-bearing position 10b and the second load-bearing position 11b can also be designed as load-bearing supports, using a more open support structure to provide more contact surfaces, so that the shell 1 can be stably hung on the inner container 102. The load-bearing support design can use stronger metal materials to enhance stability, and the surface of the support can be coated with corrosion-resistant materials to ensure corrosion resistance during long-term use. By designing the cooperation of the sliding groove and the locking device, the first load-bearing position 10b and the second load-bearing position 11b can be designed as sliding interfaces, and the support block of the load-bearing part 1b enters and is finally locked by sliding. The locking device can include spring buckles, movable pins, etc., which can increase the convenience and safety of assembly and avoid the support block from loosening during use. The first load-bearing position 10b and the second load-bearing position 11b are designed as rotating clamping grooves, and the support block is inserted into the load-bearing position by rotating, and the clamping groove is used to fix the position of the shell 1. This structure is convenient and quick to disassemble, does not require other additional tools, and can be directly disassembled through the rotating and unlocking mechanism.

[0206] In some embodiments, the load-bearing part 1b can not only be used as a support for the shell 1, but also can be designed as a multifunctional load-bearing component. For example, in addition to the load-bearing function, it can also provide other auxiliary functions, such as the arrangement of integrated refrigeration pipelines, pipeline protection, thermal insulation, etc. For example, the back side of the load-bearing part 1b can be designed with a thermal insulation layer to avoid heat exchange between the refrigeration pipes in the shell 1 and the external environment. For ice-making devices 104 that involve temperature changes and vibrations, an anti-vibration load-bearing structure can be an important design consideration. The load-bearing part 1b can be designed as a structure with a buffering function, such as adding elastic rubber pads or buffer foam on both sides of the load-bearing part, to avoid excessive vibration impact during transportation or use of the device. In order to improve the strength of the load-bearing part, multiple reinforcing ribs or reinforcing ribs can be designed on the load-bearing part 1b. These structures can effectively disperse external impact and pressure, improve the durability of the load-bearing part, and prolong the service life of the device.

[0207] Corresponding to the load block 12b, the inner container 102 is provided with a positioning part 10, which is L-shaped in profile and open to the front side of the refrigeration compartment 103. The outer profile of the load block 12b is consistent with the profile of the positioning part 10, so that the load block 12b can be embedded in the positioning part 10 along the front-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment 103, so that the shell 1 is connected and fixed with the inner container 102. In this way, when the ice making device 104 is translated and pushed into the ice making compartment, the load block 12b is pushed to be embedded in the positioning part 10, so that the rear side of the shell 1 is connected and fixed with the inner container 102, and the volume of the load block 12b and the positioning part 10 can be designed to be greater than the volume of the first support block 8 and the second support block 9. In this way, the heavy components in the ice making device 104, such as the driving motor, the fan, etc., can be integrated on the rear side of the shell 1, which is supported by the load block 12b and the positioning part 10.

[0208] In some embodiments, the positioning part 10 can be designed as a positioning groove with an L-shaped slot that closely matches the profile of the load block 12b. The positioning groove can be a curved groove or an inclined groove, which not only improves the matching precision between the load block and the groove, but also restricts the displacement of the load block 12b through the angle and structural shape, thereby increasing the stability of the assembly. The positioning groove can be provided with sliding rails on both sides to make the load block slide smoothly in the groove and prevent the load block from sliding out of the slot. The positioning part 10 can adopt a buckle type structure, and a plurality of clamping grooves or clamping openings are designed in the positioning part 10. The load block 12b is embedded and fixed in the positioning part 10 by buckling. This buckle design usually uses elastic materials or spring mechanisms to ensure that the buckle can quickly lock and fix the load block during installation. The positioning part 10 can be designed as a structure with protruding parts or grooves, and the load block 12b is designed with matching grooves or protrusions at the corresponding positions. The cooperation of the two can form an interlocking structure, so that the load block 12b can be directly embedded in the positioning part 10 during installation, and the position of the load block is fixed by this interlocking method. The positioning part 10 can also be designed as a sliding rail or guide rail structure, and the load block 12b is provided with an adaptive roller or sliding block. This structure allows the load block to move more smoothly along the rail or guide rail until it is aligned and fixed.

[0209] It can be understood that the structural design of the aforementioned load-bearing portion 1b is only an example of some embodiments of the present application. The main function of the load-bearing portion 1b is to be arranged on the outer circumferential side of the shell 1 and can be connected and matched with the inner container 102 to enable the shell 1 to be fixed on the inner container 102, thereby realizing the installation and fixation of the ice making device 104. Moreover, the load-bearing portion 1b is arranged on the outer circumferential side of the shell 1, so that the shell 1 itself has the ability to be connected and fixed with the inner container 102. In this way, after the ice making device 104 is assembled, it is not necessary to remove the shell 1 from the inside of the shell 1 to realize fixation by screwing, so that the ice making device 104 can have a modular structure configuration independent of the refrigerator 100 in terms of ice making, connection and fixation, etc.

[0210] In summary, the refrigerator 100 and the assembly method thereof provided by some embodiments of the present application can form a containing space 1a independent of the refrigeration compartment 103 by using the shell 1, and install the ice making component 2 and the first refrigeration pipe 4 for ice making in the containing space 1a, so that the ice making device 104 can form an independent ice making module independent of the refrigeration compartment 103 of the refrigerator 100, and the ice making device 104 can be assembled outside the refrigerator 100, and the place and space for assembly can be flexibly selected, so that the assembly of the ice making device 104 is more convenient. Moreover, after the ice making device 104 is assembled outside the refrigerator 100, the ice making component 2 and the first refrigeration pipe 4 are integrated in the containing space 1a, and the ice making device 104 has the functions of preparing ice cubes and storing, crushing and processing the ice cubes. In this way, the ice making device 104 can be placed in the refrigeration compartment 103 after the sealing and function verification of the ice making device 104 outside the refrigerator 100 are completed. Since the installation and fixation between the ice making device 104 and the inner container 102 are realized by the connection between the load-bearing portion 1b on the outer side of the shell 1 and the inner container 102, and do not affect the internal connection of the ice making device 104, the ice making device 104 can still maintain its sealing after being placed in the refrigeration compartment 103.

[0211] Moreover, the refrigerator 100 of the present application enables the ice making device 104 to be directly translated into and out of the refrigeration compartment 103 along the front-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment 103 by the design of the load-bearing portion 1b. Compared with the assembly method of the related art in which the components of the direct-cooling ice maker are installed one by one in the inner container of the refrigerator, the ice making device 104 of the present application is assembled outside the refrigerator 100, and the ice making device 104 is directly translated into the refrigeration compartment 103 to complete the assembly of the ice making device 104 inside the refrigerator 100, so that the ice making device 104 of the present application can be conveniently assembled into the refrigerator 100, and the assembly is more convenient.

[0212] In addition, the refrigerator 100 of the present application adopts a variable diameter design for the outer diameter of the first end 40a of the connection port 4a and the outer diameter of the second end 41a, so that the outer diameter of the second end 41a of the connection port 4a is smaller than the outer diameter of the first end 40a. In this way, the second end 41a connected to the second refrigeration pipe 11 has better flexibility compared to the first end 40a of the connection port 4a, so as to facilitate the adjustment of the relative position between the second refrigeration pipe 11 and the second end 41a of the connection port 4a when the second refrigeration pipe 11 is docked with the second end 41a of the connection port 4a.

[0213] The above is only some embodiments of the present application, and it should be pointed out that for ordinary skilled in the art, without departing from the technical principles of the present application, a number of improvements and replacements can also be made, which should be considered as the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising: The housing includes an outer shell and a liner disposed inside the outer shell, wherein a cooling chamber is formed inside the liner; The refrigeration circulation pipeline has at least a portion located between the outer shell and the inner liner, and at least a portion of the refrigeration circulation pipeline extends into the refrigeration chamber and is referred to as a reserved section. An ice-making chamber shell is disposed within the refrigeration chamber, and a first opening communicating with its interior is provided on the surface of the ice-making chamber shell; A refrigeration pipe assembly includes a refrigeration pipe and a housing. The housing is disposed on the cavity wall of the refrigeration chamber. At least a portion of the refrigeration pipe is located inside the housing. The housing also has a second opening and a third opening. At least a portion of the refrigeration pipe extends out from the second opening and passes through the first opening into the outer shell of the ice-making chamber. At least another portion of the refrigeration pipe extends out from the third opening and connects to the reserved section. When the outer shell of the ice-making chamber is removed, the outer shell of the ice-making chamber is disengaged from the housing, and the refrigeration pipe that extends into the outer shell of the ice-making chamber is pulled out from the outer shell of the ice-making chamber, while the housing remains connected to the cavity wall.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The housing is snapped into the first opening, and the housing is snapped into the cavity wall; The force required to release the jamming between the housing and the outer shell of the ice-making chamber is less than the force required to release the jamming between the housing and the cavity wall.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The housing is provided with a locking part, and the surface of the ice-making chamber outer shell is provided with a snap-fit ​​part. The snap-fit ​​part hooks onto the locking part to form a snap-fit ​​between the locking part and the snap-fit ​​part. The surface of the locking part that snaps into the snap-fit ​​part has a first unhooking part.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein: The surface of the latching part that engages with the engaging part has a second unhooking part.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein: An avoidance portion is formed on the cavity wall, which is used to avoid the engaging portion and the snap-fit ​​portion.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The housing is also provided with a buckle, and the cavity wall is provided with a fastening part. The buckle is snapped into the fastening part, and the contact surface between the buckle and the fastening part is a plane, which is referred to as the first plane.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein: The vertical plane in which the housing is positioned relative to the cavity wall in the loading / unloading direction is denoted as the second plane, and the angle between the second plane and the first plane is no greater than 90°.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The housing includes a plug-in portion and a connecting portion that are internally connected to each other. The plug-in portion is disposed on the connecting portion. The refrigeration pipe passes through the plug-in portion and the connecting portion. The plug-in portion is inserted into the interior of the ice-making chamber housing from the first opening. The second opening is disposed on the plug-in portion. The connecting portion is disposed on the cavity wall. The third opening is disposed on the connecting portion.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The housing is equipped with an insulation component, which encloses the refrigeration pipe located inside the housing.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: When the outer shell of the ice-making chamber is removed, only the engagement between the outer shell of the ice-making chamber and the housing is released; the refrigeration pipe and the housing remain on the cavity wall.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The refrigeration circulation pipeline is used to heat the ice-making unit of the refrigeration chamber and is located inside the outer shell of the ice-making chamber.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The housing can also be detachably connected to the first opening.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: An ice-making unit is located inside the outer shell of the ice-making chamber.

14. A refrigerator, comprising: Box; The inner liner is disposed inside the box to form a refrigeration compartment arranged facing forward; A refrigeration system, which is installed inside the cabinet and generates cooling capacity that can be supplied to the refrigerated compartment; An ice-making device, configured to be integrally inserted into the refrigeration compartment from the front side, wherein the ice-making device comprises: The housing has an accommodating space independent of the refrigeration chamber, and a load-bearing part is provided on the outer side of the housing. The load-bearing part is connected to the inner wall of the inner liner, so that the ice-making device is fixed in the refrigeration chamber. An ice-making component is disposed within the accommodating space and is configured to at least utilize the cooling capacity generated by the refrigeration system to prepare ice cubes. A water inlet, connected to the ice-making component, is provided with water for ice making; and, A first refrigeration pipe is disposed within the accommodating space and connected to the ice-making component; and a portion of the first refrigeration pipe extends out of the accommodating space from the rear sidewall of the housing, forming a connection port. Furthermore, the refrigeration system has a second refrigeration pipe connected to the connection port to deliver the cold energy generated by the refrigeration system to the first refrigeration pipe, so that the cold energy is introduced into the ice-making component.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein, A mounting hole is provided on the rear side of the inner liner, and the mounting hole penetrates the rear side wall of the inner liner in the front-to-back direction. A portion of the first refrigeration pipe penetrates the rear side of the inner liner through the mounting hole, forming the connection port located between the inner liner and the housing, and the connection port is arranged along the front-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment; and, The second refrigeration pipe extends from the refrigeration system to the space between the inner liner and the cabinet, and is fixedly connected to the connection port.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein, The connection port has a first end near the housing and a second end away from the housing, the outer diameter of the first end being larger than the outer diameter of the second end, and... The second refrigeration pipe is connected to the second end, and the outer diameter of the second refrigeration pipe is the same as the outer diameter of the second end.

17. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein, The inner liner has a receiving portion on its rear side, the receiving portion being recessed into the rear side wall of the inner liner, and... A portion of the first cooling pipe extends outside the accommodating space and enters the receiving portion, forming the connection port located inside the inner liner, and... The second refrigeration pipe extends from the refrigeration system into the interior of the inner liner and is fixedly connected to the connection port.

18. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein, The ice-making component includes: An ice maker connected to the first refrigeration pipe to produce ice using the cooling capacity generated by the refrigeration system.

19. The refrigerator according to claim 18, wherein, The ice-making component also includes: An ice storage container, connected to the ice maker, for storing ice blocks produced by the ice maker; and / or, An ice crusher, connected to the ice maker, for crushing ice blocks produced by the ice maker; and / or, A drainage mechanism connected to the ice maker to drain the water produced by the ice maker.

20. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein, The load-bearing component includes: The first load-bearing position is located at the top of the shell and arranged along the front-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment, and the first load-bearing position has a first opening facing the top of the inner liner; and, The inner liner is provided with a first support block, which can enter the first load-bearing position through the first opening, so that the shell is hung on the first support block.

21. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein, The load-bearing component includes: The second load-bearing position is located on the outer periphery of the shell and arranged along the front-rear direction of the refrigeration compartment. The second load-bearing position has a second opening facing the inner wall of the inner liner. The inner liner is provided with a second support block, which can enter the second load-bearing position through the second opening, so that the shell is hung on the second support block.

22. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein, The load-bearing component includes: A load-bearing block is disposed on the rear side of the housing and extends in a direction away from the housing; and, The inner liner is provided with a positioning part, which is open to the front of the refrigeration chamber, so that the load-bearing block can be embedded in the positioning part along the front-back direction of the refrigeration chamber, thereby connecting and fixing the shell to the inner liner.

23. A method for assembling a refrigerator, applied to the refrigerator according to any one of claims 14-22, the method comprising: The ice-making component and the first refrigeration pipe are installed and fixed inside the housing, and a portion of the first refrigeration pipe extends out of the accommodating space from the rear side wall of the housing to form the connection port; The ice maker is placed entirely into the refrigeration chamber, thus fixing the ice-making device within the refrigeration chamber. The second refrigeration pipe is led out from the refrigeration system and connected to the connection port.

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