Refrigerator and storage device and oxygen control device thereof
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure CN2025129271_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Refrigerator and its storage devices and oxygen control devices
[0001] Cross-references to related applications
[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese application No. 202510135879.9, filed on February 7, 2025, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field
[0003] This application relates to the field of refrigerator technology, and in particular to a refrigerator, its storage device, and an oxygen control device. Background Technology
[0004] With the continuous improvement of living standards and dietary structure, people's requirements for the preservation function of refrigerators are increasing day by day.
[0005] To improve preservation performance, some refrigerators are equipped with oxygen control devices. These devices use nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes to separate nitrogen and oxygen in the storage space, reducing the oxygen concentration and providing a low-oxygen, low-pressure preservation environment. This improves the freshness of stored items (such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, health products, or baby products) and enhances the refrigerator's preservation performance.
[0006] However, in practice, it has been found that the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane used in refrigerators in related technologies is sheet-like, which restricts the further improvement of refrigerator preservation performance. Summary of the Invention
[0007] One of the technical problems this application aims to solve is: improving the preservation performance of refrigerators.
[0008] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a refrigerator comprising:
[0009] Box; and
[0010] A storage device is disposed in a box and includes a storage component and an oxygen control device. The storage component has a storage space. The oxygen control device includes a first outer shell and a nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane. The first outer shell has a membrane cavity that communicates with the storage space. The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is disposed in the membrane cavity to separate oxygen and nitrogen in the gas entering the membrane cavity from the storage space, so as to discharge the separated oxygen and reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage space. The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is tubular.
[0011] In some embodiments, the oxygen control device is configured to be at least one of the following:
[0012] The cross-section of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is circular;
[0013] The first end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is open to allow gas inside the membrane to flow out, while the second end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane, which is opposite to the first end, is sealed.
[0014] The oxygen control device includes multiple nitrogen and oxygen separation membranes.
[0015] In some embodiments, the gap between adjacent nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes is less than or equal to 0.5 mm; and / or, the gap between the ends of adjacent nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes from which gas flows out is blocked.
[0016] In some embodiments, the first housing is provided with a vent hole that connects the storage space and the membrane cavity to allow gas to flow between the storage space and the membrane cavity; and / or, the nitrogen gas separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane flows back into the storage space.
[0017] In some embodiments, the vent allows gas in the storage space to flow into the membrane cavity, and allows nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane to flow back from the membrane cavity into the storage space.
[0018] In some embodiments, the oxygen and nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane are located inside and outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane, respectively, wherein: the oxygen control device further includes a fan that drives the nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane to flow from the membrane cavity back to the storage space; and / or, the first housing is further provided with an oxygen-enriching chamber, and the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is connected to the oxygen-enriching chamber so that the oxygen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is discharged through the oxygen-enriching chamber.
[0019] In some embodiments, the oxygen control device further includes a second housing, the second housing having a receiving cavity that communicates with a membrane cavity, and a fan disposed in the receiving cavity.
[0020] In some embodiments, the second housing is detachably connected to the first housing.
[0021] In some embodiments, the first housing and the second housing are connected by a snap-fit, threaded connection, pin, or hinge.
[0022] In some embodiments, the oxygen control device further includes a vibration damping element disposed between the blower and the inner wall of the accommodating cavity for vibration damping; and / or, the inner wall of the accommodating cavity is provided with at least one positioning groove, the at least one positioning groove being located on at least one side of the axial direction of the blower for positioning the blower.
[0023] In some embodiments, vibration damping elements are provided between both ends of the fan and the inner wall of the accommodating cavity.
[0024] In some embodiments, the second housing is provided with an air inlet, which is connected to the storage space so that gas in the storage space can flow into the receiving cavity through the air inlet.
[0025] In some embodiments, the storage device further includes an oxygen concentration sensor that detects the oxygen concentration in the storage space, and the oxygen control device operates based on the detection results of the oxygen concentration sensor.
[0026] In addition, this application also provides a storage device for a refrigerator according to any embodiment.
[0027] In addition, this application also provides an oxygen control device for a refrigerator according to any embodiment.
[0028] By changing the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane from a sheet shape to a tubular shape, the nitrogen-oxygen separation efficiency and effect can be improved, resulting in better oxygen reduction and providing a better low-oxygen environment for the refrigerator's storage space. Therefore, the refrigerator's preservation performance can be effectively enhanced.
[0029] Other features and advantages of this application will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description
[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0031] Figure 1 is a simplified structural diagram of the refrigerator in an embodiment of this application.
[0032] Figure 2 is a simplified structural diagram of the storage device in an embodiment of this application.
[0033] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the oxygen control device in the embodiment of this application.
[0034] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the oxygen control device in an embodiment of this application.
[0035] Figure 5 is a magnified view of part A in Figure 4.
[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the operation flow of the storage device in an embodiment of this application.
[0037] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the oxygen concentration change in the storage space in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0038] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this application or its application or use. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0039] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.
[0040] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is usually based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this application; the directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.
[0041] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application.
[0042] In this application, unless otherwise stated, “multiple” means at least two, that is, including cases of two and at least three.
[0043] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.
[0044] In order to improve the preservation performance of a refrigerator, this application provides a refrigerator, its storage device, and an oxygen control device.
[0045] Figures 1-7 exemplarily illustrate the structure and operation of the refrigerator, storage device, and oxygen control device in this application.
[0046] Referring to Figures 1-7, in this application, the refrigerator 100 includes a cabinet 20 and a storage device 10. The storage device 10 is disposed in the cabinet 20 and includes a storage component 1 and an oxygen control device 3. The storage component 1 has a storage space 13. The oxygen control device 3 includes a first outer shell 41 and a nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49. The first outer shell 41 has a membrane cavity 46, which communicates with the storage space 13. The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is disposed in the membrane cavity 46 and separates oxygen and nitrogen in the gas entering the membrane cavity 46 from the storage space 13, so as to discharge the separated oxygen and reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13. The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is tubular.
[0047] A nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane is a membrane that selectively allows nitrogen or oxygen to pass through, thereby separating nitrogen and oxygen. In related technologies, the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane in the oxygen control device of a refrigerator is usually sheet-like. However, in the above solution, the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is no longer sheet-like but tubular. Compared with the sheet-like nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, the tubular nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 has a faster flow rate, which can improve the nitrogen-oxygen separation efficiency, improve the nitrogen-oxygen separation effect, achieve a better oxygen reduction effect, and provide a better low-oxygen environment for the storage space 13 of the refrigerator 100. Therefore, it can effectively improve the preservation performance of the refrigerator 100.
[0048] In addition, since the tubular nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 occupies less space than the sheet-like nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 with the same surface area, it is convenient to arrange more nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 in the same space, increase the nitrogen-oxygen separation area of the oxygen control device 3, improve the nitrogen-oxygen separation efficiency, improve the nitrogen-oxygen separation effect, achieve better oxygen reduction effect, and provide a better low-oxygen environment for the storage space 13. From this perspective, designing the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 as tubular is also beneficial to improving the preservation performance of the refrigerator 100.
[0049] When the oxygen control device 3 includes multiple nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 instead of just one, the gap between adjacent nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 can be small. For example, in some embodiments, the gap between adjacent nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 is less than or equal to 0.5 mm. In this case, the multiple nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 form a dense filament membrane structure, resulting in a larger nitrogen-oxygen separation area, higher nitrogen-oxygen separation efficiency, and better nitrogen-oxygen separation effect. Therefore, it is more conducive to improving the preservation performance of the refrigerator 100.
[0050] Furthermore, when the oxygen control device 3 includes multiple nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 instead of just one, the gaps between the ends of adjacent nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 from which gas flows out are blocked. This prevents gas from escaping through the gaps between adjacent membranes, facilitating subsequent operations such as collection and diversion of the gas. Rapidly diverting the separated gas accelerates nitrogen-oxygen separation efficiency and improves the separation effect, thus also improving preservation performance.
[0051] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the first end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is open to allow gas to flow out, while the second end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 opposite to the first end is sealed. In this case, the gas inside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 cannot flow out from either end, but only from one end, resulting in better concentration and facilitating subsequent operations such as gas collection and diversion, thus improving preservation performance. Furthermore, having only the first end open and the second end closed prevents gas entering the membrane cavity 46 from directly entering the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 from the second end without separation by the membrane. This is particularly effective in preventing gas flowing into the membrane cavity 46 from the containment chamber 55 of the containment fan 56 (as mentioned below) from directly flowing into the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, affecting the nitrogen-oxygen separation effect. Therefore, from this perspective, it also helps improve the preservation performance of the refrigerator 100.
[0052] In the foregoing embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is not limited. For example, its cross-section can be circular, square, polygonal, or irregular. When the cross-section of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is circular, not only is the processing and manufacturing simpler, but it is also more conducive to increasing the contact area between the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 and the gas, improving the sufficiency of contact between the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 and the gas, improving the oxygen reduction effect, and enhancing the preservation performance of the refrigerator 100.
[0053] The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 allows either nitrogen or oxygen to enter its interior. After separation by the membrane, oxygen and nitrogen can be located either inside or outside the membrane, or their positions can be interchanged, with one located inside and the other outside. When the separated oxygen and nitrogen are located inside and outside the membrane, respectively, it is more conducive to achieving efficient separation of nitrogen and oxygen. This is because the space outside the membrane is larger than the space inside, allowing nitrogen to be located outside and oxygen inside. This better suits the characteristic that nitrogen accounts for a larger proportion of oxygen in the air, thus enabling more efficient separation of nitrogen and oxygen, improving oxygen reduction, and enhancing the preservation performance of the refrigerator 100.
[0054] As mentioned earlier, the oxygen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is discharged to the outside of the storage space 13. When the oxygen and nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 are located inside and outside the membrane 49, respectively, to facilitate the discharge of the separated oxygen, as shown in Figure 4, in some embodiments, an oxygen-enriching chamber 47 is also provided inside the first outer shell 41. The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 is connected to the oxygen-enriching chamber 47 so that the oxygen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 can be discharged through the oxygen-enriching chamber 47. The oxygen-enriching chamber 47 allows for the enrichment of the separated oxygen. In particular, when the oxygen control device 3 includes multiple nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49, all of these membranes 49 can be connected to the oxygen-enriching chamber 47, allowing the oxygen separated by these membranes to be enriched. Thus, only a vacuum pump or other extraction device needs to be installed at the oxygen-enriching chamber 47 to achieve oxygen discharge, which is convenient and efficient.
[0055] The nitrogen gas separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 can either be discharged to the outside of the storage space 13 or flow back into the storage space 13. When the nitrogen gas separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 flows back into the storage space 13, it can increase the nitrogen concentration in the storage space 13, making the storage space 13 not only have a lower oxygen concentration but also a higher nitrogen concentration. This is more conducive to inhibiting the oxidation of the items in the storage space 13, improving the freshness of the items in the storage space 13, and improving the preservation performance of the refrigerator 100.
[0056] When the oxygen and nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 are located inside and outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, respectively, in order to facilitate the return of the separated nitrogen to the storage space 13, as shown in Figure 4, in some embodiments, the oxygen control device 3 also includes a fan 56, which drives the nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 to flow back from the membrane cavity 46 to the storage space 13.
[0057] With the oxygen and nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 located inside and outside the membrane 49 respectively, the separated nitrogen will accumulate in the space outside the membrane 49, causing the pressure in the membrane cavity 46 to gradually increase. When the pressure in the membrane cavity 46 rises higher than the pressure in the storage space 13, the nitrogen can flow from the vent 44 connecting the membrane cavity 46 and the storage space 13 through the side wall of the membrane cavity 46 into the storage space 13. Furthermore, the fan 56 can further disperse the nitrogen accumulated near the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, promoting a faster return of nitrogen to the storage space 13. Therefore, this improves the nitrogen return speed and enhances the preservation effect. Moreover, the fan 56's return of nitrogen to the storage space 13 reduces the pressure in the membrane cavity 46, allowing air from the storage space 13 to flow further into the membrane cavity 46, introducing new oxygen. This also contributes to a more efficient and continuous nitrogen-oxygen separation process, improving preservation performance.
[0058] When the oxygen control device 3 includes a fan 56, referring to Figure 4, in some embodiments, the oxygen control device 3 further includes a second housing 51, within which a receiving cavity 55 is provided. The receiving cavity 55 communicates with the membrane cavity 46, and the fan 56 is disposed in the receiving cavity 55. In this way, the second housing 51 can protect the fan 56, reduce the risk of damage to the fan 56, and improve structural reliability.
[0059] Further, referring to Figure 3, in some embodiments, the second outer shell 51 is detachably connected to the first outer shell 41. Thus, the fan 56 and the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 can form two independent modules: a first module 4 including the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 and the first outer shell 41, and a second module 5 including the fan 56 and the second outer shell 51. Since the first module 4 and the second module 5 are detachably connected via the detachable connection between the first outer shell 41 and the second outer shell 51, if either module malfunctions, it can be disassembled and maintained individually, thus reducing maintenance difficulty and costs. Moreover, the modular design of the first module 4 and the second module 5 facilitates flexible replacement of different specifications of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 and the fan 56 for different storage spaces 13, effectively meeting different oxygen control requirements and achieving better preservation results.
[0060] The detachable connection between the first outer shell 41 and the second outer shell 51 can be achieved in various ways. For example, in some embodiments, the first outer shell 41 and the second outer shell 51 are connected by a snap-fit 58, a threaded connector, a pin, or a hinge. These methods can easily achieve a detachable connection between the first outer shell 41 and the second outer shell 51. In particular, when the first outer shell 41 and the second outer shell 51 are connected by a snap-fit 58, not only is a detachable connection between the first outer shell 41 and the second outer shell 51 achieved, but the structure is also simple and easy to operate.
[0061] Furthermore, in the case where the oxygen control device 3 includes a fan 56 and a second housing 51, referring to FIG4, in some embodiments, the oxygen control device 3 further includes a vibration damping member 57, which is disposed between the fan 56 and the inner wall of the accommodating cavity 55 for vibration damping. This reduces the vibration of the fan 56, decreases the noise generated by the fan 56 during operation, and allows the refrigerator 100 to operate with lower vibration and noise, thus improving the performance of the refrigerator 100.
[0062] Specifically, referring to Figure 4, in some embodiments, vibration damping elements 57 are provided between both axial ends of the blower 56 and the inner wall of the accommodating cavity 55. In this case, the oxygen control device 3 includes at least two vibration damping elements 57, which can reduce vibration and noise at both axial ends of the blower 56, thus achieving better vibration and noise reduction effects.
[0063] Furthermore, in the case where the oxygen control device 3 includes a fan 56 and a second housing 51, in some embodiments, at least one positioning groove (not shown) is provided on the inner wall of the receiving cavity 55. This positioning groove is located on at least one side of the axial direction of the fan 56 to position the fan 56. This reduces the displacement or shaking of the fan 56, allowing it to be more stably and securely positioned within the receiving cavity 55. This not only improves structural reliability but also helps reduce vibration and noise.
[0064] In the foregoing embodiments, to achieve communication between the membrane cavity 46 and the storage space 13, a vent 44 can be provided on the first outer shell 41. The vent 44 connects the storage space 13 and the membrane cavity 46, allowing gas to flow between the storage space 13 and the membrane cavity 46. This facilitates communication between the storage space 13 and the membrane cavity 46, enabling the gas in the storage space 13 to flow through the vent 44 into the membrane cavity 46 when it is necessary to reduce the oxygen concentration, where it will be separated into nitrogen and oxygen by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 within the membrane cavity 46, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13. Furthermore, referring to Figure 4, in some embodiments, the vent 44 not only allows gas from the storage space 13 to flow into the membrane cavity 46, but also allows nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 to flow back from the membrane cavity 46 to the storage space 13, thereby increasing the nitrogen concentration in the storage space 13. In this case, the vent 44 serves multiple purposes, and the overall structure of the oxygen control device 3 is simpler. Of course, the flow of gas from the storage space 13 into the membrane cavity 46 through the vent 44 and the flow of nitrogen from the membrane cavity 46 back to the storage space 13 through the vent 44 do not occur simultaneously. That is to say, at the same time, the vent 44 either allows gas from the storage space 13 to flow into the membrane cavity 46 or allows nitrogen to flow back from the membrane cavity 46 to the storage space 13.
[0065] Additionally, referring to Figure 4, in some embodiments, the second outer shell 51 is provided with an air inlet 54, which communicates with the storage space 13, allowing gas in the storage space 13 to flow into the receiving cavity 55 via the air inlet 54. Thus, the membrane cavity 46 can communicate with the storage space 13 through the receiving cavity 55 and the air inlet 54, allowing gas in the storage space 13 to flow into the membrane cavity 46 via the air inlet 54 and the receiving cavity 55 for nitrogen-oxygen separation. Since the receiving cavity 55 is equipped with a fan 56, the fan 56 can promote the flow of gas in the storage space 13 to the membrane cavity 46 via the air inlet 54 and the receiving cavity 55. Therefore, it is beneficial to improve the air intake efficiency, thereby improving the nitrogen-oxygen separation efficiency, enhancing the nitrogen-oxygen separation effect, and improving the preservation capacity. In particular, when the first outer shell 41 is provided with a vent 44, an air inlet 54 is provided on the second outer shell 51. This allows the gas in the storage space 13 to enter the membrane cavity 46 through both the vent 44 and the air inlet 54, effectively increasing the air intake area, improving air intake efficiency, enhancing nitrogen-oxygen separation efficiency, improving nitrogen-oxygen separation effect, and enhancing preservation ability. Moreover, when nitrogen is supplied back to the storage space 13 through the vent 44, the gas in the storage space 13 can still enter the membrane cavity 46 through the air inlet 54, allowing the entire nitrogen-oxygen separation process to proceed more continuously. This also helps to accelerate the nitrogen-oxygen separation process, improve nitrogen-oxygen separation efficiency, enhance nitrogen-oxygen separation effect, and improve preservation ability.
[0066] As a further improvement to the foregoing embodiments, referring to FIG2, the storage device 10 further includes an oxygen concentration sensor 2, which detects the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13, and the oxygen control device 3 operates based on the detection result of the oxygen concentration sensor 2. This allows the oxygen control device 3 to more accurately control the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13, achieving a better preservation effect. For example, in some embodiments, the oxygen control device 3 only starts operating to reduce the oxygen in the storage space 13 when the oxygen concentration sensor 2 detects that the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 exceeds the upper threshold, and stops reducing the oxygen when the oxygen concentration sensor 2 detects that the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 reaches or falls below the lower threshold. In this way, the oxygen control device 3 can accurately control the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 between the upper and lower thresholds, making the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 more suitable, thereby achieving a better preservation effect.
[0067] The present application will now be further described with reference to the embodiments shown in Figures 1-7.
[0068] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the refrigerator 100 includes a cabinet 20 and a storage device 10. The cabinet 20 has various storage compartments, such as a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, and a variable temperature compartment. The storage device 10 is disposed in at least one of the refrigerator compartment and the variable temperature compartment, and is used to store items and keep the stored items fresh.
[0069] It is understandable that although only one storage device 10 is shown in Figure 1, this does not constitute the only limitation. In fact, the number of storage devices 10 in the refrigerator 100 is not limited to one, but can also be two, three or more.
[0070] Figures 2-5 further illustrate the structure of the storage device 10. As shown in Figures 2-5, in this embodiment, the storage device 10 includes a storage component 1, an oxygen concentration sensor 2, an oxygen control device 3, and an air extraction device (not shown).
[0071] Storage component 1 is used to store items. As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, storage component 1 includes an outer frame 11 and a drawer 12. The drawer 12 is slidably connected to the inside of the outer frame 11 via a slide rail or the like, allowing the drawer 12 to be pushed and pulled. A storage space 13 is formed between the drawer 12 and the outer frame 11 for storing items. When the drawer 12 is closed, it can be sealed to the outer frame 11 via a sealing strip and magnets, making the storage space 13 essentially airtight.
[0072] Oxygen concentration sensor 2 is disposed on storage component 1 and is used to detect oxygen concentration in storage space 13.
[0073] The oxygen control device 3 is used to control the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13. As shown in Figures 2-5, in this embodiment, the oxygen control device 3 is disposed in the outer frame 11, located between the outer frame 11 and the drawer 12, and includes a first module 4 and a second module 5. The first module 4 includes a first outer shell 41 and a plurality of nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49. The second module 5 is detachably connected to one end of the first module 4 by a snap fastener 58, and includes a second outer shell 51, a fan 56 and two vibration damping components 57.
[0074] The first outer casing 41 includes a first end cap 42 and a first housing 43. The first end cap 42 faces the drawer 12 and is detachably connected to the first housing 43, forming the internal space of the first outer casing 41. The interior of the first outer casing 41 is provided with a partition 45 (e.g., made of cast adhesive), which divides the internal space of the first outer casing 41 into a membrane cavity 46 and an oxygen-enriching cavity 47. The membrane cavity 46 is located between the first end cap 42, the first housing 43, and the partition 45. The oxygen-enriching cavity 47 is located between the first housing 43 and the partition 45, and is located on the side of the membrane cavity 46 away from the second module 5. Multiple vent holes 44 are provided on the first end cap 42 and on the portion of the first housing 43 corresponding to the membrane cavity 46. These vent holes 44 connect the membrane cavity 46 to the storage space 13, allowing air in the storage space 13 to flow into the membrane cavity 46 through the vent holes 44, and allowing nitrogen gas subsequently separated to flow back into the storage space 13 through the vent holes 44. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the vent hole 44 on the first end cap 42 is a round hole, while the vent hole 44 on the first housing 43 is an oblong hole. However, this is not a limitation; the shapes of the vent holes 44 on the first end cap 42 and the first housing 43 can vary. For example, the vent holes 44 on the first end cap 42 and the first housing 43 can both be oblong holes, round holes, or holes of other shapes. Furthermore, the shapes of the vent holes 44 on the first end cap 42 and the first housing 43 can be the same or different. An exhaust port 48 is provided on the portion of the first housing 43 corresponding to the oxygen-enriched chamber 47. The exhaust port 48 connects the oxygen-enriched chamber 47 to the extraction device, allowing the extraction device to remove the gas from the oxygen-enriched chamber 47.
[0075] Multiple nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 are disposed in the membrane cavity 46 for separating nitrogen and oxygen from the air entering the membrane cavity 46 from the storage space 13, and sending the separated oxygen to the oxygen-enriched cavity 47. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment, all nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 are tubular and densely stacked in the membrane cavity 46 with gaps less than or equal to 0.5 mm. These nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 only allow oxygen to pass through, but not nitrogen. Thus, nitrogen and oxygen can be separated by allowing oxygen to enter the interior of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 while nitrogen remains outside the interior of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49.
[0076] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment, all nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 have a circular cross-section, and their first ends are all supported by separators 45 and are open, communicating with the oxygen-enriching chamber 47, while their second ends are sealed by a sealing agent 6 (e.g., adhesive). Since the first ends of all nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 are supported by separators 45, the gaps between the open first ends of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 can be sealed by the separators 45. At the same time, since the second ends of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 are blocked, the separated oxygen can flow in the nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes 49 in the direction from the second end to the first end, and finally flow from the first end to the oxygen-enriching chamber 47, where it is drawn away by the vacuum device and discharged outside the storage space 13, effectively reducing the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13, reducing the oxidation of the items in the storage space 13, and improving the preservation degree.
[0077] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the second outer shell 51 is connected to the end of the first outer shell 41 away from the oxygen-enriched chamber 47 by a snap fastener 58, and includes a second end cap 52 and a second shell 53. The second end cap 52 faces the drawer 12 and is detachably connected to the second shell 53, forming a receiving cavity 55 located inside the second outer shell 51. The end of the receiving cavity 55 facing the membrane cavity 46 is at least partially open, so that the receiving cavity 55 communicates with the membrane cavity 46 to allow air to pass through the membrane cavity 46. The second end cap 52 is provided with a plurality of air inlets 54, all of which are circular, and communicate the receiving cavity 55 with the storage space 13, so that air in the storage space 13 can enter the receiving cavity 55 through the air inlets 54, and flow through the receiving cavity 55 to the membrane cavity 46, where it is separated into nitrogen and oxygen by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49.
[0078] The blower 56 is disposed in the accommodating cavity 55, with its axial ends embedded in two positioning grooves (not shown) on the inner wall of the accommodating cavity 55, and vibration damping components 57 (such as vibration damping sponge) are provided on both axial ends to reduce vibration and noise. The main function of the blower 56 is to disperse the nitrogen gas accumulated near the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, so that the nitrogen gas returns to the storage space 13, and to introduce fresh air into the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 to accelerate the nitrogen-oxygen separation process.
[0079] The oxygen control device 3 in this embodiment operates roughly as follows:
[0080] Under the action of the extraction device and the fan 56, the gas in the membrane storage space 13 enters the membrane cavity 46 through the vent 44 and the inlet 54, and comes into contact with the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 in the membrane cavity 46. The oxygen in the gas passes through the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, enters the interior of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, and flows from the first end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 to the oxygen-enriched cavity 47. It is then extracted by the extraction device and discharged to the outside of the storage space 13, while the nitrogen remains around the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49. The nitrogen is blown away by the fan 56 and returns to the storage space 13 through the vent 44. The fan 56 then introduces new gas to achieve a continuous nitrogen-oxygen separation process, so that the storage space 13 can maintain a low-oxygen and high-nitrogen environment, effectively improving the preservation performance.
[0081] The working process of the oxygen control device 3 is adjusted according to the opening and closing of the drawer 12 and the detection results of the oxygen concentration sensor 2.
[0082] Specifically, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, when it is in the OA period, drawer 12 is not closed, and the oxygen concentration in storage space 13 is 21.9%.
[0083] During the ab time period, drawer 12 closes, and the distance between drawer 12 and outer frame 11 gradually decreases. When the proximity switch (not shown) detects that drawer 12 is closed, the magnet (not shown) inside outer frame 11 attracts drawer 12. Combined with the sealing strip on outer frame 11, a closed environment is formed between drawer 12 and the interior of outer frame 11. During this process, oxygen concentration sensor 2 operates to detect the oxygen concentration in storage space 13. When the oxygen concentration in storage space 13 exceeds the upper limit threshold, a signal is sent to the controller. The controller receives the signal and starts the vacuum device to extract the gas from storage space 13, making the pressure inside storage space 13 lower than atmospheric pressure. This creates a low-pressure environment, allowing air to flow from the storage space 13 to the first end cap 42. The air then enters the membrane cavity 46 through the vent 44 on the first end cap 42. The oxygen control device 3 is then activated, causing the fan 56 to run at high speed. The air entering the membrane cavity 46 passes through the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49, achieving nitrogen-oxygen separation. Oxygen enters the lumen of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 and flows along the lumen into the oxygen-enriched chamber 47. It is then discharged from the oxygen control device 3 through the exhaust port 48. Nitrogen, on the other hand, remains on the surface of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 and, under the force of the fan 56, returns to the storage space 13 through the vent 44, causing the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 to drop to 10.5%, thus creating a low-oxygen environment in the storage space 13.
[0084] If drawer 12 is opened during normal operation of oxygen control device 3 in oxygen reduction mode, the operation of the air extraction device and oxygen control device 3 will stop.
[0085] When the oxygen concentration sensor 2 detects that the oxygen concentration in the storage space 13 has dropped to the lower limit threshold, it sends feedback to the controller. The controller then controls the air extraction device to stop, maintaining a low pressure value in the drawer 12. The air pressure in the drawer 12 is lower than atmospheric pressure, ensuring good sealing. The controller then controls the oxygen control device 3 to stop operating, and the fan 56 to stop, so that the oxygen concentration in stage bc is 10.5%, which remains basically unchanged.
[0086] During operation, the use of a tubular nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane 49 for nitrogen-oxygen separation effectively improves the oxygen reduction effect, provides a stable low-oxygen environment, and enhances the preservation ability of the refrigerator 100. Furthermore, due to the modular design of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane assembly and the fan assembly, any one of the functional modules can be efficiently replaced in case of failure, thus reducing maintenance difficulty and cost.
[0087] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A refrigerator (100), comprising: Box (20); and A storage device (10) is disposed in the housing (20) and includes a storage component (1) and an oxygen control device (3). The storage component (1) has a storage space (13). The oxygen control device (3) includes a first outer shell (41) and a nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49). The first outer shell (41) has a membrane cavity (46) inside. The membrane cavity (46) is connected to the storage space (13). The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) is disposed in the membrane cavity (46) to separate oxygen and nitrogen in the gas entering the membrane cavity (46) from the storage space (13) so as to discharge the separated oxygen and reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage space (133). The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) is tubular.
2. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 1, wherein the oxygen control device (3) is configured as at least one of the following: The nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) has a circular cross-section; The first end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) is open to allow gas inside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) to flow out, and the second end of the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) opposite to the first end is blocked; The oxygen control device (3) includes a plurality of the nitrogen and oxygen separation membranes (49).
3. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 2, wherein the gap between adjacent nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes (49) is less than or equal to 0.5 mm; and / or, the gap between the ends of adjacent nitrogen-oxygen separation membranes (49) from which gas flows out is blocked.
4. The refrigerator (100) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the first outer shell (41) is provided with a vent (44) that connects the storage space (13) and the membrane cavity (46) to allow gas to flow between the storage space (13) and the membrane cavity (46); and / or, the nitrogen gas separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) flows back into the storage space (13).
5. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 4, wherein the vent (44) allows gas in the storage space (13) to flow into the membrane cavity (46), and allows nitrogen gas separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) to flow back into the storage space (13) from the membrane cavity (46).
6. The refrigerator (100) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the oxygen and nitrogen separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) are located inside and outside the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49), respectively, wherein: The oxygen control device (3) further includes a fan (56) that drives the nitrogen gas separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) to flow from the membrane cavity (46) back to the storage space (13); and / or, the first housing (41) is further provided with an oxygen-enriching cavity (47), and the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) is connected to the oxygen-enriching cavity (47) so that the oxygen gas separated by the nitrogen-oxygen separation membrane (49) is discharged through the oxygen-enriching cavity (47).
7. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 6, wherein the oxygen control device (3) further includes a second outer shell (51), the second outer shell (51) is provided with a receiving cavity (55), the receiving cavity (55) is connected to the membrane cavity (46), and the fan (56) is disposed in the receiving cavity (55).
8. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 7, wherein the second outer shell (51) is detachably connected to the first outer shell (41).
9. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 8, wherein the first outer shell (41) and the second outer shell (51) are connected by a snap fastener (58), a threaded connector, a pin, or a hinge.
10. The refrigerator (100) according to any one of claims 7-9, wherein the oxygen control device (3) further includes a vibration damping member (57), the vibration damping member (57) being disposed between the fan (56) and the inner wall of the accommodating cavity (55) for vibration damping; and / or, at least one positioning groove is provided on the inner wall of the accommodating cavity (55), the at least one positioning groove being located on at least one side of the axial direction of the fan (56) for positioning the fan (56).
11. The refrigerator (100) according to claim 10, wherein the damping member (57) is provided between both axial ends of the fan (56) and the inner wall of the accommodating cavity (55).
12. The refrigerator (100) according to any one of claims 7-11, wherein the second outer shell (51) is provided with an air inlet (54), the air inlet (54) being in communication with the storage space (13) so that gas in the storage space (13) flows into the receiving cavity (55) through the air inlet (54).
13. The refrigerator (100) according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the storage device (10) further includes an oxygen concentration sensor (2), the oxygen concentration sensor (2) detects the oxygen concentration in the storage space (13), and the oxygen control device (3) operates according to the detection result of the oxygen concentration sensor (2).
14. A storage device (10) for a refrigerator (100) as described in any one of claims 1-13.
15. An oxygen control device (3) for a refrigerator (100) as described in any one of claims 1-13.