U.S. patent application number 15/547792 was filed with the patent office on 2018-02-01 for refrigerator.
The applicant listed for this patent is QINGDAO HAIER JOINT STOCK CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER SPECIAL REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to JIANRU LIU, SHENGYUAN NIE, HAIBO TAO, KE WANG.
Application Number | 20180031299 15/547792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54449743 |
Filed Date | 2018-02-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180031299 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAO; HAIBO ; et al. |
February 1, 2018 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
The present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising a
storage compartment, a refrigeration air passage configured to
supply refrigeration air and a top air passage. The top air passage
is provided at a top wall of the storage compartment, comprises a
rear end air inlet, a front end air inlet and a mixed air outlet
opening downwards, and is configured to receive refrigeration air
blown from the refrigeration air passage via the rear end air
inlet, receive return air returning from the storage compartment
via the front end air inlet, and allow the refrigeration air and
the return air to flow into the storage compartment in a mixed
manner via the mixed air outlet.
Inventors: |
TAO; HAIBO; (Qingdao City,
Shandong Province, CN) ; NIE; SHENGYUAN; (Qingdao
City, Shandong Province, CN) ; WANG; KE; (Qingdao
City, Shandong Province, CN) ; LIU; JIANRU; (Qingdao
City, Shandong Province, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QINGDAO HAIER SPECIAL REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD.
QINGDAO HAIER JOINT STOCK CO., LTD. |
Qingdao City, Shandong Province
Qingdao City, Shandong Province |
|
CN
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
54449743 |
Appl. No.: |
15/547792 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
June 17, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CN2016/086186 |
371 Date: |
July 31, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2317/0665 20130101;
F25D 2317/062 20130101; F25D 2317/0655 20130101; F25D 17/065
20130101; F25D 17/045 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/06 20060101
F25D017/06; F25D 17/04 20060101 F25D017/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 26, 2015 |
CN |
201510534154.3 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator, comprising: a storage compartment; a
refrigeration air passage configured to supply refrigeration air;
and a top air passage that is provided at a top wall of the storage
compartment, comprises a rear end air inlet, a front end air inlet
and a mixed air outlet opening downwards, and is configured to
receive refrigeration air blown from the refrigeration air passage
via the rear end air inlet, receive return air returning from the
storage compartment via the front end air inlet, and allow the
refrigeration air and the return air to flow into the storage
compartment in a mixed manner via the mixed air outlet.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the refrigeration air
passage communicates with a rear space of the storage compartment
to supply refrigeration air to the storage compartment.
3. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a cooling
chamber provided with an air outlet connected with the
refrigeration air passage; a cooling device provided in the cooling
chamber to cool the air passing the cooling chamber; a blower
provided at the air outlet of the cooling chamber; and a return air
passage connecting a lower space of the storage compartment and the
cooling chamber, such that a part or all of the air in the storage
compartment enters the cooling chamber via the return air passage
and enters the refrigeration air passage after being cooled by the
cooling device.
4. The refrigerator of claim 3, further comprising: another storage
compartment provided below the storage compartment and in front of
the cooling chamber; another refrigeration air passage connecting
the air outlet of the cooling chamber and the another storage
compartment; and another return air passage connecting the another
storage compartment and the cooling chamber.
5. The refrigerator of claim 3, further comprising: a movable air
supply hood provided at an outer side of the air outlet of the
cooling chamber and configured to provide an opening allowing the
refrigeration air to flow into the refrigeration air passage when
closing the air outlet of the cooling chamber.
6. The refrigerator of claim 3, further comprising: an air door
configured to controllably close or open the refrigeration air
passage.
7. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a top blower
configured to blow the refrigeration air and the return air to the
storage compartment in a mixed manner via the mixed air outlet.
8. The refrigerator of claim 7, further comprising: a top air
passage cover plate mounted at a lower surface of the top wall of
the storage compartment to form the top air passage.
9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the top air passage cover
plate comprises: a web portion extending upwards from its rear end
to its front end and provided with a through hole; and an air
aperture portion extending downwards from an edge of the through
hole, having a lower end opening acting as the mixed air outlet,
and having the blower mounted therein.
10. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a
refrigeration air passage cover plate mounted at a front surface of
the rear wall of the storage compartment to form the refrigeration
air passage, and provided with multiple refrigeration air outlets
to provide the refrigeration air to the storage compartment and/or
the top air passage.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention is related to the field of freezing
and refrigeration technologies, and more particularly, to a
refrigerator.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Air-cooled refrigerators can maintain the freshness of food,
extend food storage time and improve food safety, so they become
essential home appliances. However, in current air-cooled
refrigerators, usually the air supply passage is arranged at the
rear part of a storage compartment. After cooled air is blown, it
sinks. As a result, the temperature at the front part of the
storage compartment is relatively high, while the temperature at
the rear part thereof is relatively low, causing uneven
temperatures. The front part of the storage compartment is close to
the door and heat leak can easily occur. Accordingly, the
temperature at the front part of the storage compartment will be
even higher, which is unfavorable for storing food. How to realize
even temperature distribution in the storage compartment of a
refrigerator is an urgent problem for improving the refrigeration
effect of refrigerators.
SUMMARY
[0003] This invention aims to overcome at least one defect of
existing refrigerators, and provides a novel refrigerator. The
refrigerator can efficiently realize even temperature distribution
in the storage compartment.
[0004] Accordingly, this invention provides a refrigerator,
comprising: a storage compartment and a refrigeration air passage
configured to supply refrigeration air. In particular, the
refrigerator further comprises: a top air passage that is provided
at a top wall of the storage compartment, comprises a rear end air
inlet, a front end air inlet and a mixed air outlet opening
downwards, and is configured to receive refrigeration air blown
from the refrigeration air passage via the rear end air inlet,
receive return air returning from the storage compartment via the
front end air inlet, and allow the refrigeration air and the return
air to flow into the storage compartment in a mixed manner via the
mixed air outlet.
[0005] Optionally, the refrigeration air passage communicates with
a rear space of the storage compartment to supply refrigeration air
to the storage compartment.
[0006] Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises a cooling
chamber provided with an air outlet connected with the
refrigeration air passage; a cooling device provided in the cooling
chamber to cool the air passing the cooling chamber; a blower
provided at the air outlet of the cooling chamber; and a return air
passage connecting a lower space of the storage compartment and the
cooling chamber, such that a part or all of the air in the storage
compartment enters the cooling chamber via the return air passage
and enters the refrigeration air passage after being cooled by the
cooling device.
[0007] Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises another
storage compartment provided below the storage compartment and in
front of the cooling chamber; another refrigeration air passage
connecting the air outlet of the cooling chamber and the another
storage compartment; and another return air passage connecting the
another storage compartment and the cooling chamber.
[0008] Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises a movable air
supply hood provided at an outer side of the air outlet of the
cooling chamber and configured to provide an opening allowing the
refrigeration air to flow into the refrigeration air passage when
closing the air outlet of the cooling chamber.
[0009] Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises an air door
configured to controllably close or open the refrigeration air
passage.
[0010] Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises a top blower
configured to blow the refrigeration air and the return air to the
storage compartment in a mixed manner via the mixed air outlet.
[0011] Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises a top air
passage cover plate mounted at a lower surface of the top wall of
the storage compartment to form the top air passage.
[0012] Optionally, the top air passage cover plate comprises: a web
portion extending upwards from its rear end to its front end and
provided with a through hole; and an air aperture portion extending
downwards from an edge of the through hole, having a lower end
opening acting as the mixed air outlet, and having the blower
mounted therein.
[0013] Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises a
refrigeration air passage cover plate mounted at a front surface of
the rear wall of the storage compartment to form the refrigeration
air passage, and provided with multiple refrigeration air outlets
to provide the refrigeration air to the storage compartment and/or
the top air passage.
[0014] The refrigerator of this invention comprises a top air
passage which allows refrigeration air to mix with return air with
a relatively high temperature in the storage compartment and
supplies the mixed air to the storage compartment, so that the
refrigeration output/temperature in the storage compartment is
evenly distributed, realizing quick, even and efficient
refrigeration. In addition, the top air passage enables the
refrigeration air path in the storage compartment to change from a
single circulation process to a multiple circulation process,
realizing even temperature distribution in the storage
compartment.
[0015] Further, the refrigeration air passage in the refrigerator
of this invention can directly supply refrigeration air to the
storage compartment, considerably improving the refrigeration
efficiency of the refrigerator.
[0016] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the
invention will be understood by those skilled in the art more
clearly with reference to the detailed description of the
embodiments of this invention below with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The followings will describe some embodiments of this
invention in detail in an exemplary rather than restrictive manner
with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference
signs in the drawings represent the same or similar parts. Those
skilled in the art shall understand that these drawings are only
schematic ones of this invention, and may not be necessarily drawn
according to the scales. In the drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a refrigerator according to
an embodiment of this invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a refrigerator according to
another embodiment of this invention; and
[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a refrigerator according to
yet another embodiment of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a refrigerator 100
according to an embodiment of this invention. As shown in FIG. 1,
the embodiment of this invention provides a refrigerator 100. The
refrigerator 100 may typically comprise a storage compartment 11
for storing food, a refrigeration air passage 30 for providing
refrigeration air to the storage compartment 11, and a door 20 for
closing the storage compartment 11. In particular, the refrigerator
100 may further comprise: a top air passage 40. The top air passage
40 is provided at a top wall of the storage compartment 11,
comprises a rear end air inlet 41, a front end air inlet 42 and a
mixed air outlet 43 opening downwards, and is configured to receive
refrigeration air blown from the refrigeration air passage 30 via
the rear end air inlet 41, receive return air returning from the
storage compartment 11 via the front end air inlet 42, and allow
the refrigeration air and the return air to flow into the storage
compartment 11 in a mixed manner via the mixed air outlet 43 so as
to increase the refrigeration speed in the storage compartment 11.
Specifically, when the refrigerator 100 works, the top air passage
40 allows the refrigeration air from the refrigeration air passage
30 to merge and mix with the return air close to the door 20 of the
storage compartment 11 and having a relatively high temperature,
and blow the mixed air substantially vertically downwards to the
storage compartment 11, making the temperature in the storage
compartment 11 more even.
[0022] In some embodiments of this invention, the refrigerator 100
further comprises a top blower 50 provided at the mixed air outlet
43 and configured to blow the refrigeration air and the return air
to the storage compartment 11 in a mixed manner via the mixed air
outlet 43 so as to improve the air supply efficiency. The top
blower 50 may be an axial blower. In some alternative embodiments
of this invention, a blower may be provided at each air inlet of
the top air passage 40 to blow air into the top air passage 40. In
other alternative embodiments of this invention, each air inlet may
directly receive air flow blown from other air passages.
[0023] In some embodiments of this invention, the refrigerator 100
may further comprise a top air passage cover plate 44 mounted at a
lower surface of the top wall of the storage compartment 11 to form
the top air passage 40. Specifically, the top air passage cover
plate 44 may be mounted at the lower surface of the top wall of the
storage compartment 11, and comprises a web portion 441 with a
through hole provided therein and an air aperture portion 442. The
web portion 441 extends upwards from its rear end to its front end,
and an included angle between the web portion and the horizontal
plane may be 5 to 30 degrees. The air aperture portion 442 extends
downwards in a direction perpendicular with the web portion 441
from an edge of the through hole, so that the mixed air outlet 43
is slightly inclined forwards, guaranteeing a low temperature
environment at the door 20 of the refrigerator 100. The top blower
50 may be installed in the air aperture portion 442. In other
alternative embodiments of this invention, the top air passage
cover plate 44 may be mounted at an upper surface of the top wall
of the storage compartment 11 to form the top air passage 40. Or
the top air passage 40 may be directly formed in the top wall of
the storage compartment 11.
[0024] Further, the refrigerator 100 may further comprise two end
cover plates each having an air inlet. The two end cover plates may
be mounted at the two sides of the top air passage cover plate 44
respectively.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a refrigerator according to
another embodiment of this invention. As shown in FIG. 2, in the
refrigerator 100 of this embodiment, the refrigeration air passage
30 communicates with a rear space of the storage compartment 11 to
supply refrigeration air to the storage compartment 11.
Specifically, in some embodiments, the refrigerator 100 may further
comprise a refrigeration air passage cover plate mounted at a front
surface of the rear wall of the storage compartment 11 to form the
refrigeration air passage 30. The refrigeration air passage cover
plate is provided with multiple refrigeration air outlets 31 to
provide the refrigeration air to the storage compartment 11 and/or
the top air passage 40. For example, the surfaces on which some
refrigeration air outlets 31 of the multiple refrigeration air
outlets 31 are located abut against the end surface of the rear end
air inlet 41 of the top air passage 40 to allow the refrigeration
air to enter the top air passage 40. Alternatively, the surfaces on
which some refrigeration air outlets 31 of the multiple
refrigeration air outlets 31 are located may be spaced from the end
surface of the rear end air inlet 41 of the top air passage 40 by a
predetermined clearance to allow the refrigeration air to enter the
top air passage 40. The some refrigeration air outlets and the rear
end air inlet 41 of the top air passage 40 are located inside the
storage compartment 11. The remaining refrigeration air outlets 31
of the multiple refrigeration air outlets 31 may supply
refrigeration air to the storage compartment 11. In some
alternative embodiments of this invention, the refrigeration air
passage cover plate may be mounted at a rear surface of the rear
wall of the storage compartment 11 to form the refrigeration air
passage 30, and the rear wall of the storage compartment 11 is
provided with multiple refrigeration air outlets 31.
[0026] In some embodiments of this invention, the refrigerator 100
may further comprise a cooling chamber 13, a cooling device 60, a
blower 70 and a return air passage. The cooling chamber 13 is
provided with an air outlet connected with the refrigeration air
passage 30. The cooling device 60 is provided in the cooling
chamber 13 to cool the air passing the cooling chamber. The cooling
device 60 may be an evaporator of a compression refrigeration
system. The blower 70 may be arranged at the air outlet. The return
air passage connects a lower space of the storage compartment 11
and the cooling chamber 13 such that a part or all of the air in
the storage compartment 11 enters the cooling chamber 13 via the
return air passage and enters the refrigeration air passage 30
after being cooled by the cooling device 60.
[0027] In some embodiments of this invention, to facilitate picking
and placing of articles, the refrigerator 100 may further comprise
a drawer 90 for receiving the articles 92, such as beef, water
melons and beverages. The drawer 90 can be operably inserted into
the storage compartment 11 and pulled out of the same. In other
words, the drawer 90 is installed inside the storage compartment
11. Optionally, lower parts of the front and rear walls of the
drawer 90 comprises ventilation holes 91, so that the air flow
flowing out of the mixed air outlet 43 can easily flow out of the
drawer 90 via the ventilation holes 91 of the drawer 90 after
exchanging heat with the articles 92 inside the drawer 90, Further,
the air flowing out of the ventilation holes 91 of the front wall
of the drawer 90 may return to the front end air inlet 42 of the
top air passage 40 for circulation. The air flowing out of the
ventilation holes 91 of the rear wall of the drawer 90 may return
to the return air passage for circulation.
[0028] In some embodiments of this invention, the refrigerator 100
may further comprise another storage compartment 12, which may be
arranged blow the storage compartment 11. For example, the storage
compartment 11 may be a refrigeration compartment, and the another
storage compartment 12 may be a freezing compartment. Further, a
quick freezing compartment may be provided between the storage
compartment 11 and the another storage compartment 12. The cooling
chamber 13 may be arranged behind the another storage compartment
12. The refrigerator 100 further comprises another refrigeration
air passage 32 connecting the air outlet of the cooling chamber 13
and the another storage compartment 12, and another return air
passage 33 connecting the another storage compartment 12 and the
cooling chamber 13.
[0029] In some embodiments of this invention, as shown in FIG. 3,
the refrigerator 100 may further comprise an air door 81 and a
movable air supply hood 82. The air door 81 is configured to
controllably close or open the refrigeration air passage 30. The
movable air supply hood 82 is provided at an outer side of the air
outlet of the cooling chamber 13 and configured to provide an
opening allowing refrigeration air to flow into the refrigeration
air passage 30 when closing the air outlet of the cooling chamber
13. That is, when the movable air supply hood 82 closes the air
outlet of the cooling chamber 13, the another refrigeration air
passage 32 connected with the another storage compartment 12 can be
closed, so that the refrigeration air passage 30 is not
blocked.
[0030] The refrigerator 100 of the embodiments of this invention
may have multiple working modes. The multiple working modes may
comprise the following working modes: an independent working mode
of the storage compartment 11, an independent working mode of the
another storage compartment 12, a joint working mode, a quick
refrigeration mode and another joint work mode. In the independent
working mode of the storage compartment 11, the movable air supply
hood 82 is closed, the air door 81 is opened, the blower 70 works
while the top blower 50 does not work, so that the storage
compartment 11 works independently. In the independent working mode
of the another storage compartment 12, the movable air supply hood
82 is opened, the air door 81 is closed, the blower 70 works while
the top blower 50 does not work, so that the another storage
compartment 12 works independently. In the joint working mode, the
movable air supply hood 82 is opened, the air door 81 is opened,
the blower 70 works while the top blower 50 does not work, so that
the two storage compartments 11, 12 work jointly. In the quick
refrigeration mode, the movable air supply hood 82 is closed, the
air door 81 is opened, and both the blower 70 and the top blower 50
work, so that quick refrigeration can be performed in the storage
compartment 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the arrows in this figure
represent the flow directions of air flow. To prevent excessive
temperature rise in the another storage compartment 12, after the
quick refrigeration mode operates for a certain period, the
refrigerator automatically exits from this mode. In the another
joint work mode, the movable air supply hood 82 is opened, the air
door 81 is opened, and both the blower 70 and the top blower 50
work, so that quick refrigeration can be performed in the storage
compartments 11, 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the arrows in this figure
represent the flow directions of air flow.
[0031] Although multiple embodiments of this invention have been
illustrated and described in detail, those skilled in the art may
make various modifications and variations to the invention based on
the content disclosed by this invention or the content derived
therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Thus, the scope of this invention should be understood
and deemed to include these and other modifications and
variations.
* * * * *