CN101865492A

CN101865492A - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN101865492A
Application number: CN200910030542A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 章传; 林志刚; 韩业安; 韩改莲
Original assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd
Current assignee: BSH Electrical Appliances Jiangsu Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-04-14
Filing date: 2009-04-14
Publication date: 2010-10-20

Abstract

The invention discloses a refrigerator (1). The refrigerator (1) comprises a lining (2) defining at least one compartment (20), a shell (3), an insulation space (17), and at least one connector (4) connected to the lining (2), wherein the insulation space (17) is positioned between the lining (2) and the shell (3) and used for accommodating a thermal insulation material, and the lining (2) is provided with at least one connecting hole (5) for connecting with the connector (4) and penetrating through the lining (2). According to the suggestion of the invention, the connecting hole (5) is arranged in such a way that the connector (4) is allowed to be inserted in, and after the connector (4) is inserted in the connecting hole (5), the connector (4) can rotate with a preset angle so as to ensure that the connector (4) is in lap joint with the edge (6) of the connecting hole (5).

Description

Refrigerator with a door

[ technical field ]

The invention relates to a refrigerator, in particular to a household or commercial refrigerator.

[ background art ]

Refrigerators comprising an inner liner defining at least one compartment, an outer shell surrounding the inner liner and an insulation space between the inner liner and the outer shell with a thermal insulation layer are known in the art. Generally, the insulation space defined by the inner lining and the outer shell is filled with a thermal insulating agent during the foaming process to form a thermal insulation layer in the insulation space, thereby reducing the cold loss of the compartment.

It is also known to provide components such as ice makers, lighting devices and/or low-pressure storage devices in the compartment. In order to make electrical, mechanical and/or fluid connections between these components and components located outside the compartment (e.g., power/control unit/vacuum pump, etc.), it is often necessary to provide a through-hole through the liner to make the connection. Sometimes, one or more connectors (whether transmitting power, signals, or fluids) are used to make such connections.

Such connectors are typically installed in the liner prior to the foaming process. A good seal between the connector and the liner should be ensured to prevent bubble leakage during the foaming process. On the other hand, since the liner is usually made of a thin plastic sheet, it is easily deformed under a certain pressure to cause unevenness of the inner wall of the storage compartment. Therefore, manufacturers are particularly concerned with the step of attaching the connector to the liner to avoid increased failure rates caused by liner deformation. For example, the force applied to the liner during assembly is so small that it does not deform the liner. Such a requirement results in a reduction in the assembly efficiency of the connector, thereby reducing the production efficiency of the refrigerator.

On the other hand, in the prior art, in order to prevent the occurrence of a bubble leak between the connector and the liner, it is known to provide a separate sealing member between the connector and the liner. This not only reduces assembly efficiency, but also increases manufacturing and management costs due to the need to add additional components.

[ summary of the invention ]

An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above technical problems and to provide a refrigerator in which a connector is easily coupled to a liner, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is directed to a refrigerator including an inner liner defining at least one compartment, an outer shell, an insulation space between the inner liner and the outer shell to receive a thermal insulation material, and at least one connector coupled to the inner liner, wherein the inner liner has at least one coupling hole to couple the connector and penetrate the inner liner, wherein the coupling hole is provided to allow the connector to be inserted, and after the connector is inserted into the coupling hole, the connector is rotatable by a predetermined angle such that the connector overlaps an edge of the coupling hole.

Accordingly, the connector can be quickly and simply coupled to the liner, and an assembly process of the connector can be significantly simplified, thereby contributing to an improvement in the production efficiency of the refrigerator.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention, individually or in combination with other features, are set forth in the following appended claims.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the predetermined angle is not greater than 90 degrees.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector further comprises a stop structure for preventing the connector from continuing to rotate after rotating the predetermined angle.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stopper structure includes a first stopper portion formed by the liner and a second stopper portion formed by the connector and engaged with the first stopper portion.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection hole is a profiled hole.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the edge of the connection hole comprises at least one first arc-shaped portion having a first radius of curvature and at least one second arc-shaped portion having a second radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being smaller than the second radius of curvature, the connector overlapping the first arc-shaped portion.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the edge of the connection hole forms a first stopper portion for preventing the connector from continuing to rotate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first stop is connected between the first and second arcuate portions.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector comprises a lapping surface lapping over the edge of the connection hole, the lapping surface being at a distance from the end face of the connector.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector comprises a guiding structure between the bridging surface and the end face for guiding an edge of the connection hole to slide into a position bridging the bridging surface.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide structure comprises a ramp between the landing surface and the end face.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector includes a step portion adjacent to the overlapping surface, the step portion forming a second stopper portion that prevents the connector from continuing to rotate after rotating by the predetermined angle.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector includes an isolation member isolating the connection hole and the insulating material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a distal edge of the insulation member extends toward an inner surface of the insulation space on the side of the lining and covers the connection hole.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the distal edge of the insulating member is crimped to the inner surface of the insulating space on the side of the lining and deformed to be brought into close surface contact with the inner surface of the insulating space on the side close to the lining.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer element is integrally formed with the connector.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer element has an umbrella-like structure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector comprises a swivel handle extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the connection hole.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector comprises a first part passing through the connection hole and a second part located within the insulating space, the first and second parts being respectively arranged to be adapted to connect a corresponding mating connector.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector comprises a fluid channel for transporting a fluid.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector comprises a low pressure storage container located within the compartment, a vacuum pump for pumping gas within the low pressure storage container, and a pumping path fluidly connecting the low pressure storage container and the vacuum pump, the connector being located in the pumping path.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a refrigerator including an inner liner defining at least one compartment, an outer shell, an insulation space between the inner liner and the outer shell, and at least one connector connected to the inner liner, wherein the inner liner has at least one connection hole to connect the connector and penetrate the inner liner, wherein the connector includes a rotation handle extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the connection hole.

The construction of the present invention and other objects and advantages thereof will be more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[ description of the drawings ]

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherein,

fig. 1 is a schematic partial sectional view of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic partially exploded view of a refrigerator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a connector just before insertion into a connection hole according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view after a connector has been secured to the liner in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[ detailed description of the invention ]

Please refer to the drawings, and particularly to fig. 1. The refrigerator 1 comprises a cabinet 24 defining at least one compartment 20. The compartment 20 is open at the front end and is closed or opened by a door 25 connected to a cabinet 24.

The tank 24 comprises an inner liner 2 defining a compartment 20, surrounding an outer shell 3 outside the inner liner 2. In the present embodiment, the inner liner 2 is made of a plastic sheet, and the outer shell 3 is made of a metal sheet. In alternative embodiments, the inner liner 2 and the outer shell 3 may be made of any other suitable material.

The inner liner 2 and the outer shell 3 are at a distance such that an insulating space 17 is formed between the inner liner 2 and the outer shell 3. A thermal insulation material for reducing heat exchange between the compartment 20 and the outside is formed in the insulation space 17. The thermal insulation material may be formed by foaming by injecting a thermal insulation foaming agent into the insulation space 17.

In the present embodiment, the liner 2 is connected to a heat exchanger 18 having heat exchange tubes (not shown) at one side of the insulation space 17. The heat exchanger 18 is connected against the liner 2 so as to be located in a position to allow sufficient heat exchange with the compartment 20 to reduce the temperature within the compartment 20.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compartment 20 can house at least one storage container 21 defining a storage space 26. By drawing at least a portion of the air out of the storage container 21, the amount of oxygen in the storage space 26 may be reduced, thereby extending the shelf life of the food.

To this end, the refrigerator 1 includes an evacuation system that can evacuate the gas within the storage container 21 to reduce the oxygen content within the storage space 26. According to a preferred embodiment, a suction system is provided within the housing 24 with a vacuum pump 22 and a suction path 23 for fluidly connecting the vacuum pump 22 and the storage space 26. When the vacuum pump 22 is operated, the gas in the storage space 26 is drawn out via the suction path 23.

The vacuum pump 22 may be disposed within a machine compartment defined by a housing 24. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the vacuum pump 22 is disposed at the bottom of the tank 24. Of course, the vacuum pump 22 may be disposed at any suitable location within the tank 24. It is also possible that the vacuum pump 22 is arranged outside the refrigerator 1.

The evacuation path 23 has one end connected to the vacuum pump 22 and the other end passing through the liner 2 to be connected to the storage container 21. The evacuation path 23 is defined by a duct 27 extending in the insulating space 17 and a connector 4 (shown in fig. 2 to 5) attached to an end of the duct 27 near the storage container 21 and fixed to the liner 2.

The inner liner 2 is provided at a rear wall corresponding to the compartment 20 with a connection hole 5 for connecting the connector 4. The coupling hole 5 penetrates the liner 2, and the coupler 4 is fixed to the liner 2 after being inserted into the coupling hole 5. Since the heat exchanger 18 is disposed at the rear wall corresponding to the compartment 20, the heat exchanger 18 is penetrated at the corresponding connection hole 5 to form a through hole (not labeled).

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupling hole 5 is provided to allow the connector 4 to be inserted in a specific direction and after the connector 4 passes through the coupling hole 5, the connector 4 may be rotated by a predetermined angle such that the connector 4 overlaps the edge 6 of the coupling hole 5 to be fixed to the liner 2.

As shown in fig. 2-5, the connector 4 defines a fluid channel 19 for transporting fluid. After being fixed to the liner 2, a part of the connector 4 is positioned in the compartment 20 through the connection hole 5, and the other part is positioned in the insulation space 17. The respective parts of the connector 4 located in the compartment 20 and in the insulating space are each arranged to be adapted to connect a corresponding mating connector (not shown).

Specifically, the connector 4 includes a liner connection portion 28 for connection with the liner 2, a pipe connection portion 29 for connection with the pipe 27, and an operation portion 30 located between the liner connection portion 28 and the pipe connection portion 29.

The liner coupling portion 28 includes a generally hollow cylindrical body portion 32 and at least one mounting block 33 projecting radially outward along an outer surface of the body portion 32. In the present embodiment, the liner connection portion 28 includes two mounting blocks 33 disposed opposite to each other and separated by a predetermined distance. However, the present invention should not be limited thereto, but may have other embodiments. For example, the liner connecting portion 28 may be provided with only one separate mounting block or with more than two separate mounting blocks.

Each mounting block 33 has a certain thickness in the insertion direction of the connector 4 so that a rear end face 33a of the mounting block 33 is spaced apart from a front end face 33b of the mounting block 33. In the present embodiment, the front end surface 33b of the mounting block 33 is located on the same plane as the distal end surface 11 of the main body portion 32, and the distance between the rear end surface 33a of the mounting block 33 and the distal end surface 11 of the main body portion 32 is equal to the thickness of the mounting block 33 in the insertion direction of the connector 4.

The rear end face 33a of each mounting block 33 includes an overlapping surface 10 for overlapping with the edge 6 of the attachment hole 5. The overlapping surface 10 is at least approximately parallel to the plane of the edge 6 of the connecting hole 5.

The mounting block 33 comprises a guide structure 12 between the faying surface 10 and the end face 11. The guide structure 12 serves to guide the connector 4 to rotate to a position where the edge 6 of the connection hole 5 slides into pressure contact with the lapping surface 10. In the present embodiment, the guide structure 12 is realized by a slope of the rear end face 33a between the faying surface 10 and the first end 34 of the mounting block 33. The thickness of the mounting block 33 in the axial direction thereof gradually increases from the first end 34 toward the faying surface 10, thereby forming the above-described slope.

The mounting block 33 includes a stop formation 13 formed on a second end 35 opposite the first end 34. The stop structure 13 is adjacent to the overlapping surface 10 and forms a step therebetween, so that when the corresponding edge 6 of the attachment hole 5 is rotated to a certain angle, the stop structure 13 cooperates with the edge 6 of the attachment hole 5 to prevent the connector 4 from further rotating.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector 4 comprises an isolating element 14 isolating the connection hole 5 and the thermal insulating material located in the insulating space 17.

In this embodiment, the isolation member 14 extends outwardly from the outer surface of the body portion 32 and has an umbrella-like configuration. The root of the spacer element 14 is attached to the outer surface of the main body portion 32 and is located behind the faying surface 10, preferably before the operating portion 10.

The spacer member 14 extends toward the front end of the connector 4, and its radial dimension gradually increases. The size of the terminal edge of the spacer member 14 is selected so that the spacer member 14 can completely cover the connection hole 5. Preferably, the end edges of the spacer elements 14 lie in the same plane.

The spacer element 14 is thin and deformable. When the terminal edge of the spacer member 14 is crimped to the inner surface of the insulating space 17 on the side of the lining 2 after the connector 4 is fixed, the spacer member 14 is deformed to come into surface contact with the inner surface of the insulating space 17 on the side of the lining 2, thereby providing a good isolation seal between the connection hole 5 and the insulating space 17. In the present embodiment, since the connection hole 5 is provided in the portion of the liner 2 to which the heat exchanger 18 is connected, the inner surface of the insulating space 17 on the side of the liner 2 is formed by the heat exchanger 18. Obviously, in alternative embodiments, the inner surface of the insulation space 17 on the side of the liner 2 may also be formed directly by the liner 2, for example when the connection hole 5 is provided in an exposed portion of the liner 2.

Preferably, the isolation element 14 is integrally formed with the connector 4. However, in an alternative embodiment, the spacer element 14 can also be connected to the connector 4 as a separate part. The connector 4 including the spacer element 14 may be made of plastic, for example polyethylene.

The operation portion 30 includes a cylindrical portion connected to the main body portion 32 and having substantially the same outer diameter, and a rotation knob 16 extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the connection hole 5. In the present embodiment, the twist grip 16 includes a pair of projections extending radially outwardly from the outer surface of the cylindrical body. The provision of the rotating knob 16 greatly improves the ease of fixing the connector 4 to the attachment hole 5.

The pipe connection portion 29 has a cylindrical outer surface, which can be connected with the pipe 27 by a quick coupling (not shown). The pipe connection portion 29 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the operating portion 30 so that a step is formed between the pipe connection portion 29 and the cylindrical portion of the operating portion 30.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connection hole 5 is a profile hole. The edge 6 of the connection hole 5 comprises a pair of opposite first arc-shaped portions 7 having a first radius of curvature and another pair of oppositely arranged second arc-shaped portions 8 having a second radius of curvature. Wherein the first radius of curvature is smaller than the second radius of curvature, so that the distance between two opposite first arc-shaped portions 7 is smaller than the distance between two opposite second arc-shaped portions 8.

The first arcuate portion 7 is sized and shaped to generally correspond to the outer contour of the main body portion 32 of the liner connecting portion 28 of the connector 4 at the distal end face 11, and the second arcuate portion 8 is sized and shaped to generally correspond to the outer contour of the mounting block 33 at the distal end face 11. Therefore, the connector 4 can be inserted into the coupling hole 5 only in a specific direction. Specifically, at the time of insertion, the mounting block 33 of the connector 4 is inserted into the connection hole 5 along the corresponding second arc portion 8, and the body portion 32 where the mounting block 33 is not provided is inserted into the connection hole 5 along the first arc portion 7.

The first arcuate section 7 and the second arcuate section 8 each have a length no greater than one quarter of their respective circumferences.

The edge 6 further comprises a pair of first and second rectilinear portions 9, 36 connecting the respective ends of the first and second arcuate portions 7, 8, respectively. The angle between the first straight portion 9 and the first curved portion 7 is smaller than the angle between the second straight portion 36 and the first curved portion 7. The angle between the first straight portion 9 and the first curved portion 7 is acute, preferably 45-60 degrees, so that after the connector 4 is rotated to a certain angle, the first straight portion 9 abuts against the second stop portion 13 formed on the connector 4 to prevent the connector 6 from further rotating. Thus, the first straight portion 9 forms a first stop that cooperates with the second stop 13 of the connector 4 to prevent the connector 6 from continuing to rotate as part of the edge 6 of the attachment hole 5.

When assembled, the connector 4 is inserted into the connection hole 5 along a specific angle, i.e., with the two mounting blocks 33 aligned with the second arc-shaped portion 8, until the spacer member 14 comes into contact with the inner surface of the insulating space 17 on the side close to the compartment 20 to prevent the connector 4 from being inserted further. At this time, the portion of the main body portion 32 where the mounting block 33 is not provided corresponds to the first arc portion 7.

Thereafter, the connector 4 is rotated by operating the rotation knob 16. As the connector 4 rotates, the first arc-shaped portion 7 is guided by the guide structure 12 to gradually slide into the overlapping surface 10 of the rear end surface 33a until the first stop portion 9 abuts against the second stop portion 13 of the connector 4 to prevent the connector 4 from further rotating. At this point, the surface of the first arc-shaped part 7 facing away from the compartment 20 is in contact with the faying surface 10.

In the above steps, since the lengths of the first arc-shaped portion 7 and the second arc-shaped portion 8 are not more than one quarter of their respective circumferences, respectively, the rotation angle of the connector 4 does not exceed 90 degrees, for example, 50 to 70 degrees.

Since the distance is formed between the lapping surface 10 and the distal end face 11 of the connector 4 and the spacer member 14 is deformable, after the connector 4 is rotated into position, the edge 6 of the attachment hole 5 and the lapping surface 10 are brought into press-contact due to the deformation of the distal end edge of the spacer member 14. On the other hand, since the insulating member 14 is deformed to form close surface contact between the end edge region and the inner surface of the insulating space 17, when the thermal insulating foaming agent is injected into the insulating space 17, the possibility of the thermal insulating foaming agent leaking from the connecting hole 5 is greatly reduced, so that it is possible to dispense with the provision of an additional sealing member.

In the above embodiment, the connector 4 is used for transmitting gas. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in alternative embodiments, the connector may be a mechanical or electrical connector for transmitting other fluids, signals, electricity, and the like.

Claims

1. A refrigerator (1) comprising an inner liner (2) defining at least one compartment (20), an outer shell (3), an insulating space (17) between the inner liner (2) and the outer shell (3) to receive a heat insulating material, and at least one connector (4) connected to the inner liner (2), wherein the inner liner (2) has at least one connecting hole (5) to connect the connector (4) and penetrate the inner liner (2), characterized in that the connecting hole (5) is provided to allow the connector (4) to be inserted and after the connector (4) is inserted into the connecting hole (5), the connector (4) is rotatable by a predetermined angle to overlap the connector (4) with an edge (6) of the connecting hole (5).

2. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the predetermined angle being not more than 90 degrees.

3. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized by a stop structure (9, 13) to prevent the connector (4) from continuing to rotate after rotating the predetermined angle.

4. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 3, characterized by the stop arrangement (9, 13) comprising a first stop (9) formed by the liner (2) and a second stop (13) formed by the connector (4) cooperating with the first stop (9).

5. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the connecting hole (5) being a profiled hole.

6. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the connecting hole (5) whose edge (6) comprises at least one first arc-shaped portion (7) with a first radius of curvature and at least one second arc-shaped portion (8) with a second radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being smaller than the second radius of curvature, the connector (4) overlapping the first arc-shaped portion (7).

7. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the edge (6) of the connection hole (5) forming a first stop (9) to stop the connector (4) from further rotation.

8. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 7, characterized by the first stop (9) connected between the first arc-shaped part (7) and the second arc-shaped part (8).

9. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the connector (4) comprising an overlapping surface (10) overlapping the edge (6) of the connection hole (5), the overlapping surface (10) forming a distance from the end face (11) of the connector (4).

10. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 9, characterized by the connector (4) comprising a guiding structure (12) between the overlapping surface (10) and the end face (11), the guiding structure (12) being adapted to guide the edge (6) of the connection hole (4) to slide into an overlapping position with the overlapping surface (10).

11. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 10, characterized by the guide structure (12) comprising a ramp between the overlapping surface (10) and the end face (11).

12. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 9, 10 or 11, characterized by the connector (4) comprising a step adjacent to the overlapping surface (10), said step forming a second stop (13) preventing the connector (4) from continuing to rotate after rotating the predetermined angle.

13. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the connector (4) comprising an isolating element (14) isolating the connection hole (5) and the thermal insulating material.

14. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 13 characterized by the end edge of the insulation element (14) extending towards the inner surface of the insulation space (17) on the side of the liner (2) and covering the connection hole (5).

15. A refrigerator (1) as in claim 13 or 14 characterized by that the end edge of the insulation element (14) is crimped against the inner surface of the insulation space (17) on the side of the liner (2) and deformed into close face contact with the inner surface of the insulation space (17) on the side close to the liner (2).

16. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the claims 13 to 15, characterized by the spacer element (14) being integrally formed with the connector (4).

17. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the claims 13 to 16, characterized by the spacer element (14) having an umbrella structure.

18. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the connector (4) comprising a swivel handle (16) extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the connection hole (5).

19. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the connector (4) comprising a first portion passing through the connection hole (5) and a second portion located inside the insulation space (17), the first and second portions being respectively arranged to be adapted to connect a corresponding mating connector.

20. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the connector (4) comprising a fluid channel (19) to transport fluid.

21. A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by comprising a low pressure reservoir (21) located in the compartment (20), a vacuum pump (22) for evacuating gas from the low pressure reservoir (21), and an evacuation path (23) fluidly connecting the low pressure reservoir (21) and the vacuum pump (22), the connector (4) being located in the evacuation path (23).

22. A refrigerator (1) comprising an inner liner (2) defining at least one compartment (20), an outer shell (3), an insulating space (17) between the inner liner (2) and the outer shell (3), and at least one connector (4) connected to the inner liner (2), wherein the inner liner (2) has at least one connection hole (5) for connecting the connector (4) and extending through the inner liner (2), characterized in that the connector (4) comprises a rotation knob (16) extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the connection hole (5).