CN106766632B

CN106766632B - Refrigerator and rack thereof

Info

Publication number: CN106766632B
Application number: CN201611184659.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨雨鑫; 杨茂生; 任树飞; 窦金强; 李晓庆
Original assignee: Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Current assignee: Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-20
Filing date: 2016-12-20
Publication date: 2023-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-20
Also published as: CN106766632A

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator and a rack thereof, wherein the rack is used for being installed in a storage compartment of the refrigerator and comprises a first shelf and a second shelf which are respectively and pivotally installed on two transverse side walls of the storage compartment so as to pivot between a folded position which is abutted against the transverse side walls of the storage compartment and a horizontally extending unfolded position; and at least one retention device, each retention device comprising: the first inserting cylinder and the second inserting cylinder are respectively arranged on the first shelf and the second shelf, and when the first shelf and the second shelf are both in the unfolding position, the axes of the first inserting cylinder and the second inserting cylinder are collinear; and a latch inserted into the first and second cartridges when the first and second shelves are both in the unfolded position, so as to maintain the first and second shelves in the unfolded position. The rack provided by the invention can reasonably utilize the indoor space of the storage room.

Description

Refrigerator and rack thereof

Technical Field

The invention relates to a refrigeration and freezing device, in particular to a refrigerator and a rack thereof.

Background

Refrigerators are home appliances that are indispensable for storing foods. The refrigerator generally comprises an inner container, wherein a plurality of groups of container ribs are arranged on the inner container to place a plurality of layers of racks, so that a storage compartment is provided with a plurality of partitions.

In order to make full use of the space between two adjacent racks, some refrigerators set the distance between the two racks smaller, which is not suitable for storing higher items. If the distance between the two layers of racks is too large, space waste is easily caused.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to overcome at least one defect in the prior art and provide a rack with a novel structure, so that the space in a storage room is reasonably utilized.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having the above-mentioned rack.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a rack for installation in a storage compartment of a refrigerator, comprising:

a first shelf and a second shelf, each pivotally mounted to two lateral side walls of the storage compartment, to pivot between a collapsed position against the lateral side walls of the storage compartment and a horizontally extended expanded position; and

at least one retention device, each retention device comprising:

the first inserting cylinder and the second inserting cylinder are respectively arranged on the first shelf and the second shelf, and when the first shelf and the second shelf are both in the unfolding position, the axes of the first inserting cylinder and the second inserting cylinder are collinear;

and a latch inserted into the first and second cartridges when the first and second shelves are both in the unfolded position, so as to maintain the first and second shelves in the unfolded position.

Optionally, the wall of the first insertion barrel is provided with a yielding slot hole extending along the axial direction of the first insertion barrel; and when the first shelf is in the folding position, the plug pin is positioned in the first plug cylinder, the deflector rod is fixed on the plug pin, and the deflector rod extends out of the first plug cylinder through the abdication long hole so as to drive the plug pin to be inserted into or separated from the second plug cylinder by holding the deflector rod.

Optionally, the number of retention devices is two; and the first inserting cylinders of the two retention devices are respectively positioned at the front end and the rear end of the first shelf, and the second inserting cylinders of the two retention devices are respectively positioned at the front end and the rear end of the second shelf.

Optionally, the rack further comprises a connecting rod, and two ends of the connecting rod are respectively and fixedly connected with the deflector rods on the pins of the two retention devices.

Optionally, the connecting rod is located at a side of the first shelf not used for the rack.

Optionally, the front end and the rear end of the first shelf are respectively provided with a limiting long hole and a supporting rod matched with the limiting long hole, and the length direction of the limiting long hole is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the first shelf; and the first end of bracing piece articulates in spacing slot hole and can follow its length direction and remove, and the second end is less than first end and articulates in the lateral wall of storing room, and the rack disposes: when the first shelf is in the unfolding position, the first end of the supporting rod abuts against one end of the limiting long hole in the length direction, so that supporting force is applied to the first shelf.

Optionally, the front end and the rear end of the second shelf are respectively provided with a limiting long hole and a supporting rod matched with the limiting long hole, and the length direction of the limiting long hole is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the first shelf; and the first end of bracing piece articulates in spacing slot hole and can follow its length direction and remove, and the second end is less than first end and articulates in the lateral wall of storing room, and the rack disposes: when the second shelf is in the unfolding position, the first end of the supporting rod abuts against one end of the limiting long hole in the length direction, so that supporting force is applied to the second shelf.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a refrigerator comprising a storage compartment and at least one rack according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first shelf and the second shelf are pivotally mounted on two lateral side walls of the storage compartment, respectively.

Optionally, the two lateral side walls of the storage compartment are each provided with a locating clip, and the edges of the first shelf or the second shelf are clamped between the locating clips and the lateral side walls of the storage compartment when in the folded position, so as to be maintained in the folded position.

Optionally, each positioning clip is disposed in a receiving cavity formed in a lateral side wall of the storage compartment, and is configured to extend out of the receiving cavity against an elastic pre-tightening force under an external force, and compress the first shelf or the second shelf against the lateral side wall of the storage compartment under the action of the elastic pre-tightening force.

In the refrigerator and the rack thereof, the rack comprises a first shelf and a second shelf which are respectively and pivotally arranged on two transverse side walls of a storage compartment. When higher stored objects are needed to be stored below the rack, the first shelf and the second shelf can be turned to the folding positions. In other cases, the first shelf and the second shelf can be turned to the unfolding positions for placing objects, so that the space of the storage compartment can be fully utilized. Therefore, the reasonable utilization of the indoor space between the storage compartments is realized. And, when the first shelf and the second shelf are in the unfolded position, by inserting a latch into the first cartridge and the second cartridge, the first shelf and the second shelf can be mutually supported by the latch, thereby stably maintaining the unfolded position.

Furthermore, the rack of the invention can facilitate the user to hold the deflector rod to move the plug pin by fixing the deflector rod on the plug pin and enabling the deflector rod to extend out through the abdicating slot hole. In addition, when setting up two retention devices, connect two driving levers through setting up the connecting rod, can be convenient for be used for only operating the connecting rod and can drive two bolts and remove, made things convenient for the user to operate.

Furthermore, the rack of the invention can further support the first shelf (or the second shelf) by arranging the limiting long holes and the supporting rods on the first shelf (or the second shelf), so that the first shelf (or the second shelf) is more firmly kept in the unfolding position. In addition, because the supporting rod has a certain supporting function, one of the first shelf or the second shelf is in an unfolding position, and the other shelf is in a folding position, so that a storage object with higher height is placed on one lateral side of the storage compartment, and the space of the storage compartment is further optimally utilized.

Further, the refrigerator of the present invention can stably maintain the first shelf and the second shelf in the folded position by providing the positioning clip. By arranging the locating clamp in the accommodating cavity, the locating clamp can avoid affecting the appearance of the storage compartment and reduce the occupied space, and the locating clamp can clamp the first shelf or the second shelf more tightly and firmly by applying elastic pretightening force to the locating clamp.

The above, as well as additional objectives, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Some specific embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereinafter by way of example and not by way of limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts or portions. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the rack of FIG. 1 positioned on the upper side of the storage compartment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the rack of FIG. 1 positioned on the underside of the storage compartment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the bottom structure of the rack of FIG. 2;

fig. 5 is a structural view of the retention clip of fig. 2.

Detailed Description

A refrigerator and a rack thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 5. Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 2 is a schematic structure of a rack located at an upper side of a storage compartment in fig. 1, fig. 3 is a schematic structure of a rack located at a lower side of the storage compartment in fig. 1, fig. 4 is a schematic bottom structure of the rack shown in fig. 2, and fig. 5 is a schematic structure of a positioning clip in fig. 3. In the following description, all "lateral" refers to the left-right direction indicated in the drawings.

As shown in fig. 1, a rack 10 for carrying stored articles is installed in an article storage compartment 201 of a refrigerator to vertically divide the space of the article storage compartment 201. The rack 10 includes a first shelf 100, a second shelf 200, and at least one retention device. The first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 are pivotally mounted to the two lateral side walls 21, 22 of the storage compartment 201, respectively (as shown in fig. 1 the first shelf 100 is mounted to the left lateral side wall 21 and the second shelf 200 is mounted to the right lateral side wall 22) to pivot between a folded position against the lateral side wall of the storage compartment 201 and a deployed position extending horizontally (which may also extend generally horizontally, so as to facilitate storage). For example, in fig. 1, the first shelf 100 of the rack 10 located at the upper side is in a folded state, and the second shelf 200 is in an unfolded state. The first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 located at the lower side are both in an unfolded state, in which the ends of the two are connected to each other so that the stored objects are placed thereon.

In the embodiment of the present invention, if a user wants to store a higher storage object under the upper rack 10, the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 can be turned to the folded positions, so as to make enough height space for the lower rack 10. In other cases, the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 can be turned to the unfolded positions for placing objects, so that the space of the storage compartment 201 can be fully utilized, and the space in the storage compartment 201 can be reasonably utilized.

As shown in fig. 1 to 4, in the embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned retention device includes a first socket 310, a second socket 320, and a pin 330, wherein cylindrical cavities are defined in the first socket 310 and the second socket 320, and the pin 330 is rod-shaped. Wherein the first socket 310 is disposed on the first shelf 100, and the second socket 320 is disposed on the second shelf 200. When both the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 are in the unfolded position, the axes of the first cartridge 310 and the second cartridge 320 are collinear to allow the latch 330 to be inserted into the first cartridge 310 and the second cartridge 320 (refer to the rack at the lower side of fig. 1, fig. 3, and fig. 4). In this way, since the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 are coupled and locked by the latch 330, an effect of supporting each other is formed such that both of them do not continue to be turned down, but can be stably maintained in the unfolded position. The latch 330 may be unlocked from the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 before the user needs to flip the first shelf 100 and/or the second shelf 200 to the unfolded position. At this time, the latch 330 may be completely removed from the first and second cartridges 310 and 320 and placed elsewhere. Alternatively, the latch 330 may be simply separated from the first socket 310 and retained in the second socket 320, or separated from the second socket 320 and retained in the first socket 310, so that the latch 330 does not need to be separately placed. As can be seen from the above, the embodiment of the present invention achieves the retention locking of the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 only by the latch 330, without providing a complicated locking mechanism. The embodiment of the invention has the advantages of simple structure, easy realization and very convenient operation for users.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 4, the wall of the first socket 310 has a hole 311 extending along the axis of the first socket 310, and the hole 311 is a through hole. When the first shelf 100 is in the folded position, the latch 330 is positioned in the first socket 310, the lever 340 is fixed to the latch 330, and the lever 340 extends outward in the radial direction of the latch 330. The shift lever 340 extends out of the first socket 310 through the escape slot 311. A user may hold the lever 340 to move the latch 330 to insert the second cartridge 320 (in the direction of the open arrow shown in fig. 4) or disengage the second cartridge 320. In addition, since the shift lever 340 extends out of the first socket 310 through the relief through hole, the latch 330 does not fall out of the first socket 310 regardless of the angle to which the first shelf 100 is turned.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the second socket 320, but not the first socket 310, may be provided with the slot 311, so that the latch 330 may be disposed in the second socket 320, but not the first socket 310, to achieve the same effect.

In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the number of retention devices is two, as shown in fig. 4. The first sockets 310 of the two retention devices are respectively located at the front and rear ends of the first shelf 100, and the second sockets 320 of the two retention devices are respectively located at the front and rear ends of the second shelf 200. This allows the storage pressure applied to the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 to be uniformly applied to the two pins 330, so that the first shelf 10 and the second shelf 200 can be more stably maintained in the unfolded position.

In some alternative embodiments, only one retention device may be provided, the first socket 310 of which may be disposed at the bottom center of the first shelf 100, and the second socket 320 may be disposed at the bottom center of the second shelf 200 (so-called bottom is the lower portion of the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 when the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 are in the unfolded position).

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 4, the rack 10 further includes a connection rod 350. Both ends of the connecting rod 350 are fixedly connected with the deflector rods 340 on the bolts 330 of the two retention devices, respectively. Therefore, the user can drive the two bolts 330 to move only by holding the connecting rod 350 without moving the two bolts 330 respectively, thereby greatly facilitating the operation. In addition, the connection rod 350 is provided to avoid inconvenience of the user to operate the latch 330 positioned at the rear.

In some embodiments, a bent handle structure 352 may also be provided in the middle (as in FIG. 4) or front of the connecting rod 350 for user manipulation. The connecting rod 350 and the shift lever 340 may be integrally formed, for example, two ends of the connecting rod 350 may be respectively bent, and the bent portions may form the shift lever 340.

In some alternative embodiments, more than two retention devices may be provided. The plurality of retention devices are arranged in the front-rear direction to further increase the degree of stability of the first and second shelves 100 and 200. In addition, a connecting rod 350 can be used to connect the shift levers 340 on the bolts 330 of the plurality of retention devices, so as to realize the linkage of the plurality of shift levers 340 and facilitate the operation of users.

The connection rod 350 is preferably disposed at a side of the first shelf 100 not for the rack. When both the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 are in the folded position, the upper side surfaces of both are used for the rack, and the lower side, i.e., the side not used for the rack. The connecting rod 350 is disposed at the side to prevent it from affecting the normal placement of the storage items and the appearance of the rack 10.

The first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 may include a square frame and glass plates covered by the square frame, respectively. The first socket 310 and the second socket 320 may be formed on a square frame.

In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 1, 2 and 4, the first shelf 100 has a limiting long hole 400 and a supporting bar 500 matched with the limiting long hole 400 at both front and rear ends thereof, respectively. The length direction of the stopper long hole 400 is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the first shelf 100 (as shown in fig. 1, the pivot axis of the first shelf 100 extends in the front-rear direction, and the straight line in which the length direction of the stopper long hole 400 is located in a vertical plane extending in the left-right direction). The first end 501 of the supporting rod 500 is hinged to the limiting long hole 400 and can move along the length direction of the limiting long hole, and the second end 502 is lower than the first end 501 and hinged to the lateral side wall 21 of the storage compartment 201. The rack 10 is configured such that the first end 501 of the support rod 500 abuts against one end of the limiting long hole 400 in the length direction (as shown in fig. 1) when the first shelf 100 is in the unfolded position, to apply a supporting force to the first shelf 100. When the first shelf 100 is turned from the unfolded position to the folded position (as shown in fig. 2), the first end 501 of the support rod 500 moves from one end to the other end in the length direction of the long stopper hole 400 while rotating within the long stopper hole 400.

In addition, similarly to the first shelf 100, as shown in fig. 1, 2 and 4, the second shelf 200 has a limiting long hole 400 and a supporting rod 500 matched with the limiting long hole 400 at both front and rear ends thereof, respectively, and the length direction of the limiting long hole 400 is perpendicular to the pivoting axis of the first shelf 100; and the first end of the support bar 500 is hinged to the limiting long hole 400 and can move along the length direction thereof, the second end is lower than the first end and is hinged to the lateral side wall 22 of the storage compartment 201, and the rack 10 is configured such that when the second shelf 200 is in the unfolded position, the first end of the support bar 500 abuts against one end (as shown in fig. 1) of the limiting long hole 400 in the length direction, so as to apply a supporting force to the second shelf 200. When the second shelf 200 is turned from the unfolded position to the folded position (as shown in fig. 2), the first end 501 of the support rod 500 moves from one end to the other end in the length direction of the long stopper hole 400 while rotating within the long stopper hole 400.

The embodiment of the present invention can further support the first shelf 100 (or the second shelf 200) by providing the support bar 500 so as to be more stably maintained in the unfolded position. In addition, since the support bar 500 has a certain supporting function, one of the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 can be in an unfolded position and the other can be in a folded position (such as the state of the rack 10 positioned at the upper side in fig. 1), so that the storage object with higher height can be placed at one lateral side of the storage compartment 201, and the space of the storage compartment 201 can be further optimally utilized.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a refrigerator. As shown in fig. 1, the refrigerator includes a cabinet 20, and the cabinet 20 defines at least one storage compartment 201, typically a plurality of storage compartments, such as a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment temperature changing compartment, and the like. At least one rack 10 of any of the foregoing embodiments is disposed within a storage compartment 201 (typically within a refrigerated compartment). Wherein the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 are pivotally mounted on two lateral side walls 21, 22 of the storage compartment 201, respectively.

Specifically, the two lateral side walls 21, 22 of the storage compartment 201 may be fixed with hinge brackets 700, respectively, and the ends of the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 are mounted on the hinge brackets 700. The support bar 500 may be mounted to the hinge bracket 700.

A plurality of racks 10 vertically arranged may be provided in each storage compartment 201. When the first and second shelves 100 and 200 of the rack 10 located at the upper side are turned to the folded position, a sufficient height space may be left for the rack 10 located at the lower side. When the first shelf 100 and the second shelf 200 of the rack 10 positioned at the upper side are turned to the unfolded position, they can be used for the rack, so that the space of the storage compartment 201 can be fully utilized.

Fig. 5 is a structural view of the retention clip 610 of fig. 2. As shown in fig. 2 and 5, in some embodiments of the present invention, the two lateral side walls 21, 22 of the storage compartment 201 are provided with a positioning clip 610, respectively, and the edges of the first shelf 100 or the second shelf 200 are clamped between the positioning clip 610 and the lateral side walls 21, 22 of the storage compartment 201 to be maintained in the folded position when the first shelf 100 or the second shelf 200 is in the folded position.

Specifically, each positioning clip 610 is disposed in the accommodating cavity 211 formed in the lateral side wall 21, 22 of the storage compartment 201, and is configured to extend out of the accommodating cavity 211 under the action of an external force against an elastic pre-tightening force (the direction of which is shown by the hollow arrow in fig. 5), and to press the first shelf 100 or the second shelf 200 against the lateral side wall 21, 22 of the storage compartment 201 under the action of the elastic pre-tightening force. By locating the locating clip 610 within the receiving cavity 211, it is possible to avoid affecting the appearance of the storage compartment 201 and to reduce the space it occupies.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, the lateral side wall 21 of the storage compartment 201 is provided with a receiving chamber 211. The positioning clamp 610 has a columnar structure on one side, and a compression spring 620 is sleeved on the columnar structure. In a normal state (as in fig. 5), the positioning clip 610 is positioned in the accommodating cavity 211. When the user pulls the positioning clip 610 outward, the elastic pre-tightening force of the compression spring 620 needs to be overcome. After the retaining clip 610 is pulled out (as in fig. 2), the first shelf 100 may be pressed against the lateral side wall 21.

By now it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while a number of exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein in detail, many other variations or modifications of the invention consistent with the principles of the invention may be directly ascertained or inferred from the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be understood and deemed to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A rack for installation in a storage compartment of a refrigerator, comprising:

a first shelf and a second shelf, each pivotally mounted to two lateral side walls of the storage compartment, to pivot between a collapsed position against the lateral side walls of the storage compartment and a horizontally extended deployed position; and

at least one retention device, each retention device comprising:

the first inserting cylinder and the second inserting cylinder are respectively arranged on the first shelf and the second shelf, and when the first shelf and the second shelf are both positioned at the unfolding position, the axes of the first inserting cylinder and the second inserting cylinder are collinear;

a latch inserted within the first and second cartridges when both the first and second shelves are in the extended position to retain the first and second shelves in the extended position;

the first plug cylinder and the second plug cylinder are internally limited with cylindrical cavities, and the plug pin is rod-shaped.

2. The rack of claim 1, wherein the rack comprises a plurality of racks,

the wall of the first insertion barrel is provided with a yielding slot hole extending along the axial direction of the first insertion barrel; and is also provided with

When the first shelf is in the folding position, the plug pin is positioned in the first plug cylinder, a deflector rod is fixed on the plug pin, and the deflector rod extends out of the first plug cylinder through the abdication long hole so as to drive the plug pin to be inserted into or separated from the second plug cylinder by holding the deflector rod.

3. The rack of claim 2, wherein the rack comprises a plurality of racks,

the number of the retention devices is two; and is also provided with

The first inserting cylinders of the two retention devices are respectively positioned at the front end and the rear end of the first shelf, and the second inserting cylinders of the two retention devices are respectively positioned at the front end and the rear end of the second shelf.

4. A rack as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

and the two ends of the connecting rod are respectively and fixedly connected with the deflector rods on the bolts of the two retention devices.

5. The rack of claim 4, wherein the rack comprises a plurality of racks,

the connecting rod is positioned on one side of the first shelf, which is not used for placing objects.

6. The rack of claim 1, wherein the rack comprises a plurality of racks,

the front end and the rear end of the first shelf are respectively provided with a limiting long hole and a supporting rod matched with the limiting long hole, and the length direction of the limiting long hole is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the first shelf; and is also provided with

The first end of bracing piece articulate in spacing slot hole and can follow its length direction and remove, the second end be less than first end and articulate in the lateral wall of storing room, the rack is configured to:

when the first shelf is in the unfolding position, the first end of the supporting rod abuts against one end of the limiting long hole in the length direction, so that supporting force is applied to the first shelf.

7. The rack of claim 1, wherein the rack comprises a plurality of racks,

the front end and the rear end of the second shelf are respectively provided with a limiting long hole and a supporting rod matched with the limiting long hole, and the length direction of the limiting long hole is perpendicular to the pivot axis of the first shelf; and is also provided with

when the second shelf is in the unfolding position, the first end of the supporting rod abuts against one end of the limiting long hole in the length direction, so that supporting force is applied to the second shelf.

8. A refrigerator, characterized by comprising:

a storage compartment; and

the at least one rack of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first shelf and the second shelf are each pivotally mounted on two lateral side walls of the storage compartment.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein,

the two lateral side walls of the storage compartment are respectively provided with a locating clamp, and when the first shelf or the second shelf is in the folding position, the edges of the first shelf or the second shelf are clamped between the locating clamps and the lateral side walls of the storage compartment so as to be kept in the folding position.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein,

each positioning clamp is arranged in a containing cavity formed in the transverse side wall of the storage compartment and is configured to extend out of the containing cavity under the action of external force against an elastic pre-tightening force and compress the first shelf or the second shelf on the transverse side wall of the storage compartment under the action of the elastic pre-tightening force.