CN111895717A

CN111895717A - Fresh-keeping device and refrigerator with same

Info

Publication number: CN111895717A
Application number: CN202010706949.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱雪峰; 胡哲; 宾丽敏; 周伟洪
Original assignee: Hisense Ronshen Guangdong Refrigerator Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hisense Ronshen Guangdong Refrigerator Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-21
Filing date: 2020-07-21
Publication date: 2020-11-06
Also published as: WO2022016824A1

Abstract

The invention provides a fresh-keeping device and a refrigerator with the same, wherein the fresh-keeping device comprises a containing box, a drawer which can be inserted into the containing box in a push-pull manner, and an oxygen control mechanism arranged on the containing box; the oxygen control mechanism comprises an electrolytic cell, a cathode, an anode and an exhaust pipe, wherein the electrolytic cell is used for containing electrolyte, and the electrolytic cell is sealed and isolated from the containing box; one surface of the cathode is positioned in the electrolyte, and the other surface of the cathode is positioned in the accommodating box; the anode is arranged opposite to the cathode; one end of the exhaust pipe is connected with the electrolytic cell, and the other end of the exhaust pipe is positioned outside the containing box. The technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention can effectively reduce the oxygen content in the containing box, thereby prolonging the preservation time of stored objects, and the manufacturing materials do not need to have higher strength or a reinforced structure, thereby reducing the application cost.

Description

Fresh-keeping device and refrigerator with same

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of preservation equipment, in particular to a preservation device and a refrigerator with the same.

Background

Modified atmosphere technology generally refers to a technology for prolonging the storage life of food by regulating the gas composition in the closed space where the stored food is located.

In the related art, vacuum refreshing is performed by pumping air from a storage space to reduce the oxygen content in the storage space, thereby inhibiting the physiological process of putrefaction and deterioration of the stored materials and the activity of microorganisms. However, when air in the storage space is extracted, a large pressure difference is generated between the inside and the outside of the storage space, so that the storage space bears a large pressure, and therefore, a material for manufacturing the storage space is required to have a high strength or a complicated and special structure is required, so that the application cost is increased. The modified atmosphere film fresh-keeping is to form low-oxygen and high-oxygen gas compositions on two sides of the modified atmosphere film by arranging the modified atmosphere film with selective permeability according to the difference of the permeability of oxygen and other gases, but the oxygen control is carried out by gas diffusion, the oxygen control efficiency is low, and the oxygen concentration cannot be effectively controlled in a low-oxygen area.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a fresh-keeping device and a refrigerator with the same, so that the oxygen content in a storage space can be effectively reduced to keep the stored objects fresh, the storage space does not need to bear large pressure, and the application cost is reduced.

In order to solve the technical problems, the invention adopts the following technical scheme:

according to one aspect of the invention, the invention provides a fresh-keeping device, which comprises a containing box, a drawer which can be inserted into the containing box in a push-pull manner, and an oxygen control mechanism arranged on the containing box; the oxygen control mechanism comprises:

the electrolytic cell is used for containing electrolyte and is hermetically isolated from the containing box;

one surface of the cathode is positioned in the electrolyte, and the other surface of the cathode is positioned in the accommodating box;

an anode disposed opposite the cathode;

one end of the exhaust pipe is connected with the electrolytic cell, the other end of the exhaust pipe is located outside the containing box and can be selected, the oxygen control mechanism further comprises a sealing frame, the anode and the cathode are respectively arranged on two sides of the sealing frame, the anode, the sealing frame and the cathode form the electrolytic cell, and one side, far away from the sealing frame, of the cathode is exposed out of the inner surface of the containing box.

Optionally, the fresh-keeping device further comprises a housing, and the oxygen control mechanism is arranged in the housing; the shell comprises a front cover and a rear cover which are matched with each other, the rear cover is arranged corresponding to the cathode, and the rear cover is provided with a through hole.

Optionally, a water storage tank communicated with the electrolytic tank is arranged on the shell, and the water storage tank is positioned above the electrolytic tank.

Optionally, the fresh-keeping device further comprises a main control board, a liquid level sensor is arranged in the water storage tank, and the liquid level sensor is connected with the main control board.

Optionally, an opening and closing detection mechanism connected to the main control panel is disposed in the accommodating box to detect whether the drawer is opened.

Optionally, the opening and closing detection mechanism includes a magnetic control switch arranged on the accommodating box and a magnetic part arranged on the drawer, and the magnetic control switch is connected with the main control board.

Optionally, the cathode is coated with a gas permeable catalytic layer.

Optionally, a guide rail is arranged in the accommodating box, a guide part matched with the guide rail is arranged on the drawer, and a self-locking assembly is arranged on the guide rail.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator including:

a case having a compartment;

the box door is rotatably arranged on the box body;

the fresh-keeping device is arranged in the box body and is the fresh-keeping device.

According to the technical scheme, the embodiment of the invention at least has the following advantages and positive effects:

the fresh-keeping device in the embodiment of the invention comprises a containing box, a drawer which can be inserted into the containing box in a push-pull manner and an oxygen control mechanism arranged on the containing box, wherein the oxygen control mechanism comprises an electrolytic cell, a cathode, an anode and an exhaust pipe, the electrolytic cell is used for containing electrolyte, the electrolytic cell is sealed and isolated from the containing box, one surface of the cathode is positioned in the electrolyte, the other surface of the cathode is positioned in the containing box, one end of the exhaust pipe is connected with the electrolytic cell, and the other end of the exhaust pipe is positioned. From this, when discharging, the one side that the negative pole is located the holding box can react with the oxygen in the air to reduce the oxygen content in the holding box, and when charging, the one side that the negative pole is located the electrolytic bath can react in order to produce oxygen, makes the oxygen in the holding box can "shift" and discharge in the electrolytic bath and from the blast pipe in the holding box, has reduced the oxygen content in the holding box, thereby stores the thing in the holding box and keep fresh. Air in the accommodating box does not need to be extracted, and large pressure difference does not exist between the inside and the outside of the accommodating box, so that the material for manufacturing the accommodating box does not need to have high strength or special structure, and the application cost is reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a fresh-keeping device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an assembly view of an oxygen control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an assembly view of the receiving box according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a drawer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The reference numerals are explained below:

100-a fresh-keeping device; 110-a container; 111-top plate; 112-side plate; 113-a back plate; 113-1-magnetic controlled switch; 114-a backplane; 114-1-guide rail; 115-a frame; 120-a drawer; 121-a magnetic member; 122-a guide; 130-an oxygen control mechanism; 131-a cathode; 132-an anode; 133-exhaust pipe; 134-a sealing frame; 135-a-front cover; 135-B-rear cover; 136-a water storage tank; 200-a refrigerator.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments that embody features and advantages of the invention are described in detail below in the specification. It is to be understood that the invention is capable of other embodiments and that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention and the description and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on those shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience in describing the present application and simplifying the description, but do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a particular orientation, be constructed in a particular orientation, and be operated, and thus should not be construed as limiting the present application.

The terms "first", "second" and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first", "second", "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more unless otherwise specified.

In the description of the present application, it is to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, e.g., as meaning either a fixed connection, a removable connection, or an integral connection; can be mechanically or electrically connected; they may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood in a specific case by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to fig. 1 and fig. 2, wherein fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a fresh keeping device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 2 is a schematic assembly diagram of an oxygen control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 1, the fresh keeping device 100 of the present embodiment includes a receiving box 110, a drawer 120 and an oxygen control mechanism 130, wherein the receiving box 110 has a single-side opening, and the drawer 120 is inserted into the receiving box 110 in a push-pull manner through the opening. The oxygen control mechanism 130 is disposed on the accommodating box 110 and is used for reducing the content of oxygen in the accommodating box 110, so as to prolong the fresh-keeping time of the stored objects (such as food) stored in the drawer 120.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, the oxygen control mechanism 130 includes an electrolytic cell, a cathode 131, an anode 132 and an exhaust pipe 133, wherein the electrolytic cell is used for accommodating an electrolyte, and the electrolytic cell is hermetically isolated from the accommodating box 110, so as to prevent oxygen generated in the electrolytic cell from flowing back into the accommodating box 110 again and affecting the oxygen control effect. One side of the cathode 131 contacts with the electrolyte, the other side is located in the containing box 110, the anode 132 is arranged opposite to the cathode 131 and located in the electrolyte, and the cathode 131 and the anode 132 are respectively connected with the anode and the cathode of the power supply through leads to realize oxygen control. One end of the exhaust pipe 133 is connected to the electrolytic cell, and the other end is located outside the receiving box 110, so as to communicate the electrolytic cell with the external space.

Note that the anode 132 is generally made of metal (such as zinc, lithium, etc.), the cathode 131 is generally made of porous activated carbon or metal mesh wrapped with a gas permeable catalytic layer, the electrolyte is generally an alkaline solution (such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc.), and the following description will be given by taking the anode 132 as metal lithium:

upon discharge, the anode 132 reacts to Li → Li⁺+e^-Metallic lithium is dissolved in the electrolyte in the form of ions, and electrons are supplied to the lead; reaction at cathode 131 to O₂+2H₂O+4e^-→4OH^-That is, oxygen and water in the air in the accommodating case 110 react on the surface of the cathode 131 to generate hydroxyl ions, and the hydroxyl ions are combined with lithium ions in the electrolyte to generate water-soluble lithium hydroxide.

When charged, the anode 132 reacts to Li⁺+e^-→ Li, i.e. the power supply supplies electrons through the wire, and lithium ions are in the negative electrodeThe surface reacts to generate metallic lithium; the cathode 131 reacts to 4OH^-→O₂+2H₂O+4e^-That is, the hydroxyl ions react to generate oxygen, water, and electrons in the electrolytic cell, the generated electrons are supplied to the lead wire, and the oxygen can be discharged from the gas discharge pipe 133 to the external space to equalize the gas pressure in the electrolytic cell.

Therefore, through a plurality of discharging-charging processes, the oxygen in the accommodating box 110 can be transferred to the space where the electrolytic cell is located, and because the electrolytic cell is sealed and isolated from the accommodating box 110, the oxygen generated in the electrolytic cell cannot flow back into the accommodating box 110, so that the purpose of reducing the oxygen content in the accommodating box 110 is achieved, and the preservation time of the stored objects stored in the drawer 120 is prolonged.

And an air extractor is not needed to extract the air in the accommodating box 110, so that noise and vibration are not generated during working, and the user experience is improved. Meanwhile, the inside and outside of the accommodating box 110 cannot generate larger air pressure difference, so that the material for manufacturing the fresh-keeping device 100 is not required to have higher strength or complicated special structures (such as an elliptical arc surface, a reinforcing rib and the like), thereby reducing the application cost.

With continued reference to fig. 2, the oxygen control mechanism 130 further includes a sealing frame 134, and the anode 132 and the cathode 131 are respectively disposed on two sides of the sealing frame 134. Specifically, the sealing frame 134 has a box structure, and has a shape and size suitable for the anode 132 and the cathode 131. The anode 132 and the cathode 131 are both plate-shaped structures, and thus the anode 132, the sealing frame 134 and the cathode 131 cooperate with each other to form an electrolytic cell, so that the electrolytic cell does not need to be separately arranged, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the oxygen control mechanism 130. And one side of the cathode 131, which is far away from the sealing frame 134, is exposed to the inner surface of the accommodating box 110, so that the contact area between the cathode 131 and the air in the accommodating box 110 is enlarged, thereby improving the oxygen control efficiency.

With continued reference to fig. 2, the preservation apparatus 100 further includes a housing, and the oxygen control mechanism 130 is disposed in the housing. Specifically, the housing includes a front cover 135-a and a rear cover 135-B which are engaged with each other, and when the front cover 135-a and the rear cover 135-B are engaged with each other, a force is applied to the anode 132 and the cathode 131, respectively, so that the anode 132 and the cathode 131 are pressed against the sealing frame 134, thereby ensuring the sealing performance of the electrolytic cell and preventing the leakage of the electrolyte.

In addition, the rear cover 135-B is disposed corresponding to the cathode 131, and the rear cover 135-B is provided with a through hole, so that the cathode 131 can be ensured to be in contact with the air in the accommodating box 110, the rear cover 135-B can protect the cathode 131, the drawer 120 or other objects can be prevented from damaging the cathode 131, and the service life of the cathode 131 is prolonged. Alternatively, the through holes of the rear cover 135-B may be arranged in a grid shape to ensure the air circulation efficiency between the inside of the housing and the accommodating box 110.

Referring to fig. 2, a water storage tank 136 is provided on the housing and is communicated with the electrolytic cell, and the water storage tank 136 is located above the electrolytic cell. It should be noted that, when the oxygen control mechanism 130 is operated, the electrolyte is not theoretically consumed, however, because the electrolytic cell is communicated with the external space through the exhaust pipe 133. Therefore, moisture in the electrolyte is evaporated, and therefore, replenishment is required at regular time intervals.

By providing a reservoir 136 above the cell, the reservoir 136 being in communication with the cell, water stored in the reservoir 136 can flow to the cell to replenish evaporated water in the cell. Meanwhile, the water storage tank 136 is arranged above the electrolytic cell, so that the height of the electrolyte in the electrolytic cell can be ensured, the contact area between the anode 132 and the cathode 131 and the electrolyte can be further ensured, and the reduction of the water level in the electrolytic cell and the reduction of the contact area between the electrolyte and the anode 132 and the cathode 131, which are caused by the reduction of the working efficiency of the oxygen control mechanism 130, can be prevented.

In an embodiment of the present application, the fresh-keeping device 100 may further include a main control board, and a processor (for example, a 51-chip microcomputer or an STM-chip microcomputer) is disposed on the main control board and is used for controlling the oxygen control mechanism 130 to operate. A liquid level sensor is arranged in the water storage tank 136 and is connected with the main control panel. Level sensor can be used for detecting the water level in the tank 136, and the main control board can judge whether the water level in the tank 136 is low excessively according to the signal that level sensor transmitted, if hang down, then can send the warning of adding water to the user to remind the user to add water in to the tank 136.

Optionally, the main control board may send a water adding reminder to the user through an alarm arranged on the main control board. In other examples, the main control board may also display the water adding reminder through a display device (e.g., a display screen, etc.), which is not particularly limited in this application.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, fig. 3 is an assembly schematic view of a receiving box according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 4 is a structural schematic view of a drawer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 3, the accommodating box 110 includes a top plate 111, two side plates 112, a back plate 113, a bottom plate 114 and a frame 115 connected to each other, wherein the top plate 111 and the bottom plate 114 are disposed opposite to each other, the two side plates 112 are respectively disposed at two sides of the top plate 111 and the bottom plate 114, the back plate 113 and the frame 115 are disposed opposite to each other, so as to form the accommodating box 110 with a single-side opening, and the drawer 120 can be inserted into the accommodating box 110 through the opening.

In an embodiment of the present application, a mounting hole (not labeled) is formed on the back plate 113, a plurality of mounting pins are annularly disposed around the mounting hole, the oxygen control mechanism 130 is fixed on the accommodating box through the mounting pins, and the cathode 131 can be exposed to the inner surface of the accommodating box 110 through the mounting hole, so as to achieve the oxygen control effect.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an open/close detection mechanism is disposed in the receiving box 110 for detecting whether the drawer 120 is opened, and the open/close detection mechanism is connected to the main control board. Therefore, whether the drawer 120 is opened or not can be automatically detected through the opening and closing detection mechanism, and when the drawer 120 is not opened, the main control board can control the oxygen control mechanism 130 to start working so as to reduce the oxygen content in the accommodating box 110. When the drawer 120 is opened, the main control board can control the oxygen control mechanism 130 to stop working, so as to reduce the power consumption of the oxygen control mechanism 130. Optionally, the opening/closing detection mechanism may be any one of a light sensor, an infrared sensor, and a magnetic control switch 113-1, so as to detect the opening/closing of the drawer 120.

In one embodiment of the present application, the open/close detection mechanism includes a magnetic switch 113-1 (e.g., a reed switch, etc.) disposed on the receiving box 110 and a magnetic member 121 disposed on the drawer 120, and the magnetic switch 113-1 is connected to the main control board. Thus, the magnetic switch 113-1 cooperates with the magnetic member 121 to detect whether the drawer 120 is opened. Specifically, the magnetic switch 113-1 may be disposed on the back plate 113 of the accommodating box 110, a mounting seat is disposed on the drawer 120 corresponding to the magnetic switch 113-1, and the magnetic member 121 may be disposed on the mounting seat (not labeled in the figure).

When the drawer 120 is opened, the magnetic member 121 is far away from the magnetic control switch 113-1, so that the magnetic attraction of the magnetic member 121 on the magnetic control switch 113-1 is reduced, and therefore the magnetic control switch 113-1 can detect that the drawer 120 is opened, and the main control board controls the oxygen control mechanism 130 to stop working according to a detection signal transmitted by the magnetic control switch 113-1, so as to reduce power consumption; when the drawer 120 is closed, the magnetic member 121 approaches the magnetic switch 113-1, so that the magnetic attraction of the magnetic member 121 to the magnetic switch 113-1 is increased, the magnetic switch 113-1 detects that the drawer 120 is closed, and the main control board controls the oxygen control mechanism 130 to start working according to a detection signal transmitted by the magnetic switch 113-1, so as to reduce the oxygen content in the drawer 120 and prolong the preservation time of the stored objects in the drawer 120.

In an embodiment of the present application, the cathode 131 is covered with a gas-permeable catalytic layer (not shown in the figure), so that when the cathode 131 is used as a side wall of the electrolytic cell, not only can the electrolyte in the electrolytic cell be prevented from leaking into the accommodating box 110 through the cathode 131 from the electrolytic cell, but also the air in the accommodating box 110 can be ensured to react with the cathode 131 through the gas-permeable catalytic layer, so as to reduce the oxygen content in the accommodating box 110.

In one example, the gas-permeable catalyst layer may be made of a catalyst and polytetrafluoroethylene or polyethylene, wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene and polyethylene have gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable functions, and can form a large amount of liquid film to accelerate the reaction of oxygen. The above is merely an exemplary example, and in other examples, the gas-permeable catalyst layer may be made of other materials, which is not particularly limited in this application.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, in one embodiment of the present application, a rail 114-1 is disposed in the receiving box 110, a guide 122 is disposed on the drawer 120 and is matched with the rail 114-1, and a self-locking assembly (not shown) is disposed on the rail 114-1. Specifically, the guide rail 114-1 may be disposed along the depth direction of the receiving box 110, and the guide 122 disposed on the drawer 120 is matched with the guide rail 114-1, so as to ensure stability when the drawer 120 is pulled, and facilitate opening and closing of the drawer 120. And the guide rail 114-1 is provided with a self-locking assembly, when the drawer 120 is closed, the self-locking assembly can fix the drawer 120, so that the drawer 120 is prevented from loosening and the oxygen control effect is prevented from being influenced.

In an example, a sealing strip (not labeled) is annularly disposed on the frame 115, and when the drawer 120 is closed, due to the fixation of the self-locking assembly, the drawer 120 can be in close contact with the sealing strip, so as to ensure the air tightness inside the receiving box 110 and prevent external air from entering the receiving box 110.

Referring to fig. 5, fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in fig. 5, the present invention further provides a refrigerator 200, wherein the refrigerator 200 comprises a cabinet, a door (not shown), and a refreshing apparatus 100. The box body is provided with a chamber, the chamber is provided with a certain storage space, and the box door is rotatably arranged on the box body to open or close the chamber. The preservation device 100 is detachably disposed in the box, and the preservation device 100 may be the preservation device 100 described in the above embodiments, which is not described herein again.

In one example, the exhaust pipe 133 in the refreshing apparatus 100 may extend to other storage spaces in the refrigerator 200 to provide oxygen to the storage objects that need to be stored in an oxygen-enriched manner, so that the oxygen generated by the refreshing apparatus 100 is fully utilized, and the power consumption is reduced.

While the present invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description and illustration, rather than of limitation. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fresh-keeping device is characterized by comprising a containing box, a drawer which can be inserted into the containing box in a push-pull manner, and an oxygen control mechanism arranged on the containing box; the oxygen control mechanism comprises:

an anode disposed opposite the cathode;

one end of the exhaust pipe is connected with the electrolytic cell, and the other end of the exhaust pipe is positioned outside the containing box.

2. The preservation device according to claim 1, wherein the oxygen control mechanism further comprises a sealing frame, the anode and the cathode are respectively disposed on two sides of the sealing frame, the anode, the sealing frame and the cathode form the electrolytic cell, and one side of the cathode away from the sealing frame is exposed to an inner surface of the accommodating box.

3. The preservation apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a housing, wherein the oxygen control mechanism is disposed within the housing; the shell comprises a front cover and a rear cover which are matched with each other, the rear cover is arranged corresponding to the cathode, and the rear cover is provided with a through hole.

4. The freshness retaining device of claim 3, wherein a reservoir is provided in the housing in communication with the electrolytic cell, the reservoir being positioned above the electrolytic cell.

5. The preservation device according to claim 4 further comprising a main control panel, wherein a liquid level sensor is disposed in the water storage tank, and the liquid level sensor is connected with the main control panel.

6. The preservation apparatus according to claim 5 wherein an open/close detection mechanism connected to the main control panel is disposed in the receiving box to detect whether the drawer is opened.

7. The preservation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the opening/closing detection mechanism comprises a magnetic switch disposed on the receiving box and a magnetic member disposed on the drawer, and the magnetic switch is connected to the main control panel.

8. The preservation device according to claim 1, wherein the cathode is coated with a gas permeable catalytic layer.

9. The preservation device according to claim 1 wherein a rail is provided in the receiving box, a guide member is provided on the drawer for engaging the rail, and a self-locking assembly is provided on the rail.

10. A refrigerator, characterized by comprising:

a case having a compartment;

the box door is rotatably arranged on the box body;

the preservation device is arranged in the box body, and the preservation device is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.