CN116772484A

CN116772484A - Vacuum storage device, control method and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN116772484A
Application number: CN202210226355.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吕鹏; 张�浩; 娄喜才
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-09
Filing date: 2022-03-09
Publication date: 2023-09-19
Also published as: WO2023169343A1

Abstract

The invention provides a control method of a vacuum storage device, which comprises an air extraction base and a storage box, wherein a placing groove is formed on the air extraction base, a first air extraction opening is formed at the place of the placing groove, a vacuum pump is further arranged in the air extraction base, and a storage space is defined in the storage box and is provided with the air extraction opening; the bottom of the storage box is provided with an air pressure indicating column communicated with the storage space, and a pressure sensor is arranged on the air extraction base at a position corresponding to the air pressure indicating column; wherein the method comprises: when the storage box is detected to be placed in the placing groove, acquiring a pressure signal received by the pressure sensor and triggered by the air pressure indicating column; and controlling the action of the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal received by the pressure sensor. The air extraction control logic is simple, easy to operate and high in control efficiency.

Description

Vacuum storage device, control method and refrigerator

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of refrigeration and freezing, in particular to a vacuum storage device, a control method and a refrigerator.

Background

Along with the improvement of the living standard of people, the demands of consumers on the refrigerator are also higher, and in order to improve the fresh-keeping performance of the refrigerator, the refrigerator with the vacuumizing function appears in the prior art and is favored by the consumers. The principle of the refrigerator is that a certain compartment of the refrigerator is vacuumized by utilizing a vacuum pump, so that the problem that food materials are inconvenient to take and put exists, and the effective use volume of the refrigerator is reduced due to unreasonable component arrangement of a vacuum fresh-keeping part.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide a vacuum storage device with convenient and rapid pumping control.

A further object of the invention is to achieve a visual indication of the status of the vacuum storage device.

Particularly, the invention provides a control method of a vacuum storage device, the vacuum storage device comprises an air extraction base and a storage box, wherein a placing groove is formed on the air extraction base, a first air extraction opening is formed at the place of the placing groove, a vacuum pump is further arranged in the air extraction base, a storage space is limited in the storage box, the air extraction opening is formed in the storage box, and the vacuum pump sequentially extracts part or all of air in the storage space through the first air extraction opening and the air extraction opening; the bottom of the storage box is provided with an air pressure indicating column communicated with the storage space, and a pressure sensor is arranged on the air extraction base at a position corresponding to the air pressure indicating column; the method comprises the following steps:

when the storage box is detected to be placed in the placing groove, a pressure signal which is received by the pressure sensor and triggered by the air pressure indicating column is obtained;

and controlling the action of the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal received by the pressure sensor.

Optionally, the step of controlling the action of the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal received by the pressure sensor comprises:

acquiring position information of a pressure signal;

comparing the position of the pressure signal with a pre-stored pressure signal position set, wherein the pressure signal position set comprises an instant air extraction position and a non-instant air extraction position;

when the pressure signal is at the instant air extraction position, the vacuum pump is controlled to be started, and air extraction is started.

Optionally, the vacuum storage device further comprises: an indicator light; the method further comprises the steps of:

based on the position information of the pressure signal, the working state of the indicator lamp is adjusted to show the state of the vacuum storage device, wherein one or more of the color, the brightness and the flicker frequency of the indicator lamp are limited in the working state.

Optionally, the non-instant pumping location includes a first location, a second location, a third location; the step of adjusting the operating state of the indicator light based on the position information of the pressure signal comprises:

when the pressure signal is in the instant air extraction position, the indicator lamp is controlled to be in a first working state so as to prompt a user that air extraction is performed;

when the pressure signal is in the first position, the indicator lamp is controlled to be in the second working state so as to prompt a user that air needs to be extracted;

when the pressure signal is at the second position, the indicator lamp is controlled to be in a third working state so as to prompt a user to exhaust air;

when the pressure signal is in the third position, the indicator lamp is controlled to be in the fourth working state so as to prompt a user to dispense with pumping.

Optionally, the vacuum storage device is arranged in the refrigerator; after detecting that the storage box is placed in the placement groove, the method further comprises:

judging whether the closing time of a door body of the refrigerator is longer than a first preset door closing time threshold;

if yes, acquiring a pressure signal which is received by the pressure sensor and is triggered by the air pressure indicating column.

Optionally, a plurality of placing grooves are formed on the air extraction base, and each placing groove is respectively corresponding to the storage box, the air pressure indicating column and the pressure sensor; when no storage box is detected to be placed in the placement groove, the method further comprises the following steps:

judging whether the closing time of the door body is greater than a second preset door closing time threshold;

if yes, acquiring the position information of the pressure signals of all the pressure sensors;

judging whether a pressure signal at a first position exists or not;

when the pressure signal at the first position exists, the vacuum pump is controlled to be started, and air suction is started.

Optionally, the air extraction base further comprises: the air extraction box is buckled below the first air extraction opening, a second air extraction opening is formed in the air extraction box and is connected with the vacuum pump, and an overpressure air release valve is arranged in the air extraction box; the step of controlling the vacuum pump to be started and starting the air suction further comprises the following steps:

judging whether the pressure signals of all the pressure sensors are at a third position;

if yes, controlling the vacuum pump to be shut down;

if not, judging whether the overpressure relief valve acts or not;

when the overpressure air release valve acts, the vacuum pump is controlled to be closed.

Optionally, a magnetically sensitive switch is further arranged at the placement groove, and a magnet is arranged on the bottom wall of the storage box corresponding to the magnetically sensitive switch; the step of detecting whether a storage box is placed in the placement groove comprises the following steps:

detecting whether a magnetically sensitive switch is triggered;

if yes, determining that the storage box is placed in the placement groove.

The invention also provides a vacuum storage device, which comprises:

the air suction base is provided with a placing groove, a first air suction opening is formed in the placing groove, a vacuum pump is further arranged in the air suction base, and an indicator lamp is further arranged on the air suction base;

the storage box comprises a box body and a cover body, wherein the box body comprises an inner box body and an outer box body, and a storage space is defined in the inner box body; the outer box body is sleeved outside the inner box body, a gap is formed between the outer box body and the inner box body, an extraction opening is formed in the outer box body, and the vacuum pump sequentially extracts part or all of gas in the storage space through the first extraction opening, the extraction opening and the gap; the bottom of the outer box body is provided with an air pressure indicating column communicated with the storage space, and a pressure sensor is arranged on the air extraction base at a position corresponding to the air pressure indicating column; and

the controller comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a machine executable program which when executed by the processor realizes the control method.

The invention also provides a refrigerator with the vacuum storage device.

According to the vacuum storage device, the air pressure indicating column communicated with the storage space is arranged at the bottom of the storage box, the pressure sensor is arranged at the position, corresponding to the air pressure indicating column, on the air suction base, so that the pressure signal, which is received by the pressure sensor and is triggered by the air pressure indicating column, can be obtained when the storage box is detected to be placed in the placing groove, and then the action of the vacuum pump is controlled based on the pressure signal received by the pressure sensor, so that the air suction control logic of the vacuum storage device is simple, the operation is easy, and the control efficiency is high. According to the vacuum storage device, the placing groove is formed in the air extraction base, the first air extraction opening is formed in the placing groove, the vacuum pump is arranged in the air extraction base, the air extraction opening is formed in the storage box, and the vacuum pump sequentially extracts part or all of air in the storage space through the first air extraction opening and the air extraction opening, so that the same air extraction base can be suitable for various storage boxes, the application range is wider, food can be conveniently taken into the storage boxes, and the use experience of a user is improved.

Furthermore, the vacuum storage device further comprises the indicator lamp, and the working state of the indicator lamp is adjusted based on the position information of the pressure signal, so that the state of the vacuum storage device can be intuitively and obviously shown, and the use experience of a user is further improved.

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 structural view of a refrigerator having a vacuum storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a door liner and a vacuum storage device of the refrigerator shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded schematic view of a vacuum storage device of the refrigerator shown in fig. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cassette and suction base of the vacuum storage device of FIG. 3.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural view of the suction box and the overpressure relief valve of the vacuum storage device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the components of the vacuum storage device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart of a control method of the vacuum storage device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a detailed flowchart of a control method of the vacuum storage device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is another detailed flowchart of the control method of the vacuum storage device shown in fig. 3.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a refrigerator 100 having a vacuum storage device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a door liner 120 and a vacuum storage device 200 of the refrigerator 100 shown in fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded schematic view of the vacuum storage device 200 of the refrigerator 100 shown in fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cassette 406 and the suction base 300 of the vacuum storage device 200 of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the structure of the suction box 304 and the over-pressure relief valve 345 of the vacuum storage device 200 shown in fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the components of the vacuum storage device 200 shown in fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a control method of the vacuum storage device 200 shown in fig. 3.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a refrigerator 100 that may generally include a cabinet 101, a door 102, and a vacuum storage apparatus 200. The cabinet 101 defines at least one storage compartment, typically a plurality of compartments, such as a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, a temperature change compartment, etc., open at a front side. The number and the functions of the specific storage compartments can be configured according to the preset requirements, and the preservation temperature of the refrigerating compartment can be 2-9 ℃ or 4-7 ℃; the storage temperature of the freezing chamber can be-22 to-14 ℃. The temperature changing chamber can be adjusted according to the requirements to store proper foods or be used as a fresh-keeping storage chamber. In the refrigerator 100 shown in fig. 1, a pivoting door body 102 is provided at a front side of a refrigerating compartment, a first drawer 103 is a temperature changing compartment, and a second drawer 104 is a freezing compartment. The storage compartment may be provided with cooling by a compression refrigeration system. The vacuum storage device 200 is disposed inside the door 102, and the air extraction base 300 is fixed to the door liner 120 of the door 102. The vacuum storage device 200 can provide a sealed space for precious food materials (such as ginseng, sea cucumber, medlar, tonic materials, seasonings, etc.), and can reduce oxidative deterioration and prevent food material from being tainted by vacuumizing in the sealed space. Meanwhile, the vacuum storage device 200 is arranged on the inner side of the door body 102, so that a user can conveniently take the food at any time without going deep into the box body 101 to take and put the food. As shown in fig. 2, the hanging lugs 121 are provided on the inner side of the door liner 120, the hanging grooves 314 are formed on the air extraction base 300 of the vacuum storage device 200, and the vacuum storage device 200 is provided on the inner side of the door body 102 by matching the hanging grooves 314 with the hanging lugs 121.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the vacuum storage device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention generally includes: a suction base 300 and a storage box 400. The air extraction base 300 is formed with a placement groove 311, and a first air extraction opening 310 is formed at the placement groove 311. A vacuum pump 302 is also disposed within the suction base 300. The storage box 400 defines a storage space 410 therein and is formed with an extraction opening 420. The vacuum pump 302 sequentially pumps part or all of the air in the storage space 410 through the first pumping port 310 and the pumping port 420. The bottom of the storage box 400 is provided with an air pressure indicating column 601 communicated with the storage space 410, and a pressure sensor 602 is arranged on the air extraction base 300 at a position corresponding to the air pressure indicating column 601. As shown in fig. 7, the control method of the vacuum storage device 200 according to the embodiment of the invention includes the following steps:

s102: when the storage box 400 is detected to be placed in the placing groove 311, a pressure signal received by the pressure sensor 602 and triggered by the air pressure indicating column 601 is acquired;

s104: based on the pressure signal received by the pressure sensor 602, the operation of the vacuum pump 302 is controlled.

According to the vacuum storage device 200 provided by the embodiment of the invention, the air pressure indicating column 601 communicated with the storage space 410 is arranged at the bottom of the storage box 400, the pressure sensor 602 is arranged at the position corresponding to the air pressure indicating column 601 on the air suction base 300, so that when the storage box 400 is detected to be placed in the placing groove 311 to acquire the pressure signal received by the pressure sensor 602 and triggered by the air pressure indicating column 601, the action of the vacuum pump 302 is controlled based on the pressure signal received by the pressure sensor 602, and the air suction control logic of the vacuum storage device 200 is simple, easy to operate and high in control efficiency.

According to the vacuum storage device 200 of the embodiment of the invention, the placing groove 311 is formed on the air extraction base 300, the first air extraction opening 310 is formed at the place of the placing groove 311, the vacuum pump 302 is arranged in the air extraction base 300, the storage box 400 is provided with the air extraction opening 420, and part or all of the air in the storage space 410 is extracted by the vacuum pump 302 sequentially through the first air extraction opening 310 and the air extraction opening 420, so that the same air extraction base 300 can be suitable for various storage boxes 400, the application range is wider, food can be conveniently extracted into the storage boxes 400, and the use experience of a user is improved. The air pressure indicating column 601 is communicated with the storage space 410, the air pressure indicating column 601 deforms up and down due to different air pressures in the storage space 410, and therefore when the storage box 400 is placed at the placement groove 311, the pressure of the air pressure indicating column 601 to the pressure sensor 602 is different, the difference of the air pressures in the storage space 410 can be shown according to the difference of pressure signals received by the pressure sensor 602, and whether the vacuum pump 302 is used for pumping or not can be controlled.

The storage box 400 of the vacuum storage device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention is detachably fixed to the air extraction base 300. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the storage box 400 includes a box body 406 and a cover body 500, wherein the box body 406 includes an inner box body 401 and an outer box body 402, and a storage space 410 is defined in the inner box body 401; the outer box body 402 is sleeved outside the inner box body 401, a gap 403 is formed between the outer box body 402 and the inner box body 401, an air extraction opening 420 is formed in the outer box body 402, and the vacuum pump 302 sequentially extracts part or all of the air in the storage space 410 through the first air extraction opening 310, the air extraction opening 420 and the gap 403. Through setting up storing box 400 to including interior box body 401 and outer box body 402, through locating outer box body 402 cover in the box body 401 outside and with interior box body 401 between have clearance 403, form extraction opening 420 on outer box body 402 for vacuum pump 302 is taken out partial or whole gas in the storing space 410 through first extraction opening 310, extraction opening 420, clearance 403 in proper order, avoids appearing that the food material in the storing space 410 drops and blocks up extraction opening 420. The cover 500 may be configured to be detachably sealed and fixed with the outer case 402, thereby opening and closing the storage space 410.

As shown in fig. 4, an air pressure indicating column 601 communicating with the storage space 410 is provided at the bottom of the outer case 402, and a pressure sensor 602 is provided on the air extraction base 300 at a position corresponding to the air pressure indicating column 601. Specifically, the peripheral area of the bottom wall of the outer case 402 protrudes upward to form a space for accommodating the air pressure indicating column 601, a through hole 421 is provided at the top of the protruding portion, and the top end of the air pressure indicating column 601 is disposed corresponding to the through hole 421. The air pressure indicating column 601 may be an elastic deformation member, and the air pressure inside the storage space 410 is different, and the bottom end of the air pressure indicating column 601 is deformed upward or downward.

The vacuum storage device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes: the controller 305 includes a memory 352 and a processor 351, wherein the memory 352 stores a machine executable program 353, and the machine executable program 353 when executed by the processor 351 implements the aforementioned control methods.

Fig. 8 is a detailed flowchart of a control method of the vacuum storage device 200 shown in fig. 3. The control method of the vacuum storage device 200 according to the embodiment of the invention comprises the following steps:

s202: it is judged whether or not the storage box 400 is placed at the placing groove 311. When the determination result of step S202 is yes, step S204 is performed.

S204: the pressure signal received by the pressure sensor 602 and triggered by the air pressure indicating column 601 is acquired.

S206: position information of the pressure signal is acquired.

S208: comparing the position of the pressure signal with a pre-stored pressure signal position set, wherein the pressure signal position set comprises an instant pumping position and a non-instant pumping position.

S210: when the pressure signal is in the instant pumping position, the vacuum pump 302 is controlled to be turned on, and pumping is started.

The pressure sensor 602 is displaced when touched by the air pressure indicating column 601. The pressure of the air inside the storage space 410 indicates that the pressure transmitted by the column 601 to the pressure sensor 602 is different, the displacement of the pressure sensor 602 is different, and the pressure signal is at different positions. The pre-stored set of pressure signal locations may be determined through a plurality of trials during the manufacturing process of the vacuum storage device 200. The instant pumping position indicates that the storage space 410 is almost completely depressurized, and the pressure margin of the storage space 410 is completely unable to meet the vacuum storage condition. In the control method of the vacuum storage device 200 of the embodiment of the invention, by acquiring the position information of the pressure signal and comparing the position of the pressure signal with the pre-stored position set of the pressure signal, the vacuum pump 302 is controlled to be started when the pressure signal is at the instant air extraction position, and compared with the control logic for controlling the vacuum pump 302 by using the value of the pressure sensor 602, the control method of the embodiment of the invention is simpler in comparison and higher in control efficiency.

As shown in fig. 4, a magnetically sensitive switch 307 is further disposed at the placement groove 311, and a magnet 405 is disposed at the bottom wall of the storage box 400 corresponding to the magnetically sensitive switch 307. The magnet 405 may be a block magnet. In step S202, the step of detecting whether the magazine 400 is placed at the placement slot 311 includes:

detecting whether a magnetically sensitive switch 307 is triggered;

if so, it is determined that the magazine 400 is placed in the placement slot 311.

In some embodiments, the vacuum storage device 200 of the present invention further comprises: an indicator light 603; the control method further comprises the following steps: based on the position information of the pressure signal, the operation state of the indicator lamp 603 is adjusted to show the state of the vacuum storage device 200, wherein one or more of the color, the brightness, and the flicker frequency of the indicator lamp 603 are defined in the operation state. According to the vacuum storage device 200 provided by the embodiment of the invention, the indicating lamp 603 is further included, and the working state of the indicating lamp 603 is adjusted based on the position information of the pressure signal, so that the state of the vacuum storage device 200 can be intuitively and obviously shown, and the use experience of a user is further improved. The indicator light 603 may be integrally provided on the suction base 300, for example, on the user facing side of the suction base 300. The indicator light 603 may also be located remotely from the suction base 300, such as at a display screen of the door 102 of the refrigerator 100. Alternatively, the evacuation base 300 may be provided with an indicator 603, and the display screen of the door 102 may be provided with an indicator 603 icon.

In some embodiments, in the control method of the vacuum storage device 200 of the present invention, the non-instant air-extracting position includes a first position, a second position, and a third position; based on the position information of the pressure signal, the step of adjusting the operation state of the indicator lamp 603 includes:

when the pressure signal is at the instant air extraction position, the indicator 603 is controlled to be in a first working state so as to prompt the user that air extraction is performed;

when the pressure signal is at the first position, the indicator 603 is controlled to be in the second working state so as to prompt the user that air needs to be pumped;

when the pressure signal is at the second position, the indicator 603 is controlled to be in a third working state so as to prompt the user to exhaust air;

when the pressure signal is in the third position, the indicator 603 is controlled to be in the fourth working state so as to prompt the user that no air is required to be pumped.

The pressure signal being in the first position indicates that the storage space 410 has been depressurized but not completely depressurized, and that suction is required but not immediately. The pressure signal in the second position indicates that the pressure margin of the storage space 410 is close to the critical value, and can basically satisfy the vacuum storage condition, and the air can be pumped or not pumped. The pressure signal being in the third position indicates that the pressure margin of the storage space 410 is sufficient to meet the vacuum storage condition without the need for pumping. By setting the non-instant air extraction positions to include the first position, the second position and the third position, the states of the storage space 410, which need air extraction, can be extracted and do not need air extraction, are respectively corresponding, so that several important air pressure nodes affecting the storage effect of the storage space 410 and the switch of the vacuum pump 302 are covered, the state of the vacuum storage device 200 is intuitively known by a user, meanwhile, the pressure signal position set is not too complex, the working state of the indicator 603 is not too much, and the cost and the energy consumption are reduced. The first operating state of the indicator light 603 may be repeated twice, the second operating state may be a slow flash, the third operating state may be a fast flash, and the fourth operating state may be a normally bright.

In some embodiments, the vacuum storage device 200 of the present invention is disposed within the refrigerator 100; after detecting that the storage box 400 is placed at the placement groove 311, the control method further includes:

judging whether the closing time of the door body 102 of the refrigerator 100 is greater than a first preset door closing time threshold;

if yes, the pressure signal received by the pressure sensor 602 and triggered by the air pressure indication column 601 is obtained.

When the closing time of the door 102 exceeds the first preset closing time threshold, it indicates that the door 102 is always in the closed state within a period of time after the storage box 400 is placed, which indicates that the user can not take/store the storage box 400 any more in a short time, and at this time, the control of the vacuum pump 302 can be performed by acquiring the pressure signal. By increasing the judging step of the closing time of the door 102, the problem that the vacuum pump 302 may be continuously opened and closed due to the fact that the user always takes/stores the storage box 400 in a short time, and the service life of the vacuum pump 302 is shortened can be avoided. The closing time of the door 102 may be achieved by providing the door detecting device 604 to sense the closing time of the door switch. The first preset door closing time period threshold may be, for example, 5-10 minutes.

In some embodiments, the air extraction base 300 of the present invention is formed with a plurality of placement grooves 311, and each placement groove 311 corresponds to the storage box 400, the air pressure indicating column 601 and the pressure sensor 602, respectively; when no storage box 400 is detected to be placed at the placement groove 311, the control method further comprises:

judging whether the closing time of the door body 102 is greater than a second preset door closing time threshold;

if yes, acquiring position information of pressure signals of all the pressure sensors 602;

judging whether a pressure signal at a first position exists or not;

when there is a pressure signal in the first position, the vacuum pump 302 is controlled to turn on, and pumping is initiated.

When the storage box 400 is not detected to be placed in the placement groove 311, the door 102 is always in the closed state when the closing time of the door 102 exceeds the second preset closing time threshold. At this time, the position information of the pressure signals of all the pressure sensors 602 is obtained, and when the pressure signal at the first position exists, that is, the storage box 400 needs to be pumped, the vacuum pump 302 is controlled to be started for pumping, so as to ensure the storage effect of all the storage boxes 400.

In some embodiments, the suction base 300 of embodiments of the present invention further comprises: the air extraction box 304 is buckled below the first air extraction opening 310, a second air extraction opening 340 is formed in the air extraction box 304 to be connected with the vacuum pump 302, and an overpressure air release valve 345 is arranged in the air extraction box 304; the step of controlling the vacuum pump 302 to be turned on and starting the pumping operation further comprises:

judging whether the pressure signals of all the pressure sensors 602 are at the third position;

if yes, controlling the vacuum pump 302 to be shut down;

if not, judging whether the overpressure relief valve 345 is operated;

when the over-pressure relief valve 345 is actuated, the vacuum pump 302 is controlled to shut down.

The vacuum pump 302 can be more precisely controlled to switch on and off by providing the suction box 304 and introducing the overpressure relief valve 345. When the pressure signals of all pressure sensors 602 are in the third position, it is indicated that the pressure of all cartridges 400 is at the target. If the unevenness is in the third position, it is determined whether the excess pressure relief valve 345 has a relief action. If the overpressure relief valve 345 has a pressure relief action, the pressure is relieved after exceeding the target, and no air extraction is needed; if the over-pressure relief valve 345 does not relieve pressure, indicating that the pressure of the at least one storage compartment 400 has not reached the target, continued pumping is required. Whether the over-pressure relief valve 345 is actuated or not can be achieved by providing the actuation detection means 605.

The air extraction box 304 of the air extraction base 300 of the embodiment of the invention is arranged in the base 301 and buckled below the first air extraction opening 310, and the air extraction box 304 is provided with a second air extraction opening 340; the vacuum pump 302 is connected to a second pumping port 340 via a pumping line (not shown). By providing the pumping box 304, the connection between the vacuum pump 302 and the first pumping port 310 can be made easier. As shown in fig. 5, the bottom wall of the air extraction box 304 of the air extraction base 300 according to the embodiment of the invention is provided with an overpressure air release opening 342; the over-pressure relief valve 345 includes a second spring 343 and a gasket 344 provided in the suction box 304, wherein the gasket 344 is provided at the over-pressure relief port 342, and one end of the second spring 343 abuts against the inner side of the top wall of the seat 301, and the other end abuts against the gasket 344. By providing the overpressure vent 342 on the bottom wall of the air extraction box 304, the structure and components of each part of the vacuum storage device 200 can be protected, the control air pressure is stable, and the problem of overlarge negative pressure during air extraction of the storage box 400 is avoided. Specifically, when the air pressure in the air extraction box 304 is less than the rated air pressure, the second spring 343 will move upward with the sealing pad 344 under the external air pressure, and the overpressure air release opening 342 is opened, so that the air extraction box 304 is communicated with the external air, the air pressure in the air extraction box 304 is no longer reduced and stabilized at the rated air pressure, and the problem of excessive negative air extraction pressure in the storage box 400 is avoided. When the suction base 300 has a plurality of first suction openings 310, the number of suction boxes 304 may be one or more. The number of the over-pressure relief valves 345 may be one or more.

Fig. 9 is another detailed flowchart of the control method of the vacuum storage device 200 shown in fig. 3. The control method of the vacuum storage device 200 according to the embodiment of the invention comprises the following steps:

s302: whether or not the magnetically sensitive switch 307 is triggered. When the determination result of step S302 is yes, step S304 is performed. When the determination result in step S302 is no, step S318 is performed.

S304: it is determined whether the closing time of the door body 102 of the refrigerator 100 is greater than a first preset door closing time period threshold. When the determination result of step S304 is yes, step S306 is executed.

S306: the pressure signal received by the pressure sensor 602 and triggered by the air pressure indicating column 601 is acquired.

S308: comparing the position of the pressure signal with a pre-stored pressure signal position set, wherein the pressure signal position set comprises an instant air extraction position and a non-instant air extraction position, and the non-instant air extraction position comprises a first position, a second position and a third position.

S310: when the pressure signal is in the instant air extraction position, the vacuum pump 302 is controlled to be started, and air extraction is started; meanwhile, the indicator light 603 is controlled to be in the first working state so as to prompt the user that air is being pumped out.

S312: when the pressure signal is at the first position, the indicator 603 is controlled to be in the second working state, so as to prompt the user that air needs to be pumped.

S314: when the pressure signal is at the second position, the indicator 603 is controlled to be in the third working state so as to prompt the user to pump air.

S316: when the pressure signal is in the third position, the indicator 603 is controlled to be in the fourth working state so as to prompt the user that no air is required to be pumped.

S318: whether the closing time of the door body 102 is greater than a second preset door closing time threshold is determined. When the determination result of step S318 is yes, step S320 is performed.

S320: positional information of pressure signals of all pressure sensors 602 is acquired.

S322: it is determined whether a pressure signal is present at the first location. When the determination result of step S322 is yes, steps S324 to S330 are performed.

S324: when there is a pressure signal in the first position, the vacuum pump 302 is controlled to turn on, and pumping is initiated.

S326: it is determined whether all pressure signals of the pressure sensors 602 are in the third position. When the determination result of step S326 is yes, step S330 is performed. When the determination result of step S326 is no, step S328 is performed.

S328: it is determined whether the over-pressure relief valve 345 is actuated. When the determination result of step S328 is yes, step S330 is performed.

S330: the vacuum pump 302 is controlled to shut down.

The control logic of the vacuum storage device 200 provided by the embodiment of the invention is simple, the operation is easy, the control efficiency is high, the state of the vacuum storage device 200 can be intuitively and obviously shown, and the use experience of a user is further improved.

The structure of the vacuum storage device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be further described with reference to fig. 3 and 4.

The air extraction base 300 is generally formed with a plurality of placing grooves 311, each placing groove 311 is respectively formed with a first air extraction opening 310, the number of the vacuum pumps 302 can be one, each storage box 400 is internally defined with a storage space 410 and is formed with an air extraction opening 420, and the vacuum pumps 302 sequentially extract part or all of the air in the storage space 410 through the first air extraction openings 310 and the air extraction openings 420; by integrating one vacuum pump 302 in the air extraction base 300, the simultaneous air extraction of a plurality of storage boxes 400 is realized, so that the constitution of the air extraction component is simple.

The bottom wall of the outer case 402 of the storage case 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with an air extraction opening 420. The storage case 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes: the box body air extraction switch 404 is disposed at the air extraction opening 420, wherein the box body air extraction switch 404 is an elastic member and is configured to: the vacuum pump 302 is turned on, and the box body air suction switch 404 moves downwards under suction force to form an air suction channel with the air suction opening 420; when the air extraction is completed, the box air extraction switch 404 recovers the deformation upwards and closes the air extraction opening 420. Through setting up box body air extraction switch 404, can make after the air extraction is accomplished, the extraction opening 420 of storing box 400 can keep sealed, and the user can continue to place storing box 400 on air extraction base 300, also can put into other spaces of refrigerator 100 with storing box 400, or place storing box 400 in the refrigerator 100 outside, and storing box 400 still can keep vacuum state for vacuum storing device 200 has multiple application mode. Specifically, the box air extraction switch 404 may have a vertical portion (not numbered in the figure), a plurality of first horizontal portions (not numbered in the figure), and a second horizontal portion (not numbered in the figure), wherein the vertical portion of the box air extraction switch 404 is disposed through the air extraction opening 420 and has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the air extraction opening 420, one end of the box air extraction switch located inside the outer box 402 is disposed with a plurality of first horizontal portions along a circumferential direction thereof at intervals, and one end of the box air extraction switch located outside the outer box 402 is disposed with a second horizontal portion. When the vacuum pump 302 is turned on, the whole box body air extraction switch 404 moves downwards, an air extraction channel is formed between the vertical part of the box body air extraction switch 404 and the air extraction opening 420, and the air extraction opening 420 is opened; when the air extraction is completed, the negative pressure in the air extraction base 300 disappears, so that the negative pressure in the storage box 400 can enable the second horizontal part to be tightly adhered to the outer box body 402, and a sealing effect is achieved.

The top wall of the air extraction base 300 of the vacuum storage device 200 of the embodiment of the invention is provided with a first air extraction opening 310. The suction base 300 further comprises: the base air extraction switch 303 is disposed at the first air extraction opening 310, and is configured to: the storage box 400 is placed at the first air extraction opening 310, and the base air extraction switch 303 moves downwards under the gravity action of the storage box 400 and forms an air extraction channel with the first air extraction opening 310; the storage box 400 is removed from the suction base 300, and the base suction switch 303 moves upward and closes the first suction opening 310. As shown in fig. 4, the air extraction base 300 includes a base 301, and a first air extraction opening 310 is formed on a top wall of the base 301. According to the air extraction base 300 of the embodiment of the invention, when the storage box 400 is placed at the first air extraction opening 310, an air extraction channel is formed between the air extraction base and the first air extraction opening 310 based on the gravity action of the storage box 400, and after the storage box 400 is removed, the base air extraction switch 303 moves upwards to seal the first air extraction opening 310, so that the opening and sealing structure of the first air extraction opening 310 of the air extraction base 300 is ingenious, the opening and sealing of the first air extraction opening 310 are associated with the placement of the storage box 400, the problem that sundries such as particles enter the air extraction base 300 due to the exposure of the first air extraction opening 310 when the storage box 400 is not placed can be avoided, and the internal cleanliness of the air extraction base 300 can be maintained for a long time.

Specifically, the base suction switch 303 of the suction base 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include: a valve body 331, a first spring 332, and a first seal ring 333; wherein the valve body 331 has a horizontal portion (not numbered in the figure) and a vertical portion (not numbered in the figure) extending downward from the horizontal portion, the vertical portion of the valve body 331 is disposed through the first pumping port 310, the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the first pumping port 310, and an annular groove (not numbered in the figure) is formed at the lower portion; the first spring 332 is sleeved outside the vertical part of the valve body 331 and is clamped between the horizontal part of the valve body 331 and the top wall of the air extraction base 300; the first sealing ring 333 is sleeved in the annular groove, and the outer diameter of the first sealing ring is larger than the inner diameter of the first air extraction opening 310. By providing the base suction switch 303 to include the valve body 331, the first spring 332, and the first seal ring 333, the structure of the base suction switch 303 is easy to configure and low in cost. When the storage box 400 is placed in the air extraction base 300, when the valve body 331 of the base air extraction switch 303 moves downwards under the action of gravity of the storage box 400, the first spring 332 is compressed, the first sealing ring 333 moves downwards, the first air extraction opening 310 is opened, and the outer diameter of the vertical part is smaller than the inner diameter of the first air extraction opening 310, so that an air extraction channel is formed between the vertical part and the first air extraction opening 310; when the storage box 400 is moved out of the air extraction base 300, the first spring 332 is deformed upwards in a recovery manner, the first sealing ring 333 is moved upwards to block the gap between the first air extraction opening 310 and the vertical portion, and the first air extraction opening 310 is closed.

In the description of the present embodiment, it is to be understood that, for the vacuum storage device 200, the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", etc. refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in fig. 2. While this is done solely for the purpose of describing the invention and simplifying the description, it is not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must be in a particular orientation, be constructed and operate in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the invention.

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. The control method of the vacuum storage device comprises an air extraction base and a storage box, wherein a placing groove is formed in the air extraction base, a first air extraction opening is formed in the placing groove, a vacuum pump is further arranged in the air extraction base, a storage space is defined in the storage box, and an air extraction opening is formed in the storage box, and the vacuum pump sequentially extracts part or all of air in the storage space through the first air extraction opening and the air extraction opening; the bottom of the storage box is provided with an air pressure indicating column communicated with the storage space, and a pressure sensor is arranged on the air extraction base at a position corresponding to the air pressure indicating column; wherein the method comprises:

when the storage box is detected to be placed in the placing groove, acquiring a pressure signal received by the pressure sensor and triggered by the air pressure indicating column;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of controlling the action of the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal received by the pressure sensor comprises:

acquiring position information of the pressure signal;

and when the pressure signal is in the instant air extraction position, controlling the vacuum pump to be started, and starting air extraction.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the vacuum storage device further comprises: an indicator light; the method further comprises the steps of:

and adjusting the working state of the indicator lamp based on the position information of the pressure signal to show the state of the vacuum storage device, wherein one or more of the color, the brightness and the flicker frequency of the indicator lamp are limited in the working state.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the non-instant bleed locations comprise a first location, a second location, a third location; the step of adjusting the working state of the indicator lamp based on the position information of the pressure signal comprises the following steps:

when the pressure signal is in the instant air extraction position, controlling the indicator lamp to be in a first working state so as to prompt a user that air extraction is performed;

when the pressure signal is in the first position, controlling the indicator lamp to be in a second working state so as to prompt a user to need to exhaust air;

when the pressure signal is in the second position, controlling the indicator lamp to be in a third working state so as to prompt a user to exhaust air;

and when the pressure signal is in the third position, controlling the indicator lamp to be in a fourth working state so as to prompt a user to dispense with air suction.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the vacuum storage device is disposed within a refrigerator; after detecting that the storage box is placed at the placement groove, the method further comprises:

if yes, acquiring a pressure signal received by the pressure sensor and triggered by the air pressure indicating column.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a plurality of the placement slots are formed on the suction base, each placement slot corresponding to the storage box, the air pressure indicating column and the pressure sensor, respectively; when it is not detected that the storage box is placed at the placement groove, the method further comprises:

determining whether the pressure signal at the first location is present;

and when the pressure signal at the first position exists, controlling the vacuum pump to be started, and starting to exhaust.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the suction base further comprises: the air extraction box is buckled below the first air extraction opening, a second air extraction opening is formed in the air extraction box and is connected with the vacuum pump, and an overpressure air escape valve is arranged in the air extraction box; the step of controlling the vacuum pump to be started, and after the step of starting the air extraction, the method further comprises the following steps:

judging whether all pressure signals of the pressure sensors are at the third position;

if yes, controlling the vacuum pump to be shut down;

if not, judging whether the overpressure relief valve acts or not;

and when the overpressure air release valve acts, controlling the vacuum pump to be closed.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a magnetically sensitive switch is further provided at the placement slot, and a magnet is provided at the bottom wall of the storage box corresponding to the magnetically sensitive switch; the step of detecting whether the storage box is placed at the placement groove comprises the following steps:

detecting whether the magnetically sensitive switch is triggered;

if yes, determining that the storage box is placed in the placement groove.

9. A vacuum storage device, comprising:

the air suction device comprises an air suction base, a first air suction opening, a vacuum pump and an indicator lamp, wherein a placing groove is formed in the air suction base;

the storage box comprises a box body and a cover body, wherein the box body comprises an inner box body and an outer box body, and a storage space is defined in the inner box body; the outer box body is sleeved outside the inner box body, a gap is formed between the outer box body and the inner box body, an extraction opening is formed in the outer box body, and the vacuum pump sequentially extracts part or all of the gas in the storage space through the first extraction opening, the extraction opening and the gap; the bottom of the outer box body is provided with an air pressure indicating column communicated with the storage space, and a pressure sensor is arranged on the air extraction base at a position corresponding to the air pressure indicating column; and

a controller comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a machine executable program that when executed by the processor implements the control method according to any one of claims 1-8.

10. A refrigerator characterized by having the vacuum storage device according to claim 9.