EP2596307B1 - Low pressure storage unit and refrigeration appliance having the low pressure storage unit - Google Patents
Low pressure storage unit and refrigeration appliance having the low pressure storage unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2596307B1 EP2596307B1 EP11732459.0A EP11732459A EP2596307B1 EP 2596307 B1 EP2596307 B1 EP 2596307B1 EP 11732459 A EP11732459 A EP 11732459A EP 2596307 B1 EP2596307 B1 EP 2596307B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- storage unit
- closure member
- pressure storage
- handle
- low pressure
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 title description 22
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000004321 preservation Methods 0.000 description 12
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 5
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007872 degassing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
- F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
- F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/04—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments
- F25D2317/043—Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by creating a vacuum in a storage compartment
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
- F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
- F25D25/024—Slidable shelves
- F25D25/025—Drawers
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a low pressure storage unit and a refrigeration appliance having such a low pressure storage unit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a low pressure storage unit which has a closure member for closing a fluid passage, and to a household or commercial refrigeration appliance having such a low pressure storage unit.
- Chinese patent application publication CN101358795A discloses a refrigeration appliance having a low pressure storage unit (also referred to as "vacuum low pressure storage unit").
- the low pressure storage unit comprises a main body which defines a storage chamber having a food access opening, and a door which is adapted for opening and closing the access opening.
- a sealing element is arranged between the door and the main body around the access opening to provide the low pressure storage unit with a vacuum seal, so that, when the storage chamber is closed, air inside the storage chamber can be drawn out by an evacuation device, such as a vacuum pump, to keep the storage chamber in a low pressure state, which helps to extend food storage time.
- Document US 3,538,616 relates to a moisture extracting and drying apparatus having a housing with an enclosed chamber and a door therefor, in which an electrical heating device heats the air in the chamber and the material placed therein for driving off the excess moisture which is dissipated through an opening in or near the top of the housing.
- Document WO 2009/038403 A2 relates to a refrigerator and a degassing container for the refrigerator.
- Document US 945,542 relates to a refrigerator.
- the door of the refrigerator comprises a bellow which is operated by a u-shaped member.
- Document US 2,109,002 relates to the preservation of foodstuffs and other perishables, and consists in a refrigerator in which a condition of subatmospheric pressure is established and maintained.
- Document JP 2009036443 A relates to a low pressure compartment disposed in the storage compartment, and a pressure reducing means for reducing a pressure in the low pressure compartment.
- the low pressure storage unit is provided with a pressure release valve / pressure relief valve for relieve the low pressure state in the low pressure chamber.
- the pressure relief valve comprises a rubber valve seat mounted in a through hole in a door body, and a valve element integrally formed on the backside of a door handle for opening/closing the valve seat. Once the door of the low pressure chamber is closed, when the door handle is pressed, the valve element abuts against the valve seat and closes it. Once the door of the low pressure chamber is opened, when the door handle is pulled, the door handle rotates and thus drives the valve element to rotate, so that the valve seat is opened. More specifically, by manipulating the door handle, the low pressure state in the low pressure chamber can be released, or the low pressure chamber can be sealed in an airtight manner.
- the door and/or handle of the low pressure chamber may present a certain degree of deformation which results in a change in the distance between the main body and the inner side of the handle.
- airtightness of the pressure relief valve in a closed state is decreased, which further negatively affects airtightness of the whole low pressure storage unit.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a low pressure storage unit which has improved airtightness, and a refrigeration appliance having such a low pressure storage unit.
- the present invention in one aspect relates to a low pressure storage unit comprising a storage chamber capable of maintaining a low pressure state; a first portion having a through hole for communicating the storage chamber with an external fluid; and a second portion provided with a closure member for selectively opening or closing the through hole; characterized in that the closure member is adjustably connected to the second portion at a position relative to the second portion.
- the present invention in another aspect is characterized in that the closure member is floatingly connected to the second portion. According to the present invention, the closure member is slidably connected to the second portion.
- the second portion comprises a first wall and a second wall opposite to each other and separated from each other, the first wall is closer to the first portion than the second wall and has a through hole, and the closure member is inserted through the through hole to extend between the first wall and the second wall and is movable between the first wall and the second wall.
- the low pressure storage unit comprises an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is located between the second wall and the closure member and/or between the first wall and the closure member, and the closure member adjusts its position with the change of the length of the elastic member.
- the second portion is rotatably connected to the first portion.
- the closure member Since the location of the closure member on the second portion is self-adjustable, the closure member always seals the through hole tightly, even when the low pressure storage unit is suffered from a certain degree of deformation.
- the second portion comprises a cavity
- the closure member is slidably extended into the cavity
- the elastic member is located between the second member and the closure member, so as to adjust the position of the closure member on the second member.
- the closure member adjusts its position with the change of the length of the elastic member.
- the elastic member before the closure member closes the through hole, the elastic member is compressed to apply a force to the closure member in a direction towards the first portion.
- the elastic member comprises a spring.
- the position of the closure member is adjusted within a range.
- the through hole is a pressure relief channel for the low pressure storage unit.
- the through hole is formed on a door for selectively opening or closing the storage chamber, and the second portion is a handle disposed on the door.
- the present invention in yet another aspect relates to a refrigeration appliance comprising a low pressure storage unit as defined in any of the above solutions.
- the refrigeration appliance comprises a cabinet for defining a heat insulation storage chamber, wherein the low pressure storage unit is received in the storage chamber.
- a refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a thermally insulated cabinet 2, with the cabinet 2 comprising an outer shell 2a, an inner shell 2b, and a thermal insulation layer (not shown) therebetween.
- the cabinet 2 defines several thermally insulated storage compartments 3, 4 and 5 for storing articles such as foods therein.
- these storage compartments comprise an upper refrigeration compartment 3, a lower freezing compartment 5, and a preservation compartment 4 which is located between the upper and lower compartments and is maintained at a temperature slightly higher than zero degree Celsius.
- These storage compartments 3, 4 and 5 can be closed by corresponding doors (not shown).
- the present invention is not limited to specific arrangements of the storage compartments of the refrigeration appliance.
- the present invention can be applied for other types of refrigeration appliance well, such as a refrigerator having refrigerating and freezing compartments arranged one above the other, a side-by-side combination refrigerator, a refrigerator having a drawer type door, a refrigerator having French type doors, and the like.
- the refrigeration appliance 1 has a closed-loop evaporative refrigeration system.
- the refrigeration system comprises at least a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), a throttling device (not shown) and an evaporator (not shown). Since this type of refrigeration system is well known in the prior art, its detailed explanation is omitted here. Of course, the refrigeration appliance 1 may also adopt other types of refrigeration systems (such as an absorption refrigeration system or a thermoelectric refrigeration system).
- the refrigeration appliance 1 is provided with a low pressure storage unit 7 which can be maintained in a low pressure state, and an evacuation device (not shown) which is adapted for evacuating air from the low pressure storage unit 7.
- the evacuation device may comprise a vacuum pump and pipelines (not shown) connected between the vacuum pump and the low pressure storage unit 7.
- the low pressure storage unit 7 is provided in the preservation compartment 4. It should be understood that, in an alternative embodiment, the low pressure storage unit 7 can be provided in other storage compartments, such as the refrigerating compartment 3, or a variable compartment whose temperature zone can be changed between a refrigerating temperature zone and a freezing temperature zone.
- the low pressure storage unit 7 is located at a bottom of the preservation compartment 4, and is supported on a bottom wall of the preservation compartment 4.
- a preservation container 6 may be provided above the low pressure storage unit 7, which preservation container has a higher humidity and is adapted for storing foods such as vegetables.
- the low pressure storage unit 7 may be constructed separately from the cabinet 2 and then assembled in the cabinet 2. With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , in this embodiment, the low pressure storage unit 7 is substantially of a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, having a width slightly smaller than the width of the preservation compartment 4, so that the low pressure storage unit 7 can be inserted into the preservation compartment 4 or drawn out of the preservation compartment 4.
- the low pressure storage unit 7 comprises a main body 8 which is fixed in the preservation compartment 4, and a door 10 which is coupled to the main body 8 and can be pushed into or retracted out of the preservation compartment 4.
- the main body 8 has a box shaped structure, defining a flat storage chamber 15 having a food access opening.
- the access opening is preferably formed in the front end of the main body 8 to face towards users.
- the door 10 may be provided with a ring shaped sealing element (not shown), so that, when the door 10 in a closed position, air tightness engagement is formed between the main body 8 and the door 10 to prevent air from entering into the storage chamber 15 through the interface between the main body 8 and the door 10.
- the sealing element may alternatively be provided on the front end of the main body 8.
- the door 10 is of drawer type, which can be pushed towards the main body 8 to close the storage chamber 15, or be pulled outwards to open the storage chamber 15.
- the backside of the door 10 is connected with a tray shaped container 12 for containing articles therein.
- a user may push or pull the tray shaped container 12 into or out of the storage chamber 15 to get an article contained in the low pressure storage unit 7 or to put articles into the low pressure storage unit 7.
- the door 10 and the tray shaped container 12 together form a drawer unit which can be pushed into and pulled out of the main body 8.
- a telescopic guide unit 14 may be provided between the tray shaped container 12 and the main body 8, such that the door 10 and the tray shaped container 12 can be smoothly pulled out of the main body 8 or pushed into the main body 8.
- the low pressure storage unit 7 may be provided with a locking mechanism for locking the door 10 which is in the closed position with the main body 8.
- the locking mechanism comprises a first matching portion 34 provided on the door 10 and a second matching portion 44 provided on the main body 8.
- the first matching portion 34 and the second matching portion 44 By means of the cooperation of the first matching portion 34 and the second matching portion 44, the door 10 is locked in the closed position. Meanwhile, the sealing element between the main body 8 and the door 10 is fully deformed under a locking force created by the locking mechanism, so that air tightness between the door 10 and the main body 8 is increased.
- the low pressure storage unit 7 is provided with an evacuation passage (not shown) for establishing fluid communication between the storage chamber 15 and the evacuation device, and an evacuation valve 60 for selectively controlling the fluid communication between the evacuation passage and the evacuation device.
- the evacuation passage and the evacuation valve 60 are provided on the back end of the main body 8. In other embodiments, the evacuation passage and the evacuation valve 60 may be provided in other proper positions, such as the door 10, the sidewalls or the top wall of the main body 8, and the like.
- the storage chamber 15 When the storage chamber 15 is closed by the door 10 and the evacuation device is activated, air within the storage chamber 15 is evacuated, and the storage chamber 15 comes to the low pressure state after its pressure is removed.
- the pressure in the storage chamber 15 when the evacuation procedure is finished, is in a range between one standard atmosphere pressure (atm) and absolute vacuum, for example, having an absolute pressure lower than 690 mbar.
- the storage chamber 15 is generally referred to as "vacuum chamber” by those skilled in the art, since air pressure inside it is lower than the standard atmosphere pressure.
- the door 10 comprises a door body 26, a brake unit 27 fixed to the door body 26, fixing members 28 for fixing the brake unit 27 to the door body 26, and a decorative cover 29 connected to the door body 26 to cover a corresponding portion of the brake unit 27.
- the door body 26 has a substantially rectangular plate shape and is preferably formed of a plastic material.
- the door body 26 is formed with an accommodating space 30 recessed from its front surface 26a for receiving at least a portion of the brake unit 27.
- the brake unit 27 comprises a handle 32 of a substantially plate shape, a cylindrical rotational rod 33 fixed to the handle 32, and a pair of first matching portions 34 fixed opposite ends of the rotational rod 33 respectively.
- the rotational rod 33 is fixed to the back side of the handle 32.
- the handle 32 has several fixing portions 35 protruded from its back surface, the fixing portions 35 being provided on an upper portion of the handle 32.
- Each fixing portion 35 has a cylindrical fixing hole 61 extending transversely to allow the rotational rod 33 to extend through the fixing holes 61 so as to be connected to the handle 32.
- the rotational rod 33 and the handle 32 are fixed to each other, with no relative movement between them being allowed then. This can be done by screws 37 which fasten the rotational rod 33 to the fixing portions 35.
- Opposite ends of the rotational rod 33 are each fixed with a corresponding first matching portion 34.
- the first matching portion 34 is inserted through by a corresponding end of the rotational rod 33, it is fixed to the rotational rod 33 without being able to move with respect to the rotational rod 33 then, by means of a fixing member such as a screw, so that, after the rotational rod 33 is fixed to a door plate 26, when the rod is rotated around its central axis X, the first matching portion 34 also rotates around the central axis X of the rotational rod 33.
- the handle 32 is rotatably connected to the door 10.
- the rotational rod 33 inside the door body 26 is also rotated around its central axis X while driving the first matching portion 34 to rotate.
- the rotational rod 33 defines a rotation shaft (axis) for the handle 32 and the first matching portion 34.
- the rod when the rod 33 is rotated, the rod also acts as a rotation shaft of the handle 32 and the first matching portion 34, with the central axis X of the rod having no displacement with respect to the door body 26.
- the handle 32 is rotatable around the central axis X of the rotational rod 33 between a first position and a second position.
- a maximum angle is formed between the handle 32 and the front surface 26a of the door body 26, with a maximum distance being formed between the lower end of the handle and the front surface 26a of the door body 26, and thus the first position is also referred to as extended position.
- a minimum angle is formed between the handle 32 and the front surface 26a of the door body 26, with a minimum distance being formed between the lower end of the handle and the front surface 26a of the door body 26, and thus the second position is also referred to as retracted position.
- an angle formed between the handle 32 and a vertical plane is less than 90 degrees.
- the handle 32 when the handle 32 is rotated to form an angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees (for example, 50 degrees) with a vertical plane, it is restricted from rotating outwards further. This can be achieved by a corresponding retention structure (not shown).
- the retention structure may be configured in the following manner: when the handle 32 is rotated outwards through the maximum angle to the first position, the retention structure abuts against the inner side of a portion of the handle 32 which is located above the rotational rod 33.
- the retention structure is arranged near the upper inner wall of the accommodating space 30 but is still separated from it by a distance, so that, when the handle 32 is rotated to the first position, the inner side of the portion of the handle 32 which is located above the rotational rod 33 abuts against the retention structure, so that the handle 32 is restricted from being further rotated.
- the front surface of the handle 32 is in a vertical position substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane, which is particularly advantageous for retracting the handle 32 into the door 10.
- the handle 32 in the second position, at least a majority of the handle 32 is received in the accommodating space 30 to reduce the space occupied by the low pressure storage unit 7.
- the handle 32 in the second position, is wholly received in the door body 26, without extending out beyond the front surface of the door 10.
- the door 10 can be provided with a retention structure for restricting the handle 32 from being further rotated after it is rotated to the vertical plane (the second position), so as to prevent the handle 32 from being continuously rotated, which otherwise may cause the upper end of the handle 32 to protrude out of the accommodating space 30. In this way, the door 10 may have a further smoothed appearance.
- the retention structure may be formed by protrusion structures fixed to the inner side of the handle 32 and/or to the front side of the door body 26, and it is configured in the following manner: when the front surface of the handle 32 is in the vertical position, the retention structure (if it is fixed to the door body 26) just abuts against the inner side of a portion of the handle 32 which is located below the rotational rod 33; alternatively, the retention structure (if it is fixed to the inner side of the handle 32) just abuts against the front side of the door body 26.
- the low pressure storage unit 7 comprises a holding device 49 holding the first matching portion 34 in a safe position after the door 10 is released from the locked state. This safe position is selected in the following manner: during the closing procedure of the door 10, the first matching portion 34 which is moving forwards is in a position where it cannot collide with the locking portion 46.
- the first matching portion 34 is held in the safe position by the holding mechanism 49 which holds the handle 32 in a safe angle.
- the safe angle may be equal to an angle formed between the handle 32 which is in the first position and a vertical plane, also called maximum outward rotation angle, or slightly smaller than the maximum outward rotation angle, or in other words, the safe position of the first matching portion 34 may be its first extreme position or near to the first extreme position. It can be understood that, when the handle 32 is in the first position / extended position, the front end of the first matching portion 34 does not overlap the locking portion 46 in the front-back direction.
- the holding device 49 comprises a spring.
- the holding device 49 is in the form of a torsion spring having a first end 49a fixed to the door body 26 or a member which is fixed to the door body 26 without any movability (for example, the fixing member 28) and a second end 49b fixed to the handle 32.
- the torsion spring applies an outward torque to the handle 32 so that the handle 32 has power to continue its outward rotation.
- the handle 32 is restricted by a first retention structure 48 from further rotation, and thus it is reliably kept in the first position.
- the holding device 49 may be configured to provide an inward torque to the handle 32 which is in the second position to prevent the lower end of the handle 32 from kicking out, and thus reliably keep the handle 32 in a vertical position.
- the handle 32 is in an equilibrium state when it is in an equilibrium position between the first position and the second position.
- the holding device 49 provides torque to the handle 32 to rotate it outwards until the handle 32 reaches the first position where it is restricted from further rotation.
- the holding device 49 provides torque to the handle 32 to rotate it inwards until the handle 32 reaches the second position where it is restricted from further rotation.
- the handle 32 When the door 10 is closed, by pressing down the lower end of the handle 32, the handle 32 rotates around the central axis X of the rotational rod 33 inwards. Meanwhile, the rotational rod 33 also rotates around its central axis X to drive the first matching portion 34 to rotate upwards.
- the handle 32 reaches the second position, the first matching portion 34 and the second matching portion 44 are engaged and locked together. By holding the lower end of the handle 32 and forcing the handle 32 outwards, the handle 32 rotates outwards and drives the first matching portion 34 to rotate downwards. In this way, the locking between the first matching portion 34 and the second matching portion 44 is released.
- the low pressure storage unit 7 is provided with a pressure relief passage 19 for establishing fluid communication between the storage chamber 15 and outside and thus releasing the low pressure state in the storage chamber 15, and a closure member 25 for selectively opening or closing the pressure relief passage 19.
- the pressure relief passage 19 is provided on and through the door body 26.
- the outer end of the pressure relief passage 19 is in communication with the accommodating space 30.
- the pressure relief passage 19 can establish fluid communication with outside, and air from outside can thus enter into the storage chamber 15 to release the low pressure state in the storage chamber 15, so that the door 10 can be opened.
- the pressure relief passage 19 can be provided with an elastic sealing seat to improve its air tightness.
- the closure member 25 is disposed on the backside of the handle 32 and is kinetically coupled with the handle 32.
- the pressure relief passage 19 is sealed hermetically.
- the pressure relief passage 19 is opened, and air from outside is allowed to enter into the storage chamber 15 to equalize the inside-outside pressure difference of the storage chamber 15. Then, a user can pull the door 10 forwards to open the low pressure storage unit 7.
- the closure member 25 is mounted to the handle 32 in the following manner: its position on the handle 32 is adjustable. That is to say, when the door 10 presents a certain degree of deformation, the position of the closure member 25 can be adjusted automatically to tightly seal the pressure relief passage 19.
- an elastic member is provided between the closure member 25 and the handle 32, the position of the closure member 25 with respect to the handle 32 can be automatically adjusted by means of the change in the shape of the elastic member.
- the elastic member is in the form of a spring 50.
- a mounting seat 56 is formed on the inner side of the handle 32 for mounting the closure member 25.
- the mounting seat 56 protrudes from the inner side of a base wall 54 of the handle 32 backwards and comprises several periphery walls 58 which are joined together to form a frame.
- the mounting seat 56 further comprises a first tubular portion 59 formed with the frame.
- the handle 32 further comprises a mounting cover 62 for fitting with the mounting seat 56.
- the mounting cover 62 is engaged to a free end of the mounting seat 56, to form a chamber 51 therebetween.
- the mounting cover 62 has a main body wall 53 which is substantially parallel with the base wall 54, the main body wall 53 being formed with a through hole 55 which extends through the main body wall 53.
- the mounting cover 62 is preferably removably mounted to the mounting seat 56, for example, fixed to the periphery walls 58 in a snap-on manner.
- the closure member 25 comprises a first end 25a facing towards the door body 32 and a second end 25b opposite to the first end 25a.
- the second end 25b is formed with a flange 64.
- the closure member 25 comprises a second tubular portion 63 which extends in a certain length from the second end 25b inwardly and has the same outer diameter with the first tubular portion 59, and a ring shaped slot (not marked) formed around the second tubular portion 63.
- the closure member 25 carried by the spring 50 is actually supported on the handle 32 in a floating manner.
- the closure member 25 is able to slide with respect to the chamber 51.
- the sliding range of the closure member 25 equals to the gap D1 between the first tubular portion 59 and the second tubular portion 63 when the closure member 25 is not engaged with the open end of the pressure relief passage 19.
- the closure member 25 is engaged with the open end of the pressure relief passage 19.
- the distance between the handle 32 and the door body 26 is set in a manner that, in a normal state, the closure member 25 is retracted under the action of the door body 26 by a distance (for example, 1 to 2 millimeters), the spring 50 is further compressed, and the flange 64 of the closure member 25 is separated from the main body wall 53.
- the spring 50 has a length of L1 which is smaller than L0.
- the gap between the flange 64 and the main body wall 53 corresponds to the difference between L0 and L1.
- the low pressure storage unit 7 may present a certain degree of deformation.
- the spring 50 applies a force to the closure member 25 in a direction towards the pressure relief passage 19, so that the retracted distance of the closure member 25 is decreased, or even it is not retracted but abuts against the inner side of the main body wall 53. That is to say, with respect to normal condition, now the position of the closure member 25 is adjusted to be protruded more from a fixed portion on the handle 32 (for example, the mounting cover 62 and the base wall 54).
- the closure member 25 keeps to hermetically seal the pressure relief passage 19 whenever the deformation is not larger than the difference between L0 and L1.
- the closure member 25 When the deformation results in that the distance between the handle 32 of the low pressure storage unit 7, which is in a pressure relieved state or to be relieved state, and the door body 26 is smaller than the normal distance therebetween, the closure member 25 receives an increased pressure, and the spring 50 is compressed to a length L2 which is smaller than L1. Now the gap between the flange 64 of the closure member 25 and the main body wall 53 is larger than the gap between the flange 64 and the main body wall 53 in the normal condition (i.e., the difference between L0 and L1).
- the pressure relief passage is provided on the door while the closure member is provided on the handle
- the invention is not limited to this.
- the invention is also applicable in sealing of the evacuation passage.
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
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- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a low pressure storage unit and a refrigeration appliance having such a low pressure storage unit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a low pressure storage unit which has a closure member for closing a fluid passage, and to a household or commercial refrigeration appliance having such a low pressure storage unit.
- Chinese patent application publication
CN101358795A discloses a refrigeration appliance having a low pressure storage unit (also referred to as "vacuum low pressure storage unit"). The low pressure storage unit comprises a main body which defines a storage chamber having a food access opening, and a door which is adapted for opening and closing the access opening. A sealing element is arranged between the door and the main body around the access opening to provide the low pressure storage unit with a vacuum seal, so that, when the storage chamber is closed, air inside the storage chamber can be drawn out by an evacuation device, such as a vacuum pump, to keep the storage chamber in a low pressure state, which helps to extend food storage time. - Document
US 3,538,616 relates to a moisture extracting and drying apparatus having a housing with an enclosed chamber and a door therefor, in which an electrical heating device heats the air in the chamber and the material placed therein for driving off the excess moisture which is dissipated through an opening in or near the top of the housing. - Document
WO 2009/038403 A2 relates to a refrigerator and a degassing container for the refrigerator. - Document
US 945,542 relates to a refrigerator. The door of the refrigerator comprises a bellow which is operated by a u-shaped member. - Document
US 2,109,002 relates to the preservation of foodstuffs and other perishables, and consists in a refrigerator in which a condition of subatmospheric pressure is established and maintained. - Document
JP 2009036443 A - Document
US 2,425,816 A discloses a low-pressure storage unit with features of the preamble of claim 1. - The low pressure storage unit is provided with a pressure release valve / pressure relief valve for relieve the low pressure state in the low pressure chamber. The pressure relief valve comprises a rubber valve seat mounted in a through hole in a door body, and a valve element integrally formed on the backside of a door handle for opening/closing the valve seat. Once the door of the low pressure chamber is closed, when the door handle is pressed, the valve element abuts against the valve seat and closes it. Once the door of the low pressure chamber is opened, when the door handle is pulled, the door handle rotates and thus drives the valve element to rotate, so that the valve seat is opened. More specifically, by manipulating the door handle, the low pressure state in the low pressure chamber can be released, or the low pressure chamber can be sealed in an airtight manner.
- However, when the low pressure chamber is evacuated, or the low pressure storage unit has been used for a long period, the door and/or handle of the low pressure chamber may present a certain degree of deformation which results in a change in the distance between the main body and the inner side of the handle. As a result, airtightness of the pressure relief valve in a closed state is decreased, which further negatively affects airtightness of the whole low pressure storage unit.
- Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a low pressure storage unit which has improved airtightness, and a refrigeration appliance having such a low pressure storage unit.
- The subject matter according to the independent claims solves the above object. Especially, the present invention in one aspect relates to a low pressure storage unit comprising a storage chamber capable of maintaining a low pressure state; a first portion having a through hole for communicating the storage chamber with an external fluid; and a second portion provided with a closure member for selectively opening or closing the through hole; characterized in that the closure member is adjustably connected to the second portion at a position relative to the second portion. The present invention in another aspect is characterized in that the closure member is floatingly connected to the second portion. According to the present invention, the closure member is slidably connected to the second portion. The second portion comprises a first wall and a second wall opposite to each other and separated from each other, the first wall is closer to the first portion than the second wall and has a through hole, and the closure member is inserted through the through hole to extend between the first wall and the second wall and is movable between the first wall and the second wall.
- The low pressure storage unit comprises an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is located between the second wall and the closure member and/or between the first wall and the closure member, and the closure member adjusts its position with the change of the length of the elastic member.
- The second portion is rotatably connected to the first portion.
- Since the location of the closure member on the second portion is self-adjustable, the closure member always seals the through hole tightly, even when the low pressure storage unit is suffered from a certain degree of deformation.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second portion comprises a cavity, and the closure member is slidably extended into the cavity.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member is located between the second member and the closure member, so as to adjust the position of the closure member on the second member.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the closure member adjusts its position with the change of the length of the elastic member. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, before the closure member closes the through hole, the elastic member is compressed to apply a force to the closure member in a direction towards the first portion. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member comprises a spring.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position of the closure member is adjusted within a range.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the through hole is a pressure relief channel for the low pressure storage unit.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the through hole is formed on a door for selectively opening or closing the storage chamber, and the second portion is a handle disposed on the door.
- The present invention in yet another aspect relates to a refrigeration appliance comprising a low pressure storage unit as defined in any of the above solutions.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration appliance comprises a cabinet for defining a heat insulation storage chamber, wherein the low pressure storage unit is received in the storage chamber.
- The configuration of the present invention and other objectives and beneficial effects thereof will be well understood from description of preferred embodiments in accompany of the drawings.
- Provided as a part of the description and for further explaining the present invention, the drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and disclose the principle of the present invention together with the detailed description below. In the drawings:
-
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a refrigeration appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the appliance door of the refrigeration appliance is not shown. -
Figure 2 is a schematic assembled perspective view of a low pressure storage unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a main body of the low pressure storage unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
Figure 4 is an exploded schematic view of the low pressure storage unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the door is in the opened state and is exploded. -
Figure 5 is an assembled perspective view of a brake unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
Figure 6 is a schematic exploded view of a handle of the low pressure storage unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of the handle of the low pressure storage unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
Figure 8 is a schematic partial sectional view of the low pressure storage unit when the pressure relief passage is closed. - With reference to
Figure 1 , a refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a thermally insulatedcabinet 2, with thecabinet 2 comprising anouter shell 2a, aninner shell 2b, and a thermal insulation layer (not shown) therebetween. Thecabinet 2 defines several thermally insulatedstorage compartments upper refrigeration compartment 3, alower freezing compartment 5, and a preservation compartment 4 which is located between the upper and lower compartments and is maintained at a temperature slightly higher than zero degree Celsius. Thesestorage compartments - It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to specific arrangements of the storage compartments of the refrigeration appliance. The present invention can be applied for other types of refrigeration appliance well, such as a refrigerator having refrigerating and freezing compartments arranged one above the other, a side-by-side combination refrigerator, a refrigerator having a drawer type door, a refrigerator having French type doors, and the like.
- The refrigeration appliance 1 has a closed-loop evaporative refrigeration system. The refrigeration system comprises at least a compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), a throttling device (not shown) and an evaporator (not shown). Since this type of refrigeration system is well known in the prior art, its detailed explanation is omitted here. Of course, the refrigeration appliance 1 may also adopt other types of refrigeration systems (such as an absorption refrigeration system or a thermoelectric refrigeration system).
- The refrigeration appliance 1 is provided with a low
pressure storage unit 7 which can be maintained in a low pressure state, and an evacuation device (not shown) which is adapted for evacuating air from the lowpressure storage unit 7. The evacuation device may comprise a vacuum pump and pipelines (not shown) connected between the vacuum pump and the lowpressure storage unit 7. - In this embodiment, the low
pressure storage unit 7 is provided in the preservation compartment 4. It should be understood that, in an alternative embodiment, the lowpressure storage unit 7 can be provided in other storage compartments, such as therefrigerating compartment 3, or a variable compartment whose temperature zone can be changed between a refrigerating temperature zone and a freezing temperature zone. - The low
pressure storage unit 7 is located at a bottom of the preservation compartment 4, and is supported on a bottom wall of the preservation compartment 4. In this embodiment, apreservation container 6 may be provided above the lowpressure storage unit 7, which preservation container has a higher humidity and is adapted for storing foods such as vegetables. - The low
pressure storage unit 7 may be constructed separately from thecabinet 2 and then assembled in thecabinet 2. With reference toFigure 2 andFigure 3 , in this embodiment, the lowpressure storage unit 7 is substantially of a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, having a width slightly smaller than the width of the preservation compartment 4, so that the lowpressure storage unit 7 can be inserted into the preservation compartment 4 or drawn out of the preservation compartment 4. - The low
pressure storage unit 7 comprises a main body 8 which is fixed in the preservation compartment 4, and adoor 10 which is coupled to the main body 8 and can be pushed into or retracted out of the preservation compartment 4. - With reference to
Figure 2 andFigure 3 , the main body 8 has a box shaped structure, defining aflat storage chamber 15 having a food access opening. The access opening is preferably formed in the front end of the main body 8 to face towards users. - The
door 10 may be provided with a ring shaped sealing element (not shown), so that, when thedoor 10 in a closed position, air tightness engagement is formed between the main body 8 and thedoor 10 to prevent air from entering into thestorage chamber 15 through the interface between the main body 8 and thedoor 10. The sealing element may alternatively be provided on the front end of the main body 8. - The
door 10 is of drawer type, which can be pushed towards the main body 8 to close thestorage chamber 15, or be pulled outwards to open thestorage chamber 15. The backside of thedoor 10 is connected with a tray shapedcontainer 12 for containing articles therein. A user may push or pull the tray shapedcontainer 12 into or out of thestorage chamber 15 to get an article contained in the lowpressure storage unit 7 or to put articles into the lowpressure storage unit 7. Thedoor 10 and the tray shapedcontainer 12 together form a drawer unit which can be pushed into and pulled out of the main body 8. - A
telescopic guide unit 14 may be provided between the tray shapedcontainer 12 and the main body 8, such that thedoor 10 and the tray shapedcontainer 12 can be smoothly pulled out of the main body 8 or pushed into the main body 8. - The low
pressure storage unit 7 may be provided with a locking mechanism for locking thedoor 10 which is in the closed position with the main body 8. As shown inFigures 3 and 4 , the locking mechanism comprises afirst matching portion 34 provided on thedoor 10 and asecond matching portion 44 provided on the main body 8. By means of the cooperation of thefirst matching portion 34 and thesecond matching portion 44, thedoor 10 is locked in the closed position. Meanwhile, the sealing element between the main body 8 and thedoor 10 is fully deformed under a locking force created by the locking mechanism, so that air tightness between thedoor 10 and the main body 8 is increased. - The low
pressure storage unit 7 is provided with an evacuation passage (not shown) for establishing fluid communication between thestorage chamber 15 and the evacuation device, and anevacuation valve 60 for selectively controlling the fluid communication between the evacuation passage and the evacuation device. The evacuation passage and theevacuation valve 60 are provided on the back end of the main body 8. In other embodiments, the evacuation passage and theevacuation valve 60 may be provided in other proper positions, such as thedoor 10, the sidewalls or the top wall of the main body 8, and the like. - When the
storage chamber 15 is closed by thedoor 10 and the evacuation device is activated, air within thestorage chamber 15 is evacuated, and thestorage chamber 15 comes to the low pressure state after its pressure is removed. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the evacuation procedure is finished, the pressure in thestorage chamber 15 is in a range between one standard atmosphere pressure (atm) and absolute vacuum, for example, having an absolute pressure lower than 690 mbar. Thestorage chamber 15 is generally referred to as "vacuum chamber" by those skilled in the art, since air pressure inside it is lower than the standard atmosphere pressure. - With reference to
Figure 4 , thedoor 10 comprises adoor body 26, abrake unit 27 fixed to thedoor body 26, fixingmembers 28 for fixing thebrake unit 27 to thedoor body 26, and adecorative cover 29 connected to thedoor body 26 to cover a corresponding portion of thebrake unit 27. - The
door body 26 has a substantially rectangular plate shape and is preferably formed of a plastic material. Thedoor body 26 is formed with anaccommodating space 30 recessed from its front surface 26a for receiving at least a portion of thebrake unit 27. - As shown in
Figure 4 andFigure 5 , thebrake unit 27 comprises ahandle 32 of a substantially plate shape, a cylindricalrotational rod 33 fixed to thehandle 32, and a pair offirst matching portions 34 fixed opposite ends of therotational rod 33 respectively. - The
rotational rod 33 is fixed to the back side of thehandle 32. Thehandle 32 has several fixingportions 35 protruded from its back surface, the fixingportions 35 being provided on an upper portion of thehandle 32. Each fixingportion 35 has acylindrical fixing hole 61 extending transversely to allow therotational rod 33 to extend through the fixing holes 61 so as to be connected to thehandle 32. - In this embodiment, the
rotational rod 33 and thehandle 32 are fixed to each other, with no relative movement between them being allowed then. This can be done byscrews 37 which fasten therotational rod 33 to the fixingportions 35. - Opposite ends of the
rotational rod 33 are each fixed with a corresponding first matchingportion 34. In this embodiment, once thefirst matching portion 34 is inserted through by a corresponding end of therotational rod 33, it is fixed to therotational rod 33 without being able to move with respect to therotational rod 33 then, by means of a fixing member such as a screw, so that, after therotational rod 33 is fixed to adoor plate 26, when the rod is rotated around its central axis X, thefirst matching portion 34 also rotates around the central axis X of therotational rod 33. - Once fixed to the
door body 26, thehandle 32 is rotatably connected to thedoor 10. When thehandle 32 is rotated, therotational rod 33 inside thedoor body 26 is also rotated around its central axis X while driving thefirst matching portion 34 to rotate. Therotational rod 33 defines a rotation shaft (axis) for thehandle 32 and thefirst matching portion 34. In this procedure, when therod 33 is rotated, the rod also acts as a rotation shaft of thehandle 32 and thefirst matching portion 34, with the central axis X of the rod having no displacement with respect to thedoor body 26. - The
handle 32 is rotatable around the central axis X of therotational rod 33 between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a maximum angle is formed between thehandle 32 and the front surface 26a of thedoor body 26, with a maximum distance being formed between the lower end of the handle and the front surface 26a of thedoor body 26, and thus the first position is also referred to as extended position. In the second position, a minimum angle is formed between thehandle 32 and the front surface 26a of thedoor body 26, with a minimum distance being formed between the lower end of the handle and the front surface 26a of thedoor body 26, and thus the second position is also referred to as retracted position. - In the first position, an angle formed between the
handle 32 and a vertical plane is less than 90 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, when thehandle 32 is rotated to form an angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees (for example, 50 degrees) with a vertical plane, it is restricted from rotating outwards further. This can be achieved by a corresponding retention structure (not shown). The retention structure may be configured in the following manner: when thehandle 32 is rotated outwards through the maximum angle to the first position, the retention structure abuts against the inner side of a portion of thehandle 32 which is located above therotational rod 33. Preferably, the retention structure is arranged near the upper inner wall of theaccommodating space 30 but is still separated from it by a distance, so that, when thehandle 32 is rotated to the first position, the inner side of the portion of thehandle 32 which is located above therotational rod 33 abuts against the retention structure, so that thehandle 32 is restricted from being further rotated. - According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the
handle 32 is in the second position, the front surface of thehandle 32 is in a vertical position substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane, which is particularly advantageous for retracting thehandle 32 into thedoor 10. Preferably, in the second position, at least a majority of thehandle 32 is received in theaccommodating space 30 to reduce the space occupied by the lowpressure storage unit 7. Particularly preferably, in the second position, thehandle 32 is wholly received in thedoor body 26, without extending out beyond the front surface of thedoor 10. - The
door 10 can be provided with a retention structure for restricting thehandle 32 from being further rotated after it is rotated to the vertical plane (the second position), so as to prevent thehandle 32 from being continuously rotated, which otherwise may cause the upper end of thehandle 32 to protrude out of theaccommodating space 30. In this way, thedoor 10 may have a further smoothed appearance. The retention structure may be formed by protrusion structures fixed to the inner side of thehandle 32 and/or to the front side of thedoor body 26, and it is configured in the following manner: when the front surface of thehandle 32 is in the vertical position, the retention structure (if it is fixed to the door body 26) just abuts against the inner side of a portion of thehandle 32 which is located below therotational rod 33; alternatively, the retention structure (if it is fixed to the inner side of the handle 32) just abuts against the front side of thedoor body 26. - When the
handle 32 is in the second position, thefirst matching portion 34 catches thesecond matching portion 44, so that the front end of thefirst matching portion 34 overlaps with the locking portion 46 of thesecond matching portion 44 in a front-back direction. In order to avoid the front end of thefirst matching portion 34 colliding with the locking portion 46 and thus damaging the lowpressure storage unit 7 when a user pushes the door 1, which is in a pulled out state, towards the closed position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown inFigures 5 and 6 , the lowpressure storage unit 7 comprises a holdingdevice 49 holding thefirst matching portion 34 in a safe position after thedoor 10 is released from the locked state. This safe position is selected in the following manner: during the closing procedure of thedoor 10, thefirst matching portion 34 which is moving forwards is in a position where it cannot collide with the locking portion 46. - In a preferred embodiment, the
first matching portion 34 is held in the safe position by the holdingmechanism 49 which holds thehandle 32 in a safe angle. The safe angle may be equal to an angle formed between thehandle 32 which is in the first position and a vertical plane, also called maximum outward rotation angle, or slightly smaller than the maximum outward rotation angle, or in other words, the safe position of thefirst matching portion 34 may be its first extreme position or near to the first extreme position. It can be understood that, when thehandle 32 is in the first position / extended position, the front end of thefirst matching portion 34 does not overlap the locking portion 46 in the front-back direction. - In an embodiment which is particularly easy to be practiced, the holding
device 49 comprises a spring. Preferably, the holdingdevice 49 is in the form of a torsion spring having afirst end 49a fixed to thedoor body 26 or a member which is fixed to thedoor body 26 without any movability (for example, the fixing member 28) and asecond end 49b fixed to thehandle 32. When thehandle 32 is in the first position, the torsion spring applies an outward torque to thehandle 32 so that thehandle 32 has power to continue its outward rotation. On the other hand, thehandle 32 is restricted by a first retention structure 48 from further rotation, and thus it is reliably kept in the first position. - In an embodiment of the present invention, the holding
device 49 may be configured to provide an inward torque to thehandle 32 which is in the second position to prevent the lower end of thehandle 32 from kicking out, and thus reliably keep thehandle 32 in a vertical position. - Thus, with the holding
device 49 for providing thehandle 32 with torques in opposite directions when it is in the first position and in the second position respectively, thehandle 32 is in an equilibrium state when it is in an equilibrium position between the first position and the second position. When thehandle 32 is rotated outwards slightly from this equilibrium position, the holdingdevice 49 provides torque to thehandle 32 to rotate it outwards until thehandle 32 reaches the first position where it is restricted from further rotation. When thehandle 32 is rotated inwards slightly from this equilibrium position, the holdingdevice 49 provides torque to thehandle 32 to rotate it inwards until thehandle 32 reaches the second position where it is restricted from further rotation. - When the
door 10 is closed, by pressing down the lower end of thehandle 32, thehandle 32 rotates around the central axis X of therotational rod 33 inwards. Meanwhile, therotational rod 33 also rotates around its central axis X to drive thefirst matching portion 34 to rotate upwards. When thehandle 32 reaches the second position, thefirst matching portion 34 and thesecond matching portion 44 are engaged and locked together. By holding the lower end of thehandle 32 and forcing thehandle 32 outwards, thehandle 32 rotates outwards and drives thefirst matching portion 34 to rotate downwards. In this way, the locking between thefirst matching portion 34 and thesecond matching portion 44 is released. - The low
pressure storage unit 7 is provided with apressure relief passage 19 for establishing fluid communication between thestorage chamber 15 and outside and thus releasing the low pressure state in thestorage chamber 15, and aclosure member 25 for selectively opening or closing thepressure relief passage 19. - The
pressure relief passage 19 is provided on and through thedoor body 26. The outer end of thepressure relief passage 19 is in communication with theaccommodating space 30. Through thepressure relief passage 19, thestorage chamber 15 can establish fluid communication with outside, and air from outside can thus enter into thestorage chamber 15 to release the low pressure state in thestorage chamber 15, so that thedoor 10 can be opened. Thepressure relief passage 19 can be provided with an elastic sealing seat to improve its air tightness. - The
closure member 25 is disposed on the backside of thehandle 32 and is kinetically coupled with thehandle 32. When thehandle 32 is in the second position, thepressure relief passage 19 is sealed hermetically. When thehandle 32 leaves the second position, thepressure relief passage 19 is opened, and air from outside is allowed to enter into thestorage chamber 15 to equalize the inside-outside pressure difference of thestorage chamber 15. Then, a user can pull thedoor 10 forwards to open the lowpressure storage unit 7. - During the evacuation procedure of the low
pressure storage unit 7 and after the lowpressure storage unit 7 has been used for a long period, some components of thedoor 10, such as thedoor body 26 and/or thehandle 32, may present a certain degree of deformation, so that the distance between thehandle 32 which carries theclosure member 25 and thedoor body 26 which carries thepressure relief passage 19 may vary, which results in a worse sealability of thepressure relief passage 19. - In order to prevent the air tightness of the low
pressure storage unit 7 from being lowered down for this reason, according to the present invention, theclosure member 25 is mounted to thehandle 32 in the following manner: its position on thehandle 32 is adjustable. That is to say, when thedoor 10 presents a certain degree of deformation, the position of theclosure member 25 can be adjusted automatically to tightly seal thepressure relief passage 19. - According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an elastic member is provided between the
closure member 25 and thehandle 32, the position of theclosure member 25 with respect to thehandle 32 can be automatically adjusted by means of the change in the shape of the elastic member. In the present embodiment, the elastic member is in the form of a spring 50. - As shown in
Figure 6 and Figure 7 , a mountingseat 56 is formed on the inner side of thehandle 32 for mounting theclosure member 25. The mountingseat 56 protrudes from the inner side of abase wall 54 of thehandle 32 backwards and comprisesseveral periphery walls 58 which are joined together to form a frame. The mountingseat 56 further comprises a firsttubular portion 59 formed with the frame. - The
handle 32 further comprises a mounting cover 62 for fitting with the mountingseat 56. The mounting cover 62 is engaged to a free end of the mountingseat 56, to form achamber 51 therebetween. The mounting cover 62 has amain body wall 53 which is substantially parallel with thebase wall 54, themain body wall 53 being formed with a throughhole 55 which extends through themain body wall 53. The mounting cover 62 is preferably removably mounted to the mountingseat 56, for example, fixed to theperiphery walls 58 in a snap-on manner. - The
closure member 25 comprises afirst end 25a facing towards thedoor body 32 and asecond end 25b opposite to thefirst end 25a. Thesecond end 25b is formed with aflange 64. Theclosure member 25 comprises a secondtubular portion 63 which extends in a certain length from thesecond end 25b inwardly and has the same outer diameter with the firsttubular portion 59, and a ring shaped slot (not marked) formed around the secondtubular portion 63. - When assembling, an end of the spring 50 is slid onto the second
tubular portion 63. Then, the other end of the spring 50, which is now connected to theclosure member 25, is slid onto the firsttubular portion 59. The throughhole 55 in the mounting cover 62 is aligned with theclosure member 25, and thefirst end 25a of theclosure member 25 is inserted through the throughhole 55. Finally, the mounting cover 62 is snapped on the mountingseat 56. After assembling, as shown inFigure 7 , a portion of theclosure member 25 is received in thechamber 51, the spring 50 is compressed, and the spring 50 applies theclosure member 25 an elastic force to push theflange 64 of theclosure member 25 against the inner side of themain body wall 53 of the mounting cover 62. Now, the spring 50 has a length L0, and a gap D1 exists between the firsttubular portion 59 and the secondtubular portion 63. - Since the length of the spring 50 is variable, the
closure member 25 carried by the spring 50 is actually supported on thehandle 32 in a floating manner. When thefirst end 25a of theclosure member 25 is pressed down, theclosure member 25 is able to slide with respect to thechamber 51. In the present embodiment, the sliding range of theclosure member 25 equals to the gap D1 between the firsttubular portion 59 and the secondtubular portion 63 when theclosure member 25 is not engaged with the open end of thepressure relief passage 19. - With reference to
Figure 8 , when thehandle 32 is in the second position, theclosure member 25 is engaged with the open end of thepressure relief passage 19. The distance between thehandle 32 and thedoor body 26 is set in a manner that, in a normal state, theclosure member 25 is retracted under the action of thedoor body 26 by a distance (for example, 1 to 2 millimeters), the spring 50 is further compressed, and theflange 64 of theclosure member 25 is separated from themain body wall 53. Now, the spring 50 has a length of L1 which is smaller than L0. The gap between theflange 64 and themain body wall 53 corresponds to the difference between L0 and L1. - However, after a period of use, the low
pressure storage unit 7 may present a certain degree of deformation. When the deformation results in that the distance between thehandle 32 of the lowpressure storage unit 7, which is in a pressure relieved state or to be relieved state, and thedoor body 26 is larger than the normal distance therebetween, the spring 50 applies a force to theclosure member 25 in a direction towards thepressure relief passage 19, so that the retracted distance of theclosure member 25 is decreased, or even it is not retracted but abuts against the inner side of themain body wall 53. That is to say, with respect to normal condition, now the position of theclosure member 25 is adjusted to be protruded more from a fixed portion on the handle 32 (for example, the mounting cover 62 and the base wall 54). Theclosure member 25 keeps to hermetically seal thepressure relief passage 19 whenever the deformation is not larger than the difference between L0 and L1. - When the deformation results in that the distance between the
handle 32 of the lowpressure storage unit 7, which is in a pressure relieved state or to be relieved state, and thedoor body 26 is smaller than the normal distance therebetween, theclosure member 25 receives an increased pressure, and the spring 50 is compressed to a length L2 which is smaller than L1. Now the gap between theflange 64 of theclosure member 25 and themain body wall 53 is larger than the gap between theflange 64 and themain body wall 53 in the normal condition (i.e., the difference between L0 and L1). - Although it is described in the above embodiment that the pressure relief passage is provided on the door while the closure member is provided on the handle, the invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, it is possible to provide the pressure relief passage in proper positions on the low pressure storage unit, for example, on the main body, while the closure member is provided on the other component. Further, the invention is also applicable in sealing of the evacuation passage.
Claims (12)
- A low-pressure storage unit (7), comprising:a storage chamber (15) capable of maintaining a low-pressure state;a first portion (26) having a through hole (19) for communicating the storage chamber (15) with an external fluid; anda second portion (32) provided with a closure member (25) for selectively opening or closing the through hole (19),characterized in that, the closure member (25) is slidably connected to the second portion (32) at a position relative to the second portion (32) and the second portion (32) is rotatably connected to the first portion (26), wherein the second portion (32) comprises a first wall (53) and a second wall (54) opposite to each other and separated from each other, the first wall (53) is closer to the first portion (26) than the second wall (54) and has a perforation (55), and the closure member (25) penetrates the perforation (55) to be extended between the first wall (53) and the second wall (54) and is movable between the first wall (53) and the second wall (54), the low-pressure storage unit (7) further comprising an elastic member (50), wherein the elastic member (50) is located between the second wall (54) and the closure member (25) and/or between the first wall (53) and the closure member (25), and the closure member (25) adjusts its position with the change of the length of the elastic member (50).
- A low-pressure storage unit (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the closure member (25) is connected floatingly to the second portion (32).
- The low-pressure storage unit (7) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the second portion (32) comprises a cavity (51), and the closure member (25) is slidably extended into the cavity (51).
- The low-pressure storage unit (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by comprising the elastic member (50) located between the second portion (32) and the closure member (25), so as to adjust the position of the closure member (25) on the second portion (32).
- The low-pressure storage unit (7) according to claim 4, characterized in that, the closure member (25) adjusts its position with the change of the length of the elastic member (50).
- The low-pressure storage unit (7) according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, before the closure member (25) closes the through hole (19), the elastic member (50) is compressed to apply a force to the closure member (25) in a direction towards the first portion (26).
- The low-pressure storage unit (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, the elastic member (50) comprises a spring.
- The low-pressure storage unit (7) according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that, the position of the closure member (25) is adjusted within a fixed range.
- The low-pressure storage unit (7) according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that, the through hole (19) is a pressure relief channel for releasing the low-pressure state of the storage chamber (15).
- The low-pressure storage unit (7) according to any one of the above claims, characterized in that, the through hole (19) is formed on a door (10) for selectively opening or closing the storage chamber (15), and the second portion (32) is a handle disposed on the door (10).
- A cooling appliance (1), comprising the low-pressure storage unit (7) according to any one of the above claims.
- The cooling appliance (1) according to claim 11, characterized by comprising a case (2) for defining a heat insulation storage cabinet (4), wherein the low-pressure storage unit (7) is received in the storage cabinet (4).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PL11732459T PL2596307T3 (en) | 2010-07-22 | 2011-07-15 | Low pressure storage unit and refrigeration appliance having the low pressure storage unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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CN201010233837.2A CN102338542B (en) | 2010-07-22 | 2010-07-22 | Low pressure storage unit and there is the refrigerating appliance of low pressure storage unit |
PCT/EP2011/062112 WO2012010505A1 (en) | 2010-07-22 | 2011-07-15 | Low pressure storage unit and refrigeration appliance having the low pressure storage unit |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2596307A1 EP2596307A1 (en) | 2013-05-29 |
EP2596307B1 true EP2596307B1 (en) | 2017-09-06 |
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EP11732459.0A Active EP2596307B1 (en) | 2010-07-22 | 2011-07-15 | Low pressure storage unit and refrigeration appliance having the low pressure storage unit |
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EP (1) | EP2596307B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102338542B (en) |
PL (1) | PL2596307T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012010505A1 (en) |
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CN103423952B (en) * | 2012-05-16 | 2017-07-14 | 博西华电器(江苏)有限公司 | Low pressure vessel and the refrigerator including the low pressure vessel |
EP2808630B1 (en) * | 2013-05-28 | 2019-08-21 | LG Electronics Inc. -1- | Airtight container for refrigerator and refrigerator including the same |
JP2017036849A (en) * | 2015-08-07 | 2017-02-16 | 日立アプライアンス株式会社 | refrigerator |
WO2021114962A1 (en) * | 2019-12-12 | 2021-06-17 | 海信(山东)冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator |
WO2021114956A1 (en) * | 2019-12-12 | 2021-06-17 | 海信(山东)冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator |
CN114076439B (en) * | 2020-08-10 | 2023-07-21 | 海信冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator and method for mounting air extraction joint of refrigerator |
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US945542A (en) * | 1909-05-26 | 1910-01-04 | Stephen F Karnes | Refrigerator. |
US2109002A (en) * | 1936-07-03 | 1938-02-22 | Stanton C Stimmel | Refrigerator |
US2425816A (en) * | 1944-07-13 | 1947-08-19 | W L Maxson Corp | Apparatus for cooling under ultraviolet radiation and vacuum conditions |
US3538616A (en) * | 1968-09-06 | 1970-11-10 | Alfred J Malling | Moisture extracting and drying apparatus |
JP2009036443A (en) * | 2007-08-02 | 2009-02-19 | Hitachi Appliances Inc | Refrigerator |
JP4961295B2 (en) * | 2007-08-02 | 2012-06-27 | 日立アプライアンス株式会社 | refrigerator |
KR100901024B1 (en) * | 2007-09-21 | 2009-06-04 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Degassing container for refrigerator |
-
2010
- 2010-07-22 CN CN201010233837.2A patent/CN102338542B/en active Active
-
2011
- 2011-07-15 WO PCT/EP2011/062112 patent/WO2012010505A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-07-15 EP EP11732459.0A patent/EP2596307B1/en active Active
- 2011-07-15 PL PL11732459T patent/PL2596307T3/en unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
PL2596307T3 (en) | 2018-01-31 |
CN102338542B (en) | 2015-08-05 |
WO2012010505A1 (en) | 2012-01-26 |
CN102338542A (en) | 2012-02-01 |
EP2596307A1 (en) | 2013-05-29 |
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