US20220349647A1

US20220349647A1 - Refrigerator and method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment

Info

Publication number: US20220349647A1
Application number: US17/729,050
Authority: US
Inventors: Yulong Li; Jianyong Yuan; Min Zhang
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2021-04-28
Filing date: 2022-04-26
Publication date: 2022-11-03
Also published as: CN115247925A

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a drawer in a refrigeration compartment including a support on a wall of the compartment, and a work slot oblique to a lid. The lid opens or closes the drawer and includes a protruding portion on an upper surface and a motion member on a side edge of the lid moving in the work slot. A motor module includes a cam and a motor driving the cam in first rotation, to push the protruding portion to drive the motion member to move obliquely upward along the work slot, so the lid ascends to a first position, and driving the cam in second rotation opposite the first to cause the lid to drive the motion member under gravity obliquely downward along the work slot, so the lid descends to a second position lower than the first in automatically adjustment. A method for lid adjustment is also provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Chinese Patent Application CN 2021 1046 7732.1, filed Apr. 28, 2021; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of household appliance technologies, and in particular, to a refrigerator and a method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment.
With continuous improvement of living standards and diversified development of item storage requirements, functional requirements of a user for a refrigerator also gradually increase. Currently, drawers in refrigeration compartments of many refrigerators are all provided with lids, but adjustment of those lids needs to be improved, resulting in poor user experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improved refrigerator and a method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an improved refrigerator including a refrigeration compartment and a drawer located in the refrigeration compartment, the refrigeration compartment including: a support, mounted or formed on an inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment, and a work slot oblique relative to a plane in which a lid is located; the lid is adapted to open or close the drawer and includes a protruding portion disposed on an upper surface of the lid and a motion member disposed on a side edge of the lid and adapted to move in the work slot; and a motor module including a motor and a cam, the motor is adapted to drive the cam to generate a first rotation, to push the protruding portion to drive the motion member to move obliquely upward along the work slot, so that the lid ascends to a first position; and the motor is adapted to drive the cam to generate a second rotation opposite to a direction of the first rotation, to cause the lid to drive the motion member, under the action of gravity, to move obliquely downward along the work slot, so that the lid descends to a second position; and the first position is higher than the second position.
Optionally, the cam includes a far end and a near end, the far end has a longer vertical distance from a rotation center axis of the cam than the near end, the cam is adapted to cause the far end to gradually approach the protruding portion when the first rotation is generated, and the cam is adapted to cause the near end to gradually approach the protruding portion when the second rotation is generated.
Optionally, the first position is a highest position to which the lid can ascend under push of the cam, the second position is a lowest position to which the lid can descend under the action of gravity, the lid is adapted to open the drawer when being in the first position, and the lid is adapted to close the drawer when being in the second position.
Optionally, both the first position and the second position are located between the highest position to which the lid can ascend under the push of the cam and the lowest position to which the lid can descend under the action of gravity, and the lid is adapted to open the drawer when the lid is located in the first position or the second position.
Optionally, the first position is the highest position to which the lid can ascend under the push of the cam, the second position is located between the highest position and the lowest position to which the lid can descend under the action of gravity, and the lid is adapted to open the drawer when the lid is located in the first position or the second position.
Optionally, the first position is located between the highest position to which the lid can ascend under the push of the cam and the lowest position to which the lid can descend under the action of gravity, the second position is the lowest position, the lid is adapted to open the drawer when being in the first position, and the lid is adapted to close the drawer when being in the second position.
Optionally, the support includes a first support and a second support respectively mounted or formed on a left inner side wall and a right inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment, and the first support and the second support respectively include a first work slot and a second work slot; and the motion member includes a first motion member and a second motion member respectively disposed on a left side edge and a right side edge of the lid, and the first motion member and the second motion member are respectively adapted to move in the first work slot and the second work slot.
Optionally, the first support includes two first work slots disposed in a front-rear direction, and the first motion member includes two first motion members respectively adapted to move in the two first work slots; and the second support includes two second work slots disposed in a front-rear direction, and the second motion member includes two second motion members respectively adapted to move in the two second work slots.
Optionally, the motor is adapted to drive the cam to generate the first rotation when a set humidity of the drawer is adjusted from a first humidity range to a second humidity range, and is adapted to drive the cam to generate the second rotation when the set humidity is adjusted from the second humidity range to the first humidity range; and any humidity value in the first humidity range is greater than any humidity value in the second humidity range.
Optionally, the protruding portion is disposed in a position equidistant from the left side edge and the right side edge.
Optionally, an angle α formed by the work slot relative to a front-to-rear direction is an acute angle and the protruding portion is located on a rear side of the cam in a working state, or the angle formed by the work slot relative to the front-to-rear direction is an obtuse angle and the protruding portion is located on a front side of the cam in the working state.
Optionally, the acute angle is in a range of 35 degrees to 45 degrees, and the obtuse angle is in a range of 135 degrees to 145 degrees.
Optionally, the support includes a guide slot in communication with the work slot, and the protruding portion is adapted to pass through the cam from one side of the cam and reach an other side of the cam in a process that the motion member moves from the guide slot to the work slot and reaches the work slot, and is adapted to pass through the cam from the other side to the one side in a process that the motion member moves from the work slot to the guide slot and reaches the guide slot.
Optionally, the motion member is a roller adapted to roll in the work slot or a movable member adapted to move in the work slot.
Optionally, the first rotation makes the cam and the protruding portion switch from a first contact state to a second contact state, the second rotation makes the cam and the protruding portion switch from the second contact state to the first contact state, the first contact state includes a state in which the cam is out of contact with the protruding portion and a state in which the cam is in contact with the protruding portion to apply a first acting force, and the second contact state includes a state in which the cam is in contact with the protruding portion to apply a second acting force, where the first acting force is greater than or equal to zero Newtons and is less than the second acting force.
Optionally, the motor is adapted to drive the cam to generate the first rotation when a set temperature of the refrigeration compartment is adjusted from a first temperature range to a second temperature range, and is adapted to drive the cam to generate the second rotation when the set temperature is adjusted from the second temperature range to the first temperature range; and any temperature value in the first temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the second temperature range.
Optionally, the first temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to 0 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to 12 degrees Celsius; and the second temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −20 degrees Celsius to less than 0 degrees Celsius.
Optionally, the first position includes the highest position, and the motor is adapted to cause the lid to ascend to the highest position when the set temperature is adjusted to a third temperature range, where the third temperature range is in the second temperature range.
Optionally, the third temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −20 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to −18 degrees Celsius.
Optionally, the first position includes a middle position lower than the highest position, and the motor is adapted to cause the lid to ascend to the middle position when the set temperature is adjusted to a fourth temperature range, where the fourth temperature range is in the second temperature range, and any temperature value in the fourth temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the third temperature range.
Optionally, the fourth temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −12 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to −6 degrees Celsius.
With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided a method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment. The refrigeration compartment includes the foregoing refrigerator. The method includes: determining whether adjustment of the refrigeration compartment belongs to first adjustment or second adjustment; when the adjustment belongs to the first adjustment, driving the cam to generate a first rotation, where the motion member moves obliquely upward along the work slot based on the first rotation, and the lid ascends to a first position based on the obliquely upward movement of the motion member; and when the adjustment belongs to the second adjustment, driving the cam to generate a second rotation opposite to a direction of the first rotation, where the motion member moves obliquely downward along the work slot based on the second rotation, and the lid descends to a second position based on the obliquely downward movement of the motion member, where the first position is higher than the second position.
Optionally, the first rotation makes the cam and the protruding portion switch from a first contact state to a second contact state, the second rotation makes the cam and the protruding portion switch from the second contact state to the first contact state, the first contact state includes a state in which the cam is out of contact with the protruding portion and a state in which the cam is in contact with the protruding portion to apply a first acting force, and the second contact state includes a state in which the cam is in contact with the protruding portion to apply a second acting force, where the first acting force is greater than or equal to zero Newtons and is less than the second acting force.
Optionally, the first adjustment is that a set temperature of the refrigeration compartment is adjusted from a first temperature range to a second temperature range, the second adjustment is that the set temperature is adjusted from the second temperature range to the first temperature range, and any temperature value in the first temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the second temperature range; or the first adjustment is that a set humidity of the drawer is adjusted from a first humidity range to a second humidity range, the second adjustment is that the set humidity is adjusted from the second humidity range to the first humidity range, and any humidity value in the first humidity range is greater than any humidity value in the second humidity range.
Compared with the prior art, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects.
For example, a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment may automatically ascend or descend under the action of a support and a motor module, so as to automatically adjust the lid. Moreover, the support and the motor module have simple structures, are convenient in disassembly and assembly, and are easy to realize, thereby helping to save mounting spaces thereof and a movable space of the lid.
In another example, the lid may be adjusted to cause the drawer to ascend (for example, be opened) or descend (for example, be closed) based on a set humidity of the drawer, so that the drawer may ascend (for example, be opened) at lower humidity, and descend (for example, be closed) at higher humidity, so as to facilitate preservation of items in the drawer.
In another example, the lid may be adjusted to cause the drawer to ascend (for example, be opened) or descend (for example, be closed) based on a set temperature of the refrigeration compartment, so that the drawer may descend (for example, be closed) at higher temperature, so as to facilitate preservation of items in the drawer, and the drawer may ascend (for example, be opened) at lower temperature, so as to prevent the drawer and the lid from being frozen and help cold air in the refrigerator to enter the drawer rapidly to improve refrigeration efficiency of the drawer.
In another example, a motion member is disposed on a side edge of the lid, and the motion member is enabled to move along a work slot in the support in a process that the lid ascends or descends, thereby effectively improving stability of the lid during ascending and descending.
In another example, the lid moves backward during an ascending process, which effectively saves an ascending space of the lid in the refrigeration compartment, thereby reducing costs of the refrigeration compartment.
Other features of the present invention are recited in the claims, shown in the accompanying drawings, and described in the description of the accompanying drawings. The features and feature combinations described in the foregoing description and the features and feature combinations described in the description of the following accompanying drawings and/or simply shown in the accompanying drawings can not only be presented by the described combination, but can also be provided by other combinations or separately without departing from the scope of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention that are not described and not specifically shown in the accompanying drawings but can be thought of from the detailed description of the embodiments and that can be obtained from combinations of various features shall be considered to be included and disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, front-elevational view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front-elevational view of a refrigeration compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a group of perspective views of a lid closing a drawer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a group of perspective views of a lid opening a drawer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a group of perspective views of a lid, a support, and a motor module in an unmounted state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a lid, a support, and a motor module in a disassembled state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first support according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, drawers in refrigeration compartments of many refrigerators are all provided with lids, but adjustment of those lids needs to be improved, resulting in poor user experience.
In contrast to the prior art, embodiments of the present invention provide an improved refrigerator and a method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment. The improved refrigerator includes a refrigeration compartment and a drawer located in the refrigeration compartment, and the refrigeration compartment includes: a support, mounted or formed on an inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment, and including a work slot oblique relative to a plane in which a lid is located; the lid, adapted to open or close the drawer, and including a protruding portion disposed on an upper surface of the lid and a motion member disposed on a side edge of the lid and adapted to move in the work slot; and a motor module, including a motor and a cam, where the motor is adapted to drive the cam to generate first rotation, to push the protruding portion to drive the motion member to move obliquely upward along the work slot, so that the lid ascends to a first position; and is adapted to drive the cam to generate second rotation opposite to a direction of the first rotation, to cause the lid to drive, under the action of gravity, the motion member to move obliquely downward along the work slot, so that the lid descends to a second position; and the first position is higher than the second position.
Compared with the prior art, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects.
For example, a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment may automatically ascend or descend under the action of a support and a motor module, so as to automatically adjust the lid. Moreover, the support and the motor module have simple structures, are convenient in disassembly and assembly, and are easy to realize, thereby helping to save mounting spaces thereof and a movable space of the lid.
In order to make the objectives, features, and beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention more comprehensible, the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It may be understood that specific embodiments described below are only used to explain the present invention, but not to limit the present invention. In addition, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings only show parts relevant to the present invention rather than the entire structure.
In order to facilitate a description of the refrigerator provided in the embodiments of the present invention, some accompanying drawings provided in the embodiments of the present invention show four directions that are front, rear, left, and right. The “front” indicates a direction of the refrigerator facing a user, the “rear” indicates a direction opposite to the “front,” the “right” indicates a direction of a right side of the user when facing the refrigerator, and the “left” indicates a direction opposite to the “right.” It should be understood that, from another perspective of the refrigerator, there are also directions of front, rear, left, and right corresponding to the corresponding perspective. The directions of front, rear, left, and right shown in some accompanying drawings provided in the embodiments of the present invention are merely used for ease of description of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention, but do not limit description of the solutions.
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a refrigeration compartment 100.
Specifically, the refrigeration compartment 100 may include a refrigerating compartment or a variable-temperature compartment. The variable-temperature compartment may be used as a conventional freezing compartment or chilling compartment based on difference in temperature. Moreover, humidity in the refrigerating compartment or the variable-temperature compartment may be adjusted.
Referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 7, the refrigerator 10 further includes a drawer 110 located inside the refrigeration compartment 100, a lid 120 adapted to open or close the drawer 110, supports 130 and 140 mounted or formed in the refrigeration compartment 100, and a motor module 150.
During specific implementation, the drawer 110 is provided with an opening (not shown) that opens upward to access items.
The lid 120 is located above the drawer 110 and is adapted to open or close the opening of the drawer 110.
The supports 130 and 140 are mounted on the inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment 100, and include work slots 131 oblique relative to a plane in which the lid 120 is located.
In another embodiment, the supports 130 and 140 are directly formed on the inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment 100. The supports 130 and 140 form a part of the inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment 100.
The lid 120 further includes a protruding portion 124 disposed on an upper surface 121 of the lid and motion members 125 and 126 disposed on side edges 122 and 123 of the lid and adapted to move in the work slots 131.
The motor module 150 includes a motor 151 and a cam 152. The motor 151 is adapted to drive the cam 152 to generate first rotation, to push the protruding portion 124 to drive the motion members 125 and 126 to move obliquely upward along the work slots 131, so that the lid 120 ascends to a first position. The motor 151 is also adapted to drive the cam 152 to generate second rotation opposite to a direction of the first rotation, to cause the lid 120 to drive, under the action of gravity, the motion members 125 and 126 to move obliquely downward along the work slots 131, so that the lid 120 descends to a second position.
Specifically, the cam 152 includes a far end 152 a and a near end 152 b. The far end 152 a has a longer vertical distance from a rotation center axis 152 c of the cam 152 than the near end 152 b.
During specific implementation, the cam 152 is adapted to, when the first rotation is generated, cause the far end 152 a of the cam to gradually approach the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120 and cause the near end 152 b of the cam to be gradually far away from the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120.
The cam 152 is further adapted to, when the second rotation is generated, cause the near end 152 b of the cam to gradually approach the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120 and cause the far end 152 a of the cam to be gradually far away from the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120.
In some embodiments, the upper surface 121 of the lid 120 is horizontally disposed, the protruding portion 124 is disposed perpendicular to the upper surface 121 of the lid 120, and planes in which the direction of the first rotation and a direction of the second rotation of the cam 152 are located are both perpendicular to the protruding portion 124.
In some embodiments, the first position is a highest position to which the lid 120 can ascend under push of the cam 152, the second position is a lowest position to which the lid 120 can descend under the action of self-gravity, the lid 120 is adapted to open the drawer 110 when being in the first position, and the lid 120 is adapted to close the drawer 110 when being in the second position.
In some other embodiments, both the first position and the second position are located between the highest position to which the lid 120 can ascend under the push of the cam 152 and the lowest position to which the lid 120 can descend under the action of self-gravity, and the lid 120 is adapted to open the drawer 110 when being in the first position or the second position.
In still other embodiments, the first position is the highest position to which the lid 120 can ascend under the push of the cam 152, the second position is located between the highest position and the lowest position to which the lid 120 can descend under the action of self-gravity, and the lid 120 is adapted to open the drawer 110 when being in the first position or the second position.
In yet other embodiments, the first position is located between the highest position to which the lid 120 can ascend under the push of the cam 152 and the lowest position to which the lid 120 can descend under the action of self-gravity, the second position is the lowest position, the lid 120 is adapted to open the drawer 110 when being in the first position, and the lid 120 is adapted to close the drawer 110 when being in the second position.
In some embodiments, the supports 130 and 140 include a first support 130 mounted on a left inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment 100 and a second support 140 mounted on a right inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment 100.
During specific implementation, both the first support 130 and the second support 140 may be mounted on the left inner side wall and the right inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment 100 respectively by using fasteners.
Referring to FIG. 6, the first support 130 is provided with a first mounting hole 132, so that the first support 130 is mounted on the left inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment 100 by using the fastener to pass through the first mounting hole 132. The second support 140 is provided with a second mounting hole 141, so that the second support 140 is mounted on the right inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment 100 by using the fastener to pass through the second mounting hole 141.
In some embodiments, more than two first mounting holes 132 and more than two second mounting holes 141 are set, so that the first support 130 and the second support 140 are stably mounted on the left inner side wall and the right inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment 100 respectively.
The work slots 131 include a first work slot 131 and a second work slot (not shown). The first work slot 131 is disposed on the first support 130, and the second work slot is disposed on the second support 140.
The motion members 125 and 126 include a first motion member 125 disposed on a left side edge 122 of the lid 120 and a second motion member 126 disposed on a right side edge 123 of the lid 120. The first motion member 125 is adapted to move in the first work slot 131, and the second motion member 126 is adapted to move in the second work slot.
In some embodiments, the first support 130 may be provided with two first work slots 131 disposed in a front-rear direction. Correspondingly, the left side edge 122 of the lid 120 is provided with two first motion members 125 disposed in a front-rear direction. The two first motion members 125 move in the two first work slots 131 respectively.
In some embodiments, the second support 140 may alternatively be provided with two second work slots disposed in a front-rear direction.
Correspondingly, the right side edge 123 of the lid 120 is provided with two second motion members 126 disposed in a front-rear direction. The two second motion members 126 move in the two second work slots respectively.
In some embodiments, the first motion members 125 and/or the second motion members 126 may include movable members adapted to move in the first work slots 131 and the second work slots respectively.
In some other embodiments, the first motion members 125 and/or the second motion members 126 may include rollers adapted to roll in the first work slots 131 and the second work slots respectively.
When both the first motion members 125 and the second motion members 126 include the rollers, the left side edge 122 of the lid 120 is further provided with first mounting portions 127, and the right side edge 123 of the lid 120 is further provided with second mounting portions 128. The first mounting portion 127 is provided with a first mounting shaft 127 a, so that the first motion member 125 is rotatably mounted on the first mounting portion 127. The second mounting portion 128 is provided with a second mounting shaft 128 a, so that the second motion member 126 is rotatably mounted on the second mounting portion 128.
In this way, the first motion members 125 may rotate around the first mounting shafts 127 a while moving obliquely upward or obliquely downward in the first work slots 131, so as to reduce friction between the first motion members 125 and the first work slots 131, and the second motion members 126 may rotate around the second mounting shafts 128 a while moving obliquely upward or obliquely downward in the second work slots, so as to reduce friction between the second motion members 126 and the second work slots.
During specific implementation, the supports 130 and 140 further include guide slots 133 in communication with the work slots 131.
In some embodiments, the first support 130 includes first guide slots 133 in communication with the first work slots 131, and the second support 140 includes second guide slots (not shown) in communication with the second work slots.
Referring to FIG. 7, a first work slot 131 includes a first closed end 131 a and a first opened end 131 b. The first closed end 131 a is adapted to limit a first motion member 125 when the first motion member 125 moves obliquely downward along the first work slot 131. The first opened end 131 b is in communication with a first guide slot 133.
A second work slot includes a second closed end and a second opened end. The second closed end is adapted to limit a second motion member 126 when the second motion member 126 moves obliquely downward along the second work slot. The second opened end is in communication with a second guide slot.
In some embodiments, a lid 120 is adapted to be located in a lowest position when the first motion member 125 is limited by the first closed end 131 a and the second motion member 126 is limited by the second closed end.
During specific implementation, the first guide slot 133 includes a first mounting section 133 a and a first communication section 133 b. One end of the first mounting section 133 a is open toward the outside of a first support 130, another end of the first mounting section is in communication with one end of the first communication section 133 b, and another end of the first communication section 133 b is in communication with the first opened end 131 b of the first work slot 131.
The first motion member 125 is adapted to enter the first guide slot 133 through the opened end of the first mounting section 133 a, and enter the first work slot 131 after passing through the first communication section 133 b, so as to complete mounting on the first support 130.
The first motion member 125 located in the first work slot 131 is adapted to enter the first guide slot 133 through the first opened end 131 b of the first work slot 131, and leave the first support 130 through the opened end of the first mounting section 133 a of the first guide slot 133, so as to complete disassembly on the first support 130.
In some embodiments, the first mounting section 133 a may be disposed parallel to an upper surface 121 of the lid 120, and/or the first communication section 133 b may be disposed parallel to the first work slot 131.
In some embodiments, the first support 130 includes two first work slots 131 and two first guide slots 133 in communication with the two first work slots 131 respectively. Two first mounting sections 133 a of the two first guide slots 133 are disposed parallel to each other, and two first communication sections 133 b of the two first guide slots 133 are disposed parallel to each other.
In this way, two first motion members 125 may be quickly and conveniently mounted and disassembled in the two first work slots 131 through the two first guide slots 133 respectively. The first motion members 125 correspond to the first work slots 131 one by one.
During specific implementation, the second guide slot includes a second mounting section and a second communication section. One end of the second mounting section is open toward the outside of a second support 140, another end of the second mounting section is in communication with one end of the second communication section, and another end of the second communication section is in communication with the second opened end of the second work slot.
The second motion member 126 is adapted to enter the second guide slot through the opened end of the second mounting section, and enter the second work slot after passing through the second communication section, so as to complete mounting on the second support 140.
The second motion member 126 located in the second work slot is adapted to enter the second guide slot through the second opened end of the second work slot, and leave the second support 140 through the opened end of the second mounting section of the second guide slot, so as to complete disassembly on the second support 140.
In some embodiments, the second mounting section may be disposed parallel to the upper surface 121 of the lid 120, and/or the second communication section may be disposed parallel to the second work slot.
In some embodiments, the second support 140 includes two second work slots and two second guide slots in communication with the two second work slots respectively. Two second mounting sections of the two second guide slots are disposed parallel to each other, and two second communication sections of the two second guide slots are disposed parallel to each other.
In this way, two second motion members 126 may be quickly and conveniently mounted and disassembled in the two second work slots through the two second guide slots respectively. The second motion members correspond to the second work slots one by one.
In some embodiments, the first support 130 and the second support 140 may have exactly the same configuration, and the first motion members 125 and the second motion members 126 may have the exactly same configuration, so that the first motion members 125 and the second motion members 126 may be quickly and conveniently mounted and disassembled synchronously.
During mounting of the motion members 125 and 126, a protruding portion 124 is adapted to pass through a cam 152 from one side (for example, a front side) of the cam 152 and reach another side (for example, a rear side) of the cam 152 in a process that the motion members 125 and 126 move from guide slots 133 to work slots 131 and reach the work slots 131.
During disassembly of the motion members 125 and 126, the protruding portion 124 is adapted to pass through the cam 152 from the other side (for example, the rear side) of the cam 152 and reach the one side (for example, the front side) of the cam 152 in a process that the motion members 125 and 126 move from the work slots 131 to the guide slots 133 and reach the guide slots 133.
In some embodiments, angles α formed by the work slots 131 (which include the first work slots 131 and the second work slots) relative to a front-to-rear direction may be acute angles. In this case, the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120 is located on a rear side of the cam 152 in a working state.
In this way, when first rotation is generated, the cam 152 may push the protruding portion 124 to drive the motion members 125 and 126 (which include the first motion members 125 and the second motion members 126) to move obliquely upward along the work slots 131 (which include the first work slots 131 and the second work slots).
In some embodiments, the acute angles formed by the angles α may be in a range of 35 degrees to 45 degrees. In some other embodiments, the angles α formed by the work slots 131 (which include the first work slots 131 and the second work slots) relative to the front-to-rear direction may be obtuse angles. In this case, the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120 is located on a front side of the cam 152 in the working state.
In this way, when first rotation is generated, the cam 152 may push the protruding portion 124 to drive the motion members 125 and 126 (which include the first motion members 125 and the second motion members 126) to move obliquely upward along the work slots 131 (which include the first work slots 131 and the second work slots).
In some embodiments, the obtuse angles formed by the angles α may be in a range of 135 degrees to 145 degrees.
Still referring to FIG. 6, during specific implementation, the motor module 150 further includes a connection member 153 and a motor lid 154.
Specifically, one end (for example, an upper end) of the connection member 153 is in transmission connection to an output shaft of the motor 151, and another end (for example, a lower end) of the connection member is in transmission connection to the cam 152, so that the motor 151 drives the cam 152 to generate the first rotation or the second rotation.
The motor lid 154 is adapted to support the connection member 153 and the motor 151 in transmission connection to the connection member 153. Moreover, the motor lid 154 is further provided with a motor lid hole 154 a adapted to be passed through by the other end (for example, the lower end) of the connection member 153, and the other end (for example, the lower end) of the connection member 153 passes through the motor lid hole 154 a to be connected to the cam 152.
During specific implementation, the one end (for example, the upper end) of the connection member 153 has a larger size than that of the other end (for example, the lower end) of the connection member, so that the one end (for example, the upper end) cannot pass through the motor lid hole 154 a to be located above the motor lid 154.
During specific implementation, referring to FIG. 2, the motor module 150 is adapted to be mounted on an inner top wall 101 of the refrigeration compartment 100 through the motor lid 154.
Specifically, a part of the inner top wall 101 of the refrigeration compartment 100 close to the motor module 150 is provided with a groove (not shown) recessed inward, to receive parts of the motor 151 and the connection member 153 of the motor module 150 that are located above the motor lid 154.
During specific implementation, the motor lid 154 may be mounted on the inner top wall 101 of the refrigeration compartment 100 by using a fastener.
Specifically, the motor lid 154 is further provided with a third mounting hole 154 b, so that the fastener passes through the third mounting hole 154 b and the motor lid 154 is mounted on the inner top wall 101 of the refrigeration compartment 100.
In this way, referring to FIG. 2, the parts of the motor 151 and the connection member 153 that are located above the motor lid 154 may be hidden in the groove of the inner top wall 101 of the refrigeration compartment 100, which not only is beneficial to appearance of the refrigeration compartment 100, but also is beneficial to reducing a space occupied by the motor module 150 in the refrigeration compartment 100, thereby reducing costs.
In the embodiments of the present invention, the motor 151 is adapted to drive the cam 152 to generate the first rotation or the second rotation opposite to the direction of the first rotation through the connection member 153.
In examples shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, when the cam 152 generates the first rotation, the far end 152 a of the cam 152 is adapted to gradually approach the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120 in the front-to-rear direction, so that the cam 152 pushes the protruding portion 124 to generate front-to-rear movement.
The motion members 125 and 126 are adapted to move along the work slots 131 in the working state (that is, an unmounted or disassembled state), and the angles α formed by the work slots 131 relative to the front-to-rear direction are the acute angles. Therefore, when the cam 152 pushes the protruding portion 124 to move in the front-to-rear direction, the motion members 125 and 126 are adapted to move obliquely upward along the work slots 131 in the front-to-rear direction, to drive the lid 120 to move obliquely upward in the front-to-rear direction, so that the lid 120 ascends.
In some embodiments, when the far end 152 a of the cam 152 is rotated to abut against the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120, the lid 120 ascends to the highest position.
In the examples shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, when the cam 152 generates the second rotation, the far end 152 a of the cam 152 is gradually far away from the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120. In this case, the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120 is no longer pushed by the cam 152 in the front-to-rear direction, and the lid 120 tends to move downward under the action of self-gravity.
The motion members 125 and 126 are adapted to move along the work slots 131 in the working state (that is, an unmounted or disassembled state), and the angles α formed by the work slots 131 relative to the front-to-rear direction are the acute angles. Therefore, when the lid 120 tends to move downward, the motion members 125 and 126 are adapted to move obliquely downward along the work slots 131 in a rear-to-front direction, to drive the lid 120 to move obliquely downward in the rear-to-front direction, so that the lid 120 descends.
When the cam 152 generates the second rotation, the near end 152 b of the cam 152 gradually approaches the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120.
In some embodiments, when the near end 152 b of the cam 152 is rotated to be in contact with the protruding portion 124 of the lid 120, or the near end 152 b of the cam 152 is rotated to be a shortest vertical distance from the protruding portion 124, the lid 120 descends to the lowest position.
During specific implementation, the first rotation is adapted to cause the cam 152 and the protruding portion 124 to switch from a first contact state to a second contact state, and the second rotation is adapted to cause the cam 152 and the protruding portion 124 to switch from the second contact state to the first contact state.
Specifically, the first contact state includes a state in which the cam 152 is out of contact with the protruding portion 124 and a state in which the cam 152 is in contact with the protruding portion 124 to apply a first acting force.
In some embodiments, when the cam 152 and the protruding portion 124 are out of contact, the lid 120 is located in the lowest position and closes the drawer 110.
In some embodiments, when the cam 152 and the protruding portion 124 are in the state of contact to apply the first acting force, the lid 120 may be located between the highest position and the lowest position, and open the drawer 110. In this case, the first acting force applied by the cam 152 to the protruding portion 124 may be used to oppose the gravity of the lid 120, so as to prevent the lid 120 from moving obliquely downward under the action of self-gravity.
The second contact state includes a state in which the cam 152 is in contact with the protruding portion 124 to apply a second acting force.
In some embodiments, when the cam 152 and the protruding portion 124 are in the state of contact to apply the second acting force, the lid 120 may be located in the highest position, and open the drawer 110. In this case, the second acting force applied by the cam 152 to the protruding portion 124 may be used to oppose the gravity of the lid 120, so as to prevent the lid 120 from moving obliquely downward under the action of self-gravity.
In some other embodiments, when the cam 152 and the protruding portion 124 are in the state of contact to apply the second acting force, the lid 120 may be located between the highest position and the lowest position, and open the drawer 110. In this case, the second acting force applied by the cam 152 to the protruding portion 124 may be used to oppose the gravity of the lid 120, so as to prevent the lid 120 from moving obliquely downward under the action of self-gravity.
During specific implementation, the first acting force is greater than or equal to zero Newtons and is less than the second acting force. In some embodiments, the protruding portion 124 may be disposed perpendicular to the upper surface 121 of the lid 120, and is perpendicular to the planes in which the direction of the first rotation and the direction of the second rotation of the cam 152 are located, so that the cam 152 is labor-saving when pushing the protruding portion 124, thereby helping save energy consumption.
In some embodiments, the protruding portion 124 may be further provided with a reinforcing rib 124 a, to enhance rigidity of the protruding portion 124, thereby ensuring that the protruding portion 124 is durable.
In some embodiments, the protruding portion 124 may be disposed in a position equidistant from the left side edge 122 and the right side edge 123 of the lid 120, so that the lid 120 can smoothly ascend or descend.
In some embodiments, the refrigerator 10 may further include a humidity input unit and a controller. The humidity input unit is configured to receive a set humidity of the drawer 110 inputted by a user. The controller is configured to control the motor 151 to drive the cam 152 to generate the first rotation when the set humidity of the drawer 110 is adjusted from a first humidity range to a second humidity range, to cause the lid 120 to ascend to the first position, and control the motor 151 to drive the cam 152 to generate the second rotation when the set humidity of the drawer 110 is adjusted from the second humidity range to the first humidity range, to cause the lid 120 to descend to the second position.
During specific implementation, the humidity input unit may include a first touch panel. The first touch panel is adapted to sense an input operation of the user to obtain a corresponding set humidity. For example, when the user enters “60% RH” through the first touch panel, the first touch panel may sense the input operation of the user and obtain “60% RH” as the set humidity of the drawer 110. RH represents an abbreviation of relative humidity.
In the embodiments of the present invention, a humidity in the drawer 110 is adjusted to the set humidity by using a conventional technical measures in the art.
During specific implementation, the set humidity may be a specific humidity value, or a humidity range.
During specific implementation, any humidity value in the first humidity range is greater than any humidity value in the second humidity range.
In some embodiments, the first humidity range may include a humidity interval from greater than or equal to 50% RH to less than or equal to 95% RH, and the second humidity range may include a humidity interval from greater than or equal to 25% RH to less than 50% RH.
During specific implementation, the humidity in the drawer 110 is adjusted to the first humidity range to be adapted to store ingredients such as fruits and vegetables, so as to keep these ingredients lastingly moist and fresh. The humidity in the drawer 110 is adjusted to the second humidity range to be adapted to store ingredients such as seafood and chilled meat, so as to reduce loss of nutrients of these ingredients and keep the meat fresh and tender.
In some embodiments, the refrigerator 10 may further include a temperature input unit and a controller. The temperature input unit is configured to receive a set temperature of the refrigeration compartment 100 inputted by the user. The controller is configured to control the motor 151 to drive the cam 152 to generate the first rotation when the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment 100 is adjusted from a first temperature range to a second temperature range, to cause the lid 120 to ascend to the first position, and control the motor 151 to drive the cam 152 to generate the second rotation when the set temperature is adjusted from the second temperature range to the first temperature range, to cause the lid 120 to descend to the second position.
During specific implementation, the temperature input unit may include a second touch panel. The second touch panel is adapted to sense an input operation of the user to obtain a corresponding set temperature. For example, when the user enters “−18 degrees Celsius” through the second touch panel, the second touch panel may sense the input operation of the user and obtain “−18 degrees Celsius” as the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment 100.
In the embodiments of the present invention, a temperature in the refrigeration compartment 100 is adjusted to the set temperature by using a conventional technical measures in the art.
During specific implementation, the set temperature may be a specific temperature value, or a temperature range.
During specific implementation, any temperature value in the first temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the second temperature range.
In some embodiments, the first temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to 0 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to 12 degrees Celsius, and the second temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −20 degrees Celsius to less than 0 degrees Celsius.
During specific implementation, when the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment 100 is adjusted to the first temperature range, the refrigeration compartment 100 is adapted to be used as a conventional refrigerating compartment, and when the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment 100 is adjusted to the second temperature range, the refrigeration compartment 100 is adapted to be used as a conventional freezing compartment or chilling compartment.
In some embodiments, the first position of the lid 120 may include the highest position to which the lid may move upward. The motor 151 is adapted to cause the lid 120 to ascend to the highest position when the set temperature is adjusted to a third temperature range.
During specific implementation, the third temperature range is in the second temperature range.
In some embodiments, the third temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −20 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to −18 degrees Celsius.
During specific implementation, when the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment 100 is adjusted to the third temperature range, the refrigeration compartment 100 is adapted to be used as the conventional freezing compartment.
In some other embodiments, the first position of the lid 120 includes a middle position between the highest position and the lowest position of the lid. The motor 151 is adapted to cause the lid 120 to ascend to the middle position when the set temperature is adjusted to a fourth temperature range.
During specific implementation, the fourth temperature range is in the second temperature range, and any temperature value in the fourth temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the third temperature range.
In some embodiments, the fourth temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −12 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to −6 degrees Celsius.
During specific implementation, when the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment 100 is adjusted to the fourth temperature range, the refrigeration compartment 100 is adapted to be used as the conventional chilling compartment.
An embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment. A refrigeration compartment 100 is included in a refrigerator 10 provided by the embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 8, the method for adjusting a lid 120 of a refrigeration compartment 100 includes:
S1. Determine whether adjustment of the refrigeration compartment 100 belongs to first adjustment or second adjustment. When the adjustment belongs to the first adjustment, step S2 is performed; and when the adjustment belongs to the second adjustment, step S3 is performed.
S2. Drive a cam 152 to generate a first rotation, where motion members 125 and 126 move obliquely upward along work slots 131 based on the first rotation, and the lid 120 ascends to a first position based on the obliquely upward movement of the motion members 125 and 126.
S3. Drive the cam 152 to generate a second rotation opposite to a direction of the first rotation, where motion members 125 and 126 move obliquely downward along the work slots 131 based on the second rotation, and the lid 120 descends to a second position based on the obliquely downward movement of the motion members 125 and 126.
During specific implementation, the first position is higher than the second position.
In some embodiments, the first adjustment is that a set temperature of the refrigeration compartment 100 is adjusted from a first temperature range to a second temperature range, and the second adjustment is that the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment 100 is adjusted from the second temperature range to the first temperature range. Any temperature value in the first temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the second temperature range.
In some embodiments, the first adjustment is that a set humidity of a drawer 110 is adjusted from a first humidity range to a second humidity range, and the second adjustment is that the set humidity of the drawer 110 is adjusted from the second humidity range to the first humidity range. Any humidity value in the first humidity range is greater than any humidity value in the second humidity range.
In some embodiments, the first rotation makes the cam 152 and a protruding portion 124 switch from a first contact state to a second contact state, the second rotation makes the cam 152 and the protruding portion 124 switch from the second contact state to the first contact state, the first contact state includes a state in which the cam 152 is out of contact with the protruding portion 124 or a state in which the cam 152 is in contact with the protruding portion 124 to apply a first acting force, and the second contact state includes a state in which the cam 152 is in contact with the protruding portion 124 to apply a second acting force. The first acting force is greater than or equal to zero Newtons and is less than the second acting force.
During specific implementation, the adjustment of the lid 120 may be implemented based on the technical solutions of the refrigerator 10 disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, and details are not described herein again.
Although specific implementations are described above, the implementations are not intended to limit the scope disclosed in the present invention, even if only a single implementation is described relative to a specific feature. The feature examples provided in the present invention are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, unless different expressions are made. During specific implementation, according to an actual requirement, in a technically feasible case, the technical features of one or more dependent claims may be combined with the technical features of the independent claims, and the technical features from the corresponding independent claims may be combined in any appropriate way instead of using just specific combinations listed in the claims.
Although the present invention is disclosed above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising:

a refrigeration compartment having an inner side wall; and

a drawer located inside said refrigeration compartment;

said refrigeration compartment including:

a lid located in a plane and adapted to open or close said drawer;

a support mounted or formed on said inner side wall of said refrigeration compartment, said support having a work slot formed therein obliquely relative to said plane of said lid;

said lid including an upper surface, a protruding portion disposed on said upper surface, a side edge and a motion member disposed on said side edge and adapted to move in said work slot; and

a motor module including a cam and a motor;

said motor adapted to drive said cam to generate a first rotation to push said protruding portion to drive said motion member to move obliquely upward along said work slot, causing said lid to ascend to a first position;

said motor adapted to drive said cam to generate a second rotation opposite to a direction of said first rotation causing said lid to drive said motion member under the force of gravity to move obliquely downward along said work slot, causing said lid to descend to a second position; and

said first position being higher than said second position.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said cam includes a rotation center axis, a far end and a near end, said far end disposed at a longer vertical distance from said rotation center axis than said near end, said cam adapted to cause said far end to gradually approach said protruding portion upon said first rotation being generated, and said cam adapted to cause said near end to gradually approach said protruding portion upon said second rotation being generated.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said first position is a highest position to which the lid ascends when pushed by said cam, said second position is a lowest position to which said lid descends under the force of gravity, said lid is adapted to open said drawer when in said first position, and said lid is adapted to close said drawer when in said second position.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein:

said inner side wall of said refrigeration compartment is one of a left inner side wall and a right inner side wall;

said support is one of a first support and a second support each mounted or formed on a respective one of said left inner side wall or said right inner side wall of said refrigeration compartment;

said work slot is one of a first work slot and a second work slot;

said support is one of a first support and said second support each having a respective one of said first work slot or a second work slot formed therein;

said side edge of said lid is one of a left side edge and a right side edge;

said motion member includes a first motion member and a second motion member each disposed on a respective one of said left side edge or a right side edge of said lid; and

said first motion member and said second motion member are each adapted to move in a respective one of said first work slot or said second work slot.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein:

said first support includes two first work slots disposed in a front-rear direction, and said first motion member includes two first motion members each adapted to move in a respective one of said two first work slots; and

said second support includes two second work slots disposed in a front-rear direction, and said second motion member includes two second motion members each adapted to move in a respective one of said two second work slots.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein:

said motor is adapted to drive said cam to generate said first rotation when a set humidity of said drawer is adjusted from a first humidity range to a second humidity range;

said motor is adapted to drive said cam to generate said second rotation when the set humidity is adjusted from said second humidity range to said first humidity range; and

any humidity value in said first humidity range is greater than any humidity value in said second humidity range.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein:

said work slot forms an acute angle relative to a front-to-rear direction and said protruding portion is located on a rear side of said cam in a working state, or said work slot forms an obtuse angle relative to the front-to-rear direction and said protruding portion is located on a front side of said cam in said working state.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein said acute angle is in a range of 35 degrees to 45 degrees, and said obtuse angle is in a range of 135 degrees to 145 degrees.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein:

said support includes a guide slot in communication with said work slot;

said protruding portion is adapted to pass through said cam from one side of said cam and reach another side of said cam in a process in which said motion member moves from said guide slot to said work slot and reaches said work slot, and

said protruding portion is adapted to pass through said cam from said other side to said one side in a process in which said motion member moves from said work slot to said guide slot and reaches said guide slot.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said motion member is a roller adapted to roll in said work slot or a movable member adapted to move in said work slot.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein:

said first rotation makes said cam and said protruding portion switch from a first contact state to a second contact state;

said second rotation makes said cam and said protruding portion switch from said second contact state to said first contact state;

said first contact state includes a state in which said cam is out of contact with said protruding portion and a state in which said cam is in contact with said protruding portion to apply a first acting force;

said second contact state includes a state in which said cam is in contact with said protruding portion to apply a second acting force; and

said first acting force is greater than or equal to zero Newtons and is less than said second acting force.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein:

said motor is adapted to drive said cam to generate said first rotation when a set temperature of said refrigeration compartment is adjusted from a first temperature range to a second temperature range;

said motor is adapted to drive said cam to generate said second rotation when said set temperature is adjusted from said second temperature range to said first temperature range; and

any temperature value in said first temperature range is greater than any temperature value in said second temperature range.

13. A method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment, the method comprising:

providing the refrigeration compartment of the refrigerator according to claim 1;

determining whether an adjustment of the refrigeration compartment belongs to a first adjustment or a second adjustment;

when the adjustment belongs to the first adjustment, driving the cam to generate the first rotation, moving the motion member obliquely upward along the work slot based on the first rotation, and raising the lid to a first position based on the obliquely upward movement of the motion member;

when the adjustment belongs to the second adjustment, driving the cam to generate the second rotation opposite to the direction of the first rotation, moving the motion member obliquely downward along the work slot based on the second rotation, and lowering the lid to a second position based on the obliquely downward movement of the motion member; and

selecting the first position to be higher than the second position.

14. The method according to claim 13, which further comprises:

using the first rotation to make the cam and the protruding portion switch from a first contact state to a second contact state;

using the second rotation to make the cam and the protruding portion switch from the second contact state to the first contact state;

the first contact state including a state in which the cam is out of contact with the protruding portion and a state in which the cam is in contact with the protruding portion to apply a first acting force;

the second contact state including a state in which the cam is in contact with the protruding portion to apply a second acting force; and

the first acting force is greater than or equal to zero Newtons and is less than the second acting force.

15. The method according to claim 13, which further comprises:

providing the first adjustment as an adjustment of a set temperature of the refrigeration compartment from a first temperature range to a second temperature range, providing the second adjustment as an adjustment of the set temperature from the second temperature range to the first temperature range, and any temperature value in the first temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the second temperature range; or

providing the first adjustment as an adjustment of a set humidity of the drawer from a first humidity range to a second humidity range, providing the second adjustment as an adjustment of the set humidity from the second humidity range to the first humidity range, and any humidity value in the first humidity range is greater than any humidity value in the second humidity range.