WO2019001502A1

WO2019001502A1 - Air duct assembly and refrigerator having same

Info

Publication number: WO2019001502A1
Application number: PCT/CN2018/093284
Authority: WO
Inventors: 程学丽; 费斌; 尚亚洲; 李登强
Original assignee: 青岛海尔股份有限公司
Priority date: 2017-06-29
Filing date: 2018-06-28
Publication date: 2019-01-03
Also published as: CN107192204A; CN107192204B

Abstract

An air duct assembly (200), comprising a rear housing part (210), a first front cover (220) and a second front cover (230); the rear housing part (210) and the first front cover (220) defining an accommodating chamber together and a plurality of first air ducts in communication with the accommodating chamber; the first front cover (220) and the second front cover (230) define at least one second air duct together and the at least one second air duct is in communication with the accommodating chamber; the accommodating chamber is configured to accommodate an air outlet device (300); a plurality of first air outlets (311) are provided on a peripheral wall part (310) of the air outlet device (300), and at least one second air outlet (321) is provided on a first axial end part (320); each of the first air outlets (311) is configured to be in communication with at least one first air duct, and each of the first air ducts is in communication with one of the first air outlets (311); each of the second air outlets (321) is configured to be in communication with one or more second air ducts, and each of the second air ducts is in communication with one or more second air ducts (321).

Description

Air duct assembly and refrigerator having the air duct assembly

The present application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application entitled "Air Duct Assembly and Refrigerator with the Air Duct Assembly", which is filed on Jun. 29, 2017, with the application number of 201710517043.0, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference. In this application.

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of refrigerated and frozen storage, and more particularly to a duct assembly and a refrigerator having the duct assembly.

Background technique

In recent years, with the improvement of people's living standards and environmental awareness, the requirements for refrigerators have shifted from satisfying the preservation performance of low-temperature refrigeration to food. Therefore, air-cooled refrigerators are gradually favored by people. For air-cooled refrigerators, the freshness of the food depends to a large extent on the airflow circulation in the storage compartment of the air-cooled refrigerator and the temperature difference between the various parts of the tank. The airflow in the box is reasonable, and the smaller the temperature difference, the better the freshness preservation performance of the refrigerator. The key component that determines whether the airflow cycle of the refrigerator is reasonable is the air duct, which determines how the wind is delivered to a reasonable location in the storage room. In the current air-cooled refrigerator airway design on the market, most air-cooled refrigerators are equipped with evaporators in a separate accommodation room, which uses a complicated air duct system to connect the evaporator's accommodation chamber to each storage space, resulting in The design of the existing air duct system is relatively complicated and the structure is relatively large, and the wind cannot be transported to the intended position due to the limitation of the structure of the existing air duct system.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the defects of the existing air-cooled refrigerator, and to provide a novel air duct assembly for a refrigerator, which has a special air duct system, which can make the structure design of the refrigerator reasonable and effective. Air supply.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a duct assembly for a refrigerator, comprising a rear casing portion, a first front cover mounted to a front side of the rear casing portion, and a front side of the first front cover a second front cover; the rear cover portion and the first front cover together define a receiving cavity and a plurality of first air passages communicating with the receiving cavity; the first front cover and the second front cover The front cover collectively defines at least one second air passage communicating with the receiving cavity; and the receiving cavity is configured to receive an air outlet device; the air outlet device has a peripheral wall portion extending in the front-rear direction and is disposed at the a first axial end portion of the front end of the peripheral wall portion; a plurality of first air outlets are disposed on the peripheral wall portion, and at least one second air outlet is disposed on the first axial end portion; each of the first The air outlet is configured to communicate with at least one of the first air ducts, and each of the first air ducts is in communication with one of the first air outlets; each of the second air outlets is configured to be associated with one or more The second air duct is in communication, and each of the second air ducts is in communication with one or more of the second air outlets.

Optionally, the rear casing portion includes a rear casing and at least one air passage bridge disposed in the rear casing; each of the front and rear sides of the air passage bridge is configured to define one of the first winds Part or all of the track such that the first air passage on the front side of the air duct bridge bypasses the first air passage on the rear side of the air duct bridge.

Optionally, the rear casing has a rear wall, a cavity wall extending forward from a middle or an upper portion of the rear wall, a first air duct wall extending forward from the rear wall, and a a third air duct wall extending rearward of the rear wall; the air passage bridge member is one, and is mounted on an upper portion of the rear shell, has a fourth air duct wall and forwards from the fourth air duct wall An extended fifth duct wall; and the rear wall, the housing wall and the air duct bridge and the first front cover collectively define the receiving cavity; the fourth air duct wall The rear side and the third air duct wall together define a first air duct, and the first air duct extends from the receiving cavity to a rear upper side of the receiving cavity; the rear wall, The front side of the fourth duct wall, the first duct wall and the fifth duct wall, and the first front cover collectively define the remaining each of the first ducts.

Optionally, the plurality of first air outlets include an air outlet 1, an air outlet 2, and an air outlet 3. The air outlet is disposed on an upper side of the peripheral wall portion, the air outlet 2 and the air outlet 3 is disposed on both sides of the air outlet 1; the plurality of the first air passages include a wind tunnel 1, a wind tunnel 2, a wind tunnel 3, a wind tunnel 4, and a wind tunnel 5; Caving the first air passage extending to the rear upper side of the receiving cavity, and the air outlet is connected to the air duct; the air duct 2 is inclined upwardly from the air outlet 2 to the a lateral side of the upper portion of the rear casing, the air passage 3 extending upward from the air outlet 2 and extending from the air passage bridge over the air passage to the other lateral side of the upper portion of the rear casing The air duct four and the air duct five each extend downward from the air outlet three, and the end of the air duct four is located on the upper side or the lower side of the end of the air duct five.

Optionally, the first front cover has a cover plate and a second air duct wall extending forward from the cover plate; the cover plate, the second air duct wall and the second front cover are common Defining at least one of the second air ducts; and the cover plate is provided with at least one communication hole, each of the second air outlets being aligned with one of the communication holes, so that each of the second outlets The tuyere communicates with the corresponding one or more of the second air passages via one of the communication holes.

Optionally, the second air duct is plural, and the number of the second air outlets is plural; the cover plate, the second air duct wall, and the second front cover also jointly define a confluence a plurality of the communication holes communicating with the plurality of the second air passages via the manifold manifold.

Optionally, a plurality of the second air ducts include a duct 6 and a duct 7; a lateral direction of the duct 6 and the duct 7 from an upper side of the manifold shroud to an upper portion of the cover Extending on both sides.

Optionally, the first front cover is provided with a plurality of first air outlets with openings facing forward, each of the first air outlets communicating with a corresponding end of the first air duct, and the The number of the first air outlets is less than or equal to the number of the first air ducts; the second front cover is provided with a plurality of second air outlets with openings facing forward, and each of the second air outlets corresponds to one The ends of the second air passage are in communication.

Optionally, the lower end of the rear casing portion has a return air duct portion extending forward, and the return air duct portion has one or more return air ducts.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a refrigerator comprising:

a tank having a cooling space and at least one storage space;

An air outlet device having a peripheral wall portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the casing and a first axial end portion disposed at a front end of the peripheral wall portion; the peripheral wall portion is provided with a plurality of first outlets a tuyere, the first axial end portion is provided with at least one second air outlet; and

Any one of the above air duct assemblies is mounted to the casing; the air outlet device is mounted to a receiving cavity of the air duct assembly;

The airflow flowing out of the cooling space flows to the at least one storage space via the plurality of the first air outlets and the plurality of first air ducts of the air outlet device; the airflow flowing out of the cooling space passes through The at least one second air outlet and the at least one second air duct of the air outlet device flow to the at least one storage space.

In the air duct assembly of the invention and the refrigerator having the air duct assembly, since the air duct assembly has two air passages, the air flow can enter the storage space of the refrigerator through the two-layer air passage, in particular, the plurality of air storage passages are convenient for entering the storage space. At the location, the design of the air supply position is particularly convenient, so that a reasonable position can be supplied with air. Moreover, the flow path of each air passage is relatively short, which can significantly reduce the wind resistance, improve the smoothness of the air supply, provide the best storage environment for the food, reduce the nutrient loss of the food, and reduce the power consumption of the refrigerator and save energy. To reduce noise.

DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic structural view of a duct assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic structural view of a refrigerator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic exploded view of the air outlet device of the refrigerator of Figure 2 mounted to the air duct assembly;

Figure 4 is a schematic structural view of the air outlet device mounted to the bottom case portion;

Figure 5 is a schematic structural view of the wind device shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a schematic exploded view of the wind device shown in Figure 5.

Detailed ways

The invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the specific embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the embodiments are not intended to limit the invention, and the structural, method, or functional changes made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

1 is a schematic structural view of a duct assembly 200 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 and with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, an embodiment of the present invention provides a duct assembly 200 for a refrigerator. The air duct assembly 200 may include a rear housing portion 210, a first front cover 220 mounted to a front side of the rear housing portion 210, and a second front cover 230 mounted to a front side of the first front cover 220. The rear shell portion 210 and the first front cover 220 together define a receiving cavity and a first air duct layer in communication with the receiving cavity, and the first air duct layer may have a plurality of first air ducts. The first front cover 220 and the second front cover 230 together define a second air passage layer in communication with the receiving cavity, and the second air passage layer may have at least one second air passage. The first front cover 220 can be engaged with the rear case portion 210, and the second front cover 230 can be fixed to the first front cover 220 and the rear case portion 210 by a fixing device such as a screw.

The air duct assembly 200 of the embodiment of the present invention can be installed in the cabinet 100 of the refrigerator, and the rear shell portion 210 can be engaged with the box body 100. The refrigerator may further include an air outlet device 300. The air outlet device 300 has a peripheral wall portion 310 extending in the front-rear direction and a first axial end portion 320 disposed at the front end of the peripheral wall portion 310. The peripheral wall portion 310 is provided with a plurality of first air outlets 311, and the first axial end portion 320 At least one second air outlet 321 is disposed on the upper portion. In particular, the containment chamber is configured to receive the air outlet device 300. Each of the first air outlets 311 is configured to communicate with at least one first air duct, and each of the first air ducts is in communication with a first air outlet 311. For example, each of the first air outlets 311 is connected to the two first air ducts, and each of the first air outlets 311 is connected to a first air duct. Each of the second air outlets 321 is configured to communicate with one or more second air ducts, and each of the second air ducts is in communication with one or more second air outlets 321 . For example, each of the second air outlets 321 is connected to all of the second air ducts, and each of the second air ducts is also in communication with all of the second air outlets 321; of course, other communication modes may exist.

In order to facilitate the layout of the plurality of first air ducts, the rear casing portion 210 includes a rear casing 211 and at least one air passage bridge 212 disposed in the rear casing 211. The front and rear sides of each air passage bridge 212 are configured to define a part or all of a first air passage such that the first air passage on the front side of the air passage bridge 212 bypasses the rear side of the air passage bridge 212 The first wind. The rear case 211 and the air channel bridge 212 can be integrally injection molded, or can be separately molded and then installed, and the separate molding can facilitate the installation of the air outlet device 300 and the like.

In some specific embodiments, the rear housing 211 has a rear wall 2111, a receiving chamber wall 2112 extending forward from a middle or upper portion of the rear wall 2111, and a first duct wall 2113 extending forward from the rear wall 2111. And a third duct wall 2114 extending rearward from the rear wall 2111. The air passage bridge 212 is one and is mounted to the upper portion of the rear casing 211, and has a fourth duct wall 2121 and a fifth duct wall 2122 extending forward from the fourth duct wall 2121. The rear wall 2111, the containment chamber wall 2112 and the air duct bridge 212 and the first front cover 220 collectively define a receiving cavity. The rear side of the fourth air duct wall 2121 and the third air duct wall 2114 together define a first air duct, and the first air duct extends from the accommodating cavity to the rear upper side of the accommodating cavity. The front wall 2111, the front side of the fourth duct wall 2121, the first duct wall 2113 and the fifth duct wall 2122, and the first front cover 220 collectively define the remaining first air ducts.

For example, the plurality of first air outlets 311 include an air outlet 1, an air outlet 2, and an air outlet 3. The air outlet is disposed on the upper side of the peripheral wall portion 310, and the air outlet 2 and the air outlet 3 are disposed on both sides of the air outlet. The plurality of first air passages include a duct 241, a duct 2 242, a duct 243, a duct 244, and a duct 245. The air duct 241 is a first air passage extending from the accommodating cavity to the rear upper side of the accommodating cavity, and the air outlet port is in communication with the air duct 241. The duct 2242 extends obliquely upward from the air outlet 2 to the lateral side of the upper portion of the rear casing 211, and the air passage 3243 extends upward from the air outlet 2 and then passes over the air duct 241 to the rear casing 211 from the air duct bridge 212. The upper side of the upper portion extends on the other side. Both the air duct four 244 and the air duct five 245 extend downward from the air outlet three, and the end of the air duct four 244 is at the upper or lower side of the end of the air duct five 245. Preferably, the end of the air duct four 244 is in the air duct. The lower side of the end of the five 245.

In some alternative embodiments of the invention, the rear shell portion includes only the rear shell without the air duct bridge. The rear case may have a rear wall, a receiving cavity wall extending forward from a middle portion or an upper portion of the rear wall, and a first duct wall extending forward from the rear wall. The rear wall, the first duct wall and the first front cover collectively define each of the first ducts.

In some embodiments of the invention, the first front cover 220 has a cover 221 and a second duct wall 222 that extends forwardly from the cover 221 . The cover plate 221, the second air duct wall 222 and the second front cover 230 jointly define at least one second air passage; and the cover plate 221 is provided with at least one communication hole 2211, and each of the second air outlets 321 and one communication hole 2211 are aligned so that each of the second air outlets 321 communicates with the corresponding one or more second air passages via one communication hole 2211. Further, the number of the second air ducts is plural, and the number of the second air outlets 321 is plural. The cover plate 221, the second air duct wall 222, and the second front cover 230 also collectively define a confluent flow dividing chamber, and the plurality of communication holes 2211 communicate with the plurality of second air passages via the confluent flow dividing chamber. The plurality of second air passages include a duct 6246 and a duct 7247; the duct 6246 and the duct 7247 extend from the upper sides of the manifold shroud to the lateral sides of the upper portion of the cover 221, respectively.

In some embodiments of the invention, there may be at least one storage space within the cabinet 100 of the refrigerator. The front of the second front cover 230 may preferably be a storage space. In order to facilitate the airflow to the storage space in front of the second front cover 230, the first front cover 220 is provided with a plurality of first air supply openings 223 with openings facing forward, and each of the first air supply openings 223 is corresponding to the first air supply opening 223. The ends of the air ducts are connected, and the number of the first air blowing ports 223 is less than or equal to the number of the first air ducts. For example, the air supply opening of the air duct 241 can be disposed on the upper end surface of the air duct assembly 200, and only the first air passage defined by the first front cover 220 is required to communicate with a corresponding first air supply opening 223. The second front cover 230 is provided with a plurality of second air blowing openings 231 whose openings face forward, and each of the second air blowing ports 231 communicates with the end of a corresponding second air duct. The arrangement of the first air supply port 223 and the second air supply port 231 is particularly convenient for the refrigerator to supply air to the storage space on the front side of the air duct assembly 200.

In some embodiments of the present invention, each of the first air outlets 311 of the first or second air outlets 311 communicates with the two first air ducts to flow the airflow flowing out of the first air outlets 311 to a storage space. The lateral sides of the rear portion are such that the airflow is distributed as evenly as possible within the storage compartment. Further, each of the second air outlets 321 of the second or second air outlets 321 communicates with the two second air ducts, so that the airflow flowing out of the second air outlets 321 flows to the lateral two of the rear of the storage space. side.

In some further embodiments of the present invention, at least an end portion of the first air passage that communicates with each of the first air supply openings 223, and at least an end portion of the second air passage that communicates with each of the second air supply openings 231 The flow direction of the airflow gradually increases. Each of the first air blowing ports 223 and each of the second air blowing ports 231 may be an elongated air blowing port extending in the horizontal longitudinal direction. A partition plate may be disposed in each of the first air blowing ports 223 and each of the second air blowing ports 231, so that the air blowing ports are a plurality of air blowing holes.

In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the cover plate 221 may also be provided with a plurality of third air blowing openings with an opening, each of which may be between the beginning and the end of a corresponding first air duct. Any of the locations are connected, that is, some of the first air ducts can communicate not only with the storage compartment at their ends, but also with the storage compartment at other locations. Similarly, the second front cover 230 may be provided with a plurality of fourth air blowing openings with the opening facing forward, and each of the fourth air blowing openings may be at any position between the beginning and the end of a corresponding second air duct. Connected.

In some embodiments of the invention, the housing 100 of the refrigerator may have a cooling space and a compressor compartment therein. The rear of the rear casing portion 210 may preferably be a cooling space, and the compressor casing is located below the cooling space. The rear wall 2111 of the rear case 211 may include a middle lower wall portion, an upper wall portion, and a connecting wall portion. The lower middle wall portion is on the front side of the upper wall portion, and the connecting wall portion connects the upper end of the middle lower wall portion and the lower end of the upper wall portion. Such an arrangement can provide a large and reasonable placement space for the placement of the evaporator or the like, and facilitate the installation of the air outlet device 300, and the design is particularly reasonable. The lower end of the rear casing portion 210 has a return air duct portion 213 extending forward, and the return air duct portion has one or more return air ducts 2131. The return air duct portion 213 extends first forward and then obliquely downward to accommodate the compressor bed at the lower portion of the casing 100.

The present invention also provides a refrigerator, as shown in FIG. 2, which may have a cabinet 100, an air outlet device 300, and a duct assembly 200 and a refrigeration system in any of the above embodiments. The housing 100 can have a cooling space and at least one storage space therein. The refrigeration system may be a compression refrigeration system having an evaporator disposed within the cooling space. As is known to those skilled in the art, the refrigeration system can also be other types of refrigeration systems, such as semiconductor refrigeration systems, and the cold end diffuser of the semiconductor refrigeration system can be disposed in the cooling space. The duct assembly 200 can be mounted to the cabinet 100. The air outlet device 300 is mounted to a housing cavity within the air duct assembly 200. The airflow flowing out of the cooling space flows to the at least one storage space via the plurality of first air outlets 311 and the plurality of first air ducts of the air outlet device 300; and the airflow flowing out of the cooling space passes through at least one second out of the air outlet device 300 The tuyere 321 and the at least one second air passage flow to the at least one storage space.

For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one storage space may include a refrigerated space 110 above and a freezing space 130 below, and the freezing space 130 may also be divided into four layers of space arranged one above the other. In some optional embodiments, the four layers of space arranged one above the other are the upper tray space, the upper drawer space, the lower tray space, and the lower drawer space. That is, the at least one storage space includes an upper tray space, an upper drawer space, a lower tray space, and a lower drawer space which are sequentially disposed from the top to the bottom, and a refrigerating space disposed above the upper tray space. A tray can be installed in the upper tray space and the lower tray space; a drawer can be installed in the upper drawer space and the lower drawer space; a variable temperature space 120 can be disposed between the refrigerating space 110 and the freezing space 130, and is separated by a partition A partition is also provided between the upper drawer space and the lower tray space. In some alternative embodiments, the four layers of space disposed one above the other may be separated by only a partition.

Further, in some embodiments, the plurality of first air ducts may be in communication with the freezing space at a plurality of locations of the freezing space, and the at least one second air duct may be in communication with the refrigerating space. In other embodiments, a portion of the first air duct may be in communication with the freezing space at a plurality of locations of the freezing space, and the at least one second air duct may be in communication with the freezing space at a plurality of locations of the freezing space, and the remaining first winds The road can be connected to the refrigerated space. The special structure of the air outlet device 300 and the air duct assembly 200 allows the airflow to enter the storage space of the refrigerator through the two-layer air duct, especially at a plurality of positions convenient for entering the storage space, and is particularly convenient for the design of the air supply position, so that reasonable The position can be supplied with air. The positions of the first air outlet 311 and the second air outlet 321 of the air outlet device 300 are particularly convenient for air supply to the two-layer air duct, and the design is reasonable and the structure is compact.

In some specific embodiments of the invention, the front of the duct assembly 200 can be a freezing space 130. The air duct two 242 and the air duct three 243 are in communication with the upper drawer space, specifically, the upper drawer space is blown on the lateral sides of the upper drawer space. The air duct four 244 is in communication with the lower drawer space. The air duct six 246 and the air duct seven 247 can communicate with the upper tray space, specifically, the upper tray space is fed on the lateral sides of the upper tray space. The duct 5245 is in communication with the lower tray space. The air duct 241 can be conveniently connected to the refrigerating space 110 above the freezing space 130 by using the air duct. Further, the air outlet of the duct 241 can also be provided with a damper.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the air outlet device 300 further includes a second axial end portion 330 disposed at the other end of the peripheral wall portion 310 and on the second axial end portion 330. There is an air inlet. Preferably, the cooling space is on the rear side of the duct assembly 200. The opening of the accommodating space faces the rear side, and the air inlet faces the cooling space.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the air outlet device 300 further includes a fan 360 configured to cause airflow from the air inlet into the peripheral wall portion 310. The fan 360 is preferably a centrifugal fan. The design of the fan 360 in the air outlet device 300 can further make the structure of the refrigerator compact, and can effectively enlarge the volume of the storage space. In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the air outlet device 300 further includes an adjustment portion 350 rotatably disposed in the peripheral wall portion 310 with respect to the peripheral wall portion 310 to be opposite to each of the first movement positions at different movement positions. The tuyere 311 is completely shielded, partially shielded or completely exposed, thereby adjusting the respective outlet areas of the plurality of first air outlets 311. The setting of the adjusting unit 350 can uniformly control the air blowing amount of the storage space, and can reasonably distribute the air blowing amount, improve the cooling effect of the refrigerator, and the fresh-keeping effect. In the refrigerator of the present invention, since the air outlet device has an adjusting portion, the air flow rate of some or all of the first air outlets can be adjusted, and the cooling amount sent to the storage space can be adjusted, which not only simplifies the structure, for example, The structure of the fan of the existing air-cooled refrigerator, a plurality of dampers, and the like is omitted. Moreover, it can uniformly control the air supply volume of the storage space, and can reasonably distribute the air supply volume, improve the refrigeration effect of the refrigerator, and the fresh-keeping effect. The design of the fan in the air outlet device can further make the structure of the refrigerator compact, and can effectively enlarge the volume of the storage space.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the peripheral wall portion 310 is preferably cylindrical, which may be integrally formed with one of the first axial end portion 320 and the second axial end portion 330, and the other may be engaged with the peripheral wall portion 310. . The overall structure of the peripheral wall portion 310, the first axial end portion 320, and the second axial end portion 330 may also be referred to as the housing of the air outlet device 300. The plurality of second air outlets 321 are sequentially disposed in the circumferential direction of the first axial end portion 320, and are preferably uniformly disposed in order. Of course, the plurality of second air outlets 321 may also be unevenly disposed along the circumferential direction of the first axial end portion 320. Further, the first axial end portion 320 includes a central portion and a peripheral portion at the outer side of the central portion, and each of the second air outlets 321 is disposed at the outer peripheral portion for the purpose of facilitating the outflow. The fan 360 can be mounted at the center. Preferably, each of the second air outlets 321 may have an annular segment shape extending in a circumferential direction of the first axial end portion 320.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a first air outlet 311 is disposed on the peripheral wall section of the peripheral wall portion 310 between each two adjacent second air outlets 321 . In this way, the airflow entering the peripheral wall portion 310 can be fully utilized, the airflow entering the second air outlet 321 can be ensured, and the airflow can be ensured smoothly, and the airflow entering the first air outlet 311 and the second air outlet 321 can be prevented from being seriously generated. Interference to prevent undesirable phenomena such as loud noise.

In order to make each of the second air outlets 321 to perform axial air as much as possible, that is, each of the second air outlets 321 is configured to be axially ventilated, the peripheral portion may be disposed to include a flat plate portion and at least one guiding portion 322. At least one second air outlet 321 is disposed on the flat plate portion. Further, in some embodiments, each of the guiding portions 322 extends obliquely from the edge of a second air outlet 321 adjacent the peripheral wall portion 310 toward the inside of the first axial end portion 320 and toward the axis of the peripheral wall portion 310. The guiding portion 322 may have a plate shape and may also be referred to as a guide plate. Further, a guide shielding plate may also be disposed at both ends of each guiding portion 322. In other embodiments, each of the guiding portions 322 extends obliquely from the edge of the second air outlet 321 away from the peripheral wall portion 310 toward the outside of the first axial end portion 320 and away from the axis of the peripheral wall portion 310. . The guiding portion 322 may have a plate shape and may also be referred to as a guide plate. Further, a guide shielding plate may also be disposed at both ends of each guiding portion 322. The inclination angle of the guiding portion 322 may be 30 to 60, preferably 40, 43, 45, 47, 50, or the like. The central part can be flat. In some alternative embodiments, the guide 322 may also only be a guide surface that directs the flow of airflow to simplify the structure of the first axial end 320 or to facilitate the design of the first axial end 320.

In some embodiments of the invention, the adjustment portion 350 can include one or more obscuring portions 351 spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the first axial end portion 320, and at least one flow-through portion 352. The shielding portion 351 and the flow portion 352 are sequentially disposed in the circumferential direction of the first axial end portion 320, and the one or more shielding portions 351 and the at least one flow portion 352 enclose a cylindrical structure. Moreover, the adjusting portion 350 is disposed on the inner side of the peripheral wall portion 310, and the one or more shielding portions 351 are completely shielded, partially shielded or completely exposed to each of the first air outlets 311 at a rotation to different rotational positions, so that the airflow is caused. The partially vented or fully exposed first air outlet 311 is accessed via at least one flow portion 352.

Specifically, the shielding portion 351 can be a shielding piece, and the interval, the notch or the hole between each two adjacent shielding pieces can be the circulation portion 352. In particular, when there is only one shielding portion 351, the corresponding circulation portion 352 There is only one. For example, the adjustment portion 350 may include a base, a shielding piece disposed on the base. For another example, the adjusting portion 350 may include a tubular member, and the tubular member is provided with a plurality of circulating portions 352. A base portion may be provided at both ends of the tubular member to increase strength. Further optionally, the base can be used for rotational mounting to the first axial end 320 or the second axial end 330. For example, the inner surface of the first axial end portion 320 or the second axial end portion 330 is provided with an annular groove, and the base portion may be provided with an annular protrusion corresponding to the annular groove for inserting the annular groove for rotation. Still alternatively, the base is rotatably mounted to one end of the peripheral wall portion 310, and when the peripheral wall portion 310 is integrally formed with the first axial end portion 320, the base portion is rotatably mounted to the second axial end portion of the peripheral wall portion 310 One end of the 330.

In some embodiments of the invention, the air outlet device 300 may also include a motor 370 and a transmission mechanism. The motor 370 may be disposed radially outward of the peripheral wall portion 310. The transmission mechanism is configured to transmit the rotational motion of the output of the motor 370 to the adjustment portion 350. For example, the transmission mechanism may preferably be a gear transmission mechanism. The base of the adjustment portion 350 is provided with a ring gear 380 (the ring gear 380 may be integrally formed with the base portion), and the output end of the motor 370 may be equipped with a gear, and the gear meshes with the ring gear 380. Therefore, the motor 370 can drive the ring gear 380 to rotate, thereby driving the adjustment portion 350 to rotate. Further, a motor housing portion may be disposed on an outer side of the peripheral wall portion 310 to accommodate the motor 370.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the air outlet 2, the air outlet 1 and the air outlet 3 are in a circumferential direction of the first axial end portion 320 and may be in a counterclockwise direction (by the observer from the first axial direction) The end portion 320 is sequentially spaced apart from the line of sight of the second axial end portion 330 as a reference, that is, the line of sight viewed in the front-rear direction. Moreover, the distance between the air outlet 2 and the other two first air outlets 311 may be the length of one first air outlet 311. In the adjustment unit 350, the number of the shielding portion 351 and the flow portion 352 is three. The three shielding portions 351 are a first shielding portion, a second shielding portion, and a third shielding portion, respectively. The three flow portions 352 are a first flow portion, a second flow portion, and a third flow portion, respectively. The shielding portion 351 and the flow portion 352 are sequentially spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the first axial end portion 320 and in the counterclockwise direction. Both the first obscuring portion and the second obscuring portion are configured to allow them to completely obscure the area of the first air outlet 311 of one size. The third shielding portion is configured to allow it to at least completely obscure the area of the first air outlet 311 of two sizes, for example, the third shielding portion can shield the area of the first air outlet 311 of two sizes. The flow portion between the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is a first flow portion, and is disposed to completely expose a region of the first air outlet 311 of one size. The flow portion between the second shielding portion and the third shielding portion is a second flow portion configured to completely expose a region of the first air outlet 311 of one size. The flow portion between the third shielding portion and the first shielding portion is a third circulation portion. During operation, the adjusting portion 350 is rotated to open the different first air outlets 311. For example, when the first blocking portion blocks the air outlet, the air outlet 2 and the air outlet 3 may be in an open state; for example, when the second When the shielding part blocks the air outlet, the air outlet 2 and the air outlet 3 can be closed.

In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the distance between the air outlet 1 and the other two first air outlets 311 may be 1/7 to 1/10 of the length of one first air outlet 311. In the adjustment unit 350, the number of the shielding portion 351 and the flow portion 352 are both two. The two shielding portions 351 are respectively a first shielding portion and a second shielding portion. The two flow portions 352 are a first flow portion and a second flow portion, respectively. The shielding portion 351 and the flow portion 352 are sequentially spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the first axial end portion 320 and in the clockwise direction. The first obscuration portion is configured to allow it to completely shield a first air outlet 311. The second shielding portion is configured to allow it to at least completely shield the two first air outlets 311. For example, the second shielding portion can shield the connection of the three first air outlets 311 and the peripheral wall portion 310 between each of the two first air outlets 311. segment. The first flow portion is configured to completely expose a first air outlet 311. The second circulation portion is configured to completely expose the three first air outlets 311. During operation, the adjusting portion 350 is rotated to open the different first air outlets 311. For example, when the first blocking portion blocks the air outlet, the air outlet 2 and the air outlet 3 may be in an open state; for example, when the first When the circulation part turns on the air outlet, the air outlet 2 and the air outlet 3 can be closed.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the size of any two of the plurality of first air outlets 311 may be equal or unequal. The size of any two of the plurality of second air outlets 321 may be equal or unequal.

The detailed descriptions set forth above are merely illustrative of the possible embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It is included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

A duct assembly for a refrigerator, comprising: a rear casing portion, a first front cover mounted on a front side of the rear casing portion; and a second front cover mounted on a front side of the first front cover; The rear housing portion and the first front cover jointly define a receiving cavity and a plurality of first air passages communicating with the receiving cavity; the first front cover and the second front cover are jointly defined At least one second air passage communicating with the receiving cavity; and the receiving cavity is configured to receive an air outlet device; the air outlet device has a peripheral wall portion extending in a front-rear direction and a front end portion of the peripheral wall portion a first axial end portion; a plurality of first air outlets are disposed on the peripheral wall portion, and at least one second air outlet is disposed on the first axial end portion; each of the first air outlets is configured to be At least one of the first air ducts is in communication, and each of the first air ducts is in communication with one of the first air outlets; each of the second air outlets is configured to be coupled to one or more of the second air ducts Connected, and each of the second air ducts is in communication with one or more of the second air outlets.
The air duct assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rear casing portion includes a rear casing and at least one air passage bridge disposed in the rear casing; front and rear of each of the air passage bridges The sides are each configured to define a portion or all of the first air duct such that the first air passage on the front side of the air duct bridge bypasses the first air passage on the rear side of the air duct bridge.
The air duct assembly according to claim 2, wherein said rear casing has a rear wall, and a cavity wall extending forward from a central portion or an upper portion of said rear wall extends forward from said rear wall a first air duct wall, and a third air duct wall extending rearward from the rear wall; the air duct bridge is one and is mounted on an upper portion of the rear shell and has a fourth air duct wall And a fifth duct wall extending forward from the fourth duct wall; and the rear wall, the containment chamber wall and the duct bridge and the first front cover collectively define the a receiving cavity; a rear side of the fourth air duct wall and the third air duct wall together define a first air duct, and the first air duct is from the receiving cavity to the receiving a rear upper portion of the cavity; the rear wall, the front side of the fourth air duct wall, the first air duct wall and the fifth air duct wall, and the first front cover collectively define the remaining each The first air duct.
The air duct assembly according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of first air outlets comprise an air outlet 1, an air outlet 2 and an air outlet 3, and the air outlet is disposed on an upper side of the peripheral wall portion The air outlet 2 and the air outlet 3 are disposed on two sides of the air outlet 1; the plurality of first air passages include a wind tunnel 1, a wind tunnel 2, a wind tunnel 3, a wind tunnel 4, and a wind tunnel The air duct is the first air passage extending from the receiving cavity to the rear upper side of the receiving cavity, and the air outlet is connected to the air duct; the air duct 2 Extending obliquely from the air outlet 2 to a lateral side of the upper portion of the rear casing, the air passage 3 extends upward from the air outlet 2 and passes over the air duct from the air duct bridge a laterally opposite side of the upper portion of the rear casing; the air duct four and the air duct five each extend downward from the air outlet three, and the end of the air duct four is at the end of the air duct five Upper or lower side.
The air duct assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first front cover has a cover plate and a second duct wall extending forward from the cover plate; the cover plate, the second cover The air duct wall and the second front cover jointly define at least one of the second air ducts; and the cover plate is provided with at least one communication hole, and each of the second air outlets is opposite to one of the communication holes So that each of the second air outlets communicates with a corresponding one or more of the second air passages via one of the communication holes.
The air duct assembly according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of second air passages are plural, and the number of the second air outlets is plural; the cover plate, the second air passage wall, and The second front cover also collectively defines a manifold shunt cavity, and the plurality of communication holes communicate with the plurality of the second air ducts via the manifold shunt chamber.
The air duct assembly according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of said second air passages include a duct 6 and a duct 7; said duct 6 and said duct 7 are from said manifold shunt chamber The sides extend toward the lateral sides of the upper portion of the cover, respectively.
The air duct assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first front cover is provided with a plurality of first air outlets with openings facing forward, and each of the first air outlets corresponds to a corresponding one. The ends of the first air duct are connected, and the number of the first air outlets is less than or equal to the number of the first air ducts; the second front cover is provided with a plurality of second air outlets with openings facing forward, each The second air supply opening communicates with a corresponding end of the second air passage.
The air duct assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lower end portion of the rear casing portion has a forwardly extending return air passage portion, and the return air passage portion has one or more return air passages.
A refrigerator, comprising:

a tank having a cooling space and at least one storage space;

An air outlet device having a peripheral wall portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the casing and a first axial end portion disposed at a front end of the peripheral wall portion; the peripheral wall portion is provided with a plurality of first outlets a tuyere, the first axial end portion is provided with at least one second air outlet; and

a duct assembly installed in the casing and according to claim 1; the air outlet device is mounted in a receiving cavity of the duct assembly;

The airflow flowing out of the cooling space flows to the at least one storage space via the plurality of the first air outlets and the plurality of first air ducts of the air outlet device; the airflow flowing out of the cooling space passes through The at least one second air outlet and the at least one second air duct of the air outlet device flow to the at least one storage space.