WO2023274168A1

WO2023274168A1 - Refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2023274168A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/101615
Authority: WO
Inventors: 苗建林; 孙永升; 滕昭波; 李春阳
Original assignee: 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司; 海尔智家股份有限公司
Priority date: 2021-06-30
Filing date: 2022-06-27
Publication date: 2023-01-05
Also published as: CN115540434A

Abstract

A refrigerator (10), comprising: a refrigerator body (200), in which a storage space (210) is formed; an evaporator (300), which is configured to supply cold to the storage space (210); and an electrolytic oxygen removal device (100), wherein part of the electrolytic oxygen removal device is in airflow communication with the storage space (210), and the electrolytic oxygen removal device is configured to consume oxygen in the storage space (210) by means of an electrochemical reaction under the action of an electrolytic voltage; and the other part of the electrolytic oxygen removal device (100) is further in airflow communication with the evaporator (300), such that the refrigerator (10) heats the evaporator (300) by using heat generated by the electrochemical reaction. The refrigerator (10) can heat the evaporator (300) by using the heat generated by the electrolytic oxygen removal device (100), so as to achieve defrosting without needing to additionally mount a defrosting heating wire on the evaporator (300), which is conducive to simplifying the structure of the refrigerator (10) and reducing the difficulty of the production process.

Description

refrigerator

technical field

This invention relates to refrigeration, and more particularly to refrigerators.

Background technique

The refrigerator supplies cooling to the storage compartment by operating the cooling mode. In the cooling mode, the refrigerant flows through the evaporator and absorbs heat to vaporize to achieve cooling. Since the surface temperature of the evaporator is low when it is cooling, it is easy to frost, which will lead to a decrease in the cooling efficiency of the refrigerator.

Some refrigerators in the prior art defrost by installing a defrosting heating wire on the evaporator, which will lead to a complicated structure of the refrigerator and increase the difficulty of the production process.

Contents of the invention

An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one technical defect in the prior art and provide a refrigerator.

A further object of the present invention is to use the electrolytic oxygen removal device of the refrigerator to heat the evaporator to realize defrosting, thereby simplifying the structure of the refrigerator and reducing the difficulty of the production process.

Another further object of the present invention is to realize the functional reuse of the electrolytic deoxygenation device of the refrigerator.

A further object of the present invention is to improve the utilization efficiency of electric energy of the refrigerator and reduce energy consumption.

In particular, the present invention provides a refrigerator comprising: a box body having a storage space formed therein; an evaporator configured to supply cooling to the storage space; and an electrolytic deoxygenator, a part of which is in airflow communication with the storage space , configured to consume oxygen in the storage space through an electrochemical reaction under the action of the electrolysis voltage; the other part of the electrolytic deoxygenation device is also connected with the air flow of the evaporator, so that the refrigerator uses the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction to heat the evaporator.

Optionally, the evaporator is configured to supply cooling to the storage space when the refrigerator operates in a cooling mode; and the electro-deoxygenation device is configured to be activated in a controlled manner after the refrigerator exits the cooling mode.

Optionally, the refrigerator further includes a temperature sensor, disposed in the storage space, configured to detect the temperature of the storage space; and the refrigerator is configured to run a cooling mode when the temperature of the storage space is higher than a preset first temperature threshold, It is also configured to exit the cooling mode when the temperature of the storage space reaches a preset second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is smaller than the first temperature threshold.

Optionally, the refrigerator further includes: an oxygen concentration sensor, disposed in the storage space, configured to detect the oxygen concentration in the storage space; and the electrolytic deoxygenation device is also configured to lower the oxygen concentration in the storage space to a preset Controlled shutdown at the concentration threshold.

Optionally, an air supply duct is also formed inside the box, and the air supply duct communicates with the storage space through the air return port; the evaporator is arranged in the air supply duct and communicates with the air return port so that the The return air flow of the evaporator flows through the evaporator; and the electrolytic oxygen removal device is opposite to the return air outlet, so that a part of it communicates with the evaporator air flow.

Optionally, the refrigerator further includes: a fan, arranged in the air supply duct, configured to form an airflow that flows through the electrolysis device, then flows through the return air outlet and the evaporator in sequence after the electrolysis device is started, so as to The heat generated by the electrochemical reaction is transferred to the evaporator.

Optionally, the air supply duct is also communicated with the storage compartment through the air supply port; and the refrigerator also includes a controllable damper, which is arranged at the air supply port and is configured to reduce the temperature when the refrigerator exits the cooling mode and the electrolytic deoxidizer starts. The opening of the small air supply port.

Optionally, a storage compartment is formed inside the box; and the refrigerator also includes a storage container, which is arranged in the storage compartment; the internal space of the storage container forms a storage space; the storage container is provided with a the installation port; the electrolytic deoxygenation device is arranged at the installation port, and the installation port is closed, so that a part of the electrolytic deoxygenation device communicates with the storage container in air flow.

Optionally, the electrolytic deoxygenation device includes: a housing with a lateral opening facing the installation port; a cathode plate disposed at the lateral opening to jointly define a reservoir for containing the electrolyte with the housing. a liquid chamber configured to consume oxygen in the storage space through an electrochemical reaction; and an anode plate disposed in the liquid storage chamber and configured to provide reactants to the cathode plate through an electrochemical reaction.

Optionally, an exhaust port is also opened on the casing, configured to allow the oxygen generated by the anode plate to discharge; and the refrigerator also includes an exhaust pipe, connected to the exhaust port, and used to guide the gas flowing through the exhaust port to the external environment of the refrigerator.

In the refrigerator of the present invention, since the electrolytic deoxygenation device is in communication with the airflow of the storage space and the evaporator, and the electrolytic deoxygenation device can consume the oxygen in the storage space and generate heat through the electrochemical reaction, which makes the The refrigerator of the present invention can use the heat generated by the electrolytic oxygen removal device to heat the evaporator to realize defrosting, so that there is no need to additionally install a defrosting heating wire on the evaporator, which is beneficial to simplify the structure of the refrigerator and reduce the difficulty of the production process.

Furthermore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, since the electrolytic deoxygenation device can not only deoxidize the storage space through the electrochemical reaction, but also defrost the evaporator through the electrochemical reaction, this realizes the functional reuse of the electrolytic deoxygenation device, This enables the refrigerator to defrost while deoxygenating.

Furthermore, since the refrigerator of the present invention does not need to install additional defrosting heating wires on the evaporator, it only needs to use the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction to realize defrosting, which is beneficial to improve the utilization efficiency of electric energy of the refrigerator and reduce the Energy consumption, improve energy efficiency.

Those skilled in the art will be more aware of the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention according to the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings designate the same or similar parts or parts. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the attached picture:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electrolytic deoxygenation device of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the electrolytic deoxidizer of the refrigerator shown in Fig. 3 .

detailed description

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a refrigerator 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 10 may generally include a box body 200 , an air duct separating device 300 and an air duct regulating device 600 .

A storage compartment 210 and an air supply duct communicating with the storage compartment 210 are formed inside the box body 200 . For example, the air supply duct can communicate with the storage compartment 210 through the air supply port 211 and the air return port 212 . The air flowing through the air supply duct can flow into the storage compartment 210 through the air supply opening 211 , and flow out of the storage compartment 210 through the air return opening 212 .

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air duct dividing device 300 is arranged in the air supply duct, and divides the air supply duct into a first sub-air duct 221 for circulating the first heat exchange air flow, and a second sub air duct 221 for circulating the second heat exchange air flow. Road 222. The temperature of the first heat exchange gas stream is different from the temperature of the second heat exchange gas stream. For example, the temperature of the first heat exchange gas stream may be lower than the temperature of the second heat exchange gas stream. The first sub-air passage 221 is used for circulating the first heat exchange airflow, which means that the first heat exchange airflow can flow through the first sub-air passage 221 and flow into the storage compartment 210 . The second sub-air passage 222 is used for circulating the second heat-exchanging air, which means that the second heat-exchanging air can flow through the second sub-air passage 222 and flow into the storage compartment 210 .

The air channel adjustment device 600 is arranged in the air supply channel, and is used to controlly switch on and off the first sub-air channel 221 and the second sub-air channel 222, so that the storage compartment 210 receives the first heat exchange airflow or the second heat exchange airflow. airflow. That is to say, the air duct adjustment device 600 is used to control the storage compartment 210 to selectively communicate with a certain sub-air duct, so as to deliver corresponding heat exchange airflow to the storage compartment 210 by using the connected sub-air duct.

In the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment, the air supply air duct is divided into a first sub-air duct 221 for circulating the first heat-exchanging air flow and a second sub-air duct for circulating the second heat-exchanging air flow through the air duct dividing device 300. channel 222, and use the air channel regulating device 600 to switch the first sub-air channel 221 and the second sub-air channel 222, so that the storage compartment 210 selectively receives the first heat exchange air flow or the second heat exchange air flow, so that The refrigerator 10 uses the first heat exchange airflow or the second heat exchange airflow to adjust the temperature of the storage compartment 210 . This embodiment provides a refrigerator 10 which has a unique air duct structure and is easy to realize variable temperature storage by improving the air duct structure of the refrigerator 10 .

In some optional embodiments, the refrigerator 10 may further include a control device 100, which is in data connection with the air duct adjustment device 600, and is used to control the air duct adjustment device 600 on and off according to the set temperature of the storage compartment 210. A sub-air duct 221 and a second sub-air duct 222 . The control device 100 may be a main control board of the refrigerator 10 . The set temperature of the storage compartment 210 refers to the fresh-keeping temperature that the storage compartment 210 will reach, which can be set by the user according to the fresh-keeping requirements of the items.

The control device 100 is used to connect the first sub-air channel 221 and shut off the second sub-air channel 222 when the set temperature is lower than the preset first temperature threshold, and is also used to connect the first sub-air channel 222 when the set temperature is higher than the preset first temperature threshold. When the second temperature threshold is reached, the second sub-air duct 222 is connected and the first sub-air duct 221 is turned off, and the first temperature threshold is less than the second temperature threshold

The first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold may be set according to freshness preservation requirements of the storage compartment 210 . For example, the first temperature threshold may be 5°C, and the second temperature threshold may be 6°C. If the set temperature of the storage compartment 210 is 0-5°C, the air duct adjustment device 600 may communicate with the first sub-air duct 221 And shut off the second sub-air duct 222 , if the set temperature of the storage compartment 210 is 6˜10° C., the air duct adjusting device 600 can open the second sub-air duct 222 and shut off the first sub-air duct 221 .

In this embodiment, the air duct dividing device 300 and the air duct regulating device 600 are arranged in the refrigerator 10, and the control device 100 is used to control the opening and closing of the first sub-air duct 221 and the air duct regulating device 600 according to the set temperature of the storage compartment 210. The second sub-air duct 222 can switch the heat exchange air flow supplied to the storage compartment 210, so that the storage compartment 210 can change the storage temperature, which has the advantages of simple structure and simple control process, so that the refrigerator 10 can use a simple structure Optimize freshness level.

In some embodiments, the refrigerator 10 may further include a temperature sensor 900 disposed in the storage compartment 210 for detecting the temperature inside the storage compartment 210 . The refrigerator 10 can also control the air duct regulating device 600 to switch on and off the first sub-air duct 221 and the second sub-air duct 222 according to the actual temperature of the storage compartment 210 . For example, when the actual temperature of the storage compartment 210 exceeds the preset high temperature threshold, the first sub-air duct 221 can be connected and the second sub-air duct 222 can be turned off, and the actual temperature of the storage compartment 210 is lower than the preset temperature. When the low temperature threshold is low, the second sub-air duct 222 can be connected and the first sub-air duct 221 can be turned off, so that the temperature of the storage compartment 210 can quickly recover to a preset level.

In some further embodiments, the refrigerator 10 may further include a cold supply device 800 and a heat supply device 500 .

Wherein, the cooling capacity providing device 800 is disposed in the first sub-air duct 221 or communicated with the first sub-air duct 221 for providing cooling capacity to the first sub-air duct 221 to form a first heat exchange air flow. In this embodiment, the cold energy providing device 800 is used as a cold energy source of the first heat exchange air flow, so that the first heat exchange air flow forms a low-temperature air flow. The airflow connection here means that the airflow passing through the cold energy providing device 800 can flow into the first sub-air duct 221 .

The heat providing device 500 is disposed in the second sub-air passage 222 or communicated with the second sub-air passage 222 for providing heat to the second sub-air passage 222 to form a second heat exchange airflow. In this embodiment, the heat providing device 500 serves as a heat source for the second heat exchange air flow, so that the second heat exchange air flow forms a high temperature air flow. The airflow communication here means that the airflow passing through the heat providing device 500 can flow into the second sub-air duct 222 .

The above "high temperature" and "low temperature" are relative terms, which means that the temperature of the second heat exchange airflow is higher than the temperature of the first heat exchange airflow.

In this embodiment, the refrigerator 10 may further include a refrigeration system, which includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator 800 and a throttling device. The cold supply device 800 may be the evaporator 800 of the refrigerator 10 . The temperature of the evaporator 800 can be adjusted by adjusting parameters such as the flow rate of refrigerant in the refrigeration system and the operating frequency of the compressor, thereby adjusting the temperature of the first heat exchange airflow.

Since the temperature adjustment range of the evaporator 800 is limited, a heat providing device 500 is specially added in this embodiment. The heat providing device 500 may be an electric heating device, such as a heating element such as an electric heating wire or an electric heating sheet.

The refrigerator 10 of this embodiment uses an electric heating device to provide heat to the storage compartment 210, so that the temperature of the storage compartment 210 can be controlled within a relatively high temperature range, and has the advantages of simple structure and simple control process. For example, the electric heating device can be directly disposed in the second sub-air duct 222 .

The air duct adjusting device 600 can be a damper, which is controlled and openable and is set on the air outlet end of the first sub-air duct 221 and the air outlet end of the second sub-air duct 222, so as to switch the first sub-air duct 221 and the second sub-air duct 221. Erzifeng Road 222. The air outlet end of the first sub-air duct 221 may refer to the part through which the air flows when it flows out of the first sub-air duct 221 . The air outlet end of the second sub-air duct 222 may refer to the position through which the airflow flows out of the second sub-air duct 222.

There are two dampers in this embodiment, namely the first damper 610 and the second damper 620, wherein the first damper 610 is set at the air outlet end of the first sub-air duct 221, and the second damper 620 is set at the second sub-air duct 222 air outlet.

By using the first damper 610 to open and close the air outlet end of the first sub-air duct 221, and using the second damper 620 to open and close the air outlet end of the second sub-air duct 222, the first sub-air duct 221 and the second sub-air duct 221 are switched on and off. The air duct 222 can flexibly adjust the air supply mode of the storage compartment 210 .

The storage compartment 210 is provided with an air outlet 211 to allow the first heat exchange airflow and the second heat exchange airflow to flow into the inner space of the storage compartment 210 .

A connecting section 230 is also formed in the box body 200 , connecting the air outlet 211 with the air outlet end of the first sub-air duct 221 and the air outlet end of the second sub-air duct 222 . That is, the connection section 230 not only connects the air supply port 211 with the air outlet end of the first sub-air channel 221 , but also communicates the air supply port 211 with the air outlet end of the second sub-air channel 222 . That is to say, the connection section 230 is located on a common airflow path from the air outlet end of the first sub-air duct 221 to the air outlet 211 , and the air outlet end of the second sub-air duct 222 to the air outlet 211 . Both the first heat exchange airflow flowing out of the first sub-air passage 221 and the second heat exchange airflow flowing out of the second sub-air passage 222 can flow into the air outlet 211 through the connection section 230 , thereby entering the inner space of the storage compartment 210 . The air outlet 211 of this embodiment may be located at the bottom section of the storage compartment 210 . The air outlet end of the first sub-air duct 221 and the air outlet end of the second sub-air duct 222 are higher than the air outlet 211 .

The refrigerator 10 may further include a blower fan 700, which is arranged in the connecting section 230, and is used to promote the formation of air flow through the first sub-air duct 221 and/or the second sub-air duct 222, and then flow through the air outlet 211. airflow. For example, when the first damper 610 is opened, the blower fan 700 can make the first heat exchange air flow sequentially flow through the first sub-air duct 221 , the connecting section 230 and the air outlet 211 , and enter the storage compartment 210 . When the second damper 620 is opened, the blower fan 700 can make the second heat exchange airflow sequentially flow through the second sub-air duct 222 , the connecting section 230 and the air outlet 211 , and enter the storage compartment 210 . The direction of the arrow in Fig. 2 shows the flow direction of the airflow.

By adding the blower fan 700 in the connection section 230 , the flow rate of the first heat exchange air flow and the second heat exchange air flow can be accelerated, thereby increasing the temperature adjustment rate of the storage compartment 210 .

The blower fan 700 is set on the common airflow path from the air outlet end of the first sub-air duct 221 to the air outlet 211, and the air outlet end of the second sub-air duct 222 to the air outlet 211, and the air blower 700 can be used to simultaneously The first heat-exchange airflow and the second heat-exchange airflow are guided to share the air supply fan 700 , which is beneficial to simplify the structure of the refrigerator 10 .

The air supply duct in this embodiment is located at the rear side of the storage compartment 210 . Wherein, directional words such as “front” and “rear” are relative to the actual use state of the refrigerator 10 .

The air duct dividing device 300 may be plate-shaped and extended along a vertical plane, so that the divided first sub-air ducts 221 and second sub-air ducts 222 are arranged side by side. For example, the air duct dividing device 300 may be a flat plate extending along a vertical plane. In some embodiments, the rear wall of the storage compartment 210 may extend along a vertical plane, and the air duct partition device 300 may be parallel to the rear wall of the storage compartment 210 .

In the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment, the first sub-air duct 221 and the second sub-air duct 222 are separated by a specially designed air duct dividing device 300 , which has a compact structure and low manufacturing cost.

For example, the first sub-air duct 221 may be located at the rear side of the second sub-air duct 222 . That is, in the front-rear direction of the refrigerator 10 , the first sub-air duct 221 , the second sub-air duct 222 and the storage compartment 210 are arranged sequentially from back to front. The inside of the box body 200 is also formed with a heat exchange cavity 250 for installing the evaporator 800. The heat exchange cavity 250 is located at the rear side of the air supply duct and is adjacent to the first sub-air duct 221, which facilitates the shortening of the first sub-air duct. The flow path of hot air reduces cooling loss.

The evaporator 800 is disposed in the heat exchange chamber 250 . And the heat exchange cavity 250 communicates with the first sub-air duct 221 through the heat exchange port 251. In this way, the heat exchange air flowing through the evaporator 800 can enter the first sub-air duct 221 through the heat exchange port 251, so that the first sub-air channel A first heat exchange airflow is formed in the air duct 221 . In some embodiments, a heat exchange blower 400 may be provided in the heat exchange cavity 250 to form a heat exchange air flow in the heat exchange cavity 250 that flows through the evaporator 800 and flows to the heat exchange opening 251 .

In some optional embodiments, the number of dampers can also be changed to one. FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. For example, the air outlet end of the first sub-air duct 221 and the air outlet end of the second sub-air duct 222 can be openings respectively, and these two openings can be arranged adjacent to each other and in the same plane. At this time, a damper 600 can be used to simultaneously close Two openings, so as to close the first sub-air duct 221 and the second sub-air duct 222, and the damper 600 can also open the air outlet of the first sub-air duct 221 or the outlet of the second sub-air duct 222 through controlled movement. Wind side. The direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 shows the flow direction of the airflow.

In the refrigerator 10 of the present invention, the air duct dividing device 300 is used to separate the air supply duct into the first sub-air duct 221 for circulating the first heat-exchanging air flow and the second sub-air duct for circulating the second heat-exchanging air flow. 222, and use the air duct adjustment device 600 to switch the first sub-air duct 221 and the second sub-air duct 222, so that the storage compartment 210 selectively receives the first heat exchange air flow or the second heat exchange air flow, so that the The refrigerator 10 adjusts the temperature of the storage compartment 210 by using the first heat exchange airflow or the second heat exchange airflow. The present invention provides a refrigerator 10 which has a unique air duct structure and is easy to realize variable temperature storage by improving the air duct structure of the refrigerator 10 .

So far, those skilled in the art should appreciate that, although a number of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the disclosed embodiments of the present invention can still be used. Many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the invention are directly identified or derived from the content. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be understood and deemed to cover all such other variations or modifications. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 10 may generally include a box body 200 , an evaporator 300 and an electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 .

Wherein, a storage space 210 is formed inside the box body 200 . The storage space 210 is used for storing items such as foodstuffs, medicines, drinks and the like. In some embodiments, a storage compartment may be formed inside the box body 200, and the storage space 210 may refer to an inner space of the storage compartment. In this embodiment, the refrigerator 10 may further include a storage container (such as a storage drawer) disposed in the storage compartment, and the storage space 210 may refer to the inner space of the storage container.

The evaporator 300 may be disposed in the box body 200 and disposed corresponding to the storage compartment, for example, may be disposed on the upper side, the lower side or the rear side of the storage compartment. The evaporator 300 is configured to supply cooling to the storage space 210 . For example, the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment uses a compression refrigeration system to supply cooling to the storage space 210, and in addition to the evaporator 300, the refrigeration system may also include a compressor, a condenser, a throttling device, and the like. The refrigerating system may use the refrigerant absorbing heat in the evaporator 300 to undergo a phase change to provide cooling for the storage space 210 . The evaporator 300 may supply cooling to the storage space 210 when the refrigerator 10 operates in a cooling mode.

A part of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 communicates with the storage space 210 in airflow, and is configured to consume oxygen in the storage space 210 through an electrochemical reaction under the action of an electrolysis voltage. Wherein, a part of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 communicates with the storage space 210 means that a part of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 faces the storage space 210, so that the air in the storage space 210 can flow to the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100, Therefore, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can use the oxygen in the storage space 210 to carry out an electrochemical reaction to achieve the function of deoxygenation. For example, the storage space 210 may have an opening for communicating with the external space, and the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 may be disposed at the opening.

The other part of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is also in airflow communication with the evaporator 300 , so that the refrigerator 10 can heat the evaporator 300 with the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction. Wherein, another part of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is in airflow communication with the evaporator 300, which means that the air flow passing through the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can flow to the evaporator 300, so that the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can be Transfer to the evaporator 300 to defrost. For example, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can be arranged close to the evaporator 300 , or can be arranged at the upper air outlet of the evaporator 300 , as long as the airflow passing through the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can flow to the evaporator 300 .

When the evaporator 300 provides cooling, its surface temperature is relatively low, and frost is easy to form. In the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment, since the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is in airflow communication with the storage space 210 and the evaporator 300, and the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can consume the oxygen in the storage space 210 through an electrochemical reaction, It can also generate heat, which enables the refrigerator 10 of this embodiment to use the heat generated by the electrolytic deoxidizer 100 to heat the evaporator 300 to achieve defrosting, so that there is no need to additionally install a defrosting heating wire on the evaporator 300, which is beneficial The structure of the refrigerator 10 is simplified, the difficulty of the production process is reduced, and the manufacturing cost can also be reduced.

Since the electrolytic oxygen removal device 100 can not only deoxidize the storage space 210 through the electrochemical reaction, but also defrost the evaporator 300 through the electrochemical reaction, this realizes the functional reuse of the electrolytic oxygen removal device 100, so that the refrigerator 10 can Defrost while deoxidizing.

At the same time, since there is no need to install an additional defrosting heating wire on the evaporator 300, only the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction can be used to achieve defrosting, which is conducive to improving the power utilization efficiency of the refrigerator 10, reducing energy consumption, and improving energy efficiency. .

In some optional embodiments, the evaporator 300 is configured to supply cooling to the storage space 210 when the refrigerator 10 operates in a cooling mode. Moreover, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is configured to be started under control after the refrigerator 10 exits the cooling mode. That is, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is started after the evaporator 300 stops cooling.

For example, after the user picks and places the items, due to the gas exchange between the storage space 210 and the indoor environment, the temperature of the storage space 210 rises, and the fresh-keeping atmosphere is destroyed. The temperature drops, and then after exiting the refrigeration mode, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is controlled to start according to actual needs. That is to say, the start-up step of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 occurs after the cooling is finished, so that the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can be fully utilized, so that the heat acts on the evaporator 300 to reduce or eliminate the evaporator 300. 300 Frost formed during refrigeration.

Starting the electro-deoxidizer 100 after the evaporator 300 stops cooling can also reduce or prevent the heat generated by the electro-de-oxygen device 100 from entering the storage compartment with the air supply, which is beneficial to improve the cooling rate of the storage compartment.

In this embodiment, the refrigerator 10 may further include a temperature sensor (not shown), which is arranged in the storage space 210 and is configured to detect the temperature of the storage space 210; The cooling mode is operated when the temperature is higher than the preset first temperature threshold, and is further configured to exit the cooling mode when the temperature of the storage space 210 reaches a preset second temperature threshold, and the second temperature threshold is lower than the first temperature threshold.

The first temperature threshold and the second temperature threshold can be set according to the set temperature of the storage space 210, for example, if the set temperature of the storage space 210 is 2°C, the first temperature threshold can be 3-5°C, the second The second temperature threshold may be 0-2°C.

In some optional embodiments, the electrolytic oxygen removal device 100 can be automatically activated after the refrigerator 10 exits the cooling mode, so as to use the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction to heat the evaporator 300, which can be reduced or eliminated in time after the cooling is finished. The frosting of the evaporator 300 improves the cooling efficiency of the evaporator 300 and improves the freshness preservation effect of the refrigerator 10 .

In other optional embodiments, the refrigerator 10 may further include an oxygen concentration sensor (not shown), disposed in the storage space 210 and configured to detect the oxygen concentration in the storage space 210 .

The electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 may be configured to be activated in a controlled manner when the oxygen concentration in the storage space 210 is higher than a preset concentration threshold, so as to consume the oxygen in the storage space 210 by electrochemical reaction. At the same time, the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can be transferred to the evaporator 300 . For example, after the user picks up and puts out the items, the user can first run the cooling mode to lower the temperature of the storage space 210 , and then judge whether to control the activation of the electrolytic deoxygenator 100 according to the oxygen concentration in the storage space 210 after exiting the cooling mode. When the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is in operation, it can play the dual functions of reducing oxygen and defrosting.

In some embodiments, the electro-deoxygenation device 100 is also configured to be shut down in a controlled manner when the oxygen concentration in the storage space 210 is lower than a preset concentration threshold. The concentration threshold can be set according to the user's preservation needs. If the oxygen concentration in the storage space 210 is lower than the preset concentration threshold, it indicates that the oxygen atmosphere in the storage space 210 has reached the freshness preservation requirement. That is to say, after the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is started under control, if the oxygen atmosphere in the storage space 210 meets the freshness requirement, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can be turned off, and at this time, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can be turned off after the deoxygenation is completed. While properly performing the defrosting function, it is beneficial to save energy consumption.

In still some optional embodiments, if the oxygen concentration in the storage space 210 is not higher than the preset concentration threshold, but the temperature of the evaporator 300 is lower than the preset defrosting temperature threshold, at this time, the electric current can also be controlled to The deactivation of the oxygen device 100, on the one hand, can further reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage space 210 and maintain a good low-oxygen fresh-keeping atmosphere; cooling state.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The inside of the box body 200 is also formed with an air supply duct, and the air supply duct communicates with the storage space 210 through the air return port 520. In this embodiment, the air supply duct communicates with the storage space 210 through the air supply opening. The heat exchanging air flowing through the evaporator 300 enters the storage space 210 through the air supply opening of the air supply duct, flows out of the storage space 210 through the return air opening 520, and returns to the evaporator 300, thereby completing an air circulation cycle. The heat exchanging air flowing out of the storage space 210 through the return air opening 520 and returning to the evaporator 300 may be called return air.

The evaporator 300 may be disposed in the air supply duct and communicated with the air return port 520 . For example, the evaporator 300 may be located downstream of the return air port 520 and upstream of the air supply port. Wherein, "upstream" and "downstream" are both relative to the flow direction of the heat exchange air flow, and the evaporator 300 is located downstream of the return air port 520, which means that the return air flow first flows through the return air port 520, and then flows through the evaporator 300 The fact that the evaporator 300 is located upstream of the air supply port means that the heat exchange airflow first flows through the evaporator 300 and then flows through the air supply port.

The electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is opposite to the air return port 520 , so that a part thereof communicates with the evaporator 300 in airflow. The electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is opposite to the air return port 520, which may mean that the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is facing the return air port 520, or may refer to that the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is arranged diagonally opposite to the return air port 520, as long as the flow through the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is ensured. The air flow can flow through the air return port 520. The air flow passing through the air return port 520 can further flow to the evaporator 300 , so that the evaporator 300 can be heated by the heat carried by the return air flow.

In some optional embodiments, the refrigerator 10 may further include a blower fan 600, which is arranged in the air supply duct and is configured to facilitate the formation of a flow through the electrolytic oxygen removal device 100 after the electrolytic oxygen removal device 100 is started, and then sequentially flow through the electrolytic oxygen removal device 100. The air flow through the air return port 520 and the evaporator 300 transfers the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction to the evaporator 300 . In this embodiment, the fan 600 can be arranged close to the air return port 520. For example, the fan 600 can be a centrifugal fan 600, and the fan 600 can be specially used to promote the formation of a fan for guiding the heat generated by the electrolytic deoxidizer 100 to the evaporator 300. airflow. In some optional embodiments, the above-mentioned fan 600 can be the inherent air blower 600 of the refrigerator 10, which can simplify the structure of the refrigerator 10. For example, the fan 600 can be arranged near the air outlet, and the arrows in FIG. 2 show the flow of air. direction.

In some optional embodiments, the refrigerator 10 further includes a controllable air door, which is arranged at the air supply port and is configured to reduce the opening of the air supply port when the refrigerator 10 exits the cooling mode and the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 starts, for example , the opening of the air supply port can be reduced by half, or the air supply port can be directly closed, which can reduce or prevent the high temperature air flow from destroying the low-temperature fresh-keeping atmosphere of the storage space 210, and maintain a good fresh-keeping state as much as possible.

In this embodiment, a storage compartment is formed inside the box body 200 . And the refrigerator 10 also includes a storage container, which is arranged in the storage compartment. The inner space of the storage container forms the storage space 210 . For example, the storage container may be a storage drawer, the inner space of which is used to form a closed fresh-keeping space. In some optional embodiments, the inside of the refrigerator 10 can also be provided with an air duct cover plate 500, which is arranged in the box body 200 and separates the storage compartment and the air supply duct. On the front side of the air duct, the air supply port and the air return port 520 can be opened on the air duct cover plate 500 . The rear wall of the storage container may be disposed facing the return air outlet 520 .

The storage container is provided with an installation opening facing the return air opening 520 . For example, the installation opening can be opened on the rear wall of the storage container.

The electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is disposed at the installation opening, and the installation opening is closed, so that a part of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is in airflow communication with the storage container. For example, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 may be substantially in the shape of a cuboid, and may be embedded in the installation opening, or may be arranged against the outer surface of the rear wall of the storage container and cover the installation opening. FIG. 1 only takes an example of an electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 disposed against the outer surface of the rear wall of the storage container and covering the installation opening.

That is to say, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can be integrated with the storage container by being installed in the installation port. In this way, it is only necessary to make a special design for the opening position of the installation port (for example, make it opposite to the air return port 520 ). , that is, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can be positioned, which can simplify the installation process of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 .

In some embodiments, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 may include a housing 110 , a cathode plate 120 and an anode plate 140 .

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 of the refrigerator 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 of the refrigerator 10 shown in Fig. 3 .

The casing 110 may be substantially flat and rectangular. And the housing 110 is provided with a side opening 114 facing the installation opening.

The cathode plate 120 is disposed at the side opening 114 to define together with the casing 110 a liquid storage cavity for containing the electrolyte, and is configured to consume oxygen in the storage space 210 through an electrochemical reaction. Since the side opening 114 communicates with the storage space 210 through the installation opening, the cathode plate 120 is in airflow communication with the storage space 210 . For example, oxygen in the air can undergo a reduction reaction at the cathode plate 120 , namely: O ₂ +2H ₂ O+4e ⁻ →4OH ⁻ .

For example, one of the walls of the housing 110 (eg, the front side of the housing) can be opened to form a lateral opening opposite to the installation opening. The cathode plate 120 in this embodiment can directly serve as the front side of the casing 110 for sealing the liquid storage chamber. The opening size of the side opening 114 may be larger than the opening size of the installation opening, so that the cathode plate 120 seals the installation opening while sealing the side opening 114. The liquid storage chamber of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can hold an alkaline electrolyte, such as 1mol/L NaOH, and its concentration can be adjusted according to actual needs.

The anode plate 140 is disposed in the liquid storage chamber and is configured to provide reactants to the cathode plate 120 through an electrochemical reaction and generate oxygen. For example, the OH ⁻ produced by the cathode plate 120 can undergo an oxidation reaction at the anode plate 140 to generate oxygen, namely: 4OH ⁻ →O ₂ +2H ₂ O+4e ⁻ . An anode power supply terminal 142 is formed on the anode plate 140 .

The housing 110 is also provided with an exhaust port 112 configured to allow the oxygen generated by the anode plate 140 to be exhausted. The exhaust port 112 can be disposed close to the top of the casing 110, which can reduce or avoid electrolyte leakage. In some further embodiments, the exhaust port 112 can also be used as a replenishment port for the electrolyte. When the electrolyte is not sufficient, the electrolyte can be injected into the liquid storage chamber at the exhaust port 112, which can realize the The multiplexing of the functions of 112 is beneficial to simplify the structure of the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 . In some embodiments, the electrolysis oxygen removal device 100 may further include an exhaust pipe 160 connected to the exhaust port 112 for guiding the gas flowing through the exhaust port 112 to the external environment.

In some embodiments, the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 may further include a partition 130 and a fixing component 150 .

The separator 130 is disposed in the liquid storage chamber and between the cathode plate 120 and the anode plate 140 for separating the cathode plate 120 from the anode plate 140 and preventing the electrolytic deoxidizer 100 from short circuiting. Specifically, a plurality of protrusions 132 are formed on the side of the separator 130 facing the anode plate 140, the protrusions 132 are in contact with the anode plate 140, and the cathode plate 120 is attached to a side of the separator 130 away from the protrusions 132. side, so as to form a preset gap between the cathode plate 120 and the anode plate 140 , thereby separating the cathode plate 120 from the anode plate 140 .

The fixing component 150 can be disposed on the outside of the cathode plate 120 and configured to fix the cathode plate 120 at the side opening 114 of the casing 110 . Specifically, the fixing assembly 150 may further include a metal frame 152 and a support 154 .

The metal frame 152 is attached to the outside of the cathode plate 120 . The metal frame 152 is in direct contact with the cathode plate 120 and can play a role of pressing the cathode plate 120, and the cathode power supply terminal 152b of the cathode plate 120 can also be provided on the metal frame 152 to connect with an external power supply.

The supporting member 154 is formed with an insertion slot. When the surrounding portion 152 a of the metal frame 152 enters the insertion slot of the support member 154 , the metal frame 152 can be fixed and positioned by the support member 154 , so that the metal frame 152 presses the cathode plate 120 .

In the above embodiments, the storage space 210 may refer to a refrigerated space, and the evaporator 300 may be a refrigerated evaporator 300 . In some optional embodiments, a freezing space is formed inside the box body 200, and the refrigerator 10 may further include a freezing evaporator 300 for supplying cooling to the freezing space. The defrosting mode of the freezing evaporator 300 can be set arbitrarily according to actual needs, for example, a defrosting heating wire can be arranged on the freezing evaporator 300, and the freezing evaporator 300 can be heated by the defrosting heating wire.

In the refrigerator 10 of the present invention, since the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 is not only in airflow communication with the storage space 210, but also in airflow communication with the evaporator 300, and the electrolytic deoxygenation device 100 can not only consume the oxygen in the storage space 210 through the electrochemical reaction, but also Can generate heat, which enables the refrigerator 10 of the present invention to use the heat generated by the electrolytic deoxidizer 100 to heat the evaporator 300 to achieve defrosting, so that there is no need to additionally install a defrosting heating wire on the evaporator 300, which is conducive to simplifying the refrigerator. The structure of 10 reduces the difficulty of the production process, and can also reduce or avoid the safety risk caused by the activation of the defrosting heating wire, and improve the overall safety performance of the refrigerator 10.

So far, those skilled in the art should appreciate that, although a number of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the disclosed embodiments of the present invention can still be used. Many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the invention are directly identified or derived from the content. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be understood and deemed to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

A refrigerator comprising:

The box body has a storage space inside;

an evaporator configured to provide cooling to the storage space; and

The electrolytic deoxygenation device, a part of which is in air flow communication with the storage space, is configured to consume the oxygen in the storage space through an electrochemical reaction under the action of electrolysis voltage; the other part of the electrolytic deoxygenation device is also connected to the storage space The evaporator is in gas flow communication so that the refrigerator uses the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction to heat the evaporator.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein,

the evaporator is configured to provide cooling to the storage space when the refrigerator is operating in a cooling mode; and

The electro-deoxygenation device is configured to be activated in a controlled manner after the refrigerator exits the cooling mode.
The refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising:

a temperature sensor, disposed in the storage space, configured to detect the temperature of the storage space; and the refrigerator is configured to operate a cooling mode when the temperature of the storage space is higher than a preset first temperature threshold , further configured to exit the cooling mode when the temperature of the storage space reaches a preset second temperature threshold, the second temperature threshold being smaller than the first temperature threshold.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising:

an oxygen concentration sensor disposed in the storage space and configured to detect the oxygen concentration in the storage space; and

The electrolytic deoxygenation device is further configured to be controlled to shut down when the oxygen concentration in the storage space is lower than a preset concentration threshold.
The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein,

An air supply duct is also formed inside the box, and the air supply duct communicates with the storage space through an air return port;

The evaporator is arranged in the air supply duct and communicated with the air return port, so that the return air flow passing through the return air port flows through the evaporator; and

The electrolytic deoxygenation device is opposite to the air return port, so that a part of it is in airflow communication with the evaporator.
The refrigerator according to claim 5, further comprising:

The fan is arranged in the air supply duct and is configured to promote the formation of an airflow that flows through the electrolytic deoxidizer and then flows through the air return port and the evaporator after the electrolytic deoxidizer is started, To transfer the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction to the evaporator.
The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein,

The air supply duct is also communicated with the storage compartment through the air supply port; and

The refrigerator also includes a controllable air door, which is arranged at the air supply port and is configured to reduce the opening of the air supply port when the refrigerator exits the cooling mode and the electro-deoxidizer is activated.
The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein,

A storage compartment is formed inside the box; and

The refrigerator also includes a storage container, which is arranged in the storage compartment; the internal space of the storage container forms the storage space; the storage container is provided with an installation opening facing the air return port;

The electrolytic deoxygenation device is arranged at the installation opening, and the installation opening is closed, so that a part of the electrolytic deoxygenation device is in airflow communication with the storage container.
The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein:

The electrolytic oxygen removal device includes:

The housing is provided with a side opening facing the installation port;

a cathode plate, disposed at the side opening, to define together with the casing a liquid storage chamber for containing electrolyte, and configured to consume oxygen in the storage space through an electrochemical reaction; and

The anode plate is arranged in the liquid storage chamber and is configured to provide reactants to the cathode plate through an electrochemical reaction.
The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein,

The housing is also provided with an exhaust port configured to allow the oxygen generated by the anode plate to escape; and

The refrigerator also includes an exhaust pipe connected to the exhaust port and used to guide the gas flowing through the exhaust port to an external environment of the refrigerator.