REFRIGERATOR AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING LID OF DRAWER IN REFRIGERATION COMPARTMENT

A refrigerator has a refrigeration compartment, a drawer located inside the refrigeration compartment, and a lid adapted to open or close the drawer. The refrigeration compartment includes: a support module, mounted on an inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment, where the support module includes an elastic member; and a motor module, including a motor, a cam, and a connection portion connected to the lid and the cam. The motor drives the cam to generate a first rotation to push the connection portion to move upward, to cause the lid to compress upward the elastic member, so that the lid ascends to a first position. The motor further drives the cam to generate a second rotation to push the connection portion to move downward, to cause the connection portion and the elastic member to push downward the lid, so that the lid descends to a second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Chinese Patent Application CN 202110468536.6, filed Apr. 28, 2021; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of household appliance technologies, and in particular, to a refrigerator and a method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment.

With continuous improvement of living standards and diversified development of item storage requirements, functional requirements of a user for a refrigerator also gradually increase. Currently, drawers in refrigeration compartments of many refrigerators are all provided with lids, but adjustment of these lids needs to be improved, resulting in poor user experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide an improved refrigerator and a method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved refrigerator, including: a refrigeration compartment, a drawer located inside the refrigeration compartment, and a lid adapted to open or close the drawer. The refrigeration compartment includes: a support module, mounted on an inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment, where the support module includes an elastic member; and a motor module, including a motor, a cam, and a connection portion connected to the lid and the cam, where the motor is adapted to drive the cam to generate first rotation to push the connection portion to move upward, to cause the lid to compress upward the elastic member, so that the lid ascends to a first position; and is adapted to drive the cam to generate second rotation opposite to a direction of the first rotation to push the connection portion to move downward, to cause the connection portion and the elastic member to push downward the lid, so that the lid descends to a second position; and the first position is higher than the second position.

Optionally, the first position is the highest position to which the lid can ascend under driving of the motor, the second position is a lowest position to which the lid can descend under the driving of the motor, the lid is adapted to open the drawer when being in the first position, and the lid is adapted to close the drawer when being in the second position.

Optionally, both the first position and the second position are located between the highest position to which the lid can ascend and the lowest position to which the lid can descend under the driving of the motor, and the lid is adapted to open the drawer when being in the first position or the second position.

Optionally, the first position is the highest position to which the lid can ascend under the driving of the motor, the second position is located between the highest position and the lowest position to which the lid can descend under the driving of the motor, and the lid is adapted to open the drawer when being in the first position or the second position.

Optionally, the first position is located between the highest position to which the lid can ascend and the lowest position to which the lid can descend under the driving of the motor, the second position is the lowest position, the lid is adapted to open the drawer when being in the first position, and the lid is adapted to close the drawer when being in the second position.

Optionally, the motor module is adapted to drive the lid to vertically move up and down relative to the drawer.

Optionally, the support module includes a support provided with a groove, the groove includes an opening toward the lid, and the elastic member is accommodated in the groove.

Optionally, the support module includes a first support module and a second support module respectively mounted on a left inner side wall and a right inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment. The support includes a first support and a second support. The groove includes a first groove and a second groove, and the elastic member includes a first elastic member and a second elastic member. The first support module includes the first support provided with the first groove and the first elastic member accommodated in the first groove, and the second support module includes the second support provided with the second groove and the second elastic member accommodated in the second groove.

Optionally, the lid includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion respectively disposed on a left-side edge and a right-side edge of the lid, and respectively adapted to be in elastic contact with the first elastic member and the second elastic member.

Optionally, the first contact portion extends leftward from the left-side edge, and the second contact portion extends rightward from the right-side edge.

Optionally, the first elastic member and the second elastic member are adapted to extend out of the respective opening from the first groove and the second groove respectively.

Optionally, the first groove is adapted to completely accommodate the first elastic member and at least partially accommodate the first contact portion, and the second groove is adapted to completely accommodate the second elastic member and at least partially accommodate the second contact portion.

Optionally, the first groove includes two first grooves disposed at the front and the rear, and respectively accommodating two first elastic members, the first contact portion includes two first contact portions disposed at the front and the rear, and respectively adapted to be in elastic contact with the two first elastic members; and the second groove includes two second grooves disposed at the front and the rear, and respectively accommodating two second elastic members. The second contact portion includes two second contact portions disposed at the front and the rear, and respectively adapted to be in elastic contact with the two second elastic members.

Optionally, the lid includes a mounting portion adapted to fix the connection portion, and the mounting portion is disposed in a position equidistant from a left-side edge and a right-side edge of the lid.

Optionally, the motor is adapted to drive the cam to generate the first rotation when a humidity of the drawer is adjusted from a first humidity range to a second humidity range, and is adapted to drive the cam to generate the second rotation when the humidity of the drawer is adjusted from the second humidity range to the first humidity range, where any humidity value in the first humidity range is greater than any humidity value in the second humidity range.

Optionally, the cam includes a cam body and a support portion located on a front end of the cam body, and the support portion is adapted to perform eccentric rotation during the first rotation and the second rotation. The connection portion includes a sleeve portion whose inner surface is partially engaged with an outer periphery of the support portion, and the sleeve portion is adapted to abut against the outer periphery of the support portion only in a vertical direction during the first rotation and the second rotation.

Optionally, the elastic member includes a spring and a slider, and the lid is adapted to be in elastic contact with the spring through the slider.

Optionally, the motor module includes a cam front lid, the cam front lid is located on a front side of the cam and provided with a first hole, and a front surface of the cam is provided with a protrusion extending forward and passing through the first hole.

Optionally, the motor is adapted to drive the cam to generate the first rotation when a set temperature of the refrigeration compartment is adjusted from a first temperature range to a second temperature range, and is adapted to drive the cam to generate the second rotation when the set temperature is adjusted from the second temperature range to the first temperature range, where any temperature value in the first temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the second temperature range.

Optionally, the first temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to 0 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to 12 degrees Celsius; and the second temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −20 degrees Celsius to less than 0 degrees Celsius.

Optionally, the first position includes the highest position, and the motor is adapted to cause the lid to ascend to the highest position when the set temperature is adjusted to a third temperature range, where the third temperature range is in the second temperature range.

Optionally, the motor module includes a cam rear lid, the cam rear lid is located on a rear side of the cam, a front surface of the cam rear lid is provided with a blocking portion, and a rear surface of the cam is provided with a motion portion. When the lid ascends to the highest position, one end of the blocking portion abuts against one end of the motion portion to prevent the latter from continuing to move, and when the lid descends to the second position, an other end of the blocking portion abuts against an other end of the motion portion to prevent the latter from continuing to move.

Optionally, the cam rear lid is provided with a second hole, the cam is provided with a third hole, and the motor includes a motor shaft extending forward and passing through the second hole to reach the third hole.

Optionally, the third temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −20 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to −18 degrees Celsius.

Optionally, the first position includes a middle position lower than the highest position, and the motor is adapted to cause the lid to ascend to the middle position when the set temperature is adjusted to a fourth temperature range, where the fourth temperature range is in the second temperature range, and any temperature value in the fourth temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the third temperature range.

Optionally, the fourth temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −12 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to −6 degrees Celsius.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment. The refrigeration compartment includes the foregoing refrigerator. The method includes: determining whether adjustment of the refrigeration compartment belongs to first adjustment or second adjustment; when the adjustment belongs to the first adjustment, driving the cam to generate first rotation, to push the connection portion to move upward, where the lid ascends to a first position based on the upward movement of the connection portion and upward compression of the lid against the elastic member; and when the adjustment belongs to the second adjustment, driving the cam to generate second rotation opposite to a direction of the first rotation, to push the connection portion to move downward, where the lid descends to a second position based on the downward movement of the connection portion and downward push of the elastic member, where the first position is higher than the second position.

Optionally, the first adjustment is that a set temperature of the refrigeration compartment is adjusted from a first temperature range to a second temperature range, the second adjustment is that the set temperature is adjusted from the second temperature range to the first temperature range, and any temperature value in the first temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the second temperature range; or the first adjustment is that a set humidity of the drawer is adjusted from a first humidity range to a second humidity range, the second adjustment is that the set humidity is adjusted from the second humidity range to the first humidity range, and any humidity value in the first humidity range is greater than any humidity value in the second humidity range.

Compared with the prior art, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects.

For example, a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment may automatically ascend or descend under the action of a support module and a motor module, so as to automatically adjust the lid. Moreover, the support module and the motor module have simple structures, are convenient in disassembly and assembly, and are easy to realize, thereby helping to save mounting spaces thereof and a movable space of the lid.

In another example, the lid may be adjusted to cause the drawer to ascend (for example, be opened) or descend (for example, be closed) based on a set humidity of the drawer, so that the drawer may ascend (for example, be opened) at lower humidity, and descend (for example, be closed) at higher humidity, so as to facilitate preservation of items in the drawer.

In another example, the lid may be adjusted to cause the drawer to ascend (for example, be opened) or descend (for example, be closed) based on a set temperature of the refrigeration compartment, so that the drawer may descend (for example, be closed) at higher temperature, so as to facilitate preservation of items in the drawer, and the drawer may ascend (for example, be opened) at lower temperature, so as to prevent the drawer and the lid from being frozen and help cold air in the refrigerator to enter the drawer rapidly to improve refrigeration efficiency of the drawer.

In another example, a mounting portion connected to the motor module and the lid is disposed in a position equidistant from a left-side edge and a right-side edge of the lid, and/or in a position equidistant from a front-side edge and a rear-side edge of the lid. In this way, not only the lid can move upward or downward smoothly, but also various parts of the lid have a same ascending height during upward movement, and the various parts of the lid have a same descending height during downward movement.

In another example, a plurality of elastic members connected to a support and the lid are arranged uniformly, and materials and structures of the plurality of elastic members are set identically. In one aspect, the lid can move upward smoothly; in another aspect, the various parts of the lid can have the same ascending height during upward movement, so that gaps between various positions of edges of the lid and the drawer are the same, and then cold air in the refrigeration compartment can enter the drawer uniformly along a periphery of the lid, to cause refrigeration to be performed rapidly and uniformly in the drawer; and in still another aspect, an upper edge of the drawer can be sealed uniformly, so as to avoid a situation that a certain position of the upper edge of the drawer is not tightly sealed due to a nonuniform force.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a refrigerator and a method for adjusting lid of drawer in refrigeration compartment, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the prior art, drawers in refrigeration compartments of many refrigerators are all provided with lids, but these lids cannot be adjusted flexibly, resulting in poor user experience.

Different from the prior art, embodiments of the present invention provide an improved refrigerator and a method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment. The refrigerator includes a refrigeration compartment, a drawer located inside the refrigeration compartment, and a lid adapted to open or close the drawer. The refrigeration compartment includes: a support module, mounted on an inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment, where the support module includes an elastic member; and a motor module, including a motor, a cam, and a connection portion connected to the lid and the cam, where the motor is adapted to drive the cam to generate first rotation to push the connection portion to move upward, to cause the lid to compress upward the elastic member, so that the lid ascends to a first position; and is adapted to drive the cam to generate second rotation opposite to a direction of the first rotation to push the connection portion to move downward, to cause the connection portion and the elastic member to push downward the lid, so that the lid descends to a second position; and the first position is higher than the second position.

Compared with the prior art, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects.

For example, a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment may automatically ascend or descend under the action of a support module and a motor module. Moreover, the support module and the motor module have simple structures, are convenient in disassembly and assembly, and are easy to realize, thereby helping to save mounting spaces thereof and a movable space of the lid.

To make the objectives, features, and beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention more comprehensible, the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It may be understood that specific embodiments described below are only used to explain the present invention, but not to limit the present invention. In addition, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings only show parts relevant to the present invention rather than the entire structure.

To facilitate description of the refrigerator provided in the embodiments of the present invention, some accompanying drawings provided in the embodiments of the present invention show four directions that are front, rear, left, and right. The “front” indicates a direction of the refrigerator facing a user, the “rear” indicates a direction opposite to the “front”, the “right” indicates a direction of a right side of the user when facing the refrigerator, and the “left” indicates a direction opposite to the “right”. It should be understood that, from another perspective of the refrigerator, there are also directions of front, rear, left, and right corresponding to the corresponding perspective. The directions of front, rear, left, and right shown in some accompanying drawings provided in the embodiments of the present invention are merely used for ease of description of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention, but do not limit description of the solutions.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, embodiments of the present invention provide a refrigerator10, including: a refrigeration compartment100, a drawer110located inside the refrigeration compartment100, and a lid120adapted to open or close the drawer110.

Specifically, the refrigeration compartment100may include a refrigerating compartment or a variable-temperature compartment. The variable-temperature compartment may be used as a conventional freezing compartment or chilling compartment based on difference in temperature. Moreover, humidity in the refrigerating compartment or the variable-temperature compartment may also be adjusted.

Specifically, the support modules130and140are mounted on an inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment100, and include elastic members133,134,143, and144. The motor module150includes a motor151, a cam152, and a connection portion153connected to the lid120and the cam152.

During specific implementation, the motor151is adapted to drive the cam152to generate first rotation to push the connection portion153to move upward, to cause the lid120to compress upward the elastic members133,134,143, and144, so that the lid120ascends to a first position; and is adapted to drive the cam152to generate second rotation to push the connection portion153to move downward, to cause the connection portion153and the elastic members133,134,143, and144to push downward the lid120, so that the lid120descends to a second position.

In some embodiments, the first position is the highest position to which the lid120can ascend under driving of the motor151, the second position is a lowest position to which the lid120can descend under the driving of the motor151, the lid120is adapted to open the drawer110when being in the first position, and the lid120is adapted to close the drawer110when being in the second position.

In some other embodiments, both the first position and the second position are located between the highest position and the lowest position to which the lid120can ascend and descend under the driving of the motor151, and the lid120is adapted to open the drawer110when being in the first position or the second position.

In still other embodiments, the first position is the highest position to which the lid120can ascend under the driving of the motor151, the second position is located between the highest position and the lowest position to which the lid120can descend under the driving of the motor151, and the lid120is adapted to open the drawer110when being in the first position or the second position.

In yet other embodiments, the first position is located between the highest position and the lowest position to which the lid120can ascend and descend under the driving of the motor151, the second position is the lowest position, the lid120is adapted to open the drawer110when being in the first position, and the lid120is adapted to close the drawer110when being in the second position.

Referring toFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the support modules130and140include supports132and142provided with grooves131and141, and the elastic members133,134,143, and144. The grooves131and141include openings131aand141athat open toward the lid120, and the elastic members133,134,143, and144are accommodated in the grooves131and141.

In some embodiments, the support modules130and140include a first support module130mounted on a left inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment100and a second support module140mounted on a right inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment100.

The supports132and142include a first support132and a second support142, the grooves131and141include a first groove131and a second groove141, and the elastic members133,134,143, and144include first elastic members133and134and second elastic members143and144.

The first support module130includes the first support132provided with the first groove131and the first elastic members133and134accommodated in the first groove131. The second support module140includes the second support142provided with the second groove141and the second elastic members143and144accommodated in the second groove141.

In some embodiments, the first support132may be mounted on the left inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment100by using screws, and the second support142may be mounted on the right inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment100by using screws.

During specific implementation, the first support132is provided with a first mounting hole135, so that the first support132is mounted on the left inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment100by using the screws to pass through the first mounting hole135and fixing the screws to the left inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment100.

The second support142is provided with a second mounting hole145, so that the second support142is mounted on the right inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment100by using the screws to pass through the second mounting hole145and fixing the screws to the right inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment100.

During specific implementation, the first groove131is provided with a first opening131athat opens toward the lid120. The second groove141is provided with a second opening141athat opens toward the lid120.

In some embodiments, the first elastic members133and134are adapted to extend out of the first opening131afrom the first groove131, and the second elastic members143and144are adapted to extend out of the second opening141afrom the second groove141.

In some embodiments, the lid120includes a first contact portion123disposed on a left-side edge121of the lid and a second contact portion124disposed a right-side edge122of the lid. The first contact portion123is adapted to be in elastic contact with the first elastic members133and134, and the second contact portion124is adapted to be in elastic contact with the second elastic members143and144.

In some embodiments, the first contact portion123extends leftward from the left-side edge121of the lid120, and the second contact portion124extends rightward from the right-side edge122of the lid120.

In some embodiments, the first groove131is adapted to completely accommodate the first elastic members133and134and at least partially accommodate the first contact portion123, and the second groove141is adapted to completely accommodate the second elastic members143and144and at least partially accommodate the second contact portion124.

In some embodiments, the first support module130includes two first elastic members133and134, the first groove131includes two first grooves131disposed at the front and the rear, and the two first grooves131are configured to respectively accommodate the two first elastic members133and134.

Correspondingly, the first contact portion123includes two first contact portions123disposed at the front and the rear, and the two first contact portions123are adapted to be in elastic contact with the two first elastic members133and134respectively.

The second support module140includes two second elastic members143and144, the second groove141includes two second grooves141disposed at the front and the rear, and the two second grooves141are configured to respectively accommodate the two second elastic members143and144.

Correspondingly, the second contact portion124includes two second contact portions124disposed at the front and the rear, and the two second contact portions124are adapted to be in elastic contact with the two second elastic members143and144respectively.

In some embodiments, the elastic members133,134,143, and144include springs133and143and sliders134and144, and the lid120is adapted to be in elastic contact with the springs133and143through the sliders134and144.

During specific implementation, the first elastic members133and134include a first spring133and a first slider134, and the first contact portion123of the lid120is in elastic contact with the first spring133through the first slider134.

The second elastic members143and144include a second spring143and a second slider144, and the second contact portion124of the lid120is in elastic contact with the second spring143through the second slider144.

During specific implementation, both the first spring133and the second spring143are in a compressed state when being in a working state.

During specific implementation, the motor module150may be mounted on a top inner side wall of the refrigeration compartment100.

Still referring toFIG. 3, the motor module150may include the motor151, the cam152, the connection portion153, a cam front lid160, and a cam rear lid170.

During specific implementation, the cam front lid160is provided with a first depressed portion (not shown) extending forward along a rear end of the cam front lid, the cam rear lid170is provided with a second depressed portion170aextending rearward along a front end of the cam rear lid, and the cam front lid160and the cam rear lid170are engaged with each other and cause the first depressed portion and the second depressed portion170ato be opposed to form a space adapted to accommodate the cam152and a part of the connection portion153.

Referring toFIG. 3, andFIGS. 5 to 7, the cam rear lid170is located on a rear side of the cam152and provided with a second hole173, and the cam152is provided with a third hole159.

During specific implementation, the motor151is located on a rear side of the cam rear lid170, and includes a motor shaft (not shown) extending forward and being adapted to pass through the second hole173to reach the third hole159.

During specific implementation, the motor shaft passes through the second hole173to be connected to the third hole159of the cam152, so that the motor151may drive the cam152to generate the first rotation or the second rotation through the motor shaft. Rotation directions of the first rotation and the second rotation are opposite.

In some embodiments, the motor151may be mounted on the cam rear lid170by using screws.

Specifically, the motor151may be provided with a motor screw (not shown), and a rear end of the cam rear lid170may be provided with a third mounting hole173adapted to mount the motor screw, so that the motor151is connected to the cam rear lid170through the motor screw and the third mounting hole173.

During specific implementation, at least two groups of motor screws and third mounting holes173may be set, so that the motor151is stably connected to the cam rear lid170.

The motor151may be further provided with a fourth mounting hole (not shown), and the rear end of the cam rear lid170may be further provided with a rear lid screw177adapted to fit into the fourth mounting hole, so that the motor151is connected to the cam rear lid170through the rear lid screw177and the fourth mounting hole.

During specific implementation, at least two groups of rear lid screws177and fourth mounting holes may alternatively be set, so that the motor151is stably connected to the cam rear lid170.

In some embodiments, the cam rear lid170may be fixedly connected to the cam front lid160by using screws.

Specifically, the cam rear lid170may be provided with a fifth mounting hole175. Correspondingly, the cam front lid160may be provided with a sixth mounting hole (not shown) matching the fifth mounting hole175. The cam rear lid170may be fixedly connected to the cam front lid160by using the screws to sequentially pass through the fifth mounting hole175and the sixth mounting hole that match each other from rear to front.

In some embodiments, four fifth mounting holes175may be located on edges of the cam rear lid170, and may be arranged uniformly. Correspondingly, four sixth mounting holes may alternatively be located on edges of the cam front lid160, and may be arranged uniformly. Moreover, the fifth mounting holes175correspond to the sixth mounting holes one by one. In this way, the cam rear lid170may be more stably connected to the cam front lid160.

Still referring toFIG. 3,FIG. 8, andFIG. 9, the cam front lid160is located on a front side of the cam152and provided with a first hole161, and a front surface155of the cam152is provided with a protrusion154extending forward and matching the first hole161. The protrusion154is adapted to be inserted into the first hole161, and rotate synchronously in the first hole161when the cam152generates the first rotation or the second rotation.

Specifically, when the cam152generates the first rotation, the protrusion154is adapted to perform rotation whose rotation speed and direction are the same as those of the first rotation in the first hole161; and when the cam152generates the second rotation, the protrusion154is adapted to perform rotation whose rotation speed and direction are the same as those of the second rotation in the first hole161.

In this way, the cam152may be supported on the cam front lid160when generating the first rotation or the second rotation, so that the cam152may keep stable when generating the first rotation or the second rotation.

Referring toFIG. 3,FIG. 8, andFIG. 9, the cam152includes a cam body152aand a support portion152blocated on a front end of the cam body152a.

The support portion152bis located in a space formed by the cam front lid160and the cam rear lid170, and is adapted to perform eccentric rotation during the first rotation and the second rotation.

In some embodiments, the cam body152amay be made of a uniform material and provided with a regular shape, for example, a circle, and a rotation center of the cam body152aduring the first rotation and the second rotation coincides with a geometric center of the cam body.

The support portion152bmay also be made of a uniform material and provided with a regular shape, for example, a circle, and a geometric center of the support portion152bdoes not coincide with the geometric center of the cam body152a.

In this way, during the first rotation and the second rotation, the support portion152bmay generate the eccentric rotation because a rotation center of the support portion does not coincide with the geometric center of the support portion.

In some embodiments, when the lid120is located in the first position, the geometric center of the support portion152bis located above the geometric center of the cam body152a; and when the lid120is located in the second position, the geometric center of the support portion152bis located under the geometric center of the cam body152a.

Referring toFIG. 3,FIG. 8, andFIG. 9, the connection portion153includes a sleeve portion158whose inner surface is partially engaged with an outer periphery of the support portion152b.

In some embodiments, the sleeve portion158is adapted to abut against the outer periphery of the support portion152bonly in a vertical direction during a process that the support portion152bgenerates the first rotation and the second rotation.

During specific implementation, the support portion152bis adapted to move upward when the cam152generates the first rotation, to drive the sleeve portion158sleeved on the outer periphery of the support portion to move upward, so as to drive the connection portion153to move upward.

The support portion152bis further adapted to move downward when the cam152generates the second rotation, to drive the sleeve portion158sleeved on the outer periphery of the support portion to move downward, so as to drive the connection portion153to move downward.

Referring toFIG. 3,FIG. 8, andFIG. 9, the lid120includes a mounting portion125adapted to fix the connection portion153.

In some embodiments, the mounting portion125is fixed to a top part of the lid120, and is connected to the connection portion153in a mutually nested manner, so that the connection portion153is mounted on the top part of the lid120.

During specific implementation, the connection portion153may drive the lid120to move upward or downward synchronously. In some embodiments, the mounting portion125may be disposed in a position equidistant from the left-side edge121and the right-side edge122of the lid120.

In some embodiments, the mounting portion125may be further disposed in a position equidistant from a front side edge and a rear side edge of the lid120.

In this way, not only the lid120can move upward or downward smoothly, but also various parts of the lid120have a same ascending height during upward movement, and the various parts of the lid120have a same descending height during downward movement.

During specific implementation, when the cam152generates the first rotation, the connection portion153moves upward, so as to drive the lid120to move upward to the first position, so that cold air in the refrigeration compartment100enters the drawer110rapidly, thereby improving refrigeration efficiency of the drawer110.

During a process that the lid120moves upward, the first contact portion123of the lid120may compress upward the first elastic members133and134, and the second contact portion124of the lid120may compress upward the second elastic members143and144.

During specific implementation, materials and structures of the first elastic members133and134and the second elastic members143and144are identical.

In this way, not only the lid120can move upward smoothly, but also the various parts of the lid120have the same ascending height during upward movement, so that gaps between various positions of edges of the lid120and the drawer110are the same, and then cold air in the refrigeration compartment100can enter the drawer110uniformly along a periphery of the lid120, to cause refrigeration to be performed rapidly and uniformly in the drawer110.

During specific implementation, when the cam152generates the second rotation, the connection portion153moves downward, so as to drive the lid120to move downward to the second position, thereby being more conducive to moisturizing and preservation of an interior of the drawer110.

During a process that the lid120moves downward, the first elastic members133and134may push downward the first contact portion123of the lid120due to an elastic function, and the second elastic members143and144may push downward the second contact portion124of the lid120due to the elastic function.

During specific implementation, materials and structures of the first elastic members133and134and the second elastic members143and144are identical.

In this way, not only the lid120can move downward smoothly, but also the various parts of the lid120have the same descending height during downward movement, and when the lid120moves downward, a force applied to various positions of which an upper edge of the drawer110is in contact with the lid120can be uniform.

In some embodiments, a sealing ring may be further disposed between the drawer110and the lid120, so that the drawer110may be sealed when the lid120closes the drawer110. In this case, a force applied to various positions of which the upper edge of the drawer110is in contact with the sealing ring is uniform, and a force applied to various positions of which the sealing ring is in contact with the lid120is also uniform.

In this way, the upper edge of the drawer110can be sealed uniformly, so as to avoid a situation that a certain position of the upper edge of the drawer110is not tightly sealed due to a nonuniform force.

Still referring toFIG. 5andFIG. 7, a front surface171of the cam rear lid170is provided with a blocking portion172, and a rear surface156of the cam152is provided with a motion portion157matching the blocking portion172.

In some embodiments, the blocking portion172may be located on an upper part of the front surface171of the cam rear lid170, and the motion portion157may be located on a left side part of the rear surface156of the cam152(if it is viewed from a rear view of the cam152, the motion portion157is located on a right side part of the rear surface156of the cam152, as shown inFIG. 7). In this case, for a direction of the first rotation and a direction of the second rotation of the cam152, reference may be made toFIG. 7.

During specific implementation, when the cam152performs the first rotation, the blocking portion172is adapted to prevent the motion portion157from continuing to move by using one end of the blocking portion to abut against one end of the motion portion157, so that the lid120moves upward to the highest position.

Specifically, the blocking portion172includes a first blocking end172a, and the motion portion157includes a first motion end157a. When the cam152performs the first rotation, the first blocking end172ais adapted to abut against the first motion end157ato prevent the motion portion157from continuing to move, so that the lid120moves upward to the highest position.

When the cam152performs the second rotation, the blocking portion172is further adapted to prevent the motion portion157from continuing to move by using an other end of the blocking portion to abut against an other end of the motion portion157, so that the lid120moves downward to the lowest position.

Specifically, the blocking portion172includes a second blocking end172b, and the motion portion157includes a second motion end157b. When the cam152performs the second rotation, the second blocking end172bis adapted to abut against the second motion end157bto prevent the motion portion157from continuing to move, so that the lid120moves downward to the lowest position.

In some embodiments, the motor module150is adapted to drive the lid120to vertically move up and down relative to the drawer110.

In some other embodiments, the motor module150is also adapted to drive the lid120to non-vertically move up and down relative to the drawer110.

Anyhow, the motor module150drives the lid120to vertically or non-vertically move up and down relative to the drawer110, as long as the lid120can move downward or upward.

In some embodiments, the refrigerator10may further include a humidity input unit and a controller. The humidity input unit is configured to receive a set humidity of the drawer110inputted by a user. The controller is configured to control the motor151to drive the cam152to generate the first rotation when the set humidity of the drawer110is adjusted from a first humidity range to a second humidity range, to cause the lid120to ascend to the first position, and control the motor151to drive the cam152to generate the second rotation when the set humidity of the drawer110is adjusted from the second humidity range to the first humidity range, to cause the lid120to descend to the second position.

During specific implementation, the humidity input unit may include a first touch panel. The first touch panel is adapted to sense an input operation of the user to obtain a corresponding set humidity. For example, when the user enters “60% RH” through the first touch panel, the first touch panel may sense the input operation of the user and obtain “60% RH” as the set humidity of the drawer110. RH represents an abbreviation of relative humidity.

In the embodiments of the present invention, a humidity in the drawer110is adjusted to the set humidity by using a conventional technical means in the art.

During specific implementation, the set humidity may be a specific humidity value, or a humidity range.

During specific implementation, any humidity value in the first humidity range is greater than any humidity value in the second humidity range.

In some embodiments, the first humidity range may include a humidity interval from greater than or equal to 50% RH to less than or equal to 95% RH, and the second humidity range may include a humidity interval from greater than or equal to 25% RH to less than 50% RH.

During specific implementation, the humidity in the drawer110is adjusted to the first humidity range to be adapted to store ingredients such as fruits and vegetables, so as to keep these ingredients lastingly moist and fresh. The humidity in the drawer110is adjusted to the second humidity range to be adapted to store ingredients such as seafood and chilled meat, so as to reduce loss of nutrients of these ingredients and keep the meat fresh and tender.

In some embodiments, the refrigerator10may further include a temperature input unit and a controller. The temperature input unit is configured to receive a set temperature of the refrigeration compartment100inputted by the user. The controller is configured to control the motor151to drive the cam152to generate the first rotation when the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment100is adjusted from a first temperature range to a second temperature range, to cause the lid120to ascend to the first position, and control the motor151to drive the cam152to generate the second rotation when the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment100is adjusted from the second temperature range to the first temperature range, to cause the lid120to descend to the second position.

During specific implementation, the temperature input unit may include a second touch panel. The second touch panel is adapted to sense an input operation of the user to obtain a corresponding set temperature. For example, when the user enters “−18 degrees Celsius” through the second touch panel, the second touch panel may sense the input operation of the user and obtain “−18 degrees Celsius” as the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment100.

In the embodiments of the present invention, a temperature in the refrigeration compartment100is adjusted to the set temperature by using a conventional technical means in the art.

During specific implementation, the set temperature may be a specific temperature value, or a temperature range.

During specific implementation, any temperature value in the first temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the second temperature range.

In some embodiments, the first temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to 0 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to 12 degrees Celsius, and the second temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −20 degrees Celsius to less than 0 degrees Celsius.

During specific implementation, when the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment100is adjusted to the first temperature range, the refrigeration compartment100is adapted to be used as a conventional refrigerating compartment, and when the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment100is adjusted to the second temperature range, the refrigeration compartment100is adapted to be used as a conventional freezing compartment or chilling compartment.

In some embodiments, the first position of the lid120may include the highest position to which the lid may move upward. The motor151is adapted to cause the lid120to ascend to the highest position when the set temperature is adjusted to a third temperature range.

During specific implementation, the third temperature range is in the second temperature range.

In some embodiments, the third temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −20 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to −18 degrees Celsius.

During specific implementation, when the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment100is adjusted to the third temperature range, the refrigeration compartment100is adapted to be used as the conventional freezing compartment.

In some other embodiments, the first position of the lid120includes a middle position between the highest position and the lowest position of the lid. The motor151is adapted to cause the lid120to ascend to the middle position when the set temperature is adjusted to a fourth temperature range.

During specific implementation, the fourth temperature range is in the second temperature range, and any temperature value in the fourth temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the third temperature range.

In some embodiments, the fourth temperature range includes a temperature interval from greater than or equal to −12 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to −6 degrees Celsius.

During specific implementation, when the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment100is adjusted to the fourth temperature range, the refrigeration compartment100is adapted to be used as the conventional chilling compartment.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for adjusting a lid of a drawer in a refrigeration compartment. A refrigeration compartment100is included in a refrigerator10provided by the embodiments of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 10, the method for adjusting a lid120of a refrigeration compartment100includes:

S1. Determine whether adjustment of the refrigeration compartment100belongs to first adjustment or second adjustment. When the adjustment belongs to the first adjustment, step S2is performed; and when the adjustment belongs to the second adjustment, step S3is performed.

S2. Drive a cam152to generate first rotation, to push a connection portion153to move upward, where the lid120ascends to a first position based on the upward movement of the connection portion153and upward compression of the lid against elastic members133,134,143, and144.

S3. Drive the cam152to generate second rotation opposite to a direction of the first rotation, to push the connection portion153to move downward, where the lid120descends to a second position based on the downward movement of the connection portion153and downward push of the elastic members133,134,143, and144.

During specific implementation, the first position is higher than the second position.

In some embodiments, the first adjustment is that a set temperature of the refrigeration compartment100is adjusted from a first temperature range to a second temperature range, and the second adjustment is that the set temperature of the refrigeration compartment100is adjusted from the second temperature range to the first temperature range. Any temperature value in the first temperature range is greater than any temperature value in the second temperature range.

In some embodiments, the first adjustment is that a set humidity of a drawer110is adjusted from a first humidity range to a second humidity range, and the second adjustment is that the set humidity of the drawer110is adjusted from the second humidity range to the first humidity range. Any humidity value in the first humidity range is greater than any humidity value in the second humidity range.

During specific implementation, the adjustment of the lid120may be implemented based on the technical solutions of the refrigerator10disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, and details are not described herein again.

Although specific implementations are described above, the implementations are not intended to limit the scope disclosed in the present invention, even if only a single implementation is described relative to a specific feature. The feature examples provided in the present invention are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, unless different expressions are made. During specific implementation, according to an actual requirement, in a technically feasible case, the technical features of one or more dependent claims may be combined with the technical features of the independent claims, and the technical features from the corresponding independent claims may be combined in any appropriate way instead of using just specific combinations listed in the claims.

Although the present invention is disclosed above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the scope defined by the claims.