Patent Publication Number: US-2018031299-A1

Title: Refrigerator

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention is related to the field of freezing and refrigeration technologies, and more particularly, to a refrigerator. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Air-cooled refrigerators can maintain the freshness of food, extend food storage time and improve food safety, so they become essential home appliances. However, in current air-cooled refrigerators, usually the air supply passage is arranged at the rear part of a storage compartment. After cooled air is blown, it sinks. As a result, the temperature at the front part of the storage compartment is relatively high, while the temperature at the rear part thereof is relatively low, causing uneven temperatures. The front part of the storage compartment is close to the door and heat leak can easily occur. Accordingly, the temperature at the front part of the storage compartment will be even higher, which is unfavorable for storing food. How to realize even temperature distribution in the storage compartment of a refrigerator is an urgent problem for improving the refrigeration effect of refrigerators. 
     SUMMARY 
     This invention aims to overcome at least one defect of existing refrigerators, and provides a novel refrigerator. The refrigerator can efficiently realize even temperature distribution in the storage compartment. 
     Accordingly, this invention provides a refrigerator, comprising: a storage compartment and a refrigeration air passage configured to supply refrigeration air. In particular, the refrigerator further comprises: a top air passage that is provided at a top wall of the storage compartment, comprises a rear end air inlet, a front end air inlet and a mixed air outlet opening downwards, and is configured to receive refrigeration air blown from the refrigeration air passage via the rear end air inlet, receive return air returning from the storage compartment via the front end air inlet, and allow the refrigeration air and the return air to flow into the storage compartment in a mixed manner via the mixed air outlet. 
     Optionally, the refrigeration air passage communicates with a rear space of the storage compartment to supply refrigeration air to the storage compartment. 
     Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises a cooling chamber provided with an air outlet connected with the refrigeration air passage; a cooling device provided in the cooling chamber to cool the air passing the cooling chamber; a blower provided at the air outlet of the cooling chamber; and a return air passage connecting a lower space of the storage compartment and the cooling chamber, such that a part or all of the air in the storage compartment enters the cooling chamber via the return air passage and enters the refrigeration air passage after being cooled by the cooling device. 
     Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises another storage compartment provided below the storage compartment and in front of the cooling chamber; another refrigeration air passage connecting the air outlet of the cooling chamber and the another storage compartment; and another return air passage connecting the another storage compartment and the cooling chamber. 
     Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises a movable air supply hood provided at an outer side of the air outlet of the cooling chamber and configured to provide an opening allowing the refrigeration air to flow into the refrigeration air passage when closing the air outlet of the cooling chamber. 
     Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises an air door configured to controllably close or open the refrigeration air passage. 
     Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises a top blower configured to blow the refrigeration air and the return air to the storage compartment in a mixed manner via the mixed air outlet. 
     Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises a top air passage cover plate mounted at a lower surface of the top wall of the storage compartment to form the top air passage. 
     Optionally, the top air passage cover plate comprises: a web portion extending upwards from its rear end to its front end and provided with a through hole; and an air aperture portion extending downwards from an edge of the through hole, having a lower end opening acting as the mixed air outlet, and having the blower mounted therein. 
     Optionally, the refrigerator further comprises a refrigeration air passage cover plate mounted at a front surface of the rear wall of the storage compartment to form the refrigeration air passage, and provided with multiple refrigeration air outlets to provide the refrigeration air to the storage compartment and/or the top air passage. 
     The refrigerator of this invention comprises a top air passage which allows refrigeration air to mix with return air with a relatively high temperature in the storage compartment and supplies the mixed air to the storage compartment, so that the refrigeration output/temperature in the storage compartment is evenly distributed, realizing quick, even and efficient refrigeration. In addition, the top air passage enables the refrigeration air path in the storage compartment to change from a single circulation process to a multiple circulation process, realizing even temperature distribution in the storage compartment. 
     Further, the refrigeration air passage in the refrigerator of this invention can directly supply refrigeration air to the storage compartment, considerably improving the refrigeration efficiency of the refrigerator. 
     The above and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be understood by those skilled in the art more clearly with reference to the detailed description of the embodiments of this invention below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The followings will describe some embodiments of this invention in detail in an exemplary rather than restrictive manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference signs in the drawings represent the same or similar parts. Those skilled in the art shall understand that these drawings are only schematic ones of this invention, and may not be necessarily drawn according to the scales. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of this invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of a refrigerator  100  according to an embodiment of this invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the embodiment of this invention provides a refrigerator  100 . The refrigerator  100  may typically comprise a storage compartment  11  for storing food, a refrigeration air passage  30  for providing refrigeration air to the storage compartment  11 , and a door  20  for closing the storage compartment  11 . In particular, the refrigerator  100  may further comprise: a top air passage  40 . The top air passage  40  is provided at a top wall of the storage compartment  11 , comprises a rear end air inlet  41 , a front end air inlet  42  and a mixed air outlet  43  opening downwards, and is configured to receive refrigeration air blown from the refrigeration air passage  30  via the rear end air inlet  41 , receive return air returning from the storage compartment  11  via the front end air inlet  42 , and allow the refrigeration air and the return air to flow into the storage compartment  11  in a mixed manner via the mixed air outlet  43  so as to increase the refrigeration speed in the storage compartment  11 . Specifically, when the refrigerator  100  works, the top air passage  40  allows the refrigeration air from the refrigeration air passage  30  to merge and mix with the return air close to the door  20  of the storage compartment  11  and having a relatively high temperature, and blow the mixed air substantially vertically downwards to the storage compartment  11 , making the temperature in the storage compartment  11  more even. 
     In some embodiments of this invention, the refrigerator  100  further comprises a top blower  50  provided at the mixed air outlet  43  and configured to blow the refrigeration air and the return air to the storage compartment  11  in a mixed manner via the mixed air outlet  43  so as to improve the air supply efficiency. The top blower  50  may be an axial blower. In some alternative embodiments of this invention, a blower may be provided at each air inlet of the top air passage  40  to blow air into the top air passage  40 . In other alternative embodiments of this invention, each air inlet may directly receive air flow blown from other air passages. 
     In some embodiments of this invention, the refrigerator  100  may further comprise a top air passage cover plate  44  mounted at a lower surface of the top wall of the storage compartment  11  to form the top air passage  40 . Specifically, the top air passage cover plate  44  may be mounted at the lower surface of the top wall of the storage compartment  11 , and comprises a web portion  441  with a through hole provided therein and an air aperture portion  442 . The web portion  441  extends upwards from its rear end to its front end, and an included angle between the web portion and the horizontal plane may be 5 to 30 degrees. The air aperture portion  442  extends downwards in a direction perpendicular with the web portion  441  from an edge of the through hole, so that the mixed air outlet  43  is slightly inclined forwards, guaranteeing a low temperature environment at the door  20  of the refrigerator  100 . The top blower  50  may be installed in the air aperture portion  442 . In other alternative embodiments of this invention, the top air passage cover plate  44  may be mounted at an upper surface of the top wall of the storage compartment  11  to form the top air passage  40 . Or the top air passage  40  may be directly formed in the top wall of the storage compartment  11 . 
     Further, the refrigerator  100  may further comprise two end cover plates each having an air inlet. The two end cover plates may be mounted at the two sides of the top air passage cover plate  44  respectively. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of this invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the refrigerator  100  of this embodiment, the refrigeration air passage  30  communicates with a rear space of the storage compartment  11  to supply refrigeration air to the storage compartment  11 . Specifically, in some embodiments, the refrigerator  100  may further comprise a refrigeration air passage cover plate mounted at a front surface of the rear wall of the storage compartment  11  to form the refrigeration air passage  30 . The refrigeration air passage cover plate is provided with multiple refrigeration air outlets  31  to provide the refrigeration air to the storage compartment  11  and/or the top air passage  40 . For example, the surfaces on which some refrigeration air outlets  31  of the multiple refrigeration air outlets  31  are located abut against the end surface of the rear end air inlet  41  of the top air passage  40  to allow the refrigeration air to enter the top air passage  40 . Alternatively, the surfaces on which some refrigeration air outlets  31  of the multiple refrigeration air outlets  31  are located may be spaced from the end surface of the rear end air inlet  41  of the top air passage  40  by a predetermined clearance to allow the refrigeration air to enter the top air passage  40 . The some refrigeration air outlets and the rear end air inlet  41  of the top air passage  40  are located inside the storage compartment  11 . The remaining refrigeration air outlets  31  of the multiple refrigeration air outlets  31  may supply refrigeration air to the storage compartment  11 . In some alternative embodiments of this invention, the refrigeration air passage cover plate may be mounted at a rear surface of the rear wall of the storage compartment  11  to form the refrigeration air passage  30 , and the rear wall of the storage compartment  11  is provided with multiple refrigeration air outlets  31 . 
     In some embodiments of this invention, the refrigerator  100  may further comprise a cooling chamber  13 , a cooling device  60 , a blower  70  and a return air passage. The cooling chamber  13  is provided with an air outlet connected with the refrigeration air passage  30 . The cooling device  60  is provided in the cooling chamber  13  to cool the air passing the cooling chamber. The cooling device  60  may be an evaporator of a compression refrigeration system. The blower  70  may be arranged at the air outlet. The return air passage connects a lower space of the storage compartment  11  and the cooling chamber  13  such that a part or all of the air in the storage compartment  11  enters the cooling chamber  13  via the return air passage and enters the refrigeration air passage  30  after being cooled by the cooling device  60 . 
     In some embodiments of this invention, to facilitate picking and placing of articles, the refrigerator  100  may further comprise a drawer  90  for receiving the articles  92 , such as beef, water melons and beverages. The drawer  90  can be operably inserted into the storage compartment  11  and pulled out of the same. In other words, the drawer  90  is installed inside the storage compartment  11 . Optionally, lower parts of the front and rear walls of the drawer  90  comprises ventilation holes  91 , so that the air flow flowing out of the mixed air outlet  43  can easily flow out of the drawer  90  via the ventilation holes  91  of the drawer  90  after exchanging heat with the articles  92  inside the drawer  90 , Further, the air flowing out of the ventilation holes  91  of the front wall of the drawer  90  may return to the front end air inlet  42  of the top air passage  40  for circulation. The air flowing out of the ventilation holes  91  of the rear wall of the drawer  90  may return to the return air passage for circulation. 
     In some embodiments of this invention, the refrigerator  100  may further comprise another storage compartment  12 , which may be arranged blow the storage compartment  11 . For example, the storage compartment  11  may be a refrigeration compartment, and the another storage compartment  12  may be a freezing compartment. Further, a quick freezing compartment may be provided between the storage compartment  11  and the another storage compartment  12 . The cooling chamber  13  may be arranged behind the another storage compartment  12 . The refrigerator  100  further comprises another refrigeration air passage  32  connecting the air outlet of the cooling chamber  13  and the another storage compartment  12 , and another return air passage  33  connecting the another storage compartment  12  and the cooling chamber  13 . 
     In some embodiments of this invention, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the refrigerator  100  may further comprise an air door  81  and a movable air supply hood  82 . The air door  81  is configured to controllably close or open the refrigeration air passage  30 . The movable air supply hood  82  is provided at an outer side of the air outlet of the cooling chamber  13  and configured to provide an opening allowing refrigeration air to flow into the refrigeration air passage  30  when closing the air outlet of the cooling chamber  13 . That is, when the movable air supply hood  82  closes the air outlet of the cooling chamber  13 , the another refrigeration air passage  32  connected with the another storage compartment  12  can be closed, so that the refrigeration air passage  30  is not blocked. 
     The refrigerator  100  of the embodiments of this invention may have multiple working modes. The multiple working modes may comprise the following working modes: an independent working mode of the storage compartment  11 , an independent working mode of the another storage compartment  12 , a joint working mode, a quick refrigeration mode and another joint work mode. In the independent working mode of the storage compartment  11 , the movable air supply hood  82  is closed, the air door  81  is opened, the blower  70  works while the top blower  50  does not work, so that the storage compartment  11  works independently. In the independent working mode of the another storage compartment  12 , the movable air supply hood  82  is opened, the air door  81  is closed, the blower  70  works while the top blower  50  does not work, so that the another storage compartment  12  works independently. In the joint working mode, the movable air supply hood  82  is opened, the air door  81  is opened, the blower  70  works while the top blower  50  does not work, so that the two storage compartments  11 ,  12  work jointly. In the quick refrigeration mode, the movable air supply hood  82  is closed, the air door  81  is opened, and both the blower  70  and the top blower  50  work, so that quick refrigeration can be performed in the storage compartment  11 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the arrows in this figure represent the flow directions of air flow. To prevent excessive temperature rise in the another storage compartment  12 , after the quick refrigeration mode operates for a certain period, the refrigerator automatically exits from this mode. In the another joint work mode, the movable air supply hood  82  is opened, the air door  81  is opened, and both the blower  70  and the top blower  50  work, so that quick refrigeration can be performed in the storage compartments  11 ,  12 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the arrows in this figure represent the flow directions of air flow. 
     Although multiple embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described in detail, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the invention based on the content disclosed by this invention or the content derived therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of this invention should be understood and deemed to include these and other modifications and variations.