Patent Description:
In recent years, people have an increasing requirement for food material preservation along with increasing awareness of health. Refrigerator is the commonest household appliance for preservation of food materials. Therefore, the food material preservation storage becomes a technical need to be met in the field of refrigerators.

At present, various manufacturers launch different preservation technologies for food material preservation storage. For example, with vacuum preservation technology, the condition of food spoilage under vacuum takes change. Firstly, in a vacuum environment, it is difficult for microorganisms and various promoting enzymes to survive and the microorganisms will take a long time to grow. Secondly, under vacuum, oxygen in a container will decrease significantly, various chemical reactions cannot be completed, and foods will not be oxidized, so that the foods can be preserved for long.

Currently, in the vacuum preservation technology applied to refrigerators, a sealing drawer is provided inside the refrigerator. A miniature vacuum pump is disposed outside the drawer to perform vacuumization treatment for the drawer, so that the drawer maintains in a negative pressure state, thereby realizing preservation of food materials in the drawer. The preservation manner has the following limitations: <NUM>. the vacuum pump will take up a partial storage space of a refrigerating compartment because the vacuumization treatment is to be performed by the vacuum pump; <NUM>. the preservation manner requires sealing for the drawer, otherwise vacuum state cannot be formed inside the drawer, and thus higher requirements are proposed for the forming and assembly process of the drawer; <NUM>. the preservation manner can only perform preservation for the food materials in the drawer and have no preservation effect on those food materials in other regions of the refrigerator.

For example, patent application No. <CIT> discloses a vacuum sealing device and a refrigerator with the vacuum sealing device. The vacuum sealing device includes a storage bag supply device, wherein the storage bag supply device includes a box body, a reel mounting component, a first roller shaft and a second roller shaft; the front part of the box body is provided with a storage bag outlet which extends along the transverse direction; the reel mounting component is detachably mounted in the box body, and designed to mount the reel of a storage bag roll and allow the reel to rotate relative to the box body around the axis which extends along the transverse direction; the first roller shaft can be rotationally mounted in front of the reel mounting component around the axis which extends along the transverse direction; the second roller shaft can also be rotationally mounted in front of the reel mounting component around the axis which extends along the transverse direction; and when the first roller shaft and the second roller shaft rotate simultaneously, storage bags of the storage bag roll can be driven to move out of the storage bag supply device through the storage bag outlet. By adoption of the vacuum sealing device and the refrigerator provided by the invention, the storage bag pick-and-place operation can be conveniently performed by a user, and the storage bags are convenient to pick.

Patent application No. <CIT> discloses a vacuuming system developed including the vacuum pump; the carrier chassis; the stationary plate; the movable plate, being able to move to get close to and away from the stationary plate, having a closed state and an open state, and including a reservoir in which a vacuuming operation takes plate when it assumes its closed state; the insulation element, which when placed in the vacuuming chamber, is provided so as to extend along the edge of the stationary plate and/or the movable plate that is remote to the opening; the heater, which when placed in the vacuuming chamber, is provided so as to extend along the edge of the stationary plate or the movable plate that is remote to the opening, and after a vacuuming operation is completed, applies heat to the part of a bag left in the heater so that the bag becomes sealed; the first resilient element provided on the movable plate or stationary plate against the heater; and the actuator mechanism effecting the movement of the movable plate.

Patent application <CIT> discloses a refrigerator to carry out vacuum-packing work conveniently by securing food to pack on a cover of a vacuum-packing unit. A refrigerator includes a vacuum-packing unit which has a vinyl pack supply part, a heating part for fusing an opening part of the vinyl pack by heat, a vacuum part, a closing part and a cover. The vacuum part has an air suction part for holding the vinyl pack and a vacuum pump for inhaling air from the inside of the vinyl pack, wherein the vacuum pump is connected to the air suction part with an air suction hose. The closing part has a sealing part, with which the air suction part holds the vinyl pack, and a heating contact part which contacts the heating part for the thermal fusion of the vinyl pack. The cover has a body part for opening or closing a mounting part for the vacuum-packing unit and a slide cover sliding with respect to the body part according to the size of food to be packed in the vinyl pack. A control part controls operation of the vacuum part and the heating part by the rotation of the cover.

Patent application <CIT> discloses a cooling appliance with a structure including a packing device suitable for vacuum packing products contained in flexible bags. Said packing device includes packing means that includes a vacuum chamber in which is disposed an open end of a flexible bag, suction means for extracting air from said vacuum chamber, and sealing means for closing said flexible bag along a line beyond the vacuum chamber. The packing device is housed inside the structure of the refrigerator when it is not being used, and is slidably extractable for its use.

Patent application <CIT> discloses a utility model belonging to the technical field of the packing, refer in particular to a vacuum packaging machine's sealed air suction mechanism. The utility model provides a seal vacuum packaging machine's sealed air suction mechanism effectual, simple structure. The utility model discloses a realize like this: a vacuum packaging machine's sealed air suction mechanism, includes the host computerbody and hinges the last organism on the host computer body, and the up end of the host computer body is provided with sealed air suction mechanism, and sealed air suction mechanism includes an air cock and sealed elevating gear, and the air cock setting is at the up end of the host computer body and be used for bleeding, and the air cock below is provided with sealed elevating gear, and sealed elevating gear upper surface has set firmly a sealing layer, and the sealing layer supports when rising by the lower terminal surface at the air cock, upward organism lower extreme face is provided with a relative sealing washer no. <NUM> that sets up with the air cock, when acting as organism and host computer body closure, and the mutual butt of sealing layer on sealing washer no. <NUM> and the sealed elevating gear and the week side space of sealing gas mouth.

The present invention defined by the features of claim <NUM> relates to a refrigerator including a storage compartment and a door opening or closing the storage compartment. The door is provided with a vacuum sealing device including an upper support and a lower support corresponding to each other in position and a vacuumization assembly. The lower support is detachably connected to the door; opening cavities are opened on mutually-facing surfaces of the upper support and /the lower support; the upper support may be moved close to or away from the lower support under the drive of a driving device; the upper support moves close to the lower support until the upper support is butt-joined with the lower support, and the opening cavities sealingly form a vacuumization region by sealing portions. The vacuumization assembly is in communication with the vaccumization region through a pipe so as to perform vacuumization or depressurization for the vacuumization region.

The preferred examples of the present disclosure will be described below with accompanying drawings to help understanding the object and advantages of the present disclosure.

The technical solution of the present disclosure will be clearly and fully described below in combination with accompanying drawings. In the description of the present disclosure, it is to be understood that orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", are based on orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings and are used only for convenience and simplification of descriptions of the present disclosure, rather than indicate or imply that the indicated apparatus or element shall have a specific orientation and be configured or operated in a specific orientation. Thus, the terms shall not be understood as limiting of the present disclosure. In addition, the terms "first", "second"and "third"are used only for descriptions and shall not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

In the descriptions of the present disclosure, it is noted that the terms"mounting" "connection" and "coupling" shall be understood in a broad sense, for example, it may be a fixed connection, or a detachable connection, or integrated connection; or direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or may be internal communication between two elements. Those skilled in the art may understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present disclosure according to the specific situations.

Furthermore, the below-described technical features involved in different examples of the present disclosure may be combined with each other as long as they do not constitute conflict.

<FIG> is a perspective diagram of a specific example of a refrigerator according to the present disclosure. With reference to <FIG>, the refrigerator <NUM> of the example has an approximate cuboid shape. The external appearance of the refrigerator <NUM> is defined by a storage compartment <NUM> defining a storage space and a plurality of doors <NUM> disposed in the storage compartment <NUM>. By referring to <FIG>, the door <NUM> includes a door housing <NUM> located at an outer side of the storage compartment <NUM>, a door inner liner <NUM> at an inner side of the storage compartment <NUM>, an upper end cover <NUM>, a lower end cover <NUM>, and an insulation layer located among the door housing <NUM>, the door inner liner <NUM>, the upper end cover <NUM>, and the lower end cover <NUM>. Generally, the insulation layer is formed by filling with foaming materials.

The storage compartment <NUM> has an open box body. The storage compartment <NUM> is vertically divided into a lower freezing compartment 100A and an upper refrigerating compartment 100B. Each of the partitioned spaces may have an independent storage space. Specifically, the freezing compartment 100A is at the lower part of the storage compartment <NUM> and may be selectively covered by a drawer-type freezing compartment door A. The space above the freezing compartment 100A is divided into a left side and a right side to form the refrigerating compartment 100B respectively. The refrigerating compartment 100B may be selectively closed or opened by a refrigerating door 200B pivotably mounted on the refrigerating compartment 100B.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a vacuum sealing device <NUM> is provided on the door <NUM> of the refrigerator to perform vacuumization and plastic sealing for storage bags. The vacuum sealing device <NUM> may be disposed on a freezing door 200A or may be disposed on a refrigerating door 200B. Because the refrigerating door 200B is located above, the vacuum sealing device <NUM> is generally preferably disposed on the refrigerating door 200B so as to meet the use habit of users.

<FIG> are an example of the vacuum sealing device <NUM>. In this example, as shown in <FIG>, the vacuum sealing device <NUM> includes a lower support <NUM>, provided with a first opening cavity <NUM>; and an upper support <NUM> provided with a second opening cavity <NUM>. The upper support <NUM> may be moved close to or away from the lower support <NUM> under the drive of a driving device <NUM>. After the upper support <NUM> moves close to the lower support <NUM> to be in place, the first opening cavity <NUM> and the second opening cavity <NUM> are butt-joined and sealed up to form a vacuumization region <NUM>. The above vacuum sealing device <NUM> locks and unlocks the lower support <NUM> and the upper support <NUM> by controlling automatic ascent and descent of the driving device <NUM>, thereby realizing automatic vacuum sealing and improving the degree of intelligence of the refrigerator.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, in order to improve the sealing of the vacuumization region <NUM>, sealing portions for sealing the vacuumization region <NUM> are disposed on the opposing surfaces of the lower support <NUM> and the upper support <NUM>. Specifically, a first sealing groove <NUM> is disposed on the periphery of the first opening cavity <NUM> of the lower support <NUM> and a second sealing groove <NUM> is disposed on the periphery of the second opening cavity <NUM> of the upper support <NUM>. The first sealing groove <NUM> and the second sealing groove <NUM> are opposed in position and internally provided with a sealing ring <NUM> respectively. The two sealing rings <NUM> of the first sealing groove <NUM> and the second sealing groove <NUM> seal the vacuumization region <NUM> inside, realizing reliable sealing of the vacuumization region <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the first opening cavity <NUM> or the second opening cavity <NUM> is internally provided with a limiting portion to limit an inserting position of a storage bag inserted into the vacuumization region <NUM>, thereby preventing an opening position of the storage bag protruding out of the vacuumization region <NUM>. Specifically, the limiting portion is a limiting rib <NUM> disposed in the first opening cavity <NUM> or the second opening cavity <NUM>, a height of the limiting rib <NUM> is greater than a depth of the first opening cavity <NUM> or the second opening cavity <NUM>, and a length of the limiting rib <NUM> is slightly lower than that of the first opening cavity <NUM> or the second opening cavity <NUM>. When the user inserts the storage bag into the vacuumization region <NUM>, the limiting rib <NUM> may block the storage bag from being further inserted inwardly. In other examples, an in-place detection device may also be disposed on the vacuumization region <NUM>. Specifically, a microwave sensor or an infrared sensor may be adopted to detect the presence and absence of the storage bag inserted into the vacuumization region <NUM>, further send a signal indicating whether the storage bag is in place to a controller. The controller may control the vacuum pump to start according to the in-place signal. By disposing the in-place detection device, whether the storage bag is in place is detected automatically and the controller further automatically controls the vacuum pump to be switched on and off.

The vacuum sealing device <NUM> further includes a vacuumization assembly <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the vacuumization assembly <NUM> includes a vacuum pump <NUM> communicating with the vacuumization region <NUM> through a pipe <NUM>. Further, a pressure detection device <NUM> and a pressure relief device <NUM> are disposed on the pipe <NUM>. The pressure detection device <NUM> is specifically a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of the vacuumization region <NUM>, and the pressure relief device <NUM> is specifically an electric pressure relief valve for releasing the pressure of the vacuumization region <NUM> when the valve is opened. When a user performs vacuumization sealing, the vacuum pump <NUM> is started to perform vacuumization treatment for the vacuumization region <NUM>. When the pressure detection device <NUM> detects that the pressure of the vacuumization region <NUM> reaches a set negative pressure value, the controller controls the vacuum pump <NUM> to stop. The vacuum degree of the vacuumization region <NUM> can be controlled by disposing the pressure sensor, and the vacuum pump <NUM> can be switched on and off based on the detection value of the pressure sensor, thereby guaranteeing the vacuumization effect. After the vacuumization and sealing operations are completed, the above electric pressure relief valve may be started to automatically control the pressure relief of the vacuumization region <NUM>, thereby facilitating taking out the storage bag by users. In order to prevent foreign matters in the vacuumization region <NUM> entering the vacuum pump <NUM> through the pipe <NUM>, a filtering protection device is also disposed on the pipe <NUM>. In an example, as shown in <FIG>, the filtering protection device is specifically a filtering container <NUM> series-connected with the pipe <NUM>. An inlet and an outlet are disposed on an upper end of the filtering container <NUM>, the inlet is in communication with the vacuumization region <NUM> through the pipe and the outlet is in communication with the vacuum pump <NUM> through the pipe. The foreign matters in the vacuumization region <NUM> enter the filtering container <NUM> through the pipe <NUM> and are trapped at the bottom of the filtering container <NUM>, avoiding entry of the foreign matters into the vacuum pump <NUM>. In order to clean the filtering container <NUM> easily, the filtering container <NUM> specifically includes a tank body with an opening and an upper cover detachably connected to the tank body. The inlet and the outlet are disposed on the upper cover. During cleaning, the tank body may be dismounted, thereby avoiding the problem of poor sealing of the pipe <NUM> caused by frequent mounting and dismounting of the pipe <NUM>.

In another example, as shown in <FIG>, the filtering protection device is a filtering net <NUM> disposed on the pipe <NUM>. Specifically, for ease of mounting and dismounting, the filtering net <NUM> is disposed at a vent <NUM> at the connection position of the upper support <NUM> and the pipe <NUM>. The user may perform mounting/dismounting or cleaning for the filtering net <NUM> from the lower side by moving the upper support <NUM> to a highest position.

One connection hole of the vacuumization region <NUM> connecting with the pipe <NUM> may be disposed. Of course, in order to prevent vacuumization failure caused by plugging of the connection hole by the foreign matters in the vacuumization region <NUM> in a case of single connection hole, two or more connection holes may be disposed to connect with the pipe <NUM> respectively. The pipes <NUM> are parallel-disposed to connect with a main pipe through a three-way or multi-way connector. The pressure sensor and the electronic pressure relief valve are disposed on the main pipe.

As shown in <FIG>, the vacuum sealing device <NUM> further includes an insulation cushion <NUM> and a heating device <NUM> mutually opposed for performing plastic sealing treatment for the storage bag after vacuumization. The insulation cushion <NUM> and the heating device <NUM> are located in a sealing zone <NUM> at an outer side of the vacuumization region <NUM>. Specifically, the heating device <NUM> is mounted in a groove of a lower surface of the upper support <NUM>. The insulation cushions <NUM> are mounted in grooves of upper surfaces of the upper support <NUM> and the lower support <NUM>. When the upper support <NUM> moves to form the sealed vacuumization region <NUM> with the lower support <NUM>, the insulation cushion <NUM> in the sealing zone <NUM> abuts against the heating device <NUM>. After vacuumization is completed, the storage bag may be quickly sealed by the heating device <NUM> in the sealing zone <NUM>. After the heating device <NUM> works for a set time length, the driving device <NUM> is controlled to drive the upper support <NUM> to move upward so that the user may pull out the storage bag to complete the plastic sealing.

More specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the heating device <NUM> includes a heating wire <NUM>. A heat conducting plate <NUM> is disposed at a lower side of the heating wire <NUM> to expand the heating area of the heating wire <NUM> so that the plastic sealing area of the storage bag is expanded to realize tight sealing. The heating wire <NUM> extends along a length direction of the upper support <NUM> and bends upward at both sides of the upper support <NUM>. The free end of the heating wire <NUM> extending to an upper side of the upper support <NUM> is fixed at the upper support <NUM> through an insulation plate <NUM>. Specifically, the insulation plate <NUM> is made of insulation material and shaped into a bending plate wrapped around the heating wire <NUM>, thereby avoiding external exposure of the heating wire <NUM>. Further, the two free ends of the heating wire <NUM> are connected, through a spring <NUM>, to two conducting wires leading from a connection terminal <NUM>. With the spring <NUM>, the heating wire <NUM> can be always maintained in tensioned state so that the heating wire <NUM> has a higher flatness. The heat conducting plate <NUM> at the lower side of the heating wire <NUM> is in close contact with the storage bag. Thus, the problem of loose contact and incomplete sealing at a particular position due to non-flatness of the heating wire <NUM> is avoided.

In the above vacuum sealing device, the driving device <NUM> may be an electric driving device or an air pressure driving device. Because of large occupation space of the air pressure driving device, the electric driving device is adopted as the driving device <NUM> in this example. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the driving device <NUM> includes a motor <NUM> and a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism is used to convert a rotational movement of the motor into a rectilinear movement, and an output end of the transmission mechanism is connected with the upper support. The transmission mechanism includes a first gear <NUM> fixedly connected to an output shaft of the motor and a second gear <NUM> meshed with the first gear <NUM>, a third gear <NUM> fixedly connected with the second gear <NUM> and an output rack <NUM> meshed with the third gear <NUM>. A pin hole is disposed at a lower side of the output rack <NUM>, and the upper support <NUM> and the output rack <NUM> are connected through a pin shaft <NUM> inserted into the pin hole. Through the transmission mechanism, the rotation of the motor <NUM> is converted into up and down movement of the upper support <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, a connection plate <NUM> is disposed between the upper support <NUM> and the driving device <NUM>. The connection plate <NUM> is thread-connected with the upper support <NUM>, and a guide groove <NUM> is formed on the connection plate <NUM>. A lower end of the output rack is plugged into the guide groove <NUM>, and an elongated pin hole is disposed at the guide groove <NUM> and the lower end of the output rack <NUM> respectively. The pin shaft <NUM> is inserted through the pin holes of the guide groove <NUM> and the output rack <NUM>. There is a clearance between a lower end surface of the output rack <NUM> and a groove bottom of the guide groove <NUM> and an elastomer <NUM> is disposed in the clearance.

As shown in <FIG>, at an initial position, the upper support <NUM> is at the highest position. During a pressing stage, as shown in <FIG>, the driving device <NUM> brings the upper support <NUM> to move down. In order to ensure tight mating of the lower support <NUM> and the upper support <NUM>, a set rotation stroke of the motor is generally taken as an in-place determination signal. Thus, by disposing the elastomer <NUM> between the output rack <NUM> and the guide groove <NUM>, the upper support <NUM> is enabled to move downward to be in contact with the lower support <NUM> and then the output rack <NUM> can continue moving a distance downwardly. Thus, the elastomer <NUM> is compressed to prevent stalling of the motor, thereby providing protection for the motor <NUM> and maintaining the pressing force stable.

During a vacuumization stage, a sealed vacuumization region <NUM> is formed between the lower support <NUM> and the upper support <NUM>, and the upper support <NUM> moves downward under the action of atmospheric pressure due to decrease of air pressure. At this time, due to existence of the elongated pin hole, the output rack <NUM> keeps stationary when the upper support <NUM> moves downward, thereby providing protection for the entire driving device <NUM>.

In order to accurately control the movement of the upper support <NUM> and further determine whether the upper support <NUM> moves to be in place, the vacuumization region <NUM> is enabled to form a sealed space. In an example, the motor <NUM> is a stepping motor <NUM> and whether the upper support <NUM> moves to be in place can be determined by detecting the rotational stroke of the stepping motor <NUM>. In another example, a microswitch is disposed at the lower support <NUM> or the upper support <NUM>. After the upper support <NUM> moves to be in place and then triggers the microswitch, the controller controls the driving device <NUM> to be stopped and locked at a current position according to a feedback signal of the microswitch.

One driving device <NUM> may be disposed. The output gear is located in a middle region of the upper support <NUM>. In this case, it causes an edge area of the upper support <NUM> and the lower support <NUM> to be loosely attached, resulting in air leakage of the vacuumization region <NUM>. Thus, in order to provide sealing of the vacuumization region <NUM>, the driving devices <NUM> are disposed at both sides of the upper support <NUM> respectively. Correspondingly, one connection plate <NUM> is disposed, two guide grooves <NUM> are disposed on the connection plate <NUM>, and two output racks <NUM> protrude into the guide grooves <NUM> respectively.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the driving device <NUM> and the vacuumization assembly <NUM> are both mounted on a mounting base <NUM> at the upper side of the upper support <NUM>. A vent <NUM> is opened at the upper support <NUM> to communicate with the vacuumization assembly <NUM>. Three cavities are disposed at a side of the mounting base <NUM>, and the cavities include a vacuum pump mounting cavity <NUM> at the middle position, and driving device mounting cavities <NUM> at right and left sides. In order to guarantee entire aesthetics of external surface of the door <NUM> of the refrigerator and ease of application of the vacuum sealing device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, a mounting cavity <NUM> recessed inwardly is disposed on the door housing <NUM>. The driving device <NUM> is connected with the upper support <NUM> and then connected to the mounting base <NUM> through a screw. The vacuumization assembly <NUM> is connected with the vent <NUM> on the upper support <NUM> and then mounted to the mounting base <NUM>. In this way, one assembly is formed and then entirely mounted into the mounting cavity <NUM> by inserting a screw through two support lugs at both sides of the mounting base <NUM>. Thus, modularized assembly is realized for various parts with no part exposed out of the external surface, realizing good entirety of the device.

When the user performs plastic sealing for a storage bag, especially powder-like foods such as flour or liquid or the like by use of the vacuum sealing device <NUM>, the powder or liquid may enter the vacuumization region <NUM> during vacuumization and finally accumulate in the first opening cavity <NUM> of the lower support <NUM>. Therefore, in order to help the user to clean the food residues in the lower support <NUM>, the lower support <NUM> is detachably mounted relative to the door <NUM>.

The lower support <NUM> may be mounted on the door <NUM> in several manners. In this example, as shown in <FIG>, the lower support <NUM> may be detachably mounted on the door <NUM> from an inner side of the door <NUM> (i. a side with an inner liner). Because the heat insulation of the door <NUM> of the refrigerator must be ensured, an insulation door <NUM> is disposed at an inner side portion of the lower support <NUM> facing the storage compartment <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a mounting hole <NUM> communicating inside with outside is disposed on the door <NUM>, and the lower support <NUM> and the insulation door <NUM> are inserted into the mounting hole <NUM> from the inner side of the door <NUM>, thereby realizing dismounting cleaning of the lower support <NUM> and insulation performance of the door <NUM> at the same time.

According to the invention, as shown in <FIG>, the lower support <NUM> and the insulation door are integrally formed. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the lower support <NUM> and the insulation door <NUM> are formed by a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM> with opening cavity structures and an insulation piece disposed between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are snap-fitted. The first housing <NUM> is provided with an extension arm <NUM> along a direction away from the second housing <NUM>, and the lower support <NUM> is formed on the extension arm <NUM>. The first opening cavity <NUM> is an open groove formed on an upper side of the extension arm <NUM>, and a first sealing groove <NUM> is formed on the periphery of the open groove.

In order to further ensure the insulation performance of the door <NUM> and avoid cold leakage occurring from a clearance between the mounting hole <NUM> and the insulation door <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a door gasket <NUM> is disposed between the insulation door <NUM> and the door inner liner <NUM>. Specifically, a support arm <NUM> is disposed at the position of the first housing <NUM> mated with the door inner liner <NUM> where the size of the support arm <NUM> is greater than that of the mounting hole <NUM>. A mounting groove surrounding the mounting hole <NUM> is disposed on the support arm <NUM>, and the door gasket <NUM> is mounted in the mounting groove.

Specifically, in order to guarantee the insulation door <NUM> is reliably fixed on the door <NUM>, a locking device <NUM> is disposed between the insulation door <NUM> and the door inner liner <NUM>. The locking device <NUM> is used to lock or unlock the insulation door <NUM> on or from the door <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the locking device <NUM> includes a locking hook assembly disposed on the insulation door <NUM> and a locking groove <NUM> disposed on the door inner liner <NUM>. The locking hook assembly includes a locking hook inserted through the insulation door <NUM>. The locking hook may switch between a first position and a second position. When switching to the first position, the locking hook may be mated with the locking groove <NUM> to realize the locking of the insulation door <NUM> and when switching to the second position, may be separated from the locking groove <NUM> to realize unlocking of the insulation door <NUM>.

Specifically, in order to improve the reliability of the locking device <NUM>, two locking grooves <NUM> and two locking hooks are disposed respectively. The locking grooves <NUM> are located at upper and lower sides of the mounting hole <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the locking hook assembly includes an upper locking hook <NUM> and a lower locking hook <NUM> and a reset spring <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the lower locking hook <NUM> includes a hooking portion <NUM> mated with the locking groove <NUM> at the lower side, a hinging portion <NUM> rotatably connected with the insulation door <NUM> and a handle portion <NUM> at the lower side of the insulation door <NUM>. The handle portion <NUM> and the hooking portion <NUM> are located at both sides of the hinging portion <NUM> respectively. The lower locking hook <NUM> further includes a lower connection portion <NUM> connecting with the upper locking hook <NUM>, where the lower connection portion <NUM> extends above the handle portion <NUM>. Specifically, an end of the lower connection portion <NUM> is formed into a T-shaped protrusion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the upper locking hook <NUM> includes a hooking portion <NUM> mated with the locking groove <NUM> at the upper side and an upper connection portion <NUM> connecting with the lower locking hook <NUM>. Specifically, a lower end of the upper connection portion <NUM> is formed into an open groove structure <NUM>. The T-shaped protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the open groove <NUM> to realize connection of the upper locking hook <NUM> and the lower locking hook <NUM>. The reset spring <NUM> is disposed between the upper locking hook <NUM> and an upper end surface of the insulation door <NUM>. More specifically, a connection shaft <NUM> is formed on the upper locking hook <NUM> and the reset spring <NUM> is sleeved on the connection shaft <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a guide positioning portion is formed on an inner surface of the second housing <NUM>, and the upper connection portion <NUM> is fitted on the guide positioning portion. The upper locking hook <NUM> may slide along the guide positioning portion. Specifically, the guide positioning portion is a snapping hook <NUM> formed on the inner surface of the second housing <NUM>. The snapping hooks <NUM> are located at left and right sides of the upper connection portion <NUM> and extend a distance up and down, and the upper connection portion <NUM> is fitted between the two snapping hooks <NUM>.

In an initial state, the upper locking hook <NUM> and the lower locking hook <NUM> are in the first position under the elastic force of the reset spring <NUM> to realize the locking of the insulation door <NUM> and the door inner liner <NUM>. When the user moves the lower locking hook <NUM> by hand, the lower locking hook <NUM> rotates around the hinging portion <NUM>, the hooking portion <NUM> moves downward to separate from the locking groove <NUM> at the lower side, and at the same time, the connection portion push up the upper locking hook <NUM> to move upward so that the upper locking hook <NUM> separates from the locking groove <NUM> at the upper side. In this way, the upper locking hook <NUM> and the lower locking hook <NUM> are in the second position to realize the unlocking of the insulation door <NUM> and the door inner liner <NUM>.

In order to ensure the external aesthetics of the door <NUM> of refrigerator, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a bar table door <NUM> is disposed in the region of the refrigerator door <NUM> where the vacuum sealing device <NUM> is located. A lower end of the bar table door <NUM> is hinged with the door <NUM> and the bar table door <NUM> can be flipped to the position where it is perpendicular to the surface of the door housing <NUM>. An upper end of the bar table door <NUM> is connected with the door housing <NUM> through a first push ejection switch <NUM>. With the disposal of the bar table door <NUM> structure, in the state of the bar table door <NUM> being opened, the storage bag holding foods can be put on the bar table door <NUM> and then is subjected to vacuum sealing treatment, thereby facilitation operation of users. When the bar table door <NUM> is closed, the external aesthetics of door <NUM> can be ensured.

The inner side of the bar table door <NUM> further includes an operation panel <NUM> covered on the outer side of the mounting cavity. An inserting hole <NUM> is formed on the operation panel <NUM>, and a lower surface of the inserting hole <NUM> is flushed with an upper surface of the first opening cavity <NUM>. In this case, the vacuum sealing device <NUM> can be entirely hidden at the rear side of the operation panel <NUM>. When performing vacuum plastic sealing, the user may directly insert the opening of the storage bag from the inserting hole <NUM> of the operation panel <NUM>, and directly extend it to the upper surface of the first opening cavity <NUM>. When the upper support <NUM> moves downward, the opening of the storage bag can be placed in the vacuumization region <NUM>. Specifically, the operation panel <NUM> is detachably connected to the door housing <NUM>. A display control device <NUM> is further disposed on the operation panel <NUM>. The display control device <NUM> includes an indicating device for displaying a working state of the vacuum sealing device <NUM> and a control button for controlling the vacuum sealing device <NUM> to stop or start. The user may determine whether to pull out the storage bag according to the working state of the vacuum sealing device <NUM> indicated by the display control device <NUM>.

When applying the vacuum sealing device <NUM>, the user may insert the storage bag to be sealed through the inserting hole <NUM> on the operation panel <NUM>. After the storage bag is inserted to be in place (the storage bag abuts against the limiting rib <NUM>), the user may trigger a start button on the operation panel <NUM> to start the motor <NUM> so as to control the upper support <NUM> to descend until the upper support <NUM> moves to be in place(sealing the vacuumization region <NUM>)and then control the vacuum pump <NUM> to start so as to perform vacuumization treatment for the vacuumization region <NUM>. The storage bag is vacuumized through the opening of the storage bag in the vacuumization region <NUM>. When the pressure sensor detects a pressure value reaches the set negative pressure value, the vacuum pump <NUM> is controlled to stop and the heating device <NUM> is started to work at the same time. After the heating device <NUM> works for a set time, the electric pressure relief valve is controlled to start, and then the linear motor <NUM> is controlled to start to control the upper support <NUM> to ascend until the first opening cavity <NUM> separates from the second opening cavity <NUM>. The display control device <NUM> on the operation panel <NUM> indicates the user can pull out the storage bag. In this way, the vacuum sealing of the storage bag is completed.

The structure of example <NUM> is basically same as that of the example <NUM> except the connection manner of the lower support <NUM> and the insulation door <NUM>. Specifically, in this example, as shown in <FIG>, the lower support <NUM> is detachably connected to the insulation door <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the insulation door <NUM> is formed of the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> with opening cavity structures and the insulation piece disposed between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> is snap-fitted with the second housing <NUM>, the extension arm <NUM> is disposed on the first housing <NUM> along a direction away from the second housing <NUM>, and the lower support <NUM> is detachably connected to the extension arm <NUM>.

Specifically, a first limiting portion extending upward is formed on an end of the extension arm <NUM>, a second limiting portion mated with the first limiting portion is formed on a lower side of the lower support <NUM>, and the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are mated to position the lower support <NUM> on the extension arm <NUM>. More specifically, the first limiting portion is a limiting plate and the limiting portion is a baffle plate formed on the bottom of the lower support <NUM> and extending downwardly. The baffle plate is inserted into the inner side of the limiting plate to mount the lower support <NUM> to the extension arm <NUM>, thus avoiding the problem of poor sealing of the vacuumization region caused by horizontal movement of the lower support <NUM>.

In order to further guarantee the heat insulation of the door <NUM> and avoid cold leakage occurring from the clearance between the mounting hole <NUM> and the insulation door <NUM>, the door gasket <NUM> is disposed between the insulation door <NUM> and the door inner liner <NUM>. Specifically, the support arm <NUM> is disposed at the position of the first housing <NUM> mated with the door inner liner <NUM>, and the size of the support arm <NUM> is greater than that of the mounting hole <NUM>. A mounting groove surrounding the mounting hole <NUM> is disposed on the support arm <NUM> and the door gasket <NUM> is mounted in the mounting groove.

Specifically, in order to guarantee the insulation door <NUM> can be reliably fixed on the door <NUM>, the locking device <NUM> is disposed between the insulation door <NUM> and the door inner liner <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the locking device <NUM> includes a locking hook <NUM> hinged at the bottom of the insulation door <NUM>. The middle of the locking hook <NUM> is provided with a hinging shaft for connecting with the insulation door <NUM> to connect with the insulation door <NUM>. The locking device further includes a locking groove formed on the door inner liner <NUM> to mate with the locking hook and a reset torsion spring <NUM> sleeved on the hinging shaft. One support leg of the reset torsion spring is abutted against the insulation door <NUM> and the other support leg is abutted against the locking hook <NUM>. In an initial state, the torsional force of the reset torsion spring <NUM> enables the locking hook <NUM> to be in the first position so that the insulation door <NUM> can be mounted on the door.

Specifically, in order to improve the aesthetics of the door, a mounting recess is formed on the bottom of the door and the locking hook is mounted into the mounting recess. <FIG> show a process of dismounting the insulation door <NUM> and the lower support <NUM>. When the insulation door <NUM> and the lower support <NUM> are mounted on the door <NUM>, the locking hook is mated with the locking groove to realize the locked state of the insulation door <NUM>. When the insulation door <NUM> and the lower support <NUM> are to be dismounted, the locking hook is moved away from the locking groove, the locking device <NUM> is in an unlocked state, and the insulation door <NUM> and the lower support <NUM> can be pulled out. After the lower support <NUM> is removed from the insulation door <NUM>, cleaning can be performed for the lower support <NUM>. In this example, the lower support <NUM> is detachably connected to the insulation door <NUM>, facilitating cleaning the lower support <NUM>.

The structure of the example <NUM> is basically same as that of the example <NUM> except the connection manner of the lower support <NUM>, the insulation door <NUM> and the door <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the lower support <NUM> and the insulation door <NUM> are disposed independent from each other. The lower side of the mounting hole <NUM> is provided with a limiting portion limiting the lower support <NUM> to be in place, one end of the lower support <NUM> is abutted against the limiting portion and the other end is abutted against the insulation door <NUM>. In this case, the insulation door <NUM> can be mounted to the door <NUM> by use of the locking device <NUM> of example <NUM> or <NUM>.

The structure of the example <NUM> is basically same as that of the example <NUM> except the structure of the area of the door <NUM> where the vacuum sealing device <NUM> is located.

Specifically, in this example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in order to ensure the external aesthetics of the door <NUM> of the refrigerator and avoid exposure of the vacuum sealing device <NUM> at the outer side of the door <NUM>, an auxiliary door plate <NUM> is disposed at the area of the door <NUM> where the vacuum sealing device <NUM> is located. The auxiliary door plate <NUM> has a width identical with that of other area of the door <NUM>. The auxiliary door plate <NUM> is connected to the area by snap fitting or bonding. A surface of the auxiliary door plate <NUM> is flushed with the surface of other area of the door <NUM>. An inserting hole <NUM> is formed on the auxiliary door plate <NUM> and a lower surface of the inserting hole is flushed with the upper surface of the first opening cavity <NUM>. When performing vacuum plastic sealing, the user may directly insert the opening of the storage bag from the inserting hole <NUM> of the auxiliary door plate <NUM> and directly extend it to the upper surface of the first opening cavity <NUM>. When the upper support <NUM> moves downward, the opening of the storage bag can be placed in the vacuumization region <NUM>. A display control device <NUM> is further disposed on the auxiliary door plate <NUM>. The display control device <NUM> includes an indicating device for displaying a working state of the vacuum sealing device <NUM> and a control button for controlling the vacuum sealing device <NUM> to stop or start. The user may determine whether to pull out the storage bag according to the working state of the vacuum sealing device <NUM> indicated by the indicating device.

The structure of the example <NUM> is basically same as that of the example <NUM> except the manner of mounting the lower support <NUM> to the door <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, in this example, the lower support <NUM> is detachably mounted to the door <NUM> from the outer side of the door <NUM>.

More specifically, the lower support <NUM> is detachably connected to the door <NUM> by push ejection. As shown in <FIG>, a connection surface of the lower support <NUM> connecting with the door <NUM> is provided with a second push ejection switch <NUM>. The second push ejection switch <NUM> includes a push ejection lock <NUM>, and a lock catch <NUM>. A groove for receiving the lock catch <NUM> is disposed on an inner side surface of the lower support <NUM> and the push ejection lock <NUM> is fixed on the outer side surface of the door <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when the lower support <NUM> is pressed along a direction perpendicular to the door <NUM>, the push ejection lock <NUM> is fitted with the lock catch <NUM>, and the lower support <NUM> is mounted on the door <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the lower support <NUM> is pressed again, the push ejection lock <NUM> releases the lock catch <NUM> so that the lower support <NUM> is dismounted from the door <NUM>. In this way, the user may perform cleaning for the lower support <NUM> separately, facilitating user operation.

The structure of the example <NUM> is basically same as that of the example <NUM> except the manner of mounting the lower support <NUM> on the door <NUM>.

Specifically, in this example, as shown in <FIG>, the lower support <NUM> is detachably mounted to the door <NUM> from the outer side of the door <NUM>.

More specifically, the lower support <NUM> is detachably connected to the door <NUM> by snap fitting. A first fitting portion <NUM> and a second fitting portion <NUM> mutually mated are formed respectively on the lower support <NUM> and the door <NUM>. The first fitting portion <NUM> is formed on the lower surface of the lower support <NUM> and specifically is a bending hook. The second fitting portion <NUM> is fixedly connected to a front side surface of the door <NUM>. The lower support <NUM> moves close to the door <NUM> until the first fitting portion <NUM> and the second fitting portion <NUM> are mated, realizing the mounting of the lower support <NUM>. During dismounting, the lower support <NUM> is pulled outwardly, and the first fitting portion <NUM> and the second fitting portion <NUM> are separated due to elastic deformation. Thus, the user can perform separate cleaning for the lower support <NUM>, facilitating user operation.

Claim 1:
A refrigerator (<NUM>), comprising:
a storage compartment (<NUM>);
a door (<NUM>) opening or closing the storage compartment (<NUM>), a vacuum sealing device (<NUM>) is disposed on the door (<NUM>), and the vacuum sealing device (<NUM>) comprises:
an upper support (<NUM>) and a lower support (<NUM>) opposite to each other, opening cavities are formed on mutually-opposed surfaces of the upper support (<NUM>) and/or the lower support (<NUM>); when the upper support (<NUM>) and the lower support (<NUM>) are butt-joined, the opening cavities sealingly form a vacuumization region (<NUM>) by sealing portions; the lower support (<NUM>) is detachably mounted to the door (<NUM>);
a driving device (<NUM>) configured to drive the upper support (<NUM>) close to or away from the lower support (<NUM>);
a vacuumization assembly (<NUM>) in communication with the vacuumization region (<NUM>) through a pipe (<NUM>) to perform vacuumization or depressurization for the vacuumization region (<NUM>);
characterized in that a mounting hole (<NUM>) communicating inside with outside is formed on the door (<NUM>), the lower support (<NUM>) and an insulation door (<NUM>) are disposed in the mounting hole (<NUM>), and the insulation door (<NUM>) is at an inner side of the door (<NUM>);
the lower support (<NUM>) and the insulation door (<NUM>) are formed of a first housing (<NUM>) and a second housing (<NUM>) with opening cavities and an insulation piece disposed between the first housing (<NUM>) and the second housing (<NUM>); the first housing (<NUM>) is snap-fitted with the second housing (<NUM>), the first housing (<NUM>) is provided with an extension arm (<NUM>) along a direction away from the second housing (<NUM>), and the lower support (<NUM>) is formed on the extension arm (<NUM>).