CN222257229U - Refrigeration appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of refrigeration appliances, in particular to a refrigeration appliance which comprises an appliance main body defining at least one storage room and a storage device arranged in the storage room, wherein the storage device comprises a main body structure which is arranged in the storage room in a sliding way, defines at least one storage space and is provided with an opening which is opened upwards, a sealing piece arranged at the opening, a cover plate structure which is suitable for pressing the sealing piece to hermetically seal the opening, and a linkage assembly which is suitable for being triggered by a user to cooperatively unlock or lock the cover plate structure so that the cover plate structure is kept in the storage room in the unlocking or locking process. The embodiment of the application ensures that the cover plate structure is not pulled out of the storage room together with the main body structure to be exposed in the vision range of a user, thus the design of the cover plate structure and possibly the parts on the cover plate structure is not considered too much, the complexity of design and manufacture is reduced, and the cost is saved.

Description

Refrigerating appliance

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of refrigeration appliances, in particular to a refrigeration appliance.

Background

In existing refrigeration appliances, a push-pull drawer is typically provided in the storage compartment for the user to sort and store food or other items to be refrigerated or frozen. For preservation, a cover plate is also generally arranged on the drawer to isolate the stored objects in the drawer from contacting with the external environment. However, such drawers with cover plates of existing refrigeration appliances are either open at the front or are pulled out together with the drawer in such a way that the cover plates are always in the visible range of the user during use of the drawer, so that special consideration is required for the industrial aesthetics of the cover plates themselves, thus increasing the design and manufacturing costs.

Disclosure of utility model

In view of the above, it is an object of embodiments of the present application to provide an improved refrigeration appliance comprising an appliance body defining at least one storage compartment and a storage device disposed within the storage compartment, the storage device comprising a body structure slidably disposed within the storage compartment, the body structure defining at least one storage space and having an upwardly open opening, a seal disposed at the opening, a cover structure adapted to compress the seal to hermetically close the opening, and a linkage assembly adapted to be triggered by a user to cooperatively unlock or lock the cover structure such that the cover structure remains within the storage compartment during the unlocking or locking process. Thereby, it is ensured that the cover structure for hermetically closing the main body structure is not pulled out of the storage compartment together with the main body structure to be exposed to the line of sight of the user, and thus the design of the cover structure and possibly the components thereon is not excessively considered, which reduces the complexity of design and manufacture in particular, thereby saving costs.

According to an alternative embodiment, the linkage assembly comprises an operating mechanism adapted to be operated by a user to trigger an unlocking or locking process of the cover structure and a locking mechanism in linkage engagement with the operating mechanism, the locking mechanism acting on the cover structure. Therefore, through the specially arranged operating mechanism and the locking mechanism, a user can conveniently lock or unlock the cover plate structure according to own requirements, so that the user experience is improved.

According to an alternative embodiment, the linkage assembly further comprises a force applying mechanism directly or indirectly fixed to the appliance body, the force applying mechanism applying force to the locking mechanism to have a tendency to unlock the cover structure. Thus, the force application mechanism fixed to the tool main body can provide force assistance for unlocking the cover plate structure, thereby facilitating the unlocking operation by the user.

According to an alternative embodiment, at least a substantial portion of the locking mechanism is retained within the storage compartment. The term "at least a majority" is understood here to mean in particular more than 80%, preferably more than 90%, particularly preferably more than 95% of the total volume. Thus, the number of parts that can fall within the line of sight of the user is further reduced, thereby saving technical costs in terms of design and manufacture.

According to an alternative embodiment, the force application mechanism is configured as a spring in tension, one end of the spring being directly or indirectly fixed to the appliance body and the other end acting on the locking mechanism. Therefore, the spring in the stretching state particularly ensures that the locking mechanism always has a stable unlocking trend, and the unlocking difficulty of the cover plate structure is further reduced.

According to an alternative embodiment, the linkage assembly further comprises a mounting for mounting the locking mechanism and/or the force applying mechanism, the mounting being secured to the appliance body. Therefore, the design of the mounting piece enables the locking mechanism and the force application mechanism to be easier to mount, and the production and assembly efficiency of the whole product is improved.

According to an alternative embodiment, the locking mechanism is fully retained within the storage compartment during use of the storage device. Thus, the number of parts that can fall within the line of sight of the user is even further reduced, thereby saving technical costs in terms of design and manufacture.

According to an alternative embodiment, the linkage assembly is configured to allow the main body structure to be pulled out after the cover structure is unlocked. Thereby, the possibility of erroneous operation is prevented.

According to an alternative embodiment, the linkage assembly is configured such that the unlocking movement direction of the cover structure differs from the pulling movement direction of the main body structure, wherein the unlocking movement direction of the cover structure is in particular upward or obliquely upward. Therefore, the space requirement for unlocking the cover plate structure is reduced, and the cover plate structure is prevented from falling into the sight range of a user in the unlocking process.

According to an alternative embodiment, the linkage assembly comprises two locking mechanisms, preferably symmetrical, located on either side of the main body structure, each locking mechanism comprising a first movement mechanism connected to the cover structure, a second movement mechanism connected to the operating mechanism, and a transmission mechanism adapted to convert movement of the second movement mechanism into corresponding movement of the first movement mechanism. Therefore, the balanced control of the unlocking or locking movement process of the cover plate structure can be realized through the symmetrical left and right locking mechanisms, and the phenomenon of unsmooth movement caused by deflection is reduced, so that smoother and stable unlocking and locking processes are ensured.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first movement mechanism and the cover structure are fixedly connected to each other by means of a detachable latching structure. Thus, the first movement mechanism is advantageously manufactured separately from the cover structure, for example using different materials, and also facilitates disassembly, maintenance or replacement of parts of the two after assembly.

According to an alternative embodiment, the second movement mechanism and the actuating mechanism are coupled to each other in a coordinated manner by means of a releasable engagement. Thus, a more flexible operating experience is provided for the user, and the maintenance and replacement of the components are facilitated.

According to an alternative embodiment, the transmission has a first link and a second link, the transmission changing the position of the first link and the second link relative to each other, in particular the size of the angle relative to each other, as a function of the movement path length of the second movement mechanism, so as to change the respective movement path length of the first movement mechanism. Thus, the unlocking or locking movement of the cover plate structure is more stable and accurate.

According to an alternative embodiment, the latch structure comprises at least one recess provided on the first movement mechanism and at least one protrusion provided on the cover structure and adapted to fit, in particular interference fit, into the at least one recess. Thus, the locking structure formed by the grooves and the protrusions is simple in structure, easy to manufacture and capable of providing a stable locking effect.

According to an alternative embodiment, the engagement structure comprises a cam curve profile provided on the handling mechanism and a driven engagement profile provided on the second movement mechanism, in particular on the first end of the second movement mechanism, and adapted to move along the cam curve profile. Therefore, the motion matching structure formed by the cam curve profile part and the driven matching profile part can effectively transmit the motion of the operating mechanism to the second motion mechanism, and is beneficial to the accurate triggering of the unlocking or locking process by a user.

According to an alternative embodiment, the mount has a first channel defining a movement path of the second movement mechanism. Thus, the first channel provides accurate guidance for the movement of the second movement mechanism, and ensures the accuracy and stability of the movement.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first movement mechanism has a second channel defining a movement path of the second link. Thus, the second channel provides accurate guidance for the movement of the second link, ensuring accuracy and stability of the movement.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first and second ends of the first link are coupled in motion with the second and first motion mechanisms, respectively. Therefore, the motion relation between the first connecting rod and the first and second motion mechanisms is more accurate and stable, and the accuracy and stability of operation are improved.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first and second ends of the second link are coupled in motion with the mount and the first movement mechanism, respectively. Therefore, the motion relation between the second connecting rod, the mounting piece and the first motion mechanism is more accurate and stable, and the accuracy and stability of operation are improved.

According to an alternative embodiment, the effective transmission length between the first and second ends of the first link is equal to the effective transmission length between the first and second ends of the second link. Therefore, the transmission efficiency is ensured, and transmission errors caused by unequal effective transmission lengths are avoided.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first link and the second link are hinged to each other in a central region. Therefore, the transmission movement of the two connecting rods is more coordinated, and the stability and accuracy of operation are improved.

According to an alternative embodiment, the second end of the second movement mechanism is hinged to the first end of the first link, the second end of the first link is hinged to the first movement mechanism, the first end of the second link is hinged to the appliance body or to a mounting fixedly connected to the appliance body, and the second end of the second link has a roller adapted to roll in the second channel. Therefore, stable and coordinated movement of all parts is ensured, smoothness of unlocking and locking processes of the cover plate structure is improved, and use experience is further improved.

According to an alternative embodiment, the second movement mechanism has at least one bead cooperating with the first channel. Thereby, wear caused by excessive movement of the second movement mechanism within the first channel is avoided.

According to an alternative embodiment, the latch structure further comprises at least one lead-in groove in communication with the at least one recess. Therefore, the process of assembling the groove and the bulge is smoother, and the groove and the bulge are convenient to disassemble.

According to an alternative embodiment, the latch structure comprises two recesses provided in the two end regions of the first movement mechanism, respectively. Therefore, the locking relation between the cover plate structure and the first movement mechanism is more stable.

According to an alternative embodiment, at least one protrusion is integrally formed on the cover structure. Thereby, additional components are reduced, the structure is simplified, and the cost is reduced.

According to an alternative embodiment, in the unlocking or locking process, the translational movement of the second movement mechanism drives the first connecting rod, and the driven first connecting rod drives the second connecting rod and the first movement mechanism, so that the first movement mechanism drives the cover plate structure to realize an unlocking or locking movement path. Therefore, in the unlocking and locking processes, all the motion mechanisms can cooperatively operate, and the unlocking and locking efficiency and accuracy are improved.

According to an alternative embodiment, the storage space of the storage device is adapted to create a negative pressure inside. Therefore, the preservation effect of the stored objects in the storage space is improved.

According to an alternative embodiment, the storage device comprises a suction pump provided on the cover plate structure. Thus, since the suction pump is located on the cover structure which is not pulled out together with the main structure, there is no need to consider the appearance of the suction pump exclusively, and since the suction pump is substantially stationary in the storage chamber of the refrigerator except for the unlocking and locking processes, the complexity of the wiring thereof is also simplified, thereby saving design and manufacturing costs.

According to an alternative embodiment, the storage device comprises a pressure relief valve provided on the main structure, the pressure relief valve being particularly adapted to be triggered in linkage by the linkage assembly for releasing pressure in the storage space. Therefore, for example, when a user triggers the unlocking of the cover plate structure, the pressure release valve can be triggered to release the pressure of the storage space at the same time, and the unlocking difficulty of the cover plate structure is greatly reduced particularly when negative pressure exists in the storage space.

According to an alternative embodiment, the cover structure is fully retained within the storage compartment during use of the storage device. Thereby, it is ensured that the cover plate structure is not visible to the user during the whole use of the storage device, whereby the cover plate structure and possibly the design of the components located thereon do not need to be considered too much, which in particular reduces the complexity of design and manufacture, thereby saving costs.

According to an alternative embodiment, the refrigeration appliance further comprises a side wall defining the storage compartment and/or an adjustable shelf within the storage compartment, the linkage assembly being partially secured to the side wall and/or the adjustable shelf. Thus, the storage device can be used as an independent module for different refrigerator design platforms.

According to an alternative embodiment, the refrigerator is configured as a domestic refrigerator. Thus, the household refrigerator as a refrigerating appliance has the advantages mentioned in the above embodiments in particular.

Drawings

The principles, features and advantages of the present application may be better understood by describing the present application in more detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings include:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a storage device of a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein a mounting wall of the refrigeration appliance for mounting the storage device is shown in simplified form;

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a storage device of a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the storage device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates another partial perspective view of the storage device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial exploded view of a storage device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 shows a partial enlarged view of A shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the structure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the lower left structure shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the lower right structure shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the storage device when unlocked, and

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the body structure of the storage device based on fig. 2 partially drawn out.

Reference numerals:

1000, refrigerating appliance; 1001, a storage room; 1002, a sliding rail; the tool comprises a tool main body 800, a side wall 700, an adjustable baffle 900, a storage device 910, a main body structure 911, a storage space 912, an opening 912, a sealing member 920, a cover plate structure 930, a linkage assembly 940, a suction pump 950, a relief valve 960, a front panel 970, a manipulating mechanism 100, a handle 101, a connecting rod mechanism 102, a locking mechanism 200, a 300 force applying mechanism 400, a mounting piece 401, a first channel 210, a first moving mechanism 212, a second channel 220, a second moving mechanism 221, a first end 222, a second end 223, a convex rib 230, a transmission mechanism 10, a first end 11, a second end 12, a second end 20, a second connecting rod 21, a first end 22, a second end 22, a roller 23, a locking structure 90, a groove 91, a groove 93, a groove 80, a first end 82, a second end 2, a second end 23, a second end 12, a second end 20, a first end 21, a second end 23, a roller 90, a groove 91, a 92, 93, a groove, a 80, a groove, a 80, a first end 82, a second end 82, a third end 1, a third end 2, a third end 2, a fourth end, a third end 2, a fourth end, a third end, a fourth end, a3, a fourth end, a third end, a fourth, a third end 2, a3, a third end, a fourth, a3, a third end, a3, a fourth, a3, a2, a3, a2, a corner, a2, a3, a2, a corner, a corner, a2, a corner, a corner, a angle, a angle of the position, a-angle of the-angle- -.

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantageous technical effects to be solved by the present application more apparent, the present application will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and a plurality of exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the application, and that various embodiments may be described in conjunction with the same drawing or drawings, but not all features that appear in the same drawing as what an embodiment must possess.

Before beginning the description, it is noted that for convenience, directional terms or directional terms are used herein, which are relative to a conventional use state of a refrigeration appliance (particularly a refrigerator) or a storage device for a refrigeration appliance (particularly a drawer), as will be clear to those skilled in the art from the description of the present application, without any confusion. In this case, the azimuth term and the direction term should not be interpreted simply as azimuth or direction in any state. That is, the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "longitudinal", "transverse", "high", "front", "back", etc. in the description of the present application are merely for convenience of description and simplification of the description, and do not indicate or imply that the apparatus or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus are not to be construed as limiting the present application.

In addition, in the description of the application, the expression "a and/or B" denotes all possible combinations of a and B, such as a alone, B alone or a and B. The terms "first," "second," and the like, are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Herein, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more such feature.

The description of the application in the background section may be recalled or recalled here for ease of understanding. It is an object of the present application to provide an improved refrigeration appliance including an appliance body defining at least one storage compartment and a storage device disposed within the storage compartment, the storage device including a body structure slidably disposed within the storage compartment, the body structure defining at least one storage space and having an upwardly open opening, a seal disposed at the opening, a cover structure adapted to compress the seal to hermetically close the opening, and a linkage assembly adapted to be triggered by a user to cooperatively unlock or lock the cover structure such that the cover structure remains within the storage compartment during the unlocking and locking process. In the context of the present application, locking of the cover structure is understood to mean, in particular, that the cover structure presses the seal in order to hermetically close the opening of the main body structure, while unlocking is understood to mean, in particular, that the cover structure at least partially relaxes the seal, i.e. no longer presses the seal. By means of the refrigerator provided by the embodiment of the application, the cover plate structure for hermetically closing the main body structure is ensured not to be pulled out of the storage room together with the main body structure to be exposed in the view of a user, so that the design of the cover plate structure and possibly the parts located on the cover plate structure is not excessively considered, and the complexity of design and manufacture is reduced, so that the cost is saved.

Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a refrigeration appliance 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the application, fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a storage device 900 of a refrigeration appliance 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the application, wherein the mounting walls 1, 2, 3 of the refrigeration appliance 1000 for mounting the storage device 900 are shown in simplified form. For clarity, an xyz coordinate system is shown in fig. 1 and 2 and in the subsequent figures, wherein x represents the width direction of the refrigerator 1000 or the storage device 900, y represents the height direction of the refrigerator 1000 or the storage device 900, and z represents the depth direction of the refrigerator 1000 or the storage device 900 pointing from front to back.

As shown in fig. 1, the refrigeration appliance 1000 is illustratively configured as a household refrigerator including an appliance body 800 (i.e., a refrigerator body herein) defining at least one storage compartment 1001, and including at least one storage device 900 disposed within the storage compartment 1001. For clarity, the refrigerator door is hidden in fig. 1, whereby it can be clearly seen that the refrigerator 1000 comprises an upper and a lower storage compartment 1001 and a storage device 900 located therein. Fig. 1 illustrates, on the one hand, two storage devices 900 located side by side in the horizontal direction (i.e., in the width direction x) within the upper storage chamber 1001, the two storage devices 900 being illustrated as having different sizes, and, on the other hand, two storage devices 900 located in the vertical direction (i.e., in the height direction y) within the lower storage chamber 1001, the two storage devices 900 being illustrated as having the same size. It should be understood that the storage device 900 as a stand alone module can have other more layout possibilities than the layout shown in fig. 1 within the storage compartment 1001 of the refrigeration appliance 1000.

As can be seen from fig. 1, the appliance body 800 of the refrigeration appliance 1000 includes a side wall 700 defining an upper and lower storage compartment 1001. Optionally, the apparatus body 800 may further include an adjustable partition 600 located in the storage chamber 1001, where the adjustable partition 600 may be disposed in the storage chamber 1001 in a lifting manner and/or in a detachable manner, and may further include a mounting portion (such as a mounting hole or the like) for mounting a slide rail of the storage apparatus 900 or other components that need to be fixedly mounted with the apparatus body 800, if necessary. Thus, as will be described in detail below, the linkage assembly 940 of the storage device 900 may be secured directly to the side wall 700 and/or the adjustable spacer 600, such as by the mount 400.

As shown in fig. 2, the storage device 900 is mounted on the mounting walls 1, 2, 3 of the refrigerator 1000. The mounting walls 1, 2, 3 schematically shown in connection with fig. 1, 2 should in particular be understood as part of a refrigerator liner. For example, the mounting wall 2 may be understood as one of the side walls 700 of fig. 1, alternatively also as the adjustable shelf 600, while the mounting walls 1, 3 may be understood as defining the upper or lower wall of the storage compartment 1001, or as upper and lower shelves for dividing the storage compartment 1001 or for resting the storage. As will be described in more detail below, since the cover structure 930 of the storage device 900 needs to be unlocked, for example, upward or obliquely upward, a certain gap should exist between the mounting wall 1 and the storage device 900.

As can be seen from fig. 2 in combination with fig. 1, the storage device 900 does not need to provide a large outer bin outside the drawer as in the prior art, and various components such as a drawer body, a sliding rail and the like are provided inside the large outer bin in the prior art, and a large gap is required to be left, and the volume occupied by the large outer bin is added, so that the storage space of the drawer in the storage chamber is greatly limited. In contrast, the storage device 900 does not require such a large outer bin, but rather can be used on its own as a stand-alone module for different refrigerator design platforms, for example, for direct assembly with the side wall 700 or the adjustable shelf 600.

Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a storage device 900 of a refrigerator 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, fig. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of the storage device 900 illustrated in fig. 3, and fig. 5 illustrates another partial perspective view of the storage device 900 illustrated in fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 3 in combination with fig. 4, the storage device 900 includes a main body structure 910 that is slidably disposed within a storage compartment 1001. The body structure 910 may be pulled out and pushed into the storage compartment 1001 by a user in the depth direction z, for example, by a slide 1002 as shown in fig. 3. As shown in fig. 4, the body structure 910 defines a storage space 911. In an embodiment according to the application, not shown, the body structure 910 may also define a plurality of storage spaces 911, for example separated by separation plates. Here, the main body structure 910 has an opening 912 opened upward, and a seal 920 is provided at the opening 912. Fig. 4 illustrates a seal 920 formed on the body structure 910 surrounding the opening 912, but it is understood that such a seal 920, e.g., configured as a sealing ring, may also be provided (e.g., bonded) to a lower portion of the cover structure 930 (as schematically illustrated in fig. 5) described below.

As shown in fig. 5 in combination with fig. 3, the storage device 900 comprises a cover structure 930, the cover structure 930 being adapted to compress the seal 920 to hermetically close the opening 912 of the main body structure 910. To unlock or lock the cover structure 930 to release or close the opening 912, the storage device 900 further includes a linkage assembly 940, where the linkage assembly 940 is triggered by a user to operatively unlock or lock the cover structure 930, and the cover structure 930 remains within the storage compartment 1001 throughout use of the storage device 900, such as during unlocking, pulling out, accessing, pushing in, and locking of the storage device 900 by a user, and does not move with the main structure 910, particularly is not pulled out by the user, and falls within the user's line of sight.

As can be seen in fig. 3, the linkage assembly 940 specifically includes an operating mechanism 100 and a locking mechanism 200, the operating mechanism 100 may include a handle portion 101 for direct operation by a user, the locking mechanism 200 is in linkage engagement with the operating mechanism 100 and acts on a cover structure 930, and the locking mechanism 200 itself is secured to the appliance body 800 of the refrigeration appliance 1000, for example, by a mounting 400. From there, the user can trigger the unlocking or locking of the cover structure 930 by the locking mechanism 200, for example by turning the handle 101. To facilitate the user's unlocking process of the cover structure 930, the linkage assembly 940 may further include a force application mechanism 300, for example, a spring configured to be in a stretched state, one end of which is fixed to the appliance body 800 or to the mount 400 and the other end of which acts on the locking mechanism 200 to always apply a pulling force (a pulling force rearward in the depth direction z as shown) to the locking mechanism 200. In the event that the operating mechanism 100 likewise applies a pulling force to the locking mechanism 200 (as shown, a pulling force forward in the depth direction z), i.e., in the closed or non-use state of the storage device 900, the locking mechanism 200 itself maintains a force balance. When the user needs to use the storage device 900, the user can first operate the operating mechanism 100 of the linkage assembly 940, for example, the handle 101 thereof, so that the operating mechanism 100 no longer applies a pulling force to the locking mechanism 200, at this time, the locking mechanism 200 no longer keeps the force balance, but the pulling force of the force application mechanism 300 backward in the depth direction z mainly acts, thereby automatically unlocking the cover structure 930, and the main body structure 910 is allowed to be pulled out after the unlocking of the cover structure 930 is completed. The specific principles of operation of the locking mechanism 200 of the linkage assembly 940 will be described in detail in connection with the following figures. It should be noted that in addition to the mechanical linkage illustrated in the drawings of the present application, in embodiments of the present application not illustrated, the linkage assembly 940 may also be used to interlockingly unlock or lock the cover structure 930, for example, electrically.

As can be seen in fig. 5, the linkage assembly 940 may include two locking mechanisms 200 located on either side of the body structure 910 (i.e., opposite in the width direction x), the two locking mechanisms 200 preferably being mirror images of each other, and each locking mechanism 200 may include a first 210 and a second 220 motion mechanism and a transmission 230. The second movement means 220 are connected to the actuating means 100, in this case, to the releasable engagement means 80 in a interlocking manner, and the first movement means 210 are connected to the cover means 930, in this case, to the releasable latching means 90 in a fixed manner. When the actuating mechanism 100 triggers the second movement mechanism 220, the movement of the second movement mechanism 220 is transmitted to the first movement mechanism 210 through the transmission mechanism 230, so that the first movement mechanism 210 drives the cover plate structure 930 to perform unlocking or locking movement along a predetermined direction.

As can also be seen from fig. 5, the transmission 230 has a first connecting rod 10 and a second connecting rod 20, and the operating principle of the transmission 230 is, for example, to change the position of the first connecting rod 10 and the second connecting rod 20 relative to one another (in particular the angle Δα of the first connecting rod 10 and the second connecting rod 20 relative to one another in the case of a hinge joint of the first connecting rod 10 and the second connecting rod 20 as shown) as a function of the movement path length Δl of the second movement mechanism 220, and thus to change the corresponding movement path length Δh of the first movement mechanism 210. The corresponding movement path length Δh of the first movement mechanism 210 is exemplarily shown in fig. 5 as a vertical movement path in the height direction y, but may in practice also be inclined or curved slightly from the height direction y. In summary, however, the unlocking or locking movement direction of the cover structure 930 by the first movement mechanism 210 is different from the pulling or pushing movement direction of the main structure 910, so that the mutual decoupling between the movement of the cover structure 930 and the movement of the main structure 910 is achieved, thereby ensuring that the cover structure 930 is not pulled out together with the main structure 910.

Fig. 6 shows a partial exploded view of a storage device 900 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein a front panel 970 of the storage device 900 is shown in a separated form, and fig. 7 shows a partial enlarged view of a shown in fig. 6, wherein the partial enlarged view shown in fig. 7 is at a slightly different angle from fig. 6 and the front panel 970 is not shown in a separated form for comparison.

As shown in fig. 6 in combination with fig. 3, the storage device 900 may further include a front panel 970, the front panel 970 and the handle portion 101 of the operating mechanism 100 together forming a front side of the storage device 900 to shield unnecessary parts from view, thereby improving industrial aesthetics.

As can be seen from fig. 6, the storage device 900 is closed as a whole, and the storage space 911 of such a storage device 900 is particularly suitable for creating a negative pressure inside, i.e. the storage device 900 is configured as a vacuum drawer or as a negative pressure drawer. For this purpose, the storage device 900 comprises a suction pump 950, and the suction pump 950 itself and its associated wiring components are preferably provided on a cover structure 930 that is not pulled out together with the body structure 910. In the case where the storage device 900 is configured as a vacuum drawer or a negative pressure drawer, since the storage device 900 as a whole (particularly, the main body structure 910 and the cover structure 930 thereof) should be subjected to a large pressure to easily cause deformation, the storage device 900 (particularly, the main body structure 910 and the cover structure 930 thereof) is preferably composed of a hard plastic or metal, and further preferably includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs as exemplarily shown in the drawings, which can prevent the storage device 900 from being deformed to cause damage, in particular. In particular, vacuum drawers or negative pressure drawers are understood to mean that the internal pressure is less than atmospheric pressure, so that the oxidation rate of the stored items is slowed down or the chance of contamination by microorganisms is reduced, in order to reduce the likelihood of the stored items being spoiled. The suction pump 950 has, for example, a sensing element, and the suction pump 950 starts to operate when the sensing element detects that the storage device 900 is closed as a whole, which is achieved, for example, by program control.

As can also be seen in fig. 6, the storage device 900 may include a pressure relief valve 960 on the main body structure 910 configured to allow simultaneous withdrawal of the stopper head of rigid plastic from the aperture made of silicone of the main body structure 910 upon rotation of the handle portion 101. The relief valve 960 is particularly adapted to relieve pressure in the storage space 911 upon actuation of the operating mechanism 100 of the linkage assembly 940. For example, when the user directly manipulates the operating mechanism 100, and particularly directly turns the handle portion 101 of the operating mechanism 100 outward, the link mechanism 102 of the operating mechanism 100 will cause the relief valve 960, which would otherwise hermetically close the relief hole on the front side of the main structure 910, to open, thereby effecting relief of pressure. This aspect facilitates first venting prior to movement of the cover structure 930 relative to the appliance body 800 of the refrigeration appliance 1000, or prior to unlocking movement of the cover structure 930 toward the opening 912 away from the body structure 910, for subsequent operation. On the other hand, since the sealed storage space 911 is suddenly depressurized, a sound is generated, which also alerts the user to, among other things, that the depressurization effect has been achieved to verify that the vacuum cartridge is working.

Fig. 6 in combination with fig. 7 shows a releasable engagement structure 80 for connecting the second movement mechanism 220 of the locking mechanism 200 and the handling mechanism 100 in a linking manner, which may in particular comprise a cam curve profile 81 (also in contrast to fig. 4) provided on the handling mechanism 100 and a follower engagement profile 82 provided on the second movement mechanism 220, the follower engagement profile 82 being adapted to move along the cam curve profile 81, similarly to the working principle of the cam mechanism. As shown in fig. 7, the driven mating contour 82 may be embodied as a circular protrusion and is preferably provided on the first end 221 of the second movement mechanism 220. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the cam curve profile 81 and the follower mating profile 82 abut each other when the storage device 900 is in a closed or non-use condition. During the unlocking of the cover structure 930 of the storage device 900, the user first activates the linkage assembly 940, for example, to actuate the actuating mechanism 100, i.e. to rotate the handle 101 about the x-axis in the first rotational direction as shown, thereby bringing the cam curve profile 81 downward out of the driven mating profile 82 on the second movement mechanism 220, as described above, wherein the second movement mechanism 220 itself no longer remains force-balanced, but is pulled back in the depth direction z by the force application mechanism 300, so that this back movement of the second movement mechanism 220 is converted into an unlocking movement of the cover structure 930 by the transmission mechanism 230. Correspondingly, after the user has used the storage device 900 and pushed the main body structure 910 back into the storage compartment 1001, for example, the locking operation of the cover structure 930 is achieved in that the linkage assembly 940 is likewise triggered by the user, for example, by actuating the actuating element 100, i.e. by rotating the handle 101 about the x-axis in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, as shown, whereby the cam curve profile 81 is brought back up against the driven engagement profile 82 on the second movement mechanism 220, for example, by hooking it up from below to above, in order to exert a forward pulling force on it in the depth direction z, whereupon this forward movement of the second movement mechanism 220 is again converted by the transmission mechanism 230 into a locking movement of the first movement mechanism 210, which brings the cover structure 930, while the locking mechanism 200 itself again remains force-balanced.

Fig. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the structure of fig. 5.

As can be seen from fig. 8, the detachable latching structure 90 fixedly connecting the first movement mechanism 210 and the cover structure 930 of the locking mechanism 200 to each other may in particular comprise at least one recess 91 provided on the first movement mechanism 210 (fig. 8 exemplarily shows two protrusions 92 provided in respective two end regions of the first movement mechanism 210) and at least one protrusion 92 provided on (preferably integrally formed on) the cover structure 930 (fig. 8 exemplarily shows corresponding two protrusions 92), the protrusions 92 being adapted to fit into (in particular interference fit into) the corresponding recesses 91 such that the first movement mechanism 210 and the cover structure 930 are in a fixed state immovably relative to each other. As can also be seen from fig. 8, the latching structure 90 can further comprise at least one lead-in groove 93 in communication with the recess 91, so that the projection 92, for example, first enters the lead-in groove 93 from above down and then is translationally fitted into the corresponding recess 91 in the depth direction z. In fig. 8, a latching structure 90 is shown by way of example only as a recess 93, the design of this single recess 93 reducing the structural complexity of the first movement means 210, in particular, for example, when the first movement means 210 are made of an aluminum material, it is possible to produce them by simple stamping.

Fig. 9 shows a partial enlarged view of the lower left structure shown in fig. 8, and fig. 10 shows a partial enlarged view of the lower right structure shown in fig. 8.

As can be seen in fig. 9, the mount 400 has a first channel 401, in particular an opposing double sided binding track, defining the movement path of the second movement mechanism 220. Correspondingly, the second movement mechanism 220 has at least one bead 223 cooperating with the first channel 401, fig. 9 and 10 showing two beads 223 located on opposite sides of the second movement mechanism 220 (see also the partial enlarged view of fig. 7).

As can be seen from fig. 10, the first movement mechanism 210 has a second channel 212 defining a movement path of the second link 20, specifically, a rectangular-like structure with one side closed and one side open, wherein the second channel 212 has one side closed to facilitate preventing the second link 20 from accidentally slipping, and the other side open to enable the second link 20 to move more smoothly.

As can also be seen in fig. 10, the second end 22 of the second link 20 has a roller 23 adapted to roll within the second channel 212, similar to the manner in which a roller pushrod moves, whereby jamming is less likely to occur within the second channel 212.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the first link 10 and the second link 20 are hinged to each other at a central region, wherein the first link 10 is connected between and in kinematic coupling relationship with the second motion mechanism 220 and the first motion mechanism 210, respectively, specifically, the first end 11 of the first link 10 is hinged to the second motion mechanism 220 (e.g., to the second end 222 of the second motion mechanism 220), and the second end 12 of the first link 10 is hinged to the first motion mechanism 210. The second link 20 is connected between and in kinematic coupling relation with the first motion mechanism 210 and the appliance body 800 of the refrigeration appliance 1000 (or the mount 400 fixedly connected to the appliance body 800), specifically, the first end 21 of the second link 20 is hinged to the appliance body 800 of the refrigeration appliance 1000 (or to the mount 400 fixedly connected to the appliance body 800), and the second end 22 of the second link 20 has a roller 23 adapted to roll within the second channel 212 of the first motion mechanism 210. Here, the effective transmission length between the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the first link 10 is preferably equal to the effective transmission length between the first end 21 and the second end 22 of the second link 20. Within the scope of the application, the kinematic coupling of one component to another component is to be understood in particular as meaning that the two components have the possibility of relative movement only in a specific degree of freedom and are not movable relative to one another in the remaining degrees of freedom, whereby the movement of one component can cause a corresponding movement of the other component.

The unlocking process triggered by the actuating mechanism 100 is schematically shown by the bold arrow in fig. 9, in combination with the above, in that by actuating the actuating mechanism 100 by the user the second actuating mechanism 220 can be triggered to first take a rearward translational movement L0, which in turn brings about a clockwise rotational angle α1 of the first end 11 of the first link 10 relative to the second actuating mechanism 220 as shown, which in turn brings about a counterclockwise rotational angle α2 of the second end 12 of the first link 10 relative to the first actuating mechanism 210 as shown, while at the same time the second link 20 itself is also brought about a clockwise rotational angle α3 relative to the first link 10 as shown by being articulated with the first link 10, and in turn, as a result of the first end 21 of the second link 20 being articulated with the appliance body 800 (or with the mounting 400 fixedly connected to the appliance body 800), the second end 22 of the second link 20 is brought about a clockwise rotational angle α4 relative to the first actuating mechanism 210 and a rearward translational movement L1 within the second channel 212, which in turn brings about an upward angular movement of the first link 20 relative to the first end 12 of the first link 10 by an angle α2 and a second end 22 of the second link 20 by way of the first link 20 in a clockwise rotational angle α3 relative to the first link 10, which in turn brings about an upward angular movement of the first link 210, which is depicted by way of the example arrow, which is depicted as an upward, respectively, and an upward angular movement, of the unlocking structure, and an example, arrow, H, respectively, as shown in fig. 0. During this unlocking process, the first link 10 and the second link 20 are brought close to each other, thereby urging the first movement mechanism 210 away from the second movement mechanism 220 and the instrument body 800 (or hinged to the mount 400 fixedly connected to the instrument body 800) in the height direction y to achieve the unlocking movement.

Correspondingly, the locking process triggered by the actuating mechanism 100 is also schematically shown by the bold arrow in fig. 10, in conjunction with which, by actuating the actuating mechanism 100 by the user, the second actuating mechanism 220 can be triggered to first take place in a forward translational movement L0, which in turn brings about a clockwise rotational movement of the first end 11 of the first link 10 relative to the second actuating mechanism 220 by an angle α1 as shown, which in turn brings about a clockwise rotational movement of the second end 12 of the first link 10 relative to the first actuating mechanism 210 by an angle α2 as shown, while at the same time the second link 20 itself is also brought about in a central region by an angle α3 relative to the first link 10 by an articulation of the second link 20 relative to the first link 10 by an angle α2 as shown, and in turn brings about a downward translational movement of the second end 22 of the second link 20 relative to the first actuating mechanism 210 by an angle α4 and forward by an angle L1 in the second channel 212, which in turn brings about a downward translational movement of the second end 22 relative to the first link 10 by an angle α3 as shown by an articulation of the first end 21 relative to the first link 10, which in turn brings about an angular downward rotational movement of the second link 22 relative to the first link 20 by an angular downward angular movement of the first cover plate, which is shown by an example downward movement of the locking structure, which is shown by an example downward arrow, as shown by an arrow 0. During this locking process, the first link 10 and the second link 20 are moved away from each other, thereby causing the first movement mechanism 210 to approach the second movement mechanism 220 and the instrument body 800 (or to be hinged to the mount 400 fixedly connected to the instrument body 800) in the height direction y to achieve the locking movement.

Fig. 11 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the storage device 900 when unlocked. As shown in fig. 11, the storage device 900 is operated, e.g., after being acted upon by a user on the handle portion 101 of the manipulation mechanism 100, in an unlocked state, wherein the manipulation mechanism 100 and the second movement mechanism 220 of the locking mechanism 200 are disengaged as described above, i.e., no longer act against each other as shown in fig. 7 but are moved away from each other to allow the cover structure 930 to release the opening 912 of the main body structure 910.

Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the body structure 910 of the storage device 900 based on fig. 2 partially drawn out. As shown in fig. 12, after unlocking, the body structure 910 of the storage device 900 is pulled out. At this time, for example, the handle portion 101 of the operating mechanism 100 can be returned to the same plane as the front panel 970 by an internal spring, thereby improving the overall appearance of the storage device 900.

Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, even where only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. The characteristic examples provided in the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative, not limiting, unless a different expression is explicitly made. In a specific implementation, the features may be combined with one another where technically feasible according to the actual requirements. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application.

Claims (10)

1. A refrigeration appliance, the refrigeration appliance comprising:

An appliance body (800) defining at least one storage compartment (1001), and

A storage device (900) provided in the storage chamber (1001), the storage device (900) comprising:

a main body structure (910) being slidably arranged within the storage compartment (1001), the main body structure (910) defining at least one storage space (911) and having an opening (912) opening upwards;

a seal (920) disposed at the opening (912);

A cover structure (930), the cover structure (930) being adapted to compress the seal (920) to hermetically close the opening (912), and

A linkage assembly (940), the linkage assembly (940) being adapted to be triggered by a user to interlockingly unlock or lock the cover structure (930) such that the cover structure (930) remains within the storage compartment (1001) during the unlocking or locking.

2. A refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein,

The linkage assembly (940) includes:

An operating mechanism (100) adapted to be operated by a user to trigger an unlocking or locking process of the cover structure (930), and

And the locking mechanism (200) is in linkage fit with the operating mechanism (100), and the locking mechanism (200) acts on the cover plate structure (930).

3. A refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein,

The linkage assembly (940) further includes a force applying mechanism (300) directly or indirectly secured to the appliance body (800), the force applying mechanism (300) applying force to the locking mechanism (200) to have a tendency to unlock the cover structure (930), and/or

At least a majority of the locking mechanism (200) is retained within the storage compartment (1001).

4. A refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein,

The force applying mechanism (300) is configured as a spring in a stretched state, one end of the spring is directly or indirectly fixed to the tool body (800) and the other end acts on the locking mechanism (200), and/or

The linkage assembly (940) further comprises a mounting (400) for mounting the locking mechanism (200) and/or the force application mechanism (300), the mounting (400) being fixed to the appliance body (800), and/or

The locking mechanism (200) is fully retained within the storage compartment (1001) during use of the storage device (900).

5. A refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

The linkage assembly (940) is configured to allow the main body structure (910) to be pulled out after the cover structure (930) is unlocked, and/or

The linkage assembly (940) is configured to cause an unlocking motion direction of the cover structure (930) to be different from a pulling motion direction of the main body structure (910), wherein the unlocking motion direction of the cover structure (930) is upward.

6. A refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein,

The linkage assembly (940) includes two symmetrical locking mechanisms (200) located on either side of the main body structure (910), each locking mechanism (200) including:

A first movement mechanism (210) coupled to the cover structure (930);

a second movement mechanism (220) connected to the actuating mechanism (100), and

-A transmission mechanism (230) adapted to convert a movement of the second movement mechanism (220) into a corresponding movement of the first movement mechanism (210).

7. A refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein,

The first movement means (210) and the cover structure (930) are fixedly connected to each other by means of a detachable locking structure (90), and/or

The second movement means (220) and the actuating means (100) are connected to each other in a interlocking manner by means of a releasable engagement means (80), and/or

The transmission mechanism (230) is provided with a first connecting rod (10) and a second connecting rod (20), and the transmission mechanism (230) changes the included angle (delta alpha) of the first connecting rod (10) and the second connecting rod (20) relative to each other according to the movement path length (delta L) of the second movement mechanism (220), so as to change the corresponding movement path length (delta H) of the first movement mechanism (210).

8. A refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein,

The latch structure (90) comprises at least one recess (91) provided on the first movement mechanism (210) and at least one projection (92) provided on the cover structure (930) and adapted to be interference fit into the at least one recess (91), and/or

The engagement structure (80) comprises a cam curve profile (81) provided on the operating mechanism (100) and a driven engagement profile (82) provided on the first end (221) of the second movement mechanism (220) and adapted to move along the cam curve profile (81), and/or

The mounting (400) has a first channel (401) defining a movement path of the second movement mechanism (220), and/or

The first movement mechanism (210) has a second channel (212) defining a movement path of the second link (20), and/or

The first end (11) and the second end (12) of the first connecting rod (10) are respectively coupled with the second movement mechanism (220) and the first movement mechanism (210) in a movement way, and/or

The first end (21) and the second end (22) of the second link (20) are respectively coupled with the mounting (400) and the first movement mechanism (210) in a movement manner, and/or

The effective transmission length between the first end (11) and the second end (12) of the first link (10) is equal to the effective transmission length between the first end (21) and the second end (22) of the second link (20), and/or

The first link (10) and the second link (20) are articulated to each other in a central region.

9. A refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein,

The second end (222) of the second movement mechanism (220) is hinged with the first end (11) of the first connecting rod (10), the second end (12) of the first connecting rod (10) is hinged with the first movement mechanism (210), the first end (21) of the second connecting rod (20) is hinged with the appliance body (800) or is hinged with a mounting piece (400) fixedly connected with the appliance body (800), the second end (22) of the second connecting rod (20) is provided with a roller (23) suitable for rolling in the second channel (212), and/or

The second movement means (220) having at least one rib (223) cooperating with the first channel (401), and/or

The latch structure (90) further comprises at least one lead-in groove (93) communicating with the at least one recess (91), and/or

The latching means (90) comprises two recesses (91) which are provided in each case in the two end regions of the first movement means (210), and/or

At least one protrusion (92) integrally formed on the cover structure (930), and/or

In the unlocking or locking process, the translational movement (L0) of the second movement mechanism (220) drives the first connecting rod (10), the driven first connecting rod (10) drives the second connecting rod (20) and the first movement mechanism (210), and therefore the first movement mechanism (210) drives the cover plate structure (930) to achieve the unlocking or locking movement path (H0).

10. A refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 9,

The storage space (911) of the storage device (900) is adapted to form a negative pressure inside, and/or

The storage device (900) comprises a suction pump (950) arranged on the cover plate structure (930), and/or

The storage device (900) comprises a pressure relief valve (960) arranged on the main body structure (910), the pressure relief valve (960) is suitable for being triggered by the linkage assembly (940) in a linkage manner to relieve pressure of the storage space (911), and/or

The cover structure (930) is fully retained within the storage compartment (1001) during use of the storage device (900), and/or

The refrigerator (1000) further includes a side wall (700) defining the storage chamber (1001) and/or an adjustable shelf (600) located within the storage chamber (1001), the linkage assembly (940) being partially secured to the side wall (700) and/or the adjustable shelf (600), and/or

The refrigerator (1000) is configured as a domestic refrigerator.