FRESH-KEEPING STORAGE CONTAINER FOR REFRIGERATOR AND REFRIGERATOR

Abstract

 A fresh-keeping storage container (200) for a refrigerator (10), and a refrigerator (10). The fresh-keeping storage container (200) comprises: a storage box (210) provided internally with a storage space for placing stored objects; and one or more magnetic field generating components (221), each magnetic field generating component (221) being configured to be in the shape of a flat plate and arranged at a side wall of the storage box (210), the magnetic field generating component (221) being used for generating a magnetic field acting on the storage space, and the magnetic field strength range of the magnetic field is 1-200 Gs. According to the fresh-keeping storage container (200) and the refrigerator (10), the magnetic field is more stable, and the quality of the stored objects can be effectively improved, so that a new fresh-keeping function is provided, the increasing demand of users for intelligent refrigerators is met, and the quality requirements of the users for smart home and intelligent life are further satisfied.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a household refrigeration apparatus, and in particular, to a fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator and the refrigerator.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, a household refrigeration apparatus, such as a household refrigerator, or the like, is not limited to traditional food refrigerating and freezing. Use demands of users get higher and higher, higher requirements are put forward for a freshness-retaining effect on stored food materials, and food materials, such as meat, fishes and shrimps, are prone to lose juice to worsen a taste and darken a color during storage. In particular, some high-grade food materials have greatly reduced quality after stored for a period of time.

[0003] Numerous freshness-retaining storage solution improvement solutions emerge in a prior art, and a crystallization speed is increased using quick freezing; recently, in a related art, the stored food materials are affected by means of pressure changes, ultrasonic waves, electric fields, electromagnetic waves, or the like, but some of these technologies have a freshness-retaining storage effect which is not ideal, others have high realization costs, and these technologies cannot be conveniently applied in the household refrigerator. In the above improvement solution, theoretical research shows that the magnetic field can well reduce low-temperature damage to cells, tissue and other biological products, and better preserve functions and forms of the cells, thereby maintaining better storage quality. In the field of household refrigerators, application of the magnetic field is also actively explored to realize freshness-retaining storage. However, in practical application, different kinds of magnetic fields and magnetic field intensities have different influences on the stored food materials, and better storage quality is difficult to achieve.

SUMMARY

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator and the refrigerator, which can effectively improve storage quality.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to reduce component costs.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to make the fresh-keeping storage container convenient to apply in the refrigerator.

[0007] In particular, the present invention is directed to a fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator, comprising:

a storage box provided therein with a storage space for placing stored objects; and

one or more magnetic field generating components, each magnetic field generating component being configured in a flat plate shape and provided at a side wall of the storage box, the magnetic field generating components being configured to generate a magnetic field acting on the storage space, and the magnetic field having an intensity ranging from 1Gs to 200Gs.

[0008] Further, the magnetic field generating components are configured as permanent magnetic plates, a number of the magnetic field generating components is two, the two permanent magnetic plates are arranged at a pair of opposite side walls of the storage box respectively, and magnetic field directions of the two permanent magnetic plates are same and perpendicular to the side walls where the permanent magnetic plates are located respectively, so as to form the magnetic field penetrating through the storage space.

[0009] Further, a shape of the permanent magnet plate is matched with a shape of the side wall of the storage box where the permanent magnet plate is located, and projection of the storage space on a plane where the permanent magnet plate is located is located within a peripheral contour of the permanent magnet plate.

[0010] Further, the fresh-keeping storage container for the refrigerator further comprises a magnetism uniforming plate, the magnetism uniforming plate is abutting against a side of the permanent magnet plate opposite to the storage box, projection of the storage space on a plane where the magnetism uniforming plate is located being located within a periphery contour of the magnetism uniforming plate.

[0011] Further, the permanent magnet plate has a smaller size than the side wall of the storage box where the permanent magnet plate is located, and centers of the permanent magnet plate and the magnetism uniforming plate which are arranged on a same side are opposite to centers of the side walls of the storage box where the permanent magnet plate and the magnetism uniforming plate are located.

[0012] Further, a ratio of an area of the permanent magnet plate to an area of the projection of the storage space on the plane where the permanent magnet plate is located is in a range of 30% to 98%.

[0013] Further, the magnetic field generating components are configured as electromagnetic generating components, each electromagnetic generating component abuts against a side wall of the storage box, an electromagnetic coil is wound in the electromagnetic generating component, and the electromagnetic coil is electrified to generate the magnetic field with a magnetic pole opposite to the side wall.

[0014] Further, a number of the electromagnetic generating components is two, the two electromagnetic generating components are arranged on a pair of opposite side walls of the storage box respectively, and the two electromagnetic generating components have identical magnetic field directions, such that the magnetic field penetrates through the storage space.

[0015] Further, each electromagnetic generating component is of a flat-plate-shaped ring structure, and the electromagnetic coil is wound around a circumference of a ring.

[0016] Further, the fresh-keeping storage container for the refrigerator further comprises a magnetism uniforming plate, wherein the magnetism uniforming plate is abutting against a side of the electromagnetic generating component opposite to the storage box, projection of the storage space on a plane where the magnetism uniforming plate is located being located within a periphery contour of the magnetism uniforming plate.

[0017] Further, each electromagnetic generating component further comprises a waterproof casing provided therein with the electromagnetic coil.

[0018] Further, the storage box comprises:

a cylinder having a forward opening; and

a drawer provided in the cylinder in a drawable mode.

[0019] Further, the two magnetic field generating components are arranged above and below the cylinder respectively.

[0020] Further, the two magnetic field generating components are arranged inside a top wall of the cylinder and a bottom wall of the cylinder respectively.

[0021] Further, the fresh-keeping storage container for the refrigerator further comprises:

an air inlet duct assembly configured to supply refrigerating airflow into the storage box;

wherein the cylinder is further provided with an air return port, and the air return port is configured to discharge air in the cylinder.

[0022] The present invention is further directed to a refrigerator comprising the aforementioned fresh-keeping storage container, and the fresh-keeping storage container is used for the refrigerator.

[0023] In the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to the present invention, a magnetic field generating component is provided at a side wall of a storage box and configured to be in a flat plate shape, thus saving an occupied space; the magnetic field generating component generates a magnetic field acting on a storage space, and an intensity of the magnetic field ranges from 1Gs to 200Gs. The magnetic field is helpful in improving the storage quality, and can shorten a freezing time, reduce a juice loss rate and nutrition loss of food, well reduce low-temperature damage to cells, tissue and other biological products in a freezing process, better preserve functions and forms of the cells, reduce numbers of microorganisms and bacteria and prolong a freshness-retaining cycle.

[0024] In some implementations, in the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to the present invention, two permanent magnet plates are adopted as the magnetic field generating components, the two permanent magnet plates are arranged at a pair of opposite side walls of the storage box, and the two permanent magnet plates have same magnetic field directions, so as to form the magnetic field penetrating through the storage space in the storage box. The permanent magnetic field formed by the permanent magnet plate is more stable, and avoids an influence of heating of an electromagnetic element on the storage quality.

[0025] Further, in the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to the present invention, projection of the storage space on a plane where the permanent magnet plate is located is located within a peripheral contour of the permanent magnet plate, such that the whole storage space is located within the magnetic field without dead angles, and a magnetic field dead zone is avoided.

[0026] In some other implementations, in the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to the present invention, an electromagnetic generating component is adopted as the magnetic field generating component, the electromagnetic generating component is provided at the side wall of the storage box, an electromagnetic coil is wound inside the electromagnetic generating component, and the electromagnetic coil is electrified to generate the magnetic field with a magnetic pole opposite to the side wall.

[0027] Still further, the two electromagnetic generating components are arranged at a pair of opposite side walls of the storage box respectively, and have same magnetic field directions, such that the magnetic field penetrates through the storage space.

[0028] Still further, in the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to the present invention, a using quantity of magnetic materials can also be saved by a magnetism uniforming plate, and a cost increase and a weight increase caused by using too many or too large magnetic pieces are avoided. Meanwhile, the magnetism uniforming plate can change distribution of the magnetic field, such that the magnetic field is distributed more uniformly in the storage space.

[0029] Still further, in the fresh-keeping storage container according to the present invention, structures of the magnetism uniforming plate and the magnetic field generating component (the permanent magnet plate or the electromagnetic generating component) are optimized, such that the fresh-keeping storage container has a more compact structure, is particularly suitable for a structure of a storage drawer, and realizes magnetic-field freshness retaining in the relatively flat storage space. Still further, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, the fresh-keeping storage container is provided in a freezing environment, such that food materials are stored in a magnetic field environment, growth of ice crystal nuclei is inhibited, a growth rate of ice crystals is higher than a migration rate of water molecules, and the generated ice crystals are smaller, thereby reducing the damage to the cells, avoiding juice loss, guaranteeing a better taste of the food materials, improving the freezing storage quality, and meeting requirements of users for the storage quality of the precious food materials.

[0030] Still further, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, the storage quality is improved by the magnetic field, a new freshness-retaining function can be provided for an intelligent refrigerator, increasingly improved use requirements of the users for the intelligent refrigerator are met, and requirements of the users for quality of smart homes and intelligent life are further met.

[0031] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Some specific embodiments of the invention will be described in detail hereinafter by way of example and not by way of limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals identify the same or similar components or parts in the drawings. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of components of the fresh-keeping storage container shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of components of the fresh-keeping storage container shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an electromagnetic generating component in the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of components of the fresh-keeping storage container shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a fresh-keeping storage container of a drawer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container of a drawer structure according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an air supply structure in the fresh-keeping storage container of a drawer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective diagram of a refrigerator 10 with a fresh-keeping storage container 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment may generally include a cabinet 120, a door 110, and a refrigerating system (not shown). The cabinet 120 may define at least one (typically plural) storage compartment with an open front side, such as a refrigerating storage compartment, a freezing storage compartment, a variable temperature storage compartment, or the like. A specific number and specific functions of the storage compartments can be configured according to predetermined requirements.

[0034] The refrigerator 10 according to the present embodiment can be configured as an air-cooled refrigerator, an air path system is provided in the cabinet 120, and by a fan, refrigerating airflow subjected to heat exchange by a heat exchanger (evaporator) is fed to the storage compartment through an air supply port, and then returned to an air duct through an air return port. Refrigeration is realized. Since the cabinet 120, the door 110, and the refrigerating system of such a refrigerator are well known and easily implemented by those skilled in the art, in order to avoid covering and obscuring invention points of the present application, the cabinet 120, the door 110, and the refrigerating system are not repeated hereinafter.

[0035] A fresh-keeping storage container 200 can be provided in one or more of the storage compartments of the refrigerator 10. When placed in the freezing storage compartment, the fresh-keeping storage container 200 can be configured to perform freezing freshness retaining on frozen food materials, and growth of ice crystal nuclei is inhibited, such that a growth rate of ice crystals is higher than a migration rate of water molecules, and the generated ice crystals are smaller, thereby reducing damage to cells, avoiding juice loss, accelerating a freezing process and shortening a freezing time. When used for the refrigerating storage compartment, the fresh-keeping storage container 200 can reduce a speed of an oxidation-reduction reaction of the food materials, reduce loss of nutrition and water, prevent the food materials from discoloring, inhibit bacteria from breeding and prolong a freshness retaining period of the food materials.

[0036] A number of the fresh-keeping storage containers 200 and a type of the storage compartment where the fresh-keeping storage containers can be arranged can be configured according to needs of users. For example, one or more fresh-keeping storage containers 200 can be provided in the refrigerator 10. The fresh-keeping storage container 200 can be provided in the refrigerating storage compartment, the freezing storage compartment and the variable temperature storage compartment, and magnetic-field-assisting freshness retaining is conducted in the storage compartments. The fresh-keeping storage container 200 may also serve as an independent compartment of the refrigerator 10, and a temperature of the fresh-keeping storage container is independently controlled by the refrigerator 10. For example, a compartment for arranging the fresh-keeping storage container 200 is specifically configured in the refrigerator 10 or the fresh-keeping storage container 200 is configured directly as a compartment of the refrigerator 10.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fresh-keeping storage container 200 may include a storage box 210 and one or more magnetic field generating components 221. The storage box 210 defines a storage space therein for placing stored objects, and the storage box 210 may have a box shape. In some embodiments, the storage box 210 may have an overall flat rectangular parallelepiped shape (that is, a distance in a height direction is significantly less than a distance in a depth direction and a distance in a transverse left-right direction). Those skilled in the art may configure a structure and a size of the storage box 210 according to the required storage space, for example, configure the storage box to have a box shape, a case shape, a drawer structure, or the like.

[0038] Each magnetic field generating component 221 is configured in a flat plate shape and provided at one side wall of the storage box 210. The magnetic field generating component 221 is configured to generate a magnetic field acting on the storage space, and an intensity of the magnetic field ranges from 1Gs to 200Gs. A shape of the magnetic field generating component 221 can be matched with a shape of the side wall of the storage box 210 where the magnetic field generating component is located. For example, for the storage box having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, an outer contour of the magnetic field generating component 221 can be set in a rectangular shape corresponding to the corresponding side wall.

[0039] It should be noted that, although FIG. 2 only schematically shows a case where two magnetic field generating components 221 are provided, based on the description herein, those skilled in the art can easily implement an arrangement of one or more than two magnetic field generating components 221.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 for a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is an exploded view of components of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 shown in FIG. 3. In the present embodiment, the magnetic field generating components 221 are specifically configured as permanent magnet plates 221a and a number thereof is two. That is, the fresh-keeping storage container 200 may include the storage box 210 and the permanent magnet plate 221a.

[0041] The two permanent magnet plates 221a are provided at a pair of opposite side walls of the storage box 210 respectively. A shape of the permanent magnet plate is matched with the shape of the side wall of the storage box where the permanent magnet plate is located. For example, for the storage box having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the permanent magnet plate 221a can be set in a rectangular shape corresponding to the corresponding side wall.

[0042] The two permanent magnet plates 221a can be selectively placed on transverse left and right sides, top and bottom sides, or front and rear sides of the storage box 210 according to the shape of the storage box 210. In a case where the storage box 210 has a flat shape as a whole, and particularly, the storage box has a drawer structure, the two permanent magnet plates 221a can be preferably arranged at a top and a bottom of the storage box 210. Such an arrangement may reduce a distance between the two permanent magnet plates 221a and improve the intensity and uniformity of the magnetic field.

[0043] Magnetic field directions of the two permanent magnet plates 221a are same and perpendicular to the side walls where the permanent magnet plates are located respectively, so as to form the magnetic field penetrating through the storage space, and the intensity of the magnetic field ranges from 1Gs to 200Gs. During application to a freezing environment, the magnetic field intensity can be preferably in a range of 5Gs to 60Gs, for example, about 20Gs; during application to a refrigerating environment, the magnetic field intensity can be in a range of 20Gs to 160Gs, preferably 40Gs to 80Gs, for example, about 60Gs. In the embodiment in which the two permanent magnet plates 221a are arranged at the top and the bottom of the storage box 210, N poles of the two permanent magnet plates 221a can be both provided upwards and S poles thereof can be provided downwards, thereby forming a magnetic field penetrating through the storage space from bottom to top as shown in FIG. 3. Based on a same technical idea, those skilled in the art can easily realize a magnetic field in an opposite direction by adjusting directions of the magnetic poles; that is, the S poles of the two permanent magnet plates 221a are provided upwards, so as to realize the magnetic field from top to bottom. The permanent magnetic field formed by the permanent magnet plate 221a is configured as a static magnetic field, such that the storage space can always have a magnetic field with a certain intensity.

[0044] After a large amount of verification, the magnetic field having the above intensity range can effectively improve the storage quality of the stored objects, so as to achieve an expected freshness-retaining effect.

[0045] The permanent magnet plate 221a is required to ensure that a uniform magnetic field can be formed at all positions of the storage space. That is, the storage space is located within the magnetic field without dead angles. In some embodiments, projection of the storage space on a plane where the permanent magnet plate 221a is located is located within a peripheral contour of the permanent magnet plate; that is, the permanent magnet plate 221a may have a substantially same size as a corresponding side surface of the storage space or a slightly larger area than the side surface. For example, the permanent magnet plate 221a located at the top of the storage box 210 can cover a top region of the storage space, and the permanent magnet plate 221a located at the bottom of the storage box 210 can cover a bottom region of the storage space.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is an exploded view of components of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 shown in FIG. 5. The fresh-keeping storage container 200 according to the present embodiment is further provided with a magnetism uniforming plate 222. The magnetism uniforming plate 222 abuts against a side of the permanent magnet plate 221a opposite to the storage box 210.

[0047] The magnetism uniforming plate 222 can be made of a material having a low coercive force and a high permeability, such as a silicon steel sheet, or the like. The two magnetism uniforming plates 222 are arranged outside the permanent magnet plates 221a respectively. For example, the top magnetism uniforming plate 222 is provided above the top permanent magnet plate 221a, and the bottom magnetism uniforming plate 222 is provided below the bottom permanent magnet plate 221a. A side plate surface of the magnetism uniforming plate 222 can abut against the corresponding permanent magnet plate 221a for magnetic field conduction. In some embodiments, the magnetism uniforming plate 222 and the permanent magnet plate 221a can be fixed by welding or bonding.

[0048] The permanent magnet plate 221a may have a substantially same size as the corresponding side surface of the storage space or a slightly larger area than the side surface. After the magnetism uniforming plate 222 is provided, the size of the permanent magnet plate 221a can be reduced. The magnetism uniforming plate 222 changes distribution of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet plate 221a to make the magnetic field more uniform. In some embodiments, the permanent magnet plate 221a may have a smaller size than the corresponding side wall of the storage box 210, and projection of the storage space on a plane where the magnetism uniforming plate 222 is located is located within a periphery contour of the magnetism uniforming plate 222. That is, the size of the permanent magnet plate 221a can be small, and a coverage region of the magnetic field is enlarged by the magnetism uniforming plate 222. The magnetism uniforming plate 222 may have a substantially same size as the corresponding side surface of the storage space or a slightly larger area than the side surface. For example, the magnetism uniforming plate 222 located at the top of the storage box 210 can cover the top region of the storage space, and the magnetism uniforming plate 222 located at the bottom of the storage box 210 can cover the bottom region of the storage space.

[0049] Centers of the permanent magnet plate 221a and the magnetism uniforming plate 222 which are arranged on a same side are opposite to centers of the side walls of the storage box 210 where the permanent magnet plate and the magnetism uniforming plate are located. That is, the top permanent magnet plate 221a and the top magnetism uniforming plate 222 are concentric with the top of the storage space, and the bottom permanent magnet plate 221a and the bottom magnetism uniforming plate 22 are concentric with the bottom of the storage space. The magnetic field of the permanent magnet plate 221a can be expanded using the magnetism uniforming plate 222 with a larger size, such that the storage space is located within the magnetic field without dead angles.

[0050] In addition, a use quantity of magnetic materials can be reduced using the magnetism uniforming plate 222, and a cost of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 is reduced. A ratio of the area of the permanent magnet plate 221a to an area of the projection of the storage space on the plane where the permanent magnet plate 221a is located is in a range of 30% to 98%, and in some preferred embodiments, the ratio can be in a range of 50% to 95%. That is, the top permanent magnet plate 221a has an area which is 30% to 98% (for example, 50% to 95%) of an area of the top region of the storage space, and is located at a center of a top surface of the storage space; the bottom permanent magnet plate 221a has an area which is 30% to 98% (for example, 50% to 95%) of an area of the bottom region of the storage space, and is located at a center of a bottom surface of the storage space. After actual verification, with the above area ratio, the magnetic field can be distributed in the whole storage space by the magnetism uniforming plate 222, and the magnetic field intensity can meet set requirements.

[0051] Based on the above fitting structure of the permanent magnet plate 221a and the storage box 210 of FIGS. 3 to 6 and the above description, the permanent magnet plate 221a can be easily arranged left and right or front and rear by those skilled in the art.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the two permanent magnet plates 221a are arranged left and right, one of which is arranged on a right side of the storage box 210 and the other of which is arranged on a left side of the storage box 210. The magnetic poles of the two permanent magnet plates 221a are provided leftwards, such that the magnetic field direction from right to left can be realized. Based on a same technical idea, those skilled in the art can easily realize a magnetic field in an opposite direction (i.e., a magnetic field from left to right ) by adjusting the directions of the magnetic poles.

[0053] The permanent magnet plates 221a arranged left and right can also be further provided with the magnetism uniforming plates, such that the sizes of the permanent magnet plates 221a are reduced; the distribution of the magnetic field is changed utilizing the magnetism uniforming plate, such that the storage space is located within the magnetic field without dead angles.

[0054] In the fresh-keeping storage container 200 without the magnetism uniforming plate, the distribution of the magnetic field without dead angles can be realized by increasing the area of the permanent magnet plate 221a; that is, the permanent magnet plate 221a located on the left side of the storage box 210 can cover a left side of the storage space, and the permanent magnet plate 221a located on the right side of the storage box 210 can cover a right side of the storage space. After the magnetism uniforming plates are provided, the left side of the storage space is covered by the left magnetism uniforming plate; and the right side of the storage space is covered by the right magnetism uniforming plate.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an electromagnetic generating component in the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the magnetic field generating component 221 is specifically configured as an electromagnetic generating component 221b. That is, the fresh-keeping storage container 200 may include the storage box 210 and one or more electromagnetic generating components 221b.

[0056] Each electromagnetic generating component 221b is configured in a flat plate shape and abuts against one side wall of the storage box 210, an electromagnetic coil 2211 is wound inside the electromagnetic generating component, the electromagnetic coil 2211 is electrified to generate a magnetic field with a magnetic pole opposite to the side wall, and the magnetic field has an intensity ranging from 1Gs to 200Gs. A shape of the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be matched with the shape of the side wall of the storage box 210 where the electromagnetic generating component is located. For example, for the storage box having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, an outer contour of the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be set in a rectangular shape corresponding to the corresponding side wall.

[0057] In order to save materials and weight, the electromagnetic generating component 221b may have a flat-plate-shaped ring structure, and the electromagnetic coil 2211 is wound around a circumference of a ring. The electromagnetic generating component may further include a waterproof casing 2212, and the electromagnetic coil 2211 is provided in the waterproof casing 2212. The waterproof casing 2212 can be configured in a ring structure, and has a flat plate shape as a whole, so as to form a plane on a side facing the storage box 210, such that the electromagnetic generating component 221b abuts against the side wall of the storage box 210. A number of turns of the electromagnetic coil 2211 can be set according to a size of the storage space and the magnetic field intensity, the magnetic field intensity range required to meet freshness-retaining requirements can be set to be 1Gs to 200Gs, and during application to the freezing environment, the magnetic field intensity can be preferably in a range of 5Gs to 60Gs, for example, about 20Gs; during application to the refrigerating environment, the magnetic field intensity can be in a range of 20Gs to 160Gs, preferably 40Gs to 80Gs, for example, about 60Gs. That is, the freshness-retaining magnetic field with the above intensity range which realizes complete coverage can be formed in the storage space. The waterproof casing 2212 can realize sealing by paint dipping, plastic sealing, a sealing ring, or the like, so as to wrap and protect the internal electromagnetic coil 2211.

[0058] The magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be configured as a constant magnetic field having a constant intensity. After a large amount of verification, the constant magnetic field having the above intensity range can effectively improve the storage quality of the stored objects, so as to achieve the expected freshness-retaining effect.

[0059] In a case where the fresh-keeping storage container 200 has one electromagnetic generating component 221b, the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be provided at a corresponding position according to a configuration of the storage space, that is, can be selectively provided at one of the transverse left and right sides, one of the top and bottom sides, or one of the front and rear sides of the storage box 210 according to the shape of the storage box 210. In a case where the storage box 210 has a flat shape as a whole, and particularly, the storage box 210 has a drawer structure, the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be preferably arranged at the top or the bottom of the storage box 210.

[0060] In an embodiment where the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be preferably arranged at the top or the bottom of the storage box 210, the magnetic pole of the electromagnetic generating component 221b is provided longitudinally, and a magnetic field from bottom to top can be formed in the storage space in the fresh-keeping storage container 200.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be arranged at a back of the storage box 210, and the magnetic pole thereof can be provided in a front-rear depth direction. A magnetic field in a front-rear direction can be formed in the storage space in the fresh-keeping storage container 200. The structure is particularly suitable for the storage space which is shallow in the front-rear depth direction.

[0062] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be arranged on the left or right side of the storage box 210, and the magnetic pole thereof can be provided in a transverse left-right direction. A magnetic field in a left-right direction can be formed in the storage space in the fresh-keeping storage container 200. The structure is particularly suitable for the storage space which is narrow in the transverse left-right direction.

[0063] To improve the magnetic field intensity and uniformity, two electromagnetic generating components 221b can be provided in some embodiments. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The two electromagnetic generating components 221b are provided at a pair of opposite side walls of the storage box 210 respectively. The two electromagnetic generating components 221b can be selectively placed on the transverse left and right sides, the top and bottom sides, or the front and rear sides of the storage box 210 according to the shape of the storage box 210. In the case where the storage box 210 has a flat shape as a whole, and particularly, the storage box has a drawer structure, the two electromagnetic generating components 221b can be preferably arranged at the top and the bottom of the storage box 210. Such an arrangement may reduce a distance between the two electromagnetic generating components 221b and improve the intensity and uniformity of the magnetic field.

[0064] Magnetic field directions of the two electromagnetic generating components 221b are same and perpendicular to the side walls where the electromagnetic generating components are located respectively, so as to form the magnetic field penetrating through the storage space. In the embodiment in which the two electromagnetic generating components 221b are arranged at the top and the bottom of the storage box 210, N poles of the two electromagnetic generating components 221b can be both provided upwards and S poles thereof can be provided downwards, thereby forming a magnetic field penetrating through the storage space from bottom to top. Based on a same technical idea, those skilled in the art can easily realize a magnetic field in an opposite direction by adjusting directions of the magnetic poles; that is, the S poles of the two electromagnetic generating components 221b are provided upwards, so as to realize the magnetic field from top to bottom. The magnetic field formed by the electromagnetic generating component 221b is configured as a static magnetic field, such that the storage space can always have a magnetic field with a constant intensity.

[0065] The electromagnetic generating component 221b ensures that a uniform magnetic field can be formed at all positions of the storage space. That is, the storage space is located within the magnetic field without dead angles. The electromagnetic generating components 221b on the two sides make the magnetic field more uniform, and the freshness-retaining effect can be better achieved.

[0066] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which the two electromagnetic generating components 221b are arranged at the top and the bottom of the storage box 210, and on this basis, the electromagnetic generating components 221b can be selectively placed on the two transverse sides, the top and bottom sides, or the front and rear sides of the storage box 210 according to the shape of the storage box 210 and a position in the refrigerator 10.

[0067] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 14 is an exploded view of components of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 shown in FIG. 13. The fresh-keeping storage container 200 according to the present embodiment is further provided with a magnetism uniforming plate 222. The magnetism uniforming plate 222 abuts against a side of the electromagnetic generating component 221b opposite to the storage box 210.

[0068] The magnetism uniforming plate 222 can be made of a material having a low coercive force and a high permeability, such as a silicon steel sheet, or the like. The two magnetism uniforming plates 222 are arranged outside the electromagnetic generating components 221b respectively. For example, the top magnetism uniforming plate 222 is provided above the top electromagnetic generating component 221b, and the bottom magnetism uniforming plate 222 is provided below the bottom electromagnetic generating component 221b. A side plate surface of the magnetism uniforming plate 222 can abut against the corresponding electromagnetic generating component 221b for magnetic field conduction. In some embodiments, the magnetism uniforming plate 222 and the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be fixed by welding or bonding.

[0069] The magnetism uniforming plate 222 changes distribution of the magnetic field of the electromagnetic generating component 221b to make the magnetic field more uniform. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic generating component 221b may have a smaller size than the corresponding side wall of the storage box 210, and projection of the storage space on a plane where the magnetism uniforming plate 222 is located is located within a periphery contour of the magnetism uniforming plate 222. That is, the size of the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be small, and a coverage region of the magnetic field is enlarged by the magnetism uniforming plate 222. The magnetism uniforming plate 222 may have a substantially same size as the corresponding side surface of the storage space or a slightly larger area than the side surface. For example, the magnetism uniforming plate 222 located at the top of the storage box 210 can cover the top region of the storage space, and the magnetism uniforming plate 222 located at the bottom of the storage box 210 can cover the bottom region of the storage space.

[0070] Centers of the electromagnetic generating component 221b and the magnetism uniforming plate 222 which are arranged on a same side are opposite to centers of the side walls of the storage box 210 where the electromagnetic generating component and the magnetism uniforming plate are located. That is, the top electromagnetic generating component 221b and the top magnetism uniforming plate 222 are concentric with the top of the storage space, and the bottom electromagnetic generating component 221b and the bottom magnetism uniforming plate 222 are concentric with the bottom of the storage space. The magnetic field of the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be expanded using the magnetism uniforming plate 222 with a larger size, such that the storage space is located within the magnetic field without dead angles.

[0071] In addition, the magnetism uniforming plate 222 can reduce the cost and weight of the fresh-keeping storage container 200. The top electromagnetic generating component 221b can be located at the center of the top surface of the storage space; the bottom electromagnetic generating component 221b can be located at the center of the bottom surface of the storage space. The magnetism uniforming plate 222 realizes the distribution of the magnetic field in the whole storage space, and the magnetic field intensity can meet the set requirements.

[0072] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the N poles of the two electromagnetic generating components 221b can be both provided upwards and the S poles thereof can be provided downwards, thereby forming the magnetic field penetrating through the storage space from bottom to top. Based on the same technical idea, those skilled in the art can easily realize the magnetic field in the opposite direction by adjusting the directions of the magnetic poles; that is, the S poles of the two electromagnetic generating components 221b are provided upwards, so as to realize the magnetic field from top to bottom.

[0073] Based on the above description, those skilled in the art may easily arrange the electromagnetic generating components 221b with the magnetism uniforming plates 222 left and right or front and rear.

[0074] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 for a refrigerator according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the two electromagnetic generating components 221b are arranged left and right, one of which is arranged on the right side of the storage box 210 and the other of which is arranged on the left side of the storage box 210. The magnetic poles of the two electromagnetic generating components 221b are provided leftwards, such that the magnetic field direction from right to left can be realized. Based on a same technical idea, those skilled in the art can easily realize a magnetic field in an opposite direction (i.e., a magnetic field from left to right) by adjusting the directions of the magnetic poles.

[0075] Similarly, the electromagnetic generating components 221b arranged left and right can be further provided with magnetism uniforming plates 222, the magnetic field distribution is changed by the magnetism uniforming plates 222, and the magnetism uniforming plates 222 covering left and right side surfaces are provided on left and right outer sides of the two electromagnetic generating components 221b respectively, such that the storage space is located within the magnetic field without dead angles.

[0076] In the fresh-keeping storage container 200 without the magnetism uniforming plate, the distribution of the magnetic field without dead angles can be realized by increasing an area of the electromagnetic generating component 221b; that is, the electromagnetic generating component 221b located on the left side of the storage box 210 can cover the left side of the storage space, and the electromagnetic generating component 221b located on the right side of the storage box 210 can cover the right side of the storage space. After the magnetism uniforming plates 222 are provided, the left side of the storage space is covered by the left magnetism uniforming plate 222; and the right side of the storage space is covered by the right magnetism uniforming plate 222.

[0077] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 of a drawer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The storage box 210 of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 may include: a cylinder 211 and a drawer 212. The cylinder 211 has a forward opening. The drawer 212 is provided in the cylinder 211 in a drawable mode. After the storage box 210 is pulled out, a storage space 213 can be exposed for taking and placing the stored object. After the drawer 212 is pushed into the cylinder 211, an independent sealed space can be formed.

[0078] The two magnetic field generating components 221 (specifically, the permanent magnet plates 221a or the electromagnetic generating components 221b) can be arranged above and below the cylinder 211 respectively, that is, outside a top wall and a bottom wall of the cylinder 211. In some embodiments, the top magnetic field generating component 221 may abut against the top wall of the cylinder 211, and the bottom magnetic field generating component 221 may abut against the bottom of the cylinder 211. Considering that the drawer 212 has two sides provided with guide rails and other components, and a front side provided with the opening, the arrangement of the magnetic field generating components 221 at the top and the bottom of the cylinder 211 can reduce distances between the magnetic field generating components 221 and the stored object, thereby improving an effective utilization rate of the magnetic field. The fresh-keeping storage container 200 of a drawer structure has a small influence on the storage space 213 of the drawer 212.

[0079] Alternatively, in the case where the magnetic field generating component 221 is configured as the permanent magnet plate 221a, the size of the permanent magnet plate 221a can be appropriately reduced, and a magnetism uniforming plate covering a corresponding side surface of the storage space 213 can be additionally provided on the outer side. The magnetic field uniformly covers the storage space 213 by means of the magnetism uniforming plate.

[0080] Alternatively, in the case where the magnetic field generating component 221 is configured as the electromagnetic generating component 221b, the electromagnetic generating component 221b can be provided with a magnetism uniforming plate in a matched mode. The magnetic field uniformly covers the storage space 213 by means of the magnetism uniforming plate.

[0081] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 of a drawer structure according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the two magnetic field generating components 221 (specifically, the permanent magnet plates 221a or the electromagnetic generating components 221b) are arranged inside the top wall of the cylinder 211 and the bottom wall of the cylinder 211 respectively. That is, the magnetic field generating component 221 is provided in the cylinder 211. The magnetic field generating component 221 can be fixed to an inner wall of the cylinder 211, thereby further reducing the distance between the magnetic field generating component 221 and the stored object and improving the effective utilization rate of the magnetic field.

[0082] Alternatively, a magnetism uniforming plate covering the corresponding side surface of the storage space 213 can be additionally provided between the magnetic field generating component 221 and the cylinder 211. The magnetic field is uniformly distributed in the storage space 213 by means of the magnetism uniforming plate.

[0083] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an air supply structure in the fresh-keeping storage container 200 of a drawer structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Internal refrigeration of the fresh-keeping storage container 200 is realized through air cooling, and the fresh-keeping storage container further includes: an air inlet duct assembly 214 and an air return port 215. The air inlet duct assembly 214 is configured to supply refrigerating airflow into the cylinder 211, and the air return port 215 is formed in the cylinder 211 and configured to discharge air in the cylinder 211. In FIG. 18, the magnetic field generating component 221 is shielded by a cover plate outside the cylinder 211, and is not shown.

[0084] The air inlet duct assembly 214 is configured to be connected with a refrigerating air duct of the refrigerator 10, so as to introduce low-temperature airflow subjected to heat exchange by the evaporator in the refrigerating air duct into the cylinder 211. In some embodiments, the airflow in the refrigerating air duct can be introduced from the top of the storage box 210, and then fed out from the air return port 215 after heat exchange. In the present embodiment, the air inlet duct assembly 214 and the air return port 215 are provided on a rear side of the fresh-keeping storage container 200, and specific positions thereof can be configured according to a position of an air duct in the refrigerator 10 and a configuration of the refrigerating system. An air cooling system can ensure that the storage space 213 is stabilized within a set temperature range, and the function of magnetic field freshness retaining of the stored object is achieved in cooperation with an action of the magnetic field.

[0085] In the case where the magnetic field generating component 221 is configured as the electromagnetic generating component 221b, an air guide component can be further provided inside the drawer-type storage box 210, such that refrigerating air flows through the electromagnetic generating component 221b, and heat generated after the electromagnetic generating component 221b is electrified is prevented from affecting a storage temperature inside the storage box 210.

[0086] When auxiliary freezing storage is realized by the magnetic field, the electromagnetic generating component 221b of the refrigerator 10 can be started to generate the electromagnetic field when a new stored object is put into the storage space and the storage temperature is within a set temperature threshold range. The temperature threshold range can be set according to a temperature during crystallization in a freezing process, such that the magnetic field intensity is increased in a process of completing crystallization. In addition, in a normal storage process, the magnetic field is kept at a certain intensity to magnetize the stored object. With the above control mode, the stored object can be frozen in a high-intensity magnetic field environment, the growth of the ice crystal nuclei is preferentially suppressed, the damage to the cells is reduced, the juice loss is avoided, the better taste of the food material is guaranteed, the freezing storage quality is improved, and the requirement of the user for the storage quality of a precious food material is met.

[0087] In the fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to some embodiments, the magnetic field formed by the two permanent magnet plates 221a and penetrating through the storage space in the storage box 210 has an intensity of 1Gs to 200Gs. During application to the freezing environment, the magnetic field intensity can be preferably in a range of 5Gs to 60Gs, for example, about 20Gs; during application to the refrigerating environment, the magnetic field intensity can be in a range of 20Gs to 160Gs, preferably 40Gs to 80Gs, for example, about 60Gs. The permanent magnetic field formed by the permanent magnet plate 221a is more stable, and avoids an influence of heating of an electromagnetic element on the storage quality.

[0088] Structures of the magnetism uniforming plate 222 and the magnetic field generating component 221 (the permanent magnet plate 221a or the electromagnetic generating component 221b) are optimized, such that the fresh-keeping storage container 200 has a more compact structure, and is particularly suitable for a structure of a storage drawer. The magnetic field is helpful in improving the storage quality, and can shorten a freezing time, reduce a juice loss rate and nutrition loss of food, well reduce low-temperature damage to cells, tissue and other biological products in a freezing process, better preserve functions and forms of the cells, reduce numbers of microorganisms and bacteria and prolong a freshness-retaining cycle.

[0089] In the description of the present embodiments, it is to be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length ", "width", "thickness", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical ", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on those shown in the accompanying drawings, and are intended only to facilitate the description of the present invention and to simplify the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore are not to be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0090] In the description of the present invention, when a feature "includes or comprises" one or more of the features covered therein, this indicates that other features are not excluded and that other features may be further included, unless otherwise specifically described.

[0091] Unless otherwise expressly provided and qualified, the terms "installation", "connection", "connection", etc. shall be understood in a broad sense, e.g. as a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or as a single unit; as a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; as a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or as a connection within two elements or an interaction between two elements, unless otherwise expressly qualified. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a removable connection, or a one-piece connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and it may be a connection within the two elements or an interaction of the two elements, unless expressly limited otherwise. It should be possible for a person of ordinary skill in the art to understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the context of the present invention, depending on the circumstances.

[0092] Unless otherwise limited, all terms used in this description of this embodiment (including technical terms and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs.

[0093] In the description of the present embodiments, reference to the terms "an embodiment", "some embodiments", "schematic embodiment", "example", "specific example", or "some examples", etc., means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments or examples. Moreover, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0094] So far, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while various exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications which are consistent with the principles of this invention may be determined or derived directly from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be understood and interpreted to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator, comprising:

a storage box provided therein with a storage space for placing stored objects; and

one or more magnetic field generating components, each magnetic field generating component being configured in a flat plate shape and provided at a side wall of the storage box, the magnetic field generating components being configured to generate a magnetic field acting on the storage space, and the magnetic field having an intensity ranging from 1Gs to 200Gs.

2. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generating components are configured as permanent magnetic plates, a number of the magnetic field generating components is two, the two permanent magnetic plates are arranged at a pair of opposite side walls of the storage box respectively, and magnetic field directions of the two permanent magnetic plates are same and perpendicular to the side walls where the permanent magnetic plates are located respectively, so as to form the magnetic field penetrating through the storage space.

3. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein a shape of the permanent magnet plate is matched with a shape of the side wall of the storage box where the permanent magnet plate is located, and projection of the storage space on a plane where the permanent magnet plate is located is located within a peripheral contour of the permanent magnet plate.

4. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 2, further comprising a magnetism uniforming plate, wherein the magnetism uniforming plate is abutting against a side of the permanent magnet plate opposite to the storage box, projection of the storage space on a plane where the magnetism uniforming plate is located being located within a periphery contour of the magnetism uniforming plate.

5. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the permanent magnet plate has a smaller size than the side wall of the storage box where the permanent magnet plate is located, and centers of the permanent magnet plate and the magnetism uniforming plate which are arranged on a same side are opposite to centers of the side walls of the storage box where the permanent magnet plate and the magnetism uniforming plate are located.

6. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein a ratio of an area of the permanent magnet plate to an area of the projection of the storage space on the plane where the permanent magnet plate is located is in a range of 30% to 98%.

7. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generating components are configured as electromagnetic generating components, each electromagnetic generating component abuts against a side wall of the storage box, an electromagnetic coil is wound in the electromagnetic generating component, and the electromagnetic coil is electrified to generate the magnetic field with a magnetic pole opposite to the side wall.

8. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein a number of the electromagnetic generating components is two, the two electromagnetic generating components are arranged on a pair of opposite side walls of the storage box respectively, and the two electromagnetic generating components have identical magnetic field directions, such that the magnetic field penetrates through the storage space.

9. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each electromagnetic generating component is of a flat-plate-shaped ring structure, and the electromagnetic coil is wound around a circumference of a ring.

10. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a magnetism uniforming plate, wherein the magnetism uniforming plate is abutting against a side of the electromagnetic generating component opposite to the storage box, projection of the storage space on a plane where the magnetism uniforming plate is located being located within a periphery contour of the magnetism uniforming plate.

11. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each electromagnetic generating component further comprises a waterproof casing provided therein with the electromagnetic coil.

12. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 2 or 8, wherein the storage box comprises:

a cylinder having a forward opening; and

a drawer provided in the cylinder in a drawable mode.

13. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the two magnetic field generating components are arranged above and below the cylinder respectively.

14. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the two magnetic field generating components are arranged inside a top wall of the cylinder and a bottom wall of the cylinder respectively.

15. The fresh-keeping storage container for a refrigerator according to claim 12, further comprising:

an air inlet duct assembly configured to supply refrigerating airflow into the storage box;

wherein the cylinder is further provided with an air return port, and the air return port is configured to discharge air in the cylinder.

16. A refrigerator, comprising:
the fresh-keeping storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 15, and the fresh-keeping storage container used for the refrigerator.

Drawing