Water tank assembly for a household appliance and a household appliance

Abstract

An embodiment of this application provides a water tank assembly (300) for a household appliance, comprising: a water tank (1); a water outlet pipe (2) for drawing water from the water tank (1), having an outlet (20) open to the interior space of the water tank (1); and a sterilization module (3) arranged at the outlet (20) so that water in the interior space of the water tank (1) passes through the sterilization module (3) before entering the water outlet pipe (2), the sterilization module (3) including a sterilization core (31) with sterilization function and a bypass passage (32), the bypass passage (32) connecting the interior space of the water tank (1) and the water outlet pipe (2) in a bypass manner relative to the sterilization core (31) within the sterilization module (3). This application also provides a household appliance. According to certain embodiments of this application, problems such as inadequate hygiene management and easy blockage of water flow in the water tank assembly (300) can be at least partially solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of household appliances, and in particular to a water tank assembly and a household appliance. Background Technology

[0002] Some household appliances include water tank components for storing water.

[0003] For example, EP4372158B1 discloses a household refrigeration device that includes a liquid and / or ice output unit having a water supply device. The water supply device has a water tank.

[0004] To meet water hygiene requirements, filter cartridges can be installed in water tank assemblies. CN1091511C discloses installing a filter cartridge at the outlet of a water tank to filter water supplied from the tank. This method can improve water cleanliness to some extent, but it has some drawbacks. On the one hand, this method has limited improvement in hygiene levels. On the other hand, it is prone to clogging, preventing smooth water supply. Especially with increased usage time, the pores of the filter cartridge gradually become clogged, leading to increased water flow resistance, decreased water flow, and in severe cases, even complete blockage of water flow, preventing the water tank from supplying water normally. This not only affects the performance of household appliances but also significantly reduces the user experience.

[0005] Existing household appliances still suffer from problems such as inadequate hygiene management of water tank components and easy blockage of water flow. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of embodiments of this application is to provide an improved water tank assembly for a household appliance and the household appliance in order to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art.

[0007] According to a first aspect of this application, a water tank assembly for a household appliance is provided, the water tank assembly comprising: a water tank; an outlet pipe for drawing water from the water tank, having an outlet opening into the interior space of the water tank; and a sterilization module disposed at the outlet such that water in the interior space of the water tank passes through the sterilization module before entering the outlet pipe, the sterilization module including a sterilization core having a sterilization function and a bypass passage, the bypass passage being connected within the sterilization module, bypassing the sterilization core, to the interior space of the water tank and the outlet pipe.

[0008] Water in the tank can flow past the sterilization core via a bypass passage and into the outlet pipe. This allows for effective sterilization of the water exiting the outlet pipe using the sterilization module, while simultaneously improving water output efficiency and preventing blockages. Even after prolonged use, the tank assembly continues to ensure efficient sterilization and water supply.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the sterilization module includes a module housing that encloses a receiving cavity for accommodating a sterilization core. The receiving cavity has at least one cavity inlet and at least one cavity outlet, allowing water to enter the receiving cavity from the interior space of a water tank via the cavity inlet and exit the receiving cavity via the cavity outlet into a water outlet pipe. A bypass passage extends between at least one of the cavity inlets and at least one of the cavity outlets.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of this application, each cavity inlet is connected to the outlet pipe via a bypass passage. This helps to improve the flow efficiency of water and avoid local blockages.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the sterilizing core is arranged spaced apart from the at least one cavity inlet, the at least one cavity outlet, and the outlet. Specifically, the sterilizing core is spaced at least 0.5 mm, and optionally at least 1 mm, from the at least one cavity inlet, the at least one cavity outlet, and the outlet. Alternatively or additionally, the sterilizing core is spaced at most 3 mm, and optionally at most 2.5 mm, from the at least one cavity inlet, the at least one cavity outlet, and the outlet. This spacing ensures both smooth water flow through the bypass passage and sufficient contact between the sterilizing core and the water, thereby improving the sterilization effect.

[0012] According to an alternative embodiment of this application, the module housing includes a first end wall and a second end wall opposite to each other, and a side wall extending around a receiving cavity between the first end wall and the second end wall.

[0013] The at least one cavity outlet may include a first end wall opening formed in the first end wall.

[0014] Optionally, the at least one cavity inlet includes a sidewall opening formed in the sidewall.

[0015] Optionally, the at least one cavity inlet includes a second end wall opening formed in the second end wall.

[0016] According to an alternative embodiment of this application, the module housing includes a first spacer protrusion that protrudes from a first end wall toward a second end wall to ensure a gap exists between the sterilizing core and the first end wall. The first spacer protrusion specifically includes a plurality of first spacer protrusions spaced apart from each other along a direction surrounding an opening in the first end wall.

[0017] According to an alternative embodiment of this application, the module housing includes a second spacer protrusion that protrudes from the second end wall toward the first end wall to ensure a gap exists between the sterilizing core and the second end wall. The second spacer protrusion specifically includes a plurality of second spacer protrusions spaced apart from each other along a direction surrounding an opening in the second end wall.

[0018] According to an alternative embodiment of this application, the module housing includes a third spacer protrusion that protrudes from the sidewall toward the sterilizing core to ensure a gap exists between the sterilizing core and the sidewall. The third spacer protrusion specifically includes a plurality of third spacer protrusions spaced apart from each other along a direction surrounding the receiving cavity.

[0019] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the sidewall includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The first sidewall and a first end wall are integrally formed to form a housing cover, and the second sidewall and a second end wall are integrally formed to form a housing seat. The housing cover and the housing seat are detachably connected.

[0020] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the housing cover is provided with an L-shaped support shoulder located at the transition between the first end wall and the first side wall and including a first arm extending on the first end wall and a second arm extending on the first side wall. The support shoulder ensures that the sterilizing core is spaced apart from the first end wall and the first side wall.

[0021] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the module housing includes a connecting pipe located on the side of the first end wall facing away from the second end wall and opposite to the opening of the first end wall, the connecting pipe being connected to a water outlet pipe.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment of this application, the module housing includes a support frame extending into an opening in the second end wall. The support frame may project relative to the second end wall on a side facing the first end wall. The support frame supports the sterilizing core and prevents the sterilizing core from sealing the second end wall opening. Particularly when the diameter of the second end wall opening is large, the support frame helps prevent the sterilizing core from obstructing water from entering the second end wall opening.

[0023] Alternatively, the support frame can be X-shaped.

[0024] According to an alternative embodiment of this application, the support frame protrudes relative to the second end wall on the side facing away from the first end wall. The support frame may, for example, be arranged on the bottom of the water tank. This prevents the second end wall from adhering to the bottom of the water tank, thereby ensuring that water can flow through the gap between the second end wall and the bottom of the water tank to the opening in the second end wall.

[0025] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the sterilization cartridge is made of a non-release contact sterilization material. During use, the sterilization cartridge does not release chemicals into the water, avoiding the risk of secondary pollution, and its sterilization process does not require the consumption of active ingredients. This reduces the frequency of replacement and the cost of use.

[0026] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the bactericidal core is made of PET fibers, on which bactericidal functional groups are grafted. The fine structure of the fibers increases the contact area, thereby fully utilizing the contact-based antibacterial effect.

[0027] According to an optional embodiment of this application, the sterilization core has a porous structure, such that the sterilization module has a flow path that allows water to flow from the internal space of the water tank through the sterilization core into the outlet pipe, said flow path and bypass path being at least partially connected in parallel. The porous structure increases the contact area between water and the sterilization core, improving sterilization efficiency. The parallel flow path and bypass path help to reduce water flow resistance while improving sterilization efficiency, preventing a decrease in outlet flow rate and water pressure due to the presence of the sterilization module.

[0028] According to a second aspect of this application, a household appliance is provided, wherein the household appliance includes a water tank assembly according to an embodiment of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The principles, features, and advantages of this application will be better understood below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings include: Figure 1 A perspective view of a household appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is schematically shown; Figure 2 and Figure 3 A perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a water tank assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of this application are schematically shown; Figure 4 schematically shown Figure 3 A magnified view of the portion framed in the image; Figure 5 A sterilization module according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is schematically illustrated; Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view of the housing cover and housing base of a sterilization module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown; Figure 7 The sterilization process of a sterilizing core according to an embodiment of this application is illustrated schematically; and Figure 8 A partial cross-sectional view of a water tank assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial technical effects of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0031] First, to facilitate understanding, let's return to the description in the background section. Existing water tank components suffer from problems such as inadequate hygiene management and easy blockage of water flow.

[0032] To address at least one of the aforementioned technical problems or other possible technical problems, an exemplary embodiment of this application provides a water tank assembly for a household appliance, the water tank assembly comprising: a water tank; an outlet pipe for drawing water from the water tank, having an outlet opening into the interior space of the water tank; and a sterilization module disposed at the outlet so that water in the interior space of the water tank passes through the sterilization module before entering the outlet pipe, the sterilization module including a sterilization core with sterilization function and a bypass passage, the bypass passage connecting the interior space of the water tank and the outlet pipe in a bypass manner relative to the sterilization core within the sterilization module.

[0033] To better understand this application, please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 8 Exemplary embodiments of this application will be described.

[0034] Before proceeding with the detailed description, it should be noted that the directional terminology used in the description refers to the refrigerator's normal operating conditions for ease of description and should not be interpreted as an absolute limitation on the corresponding features. For clarity, some parts have been omitted from the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 A perspective view of a household appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is schematically shown. Figure 2 and Figure 3 A perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a water tank assembly 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application are schematically shown. Figure 4 schematically shown Figure 3 A magnified view of the portion framed in the image.

[0036] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the household appliance may be, for example, a refrigerator. The refrigerator may have at least one storage compartment for accommodating items to be stored, which may be enclosed by the refrigerator body. The storage compartment may be used as a refrigerator compartment, freezer compartment, or variable temperature compartment, etc. In this example, the refrigerator includes a first storage compartment 100 and a second storage compartment 200. The first storage compartment 100 may be a refrigerator compartment, and the second storage compartment 200 may be a freezer compartment. The refrigerator also includes a door (not shown here) for closing the storage compartment from the front.

[0037] In other embodiments, the household appliance may also be a water dispenser, ice maker, humidifier, steam oven, and / or coffee machine, etc.

[0038] The household appliance includes a water tank assembly 300. The water tank assembly 300 may, for example, be located within a first storage compartment 100 of a refrigerator. The household appliance may also include a pump arranged to draw water from the water tank assembly 300. When needed, the water stored in the water tank assembly 300 may be pumped to a second storage compartment 200 or a door for use in ice making or for distribution to the user.

[0039] The water tank assembly 300 includes a water tank 1, a water outlet pipe 2 for drawing water from the water tank 1, and a sterilization module 3. The water outlet pipe 2 has an outlet 20 that opens into the interior space of the water tank 1. The sterilization module 3 is arranged at the outlet 20 so that water in the interior space of the water tank 1 passes through the sterilization module 3 before entering the water outlet pipe 2. The sterilization module 3 includes a sterilization core 31 with sterilization function and a bypass passage 32 (e.g., ...). Figure 4 (As shown by the solid arrow in the diagram). The bypass passage 32 connects the internal space of the water tank 1 and the water outlet pipe 2 in the sterilization module 3, relative to the sterilization core 31.

[0040] Water in tank 1 can flow past sterilization core 31 via bypass passage 32 and into outlet pipe 2. This allows for effective sterilization of water drawn through outlet pipe 2 using sterilization module 3, while simultaneously improving water output efficiency and preventing blockages. Even after prolonged use, tank assembly 300 continues to ensure efficient sterilization and water supply.

[0041] The sterilization module 3 includes a module housing 33. The module housing 33 encloses a receiving cavity 330 for receiving the sterilization core 31. The receiving cavity 330 has at least one cavity inlet 3301 and at least one cavity outlet 3302, allowing water to enter the receiving cavity 330 from the interior space of the water tank 1 via the cavity inlet 3301 and exit the receiving cavity 330 through the cavity outlet 3302 into the water outlet pipe 2. A bypass passage 32 extends between at least one of the cavity inlets 3301 and at least one of the cavity outlets 3302. The bypass passage 32 may be limited on one side by the sterilization core 31 and on the other side by the module housing 33.

[0042] In particular, each cavity inlet 3301 can be connected to the outlet pipe 2 via a bypass passage 32. This helps to improve the flow efficiency of water and avoid local blockages.

[0043] The module housing 33 may include a first end wall 331 and a second end wall 332 opposite to each other, and a side wall 333 extending around the receiving cavity 330 between the first end wall 331 and the second end wall 332.

[0044] Optionally, the at least one cavity outlet 3302 may include a first end wall opening 3311 formed in the first end wall 331.

[0045] Optionally, the at least one cavity inlet 3301 includes a second end wall opening 3321 formed in the second end wall 332.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one cavity inlet 3301 may include a sidewall opening 3331 formed in the sidewall 333. The sidewall 333 may have multiple sidewall openings 3331. Water can enter the receiving cavity 330 from the interior space of the water tank 1 through the sidewall openings 3331. This helps to further improve the flow efficiency of water and avoid local blockages.

[0047] Optionally, the sterilization core 31 is arranged spaced apart from the at least one cavity inlet 3301, the at least one cavity outlet 3302, and the outlet 20.

[0048] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, the sterilization core 31 is spaced at least 0.5 mm apart from the at least one cavity inlet 3301, the at least one cavity outlet 3302 and the outlet 20, and optionally at least 1 mm apart.

[0049] Alternatively or additionally, the sterilizing core 31 is spaced at a distance of up to 3 mm from the at least one cavity inlet 3301, the at least one cavity outlet 3302 and the outlet 20, and optionally at a distance of up to 2.5 mm.

[0050] This spacing allows the sterilization module 3 to ensure that water flows smoothly through the bypass passage 32 while also ensuring that the sterilization core 31 is in full contact with the water, thereby improving the sterilization effect.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment according to this application, the sterilizing core 31 may be spaced at least 0.5 mm, optionally at least 1 mm, from the first end wall 331, the second end wall 332, and the side wall 333 of the module housing 33. Alternatively or additionally, the sterilizing core 31 may be spaced at most 3 mm, optionally at most 2.5 mm, from the first end wall 331, the second end wall 332, and the side wall 333 of the module housing 33. A bypass passage 32 may extend between the sterilizing core 31 and at least one of the first end wall 331, the second end wall 332, and the side wall 333.

[0052] The module housing 33 may include first spacer protrusions 336 that protrude from the first end wall 331 toward the second end wall 332 to ensure a gap exists between the sterilizing core 31 and the first end wall 331. Specifically, the first spacer protrusions 336 include a plurality of first spacer protrusions 336 spaced apart from each other along a direction surrounding the first end wall opening 3311. The first spacer protrusions 336 may be arranged adjacent to the first end wall opening 3311 to ensure that the sterilizing core 31 is spaced apart from the first end wall opening 3311 and to allow a bypass passage 32 to extend between the sterilizing core 31 and the first end wall opening 3311.

[0053] Optionally, the module housing 33 may include a second spacer protrusion 337 that protrudes from the second end wall 332 toward the first end wall 331 to create a gap between the sterilizing core 31 and the second end wall 332. The second spacer protrusion 337 specifically includes a plurality of second spacer protrusions 337 spaced apart from each other along a direction surrounding the opening 3321 of the second end wall.

[0054] Optionally, the module housing 33 may include a third spacer protrusion 338 that protrudes from the sidewall 333 toward the sterilizing core 31 to create a gap between the sterilizing core 31 and the sidewall 333. The third spacer protrusion 338 particularly includes a plurality of third spacer protrusions 338 spaced apart from each other along the direction surrounding the receiving cavity.

[0055] Figure 5 The sterilization module 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is illustrated schematically.

[0056] In this embodiment, the module housing 33 of the sterilization module 3 includes a first end wall 331 and a second end wall 332 opposite to each other, and a side wall 333 extending around the receiving cavity 330 between the first end wall 331 and the second end wall 332. The side wall 333 may include a first side wall 334 and a second side wall 335. The first side wall 334 and the first end wall 331 may integrally form a housing cover 339. The second side wall 335 and the second end wall 332 may integrally form a housing seat 340. The housing cover 339 and the housing seat 340 are detachably connected. For example, the housing cover 339 and the housing seat 340 may be connected to each other by a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0057] As an example, the first sidewall 334 may include a snap hook 3341, and the second sidewall 335 may include a snap opening 3351. The snap hook 3341 can partially extend into the snap opening 3351, thereby forming a snap connection between the first sidewall 334 and the second sidewall 335.

[0058] The snap-fit ​​opening 3351 of the second sidewall 335 can serve as a sidewall opening 3331. When the snap-fit ​​hook 3341 extends into the snap-fit ​​opening 3351, water in the internal space of the water tank 1 can enter the receiving cavity 330 through the snap-fit ​​opening 3351. The circumferential width of the snap-fit ​​opening 3351 can be significantly greater than the width of the snap-fit ​​hook 3341 that mates with the snap-fit ​​opening 3351.

[0059] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the housing cover 339 and housing base 340 of the sterilization module 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown schematically.

[0060] The housing cover 339 may have an L-shaped support shoulder 3391 located at the transition between the first end wall 331 and the first side wall 334, and including a first arm extending on the first end wall 331 and a second arm extending on the first side wall 334. The housing cover 339 may have a plurality of support shoulders 3391 spaced apart from each other along the direction surrounding the receiving cavity. The support shoulders 3391 ensure that the sterilizing core 31 is spaced apart from the first end wall 331 and the first side wall 334.

[0061] The module housing 33 may further include a connecting pipe 341 located on the side of the first end wall 331 facing away from the second end wall 332 and opposite to the opening 3311 of the first end wall. The connecting pipe 341 is used to connect to the water outlet pipe 2. For example, the connecting pipe 341 may be inserted into the water outlet pipe 2.

[0062] Optionally, the module housing 33 may also include a support frame 342. The support frame 342 extends in the second end wall opening 3321.

[0063] The support frame 342 may protrude relative to the second end wall 332 on the side facing the first end wall 331. The support frame 342 supports the sterilizing core 31 and prevents the sterilizing core 31 from blocking the second end wall opening 3321. Especially when the diameter of the second end wall opening 3321 is large, the support frame 342 helps prevent the sterilizing core 31 from obstructing water from entering the second end wall opening 3321.

[0064] The support frame 342 can be, for example, X-shaped. This helps to ensure that the second end wall opening 3321 still has a large flow area while supporting the sterilizing core 31.

[0065] The support frame 342 may protrude relative to the second end wall 332 on the side facing away from the first end wall 331. The support frame 342 may, for example, be arranged on the bottom of the water tank 1. This prevents the second end wall 332 from adhering to the bottom of the water tank 1, thereby ensuring that water can flow through the gap between the second end wall 332 and the bottom of the water tank 1 to the second end wall opening 3321.

[0066] In this article, "sterilization" should be understood broadly as killing and / or inhibiting microorganisms (such as bacteria). Microorganisms may include bacteria, fungi, viruses, mycoplasma, chlamydia, etc.

[0067] According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, the sterilization core 31 may be made of a non-release contact sterilization material. Non-release contact sterilization materials rely on bacteria contacting the material surface to achieve sterilization; their sterilizing components are not released, precipitated, or migrated. During use, the sterilization core 31 does not release chemicals into the water, avoiding secondary pollution, and its sterilization process does not require the consumption of active ingredients. Therefore, the replacement frequency and usage costs can be reduced.

[0068] The bactericidal core 31 can be made of, for example, PET fibers, onto which bactericidal functional groups are grafted. These bactericidal functional groups can be chemically bonded to the fiber matrix. The fine structure of the fibers increases the contact area, thereby maximizing the contact-based antibacterial effect. Optionally, the bactericidal functional groups may include, for example, quaternary ammonium salt groups, haloamine groups, or chitosan derivatives.

[0069] Figure 7 The sterilization process of the sterilization core 31 according to an embodiment of the present application is illustrated schematically.

[0070] In this embodiment, the sterilization core 31 includes a PET fiber matrix 311 and long-chain polymer molecules 312 grafted onto the PET fiber matrix 311.

[0071] When water containing bacteria flows through PET fibers, the positive charge on the surface of the PET fibers attracts the negatively charged bacteria around them through electrostatic attraction.

[0072] When bacteria are adsorbed onto the surface of PET fibers, the long-chain polymer molecules 312 on the PET fiber matrix 311 act as puncture agents. These long polymer chains can penetrate the bacterial cell membrane, disrupting the lipid bilayer structure of the cell membrane, thereby inactivating the bacteria.

[0073] The inactivated bacteria gradually lyse and break down into tiny fragments. These bacterial fragments are washed away by the subsequent water flow, leaving the PET fiber surface. After the bacterial fragments are washed away, the areas on the PET fiber surface that were previously covered by bacteria are re-exposed, once again exhibiting a positively charged active surface, restoring its ability to adsorb and kill bacteria. This allows the PET fiber to maintain a stable bactericidal effect over a long period of time, without any decline in bactericidal performance due to extended use.

[0074] Figure 8 A partial cross-sectional view of a water tank assembly 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is schematically shown.

[0075] In this embodiment, the sterilization core 31 may have a porous structure. The sterilization module 3 has a flow path 35 (e.g., allowing water to flow from the internal space of the water tank 1 through the sterilization core 31 into the outlet pipe 2) Figure 8 (As indicated by the dashed arrow in the diagram). The through path 35 and the bypass path 32 are at least partially connected in parallel.

[0076] Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this application, even when only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. The feature examples provided in this application are intended to be illustrative and not limiting, unless otherwise stated. In practice, multiple features may be combined with each other as needed and where technically feasible. In particular, features from different embodiments may also be combined with each other. Various substitutions, modifications, and alterations are conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of this application.

Claims

1. A water tank assembly for a household appliance, wherein, The water tank assembly (300) includes: Water tank (1); A water outlet pipe (2) for drawing water from the water tank (1), having an outlet (20) open to the interior space of the water tank (1); and A sterilization module (3) is arranged at the outlet (20) so that water in the internal space of the water tank (1) passes through the sterilization module (3) before entering the outlet pipe (2). The sterilization module (3) includes a sterilization core (31) with sterilization function and a bypass passage (32). The bypass passage (32) is connected to the internal space of the water tank (1) and the outlet pipe (2) in a bypass manner relative to the sterilization core (31) within the sterilization module (3).

2. The water tank assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The sterilization module (3) includes a module housing (33) that encloses a receiving cavity (330) for receiving a sterilization core (31), wherein the receiving cavity (330) has at least one cavity inlet (3301) and at least one cavity outlet (3302) such that water can enter the receiving cavity (330) from the interior space of the water tank (1) via the cavity inlet (3301) and leave the receiving cavity (330) via the cavity outlet (3302) into the water outlet pipe (2), and a bypass passage (32) extends between at least one of the cavity inlets (3301) and at least one of the cavity outlets (3302).

3. The water tank assembly according to claim 2, wherein, Each cavity inlet (3301) is connected to the outlet pipe (2) via a bypass passage (32).

4. The water tank assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The sterilizing core (31) is arranged spaced apart from the at least one cavity inlet (3301), the at least one cavity outlet (3302) and the outlet (20), wherein, in particular, the sterilizing core (31) is spaced apart from the at least one cavity inlet (3301), the at least one cavity outlet (3302) and the outlet (20) by a distance of at least 0.5 mm, and optionally at least 1 mm.

5. The water tank assembly according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein, The module housing (33) includes a first end wall (331) and a second end wall (332) opposite to each other, and a side wall (333) extending between the first end wall (331) and the second end wall (332) around the receiving cavity (330), wherein, The at least one cavity outlet (3302) includes a first end wall opening (3311) formed in the first end wall (331); and / or The at least one cavity inlet (3301) includes a sidewall opening (3331) formed in the sidewall (333); and / or The at least one cavity inlet (3301) includes a second end wall opening (3321) formed in the second end wall (332).

6. The water tank assembly according to claim 5, wherein, The module housing (33) includes a first spacer protrusion (336) that protrudes from a first end wall (331) toward a second end wall (332) to ensure a gap exists between the sterilizing core (31) and the first end wall (331). Specifically, the first spacer protrusion (336) includes a plurality of first spacer protrusions (336) spaced apart from each other along a direction surrounding the opening (3311) of the first end wall; and / or The module housing (33) includes a second spacer protrusion (337) that protrudes from the second end wall (332) toward the first end wall (331) to ensure a gap exists between the sterilizing core (31) and the second end wall (332). Specifically, the second spacer protrusion (337) includes a plurality of second spacer protrusions (337) spaced apart from each other along a direction surrounding the opening (3321) of the second end wall; and / or The module housing (33) includes a third spacer protrusion (338) that protrudes from the sidewall (333) toward the sterilizing core (31) to ensure that there is a gap between the sterilizing core (31) and the sidewall (333). The third spacer protrusion (338) specifically includes a plurality of third spacer protrusions (338) spaced apart from each other along the direction surrounding the receiving cavity (330).

7. The water tank assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, The sidewall (333) includes a first sidewall (334) and a second sidewall (335). The first sidewall (334) and the first endwall (331) are integrally formed to form a housing cover (339). The second sidewall (335) and the second endwall (332) are integrally formed to form a housing seat (340). The housing cover (339) and the housing seat (340) are detachably connected.

8. The water tank assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The housing cover (339) is provided with an L-shaped support shoulder (3391), which is located at the transition between the first end wall (331) and the first side wall (334) and includes a first arm extending on the first end wall (331) and a second arm extending on the first side wall (334).

9. The water tank assembly according to any one of claims 5-8, wherein, The module housing (33) includes a connecting pipe (341) located on the side of the first end wall (331) facing away from the second end wall (332) and opposite to the opening (3311) of the first end wall, the connecting pipe (341) being connected to the water outlet pipe (2).

10. The water tank assembly according to any one of claims 5-9, wherein, The module housing (33) includes a support frame (342) extending in a second end wall opening (3321), wherein, The support frame (342) protrudes relative to the second end wall (332) on the side facing the first end wall (331); and / or The support frame (342) is X-shaped.

11. The water tank assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The support frame (342) protrudes relative to the second end wall (332) on the side facing away from the first end wall (331); and / or The support frame (342) is arranged on the bottom of the water tank (1).

12. The water tank assembly according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein, The sterilization core (31) is made of a non-release contact sterilization material.

13. The water tank assembly according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein, The sterilization core (31) is made of PET fiber, on which sterilization functional groups are grafted.

14. The water tank assembly according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein, The sterilization core (31) has a porous structure, such that the sterilization module (3) has a flow path (35) that allows water to flow from the interior space of the water tank (1) through the sterilization core (31) into the outlet pipe (2), the flow path (35) being at least partially connected in parallel with the bypass path (32).

15. A household appliance, wherein, The household appliance includes a water tank assembly (300) according to any one of claims 1-14.

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