Water filling system, ice maker and refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention discloses a water injection system, an ice maker and a refrigerator, wherein the water injection system includes a water storage part, a water demand part, a water pipe assembly, a water valve and an emptying part, the water pipe assembly defines a water flow channel from the water storage part to the water demand part, the water valve is arranged on the water pipe assembly to control the water outflow of the water storage part, the emptying part is arranged on the water pipe assembly and is located above the water demand part, the emptying part includes an air flow channel that connects the water flow channel with the outside, the air flow channel is connected to the water demand part through the water flow channel, and the water in the water flow channel between the emptying part and the water demand part completely flows into the water demand part. The emptying part balances the air pressure in the water injection system, and timely empties the water inside the water pipe assembly, avoiding the problem of water freezing in the water pipe assembly to block the pipeline and the use of electric heating wires; the solution has low cost, does not waste space, is simple and reliable to implement, and can be applied to various situations where an external water source or water flows by gravity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a water injection system, in particular to an ice maker and a refrigerator with the water injection system. Background Art

[0002] At present, ice making is usually done by placing an ice box in a refrigerator, but filling the ice box with water has always been a difficulty in the ice making system. The existing solution is to place the ice box in the freezer and add water to the ice box from the outside, eliminating the inconvenience of water splashing inside the ice box when it is placed in the refrigerator.

[0003] At present, in the process of adding water to the ice box, there is a method of connecting an external water source and configuring a sensor and a solenoid valve to allow a certain amount of water to flow into the ice box, but the cost is high, and when adding water manually, the amount of water added cannot be accurately controlled, and there is a problem that too little water is added to the water storage box, resulting in less ice production, or too much water is added, resulting in water overflowing from the ice box.

[0004] In addition, when adding water to the ice box in the freezer through the water pipe, the water in the water pipe will freeze and block the water pipe. Therefore, the usual practice is to add an electric heating device and wrap the water pipe with an insulation layer to prevent internal freezing, which increases energy consumption and occupies part of the volume of the refrigerator. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the problems in the prior art that the amount of water added to the ice box is inaccurate and the water freezes and blocks the water pipe when adding water to the ice box, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a water injection system, an ice maker and a refrigerator.

[0006] To achieve one of the above-mentioned objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides a water injection system, the water injection system comprising a water storage part, a water demanding part, and a water pipe assembly disposed between the water storage part and the water demanding part, the water pipe assembly defining a water flow channel from the water storage part to the water demanding part, the water injection system further comprising:

[0007] a water valve, the water valve being disposed on the water pipe assembly and having a first state in which the water in the water storage portion can flow toward the water pipe assembly and a second state in which the water in the water storage portion stops flowing toward the water pipe assembly;

[0008] The drain portion is arranged on the water pipe assembly and located above the water demanding portion. The drain portion includes an air flow channel that connects the water flow channel with the outside. When the water valve is in the second state, the air flow channel is connected to the water demanding portion through the water flow channel.

[0009] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust portion includes a ventilation pipe defining the air flow channel.

[0010] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the drain portion includes a one-way valve for allowing external gas to enter the water flow channel through the air flow channel in one direction.

[0011] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the water pipe assembly includes a quantitative part connected to the water storage part through a water inlet, and a first water pipe connecting the water outlet of the quantitative part and the water demand part, the quantitative part encloses a water storage space, and the water valve is arranged in the quantitative part;

[0012] Furthermore, in the first state, the water valve opens the water inlet and closes the water outlet at the same time; in the second state, the water valve closes the water inlet and opens the water outlet at the same time.

[0013] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the emptying part is arranged on the quantitative part, or the emptying part is arranged on the first water pipe.

[0014] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, in the first state, the water in the water storage part flows into the quantitative part through the water inlet and is stored in the quantitative part; when switching from the first state to the second state, the water in the water storage space flows to the water demanding part through the water outlet and the first water pipe.

[0015] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, a spring and a trigger member are arranged on the quantitative portion, and when the water valve is in the first state, the spring applies a driving force to the water valve, and the driving force keeps the water valve in the first state; when the trigger portion receives a mechanical operation, the trigger member drives the water valve to switch from the first state to the second state.

[0016] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the water pipe assembly includes a second water pipe connecting the water storage part and the water demanding part, and the draining part is connected to the second water pipe and is arranged downstream of the water valve.

[0017] To achieve one of the above-mentioned objects of the invention, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ice-making machine, the ice-making machine includes the above-mentioned water injection system, the water-requiring part includes an ice-making part for making ice, and the drain part is arranged outside the ice-making part.

[0018] To achieve one of the above-mentioned purposes of the invention, an embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator, which includes the above-mentioned water injection system and a freezer compartment, the water-requiring part includes an ice-making part for making ice, the ice-making part is arranged in the freezer compartment, and the emptying part is arranged outside the freezer compartment.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: by providing the drain portion, the air pressure in the water injection system is balanced, which is conducive to timely draining the water inside the water pipe assembly, avoiding the problem of water freezing in the water pipe assembly and clogging the pipeline, and avoiding the use of high-cost and space-consuming electric heating wires; the solution is low-cost, does not waste space, is simple and reliable to implement, and can be applied to a variety of situations where an external water source is connected or water flows by gravity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a water injection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a water injection system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a water injection system according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a water injection system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a water injection system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 is a front view of a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a water injection system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Among them, 1. water storage part; 2. water demand part; 3. water pipe assembly; 31. quantitative part; 311. water inlet; 312. water outlet; 313. spring; 314. trigger; 32. first water pipe; 33. second water pipe; 4. emptying part; 41. ventilation pipe; 42. one-way valve; 5. water valve; 6. cold storage room; 7. freezer room. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodological, or functional changes made by a person skilled in the art based on these embodiments are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] An embodiment of the present invention provides a water injection system, such as Figure 1As shown, it includes a water storage part 1 and a water demanding part 2. The water storage part 1 is used to hold water, and the water demanding part 2 holds the water from the water storage part 1. The water storage part 1 and the water demanding part 2 are connected by a water pipe assembly 3, and water flows from the water storage part 1 into the water demanding part 2 by its own power.

[0031] In this embodiment, in order to clearly express the position and direction described in this application, the direction of water flow is roughly referred to. Since water flows from the water storage part 1 to the water demanding part 2 by gravity, the upstream direction is defined as up and the downstream direction is defined as down in space, that is, the water storage part 1 is arranged above the water pipe assembly 3, and the water demanding part 2 is arranged below the water pipe assembly 3.

[0032] The water injection system further includes a water valve 5 and an emptying part 4. The water valve 5 is arranged on the water pipe assembly 3 and has a first state in which the water in the water storage part 1 can flow to the water pipe assembly 3 and a second state in which the water in the water storage part 1 stops flowing to the water pipe assembly 3, that is, the water valve 5 controls the opening and closing of the water storage part 1.

[0033] The drain part 4 is arranged on the water pipe assembly 3 and is located above the water demanding part 2. The drain part 4 includes an air flow channel that connects the water flow channel with the outside. When the water valve 5 is in the second state, the air flow channel is connected to the water demanding part 2 through the water flow channel, and the water in the water flow channel between the drain part 4 and the water demanding part 2 completely flows into the water demanding part 2; the drain part 4 is used to empty the water in the water flow channel between the drain part 4 and the water demanding part 2, and the outside atmosphere enters the air flow channel to balance the pressure of the water flow channel.

[0034] In this embodiment, the water injection system further includes a quantitative part 31, which encloses a water storage space for storing a certain volume of water. The quantitative part 31 is connected to the water storage part 1 through a water inlet 311, and is connected to the water demand part 2 through a water outlet 312. The water inlet 311 is arranged at the bottom of the water storage part 1, and the water outlet 312 is arranged at the bottom of the quantitative part 31. The water outlet 312 is connected to the water demand part 2 through a first water pipe 32. Water flows into the quantitative part 31 from the water inlet 311 at the bottom of the water storage part 1 by its own gravity, and then flows from the quantitative part 31 into the water demand part 2 through the first water pipe 32;

[0035] The water valve 5 is arranged in the quantitative part 31. In the present embodiment, the water valve 5 is movably arranged between the water inlet 311 and the water outlet 312. In the first state, the water valve 5 opens the water inlet 311 and closes the water outlet 312 at the same time. In the second state, the water valve 5 closes the water inlet 311 and opens the water outlet 312 at the same time. That is to say, when the water valve 5 controls the water inlet 311 to be closed and opens the water outlet 312 at the same time, the water in the water storage part 1 cannot flow out at this time. If there is water in the quantitative part 31 at this time, it will flow into the water demand part 2 from the water outlet 312 through the first water pipe 32. When the water valve 5 controls the water inlet 311 to be opened and closes the water outlet 312 at the same time, the water in the water storage part 1 flows into the quantitative part 31 from the water inlet 311.

[0036] A spring 313 and a trigger member 314 are arranged in the quantitative part 31. When the water valve 5 is in the first state, the spring 313 applies a driving force to the water valve 5, and the driving force keeps the water valve 5 in the first state; that is, the spring 313 controls the water valve 5 to be in the first state, so that the water inside the water storage part 1 does not flow out, and when the trigger member 314 is triggered, the water valve 5 can move from the first state to the second state, so that the water inside the water storage part 1 flows to the quantitative part 31, and when the trigger member 314 is released, the spring 313 drives the water valve 5 to return to the first state, so that the water inside the water storage part 1 no longer flows to the quantitative part 31, and at the same time, the water in the quantitative part 31 flows to the water demand part 2.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the emptying portion 4 is disposed on the quantitative portion 31, and the emptying portion 4 includes a vent pipe 41 defining an air flow channel, and an end of the vent pipe 41 is in communication with the outside;

[0038] The water in the water storage part 1 is the water for storage, and the water flows downward under the action of its own gravity. The end of the vent pipe 41 is higher than the highest liquid level of the water in the water storage part 1 to prevent the water from overflowing from the vent pipe 41 when the water storage part 1 adds water to the quantitative part 31;

[0039] When the water valve 5 is in the second state, water flows from the quantitative part 31 into the water demand part 2. Since the vent pipe 41 is connected to the atmosphere, the water flow channel is connected to the outside world. The quantitative part 31 will not be hindered from discharging water due to the decrease of internal air pressure during the water discharging process.

[0040] The drain portion 4 is arranged above the water demanding portion 2, so that when the water in the quantitative portion 31 flows into the water demanding portion 2, the water can flow into the water demanding portion 2 unhindered under the action of its own gravity. Moreover, since the drain portion 4 ensures that the pressure inside the quantitative portion 31 is equal to that outside, the water in the quantitative portion 31 and the first water pipe 32 can completely flow into the water demanding portion 2.

[0041] Furthermore, an embodiment of the present application also provides an ice maker, which includes the above-mentioned water injection system, the water demanding part 2 is configured as an ice-making part for making ice, and the emptying part 4 is configured outside the ice-making part, thereby ensuring that the water in the water flow channel in the ice maker completely flows into the water demanding part 2.

[0042] Furthermore, an embodiment of the present application also provides a refrigerator, the refrigerator includes the above-mentioned water injection system and a freezing chamber 7. In this embodiment, the water demanding part 2 is arranged in the freezing chamber 7 for making ice, and the water outlet 312 is connected to the water demanding part 2 through the first water pipe 32. The water storage part 1 can be placed in the refrigerating chamber 6, and ice can be made directly with colder water (4°C). Compared with the normal temperature (26°C), the water temperature in the water storage part 1 is lower, and the ice making speed is faster.

[0043] When the quantitative part 31 discharges water to the water-demanding part 2 in the freezing chamber 7, since the internal pressure of the quantitative part 31 is the same as that of the outside due to the air pressure balance of the emptying part 4, the water will not be blocked in the pipeline due to the air pressure. The emptying part 4 is arranged outside the freezing chamber 7, and the first water pipe 32 in the freezing chamber 7 is arranged downwardly at an angle, the water can flow out completely. Therefore, there is no need to set electric heating wire for heating, and the refrigerator volume will not be excessively occupied.

[0044] Compared with the prior art, this embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0045] (1) By providing the quantitative unit 31, the amount of water flowing from the water storage unit 1 into the water demand unit 2 is fixed each time, thereby avoiding the problem of adding too much or too little water.

[0046] (2) The retaining member and the trigger member 314 interact with each other to realize the function of the water valve 5 to simultaneously control the closing of the water storage part 1 and the opening of the water demand part 2, or the opening of the water storage part 1 and the closing of the water demand part 2, so that the overall operation is simple and the water injection operation is completed through one switch.

[0047] (3) The draining part 4 is provided to balance the air pressure inside and outside the quantitative part 31, so that the water inflow and outflow process are smooth, and the water between the draining part 4 and the water demanding part 2 is completely drained under the action of its own gravity.

[0048] (4) The water storage unit 1 is placed in the refrigerating chamber 6 so that the water demanding unit 2 can directly use water with a lower temperature to make ice, which results in a faster ice making speed.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] Ginseng Figure 2 Another embodiment is provided, and the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment 1 refer to structures / components with similar or identical features. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment 1 is only that the structure of the emptying portion 4 is changed. The difference is described in detail below, and other parts that are the same as those in the embodiment 1 are not repeated.

[0051] In this embodiment, in view of the state that the water in the water storage part 1 is connected to an external water source, that is, the water storage part 1 is directly connected to the water outlet device with pressure, the vent pipe 41 in the embodiment 1 is replaced with a one-way valve 42. The one-way valve 42 controls the external gas to enter the water flow channel through the air flow channel in one direction, so as to prevent the water from flowing into the air flow channel from the water flow channel under its own pressure and overflowing from the emptying part 4. The one-way valve 42 controls the water in the quantitative part 31 to be unable to overflow, and realizes that in the process of the quantitative part 31 discharging water to the water demand part 2, the one-way valve 42 is opened to supplement gas to restore the pressure in the quantitative part 31, so that the water can completely flow into the water demand part 2.

[0052] Compared with the prior art, this embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0053] The water storage part 1 is directly connected to a pressurized water supply device to balance the pressure inside the water injection system so that the water can completely flow into the water demanding part 2. For the solution of using the water demanding part 2 for ice making, the water is prevented from freezing between the quantitative part 31 and the water demanding part 2.

[0054] Example 3

[0055] Ginseng Figure 3 Another embodiment is provided, and the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment 1 refer to structures / components with similar or identical features. The only difference between this embodiment and the embodiment 1 is that the position of the emptying portion 4 is changed. The difference is described in detail below, and other parts that are the same as those in the embodiment 1 are not repeated.

[0056] In this embodiment, the emptying part 4 is arranged on the first water pipe 32, and the emptying part 4 includes a vent pipe 41. The water in the water storage part 1 is in a state of containing water, that is, the water flows downward under the action of its own gravity. At this time, the end of the vent pipe 41 is higher than the highest liquid level of the water in the quantitative part 31 to prevent the water in the quantitative part 31 from overflowing from the vent. When the structure is applied to the water injection system in a refrigerator or an ice maker, the position setting of the quantitative part 31 is more flexible. It only needs to ensure that the vent pipe 41 is arranged outside the ice making part or the freezing chamber 7, and the water flow channel inside the ice making part or the freezing chamber 7 will not be frozen.

[0057] Example 4

[0058] Ginseng Figure 4 Another embodiment is provided, and the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment 1 refer to structures / components with similar or identical features. The only difference between this embodiment and the embodiment 1 is that the location and structure of the emptying portion 4 are changed. The difference is described in detail below, and other parts that are the same as those in the embodiment 1 are not repeated.

[0059] In this embodiment, in view of the state that the water in the water storage part 1 is an external water source, that is, the water itself has a certain pressure, the emptying part 4 is arranged on the first water pipe 32, and the emptying part 4 includes a one-way valve 42, that is, only the position of the emptying part 4 in Example 2 is changed to prevent the emptying part 4 from being too far away from the water demand part 2, and the residual water in the quantitative part 31 affects the residual water in the first water pipe 32 outside the water demand port, especially for the solution of applying the water injection system to an ice maker or a refrigerator, the water in the first water pipe 32 connected to the water demand part 2 in the freezer 7 is not completely drained, resulting in the problem of freezing; the water valve 5 is switched to the second state, when the water in the first water pipe 32 becomes less and the pressure is insufficient, the one-way valve 42 opens the air intake to prevent the water from not flowing out in the low-pressure state, and the one-way valve 42 is arranged to facilitate the water to flow completely into the water demand part 2 by gravity.

[0060] Example 5

[0061] Ginseng Figure 5Another embodiment is provided, and the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment 1 refer to structures / components with similar or identical features. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment 1 is that the quantitative part 31 is not included, the structure of the water valve 5 is changed, and the location and structure of the emptying part 4 are changed. The difference is described in detail below, and other parts that are the same as those in the embodiment 1 are not repeated.

[0062] In this embodiment, the water in the water storage part 1 is in a state of containing water, that is, the water flows downward under the action of its own gravity; the water storage part 1 and the water demand part 2 are connected by the second water pipe 33, and the emptying part 4 includes a vent pipe 41, which is connected to the second water pipe 33 and is arranged downstream of the water valve 5. When the water valve 5 is switched to the first state, the water in the water storage part 1 flows into the water demand part 2. At this time, the end of the vent pipe 41 is higher than the highest liquid level of the water in the water storage part 1 to prevent water from overflowing from the vent pipe 41. When the water valve 5 is switched to the second state, the water storage part 1 stops supplying water, and the water in the second water pipe 33 continues to flow to the water demand part 2 under the action of gravity. The emptying part 4 avoids the problem that the water in the second water pipe 33 cannot be completely drained under the action of air pressure. The vent pipe 41 balances the internal and external pressures, and the atmosphere entering the vent supplements the internal pressure of the second water pipe 33 to ensure that the water completely flows into the water demand part 2 under the action of gravity.

[0063] Correspondingly, in the structure of an ice maker or refrigerator, such as Figure 6 As shown, the emptying part 4 is arranged outside the cold storage room 6 or the refrigerator, and the water demanding part 2 is arranged in the freezing room 7 for making ice. The two are connected by a second water pipe 33. The second water pipe 33 in the freezing room 7 is completely arranged downward, and the water in the water flow channel between the emptying part 4 and the water demanding part 2 completely flows into the water demanding part 2.

[0064] Example 6

[0065] Ginseng Figure 7 Another embodiment is provided, and the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment 1 refer to structures / components with similar or identical features. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment 1 is that the quantitative part 31 is not included, the structure of the water valve 5 is changed, and the location and structure of the emptying part 4 are changed. The difference is described in detail below, and other parts that are the same as those in the embodiment 1 are not repeated.

[0066] In this embodiment, the water valve 5 is connected to the second water pipe 33, and the emptying part 4 is connected to the second water pipe 33 and is arranged downstream of the water valve 5; the emptying part 4 includes a one-way valve 42, which allows external gas to enter the water flow channel through the air flow channel in one direction. In view of the state where the water in the water storage part 1 is connected to an external water source, that is, the water storage part 1 is directly connected to a pressurized water outlet device, the water valve 5 can also be the water valve 5 of the water storage part 1. The water valve 5 switches to the first state, and water flows from the water storage part 1 to the water demand part 2 through the second water pipe 33. The one-way valve 42 prevents water from flowing out of the one-way valve 42. When the water valve 5 switches to the second state, the water storage part 1 stops supplying water, and the water in the second water pipe 33 continues to flow to the water demand part 2 under the action of gravity. The drain part 4 avoids the problem that the water in the second water pipe 33 cannot be completely drained due to low pressure. When the internal pressure decreases, the one-way valve 42 opens, and the outside atmosphere enters the second water pipe 33 from the one-way valve 42, so that the internal and external pressures are balanced, ensuring that the water completely flows into the water demand part 2 under the action of gravity.

[0067] Correspondingly, in the structure of the ice maker or refrigerator, the water demand part 2 is used for making ice in the freezer compartment 7, the water valve 5 may be a water valve 5 of an external water source, or a water valve 5 on a second water pipe 33, the water storage part 1 is connected to the water demand part 2 through the second water pipe 33, and when the water valve 5 is switched to the second state, the water in the water flow channel between the drain part 4 and the water demand part 2 completely flows into the water demand part 2.

[0068] The detailed descriptions listed above are only specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of the present invention. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent implementation methods or changes that do not deviate from the technical spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water injection system, comprising a water storage part, a water demanding part, and a water pipe assembly disposed between the water storage part and the water demanding part, wherein the water pipe assembly defines a water flow channel from the water storage part to the water demanding part, characterized in that: The water injection system also includes: a water valve, the water valve being disposed on the water pipe assembly and having a first state in which the water in the water storage portion can flow toward the water pipe assembly and a second state in which the water in the water storage portion stops flowing toward the water pipe assembly; an emptying part, arranged on the water pipe assembly and located above the water demanding part, the emptying part comprising an air flow channel for connecting the water flow channel with the outside, when the water valve is in the second state, the air flow channel is connected to the water demanding part through the water flow channel, and the water in the water flow channel between the emptying part and the water demanding part completely flows into the water storage part; The water pipe assembly includes a quantitative part, which encloses a water storage space for storing a certain volume of water. The quantitative part is connected to the water storage part through a water inlet and to the water demand part through a water outlet. The emptying part is arranged on the quantitative part, and the emptying part includes a vent pipe that defines the air flow channel or a one-way valve for external gas to enter the quantitative part in one direction. The end of the vent pipe is higher than the highest liquid level of the water in the quantitative part and is connected to the outside world.

2. The water injection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water pipe assembly comprises a first water pipe connecting the water outlet of the quantitative part and the water demand part, and the water valve is arranged in the quantitative part; Furthermore, in the first state, the water valve opens the water inlet and closes the water outlet at the same time; in the second state, the water valve closes the water inlet and opens the water outlet at the same time.

3. The water injection system according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the first state, water in the water storage part flows into the quantitative part through the water inlet and is stored in the quantitative part; when switching from the first state to the second state, water in the water storage space flows to the water demanding part through the water outlet and the first water pipe.

4. The water injection system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A spring and a trigger are arranged on the quantitative part, and when the water valve is in the first state, the spring applies a driving force to the water valve, and the driving force keeps the water valve in the first state; When the trigger component receives a mechanical operation, the trigger component drives the water valve to switch from the first state to the second state.

5. The water injection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water pipe assembly includes a second water pipe communicating with the water storage part and the water demanding part.

6. An ice making machine, characterized in that: The ice maker comprises the water injection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the water demanding part comprises an ice making part for making ice, and the draining part is arranged outside the ice making part.

7. A refrigerator, comprising a freezer compartment, characterized in that: The refrigerator comprises the water injection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the water demanding part comprises an ice-making part for making ice, the ice-making part is arranged in the freezing chamber, and the emptying part is arranged outside the freezing chamber.

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