A water dispenser and a control method

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention provides a water dispenser and a control method, wherein the water dispenser includes: a cold tank assembly for storing liquid water, wherein a stirring device is provided in the cold tank assembly; an air intake system connected to the cold tank assembly for injecting carbon dioxide gas into the cold tank assembly so that the liquid water is in the form of bubble water; a refrigeration system connected to the cold tank assembly for refrigerating the liquid water in the cold tank assembly; a water system connected to the cold tank assembly for introducing liquid water into the cold tank assembly and being able to guide the liquid water or bubble water; and a controller connected at least to the stirring device and the air intake system for controlling the operation of the air intake system and the stirring device according to the temperature of the liquid water, so that the water temperature of the liquid water is uniform and the concentration of bubble water is increased. The water dispenser in the embodiment of the present invention can effectively prevent cold water from freezing and can also increase the concentration of bubble water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the technical field of smart home appliances, and in particular to a water dispenser and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] At present, some bottled water dispensers have compressor cooling water tanks that have added automatic or manual gas filling functions, and have electronic switches connected to the electric control board to control air intake and shutoff. After the cooling water of the desktop compressor is placed in an external water bottle, carbon dioxide gas is added manually or automatically to increase the concentration of the bubble water.

[0003] However, the above compressors all have the following problems:

[0004] 1. When cooling liquid water, ice easily forms inside the cold tank, the water temperature in the upper and lower layers of the cold tank is uneven, the efficiency of making 51B0 water is low, and it takes a long time.

[0005] 2. The taste and concentration of the sparkling water are not optimal. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention provides a water dispenser and a control method which can effectively prevent cold water from freezing and simultaneously increase the concentration of bubble water.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a water dispenser, comprising:

[0008] A cold tank assembly, used for storing liquid water, wherein a stirring device is provided in the cold tank assembly;

[0009] an air intake system connected to the cold tank assembly and used to inject carbon dioxide gas into the cold tank assembly so that the liquid water is in the form of bubbling water;

[0010] a refrigeration system connected to the cold tank assembly and used to refrigerate the liquid water in the cold tank assembly;

[0011] a water system connected to the cold tank assembly, used to introduce liquid water into the cold tank assembly and to be able to guide out the liquid water or bubble water; and

[0012] The controller is connected to at least the stirring device and the air intake system, so as to control the operation of the air intake system and the stirring device according to the temperature of the liquid water, so as to make the water temperature of the liquid water uniform and increase the concentration of the bubble water.

[0013] By providing a controller and a stirring device, the controller can control the operation of the stirring device according to the temperature of the liquid water in the cold tank assembly, so as to stir the liquid water to make its temperature uniform and prevent it from freezing. In addition, by connecting the air intake system to the controller, the controller can control the air intake of the air intake system according to the temperature of the liquid water, so that the liquid water forms bubble water, and at the same time control the operation of the stirring device to atomize the bubble water and increase the concentration of the bubble water.

[0014] As an optional embodiment, the cold tank assembly includes a cold tank, an evaporator arranged in the cold tank, and the stirring device. The cold tank assembly has a simple structure and is easy to prepare.

[0015] As an optional embodiment, the stirring device includes a motor, a blade shaft connected to the motor, and a blade sleeve mounted on the blade shaft, the blade on the blade shaft is spiral, and the controller is connected to the motor to control the operation of the motor. The stirring device can better stir and cut the liquid water by arranging the spiral blade, promote its atomization, and increase the concentration of the bubble water.

[0016] As an optional embodiment, the air intake system includes a gas cylinder containing carbon dioxide, and a pressure reducing valve and an air intake solenoid valve connected to the gas cylinder in sequence, the air intake solenoid valve is also connected to the cold tank assembly, and the controller is connected to the air intake solenoid valve. The controller controls whether carbon dioxide enters the cold tank assembly through the air intake solenoid valve, which is simple and convenient.

[0017] As an optional embodiment, the refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, a drying filter, and a capillary tube connected in sequence, and the capillary tube and the compressor are simultaneously connected to the evaporator in the cold tank assembly. The overall structure of the refrigeration system is simple and easy to prepare.

[0018] As an optional embodiment, the water system includes a check valve connected to the water inlet of the cold tank assembly, a water pump connected to the check valve, a water outlet solenoid valve connected to the water outlet of the cold tank assembly, and a faucet connected to the water outlet solenoid valve. The overall structure of the water system is simple and easy to prepare.

[0019] As an optional embodiment, the controller is used to start the stirring device to rotate at a first speed when the temperature of the liquid water in the cold tank assembly is cooled to a first temperature by the refrigeration system, so as to stir the liquid water in the cold tank assembly to make the water temperature uniform and prevent freezing;

[0020] The controller is also used to control the air intake system to introduce carbon dioxide into the cold tank assembly when the liquid water is cooled to a second temperature by the refrigeration system, and to control the stirring device to rotate at a second speed so that the formed bubble water is atomized to increase the concentration of the bubble water. The first temperature is higher than the second temperature, and the first speed is lower than the second speed. The controller flexibly controls the operation of the stirring device and the air intake system according to the temperature of the liquid water, so that the liquid water can meet the user's usage needs at different stages, and the user does not need to participate in the control, which is simple and convenient.

[0021] Another embodiment of the present invention also provides a control method, which is applied to the water dispenser as described above, and the method includes:

[0022] determining the temperature of liquid water in a cold tank assembly within the water dispenser;

[0023] Based on the temperature, the operation of the stirring device and the air intake system in the water dispenser is controlled to make the water temperature of the liquid water uniform and to increase the concentration of the bubble water formed by the liquid water.

[0024] This embodiment controls the operation of the stirring device and the air intake system in a flexibly matching manner according to the temperature of the liquid water, thereby achieving uniform temperature of the liquid water and increasing the concentration of bubble water formed by the liquid water. The overall process does not require user participation, is simple and convenient, and has outstanding effects.

[0025] As an optional embodiment, the step of controlling the operation of a stirring device in the water dispenser based on the temperature includes:

[0026] When it is determined that the temperature of the liquid water is the first temperature, the stirring device is controlled to start and rotate at a first speed, thereby stirring the liquid water in the cold tank assembly to make the water temperature uniform and prevent it from freezing. That is, the water dispenser can control the stirring device to operate according to the temperature of the liquid water in the cold tank assembly to stir the liquid water to make the temperature uniform and prevent it from freezing.

[0027] As an optional embodiment, the step of controlling the operation of the stirring device and the air intake system in the water dispenser based on the temperature includes:

[0028] When the temperature of the liquid water is determined to be the second temperature, the air intake system is controlled to introduce carbon dioxide into the cold tank assembly, and the stirring device is controlled to rotate at the second speed to make the formed bubble water atomized and increase the concentration of the bubble water. The first temperature is higher than the second temperature, and the first speed is lower than the second speed. That is, the water dispenser can control the air intake of the air intake system according to the temperature of the liquid water to make the liquid water form bubble water, and control the stirring device to operate to atomize the bubble water and increase the concentration of the bubble water.

[0029] Based on the disclosure of the above embodiments, it can be known that the beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention include that by setting a controller and a stirring device, the controller can control the operation of the stirring device according to the temperature of the liquid water in the cold tank assembly to stir the liquid water to make its temperature uniform and prevent it from freezing. In addition, by connecting the air intake system to the controller, the controller can control the air intake of the air intake system according to the temperature of the liquid water, so that the liquid water forms bubble water, and at the same time control the stirring device to stir at a high speed to atomize the bubble water, increase the contact area of ​​water vapor, make the two better merge together, and increase the concentration of the bubble water. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a water dispenser in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the water dispenser in an embodiment of the present invention (1-gas inlet; 2-cold water inlet; 4-evaporator; 5-insulation cotton; 6-cold tank; 7-blade rotating sleeve; 8-blade rotating shaft; 9-motor).

[0032] Figure 3 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of a water dispenser in an embodiment of the present invention (3-cold water outlet).

[0033] Figure 4 This is a control flow chart of a controller in a water dispenser in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 Flow chart of a control method in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0036] It should be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the following description should not be considered as limiting, but merely as an example of an embodiment. Other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art.

[0037] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the general description of the present disclosure given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0038] These and other characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form of embodiment given as a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] It should also be understood that, although the invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, those skilled in the art will be able to realize many other equivalent forms of the invention that have the characteristics recited in the claims and are therefore within the scope of protection defined thereby.

[0040] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which may be implemented in a variety of ways. Well-known and / or repeated functions and structures are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure with unnecessary or redundant details. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, but merely serve as a basis and representative basis for the claims to teach those skilled in the art to use the present disclosure in a variety of ways with substantially any suitable detailed structure.

[0042] This specification may use the phrases "in one embodiment," "in another embodiment," "in a further embodiment," or "in other embodiments," all of which may refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments according to the present disclosure.

[0043] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a water dispenser, comprising:

[0045] A cold tank assembly is used to store liquid water, and a stirring device is provided in the cold tank assembly;

[0046] An air intake system, connected to the cold tank assembly, for injecting carbon dioxide gas into the cold tank assembly to make the liquid water appear as bubbling water;

[0047] a refrigeration system connected to the cold tank assembly and used for cooling liquid water in the cold tank assembly;

[0048] A water system connected to the cold tank assembly, used to introduce liquid water into the cold tank assembly and capable of draining liquid water or bubble water; and

[0049] The controller is connected to at least the stirring device and the air intake system, and is used to control the operation of the air intake system and the stirring device according to the temperature of the liquid water, so as to make the temperature of the liquid water uniform and increase the concentration of the bubble water.

[0050] Based on the disclosure of the above embodiments, it can be known that the beneficial effects of this embodiment include that by setting a controller and a stirring device, the controller can control the operation of the stirring device according to the temperature of the liquid water in the cold tank assembly to stir the liquid water to make its temperature uniform and prevent it from freezing. In addition, by connecting the air intake system to the controller, the controller can control the air intake of the air intake system according to the temperature of the liquid water, so that the liquid water forms bubble water, and at the same time control the stirring device to stir at a high speed to atomize the bubble water, increase the contact area of ​​water and gas, make the two better merge together, and increase the concentration of the bubble water.

[0051] Specifically, the controller can be set on the body of the water dispenser, or it can be a mobile terminal and controlled by remote control, which is not certain. Figure 1 and Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the cold tank assembly in this embodiment includes a cold tank 6, an evaporator 4 and a stirring device arranged in the cold tank 6. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the surface of the cold tank 6 is wrapped with heat-insulating cotton 5, the tank body is provided with a gas inlet 1, a cold water inlet 2 and a cold water outlet 3, and the evaporator 4 is mounted on the upper cover of the cold tank 6 through a flange nut. The stirring device includes a motor 9 arranged at the bottom of the tank body (such as on the bottom cover of the cold tank 6), a blade shaft 8 connected to the motor 9, and a blade rotating sleeve 7 sleeved on the blade shaft 8, wherein the blade on the blade shaft 8 is spiral-shaped, and the controller is connected to the motor 9 to control the operation of the motor 9, thereby controlling the operation of the stirring device.

[0052] Further, continue to combine Figure 1 As shown, the air intake system in this embodiment includes a gas cylinder containing carbon dioxide, a pressure reducing valve and an air intake solenoid valve connected to the gas cylinder in sequence, the air intake solenoid valve is also connected to the gas inlet of the cold tank in the cold tank assembly, and the controller is connected to the air intake solenoid valve, and then the controller is turned on or off to allow carbon dioxide to enter the cold tank assembly through the air intake solenoid valve. Among them, the various components of the above-mentioned air intake system can be connected using plastic pipes, such as PE pipes.

[0053] The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, a filter drier, and a capillary tube connected in sequence, wherein the capillary tube and the compressor are simultaneously connected to an evaporator in a cold tank. The above-mentioned components are connected by metal tubes, such as copper tubes.

[0054] The water system includes a check valve connected to the water inlet of the cold tank assembly, i.e., the cold water inlet, a water pump connected to the check valve, a water outlet solenoid valve connected to the water outlet of the cold tank assembly, i.e., the cold water outlet, and a faucet connected to the water outlet solenoid valve. The various components of the water system can be connected using plastic pipes, such as PE pipes.

[0055] Furthermore, the controller in this embodiment is used to start the stirring device to rotate at a first speed when the temperature of the liquid water in the cold tank assembly is cooled to a first temperature by the refrigeration system, so as to stir the liquid water in the cold tank assembly to make the water temperature uniform and prevent ice from forming;

[0056] The controller is also used to control the air intake system to introduce carbon dioxide into the cold tank assembly when the liquid water is cooled to a second temperature by the refrigeration system, and at the same time control the stirring device to rotate at a second speed to make the formed bubble water atomized and increase the concentration of the bubble water. The first temperature is higher than the second temperature, and the first speed is lower than the second speed.

[0057] Specifically, for example, combining Figure 4 As shown, the purified liquid water is pressurized by the water pump and enters the cold tank through the check valve, and then the compressor is started to refrigerate the liquid water. When the water is cooled to the required 5°C (first temperature), the stirring device is started to rotate at a speed of 300r / min (first speed), driving the cold water to rotate, keeping the upper and lower layers of the cold water in the cold tank uniform, and preventing the cold water from freezing. When the uniform temperature is less than or equal to 4°C (second temperature), the air intake solenoid valve is controlled to open, so that the carbon dioxide gas in the gas cylinder enters the cold tank through the pressure reducing valve and the air intake solenoid valve to add carbon dioxide to the liquid water. At the same time, the motor of the stirring device is controlled to increase the speed to 2000r / min (second speed) by increasing the voltage, and the blade shaft with a spiral blade in the stirring device is used to rotate at high speed, thereby cutting the cold water into an atomized state, increasing the contact area of ​​water and gas, so that the two can be better integrated together, and the concentration of bubble water is increased.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, another embodiment of the present invention also provides a control method, which is applied to the water dispenser as described above, and the method includes:

[0059] Determine the temperature of liquid water in the cold tank assembly within the water dispenser;

[0060] The operation of the stirring device and the air intake system in the water dispenser is controlled based on the temperature so as to make the temperature of the liquid water uniform and increase the concentration of the bubble water formed by the liquid water.

[0061] Based on the disclosure of the above embodiments, it can be known that the beneficial effects of this embodiment include controlling the operation of the stirring device according to the temperature of the liquid water in the cold tank assembly to stir the liquid water to make its temperature uniform and prevent it from freezing. In addition, the air intake system can be controlled according to the temperature of the liquid water to make the liquid water form bubble water, and at the same time, the stirring device is controlled to stir at a high speed to atomize the bubble water, increase the contact area of ​​water and gas, make the two better merge together, and increase the concentration of the bubble water.

[0062] Further, the operation of the stirring device in the water dispenser is controlled based on the temperature, including:

[0063] When it is determined that the temperature of the liquid water is the first temperature, the stirring device is controlled to start and rotate at a first speed, thereby stirring the liquid water in the cold tank assembly to make the water temperature uniform and prevent freezing.

[0064] Based on the temperature control of the mixing device and air intake system in the water dispenser, including:

[0065] When it is determined that the temperature of the liquid water is the second temperature, the air intake system is controlled to introduce carbon dioxide into the cold tank assembly, and the stirring device is controlled to rotate at a second speed to make the formed bubble water atomized and increase the concentration of the bubble water. The first temperature is higher than the second temperature, and the first speed is lower than the second speed.

[0066] Specifically, for example, combining Figure 4 As shown, after the purified liquid water is pressurized by the water pump and enters the cold tank through the check valve, the compressor is started to refrigerate the liquid water. When the water is cooled to the required 5°C (the first temperature, which is not unique, and is only described as an example here), the stirring device is started to rotate at a speed of 300r / min (the first speed, which is not unique, and is only described as an example here), and the cold water is driven to rotate to keep the upper and lower layers of the cold water in the cold tank uniform and prevent the cold water from freezing. When the uniform temperature is less than or equal to 4°C (the second temperature, which is not unique, and is only described as an example here), the air intake solenoid valve is controlled to open, so that the carbon dioxide gas in the gas cylinder enters the cold tank through the pressure reducing valve and the air intake solenoid valve to add carbon dioxide to the liquid water. At the same time, the motor of the stirring device is controlled to increase the speed to 2000r / min (the second speed, which is not unique, and is only described as an example here) by increasing the voltage, and the blade shaft with a spiral blade in the stirring device is rotated at a high speed, thereby cutting the cold water into an atomized state, increasing the contact area of ​​water vapor, making the two better merge together, and increasing the concentration of bubble water.

[0067] The above embodiments are only exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention within the essence and protection scope of the present invention, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions shall also be deemed to fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water dispenser, characterized in that: include: A cold tank assembly, used for storing liquid water, wherein a stirring device is provided in the cold tank assembly; an air intake system connected to the cold tank assembly and used to inject carbon dioxide gas into the cold tank assembly so that the liquid water is in the form of bubbling water; a refrigeration system connected to the cold tank assembly and used to refrigerate the liquid water in the cold tank assembly; A water system connected to the cold tank assembly, used to introduce liquid water into the cold tank assembly and to be able to guide the liquid water or bubble water out; as well as a controller connected to at least the stirring device and the air intake system, and used to control the operation of the air intake system and the stirring device according to the temperature of the liquid water, so as to make the water temperature of the liquid water uniform and increase the concentration of the bubble water; The controller is used to start the stirring device to rotate at a first speed when the temperature of the liquid water in the cold tank assembly is cooled to a first temperature by the refrigeration system, so as to stir the liquid water in the cold tank assembly to make the water temperature uniform and prevent freezing; The controller is also used to control the air intake system to introduce carbon dioxide into the cold tank assembly when the liquid water is cooled to a second temperature by the refrigeration system, and at the same time control the stirring device to rotate at a second speed to make the formed bubble water atomized and increase the concentration of the bubble water. The first temperature is higher than the second temperature, and the first speed is lower than the second speed.

2. The water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cold tank assembly comprises a cold tank, an evaporator arranged in the cold tank and the stirring device.

3. The water dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that: The stirring device comprises a motor, a blade shaft connected to the motor, and a blade sleeve sleeved on the blade shaft. The blades on the blade shaft are spiral-shaped. The controller is connected to the motor to control the operation of the motor.

4. The water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air intake system includes a gas cylinder containing carbon dioxide, and a pressure reducing valve and an air intake solenoid valve connected to the gas cylinder in sequence. The air intake solenoid valve is also connected to the cold tank assembly, and the controller is connected to the air intake solenoid valve.

5. The water dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that: The refrigeration system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a drying filter and a capillary tube which are connected in sequence. The capillary tube and the compressor are simultaneously connected to the evaporator in the cold tank assembly.

6. The water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water system includes a check valve connected to the water inlet of the cold tank assembly, a water pump connected to the check valve, a water outlet solenoid valve connected to the water outlet of the cold tank assembly, and a faucet connected to the water outlet solenoid valve.

7. A control method, applied to a water dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising: determining the temperature of liquid water in a cold tank assembly within the water dispenser; Based on the temperature, the operation of the stirring device and the air intake system in the water dispenser is controlled to make the water temperature of the liquid water uniform and to increase the concentration of the bubble water formed by the liquid water.

8. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The step of controlling the operation of the stirring device in the water dispenser based on the temperature comprises: When it is determined that the temperature of the liquid water is the first temperature, the stirring device is controlled to start and rotate at a first speed, thereby stirring the liquid water in the cold tank assembly to make the water temperature uniform and prevent freezing.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The method of controlling the operation of the stirring device and the air intake system in the water dispenser based on the temperature includes: When it is determined that the temperature of the liquid water is the second temperature, the air intake system is controlled to introduce carbon dioxide into the cold tank assembly, and the stirring device is controlled to rotate at a second speed to make the formed bubble water atomized and increase the concentration of the bubble water. The first temperature is higher than the second temperature, and the first speed is lower than the second speed.

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