Water leak detector and refrigerated container
By designing the barrel, plug, and filter components of the leak detector, the problem of high energy consumption in refrigerated containers during fresh-keeping mode was solved, achieving a sealing effect in freezing mode and energy saving in fresh-keeping mode.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TAICANG CIMC REEFER LOGISTICS EQUIP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
The energy consumption of the drain valve in the existing refrigerated container is relatively large in the preservation mode, mainly due to the large cross-sectional area of the channel, which leads to a large heat exchange between the inside and outside of the container.
Design a water leak device, including a barrel, a stopper, a filter assembly, and a water outlet. The barrel opening is sealed by the stopper to seal the box. In the preservation mode, the filter assembly reduces the cross-sectional area of the flow channel between the inside and outside of the box to reduce heat exchange.
在冷冻模式下实现良好的密封效果，在保鲜模式下减少能量消耗，通过过滤组件减少热交换，提高能量效率。
Smart Images
Figure CN116986156B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigerated containers, and more specifically to drainers and refrigerated containers. Background Technology
[0002] Refrigerated containers operate in two modes: a freezing mode (operating temperature approximately -18°C) and a fresh-keeping mode (operating temperature approximately 0°C). Existing drain systems for refrigerated containers consist of plugs. When the refrigerated container is in freezing mode, the plug can be used to block the drain inlet to seal the container.
[0003] However, when the refrigerated container is in the preservation mode, the plug needs to be removed from the inlet of the drain valve so that the drain valve can be used to drain water from the container. At this time, the cross-sectional area of the channel inside the drain valve is large, the heat exchange between the internal and external spaces of the container is relatively large, and the energy consumption of the refrigerated container is relatively large.
[0004] Therefore, this application provides a drain cover and a refrigerated container to at least partially solve the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The summary section introduces a series of simplified concepts, which will be further explained in detail in the detailed embodiments section. This summary section is not intended to limit the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solutions, nor is it intended to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solutions.
[0006] To at least partially solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application provides a leak detector, which includes:
[0007] The barrel body has an opening at the top and a hole at the bottom.
[0008] A stopper, which is removably attached to the barrel to seal the barrel opening;
[0009] The filter assembly is located inside the tank and includes:
[0010] A filter support includes a cylindrical wall and a partition wall. The cylindrical wall is a circumferentially closed annular structure. The partition wall is connected to one end of the cylindrical wall near the opening in the barrel and is also connected to the inner wall surface of the barrel to divide the internal space of the barrel into a first space and a second space. The partition wall is provided with filter holes, and the first space and the second space are connected through the filter holes.
[0011] The float is located inside the cylinder wall;
[0012] A sleeve, the top end of which is fitted onto the bottom end of the barrel, and the bottom end of the sleeve has a sleeve hole;
[0013] The water outlet is fitted onto the bottom end of the sleeve.
[0014] According to the drain device of this application, when the refrigerated container is in freezing mode, the plug can seal the opening of the container. Thus, the combined action of the plug and the drain spout effectively seals the floor opening of the container, thereby sealing the container and ensuring a good seal. When the refrigerated container is in fresh-keeping mode and needs drainage, the plug can be removed to allow drainage through the drain device. In this case, the filter assembly reduces the cross-sectional area of the flow channel between the internal and external spaces of the container, thereby reducing heat exchange and thus reducing the energy consumption of the refrigerated container in fresh-keeping mode.
[0015] Optionally, there is a gap between the cylinder wall and the inner wall of the barrel, and the cylinder wall is provided with water passage holes.
[0016] Optionally, the filter assembly also includes a seal, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the partition wall is radially recessed to form a sealing groove, the seal is located within the sealing groove, and the seal abuts against the inner wall surface of the barrel.
[0017] Optionally, along the radial direction of the barrel, the partition wall extends protruding to the outer side of the barrel wall, or
[0018] Along the axial direction of the barrel, the outer edge of the partition wall extends and protrudes toward the barrel hole to form a circumferentially closed first annular boss.
[0019] Optionally, the filter assembly further includes a filter member, which is provided with a second annular boss, and a first snap-fit portion is provided at the end of the cylinder wall away from the cylinder hole. The second annular boss is provided with a second snap-fit portion, and the first snap-fit portion snaps into the second snap-fit portion.
[0020] Optionally, a first guide slope is provided at the end of the first snap-fit part away from the barrel hole, and a second guide slope is provided at the end of the second snap-fit part near the barrel hole, with the first guide slope used to contact the second guide slope.
[0021] Optionally, the drain device also includes a snap-fit connector, through which the water outlet is snapped onto the sleeve.
[0022] Optionally, the spout is a rubber spout.
[0023] This application also provides a refrigerated container, which includes the aforementioned drain device.
[0024] According to the refrigerated container of this application, the refrigerated container includes the aforementioned drain device. When the refrigerated container is in freezing mode, the plug can seal the opening of the container body. Thus, the combined action of the plug and the drain spout effectively seals the floor opening of the container, thereby sealing the container and providing a good sealing effect. When the refrigerated container is in fresh-keeping mode and needs to drain, the plug can be removed to allow drainage through the drain device. In this case, the filter assembly reduces the cross-sectional area of the flow channel between the internal and external spaces of the container, thereby reducing heat exchange and thus reducing the energy consumption of the refrigerated container in fresh-keeping mode. Attached Figure Description
[0025] To make the advantages of this application more readily apparent, the application briefly described above will be described in more detail with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of this application and should not be considered as limiting its scope of protection. The application is described and explained with additional features and details through the drawings.
[0026] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic view of a front view of a drain device according to a preferred embodiment of this application;
[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of part A of the leak detector; and
[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A magnified view of part B of the leak detector.
[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0030] 110: Barrel body 111: Barrel opening
[0031] 112: Barrel body hole; 113: Barrel bottom wall
[0032] 114: First Space 115: Second Space
[0033] 120: Plug 130: Filter assembly
[0034] 131: Filter support; 132: Cylinder wall
[0035] 133: Partition wall; 134: Filter pores
[0036] 135: First annular boss; 136: First guide ramp
[0037] 137: Water passage hole; 138: Float ball
[0038] 139: Sealing groove; 140: Sealing element
[0039] 141: First snap-fit part; 142: Filter component
[0040] 143: Second annular boss; 144: Second snap-fit part
[0041] 145: Second guide slope; 150: Water outlet.
[0042] 160: Connector 170: Sleeve
[0043] 171: Sleeve Hole Detailed Implementation
[0044] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of this application. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of this application may be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well-known in the art have not been described to avoid confusion with embodiments of this application.
[0045] The preferred embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting.
[0046] In this document, ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” used in this application are merely identifiers and do not have any other meaning, such as a specific order.
[0047] To fully understand the embodiments of this application, a detailed structure will be presented in the following description. Obviously, the implementation of the embodiments of this application is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art. Preferred embodiments of this application are described in detail below; however, other embodiments may be available in addition to these detailed descriptions.
[0048] This application provides a drain device for use in refrigerated containers. The refrigerated container has two operating modes: a freezing mode (operating temperature approximately -18°C) and a fresh-keeping mode (operating temperature approximately 0°C). The drain device can be installed on the floor of the refrigerated container. When the refrigerated container is in freezing mode, the container opening 111 can be blocked by a plug 120 to seal the container.
[0049] When the refrigerated container is in preservation mode, the plug 120 can be removed from the container body 110 to open the container opening 111. At this time, water inside the container can be drained out of the refrigerated container through the container opening 111. During this process, the filter component 130 in the drain valve can reduce heat exchange between the internal and external spaces of the container, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the refrigerated container in preservation mode.
[0050] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 The drain device includes a barrel 110 and a stopper 120. The barrel 110 includes a peripheral wall and a bottom wall 113. The peripheral wall is a circumferentially closed annular structure. Along the axial direction of the barrel 110, the top of the barrel 110 has a barrel opening 111, and the bottom of the barrel 110 is connected to the bottom wall 113. The bottom wall 113 is provided with barrel holes 112. There are multiple barrel holes 112. The top of the barrel 110 is used to connect to the floor of the housing.
[0051] Specifically, the base frame of the container includes a floor, an insulation layer, and a bottom plate. Along the height of the container, the floor, insulation layer, and bottom plate are arranged sequentially. The floor is located above the insulation layer. Goods inside the container rest on the floor. The floor has an opening. A barrel 110 is located below the floor. The top of the barrel 110 is connected (e.g., welded) to the floor. The barrel opening 111 is located at the floor opening to connect with it. Thus, water inside the container can enter the drain valve through the floor opening and the barrel opening 111.
[0052] The stopper 120 is removably attached to the barrel 110 to close the barrel opening 111.
[0053] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the drain device also includes a filter assembly 130. The filter assembly 130 is used for filtration. The filter assembly 130 is disposed within the barrel 110. The filter assembly 130 is connected to the inner wall of the barrel 110 to divide the internal space of the barrel 110 into a first space 114 and a second space 115. The barrel opening 111 connects to the first space 114. The barrel hole 112 connects to the second space 115. The filter assembly 130 is provided with filter holes 134. The first space 114 and the second space 115 are connected through the filter holes 134.
[0054] Preferably, the filter assembly 130 includes a filter support 131 and a float 138. The filter support 131 includes a cylindrical wall 132 and a partition wall 133. The cylindrical wall 132 is a circumferentially closed annular structure. The axial direction of the cylindrical wall 132 is generally parallel to the axial direction of the barrel body 110. The partition wall 133 is connected to one end of the cylindrical wall 132 near the barrel body hole 112. The partition wall 133 is connected to the inner wall surface of the barrel body 110 via a seal 140 (described later) to divide the internal space of the barrel body 110 into a first space 114 and a second space 115.
[0055] The partition wall 133 is provided with filter holes 134. Along the radial direction of the filter assembly 130, the filter holes 134 are located approximately at the center of the partition wall 133. That is, the axis of the filter holes 134 is approximately parallel to the axis of the barrel 110. The float 138 is located inside the barrel wall 132. Therefore, the filter has a simple structure.
[0056] When there is no water in the tank 110, the float 138 blocks the filter hole 134 under its own weight. When water flows into the tank 110 from the inside of the tank, the water first accumulates in the first space 114. When the water in the first space 114 accumulates to a certain volume, the buoyancy of the water on the float 138 causes the float 138 to move away from the filter hole 134, thus opening the filter hole 134. At this time, the water in the first space 114 flows into the second space 115 through the filter hole 134, and then leaves the filter through the sleeve 170 and the outlet 150 (described later).
[0057] Please return Figure 1 The drain device also includes a sleeve 170 and a spout 150. The sleeve 170 includes a peripheral wall and a bottom wall. The peripheral wall is a circumferentially closed annular structure. Along the axial direction of the sleeve 170, the top end of the sleeve 170 has a sleeve opening, and the bottom end of the sleeve 170 is connected to the bottom wall. The sleeve 170 is located below the floor. The sleeve 170 is used to connect to the base plate. The bottom wall of the sleeve has a sleeve hole 171. The top end of the sleeve 170 is fitted onto the bottom end of the barrel body 110.
[0058] The water outlet 150 can be a water outlet of the prior art. The water outlet 150 is fitted onto the bottom end of the sleeve 170. Water in the second space 115 can flow into the sleeve 170 through the barrel hole 112, then into the water outlet 150 through the sleeve hole 171, and finally flow out of the drain.
[0059] When refrigerated containers are transported by ship, the lower part of the container may be submerged in water. In this case, the drain spout 150 can prevent water from the outside of the container from entering the container through the drain valve.
[0060] In this embodiment, the drain device is equipped with a water outlet 150 and a filter assembly 130. When the refrigerated container is in freezing mode, the plug 120 can seal the opening 111 of the container body. Thus, the combined action of the plug 120 and the water outlet 150 effectively seals the floor opening of the container, thereby sealing the container and providing a good seal. When the refrigerated container is in fresh-keeping mode and needs drainage, the plug 120 can be removed to allow drainage through the drain device. In this case, the filter assembly 130 reduces the cross-sectional area of the flow channel between the internal and external spaces of the container, thereby reducing heat exchange and thus reducing the energy consumption of the refrigerated container in fresh-keeping mode.
[0061] Preferably, such as Figure 1As shown, the top of the barrel 110 is a flared section. Along the axial direction of the barrel 110, the end of the flared section furthest from the barrel hole 112 forms the barrel opening 111. Along the axial direction of the barrel 110, the inner diameter of the flared section gradually increases from the end closest to the barrel hole 112 towards the other end. The corresponding stopper 120 is constructed as a frustum. Along the axial direction of the frustum, the diameter of the frustum gradually increases from one end towards the other. Therefore, the connection area between the stopper 120 and the barrel 110 is large, resulting in a strong connection.
[0062] For further preferred options, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1 The outer diameter of the cylinder wall 132 is smaller than the inner diameter of the barrel 110. This creates a gap between the inner wall of the cylinder wall 132 and the inner wall of the barrel 110. The cylinder wall 132 is provided with water passage holes 137. This accelerates the water filtration speed of the filter assembly 130 and improves drainage efficiency.
[0063] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the filter assembly 130 also includes a seal 140. The seal 140 may be a sealing ring. The outer peripheral surface of the partition wall 133 is radially recessed inward (towards the center of the partition wall 133 along the radial direction of the cylinder wall 132) to form a sealing groove 139. The seal 140 is fitted into the sealing groove 139. The seal 140 abuts against the inner wall surface of the barrel 110. This seals the gap between the partition wall 133 and the inner wall surface of the barrel 110.
[0064] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The filter assembly 130 also includes a filter element 142. The filter element 142 may include a filter screen. The filter element 142 is connected to the end of the cylinder wall 132 away from the barrel opening 112. The filter element 142 extends substantially to the inner wall surface of the barrel 110. In this way, water entering the cylinder wall 132 can be filtered.
[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, the filter component 142 is provided with a second annular boss 143. The second annular boss 143 passes through the end of the cylinder wall 132 away from the barrel hole 112. The second annular boss 143 abuts against the inner wall surface of the cylinder wall 132. Thus, the filter component 142 and the cylinder wall 132 are firmly connected.
[0066] For further preferred options, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 2Along the radial direction of the cylinder wall 132, a portion of the cylinder wall 132 at the end furthest from the barrel hole 112 protrudes towards the center of the cylinder wall 132 to form a first engaging portion 141. Along the radial direction of the second annular boss 143, an end of the second annular boss 143 near the barrel hole 112 protrudes away from the center of the second annular boss 143 to form a second engaging portion 144. The second engaging portion 144 engages with the first engaging portion 141. Thus, the filter member 142 and the cylinder wall 132 are securely connected.
[0067] like Figure 2 As shown, a first guide slope 136 is provided at the end of the first engaging portion 141 away from the barrel hole 112. A second guide slope 145 is provided at the end of the second engaging portion 144 near the barrel hole 112. Both the first guide slope 136 and the second guide slope 145 are inclined in the axial direction of the barrel wall 132. During the process of the second annular boss 143 extending into the barrel wall 132, the first guide slope 136 and the second guide slope 145 come into contact. In this way, the first guide slope 136 and the second guide slope 145 interact to guide the movement of the second annular boss 143 into the barrel wall 132. This facilitates the connection of the filter member 142 to the barrel wall 132.
[0068] like Figure 3 As shown, along the radial direction of the barrel 110, the partition wall 133 extends and protrudes to the outer side of the barrel wall 132, located between the inner wall surface of the barrel 110 and the barrel wall 132. Therefore, the partition wall 133 has high strength.
[0069] Along the axial direction of the barrel body 110, the outer edge of the partition wall 133 near the inner wall surface of the barrel body 110 extends and protrudes toward the barrel body hole 112 to form a circumferentially closed first annular boss 135. As a result, the partition wall 133 has high strength.
[0070] Preferably, please return. Figure 1 The drain device also includes a snap-fit element 160. The snap-fit element 160 can be a retaining spring. The water outlet 150 is snapped onto the sleeve 170 via the snap-fit element 160. That is, the retaining spring secures the water outlet 150 to the sleeve 170. Thus, the connection between the water outlet 150 and the sleeve 170 is secure.
[0071] More preferably, the water outlet 150 is a rubber water outlet (KaZOO). When the external air pressure of the tank is greater than the internal air pressure, the semi-circular sealing design of the rubber water outlet (KaZOO) can block the flow of gas between the inside and outside of the tank through the leak device. When the external air pressure is less than the internal air pressure, the internal air pressure presses the float 138 against the leak hole to block the flow of gas between the inside and outside of the tank through the leak device.
[0072] This application also provides a refrigerated container. The refrigerated container includes the aforementioned drain valve.
[0073] In this embodiment, the refrigerated container includes the aforementioned drain device, which is equipped with a water outlet 150 and a filter assembly 130. When the refrigerated container is in freezing mode, the plug 120 can seal the opening 111 of the container body. Thus, the combined action of the plug 120 and the water outlet 150 can effectively seal the floor opening of the container body, thereby sealing the container body and providing a good sealing effect. When the refrigerated container is in fresh-keeping mode and needs to drain water, the plug 120 can be removed to allow drainage through the drain device. At this time, the filter assembly 130 reduces the cross-sectional area of the flow channel between the internal and external spaces of the container body, thereby reducing heat exchange and reducing the energy consumption of the refrigerated container in fresh-keeping mode.
[0074] The refrigerated container may include a refrigeration unit with controlled atmosphere (CA) functionality to store goods via controlled atmosphere.
[0075] This application has been described through the above embodiments. However, it should be understood that the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this application to the scope of the described embodiments. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that this application is not limited to the above embodiments, and many more variations and modifications can be made based on the teachings of this application, all of which fall within the scope of protection claimed in this application. The scope of protection of this application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0076] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Terms such as “component” as used herein may refer to a single part or a combination of multiple parts. Terms such as “installation” or “installation” as used herein may refer to a component being directly attached to another component or a component being attached to another component via an intermediary. A feature described in one embodiment herein may be applied, alone or in combination with other features, to another embodiment, unless that feature is not applicable in that other embodiment or is otherwise stated.
Claims
1. A drain device, characterized in that, The drain device includes: A barrel body, wherein the top of the barrel body has a barrel body opening and the bottom of the barrel body has a barrel body hole; A stopper, which is removably attached to the barrel body to seal the opening of the barrel body; A filter assembly, disposed within the tank, comprises: A filter support, comprising a cylindrical wall and a partition wall, wherein the cylindrical wall is a circumferentially closed annular structure, and the partition wall is connected to one end of the cylindrical wall near the opening in the barrel body. The partition wall is also connected to the inner wall surface of the barrel body to divide the internal space of the barrel body into a first space and a second space. The partition wall is provided with filter holes, and the first space and the second space communicate through the filter holes. A float, the float being located inside the cylinder wall; A sleeve, the top end of which is fitted onto the bottom end of the barrel body, and the bottom end of the sleeve has a sleeve hole; A water outlet, wherein the water outlet is fitted onto the bottom end of the sleeve; The top of the barrel is a flared section. Along the axial direction of the barrel, the end of the flared section away from the barrel hole forms the barrel opening. The inner diameter of the flared section gradually increases from the end closest to the barrel hole to the other end. The plug is constructed as a frustum. Along the axial direction of the frustum, the diameter of the frustum gradually increases from one end to the other end. The filter assembly further includes a filter component, the filter component is provided with a second annular boss, the end of the cylinder wall away from the barrel hole is provided with a first snap-fit part, the second annular boss is provided with a second snap-fit part, and the first snap-fit part snaps into the second snap-fit part. The second annular boss is disposed at the end of the cylinder wall away from the barrel hole. Along the radial direction of the cylinder wall, the portion of the cylinder wall at the end away from the barrel hole extends and protrudes toward the center of the cylinder wall to form the first locking part. Along the radial direction of the second annular boss, the end of the second annular boss near the barrel hole extends and protrudes away from the center of the second annular boss to form the second locking part.
2. The drain device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There is a gap between the cylinder wall and the inner wall of the barrel, and the cylinder wall is provided with water passage holes.
3. The drain device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filter assembly also includes a seal, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the partition wall is radially recessed inward to form a sealing groove, the seal is located in the sealing groove, and the seal abuts against the inner wall surface of the barrel.
4. The drain device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the radial direction of the barrel body, the partition wall extends and protrudes to the outside of the barrel wall, or Along the axial direction of the barrel body, the outer edge of the partition wall extends and protrudes toward the barrel body hole to form a circumferentially closed first annular boss.
5. The drain device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first snap-fit part has a first guide slope at the end away from the barrel hole, and the second snap-fit part has a second guide slope at the end near the barrel hole. The first guide slope is used to contact the second guide slope.
6. The drain device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drain device also includes a snap-fit component, through which the water outlet is snapped to the sleeve.
7. The drain device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water outlet is a rubber water outlet.
8. A refrigerated container, characterized in that, The refrigerated container includes the drain device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.