Liquid feeding device and refrigerator including the same

Abstract

A liquid supply device and a refrigerator including the liquid supply device, comprising: a liquid storage box (4); a liquid storage area (10) disposed in the liquid storage box (4) for storing liquid to be supplied to an ice-making dish (5); an auxiliary liquid storage area (20) disposed in the liquid storage box (4) above the liquid storage area (10); and a liquid supply pump (30) which is a non-positive displacement pump and is used to supply the liquid stored in the liquid storage area (10) to the auxiliary liquid storage area (20). and a liquid supply pipe (40), the inlet opening of which is arranged in the auxiliary liquid storage area (20) and the outlet opening of which is arranged on the upper side of the ice making dish (50); the auxiliary liquid storage area (20) is arranged above the ice making dish (50), and the liquid supplied from the liquid storage area (10) to the auxiliary liquid storage area (20) by the liquid supply pump (30) flows downward in the liquid supply pipe (40) under the action of gravity, thereby being supplied to the ice making dish (50). With this arrangement, even if a pump that cannot rotate reversely is used as the liquid supply pump, liquid can be supplied to the ice making dish in a clean state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of refrigeration appliances, in particular to a liquid feeding device for supplying liquid to an ice-making dish and a refrigerator comprising the liquid feeding device. Background Art

[0002] A liquid supply device for supplying liquid to an ice tray is known, and is included in a refrigerator. In most cases, such a liquid supply device uses a liquid supply pump to supply liquid stored in a liquid storage area to the ice tray. In such cases, to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria in the flow path connecting the liquid storage area and the ice tray, the liquid storage tank and the ice tray are preferably connected via a closed flow path that isolates the liquid storage tank and the ice tray from the outside air. However, if liquid remains in the closed flow path, a siphon phenomenon may occur, causing backflow of the liquid.

[0003] To address this problem, a liquid supply device has been proposed: a liquid supply device having a closed flow path connecting a liquid storage tank and an ice making dish, and employing a positive displacement pump, typically a gear pump, capable of forward and reverse rotation, as a liquid supply pump (for example, see Patent Document 1, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-260306). In the ice making device described in Patent Document 1, the positive displacement pump is rotated in reverse to recover liquid remaining in the closed flow path back into the liquid supply tank, thereby preventing backflow caused by siphoning.

[0004] However, due to considerations such as manufacturing cost and maintainability of the liquid supply pump, it is more preferable to use a widely used non-positive displacement pump rather than a positive displacement pump. However, when a non-positive displacement pump is used in the closed flow path connecting the liquid storage tank and the ice tray, since the non-positive displacement pump cannot rotate in the reverse direction, it is impossible to remove the liquid remaining in the flow path.

[0005] If openings for introducing external air are provided in the pipes forming the flow path in order to prevent the siphon phenomenon, mold, bacteria, and the like may grow in the flow path due to the openings. Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply device and a refrigerator including the same, which can supply liquid stored in a liquid storage area to an ice tray in a clean state even if a pump that cannot rotate reversely is used as a liquid supply pump.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned object of the invention, one embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid feeding device, which includes:

[0008] Liquid storage tank;

[0009] a liquid storage area provided in the liquid storage box and used for storing liquid supplied to the ice making tray;

[0010] an auxiliary liquid storage area disposed in the liquid storage box above the liquid storage area;

[0011] a liquid feeding pump, which is a non-positive displacement pump, for supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage area to the auxiliary liquid storage area; and

[0012] a liquid supply pipe, the inlet opening of which is arranged in the auxiliary liquid storage area and the outlet opening of which is arranged on the upper side of the ice making dish;

[0013] The auxiliary liquid storage area is arranged above the ice making dish.

[0014] The liquid supplied from the liquid storage area to the auxiliary liquid storage area by the liquid supply pump flows downward in the liquid supply pipe due to gravity, and is supplied to the ice tray.

[0015] According to the present invention, the liquid supplied to the auxiliary liquid storage area flows downward within the liquid supply piping under the action of gravity, thereby being supplied to the ice tray. Thus, when the liquid supply pump is stopped and liquid supply to the ice tray is terminated, the liquid connection from the liquid storage area to the ice tray is interrupted at the auxiliary liquid storage area, and all the liquid in the liquid supply piping flows out into the ice tray. Thus, even if a non-positive displacement pump that cannot rotate reversely is used as the liquid supply pump and an opening for introducing external air into the liquid supply piping is not provided, backflow caused by siphoning can be prevented. Furthermore, because the auxiliary liquid storage area, which is isolated to prevent siphoning, is located within the liquid storage tank like the liquid storage area, it is not subject to contamination from the external environment.

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid supply device capable of supplying liquid stored in a liquid storage area to an ice tray in a clean state even when a pump that cannot rotate reversely is used as a liquid supply pump.

[0017] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the liquid supply device of the present invention, the auxiliary liquid storage area has an inclined bottom surface, the supply port for supplying liquid from the liquid storage area is arranged on the inclined upper side of the bottom surface, and the inlet side opening of the liquid supply pipe is arranged on the inclined lower side of the bottom surface.

[0018] According to the present invention, the liquid supply port for supplying liquid from the liquid storage area is located on the upper side of the inclined bottom surface of the auxiliary liquid storage area, and the inlet opening of the liquid supply pipe is located on the lower side of the inclined bottom surface. This allows the liquid supply pipe to supply the entire amount of liquid in the auxiliary liquid storage area to the ice tray when the liquid supply pump is stopped and liquid supply to the ice tray is terminated. This prevents liquid from remaining in the auxiliary liquid storage area, keeping the auxiliary liquid storage area clean.

[0019] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the liquid supply device of the present invention, the liquid supply pipe is composed of the following parts:

[0020] A first pipe having the inlet-side opening and extending outward from the liquid storage tank; and

[0021] a second pipe having the outlet opening and disposed in the pipe box;

[0022] The driving unit of the liquid supply pump disposed in the piping box drives the pump body of the liquid supply pump disposed in the liquid storage box in a contactless manner via magnetic coupling.

[0023] When the pipe box, which is detachable relative to the liquid storage box, is mounted on the liquid storage box, the first connection portion of the first pipe on the opposite side of the inlet opening and the second connection portion of the second pipe on the opposite side of the outlet opening are engaged with each other.

[0024] The magnetic coupling is in a drive transmission state.

[0025] According to the present invention, the liquid storage housing, which includes the liquid storage area, the pump body of the liquid supply pump, the auxiliary liquid storage area, and the first piping, and the piping housing, which includes the drive unit of the liquid supply pump and the second piping, are detachably configured, thereby facilitating maintenance and cleaning of the liquid supply device. In particular, by dividing the liquid supply piping into the first and second piping and employing magnetic coupling for the liquid supply pump, the liquid storage housing and the piping housing can be easily attached and detached.

[0026] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, in the liquid supply device of the present invention, the first pipe extends obliquely downward from the liquid storage box.

[0027] The second connecting portion of the second pipe has elasticity,

[0028] When the removed pipe box is moved approximately horizontally to approach the liquid storage box and then mounted to the liquid storage box,

[0029] The elastically deformed second connecting portion advances along the extending direction of the first pipe so as to cover the outer surface of the first connecting portion, thereby forming a fitted state.

[0030] The driving unit side portion of the magnetic coupling moves forward so as to approach the pump body side portion to enter a drive transmission state.

[0031] To prevent liquid from remaining in the first piping when the liquid pump is stopped, the first piping extends obliquely downward from the liquid reservoir. Furthermore, to ensure that the magnetically coupled pump body and drive unit are arranged so that drive can be transmitted, the piping housing must be moved approximately horizontally toward the liquid reservoir. Due to the elastic deformation of the second connecting portion, the second connecting portion can be advanced along the extension direction of the first piping, covering the outer surface of the first connecting portion, even if the piping housing moves approximately horizontally.

[0032] Thus, the first pipe and the second pipe can be accurately fitted together only by moving the pipe case substantially horizontally, and the magnetically coupled pump body side portion and the drive unit side portion can be arranged so as to transmit drive.

[0033] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the invention, one embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator, which includes the liquid feeding device described in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The refrigerator including the above-mentioned liquid feeding device can also achieve the various effects of the above-mentioned liquid feeding device.

[0034] As described above, the present invention can provide a liquid supply device and a refrigerator including the liquid supply device that can supply liquid stored in a liquid storage area to an ice tray in a clean state even when a non-reverse-rotatable pump is used as a liquid supply pump. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0036] Figure 1A is a side sectional view of a liquid supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a state in which a liquid storage box body and a piping box body are separated;

[0037] Figure 1B is a side sectional view of a liquid supply device for an ice tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a state during installation of a piping box body to a liquid storage box body;

[0038] Figure 1C is a side sectional view of a liquid supply device for an ice tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a state in which a piping box is mounted on a liquid storage box;

[0039] Figure 2 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a structure for magnetic coupling connecting a pump body and a driving unit of a liquid supply pump according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a liquid supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention supplying liquid from a liquid storage area to an ice making tray;

[0041] Figure 4is a side cross-sectional view of a state in which the supply of liquid to the liquid storage area of ​​the ice making tray is stopped in the liquid supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 It is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator including a liquid supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Next, embodiments for implementing the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The refrigerator described below is intended to embody the technical concepts of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the present invention is not limited to the following description. To clarify the description, the sizes and positional relationships of components shown in the various figures may be exaggerated. In the following description and drawings, the vertical direction is illustrated assuming the refrigerator is installed in a horizontal plane.

[0044] (Liquid feeding device according to one embodiment of the present invention)

[0045] Figures 1A to 1C is a side sectional view schematically showing a liquid feeding device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1A 4 is a diagram showing a state where the liquid storage tank body 4 and the piping tank body 6 are separated. Figure 1B 1 is a diagram showing a state during which the piping box 6 is mounted on the liquid storage box 4, and Figure 1C This is a diagram showing a state in which the piping box 6 is attached to the reservoir box 4 . Figure 2 It is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the magnetic coupling 36 connecting the pump body 32 and the driving unit 34 of the liquid supply pump 30 .

[0046] First reference Figures 1A to 2 The structure of a liquid supply device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The liquid supply device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid storage box 4 and a piping box 6. The liquid storage box 4 and the piping box 6 are detachable from each other.

[0047] <Liquid storage tank>

[0048] A liquid storage area 10 is provided on the lower interior side of the liquid storage tank 4 for storing liquid supplied to the ice tray 50. Any liquid, including drinking water, can be used as the liquid supplied to the ice tray 50. An auxiliary liquid storage area 20 is provided above the liquid storage area 10 within the liquid storage tank 4.

[0049] A pump body 32 of a liquid supply pump 30 is also disposed within the liquid reservoir housing 4 for supplying liquid stored in the liquid reservoir area 10 to the auxiliary liquid reservoir area 20. A pump body-side portion 36A of a magnetic coupling 36 is mounted on the rotating shaft of an impeller 32A of the pump body 32. As will be described later, the impeller 32A of the pump body 32 is driven by a drive unit 34 disposed in the piping housing 6 via the magnetic coupling 36.

[0050] The pump body 32 is located within the liquid storage area 10, and its suction port opens into the liquid stored in the liquid storage area 10. The discharge port of the pump body 32 is connected to a pump outlet pipe 38. The outlet end of the pump outlet pipe 38 opens into the auxiliary liquid storage area 20, forming a supply port 38A for supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage area 10 to the auxiliary liquid storage area 20.

[0051] The auxiliary liquid storage area 20 has an inclined bottom surface 22, and the supply port 38A is disposed on the inclined upper side of the bottom surface 22. On the other hand, a first pipe 42 having an inlet opening 42A is connected to the inclined lower side of the bottom surface 22. The inlet opening 42A is the upstream end opening of the first pipe 42 and serves as the upstream end opening of the liquid supply pipe 40 for supplying liquid from the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 to the ice tray 50. Figure 1A As shown, the first pipe 42 extends obliquely downward along the slope of the bottom surface 22 and terminates at a predetermined length. Thus, the first pipe 42 is formed to extend outward from the reservoir 4. The downstream end region of the first pipe 42 opposite the inlet-side opening 42A is referred to as a first connecting portion 42B.

[0052] <Piping box>

[0053] The interior of the piping box 6 is provided with a second piping 44 that forms the liquid supply piping 40 together with the first piping 42. The downstream end opening of the second piping 44 becomes an outlet opening 44A provided on the upper side of the ice making dish 50. The upstream end region of the second piping 44 opposite to the outlet opening 44A is referred to as a second connecting portion 44B. The second piping 44 extends approximately vertically from the outlet opening 44A and bends approximately 90 degrees on its upper side to form a second connecting portion 44B. Figure 1A As shown, in a state where the piping box 6 is not mounted on the reservoir box 4 , the second connection portion 44B extends in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0054] When the piping case 6 is mounted on the reservoir case 4, the first connecting portion 42B of the first piping 42 and the second connecting portion 44B of the second piping 44 are engaged with each other. The second connecting portion 44B comprises a tip portion 44B1 that engages with the first connecting portion 42B and an elastic portion 44B2. This provides the second connecting portion 44B with elasticity. The elastic portion 44B2 is preferably formed from a highly flexible resin material including silicone. When the piping case 6 is mounted on the reservoir case 4, the elastic portion 44B2 elastically deforms, causing the second connecting end 44B to tilt, allowing it to smoothly engage with the first connecting portion 42B, which extends diagonally downward.

[0055] The drive unit 34 of the liquid feed pump 30, which is an electric motor, is located on the lower interior side of the piping housing 6. The drive unit-side portion 36B of the magnetic coupling 36 is mounted on the drive shaft of the drive unit 34. When the piping housing 6 is mounted on the liquid reservoir 4, the drive shaft of the drive unit 34 and the rotation axis of the impeller 32A of the pump body 32 are coaxially aligned.

[0056] <Magnetic Coupling>

[0057] Figure 2 Figure 3 shows a state where the piping housing 6 is mounted on the liquid storage housing 4 and the pump body side portion 36A and the drive unit side portion 36B of the magnetic coupling 36 are in a drive transmission state. The pump body side portion 36A of the magnetic coupling 36, which is mounted on the rotating shaft of the impeller 32A of the pump body 32, is magnetic. The drive unit side portion 36B of the magnetic coupling 36, which is mounted on the drive shaft of the drive unit 34, has magnetic properties with polarity opposite to the north and south poles of the pump body side portion 36A. Thus, the magnetic force between the pump body side portion 36A and the drive unit side portion 36B allows the driving force of the drive unit 34 to be transmitted to the rotating shaft of the impeller 32A of the pump body 32 in a non-contact manner.

[0058] By Figure 2 In the illustrated state, the reservoir case 4 is moved approximately horizontally in a direction away from the piping case 6 (left side in the figure), thereby removing the reservoir case 4 from the piping case 6 and simultaneously separating the pump body side portion 36A and the drive unit side portion 36B that constitute the magnetic coupling 36. On the other hand, by moving the removed reservoir case 4 approximately horizontally toward the piping case 6 (right side in the figure), the reservoir case 4 is attached to the drive case 6, and simultaneously the magnetic coupling 36 is configured to be in the drive transmission state.

[0059] <Assembly of the liquid storage tank and piping box>

[0060] Next, refer to the order Figures 1A to 1C The following describes how to install the disassembled piping box 6 onto the liquid storage box 4. Figure 1AIn the state shown, the piping case 6 is initially moved approximately horizontally in a direction approaching the liquid reservoir case 4 (see arrow A), and the insertion portion 6A on the upper side of the piping case 6 is inserted into the guide hole of the liquid reservoir case 4. As the piping case 6 passes through the guide hole and approaches the liquid reservoir case 4, the top end of the second connection portion 44B of the second piping 44 provided in the piping case 6 abuts against the top end of the first connection portion 42B of the first piping 42 provided in the liquid reservoir case 4.

[0061] Figure 1B FIG. 4 shows a state where the pipe housing 6 is pushed closer to the liquid storage housing 4 from a state where the top ends of the first connection portion 42B and the second connection portion 44B are in contact with each other. Figure 1B As shown by the arrow A, when the pipe box 6 is pushed substantially horizontally, the driving portion 36B of the magnetic coupling 36 advances in the direction of the arrow A, thereby approaching the pump body portion 36A. Figure 1C As shown, when the contact surface 6B of the pipe case 6 and the contact surface 4B of the reservoir case 4 are brought into contact with each other, the magnetic coupling 36 enters the driving force transmission state.

[0062] like Figure 1B As shown by the arrow A, when the pipe box 6 is pushed substantially horizontally from the state where the top ends of the first connection portion 42B and the second connection portion 44B are in contact, the elastic portion 42B2 of the second connection portion 44B is elastically deformed. Figure 1B As shown by the arrow B, the top end 42B1 of the second connection portion 44B moves forward along the extending direction of the first pipe 42 extending obliquely downward to cover the outer surface of the first connection portion 42B. Figure 1C As shown, when the contact surface 6B of the pipe case 6 and the contact surface 4B of the reservoir case 4 reach abutment, the first connection portion 42B of the first pipe 42 and the second connection portion 44B of the second pipe 44 are completely fitted together.

[0063] This completes the installation of the piping housing 6 onto the liquid storage housing 4, placing the magnetic coupling 36 of the liquid supply pump 30 in a driving force transmission state. Furthermore, the first piping 42 and the second piping 44 are engaged, integrating the liquid supply pump 30. Thus, the liquid supply device 2 of this embodiment is ready for operation.

[0064] In this embodiment, to prevent liquid leakage from the liquid supply pipe 40, the downstream second connection portion 44B engages with the upstream first connection portion 42B by covering the outer surface thereof. However, this is not limiting; as long as the seal between the first and second connection portions 42B is ensured, the first connection portion 42B may engage with the second connection portion 44B by covering the outer surface thereof, or the ends of the first and second connection portions 42B and 44B may abut against each other. In either case, due to the elasticity of the second connection portion 44B, even if the pipe housing 6 moves approximately horizontally, it can smoothly engage and connect with the obliquely downwardly extending first connection portion 42B.

[0065] As described above, in the liquid supply device 2 involved in this embodiment, the liquid supply piping 40 is composed of a first piping 42 having an inlet side opening 42A and extending outward from the liquid storage tank body 4, and a second piping 44 having an outlet side opening 44A and arranged in the piping box body 6. The driving part 34 of the liquid supply pump 30 arranged in the piping box body 6 drives the pump body 32 of the liquid supply pump 30 arranged in the liquid storage tank body 4 in a non-contact manner via the magnetic coupling 36. When the piping box body 6, which is detachable relative to the liquid storage tank body 4, is installed on the liquid storage tank body 4, the first connecting part 42B of the first piping 42 on the opposite side of the inlet side opening 42A and the second connecting part 44B of the second piping 44 on the opposite side of the outlet side opening 44A are engaged with each other, so that the magnetic coupling 36 is in a drive transmission state.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the liquid storage case 4, which includes the liquid storage area 10, the pump body 32 of the liquid supply pump 30, the auxiliary liquid storage area 20, and the first pipe 42, and the piping case 6, which includes the drive unit 34 and the second pipe 44 of the liquid supply pump 30, are configured to be removable. This facilitates maintenance and cleaning of the liquid supply device 2. In particular, by dividing the liquid supply pipe 40 into the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 and employing a magnetic coupling 36 for the liquid supply pump 30, the liquid storage case 4 and the piping case 6 can be easily attached and detached.

[0067] Furthermore, the first piping 42 extends obliquely downward from the liquid storage tank body 4, and the second connecting portion 44B of the second piping 44 is elastic. When the removed piping box body 6 is moved approximately horizontally to approach the liquid storage tank body 4 and thus installed on the liquid storage tank body 4, the elastically deformed second connecting portion 44B advances along the extension direction of the first piping 42 in a manner covering the outer surface of the first connecting portion 42B to become an interlocking state, and the drive part side portion 36B of the magnetic coupling 36 advances in a manner approaching the pump main body side portion 36A to become a drive transmission state.

[0068] To prevent liquid from remaining in first piping 42 when liquid pump 30 is stopped, first piping 42 extends obliquely downward from liquid reservoir 4. Meanwhile, to position pump body-side portion 36A and driver-side portion 36B of magnetic coupling 36 so that drive can be transmitted, piping housing 6 must be moved approximately horizontally toward liquid reservoir 4. At this time, second connecting portion 44B elastically deforms, allowing second connecting portion 44B to advance along the direction of extension of first piping 42, covering the outer surface of first connecting portion 42B, even as piping housing 6 moves approximately horizontally.

[0069] Thus, only by moving the pipe casing 6 approximately horizontally, the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 can be accurately fitted together, and the pump body side portion 36A and the drive unit side portion 36B of the magnetic coupling 36 can be arranged so as to be capable of transmitting drive.

[0070] (Liquid flow in the liquid feeding device)

[0071] Figure 3 1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which liquid in the liquid storage area 10 is supplied to the ice tray 50 in the liquid supply device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the supply of liquid from the liquid storage area 10 to the ice tray 50 is stopped in the liquid supply device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The flow of liquid in the liquid feeding device 2 will be described.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown, when the liquid supply pump 30 is in operation, the liquid stored in the liquid storage area 10 is supplied to the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 located above. A low-cost and easy-to-maintain non-positive displacement pump is used as the liquid supply pump 30. More specifically, a centrifugal pump represented by a vortex pump or a screw pump represented by an axial flow pump can be used. The liquid supplied to the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 flows along the bottom surface 22, which is an inclined surface, under the action of gravity and flows into the liquid supply pipe 40 from the inlet opening 42A. Then, the liquid flows downward in the liquid supply pipe 40 and is supplied to the ice making dish 50 from the outlet opening 44A.

[0073] Because the cross-sectional area of ​​the liquid supply piping 40 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 in a direction perpendicular to the flow, some liquid will remain within the auxiliary liquid storage area 20. The volume of liquid retained within the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 is determined by the discharge rate of the liquid supply pump 30, the volume of the auxiliary liquid storage area 20, the inner diameter (cross-sectional area) of the liquid supply piping 40, and other factors. It is preferable to determine the discharge rate of the liquid supply pump 30, the volume of the auxiliary liquid storage area 20, the inner diameter (cross-sectional area) of the liquid supply piping 40, and other factors to achieve an appropriate volume. The volume of liquid retained within the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 can be, for example, within a range of 50 cc to 200 cc.

[0074] The bottom surface 22 of the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 is inclined, and the first pipe 42 of the liquid supply pipe 40 connected to the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 extends diagonally downward along the inclination of the bottom surface 22. This allows the liquid supplied to the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 to flow efficiently and thus be supplied to the ice tray 50. The angle of inclination of the bottom surface 22 relative to the horizontal plane can range from 10 degrees to 30 degrees. The angle of inclination of the first pipe 42 may be the same as the inclination of the bottom surface 22, or it may be smaller or larger than the inclination of the bottom surface 22. In either case, the first pipe 42 preferably extends diagonally downward rather than horizontally or vertically.

[0075] After a specified amount of liquid has been supplied to the ice tray 50, the liquid supply pump 30 is stopped. Since the bottom surface 22 of the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 is inclined, the first pipe 42 extends obliquely downward, and the second pipe 44 further downstream extends substantially vertically, the liquid supplied to the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 flows substantially entirely into the ice tray 50 and falls. Figure 4 As shown, liquid flows from the liquid storage area 10 through the pump body 32 to the position indicated by the arrow C of the pump outlet pipe 38, without remaining in the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 or the liquid supply pipe 40. In this way, the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 and the liquid supply pipe 40 can be kept clean.

[0076] As described above, the liquid supply device 2 involved in this embodiment includes: a liquid storage tank 4; a liquid storage area 10 arranged in the liquid storage tank 4 for storing liquid supplied to the ice-making dish 50; an auxiliary liquid storage area 20 arranged in the liquid storage tank 4 above the liquid storage area 10; a liquid supply pump 30, which is a non-positive displacement pump, for supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage area 10 to the auxiliary liquid storage area 20; and a liquid supply pipe 40, whose inlet side opening 42A is arranged in the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 and whose outlet side opening 44A is arranged on the upper side of the ice-making dish 50; the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 is arranged above the ice-making dish 50, and the liquid supplied from the liquid storage area 10 to the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 by the liquid supply pump 30 flows downward in the liquid supply pipe 40 under the action of gravity, thereby being supplied to the ice-making dish 50.

[0077] Liquid supplied to the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 flows downward within the liquid supply pipe 40 under the action of gravity, thereby being supplied to the ice tray 50. Thus, when the liquid supply pump 30 is stopped and the liquid supply to the ice tray 50 is terminated, the liquid connection from the liquid storage area 10 to the ice tray is interrupted at the auxiliary liquid storage area 20, and all the liquid in the liquid supply pipe 40 flows out into the ice tray 50. This prevents backflow caused by siphoning, even when a non-positive displacement pump, which cannot rotate reversely, is used as the liquid supply pump 30 and no opening is provided for introducing external air into the liquid supply pipe 40. Furthermore, because the auxiliary liquid storage area 20, isolated to prevent siphoning, is located within the liquid storage tank 4, just like the liquid storage area 10, it is not subject to contamination from the external environment.

[0078] Therefore, in the liquid supply device 2 according to the present embodiment, even if a pump that cannot rotate in the reverse direction is used as the liquid supply pump 30, the liquid stored in the liquid storage area 10 can be supplied to the ice maker 50 in a clean state.

[0079] In particular, in the liquid supply device 2 involved in this embodiment, the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 has an inclined bottom surface 22, the supply port 38A for supplying liquid from the liquid storage area 10 is arranged on the inclined upper side of the bottom surface 22, and the inlet side opening 42A of the liquid supply pipe 40 is arranged on the inclined lower side of the bottom surface 22.

[0080] Thus, when the liquid supply pump 30 is stopped and the liquid supply to the ice tray 50 is terminated, all the liquid in the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 can be supplied to the ice tray 50 via the liquid supply pipe 40. This prevents liquid from remaining in the auxiliary liquid storage area 20, thereby keeping the auxiliary liquid storage area 20 clean.

[0081] (Refrigerator including a liquid supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention)

[0082] Figure 5 FIG2 is a side cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a refrigerator 100 including a liquid supply device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Refrigerator 100 includes a freezer compartment 102 and a refrigerator compartment 104. Liquid supply device 2 is located in refrigerator compartment 104, and an ice tray 50 is located within freezer compartment 102. Air within the refrigerator is circulated by fan 108, and cold air, cooled by passing through evaporator 106, flows into freezer compartment 102. Liquid supplied to ice tray 50 by liquid supply device 2 is cooled by this cold air and freezes, forming ice.

[0083] The refrigerator 100 including the liquid supply device 2 can also achieve the various effects of the above-mentioned liquid supply device.

[0084] Although embodiments and implementations of the present invention have been described, the disclosure may vary in structural details, and changes in the combination or order of elements in the embodiments and implementations may be implemented without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

Claims

1. A liquid feeding device, characterized in that: It includes: Liquid storage tank; a liquid storage area provided in the liquid storage box and used for storing liquid supplied to the ice making tray; an auxiliary liquid storage area disposed in the liquid storage box above the liquid storage area; a liquid feeding pump, which is a non-positive displacement pump, for supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage area to the auxiliary liquid storage area; as well as a liquid supply pipe, the inlet opening of which is arranged in the auxiliary liquid storage area and the outlet opening of which is arranged on the upper side of the ice making dish; The auxiliary liquid storage area is arranged above the ice making dish. The liquid supplied from the liquid storage area to the auxiliary liquid storage area by the liquid supply pump flows downward in the liquid supply pipe due to gravity, and is supplied to the ice tray.

2. The liquid feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that The auxiliary liquid storage area has an inclined bottom surface, a supply port for supplying liquid from the liquid storage area is arranged on the inclined upper side of the bottom surface, and the inlet side opening of the liquid supply pipe is arranged on the inclined lower side of the bottom surface.

3. The liquid feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that The liquid supply pipe is composed of the following parts: A first pipe having the inlet-side opening and extending outward from the liquid storage tank; and a second pipe having the outlet opening and disposed in the pipe box; The driving unit of the liquid supply pump disposed in the piping box drives the pump body of the liquid supply pump disposed in the liquid storage box in a contactless manner via magnetic coupling. When the pipe box, which is detachable relative to the liquid storage box, is mounted on the liquid storage box, the first connection portion of the first pipe on the opposite side of the inlet opening and the second connection portion of the second pipe on the opposite side of the outlet opening are engaged with each other. The magnetic coupling is in a drive transmission state.

4. The liquid feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that The first pipe extends obliquely downward from the liquid storage tank. The second connecting portion of the second pipe has elasticity, When the removed pipe box is moved approximately horizontally to approach the liquid storage box and then mounted to the liquid storage box, The elastically deformed second connecting portion advances along the extending direction of the first pipe so as to cover the outer surface of the first connecting portion, thereby forming a fitted state. The driving unit side portion of the magnetic coupling moves forward so as to approach the pump body side portion to enter a drive transmission state.

5. The liquid feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of ​​the liquid supply pipe is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the auxiliary liquid storage area in the flow direction, so that liquid is retained in the auxiliary liquid storage area. The volume of the liquid retained in the auxiliary liquid storage area is in the range of 50 cc to 200 cc.

6. A refrigerator, characterized in that: The refrigerator includes a liquid feeding device, and the liquid feeding device includes: Liquid storage tank; a liquid storage area provided in the liquid storage box and used for storing liquid supplied to the ice making tray; an auxiliary liquid storage area disposed in the liquid storage box above the liquid storage area; a liquid feeding pump, which is a non-positive displacement pump, for supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage area to the auxiliary liquid storage area; and a liquid supply pipe, the inlet opening of which is arranged in the auxiliary liquid storage area and the outlet opening of which is arranged on the upper side of the ice making dish; The auxiliary liquid storage area is arranged above the ice making dish. The liquid supplied from the liquid storage area to the auxiliary liquid storage area by the liquid supply pump flows downward in the liquid supply pipe due to gravity, and is supplied to the ice tray.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, characterized in that The auxiliary liquid storage area has an inclined bottom surface, a supply port for supplying liquid from the liquid storage area is arranged on the inclined upper side of the bottom surface, and the inlet side opening of the liquid supply pipe is arranged on the inclined lower side of the bottom surface.

8. The liquid feeding device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The liquid supply pipe is composed of the following parts: A first pipe having the inlet-side opening and extending outward from the liquid storage tank; and a second pipe having the outlet opening and disposed in the pipe box; The driving unit of the liquid supply pump disposed in the piping box drives the pump body of the liquid supply pump disposed in the liquid storage box in a contactless manner via magnetic coupling. When the pipe box, which is detachable relative to the liquid storage box, is mounted on the liquid storage box, the first connection portion of the first pipe on the opposite side of the inlet opening and the second connection portion of the second pipe on the opposite side of the outlet opening are engaged with each other. The magnetic coupling is in a drive transmission state.

9. The liquid feeding device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first pipe extends obliquely downward from the liquid storage tank. The second connecting portion of the second pipe has elasticity, When the removed pipe box is moved approximately horizontally to approach the liquid storage box and then mounted to the liquid storage box, The elastically deformed second connecting portion advances along the extending direction of the first pipe so as to cover the outer surface of the first connecting portion, thereby forming a fitted state. The driving unit side portion of the magnetic coupling moves forward so as to approach the pump body side portion to enter a drive transmission state.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, characterized in that The refrigerator comprises a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, the liquid feeding device is arranged at the refrigerating chamber, and the ice making dish is arranged in the freezing chamber.

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