Refrigerator

Abstract

The invention provides a refrigerator which comprises an ice-making and water-making device, one or more water quality detection units, one or more light prompt units and a controller, the ice-making and water-making device is arranged on a door body and used for receiving ice-making water and enabling the ice-making water to form ice blocks and ice water, and the controller is arranged on the door body and used for controlling the ice blocks and the ice water. The one or more water quality detection units are used for detecting the water quality condition of ice making water, ice water or ice blocks so as to obtain one or more pieces of water quality information, the one or more light prompt units are arranged on the ice and water making device or the door body and are in one-to-one correspondence with the water quality detection units, and the controller is configured to receive the water quality information and send the received water quality information to the ice and water making device. According to the water quality information, a corresponding light prompt unit is controlled to send out light information, so that the water quality conditions of ice making water, ice water and ice blocks are output to a user through the light information. According to the refrigerator, the water quality condition of ice making water or ice water or ice blocks is fed back to a user through light information, and when the water quality exceeds the standard, the user is reminded to take necessary purification measures in time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a refrigeration and freezing device, in particular to a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] As technology continues to advance, refrigerators have become more and more versatile. In the prior art, there is a refrigerator that can make ice cubes or ice water. The refrigerator is connected to tap water and uses the cold energy generated by tap water to make ice cubes or ice water.

[0003] After using it for a period of time, impurities in the air or water supply will cause the water quality to deteriorate. Once the ice water or ice cubes are contaminated and the user cannot know in advance, this will not only affect the taste of the ice water or ice cubes, but may even cause harm to the user's body. Therefore, further improvements are necessary. Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to overcome at least one defect in the prior art and provide a refrigerator.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to provide feedback to the user on the water quality of ice-making water, ice water or ice cubes through light information.

[0006] Another further object of the present invention is to start the purification function while feeding back the information when the water quality information exceeds the standard.

[0007] In particular, the present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising a box body with a storage compartment and a door body for opening and closing the storage compartment, and also comprising: an ice-making and water-making device, arranged on the door body, for receiving ice-making water and forming ice cubes and ice water therein; one or more water quality detection units, for detecting the water quality of ice-making water, ice water or ice cubes to obtain one or more water quality information; one or more light prompting units, arranged on the ice-making and water-making device or the door body, corresponding one to one with the water quality detection units; a controller, configured to receive water quality information, and control the corresponding light prompting unit to emit light information according to the water quality information, so as to output the water quality of ice-making water, ice water and ice cubes to the user through the light information.

[0008] Optionally, the ice-making and water-making device includes: an ice cylinder, which defines an ice-making chamber for forming ice cubes; a water quality monitoring unit includes a first detection component, which is arranged in the ice-making chamber to detect the water quality of the ice cubes in the ice-making chamber to obtain first water quality information; and a controller controls the first light prompt unit corresponding to the first detection component to turn on and off according to the first water quality information, so as to output the water quality of the ice cubes to the user.

[0009] Optionally, the ice-making and water-making device further includes: a first sterilizing lamp, arranged in the ice-making chamber, for generating sterilizing light acting on the ice-making chamber; the controller is also electrically connected to the first sterilizing lamp, and is configured to control the first sterilizing lamp to turn on when the first water quality information exceeds the standard.

[0010] Optionally, the ice and water making device also includes: an ice and water dispenser, embedded in the front part of the door body, having an ice cube removal outlet, the ice cube removal outlet is connected to the ice making chamber, the ice cube removal outlet can be opened and closed in a controlled manner, and when it is opened, the ice cubes in the ice making chamber are allowed to fall.

[0011] Optionally, the ice and water making device further includes: a second sterilizing lamp, disposed at the ice cube outlet, for generating sterilizing light acting on the ice cube outlet.

[0012] Optionally, the ice water dispenser also has an ice water outlet for receiving ice water; and the water quality monitoring unit includes a second detection component, which is arranged at the ice water outlet to detect the water quality of the ice water to obtain second water quality information; the controller controls the second light prompt unit corresponding to the second detection component to turn on and off according to the second water quality information, so as to output the water quality of the ice water to the user.

[0013] Optionally, the ice and water making device also includes: a third sterilization lamp, arranged at the ice and water outlet, for generating sterilization light acting on the ice outlet; the controller is also electrically connected to the third sterilization lamp, and is configured to control the third sterilization lamp to turn on when the second water quality information exceeds the standard.

[0014] Optionally, the refrigerator also includes: a filtering device, whose water inlet is connected to a water supply source through a water supply pipe to filter impurities in the water supply source; and the filtering device also has a first water outlet and a second water outlet, the first water outlet is connected to an ice barrel through a first water supply pipe to supply water to the ice making chamber, and the second water outlet is connected to an ice water outlet through a second water supply pipe to provide ice water.

[0015] Optionally, the water quality monitoring unit includes a third detection component, which is arranged on the water supply pipe to detect the water quality of the water supply source to obtain third water quality information; the controller controls the lighting of the third light prompt unit corresponding to the third detection component according to the third water quality information, so as to output the water quality of the water supply source to the user.

[0016] Optionally, the refrigerator also includes: a stop valve, which is arranged on the water supply pipe; the controller is also electrically connected to the stop valve and configured to close the stop valve when the third water quality information exceeds the standard.

[0017] In the refrigerator of the present invention, the input end of the controller is electrically connected to one or more water quality detection units to receive water quality information detected by the one or more water quality detection units, and the output end of the controller is electrically connected to one or more light prompting units to control the corresponding light prompting units to emit light information according to the received water quality information, so as to output the water quality of ice-making water, chilled water and ice cubes to the user through the light information, and promptly remind the user to take necessary purification measures when the water quality exceeds the standard.

[0018] Furthermore, in the refrigerator of the present invention, the first sterilization lamp is arranged in the ice-making chamber, and the controller is also electrically connected to the first sterilization lamp. When the first water quality information exceeds the standard, the first sterilization lamp is controlled to turn on, so that sterilization and disinfection can be actively performed to inhibit the degree of pollution from continuing to increase, so that it has a certain self-purification function.

[0019] Based on the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will become more aware of the above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Hereinafter, some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in an exemplary and non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings indicate the same or similar components or parts. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a door body of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a door body of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a water circuit principle in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of control principle in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In the description of this embodiment, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "depth" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation in normal use as a reference, and can be determined with reference to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, for example, the "front" indicating the orientation refers to the side facing the user. This is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the present invention.

[0027] Combine the following Figures 1 to 5 To describe the technical solution of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a door body of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a door body of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the water circuit principle in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 Schematic diagram of control principle in a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The present invention provides a refrigerator 1 , which generally may include a box body 10 and a door body 20 .

[0029] The box body 10 may include an outer shell and one or more inner tanks, and the outer shell is located at the outermost side of the whole refrigerator 1 to protect the whole refrigerator 1. The space between the inner tank and the outer shell is filled with heat-insulating material to reduce the heat dissipation of the inner tank to the outside. Each inner tank may define one or more storage compartments, and the storage compartments may be configured as a refrigerator compartment 14, a freezer compartment 12, a temperature-changing room, etc. The number, function, and arrangement of the specific storage compartments may be configured according to pre-determined requirements, and will not be described in detail herein.

[0030] The door body 20 can be set on the box body 10 for opening and closing the storage compartments. The door body 20 can be set on one side of the box body 10 in a hinged manner and open and close the storage compartments by pivoting. The number of door bodies 20 can match the number of storage compartments, so that the storage compartments can be opened one by one.

[0031] Furthermore, the refrigerator 1 may also include an ice and water making device 30 , one or more water quality detection units, one or more light prompting units and a controller 60 .

[0032] The ice-making and water-making device 30 is disposed on the door body 20, and is used to receive ice-making water and form ice cubes and ice water therein. Since the ice-making and water-making device 30 needs to have an ice-making function, the ice-making and water-making device 30 is preferably disposed on the door body 20 used to open and close the freezing chamber 12, so that it can obtain enough cold energy for ice making.

[0033] The water quality detection unit may be a water quality monitoring sensor for detecting the water quality of ice-making water, ice water or ice cubes to obtain one or more water quality information. The water quality may include one or more of the following: chloride ion, pH, turbidity, suspended matter, chloride ion, cadmium ion, lead ion, cyanide ion, bromide ion, nitrate ion, silver sulfide ion, water turbidity, water conductivity, etc. A person skilled in the art may select appropriate water quality information to monitor the water quality according to actual conditions.

[0034] The light prompting unit can be arranged on the ice and water making device 30 or the door body 20, corresponding one to one with the water quality detection unit.

[0035] The input end of the controller 60 can be electrically connected to one or more water quality detection units to receive water quality information detected by the one or more water quality detection units. The output end of the controller 60 can be electrically connected to one or more light prompting units to control the corresponding light prompting units to emit light information according to the received water quality information, so as to output the water quality of ice-making water, ice water and ice cubes to the user through light information.

[0036] In some specific embodiments, there are three water quality detection units, which are respectively used to detect the chloride ion concentration of ice water, ice water or ice cubes to obtain the chloride ion concentration information of ice water, ice water or ice cubes. There are three light prompt units, which correspond to ice water, ice water or ice cubes respectively. The three water quality detection units transmit the chloride ion concentration information obtained to the controller 60. The controller 60 may include a processor and a memory, and the memory is pre-stored with a preset chloride ion concentration threshold. The processor can query the preset chloride ion concentration threshold in the memory, and compare the real-time chloride ion concentration threshold with the preset chloride ion concentration threshold. When the chloride ion concentration threshold is greater than the preset chloride ion concentration threshold, the corresponding light prompt unit can be controlled to light up, so as to remind the user in time and remind the user to take necessary purification measures in time.

[0037] In the above example, the lighting information emitted by the lighting prompt unit is the light on and off information. In addition, the lighting information can also be color changes (for example, green for normal, yellow for slightly exceeding the standard, and red for seriously exceeding the standard), or brightness changes (for example, always on for normal, slow flashing for slightly exceeding the standard, and fast flashing for seriously exceeding the standard), etc. As long as the lighting information can help to clearly remind the user, it can be applied here.

[0038] The above examples illustrate embodiments in which ice-making water, ice water or ice cubes are detected simultaneously. Of course, any one or any two of ice water, ice water or ice cubes may also be detected, and those skilled in the art may flexibly configure the configuration according to actual conditions.

[0039] In some embodiments, the ice and water making device 30 may further include an ice barrel 310 and an ice water dispenser 320, wherein an ice making chamber 312 for forming ice cubes is defined in the ice barrel 310. The ice barrel 310 is arranged inside the door body 20, and may have a vent connected to the ice making chamber 312. When the door body 20 closes the storage compartment, the refrigeration airflow in the storage compartment enters the ice making chamber 312 from the vent to provide cold to the ice making chamber 312. The ice water dispenser 320 is embedded in the front part of the door body 20, and has an ice cube outlet 322 thereon, which is connected to the ice making chamber 312 (through a connecting pipe, not shown in the figure), and the ice cubes made in the ice making chamber 312 reach the ice cube outlet 322 through the connecting pipe, and the ice cube outlet 322 can be opened and closed in a controlled manner, and when it is opened, the ice cubes in the ice making chamber 312 are allowed to fall.

[0040] The water quality monitoring unit may further include a first detection component 42, which is disposed in the ice making chamber 312 to detect the water quality of the ice cubes in the ice making chamber 312 to obtain first water quality information. The controller 60 controls the first light prompt unit 52 corresponding to the first detection component 42 to turn on and off according to the first water quality information, so as to output the water quality of the ice cubes to the user.

[0041] Furthermore, the ice-making and water-making device 30 may further include a first germicidal lamp 80, which is disposed in the ice-making chamber 312 and is used to generate a germicidal light acting on the ice-making chamber 312. The controller 60 is also electrically connected to the first germicidal lamp 80 and is configured to control the first germicidal lamp 80 to turn on when the first water quality information exceeds the standard.

[0042] The first germicidal lamp 80 may be an ultraviolet irradiation lamp, which can emit ultraviolet light for sterilization and disinfection. Taking the detection of the chloride ion concentration of ice cubes as an example, when the controller 60 determines that the chloride ion concentration threshold of the ice-making chamber 312 is greater than the preset chloride ion concentration threshold, on the one hand, the first light prompt unit 52 corresponding to the first detection component 42 is controlled to emit light information to timely remind the user, and on the other hand, the first germicidal lamp 80 is controlled to light up to generate germicidal light to irradiate the ice-making chamber 312. In this way, not only the purpose of timely reminding the user is achieved, but also the sterilization and disinfection treatment can be actively carried out to suppress the continued increase of the pollution degree, so that it has a certain self-purification function.

[0043] Furthermore, the ice and water making device 30 further includes a second sterilizing lamp 82, which is disposed at the ice cube outlet 322 and is used to generate sterilizing light acting on the ice cube outlet 322. The second sterilizing lamp 82 may also be an ultraviolet irradiation lamp, and the second sterilizing lamp 82 may be controlled by the controller 60, but the start timing may not be determined according to the water quality information, and the second sterilizing lamp 82 may be set to start at a fixed time.

[0044] Furthermore, the ice water dispenser 320 also has an ice water outlet 324 for receiving ice water. The water quality monitoring unit may also include a second detection component 44, which is disposed at the ice water outlet 324 to detect the water quality of the ice water to obtain second water quality information. The controller 60 controls the second light prompt unit 54 corresponding to the second detection component 44 to turn on and off according to the second water quality information, so as to output the water quality of the ice water to the user.

[0045] Furthermore, the ice and water making device 30 may also include a third sterilizing lamp 84, which is disposed at the ice and water outlet 324 and is used to generate sterilizing light acting on the ice outlet 322. The controller 60 is also electrically connected to the third sterilizing lamp 84 and is configured to control the third sterilizing lamp 84 to turn on when the second water quality information exceeds the standard.

[0046] The third germicidal lamp 84 may be an ultraviolet irradiation lamp, which can emit ultraviolet light for sterilization and disinfection. Taking the detection of the chloride ion concentration of ice cubes as an example, when the controller 60 determines that the chloride ion concentration threshold at the ice water outlet 324 is greater than the preset chloride ion concentration threshold, on the one hand, the second light prompt unit 54 corresponding to the second detection component 44 is controlled to emit light information to timely remind the user, and on the other hand, the third germicidal lamp 84 is controlled to light up to generate a germicidal light irradiating the ice water outlet 324.

[0047] In some embodiments, the refrigerator 1 may also include a filtering device 70, whose water inlet is connected to a water supply source through a water supply pipe 710 to filter impurities in the water supply source; and the filtering device 70 also has a first water outlet and a second water outlet, the first water outlet is connected to the ice barrel 310 through a first water supply pipe 720 to supply water to the ice making chamber 312, and the second water outlet is connected to the ice water outlet 324 through a second water supply pipe 730 to provide ice water.

[0048] In order to prevent the filter device 70 from freezing, the filter device 70 can also be arranged in the refrigerating chamber 14 where the temperature is slightly higher. The filter device 70 has a filter element, and the water source is passed into the filter device 70, and impurities are filtered out by the filter element. Then, the filtered water is used as ice making water and passed into the ice cylinder 310 and the ice water outlet 324 through the first water supply pipe 720 and the second water supply pipe 730 respectively.

[0049] Furthermore, the water quality monitoring unit includes a third detection component 46, which is arranged on the water supply pipe 710 to detect the water quality of the water supply source to obtain third water quality information. The controller 60 controls the third light prompt unit 56 corresponding to the third detection component 46 to turn on and off according to the third water quality information, so as to output the water quality of the water supply source to the user.

[0050] Furthermore, the refrigerator 1 may also include a stop valve 712, which is disposed on the water supply pipe 710. The controller 60 is also electrically connected to the stop valve 712 and is configured to close the stop valve 712 when the third water quality information exceeds the standard.

[0051] Taking the detection of the chloride ion concentration of the water supply source as an example, when the controller 60 determines that the chloride ion concentration threshold of the water supply source is greater than the preset chloride ion concentration threshold, on the one hand, it controls the third light prompt unit 56 corresponding to the third detection component 46 to emit light information to promptly remind the user, and on the other hand, it controls the closing of the stop valve 712 to promptly block the contaminated water source from entering the ice making and water making device 30.

[0052] At this point, those skilled in the art should recognize that, although multiple exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications that conform to the principles of the present invention can still be directly determined or derived based on the content disclosed in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be understood and recognized as covering all these other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising a box body having a storage compartment and a door body for opening and closing the storage compartment, characterized in that Also includes: An ice-making and water-making device is arranged on the door body and is used to receive ice-making water and form ice cubes and ice water therein; One or more water quality detection units, used to detect the water quality of ice-making water, ice water or ice cubes to obtain one or more water quality information; One or more light prompting units, arranged on the ice and water making device or the door body, corresponding one to one with the water quality detection unit; The controller is configured to receive the water quality information and control the corresponding light prompt unit to emit light information according to the water quality information, so as to output the water quality of ice-making water, ice water and ice cubes to the user through the light information.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that The ice and water making device comprises: An ice cylinder defining an ice-making cavity for forming ice cubes; The water quality monitoring unit includes a first detection component, which is arranged in the ice making chamber to detect the water quality of ice cubes in the ice making chamber to obtain first water quality information; The controller controls the first light prompt unit corresponding to the first detection component to turn on and off according to the first water quality information, so as to output the water quality of the ice cubes to the user.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ice and water making device also includes: A first sterilizing lamp, disposed in the ice-making cavity, for generating sterilizing light acting on the ice-making cavity; The controller is also electrically connected to the first germicidal lamp, and is configured to control the first germicidal lamp to turn on when the first water quality information exceeds the standard.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that The ice and water making device also includes: An ice water dispenser is embedded in the front part of the door body and is provided with an ice cube taking-out port, the ice cube taking-out port is connected to the ice making chamber, the ice cube taking-out port can be opened and closed in a controlled manner, and when it is opened, the ice cubes in the ice making chamber are allowed to fall out.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that The ice and water making device also includes: The second sterilizing lamp is arranged at the ice cube taking-out port and is used for generating sterilizing light acting on the ice cube taking-out port.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ice water dispenser also has an ice water outlet for receiving ice water; and The water quality monitoring unit includes a second detection component, which is arranged at the ice water outlet to detect the water quality of the ice water to obtain second water quality information; The controller controls the second light prompting unit corresponding to the second detection component to turn on and off according to the second water quality information, so as to output the water quality of the ice water to the user.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, characterized in that: The ice and water making device also includes: A third sterilizing lamp is disposed at the ice water outlet and is used to generate sterilizing light acting on the ice cube outlet; The controller is also electrically connected to the third germicidal lamp, and is configured to control the third germicidal lamp to turn on when the second water quality information exceeds the standard.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 6, characterized in that Also includes: A filter device, the water inlet of which is connected to a water supply source through a water supply pipe to filter impurities in the water supply source; The filtering device also has a first water outlet and a second water outlet. The first water outlet is connected to the ice cylinder through a first water supply pipe to supply water to the ice making chamber, and the second water outlet is connected to the ice water outlet through a second water supply pipe to provide ice water.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that: The water quality monitoring unit includes a third detection component, which is arranged on the water supply pipe to detect the water quality of the water supply source to obtain third water quality information; The controller controls the third light prompting unit corresponding to the third detection component to turn on and off according to the third water quality information, so as to output the water quality of the water supply source to the user.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, characterized in that Also includes: A stop valve, arranged on the water supply pipe; The controller is also electrically connected to the stop valve and is configured to close the stop valve when the third water quality information exceeds the standard.

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