Bubble water device and refrigerator

Abstract

The invention provides a sparkling water device and a refrigerator, and relates to the technical field of refrigerators. The bubble water device can comprise an air supply module, a water supply module, a premixing module and a control device. Wherein the gas supply module is used for providing carbon dioxide gas. The water supply module is used for providing water sources. The premixing module is used for premixing the carbon dioxide gas of the gas supply module and the water of the water supply module to form sparkling water and storing the sparkling water. And the control device is used for controlling the air supply module to supply air to the premixing module and the water supply module to supply water to the premixing module according to an instruction, and controlling the premixing module to form bubble water and discharge the bubble water in real time. According to the bubble water device, when a user needs to take the bubble water, the bubble water can be directly taken from the premixing module, the bubble water does not need to be prepared on site, the waiting time of the user is saved, and the use experience of the user is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and in particular to a bubble water device and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] A sparkling water device is a device that can convert ordinary drinking water into sparkling water rich in bubbles. It is usually composed of an air pump, a gas cylinder, a pressure regulator, a water container and related connecting parts. Its working principle is to use an air pump to inject high-pressure gas (usually carbon dioxide) into the water in the water container through a pressure regulator, so that the gas dissolves in the water under pressure, thereby forming sparkling water with rich bubbles. Some sparkling water devices are also equipped with an adjustable pressure function, and users can adjust the richness of bubbles according to personal preferences to meet different taste requirements. At present, the function of equipped with sparkling water in refrigerators has brought users a brand new experience.

[0003] When the existing refrigerator is equipped with a sparkling water module, after pressing the water dispensing button, carbon dioxide gas needs to be taken out from the gas cylinder, and the carbon dioxide gas is then mixed with water to form sparkling water, and then the sparkling water is taken out. This process is relatively cumbersome and takes a certain amount of time, affecting the user experience. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a bubble water device to solve the technical problem in the prior art that the bubble water device produces bubble water on site when taking water, resulting in poor user experience.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator comprising the above sparkling water device.

[0006] According to the purpose of the first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a bubble water device, comprising: A gas supply module, used for providing carbon dioxide gas; A water supply module, used for providing water source; a premixing module, used for premixing the carbon dioxide gas of the gas supply module and the water of the water supply module to form bubble water, and storing the bubble water; and The control device is used to control the air supply module to supply air to the premixing module and the water supply module to supply water to the premixing module according to instructions, and control the premixing module to form the bubble water and discharge water in real time.

[0007] Optionally, the premixing module comprises: Premix tanks; and A water level detector is located in the premixing tank; the water level detector is used to detect the liquid level information of the bubble water in the premixing tank and transmit the liquid level information to the control device.

[0008] Optionally, the premixing tank comprises a tank body and a heat-insulating component arranged outside the tank body, wherein the heat-insulating component insulates the tank body to ensure that the bubble water in the tank body is kept within a preset temperature range. Optionally, the tank body is a plastic tank body or a metal tank body.

[0009] Optionally, the premixing tank is a double-layer metal vacuum tank.

[0010] Optionally, the water supply module includes: A water pipe, one end of which is connected to an external water source or a water storage tank, and the other end of which is connected to the premixing tank; and A water pump is arranged at the water pipe; the water pump is electrically connected to the control device, and the control device controls the water pump to turn on when the water level detector detects that the liquid level of the bubble water is lower than a preset range, and controls the water pump to turn off when the water level detector detects that the liquid level of the bubble water is higher than the preset range, so as to keep the liquid level in the premix tank within the preset range.

[0011] Optionally, the air supply module comprises: Gas cylinders for storing carbon dioxide gas; An air pipe connected between the gas tank and the premixing tank; An air pump is arranged at the air tank or the air pipe and is electrically connected to the control device; after the water supply module supplies water to the premixing tank, the control device controls the air pump to start and inflate the premixing tank to form the bubble water.

[0012] Optionally, the premixing module also includes an exhaust valve, which is electrically connected to the control device. The control device controls the exhaust valve to be opened for a first preset time before the water pump supplies water to the premixing tank, and controls the exhaust valve to be closed after the water pump completes supplying water to the premixing tank and a second preset time.

[0013] Optionally, the bubble water includes different bubble levels, and the control device controls the air pump and the exhaust valve to inflate and exhaust the premix tank respectively according to the level of the bubble water; wherein the number of repetitions of inflation and exhaust is different at different levels.

[0014] Optionally, each inflation and exhaust cycle process includes controlling the air pump to be turned on and closed after a third preset time, and controlling the exhaust valve to be turned on and closed after a fourth preset time.

[0015] Optionally, it further comprises a water outlet module, wherein the water outlet module comprises a water outlet pipe connected to the premixing tank, a driving device, and a water outlet valve located at the water outlet pipe; When receiving a water outlet button command, the control device controls the exhaust valve to be opened for a fifth preset time and then closed, controls the water outlet valve and the driving device to be opened to start discharging the bubble water, and controls the water outlet valve and the driving device to be closed when the water outlet button command disappears.

[0016] Optionally, the control device is further configured to receive the water level information of the water level detector in real time during the process of the bubble water discharge, and control the closing of the water outlet valve and the driving device when the water level information shows that the water level of the bubble water is lower than the preset range, and control the exhaust valve, the air pump and the water pump to form a predetermined level of bubble water in the premixing tank until the liquid level of the bubble water is higher than the preset range.

[0017] Optionally, the driving device includes an air pump, which is connected to the premixing tank through a pipeline, so that when the bubble water needs to be taken from the premixing tank, the air pump is turned on to inflate the premixing tank, so as to press the bubble water in the premixing tank out from the water outlet pipe.

[0018] Optionally, the driving device includes a water pump, and the water pump is arranged at the water outlet pipe, so that when the bubble water needs to be taken from the premixing tank, the water pump is turned on to extract the bubble water from the premixing tank.

[0019] Optionally, the premixing module further includes at least one pressure relief valve, which is configured to open when the pressure in the premixing tank is greater than a preset pressure.

[0020] Optionally, a bracket is further included, which is used to install and support the premixing module and the air supply module.

[0021] In particular, the present invention also provides a refrigerator, comprising the above-mentioned bubble water device.

[0022] The bubble water device of this solution can mix the carbon dioxide gas of the air supply module with the water of the water supply module through the premixing module to form bubble water, and store it. When the user needs to take the bubble water, the bubble water can be taken directly from the premixing module without the need to configure the bubble water on site, which saves the user's waiting time and improves the user's experience. 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

[0023] 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: Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a bubble water device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic principle diagram of a bubble water device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic principle diagram of a bubble water device according to another specific embodiment of the present invention. Description of reference numerals: Bubble water device - 100; Air supply module-200; air tank-210; air pipe-220; air pump-230; Water supply module-300; water pipe-310; water pump-320; water storage tank-330; Premixing module-400; premixing tank-410; water level detector-420; high water level probe-421; low water level probe-422; exhaust valve-430; pressure relief valve-440; Water outlet module-500; water outlet pipe-510; water outlet valve-520; air pump-530; water pump-540; Bracket - 600. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the description of this embodiment, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "front", "back", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0025] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1-Figure 3As shown, this embodiment provides a bubble water device 100, which may include an air supply module 200, a water supply module 300, a premixing module 400 and a control device (not shown in the figure). Among them, the air supply module 200 is used to provide carbon dioxide gas. The water supply module 300 is used to provide a water source. The premixing module 400 is used to premix the carbon dioxide gas of the air supply module 200 and the water of the water supply module 300 to form bubble water, and store the bubble water. The control device is used to control the air supply module 200 to supply air to the premixing module 400, the water supply module 300 to supply water to the premixing module 400, and control the premixing module 400 to form bubble water and discharge water in real time according to instructions.

[0026] Specifically, the bubble water device 100 of this embodiment can mix the carbon dioxide gas of the gas supply module 200 with the water of the water supply module 300 to form bubble water and store it through the premixing module 400. When the user needs to take the bubble water, the bubble water can be taken directly from the premixing module 400 without the need to configure the bubble water on site, which saves the user's waiting time and improves the user's experience.

[0027] Specifically, the control device of this embodiment can control the actions of all internal electric components, such as solenoid valves, water pumps, air pumps, etc. The control steps and timing can be realized by writing the control logic into the internal as needed.

[0028] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, the premixing module 400 of this embodiment may include a premixing tank 410 and a water level detector 420, wherein the water level detector 420 is located in the premixing tank 410. The water level detector 420 is used to detect the liquid level information of the bubble water in the premixing tank 410 and transmit the liquid level information to the control device.

[0029] Specifically, the water level detector 420 of this embodiment may include a high water level probe 421 and a low water level probe 422 . The high water level probe 421 is used to detect the highest water level in the premix tank 410 , and the low water level probe 422 is used to detect the lowest water level in the premix tank 410 .

[0030] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, the premixing tank 410 of this embodiment includes a tank body and a heat-insulating component, and the heat-insulating component ensures that the bubble water in the metal tank is kept within a preset temperature range. The tank body can be a metal tank body or a plastic tank body.

[0031] Specifically, since the gas inside the bubble water is easy to overflow when it is in a high temperature environment, the premixing tank 410 of this embodiment is provided with a heat preservation component at the tank body, thereby heat-insulating the tank body, so that the temperature inside the premixing tank 410 is kept in a low temperature range, thereby preventing a large amount of gas from overflowing from the premixing tank 410. Specifically, the heat preservation component of this embodiment can be a heat preservation layer provided inside and outside the tank body, or the tank body can be placed in a constant temperature environment.

[0032] As another specific embodiment of the present invention, the premixing tank 410 of this embodiment is a double-layer metal vacuum tank. The double-layer metal vacuum tank can ensure the strength of the tank body on the one hand, and can also insulate the inside of the tank body to ensure that the temperature inside the tank body is kept at a relatively constant temperature on the other hand.

[0033] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, the water supply module 300 of this embodiment may include a water pipe 310 and a water pump 320. One end of the water pipe 310 is connected to an external water source (not shown in the figure) or a water storage tank 330, and the other end is connected to the premixing tank 410. The water pump 320 is arranged at the water pipe 310. The water pump 320 is electrically connected to the control device, and the control device controls the water pump 320 to turn on when the water level detector 420 detects that the liquid level of the bubble water is lower than the preset range, and controls the water pump 320 to turn off when the water level detector 420 detects that the liquid level of the bubble water is higher than the preset range, so as to keep the liquid level in the premixing tank 410 within the preset range.

[0034] Specifically, generally speaking, the water supply module 300 can be purified water stored in the water tank 330, or directly connected to tap water. Of course, if directly connected to tap water, a purifier will be set up to ensure that the water source can be directly drunk.

[0035] The water pump 320 in the water supply module 300 can draw water from the water tank 330 or an external water source into the premixing tank 410. Since the liquid in the premixing tank 410 cannot be infinitely more or infinitely less, the control device will combine the water level detector 420 to control the start and stop of the water pump 320, thereby ensuring that the water level in the premixing tank 410 is maintained within a preset range. Specifically, when the low water level probe 422 detects that the liquid level in the premixing tank 410 is lower than the minimum value of the preset range, the control device controls the water pump 320 to add water to the premixing tank 410, so that the water level in the premixing tank 410 gradually rises. When the water level in the premixing pipe gradually rises to the point where the high water level probe 421 detects that the water level is higher than the maximum value of the preset range, the control device controls the water pump 320 to stop adding water to the premixing tank 410.

[0036] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, the gas supply module 200 of this embodiment may include a gas tank 210, an air pipe 220 and an air pump 230. The gas tank 210 is used to store carbon dioxide gas. The air pipe 220 is connected between the gas tank 210 and the premixing tank 410. The air pump 230 is arranged at the gas tank 210 or the air pipe 220 and is electrically connected to the control device. After the water supply module 300 supplies water to the premixing tank 410, the control device controls the air pump 230 to start and inflate the premixing tank 410 to form bubble water.

[0037] Specifically, after the air supply module 200 of this embodiment inputs additional water into the premixing tank 410, the air pump 230 starts to input the gas in the gas tank 210 into the premixing tank 410 to mix with the water in the premixing tank 410 to form bubble water.

[0038] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, the premixing module 400 of this embodiment may further include an exhaust valve 430, which is electrically connected to the control device. The control device controls the exhaust valve 430 to be opened for a first preset time before the water pump 320 supplies water to the premixing tank 410, and controls the exhaust valve 430 to be closed after the water pump 320 completes supplying water to the premixing tank 410 and a second preset time.

[0039] Specifically, since the premixing tank 410 is a closed tank body, and the internal pressure of the tank body is relatively high due to the stored bubble water, when water needs to be transported into the tank body, if the gas is not exhausted, it will be impossible to transport the water into the tank body. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is necessary to open the exhaust valve 430 for a first preset time before transporting water into the premixing tank 410, and after the internal gas is released, the premixing tank 410 is replenished with water. Since the water will also continuously use the volume inside the premixing tank 410, the exhaust valve 430 is closed after the water is replenished.

[0040] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, the bubble water of this embodiment may include different bubble levels, and the control device controls the air pump 230 and the exhaust valve 430 to inflate and exhaust the premix tank 410 respectively according to the level of the bubble water; wherein, the number of repetitions of inflation and exhaust is different at different levels.

[0041] Specifically, since users have different requirements for the taste of bubble water, the bubble water in the bubble water device 100 of this embodiment is provided with multiple levels for users to choose from. The content of carbon dioxide is different in different levels of bubble water. The gas content in the bubble water is obtained by continuously pumping and exhausting air into the premixing tank 410. The level of bubble water in this embodiment can be divided into three levels. The number of times of pumping and exhausting air in the first level is n1 times, the number of times of pumping and exhausting air in the second level is n2 times, and the number of times of pumping and exhausting air in the third level is n3 times. Generally, when no user selects the level of bubble water, the second level is the default. The bubble water stored in the premixing tank 410 is also pumped, exhausted and stored according to the gas content of the second level.

[0042] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, each inflation and exhaust cycle process of this embodiment may include controlling the air pump 230 to be turned on and closed after a third preset time, and controlling the exhaust valve 430 to be turned on and closed after a fourth preset time.

[0043] Specifically, the inflation time and exhaust time of this embodiment can be set according to actual conditions. The time and the number of repetitions of inflation and exhaust together determine the gas content in the bubble water.

[0044] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, the bubble water device 100 of this embodiment may further include a water outlet module 500, which may include a water outlet pipe 510 connected to the premix tank 410, a driving device, and a water outlet valve 520 located at the water outlet pipe 510. When the control device receives a water outlet key command, it controls the exhaust valve 430 to be opened for a fifth preset time and then closed, controls the water outlet valve 520 and the driving device to be opened, starts to discharge bubble water, and controls the water outlet valve 520 and the driving device to be closed when the water outlet key command disappears.

[0045] Specifically, the water outlet module 500 discharges the bubble water in the premix tank 410 from the water outlet pipe 510 through the driving device for customer use. Before the water is discharged, the exhaust valve 430 is opened to exhaust the air to avoid excessive air pressure in the premix tank 410, which causes the water to flow too quickly and thus causes a poor user experience.

[0046] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, the control device of this embodiment is also configured to receive water level information from the water level detector 420 in real time during the process of bubble water discharge, and control the closing of the water outlet valve 520 and the driving device when the water level information shows that the water level of the bubble water is lower than the preset range, and control the exhaust valve 430, the air pump 230 and the water pump 320 to form a predetermined level of bubble water in the premix tank 410 until the liquid level of the bubble water is higher than the preset range.

[0047] Specifically, when this embodiment receives a water extraction instruction, if the water level continues to drop during the water extraction process and drops to a value lower than the minimum value of the preset range, it means that the water level is already low and no more bubble water can be obtained. At this time, the water outlet valve 520 and the drive device will be directly closed. Then, by controlling the exhaust valve 430, the air pump 230 and the water pump 320, the water and carbon dioxide gas are further mixed in the premixing tank 410 to form bubble water until the liquid level is higher than the maximum value of the preset range. If the water extraction instruction still exists at this time, the water outlet valve 520 and the drive device will continue to be opened to discharge bubble water. If the water extraction instruction is small, no bubble water will be discharged.

[0048] As one of the embodiments, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the driving device of this embodiment may include an air pump 530, which is connected to the premixing tank 410 through a pipeline, so that when it is necessary to take bubble water from the premixing tank 410, the air pump 530 is turned on to inflate the premixing tank 410, so as to press the bubble water in the premixing tank 410 out from the water outlet pipe 510.

[0049] When the driving device is an air pump 530 , the air pump 530 is connected to the premixing tank 410 through the air pipe 220 , inflates the premixing tank 410 , and presses out the bubble water in the premixing tank 410 .

[0050] As another example, Figure 2 The driving device of this embodiment is a water pump 540 , which is disposed at the water outlet pipe 510 . When it is necessary to take bubble water from the premix tank 410 , the water pump 540 is turned on to extract bubble water from the premix tank 410 .

[0051] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, the premixing module 400 of this embodiment may further include at least one pressure relief valve 440, and the pressure relief valve 440 is used to open when the pressure in the premixing tank 410 is greater than a preset pressure.

[0052] Specifically, the pressure relief valve 440 of this embodiment includes one or more pressure relief valves 440, and the main function is to automatically release pressure when the air pressure in the premixing tank 410 is greater than a preset air pressure value, so as to avoid excessive pressure in the premixing tank 410, increase the life of the premixing tank 410, and improve the safety performance of the premixing tank 410. Preferably, the pressure relief valve 440 of this embodiment includes two, one is a 6 kg pressure relief valve, and the other is an 8 kg pressure relief valve.

[0053] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, the bubble water device 100 of this embodiment may further include a bracket 600 , and the bracket 600 is used to install and support the premixing module 400 and the air supply module 200 .

[0054] Specifically, the bracket 600 may include two installation positions, respectively installing the premixing module 400 and the air supply module 200, the two installation positions are close to each other, and the bracket 600 is also provided with supporting structures and avoidance structures of pipelines, valves, etc., which can be freely designed according to the actual structure and position.

[0055] As a specific embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment also provides a refrigerator, which includes the above-mentioned bubble water device 100.

[0056] A refrigerator equipped with the bubble water device 100 can provide bubble water at any time, thereby improving the user experience.

[0057] 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 bubble water device, characterized in that: include: A gas supply module, used for providing carbon dioxide gas; A water supply module, used for providing water source; A premixing module, used for premixing the carbon dioxide gas of the gas supply module and the water of the water supply module to form bubble water, and storing the bubble water; and The control device is used to control the air supply module to supply air to the premixing module and the water supply module to supply water to the premixing module according to instructions, and control the premixing module to form the bubble water and discharge water in real time.

2. The bubble water device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The premixing module comprises: Premix tanks; and A water level detector is located in the premixing tank; the water level detector is used to detect the liquid level information of the bubble water in the premixing tank and transmit the liquid level information to the control device.

3. The bubble water device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The premixing tank comprises a tank body and a heat-insulating component arranged outside the tank body, and the heat-insulating component insulates the tank body to ensure that the bubble water in the tank body is maintained in a preset temperature range.

4. The bubble water device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The premixing tank is a double-layer metal vacuum tank.

5. The bubble water device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The water supply module comprises: A water pipe, one end of which is connected to an external water source or a water storage tank, and the other end of which is connected to the premixing tank; and A water pump is arranged at the water pipe; the water pump is electrically connected to the control device, and the control device controls the water pump to turn on when the water level detector detects that the liquid level of the bubble water is lower than a preset range, and controls the water pump to turn off when the water level detector detects that the liquid level of the bubble water is higher than the preset range, so as to keep the liquid level in the premix tank within the preset range.

6. The bubble water device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The air supply module comprises: Gas cylinders for storing carbon dioxide gas; An air pipe connected between the gas tank and the premixing tank; An air pump is arranged at the air tank or the air pipe and is electrically connected to the control device; after the water supply module supplies water to the premixing tank, the control device controls the air pump to start and inflate the premixing tank to form the bubble water.

7. The bubble water device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The premixing module also includes an exhaust valve, which is electrically connected to the control device. The control device controls the exhaust valve to be opened for a first preset time before the water pump supplies water to the premixing tank, and controls the exhaust valve to be closed after the water pump completes supplying water to the premixing tank and a second preset time.

8. The bubble water device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The bubble water includes different bubble levels, and the control device controls the air pump and the exhaust valve to inflate and exhaust the premix tank respectively according to the level of the bubble water; wherein the number of repetitions of inflation and exhaust is different at different levels.

9. The bubble water device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The process of each inflation and exhaust cycle includes: controlling the air pump to be turned on and closed after a third preset time, and controlling the exhaust valve to be turned on and closed after a fourth preset time.

10. The bubble water device according to claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a water outlet module, which includes a water outlet pipe connected to the premixing tank, a driving device, and a water outlet valve located at the water outlet pipe; When receiving a water outlet button command, the control device controls the exhaust valve to be opened for a fifth preset time and then closed, controls the water outlet valve and the driving device to be opened to start discharging the bubble water, and controls the water outlet valve and the driving device to be closed when the water outlet button command disappears.

11. The bubble water device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The control device is further configured to receive the water level information of the water level detector in real time during the process of the bubble water discharging, and control the closing of the water outlet valve and the driving device when the water level information shows that the water level of the bubble water is lower than the preset range, and control the exhaust valve, the air pump and the water pump to form a predetermined level of bubble water in the premixing tank until the liquid level of the bubble water is higher than the preset range.

12. The bubble water device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The driving device includes an air pump, which is connected to the premixing tank through a pipeline. When the bubble water needs to be taken from the premixing tank, the air pump is turned on to inflate the premixing tank, so as to press the bubble water in the premixing tank out from the water outlet pipe.

13. The bubble water device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The driving device comprises a water pump, and the water pump is arranged at the water outlet pipe, so that when the bubble water needs to be taken from the premixing tank, the water pump is turned on to extract the bubble water from the premixing tank.

14. The bubble water device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The premixing module further comprises at least one pressure relief valve, which is used to open when the pressure in the premixing tank is greater than a preset pressure.

15. The bubble water device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: It also includes a bracket, which is used to install and support the premixing module and the air supply module.

16. A refrigerator, characterized in that: A bubble water device comprising the bubble water device according to any one of claims 1-15.

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