Water tank and ice making equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a water tank and ice making equipment, and relates to the technical field of refrigeration and freezing equipment, the water tank comprises a tank body, a handle, a driving mechanism and a control unit, the tank body is provided with a front panel, the front panel is provided with a handle groove, the tank body is provided with a water tank, and a water level sensor is installed in the water tank; the handle is hinged to the box body and can rotate between a first position and a second position relative to the box body; at the first position, the handle is completely positioned in the handle groove; at the second position, at least partial structure of the handle is located outside the handle groove; the driving mechanism is used for driving the handle to rotate relative to the box; the water level sensor and the driving mechanism are connected with the control unit, and the control unit is used for starting the driving mechanism when the water level of the water tank is lower than a first threshold value so that the handle can be driven to the second position through the driving mechanism. When water in the water tank is little, the handle pops up to remind an operator to add water, the prompt is striking, and recognition is convenient.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of refrigeration and freezing equipment, and particularly relates to a water tank and ice making equipment. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the increasing improvement of people's living standards, it has become a common practice to add ice cubes to various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to make ice-cooled drinks. Therefore, the demand for ice making equipment is increasing. In the prior art, some ice making equipment has a water tank for storing a certain amount of water. During ice making, the water in the water tank enters an ice box to make ice cubes in the ice box.

[0003] At present, whether the water in the water tank is sufficient to complete an ice making operation needs to be estimated by the user. This estimation method has low accuracy, and the user often finds that the ice making equipment cannot perform ice making operation due to insufficient water after starting the ice making process. At this time, the user discovers that water needs to be added to the water tank, and adding water at this time slows down the ice making speed, and the user's use experience is poor. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, the present application provides a water tank and ice making equipment to solve the technical problem of water shortage in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve one or part or all of the above purposes or other purposes, the technical scheme of the present application is as follows: In a first aspect, the present application provides a water tank, comprising: a tank body, the tank body having a front panel, the front panel being provided with a handle slot, and the tank body having a water tank, a water level sensor being installed in the water tank; a handle, the handle being hingedly connected to the tank body, the handle being rotatable relative to the tank body between a first position and a second position; in the first position, the handle is completely located in the handle slot; in the second position, at least part of the structure of the handle is located outside the handle slot; a driving mechanism, the driving mechanism being used to drive the handle to rotate relative to the tank body; a control unit, the water level sensor and the driving mechanism being connected to the control unit respectively, the control unit being used to start the driving mechanism when the water level of the water tank is lower than a first threshold value, so as to drive the handle to the second position by the driving mechanism.

[0006] In some optional technical solutions, the driving mechanism comprises: a pop-up structure, the pop-up structure being installed on the tank body, the pop-up structure being connected to the handle, the pop-up structure being used to rotate the handle from the first position to the second position; a locking structure, the locking structure being installed on the handle and / or the tank body, the locking structure being used to lock the handle in the first position on the tank body; The electric driver is used to unlock the locking structure, and the electric driver is connected with the control unit.

[0007] In some optional solutions, the handle has an inner cavity, the locking structure is installed in the inner cavity, the handle has a first through hole, and the cabinet has a first lock hole; the locking structure comprises a locking pin assembly, the locking pin assembly comprises a locking pin, one end of the locking pin passes through the first through hole and extends into the first lock hole, and the electric driver is used to drive the locking pin to move in a first direction to disengage from the first lock hole.

[0008] In some optional solutions, the cabinet further comprises a cover shell, the cover shell is installed on the rear side of the front panel, the cover shell is located on the front side of the water tank, the handle is rotatably installed in the cover shell, and the first lock hole is arranged on the cover shell.

[0009] In some optional solutions, an arc-shaped sliding groove is arranged in the cover shell, the outer side of the handle is provided with a limiting block, and the limiting block is located in the arc-shaped sliding groove; during rotation of the handle relative to the cabinet, the limiting block slides in the arc-shaped sliding groove.

[0010] In some optional solutions, the handle is provided with a rotating shaft, the handle is rotatably connected with the cover shell through the rotating shaft, the ejection structure comprises a torsional spring, two ends of the torsional spring are connected with the cover shell and the handle respectively, and the torsional spring is used to drive the handle to rotate around the rotating shaft, so that the handle is rotated from the first position to the second position. In some optional solutions, the locking structure further comprises a mounting seat, the locking pin assembly further comprises a sliding block and a first reset member, the mounting seat is installed in the cover shell, the sliding block is slidably assembled on the mounting seat, the locking pin is arranged at one end of the sliding block, and the first reset member is arranged between the sliding block and the mounting seat, and the first reset member is used to push the sliding block, so that the locking pin moves in a direction close to the first lock hole. In some optional solutions, the cabinet further comprises a rear shell, the front panel is buckled on the front side of the rear shell, and the water tank is installed in the rear shell; the handle is installed on the front panel, and the handle is located on the front side of the water tank.

[0011] In some optional solutions, the cabinet further comprises a top cover, a slot is arranged on the top of the water tank, and the top cover covers the slot.

[0012] In a second aspect, the application provides an ice-making device, which comprises a cabinet and a water tank provided in the above technical solutions, and the cabinet is provided with a containing area, and the water tank is placed in the containing area.

[0013] The implementation of the embodiments of the application has the following beneficial effects: In a first aspect, the water tank can be applied to the ice making equipment. The water tank comprises a water tank body, a water tank cover, a handle, a handle slot, a cover, a locking structure, a drive mechanism, a water level sensor and a control unit. The water level sensor is arranged in the water tank body. The handle is arranged on the cover. The handle slot is arranged on the cover. The handle is arranged in the handle slot. The locking structure is arranged on the handle. The drive mechanism is arranged on the handle. The water level sensor is arranged in the water tank body. The water level sensor detects the water level in the water tank. When the water level is lower than a first threshold, the control unit starts the drive mechanism to rotate the handle so that the handle reaches a second position, i.e. the handle protrudes from the handle slot. The user can identify the lack of water in the water tank through the change of the handle position, which is eye-catching and easy to identify.

[0014] In a second aspect, the ice making equipment comprises the water tank provided in the first aspect, so it has all the advantages of the water tank, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed in the embodiments or prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can also obtain other drawings according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0016] In the drawings: Figure 1 Structure diagram of the handle of the water tank in a first position in an embodiment; Figure 2 Structure diagram of the handle of the water tank in a second position in an embodiment; Figure 3 Internal structure diagram of the water tank in an embodiment; Figure 4 Assembly diagram of the handle in the cover and the front panel in an embodiment; Figure 5 Parts explosion diagram of the cover in an embodiment; Figure 6 Parts explosion diagram of part of the structure of the water tank in an embodiment; Figure 7 Structure diagram of the rear cover of the handle in an embodiment; Figure 8 Structure diagram of the locking structure in a locked state in an embodiment; Figure 9 Structure diagram of the locking structure in an unlocked state in an embodiment; Figure 10 Parts explosion diagram of the tank body in an embodiment; Figure 11 Structure diagram of the sliding part in an embodiment; Figure 12 Structure diagram of the handle of the water tank in a first position in an embodiment of the ice making equipment; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making device in one embodiment, showing the handle of the water tank in the second position.

[0017] 1-Water tank; 2-Machine casing; 10-Box body; 11-Front panel; 12-Handle groove; 13-Water tank; 14-Water level sensor; 15-Cover; 151-Left shell; 152-Right shell; 153-Top shell; 16-Second shaft hole; 17-First lock hole; 18-Arc-shaped slide; 191-Rear shell; 192-Top cover; 20-Handle; 21-Spindle; 22-First through hole; 23-Rear cover; 24-Front side plate; 25-Second through hole; 26-Limit block; 30 - Pop-up structure; 40-Locking structure; 41-Locking pin; 42-Mounting base; 43-Slider; 431-First inclined surface; 44-First reset component; 521-Motor; 522-Screw; 53-Sliding body; 531-Second inclined surface; 532-Limiting groove; 54-Adapter; 541-Screw hole; 55-Second reset component. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0019] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0020] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the structure or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0021] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0022] To illustrate the technical solutions described in this application, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with specific accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0023] Firstly, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment proposes a water tank 1, including: a tank body 10, a handle 20, a drive mechanism, and a control unit, wherein: The housing 10 has a front panel 11 with a handle groove 12, and a water tank 13 with a water level sensor 14 installed inside. The housing 10 includes at least a bottom plate and multiple side plates, with the side plate located at the front during use serving as the front panel 11. The handle groove 12 accommodates a handle 20. The housing 10 and the water tank 13 can be an integral structure, or the water tank 13 can be installed within the cavity formed by the housing 10, and can be a separate structure from the housing 10. The water tank 13 can be connected to the housing 10 by adhesive, bolts, snap-fit ​​connections, etc. The water level sensor 14 is installed inside the water tank 13, and the water level sensor 14 can be a capacitive water level sensor, a resistive water level sensor, a float-type water level sensor, a photoelectric water level sensor, etc.

[0024] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the handle 20 is hinged to the housing 10, and the handle 20 is rotatable relative to the housing 10 between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the handle 20 is completely located within the handle groove 12; in the second position, at least a portion of the structure of the handle 20 is located outside the handle groove 12. The handle 20 is hinged to the housing 10, meaning that the handle 20 is connected to the housing 10 and is rotatable relative to the housing 10. In an alternative embodiment, the handle 20 is connected to the housing 10 via a pivot 21. The pivot 21 may be integral with the handle 20, with a shaft hole 16 provided on the housing 10, into which the pivot 21 is inserted. Alternatively, the pivot 21 may be integral with the housing 10, with a shaft hole 16 provided on the handle 20, into which the pivot 21 is inserted. Alternatively, the handle 20, the pivot 21, and the housing 10 can be separate structures, with each of the handle 20 and the housing 10 having a shaft hole 16. The pivot 21 passes through the shaft hole 16 of the housing 10 and also through the shaft hole 16 of the handle 20. In all the above embodiments, the handle 20 rotates relative to the housing 10 about the axis of the pivot 21.

[0025] The driving mechanism is used to drive the handle 20 to rotate relative to the box body 10.

[0026] The water level sensor 14 and the driving mechanism are respectively connected with the control unit, and the control unit is used to start the driving mechanism when the water level of the water tank 1 is lower than a first threshold value, so as to move the handle 20 to the second position through the driving mechanism. The first threshold value is a threshold value for prompting the user to add water, for example, the first threshold value can be set as the water level corresponding to the water quantity required for one ice making operation, and the water quantity is insufficient for one ice making operation when the water level is lower than the first threshold value. The control unit can receive the signal sent by the water level sensor 14 and can send a control instruction to the driving mechanism. The control unit can include a single-chip microcomputer, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), a microcontroller and the like. The control unit has an input port and an output port, the water level sensor 14 is connected to the input port, and the driving mechanism is connected to the output port. The water level sensor 14 and the control unit and the driving mechanism and the control unit can respectively adopt a wired connection or a wireless connection mode for signal transmission.

[0027] The water tank 1 provided in the embodiment can be applied to an ice making device. Since the water tank 1 provided in the application has the water level sensor 14 installed in the water tank 13, the water level sensor 14 detects the water level in the water tank 13, and when the water level is lower than the first threshold value, the control unit starts the driving mechanism to rotate the handle 20 through the driving mechanism, so that the handle 20 reaches the second position, that is, the handle 20 protrudes from the handle groove 12, and the user can identify the lack of water in the water tank 1 through the change of the position of the handle 20, which is eye-catching and easy to identify.

[0028] In some optional technical solutions, the driving mechanism can include a rotating motor, and an output shaft of the rotating motor is connected with the rotating shaft 21 of the handle 20 to drive the rotating shaft 21 of the handle 20 to rotate, thereby driving the handle 20 to rotate. The output shaft of the rotating motor can be directly connected with the rotating shaft 21 of the handle 20, or can be indirectly connected with the rotating shaft 21 of the handle 20 through a speed reducer.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. Figure 4 and Figure 6 In another optional technical solution, the driving mechanism includes a pop-up structure 30, a locking structure 40 and an electric driver, wherein: The pop-up structure 30 is installed on the box body 10, the pop-up structure 30 is connected with the handle 20, and the pop-up structure 30 is used to rotate the handle 20 from the first position to the second position. The pop-up structure 30 can be a structure with elasticity, such as a spring, a spring sheet and the like.

[0030] The locking structure 40 is mounted on the handle 20 and / or the cabinet 10, and is used to lock the handle 20 in the first position relative to the cabinet 10. The locking structure 40 can be mounted on the handle 20 or on the cabinet 10, or both. The locking structure 40 is used to lock the handle 20 in the first position relative to the cabinet 10. That is, the locking structure 40 is used to fix the handle 20 in the first position. The locking structure 40 can include a buckle, a locking pin 41, or the like.

[0031] The electric driver is used to unlock the locking structure 40, and is connected to the control unit. When the control unit receives the signal from the water level sensor 14 indicating that the water level is below the first threshold, the control unit activates the electric driver, which unlocks the locking structure 40, and the ejection structure 30 rotates the handle 20 to the second position.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7 In some alternative embodiments, the handle 20 has an inner cavity, the locking structure 40 is mounted in the inner cavity, the handle 20 has a first through hole 22, and the cabinet 10 has a first lock hole 17. The locking structure 40 includes a locking pin 41 assembly, which includes the locking pin 41. One end of the locking pin 41 passes through the first through hole 22 and extends into the first lock hole 17. The electric driver is used to move the locking pin 41 in a first direction to disengage from the first lock hole 17. Figure 3 As shown in and

[0033] In some alternative embodiments, the handle 20 includes a rear cover 23 and a front side plate 24, and the inner cavity is formed between the rear cover 23 and the front side plate 24. It is worth noting that the axis of the first through hole 22 is not perpendicular to the axis of the rotation shaft 21. That is, the axis of the first through hole 22 can form an acute angle or an obtuse angle with the axis of the rotation shaft 21, or the axis of the first through hole 22 can be parallel to the axis of the rotation shaft 21. In a specific example, the axis of the first through hole 22 is parallel to the axis of the rotation shaft 21. The moving direction of the locking pin 41 is the extension direction of the axis of the first through hole 22.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, in one optional embodiment, the handle groove 12 can be formed by the front panel 11 being recessed to the rear. Alternatively, in another optional embodiment, the housing 10 further includes a cover 15, which is installed on the rear side of the front panel 11 and located on the front side of the sink 13. The handle 20 is rotatably installed inside the cover 15, and a first locking hole 17 is provided in the cover 15. Specifically, the front panel 11 has an opening, and the cover 15 is connected to the rear side of the front panel 11, located behind the opening. The cover 15 and the front panel 11 together form the handle groove 12, and the opening of the front panel 11 is the opening of the handle groove 12. The cover 15 and the front panel 11 can be connected by bonding, welding, or other methods, or by screws, rivets, or other connectors. In one optional embodiment, the cover 15 includes a left shell 151 and a right shell 152, which are connected together. In this configuration, the left shell 151, right shell 152, and front panel 11 are separate structures, connected during subsequent assembly, which facilitates the installation of the locking structure 40 and the electric actuator. In one example, the front edge of the cover 15 has a flange, which contacts and connects to the front panel 11, and the flange is connected to the front panel 11 by bolts or rivets. Due to the flange, the contact area between the cover 15 and the front panel 11 is increased, the connection area is expanded, the connection operation is simplified, and the connection stability is increased.

[0034] like Figures 5 to 7 As shown, in some optional technical solutions, an arc-shaped groove 18 is provided inside the housing 15, and a limiting block 26 is provided on the outer side of the handle 20, with the limiting block 26 located within the arc-shaped groove 18. During the rotation of the handle 20 relative to the housing 10, the limiting block 26 slides within the arc-shaped groove 18. The limiting block 26 can be cylindrical or arc-shaped. When the limiting block 26 is cylindrical, the friction between the limiting block 26 and the arc-shaped groove 18 is relatively small. When the limiting block 26 is arc-shaped, the contact area between the limiting block 26 and the arc-shaped groove 18 is relatively large, resulting in a better limiting effect of the arc-shaped groove 18 on the limiting block 26, thus making the handle 20 more stable during rotation. In one specific example, the handle 20 is provided with limit blocks 26 on both sides in the first direction, and two arc-shaped grooves 18 are provided inside the cover 15, with one limit block 26 located in one arc-shaped groove 18 and the other limit block 26 located in the other arc-shaped groove 18.

[0035] like Figures 5 to 7In some optional technical solutions, the handle 20 is provided with a rotating shaft 21, the handle 20 is rotatably connected with the cover 15 through the rotating shaft 21, the ejection structure 30 comprises a torsion spring, two ends of the torsion spring are connected with the cover 15 and the handle 20 respectively, and the torsion spring is used to drive the handle 20 to rotate around the rotating shaft 21, so that the handle 20 is rotated from the first position to the second position. In an example, the rotating shaft 21 is arranged at the top of the handle 20. Exemplarily, the top of the handle 20 is provided with a first shaft hole penetrating in the first direction, the cover 15 is provided with two second shaft holes 16, the rotating shaft 21 penetrates through the first shaft hole, and two ends of the rotating shaft 21 are respectively outside the first shaft hole, and the two ends of the rotating shaft 21 respectively extend into the two second shaft holes 16. Alternatively, in another example, the top of the handle 20 is protruded to form a columnar structure along the first direction to the two sides, and the two columnar structures are two rotating shafts 21 formed on the two sides of the handle 20, and the cover 15 is provided with two second shaft holes 16, and the two rotating shafts 21 respectively extend into the two second shaft holes 16, so that the handle 20 is rotatably connected with the box body 10. In this arrangement, since the rotating shaft 21 is arranged at the top of the handle 20, the moving distance of the bottom of the handle 20 is relatively large during the rotation of the handle 20, so that the moving distance of the bottom of the handle 20 is relatively larger during the rotation of the handle 20 by the same angle, and the part of the handle 20 exposed outside the handle groove 12 is relatively more. In an optional embodiment, the torsion spring can be sleeved on the rotating shaft 21. In a specific example, the number of the torsion springs is two, one of which is sleeved on one rotating shaft 21, and the other of which is sleeved on the other rotating shaft 21. In another optional example, one end of one of the two torsion springs can be connected with one end of the other torsion spring, so as to connect the two torsion springs into one large torsion spring. It is worth noting that, during the rotation of the handle 20 from the second position to the first position, the torsion spring is deformed to store energy, when the handle 20 is locked in the first position by the locking structure 40, the torsion spring is in the energy storage state, and after the locking structure 40 is unlocked, the handle 20 is rotated to the second position by the elasticity of the torsion spring. In an example, the cover 15 comprises a left shell 151, a right shell 152 and a top shell 153, the torsion spring is mounted on the top shell 153, and the second shaft hole 16 is arranged on the top shell 153. The left shell 151, the right shell 152 and the top shell 153 are respectively connected with the front panel 11, and the left shell 151 is connected with the right shell 152, and the top shell 153 is connected with the left shell 151 and the right shell 152 respectively.

[0036] As Figure 6 , Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, in some optional technical solutions, the locking structure 40 further comprises a mounting base 42, and the locking pin 41 assembly further comprises a sliding block 43 and a first reset member 44. The mounting base 42 is mounted in the cover 15, the sliding block 43 is slidingly assembled on the mounting base 42, the locking pin 41 is arranged at one end of the sliding block 43, and the first reset member 44 is arranged between the sliding block 43 and the mounting base 42. The first reset member 44 is used to push the sliding block 43, so that the locking pin 41 moves in a direction close to the first lock hole 17. Under the action of the first reset member 44, the locking pin 41 extends into the first lock hole 17, so that the handle 20 is locked at the first position. Under the action of the electric driver, the sliding block 43 moves against the force of the first reset member 44, and the sliding block 43 drives the locking pin 41 to move, so that the locking pin 41 is separated from the first lock hole 17, that is, the unlocking is realized. In this arrangement, the electric driver only needs to drive the locking pin 41 to move in a direction away from the first lock hole 17, and the first reset member 44 resets the locking pin 41 to the locking state. The first reset member 44 can be a structure with elasticity, such as a spring, a spring sheet, etc. In an example, the first reset member 44 is a spring. One end of the spring is in contact with or connected to the mounting base 42, and the other end is in contact with or connected to the sliding block 43. Since the locking pin 41 is arranged on the sliding block 43, and the sliding block 43 is slidingly assembled on the mounting base 42, the sliding block 43 moves synchronously with the locking pin 41, and the mounting base 42 supports and guides the sliding block 43, so that the locking pin 41 is more stable during movement. A sliding groove can be arranged on the mounting base 42, and the sliding block 43 is mounted in the sliding groove. Alternatively, a sliding rail can be arranged on one of the mounting base 42 and the sliding block 43, and a sliding groove is arranged on the other one, and the mounting base 42 and the sliding block 43 are slidingly assembled through the cooperation of the sliding rail and the sliding groove.

[0037] As shown, Figure 10 In some optional technical solutions, the cabinet 10 further comprises a rear shell 191, and the front panel 11 is buckled on the front side of the rear shell 191. The water tank 13 is mounted in the rear shell 191, and the handle 20 is mounted on the front panel 11 and located on the front side of the water tank 13. Exemplarily, the rear shell 191 can be connected by a plurality of side plates and a bottom plate. The rear shell 191 is mounted on the rear side of the front panel 11, and the front side of the rear shell 191 is provided with a cavity for mounting the handle 20 and the cover 15. The cabinet 10 is divided into the rear shell 191 and the front panel 11, so as to reserve more suitable mounting space for the handle 20 and the water tank 13 respectively, and facilitate the installation operation.

[0038] As shown, Figure 10As shown, in some optional technical solutions, the box 10 further comprises a top cover 192, and the top of the water tank 13 is provided with a slot, and the top cover 192 covers the slot. In use, water can be poured into the water tank 13 through the slot, and the inner wall of the water tank 13 can also be cleaned through the slot. Exemplarily, the bottom of the water tank 13 is provided with a water outlet. When the water tank 1 is applied to an ice making device, a pipeline is connected between the ice making bin of the ice making device and the water outlet of the water tank 13, and the water in the water tank 13 can be discharged to the pipeline through the water outlet, and then enters the ice making bin through the pipeline to use the water to perform ice making operation.

[0039] In some optional embodiments, the electric driving mechanism can comprise a magnetic piece and an electromagnetic coil, and the magnetic piece is attracted by the electromagnetic coil when the electromagnetic coil is powered on. The magnetic piece is mounted on the sliding block 43. After the electric driver is started, the electromagnetic coil is powered on to attract the magnetic piece, so that the sliding block 43 mounted with the magnetic piece moves to drive the locking pin 41 to move away from the first lock hole 17.

[0040] In another optional technical solution, as Figure 6 shown, the electric driving mechanism can comprise a motor 521, a screw rod 522 and a nut, the output shaft of the motor 521 is connected with the screw rod 522, the screw rod 522 can be sleeved with the nut, and the sliding block 43 is connected with the nut. After the motor 521 is started, the output shaft drives the screw rod 522 to rotate, thereby driving the nut and the sliding block 43 to move along the axial direction of the output shaft, and the output shaft is coaxially arranged with the first through hole 22.

[0041] As Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, in some other optional technical solutions, the sliding block 43 is provided with a first inclined surface 431, the electric drive further comprises a sliding body 53 provided with a second inclined surface 531, the first inclined surface 431 is in contact with the second inclined surface 531, the electric drive structure is connected with the sliding body 53, and the sliding body 53 moves in the second direction to drive the sliding block 43 to move in the first direction and make the locking pin 41 move away from the first locking hole 17. In this way, the electric drive structure can be arranged in the second direction of the sliding body 53, and the electric drive structure drives the sliding body 53 to move in the second direction, so as to drive the sliding block 43 to move in the first direction through the sliding body 53, that is, the force output by the electric drive structure is diverted through the cooperation of the first inclined surface 431 and the second inclined surface 531, so as to realize the movement of the sliding block 43. For example, the electric drive mechanism can comprise a motor 521, a screw rod 522 and a nut, the output shaft of the motor 521 is connected with the screw rod 522, the screw rod 522 is sleeved with the nut, and the sliding body 53 is connected with the nut. The axial direction of the output shaft is the second direction, and the moving direction of the sliding block 43 is the first direction, which is perpendicular to the second direction. In this arrangement, the electric drive mechanism and the sliding body 53 can be arranged in the second direction of the sliding block 43, so as to save space in the first direction and facilitate layout. It should be noted that the number of the first inclined surfaces 431 on the sliding block 43 can be one or more. The number of the second inclined surfaces 531 provided on the sliding body 53 corresponding to the sliding block 43 is the same as the number of the first inclined surfaces 431 of the sliding block 43, and the inclination angle of the second inclined surface 531 is the same as that of the first inclined surface 431, and the second inclined surface 531 is arranged one by one corresponding to the first inclined surface 431.

[0042] As shown, Figure 6 In some optional technical solutions, the electric drive further comprises an adapter 54, the electric drive structure is mounted below the mounting seat 42, and the electric drive structure and the sliding body 53 are connected through the adapter 54. Due to the adapter 54, the electric drive structure can be at different horizontal positions with the sliding body 53, so as to expand the optional range of the mounting position of the electric drive structure. Since the electric drive structure is mounted below the mounting seat 42, the space of the mounting seat 42 in the second direction is saved, and the space utilization of the inner cavity of the handle 20 is improved. As shown, Figure 6 In an example, the adapter 54 is provided with a threaded hole 541, and the adapter 54 is screwed with the screw rod 522 through the threaded hole 541, so that the nut is not needed.

[0043] As shown, Figure 6 and Figure 8As shown, in some optional embodiments, the adapter 54 is in contact with a partial area on the side of the sliding body 53 away from the sliding block 43, and after the electric driving structure is started, the adapter 54 pushes the sliding body 53 to move in the second direction towards the sliding block 43. A second reset member 55 can be installed between the sliding body 53 and the mounting base 42, and during the process that the electric driving structure drives the adapter 54 to move away from the sliding block 43, the second reset member 55 drives the sliding body 53 to move away from the sliding block 43 to reset. The second reset member 55 can be a spring, and the second reset member 55 is in a force storage state when the sliding body 53 is in the second position.

[0044] In some optional embodiments, the adapter 54 is in contact with a partial area on the side of the sliding body 53 away from the sliding block 43, and after the electric driving structure is started, the adapter 54 pushes the sliding body 53 to move in the second direction towards the sliding block 43. As shown in Figure 11 As shown, a limiting groove 532 can be arranged on the front side (i.e. the side away from the sliding block 43) of the sliding body 53, the adapter 54 extends into the limiting groove 532, and the limiting groove 532 limits the adapter 54 in the first direction. The adapter 54 moves in the second direction towards the sliding block 43, thereby driving the sliding body 53 to move towards the sliding block 43.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 6 In some optional embodiments, the front side plate 24 of the handle 20 is provided with a second through hole 25, and the sliding body 53 is exposed to the second through hole 25 on one side in the second direction. In this arrangement, the operator can push the sliding body 53 through the second through hole 25 to make the sliding body 53 move, thereby performing a manual unlocking operation. Since the second through hole 25 is arranged, the operator can manually unlock the handle 20 when the electric driving structure fails, so as to pop out the handle 20, thereby taking out the water tank 1 from the ice making device where it is located, to facilitate the maintenance of the electric driving structure.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 In some optional embodiments, the number of the locking pin 41 assemblies is two, and the handle 20 is provided with a first through hole 22 on each side in the first direction, the tank 10 is provided with a first locking hole 17 relative to each first through hole 22, and the two locking pins 41 respectively pass through the corresponding first through holes 22 and extend into the corresponding first locking holes 17. Since the number of the locking pins 41 is two, the two locking pins 41 are respectively located on the two sides of the handle 20, thereby locking the handle 20 on the two sides in the first direction, and the locking stability is high.

[0047] When the number of the pin 41 assemblies is two, the number of the trigger buttons is one, and the number of the electric driving structures can be one or two. When the number of the electric driving structures is two, after the trigger button is triggered, the two electric driving structures are synchronously started, and one of the electric driving structures drives one of the pin 41 assemblies to be unlocked, and the other electric driving structure drives the other pin 41 assembly to be unlocked, so as to unlock the handle 20.

[0048] When the number of the pin 41 assemblies is two, one of the sliders 43 can be installed on the top of the mounting seat 42, and the other slider 43 can be installed on the bottom of the mounting seat 42, so as to better utilize the inner cavity space of the handle 20 in the height direction.

[0049] When the number of the electric driving structures is one, in some optional technical solutions, the two sliders 43 are respectively provided with first inclined surfaces 431, and the inclined directions of the first inclined surfaces 431 on the two sliders 43 are opposite. The sliding body 53 is respectively provided with matched second inclined surfaces 531 corresponding to the first inclined surfaces 431, and the sliding body 53 moves in the second direction to drive the two sliders 43 to move in opposite directions, and to make the two pin 41 assemblies move away from the first lock hole 17. In this arrangement, the number of the electric driving structures is one, and the number of the sliding bodies 53 is one. One sliding body 53 simultaneously drives the two sliders 43 to move in opposite directions, so as to make the two pin 41 assemblies extending from the two sides of the handle 20 retract into the inner cavity of the handle 20, to unlock the handle 20.

[0050] In some optional embodiments, a trigger button can be arranged on the handle 20 or the box body 10. The trigger button is connected with the control unit. After the trigger button is triggered, the control unit starts the driving mechanism to move the handle 20 to the second position through the driving mechanism. It should be noted that the trigger button can be a physical button or a virtual button. In this arrangement, the user can trigger the trigger button by touching, so as to unlock the handle 20, and to use the handle 20 to move the water tank 1 when needed.

[0051] In some optional embodiments, a second lock hole can be arranged on the box 10. After the handle 20 is turned through a certain angle via the first position, the driving mechanism is reset. When the handle 20 is moved to the second position, the first through hole 22 is opposite to the second lock hole, and the lock pin 41 is extended into the second lock hole under the action of the first reset member 44, so as to lock the handle 20 at the second position. In this arrangement, the handle 20 can be locked at the second position through the cooperation of the lock pin 41 and the second lock hole, so that the stability of the handle 20 is stronger during the movement of the water tank 1. After the user places the water tank 1 back to the ice making device, the trigger button can be pressed again to start the driving mechanism, so that the handle 20 is unlocked at the second position, and then the handle 20 is pushed back to the first position by the user. During the movement of the handle 20 from the second position to the first position, the driving mechanism is reset, so that when the handle 20 is moved to the first position and the first through hole 22 is opposite to the first lock hole 17, the lock pin 41 is extended into the first lock hole 17 under the action of the first reset member 44, so as to lock the handle 20 at the first position.

[0052] In the second aspect, as shown in Figure 12 and Figure 13 embodiments of the present application also provide an ice making device, which comprises a housing 2 and the water tank 1 provided by the above technical solutions. The housing 2 is provided with a containing area, and the water tank 1 is placed in the containing area.

[0053] The ice making device comprises the water tank 1 provided by the first aspect. Therefore, the ice making device at least has all the beneficial effects of the water tank 1, which will not be described here. The housing 2 is arranged outside the water tank 1, which protects the structures in the water tank 1, and the housing 2 can shield the structures in the water tank 1, thereby improving the appearance.

[0054] The ice making device provided by the embodiments of the present application can further comprise an ice making device structure, which can comprise a pipeline, an evaporator and the like. The pipeline can comprise a cooling pipeline for conveying a coolant to the evaporator, a water inlet pipeline for injecting a liquid (for example, water) for making ice into an ice box, a drain pipeline for draining excess water, and the like. The cooling pipeline is connected to the evaporator, and the water inlet pipeline is connected to the ice box. When the ice box is in an ice making position, at least part of the evaporator is located inside the ice box, the ice outlet of the ice box faces upward (including a vertical upward direction or an inclined upward direction), water flows into the ice box via the water inlet pipeline, and the evaporator causes the liquid in the ice box to freeze into ice blocks. After the ice making is completed, the ice box is rotated under the driving of the rotating mechanism, the ice outlet of the ice box faces downward, and the ice blocks are discharged via the ice outlet of the ice box.

[0055] The ice making device provided by the embodiments of the present application can be an ice making device that exists independently and is used, such as an embedded ice making device, a table type ice making device, a portable ice making device and the like. The ice making device can also be an ice making device applied to other devices, such as an ice making device applied to a refrigerator, a water dispenser and the like.

[0056] The above disclosure is merely the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Any equivalent changes made according to the claims of the present application shall still fall within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A water tank characterized by: The utility model relates to a water tank, which comprises: a box body having a front panel provided with a handle slot and a water tank in which a water level sensor is installed; a handle hinged to the box body, which can rotate relative to the box body between a first position and a second position; in the first position, the handle is completely located in the handle slot; in the second position, at least part of the structure of the handle is located outside the handle slot; a driving mechanism for driving the handle to rotate relative to the box body; a control unit connected with the water level sensor and the driving mechanism, which is used to start the driving mechanism to drive the handle to the second position when the water level in the water tank is lower than a first threshold.

2. The water tank of claim 1, wherein: The driving mechanism comprises: an ejection structure installed on the box body, which is connected with the handle and is used to rotate the handle from the first position to the second position; a locking structure installed on the handle and / or the box body, which is used to lock the handle in the first position to the box body; an electric driver connected with the control unit, which is used to unlock the locking structure.

3. The water tank of claim 2, wherein: The handle has an inner cavity in which the locking structure is installed, and the handle has a first through hole and the box body has a first lock hole; the locking structure comprises a lock pin assembly, which comprises a lock pin, one end of the lock pin penetrating through the first through hole and extending into the first lock hole, and the electric driver is used to drive the lock pin to move in a first direction to disengage from the first lock hole.

4. The water tank of claim 3, wherein: The box body further comprises a cover shell installed on the rear side of the front panel and located in front of the water tank, the handle is rotatably installed in the cover shell, and the first lock hole is arranged in the cover shell.

5. The water tank of claim 4, wherein: An arc-shaped sliding groove is arranged in the cover shell, the outer side of the handle is provided with a limiting block located in the arc-shaped sliding groove, and the limiting block slides in the arc-shaped sliding groove during the rotation of the handle relative to the box body.

6. The water tank of claim 5, wherein: The handle is provided with a rotating shaft, the handle is rotatably connected with the cover shell through the rotating shaft, the ejection structure comprises a torsional spring, both ends of the torsional spring are connected with the cover shell and the handle respectively, and the torsional spring is used to drive the handle to rotate around the rotating shaft to rotate the handle from the first position to the second position.

7. The water tank of claim 5, wherein: The locking structure further comprises a mounting seat, the lock pin assembly further comprises a sliding block and a first reset member, the mounting seat is installed in the cover shell, the sliding block is slidingly assembled on the mounting seat, the lock pin is arranged at one end of the sliding block, a first reset member is arranged between the sliding block and the mounting seat, and the first reset member is used to push the sliding block to move the lock pin towards the first lock hole.

8. The water tank of claim 1, wherein: The box further comprises a rear shell, the front panel is buckled on the front side of the rear shell, the sink is installed in the rear shell, the handle is installed on the front panel, and the handle is located on the front side of the sink.

9. The water tank of claim 1, wherein: The box further comprises a top cover, the top of the sink is provided with a notch, and the top cover covers the notch.

10. An ice making apparatus characterized by: The box further comprises a top cover, the top of the sink is provided with a notch, and the top cover covers the notch.

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