Water tank and water purification equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of water purification, in particular to a water tank and water purification equipment. The water tank comprises a water tank body, a floating ball and a valve assembly, a water containing cavity is formed in the water tank body, a mounting groove sunken towards the interior of the water containing cavity is formed in the bottom wall of the water tank body, and a through hole communicated with the water containing cavity is formed in the top wall of the mounting groove; the floating ball is arranged in the water containing cavity; the valve assembly comprises a water inlet valve, at least part of the water inlet valve is embedded in the mounting groove, penetrates through the through hole and then is movably connected with the floating ball, and the water inlet valve communicates with the water containing cavity. The mounting groove which is sunken towards the interior of the water containing cavity is formed in the bottom wall of the water tank body, and at least part of the water inlet valve is embedded in the mounting groove, so that the overall height of the water inlet valve is increased, the water inlet valve can be closed only after the floating ball rises to a higher height, and it is ensured that more water can flow into the water tank body; the utilization rate of the water tank body is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water purification technology, and more particularly to a water tank and water purification equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Water purifiers typically use an electronic float inside the pure water tank to detect water level. Its working principle is as follows: when the water level reaches a preset high level, the float triggers a switch, instructing the main unit to stop water production; when the water level drops to a low level due to water intake, water production resumes. However, this solution generally relies on a built-in reed switch as the core sensing element. Due to its structural characteristics, the reed switch is prone to problems such as contact adhesion, oxidation, or seal failure in long-term humid environments, leading to control malfunctions, a high failure rate, and the potential for water overflow or failure to produce water properly.

[0003] Although some water purifiers use purely mechanical control valves to manage the pure water tank, in this design, the float directly closes the inlet valve through the lever principle. The drawback is that in order to ensure that the valve can be reliably closed, the float often has to trigger the closing action after rising to a certain height (far from reaching the top of the water tank). This results in the water tank not being completely filled, causing the effective utilization rate of the pure water tank to be significantly low, which affects the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention proposes a water tank that ensures more water can flow into the interior of the tank body, thereby improving the utilization rate of the tank body.

[0005] This invention also proposes a water purification device.

[0006] A water tank according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: The water tank body has a water-containing cavity inside. The bottom wall of the water tank body is provided with a mounting groove that is recessed into the water-containing cavity. The top wall of the mounting groove is provided with a through hole that communicates with the water-containing cavity. A float ball is disposed within the water-containing cavity; The valve assembly includes an inlet valve, which is at least partially embedded in the mounting groove and movably connected to the float after passing through the through hole. The inlet valve is in communication with the water-containing cavity.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the water tank has an inlet valve embedded in the bottom wall of the water tank body by providing an installation groove that is recessed into the water-containing cavity. This raises the overall height of the inlet valve, and the inlet valve will only close after the float rises to a higher height, ensuring that more water can flow into the interior of the water tank body and improving the utilization rate of the water tank body.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inlet valve includes: A guide cylinder, which passes through the through hole, and the float is movably fitted onto the guide cylinder; A valve core, which is movably disposed inside the guide cylinder; The housing is connected to the guide cylinder. The housing is provided with an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a valve chamber. The first port of the inlet channel is connected to the water circuit board, the second port of the inlet channel is connected to the valve chamber, the first port of the outlet channel is connected to the valve chamber, and the second port of the outlet channel is connected to the water receiving chamber. The valve body is disposed within the valve cavity and connected to the lower end of the valve core; An elastic element is disposed within the valve cavity. The elastic element is adapted to switch between a first deformation state and a second deformation state. In the first deformation state, the valve body abuts against the first port of the water outlet channel, and the valve core is separated from the float. In the second deformation state, the valve body is separated from the first port of the water outlet channel, and the valve core and the float are magnetically attracted to each other.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic element includes: A first compression spring is located above the valve body, with its first end abutting against the housing and its second end abutting against the valve body.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the outer diameter of the first end of the first compression spring is larger than the outer diameter of the second end of the first compression spring.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inlet valve further includes: A second compression spring is disposed inside the guide cylinder. The first end of the second compression spring abuts against the upper end of the guide cylinder, and the second end of the second compression spring abuts against the upper end of the valve core.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the guide cylinder is provided with a first positioning part, the first end of the second compression spring is sleeved on the first positioning part, the upper end of the valve core is provided with a second positioning part, and the second end of the second compression spring is sleeved on the second positioning part.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bottom wall of the water tank body is provided with a water inlet interface communicating with the water-containing cavity, and the second port of the water outlet channel is plugged into the water inlet interface.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sliding sleeve is provided inside the float, and an insertion port communicating with the inside of the sliding sleeve is provided at the bottom of the float. The guide cylinder is inserted into the sliding sleeve, and a magnetic ring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the sliding sleeve. In the second deformation state, the magnetic ring magnetically engages with the valve core.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a limiting member is provided inside the float, the limiting member abutting against the upper part of the magnetic ring, and the lower part of the magnetic ring abutting against the bottom wall of the float.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes: The cover body has an opening at the top of the water tank body, and the cover body closes to the opening. The lower surface of the cover body has an upwardly recessed clearance groove. In the first deformation state, the upper part of the float ball is located in the clearance groove.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the top wall of the avoidance groove is provided with a limiting mechanism, and in the first deformation state, the upper part of the float abuts against the limiting mechanism.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bottom wall of the water tank body is provided with a first mounting cavity recessed into the water-containing cavity, the mounting groove is located on the top wall of the first mounting cavity, and the lower part of the water inlet valve is located in the first mounting cavity.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the water purification device includes the water tank described in any of the preceding claims.

[0020] According to the embodiments of the present invention, the water purification equipment can reduce the number of times the water purification equipment is started and stopped by using the above-mentioned water tank, thus extending the service life of the water purification equipment. Moreover, since the water tank can store more pure water, it can meet the usage needs of various scenarios, improve the user experience, and enhance the product competitiveness.

[0021] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1This is one of the three-dimensional structural schematic diagrams of the water tank provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a bottom view structural diagram of the water tank provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 It is along Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure created by the mid-section line AA.

[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the middle.

[0027] Figure 5 This is the second three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the water tank provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 This is the third three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the water tank provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure label: 10. Water tank body; 11. Water circuit board installation space; 12. Sloping surface; 13. Water inlet interface; 14. First installation cavity; 15. Sealing ring; 16. Installation groove; 20. Water circuit board; 21. First connection port assembly; 22. Second connection port assembly; 23. Fixing part; 24. Hot tank exhaust pipe; 30. Float; 31. Sliding sleeve; 32. Magnetic ring; 33. Limiting component; 40. Valve assembly; 41. Inlet valve; 42. Guide cylinder; 43. Valve core; 44. Housing; 45. Valve body; 46. Elastic element; 47. Second compression spring; 48. Flexible element; 49. Connecting piece; 50. Cover; 51. Clearance groove; 52. Limiting mechanism; 210. Booster pump connection port; 211. Wastewater valve connection port; 212. Check valve inlet connection port; 213. Check valve outlet connection port; 214. Inlet valve connection port; 220. RO filter inlet; 221. RO filter wastewater inlet; 222. RO filter outlet; 223. Post-filter inlet; 224. Post-filter outlet. 420. First positioning unit; 421. Second positioning unit; 430. Water inlet channel; 431. Water outlet channel; 432. Valve chamber. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0031] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., 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 the embodiments of 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, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0033] In embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0034] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the water tank includes a tank body 10, a float 30, and a valve assembly 40. The tank body 10 has a water-containing cavity inside. The bottom wall of the tank body 10 is provided with a mounting groove 16 recessed into the water-containing cavity, and the top wall of the mounting groove 16 is provided with a through hole communicating with the water-containing cavity. The float 30 is disposed in the water-containing cavity. The valve assembly 40 includes an inlet valve 41, which is at least partially embedded in the mounting groove 16 and movably connected to the float 30 after passing through the through hole. The inlet valve 41 communicates with the water-containing cavity.

[0036] According to the water tank provided by the present invention, by providing a mounting groove 16 recessed into the water-containing cavity on the bottom wall of the water tank body 10, and at least partially and stably embedding the inlet valve 41 in the mounting groove 16, the overall height of the inlet valve 41 is raised. Since the lifting stroke of the float 30 is directly related to the inlet valve 41, the upward movement of the inlet valve 41 determines that the inlet valve 41 will only close the water inlet channel 430 after the float 30 rises to a higher height. This arrangement ensures that more water can flow into the interior of the water tank body 10 before the inlet valve 41 closes. Compared with the water tank design in the related art, the utilization rate of the water tank body 10 is significantly improved without changing the external dimensions of the water tank, achieving a larger effective water storage capacity.

[0037] It is understandable that, such as Figures 3 to 4As shown, the inlet valve 41 includes a guide cylinder 42, a valve core 43, a housing 44, a valve body 45, and an elastic element 46. The guide cylinder 42 is vertically arranged and has a through hole. The float ball 30 is movably fitted onto the guide cylinder 42. The guide cylinder 42 is suitable for guiding the float ball 30, ensuring that the float ball 30 can only move in the vertical direction. This ensures the stability and accuracy of the float ball 30's rise and fall, avoids jamming caused by tilting or shaking, and guarantees the reliability of the water level sensing. The valve core 43 is movably arranged inside the guide cylinder 42. The valve core 43 has a rod-shaped structure and is vertically arranged. The stable vertical movement of the valve core 43 within the guide cylinder 42 can transmit the movement of the float ball 30, achieving precise valve control. The valve core 43 is made of iron or a magnet to achieve magnetic cooperation with the float 30. Through non-contact magnetic force, the float 30 and the valve core 43 are linked, so that the water tank can close the valve only when the water level is higher, thereby increasing the effective volume of the water tank.

[0038] The housing 44 is connected to the guide cylinder 42. The interior of the housing 44 is provided with a water inlet channel 430, a water outlet channel 431, and a valve chamber 432. Specifically, as shown... Figure 4 As shown, the valve chamber 432 is located in the middle, the first port of the water inlet channel 430 is connected to the water circuit board 20, and the second port of the water inlet channel 430 is connected to the valve chamber 432. The water inlet channel 430 is located on the side of the valve chamber 432 closer to the water circuit board 20, that is, the water inlet channel 430 is located on the right side of the valve chamber 432. This arrangement can shorten the length of the pipe connecting the water inlet channel 430 and the water circuit board 20, which not only saves pipe material costs and reduces water flow resistance, but also helps to achieve a compact layout design inside the equipment. The first port of the water outlet channel 431 is vertically arranged and is connected to the valve chamber 432. The second port of the water outlet channel 431 is connected to the water storage chamber. The water outlet channel 431 is located on the side of the valve chamber 432 away from the water circuit board 20, that is, the water outlet channel 431 is located on the side of the valve chamber 432 closer to the water inlet interface 13. This arrangement can shorten the length of the pipe connecting the water outlet channel 431 and the water inlet interface 13, which also helps to reduce costs and fluid resistance, making the overall structure layout of the water tank more reasonable and the space utilization rate higher.

[0039] A valve body 45 is disposed within a valve cavity 432 and is connected to the lower end of a valve core 43. The valve body 45 and valve core 43 move up and down synchronously. The valve body 45 is adapted to control the opening and closing of the first port of the water outlet channel 431. An elastic element 46 is disposed within a valve cavity 432 and is adapted to switch between a first deformation state and a second deformation state. In the first deformation state, the valve body 45 abuts against the first port of the water outlet channel 431, and the valve core 43 is separated from the float ball 30. At this time, the inlet valve 41 is closed, and water cannot enter the water-containing cavity through the inlet valve 41. In the second deformation state, the valve body 45 is separated from the first port of the water outlet channel 431, and the valve core 43 is magnetically attracted to the float ball 30. At this time, the inlet valve 41 is closed, and water first flows into the valve cavity 432 through the inlet channel 430, then into the outlet channel 431 through the first port of the outlet channel 431, and then into the water-containing cavity through the inlet port 13.

[0040] The valve body 45 is disposed within the valve cavity 432 and is fixedly connected to the lower end of the valve core 43. The valve body 45 and the valve core 43 move up and down synchronously. This rigid connection ensures that even minute displacements of the valve core 43 are accurately transmitted to the valve body 45, resulting in rapid valve opening and closing response and precise control. The valve body 45 is suitable for controlling the opening and closing of the first port of the water outlet channel 431. Through simple planar contact or conical sealing, a reliable sealing surface can be formed, effectively cutting off or guiding water flow.

[0041] An elastic element 46 is disposed within the valve cavity 432. The elastic element 46 is adapted to switch between a first deformation state and a second deformation state, and it forms the basis for automatic valve reset and reliable sealing. In the first deformation state, the valve body 45 abuts against the first port of the outlet channel 431, and the valve core 43 separates from the float 30. At this time, the inlet valve 41 is closed, preventing water from entering the water-containing cavity. The pushing force of the elastic element 46 ensures the valve is tightly closed, effectively preventing water overflow. In the second deformation state, the valve core 43 and the float 30 are magnetically attracted, and the valve core 43 moves upward under magnetic force, causing the valve body 45 to separate from the first port of the outlet channel 431. At this time, the inlet valve 41 is in the open state. Water first flows into the valve chamber 432 through the inlet channel 430, then flows into the outlet channel 431 through the first port of the outlet channel 431, and then flows into the interior of the water chamber through the inlet port 13. In this state, the magnetic attraction between the float ball 30 and the valve core 43 overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element 46, and "locks" the valve in the open position.

[0042] It is understandable that, such as Figure 4As shown, the lower end of the guide cylinder 42 is located on the connecting piece 49. The edge of the valve body 45 is connected to the connecting piece 49 via a flexible element 48, which is a rubber or silicone diaphragm. The upper end of the elastic element 46 abuts against the connecting piece 49, thus providing a fixed reaction force platform for the elastic element 46, ensuring that its elastic force can act stably and vertically on the valve body 45 below, achieving reliable reset and closure. The connecting piece 49, the flexible element 48, and the valve body 45 work together to form a sealed cavity. The elastic element 46 is located inside the sealed cavity. By completely isolating the elastic element 46, which is the core power source, from the water flow, problems such as rust, scale adhesion, or jamming by impurities that may occur with the spring due to long-term immersion are fundamentally eliminated, ensuring the reliability of the valve closing force. Since the flexible element 48 can deform with the movement of the valve body 45, the movement of the valve body 45 is almost unaffected by the flexible element 48, making the force required to open the valve body 45 very small. The entire inlet valve 41 is extremely sensitive to changes in water level, ensuring the accuracy of water level control.

[0043] It is understandable that, such as Figures 3 to 4 As shown, the elastic element 46 includes a first compression spring located above the valve body 45. The first end of the first compression spring abuts against the connecting piece 49, and the second end of the first compression spring abuts against the valve body 45. The outer diameter of the first end of the first compression spring is larger than the outer diameter of the second end. Its wide upper end contacts the housing 44 or the connecting piece 49, enhancing the first compression spring's resistance to lateral buckling and ensuring its vertical stability during compression. Simultaneously, under high compression, a smaller coil can be nested within a larger coil, thereby reducing the final compression height of the first compression spring and providing conditions for achieving compactness and miniaturization of the valve assembly.

[0044] In the first deformation state, since the valve core 43 separates from the float 30 and loses its magnetic attraction, the valve core 43 moves downward. At this time, the compression of the first compression spring is small. Under the elastic force of the first compression spring, the valve body 45 abuts against the first port of the water outlet channel 431, so that the inlet valve 41 is in the closed state. In the second deformation state, since the water level is lower and the float 30 is lower, the valve core 43 and the float 30 are magnetically attracted to each other. Under the magnetic attraction, the valve core 43 moves upward, which further compresses the first compression spring. The valve body 45 separates from the first port of the water outlet channel 431, so that the inlet valve 41 is in the open state.

[0045] It is understandable that, such as Figures 3 to 4As shown, the inlet valve 41 also includes a second compression spring 47, which is vertically disposed inside the guide cylinder and located above the valve core 43. The first end of the second compression spring 47 abuts against the upper end of the guide cylinder 42, and the second end of the second compression spring 47 abuts against the upper end of the valve core 43. In the first deformation state, the second compression spring 47 is in the first compression state, and the compression amount of the second compression spring 47 is small. At this time, the spring provides a basic downward pressure to ensure that the valve core 43 remains stable in the non-operating state. In the second deformation state, the second compression spring 47 is in the second compression state and is further compressed. When the valve core 43 is magnetically attracted upward, the second compression spring 47 is passively compressed and stores energy. Once the float 30 rises to the highest point, the buoyancy causes the magnetic attraction between the float 30 and the valve core 43 to approach the critical point of disconnection. At this time, the elastic potential energy stored in the second compression spring 47 will be released instantaneously, giving the valve core 43 a downward push, actively pushing the valve core 43 away from the magnet of the float 30, thereby achieving a clean and crisp "disengagement" action. This completely avoids the problem of the valve repeatedly "sticking" and "opening" at the critical point due to water surface fluctuations, and improves the reliability and response speed of the valve closing action.

[0046] It is understandable that, such as Figure 4 As shown, the upper end of the guide cylinder 42 is provided with a first positioning part 420, and the upper end of the valve core 43 is provided with a second positioning part 421. Both positioning parts are cylinders or frustums, providing a precise installation reference for both ends of the spring, effectively avoiding positional displacement of the spring during assembly and operation, and ensuring coaxial application of force. The first end of the second compression spring 47 is sleeved on the first positioning part 420, and the second end of the second compression spring 47 is sleeved on the second positioning part 421. Through this inner and outer sleeve positioning method, the radial degree of freedom of the spring is constrained by the positioning part, fundamentally eliminating the risk of bending or buckling deformation of the spring under compression, and ensuring the stability and linearity of its elastic force output. The first positioning part 420 and the second positioning part 421 are on the same vertical line, ensuring that the elastic force generated by the second compression spring 47 can be transmitted strictly along the movement axis of the valve core 43, completely eliminating the lateral component force that may cause the valve core 43 to tilt or jam, thereby ensuring the smooth movement and low friction of the valve core 43, and significantly improving the response sensitivity and long-term reliability of the entire valve mechanism.

[0047] It is understandable that, such as Figure 4As shown, the bottom wall of the water tank body 10 is provided with a water inlet interface 13 that communicates with the water-containing cavity. The second port of the water outlet channel 431 is plugged into the water inlet interface 13, which simplifies the assembly and maintenance process. It simplifies the complex pipeline connection into a one-step "insertion" action, which significantly improves production efficiency and reduces labor costs. Preferably, the water inlet interface 13 is vertically arranged. During the process of embedding the water inlet valve 41 into the mounting groove 16, the second port of the water outlet channel 431 can be plugged into the water inlet interface 13 by aligning the second port of the water outlet channel 431 with the water inlet interface 13, which further simplifies the installation method of the water inlet valve 41.

[0048] It is understandable that, such as Figure 4 As shown, an annular groove is provided inside the through hole, and a sealing ring 15 is installed inside the annular groove. The sealing ring 15 fills the tiny gap between the through hole and the guide cylinder 42 by its own elastic deformation, thus constructing a reliable waterproof barrier. The sealing ring 15 is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the guide cylinder 42 and seals with it. This tight fit ensures that water in the water tank cavity will not leak down the outer wall of the guide cylinder 42 into the mounting groove 16, thereby ensuring the dryness and electrical safety of the equipment interior. This is the fundamental guarantee for realizing the functional zoning of the water tank and safe operation.

[0049] It is understandable that, such as Figure 4 As shown, the bottom wall of the water tank body 10 is provided with a first mounting cavity 14 that is recessed into the water-containing chamber. This design cleverly accommodates the valve assembly, which would otherwise need to be externally mounted or protruding, within the first mounting cavity 14, allowing the entire water tank and even the bottom of the equipment to form a complete and flat bottom surface, effectively protecting the valve assembly from external impacts and damage. The mounting groove 16 is located on the top wall of the first mounting cavity 14. This "stepped" structural design places the mounting groove 16 on the top wall of the cavity, further raising the mounting reference surface of the inlet valve 41 and further increasing the highest stroke point of the float 30. Thus, without changing the external dimensions of the water tank, the effective water storage capacity of the water tank is significantly increased, improving the volume utilization rate. The lower part of the inlet valve 41 is located within the first mounting cavity 14. In this way, the relatively complex parts such as the pipe interface and valve body 45 of the inlet valve 41 are hidden, making the external appearance of the water tank simpler and more beautiful, effectively improving the space utilization and integration of the whole machine, and realizing the compact design of the product.

[0050] Understandably, the top wall of the first mounting cavity 14 is provided with studs, and the housing 44 of the water inlet valve 41 is connected to the studs by screws.

[0051] It is understandable that, such as Figure 3As shown, the first mounting cavity 14 forms an opening below the side wall on one side of the water tank body 10, providing a crucial lateral operating window for the originally closed cavity. This allows installers to insert the inlet valve 41 into the installation area from the side, rather than only from directly below, improving operability in confined spaces. The side wall of the mounting groove 16 away from the opening protrudes downward relative to the side wall of the mounting groove 16 near the opening, meaning the height of the side wall of the mounting groove 16 away from the opening is greater than the height of the side wall of the mounting groove 16 near the opening. This forms a positioning surface at the lower part of the side wall of the mounting groove 16 away from the opening. The shape of the positioning surface matches the shape of the inlet valve 41, providing clear tactile and visual guidance for the subsequent installation process.

[0052] Due to the limited space at the bottom of the water tank body 10, installing the inlet valve 41 into the mounting slot 16 is quite difficult. When installing the inlet valve 41, first align it with the positioning surface visible from the opening. This indicates that the inlet valve 41 is in the correct installation position. Then, push the inlet valve 41 upwards to insert it into the mounting slot 16. This two-step "set up first, then push" installation method simplifies a complex three-dimensional alignment problem into two consecutive, simple linear actions. It eliminates the need to repeatedly search and adjust the position of the inlet valve 41 within the limited bottom space, effectively simplifying the installation method, improving assembly efficiency, reducing the skill requirements for operators, and making operation more convenient.

[0053] It is understandable that, such as Figure 4 As shown, a sliding sleeve 31 is provided inside the float 30, and an insertion port communicating with the inside of the sliding sleeve 31 is provided at the bottom of the float 30. The guide cylinder 42 is inserted into the sliding sleeve 31, which provides a smooth guiding interface for the up and down movement of the float 30, effectively reducing frictional resistance and making the float 30 more sensitive to small changes in water level. A magnetic ring 32 is fitted around the outer periphery of the sliding sleeve 31; in the second deformation state, the magnetic ring 32 magnetically engages with the valve core 43. The magnetic ring 32 is the core actuator for realizing the "delayed closing" function. Through the magnetic attraction generated with the valve core 43, it forcibly locks the valve in the open position. Only when the float 30 rises high enough and the buoyancy is large enough to "break free" from this magnetic force will the inlet valve close, thereby raising the valve closing water level and maximizing the utilization of the water tank's storage capacity.

[0054] Preferably, the cross-section of the sliding sleeve 31 and the cross-section of the guide cylinder 42 are both non-circular. This non-circular fit (e.g., square, elliptical, or with reinforcing ribs) forms a "keyway" effect, which completely eliminates the possibility of the float 30 rotating during the up-and-down sliding process. This ensures that the relative position and orientation of the magnetic ring 32 and the magnetic components on the valve core 43 are always consistent, guaranteeing the stability and repeatability of the magnetic attraction force during each action, which is the key to achieving reliable control.

[0055] It is understandable that, such as Figure 4 As shown, a limiting component 33 is provided inside the float 30. The limiting component 33 abuts against the upper part of the magnetic ring 32, and the lower part of the magnetic ring 32 abuts against the bottom wall of the float 30. By making the limiting component 33 abut against the upper part of the magnetic ring 32 and the lower part of the magnetic ring 32 abut against the bottom wall of the float 30, it is ensured that the magnetic ring 32 will not move in the vertical direction, preventing the magnetic ring 32 from moving relative to the float 30 in the vertical direction. This achieves axial fixation of the magnetic ring 32, ensuring that the interaction distance between the magnetic ring 32 and the valve core 43 remains constant, making the magnetic force predictable and highly consistent. This is the fundamental guarantee for the accurate and reliable operation of the entire water level sensing and control system.

[0056] It is understandable that, such as Figure 4 As shown, the bottom wall of the float 30 is provided with a downwardly recessed annular positioning groove, and the magnetic ring 32 is embedded in the annular positioning groove. This "submerged" embedding method not only provides precise radial positioning for the magnetic ring 32, preventing it from sliding laterally and ensuring stable alignment of the magnetic field, but also reduces the installation reference height of the magnetic ring 32. Even if the float 30 rises significantly due to the rise in water level, the magnetic ring 32 inside can maintain effective magnetic attraction with the valve core 43 over a longer stroke. A higher water level must be reached to generate greater buoyancy before the magnetic attraction can be finally "pulled apart," thus delaying the valve closing time. Without changing the overall size of the water tank, the effective water storage capacity of the water tank is further improved.

[0057] It is understandable that, such as Figure 3 As shown, the water tank also includes a cover 50, with an opening at the top of the water tank body 10, to which the cover 50 closes. The lower surface of the cover 50 has an upwardly recessed clearance groove 51, the shape of which matches the shape of the float 30. In the first deformed state (which should be the final state of being full of water), the upper part of the float 30 is located within the clearance groove 51, allowing the physical travel limit of the float 30 to extend upwards. By providing the clearance groove 51, the float 30 can rise to a greater height while maintaining the same height of the water tank body 10, thereby delaying the valve closing timing and further increasing the effective water storage capacity of the water tank.

[0058] It is understandable that, such as Figure 3As shown, a limiting mechanism 52 is provided on the top wall of the clearance groove 51. The limiting mechanism 52 is a combination of protrusions and rings, but it can also be protrusions, cross ribs, or a pointed cone. In the first deformed state, the upper part of the float 30 abuts against the limiting mechanism 52. The limiting mechanism 52 changes the contact between the float 30 and the cover 50 from a potential surface contact to a very small point or line contact. By setting the limiting mechanism 52, the top of the float 30 can be prevented from directly contacting and sticking to the top wall of the clearance groove 51. This is because the surface tension of water will generate a strong adsorption force between the two smooth and wet surfaces, which is enough to overcome the weight of the float 30 itself. The limiting mechanism 52 reduces the contact area to the extreme, so that this adsorption force is also very small. This ensures that the float 30 can quickly and automatically descend after the water level drops, ensuring that the inlet valve 41 can respond and open in a timely manner, maintaining the sensitivity and reliability of the entire system.

[0059] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the water tank also includes a water passage plate 20, which is disposed on the water tank body 10. Preferably, the water passage plate 20 is disposed at the bottom of the water tank body 10 to make full use of the usually unused bottom space in traditional water tank designs, maximizing space utilization. Furthermore, because its position is far from the top cover 50, it will not interfere with users' daily maintenance operations such as opening the cover 50, ensuring ease of use. The water passage plate 20 is provided with a first connection port assembly 21 and a second connection port assembly 22. The first connection port assembly 21 communicates with the filter element device, and the second connection port assembly 22 communicates with the valve assembly 40, the water chamber, and the first connection port assembly 21.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the water tank integrates the water circuit board 20 onto the water tank body 10, thereby combining the water tank body and the water circuit board 20, which originally required separate space, into one unit. This effectively eliminates the redundant gap between the two, thereby reducing the space occupied by the water circuit board 20 and the water tank as a whole, and ultimately reducing the volume of the water purification equipment. At the same time, by placing the water circuit board 20 onto the water tank body 10, the pipeline path connecting the water circuit board 20 and the water tank body 10 is significantly shortened, which not only directly reduces the space occupied by the pipeline itself, but also fundamentally simplifies the pipeline layout and connection relationship.

[0061] It is understandable that, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the water circuit board 20 and the water tank body 10 are integrally formed. The water circuit board 20 and the water tank body 10 are integrally formed using processes such as injection molding. In this way, two components that originally needed to be manufactured separately and then assembled with fasteners are integrated into one component during the production stage. This effectively reduces the number of components in the water purification equipment. This not only reduces material procurement costs and supply chain management complexity, but more importantly, it greatly simplifies the assembly process on the production line and improves production efficiency.

[0062] It is understandable that, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the first connection port assembly 21 is located on one side of the water circuit board 20, and the second connection port assembly 22 is located on the other side of the water circuit board 20. Since the first connection port assembly 21 is mainly used to connect the filter cartridge, while the second connection port assembly 22 is mainly used to connect the inlet valve 41, check valve, and other valve assemblies 40, placing these two sets of components with completely different functional attributes and maintenance requirements on opposite sides of the water circuit board 20 effectively divides their space into independent areas. When maintenance personnel need to install or replace the filter cartridge, their operating path will not encounter the valve assembly 40 on the other side, thus avoiding interference between the filter cartridge and the valve assembly 40 during installation and maintenance. This not only greatly reduces the difficulty of operation but also effectively prevents the risk of accidental contact or damage to the valve assembly 40 due to insufficient operating space. At the same time, this partitioned design effectively utilizes the space on both sides of the water circuit board 20, avoiding the space waste and layout chaos caused by piling all the interfaces on one side. This achieves a more orderly and compact arrangement of components within a limited volume, further improving the integration of the water tank and even the entire water purification equipment.

[0063] It is understandable that, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the bottom wall of the water tank body 10 is provided with a water circuit board installation space 11 that is recessed into the water chamber. The water circuit board 20 is set in the water circuit board installation space 11. This "recessed" design is equivalent to "borrowing" a part of the space from the inside of the water tank to install the water circuit board 20 without changing the overall external outline of the water tank. This makes the water circuit board 20 basically not occupy any space outside the water tank body 10, avoiding the increase in the overall size of the machine caused by the independent setting of the water circuit board 20 in the traditional design. It further reduces the space occupied by the water tank and even the entire water purification equipment, which plays an important role in realizing the compactness and miniaturization of the product.

[0064] The water circuit board 20 divides the recessed water circuit board installation space 11 into a first space unit located on one side of the water circuit board 20 and a second space unit located on the other side of the water circuit board 20. The first connection port assembly 21 is located in the first space unit and the second connection port assembly 22 is located in the second space unit. This forms two independent areas with physical separation, which greatly facilitates the orderly layout of the pipeline and subsequent installation and maintenance operations.

[0065] It is understandable that, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the top wall of the first spatial unit is configured as an upwardly sloping surface 12. By configuring the top wall of the first spatial unit as an upwardly sloping surface 12, the 90-degree right angle that would normally form at the entrance of the installation space is eliminated, providing an open and unobstructed guiding path for the installation of the filter element. Therefore, when the user installs or removes the filter element, this sloping plane provides crucial movement and rotation space for the upper part of the filter element, thereby avoiding interference with the installation of the filter element assembly, facilitating the installation of the filter element assembly, and improving the experience and convenience of end users in self-maintaining the equipment.

[0066] Understandably, a fixing part 23 is provided on one side of the water channel plate 20. This fixing part 23 can be a structure such as a buckle, slot, or screw post integrally formed with the water channel plate 20, and its size and shape match the housing of the filter element device. The fixing part 23 is suitable for fixing the filter element device, and by effectively clamping or locking the filter element device through the fixing part 23, a stable mechanical support point can be provided for the filter element. The setting of the fixing part 23 avoids all the stress acting on the relatively fragile connection port, thereby improving the reliability of the connection and effectively preventing the risk of loosening or leakage caused by long-term vibration or stress concentration.

[0067] It is understandable that the water tank body 10 is a cuboid with a flat bottom. The bottom of the water circuit board 20 is flush with the bottom wall of the water tank body 10 to ensure that the bottom of the water circuit board 20 does not protrude downward relative to the bottom wall of the water tank body 10, so that it does not occupy any space other than the water tank body 10 in the vertical direction.

[0068] It is understandable that, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the water tank also includes a cover 50. An opening is provided at the top of the water tank body 10, and the cover 50 closes to this opening. This structure effectively prevents external dust, impurities, and other contaminants from entering the water chamber, thus ensuring the hygiene and safety of the purified water stored inside the tank and avoiding secondary pollution. The cover 50 is detachably connected to the water tank body 10. This detachable design allows users to easily open or remove the cover 50 for cleaning the inner wall of the water tank or for maintenance, greatly improving the product's usability and maintainability.

[0069] Understandably, the cover 50 is equipped with a latch, and the water tank body 10 is equipped with a buckle. The latch and buckle engage to facilitate the opening and closing of the cover 50. Alternatively, a latch could be provided on the water tank body 10, and a buckle on the cover 50, achieving the same effect. This latch-and-buckle connection method enables quick assembly and disassembly without tools. Users can open and close the cover simply by pressing or prying, greatly improving the convenience of daily water filling and cleaning maintenance.

[0070] It is understandable that, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the first connection port assembly 21 includes at least two first connection ports, and the second connection port assembly 22 includes at least two second connection ports. At least one first connection port is connected to the corresponding second connection port through a connection hole on the water circuit board 20. This direct internal connection method realizes the direct connection between the first connection port and the corresponding second connection port, which reduces intermediate pipes, simplifies the pipe structure, and makes the entire water circuit system more compact, creating conditions for product miniaturization design. At the same time, it shortens the pipe length, thereby effectively reducing the resistance of water during the flow process and ensuring the working efficiency of the water pump and the water output performance of the system.

[0071] Specifically, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the first connection port includes a booster pump connection port 210, a wastewater valve connection port 211, a check valve inlet connection port 212, a check valve outlet connection port 213, and a water inlet valve connection port 214. The booster pump connection port 210, wastewater valve connection port 211, check valve inlet connection port 212, check valve outlet connection port 213, and water inlet valve connection port 214 are connected along... Figure 2 The components are arranged sequentially from right to left. This orderly linear arrangement is the result of optimization based on the water flow and component physical layout, which allows for a more direct and smooth flow channel design inside the water channel plate 20, thereby reducing unnecessary bends.

[0072] The second connection port includes an RO filter inlet connection 220, an RO filter wastewater connection 221, an RO filter outlet connection 222, a post-filter inlet connection 223, and a post-filter outlet connection 224. The RO filter inlet connection 220, RO filter wastewater connection 221, RO filter outlet connection 222, post-filter inlet connection 223, and post-filter outlet connection 224 are located along... Figure 1The components are arranged sequentially from left to right. This sequence arrangement, which is opposite to that of the first connection port component 21, forms a "mirror" layout, enabling the corresponding ports to be connected within the water channel plate 20 via the shortest path. This maximizes the saving of the surface space of the water channel plate 20 and makes the structure more compact. The RO filter inlet 220 is connected to the booster pump inlet 210 via a connection hole on the water circuit board 20, ensuring that the pressurized high-pressure water can directly enter the RO membrane with minimal pressure loss, thus guaranteeing the efficiency of reverse osmosis water production. The RO filter wastewater inlet 221 is connected to the wastewater valve inlet 211 via a connection hole on the water circuit board 20, and the RO filter outlet 222 is connected to the one-way valve inlet 212 via a connection hole on the water circuit board 20, efficiently introducing the purified water after primary purification into the control system and preventing the purified water from flowing back and causing secondary pollution through the one-way valve. The post-filter inlet 223 is connected to the one-way valve outlet 213 via a connection hole on the water circuit board 20, and the post-filter outlet 224 is connected to the inlet valve inlet 214 via a connection hole on the water circuit board 20. The inlet valve inlet 214 is connected to the first port of the inlet channel 430.

[0073] Understandably, the bottom wall of the water tank body 10 is equipped with a hot tank exhaust pipe 24. The hot tank exhaust pipe 24 is vertically arranged, and its air inlet is connected to the hot tank. This integrated design of the hot tank exhaust pipe 24 and the water tank body 10 allows the exhaust function to be achieved through the structure of the water tank itself, eliminating the need for an additional independent exhaust pipe inside the machine. This effectively saves valuable installation space inside the equipment and simplifies the overall assembly process. The air outlet of the hot tank exhaust pipe 24 extends to the upper part of the water-containing cavity, providing a safe discharge channel for the humid steam generated during the heating process of the hot tank. By directly discharging this water vapor into the water-containing cavity, the water vapor will condense into water upon contact with the cooler air or water surface inside the cavity. This not only fundamentally eliminates the possibility of water vapor escaping to other areas inside the equipment (especially near electrical components such as circuit boards), but also effectively avoids serious safety failures such as component corrosion, performance degradation, and even electrical short circuits caused by moisture, thus improving the overall operational safety and durability of the machine.

[0074] Furthermore, the height of the air outlet of the hot tank exhaust pipe 24 is greater than the height of the maximum water level in the water chamber. This design ensures that the air outlet is always exposed to the air above the water surface, rather than being submerged, regardless of changes in the water level in the water chamber. The steam discharged from the hot tank can be directly and smoothly released into the space above the water chamber, thus avoiding the noise caused by the steam having to pass through the water in the form of bubbles to escape due to the air outlet being underwater. This improves the quietness of the water purifier in standby or heating mode and optimizes the user experience.

[0075] Furthermore, a pressure relief hole is provided at the top of the cover 50. This hole ensures that the water-containing chamber is always connected to the external atmosphere, enabling real-time balance of the air pressure difference inside and outside the chamber. Specifically, when water is added to the tank, the displaced air inside the chamber can be smoothly discharged through the pressure relief hole, avoiding difficulties in water filling or water splashing caused by air pressure resistance, making the water filling process more stable and efficient. Conversely, when water is taken from the tank, external air can be replenished in a timely manner through this hole, preventing negative pressure caused by a drop in water level, ensuring that the subsequent water pump can stably draw water, and avoiding the risk of poor water flow or even tank deformation due to vacuum.

[0076] The present invention also provides a water purification device, which includes the water tank described in any of the above embodiments.

[0077] The water purification equipment provided by this invention significantly increases the effective water storage capacity per cycle by using the aforementioned water tank. This reduces the number of times the water purification equipment needs to be started and stopped, directly reducing the impact and wear on core components such as the water pump and solenoid valve caused by frequent starts and stops. It also reduces wastewater generated from reverse osmosis membrane flushing during each start-up, ultimately extending the overall lifespan of the water purification equipment. Furthermore, because the water tank can store more pure water, it can meet the needs of users requiring large amounts of water in a short period, eliminating the need for long waiting times and readily satisfying various usage scenarios. This readily available and abundant water supply provides a smooth water usage experience, significantly improving user experience and enhancing product competitiveness.

[0078] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water tank, characterized in that, include: The water tank body (10) has a water-containing cavity inside. The bottom wall of the water tank body (10) is provided with an installation groove (16) that is recessed into the water-containing cavity. The top wall of the installation groove (16) is provided with a through hole that communicates with the water-containing cavity. A float (30) is disposed inside the water-containing cavity; The valve assembly (40) includes an inlet valve (41), which is at least partially embedded in the mounting groove (16) and movably connected to the float (30) after passing through the through hole. The inlet valve (41) is in communication with the water-containing cavity.

2. The water tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet valve (41) includes: The guide cylinder (42) passes through the through hole, and the float (30) is movably sleeved on the guide cylinder (42). Valve core (43), which is movably disposed inside the guide cylinder (42); The housing (44) is connected to the guide cylinder (42). The housing (44) is provided with an inlet channel (430), an outlet channel (431) and a valve chamber (432). The first port of the inlet channel (430) is connected to the water circuit board (20), the second port of the inlet channel (430) is connected to the valve chamber (432), the first port of the outlet channel (431) is connected to the valve chamber (432), and the second port of the outlet channel (431) is connected to the water-containing chamber. The valve body (45) is disposed in the valve cavity (432) and connected to the lower end of the valve core (43); An elastic element (46) is disposed in the valve cavity (432). The elastic element (46) is adapted to switch between a first deformation state and a second deformation state. In the first deformation state, the valve body (45) abuts against the first port of the water outlet channel (431), and the valve core (43) is separated from the float (30). In the second deformation state, the valve body (45) is separated from the first port of the water outlet channel (431), and the valve core (43) and the float (30) are magnetically attracted to each other.

3. The water tank according to claim 2, characterized in that, The elastic element (46) includes: A first compression spring is located above the valve body (45), with its first end abutting against the housing (44) and its second end abutting against the valve body (45).

4. The water tank according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the first end of the first compression spring is larger than the outer diameter of the second end of the first compression spring.

5. The water tank according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The inlet valve (41) also includes: The second compression spring (47) is disposed inside the guide cylinder. The first end of the second compression spring (47) abuts against the upper end of the guide cylinder (42), and the second end of the second compression spring (47) abuts against the upper end of the valve core (43).

6. The water tank according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper end of the guide cylinder (42) is provided with a first positioning part (420), the first end of the second compression spring (47) is sleeved on the first positioning part (420), the upper end of the valve core (43) is provided with a second positioning part (421), and the second end of the second compression spring (47) is sleeved on the second positioning part (421).

7. The water tank according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The bottom wall of the water tank body (10) is provided with a water inlet (13) that communicates with the water-containing cavity, and the second port of the water outlet channel (431) is plugged into the water inlet (13).

8. The water tank according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The float (30) is provided with a sliding sleeve (31) inside. The bottom of the float (30) is provided with an insertion port that communicates with the inside of the sliding sleeve (31). The guide cylinder (42) is inserted into the sliding sleeve (31). The outer periphery of the sliding sleeve (31) is provided with a magnetic ring (32). In the second deformation state, the magnetic ring (32) is magnetically attracted to the valve core (43).

9. The water tank according to claim 8, characterized in that, The float (30) is provided with a limiting member (33) inside. The limiting member (33) abuts against the upper part of the magnetic ring (32), and the lower part of the magnetic ring (32) abuts against the bottom wall of the float (30).

10. The water tank according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, Also includes: The cover (50) has an opening at the top of the water tank body (10), and the cover (50) covers the opening. The lower surface of the cover (50) has an upwardly recessed relief groove (51). In the first deformed state, the upper part of the float (30) is located in the relief groove (51).

11. The water tank according to claim 10, characterized in that, The top wall of the clearance groove (51) is provided with a limiting mechanism (52). In the first deformation state, the upper part of the float (30) abuts against the limiting mechanism (52).

12. The water tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The bottom wall of the water tank body (10) is provided with a first mounting cavity (14) that is recessed into the water-containing cavity. The mounting groove (16) is located on the top wall of the first mounting cavity (14), and the lower part of the water inlet valve (41) is located in the first mounting cavity (14).

13. A water purification device, characterized in that, The water purification equipment includes the water tank according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images