Monitoring device for ice formation and melting state of cold storage box

Abstract

The invention discloses a monitoring device for ice formation and melting states of a cold storage box, which is mainly characterized in that a detection groove which is communicated with the interior of the cold storage box and is smaller than the size of the cold storage box is arranged above the cold storage box, and meanwhile, a water level monitor is arranged in the detection groove to monitor the water level change generated by the ice formation and melting state change of the cold storage box; the water level monitor is used for dynamically monitoring the water level change of the detection tank so as to provide the basis for starting and stopping the refrigeration device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a design for ice formation and melting in a cold storage tank, and more specifically to a monitoring device for the ice formation and melting status of the cold storage tank. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid cooling technology is widely used, such as in the supply of ice water to household water dispensers, and in the cooling of industrial water equipment and products. It utilizes the cooling liquid to remove heat and reduce the temperature of the liquid to a low temperature through heat exchange. The cooled liquid can then be consumed, or it can be used to repeatedly exchange heat with a high-temperature liquid to cool it down, so that the product is not affected by the high temperature and can maintain its normal operation.

[0003] Taking household water dispensers as an example, their rapid liquid cooling process involves concentrating a large amount of liquid in a container and then cooling it from the outside in before dispensing it. This is especially true for water dispensers that also have a cold water dispensing function. Figure 1 As shown, the existing water dispenser 1 uses a water tank 11 to store a large amount of preheated hot water. A refrigerant pipe 12 is arranged around the outer perimeter of the water tank 11. The refrigerant pipe 12 performs a cooling operation from the outside to the inside, so that the hot water stored in the water tank 11 is gradually converted into cold water. In this way, when you want to drink cold water, you can operate the water dispensing button (not shown in the figure) to supply cold water from the water tank 11 for drinking. After use, it was found that, given the large volume of water in the water tank 11 and the fact that the hot water becomes stagnant after entering the tank, the refrigerant pipe 12 can only conduct cooling temperature indirectly. Furthermore, due to the large volume requiring cooling, the cooling operation time is also long. Once the cooling operation is completed, the refrigerant pipe 12 will stop cooling, making the temperature of the produced cold water susceptible to external influences and unable to be effectively maintained. Moreover, when the cold water in the water tank 11 is used up, it takes time to wait for the entire tank to be filled, making it impossible to meet the demand for large amounts of drinking cold water in a short time. Improvement is necessary. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a monitoring device for the ice-melting state of a cold storage tank. This device is effective for monitoring the dynamic changes in the water level inside the cold storage tank by using a water level monitor to monitor the water level changes in the linked detection tank, thereby providing a basis for starting and stopping the refrigeration unit.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a monitoring device for the ice-freezing and melting state of a cold storage tank, wherein the cold storage tank has a water-containing storage space inside, and the water can be cooled and frozen by an externally connected refrigeration device.

[0006] The cold storage tank has an exhaust port that communicates with the outside. A monitoring device is installed above the cold storage tank. The monitoring device has a detection tank that is connected to the containment space and is smaller than the size of the containment space, and a water level monitor that extends into the detection tank. The water level monitor will drive the refrigeration device to open and close in a timely manner. The water level change caused by the ice melting state in the containment space will correspondingly cause the water level position in the detection tank to change. The water level monitor will detect the water level change in the detection tank and use it as the basis for starting the refrigeration device.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the inside of the detection groove is tapered.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the water level monitor is configured for dynamic monitoring.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the refrigeration device includes a compressor, a condenser, a condensing pipe connected to the cold storage tank, the compressor, and the condenser, a control unit that can control the operation of the compressor and the condenser respectively, and a water supply pipe extending into the cold storage tank. As mentioned above, the condensing pipe is filled with circulating coolant so that the water and the coolant exchange heat under the control of the control unit to achieve cooling and freezing.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0011] The present invention provides a water level monitor in the detection tank connected to the cold storage box. The water level monitor monitors the water level position change in the detection tank caused by the ice melting state of the cold storage box in a dynamic monitoring mode. The monitored information provides the basis for the start and stop of the refrigeration device. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cold water dispensing pattern on an existing water dispenser.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the water change in a partial component of the first preferred embodiment.

[0015] Symbol explanation:

[0016] (Prior art)

[0017] 1: Water dispenser

[0018] 11: Water storage tank

[0019] 12: Refrigerant pipe

[0020] (This invention)

[0021] 4: Monitoring device

[0022] 41: Detection slot

[0023] 42: Water level monitor

[0024] 3: Refrigeration unit

[0025] 31: Cold storage box

[0026] 31a: Accommodation space

[0027] 31b: Exhaust port

[0028] 32: Compressor

[0029] 33: Condenser

[0030] 34: Condensate piping

[0031] 35: Control Unit

[0032] 36: Water supply pipeline

[0033] A: Coolant

[0034] B: Water Detailed Implementation

[0035] The foregoing and other technical contents, features and effects of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] See Figure 2 In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring device 4 for the ice-melting state of the cold storage tank is provided. The cold storage tank 31 has a storage space 31a for water B. When the cold storage tank is not in the cold storage state, the water B is in a liquid state in the storage space 31a. In addition, the water B can be cooled and frozen by the externally connected refrigeration device 3.

[0037] See Figure 2 and Figure 3The refrigeration device 3 further includes a compressor 32, a condenser 33, a condensing pipe 34 connected to the cold storage tank 31, the compressor 32, and the condenser 33, a control unit 35 that can control the operation of the compressor 32 and the condenser 33 respectively, and a water supply pipe 36 extending into the cold storage tank 31; wherein, the condensing pipe 34 extends into the accommodating space 31a and is in contact with the water B, and the condensing pipe 34 is filled with circulating coolant A, so that under the control of the control unit 35, the coolant A is circulated in the condensing pipe 34 by the action of the compressor 32, passes through the condenser 33 for cooling, and forms a cooling cycle between the compressor 32, the condenser 33, and the cold storage tank 31; in addition, the water supply pipe 36 can be used for liquid flow, so that the liquid flows from both ends of the water supply pipe 36 in an input and output manner.

[0038] Continuing from the above, the cold storage tank 31 has an exhaust port 31b communicating with the outside. A monitoring device 4 is located above the cold storage tank 31. The monitoring device 4 has a detection groove 41 that communicates with the accommodating space 31a and is smaller than the size of the accommodating space 31a, and a water level monitor 42 extending into the detection groove 41. In this embodiment, the detection groove 41 has a tapered design, and its internal volume should be greater than one-eleventh of the volume of the accommodating space 31a. Furthermore, the water level monitor 42 is connected to the control unit. 35 is connected and located in the detection tank 41, and monitors the water level change of water B in the detection tank 41 in real time; when the compressor 32 is driven, the coolant A flowing to the compressor 32 is converted into high temperature and high pressure gaseous coolant A, which is then transported to the condenser 33 through the condenser pipe 34 and converted into liquid coolant A. That is, when it enters the condenser pipe 34 in the cold storage box 31, it performs evaporation and heat absorption to exchange liquid and solid heat with water B, so that water B cools down and condenses into ice.

[0039] See Figure 2 and Figure 3The refrigeration device 3 is installed on a water dispenser (not shown in the figure). Therefore, when the user selects the water dispenser to supply cooled liquid for drinking, the refrigeration device 3 will immediately start working under the switching control of the water dispenser. Through the linkage control of the compressor 32 and the condenser 33 by the control unit 35, the compressor 32 transports the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous coolant A through the condenser pipe 34, and after being converted into liquid in the condenser 33, it is output and flows to the cold storage tank 31. In the condenser tube 34, when the gaseous coolant A enters the cold storage tank 31, it will exchange heat with the water B contained in the cold storage tank 31. The water B rapidly exchanges heat during the entry and exit of the coolant A, and under the continuous exchange, the water B will gradually condense into ice in the cold storage tank 31. Since the density of ice is less than that of water, the water level of water B in the cold storage tank 31 will gradually rise as the amount of ice increases (see reference). Figure 4 As shown by the imaginary line in the diagram, when water B changes from a liquid state to a frozen state, the overall volume of water B will expand to approximately one-eleventh of its original volume after freezing. At this time, the water level will rise due to the expansion of the frozen water. Simultaneously, the change in water level will extend to the exhaust port 31b. The water level in the detection tank 41, which is connected to the cold storage tank 31, will also be affected by the change in water level in the cold storage tank 31, resulting in a relative change in water level. At this time, the water level monitoring device extended into the detection tank 41... Device 42 will monitor the water level changes in the detection tank 41 in dynamic monitoring mode at any time, and convert the monitored changes into a signal output to activate the control unit 35. The control unit 35 will then compare and judge the received signal with the default value, and use the processing result to determine whether the freezing level of the water B in the cold storage tank 31 meets the requirements for subsequent cooling work, thereby appropriately controlling the compressor 32 or the condenser 33 to drive or stop.

[0040] Continuing from the above, as the water B in the cold storage tank 31 gradually condenses into an ice-like state during the cold storage process, the water supply pipe 36 introduces the heated liquid (either at high or normal temperature) into the cold storage tank 31. During this process of entering and exiting the cold storage tank 31, the liquid can indirectly contact the condensed water B through the water supply pipe 36, allowing for rapid cooling exchange during the flow. As a result, the liquid is immediately cooled from a high or normal temperature state and then transformed into a low-temperature cooled liquid before being output to the user for drinking.

[0041] Furthermore, after the water B, originally frozen in the cold storage tank 31, completes the cooling exchange with the high-temperature or room-temperature liquid, its ice will melt, resulting in a reduction in the volume of ice and a corresponding drop in the water level. At this time, the water level monitor 42 also monitors in real-time whether the position of the water level in the detection tank 41 is affected by the change in the water level in the cold storage tank 31, and simultaneously converts the monitored changes into a signal output. The control unit 35 then compares and judges the received signal. For example, if it is determined that the amount of ice in the water B in the cold storage tank 31 has decreased, but compared with a preset benchmark value, if the amount of ice is not less than half of the amount after complete freezing, then the amount of ice in water B is still sufficient for cooling exchange, and the control unit 35 will not adjust or control the compressor 32 or the condenser 33. If it is determined that the amount of ice in water B after melting is less than half of the amount after complete freezing, then... Figure 3 As shown by the imaginary line, when the freezing level of water B is no longer sufficient for subsequent cooling and exchange, the control unit 35 adjusts the drive of the compressor 32 or the condenser 33 according to the received signal. This repeated operation can quickly cool the liquid flowing in the water supply pipe 36 to the required low temperature for drinking. Therefore, by installing the monitoring device 4 on the cold storage tank 31, the present invention can monitor the changes in the water level in the detection tank 41 when the water level in the cold storage tank 31 changes dynamically, so as to provide a basis for starting and stopping the refrigeration device 3, thereby greatly improving the efficiency of rapid exchange and cooling of the liquid at high or normal temperatures.

[0042] In summary, the present invention provides a monitoring device for the ice-melting state of a cold storage tank. This device features an exhaust port connected to the outside of the cold storage tank and a monitoring device positioned above it. The monitoring device includes a detection tank connected to the storage space but smaller than the space's dimensions, and a water level monitor extending into the detection tank. This allows for dynamic monitoring of the water level in the detection tank as the ice-melting state of the cold storage tank changes, providing a basis for the start / stop operation of the refrigeration unit. Repeated operation rapidly cools the liquid flowing in the water supply pipe to the required low temperature, thus significantly improving liquid cooling efficiency.

[0043] The above description is only for illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the specification of the present invention should still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. A monitoring device for the ice-freezing and melting state of a cold storage tank, wherein the cold storage tank has an internal water-containing space, and the water can be cooled and frozen by an externally connected refrigeration device; characterized in that: The cold storage tank has an exhaust port that communicates with the outside. A monitoring device is installed above the cold storage tank. The monitoring device has a detection tank that is connected to the containment space and is smaller than the size of the containment space, and a water level monitor that extends into the detection tank. The water level monitor will drive the refrigeration device to open and close in a timely manner. The water level change caused by the ice melting state in the containment space will correspondingly cause the water level position in the detection tank to change. The water level monitor will detect the water level change in the detection tank and use it as the basis for starting the refrigeration device.

2. The monitoring device for the ice-melting state of a cold storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inside of the testing tank is tapered.

3. The monitoring device for the ice-melting state of a cold storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, This water level monitor is designed for dynamic monitoring.

4. The monitoring device for the ice-melting state of a cold storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigeration device includes a compressor, a condenser, a condensing pipe connected to the cold storage tank, the compressor, and the condenser, a control unit that can control the operation of the compressor and the condenser respectively, and a water supply pipe extending into the cold storage tank. As mentioned above, the condensing pipe is filled with circulating coolant so that, under the control of the control unit, the water and the coolant exchange heat to achieve cooling and freezing.

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