Water level detection device for water tank and electrical equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to a water tank water level detection device and electrical equipment. The water tank water level detection device comprises a water tank, a water level detection piece and a shielding piece. The water tank has an accommodating cavity; the water level detection piece is arranged on one side of the water tank; the shielding piece is arranged between the water level detection piece and the water tank and has a shielding position and an opening position, the water tank is far away from the shielding piece at the shielding position, and the shielding piece can shield the detection end of the water level detection piece; in the opening position, the water tank is close to the shielding piece, and the detection end of the water level detection piece faces the water tank and can detect the water level of the water tank. According to the water tank water level detection device, the shielding piece capable of being switched between the shielding position and the opening position is arranged between the water tank and the water level detection piece, the water level detection piece can be used for distinguishing the water state, the water-free state and the off-position state of the water tank, and the water level detection cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of water tank water level detection, and in particular, to a water tank water level detection device and electrical equipment. Background Art

[0002] Some electrical appliances are usually equipped with water tanks. For example, a refrigerator with an ice maker usually uses a photoelectric sensor to detect the water level in the water tank. However, when the water tank is not installed in place, the photoelectric sensor always reports that there is water in the water tank. In order to distinguish between the two states of the water tank containing water and being out of place, an additional Hall sensor is required to confirm the position of the water tank, which increases the detection cost. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a water tank water level detection device and electrical equipment. The water tank water level detection device sets a shielding member that can be switched between a shielding position and an open position between the water tank and the water level detection member. The water level detection member can be used to distinguish between the water state, the water-free state and the out-of-position state of the water tank, thereby reducing the water level detection cost.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a water tank water level detection device is provided, comprising:

[0005] A water tank having a receiving chamber;

[0006] A water level detection member, disposed on one side of the water tank; and

[0007] A shielding member is arranged between the water level detecting member and the water tank, the shielding member has a shielding position and an open position. In the shielding position, the water tank is away from the shielding member, and the shielding member can shield the detecting end of the water level detecting member; in the open position, the water tank is close to the shielding member, and the detecting end of the water level detecting member faces the water tank and can detect the water level of the water tank.

[0008] Optionally, an abutment portion is provided on the outer side wall of the water tank;

[0009] The water level detection component is fixedly connected to a mounting component on one side of the water tank;

[0010] The shielding member is slidably connected to the mounting member, and when the water tank is close to the mounting member, the shielding member can be pushed by the abutment portion to move laterally, so as to switch the shielding member from the shielding position to the opening position.

[0011] Optionally, the abutting portion is formed with a first inclined surface, and along a direction toward the shielding member, the first inclined surface gradually slopes downward along a vertical direction; and / or

[0012] The shielding member is formed with a second inclined surface, and along a direction toward the water tank, the second inclined surface gradually inclines upward along a vertical direction.

[0013] Optionally, the shielding member is slidably connected to the mounting member along a vertical direction, and when the water tank is away from the mounting member, the shielding member can slide from the open position to the shielding position.

[0014] Optionally, the mounting member is formed with a slide groove extending in a vertical direction;

[0015] The shielding member includes a shielding portion and a sliding portion, and the shielding portion is located between the water level detection member and the water tank;

[0016] The sliding portion is slidably connected to the sliding groove along a vertical direction.

[0017] Optionally, there are two slide grooves, which are arranged at intervals;

[0018] There are two sliding parts, which correspond to the sliding grooves one by one.

[0019] Optionally, the water level detection component is located between the two chutes.

[0020] Optionally, the shielding portion is connected to the top of the sliding portion, and a limiting portion is formed at the bottom of the sliding portion to prevent the sliding portion from sliding out of the sliding groove.

[0021] Optionally, the water level detection element is configured as a photoelectric sensor.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical device is also provided, and the electrical device includes the above-mentioned water tank water level detection device.

[0023] Through the above technical solution, that is, the water level detection device of the water tank disclosed in the present invention, when the water tank is far away from the shielding member, the shielding member is in the shielding position, and when the water tank is close to the shielding member or abuts against the shielding member, the shielding member is in the open position. When the water tank is in the out-of-position state (that is, the water tank is far away from the shielding member), the water level detection member is blocked by the shielding member, and the water level detection member determines that the water tank is out of position; when the water tank is close to the shielding member, the shielding member switches from the shielding position to the open position, at which time, the water level detection member can detect the water tank, including the state with water and the state without water. By providing a shielding member that can switch between the shielding position and the open position between the water tank and the water level detection member, the water level detection member can be used to distinguish the state with water, the state without water and the out-of-position state of the water tank, thereby reducing the cost of water level detection.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the following specific embodiments, they are used to explain the present disclosure but do not constitute a limitation of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of a water tank water level detection device provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 is a side view of a water tank water level detection device provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3 is based on Figure 2 Enlarged view of part A in .

[0029] Figure 4 It is a diagram of the connection structure between the shielding member and the mounting member provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a diagram of the fixing structure of a water level detection component on a mounting component provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of a shielding member provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] Description of Reference Numerals

[0033] 100 - water tank; 110 - accommodating chamber; 120 - abutting portion; 121 - first inclined surface;

[0034] 200-water level detection component;

[0035] 300-shielding member; 310-shielding portion; 311-second inclined surface; 320-sliding portion; 321-limiting portion;

[0036] 400-mounting part; 410-slideway. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The specific implementation of the present disclosure is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific implementation described herein is only used to illustrate and explain the present disclosure, and is not used to limit the present disclosure.

[0038] In the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, directional words such as "up, down, left, right" generally refer to up, down, left, and right relative to the accompanying drawings; "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside of the outline of the corresponding component; "far and near" refer to the corresponding structure or the corresponding component being away from or close to another structure or component. X in the accompanying drawings of the present disclosure represents the vertical direction; Y represents the installation and movement direction of the water tank. In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. used in the present disclosure are to distinguish one element from another and do not have order and importance. In addition, in the following description, when referring to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise explained, the same figure numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The above definitions are only used to explain and illustrate the present disclosure and should not be construed as limitations on the present disclosure.

[0039] For electrical equipment with a water tank, such as a refrigerator with an ice maker, the water level of the water tank is usually detected by a photoelectric sensor. The water state and the waterless state of the water tank, that is, when the water is not in the water state, the transmitting end of the photoelectric sensor will emit infrared light, and the infrared light will be reflected back at 90° inside the prism, and the receiving end of the photoelectric sensor can receive it; when there is water, the infrared light emitted by the transmitting end of the photoelectric sensor will penetrate the prism without reflection. However, when the water tank is not installed in place, the infrared light emitted by the transmitting end of the photoelectric sensor has no reflection and will also feedback that there is water in the water tank. Therefore, the sensing effect of the photoelectric sensor is the same when the water tank is in the water state and the out-of-position state. If the water tank is not installed in place, the photoelectric sensor will always feedback that there is water in the water tank, and the water level alarm function is lost. Therefore, it is necessary to add an additional Hall sensor + magnet solution to distinguish between the water state and the out-of-position state of the water tank, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost.

[0040] Based on the above problems, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a water tank water level detection device and electrical equipment. The water tank water level detection device sets a shielding member 300 that can switch between a shielding position and an open position between a water tank 100 and a water level detection member 200. The water level detection member 200 can be used to distinguish between the water state, the water-free state and the out-of-position state of the water tank 100, thereby reducing the water level detection cost.

[0041] In order to achieve the above purpose, Figures 1 to 6As shown, according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a water tank water level detection device is provided, which includes a water tank 100, a water level detection member 200 and a shielding member 300. The water tank 100 has a containing cavity 110; the water level detection member 200 is arranged at one side of the water tank 100; the shielding member 300 is arranged between the water level detection member 200 and the water tank 100, and the shielding member 300 has a shielding position and an opening position. In the shielding position, the water tank 100 is away from the shielding member 300, and the shielding member 300 can shield the detection end of the water level detection member 200; in the opening position, the water tank 100 is close to the shielding member 300, and the detection end of the water level detection member 200 faces the water tank 100 and can detect the water level of the water tank 100.

[0042] Through the above technical solution, i.e., the water level detection device of the water tank disclosed in the present invention, when the water tank 100 is far away from the shielding member 300, the shielding member 300 is in the shielding position, and when the water tank 100 is close to the shielding member 300 or abuts against the shielding member 300, the shielding member 300 is in the open position. When the water tank 100 is in the out-of-position state (i.e., the water tank 100 is far away from the shielding member 300), the water level detection member 200 is blocked by the shielding member 300, and the water level detection member 200 determines that the water tank 100 is out of position; when the water tank 100 is close to the shielding member 300, the shielding member 300 switches from the shielding position to the open position, and at this time, the water level detection member 200 can detect the water tank 100, including the water state and the water-free state. By providing a shielding member 300 that can be switched between a shielding position and an open position between the water tank 100 and the water level detection member 200, the water level detection member 200 can be used to distinguish between the water tank 100 in a water-filled state, a water-free state, and an out-of-position state, thereby reducing the water level detection cost.

[0043] It should be noted that the water level detection element 200 includes but is not limited to a photoelectric sensor. The water level detection element 200 may also be other sensors that can meet the requirements of detecting water level.

[0044] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the outer wall of the water tank 100 is provided with an abutment portion 120; the water level detection member 200 is fixedly connected to the mounting member 400 on one side of the water tank 100; wherein the mounting member 400 can be the side wall of the water tank 100 mounting station of the electrical equipment in the application scenario of the water tank 100, for example, an electrical equipment with a detachable water tank 100 such as a refrigerator with an ice maker, a water dispenser or a humidifier, or other mounting member 400 arranged on one side of the water tank 100 mounting station. The water level detection member 200 can be fixedly mounted on the mounting member 400 and arranged toward the water tank 100.

[0045] The shielding member 300 is slidably connected to the mounting member 400 , and when the water tank 100 is close to the mounting member 400 , the shielding member 300 can be pushed to move laterally by the abutment portion 120 to switch the shielding member 300 from the shielding position to the opening position. That is, the shielding member 300 can switch between the shielding position and the open position by sliding, that is, the shielding member 300 can be slidably connected to the mounting member 400 on one side of the water tank 100. When the water tank 100 is in an out-of-position state, the shielding member 300 is in the shielding position, which can block the transmitting end of the photoelectric sensor, or the prism corresponding to the photoelectric sensor, so that the receiving end cannot receive the reflected red light; when the water tank 100 is close to the mounting member 400, the abutment portion 120 on the side wall of the water tank 100 can push the shielding member 300 to slide laterally for a certain distance, switching the shielding position of the shielding member 300 to the open position, that is, exposing the photoelectric sensor and facing the direction of the water tank 100. The photoelectric sensor can detect the water level of the water tank 100, thereby judging the water state and the water-free state.

[0046] Of course, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the shielding member 300 can also switch the shielding position and the open position by rotating, that is, the shielding member 300 can be rotatably connected to the mounting member 400 on one side of the water tank 100. When the water tank 100 is in an out-of-position state, the shielding member 300 is in a shielding position, which can block the transmitting end of the photoelectric sensor, or the prism corresponding to the photoelectric sensor, so that the receiving end cannot receive the reflected red light; when the water tank 100 is close to the mounting member 400, the shielding member 300 can be pushed to rotate to switch the shielding position of the shielding member 300 to the open position, and the photoelectric sensor can detect the water level of the water tank 100 to determine the water state and the water-free state.

[0047] In order to enable the abutment portion 120 to push the side wall of the shielding member 300 to slide, that is, to convert the movement of the water tank 100 toward the mounting member 400 into a lateral sliding of the shielding member 300 (that is, perpendicular to the movement direction of the water tank 100), a first inclined surface 121 can be provided at the abutment portion 120, and the inclination direction of the first inclined surface 121 can be set according to the sliding direction of the shielding member 300, so that when the abutment member moves toward the mounting member 400, the first inclined surface 121 can abut against the shielding member 300, thereby pushing the abutment member to slide to switch the shielding position to the open position.

[0048] In some embodiments, the shielding member 300 is connected to the mounting member 400 by sliding in the vertical direction, and when the water tank 100 is away from the mounting member 400, the shielding member 300 can slide from the open position to the shielding position. When the water tank 100 moves close to the mounting member 400, the abutment portion 120 can push the shielding member 300 to slide in the vertical direction, and the shielding member 300 switches to the open position. The photoelectric sensor can directly face the water tank 100 to detect the water state and the water-free state of the water tank 100. When the water tank 100 is away from the mounting member 400, the shielding member 300 can slide downward in the vertical direction under the action of gravity, and switch from the open position to the shielding position. At this time, the photoelectric sensor has no reflection, and it is judged that the water tank 100 is in the out-of-position state.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the abutment portion 120 is formed with a first inclined surface 121, and the first inclined surface 121 gradually slopes downward in the vertical direction toward the shielding member 300. When the water tank 100 moves toward the mounting member 400, and the first inclined surface 121 of the abutment portion 120 contacts the bottom of the shielding member 300, the first inclined surface 121 pushes the shielding member 300 to move upward in the vertical direction to switch to the open position. The advantage of such a setting is that when the water tank 100 moves away from the mounting member 400, the first inclined surface 121 of the abutment portion 120 gradually disengages from the shielding member 300, and the shielding member 300 can slide downward in the vertical direction under the action of gravity and switch from the open position to the shielding position.

[0050] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in other embodiments, the shielding member 300 is formed with a second inclined surface 311, and the second inclined surface 311 gradually tilts upward in the vertical direction in the direction toward the water tank 100. When the water tank 100 moves toward the mounting member 400, and the abutting portion 120 contacts the second inclined surface 311 at the bottom of the shielding member 300, the abutting portion 120 cooperates with the second inclined surface 311 to push the shielding member 300 to move upward in the vertical direction to switch to the open position. When the water tank 100 moves away from the mounting member 400, the abutting portion 120 gradually disengages from the second inclined surface 311 of the shielding member 300, and the shielding member 300 can also slide downward in the vertical direction under the action of gravity to switch from the open position to the shielding position.

[0051] like Figure 3As shown, in some other embodiments, the abutment portion 120 is formed with a first inclined surface 121, which gradually tilts downward along the vertical direction toward the shielding member 300; at the same time, the shielding member 300 is formed with a second inclined surface 311, which gradually tilts upward along the vertical direction toward the water tank 100. Among them, the first inclined surface 121 corresponds to the second inclined surface 311, and when the water tank 100 moves toward the mounting member 400, the first inclined surface 121 of the abutting portion 120 can gradually contact the second inclined surface 311 of the shielding member 300, so that the shielding member 300 moves upward in the vertical direction to switch to the open position. Similarly, when the water tank 100 moves away from the mounting member 400, the first inclined surface 121 of the abutting portion 120 gradually disengages from the second inclined surface 311 of the shielding member 300, and the shielding member 300 can also slide downward in the vertical direction under the action of gravity and switch from the open position to the shielding position.

[0052] The above-mentioned shielding member 300 is slidably connected to the mounting member 400 along the vertical direction for example. In some embodiments, the shielding member 300 can also be slidably connected to the mounting member 400 along the horizontal direction or at an angle to the vertical direction. The first inclined surface 121 and the second inclined surface 311 can be arranged according to the sliding direction, which will not be repeated here. It should be noted that the shielding member 300 can be switched from the open position to the shielding position through a reset member. For example, the two ends of the reset member are respectively connected to the mounting member 400 and the shielding member 300. When the abutment 120 pushes the shielding member 300 to slide, the reset member is compressed or extended. When the abutment 120 is separated from the shielding member 300, the reset member is reset by elastic recovery. It is worth noting that the above-mentioned reset member includes but is not limited to a spring, and can also be a spring sheet, elastic rubber, etc.

[0053] In order to achieve the sliding connection between the shielding member 300 and the mounting member 400, in some embodiments, the mounting member 400 is formed with a slide groove 410 extending in the vertical direction; the shielding member 300 includes a shielding portion 310 and a sliding portion 320, and the shielding portion 310 is located between the water level detection member 200 and the water tank 100; the sliding portion 320 is slidably connected to the slide groove 410 in the vertical direction. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, there may be two slide grooves 410 , which are arranged at intervals on the mounting member 400 ; there may also be two sliding portions 320 , which correspond one to one with the slide grooves 410 .

[0054] The mounting member 400 is formed with two slide grooves 410 extending in the vertical direction, and the two slide grooves 410 are arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction. The shielding member 300 may also have two sliding parts 320, and each slide groove 410 is slidably connected with a sliding part 320. Through the cooperation between the sliding part 320 and the slide groove 410, the shielding member 300 can slide relative to the mounting member 400 in the vertical direction, thereby switching the shielding position and the opening position. In addition, the shielding part 310 is located between the two sliding parts 320 and between the photoelectric sensor and the water tank 100. When the water tank 100 is in the away position, the photoelectric sensor can be shielded. When the water tank 100 is close to the mounting member 400, that is, when it is installed in place, the shielding member 300 is pushed upward by the abutment member, thereby exposing the photoelectric sensor for detecting the water level of the water tank 100.

[0055] It should be noted that the above-mentioned arrangement structure of the two slide grooves 410 and the two sliding parts 320 is exemplary, and multiple slide grooves 410 can also be set on the mounting member 400, and multiple sliding parts 320 can be arranged accordingly, so that the sliding parts 320 can correspond to the slide grooves 410 one by one and be slidably connected, so as to realize the sliding connection between the shielding member 300 and the mounting member 400 in the vertical direction.

[0056] In some embodiments, since the shielding portion 310 is located between the two slide grooves 410, the water level detection member 200 is arranged between the two slide grooves 410, so that when the shielding member 300 is in the shielding position, it can shield the water level detection member 200 (photoelectric sensor) between the two slide grooves 410, and when the shielding member 300 is in the open position, the photoelectric sensor is exposed for detecting the water level of the water tank 100.

[0057] In some embodiments, the shielding portion 310 is connected to the top of the sliding portion 320, and a limiting portion 321 is formed at the bottom of the sliding portion 320 to prevent the sliding portion 320 from sliding out of the slide groove 410. The sliding portion 320 is arranged in the slide groove 410, wherein the sliding portion 320 extends from the upper and lower ends of the slide groove 410, the shielding portion 310 is connected to the top of the sliding portion 320, and a limiting portion 321 is formed at the bottom of the sliding portion 320 to prevent the sliding portion 320 from slipping out of the slide groove 410. It should be noted that the limiting portion 321 can adopt any suitable structure, for example, it can be a protrusion formed along the extension direction perpendicular to the sliding portion 320, which can limit the sliding range of the sliding portion 320 by abutting against the lower end of the slide groove 410 when the sliding portion 320 slides upward. The sliding portion 320 can adopt any suitable structure for detection, for example, it can be a columnar structure.

[0058] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides an electrical device, which includes the above-mentioned water tank water level detection device. Therefore, the electrical device also has all the advantages of the above-mentioned water tank 100 detection device, which will not be repeated here. It should be noted that the electrical device includes but is not limited to a refrigerator with an ice-making function, and can also be other electrical devices that have a water tank 100 and need to detect the water level of the water tank 100.

[0059] In the water tank water level detection device and electrical equipment disclosed in the present invention, when the water tank 100 is far away from the shielding member 300, the shielding member 300 is in the shielding position, and when the water tank 100 is close to the shielding member 300 or abuts against the shielding member 300, the shielding member 300 is in the open position. When the water tank 100 is in the out-of-position state (i.e., the water tank 100 is far away from the shielding member 300), the water level detection member 200 is blocked by the shielding member 300, and the water level detection member 200 determines that the water tank 100 is out of position; when the water tank 100 is close to the shielding member 300, the shielding member 300 switches from the shielding position to the open position, and at this time, the water level detection member 200 can detect the water tank 100, including the water state and the water-free state. By setting a shielding member 300 that can switch between a shielding position and an open position between the water tank 100 and the water level detection member 200, the water level detection member 200 can be used to distinguish between the water state, the water-free state and the out-of-position state of the water tank 100, thereby reducing the water level detection cost and improving user experience.

[0060] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present disclosure, a variety of simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present disclosure, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0061] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present disclosure will not further describe various possible combinations.

[0062] In addition, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be arbitrarily combined, and as long as they do not violate the concept of the present disclosure, they should also be regarded as the contents disclosed by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A water tank water level detection device, characterized in that: include: A water tank having a receiving chamber; A water level detection component is arranged on one side of the water tank; and A shielding member is arranged between the water level detecting member and the water tank, the shielding member has a shielding position and an open position. In the shielding position, the water tank is away from the shielding member, and the shielding member can shield the detecting end of the water level detecting member; in the open position, the water tank is close to the shielding member, and the detecting end of the water level detecting member faces the water tank and can detect the water level of the water tank.

2. The water tank water level detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side wall of the water tank is provided with an abutment portion; The water level detection component is fixedly connected to a mounting component on one side of the water tank; The shielding member is slidably connected to the mounting member, and when the water tank is close to the mounting member, the shielding member can be pushed by the abutment portion to move laterally, so as to switch the shielding member from the shielding position to the opening position.

3. The water tank water level detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The abutting portion is formed with a first inclined surface, and along a direction toward the shielding member, the first inclined surface gradually slopes downward along a vertical direction; and / or The shielding member is formed with a second inclined surface, and along a direction toward the water tank, the second inclined surface gradually inclines upward along a vertical direction.

4. The water tank water level detection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shielding member is slidably connected to the mounting member along a vertical direction, and when the water tank is away from the mounting member, the shielding member can slide from the opening position to the shielding position.

5. The water tank water level detection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mounting member is formed with a slide groove extending in the vertical direction; The shielding member includes a shielding portion and a sliding portion, and the shielding portion is located between the water level detection member and the water tank; The sliding portion is slidably connected to the sliding groove along a vertical direction.

6. The water tank water level detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are two slide grooves, which are arranged at intervals; There are two sliding parts, which correspond to the sliding grooves one by one.

7. The water tank water level detection device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The water level detection component is located between the two chutes.

8. The water tank water level detection device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The shielding portion is connected to the top of the sliding portion, and a limiting portion is formed at the bottom of the sliding portion to prevent the sliding portion from sliding out of the sliding groove.

9. The water tank water level detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water level detection element is configured as a photoelectric sensor.

10. An electrical device, characterized in that: The electrical equipment includes the water tank water level detection device according to any one of claims 1-9.

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