Driving arm, liquid distributor and liquid distributing device

Abstract

The utility model relates to a driving arm, a liquid distributor and a liquid distribution device. The driving arm comprises a connecting part to be connected to a driving device; and one end of the driving part is connected with the connecting part. The driving part comprises a first driving part, and the first driving part is connected with the connecting part and is suitable for being matched in the sliding groove; and the second driving part is connected to the first driving part so as to move out of the liquid distributor or retract into the liquid distributor along with movement of the first driving part in the sliding groove. When observed in the moving direction of the first driving part, the outer contour of the second driving part is located within the outer contour of the first driving part, and a first interval is formed between the outer contour of the second driving part and the outer contour of the first driving part. The liquid distributor comprises the driving arm, and the liquid distribution device comprises the liquid distributor. According to the driving arm, the liquid distributor and the liquid distribution device, the maintenance convenience of the liquid distribution device can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a liquid dispensing device, and more specifically, to a drive arm for a liquid dispenser, a liquid dispenser having the drive arm, and a liquid dispensing device having the liquid dispenser. Background Art

[0002] The content of this part only provides background information related to the utility model, which may not constitute prior art.

[0003] In order to conveniently take out the liquid (such as hand sanitizer or disinfectant) in a liquid containing device (such as a bottle) from the liquid containing device for use, a liquid pumping assembly is usually provided in the end cap of the liquid containing device, and the liquid is extruded from the liquid containing device by operating the liquid pumping assembly. In order to facilitate the operation of the liquid pumping assembly of the liquid containing device, the liquid containing device provided with the liquid pumping assembly is usually installed on a liquid dispenser to form a liquid dispensing device, and the operation of the liquid pumping assembly of the liquid containing device is implemented through the liquid dispenser, so as to extrude a certain amount of liquid from the liquid containing device when needed for use. An automatic liquid dispenser can automatically extrude a certain amount of liquid from a liquid containing device in response to a simple operation of a user (such as placing a hand under the liquid dispenser), which simplifies the taking of the liquid in the liquid containing device and also provides a contactless way of taking the liquid. Due to the operation convenience and contactless operation mode provided by the automatic liquid dispenser, it is increasingly applied to various scenarios, especially for application scenarios with high hygiene requirements, such as the taking of disinfectant in hospitals, the taking of hand sanitizer in public toilets, etc.

[0004] The automatic liquid dispenser implements the operation of the liquid pumping assembly of the liquid containing device through a drive arm, and the drive arm is usually electrically driven by a drive device (such as a motor). During use, in response to the use requirements of the user, the drive arm is driven to extend from the housing of the liquid dispenser to drive the liquid pumping assembly to extrude the liquid, and after the liquid is extruded, the drive arm is driven to retract into the housing of the liquid dispenser. When the liquid in the liquid containing device is exhausted, the liquid containing device needs to be removed from the liquid dispenser to replace it with a new liquid containing device filled with liquid. However, in actual use, when the drive arm has not been fully retracted into the housing of the liquid dispenser and the power supply device (such as a battery) of the drive device cannot continue to supply power to the drive device, for example, when the battery power for the drive device has been exhausted, a part of the drive arm is still located outside the housing of the liquid dispenser and is engaged with the corresponding part of the container, thereby restricting the movement of the liquid containing device relative to the liquid dispenser, making it impossible to remove the liquid containing device from the liquid dispenser, and causing inconvenience in replacing the liquid containing device in this state.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the design of the existing liquid dispensing device to enhance the maintainability of the liquid dispensing device. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] The purpose of the present utility model is to improve the design of the driving arm of the liquid dispenser. By designing the driving arm, a moving space in the disassembly direction is provided for the liquid holding device installed on the liquid dispenser, thereby facilitating the disassembly of the liquid holding device from the liquid dispenser as needed, and thus improving the maintainability of the liquid dispensing device.

[0007] One aspect of the present utility model provides a driving arm for a liquid dispenser, which includes: a connecting portion to be connected to a driving device; and a driving portion, one end of which is connected to the connecting portion. The driving arm is adapted to fit in a sliding groove of the liquid dispenser and is driven by the driving device to move along the sliding groove, so that at least a part of the driving portion extends out of or retracts into the liquid dispenser. The driving portion includes: a first driving portion connected to the connecting portion and adapted to fit in the sliding groove; and a second driving portion connected to the first driving portion to move out of or retract into the liquid dispenser as the first driving portion moves in the sliding groove. When viewed in the moving direction of the first driving portion, the outer contour of the second driving portion is located within the outer contour of the first driving portion, and a first gap is formed between the outer contour of the second driving portion and the outer contour of the first driving portion.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first driving portion is cylindrical, and the central axis of the first driving portion is parallel to the moving direction.

[0009] When viewed in the moving direction of the first driving portion, the outer contour of the second driving portion is any one of the following shapes: circular, square, rectangular, cross-shaped.

[0010] The second driving portion is concentrically or eccentrically arranged with the first driving portion.

[0011] In one embodiment, the length of the second driving portion in the moving direction is greater than or equal to the driving distance of the driving arm.

[0012] In one embodiment, the connecting portion, the first driving portion, and the second driving portion are integrally formed.

[0013] Another aspect of the present utility model provides a liquid dispenser, which includes the driving arm according to the present utility model.

[0014] The liquid dispenser further includes a housing that defines a receiving space and includes: a front plate provided with a through hole; and a sliding groove located within the receiving space, with one end of the sliding groove located within the through hole. The driving arm is received within the receiving space, and the first driving portion is engaged within the sliding groove and is adapted to be driven to move along the sliding groove so that the second driving portion extends out of the housing through the through hole or retracts into the sliding groove.

[0015] In one embodiment, the front plate is provided with a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion. The first mounting portion and the second mounting portion project from the front plate in the moving direction outside the receiving space, and the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are spaced apart from each other and extend obliquely in the mounting direction towards each other. Also, the driving arm is mounted within the receiving space such that: when viewed in the moving direction of the first driving portion, a first gap is located between the outer contour of the second driving portion and the bottom of the through hole in the mounting direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, each of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion includes: a first plate portion that extends perpendicularly from the front plate and forms a first angle with the mounting direction; and a second plate portion that extends from the edge of the first plate portion and is spaced apart from the front plate in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction to have a first width. The product of the first gap and the tangent value of the first angle is greater than or equal to the first width.

[0017] In one embodiment, the sliding groove is integrally formed with the front plate.

[0018] In one embodiment, the liquid dispenser further includes: a sensing device configured to sense the operation of a user; a driving device that can be actuated to drive the driving arm to move along the sliding groove; and a controller configured to actuate the driving device in response to the sensing result of the sensing device.

[0019] Another aspect of the present utility model lies in providing a liquid dispensing device that includes the liquid dispenser according to the present utility model.

[0020] The liquid dispensing device includes a liquid containing device, and the liquid containing device includes: a main body, the inner cavity of the main body being adapted to contain liquid; an end cap, the end cap being mounted to the open end of the main body; and a liquid pumping assembly, the liquid pumping assembly being mounted within the end cap and including a pump housing and a moving member, the moving member being adapted to be driven to move within the pump housing to cause the liquid within the main body to flow out from the liquid outlet of the liquid containing device. The liquid containing device is mounted to the liquid dispenser, and the mounting port of the pump housing is aligned with the sliding groove such that the second driving portion of the driving arm is adapted to move through the mounting port of the pump housing to engage the moving member to drive the moving member to move towards the side where the liquid outlet is located, and when viewed in the moving direction of the first driving portion, a first gap is located between the outer contour of the second driving portion and the inner bottom of the mounting port in the mounting direction for the liquid containing device to move in the dismounting direction opposite to the mounting direction.

[0021] In one embodiment, at least the end cap of the liquid containing device is mounted and fitted between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion of the liquid dispenser.

[0022] According to the driving arm, the liquid dispenser, and the liquid dispensing device of the present utility model, by designing the driving portion of the driving arm to have a first driving portion and a second driving portion with different sizes, a space for the liquid containing device mounted to the liquid dispenser to move in the dismounting direction is provided, so that even when the driving device of the liquid dispenser stops supplying energy and the second driving portion of the driving arm is still partially located within the liquid dispensing device, the liquid containing device can still be disassembled from the liquid dispenser, thereby improving the maintenance convenience of the liquid dispensing device. And further advantageously, by setting the size of the first driving portion to match the size of the sliding groove and setting the length of the second driving portion in the moving direction to be greater than or equal to the driving distance of the driving arm, while advantageously ensuring the stable movement of the moving driving arm, the first driving portion is always located within the sliding groove, so that at any moment during the driving movement of the driving arm, the liquid containing device can be disassembled from the liquid dispenser, thereby further improving the maintenance convenience of the liquid dispensing device. Description of the Drawings

[0023] The embodiments of the present utility model will be described hereinafter only by way of example with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same features or components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 A partial perspective view of a liquid dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present utility model is shown;

[0025] Figure 2 Shown is Figure 1 a perspective view of the driving arm of the liquid dispenser shown in

[0026] Figure 3 Shows a view observed along the moving direction of the driving arm;

[0027] Figure 4 Shows a partial sectional view of a liquid dispensing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 a partially enlarged view of;

[0029] Figure 6 Shows a partial schematic view of a liquid dispensing device, showing the installation and movement of a liquid containing device between a first installation part and a second installation part of the liquid dispenser;

[0030] Figure 7 Shows a perspective view of a driving arm according to a comparative example;

[0031] Figure 8 Shows a partial perspective view of a liquid dispenser according to a comparative example;

[0032] Figure 9 Shows a partial sectional view of a liquid dispensing device according to a comparative example;

[0033] Figure 10 Shows a perspective view of a driving arm of a liquid dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 11 Shows a perspective view of a driving arm of a liquid dispenser according to a modified example of a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0035] Figure 12 Shows a perspective view of a driving arm of a liquid dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0036] The following description is essentially only exemplary and is not intended to limit the present invention and its applications and uses. It should be understood that in all the drawings, like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts and features. Each drawing only schematically shows the concept and principle of the embodiments of the present invention, and does not necessarily show the specific dimensions and their ratios of the embodiments of the present invention. In a specific part of a specific drawing, the relevant details or structures of the embodiments of the present invention may be illustrated in an exaggerated manner.

[0037] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the orientation terms related to "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", and "back" are described based on the orientation of up, down, left, right, front, and back in the view.

[0038] Figure 1 A partial perspective view of a liquid dispenser 1 according to a first embodiment of the present utility model is shown. As Figure 1 shown, the liquid dispenser 1 includes a housing 10 and a drive arm 20 mounted within the housing 10. The housing 10 includes a front plate 11, side plates 12, and a back plate ( Figure 1 not shown in the figure), and the front plate 11, side plates 12, and back plate jointly define an accommodation space within the housing 10. The front plate 11 is provided with a through hole 111 for a part of the drive arm 20 to pass through.

[0039] The drive arm 20 is disposed within the accommodation space of the housing 10, and the drive arm 20 is adapted to be driven to move in a moving direction so that a part of the drive arm 20 extends out of the housing 10 from the through hole 111. Figure 2 A perspective view of the drive arm 20 is shown. As Figure 2 shown, the drive arm 20 includes a connecting portion 21 and a driving portion 22. One end of the connecting portion 21 is provided with a connecting handle portion 211, and the connecting handle portion 211 is adapted to be connected to a driving device (not shown in the figure) such that the drive arm 20 can be driven by the driving device to move in the moving direction X. In one example, the driving device may be a motor (not shown in the figure) accommodated within the accommodation space of the housing 10, and the motor may be powered by a battery or by being connected to a power supply network.

[0040] One end of the driving portion 22 is connected to the connecting portion 21 and can move in the moving direction X under the drive of the driving device, so that at least a part of the driving portion 22 extends out of the housing 10 from the through hole 111 on the front plate 11 or retracts into the housing 10. The driving portion 22 includes a first driving portion 221 and a second driving portion 222. The first driving portion 221 is connected to the connecting portion 21 and is fitted in a corresponding part within the housing 10. Preferably, a continuous transition portion (not shown in the figure) is formed at the connection between the first driving portion 221 and the connecting portion 21 to avoid stress concentration at the connection between the first driving portion 221 and the connecting portion 21. The second driving portion 222 is connected to the first driving portion 221. Preferably, a continuous transition portion 223 is formed at the connection between the first driving portion 221 and the second driving portion 222 to avoid stress concentration at the connection between the first driving portion 221 and the second driving portion 222. The second driving portion 222 can move at least partially out of the housing 10 as Figure 1 shown in the figure, or move to retract into the accommodation space within the housing 10.

[0041] When observed in the moving direction X of the driving arm 20, the outer contour of the second driving part 222 is located within the outer contour of the first driving part 221, and the size of the second driving part 222 is smaller than that of the first driving part 221, so that a first gap D1 is formed between the outer contour of the second driving part 222 and the outer contour of the first driving part 221. Figure 3 A view is shown as observed in the moving direction X of the driving arm 20 from the side where the driving part 22 is located. In Figure 2 . Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the illustrated example, the first driving part 221 is cylindrical, and the central axis O1 of the first driving part 221 is parallel to the moving direction X, and the second driving part 222 is cylindrical, and the second driving part 222 and the first driving part 221 are eccentrically arranged with respect to each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other examples according to the present invention, the second driving part 222 may also be cylindrical, and / or the second driving part 222 may also be concentrically arranged with the first driving part 221. As Figure 3 shown, the outer contour of the second driving part 222 is located within the outer contour of the first driving part 221, thereby forming a first gap D1 therebetween.

[0042] Returning to Figure 1 , preferably, the front plate 11 is further provided with a first mounting part 112 and a second mounting part 113 for mounting a liquid containing device ( Figure 1 not shown in the figure). The first mounting part 112 and the second mounting part 113 protrude from the front plate 11 in the thickness direction of the housing 10 (the moving direction X of the driving arm 20) outside the accommodation space of the housing 10. In the illustrated example, the first mounting part 112 and the second mounting part 113 protrude perpendicularly from the front plate 11 in the thickness direction of the housing 10. The first mounting part 112 and the second mounting part 113 are spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction Y1, and extend obliquely in the mounting direction Y1 towards each other. The liquid containing device can move between the first mounting part 112 and the second mounting part 113 in the mounting direction Y1 to be mounted to the liquid dispenser 1, or move in the dismounting direction Y2 opposite to the mounting direction Y1 to be dismounted from the liquid dispenser 1 for replacement. The driving arm 20 is mounted in the accommodation space of the housing 10 of the liquid dispenser 1 such that when observed in the moving direction X of the first driving part 114, the first gap D1 between the outer contour of the second driving part 222 and the outer contour of the first driving part 221 is located between the outer contour of the second driving part 222 and the bottom of the through hole 111 in the mounting direction Y1, as Figure 1 shown.

[0043] The first mounting portion 112 includes a first plate portion 1121 and a second plate portion 1122. The first plate portion 1121 is perpendicular to the front plate 11 and extends obliquely with respect to the mounting direction Y1. The second plate portion 1122 extends parallel to the front plate 11 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting direction Y1 from an edge of the first plate portion 1121 spaced apart from the front plate 11, such that the first mounting portion 112 has a generally L-shaped configuration. Similarly, the second mounting portion 113 includes a first plate portion 1131 and a second plate portion 1132, and has a generally L-shaped configuration. The second plate portion 1122 of the first mounting portion 112 and the second plate portion 1132 of the second mounting portion 113 are configured to restrict the movement of the liquid holding device mounted to the liquid dispenser 1 in a direction perpendicular to the front plate 11, thereby preventing the liquid holding device from detaching from the liquid dispenser 1.

[0044] Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of a liquid dispensing device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The liquid dispensing device 100 includes a liquid dispenser 1. As Figure 4 shown, when installed in place, the drive arm 20 is received in a receiving space V defined by the front plate 11, the back plate 13, and the side plate 12 of the housing 10, and the first driving portion 221 of the drive arm 20 is engaged in the sliding groove 114. The diameter of the first driving portion 221 of the drive arm 20 is equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the sliding groove 114, such that the first driving portion 221 can move stably within the sliding groove 114. The sliding groove 114 is located in the receiving space V, and one end of the sliding groove 114 is located in the through hole 111 of the front plate 11. In the example shown in the figure, the sliding groove 114 is integrally formed with the front plate 11. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other examples according to the present invention, the sliding groove 114 may be separately formed and then installed in the through hole 111 of the front plate 11.

[0045] The liquid dispensing device 100 further includes a liquid holding device 30. As Figure 4 shown, the liquid holding device 30 includes a body 31, an end cap 32, and a liquid pumping assembly 33. The inner cavity V1 of the body 31 is adapted to hold liquid. The open end of the body 31 is mounted to the end cap 32.

[0046] The liquid pumping assembly 33 includes a pump housing 331, a moving member 332, and a reset member 333. The pump housing 331 is provided with an installation port 338 and a liquid outlet 337. The opening direction of the liquid outlet 337 is transverse to the opening direction of the installation port 338 of the pump housing 331. A liquid inlet 336 and a vent port 335 are provided on the peripheral wall of the pump housing 331. The moving member 332 is received in the pump housing 331 and is adapted to move relative to the pump housing 331 within the pump housing 331. An installation member 334 is provided at the installation port 338 of the pump housing 331, and the installation member 334 can prevent the moving member 332 from moving out of the pump housing 331. A part of the moving member 332 cooperates with the inner wall of the pump housing 331 to define a liquid storage space V2 within the liquid pumping assembly 33. The reset member 333 is installed in the pump housing 331. In the example shown in the figure, the reset member 333 is a helical spring, the helical spring is sleeved on a part of the moving member 332, one end of the helical spring abuts against the installation protrusion 339 within the pump housing 331, and the other end of the helical spring abuts against the moving member 332. Alternatively, the reset member 333 can also adopt other suitable forms of reset members.

[0047] The liquid pumping assembly 33 is installed in the end cap 32 such that the liquid inlet 336 on the pump housing 331 is selectively communicated with the open end of the main body 31 through a first one-way valve (not shown in the figure), so that the inner cavity V1 of the main body 31 is selectively communicated with the liquid storage space V2 within the liquid pumping assembly 33 to allow the liquid in the inner cavity V1 of the main body 31 to flow into the liquid storage space V2 within the liquid pumping assembly 33. The vent port 335 is communicated with the space above the liquid level in the inner cavity V1 of the main body 31 through a ventilation pipe (not shown in the figure) to facilitate the flow of the liquid in the inner cavity V1 of the main body 31 towards the liquid storage space V2 within the liquid pumping assembly 33.

[0048] The liquid containing device 30 is installed on the liquid dispenser 1 such that the through hole 111 on the front plate 11 of the liquid dispenser 1 is aligned with the installation member 334 of the pump housing 331 of the liquid pumping assembly 33 of the liquid containing device 30, so that the second driving portion 222 of the driving arm 20 can move into the installation member 334 to push the moving member 332. In a plane perpendicular to the moving direction X, the size (e.g., diameter) of the sliding groove 114 is substantially equal to the size (e.g., inner diameter) of the installation member 334.

[0049] When all parts of the liquid dispensing device 100 are installed in place, the driving arm 20 can be driven by a driving device (not shown in the figure) to move along the moving direction X, so that the first driving portion 221 moves along the moving direction X within the sliding groove 114, and as the first driving portion 221 moves, the second driving portion 222 moves out of the sliding groove 114 of the front plate 11 through the through hole 111 and extends to the outside of the housing 10 and passes through the installation member 334 of the liquid pumping assembly 33 to abut against the end of the moving member 332, as Figure 4As shown, the moving member 332 is driven to move towards the side where the liquid outlet 337 is located. When the moving member 332 is driven by the driving arm 20 in the pump housing 331 to move towards the side where the liquid outlet 337 is located, the moving member 332 interrupts the communication between the liquid inlet 336 and the liquid storage space V2, and as the moving member 332 further moves towards the side where the liquid outlet 337 is located, the pressure in the liquid storage space V2 increases, causing the second one-way valve (not shown in the figure) provided at the liquid outlet 337 to open, so that the liquid in the liquid storage space V2 flows out through the liquid outlet 337 for use. During this process, the reset member 333 is compressed. As described above, the length of the second driving portion 222 in the moving direction X is greater than or equal to the driving distance of the driving arm 20, and the driving distance of the driving arm 20 corresponds to the driving distance of the moving member 332 of the liquid pumping assembly 33. Therefore, during the process that the driving arm 20 is driven to push the moving member 332 of the liquid pumping assembly 33 towards the side where the liquid outlet 337 is located, the first driving portion 221 always remains in the sliding groove 114 and does not protrude from the through hole 111 of the housing 10.

[0050] After a predetermined amount of liquid flows out from the liquid outlet 337, the driving arm 20 is driven to retract into the accommodation space V in the housing 10 and no longer pushes the moving member 332. The elastic force of the compressed reset member 333 pushes the moving member 332 to move back to the initial position along the direction away from the side where the liquid outlet 337 is located, and establishes the communication between the liquid inlet 336 on the pump housing 331 and the liquid storage space V2 of the liquid pumping assembly 33, and reduces the pressure in the liquid storage space V2 of the liquid pumping assembly 33. The second one-way valve located at the liquid outlet 337 closes, and the first one-way valve located between the liquid pumping assembly 33 and the end cover 32 opens, so that the liquid in the inner cavity V1 of the body 31 flows into the liquid storage space V2 of the liquid pumping assembly 33 for the next use.

[0051] Figure 5 is shown Figure 4 is a partial enlarged view showing the installation between the driving arm 20 and the mounting member 334 of the liquid pumping assembly 33. As Figure 5As shown, when installed in place, the first driving part 221 fits into the sliding groove 114, and when viewed along the moving direction X of the first driving part 114, the first interval D1 between the outer contour of the second driving part 222 and the outer contour of the first driving part 221 is located between the outer contour of the second driving part 222 and the inner bottom part of the mounting port 338 in the mounting direction Y1, more specifically, between the outer contour of the second driving part 222 and the inner bottom part of the mounting member 334 in the mounting direction Y1, for the liquid containing device 30 to move along the dismounting direction Y2. In the figure, the connecting handle part 211 of the driving arm 20 is arranged substantially horizontally, so that the first driving part 221 and the second driving part 222 are installed such that when viewed along the moving direction X, at the position corresponding to the inner bottom part of the sliding groove 114 in the mounting direction Y1, the first interval D1 between the outer contour of the first driving part 221 and the outer contour of the second driving part 222 has a maximum value. Therefore, the connecting handle part 211 can be used for the orientation of the second driving part 222 in the sliding groove 114, so that the first interval D1 between the outer contour of the first driving part 221 and the outer contour of the second driving part 22 has a maximum value at the position corresponding to the inner bottom part of the sliding groove 114 in the mounting direction Y1. When installed in place, the through hole 111 (i.e., the opening part of the sliding groove 114) on the front plate 11 is aligned with the mounting member 334 of the liquid pumping assembly 33 of the liquid containing device 30, and the inner bottom part of the sliding groove 114 is substantially aligned with the inner bottom part of the mounting member 334. For example, the diameter of the sliding groove 114 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the mounting member 334, so that when viewed along the moving direction X, the first interval D1 located between the outer contour of the second driving part 222 and the inner bottom part of the mounting member 334 in the mounting direction Y1 also has a maximum value, that is, an interval corresponding to the first interval D1 with a maximum value is also formed between the outer contour of the second driving part 222 and the inner bottom part of the mounting member 334 in the mounting direction Y1, for the liquid containing device 30 to move along the dismounting direction Y2.

[0052] As described above, since a first interval D1 is formed between the outer contour of the second driving part 222 of the driving arm 20 and the inner bottom part of the mounting member 334 of the liquid pumping assembly 33 in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction (mounting direction Y1, dismounting direction Y2), this first interval D1 provides a moving space for the liquid containing device 30 along the dismounting direction Y2. Therefore, even when the second driving part 222 has not been retracted into the sliding groove 114 of the liquid dispenser 1, the liquid containing device 30 can still be disassembled from the liquid dispenser 1 by moving the liquid containing device 30 along the dismounting direction Y2.

[0053] Figure 6FIG. schematically shows a schematic view of the liquid dispensing device 100 as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the front plate 11, showing the installation and movement of the liquid holding device 30 between the first mounting portion 112 and the second mounting portion 113 of the liquid dispenser 1. In Figure 6 , only the edges of the first plate portion 1121 of the first mounting portion 112 and the first plate portion 1131 of the second mounting portion 113 are visible, and the liquid holding device 30 is schematically shown only by a box. As Figure 6 shown, a first angle α is formed between both the first mounting portion 112 and the second mounting portion 113 and the mounting direction Y1, and the second plate portion 1122 of the first mounting portion 112 and the second plate portion 1132 of the second mounting portion 113 both have a first width L1 in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction Y1 and parallel to the front plate 11. In Figure 6 , the liquid holding device 30 located at the first position is shown by a dashed line. At the first position, the liquid holding device 30 engages with the first plate portion 1121 of the first mounting portion 112 at point P11, engages with the first plate portion 1131 of the second mounting portion 113 at point P12, and the second plate portion 1122 of the first mounting portion 112 and the second plate portion 1132 of the second mounting portion 113 block the liquid holding device 30, keeping it installed between the first mounting portion 112 and the second mounting portion 113 of the liquid dispenser 1 without falling off from the liquid dispenser 1. When the liquid holding device 30 is moved a distance D2 from the above-mentioned first position where it is engaged with the first plate portion 1121 of the first mounting portion 112 and the first plate portion 1131 of the second mounting portion 113 along the disassembly direction Y2 to reach the second position, the liquid holding device 30 contacts the edge of the second plate portion 1122 of the first mounting portion 112 at point P21 and contacts the edge of the second plate portion 1132 of the second mounting portion 113 at point P22, so that in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction Y1 and the disassembly direction Y2, the liquid holding device 30 moved to the second position is spaced apart from the first plate portion 1121 of the first mounting portion 112 and the second plate portion 1131 of the second mounting portion 113 by a distance L1, that is, L1 = D2 * tanα, where the distance D2 is less than or equal to the first interval D1 between the outer contours of the second driving portion 222 and the first driving portion 221 of the driving arm 20, that is, the following relational expression is satisfied: L1 * arctanα ≤ D1, that is, D1 * tanα ≥ L1.

[0054] Therefore, through the above designs of the driving part 22 of the driving arm 20 and the first mounting part 112 and the second mounting part 113, when the liquid storage device 30 moves a distance equal to the first interval D1 along the disassembly direction Y2 from the mounting position (the above-mentioned first position) where it cooperates with the first mounting part 112 and the second mounting part 113, in the direction perpendicular to the mounting direction Y1 and the disassembly direction Y2, the distance between the edge of the second plate part 1122 of the first mounting part 112 and the edge of the second plate part 1132 of the second mounting part 113 is greater than or equal to the width of the liquid storage device 30, and the edge of the second plate part 1122 of the first mounting part 112 and the edge of the second plate part 1132 of the second mounting part 113 are both close to or even spaced apart from the edge of the liquid storage device 30, so that the second plate part 1122 of the first mounting part 112 and the second plate part 1132 of the second mounting part 113 no longer restrict the liquid storage device 30 between the first mounting part 112 and the second mounting part 113. Therefore, the liquid storage device 30 can be removed from the liquid dispenser 1.

[0055] Preferably, the liquid dispensing device 100 is further provided with a sensing device (not shown in the figure) and a controller (not shown in the figure). The sensing device is configured to sense the operation of the user. For example, it senses that the user's hand is close to the liquid outlet 337 of the liquid dispensing device 100. The controller is configured to actuate the driving device of the driving arm 20 in response to the sensing result of the sensing device to drive the driving arm 20 to move along the moving direction X. The settings of the sensing device and the controller are not the improvement points of the present invention. The sensing device and the controller can use the sensing devices and controllers commonly used in the art, and will not be introduced in detail here.

[0056] Figure 7 The perspective view of the driving arm 20A according to the comparative example is shown, Figure 8 The partial perspective view of the liquid dispenser 1A according to the comparative example is shown, and Figure 9 The partial cross-sectional view of the liquid dispensing device 100A according to the comparative example is shown. The driving arm 20A, the liquid dispenser 1A, and the liquid dispensing device 100A according to the comparative example respectively have similar structures to the driving arm 20, the liquid dispenser 1, and the liquid dispensing device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The difference lies only in the design of the driving arm 20A, more specifically, only in the design of the driving part 22A of the driving arm 20A. In the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0057] As Figure 7As shown, the drive arm 20A includes a connecting portion 21 and a drive portion 22A. One end of the connecting portion 21 is provided with a connecting handle portion 211 to be connected to a drive device. The drive portion 22A is connected to the other end of the connecting portion 21, and the drive portion 22A is formed to have a uniform outer contour along the moving direction X. Specifically, along the moving direction X, the cylindrical drive portion 22A has a uniform outer diameter. The drive portion 22A can be driven to move along the moving direction X such that at least a part of the drive portion 22A protrudes from the through hole 111 on the front plate 11 of the housing 10 of the liquid dispenser 1A, as Figure 8 shown.

[0058] As Figure 9 shown, the drive portion 22A is fitted in the sliding groove 114 of the liquid dispenser 1A, and the diameter of the drive portion 22A is generally equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the sliding groove 114. When all parts of the liquid dispensing device 100A are installed in place, there is almost no gap or only a particularly small gap between the bottom of the drive portion 22A and the inner bottom of the mounting member 334 of the liquid pumping assembly 33 in the direction (mounting direction Y1, dismounting direction Y2) perpendicular to the moving direction X, so that when at least a part of the drive portion 22A of the drive arm 20A is not retracted into the housing 10 but remains in the mounting member 334, for example, when the drive device for the drive arm 20A stops supplying energy due to a power failure, the part of the drive portion 22A of the drive arm 20A located in the mounting member 334 will prevent the liquid containing device 30 from moving in the dismounting direction Y2, and thus the liquid containing device 30 cannot be removed from the liquid dispenser 1A.

[0059] In contrast, for the drive arm 20, liquid dispenser 1, and liquid dispensing device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present utility model, by designing the drive portion 22 of the drive arm 20 to have the above-mentioned first drive portion 221 and second drive portion 222, even when the second drive portion 222 of the drive arm 20 is located within the mounting member 334 of the liquid pumping assembly 33, a first gap D1 is formed between the outer contour of the second drive portion 222 and the inner bottom of the mounting member 334, which can provide space for the liquid storage device 30 to move in the disassembly direction Y2. And preferably, the liquid dispenser 1 is further provided with the above-mentioned first mounting portion 112 and second mounting portion 113. When the liquid storage device 30 (for example, the end cap 32) moves from the first position cooperating with the first mounting portion 112 and the second mounting portion 113 along the disassembly direction Y2 by a distance equal to the first gap D1 to move to the second position, the gap between the liquid storage device 30 and the first plate portion 1121 of the first mounting portion 112 of the liquid dispenser 1 in a direction perpendicular to the disassembly direction Y2 or the installation direction Y1 is greater than the first width L1 of the second plate portion 1122 of the first mounting portion 112. Similarly, the gap between the liquid storage device 30 and the first plate portion 1131 of the second mounting portion 113 of the liquid dispenser 1 in a direction perpendicular to the disassembly direction Y2 or the installation direction Y1 is greater than the first width L1 of the second plate portion 1132 of the second mounting portion 113, so that in a direction perpendicular to the disassembly direction Y2 or the installation direction Y1, the gap between the second plate portion 1122 of the first mounting portion 112 and the second plate portion 1132 of the second mounting portion 113 of the liquid dispenser 1 is greater than the width of the liquid storage device 30 at this second position, thereby still enabling the liquid storage device 30 to be disassembled from the liquid dispenser 1 for replacement. Therefore, even when the second drive portion 222 has not been fully retracted into the housing 10 and is partially located within the mounting member 334 of the liquid pumping assembly 33 of the liquid storage device 30, due to the existence of the first gap D1 for the liquid storage device 30 to move in the disassembly direction, the liquid storage device 30 can still be disassembled as needed, thus improving the maintenance convenience of the liquid dispensing device 100.

[0060] Figure 10 The perspective view of the drive arm 20B according to the second embodiment of the present utility model is shown. The structure of the drive arm 20B according to the second embodiment of the present utility model is substantially the same as the structure of the drive arm 20 according to the first embodiment of the present utility model, and the only difference lies in the design of the second drive portion 222B of the drive portion 22B of the drive arm 20B. The differences between the drive arm 20B and the drive arm 20 will only be introduced below.

[0061] As Figure 10As shown, the second driving part 222B of the driving part 22B of the driving arm 20B is in the form of a cuboid, and the second driving part 222B is arranged parallel to the connecting handle part 211. When viewed along the moving direction X, the outer contour of the second driving part 222B is rectangular, and a first gap D1 is formed between the long side 2221 of the rectangle and the outer contour of the first driving part 221. And preferably, the center of the rectangular cross-section of the second driving part 222B deviates from the center of the first driving part 221 and is offset upward, so that the first gap D1 between the long side 2221 of the second driving part 222B and the first driving part 221 is larger.

[0062] The driving arm 20B according to the second embodiment of the present invention can achieve the above-mentioned beneficial technical effects similar to those of the driving arm 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 11 A perspective view of a driving arm 20C showing a modified example according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The structure of the driving arm 20C of the modified example according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the structure of the driving arm 20B according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The second driving part 222C of the driving part 22C of the driving arm 20C is also in the form of a cuboid, and the difference is only that the second driving part 222C is arranged perpendicular to the connecting handle part 211. When viewed along the moving direction X, a first gap D1 is formed between the short side 2222 of the rectangular outer contour of the second driving part 222C and the outer contour of the first driving part 211.

[0064] The driving arm 20C of the modified example according to the second embodiment of the present invention can achieve the above-mentioned beneficial technical effects similar to those of the driving arm 20B according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Figure 12 A perspective view of a driving arm 20D showing the third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The structure of the driving arm 20D according to the third embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as the structure of the driving arm 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the driving arm 20B according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and the driving arm 20C of its modified example, and the difference is only in the design of the second driving part 222D of the driving part 22D of the driving arm 20D.

[0066] As Figure 12As shown, the driving part 22D of the driving arm 20 includes a first driving part 221 and a second driving part 222D. When viewed along the moving direction X, the outer contour of the second driving part 222D is in a cross shape, and a first interval D1 is formed between the bottom side 2223 of the outer contour of this cross shape and the outer contour of the first driving part 221. And preferably, the center of the second driving part 222D is offset upward from the center of the first driving part 221, so that the first interval D1 between the bottom side 2223 of the second driving part 222D and the outer contour of the first driving part 221 is larger.

[0067] The driving arm 20D according to the third embodiment of the present invention can achieve the above-mentioned beneficial technical effects similar to those of the driving arm 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the driving arm 20B according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and the driving arm 20C according to the modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] The driving arm for a liquid dispenser, the liquid dispenser having the driving arm, and the liquid dispensing device having the liquid dispenser according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention are introduced above. By designing the driving part of the driving arm to have a first driving part and a second driving part with different sizes, the size of the first driving part corresponding to the size of the sliding groove it cooperates with, and the outer contour of the second driving part being located within the outer contour of the first driving part, a first interval D1 is formed between the outer contour of the second driving part and the outer contour of the first driving part. So that when installed in place, even if the second driving part is partially located within the mounting part of the liquid pumping assembly of the liquid containing device, the first interval D1 can still provide space for the liquid containing device to move along the disassembly direction, improving the maintenance convenience of the liquid dispensing device.

[0069] In the embodiments shown above, the first driving part 221 of the driving arm is shown as being cylindrical, and correspondingly, the sliding groove 114 of the liquid dispenser is also of a corresponding shape. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Since the driving arm only moves along the moving direction X in the sliding groove 114 and does not need to rotate, therefore, in other examples according to the present invention, the first driving part 221 of the driving arm and the corresponding sliding groove 114 can also have other suitable cross-sectional shapes in a plane perpendicular to the moving direction X, such as square, rectangular, triangular, etc.

[0070] In the embodiment shown above, it is shown that the second driving part has a circular, rectangular or cross-shaped outer contour when viewed along the moving direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other examples according to the present invention, when viewed along the moving direction, the second driving part may have any suitable outer contour shape, for example, triangular, square, etc., as long as when viewed along the moving direction, the outer contour of the second driving part is located within the outer contour of the first driving part and forms the above-mentioned first interval therebetween to provide a space for the liquid containing device to move along the disassembly direction.

[0071] In the embodiment shown above, the second driving part and the first driving part 221 are eccentrically arranged with respect to each other. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other examples according to the present invention, the second driving part may be concentrically arranged with the first driving part 221, as long as when viewed along the moving direction, the outer contour of the second driving part is located within the outer contour of the first driving part and forms the above-mentioned first interval therebetween to provide a space for the liquid containing device to move along the disassembly direction.

[0072] In the embodiment shown above, the connecting part 21 has a square cross-section. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other examples according to the present invention, the connecting part 21 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, as long as the connecting part 21 can meet the required strength requirements to receive the driving force of the driving device and enable the driving part to move stably.

[0073] Herein, exemplary embodiments of the driving arm, liquid dispenser and liquid dispensing device according to the present invention have been described in detail, but it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and shown above in detail. Without departing from the gist and scope of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present invention. All such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, all the components described herein can be replaced by other technically equivalent components.

Claims

1. A driving arm for a liquid dispenser, the driving arm comprising: A connecting portion to be connected to a driving device; And A driving portion, one end of the driving portion being connected to the connecting portion, Wherein the driving arm is adapted to be fitted in a sliding groove of the liquid dispenser and is driven by the driving device to move along the sliding groove, so that at least a part of the driving portion extends out of the liquid dispenser or retracts into the liquid dispenser, Characterized in that the driving portion comprises: A first driving portion connected to the connecting portion and adapted to be fitted in the sliding groove; and A second driving portion connected to the first driving portion to move out of or retract into the liquid dispenser along with the movement of the first driving portion in the sliding groove. When viewed along the moving direction of the first driving portion, the outer contour of the second driving portion is located within the outer contour of the first driving portion, and a first gap is formed between the outer contour of the second driving portion and the outer contour of the first driving portion.

2. The drive arm according to claim 1, wherein, The first driving portion is cylindrical, and the central axis of the first driving portion is parallel to the moving direction.

3. The drive arm according to claim 2, characterized in that, When viewed along the moving direction, the outer contour of the second driving portion is in any one of the following shapes: circular, square, rectangular, cross-shaped.

4. The drive arm according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that, The second driving portion is concentrically or eccentrically arranged with the first driving portion.

5. The drive arm according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that, The length of the second driving portion in the moving direction is greater than or equal to the driving distance of the driving arm.

6. The drive arm according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that, The connecting portion, the first driving portion and the second driving portion are integrally formed.

7. A liquid dispenser, characterized in that, The liquid dispenser comprises the driving arm according to any one of claims 1-6.

8. The liquid dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that, The liquid dispenser further comprises a housing defining an accommodation space and comprising: A front plate provided with a through hole; and The sliding groove located in the accommodation space, and one end of the sliding groove is located in the through hole, Wherein the driving arm is accommodated in the accommodation space, the first driving portion is fitted in the sliding groove and is adapted to be driven to move along the sliding groove, so that the second driving portion extends out of the housing through the through hole or retracts into the sliding groove.

9. The liquid dispenser according to claim 8, wherein, The front plate is provided with a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion protrude from the front plate in the moving direction outside the accommodation space, and the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are spaced apart from each other and extend obliquely in the mounting direction towards each other; And Wherein the driving arm is mounted in the accommodation space such that: when viewed along the moving direction of the first driving portion, the first gap is located between the outer contour of the second driving portion and the bottom of the through hole in the mounting direction.

10. The liquid dispenser according to claim 9, characterized in that, Each of the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion comprises: A first plate portion extending perpendicularly from the front plate and forming a first angle with the mounting direction; and A second plate portion, the second plate portion extends from an edge of the first plate portion and is spaced apart from the front plate in a direction perpendicular to the installation direction to have a first width, and wherein, the product of the first interval and the tangent value of the first angle is greater than or equal to the first width.

11. The liquid dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that, The chute is integrally formed with the front plate.

12. The liquid dispenser according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that, The liquid dispenser further includes: a sensing device configured to sense the operation of the user; a driving device that can be actuated to drive the driving arm to move along the chute; and a controller configured to actuate the driving device in response to the sensing result of the sensing device.

13. A liquid dispensing device, characterized in that, The liquid dispensing device includes the liquid dispenser according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

14. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 13, wherein The liquid dispensing device includes a liquid containing device, and the liquid containing device includes: a body, the inner cavity of the body is adapted to contain liquid; an end cap mounted to the open end of the body; and a liquid pumping assembly mounted in the end cap and including a pump housing and a moving member, the moving member being adapted to be driven to move within the pump housing to flow the liquid in the body out of the liquid outlet of the liquid containing device, wherein, the liquid containing device is mounted to the liquid dispenser, and the mounting port of the pump housing is aligned with the chute, so that the second driving portion of the driving arm is adapted to move through the mounting port of the pump housing to engage the moving member to drive the moving member to move toward the side where the liquid outlet is located, and when viewed in the moving direction of the first driving portion, the first interval is located between the outer contour of the second driving portion and the inner bottom of the mounting port in the installation direction for the liquid containing device to move in the dismounting direction opposite to the installation direction.

15. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 14, characterized in that, At least the end cap of the liquid containing device is mounted and fitted between the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion of the liquid dispensing device.

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