Water tank structure and ice maker

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of household appliances, in particular to a water tank structure and an ice maker. The water tank structure comprises an outer water tank body and a locking mechanism, and at least one side wall of the outer water tank body is provided with a hand buckling groove. The locking mechanism comprises a locking piece and a hand buckling piece, the hand buckling piece is laid at a notch of the hand buckling groove, the hand buckling piece is connected with the locking piece arranged in the hand buckling groove, and the locking mechanism can move in the hand buckling groove under the guidance of the hand buckling piece so that the outer water tank body can be locked or disengaged from an external structural body. In the aspect of appearance, the locking mechanism is hidden, and the hidden design of the locking mechanism is realized, so that the water tank structure is approximately cubic, the exterior is relatively flat, and the appearance is relatively attractive; the locking mechanism is arranged and can move in the hand buckling groove so that the outer water tank body can be locked or disengaged from the external structural body, the outer water tank structure can be locked or unlocked from the external structural body, the unlocking step of the water tank structure is reduced, and operation is easy and convenient.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of household appliances, especially to a water tank structure and ice maker. BACKGROUND

[0002] The water tank structure is a device for temporarily storing water, which can supply water to other external structures, such as a humidifier, a water dispenser or an ice maker, to ensure the continuity of water supply for household appliances and avoid frequent water supply to the water tank.

[0003] For example, for an ice maker, in order to realize the detachable connection between the water tank structure and the external structure, the water tank structure is usually connected to the external structure by a buckle, and a separate water tank handle is provided. After the user releases the locking of the water tank structure by the buckle, the user still needs to use the water tank handle to lift the water tank structure. The independent arrangement of the buckle and the water tank handle not only destroys the external flatness of the water tank structure, but also makes the user adopt multiple steps to release the locking of the water tank structure.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a water tank structure and ice maker to solve the above problems. SUMMARY

[0005] The utility model aims at providing a water tank structure and ice maker.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the following technical solutions are provided:

[0007] A water tank structure for detachable connection with an external structure, comprising:

[0008] An outer water tank body, at least one side wall of the outer water tank body having a hand buckle groove;

[0009] A locking mechanism comprising a locking piece and a hand buckle piece, the hand buckle piece being arranged at the slot opening of the hand buckle groove, and the hand buckle piece being connected with the locking piece arranged in the hand buckle groove. Under the guidance of the hand buckle piece, the locking mechanism can move in the hand buckle groove to lock or release the external structure.

[0010] As an optional solution, the locking piece comprises:

[0011] A connecting part connected with the hand buckle piece;

[0012] A plug-in part protruding from the connecting part, and an angle exists between the plane where the plug-in part is located and the plane where the connecting part is located. The external structure is provided with a plug-in hole, and the plug-in part can be plugged into the plug-in hole.

[0013] As an option, the bottom of the hand buckle slot has a hollow part, the connecting part extends out of the hollow part and can slide along the hollow part.

[0014] As an option, the locking mechanism further comprises:

[0015] A resilient reset member, one end of the resilient reset member is connected with the slot wall of the hand buckle slot, and the other end is connected with the hand buckle member, so that the locking member slides in the hand buckle slot.

[0016] As an option, the locking mechanism further comprises:

[0017] A guide member, the guide member is fixed with the outer water tank body, and the resilient reset member is sleeved on the guide member;

[0018] The hand buckle member is provided with a guide hole, the guide hole is sleeved on the guide member, the guide hole is movable relative to the guide member, and the resilient reset member is in diastolic motion or compression motion.

[0019] As an option, the outer water tank body comprises a bearing part, the locking member comprises a lapping part, the lapping part is arranged at both ends of the length direction of the connecting part, and the lapping part movably abuts on the bearing part.

[0020] As an option, the locking mechanism further comprises:

[0021] A decorative member, the decorative member is arranged on the side of the hand buckle member away from the locking member.

[0022] As an option, the outer water tank body comprises:

[0023] A shell;

[0024] A tank cover, the shell has a containing space, and the tank cover is arranged on the shell and closes the containing space.

[0025] As an option, the outer water tank body is arranged on the external structure, and the containing space is communicated with the external structure.

[0026] An ice maker, comprising an ice maker body, the ice maker further comprises the water tank structure, and the outer water tank body of the water tank structure can be locked or separated from the ice maker body through the locking mechanism.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the ice maker has the beneficial effects that:

[0028] The water tank structure provided by the utility model has the hand buckle groove on at least one side wall of the outer water tank body, and the hand buckle is laid in the notch of the hand buckle groove, which hides the existence of the locking mechanism in appearance, realizes the hidden design of the locking mechanism, and makes the water tank structure approximately cubic, relatively flat, and relatively beautiful in appearance.

[0029] The ice maker provided by the utility model has the above water tank structure, is relatively flat, is relatively beautiful in appearance, has the locking function, is convenient to disassemble and assemble, reduces the unlocking steps of the water tank structure, and is simple and convenient to operate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical scheme in the embodiments of the utility model, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments of the utility model will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the utility model, and other drawings can be obtained according to the contents of the embodiments of the utility model and the drawings by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0031] Figure 1 The structure schematic view of the ice maker provided by the embodiments of the utility model is shown in the figure.

[0032] Figure 2 The structure schematic view of the water tank structure and the external structure provided by the embodiments of the utility model is shown in the figure.

[0033] Figure 3 The sectional view of the water tank structure and the external structure when the locking mechanism is in the locking position provided by the embodiments of the utility model is shown in the figure.

[0034] Figure 4 The sectional view of the water tank structure when the locking mechanism is in the unlocking position provided by the embodiments of the utility model is shown in the figure.

[0035] Figure 5 The partial structure schematic view of the water tank structure and the external structure provided by the embodiments of the utility model is shown in the figure.

[0036] Figure 6 The structure schematic view of the locking part provided by the embodiments of the utility model is shown in the figure.

[0037] Figure 7 The structure schematic view of the hand buckle part provided by the embodiments of the utility model is shown in the figure.

[0038] REFERENCE SIGNS:

[0039] 100, water tank structure;

[0040] 10, outer water tank body; 11, shell; 111, hand knob groove; 112, bearing part; 12, tank cover; 121, hand knob part; 122, mounting part; 13, leg; 131, through hole;

[0041] 20, locking mechanism; 21, locking piece; 211, overlapping part; 212, connecting part; 213, insertion part; 22, hand knob piece; 221, guide hole; 23, elastic reset piece; 24, decorative piece; 25, fastening piece; 26, guide piece;

[0042] 31, drain plug; 32, elastic piece;

[0043] 200, external structure body; 210, insertion hole;

[0044] 300, ice maker body; 310, water storage tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In order to make the above objectives, features and advantages of the present application more apparent, specific embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be practiced in a number of different ways beyond the specific embodiments described herein and by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the present application, and it is therefore intended that all such variations be considered as falling within the scope of the present application.

[0046] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that, if these terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the purpose of facilitating the description of the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0047] In addition, if these terms "first", "second" appear, these terms are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the technical features referred to. Therefore, the features limited by "first", "second" can explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present application, if the term "a plurality of" appears, the meaning of "a plurality of" is at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically limited.

[0048] In the present application, unless specifically defined otherwise, if there is an appearance of the terms "installation", "connection", "connection", "fixation" and the like, these terms should be broadly understood. For example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise specifically defined. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0049] In the present application, unless specifically defined otherwise, if there is a description of the first feature "on" or "below" the second feature and the like, it can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature "above", "above" and "above" the second feature can be directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is higher than the second feature in horizontal height. The first feature "below", "below" and "below" the second feature can be directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is less than the second feature in horizontal height.

[0050] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "provided to" another element, it can be directly on another element or there can be a middle element. If an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to another element or there can be a middle element. If present, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in the present application are only for illustrative purposes and do not represent the only embodiment.

[0051] As shown in Figure 1 The present embodiment provides an ice maker, which includes an ice maker body 300, the ice maker body 300 includes a water storage tank 310, the water storage tank 310 has a water storage function, so that the water pump can continuously circulate water, and the water passes through the evaporator to continuously freeze ice, and the water circulation can form layer by layer ice.

[0052] In order to ensure the continuity of ice making and avoid frequent water filling of the water storage tank 310, as shown in Figures 1-6As shown, the ice maker provided by the embodiment further comprises a water tank structure 100, the water tank structure 100 comprises an outer water tank body 10 and a locking mechanism 20, the outer water tank body 10 has a hand buckle groove 111 on at least one side wall of the outer water tank body 10, the locking mechanism 20 comprises a locking piece 21 and a hand buckle piece 22, the hand buckle piece 22 is arranged at the notch of the hand buckle groove 111, and the hand buckle piece 22 is connected with the locking piece 21 arranged in the hand buckle groove 111, under the guidance of the hand buckle piece 22, the locking mechanism 20 can move in the hand buckle groove 111 to lock or unlock the outer water tank body 10 from the external structure 200.

[0053] By arranging the hand buckle groove 111 on at least one side wall of the outer water tank body 10 and arranging the hand buckle piece 22 at the notch of the hand buckle groove 111, the existence of the locking mechanism 20 is hidden in appearance, the hidden design of the locking mechanism 20 is realized, the water tank structure 100 is roughly cubic, the outer part is relatively flat, and the appearance is relatively beautiful; by arranging the locking mechanism 20 to move in the hand buckle groove 111 to lock or unlock the outer water tank body 10 from the external structure 200, the outer water tank structure 100 is locked or unlocked from the external structure 200, and the unlocking steps of the water tank structure 100 are reduced, and the operation is simple and convenient.

[0054] It should be noted that in the embodiment, the external structure 200 is the ice maker body 300, and the water tank structure 100 is used to replenish water for the water storage tank 310 of the ice maker body 300 to improve the water supply capacity of the water storage tank 310. In other embodiments, the external structure 200 can also be a humidifier or a water dispenser.

[0055] Optionally, the locking piece 21 is fixed with the hand buckle piece 22 through a fastener 25, the fastener 25 passes through the hand buckle piece 22 and is connected to the locking piece 21 to realize the stable connection between the locking piece 21 and the hand buckle piece 22. Optionally, the fastener 25 is a bolt, and the bolt connects the locking piece 21 and the hand buckle piece 22 to facilitate quick disassembly and assembly of the two.

[0056] Optionally, the locking piece 21 comprises a connecting portion 212 and a plug-in portion 213, the connecting portion 212 is connected with the hand buckle piece 22, the plug-in portion 213 is arranged protruding from the connecting portion 212 and below the connecting portion 212, there is an included angle between the plane where the plug-in portion 213 is located and the plane where the connecting portion 212 is located, the plug-in portion 213 is formed by the connecting portion 212 extending outwardly from the water tank structure 100 and is roughly rectangular, the external structure 200 is provided with a plug-in hole 210 which is roughly rectangular, the plug-in portion 213 can be plugged into the plug-in hole 210 to realize the locking of the outer water tank body 10.

[0057] Optionally, the bottom of the hand buckle slot 111 has a hollow part, the connecting part 212 extends out of the hollow part and can slide along the hollow part to achieve the avoiding effect on the connecting part 212; the width of the hollow part is greater than the width of the insertion part 213, so that the insertion part 213 can be completely out of the insertion hole 210 when unlocked.

[0058] Optionally, the locking mechanism 20 further comprises an elastic reset member 23, one end of the elastic reset member 23 is connected with the slot wall of the hand buckle slot 111, and the other end is connected with the hand buckle 22, so that the locking member 21 slides in the hand buckle slot 111. The user pushes the hand buckle 22 to apply a force moving from the outside of the outer water tank body 10 to the inside of the outer water tank body 10, the locking member 21 moves from the outside of the outer water tank body 10 to the inside of the outer water tank body 10, the insertion part 213 is out of the insertion hole 210, at this time, the elastic reset member 23 is compressed; when the user releases the hand buckle 22, the locking member 21 and the hand buckle 22 move from the inside of the outer water tank body 10 to the outside of the outer water tank body 10 under the action of the elastic reset member 23, so that the insertion part 213 is inserted and matched with the insertion hole 210, so as to lock the outer water tank body 10 and the external structure 200.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3 , in this embodiment, the locking mechanism 20 achieves the locking of the outer water tank body 10 in the vertical direction, and the outer water tank body 10 further comprises a supporting leg 13, which is arranged below the shell 11, and the outer peripheral surface of the supporting leg 13 is fitted with the inner wall surface of the external structure 200 to achieve the limiting of the outer water tank body 10 in the horizontal plane.

[0060] In order to avoid the interference between the supporting leg 13 and the insertion part 213, a through hole 131 is formed on the supporting leg 13, which is opposite to the insertion hole 210, so that the insertion part 213 can pass through the through hole 131 and be inserted and matched with the insertion hole 210.

[0061] Optionally, the locking mechanism 20 further comprises a guide member 26, which is fixed with the outer water tank body 10 and located in the hand buckle slot 111, and the elastic reset member 23 is sleeved on the guide member 26 to provide guidance for the elastic reset member 23, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the elastic force provided by the elastic reset member 23.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3 , Figure 4 , and Figure 7 , in order to avoid the interference between the guide member 26 and the hand buckle 22, the hand buckle 22 is protrusively provided with a guide hole 221, the guide hole 221 is sleeved on the guide member 26, the guide hole 221 can move relative to the guide member 26, and the elastic reset member 23 can perform relaxation or compression movement.

[0063] In the embodiment, in order to ensure uniform stress, the number of the guide members 26 is two, and the two guide members 26 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the locking member 21.

[0064] As shown in Figures 2-5 The outer water tank body 10 includes a shell 11 and a tank cover 12. The shell 11 has a containing space for containing water. The tank cover 12 is arranged on the shell 11 and seals the containing space to prevent dust and sundries from polluting the water in the containing space.

[0065] In order to facilitate the opening and buckling of the tank cover 12 and the shell 11, a hand buckle portion 121 is further arranged on the tank cover 12, which is convenient for users to use.

[0066] The tank cover 12 further includes a mounting portion 122 arranged on the inner side of the tank cover 12 and in a ring shape. The mounting portion 122 is used for mounting a sealing ring to realize the sealed connection of the tank cover 12 and the shell 11.

[0067] Optionally, a water outlet is arranged at the bottom of the shell 11. The water tank structure 100 further includes a drain plug 31 and an elastic member 32. The drain plug 31 is movably arranged at the water outlet. One end of the elastic member 32 abuts against the drain plug 31, and the other end abuts against the outer side of the bottom plate of the shell 11. When the outer water tank body 10 is installed on the external structure 200, the water storage tank abuts against the drain plug 31. The drain plug 31 moves upward to open the water outlet, and the water in the shell 11 flows into the water storage tank through the water outlet. When it is necessary to replenish water in the outer water tank body 10, the outer water tank body 10 is unlocked from the external structure 200. The drain plug 31 seals the water outlet under the action of the elasticity of the elastic member 32.

[0068] Optionally, as shown in Figures 3-5 The shell 11 includes a bearing portion 112 in the hand buckle groove 111. The locking member 21 includes a lapping portion 211 arranged at both ends of the length direction of the connecting portion 212. The lapping portion 211 movably abuts against the bearing portion 112. The number of the lapping portion 211 is two. The two lapping portions 211 are arranged at both sides of the length direction of the connecting portion 212, so that the lapping portion 211 and the connecting portion 212 are substantially T-shaped. The bearing portion 112 realizes the bearing and guiding of the locking member 21.

[0069] Optionally, the locking mechanism 20 further includes a decorative member 24 arranged on the side of the hand buckle member 22 away from the locking member 21. The decorative member 24 is plate-shaped, and the decorative member 24 is flush with the side plate of the shell 11, so that the outer water tank body 10 is substantially cubic and has a more beautiful appearance.

[0070] Optionally, the decorative member 24 is in interference fit with the hand buckle member 22, which facilitates the assembly of the decorative member 24 and the hand buckle member 22 and does not need to be provided with other connecting structures, which is helpful to simplify the structure.

[0071] Optionally, the number of locking mechanisms 20 is two, and the two locking mechanisms 20 are arranged at the two ends of the length direction of the shell 11, so that the outer water tank body 10 can be uniformly stressed, and the user can conveniently carry.

[0072] For the convenience of understanding, the following will be described in combination with Figures 2-7 The process of locking and unlocking the outer water tank body 10 will be described as follows:

[0073] 1) When unlocking, the user inserts the hand buckle part 121 to push the three of the decorative part 24, the hand buckle part 22 and the locking part 21 to move from the outside of the shell 11 to the inside of the shell 11, the insertion part 213 is separated from the insertion hole 210, the outer water tank body 10 is unlocked with the external structure 200, and the outer water tank body 10 is lifted and taken out;

[0074] 2) When locking, the locking part 21 is pushed to the unlocking position, the supporting leg 13 is placed on the external structure 200, the locking part 21 is released, the elastic reset part 23 pushes the locking part 21 to reset, so that the insertion part 213 is inserted into the insertion hole 210, and the locking is completed.

[0075] Note that in the description of the present specification, the description referring to the terms "some embodiments", "other embodiments", and the like means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiments or examples are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the present specification, the illustrative description of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0076] The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present application and the technical principle applied. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and those skilled in the art can make various obvious changes, re-adjustments and substitutions without departing from the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, although the present application has been described in more detail through the above embodiments, the present application is not limited to the above embodiments, and can include more other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present application, and the scope of the present application is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A water tank structure characterized by comprising: The water tank structure is used for detachable connection with an external structure (200), and comprises: an outer water tank body (10) having a hand buckle groove (111) on at least one side wall of the outer water tank body (10); a locking mechanism (20) comprising a locking piece (21) and a hand buckle piece (22), the hand buckle piece (22) being arranged at the notch of the hand buckle groove (111), and the hand buckle piece (22) being connected with the locking piece (21) arranged in the hand buckle groove (111), under the guidance of the hand buckle piece (22), the locking mechanism (20) being movable in the hand buckle groove (111) to lock or release the outer water tank body (10) from the external structure (200).

2. The water tank structure according to claim 1, characterized by The locking piece (21) comprises: a connecting portion (212) connected with the hand buckle piece (22); a plug-in portion (213) protruding from the connecting portion (212), and a plane where the plug-in portion (213) is located and a plane where the connecting portion (212) is located form an included angle, the external structure (200) being provided with a plug-in hole (210), and the plug-in portion (213) being plug-in matched with the plug-in hole (210).

3. The water tank structure according to claim 2, characterized by The groove bottom of the hand buckle groove (111) has a hollow portion, and the connecting portion (212) extends out of the hollow portion and can slide along the hollow portion.

4. The water tank structure according to claim 2, characterized by The locking mechanism (20) further comprises: a resilient reset piece (23), one end of the resilient reset piece (23) being connected with the groove wall of the hand buckle groove (111), and the other end of the resilient reset piece (23) being connected with the hand buckle piece (22) to make the locking piece (21) slide in the hand buckle groove (111).

5. The water tank structure according to claim 4, characterized by The locking mechanism (20) further comprises: a guide piece (26) fixed with the outer water tank body (10), and the resilient reset piece (23) being sleeved on the guide piece (26); the hand buckle piece (22) protrudingly arranged with a guide hole (221), the guide hole (221) being sleeved on the guide piece (26), the guide hole (221) being movable relative to the guide piece (26), and the resilient reset piece (23) being in diastolic motion or compression motion.

6. The water tank structure according to claim 2, wherein The outer water tank body (10) comprises a bearing portion (112), the locking piece (21) comprises a lapping portion (211), the lapping portion (211) being arranged at both ends of the length direction of the connecting portion (212), and the lapping portion (211) movably abutting on the bearing portion (112).

7. The water tank structure according to claim 1, wherein The locking mechanism (20) further comprises: a decoration piece (24) arranged on the side of the hand buckle piece (22) away from the locking piece (21).

8. The water tank structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, The outer water tank body (10) comprises: a shell (11); a tank cover (12), the shell (11) having a containing space, and the tank cover (12) being arranged on the shell (11) and closing the containing space.

9. The water tank structure according to claim 8, characterized by The outer water tank body (10) is arranged on the external structure (200), and the containing space is communicated with the external structure (200).

10. An ice maker comprising an ice maker body, characterized by, The ice maker further comprises the water tank structure as claimed in any one of claims 1-9, and the outer water tank body of the water tank structure is lockable or releasable to the ice maker body by a locking mechanism.

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