Water tank assembly, ice maker and refrigerator

Abstract

The utility model discloses a water tank assembly, an ice maker and a refrigerator, the water tank assembly comprises a water tank, a water drawing pipe is arranged in the water tank, and a floater capable of moving up and down is arranged at the water inlet end of the water drawing pipe; the water tank seat is assembled with the water tank and draws water from the water tank through a water drawing assembly and a water drawing pipe; the water level detection device comprises a sensor arranged on the water tank base and a sensed element corresponding to the sensor, the sensed element is fixed to the floater, and the sensor is at least used for detecting whether the sensed element is located at the lowest position or not. The floater is arranged at the water inlet end of the water drawing pipe, so that the water drawing device has the advantages of simple structure, convenience in production and maintenance and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water level detection technology, and in particular to water tank components, ice makers and refrigerators. Background Technology

[0002] Manual ice makers are cumbersome to operate and slow to produce ice, failing to meet user needs. Automatic ice makers have emerged to address this issue, but it's crucial to constantly monitor the water level in the ice maker's tank; otherwise, the machine will run dry and fail to produce ice. Utility Model Content

[0003] Based on the technical problems existing in the background technology, this utility model proposes a water tank assembly, an ice maker and a refrigerator. By setting the float at the water inlet end of the water pipe, it has the advantages of simple structure and easy production and maintenance.

[0004] The water tank assembly proposed in this utility model includes:

[0005] A water tank, wherein a water intake pipe is provided, and a float that can move up and down is provided at the water inlet end of the water intake pipe;

[0006] A water tank base is assembled with the water tank and draws water from the water tank through a water-drawing assembly and a water-drawing pipe;

[0007] A water level detection device includes a sensor disposed on the base of a water tank and a sensed element corresponding to the sensor, the sensed element being fixed to the float, and the sensor being used at least to detect whether the sensed element is at its lowest position.

[0008] Preferably, the water tank includes a water tank body and a water tank cover, and the water intake pipe is disposed on the water tank cover.

[0009] Preferably, the sensor is a Hall sensor, and the sensed element is a magnet.

[0010] Preferably, the float is slidably mounted on the water inlet end of the water-drawing pipe.

[0011] Preferably, a connector containing an inner cavity is sleeved on the outer side of the water inlet end of the water pipe, and the float is slidably disposed in the inner cavity.

[0012] Preferably, a partition is provided inside the connector, and the partition and the inner wall of the connector form a space for the float to slide up and down.

[0013] Preferably, the connector has a bottom cover plate that can open and close the inner cavity, and the bottom cover plate is used to enclose the float in the inner cavity.

[0014] Preferably, the bottom cover is a cover with a water filtration function, and the water in the water tank enters the inlet end of the water pipe after passing through the bottom cover.

[0015] The ice maker proposed in this utility model includes an ice-making component and the aforementioned water tank component, wherein the water tank seat in the water tank component is used to draw water from the water tank into the ice-making component.

[0016] The refrigerator proposed in this utility model includes the ice maker described above.

[0017] The beneficial technical effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0018] This invention features a float that can move up and down at the water inlet of the water pipe. The position of the sensing element on the float is detected by a sensor on the base of the water tank. When the water tank is empty, the float is at its lowest position, the sensor detects the sensing element, and identifies the water shortage signal. By placing the float at the water inlet of the water pipe, this invention has the advantages of simple structure, easy production and maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ice maker with a water tank assembly proposed in this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector in the first embodiment of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector in the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the connector in the third embodiment of this utility model.

[0023] In the diagram: 1-Water tank base, 2-Connector, 3-Sensor, 4-Ice making assembly, 5-Water tank, 6-Water intake pipe, 7-Bottom cover, 8-Sensed element, 9-Baffle, 10-Float, 11-Sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0025] Example 1

[0026] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The water tank assembly proposed in this utility model includes a water tank 5, a water tank base 1, and a water level detection device.

[0027] The water tank 5 is equipped with a water intake pipe 6, and the water inlet end of the water intake pipe 6 is equipped with a float 10 that can move up and down. The float 10 can move up and down obliquely or vertically along the water intake pipe 6, as long as the float 10 can float due to the water in the water tank 5 in actual application.

[0028] The water tank base 1 is assembled with the water tank 5 so that the water tank 5 can be installed in the water tank base 1. The water tank base 1 draws water from the water tank 5 through the water-drawing assembly and the water-drawing pipe 6. For example, the water-drawing assembly includes a drive device such as a water pump that provides power for water drawing. The drive device draws water from the water tank 5 for use by other equipment.

[0029] The water level detection device includes a sensor 3 installed on the base of the water tank 5 and a sensing element 8 corresponding to the sensor 3. The sensing element 8 is fixed to the float 10. The sensing element 8 can be installed outside the float 10. Of course, in order to avoid the sensing element 8 from polluting the water in the water tank, the sensing element 8 can also be fixed inside the float 10.

[0030] Furthermore, the aforementioned sensor 3 is at least used to detect whether the sensed element 8 is in its lowest position. That is, in this application, the sensor 3 can detect the sensed element 8 at least when it is in its lowest position. Regarding whether the sensor 3 needs to detect the sensed element 8 when it is not in its lowest position, those skilled in the art can configure it according to actual needs. The aforementioned lowest position refers to the lowest point in the vertical movement stroke of the float 10.

[0031] This invention features a simple structure and is easy to manufacture and maintain by placing the float at the inlet end of the water pipe.

[0032] In this embodiment, the water tank 5 may include a water tank body 51 and a water tank cover 52. The water pipe 6 is disposed on the water tank cover 52. The water tank cover 52 can be opened relative to the water tank body 51 to add water to the water tank body or to clean, repair, or replace the water pipe and the float on the water pipe. In addition, a sleeve 11 may be provided on the outside of the water pipe to improve the service life of the water pipe.

[0033] In this embodiment, sensor 3 can be a Hall sensor, and the sensed element 8 is a magnet. When the Hall sensor detects that the magnet in the float is at the lowest position, it indicates that there is a lack of water in the water tank, and the Hall sensor feeds back the water shortage signal to the main control board.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first implementation scheme for realizing the up-and-down movement of the float 10 at the water inlet end of the water pipe 6 can be referred to. Figure 2The float 10 can slide up and down on the water inlet end of the water intake pipe 6. The float 10 is mainly limited by the water intake pipe 6. The float can adopt a ring structure. The float and the water intake pipe can be designed as a transition fit, that is, the inner diameter of the float is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the water intake pipe. The float can slide up and down along the water intake pipe. At the same time, the gap between the bottom of the water intake pipe and the bottom of the water tank body can be less than the thickness of the float to prevent the float from detaching from the water intake pipe and causing the sensor to fail to detect the sensed element. In addition, there can be a large gap between the inner diameter of the float and the water intake pipe. At this time, the float will wobble. The size of the sensed element can be adjusted to ensure that the sensor can detect the sensed element within the range of wobble. At this time, the float may move up and down diagonally or vertically. For example, when the center of gravity of the float is not at the center point, it will move up and down diagonally.

[0035] In the second implementation method, refer to Figure 3 Additionally, a connector 2 containing an inner cavity can be fitted on the outside of the water inlet end of the water pipe 6. The float 10 is slidably disposed in the inner cavity. The outer wall of the float and the inner wall of the inner cavity are transitionally fitted, that is, the outer diameter of the float is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner cavity. The inner wall of the inner cavity limits the float.

[0036] In the third embodiment, refer to Figure 4 The outer sleeve of the water inlet end of the water pipe 6 is also equipped with a connector 2 containing an inner cavity. The float 10 is slidably disposed in this inner cavity. At the same time, a partition 9 is provided inside the connector 2. The partition 9 and the inner wall of the connector 2 form a space for the float 10 to slide up and down. By separating a small space in the inner cavity of the connector through the partition for the up and down sliding of the float, it is simpler to manufacture and smaller in size than a float with a ring structure. The sensing element in the float is also easier to be detected by the sensor.

[0037] In the second and third embodiments described above, a bottom cover plate 7 with an openable and closable inner cavity can be provided at the bottom of the connector 2. The bottom cover plate 7 is used to enclose the float 10 in the inner cavity to prevent the float 10 from detaching from the inner cavity. At this time, a water inlet hole can be provided on the bottom cover plate or the side wall of the connector to ensure that water in the water tank can automatically enter the inner cavity of the connector and that the partition and the inner wall of the connector form a space for the float to slide up and down. The bottom cover plate can not only limit the float to prevent it from detaching from the inner cavity of the connector, but also open the inner cavity of the connector to facilitate the inspection and cleaning of the float.

[0038] Furthermore, the bottom cover 7 can also be designed as a cover with a water filtration function. Water in the water tank 6 enters the inlet end of the water intake pipe 6 after passing through the bottom cover 7. The cover with the water filtration function can be a cover where the entire cover is a filter, or a part of the cover is equipped with a filter, or the part that achieves the filtration function is designed to be detachable for easy cleaning and replacement by sandwiching filter cotton or other structures between two layers of hollowed-out cover plates. In addition, when the space formed by the partition 9 and the inner wall of the connector 2 allows the float 10 to slide up and down, it can be filled with either unfiltered or filtered water. When the water entering this space is unfiltered water, it is necessary to ensure the airtightness between the partition, the bottom cover, and the connector to prevent water from entering the water intake pipe through gaps. In this case, water inlet holes can be opened on the side walls of the bottom cover and the connector that form this space. At this time, the connector is equivalent to a filter in the water tank, realizing that the filter not only achieves water filtration but also has a water level detection function.

[0039] Example 2

[0040] Reference Figure 1 This utility model also proposes an ice maker, including an ice-making component 4 and a water tank component as in Embodiment 1. The water tank base 1 in the water tank component can be equipped with a driving device such as a water pump to provide power for water extraction, which is used to draw water from the water tank 5 to the ice-making component 4 for ice making.

[0041] When the ice maker has enough water, the following workflow applies: The refrigeration program begins, the evaporator cools, the fan operates, the compartment sensor detects that the temperature has reached the set point, the ice maker starts working, and when the water tank is full, the float rises due to buoyancy, moving away from the sensor. The sensor can no longer sense the sensing element in the float, and transmits the signal to the main control board. At this point, the main control board determines that there is no water shortage, controls the water pump to draw water, and the water enters the ice-making grid of the ice-making component through the water pipe, starting ice making. Once the conditions for ice turning are met, the ice in the ice-making grid turns, and then the water tank is checked again to see if there is enough water. If there is no water shortage, the above procedure is repeated.

[0042] When the ice maker is short of water, the following workflow occurs: The refrigeration program starts, the evaporator cools, the fan works, and the compartment sensor detects that the temperature has reached the set temperature point. At this point, ice making can begin. However, the water tank is short of water, the float loses buoyancy and falls back to the bottom of the water tank, close to the sensor. The sensor detects the sensing element in the float and transmits the signal to the main control board. At this point, the main control board determines that there is a water shortage and stops the ice making program.

[0043] Example 3

[0044] This utility model also provides a refrigerator that includes the ice maker in Embodiment 2.

Claims

1. A water tank assembly, characterized in that, include: Water tank (5), in which a water pipe (6) is provided, and a float (10) that can move up and down is provided at the water inlet end of the water pipe (6). A water tank base (1) is assembled with the water tank (5) and draws water from the water tank (5) through the water-drawing assembly and the water-drawing pipe (6); The water level detection device includes a sensor (3) disposed on the base of the water tank (5) and a sensed element (8) corresponding to the sensor (3), the sensed element (8) being fixed to the float (10), and the sensor (3) being used at least to detect whether the sensed element (8) is at the lowest position.

2. The water tank assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water tank (5) includes a water tank body (51) and a water tank cover (52), and the water pipe (6) is installed on the water tank cover (52).

3. The water tank assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor (3) is a Hall sensor, and the sensed element (8) is a magnet.

4. The water tank assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The float (10) is slidably mounted on the inlet end of the water pipe (6).

5. The water tank assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water inlet end of the water pipe (6) is fitted with a connector (2) containing an inner cavity, and the float (10) is slidably disposed in the inner cavity.

6. The water tank assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connector (2) is provided with a partition (9), and the partition (9) and the inner wall of the connector (2) form a space for the float (10) to slide up and down.

7. The water tank assembly according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that, The connector (2) is provided with a bottom cover plate (7) at the bottom that can open and close the inner cavity. The bottom cover plate (7) is used to enclose the float (10) in the inner cavity.

8. The water tank assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The bottom cover plate (7) is a cover plate with water filtration function. The water in the water tank (5) enters the water inlet of the water pipe (6) after passing through the bottom cover plate (7).

9. An ice maker, characterized in that, Includes an ice-making assembly (4) and a water tank assembly according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein a water tank seat (1) in the water tank assembly is used to draw water from a water tank (5) into the ice-making assembly (4).

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that, It includes the ice maker as described in claim 9.

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