Water inlet assembly and refrigerator

Abstract

The utility model discloses a water inlet assembly and a refrigerator, and the water inlet assembly comprises a water tank arranged in a refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator, an ice maker arranged in a freezing chamber of the refrigerator, a water inlet pipe communicated with the water tank and the ice maker, and a heat preservation piece arranged between the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, according to the water inlet assembly, the heat preservation part is arranged to be the first heat preservation layer and the second heat preservation layer which are detachably connected and stacked, when the water inlet pipe needs to be maintained, the water inlet pipe in the heat preservation part can be maintained only by detaching the first heat preservation layer or the second heat preservation layer, and the maintenance convenience of the water inlet assembly is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of refrigeration equipment technology, and in particular to a water inlet component and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Ice makers are becoming increasingly common in household refrigerators. They typically have a water tank in the refrigerator compartment and an ice maker in the freezer compartment, connected by a water inlet pipe. When ice is needed, water from the water tank is supplied to the ice maker through the water inlet pipe. However, because the temperature in the freezer compartment is below zero, the existing water inlet structure is prone to freezing and blockage of the water inlet pipe, causing the refrigerator's ice-making function to fail.

[0003] Therefore, in the prior art, an insulation structure is usually installed between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment to wrap the water inlet pipe. Although this structure can reduce the impact of the freezer compartment on the water inlet pipe to a certain extent, since the water inlet pipe passes through the insulation structure and is connected to the ice maker, it is not easy to repair the water inlet pipe if it fails or leaks. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main objective of this utility model embodiment is to provide a water inlet component and a refrigerator, which aims to improve the technical problem of inconvenient maintenance caused by setting up an insulation structure between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment in the prior art.

[0005] An embodiment of this utility model provides a water inlet assembly, including a water tank disposed in the refrigerator compartment, an ice maker disposed in the freezer compartment, a water inlet pipe connecting the water tank and the ice maker, and an insulation component disposed between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. The insulation component includes a first insulation layer and a second insulation layer that are detachably connected. The first insulation layer and the second insulation layer are stacked sequentially between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. The water inlet pipe passes through the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer sequentially and is connected to the ice maker.

[0006] In some embodiments of this utility model, the water inlet pipe includes a flexible hose section and a rigid hose section connected in sequence. The end of the flexible hose section away from the rigid hose section is connected to the water tank, and the end of the rigid hose section away from the flexible hose section is connected to the ice maker. The rigid hose section passes through the insulation component.

[0007] In some embodiments of this utility model, the rigid pipe section passes through the second insulation layer, and the flexible pipe section passes through the first insulation layer and is connected to the rigid pipe section.

[0008] In some embodiments of this utility model, a positioning groove is provided on the side of the second insulation layer near the first insulation layer, and the rigid pipe section is at least partially engaged in the positioning groove.

[0009] In some embodiments of this utility model, a heating element is sleeved on the rigid pipe section.

[0010] In some embodiments of this utility model, a first connecting portion is provided on the side of the first insulation layer near the second insulation layer, and a second connecting portion is provided on the second insulation layer that matches and connects with the first connecting portion. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected in a concave-convex fit.

[0011] In some embodiments of this utility model, the first insulation layer is provided with a first step portion on the side near the second insulation layer, and the second insulation layer is provided with a second step portion that cooperates and connects with the first step portion on the side near the second insulation layer.

[0012] In some embodiments of this utility model, the first insulation layer is connected to a first support, the first support is connected to the refrigerator compartment, and the second insulation layer is connected to a second support, the second support is connected to the freezer compartment.

[0013] In some embodiments of this utility model, the heat insulation component is a foam component.

[0014] In some embodiments of this utility model, a refrigerator is also provided, which includes the above-described water inlet assembly.

[0015] An embodiment of this utility model provides a water inlet assembly and a refrigerator. The water inlet assembly includes a water tank disposed in the refrigerator's cold compartment, an ice maker disposed in the refrigerator's freezer compartment, a water inlet pipe connecting the water tank and the ice maker, and an insulation component disposed between the cold compartment and the freezer compartment. By configuring the insulation component as a first insulation layer and a second insulation layer that are detachably connected and stacked, when the water inlet pipe needs to be repaired, only the first insulation layer or the second insulation layer needs to be removed to repair the water inlet pipe in the insulation component, thereby improving the convenience of water inlet assembly maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the water inlet assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the insulation component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the second insulation layer and the rigid pipe section in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Reference numerals: 10, refrigerator; 11, refrigerator compartment; 12, freezer compartment; 100, water tank; 200, ice maker; 300, insulation component; 310, first insulation layer; 320, second insulation layer; 321, positioning groove; 400, water inlet pipe; 410, flexible hose section; 420, rigid pipe section; 500, electric heating element. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0023] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in this utility model embodiment are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0024] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixing" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0025] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0026] like Figures 1-4 As shown, this utility model provides a water inlet assembly, which includes a water tank 100 disposed in the refrigerator compartment 11 of the refrigerator 10, an ice maker 200 disposed in the freezer compartment 12 of the refrigerator 10, a water inlet pipe 400 connecting the water tank 100 and the ice maker 200, and an insulation component 300 disposed between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12. The insulation component 300 includes a first insulation layer 310 and a second insulation layer 320 that are detachably connected. The first insulation layer 310 and the second insulation layer 320 are stacked sequentially between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12. The water inlet pipe 400 passes through the first insulation layer 310 and the second insulation layer 320 sequentially and is connected to the ice maker 200.

[0027] Generally, a partition is provided between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12. This partition is used to place the insulation component 300 to isolate the temperature between the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment 11, thereby preventing the water inlet pipe 400 from freezing and becoming blocked.

[0028] Understandably, by setting the insulation component 300 to be detachably connected and stacked with the first insulation layer 310 and the second insulation layer 320, when the water inlet pipe 400 needs to be repaired, only the first insulation layer 310 or the second insulation layer 320 needs to be removed to repair the water inlet pipe 400, thus improving the convenience of water inlet component repair.

[0029] In some embodiments, the insulation element 300 is disposed between the freezer compartment 12 and the refrigerator compartment 11. However, since the insulation element 300 generally does not fill the entire gap between the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 12, after the insulation element 300 is disposed, foaming agent is generally filled into the gap between the refrigerator compartment 11, the freezer compartment 12 and the insulation element 300 to form an insulation structure that fills the entire gap.

[0030] In some embodiments, the water inlet pipe 400 includes a flexible hose section 410 and a rigid pipe section 420 connected in sequence. The end of the flexible hose section 410 away from the rigid pipe section 420 is connected to the water tank 100, and the end of the rigid pipe section 420 away from the flexible hose section 410 is connected to the ice maker 200. The rigid pipe section 420 passes through the insulation member 300.

[0031] Among them, rigid pipe section 420 is generally made of metal. Flexible pipe section 410 is generally made of plastic.

[0032] Since the length of the rigid pipe section 420 extends from the insulation component 300 to the ice maker 200, while the length of the flexible pipe section 410 extends from the water tank 100 of the refrigerator compartment 11 to the insulation component 300, the length of the flexible pipe section 410 is generally greater than the length of the rigid pipe.

[0033] At the same time, by making the length of the flexible hose section 410 greater than that of the rigid pipe, the replacement cost of the flexible hose section 410 and the rigid pipe can be similar when using metal pipes and plastic pipes, thereby reducing the overall cost of the water inlet pipe 400.

[0034] Meanwhile, since the water path between the insulation component 300 and the water tank 100 of the refrigerator compartment 11 is not fixed, the use of the hose section 410 can adapt to a variety of different water paths.

[0035] Meanwhile, the inlet pipe 400 is divided into a flexible hose section 410 and a rigid hose section 420 connected in sequence. If a problem occurs in a single hose section, only one hose section needs to be replaced, instead of replacing the entire inlet pipe 400.

[0036] In some embodiments, the rigid pipe section 420 passes through the second insulation layer 320, and the flexible pipe section 410 passes through the first insulation layer 310 and is connected to the rigid pipe section 420.

[0037] The rigid pipe section 420 extends from the top of the second insulation layer 320 to the bottom of the second insulation layer 320 and connects to the ice maker 200. Therefore, if there is a problem with the rigid pipe section 420, only the second insulation layer 320 needs to be removed and the rigid pipe section 420 replaced.

[0038] In some embodiments, a portion of the rigid pipe section 420 is inserted into the first insulation member 300 and connected to the flexible pipe section 410.

[0039] In some embodiments, a positioning groove 321 is provided on the side of the second insulation layer 320 near the first insulation layer 310, and the rigid pipe section 420 is at least partially engaged in the positioning groove 321.

[0040] That is, the rigid pipe section 420 can be quickly connected to the second insulation layer 320 through the positioning groove 321, and the connection stability between the second insulation layer 320 and the rigid pipe section 420 is improved by the snap-fit ​​connection.

[0041] The second insulation layer 320 has a recess on the side near the first insulation layer 310. The sidewall of the recess is inclined, and the positioning groove 321 is provided on the sidewall, so that the rigid pipe section 420 penetrates the second insulation layer 320 at an incline and penetrates the second insulation layer 320 relatively vertically. The rigid pipe section 420 can be set to a longer length, thereby giving the water inlet pipe 400 more insulation area and preventing cold air from entering the flexible pipe section 410.

[0042] In some embodiments, a heating element is fitted onto the rigid tube section 420.

[0043] The heating element is generally a heating wire, and the rigid tube section 420 is a metal tube section. The rigid tube section 420 is heated by the heating element, which can prevent cold air from entering the rigid tube section 420 and causing it to freeze. At the same time, it can also prevent cold air from entering the flexible tube section 410.

[0044] In some embodiments, a wiring groove communicating with the positioning groove 321 is provided on the second insulation layer 320, and the heating wire is connected to the power supply structure through the wiring groove.

[0045] In some embodiments, a first connecting portion is provided on the side of the first insulation layer 310 near the second insulation layer 320, and a second connecting portion is provided on the second insulation layer 320 to match and connect with the first connecting portion, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected by a concave-convex fit.

[0046] The first connecting part can be a first protruding structure that protrudes towards the second insulation layer 320, and the second connecting part is a first recessed structure that is recessed away from the first insulation layer 310. The first protruding structure and the first recessed structure are connected by a convex-concave fit to connect the first insulation layer 310 and the second insulation layer 320.

[0047] The first connecting part can be a second recessed structure that is recessed away from the second insulation layer 320, and the second connecting part can be a second protruding structure that protrudes towards the first insulation layer 310. The second recessed structure and the second protruding structure are connected in a recessed-protruding manner to connect the first insulation layer 310 and the second insulation layer 320.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first insulation layer 310 is provided with a first step portion on the side near the second insulation layer 320, and the second insulation layer 320 is provided with a second step portion that cooperates and connects with the first step portion on the side near the second insulation layer 320.

[0049] The first step and the second step work together to provide positioning, enabling the first insulation layer 310 and the second insulation layer 320 to be quickly positioned and connected. At the same time, when the first step and the second step are connected, the first insulation layer 310 and the second insulation layer 320 can also be limited in the horizontal direction.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first insulation layer 310 is provided with two opposing first steps and two second steps are spaced apart; the second insulation layer 320 is provided with two opposing second steps and two second steps are spaced apart, the two first steps are respectively connected to the two second steps, and the two first steps are located between the two second steps.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first insulation layer 310 is connected to a first support, which is connected to the refrigerator compartment 11, and the second insulation layer 320 is connected to a second support, which is connected to the freezer compartment 12.

[0052] The first bracket is used to connect the first insulation layer 310 to the refrigerator compartment 11, and the second bracket is used to connect the second insulation layer 320 to the freezer compartment 12.

[0053] The first bracket and the first insulation layer 310 can be detachably connected by plugging or bonding, and the second bracket and the second insulation layer 320 can be detachably connected by plugging or bonding.

[0054] The first bracket and the refrigerator compartment 11 can be detachably connected by plug-in or screw connection, and the second bracket and the freezer compartment 12 can be detachably connected by plug-in or screw connection.

[0055] In some embodiments, the insulation component 300 is a foam component.

[0056] The first insulation layer 310 and the second insulation layer 320 are both made of foam. The insulation component 300 is also made of foam, which effectively provides thermal insulation and cold insulation.

[0057] In some embodiments, a refrigerator 10 is also provided, which includes the water inlet assembly described above. Since the refrigerator 10 includes at least some or all of the embodiments of the water inlet assembly described above, the refrigerator 10 has at least the beneficial effects of some or all of the embodiments described above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0058] The above description is only an optional embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. All equivalent structural transformations made based on the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings under the application concept of the present utility model, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included in the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A water inlet assembly, comprising a water tank disposed in the refrigerator compartment, an ice maker disposed in the freezer compartment, a water inlet pipe connecting the water tank and the ice maker, and an insulation component disposed between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, characterized in that, The insulation component includes a detachably connected first insulation layer and a second insulation layer, which are stacked sequentially between the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. The water inlet pipe passes through the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer in sequence and is connected to the ice maker.

2. The water inlet assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water inlet pipe includes a flexible hose section and a rigid hose section connected in sequence. The end of the flexible hose section away from the rigid hose section is connected to the water tank, and the end of the rigid hose section away from the flexible hose section is connected to the ice maker. The rigid hose section passes through the insulation component.

3. The water inlet assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rigid pipe section is inserted into the second insulation layer, and the flexible pipe section passes through the first insulation layer and is connected to the rigid pipe section.

4. The water inlet assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second insulation layer has a positioning groove on the side close to the first insulation layer, and the rigid pipe section is at least partially locked in the positioning groove.

5. The water inlet assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, A heating element is fitted onto the rigid pipe section.

6. The water inlet assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first insulation layer has a first connecting part on the side near the second insulation layer, and the second insulation layer has a second connecting part that matches and connects with the first connecting part. The first connecting part and the second connecting part are connected by a concave-convex fit.

7. The water inlet assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first insulation layer has a first step on the side near the second insulation layer, and the second insulation layer has a second step on the side near the second insulation layer that is connected to the first step.

8. The water inlet assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first insulation layer is connected to a first bracket, which is connected to the refrigerator compartment. The second insulation layer is connected to a second bracket, which is connected to the freezer compartment.

9. The water inlet assembly according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The insulation component is a foam component.

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that, Includes the refrigerator as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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