Refrigerator

Abstract

The application relates to the refrigeration technical field, in particular to a refrigerator. The refrigerator disclosed by the application comprises a cabinet, a door body, a mounting seat, a water supply device and a water receiving structure. The mounting seat is arranged on the door body, and a containing groove is arranged on the mounting seat. The containing groove is configured to place a kettle, so that the kettle can be placed on the mounting seat. The water supply device is used for supplying water to the kettle. The water receiving structure is located at the bottom of the mounting seat. One side of the containing groove is provided with a first water inlet. When the kettle is placed in the containing groove, the kettle spout and the first water inlet are located on the same side of the containing groove. The first water inlet is used for making the overflow water from the kettle spout flow into the water receiving structure. In this way, the overflow water can flow out of the kettle spout and flow down along the kettle body as soon as possible, and the overflow water can be reduced or avoided from soaking the bottom of the kettle or flowing into the interior of the refrigerator, so that the use experience of the user and the service life of the refrigerator are improved.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2025107122582, filed on May 29, 2025, entitled "Refrigerator", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of refrigeration technology, and more particularly to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0003] To meet users' demand for cold drinking water, more and more refrigerators are equipped with a water jug ​​and water supply device on the door. The water in the jug is cooled by the refrigerator's cooling action, making it convenient for users to take as needed. When the water in the jug is low, the water supply device can supply water to it. However, when the jug is full, water may overflow from the spout, causing water to seep into the bottom of the jug and potentially damaging it, or water may flow into the refrigerator and damage it. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application discloses a refrigerator that can reduce or prevent overflow water from soaking the bottom of the kettle or flowing into the refrigerator's interior, thereby improving the user experience and extending the refrigerator's lifespan.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of this application disclose a refrigerator, comprising:

[0006] The container has a storage compartment;

[0007] A door, which is movably connected to the housing to open or close the storage room;

[0008] Mounting base, the mounting base is provided on the door body, the mounting base is provided with a receiving groove, the receiving groove is configured to place a kettle, so that the kettle can be placed and removed in the mounting base;

[0009] A water supply device is provided on the mounting base and is used to supply water to the kettle;

[0010] A water-receiving structure is provided at the bottom of the mounting base;

[0011] A first water inlet is provided on one side of the receiving tank. When the kettle is placed in the receiving tank, the spout of the kettle and the first water inlet are located on the same side of the receiving tank. The first water inlet is used to allow water overflowing from the spout of the kettle to flow into the water receiving structure.

[0012] The refrigerator disclosed in this application features a water jug ​​placed within a receiving slot, with the jug's spout and the first water inlet on the slot located on the same side. This design ensures that when water overflows from the jug due to shaking during door opening or closing, or when excessive water overflows during water supply, the water can quickly flow into the first inlet and then into the water collection structure. This reduces or prevents water accumulation in the receiving slot and potential overflow, thus improving the user experience. Furthermore, reducing water overflow also prevents water from accumulating inside the refrigerator, extending its lifespan.

[0013] As an optional implementation, the spout and the projection of the first water inlet in the height direction of the door are at least partially corresponding.

[0014] By setting the spout and the first water inlet to at least partially correspond in the height direction of the door, that is, when the spout and the first water inlet are on the same side, they are also corresponding to each other in the height direction, so that the distance between the spout and the first water inlet in the height direction of the door is closer. This allows the water overflowing from the spout to flow directly into the first water inlet more quickly, further preventing water accumulation in the container and effectively improving the user experience.

[0015] As an optional implementation, the receiving groove has a first side and a second side opposite to each other along a first direction, the first water inlet is located on the second side, and the first direction is the direction in which the kettle is placed or removed;

[0016] The direction of placing and removing the kettle includes the placement direction of the kettle and the removal direction of the kettle. The placement direction of the kettle is configured to point from the first side to the second side, and the removal direction of the kettle is configured to point from the second side to the first side.

[0017] By placing the first water inlet on the second side, the spout of the kettle is positioned close to the second side when placed in the receiving slot. Since the spout typically faces away from the user when holding the kettle, and the kettle is placed from the first side towards the second side, this placement method ensures the spout is closer to the second side. Therefore, this orientation better suits the user's natural grip, effectively improving the user experience.

[0018] As an alternative implementation, the receiving slot is configured to receive the bottom of the kettle;

[0019] The kettle has a first surface, a second surface, and a first bottom surface connected to the first surface and the second surface. The second surface is disposed opposite to the first surface along the first direction. When the kettle is located in the receiving groove, the first surface is opposite to the first side surface, and the second surface is opposite to the second side surface.

[0020] A limiting tongue protrudes from the edge of the second surface near the first bottom surface. When the kettle is placed in the receiving groove, the limiting tongue is inserted into the first water inlet to restrict the rotation of the kettle around the first axis.

[0021] Wherein, the first axis is perpendicular to the first direction and the height direction of the door body.

[0022] By using a limiting tongue in conjunction with the first water inlet, the kettle's freedom of movement along the height of the door can be restricted. When the user opens or closes the door with a large force, causing the kettle to rotate around the first axis and tend to tip over in the direction of taking the kettle out, the limiting tongue can abut against the upper wall of the first water inlet, using the upper wall to prevent the kettle from continuing to rotate and thus preventing the kettle from tipping over.

[0023] Therefore, it can be seen that after the kettle is placed in the receiving groove, the cooperation between the limiting tongue and the first water inlet can resist the tipping force of the kettle rotating around the first axis, prevent the kettle from falling out of the receiving groove by tipping, effectively prevent the kettle from rotating and tipping, and thus ensure the reliability of the kettle in the receiving groove.

[0024] At the same time, the first water inlet can also be used to guide the water overflowing from the kettle to the receiving groove. That is, the first water inlet can not only be used as an overflow outlet, but can also be reused to cooperate with the limiting tongue to limit the rotation of the kettle, thereby simplifying the structural design of the mounting base.

[0025] As an optional implementation, the water receiving structure is provided with a diversion channel, which is connected to the first water inlet. The diversion channel is configured to guide the water overflowing from the kettle into the water receiving structure from the first water inlet.

[0026] By providing a drainage channel on the water receiving structure, and having the drainage channel connected to the first water inlet, it is evident that if the kettle overflows due to shaking during the opening or closing of the door, or if too much water is added and overflows from the kettle, the overflowing water will flow through the first water inlet to the drainage channel and into the water receiving structure. This prevents water accumulation in the receiving tank or even overflow from the receiving tank, thereby improving the user experience.

[0027] As an optional implementation, the water-receiving structure includes:

[0028] A water receiving box is located below the receiving groove along the height direction of the door body. The water receiving box is provided with a first water outlet for discharging water from the water receiving box.

[0029] An extension is provided on one side of the water receiving box and extends upward from the water receiving box to the side of the receiving groove where the first water inlet is located. The connection between the extension and the water receiving box is provided with the diversion groove, and the diversion groove is connected to the water receiving box. The diversion groove is configured to guide the water overflowing from the kettle into the water receiving box.

[0030] By providing an extension and a drainage channel at the connection between the extension and the water collection box, which communicates with the first water inlet, water overflowing from the kettle's spout can be guided through the first water inlet into the drainage channel and ultimately into the water collection box. This design effectively collects and treats water overflowing from the kettle, preventing water from accumulating inside the container and helping to keep the bottom of the kettle dry and clean.

[0031] As an alternative embodiment, the door body has an inner surface along the thickness direction, and there is an installation gap between the mounting base and the inner surface of the door body;

[0032] The receiving groove has the first water inlet on one side close to the inner surface of the door, and when the kettle is placed in the receiving groove, the spout of the kettle is close to the inner surface of the door.

[0033] The extension is configured to extend into the mounting gap to connect the first inlet and the drainage channel.

[0034] It is understandable that the extension extends upward from the side wall of the water receiving box and bends towards the inner surface of the door to insert into the installation gap. This design allows the extension to be as close as possible to the first water inlet, ensuring that the water overflowing from the spout can flow smoothly into the extension through the first water inlet and into the water receiving box through the drainage channel.

[0035] As an optional implementation, the top of the extension is provided with a mounting groove, and the mounting base has a limiting part protruding on the side near the inner surface of the door body;

[0036] The refrigerator also includes an overflow sensor, which has a protruding mounting rib. The mounting rib is inserted into the mounting groove to fix the overflow sensor to the extension. The limiting part is located above the overflow sensor to prevent the overflow sensor from coming out of the mounting groove. The overflow sensor is used to detect the water level in the water receiving box.

[0037] The overflow sensor is fixed by inserting the mounting rib on the overflow sensor into the mounting slot of the extension. The limiting part on the mounting base limits the overflow sensor in the height direction. This means that the extension not only provides installation space for the overflow sensor, but also fixes the overflow sensor, preventing it from coming out of the extension and helping to ensure the normal use of the overflow sensor.

[0038] As an optional implementation, the overflow sensor includes:

[0039] The sensor body has mounting ribs protruding from its side wall surface;

[0040] The first detection terminal is located at the bottom of the sensor body and extends along the height direction of the door body;

[0041] The second detection terminal is located at the bottom of the sensor body and extends along the height direction of the door. The second detection terminal and the first detection terminal are spaced apart in the height direction perpendicular to the door. The first detection terminal and the second detection terminal are at least partially offset from each other in the height direction of the door.

[0042] The first detection terminal and the second detection terminal are configured to be located on the side of the extension near the water receiving box, so as to be used together to detect the water level in the water receiving box.

[0043] The overflow sensor is fixed to the extension by being inserted into the mounting groove via mounting ribs on the extension. A limiting part is located above the overflow sensor to prevent it from detaching from the mounting groove. The overflow sensor is used to detect the water level in the water receiving box. As can be seen, the extension provides installation space for the overflow sensor, and because the drainage channel is located at the connection between the extension and the water inlet, the overflow sensor can extend into the drainage channel to detect the water level in the water receiving box.

[0044] Specifically, when the water level in the water collection box rises to a preset height, causing both the first and second detection terminals to simultaneously contact or be submerged in the water, and thus energizing both terminals, the overflow sensor outputs a detection signal. At this point, the user can determine that the water level in the collection box has reached the preset level based on this signal.

[0045] As an optional implementation, the mounting base has a mounting portion on the side near the inner surface of the door body, the mounting portion is located in the mounting gap, and the bottom of the mounting base has a snap-fit ​​portion;

[0046] The water receiving box has a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion, the side wall portion and the bottom wall portion enclose the water receiving box to form the water receiving box, the drainage channel is provided on the side wall portion, and the bottom wall portion is provided with the first water outlet;

[0047] The sidewall portion opposite to the bottom wall portion is provided with a first extension portion and a second extension portion. The first extension portion is threadedly connected to the mounting portion to fix the water receiving box on one side along the thickness direction of the door body. The second extension portion is engaged with the snap-fit ​​portion to fix the water receiving box on the other side along the thickness direction of the door body.

[0048] By providing a first and a second extension on the side wall, the water receiving box can be more securely installed on the mounting base. The bolted connection between the first extension and the mounting part provides strong connection strength, while the snap-fit ​​connection between the second extension and the snap-fit ​​part offers convenient disassembly and assembly, facilitating cleaning or replacement of the water receiving box by the user. This design ensures both the stability of the water receiving box installation and improves user convenience.

[0049] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are:

[0050] The refrigerator disclosed in this application includes a cabinet, a door, a mounting base, a water supply device, and a water receiving structure. The mounting base is located on the door and has a receiving groove configured to hold a kettle, allowing the kettle to be easily placed and removed from the mounting base. The water supply device supplies water to the kettle. The water receiving structure is located at the bottom of the mounting base. A first water inlet is provided on one side of the receiving groove. When the kettle is placed in the receiving groove, the kettle's spout and the first water inlet are located on the same side of the receiving groove. The first water inlet allows water overflowing from the kettle's spout to flow into the water receiving structure. This ensures that water flowing from the kettle's spout and down the kettle body flows into the first water inlet as quickly as possible, reducing or preventing overflow water from soaking the bottom of the kettle or flowing into the refrigerator's interior, thereby improving the user experience and extending the refrigerator's lifespan. Attached Figure Description

[0051] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0052] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the refrigerator in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the door body in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 4 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the door body in the embodiments of this application;

[0056] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of I-I';

[0057] Figure 6A for Figure 5 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0058] Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram of the mounting base in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the mounting base, water receiving structure, and kettle in the embodiments of this application;

[0060] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A magnified view of a section at point B in the middle;

[0061] Figure 9 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the door in the embodiments of this application;

[0062] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A magnified view of a section at point C;

[0063] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the mounting base and the water receiving structure;

[0064] Figure 12 for Figure 11 A magnified view of a section at point D;

[0065] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the water-receiving structure in the embodiments of this application.

[0066] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0067] 100. Refrigerator; 10. Cabinet; 101. Storage compartment;

[0068] 20. Door body; 21. Door panel; 22. Inner liner; 221. Inner surface; 20a. Installation gap; 30. Distributor;

[0069] 40. Mounting base; 401. First part; 401a. First receiving space; 401b. First bottom wall; 41. Receiving groove; 41a. First water inlet; 411. First side; 412. Second side; 42. Limiting part; 43. Mounting part; 44. Snap-fit ​​part; 402. Second part; 402a. Second receiving space;

[0070] 50. Kettle; 51. First surface; 51a. Handle; 52. Second surface; 52a. Spout; 53. First bottom surface; 54. Limiting tongue; 60. Water supply device;

[0071] 70. Water receiving structure; 70a. Drainage channel; 71. Water receiving box; 711. Side wall portion; 711a. First extension portion; 711b. Second extension portion; 712. Bottom wall portion; 712a. First outlet; 72. Extension portion; 721. Mounting groove;

[0072] 80. Overflow sensor; 81. Sensor body; 811. Mounting rib; 82. First detection terminal; 83. Second detection terminal;

[0073] X, first direction; Y, second direction; Z, height direction of the door; O, first axis. Detailed Implementation

[0074] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0075] In this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated device, element, or component to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0076] Furthermore, in addition to indicating location or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0077] Furthermore, the terms "installation," "setup," "equipped with," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0078] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are primarily used to distinguish different devices, elements, or components (which may be the same or different in specific type and construction), and are not intended to indicate or imply the relative importance or quantity of the indicated devices, elements, or components. Unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0079] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the singular forms of "a," "an," and "the" may also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that terms such as "comprising / including" or "having" specify the presence of the stated features, integrals, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0080] Refrigerators typically have a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment for refrigerating and freezing foods. With the diversification of refrigerator functions, more and more refrigerators are integrating water dispensing functions into their doors. For example, to meet users' drinking needs, a removable water bottle is installed on the refrigerator compartment door. When a user needs a drink, they can open the door to remove the bottle, use it, and then put it back on the door.

[0081] In related technologies, a mounting base is typically installed on the inside of the door, with a water bottle holder area on the mounting base. A water bottle groove is provided on the bottom wall of the water bottle holder area. The groove holds the water bottle and also catches water overflowing from the bottle's spout, preventing it from flowing into the refrigerator and causing damage. However, water in the water bottle groove can wet the bottom of the water bottle, causing inconvenience for the user.

[0082] In view of this, the refrigerator disclosed in this application enables water to flow from the spout of the kettle and down the kettle body to flow into the first water inlet as quickly as possible, reducing or preventing overflow water from soaking the bottom of the kettle or flowing into the interior of the refrigerator, thereby improving the user experience and the service life of the refrigerator.

[0083] The technical solution of this application will be further described below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0084] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the refrigerator in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3This is an exploded view of the door in an embodiment of this application. The refrigerator 100 disclosed in this application can be, for example, a double-door refrigerator 100, a single-door refrigerator 100, a three-door refrigerator 100, or a French door refrigerator 100. Alternatively, it can be a French door refrigerator 100, that is, the upper part is a double-door refrigerator compartment, providing users with spacious storage space, and the lower part is usually a drawer-type freezer compartment, making it easier to classify, store, and access frozen foods. The specific form is not limited in this embodiment.

[0085] In some embodiments, the refrigerator 100 includes a cabinet 10 defining a storage compartment 101 for storing food. The storage compartment 101 may include a freezer compartment, a refrigerator compartment, or a variable temperature compartment, etc.

[0086] Understandably, the temperature of a refrigerator compartment is typically between 2°C and 8°C, which keeps food refrigerated. The temperature of a freezer compartment is typically between -14°C and -26°C, which keeps food frozen. The temperature of a variable-temperature compartment is generally adjustable between 5°C and -7°C, or it can be directly set to -18°C for use as a freezer.

[0087] In some embodiments, the refrigerator 100 includes a door 20, which is movably connected to the cabinet 10 to open or close the storage compartment 101 to prevent cold air from leaking out of the storage compartment 101.

[0088] Optionally, the refrigerator 100 may include two independent doors 20, both of which are rotatably connected to the cabinet 10 and can be opened from the sides of the two doors 20 that are close to each other. Of course, in some embodiments, the refrigerator 100 may include a single independent door 20, one side of which is rotatably connected to the cabinet 10 and can be opened from the other side of the door 20.

[0089] It is understood that the door 20 has an inner side and an outer side. When the door 20 is closed, the inner side of the door 20 is usually facing the storage room 101, and the outer side of the door 20 is the side exposed to the outside of the storage room 101, which is usually facing the user or can be operated by the user.

[0090] See Figure 3 In some embodiments, the refrigerator 100 includes a dispenser 30 disposed on the door 20 for allowing the user to access water from outside the door. That is, by providing the dispenser 30 on the door 20, the user can choose to access water without opening the door 20.

[0091] It is worth noting that the aforementioned dispenser 30 is applied to the refrigerator 100 and installed on the door 20, mainly for the user's convenience in obtaining water or ice. For example, by inputting an ice-retrieving command and then activating the switch, the dispenser 30 completes the ice-retrieving action. Alternatively, by inputting a water-retrieving command and activating the switch, the dispenser 30 completes the water-retrieving action.

[0092] It is understood that when the dispenser 30 has an ice-dispensing function, the refrigerator 100 may also include an ice maker (not shown). The ice maker is located inside the cabinet 10, and when the door 20 is closed, the ice maker can deliver ice cubes to the dispenser 30. This ice maker may include a freezer ice maker and a refrigerator ice maker. As the names suggest, the freezer ice maker can be located in the freezer compartment of the cabinet 10, and the refrigerator ice maker can be located in the refrigerator compartment of the cabinet 10.

[0093] In some embodiments, the door 20 may include a door panel 21 and an inner liner 22. The door panel 21 is movably connected to the housing 10, and the inner liner 22 is disposed inside the door panel 21. When the door 20 is closed, the inner liner 22 faces the storage compartment 101. A mounting cavity (not shown) is typically formed between the door panel 21 and the inner liner 22. The mounting cavity is used to accommodate a foamed insulation layer (not shown) to improve the insulation performance of the door 20 and prevent cold air leakage.

[0094] Thus, combined with the dispenser 30 installed on the door 20 of the refrigerator 100, users can choose the water dispensing method according to their needs, satisfying their need for large amounts of water.

[0095] In other words, the refrigerator 100 provided in this application, by providing a dispenser 30 on the door 20 and a removable water jug ​​50 on the inside of the door 20, allows users to choose to take water from outside the door via the dispenser 30 or directly open the door 20 to take out the water jug ​​50. This provides more diverse access methods, satisfying users' requirements for large-capacity drinking water while also offering greater convenience. Of course, in other embodiments, the water jug ​​50 can also be located on the outside of the door 20.

[0096] Of course, as another embodiment, the kettle 50 may also be located on the outside of the door 20, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0097] Please refer to the following: Figures 4 to 6A , Figure 4 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the door body in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5 for Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of I-I' Figure 6A for Figure 5A partial enlarged view at point A. In some embodiments, the refrigerator 100 includes a mounting base 40 disposed on the door 20. Specifically, when the mounting base 40 is disposed on the inner side of the door 20, that is, on the inner side of the inner liner 22, the inner side of the inner liner 22 refers to the side of the inner liner 22 facing the storage compartment 101 when the door 20 is closed. Optionally, the mounting base 40 may also be disposed on the outer side of the door 20, which is not limited in this embodiment. This application will subsequently describe the case where the mounting base 40 is disposed on the inner side of the door 20.

[0098] In some embodiments, the mounting base 40 is provided with a receiving groove 41, which is configured to hold a kettle 50 so that the kettle 50 is removably disposed on the mounting base 40. The bottom of the kettle 50 is located in the receiving groove 41 so that a user can open the door 20 to take water from the kettle 50.

[0099] Alternatively, the kettle 50 may be cylindrical, cuboid, cubic, or other polygonal in shape. It is understood that the shape of the receiving groove 41 is approximately adapted to the shape of the bottom of the kettle 50.

[0100] In some embodiments, the refrigerator 100 includes a water supply device 60 disposed on the mounting base 40, the water supply device 60 being configured to supply water to the dispenser 30 and the kettle 50.

[0101] It is worth noting that the water supply device 60 is used to supply water from an external water source, which ultimately supplies water to the kettle 50 and the dispenser 30 through the water supply device 60.

[0102] In some embodiments, the water supply device 60 may further include a filter and a water storage tank (not shown) disposed within the housing 10. An external water source is connected to the filter, and the filtered water can be distributed in multiple streams to the locations on the refrigerator 100 where water is needed.

[0103] In some embodiments, the refrigerator 100 includes a water-receiving structure 70 disposed at the bottom of the mounting base 40. The water-receiving structure 70 can collect water overflowing from the spout 52a of the kettle 50.

[0104] In some embodiments, a first water inlet 41a is provided on one side of the receiving groove 41. When the kettle 50 is placed in the receiving groove 41, the spout 52a of the kettle 50 and the first water inlet 41a are located on the same side of the receiving groove 41. The first water inlet 41a is used to allow water overflowing from the spout 52a of the kettle 50 to flow into the water receiving structure 70.

[0105] The refrigerator 100 disclosed in this application, by placing a water jug ​​50 in a receiving groove 41, such that the spout 52a of the water jug ​​50 and the first water inlet 41a on the receiving groove 41 are located on the same side of the receiving groove 41, when the door 20 is opened or closed and water overflows from the spout 52a of the water jug ​​50 due to shaking, or when the water supply device 60 is filling water and excessive water overflows from the spout 52a of the water jug ​​50, since the spout 52a of the water jug ​​50 and the first water inlet 41a are located on the same side of the receiving groove 41, the water overflowing from the spout 52a can flow into the first water inlet 41a as quickly as possible, and then into the water receiving structure 70. This can reduce or avoid the accumulation of water in the receiving groove 41 or even the overflow of water from the receiving groove 41, thereby improving the user experience. In addition, reducing the overflow of water from the containment tank 41 can also prevent the overflowed water from accumulating inside the refrigerator 100, which is beneficial to improving the service life of the refrigerator 100.

[0106] Please see Figure 6B , Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the mounting base in an embodiment of this application. In some embodiments, the mounting base 40 includes a first portion 401, the first portion 41 having a first receiving space 401a, the first receiving space 401a having a first bottom wall 401b, and a receiving groove 41 provided on the first bottom wall 401b. Optionally, the first receiving space 401a may be in the shape of a cuboid, a cylinder, or a cube.

[0107] In some embodiments, the mounting base 40 includes a second portion 402 connected above the first portion 401, and the second portion 402 has a second receiving space 402a. It is understood that the second portion 402 provides mounting space for the mounting base 40, and optionally, the water supply device 60 can be installed in the second receiving space 402a. Optionally, the second receiving space 402a can be rectangular, cylindrical, or cubic in shape.

[0108] In some embodiments, the projections of the spout 52a and the first inlet 41a onto the height direction Z of the door 20 are at least partially corresponding. By setting the projections of the spout 52a and the first inlet 41a onto the height direction Z of the door 20 to at least partially correspond, that is, when the spout 52a and the first inlet 41a of the kettle 50 are on the same side, they are also corresponding to each other onto the height direction Z of the door 20. This makes the distance between the spout 52a and the first inlet 41a closer onto the height direction Z. In this way, the water overflowing from the spout 52a can flow directly into the first inlet 41a more quickly, further preventing water accumulation in the receiving tank 41, thereby effectively improving the user experience.

[0109] Furthermore, the projections of the spout 52a and the first inlet 41a in the height direction Z of the door 20 can be correspondingly set so that the spout 52a is located above the first inlet 41a. When water overflows from the spout 52a in the kettle 50, the water can flow directly into the first inlet 41a as it flows downward along the height direction Z of the door 20, thus preventing the overflowing water from flowing into the receiving tank 41 and causing water accumulation in the receiving tank 41, thereby effectively improving the user experience.

[0110] Please refer to the following: Figures 7 to 8 , Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the mounting base, water receiving structure, and kettle in the embodiments of this application. Figure 8 for Figure 7 A partial enlarged view at point B. In some embodiments, the receiving groove 41 has a first side surface 411 and a second side surface 412 opposite to each other along a first direction X, and a first water inlet 41a is provided on the second side surface 412. The first direction X is the direction for placing and removing the kettle 50. The direction for placing and removing the kettle 50 includes the placement direction of the kettle 50 and the removal direction of the kettle 50, wherein the placement direction of the kettle 50 is configured to point from the first side surface 411 to the second side surface 412, and the removal direction of the kettle 50 is configured to point from the second side surface 412 to the first side surface 411.

[0111] It should be noted that the kettle 50 can be placed in or removed from the receiving slot 41 along the first direction X; that is, the first direction X is the direction for placing and removing the kettle 50. The receiving slot 41 may have two sides along the first direction X. One side is the rear side of the kettle 50 when it is in the receiving slot 41, protruding from the mounting base 40 for the user to retrieve. The other side is near the front side of the kettle 50, which is the side of the kettle 50 hidden in the mounting base 40 when it is in the receiving slot 41. The direction for placing and removing the kettle 50 includes both the placement direction and the removal direction. The first direction X is configured as the direction for placing and removing the kettle 50, and the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X and the height direction Z of the door 20.

[0112] It is understandable that the first direction X can be the thickness direction of the door body 20, in which case the water bottle 50 can be taken and placed along the thickness direction of the door body 20. Alternatively, the first direction X can be the width direction of the door body 20, in which case the water bottle 50 can be taken and placed along the width direction of the door body 20.

[0113] Specifically, when the first direction X can be the thickness direction of the door body 20, the second direction Y is the width direction of the door body 20. Of course, as another embodiment, when the first direction X can be the width direction of the door body 20, the second direction Y is the thickness direction of the door body 20. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0114] Furthermore, it is worth noting that the shape of the receiving groove 41 is roughly adapted to the shape of the bottom of the kettle 50, and can at least limit the kettle 50 in the second direction Y. Since the groove depth of the receiving groove 41 is usually shallow, it is generally used to accommodate the bottom of the kettle 50 to facilitate the placement of the kettle 50. However, this also means that the kettle 50 can easily fall out of the receiving groove 41 in the first direction X.

[0115] To facilitate understanding, the following example will be used, with the first direction X representing the thickness of the door body 20 and the second direction Y representing the width of the door body 20.

[0116] In some embodiments, the receiving slot 41 has a first side surface 411 and a second side surface 412 disposed opposite to each other along a first direction X. The placement direction of the kettle 50 is configured to point from the first side surface 411 to the second side surface 412, and the removal direction of the kettle 50 is configured to point from the second side surface 412 to the first side surface 411. It can be understood that the first side surface 411 is close to the rear side of the kettle 50, and the second side surface 412 is close to the front side of the kettle 50.

[0117] In some embodiments, the first water inlet 41a is located on the second side 412, meaning that when the kettle 50 is placed in the receiving slot, the spout 52a of the kettle 50 is positioned close to the second side 412. Since the spout 52a is usually facing away from the user when holding the kettle 50, and the kettle 50 is placed in the direction from the first side 411 to the second side 412, this allows the spout 52a of the kettle 50 to be close to the second side 412. Therefore, this orientation of the kettle 50 is more in line with the user's preferred gripping direction, thus effectively improving the user experience.

[0118] In some embodiments, the kettle 50 has a first surface 51 and a first bottom surface 53, wherein when the kettle 50 is located in the receiving groove 41, the first surface 51 is disposed opposite to the first side surface 411. It can be understood that the first surface 51 is the surface of the kettle 50 that is exposed outside the mounting base 40 when the kettle 50 is located in the receiving groove 41.

[0119] In some embodiments, the kettle 50 further has a second surface 52 disposed opposite to the first surface 51, and when the kettle 50 is located in the receiving groove 41, the second surface 52 is disposed opposite to the second side surface 412. It can be understood that the second surface 52 is the surface hidden in the mounting base 40 when the kettle 50 is located in the receiving groove 41.

[0120] That is, the kettle 50 has the first surface 51, the second surface 52 and the first bottom surface 53 connected to the first surface 51 and the second surface 52. The second surface 52 and the first surface 51 are arranged opposite to each other along the first direction X. When the kettle 50 is located in the receiving groove 41, the first surface 51 is arranged opposite to the first side surface 411 and the second surface 52 is arranged opposite to the second side surface 412.

[0121] In some embodiments, a handle may be provided on the first surface 51 for a user to grip, thereby facilitating the user to pick up and put down the kettle 50. A spout 52a is provided on the second surface 52 near the top, so that water in the kettle 50 can flow out through the spout 52a.

[0122] Please refer to it again. Figure 8 Optionally, a limiting tongue 54 protrudes from the edge of the second surface 52 near the first bottom surface 53. When the kettle 50 is placed in the receiving groove 41, the limiting tongue 54 is inserted into the first water inlet 41a to restrict the rotation of the kettle 50 around the first axis O. The first axis O is perpendicular to the first direction X and the height direction Z of the door 20. It should be noted that when the kettle 50 tends to tilt and exit the receiving groove 41 in the removal direction, the first axis O is located at the contact point between the first surface 51 of the kettle 50 and the groove wall of the receiving groove 41.

[0123] By using the limiting tongue 54 in conjunction with the first water inlet 41a, the freedom of the kettle 50 along the height direction Z of the door 20 can be restricted. When the user opens or closes the door 20 with a large force, causing the kettle 50 to rotate around the first axis O and tend to tip over in the direction of taking the kettle 50 out, the limiting tongue 54 can abut against the upper wall of the first water inlet 41a, using the upper wall to prevent the kettle 50 from continuing to rotate, thereby preventing the kettle 50 from tipping over.

[0124] Therefore, after the kettle 50 is placed in the receiving groove 41, the cooperation between the limiting tongue 54 and the first water inlet 41a can resist the tipping force of the kettle 50 rotating around the first axis O, prevent the kettle 50 from falling out of the receiving groove 41 by tipping, effectively prevent the kettle 50 from rotating and tipping, and thus ensure the reliability of the kettle 50 in the receiving groove 41.

[0125] At the same time, the first water inlet 41a can also be used to guide the water overflowing from the kettle 50 to the receiving groove 41. That is, the first water inlet 41a can not only be used as an overflow outlet, but can also be reused to cooperate with the limiting tongue 54 to limit the rotation of the kettle 50, thereby simplifying the structural design of the mounting base 40.

[0126] Please refer to the following: Figures 9 to 10 , Figure 9 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the door in the embodiments of this application. Figure 10 for Figure 9 A partial enlarged view at point C. In some embodiments, the water receiving structure 70 is provided with a drainage channel 70a, which is connected to the first water inlet 41a. The drainage channel 70a is configured to guide water overflowing from the kettle 50 into the water receiving structure 70 from the first water inlet 41a.

[0127] By providing a drainage channel 70a on the water receiving structure 70, and having the drainage channel 70a connected to the first water inlet 41a, it can be seen that if the kettle 50 overflows due to shaking during the opening or closing of the door 20, or if too much water overflows from the kettle 50 during filling, the overflowing water will flow through the first water inlet 41a to the overflow channel and into the water receiving structure 70. This can prevent water accumulation in the receiving tank 41 or even water overflowing from the receiving tank 41, thereby improving the user experience.

[0128] In some embodiments, the water receiving structure 70 includes a water receiving box 71, which is located below the receiving groove 41 along the height direction Z of the door body 20. The water receiving box 71 is provided with a first water outlet 712a, which is used to discharge water from the water receiving box 71.

[0129] In some embodiments, the water receiving structure 70 includes an extension 72, which is disposed on one side of the water receiving box 71 and extends upward from the water receiving box 71 to the side of the receiving groove 41 where the first water inlet 41a is provided. A drainage groove 70a is provided at the connection between the extension 72 and the water receiving box 71, and the drainage groove 70a communicates with the water receiving box 71. The drainage groove 70a is configured to guide the water overflowing from the kettle 50 into the water receiving box 71.

[0130] By providing an extension 72 and a drainage channel 70a at the connection between the extension 72 and the water receiving box 71, which communicates with the first water inlet 41a, water overflowing from the spout 52a of the kettle 50 can be guided through the first water inlet 41a into the drainage channel 70a and finally into the water receiving box 71. This design effectively collects and treats water overflowing from the kettle 50, preventing water from accumulating inside the receiving tank 41 and keeping the bottom of the kettle 50 dry and clean.

[0131] Optionally, the extension 72 is disposed on one side of the water receiving box 71 and extends upward from the water receiving box 71. The extension 72 can be a rod-shaped, strip-shaped, or block-shaped structure. Furthermore, the interior of the extension 72 can be hollow to accommodate the overflow sensor 80 and to connect the first water inlet 41a and the water receiving box 71.

[0132] In some embodiments, the door body 20 has an inner surface 221 along the thickness direction (combined with...). Figure 6AThe mounting base 40 and the inner surface 221 of the door body 20 have a mounting gap 20a (for connection). Figure 6A The receiving groove 41 has a first water inlet 41a on one side near the inner surface 221 of the door body 20, and when the kettle 50 is placed in the receiving groove 41, the spout 52a of the kettle 50 is close to the inner surface 221 of the door body 20. The extension 72 is configured to extend into the mounting gap 20a to connect the first water inlet 41a and the drainage channel 70a. It can be understood that the extension 72 extends upward from the side wall of the water receiving box 71 and bends towards the inner surface 221 of the door body 20 to extend into the mounting gap 20a. This design allows the extension 72 to be as close as possible to the first water inlet 41a, ensuring that water overflowing from the spout 52a can flow smoothly into the extension 72 through the first water inlet 41a and into the water receiving box 71 through the drainage channel 70a.

[0133] Please refer to the following: Figures 11 to 13 , Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the mounting base and water inlet structure. Figure 12 for Figure 11 A magnified view of a section at point D. Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the water receiving structure in an embodiment of this application. In some embodiments, the mounting base 40 has a mounting portion 43 on the side near the inner surface 221 of the door body 20, the mounting portion 43 is located in the mounting gap 20a, and the bottom of the mounting base 40 has a snap-fit ​​portion 44. The water receiving box 71 has a side wall portion 711 and a bottom wall portion 712, which together form the water receiving box 71. A drainage groove 70a is provided on the side wall portion 711, and the bottom wall portion 712 has a first water outlet 712a and a sealing member (not shown) for sealing the first water outlet 712a. When there is a lot of water stored in the water receiving box 71, the user can remove the sealing member to allow the water in the water receiving structure 70 to drain from the first water outlet 712a. For example, when the overflow sensor 80 detects that the water level in the water receiving box 71 has reached a preset height, the user can allow the water in the water receiving box 71 to drain from the first water outlet 712a.

[0134] It is understood that the sealing element can be a sealing cap, sealing sleeve, or sealing plug, and the material of the sealing element can be rubber, plastic, or metal, etc. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0135] In some embodiments, the sidewall portion 711 has a first extension portion 711a and a second extension portion 711b on the side opposite to the bottom wall portion 712. The first extension portion 711a is bolted to the mounting portion 43 to fix the water receiving box 71 on one side along the thickness direction of the door body 20, and the second extension portion 711b is engaged with the snap-fit ​​portion 44 to fix the water receiving box 71 on the other side along the thickness direction of the door body 20. By providing the first extension portion 711a and the second extension portion 711b on the sidewall portion 711, the water receiving box 71 can be more securely installed on the mounting base 40. The threaded connection between the first extension portion 711a and the mounting portion 43 provides strong connection strength, while the snap-fit ​​connection between the second extension portion 711b and the snap-fit ​​portion 44 provides a convenient disassembly and assembly method, making it easy for users to clean or replace the water receiving box 71. This design ensures the stability of the water receiving box 71 installation and improves the convenience of user operation.

[0136] Understandably, the first extension portion 711a extends outward from one side of the sidewall portion 711. The first extension portion 711a can be a block, plate, or strip structure. A threaded hole is also provided through the first extension portion 711a. The mounting portion 43 can protrude from the mounting base 40, and the mounting portion 43 is also provided with a threaded hole. The threaded hole of the mounting portion 43 is correspondingly provided with the threaded hole of the first extension portion 711a, and the two are threadedly connected by bolts or studs.

[0137] It can be understood that the second extension portion 711b extends outward from one side of the sidewall portion 711. The second extension portion 711b can be a block-shaped, plate-shaped, or strip-shaped structure, so that the second extension portion 711b is used to engage with the snap-fit ​​portion 44.

[0138] In some embodiments, the top of the extension 72 is provided with a mounting groove 721, and the mounting base 40 has a limiting part 42 protruding on the side near the inner surface 221 of the door 20. The refrigerator 100 also includes an overflow sensor 80, which has a mounting rib 811 protruding. The mounting rib 811 is inserted into the mounting groove 721 to fix the overflow sensor 80 on the extension 72. The limiting part 42 is located above the overflow sensor 80 to prevent the overflow sensor 80 from falling out of the mounting groove 721. The overflow sensor 80 is used to detect the water level in the water receiving box 71.

[0139] The overflow sensor 80 is fixed by inserting the mounting rib 811 on the extension 72 into the mounting groove 721. The limiting part 42 on the mounting base 40 limits the overflow sensor 80 in the height direction. This allows the extension 72 to not only provide installation space for the overflow sensor 80, but also to fix the overflow sensor 80, preventing the overflow sensor 80 from coming out of the extension 72 and helping to ensure the normal use of the overflow sensor 80.

[0140] It is understood that the limiting part 42 can be a block, plate, sheet or strip structure, so that when the water receiving structure 70 and the overflow sensor 80 are installed on the mounting base 40, the limiting part 42 is located above the overflow sensor 80 to limit the displacement of the overflow sensor 80 along the height direction Z of the door body 20.

[0141] In some embodiments, the overflow sensor 80 includes a sensor body 81, a first detection terminal 82, and a second detection terminal 83. A mounting rib 811 protrudes from the side wall of the sensor body 81. The first detection terminal 82 is located at the bottom of the sensor body 81 and extends along the height direction Z of the door 20. The second detection terminal 83 is located at the bottom of the sensor body 81 and extends along the height direction Z of the door 20. The second detection terminal 83 and the first detection terminal 82 are spaced apart in the height direction Z perpendicular to the door 20, and the first detection terminal 82 and the second detection terminal 83 are at least partially offset from each other in the height direction Z of the door 20. The first detection terminal 82 and the second detection terminal 83 are configured to be located on the side of the extension 72 near the water receiving box 71, so as to jointly detect the water level in the water receiving box 71.

[0142] Specifically, when the water level in the water collection box 71 rises to a preset height, causing the first detection terminal 82 and the second detection terminal 83 to simultaneously contact or be submerged in the water surface, and thus electrically connecting the first detection terminal 82 and the second detection terminal 83, the overflow sensor 80 can output a detection signal. At this time, the user can determine that the water in the box has reached the preset water level based on the detection signal.

[0143] It is understandable that the preset water level can be a pre-set liquid level, such as the maximum water level of the kettle (50 mL), or it can be lower than the maximum water level of the kettle (50 mL), such as 1.5L, 1L, or 500mL, etc. The specific setting can be determined according to the user's needs.

[0144] It is understood that the first detection terminal 82 and the second detection terminal 83 extend along the height direction Z of the door body 20, and the first detection terminal 82 and the second detection terminal 83 can be rod-shaped, strip-shaped or sheet-shaped structures.

[0145] Optionally, the height direction Z perpendicular to the door body 20 can be the width direction or the thickness direction of the door body 20. Therefore, the first detection terminal 82 and the second detection terminal 83 can be spaced apart in the width direction or the thickness direction of the door body 20.

[0146] The refrigerator disclosed in the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the refrigerator of this application and its core ideas. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The container has a storage compartment; A door, which is movably connected to the housing to open or close the storage room; Mounting base, the mounting base is provided on the door body, the mounting base is provided with a receiving groove, the receiving groove is configured to place a kettle, so that the kettle can be placed and removed in the mounting base; A water supply device is provided on the mounting base and is used to supply water to the kettle; A water-receiving structure is provided at the bottom of the mounting base; A first water inlet is provided on one side of the receiving tank. When the kettle is placed in the receiving tank, the spout of the kettle and the first water inlet are located on the same side of the receiving tank. The first water inlet is used to allow water overflowing from the spout of the kettle to flow into the water receiving structure.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spout and the first water inlet are at least partially corresponding in the projection of the spout onto the height of the door.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The receiving trough has a first side and a second side opposite to each other along a first direction, the first water inlet is located on the second side, and the first direction is the direction in which the kettle is placed or removed. The direction of placing and removing the kettle includes the placement direction of the kettle and the removal direction of the kettle. The placement direction of the kettle is configured to point from the first side to the second side, and the removal direction of the kettle is configured to point from the second side to the first side.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The receiving slot is configured to receive the bottom of the kettle; The kettle has a first surface, a second surface, and a first bottom surface connected to the first surface and the second surface. The second surface is disposed opposite to the first surface along the first direction. When the kettle is located in the receiving groove, the first surface is opposite to the first side surface, and the second surface is opposite to the second side surface. A limiting tongue protrudes from the edge of the second surface near the first bottom surface. When the kettle is placed in the receiving groove, the limiting tongue is inserted into the first water inlet to restrict the rotation of the kettle around the first axis. Wherein, the first axis is perpendicular to the first direction and the height direction of the door body.

5. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The water receiving structure is provided with a diversion channel, which is connected to the first water inlet. The diversion channel is configured to guide the water overflowing from the kettle into the water receiving structure from the first water inlet.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The water-receiving structure includes: A water receiving box is located below the receiving groove along the height direction of the door body. The water receiving box is provided with a first water outlet for discharging water from the water receiving box. An extension is provided on one side of the water receiving box and extends upward from the water receiving box to the side of the receiving groove where the first water inlet is located. The connection between the extension and the water receiving box is provided with the diversion groove, and the diversion groove is connected to the water receiving box. The diversion groove is configured to guide the water overflowing from the kettle into the water receiving box.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The door body has an inner surface along its thickness direction, and there is an installation gap between the mounting base and the inner surface of the door body; The receiving groove has the first water inlet on one side close to the inner surface of the door, and when the kettle is placed in the receiving groove, the spout of the kettle is close to the inner surface of the door. The extension is configured to extend into the mounting gap to connect the first inlet and the drainage channel.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The top of the extension is provided with a mounting groove, and the mounting base is provided with a limiting part protruding on the side near the inner surface of the door body; The refrigerator also includes an overflow sensor, which has a protruding mounting rib. The mounting rib is inserted into the mounting groove to fix the overflow sensor to the extension. The limiting part is located above the overflow sensor to prevent the overflow sensor from coming out of the mounting groove. The overflow sensor is used to detect the water level in the water receiving box.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The overflow sensor includes: The sensor body has mounting ribs protruding from its side wall surface; The first detection terminal is located at the bottom of the sensor body and extends along the height direction of the door body; The second detection terminal is located at the bottom of the sensor body and extends along the height direction of the door. The second detection terminal and the first detection terminal are spaced apart in the height direction perpendicular to the door. The first detection terminal and the second detection terminal are at least partially offset from each other in the height direction of the door. The first detection terminal and the second detection terminal are configured to be located on the side of the extension near the water receiving box, so as to be used together to detect the water level in the water receiving box.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The mounting base has a mounting part on the side near the inner surface of the door body, the mounting part is located in the mounting gap, and the bottom of the mounting base has a snap-fit ​​part; The water receiving box has a side wall portion and a bottom wall portion, the side wall portion and the bottom wall portion enclose the water receiving box to form the water receiving box, the drainage channel is provided on the side wall portion, and the bottom wall portion is provided with the first water outlet; The sidewall portion opposite to the bottom wall portion is provided with a first extension portion and a second extension portion. The first extension portion is threadedly connected to the mounting portion to fix the water receiving box on one side along the thickness direction of the door body. The second extension portion is engaged with the snap-fit ​​portion to fix the water receiving box on the other side along the thickness direction of the door body.

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