A gas cylinder installation connector

Abstract

This utility model discloses a gas cylinder installation connector, including a pressure reducing valve and a quick-connect valve, which are connected by a gas circuit. The pressure reducing valve has a threaded interface for connecting to the gas cylinder, and the quick-connect valve has a resilient valve core for communicating with an external gas circuit. The installation connector also has a receiving cavity. This utility model, when used with a carbon dioxide gas cylinder, allows water purifiers to be placed in confined spaces while still enabling gas cylinder replacement operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model pertains to water purification equipment accessories, and in particular relates to a gas cylinder installation connector. Background Technology

[0002] Water purifiers are common household appliances that filter raw water to provide users with pure water. Users typically have diverse needs for drinking water, such as room temperature water and hot water; one demand is for sparkling water, which contains tiny carbon dioxide bubbles to enhance its taste.

[0003] Currently, there are several water purifiers in the industry that can provide sparkling water. For example, CN115010280A discloses a water purifier that includes a water purification module and a sparkling water module. The water purification module includes a first water circuit board, a water pump, and a reverse osmosis filter element. Both the water pump and the reverse osmosis filter element are connected to the first water circuit board, and the water pump is used to supply water to the reverse osmosis filter element. The sparkling water module includes a second water circuit board, an air inlet pipe, and a mixing tank. The second water circuit board is connected to tap water and is connected to the first water circuit board through a first pipe. When the water purifier is in the first mode, the water pump is used to send tap water from the second water circuit board through the first pipe and the first water circuit board into the reverse osmosis filter element for filtration to obtain pure water. When the water purifier is in the second mode, the air inlet pipe is used to send gas into the second water circuit board to mix with tap water, and then send it through the water pump into the mixing tank to produce sparkling water.

[0004] For example, CN221500763U discloses a low-temperature spray-mixed aerated water generator and a water purifier, including a low-temperature module and a aerated water module. The low-temperature module includes an ice water tank and a compressor. The aerated water module includes a mixing tank and a carbon dioxide cylinder. The mixing tank is placed in the ice water tank, with its inlet connected to the outlet of the ice water tank and its outlet connected to the outlet of the carbon dioxide cylinder. A water atomizing nozzle is provided at the inlet of the mixing tank. The mixing tank is immersed in the ice water tank, ensuring that the water inside the tank is at the same temperature as the water outside, maintaining a consistently low temperature, thus producing low-temperature carbon dioxide aerated water.

[0005] As can be seen from the existing technology, the source of carbon dioxide gas is a carbon dioxide cylinder, which is connected to the water circuit, allowing the carbon dioxide gas to mix with pure water to form bubbly water. Therefore, the carbon dioxide cylinder needs to be physically connected and fixed to the water purifier, and also needs to be connected to the water circuit of the water purifier in the pipeline. The carbon dioxide cylinder is a high-pressure component and needs to be replaced after the gas is used up; it is a consumable. Therefore, its installation method with the water purifier must ensure safety and reliability while also being as simple to operate as possible.

[0006] There are two main types of gas cylinder installation techniques currently available: one is to install an interface on the water purifier and directly attach the gas cylinder; the other is to use a separate gas cylinder holder, which is spatially independent of the water purifier but connected via piping. The first method requires a larger operating space because the gas cylinder usually requires a threaded connection and sometimes specialized tools. The second method requires even more space to place the gas cylinder holder, and the holder itself must be securely protected from being knocked over by other objects. In short, neither of these methods is suitable for water purifiers used in confined spaces, such as those inside a cabinet. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a gas cylinder installation connector so that it can be used with carbon dioxide gas cylinders to facilitate the installation and disassembly of the gas cylinders.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: a gas cylinder installation connector, characterized in that: the installation connector includes a pressure reducing valve and a quick-connect valve, which are connected by a gas circuit; the pressure reducing valve has a threaded interface for connecting to the gas cylinder, and the quick-connect valve has a resilient valve core for connecting to an external gas circuit; the installation connector is also provided with a receiving cavity.

[0009] Furthermore, the mounting connector has an internal air passage with two 90° turns, so that the pressure reducing valve and the quick-connect valve are parallel and face the same direction.

[0010] In use, this invention is first connected to the carbon dioxide tank to form a whole, and then installed onto or removed from the water purifier body. This method allows the most significant movement during installation and removal—the connection between the tank and the pressure reducing valve—to be performed in an open area, away from the water purifier body. This allows the water purifier to be placed in a confined space while still being able to replace the tank. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the installation of the connector.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation connector and gas cylinder.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the installation connector and gas tank.

[0015] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the installation connector and gas tank.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the fit between the mounting connector and the mounting base.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting bracket.

[0018] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of the mounting base.

[0019] Figures 9-11 This is a cross-sectional view of the mounting connector and mounting base under different conditions.

[0020] The attached diagram is labeled as follows: 1-Water purifier body; 11, 12, 13-Cavity; 2-Gas tank; 3-Mounting connector; 30-Receiving cavity; 31-Pressure reducing valve; 32-Gas passage; 33-Quick-connect valve; 34-Elastic valve core; 35-Spring; 39-Decorative cover; 4-Mounting base; 40-Gas interface; 41-Base; 411-Slide groove; 42-Slider; 421-Slide rail; 422-Lock tongue; 423-Inner ramp; 43-Button; 432-Limit hook; 433-Outer ramp; 44-First spring; 45-Second spring. Detailed Implementation

[0021] This embodiment describes the overall condition of the complete water purifier body, gas tank, installation connector, and mounting base. The scope of protection of this utility model is limited to the part involving the installation connector.

[0022] See Figure 1 In this embodiment, the water purifier body 1 has three cavities 11, 12, and 13 on the side facing the user. Cavities 11 and 12 house the filter cartridges, while 13 houses the carbon dioxide canister. The mounting base is located inside the water purifier body, with only the button 43 protruding from the surface for easy user operation. The canister 2, together with the mounting connector 3, is installed onto or removed from the water purifier body as a single unit. As shown in the figure, when the canister is installed, the decorative cover 39 completely conceals cavity 13, ensuring the aesthetic appearance of the body's outer surface.

[0023] See Figures 2 to 5 The mounting connector 3 includes a pressure reducing valve 31 and a quick-connect valve 33, which are connected to each other via an air passage 32. The openings of both the pressure reducing valve 31 and the quick-connect valve 33 face the carbon dioxide tank or the water purifier body. The pressure reducing valve 31 has a threaded interface for connecting to the tank 2. The quick-connect valve 33 has a resilient valve core 34, which is reset by a spring 35. Several other sealing rings are not shown in the diagram. When the resilient valve core 34 is compressed inward, the quick-connect valve is in the open state; when the spring force of the spring 35 resets the resilient valve core, the quick-connect valve is in the closed state. In this way, the quick-connect valve can connect to the air passage of the mounting base.

[0024] The mounting connector 3 is also provided with a receiving cavity 30 on the side near the quick-connect valve 33.

[0025] See Figure 2 , Figure 6 The mounting connector 3 and the mounting base 4 can be fitted together to allow air passage between them.

[0026] See Figure 7 , Figure 8 The mounting base 4 consists of a base 41, a slider 42, and a button 43. The base 41 has an air inlet 40, which can be used with the quick-connect valve 33 of the mounting connector to allow air passage between the two. At the same time, the base 41 is fixed in the water purifier body, and the air inlet 40 is connected to the water passage of the water purifier body to facilitate the introduction of carbon dioxide gas into the pure water.

[0027] The base has a groove 411, and the slider has a slide rail 421. The two cooperate with each other, allowing the slider 42 to slide relative to the base 41. A second spring 45 is also provided between the slider and the base, and its elastic force pushes the slider forward. In front of the slider is a locking tongue 422, the horizontal contour of which matches the mounting joint, so that it can enter the receiving cavity 30 of the mounting joint.

[0028] The slider 42 is a hollow frame, in which the button 43 is housed. A first spring 44 is provided between the two, which lifts the button 43 upward. At the same time, the button 43 has a limit hook 432 that catches the upper edge of the slider to prevent it from falling off. The outer walls on both sides of the button have outer ramps 433, and the inner walls on both sides of the slider have inner ramps 423, which cooperate with each other. When the button 43 moves downward, it compresses the first spring 44 on one hand, and the outer ramps 433 squeeze the inner ramps 423 on the other hand, causing the slider to move backward and compress the second spring 45.

[0029] See Figures 9 to 11 When the gas cylinder is installed on the water purifier body, the installation connector and mounting base should be in the following condition: Figure 9 As shown, the locking tongue 422 extends into the receiving cavity of the mounting connector, causing the mounting connector and the mounting base to engage; the elastic valve core 34 is lifted, and the spring 35 is compressed, making the quick-connect valve of the mounting connector and the air interface 40 of the mounting base open, so that the entire air circuit is open, allowing other gases from the carbon dioxide tank to enter the water purifier body. Due to the sectional angle, the internal and external slopes are not shown in the sectional view.

[0030] Figure 10 This is the state where the user has pressed the button; at this point, button 43 is already below... Figure 9 In the middle position, the slider is pushed backward (i.e., to the right in the diagram), and the locking tongue 422 retracts from the receiving cavity of the mounting connector. Due to the sectional angle, Figure 10 The cross-sectional shape of the middle locking tongue and Figure 9 There are slight differences.

[0031] Figure 11 It was immediately afterwards Figure 10With the locking tongue disengaged from the receiving cavity, the mounting connector and mounting base are unlocked. Without external force, the gas pressure inside the gas canister causes it and the mounting connector to pop out. At this point, spring 35 pushes open the elastic valve core 34, closing the quick-connect valve to prevent leakage. The mounting connector is positioned a certain distance from the mounting base, facilitating easy removal of the gas canister and mounting connector by the user.

[0032] The process described above is reversed to describe the installation of the gas cylinder, which will not be elaborated upon.

Claims

1. A gas cylinder mounting fitting characterised in that: The installation joint comprises a pressure reducing valve and a quick connection valve, and the pressure reducing valve and the quick connection valve are connected by a gas path.

2. The gas tank mounting fitting according to claim 1, characterized by: The internal gas path is composed of two 90° turns, so that the pressure reducing valve and the quick connection valve are parallel and have the same facing direction.

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