Liquid dispensing device and refrigerator equipped with liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid supply device which can properly supply liquid to an ice making tray and prevents back flow while keeping cleanliness even when a non-displacement pump is used.SOLUTION: A liquid supply device includes: a liquid storage housing; a liquid storage area in which liquid to be supplied to an ice making tray is stored; a liquid supply pump being a non-displacement pump, in which an inlet is disposed within the liquid storage area and a pump exit side pipe 20 extending upward is connected to a discharge port; and a liquid supply pipe having an entry side end area 42A connected to a tip area 20A, i.e., an upper end area of the pump exit side pipe, and an exist side opening formed at an end opposite to the entry side end area and disposed above the ice making tray. At a connection part between the tip area and the entry side end area, the tip area is inserted into the entry side end area from a lower side to an upper side. A gap S is formed between an outer surface of the tip area and an inner surface of the entry side end area. Part of the liquid suctioned by the liquid supply pump flows to the liquid supply pipe side to be supplied from the exist side opening to the ice making tray and another part flows down through the gap to return to the liquid storage area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid supply device for supplying a liquid to an ice-making tray, and a refrigerator provided with this liquid supply device.

Background Art

[0002] A liquid supply device for supplying a liquid to an ice-making tray provided in a refrigerator is known. In such a liquid supply device, in many cases, a liquid stored in a liquid storage area is supplied to the ice-making tray by a liquid supply pump. In that case, in order to suppress the growth of mold and various germs in the flow path connecting the liquid storage area and the ice-making tray, it is preferable to connect the liquid storage tank and the ice-making tray with a closed flow path blocked from the outside air. However, when liquid remains in the closed flow path, a problem occurs in which the liquid flows backward due to the siphon phenomenon.

[0003] In order to address this, in a liquid supply device having a closed flow path connecting a liquid storage tank and an ice-making tray, an ice-making device has been proposed that employs a positive / negative reversible positive displacement pump such as a gear pump as the liquid supply pump (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the ice-making device described in Patent Document 1, the liquid supply pump, which is a positive displacement pump, is reversed to collect the liquid remaining in the closed flow path into the liquid supply tank, thereby preventing backflow due to the siphon phenomenon.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, considering the manufacturing cost and maintainability of the liquid supply pump, it is preferable to use a non-positive displacement pump, which is more widely used, than a positive displacement pump. However, with a non-positive displacement pump, once it becomes ready to discharge, a large flow rate of liquid is discharged from the start. Therefore, if a non-positive displacement pump is used in a closed flow path connecting the liquid supply pump and the ice tray, all the liquid discharged from the pump will be poured into the ice tray, and the flow of liquid poured in may be too strong, potentially causing the liquid to splash out of the ice tray.

[0006] Furthermore, since non-positive displacement pumps cannot be reversed, they cannot remove liquid remaining in the flow path. On the other hand, if an opening is provided in the piping that forms the flow path to introduce outside air in order to prevent the siphon effect from occurring, there is a risk that mold and bacteria may grow in the flow path through the opening.

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a liquid supply device that can properly supply liquid to an ice tray even when a non-positive displacement pump is used as the liquid supply pump, and can prevent backflow due to the siphon effect while maintaining cleanliness, and a refrigerator equipped with this liquid supply device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A liquid supply device according to a first aspect of the present invention is: Liquid storage enclosure and A liquid storage area is located within the aforementioned liquid storage enclosure and contains liquid to be supplied to the ice tray, A liquid supply pump is a non-positive displacement pump in which the intake port is located within the liquid storage area and the discharge port is connected to the pump outlet piping that extends upward, A liquid supply pipe having an inlet end region that connects to a tip region which is the upper end region of the pump outlet pipe, and an outlet opening formed at the end opposite to the inlet end region and positioned above the ice tray, Equipped with, In the connection between the tip region and the inlet end region, the tip region is inserted into the inlet end region from below to above, and there is a gap between the outer surface of the tip region and the inner surface of the inlet end region. Of the liquid sucked up from the liquid storage region by the liquid supply pump, a portion flows to the liquid supply piping side and is supplied to the ice tray from the outlet opening, and a portion flows down through the gap and returns to the liquid storage region.

[0009] According to this embodiment, of the liquid sucked up by the liquid supply pump, a portion flows back into the liquid storage area through the gap, so only a portion of the liquid is supplied to the ice tray. This suppresses the flow rate of the liquid supplied to the ice tray, reducing the force of the flow, and ensures that the liquid is supplied to the ice tray properly without splashing, even when a non-positive displacement pump is used. Furthermore, when the liquid supply pump is stopped, one of the outlet openings and the gap becomes an outlet, and the other functions as an air vent, allowing the liquid inside the liquid supply piping to be discharged by gravity. This prevents backflow due to the siphon effect, and since the gap is located inside the liquid storage housing, the cleanliness of the liquid supply piping can be maintained.

[0010] As described above, even when a non-positive displacement pump is used as the liquid supply pump, it is possible to provide a liquid supply device that can properly supply liquid to the ice tray without the liquid splashing out of the ice tray, and that can prevent the siphon effect from occurring while maintaining cleanliness.

[0011] Furthermore, in the liquid supply device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect described above, The liquid supply piping consists of a first pipe and a second pipe that are connected in a detachable manner. The first pipe is provided with the inlet end region, and the second pipe is provided with the outlet opening, The liquid storage enclosure is composed of a main body having the liquid storage area and a lid covering the liquid storage area. The first pipe is characterized by being attached to the lid.

[0012] According to this embodiment, by removing the lid from the main body, not only is the liquid storage area opened to the outside, but the first pipe, which was located above the liquid supply pump and the pump outlet piping, is also removed along with the lid. This allows easy access to the liquid supply pump and the pump outlet piping from above. Therefore, the liquid can be easily replenished by opening up the top of the liquid storage area, and maintenance of the liquid supply pump and the pump outlet piping can be easily performed.

[0013] Furthermore, in the liquid supply device according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect described above, The aforementioned tip region and the aforementioned entry end region extend substantially vertically. The lid is lifted upward, which causes the lid to detach from the main body and disconnects the pump outlet piping and the first piping.

[0014] According to this embodiment, the lid to which the first pipe is attached can be removed from the main body simply by lifting the lid upward, without interference occurring between the tip region and the inlet end region. Similarly, the lid can be attached to the main body and the tip region and inlet end region can be connected simply by lowering the lid downward toward the main body. As a result, the lid can be easily attached to and detached from the main body, and the tip region and inlet end region can be easily connected and disconnected simply by moving the lid up and down.

[0015] Furthermore, in the liquid supply device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to third aspects described above, The piping housing further comprises a piping housing that engages with the aforementioned liquid storage housing in a detachable manner, The liquid supply piping consists of a first pipe and a second pipe that are connected in a detachable manner. The first pipe is provided with the inlet end region, and the second pipe is provided with the outlet opening, The first piping is attached to the liquid storage housing side. The second pipe is attached to the pipe housing side. The liquid supply pump has a pump body disposed in the liquid storage housing, which is driven non - contact via a magnetic coupling by a drive unit disposed in the pipe housing. When the liquid storage housing and the pipe housing are engaged in a detachable state, the first pipe and the second pipe are connected in a detachable state, and the magnetic coupling is in a driving transmission state.

[0016] According to this aspect, by engaging the liquid storage housing and the pipe housing, the first pipe and the second pipe can be connected simultaneously and easily, and the magnetic coupling can be brought into a driving transmission state.

[0017] Even in a refrigerator equipped with the liquid supply device according to any of the above aspects, similarly, various effects by the above liquid supply device can be achieved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] As described above, in the present invention, even when a non - positive displacement pump is used as the liquid supply pump, a liquid supply device that can appropriately supply liquid to an ice - making tray and prevent backflow due to the siphon phenomenon while maintaining cleanliness can be provided, and a refrigerator equipped with this liquid supply device can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] ] [Figure 1A] It is a side cross - sectional view schematically showing a liquid supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state where the liquid storage housing and the pipe housing are separated. [Figure 1B] It is a side cross - sectional view schematically showing a liquid supply device to an ice - making tray according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state where the liquid storage housing and the pipe housing are engaged. [Figure 2] It is a side cross - sectional view schematically showing the structure of a magnetic coupling connecting the pump body of the liquid supply pump and the drive unit. [Figure 3A] It is a side cross - sectional view showing an enlarged connection structure of the tip region of the pump outlet - side pipe and the inlet - side end region of the liquid supply pipe shown in FIG. 1B, showing a state where the liquid supply pump is operating. [Figure 3B] Figure 1B is an enlarged side cross-sectional view showing the connection structure between the tip region of the pump outlet piping and the inlet end region of the liquid supply piping, in a state where the liquid supply pump is stopped. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the liquid storage housing with the lid removed from the main body. [Figure 5] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing how the liquid in the liquid storage area is supplied to the ice tray in a liquid supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a refrigerator equipped with a liquid supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The refrigerator described below is intended to embody the technical concept of the present invention, and unless otherwise specified, the present invention is not limited to this. The size and positional relationships of the components shown in each drawing may be exaggerated in order to clarify the explanation. In the following description and drawings, the vertical direction is shown assuming that the refrigerator and liquid supply device are installed on a horizontal plane.

[0021] (A liquid supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention) Figures 1A and 1B are schematic side cross-sectional views showing a liquid supply device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 1A shows the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 in a separated state, and Figure 1B shows the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 in an engaged state. Figure 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the structure of a magnetic coupling 36 connecting the pump body 32 and the drive unit 34 of the liquid supply pump 30.

[0022] First, the structure of a liquid supply device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1A to 2. The liquid supply device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a liquid storage housing 4 and a piping housing 6. The liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 are detachable.

[0023] <Liquid storage enclosure> A liquid storage area 10 for storing liquid to be supplied to the ice tray 50 is located on the lower side of the inside of the liquid storage enclosure 4. Any liquid, including drinking water, can be used as the liquid supplied to the ice tray 50. The liquid storage enclosure 4 consists of a main body 4A having the liquid storage area 10 and a lid 4B covering the liquid storage area 10.

[0024] Inside the liquid storage enclosure 4, there is also a pump body 32 of a liquid supply pump 30 that draws up the liquid stored in the liquid storage area 10 and supplies it to the ice tray 50. The pump body side portion 36A of a magnetic coupling 36 is attached to the rotation axis of the impeller 32A of the pump body 32. As will be described later, the impeller 32A of the pump body 32 is driven by a drive unit 34 located in the piping enclosure 6 via the magnetic coupling 36. The pump body 32 is located within the liquid storage area 10, and its suction port opens into the liquid stored in the liquid storage area 10.

[0025] <Pump outlet piping> The pump outlet pipe 20 is connected to the discharge port of the pump body 32. The pump outlet pipe 20 extends upward from the discharge port of the pump body 32 and terminates at the tip region 20A, which is the upper end region. As will be described later, the inlet end region 42A of the first pipe 42 of the liquid supply pipe 40 is connected from above to the tip region 20A of the pump outlet pipe 20.

[0026] <Liquid supply piping> The liquid supply piping 40 has an inlet end region 42A that connects from above to the tip region 20A, which is the upper end region of the pump outlet piping 20, and an outlet opening 44A formed at the end opposite to the inlet end region 42A and located above the ice tray 50. More specifically, the liquid supply piping 40 consists of a first pipe 42 and a second pipe 44 that are connected in a detachable manner. The first pipe 42 is attached to the lid portion 4B of the liquid storage housing 4, and the second pipe 44 is attached to the piping housing 6.

[0027] The first pipe 42 is provided with an inlet end region 42A, and the end opposite to the inlet end region 42A is the first connection portion 42B. The second pipe 44 is provided with an outlet opening 44A, and the end opposite to the outlet opening 44A is the second connection portion 44B. The first connection portion 42B of the first pipe 42 and the second connection portion 44B of the second pipe 44 are connected in a detachable manner. As will be described later using Figure 3A, etc., the first connection portion 42B and the second connection portion 44B are connected in a sealed state that prevents liquid leakage.

[0028] <Piping enclosure> The liquid supply device 2 includes a piping housing 6 to which a second pipe 44, which constitutes part of the liquid supply piping 40, is attached. When the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 are separated, the first pipe 42 on the liquid storage housing 4 side and the second pipe 44 on the piping housing 6 side are separated. In the example shown in Figure 1A, both the first connection part 42B of the first pipe 42 and the second connection part 44B of the second pipe 44 extend in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1B, when the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 are engaged, the first connection part 42B of the first pipe 42 and the second connection part 44B of the second pipe 44 are connected to each other. As will be described later with reference to Figure 4A, the outer diameter of the first connection part 42B and the inner diameter of the second connection part 44B are approximately the same, and the first connection part 42B is inserted into and connected to the second connection part 44B while maintaining a seal that prevents liquid leakage.

[0030] Inside the lower part of the piping housing 6, the drive unit 34 of the liquid supply pump 30, which is an electric motor, is located. The drive unit side portion 36B of the magnetic coupling 36 is attached to the drive shaft of the drive unit 34. When the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 are engaged, the drive shaft of the drive unit 34 and the rotation shaft of the impeller 32A of the pump body 32 are located on the same axis.

[0031] <Magnetic coupling> Figure 2 shows that the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 are engaged, and the pump body side portion 36A and the drive unit side portion 36B of the magnetic coupling 36 are in a drive transmission state. The pump body side portion 36A of the magnetic coupling 36, which is attached to the rotation shaft of the impeller 32A of the pump body 32, is magnetic. The drive unit side portion 36B of the magnetic coupling 36, which is attached to the drive shaft of the drive unit 34, has magnetism with opposite polarity (SN) to the pump body side portion 36A. As a result, the driving force of the drive unit 34 is transmitted to the rotation shaft of the impeller 32A of the pump body 32 in a non-contact state by the magnetic force between the pump body side portion 36A and the drive unit side portion 36B.

[0032] From the state shown in Figure 2, for example, by moving the liquid storage housing 4 in a direction that separates it from the piping housing 6 in a substantially horizontal manner (to the left in the drawing), the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 can be separated, and the pump body side portion 36A and the drive unit side portion 36B that constitute the magnetic coupling 36 can also be separated. On the other hand, by moving the separated liquid storage housing 4 in a direction that approaches the piping housing 6 in a substantially horizontal manner (to the right in the drawing), the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 can be engaged, and the magnetic coupling 36 can be positioned in a drive transmission state.

[0033] <Liquid supply pump> A non-positive displacement pump, which is low-cost and easy to maintain, is used as the fluid supply pump 30. More specifically, centrifugal pumps, including volute pumps, and propeller pumps, including axial flow pumps, can be used as the fluid supply pump 30.

[0034] (Attachment and detachment of liquid storage housing and piping housing) Next, with reference to Figures 1A and 1B, we will explain how to engage the separated liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6. For example, if the liquid supply device 2 is located inside a refrigerator, the piping housing 6, where the drive unit 34 is located, may be fixed inside the refrigerator, and power may be supplied to the drive unit 34 from the refrigerator's power supply. In that case, the liquid storage housing 4 may be removed from the piping housing 6, the liquid may be replenished in the liquid storage area 10 of the liquid storage housing 4 outside the refrigerator, and then it may be put back together. The following explanation will assume such a case.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1A, the liquid storage housing 4 is removed from the piping housing 6. By moving the liquid storage housing 4 in a direction that is approximately horizontal and close to the piping housing 6 (see arrow A), the upper loading portion 6A of the piping housing 6 is inserted into the guide hole of the liquid storage housing 4. With the position guided by the loading portion 6A and the guide hole, as the liquid storage housing 4 is moved further closer to the piping housing 6, the first connection portion 42B of the first pipe 42 attached to the liquid storage housing 4 (specifically the lid portion 4B) which extends approximately horizontally is inserted into the second connection portion 44B of the second pipe 44 attached to the piping housing 6 which extends approximately horizontally.

[0036] As the liquid storage housing 4 is pushed further in a nearly horizontal direction, as shown in Figure 1B, the contact surface 4A1 of the liquid storage housing 4 and the contact surface 6B of the piping housing 6 come into contact, and the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 become engaged. At this point, the first connection part 42B of the first pipe 42 and the second connection part 44B of the second pipe 44 are fully connected.

[0037] As described above, the outer diameter of the first connection portion 42B and the inner diameter of the second connection portion 44B are approximately the same. However, in order to allow the first connection portion 42B of the first pipe 42 to be smoothly inserted into the second connection portion 44B of the second pipe 44, the tip of the first connection portion 42B to be inserted can be formed in a tapered shape. Furthermore, when the liquid storage housing 4 is brought closer to the pipe housing 6, it is preferable to form at least a portion of at least one of the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 with an elastic material so that the positions of the first connection portion 42B and the second connection portion 44B can be adjusted. In addition, an elastic sealing member or sealing medium can be placed between the outer surface of the first connection portion 42B and the inner surface of the second connection portion 44B to improve the sealing performance between them.

[0038] Similarly, as the liquid storage housing 4 is pushed in almost horizontally so that it approaches the piping housing 6, the drive unit side portion 36B of the magnetic coupling 36 moves closer to the pump body side portion 36A. Then, as shown in Figure 1B, when the contact surface 4A1 of the liquid storage housing 4 reaches the position where it contacts the contact surface 6B of the piping housing 6, the magnetic coupling 36 enters a state of driving force transmission.

[0039] As a result, the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 engage, the magnetic coupling 36 of the liquid supply pump 30 becomes in a state of driving force transmission, the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 are connected, and the liquid supply piping 40 becomes integrated. Thus, the liquid supply device 2 according to this embodiment becomes operational. Furthermore, from this state, the liquid storage housing 4 can be easily removed from the piping housing 6 by moving it approximately horizontally away from the piping housing 6 (in the opposite direction of arrow A).

[0040] As described above, in the liquid supply device 2 according to this embodiment, the liquid supply piping 40 consists of a first pipe 42 and a second pipe 44 that are connected in a detachable manner, the first pipe 42 is provided with an inlet end region 42A, the second pipe 44 is provided with an outlet opening 44A, the first pipe 42 is attached to the liquid storage housing 4 side, and the second pipe 44 is attached to the pipe housing 6 side, and the liquid supply pump 30 has a pump body 32 located inside the liquid storage housing 4 that is driven non-contact via a magnetic coupling 36 by a drive unit 34 located inside the pipe housing 6, and when the liquid storage housing 4 and the pipe housing 6 are engaged in a detachable manner, the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 are connected in a detachable manner, and the magnetic coupling 36 enters a drive transmission state.

[0041] According to this embodiment, by engaging the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6, the first pipe and the second pipe can be connected simultaneously and easily, and the magnetic coupling 36 can be put into a drive transmission state. For example, if the piping housing 6 in which the drive unit 34 is located is fixed inside the refrigerator, the liquid storage housing 4 can be removed, the liquid in the liquid storage area 10 can be replenished outside the refrigerator, and the liquid can be easily replenished by engaging the liquid storage housing 4 and the piping housing 6 again.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 42B is inserted into the second connecting portion 44B, but this is not the only possible configuration; conversely, the second connecting portion 44B may be inserted into the first connecting portion 42B. As long as the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44 can be connected in a detachable manner, a connection structure in which the flange surfaces abut each other via a sealing member can be adopted, or any known detachable means can be used.

[0043] (Structure of the connection between the pump outlet piping and the liquid supply piping) Figures 3A and 3B are enlarged side cross-sectional views showing the connection structure of the tip region 20A of the pump outlet piping 20 and the inlet end region 42A of the liquid supply piping 40 shown in Figure 1B. Figure 3A shows the liquid supply pump 30 in operation, and Figure 3B shows the liquid supply pump 30 in a stopped state.

[0044] As described above, in the liquid supply piping 40, the outer diameter of the first connection portion 42B of the first pipe 42 and the inner diameter of the second connection portion 44B of the second pipe 44 are approximately the same, and the two are connected in a sealed state. On the other hand, at the connection between the pump outlet pipe 20 and the liquid supply piping 40, the tip region 20A of the pump outlet pipe 20 is inserted into the inlet end region 42A of the liquid supply piping 40 from bottom to top. A gap S exists between the outer surface of the inlet end region 20A and the inner surface of the inlet end region 42A.

[0045] As a result, as schematically shown by the dotted arrow in Figure 3A, when the liquid supply pump 30 is driven, some of the liquid sucked up from the liquid storage area 10 by the liquid supply pump 30 flows to the liquid supply pipe 40 (inlet end area 42A), while some falls down through the gap S due to gravity. The liquid that flows down through the gap S returns to the liquid storage area 10 located below. Meanwhile, the liquid that flowed to the liquid supply pipe 40 (inlet end area 42A) flows from the first pipe 42 to the second pipe 44 and is supplied to the ice tray 50 from the outlet opening 44A.

[0046] The amount of liquid supplied to the ice tray 50 via the liquid supply piping 40 (inlet end region 42A) and the amount of liquid returning to the liquid storage region 10 through the gap S can be set to any ratio depending on the area of ​​the gap S relative to the cross-sectional area of ​​the piping. For example, with the total flow rate set to 100%, the flow rate of liquid supplied to the ice tray 50 can be set to 20-40%, and the flow rate of liquid returning to the liquid storage region 10 can be set to 80-60%. A mechanism for adjusting the area of ​​the gap S can also be provided.

[0047] If the liquid supply pump 30 is a non-positive displacement pump, a large flow rate of liquid will be discharged from the start once it becomes available for discharge. Therefore, if all the liquid discharged from the pump is supplied to the ice tray 50, the liquid flow may be too strong and may spill out of the ice tray 50. In that case, the area around the ice tray 50 will be wet with liquid. In this embodiment, a portion of the liquid discharged from the liquid supply pump 30 can be returned to the liquid storage area 10, thereby suppressing the flow rate of liquid poured into the ice tray 50 and reducing the force of the flow, allowing the liquid to be supplied to the ice tray 50 appropriately without spilling.

[0048] When the liquid supply pump 30 stops running, the outflow of liquid from the tip region 20A of the pump outlet pipe 20 stops. Then, one of the outlet opening 44A and the gap S becomes an outlet, and the other functions as an air vent, causing the liquid inside the liquid supply pipe 40 to be discharged by gravity. In the example shown in Figure 1B, the outlet opening 44A is located lower than the gap S. In other words, compared to the first pipe 42, the second pipe 44 has a longer straight section extending almost vertically (meaning a larger mass of liquid is present), so the liquid flows out from the outlet opening 44A, and the gap S functions as an air vent to introduce outside air into the area where the liquid has flowed out.

[0049] As a result, there is no liquid in the liquid supply pipe 40, and there is no risk of liquid backflow due to the siphon effect. In addition, since the gap S opens downwards and is located in the internal space of the liquid storage housing 4 covered by the lid 4B, the cleanliness of the liquid supply pipe 40 can be maintained. As shown in color in Figure 3B, the pump outlet pipe 20 is kept filled with liquid.

[0050] If there is no gap S and the pump outlet pipe 20 and the liquid supply pipe 40 are airtightly connected, then although the outlet opening 44A exists, there is no air vent, so liquid will remain in the liquid supply pipe 40. Therefore, if the liquid supply pump 30 is a non-positive displacement pump, it cannot be driven in reverse, and there is a risk of backflow due to the siphon effect.

[0051] (Attachment and detachment of the lid and main body) Figure 4 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the liquid storage housing 4 with the lid portion 4B removed from the main body portion 4A. In this embodiment, the liquid supply piping 40 consists of a first pipe 42 and a second pipe 44 that are connected in a detachable manner, with the first pipe 42 having an inlet end region 42A and the second pipe 44 having an outlet opening 44A. The liquid storage housing 4 consists of a main body portion 4A having a liquid storage region 10 and a lid portion 4B that covers the liquid storage region 10. The first pipe 42 is attached to the lid portion 4B.

[0052] Figure 4 shows the liquid storage housing 4 separated from the piping housing 6, with the liquid storage housing 4 existing as a standalone unit. In this case, by removing the lid 4B from the main body 4A, not only is the liquid storage area 10 opened to the outside, but the first pipe 42, which was located above the liquid supply pump 30 and the pump outlet pipe 20, is also removed along with the lid 4B. This allows easy access to the liquid supply pump 30 and the pump outlet pipe 20 from above.

[0053] This allows for easy replenishment of liquid by opening up the top of the liquid storage area 10, and also facilitates maintenance of the liquid supply pump 30 and the pump outlet piping 20.

[0054] If the tip region 20A of the pump outlet piping 20 is inserted into the inlet end region 42A of the first piping 42 from bottom to top, the tip region 20A and the inlet end region 42A do not need to extend vertically. Even if they extend diagonally, a portion of the liquid sucked up by the liquid supply pump 30 can flow down through the gap S. However, if the tip region 20A and the inlet end region 42A extend diagonally, when removing the lid 4B from the main body 4A, the lid 4B must be lifted diagonally along the direction in which the tip region 20A and the inlet end region 42A extend. Similarly, when attaching the lid 4B to the main body 4A, the lid 4B must be lowered diagonally.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4, when the tip region 20A and the inlet end region 42A extend substantially vertically, the cover 4B can be easily removed from the main body 4A simply by lifting the cover 4B upward (see arrow B), and the connection between the pump outlet piping 20 and the first piping 42 can be smoothly disconnected without interference. Conversely, when attaching the cover 4B to the main body 4A, the cover 4B can be attached to the main body 4A simply by lowering the cover 4B downward (see arrow B), and the tip region 20A of the pump outlet piping 20 and the inlet end region 42A of the first piping 42 can be easily connected.

[0056] This makes it easy to attach and detach the lid 4B from the main body 4A, and to connect and disconnect the tip region 20A and the entry end region 42A, simply by moving the lid 4B up and down.

[0057] (Liquid flow in a liquid supply system) Figure 5 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing the supply of liquid from the liquid storage area 10 to the ice tray 50 in a liquid supply device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Next, the flow of liquid in the liquid supply device 2 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. In Figure 5, the flow of liquid is schematically shown by dotted arrows.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, when the liquid supply pump 30 is operated, the liquid stored in the liquid storage area 10 is drawn up and flows upward through the pump outlet pipe 20. It then reaches the connection point between the tip area 20A of the pump outlet pipe 20 and the inlet end area 42A of the first pipe 42. At this connection point, some of the drawn-up liquid flows towards the first pipe 42, and some flows down through the gap S.

[0059] The liquid that flows into the first pipe 42 flows through the liquid supply pipe 40 from the first pipe 42 to the second pipe 44, and is supplied to the ice tray 50 from the outlet opening 44A. The liquid that flows down through the gap S returns to the liquid storage area 10 located below.

[0060] After a specified amount of liquid has been supplied to the ice tray 50, the liquid supply pump 30 stops operating. The liquid supply pipe 40, which connects the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 44, extends in a U-shape when viewed from the side, and has downward-facing outlet openings 44A and gaps S at both ends. When the liquid supply pump 30 stops operating, the liquid remaining in the liquid supply pipe 40 flows to the second pipe 44, which has a longer, nearly vertical straight section, and flows down to the ice tray 50 side through the outlet opening 44A. At this time, the gap S functions as an air vent. It is preferable to determine the timing for stopping the liquid supply pump 30 operation by also considering the amount of liquid that will flow down last.

[0061] As described above, the liquid supply device 2 according to this embodiment comprises a liquid storage housing 4, a liquid storage region 10 located inside the liquid storage housing 4 and storing liquid to be supplied to the ice tray 50, a liquid supply pump 30 which is a non-positive displacement pump with an inlet located inside the liquid storage region 10 and a pump outlet pipe 20 extending upward connected to the outlet, an inlet end region 42A connected to a tip region 20A which is the upper end region of the pump outlet pipe 20, and an outlet opening 44A formed at the end opposite to the inlet end region and located above the ice tray 50. The system includes a liquid supply pipe 40 having a tip region 20A and an inlet end region 42A, and at the connection between the tip region 20A and the inlet end region 42A, the tip region 20A is inserted into the inlet end region 42A from below to above, and there is a gap S between the outer surface of the tip region 20A and the inner surface of the inlet end region 42A, so that of the liquid sucked up from the liquid storage region 10 by the liquid supply pump 30, a portion flows to the liquid supply pipe 40 side and is supplied to the ice tray 50 from the outlet opening 44A, and a portion flows down through the gap S and returns to the liquid storage region 10.

[0062] According to this embodiment, of the liquid sucked up by the liquid supply pump 30, a portion flows down through the gap S and returns to the liquid storage area 10, so only a portion of the liquid is supplied to the ice tray 50. This suppresses the flow rate of the liquid supplied to the ice tray 50, reducing the force of the flow, and ensures that the liquid is supplied to the ice tray 50 appropriately without splashing out, even when a non-positive displacement pump is used. Furthermore, when the liquid supply pump 30 is stopped, the gap S acts as an air vent, and the liquid inside the liquid supply piping 40 is discharged by gravity. This prevents backflow due to siphon reduction, and since the gap S is located inside the liquid storage housing 4, the cleanliness of the liquid supply piping 40 can be maintained.

[0063] As described above, even when a non-positive displacement pump is used as the liquid supply pump 30, the liquid can be properly supplied to the ice tray 50 without spilling out of the ice tray 50, and the siphon effect can be prevented while maintaining cleanliness.

[0064] (A refrigerator equipped with a liquid supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention) Figure 6 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator 100 equipped with a liquid supply device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 6, the flow of gas inside the refrigerator is schematically shown by dotted arrows. The refrigerator 100 is equipped with a freezer compartment 102 and a refrigerator compartment 104, with the liquid supply device 2 located in the refrigerator compartment 104 and the ice tray 50 located in the freezer compartment 102. The gas inside the refrigerator flows due to the fan 108, and the cold air cooled by passing through the evaporator 106 flows into the freezer compartment 102. The liquid supplied to the ice tray 50 by the liquid supply device 2 is cooled by this cold air and freezes to produce ice.

[0065] For example, the piping enclosure 6 in which the drive unit 34 is located is fixed inside the refrigerator 100, and power is supplied to the drive unit 34 from the power supply unit of the refrigerator 100. In this case, the liquid storage enclosure 4 can be easily replenished by removing it from the piping enclosure 6, replenishing the liquid in the liquid storage area 10 outside the refrigerator, and then reattaching the liquid storage enclosure 6 to the piping enclosure 6.

[0066] Even in a refrigerator 100 equipped with this liquid supply device 2, the various effects of the liquid supply device 2 described above can be achieved.

[0067] While embodiments and modes of implementation of the present invention have been described, the disclosed content may change in the details of the configuration, and changes in the combination and order of elements in the embodiments and modes of implementation can be realized without departing from the claimed scope and spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 2 Liquid supply device 4. Liquid storage enclosure 4A Main Unit 4A1 Contact surface 4B Lid 6. Piping enclosure 6A Loading section 6B Contact surface 10 Liquid storage area 20 Pump outlet piping 20A tip area 30 Liquid supply pump 32 Pump body 32A Impeller 34 Drive unit 36 Magnetic Coupling 36A Pump body side 36B Drive unit side portion 40. Fluid supply piping 42 First piping 42A Inlet end area 42B First connection section 44 Second piping 44A Outlet opening 44B Second connection section 50 Ice Tray 100 Refrigerator 102 Freezer 104 Refrigerated compartment 106 Evaporator 108 Fans S Gap MA driven magnet MB drive magnet

Claims

1. Liquid storage enclosure and A liquid storage area is located within the aforementioned liquid storage enclosure and contains liquid to be supplied to the ice tray, A liquid supply pump is a non-positive displacement pump in which the intake port is located within the liquid storage area and the discharge port is connected to the pump outlet piping that extends upward, A liquid supply pipe having an inlet end region connected to a tip region which is the upper end region of the pump outlet pipe, and an outlet opening formed at the end opposite to the inlet end region and positioned above the ice tray, Equipped with, In the connection between the tip region and the inlet end region, the tip region is inserted into the inlet end region from bottom to top, and there is a gap between the outer surface of the tip region and the inner surface of the inlet end region, and of the liquid sucked up from the liquid storage region by the liquid supply pump, a portion flows to the liquid supply piping side and is supplied to the ice tray from the outlet opening, and a portion flows down through the gap and returns to the liquid storage region. The liquid supply piping consists of a first pipe and a second pipe that are connected in a detachable manner. The first pipe is provided with the inlet end region, and the second pipe is provided with the outlet opening, The liquid storage enclosure is composed of a main body having the liquid storage area and a lid covering the liquid storage area. The first pipe is attached to the lid, The aforementioned tip region and the aforementioned entry end region extend substantially vertically. A liquid supply device characterized in that by lifting the lid upward, the lid is detached from the main body and the connection between the pump outlet piping and the first piping is released.

2. The piping housing further comprises a piping housing that engages with the aforementioned liquid storage housing in a detachable manner, The liquid supply piping consists of a first pipe and a second pipe that are connected in a detachable manner. The first pipe is provided with the inlet end region, and the second pipe is provided with the outlet opening, The first piping is attached to the liquid storage housing side. The second pipe is attached to the pipe housing side. The aforementioned liquid supply pump has a pump body located within the liquid storage housing, which is driven non-contact by a drive unit located within the piping housing via a magnetic coupling. The liquid supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the liquid storage housing and the piping housing are engaged in a detachable state, the first pipe and the second pipe are connected in a detachable state, and the magnetic coupling is in a drive transmission state.

3. A refrigerator equipped with a liquid supply device according to claim 1 or 2.

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