Refrigeration device

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application is a refrigeration device, which comprises a refrigerator body, a refrigeration compartment, a freezing compartment, a refrigeration door, a freezing door, a water supply module and a distributor which are arranged on the refrigeration door, and an ice maker which is arranged in the freezing compartment or on the freezing door, wherein the water supply module is detachably connected to the refrigerated door; the water supply module comprises a water box having an inner cavity, a water pump assembly mounted to the water box, and a water discharge nozzle in communication with the inner cavity and to the distributor; the water pump assembly has a water inlet and a water outlet, the water inlet being in communication with the inner cavity; and the refrigeration device further comprises a water supply pipe which is in communication with the water outlet and the ice maker, and the water supply pipe is in communication with the water outlet in a detachable manner. In the refrigeration device of the present application, the structure of the refrigeration door is simplified, which saves the cost and is easier to assemble.

Description

Refrigeration equipment

[0001] This application is based on the Chinese patent application with application number 202410057233.9 and application date January 15, 2024, and claims the priority of the Chinese patent application. The entire content of the above patent application is hereby introduced into this application as a reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of electrical appliances, and in particular to a refrigeration device. Background Art

[0003] When a refrigeration device (such as a refrigerator) is required to have both an external water supply function and an ice-making function, and there is no external water source, a water box for storing water is usually provided on the refrigeration device to supply water to a dispenser for water supply and an ice-making machine for ice making.

[0004] Currently, there is a solution to separately supply water to the dispenser and ice maker by installing a water box on the refrigerator door. The water box can be removed from the refrigerator door to be filled with water, and then installed on the refrigerator door after the filling is completed. However, in the existing technology, the water pump used to pump water from the water box to the ice maker is installed on the refrigerator door. This requires a lot of structure to install the water pump on the refrigerator door. In addition, the water box is provided with two water outlets to connect the water pump and the dispenser respectively. When installing the water box on the refrigerator door, the user needs to align the two water outlets with the connectors on the dispenser and the water pump respectively. The installation angle is relatively limited and the operation is inconvenient.

[0005] The reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction, or that it could reasonably be expected that the person skilled in the art would understand, consider relevant and / or combine with other prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a refrigeration device in which a water pump is installed on a water box.

[0007] To achieve one of the above-mentioned application purposes, one embodiment of the present application provides a refrigeration device, including a box body, a refrigeration compartment and a freezer compartment formed in the box body, a refrigeration door body and a freezer door body for opening and closing the refrigeration compartment and the freezer compartment respectively, a water supply module and a dispenser provided on the refrigeration door body, and an ice maker provided in the freezer compartment or on the freezer door body, the water supply module being detachably connected to the refrigeration door body, the water supply module comprising a water box having an inner cavity, a water pump assembly installed on the water box, and a water outlet connected to the inner cavity and the dispenser, the water pump assembly having a water inlet and a water outlet, the water inlet being connected to the inner cavity, the refrigeration device also comprising a water supply pipe connected to the water outlet and the ice maker, and the water supply pipe and the water outlet being detachably connected.

[0008] As an embodiment of the present application, a receiving cavity is formed in the water box, and part of the water pump assembly is located in the receiving cavity.

[0009] As one embodiment of the present application, the water box includes a box body, a recessed portion formed from the outer surface of the box body, and a cover plate that cooperates with the box body to cover the recessed portion. The accommodating cavity is formed by the side walls of the box body located around the recessed portion and the cover plate.

[0010] As an embodiment of the present application, a positioning block for limiting the position of the water pump assembly is provided in the accommodating cavity.

[0011] As one embodiment of the present application, the water box includes a box body, a recessed portion formed from the outer surface of the box body, and a cover plate that cooperates with the box body to cover the recessed portion. The side walls of the box body located around the recessed portion and the cover plate are in contact with the positioning block.

[0012] As one embodiment of the present application, the water pump assembly includes a water pump having a water inlet end and a water outlet end, a water inlet pipe connecting the water inlet end and the inner cavity, a water outlet pipe having one end connected to the water outlet end, and a pipe joint connected to the other end of the water outlet pipe, the water supply pipe and the pipe joint are detachably connected, the water inlet is the opening at the end of the water inlet pipe away from the water pump, and the water outlet is the opening at the end of the pipe joint away from the water outlet pipe.

[0013] As an embodiment of the present application, the opening at one end of the water inlet pipe away from the water pump is close to the side wall at the bottom of the water box, the inner cavity has an upwardly open box opening, and the water inlet end of the water pump is arranged close to the box opening.

[0014] As one embodiment of the present application, a through hole connecting the inner cavity and the accommodating cavity is provided on the water box, the water inlet pipe is made of a flexible material and includes a tube body passing through the through hole to connect the water inlet end and the inner cavity, and a sealing portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the tube body, the sealing portion is annular and fits onto the surface of the water box near the through hole.

[0015] As an embodiment of the present application, the water inlet pipe has two sealing portions that are spaced apart, and the two sealing portions are respectively located on both sides of the through hole.

[0016] As an embodiment of the present application, a fixing structure for fixing the pipe joint is formed on the water box, and the water outlet is exposed outside the accommodating cavity.

[0017] As an embodiment of the present application, the refrigeration equipment includes a power supply module and a wire connecting the water pump assembly and the power supply module, and the cover plate is provided with a slot for the wire to pass through.

[0018] As an embodiment of the present application, the refrigerated door body includes a door shell, a door lining connected to the door shell, and a foaming cavity formed between the door shell and the door lining. The water supply module is detachably connected to the door lining. The water supply pipe includes a flexible section that is at least partially located in the foaming cavity. The flexible section is detachably connected to the water outlet. When the water supply module is connected to the door lining, the flexible section is curved, and a door lining opening is provided on the door lining for the flexible section to pass through.

[0019] As an embodiment of the present application, the refrigeration equipment also includes a pipeline box arranged in the foaming cavity, the pipeline box is attached to the door lining to cover the door lining opening, and a receiving cavity is formed inside it, and at least part of the flexible section is received in the receiving cavity.

[0020] As an embodiment of the present application, a protective tube is provided on the outer cover of the portion of the water supply pipe extending out of the receiving cavity.

[0021] As one embodiment of the present application, the inner cavity has a box opening that opens upward, and the water supply module also includes a box cover that cooperates with the box opening. The box cover is provided with a water injection hole, and external water is injected into the inner cavity through the water injection hole. The water supply module also includes a hole cover that is arranged in cooperation with the water injection hole.

[0022] The beneficial effect of the present application is that: in the refrigeration equipment of the present application, the same water supply module can supply water to the dispenser and the ice maker respectively, and the water pump assembly is installed in the water box, so that the water pump assembly and the water box can be installed as a whole on the refrigeration door body or removed from the refrigeration door body, which simplifies the structure on the refrigeration door body, saves the cost of the refrigeration equipment, and the refrigeration equipment is also easier to assemble. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigeration device provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0024] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of the refrigerated door body in FIG1 at an angle;

[0025] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of the refrigerated door body in FIG1 at another angle;

[0026] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a water supply module, a distributor, and a water supply pipe in a refrigeration device provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of the water supply module in FIG2 ;

[0028] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the water supply module in FIG5 ;

[0029] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of the water pump assembly in FIG6 ;

[0030] FIG8 is a schematic side view of the water supply module in FIG2 ;

[0031] FIG9 is a cross-sectional view of the left half of the water supply module in FIG8 taken along the AA direction;

[0032] FIG10 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point B in FIG9 ;

[0033] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the explosion structure of the refrigerated door in FIG1 ;

[0034] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the refrigerated door body in FIG1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments do not limit the present application, and any structural, methodological, or functional changes made by a person skilled in the art based on the embodiments are all within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0036] Terms used herein to denote relative spatial positions, such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," and "back," are used for ease of explanation to describe the relationship of one feature relative to another, as shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that, depending on the placement of the product, these terms may be intended to encompass orientations other than those depicted in the drawings and should not be construed as limitations on the claims. Furthermore, the descriptor "horizontal" as used herein does not necessarily mean perpendicular to gravity, although some degree of tilt is permitted.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1-3, one embodiment of the present application provides a refrigeration device 100. The refrigeration device 100 includes a housing 10, a refrigeration compartment 20 and a freezer compartment 30 formed within the housing 10, a refrigeration door 40 and a freezer door 50 for opening and closing the refrigeration compartment 20 and the freezer compartment 30, respectively, a water supply module 60 and a dispenser 70 disposed on the refrigeration door 40, and an ice maker 80 disposed within the freezer compartment 30. The water supply module 60 is used to store water so as to supply water to the dispenser 70 and the ice maker 80. The water supply module 60 is detachably connected to the refrigeration door 40. A user can remove the water supply module 60 from the refrigeration door 40 to fill the water supply module 60 with water. After filling, the water supply module 60 can be reconnected to the refrigeration door 40. The dispenser 70 is mounted on the front side of the refrigeration door 40 to allow a user to access water from the water supply module 60 without opening the refrigeration door 40. The ice maker 80 is used for making ice, and the user can take out ice cubes from the ice maker 80. In other embodiments, the ice maker 80 can also be arranged on the freezing door 50.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4-7, in this embodiment, the water supply module 60 includes a water box 1 having an inner cavity 11, a water pump assembly 2 installed in the water box 1, and a water outlet 3 connecting the inner cavity 11 and the distributor 70. The inner cavity 11 of the water box 1 is used to store water, and the water in the inner cavity 11 can flow into the distributor 70 through the water outlet. The water supply module 60 is located above the distributor 70 so that the water in the inner cavity 11 can automatically flow into the distributor 70 under the action of gravity. The inner cavity 11 has an upwardly open box opening 111. The water supply module 60 also includes a box cover 4 that is arranged in conjunction with the box opening 111. The box cover 4 is provided with a water injection hole 41. External water can be injected into the inner cavity 11 through the water injection hole 41. The water supply module 60 also includes a hole cover 42 that is arranged in conjunction with the water injection hole 41.

[0039] The water pump assembly 2 has a water inlet 21 and a water outlet 22. The water inlet 21 communicates with the inner cavity 11. The refrigeration device 100 also includes a water supply pipe 90 communicating with the water outlet 22 and the ice maker 80. The water pump assembly 2 is configured to pump water from the inner cavity 11 to the ice maker 80 through the water supply pipe 90 to supply water to the ice maker 80. The water supply pipe 90 and the water outlet 22 are detachably connected. When the water supply pipe 90 is connected to the water outlet 22, the water supply pipe 90 communicates with the water outlet 22. When the water supply pipe 90 is detached from the water outlet 22, the water supply module 60 can be removed from the refrigeration door 40. In this embodiment, the same water supply module 60 can supply water to the dispenser 70 and the ice maker 80 respectively, and the water pump assembly 2 is installed on the water box 1, so that the water pump assembly 2 and the water box 1 can be installed as a whole on the refrigeration door body 40 or removed from the refrigeration door body 40. Compared with the related art, the structure on the refrigeration door body 40 is simplified, the cost of the refrigeration equipment 100 is saved, and the refrigeration equipment 100 is also easier to assemble.

[0040] In this embodiment, a accommodating cavity 12 is formed in the water box 1, and part of the water pump assembly 2 is located in the accommodating cavity 12, so that the appearance of the water supply module 60 can be simpler. In one embodiment, the accommodating cavity 12 is located in a corner of the water box 1, and the water inlet 21 of the water pump assembly 2 is located in the inner cavity 11 of the water box 1.

[0041] In one embodiment, the water box 1 includes a box body 13, a recessed portion 14 formed from the outer surface of the box body 13, and a cover plate 15 that cooperates with the box body 13 to cover the recessed portion 14. The accommodating cavity 12 is formed by the side walls of the box body 13 located around the recessed portion 14 and the cover plate 15. When assembling the water supply module 60, the water pump assembly 2 is first installed in the recessed portion 14, and then the cover plate 15 is installed on the box body 13 to cover the water pump assembly 2 located in the recessed portion 14.

[0042] In one embodiment, a positioning block 5 is provided within the accommodating cavity 12 for defining the position of the water pump assembly 2. Specifically, the sidewalls of the box body 13 surrounding the recessed portion 14 and the cover plate 15 abut against the positioning block 5 to define the position of the positioning block 5. A retaining portion 152 for retaining the water pump assembly 2 may also be connected to the cover plate 15.

[0043] As shown in FIG7 , the water pump assembly 2 includes a water pump 23 having an inlet and an outlet, an inlet pipe 24 connecting the inlet and the inner cavity 11, an outlet pipe 25 having one end connected to the outlet, and a pipe joint 26 connected to the other end of the outlet pipe 25. When the water pump 23 is in operation, water in the inner cavity 11 flows through the inlet pipe 24 to the inlet of the water pump 23 and then flows out of the outlet of the water pump 23 to the outlet pipe 25. The water supply pipe 90 is detachably connected to the pipe joint 26, and the user can operate the water supply pipe 90 to connect it to the pipe joint 26 or remove it from the pipe joint 26. The water inlet 21 refers to the opening at the end of the water inlet pipe 24 away from the water pump 23, and the water outlet 22 refers to the opening at the end of the pipe joint 26 away from the outlet pipe 25.

[0044] When the water pump 23 is not in operation, its water inlet and outlet are disconnected. This prevents water in the inner cavity 11 from flowing out of the water outlet 22 of the water pump assembly 2 when the water supply module 60 is separated from the refrigerated door 40. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the water inlet 21 of the water pump assembly 2, i.e., the opening at the end of the water inlet pipe 24 away from the water pump 23, is located near the side wall at the bottom of the water box 1. The water inlet end of the water pump 23 is located near the box opening 111. This arrangement allows a higher level of water to be stored in the inner cavity 11 when the water supply module 60 is separated from the refrigerated door 40.

[0045] In this embodiment, a fixing structure 17 for fixing the pipe joint 26 is formed on the water box 1, and the water outlet 22 is exposed outside the accommodating cavity 12, so that the user can easily connect the water supply pipe 90 to the pipe joint 26 or remove the water supply pipe 90 from the pipe joint 26.

[0046] To power the water pump assembly 2, the refrigeration unit 100 further includes a power supply module and a wire electrically connecting the water pump assembly 2 and the power supply module. The cover 15 includes a slot 151 through which the wire passes. The wire is detachably connected to the water pump assembly 2, allowing the water supply module 60 to be removed from the refrigeration door 40.

[0047] As shown in Figures 8-10, the water box 1 is provided with a through hole 16 connecting the inner cavity 11 and the accommodating cavity 12, and the water inlet pipe 24 is made of a flexible material. The water inlet pipe 24 includes a tube body 241 that passes through the through hole 16 to connect the water inlet end of the water pump 23 and the inner cavity 11, and a sealing portion 242 that is formed and protrudes from the outer circumference of the tube body 241. The sealing portion 242 is attached to the surface of the water box 1 near the through hole 16. In one embodiment, the sealing portion 242 is annular and prevents water in the inner cavity 11 from leaking into the accommodating cavity 12 through the through hole 16. In this embodiment, the water inlet pipe 24 has two sealing portions 242 spaced apart, one on each side of the through hole 16 to ensure a good sealing effect.

[0048] As shown in Figures 11-12, in this embodiment, the refrigerator door 40 includes a door shell 401 and a door lining 402 connected to the door shell 401. The refrigerator door 40 also has a foaming cavity formed between the door shell 401 and the door lining 402. The water supply module 60 is detachably connected to the door lining 402, and the water supply pipe 90 includes a flexible section 901 that is at least partially located within the foaming cavity. The flexible section 901 is detachably connected to the water outlet 22. When the water supply module 60 is connected to the door lining 402, the flexible section 901 is curved. The door lining 402 defines a door lining opening 4021 for the flexible section 901 to pass through. When the user needs to connect the water supply module 60 to the refrigerator door 40, they can pull the flexible section 901 to extend it, allowing it to extend sufficiently through the door lining 402 to the outside of the refrigerator door 40 for connection to the water outlet 22 on the water pump assembly 2. After the water supply module 60 is connected to the refrigerator door 40, the flexible section 901 returns to its curved shape. After the flexible section 901 of the water supply pipe 90 is connected to the water outlet 22 of the water supply module 60 in the above manner, the user only needs to align the water outlet 3 of the water supply module 60 and insert it into the dispenser 70, which allows for more flexible installation angles of the water supply module 60.

[0049] In one embodiment, the refrigeration appliance 100 further includes a wiring box 6 disposed within the foaming cavity. The wiring box 6 is attached to the door lining 402 to cover the door lining opening 4021 and defines a receiving cavity 61 within which at least a portion of the flexible section 901 is received. The foaming cavity is filled with foam during the manufacture of the refrigeration door 40, and the wiring box 6 insulates the foam. The portion of the water supply pipe 90 extending outside the receiving cavity 61 is covered with a protective tube 404 to insulate the foam. The water supply pipe 90 extends from the hinge connecting the refrigeration door 40 to the cabinet 10 to connect to the ice maker 80. The wires connecting the power supply module and the water pump assembly are also located within the receiving cavity and the protective tube 404 to be insulated from the foam. They then extend from the hinge connecting the refrigeration door 40 to the cabinet 10 to connect to the power supply module.

[0050] It should be understood that although this specification is described in terms of implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each implementation method can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0051] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are only specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of the present invention. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent implementation methods or changes that do not deviate from the technical spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigeration device, comprising a box body, a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment formed in the box body, a refrigerating door body and a freezing door body respectively used for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, a water supply module and a dispenser provided on the refrigerating door body, and an ice maker provided in the freezing compartment or on the freezing door body, wherein the water supply module is detachably connected to the refrigerating door body, and is characterized in that, The water supply module includes a water box having an inner cavity, a water pump assembly installed in the water box, and a water outlet connecting the inner cavity and the dispenser. The water pump assembly has a water inlet and a water outlet. The water inlet communicates with the inner cavity. The refrigeration device further includes a water supply pipe connecting the water outlet and the ice maker, and the water supply pipe and the water outlet are detachably communicated.

2. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A receiving cavity is formed in the water box, and part of the water pump assembly is located in the receiving cavity.

3. The refrigeration device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water box includes a box body, a recessed portion recessed from the outer surface of the box body, and a cover plate cooperating with the box body to cover the recessed portion. The receiving cavity is formed by the side walls of the box body around the recessed portion and the cover plate.

4. The refrigeration device according to claim 2, wherein A positioning block for defining the position of the water pump assembly is provided in the receiving cavity.

5. The refrigeration device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The water box includes a box body, a recessed portion recessed from the outer surface of the box body, and a cover plate cooperating with the box body to cover the recessed portion. The side walls of the box body around the recessed portion and the cover plate abut against the positioning block.

6. The refrigeration device according to claim 2, wherein The water pump assembly includes a water pump having a water inlet end and a water outlet end, a water inlet pipe connecting the water inlet end and the inner cavity, a water outlet pipe having one end connected to the water outlet end, and a pipe joint connected to the other end of the water outlet pipe. The water supply pipe is detachably communicated with the pipe joint. The water inlet is an opening at the end of the water inlet pipe far from the water pump, and the water outlet is an opening at the end of the pipe joint far from the water outlet pipe.

7. The refrigeration device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The opening at the end of the water inlet pipe far from the water pump is close to the side wall at the bottom of the water box. The inner cavity has an upwardly open box mouth, and the water inlet end of the water pump is arranged close to the box mouth.

8. The refrigeration device according to claim 6, characterized in that, A through hole communicating the inner cavity and the receiving cavity is formed in the water box. The water inlet pipe is made of a flexible material and includes a pipe body passing through the through hole to communicate the water inlet end and the inner cavity, and a sealing portion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the pipe body.

9. The refrigeration device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The sealing portion is annular and fits on the surface of the water box close to the through hole.

10. The refrigeration device according to claim 6, characterized in that, A fixing structure for fixing the pipe joint is formed on the water box, and the water outlet is exposed outside the receiving cavity.

11. The refrigeration device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The refrigeration device includes a power supply module and a wire connecting the water pump assembly and the power supply module. A slotted opening for the wire to pass through is formed in the cover plate.

12. The refrigeration device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The refrigerated door body includes a door shell, a door liner connected to the door shell, and a foaming cavity formed between the door shell and the door liner. The water supply module is detachably connected to the door liner. The water supply pipe includes a flexible section at least partially located in the foaming cavity. The flexible section is detachably communicated with the water outlet. When the water supply module is connected to the door liner, the flexible section is bent, and a door liner opening for the flexible section to pass through is formed in the door liner.

13. The refrigeration device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The refrigeration device further includes a pipeline box provided in the foaming cavity. The pipeline box fits on the door liner to cover the door liner opening, and a receiving cavity is formed inside it. At least part of the flexible section is received in the receiving cavity.

14. The refrigeration device according to claim 13, characterized in that, A protective pipe is sleeved outside the part of the water supply pipe extending out of the receiving cavity.

15. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner cavity has a box opening that is open upward. The water supply module further includes a box cover that cooperates with the box opening. The box cover is provided with a water injection hole, and external water is injected into the inner cavity through the water injection hole. The water supply module further includes a hole cover that is arranged in cooperation with the water injection hole.

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