Refrigerator and refrigeration apparatus

Abstract

A refrigerator and a refrigeration apparatus. The refrigerator comprises: a refrigerator body, in which a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber are provided; a water device; a water tank (400), which has a highest liquid level line; and a water pump assembly, which comprises a water pump and a mounting bracket, wherein the water pump is fixedly connected to the refrigerator body by means of the mounting bracket; the water pump communicates the water tank with the water device by means of a water supply pipe; and the water supply pipe comprises a flow cutoff portion (710), and the lowest height of the flow cutoff portion (710) is not lower than the height of the highest liquid level line (401) of the water tank.

Description

Refrigerators and refrigeration equipment

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 2024226174615, filed on October 28, 2024; and priority to Chinese patent application No. 2024203591159, filed on February 26, 2024. The entire contents of all the above Chinese patent applications are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] Some embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular to a refrigerator and refrigeration equipment. Background Art

[0004] Refrigerators are common household appliances that keep food and other items at a constant low temperature. A water dispenser and ice maker can be installed within the door or cabinet to meet the varying cooling needs of users. The refrigerator also includes a water tank, water pump, and a valve connecting the water supply pipe to the water dispenser and ice maker. However, the control process for the refrigerator's water supply is complex and the cost of the water supply system is high. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Some embodiments of the present application provide a refrigerator that can solve the technical problems of a complex control process of a water supply structure of the refrigerator and a high cost of the water supply structure.

[0006] Some embodiments of the present application provide a refrigerator, including:

[0007] A box body, wherein the box body is provided with a refrigeration chamber and a freezer chamber;

[0008] water-using devices;

[0009] a water tank, wherein the water tank has a maximum liquid level line;

[0010] Water pump assembly, including:

[0011] A mounting bracket, arranged on the box;

[0012] a water pump connected to the mounting bracket; the water pump connects the water tank to the water-using device via a water supply pipe; the water pump is configured to pump water in the water supply pipe back to the water tank;

[0013] The water supply pipe comprises:

[0014] A cut-off portion, wherein the lowest height of the cut-off portion is not lower than the height of the highest liquid level line of the water tank.

[0015] Some refrigerators in the present application eliminate the need for a water valve, simplifying the water supply structure and control process, and reducing costs. A mounting bracket secures the water pump to the refrigerator body, ensuring pump stability and reducing vibration and noise. A shut-off valve is provided on the water supply pipe to effectively shut off the water flow when the pump is not operating. Furthermore, after completing the water supply, the pump pumps water back into the water tank, preventing water from accumulating in the pipe and helping to avoid pipe leaks or freezing.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, the refrigerator further includes:

[0017] water dispenser;

[0018] Ice maker;

[0019] The water supply pipe comprises:

[0020] First water supply pipe;

[0021] Second water supply pipe;

[0022] The water pump assembly comprises:

[0023] a first water pump, the first water pump being connected to the mounting bracket; the first water pump connecting the water tank and the water dispenser via the first water supply pipe; the first water pump being configured to pump water in the first water supply pipe back into the water tank;

[0024] a second water pump, the second water pump being connected to the mounting bracket; the second water pump connecting the water tank and the ice maker via a second water supply pipe; the second water pump being configured to pump water in the second water supply pipe back to the water tank;

[0025] The second water supply pipe includes: the shut-off portion.

[0026] With this arrangement, two independent water pumps supply water separately with clear functions, which can ensure smooth and stable water flow and meet the water supply needs of the water dispenser and ice maker; the water valve is eliminated, avoiding the problem of synchronization between the water pump and the water valve, simplifying the control process, simplifying the water supply structure and reducing costs; the second water supply pipe is provided with a shut-off part, and the water in the water tank will not naturally flow into the water inlet of the ice maker in the non-water supply state, ensuring that the second water supply pipe near the water inlet of the ice maker will not freeze due to water accumulation, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the ice maker and improving the functionality and reliability of the refrigerator.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present application, the ice maker is located below the water tank;

[0028] The second water supply pipe comprises:

[0029] a drainage portion, wherein a first end of the drainage portion is in communication with the water tank, a second end of the drainage portion is in communication with the shut-off portion, the height of the second end of the drainage portion is not lower than the height of the highest liquid level line of the water tank, and the drainage portion is provided with the second water pump;

[0030] An extension portion, wherein a first end of the extension portion is communicated with the cut-off portion, a second end of the extension portion is communicated with the ice maker, and a height of the first end of the extension portion is not lower than a height of a highest liquid level line of the water tank.

[0031] In this arrangement, the ice maker is placed below the water tank, and gravity is used to assist water supply, which can reduce the burden on the water pump and improve water supply efficiency; the second water supply pipe is arranged in sections, and the height of each section is controlled, which optimizes the water flow path and ensures that when the water supply is stopped, the water will not flow through the cut-off part into the extension part connected to the water inlet of the ice maker due to the action of gravity, thereby preventing water accumulation in the extension part from causing the water inlet of the ice maker to freeze.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present application, the first end of the first part of the interrupter is connected to the second end of the guide part, and the second end of the first part of the interrupter extends upward;

[0033] The first end of the second part of the interrupter is communicated with the second end of the first part of the interrupter, the second end of the second part of the interrupter extends downward, and the second end of the second part of the interrupter is communicated with the extension part.

[0034] With this arrangement, the shut-off portion is divided into a first part and a second part, ensuring that water must flow upward and then downward when passing through the shut-off portion. When the water supply is stopped, water will not naturally flow into the extension portion due to gravity, preventing water from accumulating in the extension portion and further preventing the water inlet of the ice maker from freezing, thereby ensuring the stability of the water supply and the stability of the ice maker operation.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present application, the ice maker is located above the water tank;

[0036] The second water supply pipe comprises:

[0037] a drainage portion; a first end of the drainage portion is in communication with the water tank, a second end of the drainage portion is in communication with the cut-off portion, the height of the second end of the drainage portion is not lower than the height of the highest liquid level line of the water tank, and the drainage portion is provided with the second water pump;

[0038] One end of the flow cut-off portion, which is away from the flow guide portion, extends upward and is communicated with the ice maker.

[0039] With this arrangement, the water in the water tank is transported to the ice maker located at a high place through the second water pump. When the water supply is stopped, the water in the shut-off part will flow back into the water tank through the drainage part under the action of gravity, and will not remain near the water filling port of the ice maker, thereby preventing the water filling port of the ice maker from freezing, thereby ensuring the stability of the water supply and the stability of the ice maker operation.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present application, the refrigerating chamber is arranged above the freezing chamber, and the water tank, the water pump assembly and the ice maker are arranged in the refrigerating chamber.

[0041] This arrangement optimizes the utilization of the internal space of the refrigerator, reduces the length of the second water supply pipe, reduces the difficulty of arranging the water supply pipe, reduces the complexity of the water supply structure, and facilitates maintenance and inspection.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present application, the refrigerating chamber is arranged below the freezing chamber, and the water tank, the water pump assembly and the ice maker are arranged in the freezing chamber;

[0043] A water storage space is provided in the freezing chamber, and the water storage space accommodates the water pump assembly; the first water supply pipe extends to the water dispenser through the water storage space and the inner wall of the box body, and the second water supply pipe extends to the ice maker through the water storage space and the inner wall of the box body.

[0044] With this arrangement, the water tank, water pump assembly and ice maker are highly integrated, which optimizes the utilization of the internal space of the refrigerator, reduces the length of the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe, reduces the difficulty of arranging the water supply pipes, and reduces the complexity of the water supply structure, making maintenance and inspection easier; the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe are hidden in the water storage space and the inner wall of the box body, reducing the exposure of the water supply pipes, preventing the pipes from being affected by the external environment, and ensuring the stability of the water supply.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present application, the refrigerating chamber is arranged below the freezing chamber, the ice maker is arranged in the freezing chamber, and the water tank and the water pump assembly are located in the refrigerating chamber;

[0046] The second water supply pipe extends through the refrigerating chamber and the inner wall of the box body to the ice maker.

[0047] With this arrangement, the ice maker can utilize the low temperature environment of the freezer compartment to improve ice-making efficiency and reduce ice-making time; extending the water supply pipe through the inner wall of the refrigerator compartment and the cabinet optimizes the internal structure design of the refrigerator, improves ease of use, water supply stability and system reliability, and facilitates maintenance and inspection, thereby improving the functionality and reliability of the refrigerator.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present application, the refrigerator further includes:

[0049] an air duct structure for discharging air toward at least one of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber;

[0050] a return air cover, the return air cover being movably disposed on the air duct structure, the first surface of the return air cover facing the front side of the box body, and the second surface of the return air cover facing the rear side of the box body;

[0051] The second surface of the return air cover and the box body form an accommodating space, and the accommodating space is at least used to accommodate the water pump assembly.

[0052] With this setting, the air duct structure can optimize the flow path of cold air, ensure that the cold air can be evenly delivered to the refrigerator or freezer, and improve the refrigeration effect of the refrigerator; the return air cover helps to effectively utilize the space inside the refrigerator, centrally manage and protect the water pump components, reduce the exposure of the water pump components, and prevent them from being affected by the external environment.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present application, the mounting bracket is provided with a first overlapping portion and a second overlapping portion, the first overlapping portion is used to fix the first water pump, and the second overlapping portion is used to fix the second water pump.

[0054] Such a setting can firmly fix the first water pump and the second water pump to reduce the vibration and noise of the water pump during operation; it can also integrate the first water pump and the second water pump together, which is convenient for installation and disassembly and facilitates daily maintenance and inspection.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present application, when the water pump is in a non-working state, the shut-off portion is used to cut off the water flow in the water supply pipe, and the liquid level in the water supply pipe is not higher than the height of the highest liquid level line of the water tank.

[0056] This setup eliminates the need for a water valve, simplifies the water supply structure and control process, and reduces costs. The mounting bracket secures the water pump to the tank, ensuring pump stability and reducing vibration and noise. A shut-off valve is installed on the water supply pipe to effectively shut off the flow of water when the pump is not supplying water. It also pumps water back into the water tank, preventing water from accumulating in the pipe and helping to avoid pipe leaks or freezing.

[0057] Some embodiments of the present application also provide a refrigeration device to solve the problems of high noise, high vibration, and poor operating stability during the water supply process of dual-pump refrigerators with drinking water and ice-making functions in the prior art.

[0058] In some embodiments of the present application, a refrigeration device is provided, comprising:

[0059] Box;

[0060] a drinking water assembly, which is arranged on the box body;

[0061] an ice-making assembly, disposed in the box and used for making ice;

[0062] a water supply device, which is disposed in the housing and includes a water tank assembly, a first water pump, a second water pump, a first water supply pipe group, and a second water supply pipe group, wherein the first water pump is connected to the water tank assembly and the drinking water assembly via the first water supply pipe group; and the second water pump is connected to the water tank assembly and the ice making assembly via the second water supply pipe group;

[0063] The first water pump and the second water pump are fixed in the casing via a support member; a vibration damping portion is provided on the support member for reducing the transmission of vibration of at least one of the first water pump and the second water pump.

[0064] In some embodiments of the present application, at least one of the first water pump and the second water pump is connected to a support member through a bracket group, the bracket group includes a first support part and a second support part, the water inlet end of at least one of the first water pump and the second water pump is connected to the first support part, and the water outlet end of at least one of the first water pump and the second water pump is connected to the second support part.

[0065] In some embodiments of the present application, a supporting groove is formed on the first supporting portion or the second supporting portion, and a supporting hole is formed on the second supporting portion or the first supporting portion.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present application, the support groove and the support hole are both non-circular structures, the vibration damping part is sleeved on the outer wall of the water inlet end or the water outlet end, and the cross-sectional shape of the vibration damping part is adapted to the support hole.

[0067] In some embodiments of the present application, a limiting portion is further formed on at least one side of the vibration-damping portion for limiting the position of at least one of the first water pump and the second water pump.

[0068] In some embodiments of the present application, a refrigeration chamber is provided in the box body, and the water tank assembly is located in the refrigeration chamber, which includes a water tank, an upper cover plate and a lower base frame. The upper cover plate is covered on the water tank, and the lower base frame is fixed in the refrigeration chamber. The water tank is movably connected to the lower base frame along the horizontal direction.

[0069] In some embodiments of the present application, a water inlet is further formed on the upper cover plate, and a sealing cover is connected to the water inlet for opening or closing the water inlet.

[0070] In some embodiments of the present application, the lower base frame includes a lower base plate, side plates formed on both sides of the lower base plate, and an inner end plate formed between the two side plates. A lower guide rail portion is formed on the lower base plate, and the water tank moves in or out horizontally along the lower guide rail portion.

[0071] In some embodiments of the present application, a first water outlet pipe and a second water outlet pipe extending to the bottom of the water tank are formed in the water tank, and a first interface corresponding to the water outlet port of the first water outlet pipe and a second interface corresponding to the water outlet port of the second water outlet pipe are formed on the inner end plate of the lower base frame. The first interface is connected to the first water pump, and the second interface is connected to the second water pump.

[0072] In some embodiments of the present application, a signal part is further provided on the side of the water tank close to the inner end plate, and a sensing part corresponding to the position of the signal part is formed at a corresponding position of the inner end plate. The sensing part is configured to sense the position of the signal part to determine the position status of the water tank.

[0073] In some embodiments of the present application, the vibration damping portion is connected between the support member and the first water pump and the second water pump to reduce the vibration generated during the operation of the first water pump and the second water pump from being transmitted to the support member.

[0074] The refrigeration equipment involved in the present application is provided with a first water pump and a second water pump to realize independent water supply control for the drinking water component and the ice making component. The first water pump and the second water pump are connected in the box body through a support. A vibration damping part is provided between the first water pump and the second water pump and the support member. The vibration damping part can buffer the vibration generated during the operation of the first water pump and the second water pump, reduce the vibration transmitted to the support member and other working parts, thereby reducing noise, and is beneficial to the stability of the box body operation.

[0075] After reading the specific embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other features and advantages of the present application will become more clear. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] In order to more clearly illustrate the implementation methods of some embodiments of the present application or related technologies, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or related technologies. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0077] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0078] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the box in FIG1 ;

[0079] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of FIG2 without the return air cover;

[0080] FIG4 is a cross-sectional view of the box in FIG2 ;

[0081] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the air duct structure and the return air cover in the box body in FIG4;

[0082] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe and the water pump assembly in some embodiments of the present application;

[0083] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the first water pump and the second water pump on the mounting bracket in FIG6 ;

[0084] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe in the refrigerator of the prior art;

[0085] FIG9 is a first schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of a first water supply pipe and a second water supply pipe within a refrigerator in some embodiments of the present application;

[0086] FIG10 is a second schematic diagram of the arrangement of the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe within the refrigerator in some embodiments of the present application;

[0087] FIG11 is a third schematic diagram of the arrangement of the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe within the refrigerator in some embodiments of the present application;

[0088] FIG12 is a fourth schematic diagram of the arrangement of the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe within the refrigerator in some embodiments of the present application;

[0089] FIG13 is a fifth schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe within the refrigerator in some embodiments of the present application;

[0090] FIG14 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of a first water supply pipe with a water valve within a refrigerator in the related art;

[0091] FIG15 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of a second water supply pipe with a water valve in a refrigerator according to the related art.

[0092] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a box according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0093] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of the installation of a partial structure of a refrigeration system in a cabinet according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0094] FIG18 is a schematic diagram of the installation of a water supply device in a box according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0095] FIG19 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection between a water supply device, a water drinking assembly, and an ice making assembly according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0096] FIG20 is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation of a first water pump, a second water pump, and a support member according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0097] FIG21 is a schematic diagram of the installation of a first water pump and a second water pump according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0098] FIG22 is a schematic diagram of the disassembly of the first water pump, the second water pump, and the support member according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0099] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of the installation position of the water tank assembly;

[0100] FIG24 is a schematic structural diagram of a water tank assembly according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0101] FIG25 is a schematic diagram of a water tank filling state according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0102] FIG26 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water tank according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0103] FIG27 is a second schematic cross-sectional view of a water tank according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0104] FIG28 is a schematic diagram of the upper cover structure according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0105] FIG29 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a water tank according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0106] Figure 30 is a schematic diagram of the lower chassis structure according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0107] Description of reference numerals:

[0108] 100- box body; 101- supporting shelf;

[0109] 110-cold storage room;

[0110] 120-freezer; 121-water storage space;

[0111] 130 - support member; 131 - first support portion; 1311 - support groove; 132 - second support portion; 1321 - support hole;

[0112] 140-vibration damping part; 141-limiting part;

[0113] 150-return air cover;

[0114] 160-shelf;

[0115] 170-drinking water assembly; 180-equipment chamber;

[0116] 190-door body; 191-refrigerated door; 192-freezer door;

[0117] 200-water tank assembly; 201-protective housing;

[0118] 210 - upper cover; 211 - connection portion; 212 - water inlet; 213 - cover;

[0119] 220 - water tank; 221 - connector; 222 - first water outlet pipe; 223 - second water outlet pipe; 224 - water supply terminal; 225 - water supply port; 2201 - signal unit;

[0120] 230 - lower chassis; 231 - sensing unit; 232 - first interface; 233 - second interface; 234 - lower guide rail;

[0121] 2301- bottom plate; 2302- side plate; 2303- inner end plate; 23031- induction part;

[0122] 240- air duct structure;

[0123] 250-water dispenser;

[0124] 300-Ice Maker;

[0125] 310 - first water pump; 320 - first water supply pipe assembly; 330 - first delivery assembly;

[0126] 400-water tank; 401-highest liquid level line;

[0127] 410 - second water pump; 420 - second water supply pipe assembly; 430 - second delivery assembly;

[0128] 500-water pump assembly;

[0129] 510 - first water pump; 511 - first hose; 512 - first stopper;

[0130] 520 - second water pump; 521 - second hose; 522 - second limiter;

[0131] 530-mounting bracket; 531-first overlapping portion; 5311-first limiting portion; 532-second overlapping portion; 5321-second limiting portion;

[0132] 540-Ice making assembly;

[0133] 600-first water supply pipe; 610-compressor;

[0134] 700-second water supply pipe;

[0135] 710-interrupting portion; 711-first portion; 712-second portion;

[0136] 720-drainage;

[0137] 730-Extension;

[0138] 740-Solenoid valve;

[0139] 800-Accommodation space; 810-Support base. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0140] In order to make the purpose, implementation mode and advantages of the present application clearer, the exemplary implementation mode of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the exemplary embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described exemplary embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments.

[0141] It should be noted that the brief descriptions of terms in this application are only for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the embodiments described below, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. Unless otherwise specified, these terms should be understood according to their ordinary and usual meanings.

[0142] In addition, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and any variations thereof are intended to cover but not exclude inclusion, for example, a product or device comprising a list of components is not necessarily limited to those components expressly listed but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such product or device.

[0143] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application.

[0144] The terms "first," "second," and the like are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0145] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal connections between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0146] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings of some embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions of some embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0147] As described in the background, refrigerators in related art include a cabinet and a door. A water dispenser and ice maker can be installed in the door or cabinet to meet different cooling needs. The refrigerator cabinet also includes a water tank, a water pump, and a water valve connected to a water supply pipe to supply water to the water dispenser and ice maker.

[0148] It's easy to understand that the water supply system consists of a water pump and a water valve. The pump draws water from the water tank and directs it to the water valve, which then distributes the water to the water dispenser and / or ice maker. These two valves must be synchronized to ensure smooth water supply. Improper control can cause the pump to idle or continue running even when the valve is closed, resulting in equipment damage or unstable water supply. Furthermore, the water supply system's numerous functional components make it complex, challenging to wire and install, and difficult to maintain.

[0149] Therefore, in order to simplify the water supply structure of the refrigerator and reduce the cost of the water supply structure, the water valve can be eliminated and only the water pump can be installed on the pipes between the water dispenser and the water tank and between the ice maker and the water tank. The water pump can be used to directly extract water from the water tank to supply the water dispenser or ice maker, so as to reduce the complexity of the water supply structure and improve the convenience of installation and maintenance.

[0150] Typically, the water tank is located in the refrigerator compartment, and the ice maker is located in the freezer compartment. For example, in a refrigerator with the refrigerator compartment located above the freezer, the water tank is located above the ice maker. When the ice maker completes water filling according to the programmed procedure, the water pump stops. However, there is no valve between the ice maker and the water tank to prevent water from flowing. The pipes between the two remain connected, and due to the siphon effect, water in the water tank continues to drip until the water level reaches the level at the ice maker's water inlet. Consequently, water is always present in the pipes near the ice maker's water inlet, potentially causing the inlet to freeze, preventing water from filling and rendering the ice maker inoperable.

[0151] In view of this, some embodiments of the present application provide a refrigerator, including a box body, a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment are provided on the front side of the box body; a water dispenser is provided in the refrigerator compartment; an ice maker; and a water tank having a maximum liquid level line.

[0152] Compared to water supply structures in related art, refrigerators provided in some embodiments of the present application also include a water pump assembly, comprising a first water pump, a second water pump, and a mounting bracket. The first and second water pumps are fixedly connected to the refrigerator body via the mounting bracket. The water inlet of the first water pump communicates with the water tank, and the water outlet of the first water pump supplies water to the water dispenser via a first water supply pipe. The water inlet of the second water pump communicates with the water tank, and the water outlet of the second water pump supplies water to the ice maker via a second water supply pipe. Supplying water to the water dispenser and ice maker separately through two water pumps clarifies their functions and improves water supply stability.

[0153] In order to prevent the water in the second water supply pipe from accumulating at the water inlet of the ice maker, the refrigerators in some embodiments of the present application have a reasonable layout of the second water supply pipe, and a cut-off portion is provided in the second water supply pipe. The lowest height of the cut-off portion is higher than or equal to the height of the highest liquid level line of the water tank. When the water supply is stopped, the cut-off portion can cut off the water flow in the second water supply pipe, and the water flow cannot continue to flow to the water inlet of the ice maker. Moreover, due to the high position of the cut-off portion, the water inside the cut-off portion will flow back to the water tank. This means that there is no water in the pipe near the water inlet of the ice maker, thus solving the problem of the water inlet of the ice maker freezing. It can be seen that the refrigerators in some embodiments of the present application reduce the complexity of the water supply structure, reduce the cost of the water supply structure, and have a relatively simple control process.

[0154] 1 , some embodiments of the present application provide a refrigerator, including a housing 100. The housing 100 is the main structure of the entire device and can accommodate and protect internal components of the refrigerator.

[0155] It should be noted that the housing 100 has a left side and a right side, an upper side and a lower side, and a front side and a rear side. The side of the housing 100 facing the X-direction in FIG. 1 is the right side of the housing 100; the side of the housing 100 facing away from the X-direction in FIG. 1 is the left side of the housing 100; the side of the housing 100 facing the Z-direction in FIG. 1 is the upper side of the housing 100; the side of the housing 100 facing away from the Z-direction in FIG. 1 is the lower side of the housing 100; the side of the housing 100 facing the Y-direction in FIG. 1 is the front side of the housing 100; and the side of the housing 100 facing away from the Y-direction in FIG. 1 is the rear side of the housing 100.

[0156] Referring to Figure 2, a refrigerator compartment 110 may be provided on the front side of the housing 100. This compartment is used to store foods that require a lower temperature but do not need to be frozen, such as fruits, vegetables, beverages, dairy products, and cooked food. The low temperature environment of the refrigerator compartment 110 can prolong the freshness of the food and prevent the rapid growth of bacteria.

[0157] 4 , a shelf 160 may be provided in the refrigerating chamber 110. The shelf 160 divides the refrigerating chamber 110 into a plurality of areas, so that food can be placed in an orderly manner to avoid confusion and cross contamination.

[0158] The shelf 160 may be provided with a ventilation structure that helps cool air to circulate evenly in the refrigerating chamber 110 to keep the food fresh.

[0159] 5 , the height of the shelf 160 is adjustable. The user can adjust the height of the shelf 160 as needed to make the best use of the space in the refrigerator compartment 110 and improve storage efficiency.

[0160] In some embodiments, the shelves 160 may be integrated with temperature control sensors or a temperature control system to coordinate with the temperature management within the refrigeration compartment 110, allowing the temperature of different areas to be adjusted based on the type of food and storage requirements. For example, different temperatures can be set for the fresh food area, the prepared food area, and the vegetable area to better preserve freshness.

[0161] In some embodiments, the shelves 160 can be designed as a detachable structure for easy cleaning and maintenance. Users can disassemble individual shelves as needed for deep cleaning or disinfection to ensure a more hygienic food storage environment.

[0162] In some embodiments, the shelves 160 can be equipped with built-in LED lighting, especially when the refrigerator compartment 110 is deep or has multiple levels. Through the intelligent lighting system, users can clearly see the food storage status of each level, avoiding the inconvenience of accessing items due to insufficient light.

[0163] In some embodiments, to prevent food from sliding or falling during storage and retrieval, the shelf 160 may be made of anti-slip material or designed with anti-slip grooves, which can effectively protect the safety of food and avoid cross contamination or damage.

[0164] In some embodiments, in addition to the ventilation structure of the shelves 160, the shelves themselves can be designed to optimize air circulation. For example, the shelves can be made of a mesh structure or a material with small holes to facilitate the free flow of cold air, maintaining a uniform temperature on each layer of food and reducing the risk of food spoilage due to uneven temperatures.

[0165] Referring to Figure 2, a freezer compartment 120 may be provided on the front side of the housing 100. The freezer compartment 120 is used to store food that needs to be frozen for preservation, such as meat, fish, ice cream, and frozen vegetables. The low temperature environment of the freezer compartment 120 can effectively inhibit the activity of bacteria and enzymes, thereby extending the shelf life of the food.

[0166] 1 , a door 190 may be provided on the front side of the box body 100. The door 190 is hinged to the box body 100. The door 190 may at least be used to open and close the box body 100, making it convenient for users to take food in and out.

[0167] 8 , the door body 190 may include a refrigeration door 191. The refrigeration door 191 is used to form a relatively closed space in the refrigeration chamber 110, thereby maintaining a relatively constant temperature in the refrigeration chamber 110 and reducing a temperature increase rate in the refrigeration chamber 110.

[0168] The door body 190 may include a freezer door 192. The freezer door 192 is used to form a relatively closed space in the freezer compartment 120, thereby maintaining a relatively constant temperature in the freezer compartment 120 and reducing a temperature increase rate in the freezer compartment 120.

[0169] The refrigerator door 191 or the freezer door 192 may include a door shell. The door shell may be formed by a sheet metal process to make the overall structure of the door shell more stable and the outer surface of the door shell more beautiful, thereby improving the overall aesthetics of the refrigerator.

[0170] In some embodiments, in order to improve the thermal insulation effect of the refrigerator and freezer, the door body 190 can be designed as a double-layer structure, and a high-efficiency thermal insulation material (such as polyurethane foam or vacuum insulation layer) is added between the inner and outer layers. This design helps to reduce heat transfer, further improve the energy efficiency of the refrigerator, and reduce the burden on the compressor. The sealing strip of the door body 190 can adopt electric heating and sealing technology. When the door body is closed, the sealing strip can automatically fit tightly to the box body to prevent cold air from leaking out or hot air from entering. At the same time, when the door body is open, the sealing strip can prevent frost from accumulating and maintain the temperature and humidity balance inside and outside the refrigerator. An automatic closing function is designed. When the door body is not completely closed, the door body can be automatically closed by electromagnetic suction or pneumatic device, thereby ensuring that the refrigerator and freezer compartments always maintain a relatively constant temperature and reduce energy loss.

[0171] In some embodiments, refrigerator door 191 can integrate a temperature control sensor, automatically regulating the refrigerator compartment temperature through a built-in intelligent temperature control system. For example, refrigerator door 191 can adjust the cooling intensity of the refrigerator compartment in real time based on the number of times the door is opened and closed and the internal temperature of the refrigerator compartment, thereby avoiding unnecessary temperature fluctuations. A small touch screen can be integrated into the outer surface of refrigerator door 191 to display information such as the current temperature and humidity in the refrigerator compartment, and even allow the user to adjust the temperature setting to avoid excessive temperature fluctuations each time the door is opened.

[0172] In some embodiments, the design of the freezer door 192 can include a heating and thawing function. This function can keep the surface of the door body from frosting in a low-temperature environment through a heating device provided inside the door shell, thereby preventing frost accumulation from affecting the sealing of the door. At the same time, the door body can intelligently control the heater to balance the temperature when the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the door is too large, thereby avoiding unstable temperature in the freezer compartment. The sealing strip of the freezer door 192 can adopt a sealing material (such as silicone or fluororubber) that is more efficient in a low-temperature environment. In a severely cold environment, these sealing materials can maintain flexibility and sealing, reduce the loss of cold air, and effectively maintain the temperature inside the freezer compartment. The freezer door 192 can adopt an anti-frost layer design, that is, through a surface microporous material or a heat-conducting structure, the formation of frost on the surface of the door body in the freezer compartment is reduced, the inside of the freezer compartment is maintained at a continuous low temperature, and the shelf life of food is extended.

[0173] The refrigerator provided in some embodiments of the present application may include a water-using device.

[0174] 1 , the water-using device may include a water dispenser 250. The water dispenser 250 can provide cold drinking water instantly to meet the user's demand for cold water.

[0175] The water dispenser 250 can be arranged in the refrigeration chamber 110. The low temperature environment of the refrigeration chamber 110 can keep the drinking water at a low temperature, meeting the user's demand for cold water.

[0176] 8 , the water-using device may include an ice maker 300. The ice maker 300 is used to produce ice cubes and can provide ice cubes at any time to meet the user's demand for ice cubes.

[0177] The refrigerator provided in some embodiments of the present application may include a water tank 400. The water tank 400 can be used to store water for the water dispenser 250 or the ice maker 300, so as to supply water to the water dispenser 250 or the ice maker 300 in time when the water dispenser 250 or the ice maker 300 is short of water.

[0178] Referring to Figure 3 , a water tank 400 can be installed in the refrigerator compartment 110. This allows the cold temperature of the refrigerator compartment 110 to be fully utilized, maintaining the water temperature and providing fresher drinking water. The water tank 400 can be installed on the shelf 160 . The water tank 400 is easily accessible to the user, allowing for easy removal for cleaning and maintenance.

[0179] 9 , the water tank 400 has a maximum liquid level line 401. The maximum liquid level line 401 is used to indicate the maximum storage amount of water in the water tank 400 to prevent the water tank 400 from being overfilled and overflowing.

[0180] In some embodiments, the water dispenser 250 not only provides cold water, but can also be designed with a variety of temperature control options. Users can choose different water temperature settings, such as cold water, room temperature water, hot water, etc. The water dispenser has an embedded temperature control system that can provide the ideal water temperature according to demand to meet the needs of different scenarios, such as brewing tea, making coffee or drinking cold water directly. The water dispenser 250 can be equipped with a water quality monitoring sensor to detect the quality of water (such as TDS value, pH value, etc.) in real time. When the water quality drops to a level that does not meet health standards, the water dispenser can remind the user to replace the filter or clean the water tank through a display screen or mobile phone application. The water dispenser 250 can be integrated with a UV ultraviolet sterilization function to ensure clean water quality. By regularly irradiating the water tank with ultraviolet rays, the growth of bacteria or viruses can be inhibited to ensure the hygiene of drinking water.

[0181] In some embodiments, the ice maker 300 can be designed with a system for selecting multiple ice types. For example, users can choose between regular ice cubes, crushed ice, ice balls, or fine ice pellets. The ice maker can provide ice in different forms based on different needs (such as cold drinks, cold compresses, or decorations). The ice maker 300 can have an intelligent management function, using built-in sensors to monitor ice levels in real time. When ice levels are low, the ice maker automatically begins production, ensuring that users always have enough ice. The ice maker 300 can be designed with a fast ice-making function. By optimizing the cooling cycle and increasing the cooling power, more ice can be produced in a short period of time to meet large-scale needs, such as ice needs for gatherings or parties. The ice maker 300 can be equipped with an ice storage chamber, which not only produces ice immediately but also stores a certain amount of ice for users to access at any time. The storage chamber can be configured to be removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.

[0182] In some embodiments, water tank 400 can be equipped with an intelligent water level sensor to monitor the water level in real time. When the water level falls below a preset minimum level, the system will notify the user via voice or mobile app to add water. Conversely, when the water level approaches the maximum liquid level line 401, the user will be reminded to prevent overflow. Water tank 400 can be equipped with a built-in water filtration system to ensure that the water stored in the tank is always clean and fresh. The filter can be replaced regularly to ensure water safety and prevent water quality degradation due to long-term storage. In addition to its cooling function, water tank 400 can also be designed with heating and insulation functions for use in scenarios requiring hot water. With a built-in heating element, the water tank can provide constant-temperature hot water for direct user access or to supply hot water to a water dispenser. Water tank 400 can be coated with insulation material to keep the water cool for a longer period of time. Especially in summer or when refrigeration is unavailable, the tank's insulation layer effectively keeps the water cool, providing a longer supply of cold drinking water. The water tank 400 can be designed as a modular structure, and the user can increase or decrease the capacity of the water tank according to actual needs. For example, when the water demand in the family is large, the water tank capacity can be increased; conversely, the water tank can be disassembled or the water volume can be reduced to save space and energy.

[0183] 4 , the refrigerator provided by some embodiments of the present application includes a water pump assembly 500 .

[0184] 5 , the water pump assembly 500 may include a water pump. The water inlet of the water pump is communicated with the water tank 400 , and the water outlet of the water pump supplies water to the water-using device through a water supply pipe.

[0185] 6 , in some embodiments, the water pump assembly 500 may include a first water pump 510 . The water inlet of the first water pump 510 is connected to the water tank 400 , and the water outlet of the first water pump 510 supplies water to the water dispenser 250 via a first water supply pipe 600 . The first water pump 510 is responsible for transporting water from the water tank 400 to the water dispenser 250 , ensuring a smooth and stable water flow to meet the water supply needs of the water dispenser 250 .

[0186] The water pump assembly 500 may include a second water pump 520. The water inlet of the second water pump 520 is connected to the water tank 400, and the water outlet of the second water pump 520 supplies water to the ice maker 300 through a second water supply pipe 700. The second water pump 520 is responsible for transporting water from the water tank 400 to the ice maker 300, ensuring smooth and stable water flow to meet the water supply needs of the ice maker 300.

[0187] The water pump assembly 500 includes a mounting bracket 530. The first water pump 510 and the second water pump 520 are fixedly connected to the housing 100 via the mounting bracket 530. The mounting bracket 530 integrates the first and second water pumps 510, 520, improving the integration of the water pump assembly 500 and facilitating installation and maintenance. The mounting bracket 530 secures the water pumps to the housing 100, ensuring their stability and reducing vibration and noise.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first water pump 510 or the second water pump 520 can be a DC weak current water pump, which has high safety and low manufacturing cost, thereby reducing the cost of the water supply structure.

[0189] In some embodiments, the water pump assembly 500 can be equipped with an intelligent control system that uses built-in sensors to monitor water flow conditions (such as water flow rate and pressure) in real time and automatically adjust the pump's operating mode based on demand. The system can report the pump's operating status, fault alarms, or maintenance reminders to the user via a mobile app or the refrigerator's touchscreen display. The water pump assembly 500 can be designed with an energy-saving mode. When water demand from the water dispenser 250 or ice maker 300 is low, the pump assembly can automatically reduce power consumption to reduce electricity consumption while maintaining a stable water supply. The water pump assembly 500 can also include an overheating protection device. If the water pump temperature is too high during operation, the pump will automatically stop to prevent damage. The overheating protection system can also be monitored in real time by the intelligent control system and provide warnings to the user. The water pump assembly 500 can also be equipped with a self-cleaning function that removes impurities and dirt from the pump through periodic backwashing or vibration technology, maintaining smooth water flow and extending the pump's service life.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first water pump 510 can be designed with a bidirectional water flow regulation function, automatically adjusting the water flow rate based on the demand of the water dispenser 250 to ensure stable water supply speed and water pressure. When the water dispenser requires a larger amount of water, the water pump automatically increases the flow rate, and when the demand decreases, the water pump automatically reduces the flow rate to avoid waste. The water inlet of the first water pump 510 can be designed with a micro-filter to prevent impurities and dirt in the water tank 400 from entering the water dispenser 250. The filter can be cleaned or replaced regularly to ensure that the water quality of the water pump and the water dispenser is not contaminated. The first water pump 510 can be equipped with an adjustable pressure system to adjust the output water pressure based on water flow demand, ensuring that the water dispenser 250 can provide water at a stable water pressure and preventing the performance of the water dispenser from being affected by excessively high or low water pressure.

[0191] In some embodiments, the second water pump 520 can be provided with an automatic cleaning function. After each ice production by the ice maker 300, the water pump will automatically start a cleaning process to remove scale and impurities in the pump through reverse water flow or vibration, thereby preventing scale accumulation from affecting the ice-making effect and the life of the water pump. The second water pump 520 can adjust the water flow and water pressure according to the operating mode of the ice maker 300 (such as fast ice making, regular ice making, etc.). For the fast ice making mode, the water pump can provide a larger water flow to accelerate the production of ice cubes; for the regular mode, the water pump provides a moderate water flow to maintain stability. The second water pump 520 can be equipped with a filtering function to filter out impurities and suspended particles in the water, ensuring that the water source entering the ice maker 300 is clean, effectively improving the quality and purity of the ice cubes, and preventing the appearance of impurities in the ice cubes.

[0192] In some embodiments, the mounting bracket 530 can adopt an anti-vibration design, such as using rubber pads, sound insulation materials or spring shock absorbers to reduce the vibration and noise generated when the water pump is working. This can effectively improve the user comfort inside the refrigerator, especially in a home environment. The mounting bracket 530 can be designed as a modular structure to support the disassembly and replacement of the water pump assembly 500. The first water pump 510 or the second water pump 520 can be easily disassembled for maintenance or replacement as needed, which not only facilitates installation but also improves the convenience of later maintenance. The mounting bracket 530 can be made of corrosion-resistant materials (such as stainless steel or special plastics) to cope with possible moisture and water vapor environments. The use of this material can avoid rust or corrosion problems of the bracket during long-term use and improve the overall service life.

[0193] Referring to Figure 9 , the second water supply pipe 700 includes a shut-off portion 710. This shut-off portion 710 is designed to prevent water from accumulating at the water inlet of the water-using device. The lowest height of the shut-off portion 710 is higher than or equal to the highest liquid level 401 of the water tank 400. When the water supply is not in operation, water in the water tank 400 does not naturally flow into the water inlet of the water-using device. This prevents water from constantly accumulating in the pipe at the water inlet, preventing freezing or leakage.

[0194] When the water pump stops supplying water to the water-using device, the shut-off portion 710 can cut off the water flow in the water supply pipe to prevent water from accumulating in the portion of the water supply pipe between the shut-off portion 710 and the water-using device.

[0195] However, water may still remain in the portion of the water supply pipe between the shut-off portion 710 and the water tank 400. A water pump can pump the water in the water supply pipe back into the water tank. The water in the portion of the water supply pipe between the shut-off portion 710 and the water tank 400 can be transferred back to the water tank 400 to clear the water in the water supply pipe and prevent it from freezing.

[0196] The refrigerators of some embodiments of the present application eliminate the water valve, thus avoiding the problem of synchronization between the water pump and the water valve, simplifying the control process, simplifying the water supply structure, and reducing costs; and rationally laying out the first water supply pipe 600 and the second water supply pipe 700, which can solve problems such as freezing and blockage of the water injection port of the ice maker 300 or leakage of the water injection port of the water dispenser 250, thereby ensuring the stability of the water supply and the stability of the operation of the ice maker 300 and the water dispenser 250.

[0197] In some embodiments, the second water supply pipe 700 can be lined with an antimicrobial material to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, or other harmful microorganisms within the pipe, ensuring the hygienic safety of the water supply pipe, especially when water is stored for long periods of time or has not been used for a period of time, thereby preventing the growth of harmful microorganisms in the pipe. To prevent pipe rupture or unstable water supply due to excessive water pressure, the second water supply pipe 700 can be designed with an intelligent pressure relief valve. When the water pressure exceeds a set threshold, the pressure relief valve automatically opens, releasing excess pressure, thereby protecting the water supply pipe and water pump, and ensuring the safety and stability of the water supply system.

[0198] In some embodiments, the shut-off section 710 can be further designed as an automatic drain device. When the water pump stops operating, the shut-off section 710 can automatically activate its drainage function, discharging the remaining water into the water tank 400 or through a dedicated drainage pipe, thereby preventing residual water in the pipe from freezing or leaking. This drainage function can be achieved by installing a small valve or drain hole within the shut-off section 710, allowing water to drain by gravity or a small pump. The shut-off section 710 can be equipped with a built-in temperature sensor to monitor the temperature of the water in the pipe in real time. The temperature sensor can be connected to an intelligent control system. When the water temperature falls below a set value, the system can automatically activate heating tape or other heating equipment to prevent pipe freezing. In addition, when the water temperature is detected to be too high, the system can issue a warning or adjust the water supply flow rate to ensure stable operation of the water supply system. The shut-off section 710 can be designed with a self-cleaning function, regularly clearing accumulated water and impurities through backwashing or vibration to prevent clogging and water quality problems during long-term use. This self-cleaning function can be achieved through automatic backwashing or other physical cleaning methods, reducing the frequency and cost of manual maintenance.

[0199] 7 , in some embodiments, the mounting bracket 530 may be provided with a first overlap portion 531. Fixing the first water pump 510 by the first overlap portion 531 can reduce vibration and noise, ensure that the first water pump 510 remains stable during operation, and improve the stability and reliability of the water supply system.

[0200] There may be two first overlapping portions 531 , and the water inlet and outlet of the first water pump 510 are overlapped on the two first overlapping portions 531 , respectively, to improve the stability of the first water pump 510 .

[0201] The water inlet and outlet of the first water pump 510 can both be provided with a first hose 511. The first hose 511 can seal the water inlet and outlet pipe joints of the first water pump 510. The first hose 511 is correspondingly overlapped on the first overlap portion 531. The first hose 511 connected at both ends of the first water pump 510 is installed on the first overlap portion 531 in a hanging manner. Therefore, the vibration of the first water pump 510 is first transmitted to the first hose 511. Since the first hose 511 is made of a soft material, it can effectively absorb vibration energy and reduce noise.

[0202] A first limiting portion 5311 may be provided on the first overlapping portion 531. The first limiting portion 5311 is used to accommodate the first hose 511 so that the position of the first hose 511 is stable. In some embodiments, the first limiting portion 5311 may be designed in the form of a groove to accommodate the first hose 511 therein. The first limiting portion 5311 may be designed as an annular structure, which surrounds the hose 511 through an annular area to provide all-round support and fixation. The first limiting portion 5311 may be designed to be conical or concave so that the hose 511 can be tightly inserted therein. The conical or concave limiting portion helps to firmly fix the hose in place through its gradually narrowing structure, and can provide strong tensile strength to prevent the hose from loosening.

[0203] A first limiting member 512 may be provided on the first rubber hose 511 . The first limiting member 512 may be engaged in the first limiting portion 5311 to limit displacement of the first rubber hose 511 under vibration of the first water pump 510 .

[0204] For example, the first limiting member 512 may be in a square shape. The square first limiting member 512 can limit the first hose 511 from twisting in the first limiting portion 5311 to ensure smooth water flow.

[0205] The mounting bracket 530 may be provided with a second overlapping portion 532 , and the second water pump 520 is fixed to the second overlapping portion 532 , which can reduce vibration and noise, ensure that the second water pump 520 remains stable during operation, and improve the stability and reliability of the water supply system.

[0206] There may be two second overlapping portions 532 , and the water inlet and outlet of the second water pump 520 are overlapped on the two second overlapping portions 532 respectively, so as to improve the stability of the second water pump 520 .

[0207] The water inlet and outlet of the second water pump 520 can both be provided with a second hose 521. The second hose 521 can seal the pipe joints at the water inlet and outlet of the second water pump 520. The second hose 521 is overlapped on the second overlap portion 532. The second hose 521 connected at both ends of the second water pump 520 is mounted on the second overlap portion 532 in a hanging manner. Vibration of the second water pump 520 is first transmitted to the second hose 521. Since the second hose 521 is made of a soft material, it can effectively absorb vibration energy and reduce noise.

[0208] A second limiting portion 5321 may be provided on the second overlapping portion 532. The second limiting portion 5321 is used to accommodate the second hose 521 so that the position of the second hose 521 is stable. In some embodiments, the second limiting portion 5321 may be designed in the form of a groove to accommodate the second hose 521 therein. The first limiting portion 5311 may be designed as an annular structure, which surrounds the hose 521 through an annular area to provide all-round support and fixation. The second limiting portion 5321 may be designed to be conical or concave so that the hose 521 can be tightly inserted therein. The conical or concave limiting portion helps to firmly fix the hose in place through its gradually narrowing structure, and can provide strong tensile strength to prevent the hose from loosening.

[0209] A second limiting member 522 may be provided on the second rubber hose 521 . The second limiting member 522 may be engaged in the second limiting portion 5321 to limit displacement of the second rubber hose 521 under vibration of the second water pump 520 .

[0210] In some embodiments, the second limiting member 522 may be in a square shape. The square second limiting member 522 may limit the second rubber hose 521 from twisting in the second limiting portion 5321 to ensure smooth water flow.

[0211] In some embodiments, a retaining bar may be provided on the mounting bracket 530. A retaining groove may be provided on the inner wall of the housing 100. By inserting the retaining bar into the retaining groove, the mounting bracket 530 can be positioned to prevent the mounting bracket 530 from becoming loose during the subsequent installation of the first water pump 510 and the second water pump 520.

[0212] In some embodiments, fasteners can be used to secure the mounting bracket 530 to the housing 100. The fasteners can be screws, which have a stable connection structure and can improve the assembly stability and reliability of the water pump assembly 500. Furthermore, the screws are simple to install and easy to disassemble, facilitating installation and maintenance of the water pump assembly 500.

[0213] It can be understood that the mounting bracket 530 integrates the first water pump 510 and the second water pump 520 together, making the installation and removal of the water pumps more convenient, facilitating daily maintenance and overhaul, and improving the reliability and convenience of the system.

[0214] In some embodiments, the structure of the mounting bracket 530 can be designed based on the actual installation environment inside the refrigerator so that the mounting bracket 530 can be easily installed in the cabinet 100. The first overlapping portion 531 and the second overlapping portion 532 can be designed based on the specifications and dimensions of the first water pump 510 and the second water pump 520 to improve adaptability and ensure that the first water pump 510 and the second water pump 520 can be stably installed on the mounting bracket 530.

[0215] In some embodiments, the mounting bracket 530 can be designed to have an adjustable support structure. By adjusting the height and angle of the bracket, the water pump can be ensured to always be in a good working position under different installation environments, making it convenient to adapt to the interior of refrigerators of different sizes and spaces. The mounting bracket 530 can be combined with anti-vibration technology, such as using embedded springs or shock-isolating pads, to further enhance the isolation effect of vibration. By adopting composite materials and shock-proof structures, not only the vibration noise of the water pump is reduced, but also the aging of the system or damage to components caused by vibration can be reduced. Taking into account that the water pump may generate a certain amount of heat, the mounting bracket 530 can be designed to have a heat dissipation function. For example, by integrating heat dissipation devices such as heat sinks, heat pipes or fans inside the bracket, the water pump assembly can be helped to maintain a good operating temperature to avoid overheating problems that affect the performance and life of the water pump.

[0216] In some embodiments, the first overlap portion 531 and the second overlap portion 532 can be made of high-strength materials, such as steel alloys or composite plastics, to improve the fatigue resistance of the overlap portion and avoid structural damage caused by vibration during long-term operation. Through reasonable material selection and design, it is possible to ensure that the overlap portion maintains stability during long-term use and extend the life of the mounting bracket. The first overlap portion 531 can be designed as a dynamic adjustment structure that can automatically adjust the tightness of the overlap according to the vibration conditions during the operation of the water pump. When the water pump vibrates more, the overlap portion automatically increases the fixing force to reduce the impact of vibration; when the water pump is running smoothly, it automatically relaxes to avoid excessive constraint and ensure a balance between stability and flexibility.

[0217] 4 , in some embodiments, the refrigerator may be provided with an air duct structure 240. Referring to FIG5 , the air duct structure 240 may form an air duct with the housing 100 to optimize the flow path of cold air and ensure smooth flow of cold air. The air duct may discharge air to the refrigerating chamber 110. The air duct may evenly transport cold air to the refrigerating chamber 110, thereby improving the refrigeration effect of the refrigerating chamber 110. The air duct may be connected to the ventilation structure of the shelf 160. This allows the cold air in the air duct to circulate evenly within the refrigerating chamber 110. The air duct may discharge air to the freezing chamber 120. The air duct may evenly transport cold air to the freezing chamber 120, thereby improving the freezing effect of the freezing chamber 120.

[0218] The refrigerator can be equipped with a return air cover 150. When the water pump assembly 500 is installed in the refrigerator body 100, it is located behind the return air cover 150. This effectively blocks the outward spread of water pump operating noise, reducing overall noise and improving the user experience. It also conceals the water pump assembly 500 within the refrigerator compartment 110, preventing damage from prolonged exposure and minimizing potential harm to the user from current leakage from electronic components. Furthermore, the water pump assembly 500 cannot be directly observed by the user during normal refrigerator operation.

[0219] The return air cover 150 may have a first surface. The first surface faces the front side of the housing 100. When the user uses the refrigerator normally, the first surface of the return air cover 150 can be directly observed, thereby improving the cleanliness of the interior of the refrigerator. The return air cover 150 may have a second surface. The second surface faces the rear side of the housing 100. The second surface is opposite to the water pump assembly 500 and can provide protection for the water pump assembly 500. The second surface of the return air cover 150 and the housing 100 form an accommodating space 800. The accommodating space 800 can accommodate the water pump assembly 500 to prevent the water pump assembly 500 from occupying the space inside the refrigerator for storing food.

[0220] The return air cover 150 is movably mounted on the air duct structure 240. The return air cover 150 can centrally manage and protect the water pump assembly 500. When the water pump assembly 500 needs to be maintained, the return air cover 150 only needs to be removed to expose the water pump assembly 500 in the accommodating space 800, which is convenient for maintenance and inspection.

[0221] In some embodiments, the return air cover 150 can be connected to the duct structure 240 using fasteners. These fasteners can be screws. The screw connection structure is stable, improving the stability of the return air cover 150. Furthermore, screws are simple to install and easy to remove, facilitating assembly and disassembly of the return air cover 150.

[0222] In some embodiments, the air duct structure 240 can be integrated with a dynamic adjustment device to adjust the flow rate of cold air according to the temperature requirements of the refrigerator and freezer. An adjustable air outlet can be set to automatically or manually adjust the opening and closing degree of the air duct, thereby controlling the flow rate of cold air to achieve better temperature control management. For example, when the temperature in the refrigerator is high, the air duct can automatically increase the flow rate of cold air, and vice versa, reduce the air volume. In order to further improve the uniform distribution of cold air, the air duct can be designed as a layered airflow guide structure so that the cold air forms different levels of airflow when flowing into the refrigerator or freezer to ensure that the cold air can be evenly distributed to each shelf. This can avoid excessively high temperatures in local areas and improve the refrigeration and freezing effects. A smooth coating can be applied to the inner surface of the air duct to reduce airflow friction, thereby reducing noise and improving the airflow efficiency of the air duct. This coating can be made of antibacterial material to prevent bacteria from growing inside the air duct.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first surface of the return air cover 150 can be embedded with an LED indicator light to display the working status of the water pump or fault warning. The indicator light can convey the operating status of the water pump (such as normal, faulty, or requiring maintenance) through different colors or flashing patterns, allowing users to easily understand the working status of the refrigerator. The second surface of the return air cover 150 can be designed to have a surface material with heat insulation or anti-frost function. For example, the second surface of the return air cover can be made of a composite material with poor thermal conductivity, or designed as a heating layer with self-heating function to prevent the water pump assembly 500 from frost in a low temperature environment. The return air cover 150 can be integrated with a temperature and humidity sensor for real-time monitoring of the working environment of the water pump assembly 500. For example, the temperature and humidity changes in the water pump area are detected by sensors. If an abnormality occurs (such as the temperature is too high or too low), the user can be reminded to perform maintenance through the display panel of the refrigerator.

[0224] The following describes the configuration and use of the shut-off portion 710 by taking the second water supply pipe 700 provided with the shut-off portion 710 as an example.

[0225] 14 , it can be understood that in the related art, the refrigerating chamber 110 of a refrigerator product is usually located above the freezing chamber 120 , and the water tank 400 is disposed in the refrigerating chamber 110 .

[0226] Referring to Figure 10, the water dispenser 250 can be set on the refrigeration door 191. At this time, the height of the water inlet of the water dispenser 250 is lower than the highest liquid level line 401 of the water tank 400. In order to prevent water from accumulating at the water inlet, a water valve can be set on the first water supply pipe 600 to cut off the water flow in the first water supply pipe 600 to prevent water from accumulating at the water inlet of the water dispenser 250.

[0227] 11 , the ice maker 300 is disposed in the freezer compartment 120 . At this time, the height of the water inlet of the ice maker 300 is lower than the highest liquid level line 401 of the water tank 400 . In order to prevent water from accumulating at the water inlet, referring to FIG15 , a water valve may be provided on the second water supply pipe 700 to cut off the water flow in the second water supply pipe 700 and prevent water from accumulating at the water inlet of the ice maker 300 .

[0228] Referring to Figure 8 , to simplify the refrigerator's water supply structure, water valves can be eliminated. However, there are no water valves between the ice maker 300 and the water tank 400, or between the water dispenser 250 and the water tank 400. Consequently, the pipes between the ice maker 300 and the water tank 400, and between the water dispenser 250 and the water tank 400, remain connected. Due to the siphon effect, water in the water tank 400 continuously drips until the water level in the water tank 400 reaches the level near the water inlets of the ice maker 300 and the water dispenser 250. Consequently, water is constantly present in the pipes near the water inlets of the ice maker 300 and the water dispenser 250, potentially causing the water inlet of the ice maker 300 to freeze, preventing water from being injected and causing the ice-making function to fail. Furthermore, the water inlet of the water dispenser 250 can leak.

[0229] 9 , in some embodiments, the ice maker 300 may be located below the water tank 400. Gravity may be utilized to make it easier for water to flow to the ice maker 300, thereby reducing the burden on the water pump and improving water supply efficiency.

[0230] Referring to Figure 12 , the second water supply pipe 700 may include a drainage portion 720. The drainage portion 720 can transport water from the housing 100 to the shut-off portion 710, ensuring smooth water flow. Referring to Figure 9 , the second water supply pipe 700 may include an extension portion 730. The extension portion 730 can transport water from the shut-off portion 710 to the water inlet of the ice maker 300, ensuring smooth water flow. For example, the drainage portion 720, the shut-off portion 710, and the extension portion 730 may be integrally formed by bending the pipe, reducing assembly difficulty.

[0231] The drainage portion 720 has a first end. This first end is the starting point of the water flow in the drainage portion 720 and is connected to the water tank 400. It can guide the water in the water tank 400 so that the water flows smoothly into the drainage portion 720. The drainage portion 720 has a second end. This second end is the end point of the water flow in the drainage portion 720 and is connected to the shut-off portion 710. It can guide the water to the shut-off portion 710.

[0232] The second end of the drainage section 720 is at a height higher than or equal to the highest liquid level 401 of the water tank 400. This ensures that when the water supply is shut off, the water in the water tank 400 naturally does not flow into the shut-off section 710. A second water pump 520 is provided in the drainage section 720 to efficiently pump water from the water tank 400 and deliver it to the shut-off section 710.

[0233] The extension portion 730 has a first end. This first end is the starting point of the water flow in the extension portion 730 and is connected to the cut-off portion 710. It can divert the water in the cut-off portion 710 so that the water flows smoothly into the extension portion 730. The extension portion 730 has a second end. This second end is the end point of the water flow in the extension portion 730 and is connected to the ice maker 300. It can divert the water to the water inlet of the ice maker 300.

[0234] The height of the first end of the extension portion 730 is higher than or equal to the height of the highest liquid level line 401 of the water tank 400. This ensures that when the water supply is stopped, the water in the water tank 400 will not flow into the cut-off portion 710 under a natural state.

[0235] It will be appreciated that when the refrigerators of some embodiments of the present application supply water to the ice maker 300, the water in the second water supply pipe 700 flows from the water tank 400 to the ice maker 300 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG9 . In some embodiments of the present application, the refrigerators have rationally arranged the positions of the diversion portion 720, the shut-off portion 710, and the extension portion 730 of the second water supply pipe 700 based on the relative positions of the water tank 400 and the ice maker 300. This ensures that when the water supply is stopped, water will not flow through the shut-off portion 710 into the extension portion 730 connected to the water inlet of the ice maker 300 due to gravity. This prevents the water inlet of the ice maker 300 from freezing and blocking, thereby ensuring stable water supply and stable operation of the ice maker 300.

[0236] Referring to Figure 9 , in some possible embodiments, the shut-off portion 710 includes a first portion 711. The first end of the first portion 711 communicates with the second end of the drainage portion 720, connecting the drainage portion 720 and ensuring smooth water flow. The second end of the first portion 711 extends upward. When water enters the shut-off portion 710 from the drainage portion 720, it must first flow upward. This effectively prevents water in the water tank 400 from flowing naturally into the shut-off portion 710 through gravity when no water pump is acting.

[0237] The shut-off portion 710 includes a second portion 712. The first end of the second portion 712 is connected to the second end of the first portion 711. The second end of the second portion 712 extends downward. When water passes through the shut-off portion 710, it must first flow upward and then downward. This ensures that when the water supply is shut off, gravity prevents water from flowing over the shut-off portion 710 and reaching the water inlet of the ice maker 300. The second end of the second portion 712 is connected to the extension portion 730, ensuring smooth water flow.

[0238] 10 , in some embodiments, the ice maker 300 can be located above the water tank 400. Since the ice maker 300 is higher than the water tank 400, the water in the second water supply pipe 700 will automatically fall back into the water tank 400 after filling, thus solving the problem of freezing caused by water in the second water supply pipe 700.

[0239] The second water supply pipe 700 includes a drainage portion 720. The drainage portion 720 can transport water from the housing 100 to the cut-off portion 710 to ensure smooth water flow.

[0240] The drainage portion 720 has a first end. This first end is the starting point of the water flow in the drainage portion 720 and is connected to the water tank 400. It can guide the water in the water tank 400 so that the water flows smoothly into the drainage portion 720. The drainage portion 720 has a second end. This second end is the end point of the water flow in the drainage portion 720 and is connected to the shut-off portion 710. It can guide the water to the shut-off portion 710.

[0241] The second end of the drainage section 720 is at a height higher than or equal to the highest liquid level 401 of the water tank 400. This ensures that when the water supply is shut off, the water in the water tank 400 naturally does not flow into the shut-off section 710. A second water pump 520 is provided in the drainage section 720 to efficiently pump water from the water tank 400 and deliver it to the shut-off section 710.

[0242] The shut-off portion 710 extends upward at one end away from the drainage portion 720. When water enters the shut-off portion 710 from the drainage portion 720, it must flow upward. This effectively prevents water in the water tank 400 from flowing naturally into the shut-off portion 710 by gravity when no water pump is operating. This also ensures that when the water supply is stopped, water will not flow over the shut-off portion 710 by gravity and reach the water inlet of the ice maker 300.

[0243] One end of the shut-off portion 710 away from the drainage portion 720 is communicated with the ice maker 300 and can guide water to the water inlet of the ice maker 300 .

[0244] It can be understood that the refrigerators of some embodiments of the present application have rationally arranged the positions of the drainage portion 720 and the shut-off portion 710 of the second water supply pipe 700 in combination with the relative positions of the water tank 400 and the ice maker 300, to ensure that when the water supply is stopped, the water will not flow into the water inlet of the ice maker 300 through the shut-off portion 710 due to gravity, which can solve the problem of freezing and blockage of the water inlet of the ice maker 300, and ensure the stability of the water supply and the stability of the operation of the ice maker 300.

[0245] 10 , in some embodiments, the refrigerator compartment 110 may be disposed above the freezer compartment 120. Placing the refrigerator compartment 110 above the freezer compartment 120 facilitates access to refrigerated food for daily use, as the refrigerator compartment 110 is typically used more frequently than the freezer compartment 120. This ergonomic layout reduces the frequency of bending over to retrieve items, thereby improving convenience and comfort.

[0246] The water tank 400 can be located within the refrigerator compartment 110 to take advantage of the cold environment of the refrigerator compartment 110 to keep the water cool, reduce water temperature fluctuations, and ensure a stable water supply. The water pump assembly 500 can also be located within the refrigerator compartment 110 to utilize the space and temperature environment of the refrigerator compartment 110, reduce the workload of the water pump, and facilitate maintenance and repair. The ice maker 300 can also be located within the refrigerator compartment 110 to facilitate user access to ice cubes.

[0247] In some embodiments, the water tank 400, the water pump assembly 500 and the ice maker 300 are all arranged in the refrigeration chamber 110, which optimizes the utilization of the internal space of the refrigerator, reduces the difficulty of arranging the second water supply pipe 700, reduces the complexity of the water supply structure, and facilitates maintenance and inspection.

[0248] It will be appreciated that when the refrigerators of some embodiments of the present application supply water to the ice maker 300, the water in the second water supply pipe 700 flows from the water tank 400 to the ice maker 300 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG10 . In some embodiments of the refrigerators of the present application, the positions of the diversion portion 720 and the shut-off portion 710 of the second water supply pipe 700 are rationally arranged based on the relative positions of the water tank 400 and the ice maker 300. This ensures that when the water supply is stopped, water will not flow through the shut-off portion 710 into the water inlet of the ice maker 300 due to gravity. This can prevent problems such as freezing and blockage of the water inlet of the ice maker 300 and ensure stable water supply and operation of the ice maker 300.

[0249] Referring to Figure 11 , in some embodiments, the refrigerator compartment 110 can be located below the freezer compartment 120. Placing the refrigerator compartment 110 below the freezer compartment 120 makes it more convenient for users to access frozen food, as the freezer compartment 120 is typically used less frequently than the refrigerator compartment 110. This layout is consistent with the usage habits of users who frequently access frozen food.

[0250] The ice maker 300 may be disposed in the freezing chamber 120 to utilize the low temperature environment of the refrigerating chamber 110 to improve ice making efficiency.

[0251] A water storage space 121 may be provided in the freezer compartment 120. The water storage space 121 is used to provide a positive temperature environment for accommodating the water pump assembly 500 and the water tank 400, thereby preventing the water in the water pump assembly 500 and the water tank 400 from freezing. The water tank 400 may be provided in the water storage space 121 to utilize the low temperature environment of the water storage space 121 to maintain the low temperature state of the water, reduce water temperature fluctuations, and ensure the stability of the water supply. The water pump assembly 500 may be provided in the water storage space 121 to utilize the space and temperature environment of the water storage space 121, reduce the workload of the water pump, and facilitate maintenance and overhaul. The water storage space 121 can centrally manage and protect the water pump assembly 500 and the water tank 400, facilitate installation and maintenance, and improve the reliability and convenience of the refrigerator.

[0252] The first water supply pipe 600 extends through the water storage space 121 and the inner wall of the housing 100 to the water dispenser 250. The first water supply pipe 600 is not exposed to the environment inside the freezer compartment 120, preventing the low temperatures inside the freezer compartment 120 from freezing the water in the first water supply pipe 600, thereby ensuring stable water supply to the water dispenser 250. The second water supply pipe 700 extends through the water storage space 121 and the inner wall of the housing 100 to the ice maker 300. The second water supply pipe 700 is not exposed to the environment inside the freezer compartment 120, preventing the low temperatures inside the freezer compartment 120 from freezing the water in the second water pipe, thereby ensuring stable water supply to the ice maker 300. The arrangement of the first and second water supply pipes 600 and 700 within the water storage space 121 and the inner wall of the housing 100 reduces exposure to the water supply pipes, protects the pipes from external environmental influences, ensures stable and hygienic water supply, and helps optimize space utilization within the refrigerator.

[0253] It will be appreciated that when the refrigerators of some embodiments of the present application supply water to the ice maker 300, the water in the second water supply pipe 700 flows from the water tank 400 to the ice maker 300 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG11 . The refrigerators of some embodiments of the present application utilize the relative positions of the water tank 400 and the ice maker 300 to rationally arrange the positions of the diversion portion 720 and the shut-off portion 710 of the second water supply pipe 700. This ensures that when the water supply is stopped, water will not flow through the shut-off portion 710 into the water inlet of the ice maker 300 due to gravity. This prevents the water inlet of the ice maker 300 from freezing and blocking, thereby ensuring stable water supply and stable operation of the ice maker 300.

[0254] Referring to Figure 12, in some embodiments, the refrigerator compartment 110 can be located below the freezer compartment 120. Placing the refrigerator compartment 110 below the freezer compartment 120 makes it more convenient for users to access frozen food, as the freezer compartment 120 is typically used less frequently than the refrigerator compartment 110. This layout is consistent with the usage habits of users who frequently access frozen food.

[0255] The ice maker 300 may be disposed in the freezing chamber 120 to utilize the low temperature environment of the refrigerating chamber 110 to improve ice making efficiency.

[0256] The water tank 400 can be located within the cold storage compartment 110, leveraging the cold environment of the cold storage compartment 110 to maintain the water's low temperature, reduce water temperature fluctuations, and ensure a stable water supply. The water pump assembly 500 can also be located within the cold storage compartment 110, utilizing the space and temperature environment of the cold storage compartment 110, reducing the workload of the water pump and facilitating maintenance and repair. The temperature within the cold storage compartment 110 is above zero degrees Celsius, preventing the water in the water tank 400 and the water pump assembly 500 from freezing, thus ensuring a stable water supply.

[0257] The second water supply pipe 700 extends through the inner wall of the refrigerator compartment 110 and the refrigerator body 100 to the ice maker 300. The first water supply pipe 600 is not exposed to the interior space of the refrigerator compartment 110, which can reduce the exposure of the water supply pipe, protect the pipe from external environmental influences, ensure the stability and sanitation of the water supply, and also help optimize the space utilization inside the refrigerator.

[0258] It will be appreciated that when the refrigerators of some embodiments of the present application supply water to the ice maker 300, the water in the second water supply pipe 700 flows from the water tank 400 to the ice maker 300 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG12 . The refrigerators of some embodiments of the present application utilize a rational layout of the positions of the diversion portion 720 and the shut-off portion 710 of the second water supply pipe 700 based on the relative positions of the water tank 400 and the ice maker 300. This ensures that when the water supply is stopped, water will not flow through the shut-off portion 710 into the water inlet of the ice maker 300 due to gravity. This resolves issues such as freezing and clogging of the water inlet of the ice maker 300, ensuring stable water supply and operation of the ice maker 300.

[0259] In some embodiments, the water dispenser 250 can be located inside the refrigerator door 191. This avoids occupying storage space within the refrigerator compartment 110, thereby improving storage efficiency and leaving more space for food. The water dispenser 250's water outlet can be located outside the refrigerator door 191. This allows users to directly access cold or iced water without opening the refrigerator door, reducing cold air loss, helping to maintain a stable temperature inside the refrigerator, and improving convenience.

[0260] The water dispenser 250 can be arranged in the refrigerator compartment 110. It is more tightly integrated with other functional modules of the refrigerator (such as the ice maker 300, the filtration system, etc.), simplifying the design and installation process. The low temperature environment in the refrigerator compartment 110 also helps to keep the drinking water at a low temperature.

[0261] It can be understood that after the water valve is eliminated from the water supply structure of the refrigerator, the first water pump 510 is directly installed on the pipe between the water dispenser 250 and the water tank 400. The water pump directly draws water from the water tank 400 to supply the water dispenser 250, reducing the complexity of the water supply structure.

[0262] When the water dispenser 250 is installed lower than the water tank 400, after the water supply is stopped, the first water supply pipe 600 between the water dispenser 250 and the water tank 400 remains connected, and the water in the water tank 400 will continue to drip until the water level in the water tank 400 reaches the same level as the water level at the water inlet of the water dispenser 250. The constant presence of water at the water inlet of the water dispenser 250 may cause water leakage.

[0263] It is easy to understand that the first water supply pipe 600 can also be provided with a shut-off portion 710. The specific setting method and usage process can refer to the second water supply pipe 700 above.

[0264] For example, the first water supply pipe 600 may include a shut-off portion 710. Referring to FIG. 13 , the lowest height of the shut-off portion 710 of the first water supply pipe 600 is higher than or equal to the highest liquid level 401 of the water tank 400. Because the lowest height of the shut-off portion 710 is higher than or equal to the highest liquid level 401 of the water tank 400, when water is not being supplied, water in the water tank 400 will not naturally flow into the water inlet of the water dispenser 250. This prevents water from always being present in the first water supply pipe 600 near the water inlet of the water dispenser 250, thereby preventing water leakage.

[0265] The first water supply pipe 600 may include a drainage portion 720. The drainage portion 720 can transport water from the tank 100 to the shut-off portion 710, ensuring smooth water flow. The drainage portion 720 of the first water supply pipe 600 has a first end. The first end is the starting point of the water flow in the drainage portion 720. It is connected to the water tank 400 and can divert water from the water tank 400 into the drainage portion 720. The drainage portion 720 of the first water supply pipe 600 has a second end. The second end is the end point of the water flow in the drainage portion 720. It is connected to the shut-off portion 710 and can divert water to the shut-off portion 710. The second end of the drainage portion 720 is located at a height higher than or equal to the highest liquid level 401 of the water tank 400, ensuring that when the water supply is stopped, the water in the water tank 400 will not naturally flow into the shut-off portion 710. The first water pump 510 is disposed at the drainage portion 720 to effectively pump water from the water tank 400 and deliver the water to the shut-off portion 710 .

[0266] The end of the shut-off portion 710 facing away from the drainage portion 720 extends upward. When water enters the shut-off portion 710 from the drainage portion 720, it must flow upward. This effectively prevents water in the water tank 400 from flowing naturally into the shut-off portion 710 by gravity when no water pump is operating. This ensures that when the water supply is stopped, water will not flow over the shut-off portion 710 due to gravity and reach the water inlet of the water dispenser 250. The end of the shut-off portion 710 facing away from the drainage portion 720 is connected to the water dispenser 250, directing water to the water inlet of the water dispenser 250.

[0267] It can be understood that the positions of the drainage portion 720 and the shut-off portion 710 of the first water supply pipe 600 of the refrigerator in some embodiments of the present application are rationally arranged to ensure that when the water supply is stopped, water will not flow through the shut-off portion 710 into the water inlet of the water dispenser 250 under the action of gravity, thereby reducing the possibility of water leakage at the water inlet of the water dispenser 250.

[0268] Some embodiments of the present application provide a refrigerator, including a housing 100. The housing 100 can accommodate and protect internal components of the refrigerator.

[0269] A refrigeration chamber 110 may be provided on the front side of the box body 100. The refrigeration chamber 110 is used to store food that requires a lower temperature but does not need to be frozen.

[0270] A freezing chamber 120 may be provided on the front side of the housing 100. The freezing chamber 120 is used to store food that needs to be frozen and preserved.

[0271] The refrigerator provided in some embodiments of the present application may include a water-using device.

[0272] The refrigerator provided in some embodiments of the present application may include a water tank 400. The water tank 400 can be used to store water used by the water supply device, so as to supply water to the water supply device in time when the water supply device is short of water.

[0273] The water tank 400 can be placed inside the refrigerator compartment 110. This allows the cold temperature of the refrigerator compartment 110 to be fully utilized, keeping the water at a lower temperature and providing cooler drinking water. The water tank 400 can also be placed on the shelf 160. The water tank 400 is easily accessible to the user, allowing for easy removal for cleaning and maintenance.

[0274] The water tank 400 has a maximum liquid level line 401. The maximum liquid level line 401 is used to indicate the maximum storage amount of water in the water tank 400 to prevent the water tank 400 from being overfilled and overflowing.

[0275] The refrigerator provided by some embodiments of the present application includes a water pump assembly 500 .

[0276] The water pump assembly 500 may include a water pump, the water inlet of the water pump being in communication with the water tank 400, and the water outlet of the water pump supplying water to the water-using device through a water supply pipe.

[0277] The water pump assembly 500 may include a mounting bracket 530 , which is disposed on the housing 100 to provide a mounting space for the water pump.

[0278] The water pump assembly 500 may include a water pump connected to the mounting bracket 530 ; the water inlet of the water pump is connected to the water tank 400 , and the water outlet of the water pump supplies water to the water-using device through the water supply pipe; the water pump can at least be reused to pump water in the water supply pipe back to the water tank 400 .

[0279] When the water pump is in operation, it draws water from the water tank 400 and supplies it to water-using devices through the water supply pipe. When the water pump is not in operation, the shut-off portion 710 of the water supply pipe cuts off the water flow in the water supply pipe, and the liquid level in the water supply pipe is lower than or equal to the maximum liquid level line 401 of the water tank 400. The water pump can pump water back into the water tank to transfer the water in the water supply pipe between the shut-off portion 710 and the water tank 400 back to the water tank 400, thereby clearing the water in the water supply pipe and preventing the water supply pipe from freezing and clogging.

[0280] In order to better achieve efficient operation and management of the water system in the refrigerator, the above embodiment describes in detail the layout design of the water-related components, focusing on the mutual coordination and optimized layout of components such as the water pump, water supply pipes, water-using devices, and water tanks. These detailed solutions ensure smooth water flow, stable water supply to water-using devices, and prevent problems such as freezing of water pipes. However, in actual applications, a single water pump system may face challenges such as inflexible flow regulation and insufficient noise control when handling multiple water-using devices (such as water dispensers, ice makers, etc.).

[0281] To further enhance the overall performance and user experience of the refrigerator water system, the following examples introduce a dual-water pump layout. In these examples, the two water pumps are rationally integrated and divided into different roles. This dual-water pump solution not only enhances system flexibility and redundancy but also improves the stability and user comfort of the refrigerator water system through improvements to the water pump mounting bracket, vibration isolation design, and noise control.

[0282] Therefore, the different embodiments gradually realize the optimization and upgrading of the water system in the refrigerator from the details of the water channel component layout to the overall layout of the dual water pump solution.

[0283] The refrigeration equipment in some embodiments of the present application generally includes a box body, a door body and a refrigeration system, wherein at least a refrigeration compartment is formed in the box body, and the refrigeration compartment is opened and closed through the door body to meet the requirements of storing and retrieving items.

[0284] The refrigeration system uses a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator to perform the refrigeration cycle of the refrigeration equipment. The refrigeration cycle involves a series of processes involving compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation to cool the items inside the cabinet.

[0285] Low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant enters the compressor, which compresses it into high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas and discharges the compressed refrigerant gas. The discharged refrigerant gas flows into the condenser. The condenser condenses the compressed refrigerant into a liquid phase, releasing heat into the surrounding environment through the condensation process.

[0286] The expansion valve expands the high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant condensed in the condenser to a lower-pressure liquid. The evaporator evaporates the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve and returns the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas to the compressor. The evaporator cools the contents of the cabinet by utilizing the latent heat of evaporation.

[0287] Taking a refrigerator as an example, the refrigerator includes a box body, and the refrigeration compartments inside the box include a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment. The front ends of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are respectively provided with ports for introducing food. The refrigerator compartment is used to preserve food, and the freezer compartment is used to freeze food.

[0288] An ice making device is provided in the box for making ice cubes needed in daily life.

[0289] The ice making device comprises a water supply assembly and an ice making assembly. The water supply assembly is installed in the box body and comprises a water storage tank and a water supply pipe group communicated with the water storage tank.

[0290] The water storage tank is specifically installed in the cold storage room, in an environment where the temperature range inside the box is above 0 degrees to avoid freezing.

[0291] The ice-making assembly is installed in the freezing chamber and connected to the water supply pipe assembly to make ice cubes from the fluid transported from the water supply pipe assembly.

[0292] 16 , some embodiments of the present application provide a refrigeration device, specifically a refrigerator. Referring to FIG. 19 , the refrigerator includes a housing 100 , an ice-making assembly 540 , a drinking water assembly 170 , and a water supply device.

[0293] 17 , the housing 100 includes a refrigeration compartment and an equipment chamber 180 . The refrigeration compartment includes a refrigerator compartment 110 and a freezer compartment. Ports for introducing food are provided at the front ends of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, respectively. The refrigerator compartment is used to insure food, and the freezer compartment is used to freeze food.

[0294] In addition to its typical function of preserving food for a long time, the refrigerator also has the functions of a water dispenser and an ice maker.

[0295] An ice-making assembly 540 is provided in the freezing chamber for providing ice cubes to the user, and a drinking water assembly 170 is provided on the door of the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator for providing drinking water to the user.

[0296] 18 , the drinking water assembly 170 and the ice making assembly 540 are connected to the water supply device via the first conveying assembly 330 and the second conveying assembly 430 , respectively.

[0297] 20 , the water supply device delivers water to the drinking water assembly 170 through the first delivery assembly 330 , and delivers water to the ice making assembly 540 through the second delivery assembly 430 .

[0298] In some embodiments, the water supply device is disposed in the housing 100 and includes a water tank assembly 200 , a first water pump 310 , a second water pump 410 , a first water supply pipe assembly 320 , and a second water supply pipe assembly 420 .

[0299] The first water pump 310 is connected to the water tank 220 and the drinking water assembly 170 through the first water supply pipe assembly 320 , and is used to transport water in the water tank 220 to the drinking water assembly 170 .

[0300] The second water pump 410 is connected to the water tank 220 and the ice-making assembly 540 through the second water supply pipe assembly 420 , and is used to transport water in the water tank 220 to the ice-making assembly 540 .

[0301] The first water supply pipe group 320 and the second water supply pipe group 420 are both composed of multiple water pipes, each of which is connected between the first water pump 310, the second water pump 410 and the water tank assembly 200, or between the first water pump 310 and the drinking water assembly 170, and between the second water pump 410 and the ice making assembly 540.

[0302] The first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 are respectively formed with a water inlet end and a water outlet section. The water inlet end of the first water pump 310 is connected to the water tank assembly 200 through the water pipe fittings in the first water supply pipe group 320, and the water outlet end of the first water pump 310 is connected to the drinking water assembly 170 through the water pipe fittings in the first water supply pipe group 320.

[0303] The water inlet pipe of the second water pump 410 is connected to the water tank assembly 200 through the water pipe fittings in the second water supply pipe assembly 420 , and the water outlet end of the second water pump 410 is connected to the ice making assembly 540 through the water pipe fittings in the second water supply pipe assembly 420 .

[0304] A protective shell 201 is provided on the outside of the water pipe fittings between the water tank 220 and the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 to protect the water pipe fittings at this position and improve the stability of the connection.

[0305] Compared with a single water pump, the dual water pump design of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 is relatively simple to connect pipe components, does not interfere with each other, and is safer.

[0306] However, since the dual water pump has two water pumps, the vibration of the water pumps during operation is relatively large, generating relatively large vibration noise. The vibration is transmitted to other working parts, which can easily affect the stability of the refrigerator operation.

[0307] 21 , in order to solve the above problem, the present application fixes the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 in the housing 100 through the support member 130 .

[0308] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 22 , a support portion is formed on the support member 130 . The support member 130 is a support plate structure fixed to the frame of the box body 100 and installed vertically. The support portion is specifically a bracket structure formed on one side of the support plate.

[0309] The water inlet and outlet of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 are respectively connected to the support portion. The first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 are connected and fixed to the support member 130 through the supporting function of the support portion.

[0310] The support portion is further connected to a vibration damping portion 140 for reducing the transmission of vibration of the first water pump 310 and / or the second water pump 410 .

[0311] In some embodiments, in order to provide support for the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 respectively, the support portion on the support member 130 of the present application is specifically two bracket groups, each bracket group supports the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 respectively.

[0312] In some embodiments, each bracket group includes a first support portion 131 and a second support portion 132 , and the first support portion 131 and the second support portion 132 are bracket structures extending horizontally outward perpendicular to one side of the support member 130 .

[0313] The water inlet of the first water pump 310 is connected to the first support portion 131 of one of the bracket groups, and the water outlet of the first water pump 310 is connected to the second support portion 132 of the same bracket group.

[0314] The water inlet of the second water pump 410 is connected to the first support portion 131 of another bracket group, and the water outlet of the second water pump 410 is connected to the second support portion 132 of the same bracket group.

[0315] In some embodiments, a support groove 1311 with an upper opening is formed on the first support portion 131 or the second support portion 132 of the same bracket set, and a penetrating support hole 1321 is formed on the other second support portion 132 or the first support portion 131 .

[0316] The support groove 1311 and the support hole 1321 structure on the bracket assembly facilitate installation while ensuring stable connection between the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 .

[0317] In some embodiments, rubber pads or vibration isolation pads are added between the support portion of the support member 130 and the first and second water pumps 310 and 410. These flexible materials absorb the vibration and noise generated during the operation of the first and second water pumps 310 and 410, further reducing the vibration transmitted to the refrigerator. Adding multiple vibration isolation layers or using materials of varying densities between the support member 130 and the first and second water pumps 310 and 410 can better suppress low-frequency vibrations and improve the quietness of the refrigerator. The seismic resistance of the first and second water pumps 310 and 410 can be further enhanced by adding a spring assembly or airbag system to the support member 130. These springs or airbags can automatically adjust based on the workload of the first and second water pumps 310 and 410, effectively isolating vibrations of different frequencies and preventing the pump vibrations from affecting other components of the refrigerator.

[0318] In some embodiments, considering that the environment around the water pump may be humid, a waterproof coating may be applied to the outer surface of the support member 130, or anti-corrosion materials (such as stainless steel or anti-corrosion plastic) may be used at the contact points of the support member 130 to improve the durability of the structure and avoid corrosion or rust after long-term use. The support member 130 may be integrated with a vibration sensor or an acceleration sensor to monitor the vibration status of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 in real time. When the vibration is detected to exceed a set threshold, the operating status of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 can be automatically adjusted through intelligent control, or additional shock absorption functions can be enabled to improve the stability of the equipment.

[0319] In some embodiments, the support portion of the support member 130 can be designed to be adjustable, that is, the first support portion 131 and the second support portion 132 can be fine-tuned according to the weight and installation angle of the water pump through thread adjustment or spring adjustment to ensure that the water pump can maintain the most stable state during operation and reduce vibration and noise caused by installation errors.

[0320] In some embodiments, taking the first support portion 131 as the support groove 1311 and the second support portion 132 as the support hole 1321 as an example:

[0321] During installation, first insert the water outlet of the first water pump 310 into the support hole 1321 on the second support part 132, and then install the water inlet of the first water pump 310 on the support groove 1311 on the first support part 131 from top to bottom.

[0322] This avoids the problem that when both the first support portion 131 and the second support portion 132 are mounting holes, the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 interfere with each other during installation, causing installation difficulties.

[0323] At the same time, it can also avoid the problem that when the first support portion 131 and the second support portion 132 are both installation grooves, the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 lack vertical constraints, resulting in their up and down movement during operation.

[0324] In order to limit the rotation of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 , the support groove 1311 and the support hole 1321 are both non-circular structures, that is, the cross-sectional shapes of the support groove 1311 and the support hole 1321 are both directional.

[0325] The cross section of the outer wall of the vibration damping portion 140 is adapted to the shapes of the support hole 1321 and the support groove 1311 .

[0326] For example, but not limited to, the supporting groove 1311 and the supporting hole 1321 are both square structures, and the cross-sectional shape of the outer wall of the vibration-damping portion 140 is also square.

[0327] The vibration damping part 140 is made of rubber material. In the installed state, the vibration damping part 140 is tightly connected between the first support part 131 and the water inlet end, or between the second support part 132 and the water outlet end in an interference fit manner.

[0328] In some other embodiments of the present application, a limiting portion 141 is further formed on at least one side of the vibration damping portion 140 for limiting the position of the first water pump 310 and / or the second water pump 410 .

[0329] In some embodiments, the vibration damping portion 140 installed on the first support portion 131 (ie, the support groove 1311 ) has limiting portions 141 formed on both sides thereof. When installing, the limiting portions 141 can be installed from top to bottom in the first support portion 131 together with the vibration damping portion 140 .

[0330] A limiting portion 141 is provided on one side of the vibration damping portion 140 installed on the second support portion 132 (i.e., the support hole 1321) to avoid interference between the water inlet end or the water outlet end during the process of being plugged into the first support portion 131 when limiting portions 141 are provided on both sides.

[0331] The limiting parts 141 are integrally formed on both sides of the vibration reduction part 140, so that the positions of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 along the axis direction of the water inlet end and the water outlet end are fixed to prevent left and right movement.

[0332] In the installed state, the limiting portions 141 are located on both sides of the first supporting portion 131 and the second supporting portion 132 to prevent the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 from moving in the horizontal direction.

[0333] The material of the vibration damping part 140 is rubber, which provides soft contact between the first water pump 310, the second water pump 410 and the support member 130. It can cushion the vibration generated during the operation of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410, reduce the vibration transmitted to the support member 130 and other working parts, thereby reducing noise, and is beneficial to the stability of the operation of the box 100.

[0334] The vibration of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 will only be transmitted to the vibration damping part 140. The soft contact between the vibration damping part 140 and the support member 130 can ensure that the vibration transmitted from the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 to the support member 130 is negligible, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing noise and vibration.

[0335] In some embodiments, by adding an anti-torque function at the interface position of the first support portion 131 and the second support portion 132, the water pump can be prevented from rotating or displacing due to external forces during operation. For example, anti-rotation latches can be added to the sides of the support groove 1311 and the support hole 1321. For example, a notch or hook design is adopted. When the water pump is installed in place, a buckle-like effect is formed in the support groove and the support hole to prevent the water pump from rotating or shifting during operation. The flexibility of the water pump installation position can be further optimized by adjusting the spiral hole or the adjustable support plate. The installation position of the water pump can be adjusted by rotating or adjusting the screws to ensure that the water inlet and outlet ends of the water pump maintain the most appropriate angle with the pipeline interface to avoid leakage or vibration caused by improper installation.

[0336] In some embodiments, in addition to rubber materials, the vibration damping unit 140 can be made of, for example, shape memory alloys or viscoelastic materials, automatically adjusting its damping effect based on the operating frequency of the water pump. Especially during the initial operation of the water pump or when the load changes, the vibration damping unit 140 can adjust its hardness and elasticity in real time based on the vibration intensity, thereby providing more effective vibration damping. Hydraulic buffering elements, such as miniature hydraulic shock absorbers, can be integrated into the vibration damping unit 140. These hydraulic elements can absorb significant impact forces and vibrations during the startup and operation of the water pump, further reducing the vibration intensity transmitted by the water pump to the support member 130 and other components.

[0337] In some embodiments, the position-fixing effect of the limiting portion 141 can be further enhanced by a magnetic positioning function. Small magnets or magnetic materials are embedded on both sides of the vibration-damping portion 140 to ensure that the water pump can be magnetically adsorbed to the predetermined position after installation, thereby preventing the water pump position from being offset due to the impact of vibration or shock. The limiting portion 141 can also be integrated with a pressure sensor or a displacement sensor to monitor in real time whether the water pump is in the correct position and feed back the monitoring information to the refrigerator control system. If the sensor detects that the water pump has a position change or offset, it can remind you to make adjustments or maintenance to ensure that the water pump is always in the best working condition.

[0338] In some embodiments, the support groove 1311 and support hole 1321 can be designed with more sophisticated geometric shapes, such as L-shaped notches or trapezoidal interfaces, to enhance the stability of the water pump. These shapes can prevent the water pump from moving or rotating during operation by providing multiple points of contact and a larger fixing surface, ensuring the water pump's stable operation. Metal pads or high-friction materials, such as highly wear-resistant plastics or metal coatings, can be added to the contact points between the support groove and support hole to increase the friction and stability of the contact surface. This can reduce wear and improve the durability of the structure during long-term use.

[0339] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 23 , the water tank assembly 200 is disposed in the refrigerating chamber and connected to the supporting shelf 101 in the refrigerating chamber.

[0340] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 24, the water tank assembly 200 includes an upper cover plate 210, a water tank 220 and a lower base frame 230. The bottom of the lower base frame 230 is fixed on the supporting layer frame 101. The water tank 220 can be moved into or out of the lower base frame 230 in a horizontal direction to facilitate filling water into the water tank.

[0341] 25 , the lower chassis 230 supports the water tank 220 . The water tank 220 is an open structure at the top. The upper cover 210 is provided on the top of the water tank 220 to provide a sealing effect.

[0342] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 28 , to enhance the tightness of the connection between the upper cover 210 and the water tank 220, a connecting portion 211 is formed on the lower surface of the upper cover 210. A plug-in portion 221 is formed on the water tank 220, and the plug-in portion 221 of the water tank 220 is connected to the connecting portion 211. In some embodiments, the connecting portion 211 and the plug-in portion 221 match in shape. The connecting portion 211 can be grooved, interfitting with the plug-in portion 221 on the water tank 220. In some embodiments, the connecting portion 211 can be designed with a snap or lock structure that snaps into place with the plug-in portion 221. This design provides a more secure connection, prevents loosening during use, and simplifies assembly and disassembly. A snap-on connection typically requires fewer tools for installation and is more convenient. In some embodiments, the connecting portion 211 can also be designed with threads, threaded together with the plug-in portion 221 on the water tank 220. Threaded connections provide stronger securing force. By tightening the threads, problems such as water leakage can be effectively avoided.

[0343] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 29, the plug-in portion 221 is formed on both sides of the water tank 220 and extends along the moving direction of the water tank 220. The connecting portion 211 is specifically a groove structure formed on the lower surface of the upper cover plate 210, and the connecting portion 211 also extends along the moving direction of the water tank 220.

[0344] In the installed state, the plug-in portion 221 of the water tank 220 extends into the connecting portion 211 , and the thickness of the plug-in portion 221 is smaller than the wall thickness of the water tank 220 , so that a good seal is formed between the water tank 220 and the upper cover 210 .

[0345] 25 , a water inlet 212 is further formed on the upper cover 210 . The water inlet 212 is located on a side close to the refrigerator door, making it convenient for users to add water.

[0346] A cover 213 is provided on the water filling port 212 . When in use, the cover 213 blocks the water filling port 212 . When water needs to be filled, the user pulls out the water tank 220 , opens the cover 213 , and fills water into the water tank 220 from the water filling port 212 .

[0347] The sealing cover 213 can be opened by a horizontal push-pull method to open the water inlet, or by a flip-up method to open the water inlet.

[0348] In some embodiments of the flip-top opening, the rear side of the cover 213 is hinged on the water filling port 212. The user opens the cover 213 backward to expose the water filling port 212 for easy water filling.

[0349] The water tank 220 is also provided with an inwardly recessed push-pull portion, on which a handle portion is formed, so that the user can conveniently hold the portion and pull the water tank outward or push it inward.

[0350] 30 , the lower chassis 230 includes a lower bottom plate, side plates formed at both sides of the lower bottom plate, and an inner end plate formed between the two side plates.

[0351] The inner end plate is located on a side close to the rear wall of the tank, and the water tank 220 can be moved in or out from the front side of the tank body 100.

[0352] A support surface is formed on the lower bottom plate, and the bottom of the water tank 220 is supported on the support surface.

[0353] A lower guide rail portion 234 is formed on the lower bottom plate. The width of the lower guide rail portion 234 matches the width of the bottom of the water tank 220 , and the water tank 220 moves in or out along the lower guide rail portion 234 .

[0354] Referring to Figure 26, a first water outlet pipe 222 and a second water outlet pipe 223 extending to the bottom of the water tank 220 are formed in the water tank 220. The bottoms of the first water outlet pipe 222 and the second water outlet pipe 223 are both formed with water supply ends 224 that contact the bottom of the water tank 220 to provide stable support for the first water outlet pipe 222 and the second water outlet pipe 223.

[0355] A water supply port 225 is formed on the water supply end 224 , and the water supply port 225 is close to the bottom of the water tank 220 to output the water in the water tank 220 as much as possible and reduce the water accumulation in the water tank 200 .

[0356] The water in the water tank 220 flows into the first water outlet pipe 222 or the second water outlet pipe 223 from the water supply port 225 .

[0357] The upper parts of the first water outlet pipe 222 and the second water outlet pipe 223 are connected to the rear wall of the box body 220 . Water outlet ports are respectively formed on the upper parts of the first water outlet pipe 222 and the second water outlet pipe 223 for connecting to water pipe fittings.

[0358] A first interface 232 corresponding to the water outlet port of the first water outlet pipe 222 and a second interface 233 corresponding to the water outlet port of the second water outlet pipe 223 are formed on the inner end plate of the lower base frame 230 .

[0359] The first interface 232 is connected to the first water pump 310 , and the second interface 233 is connected to the second water pump 410 .

[0360] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 26 , the first water pump 310 is connected to the first interface 232 via a water pipe, and the second water pump 410 is connected to the second interface 233 via a water pipe.

[0361] 26 , when the water tank 220 is moved in, the water outlet port of the first water outlet pipe 222 is docked with the first interface 232 , and the water outlet port of the second water outlet pipe 223 is docked with the second interface 233 .

[0362] The first interface 232 is connected to the first water pump 310 through the first water supply pipe assembly 320. After the first water pump 310 is started, the water in the water tank 220 is input from the water supply port 225 on the first water outlet pipe 222, and output to the drinking water assembly 170 after passing through the first water supply pipe assembly 320.

[0363] The second interface 233 is connected to the second water pump 410 through the second water supply assembly. After the second water pump 410 is started, the water in the water tank 220 is input from the water supply port 225 on the second water outlet pipe 223, and is output to the ice making assembly 540 after passing through the second water supply pipe assembly 420.

[0364] 27 , when the water tank 220 is removed, the water outlet port of the first water outlet pipe 222 is disconnected from the first interface 232 , the water outlet port of the second water outlet pipe 223 is connected to the second interface 233 , and the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 stop supplying water to the drinking water assembly 170 and the ice-making assembly 540 .

[0365] In order to facilitate the user to observe the status of the water tank 220 in time, it is avoided to start the water supply when the water tank 220 is not installed in place.

[0366] A signal part is also provided on one side of the water tank 220 close to the inner end plate, and a sensing part 231 corresponding to the position of the signal part is formed at a corresponding position of the inner end plate. The sensing part 231 is configured to sense the position of the signal part to determine the position status of the water tank 220.

[0367] The sensing unit 231 is connected to the control system. A display element, such as a display light, is provided on the refrigerator body 100 to indicate the position of the water tank 220 .

[0368] In some embodiments, when the water tank 220 moves into place, the sensing unit 231 senses the position state of the signal unit, and the sensing unit 231 sends the position signal of the water tank 220 to the control system. The control system controls the display light to be green for easy user identification.

[0369] When the water tank 220 is moved out or not moved into place, the sensing unit 231 senses the position state of the signal unit and sends a position signal of the water tank 220 to the control system, and the control system controls the display light to be red.

[0370] The sensing unit 231 and the signal unit may be in contact with each other, or position detection may be performed through infrared rays or the like.

[0371] While controlling the color of the display light, the control system also controls the opening and closing of the circuits of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410. When the water tank 220 is not moved into place, the control system always controls the circuits of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 to be in a disconnected state to prevent the user from operating the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 incorrectly and turning on the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410.

[0372] The refrigerator door is provided with an inwardly recessed water receiving area to facilitate water collection for the user.

[0373] When the drinking water component 170 is working, the user presses the drinking water button set on the refrigerator door, the first water pump 310 is turned on, and the water in the water tank 220 is input from the water supply port 225 on the first water outlet pipe 222, and is output to the drinking water component 170 after passing through the first water supply pipe group 320.

[0374] When the ice-making assembly 540 is working, the second water pump 410 is started, and the water in the water tank 220 is input from the water supply port 225 on the second water outlet pipe 223 and output to the ice-making assembly 540 after passing through the second water supply pipe assembly 420 .

[0375] It should be noted that the second water pump 410 is also turned on depending on the indoor temperature of the freezer compartment. When the indoor temperature of the freezer compartment reaches below the target temperature and the freezer compartment meets the ice-making conditions, the second water pump 410 can be turned on.

[0376] Referring to Figure 17 again, the refrigeration equipment also includes a refrigeration system, which includes a compressor 610, a condenser, a solenoid valve 740, a refrigeration evaporator and a freezing evaporator. The compressor 610, the condenser, the solenoid valve 740, the refrigeration evaporator and the freezing evaporator are connected through a refrigerant pipeline.

[0377] The refrigeration evaporator is used to provide cooling for the refrigeration compartment, and the freezing evaporator is used to provide cooling for the freezing compartment.

[0378] The output end of the compressor 610 is connected to the condenser, and the solenoid valve 740 is connected to the output end of the condenser. The solenoid valve 740 has at least two output ends, one output end of the solenoid valve 740 is connected to the refrigeration evaporator, and the other output end is connected to the freezing evaporator.

[0379] For a refrigeration system including at least two evaporators, the solenoid valve 740 is an important working component. When the width of the box 100 is relatively small, or when there are many working components arranged in the equipment chamber 180, the installation space of the solenoid valve 740 is limited and the installation process is relatively difficult.

[0380] In order to facilitate the installation of the solenoid valve 740 , a support base 810 is installed in the equipment chamber 180 in the present application, and the solenoid valve 740 is connected to the equipment chamber 180 through the support base 810 .

[0381] The ice-making assembly 540 includes an ice-making device including an ice-making support, an ice-making tray, a pivot portion, and an ice-making driving member.

[0382] The ice-making support is used to connect the entire ice-making device with the freezing chamber. The ice-making support specifically includes a support base and a support stand formed on the support base and extending downward.

[0383] The support base is used to be connected to the top of the freezing chamber, and the ice making tray is connected to the support stand.

[0384] The ice making tray is used for making ice. A plurality of ice making chambers with openings facing upwards are formed on the ice making tray. The ice making chambers are dispersedly arranged on the ice making tray in an array.

[0385] An ice storage member is provided directly below the ice making tray. The ice storage member is formed with an ice storage trough with an opening facing upward. When the ice making tray is turned over, ice cubes in the ice making chamber fall into the ice storage trough.

[0386] The ice-making device also includes an ice-detecting rod, a temperature-sensing component and a control system. The ice-detecting rod, the temperature-sensing component and the control system are connected by signal. The ice-detecting rod is arranged on one side of the ice-making driving component and can be driven by the ice-making driving component to rotate to detect whether there are ice cubes in the ice storage component.

[0387] In some embodiments, the present application further proposes a refrigeration device, which includes a housing 100, a drinking water assembly 170, an ice-making assembly 540, and a water supply device.

[0388] The drinking water assembly 170 is arranged on the box body 100. The box body 100 is provided with an inwardly recessed water receiving area to facilitate the user to receive drinking water.

[0389] The ice-making assembly 540 is disposed in the refrigeration compartment, and in some embodiments, in the freezer compartment, for making ice.

[0390] The water supply device includes a water tank 220, a first water pump 310, a second water pump 410, a first water supply pipe group 320 and a second water supply pipe group 420. The first water pump 310 is connected to the water tank 220 and the drinking water component 170 through the first water supply pipe group 320; the second water pump 410 is connected to the water tank 220 and the ice making component 540 through the second water supply pipe group 420.

[0391] The support member 130 is provided with a vibration reduction structure, which is connected between the support member 130 and the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 to reduce vibration transmission during the operation of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410.

[0392] The vibration reduction structure can be realized by the following methods alone or in combination:

[0393] In some embodiments, the support member 130 is a support structure fixed and horizontally installed in the box body 100, and the bottoms of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 are supported on the support member 130. A vibration-damping structure is arranged between the support member 130 and the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410. The vibration-damping structure is specifically a vibration-damping support foot, which is used to buffer the vibration transmission generated during the operation of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410.

[0394] In other embodiments, different from the above embodiments, referring to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 , the support member 130 is a support plate structure fixed vertically on the frame of the box body 100 , and the support portion is specifically a bracket structure formed on one side of the support plate.

[0395] The water inlet and outlet of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 are respectively connected to the support portion. The first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 are connected and fixed to the support member 130 through the supporting function of the support portion.

[0396] The support portion is further connected to a vibration damping portion 140 for reducing the transmission of vibration of the first water pump 310 and / or the second water pump 410 .

[0397] In some embodiments, the support member 130 includes two groups of first support portions 131 and second support portions 132 . The first support portions 131 and the second support portions 132 are both support structures extending horizontally outward perpendicular to one side of the support member 130 .

[0398] A water inlet of the first water pump 310 is connected to the first support portion 131 , and a water outlet of the first water pump 310 is connected to the second support portion 132 .

[0399] The water inlet of the second water pump 410 is connected to the other first support portion 131 , and the water outlet of the second water pump 410 is connected to the other second support portion 132 .

[0400] In some embodiments, a support groove 1311 with an upper opening is formed on the first support portion 131 , and a penetrating support hole 1321 is formed on the second support portion 132 .

[0401] The support groove 1311 and the support hole 1321 structure on the bracket assembly facilitate installation while ensuring stable connection between the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 .

[0402] The supporting groove 1311 and the supporting hole 1321 are both non-circular structures, that is, the cross-sectional shapes of the supporting groove 1311 and the supporting hole 1321 are both non-circular.

[0403] The vibration damping portion 140 is sleeve-shaped and sleeved onto the outer wall of the water inlet end or the water outlet end of the first water pump 310 and the second water pump 410 .

[0404] The cross section of the outer wall of the vibration damping portion 140 is adapted to the shapes of the support hole 1321 and the support groove 1311 .

[0405] For example, but not limited to, the supporting groove 1311 and the supporting hole 1321 are both square structures, and the cross-sectional shape of the outer wall of the vibration-damping portion 140 is also square.

[0406] In the description of the above embodiments, specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in an appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0407] The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising: A box body, wherein the box body is provided with a refrigeration chamber and a freezer chamber; water-using devices; a water tank having a maximum liquid level line; Water pump assembly, including: A mounting bracket, arranged on the box; a water pump connected to the mounting bracket; the water pump connects the water tank to the water-using device via a water supply pipe; the water pump is configured to pump water in the water supply pipe back to the water tank; The water supply pipe comprises: A cut-off portion, wherein the lowest height of the cut-off portion is not lower than the height of the highest liquid level line of the water tank.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: water dispenser; Ice maker; The water supply pipe comprises: First water supply pipe; Second water supply pipe; The water pump comprises: a first water pump, the first water pump being connected to the mounting bracket; the first water pump connecting the water tank and the water dispenser via the first water supply pipe; the first water pump being configured to pump water in the first water supply pipe back into the water tank; a second water pump connected to the mounting bracket; the second water pump connects the water tank to the ice maker via the second water supply pipe; the second water pump is configured to pump water in the second water supply pipe back to the water tank; The second water supply pipe includes: the shut-off portion.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The ice maker is located below the water tank; The second water supply pipe comprises: a drainage portion, wherein a first end of the drainage portion is in communication with the water tank, a second end of the drainage portion is in communication with the shut-off portion, the height of the second end of the drainage portion is not lower than the height of the highest liquid level line of the water tank, and the drainage portion is provided with the second water pump; An extension portion, wherein a first end of the extension portion is communicated with the cut-off portion, a second end of the extension portion is communicated with the ice maker, and a height of the first end of the extension portion is not lower than a height of a highest liquid level line of the water tank.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein: The first end of the first part of the interrupter is connected to the second end of the guide part, and the second end of the first part of the interrupter extends upward; The first end of the second part of the interrupter is communicated with the second end of the first part of the interrupter, the second end of the second part of the interrupter extends downward, and the second end of the second part of the interrupter is communicated with the extension part.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein The ice maker is located above the water tank; The second water supply pipe comprises: a drainage portion; a first end of the drainage portion is in communication with the water tank, a second end of the drainage portion is in communication with the cut-off portion, the height of the second end of the drainage portion is not lower than the height of the highest liquid level line of the water tank, and the drainage portion is provided with the second water pump; One end of the flow cut-off portion, which is away from the flow guide portion, extends upward and is communicated with the ice maker.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein The refrigerating chamber is arranged above the freezing chamber, and the water tank, the water pump assembly and the ice maker are arranged in the refrigerating chamber.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein The refrigerating chamber is arranged below the freezing chamber, and the water tank, the water pump assembly and the ice maker are arranged in the freezing chamber; A water storage space is provided in the freezing chamber, and the water storage space accommodates the water pump assembly; the first water supply pipe extends to the water dispenser through the water storage space and the inner wall of the box body, and the second water supply pipe extends to the ice maker through the water storage space and the inner wall of the box body.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein The refrigerating chamber is arranged below the freezing chamber, the ice maker is arranged in the freezing chamber, and the water tank and the water pump assembly are located in the refrigerating chamber; The second water supply pipe extends through the refrigeration chamber and the inner wall of the box body to the ice maker.

9. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 8, further comprising: an air duct structure, the air duct structure being used to discharge air to at least one of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber; a return air cover, the return air cover being movably disposed on the air duct structure, the first surface of the return air cover facing the front side of the box body, and the second surface of the return air cover facing the rear side of the box body; The second surface of the return air cover and the box body form an accommodating space, and the accommodating space is at least used to accommodate the water pump assembly.

10. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein: The mounting bracket is provided with a first overlapping portion and a second overlapping portion, the first overlapping portion is used to fix the first water pump, and the second overlapping portion is used to fix the second water pump.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein When the water pump is in a non-working state, the cut-off portion is used to cut off the water flow in the water supply pipe, and the liquid level in the water supply pipe is not higher than the height of the highest liquid level line of the water tank.

12. A refrigeration device comprising: Box; a drinking water assembly, which is arranged on the box body; an ice-making assembly, disposed in the box and used for making ice; a water supply device, which is disposed in the housing and includes a water tank assembly, a first water pump, a second water pump, a first water supply pipe group, and a second water supply pipe group, wherein the first water pump is connected to the water tank assembly and the drinking water assembly via the first water supply pipe group; and the second water pump is connected to the water tank assembly and the ice making assembly via the second water supply pipe group; The first water pump and the second water pump are fixed in the casing via a support member; a vibration damping portion is provided on the support member for reducing the transmission of vibration of at least one of the first water pump and the second water pump.

13. The refrigeration device according to claim 12, wherein: At least one of the first water pump and the second water pump is connected to the support member through a bracket group, and the bracket group includes a first supporting part and a second supporting part. The water inlet end of at least one of the first water pump and the second water pump is connected to the first supporting part, and the water outlet end of at least one of the first water pump and the second water pump is connected to the second supporting part.

14. The refrigeration device according to claim 13, wherein: A supporting groove is formed on the first supporting portion or the second supporting portion, and a supporting hole is formed on the second supporting portion or the first supporting portion.

15. The refrigeration device according to claim 14, wherein: The support groove and the support hole are both non-circular structures, the vibration damping part is sleeved on the outer wall of the water inlet end or the water outlet end, and the cross-sectional shape of the vibration damping part is adapted to the support hole; A limiting portion is further formed on at least one side of the vibration-damping portion for limiting the position of at least one of the first water pump and the second water pump.

16. The refrigeration device according to claim 12, wherein: A refrigerating chamber is provided in the box body, and the water tank assembly is located in the refrigerating chamber. The water tank assembly includes a water tank, an upper cover plate and a lower base frame. The upper cover plate is covered on the water tank, and the lower base frame is fixed in the refrigerating chamber. The water tank is movably connected to the lower base frame along the horizontal direction.

17. The refrigeration device according to claim 16, wherein: A water inlet is also formed on the upper cover plate, and a sealing cover is connected to the water inlet for opening or closing the water inlet.

18. The refrigeration device according to claim 16, wherein: The lower chassis includes a lower bottom plate, side plates formed on both sides of the lower bottom plate, and an inner end plate formed between the two side plates. A lower guide rail portion is formed on the lower bottom plate, and the water tank moves in or out horizontally along the lower guide rail portion.

19. The refrigeration device according to claim 16, wherein: A first water outlet pipe and a second water outlet pipe extending to the bottom of the water tank are formed in the water tank, and a first interface corresponding to the water outlet port of the first water outlet pipe and a second interface corresponding to the water outlet port of the second water outlet pipe are formed on the inner end plate of the lower base frame. The first interface is connected to the first water pump, and the second interface is connected to the second water pump.

20. The refrigeration device according to claim 18, wherein: A signal part is also provided on one side of the water tank close to the inner end plate, and a sensing part corresponding to the position of the signal part is formed at a corresponding position of the inner end plate. The sensing part is configured to sense the position of the signal part to determine the position status of the water tank.

21. The refrigeration device according to claim 12, wherein: The vibration-damping portion is connected between the support member and the first water pump and the second water pump to reduce the transmission of vibration generated during the operation of the first water pump and the second water pump to the support member.

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