Disclosure of Invention
The present invention is directed to solving, at least to some extent, one of the technical problems in the related art. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a water level detecting device for an ice maker, which can control the ice maker to perform a water replenishing operation when a water level of a cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, so that a phenomenon that a water pump of the ice maker idles due to an excessively low water level in the cold water tank can be prevented, and thus a failure rate of the ice maker can be reduced, and the device has a simple structure.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker.
The third purpose of the invention is to provide a water level detection method of an ice maker.
In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention provides a water level detecting device for an ice maker, the ice maker including an ice making mechanism, an ice bank, a cold water tank, and a water spraying mechanism, the water spraying mechanism being connected to the cold water tank through a water pipe, the water spraying mechanism being configured to spray cold water in the cold water tank onto the ice making mechanism so that the ice making mechanism makes ice, the water level detecting device including: the water level sensor comprises a detection probe which extends into the cold water tank, and is used for detecting the water level of the cold water tank and generating water level information; and the control unit is connected with the water level sensor and used for judging the height of the water level of the cold water tank according to the water level information, controlling the ice machine to carry out water supplementing operation when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, and controlling the ice machine to stop water supplementing operation when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than a second preset water level, wherein the second preset water level is higher than the first preset water level.
According to the water level detection device of the ice maker, the detection probe of the water level sensor extends into the cold water tank to detect the water level of the cold water tank and generate water level information, the control unit judges the water level of the cold water tank according to the water level information, controls the ice maker to carry out water replenishing operation when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, and controls the ice maker to stop water replenishing operation when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than a second preset water level, so that the phenomenon that a water pump of the ice maker idles due to the fact that the water level in the cold water tank is too low can be prevented, the failure rate of the ice maker can be reduced, and the device is.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the water level sensor is a capacitive water level sensor.
According to an embodiment of the invention, when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, the control unit further delays a first preset time to control the ice maker to perform water replenishing operation, and when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than a second preset water level, the control unit delays a second preset time to control the ice maker to stop water replenishing operation.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the water level detecting device of the ice maker further includes: the temperature sensor is arranged in the cold water tank and connected with a ground wire of an electric control board of the ice maker, wherein a detection probe of the water level sensor is communicated with the ground wire through cold water and the temperature sensor.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is arranged on the electronic control board.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a water pump is arranged on a water path pipe between the water spraying mechanism and the cold water tank, and the water pump is used for pumping cold water in the cold water tank to the water spraying mechanism.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a waterproof plug is further arranged between the detection probe and the body of the water level sensor.
In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention provides an ice maker, which includes the water level detection device of the ice maker according to the first aspect of the present invention.
According to the ice maker provided by the embodiment of the invention, the water level sensor of the water level detection device of the ice maker is used for detecting the water level of the cold water tank and generating water level information, the control unit is used for judging the water level of the cold water tank according to the water level information, the ice maker is controlled to carry out water replenishing operation when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, and the ice maker is controlled to stop water replenishing operation when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than a second preset water level, so that the phenomenon that a water pump of the ice maker idles due to the fact that the water level in the cold water tank is too low can be prevented, the failure.
In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the present invention provides a water level detecting method for an ice maker, the ice maker including an ice making mechanism, an ice bank, a cold water tank, and a water spraying mechanism, the water spraying mechanism being connected to the cold water tank through a water pipe, the water spraying mechanism being configured to spray cold water in the cold water tank onto the ice making mechanism so that the ice making mechanism makes ice, the water level detecting method including the steps of: detecting the water level of the cold water tank through a water level sensor and generating water level information, wherein a detection probe of the water level sensor is extended to reach the inside of the cold water tank; judging the height of the water level of the cold water tank according to the water level information; when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, controlling the ice maker to perform water supplementing operation; and when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than a second preset water level, controlling the ice maker to stop water replenishing operation, wherein the second preset water level is higher than the first preset water level.
According to the water level detection method of the ice maker, firstly, the water level of the cold water tank is detected through the water level sensor and water level information is generated, then the water level of the cold water tank is judged according to the water level information, and when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, the ice maker is controlled to carry out water replenishing operation; when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than the second preset water level, the ice maker is controlled to stop water replenishing operation, so that the phenomenon that a water pump of the ice maker idles due to the fact that the water level in the cold water tank is too low can be prevented, and the failure rate of the ice maker can be reduced.
According to one embodiment of the invention, when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, the ice maker is controlled to carry out water replenishing operation after delaying a first preset time; and when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than a second preset water level, delaying a second preset time to control the ice maker to stop water replenishing operation.
Detailed Description
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar function throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are illustrative and intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.
Hereinafter, a water level detecting apparatus of an ice maker, an ice maker and a water level detecting method of an ice maker according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a block schematic view of a water level detecting apparatus of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 2, the ice maker includes: the ice making device comprises an ice making mechanism 10, an ice storage bank 20, a cold water tank 30 and a water spraying mechanism 40, wherein the water spraying mechanism 40 is connected to the cold water tank 30 through a water pipeline, and the water spraying mechanism 40 sprays cold water in the cold water tank 30 to the ice making mechanism 40 so as to make ice by the ice making mechanism; as shown in fig. 1, the water level detecting apparatus includes: a water level sensor 100 and a control unit 200.
As shown in fig. 3, the water level sensor 100 includes a detection probe 101, the detection probe 101 extends into the cold water tank 30, and the water level sensor 100 is configured to detect the water level of the cold water tank 30 and generate water level information. As shown in fig. 1, the control unit 200 is connected to the water level sensor 100, and the control unit 200 is configured to determine a water level of the cold water tank 30 according to the water level information, control the ice maker to perform a water replenishing operation when the water level of the cold water tank 30 is lower than a first preset water level, and control the ice maker to stop the water replenishing operation when the water level of the cold water tank 30 is higher than a second preset water level, where the second preset water level is higher than the first preset water level, and the first preset water level and the second preset water level may be preset according to an actual situation.
In the embodiment of the present invention, a water pump is disposed on a water pipe between the water spray mechanism 40 and the cold water tank 30, and the water pump is configured to pump cold water in the cold water tank 30 to the water spray mechanism 40.
Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, the water spray mechanism 40 is connected to the cold water tank 30 through a water pipe on which a water pump is provided, the water pump pumps cold water in the cold water tank 30 to the water spray mechanism 40, and the water spray mechanism 40 sprays the cold water to the ice making mechanism 40 to make ice.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 3, a waterproof plug 102 may be further disposed between the detection probe 101 and the body of the water level sensor 100. The water level sensor 100 may be a capacitive water level sensor.
Specifically, the detection probe 101 of a general capacitive water level sensor generally implements water level detection by directly spreading copper on a PCB (printed circuit Board), and the water level sensor has a short detection distance and low sensitivity when detecting water level. Since the ice maker needs to preserve heat of the cold water tank 30, the wall of the cold water tank 30 is thick, and the conventional capacitive water level sensor cannot sense the capacitance change at such a thickness, the water level change of the cold water tank 30 cannot be detected by using a common capacitive water level sensor.
According to the invention, the measuring probe 101 of the capacitance type water level sensor 100 is lengthened, so that the measuring probe can directly extend into the cold water tank 30 and can be contacted with cold water in the cold water tank 30, the water level of the cold water tank 30 can be detected by sensing the change of capacitance, water level information is generated, and the water level information is sent to the control unit 200. The control unit 200 receives the water level information, and judges the water level of the cold water tank 30 according to the water level information, if the control unit 200 judges that the water level of the cold water tank 30 is lower than a first preset water level, which indicates that the water level of the cold water tank 30 is lower, at this time, the control unit 200 controls the ice maker to perform water replenishing operation; if the control unit 200 determines that the water level of the cold water tank 30 is higher than the second preset water level, which indicates that the water level of the cold water tank 30 has reached the highest suitable water level, the control unit 200 controls the ice maker to stop the water supplement operation. Therefore, the water level detection device of the ice machine can prevent the phenomenon that the temperature of the ice making mechanism is continuously reduced due to the fact that the water pump of the ice machine idles because the water level in the cold water tank is too low, and further can reduce the failure rate of the ice machine, and the device is simple in structure.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 200 also controls the ice maker to perform the water supplement operation by delaying a first preset time when the water level of the cold water tank 30 is lower than a first preset water level, and the control unit 200 controls the ice maker to stop the water supplement operation by delaying a second preset time when the water level of the cold water tank 30 is higher than a second preset water level. The first preset time and the second preset time may be determined according to actual conditions, for example, the first preset time and the second preset time may be 3s to 5 s.
Specifically, when the ice maker is making ice, the liquid level of the cold water tank 30 may fluctuate due to the pumping action of the water pump, and in order to avoid frequent water replenishing operation of the ice maker, when the control unit 200 determines that the water level of the cold water tank 30 is lower than a first preset water level, the control unit 200 controls the ice maker to perform water replenishing operation after delaying for a first preset time; when the control unit 200 determines that the water level of the cold water tank 30 is higher than the second preset water level, the control unit 200 delays the second preset time and then controls the ice maker to stop the water replenishing operation.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the water level detecting apparatus of the ice maker described above may further include a temperature sensor 300. As shown in fig. 2, the temperature sensor 300 is provided inside the cold water tank 30, and the temperature sensor 300 is connected to the ground of the electric control board of the ice maker, wherein the sensing probe 101 of the water level sensor 100 is connected to the ground through the cold water and the temperature sensor 300.
Specifically, the temperature sensor 300 is disposed inside the cold water tank 30 and connected to a ground line of an electric control board of the ice maker, and since the temperature sensor 300 is a metal housing and is in contact with cold water in the cold water tank 30, the detection probe 101 of the water level sensor 100 may be communicated to the ground line through the cold water and the temperature sensor 300, so that interference may be reduced, and thus detection accuracy and sensitivity of the water level sensor 100 may be improved.
It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 200 is disposed on the electronic control board.
In summary, according to the water level detection device of the ice maker in the embodiment of the invention, the detection probe of the water level sensor extends into the cold water tank to detect the water level of the cold water tank and generate water level information, the control unit judges the water level of the cold water tank according to the water level information, controls the ice maker to perform water replenishing operation when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, and controls the ice maker to stop water replenishing operation when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than a second preset water level, so that the phenomenon that a water pump of the ice maker idles due to the fact that the water level in the cold water tank is too low can be prevented, the failure rate of the ice maker can be reduced, the device is simple in structure, and meanwhile, the detection probe of the water level sensor is communicated with the ground wire through cold water and the.
The embodiment of the invention also provides an ice machine, which comprises the water level detection device of the ice machine.
According to the ice maker provided by the embodiment of the invention, the water level sensor of the water level detection device of the ice maker is used for detecting the water level of the cold water tank and generating water level information, the control unit is used for judging the water level of the cold water tank according to the water level information, the ice maker is controlled to carry out water replenishing operation when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, and the ice maker is controlled to stop water replenishing operation when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than a second preset water level, so that the phenomenon that a water pump of the ice maker idles due to the fact that the water level in the cold water tank is too low can be prevented, the failure.
Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a water level detecting method of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 2, the ice maker includes: the ice making device comprises an ice making mechanism, an ice storage bin, a cold water tank and a water spraying mechanism, wherein the water spraying mechanism is connected to the cold water tank through a water pipeline and sprays cold water in the cold water tank to the ice making mechanism so that the ice making mechanism can make ice; as shown in fig. 4, the water level detecting method of the ice maker includes the steps of:
and S1, detecting the water level of the cold water tank through a water level sensor of which a detection probe is extended to reach deep inside the cold water tank and generating water level information.
Specifically, as shown in fig. 3, a waterproof plug may be further disposed between the detection probe and the body of the water level sensor. The water level sensor may be a capacitive water level sensor.
And S2, judging the height of the water level of the cold water tank according to the water level information.
And S3, when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than the first preset water level, controlling the ice maker to perform water replenishing operation.
And S4, when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than a second preset water level, controlling the ice maker to stop water supplementing operation, wherein the second preset water level is higher than the first preset water level, and the first preset water level and the second preset water level can be preset according to actual conditions.
Specifically, the measuring probe of the capacitive water level sensor is lengthened, so that the measuring probe can directly extend into the cold water tank and can contact cold water in the cold water tank, and therefore the water level of the cold water tank can be detected by sensing the change of capacitance and water level information can be generated. Then, the water level of the cold water tank is judged according to the water level information, if the water level of the cold water tank is judged to be lower than a first preset water level through control judgment, the water level of the cold water tank is indicated to be lower, and at the moment, the ice maker is controlled to carry out water replenishing operation; and if the water level of the cold water tank is judged to be higher than the second preset water level, the water level of the cold water tank is shown to reach the highest proper water level, and the ice maker is controlled to stop water replenishing operation. Therefore, the water level detection method can prevent the phenomenon that the water pump of the ice machine idles due to the fact that the water level in the cold water tank is too low, and further can reduce the failure rate of the ice machine.
According to an embodiment of the invention, when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, the first preset time is delayed to control the ice maker to carry out water replenishing operation; and when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than the second preset water level, delaying the second preset time to control the ice maker to stop water replenishing operation.
Specifically, when the ice maker makes ice, the liquid level of the cold water tank fluctuates due to the pumping action of the water pump, and in order to avoid frequent water replenishing operation of the ice maker, when the water level of the cold water tank is judged to be lower than a first preset water level, the ice maker is controlled to perform water replenishing operation after delaying a first preset time; and when the water level of the cold water tank is judged to be higher than the second preset water level, delaying the second preset time and then controlling the ice maker to stop water replenishing operation.
In summary, according to the water level detection method of the ice maker in the embodiment of the invention, firstly, the water level sensor detects the water level of the cold water tank and generates water level information, then, the water level of the cold water tank is judged according to the water level information, and when the water level of the cold water tank is lower than a first preset water level, the ice maker is controlled to perform water replenishing operation; when the water level of the cold water tank is higher than the second preset water level, the ice maker is controlled to stop water replenishing operation, so that the phenomenon that a water pump of the ice maker idles due to the fact that the water level in the cold water tank is too low can be prevented, and the failure rate of the ice maker can be reduced.
In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms "central," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," "circumferential," and the like are used in the orientations and positional relationships indicated in the drawings for convenience in describing the invention and to simplify the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the referenced devices or elements must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the invention.
Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means at least two, e.g., two, three, etc., unless specifically limited otherwise.
In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly stated or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly and can, for example, be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally formed; can be mechanically or electrically connected; they may be directly connected or indirectly connected through intervening media, or they may be connected internally or in any other suitable relationship, unless expressly stated otherwise. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood by those skilled in the art according to specific situations.
In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly stated or limited, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature may be directly contacting the first and second features or indirectly contacting the first and second features through an intermediate. Also, a first feature "on," "over," and "above" a second feature may be directly or diagonally above the second feature, or may simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature being "under," "below," and "beneath" a second feature may be directly under or obliquely under the first feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is at a lesser elevation than the second feature.
In the description herein, references to the description of the term "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "an example," "a specific example," or "some examples," etc., mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the terms used above are not necessarily intended to refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, various embodiments or examples and features of different embodiments or examples described in this specification can be combined and combined by one skilled in the art without contradiction.
Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention, and that variations, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to the above embodiments by those of ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the present invention.