CN216114987U

CN216114987U - Water storage device and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN216114987U
Application number: CN202121861082.0U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王洪宇; 刘敏
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-10
Filing date: 2021-08-10
Publication date: 2022-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2031-08-10

Abstract

The utility model provides a water storage device and a refrigerator, wherein the water storage device comprises: the kettle is provided with a kettle body and a cover body, wherein the kettle body is used for storing water, and the cover body is used for opening and closing the kettle body; the float seat is fixedly arranged with the kettle body or the cover body, and a water passing hole for water in the kettle body to pass in and out is formed in the float seat; and the floater is movably arranged in the floater seat up and down. The water storage device of the utility model adds the float seat and the float in the kettle, so that the water level condition in the kettle can be indicated based on the position of the float.

Description

Water storage device and refrigerator

Technical Field

The utility model relates to the technical field of refrigeration and freezing devices, in particular to a water storage device and a refrigerator.

Background

In daily life, drinking cold water is a common water demand for people. For example, in hot summer, cold water is often drunk to relieve summer heat. As a common household appliance, a refrigerator is used, and a method of making cold water using the refrigerator is commonly used. At present, in a refrigerator with a cold water module, two implementation schemes of the cold water module are generally available, one scheme is that when the refrigerator leaves a factory, a separate water box is arranged to serve as a tool for making cold water, the structure of the cold water module is usually independent, the cold water module is placed in a drawer of the refrigerator or placed in parallel with a drawer of a refrigerating chamber, when the cold water module is used, the water box needs to be taken out manually, the cold water box is placed back into the refrigerator after the cold water box is filled with the cold water, and after the cold water is cooled, the water box is taken out to pour the cold water into a cup. The second is that the cold water module is arranged in the door body and is often integrated with an ice maker of the door body. In the first scheme, the water box in the refrigerator is independent, manual water adding is needed, and the water box is heavy after water adding and is inconvenient to take and place. Today when the intelligence is pursued, the scheme cannot match the current life concept, and more convenient life needs are provided for people. In the second scheme, the cold water module is arranged in the refrigerator door body, although water can be taken out from the refrigerator body on the premise of not opening the refrigerator door body, the door body of the scheme is thick and heavy, and can occupy more use space in the refrigerator.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

An object of the present invention is to provide a water storage apparatus that facilitates water level detection.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a water storage device capable of automatically filling water.

In particular, the present invention provides a water storage apparatus comprising:

the kettle is provided with a kettle body and a cover body, wherein the kettle body is used for storing water, and the cover body is used for opening and closing the kettle body;

the float seat is fixed with the kettle body or the cover body, and is provided with a water passing port for water in the kettle body to pass in and out; and

the floater is movably arranged in the floater seat up and down.

Optionally, the float seat is fixed with the cover.

Optionally, the cover body is formed with a plurality of fixing bolts extending downwards on the lower surface thereof;

a plurality of seat fixing holes are formed on the float seat at positions corresponding to the plurality of fixing bolts;

the fixing bolt is heated and softened after being inserted into the seat fixing hole to form a cap type structure to fix the float seat and the cover body.

Optionally, the float comprises: a float body, a float cover and a magnetic member, wherein

The float cover is arranged above the float body, a cavity is defined between the float cover and the float body, and the magnetic part is arranged in the float cover.

Optionally, the float cover and the float body are in hot-melt connection; and/or

The magnetic part is poured and formed and fixed in the floater cover.

Optionally, the float seat has a bottom wall portion and a side wall portion, the bottom wall portion and/or the side wall portion is provided with a water passing opening, and the inner side surface of the side wall portion is provided with a plurality of limiting ribs at intervals;

the float body is clamped between the limiting edges.

Optionally, the water storage device further comprises:

the device cover is internally limited with an accommodating cavity, and the kettle is detachably arranged below the device cover; and

the water inlet pipe is arranged in the accommodating cavity, the outlet end extends into the kettle, and the inlet end is connected with the external water pipe so as to introduce water into the kettle.

Optionally, the water storage device further comprises:

the water level monitoring circuit board is arranged in the accommodating cavity, a first magnetic resistor and a second magnetic resistor are arranged on the water level monitoring circuit board, and the upper position, the lower position, the front position and the rear position of the first magnetic resistor and the second magnetic resistor on the water level monitoring circuit board are different;

the electric switch device is used for opening and closing a water path of the water inlet pipe; and

and the control device is connected with the water level monitoring circuit board and the electric switch device and is used for controlling the action of the electric switch device based on signals of the interaction of the first magnetic resistor, the second magnetic resistor and the magnetic piece so as to inject or not inject water into the kettle.

The utility model also provides a refrigerator which is provided with the water storage device.

Optionally, the refrigerator comprises:

the refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body, wherein a storage chamber is defined in an inner container of the refrigerator body; wherein

The water storage device is arranged in the storage room.

According to the water storage device and the refrigerator, the water storage device is arranged to comprise the kettle, the float seat and the float, the float seat is fixed with the kettle body or the cover body, the float seat is provided with the water passing port for water in the kettle to pass in and out, the float is movably arranged in the float seat up and down, and the float seat and the float are additionally arranged in the kettle, so that the water level condition in the kettle can be indicated based on the position of the float.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Some specific embodiments of the utility model will be described in detail hereinafter, by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in the drawings identify the same or similar elements or components. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a refrigerator having a water storage apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural view of the water storage device and the inner container shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is another schematic configuration diagram of the water storage device and the inner tub shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the water storage device and the inner tank shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view taken along line a-a in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an exploded schematic view of the water storage device and the inner container shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an exploded schematic view of the apparatus cover and the inner container of the water storage apparatus shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural view of the shield cover.

Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged schematic view of a part of the device cover and the water bottle of the water storage device shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is an exploded schematic view of the circuit board base, the water inlet pipe, the connector and the external water pipe of the water storage apparatus shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a partially sectional schematic view of the water inlet pipe, the connector and the external water pipe of the water storage apparatus shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing the structure of a float seat and a float of the water storage apparatus shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural view of a float seat, a float and a cover of the water storage apparatus shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 14 is a schematic sectional view of the water level monitoring circuit board, the cover, the float seat and the float of the water storage apparatus shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 15 is a schematic circuit diagram of the water storage device shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 16 is a control flow chart of the water storage device shown in fig. 2 for putting the kettle into the inner container.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of a refrigerator 400 having a water storage device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic structural view of the water storage apparatus 100 and the inner tub 402 shown in fig. 1. Fig. 3 is another schematic configuration diagram of the water storage apparatus 100 and the inner tub 402 shown in fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the water storage apparatus 100 and the inner tub 402 shown in fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view taken along line a-a in fig. 4.

The embodiment of the utility model provides a refrigerator 400, which is a storage device comprising a refrigeration system, and generally comprises a box 401, a door (not shown in the figure), the refrigeration system (not shown in the figure) and a water storage device 100. The case 401 includes a casing, an inner container 402, and a heat insulating layer between the casing and the inner container 402. At least one storage compartment with an open front side is defined in the inner container 402 of the box 401. The storage compartment is usually a plurality of compartments, such as a refrigerating compartment 403, a freezing compartment 404, a temperature-changing compartment, and the like. The number and functions of the specific storage compartments can be configured according to the preset requirements, for example, the preservation temperature of the cold storage compartment 403 can be 2-9 ℃ or 4-7 ℃; the storage temperature of the freezing compartment 404 may be-22 to-14 ℃ or may be-20 to-16 ℃. As shown in fig. 1, the storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment 403 and a freezing compartment 404, and the freezing compartment 404 is disposed below the refrigerating compartment 403. The refrigeration system may be a compression refrigeration cycle system composed of a compressor, a condenser, a throttle device, an evaporator, and the like.

The water storage device 100 of the embodiment of the utility model comprises a kettle 200, a floater seat 203 and a floater 204. The water bottle 200 includes a bottle body 201 and a lid 202, the bottle body 201 being for storing water, and the lid 202 being for opening and closing the bottle body 201. As shown in figures 2 and 6, the rear side of the kettle body 201 is formed with a spout 212 and the front side is formed with a handle 211. The float seat 203 is fixed with the kettle body 201 or the cover body 202, and a water passing port 231 for water in the kettle body 201 to pass in and out is arranged on the float seat 203. The float 204 is vertically movably disposed in the float seat 203. The water storage device 100 of the embodiment of the utility model comprises a kettle 200, a floater seat 203 and a floater 204, wherein the floater seat 203 is fixed with the kettle body 201 or the cover body 202, the floater seat 203 is provided with a water passing port 231 for water in the kettle body 201 to pass in and out, the floater 204 is movably arranged in the floater seat 203 up and down, and the floater seat 203 and the floater 204 are additionally arranged in the kettle 200, so that the water level condition in the kettle 200 can be indicated based on the position of the floater 204.

As shown in fig. 1, the water storage device 100 according to the embodiment of the utility model is disposed in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 400. The water storage device 100 is generally disposed in the refrigerating compartment 403. In fig. 1, the water storage apparatus 100 is provided on a partition 431 in the refrigerating compartment 403.

Fig. 12 is a schematic structural view of the float seat 203 and the float 204 of the water storage apparatus 100 shown in fig. 2. Fig. 13 is a schematic structural view of the float seat 203, the float 204, and the cover 202 of the water storage apparatus 100 shown in fig. 2. Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the water level monitoring circuit board 305, the cover 202, the float seat 203, and the float 204 of the water storage apparatus 100 shown in fig. 2.

The float seat 203 may be fixed to the kettle body 201 or to the cover 202. In some embodiments, the float seat 203 is fixed to the cover 202, and the fixing structure is simpler and more suitable for the use habit of the user. As shown in fig. 13, the cover 202 includes a cover body 221 and a cover sidewall 222, and a plurality of fixing pins 2211 are formed to extend downward on the lower surface of the cover body 221; a plurality of seat fixing holes 232 are formed on the float seat 203 at positions corresponding to the plurality of fixing bolts 2211; the fixing bolt 2211 is inserted into the seat fixing hole 232 and then heated and softened to form a cap structure to fix the float seat 203 and the cover 202. The cover 202 can be made of a PP material, and when the cover is assembled, the fixing bolt 2211 on the cover 202 is inserted into the seat fixing hole 232 of the float seat 203, the tail end of the fixing bolt 2211 extends out of the seat fixing hole 232, and the fixing bolt is heated and softened by using equipment such as a soldering iron and is stressed to form a fixing cap type structure, so that the float seat 203 and the seat fixing hole 232 are fixed firmly, the connection belongs to permanent connection and is not detachable after connection.

As shown in fig. 5 and 14, in some embodiments, the float 204 of the water storage device 100 of embodiments of the present invention comprises: a float body 241, a float cover 242 and a magnetic member 243, wherein the float cover 242 is disposed above the float body 241 and defines a cavity 244 with the float body 241, and the magnetic member 243 is disposed within the float cover 242. The magnetic member 243 may be a magnet, for example. The magnetic member 243 is disposed at the top of the float 204, so that the magnetic member 243 and the magnetic resistor on the water level monitoring circuit board 305 in the device cover 300 can interact conveniently, and water level monitoring and water injection control of the water storage device 100 can be facilitated. The float cover 242 is connected with the float body 241 in a hot melting way; and/or the magnetic member 243 is fixed in the float cover 242 by casting. In the injection molding, the magnetic member 243 is first placed in a mold of the float cover 242, and after the injection molding, the magnetic member 243 is embedded in the float cover 242, which is a non-detachable connection. Then, the float cover 242 and the float body 241 are connected by heat fusion, and after assembly, a sealed hollow structure is formed between the float cover 242 and the float body 241 to prevent water from entering.

As shown in fig. 12, the float seat 203 of the water storage device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a bottom wall 233 and a side wall 234, the bottom wall 233 and/or the side wall 234 is provided with a water passing opening 231, and the inner side surface of the side wall 234 is formed with a plurality of limiting ribs 235 at intervals; the float body 241 is sandwiched between the plurality of stopper ribs 235. In general, the bottom wall 233 and the side wall 234 of the float seat 203 are provided with a water gap 231 to ensure more accurate movement of the float 204. By forming a plurality of stopper ribs 235 at intervals on the inner surface of side wall portion 234, the vertical movement of float 204 in float seat 203 can be restricted, and float 204 can be prevented from deflecting.

The water storage device 100 of the embodiment of the present invention further includes a device cover 300 and a water inlet pipe 304. The device cover 300 has a receiving cavity 311 defined therein. The water jug 200 is detachably provided under the device cover 300. The inlet pipe 304 is disposed in the receiving cavity 311, wherein an outlet end of the inlet pipe 304 extends into the kettle 200, and an inlet end of the inlet pipe 304 is connected to the external water pipe 800 to introduce water into the kettle 200. The water storage device 100 of the embodiment of the utility model comprises the kettle 200 and the device cover 300, the water inlet pipe 304 is arranged in the accommodating cavity 311, and the water storage device 100 is provided with the water inlet pipe 304, so that water can be conveniently introduced into the kettle 200.

As shown in fig. 2, the water storage apparatus 100 is disposed in the storage compartment, the apparatus cover 300 is connected to the inner container 402, and the external water pipe 800 is disposed outside the inner container 402. According to the refrigerator 400 provided by the embodiment of the utility model, the water storage device 100 is arranged in the storage compartment, the device cover 300 is connected with the inner container 402, the kettle 200 is detachably arranged below the device cover 300, and the external water pipe 800 is positioned outside the inner container 402, so that water can be introduced into the water storage device 100 by directly utilizing the external water pipe 800 in the refrigerator 400, and meanwhile, the water storage device 100 only occupies a small space in the refrigerator 400, and has no influence on the door body of the refrigerator 400.

The following describes a structure of the water storage device 100 and the refrigerator 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is an exploded schematic view of the water storage apparatus 100 and the inner tub 402 shown in fig. 2. Fig. 7 is an exploded schematic view of the apparatus cover 300 and the inner container 402 of the water storage apparatus 100 shown in fig. 2.

In some embodiments, the refrigerator 400 of the embodiment of the present invention further includes: and embedding the box 500. The inner container 402 is provided with an installation opening 421. The embedment box 500 is configured to be fixed to the inner container 402 at the installation opening 421, and the external water pipe 800 is fixed to the embedment box 500. The device cover 300 of the water storage device 100 of the embodiment of the utility model has a body part 301 and a fixing part 302, the body part 301 defines an accommodating cavity 311, and the fixing part 302 is located on one side of the body part 301 close to the installation opening 421 and is configured to be matched with the embedded box 500 to fix the device cover 300 on the inner side of the inner container 402. By arranging the embedded box 500, the embedded box 500 can be fixed with the inner container 402 firstly, and then the device cover 300 is fixed with the embedded box 500 to fix the device cover 300 and the inner container 402, so that on one hand, the water storage device 100 is of a detachable structure, and a user can detach the water storage device 100 when no cold water is needed, so as to obtain a larger use space in the refrigerator 400; on the other hand compare with forming the cooperation structure with inner bag 402 direct forming, pre-buried box 500 can have more complicated more meticulous structure to guarantee the installation steadiness of device lid 300 and pre-buried box 500, inner bag 402 and the leakproofness of butt joint department.

The embedded box 500 of the refrigerator 400 of the embodiment of the utility model is provided with a first clamping groove 501 with an upward opening at the top; a first clamping protrusion 331 is formed on the fixing portion 302 at a position corresponding to the first clamping groove 501; the inner container 402 and the first clamping protrusion 331 at the upper end of the mounting opening 421 are fitted in the first clamping groove 501. Through forming the first draw-in groove 501 that opens upwards on pre-buried box 500, the upper portion and the inner bag 402 of fixed part 302 can be realized simply conveniently to the first draw-in groove 501 with the inner bag 402 cooperation of the first joint arch 331 of fixed part 302 upper end with installing port 421 in first draw-in groove 501. The embedded box 500 of the refrigerator 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention further has a second card slot 502 with a forward opening at the front; a second clamping protrusion 332 is formed on the fixing portion 302 at a position corresponding to the second clamping groove 502; the inner container 402 and the second clamping protrusion 332 at the front end of the mounting opening 421 are fitted in the second clamping groove 502. Through forming the second card slot 502 with the forward opening on the embedded box 500, the front part of the fixing part 302 and the inner container 402 can be simply and conveniently fixed in the second card slot 502 by matching the second clamping protrusion 332 of the fixing part 302 with the inner container 402 at the front end of the mounting port 421.

In some embodiments, the embedded box 500 of the refrigerator 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a first rib 541 formed by extending outward at least at the front portions of the top wall 532 and the front wall 533, a second rib 542 formed by extending upward at the front end of the top wall 532, and a third rib 543 formed by extending forward at the upper portion or the middle upper portion of the front end of the front wall 533; a first catching groove 501 is defined between the second rib 542 and the first rib 541, and a second catching groove 502 is defined between the third rib 543 and the first rib 541. The fixing portion 302 is formed with a first catching projection 331 extending downward at a front end of a top wall 322 thereof and a second catching projection 332 extending rearward at an upper or middle upper portion of a front end of a front wall 323 thereof. As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the embedded box 500 is formed with a first rib 541 extending outward from the front of the embedded box. When the embedded box 500 is installed, the first clamping groove 501 of the embedded box 500 is clamped at the edge of the installation opening 421 of the inner container 402, then the bottom of the embedded box 500 is clamped in the installation opening 421, and the first protruding edge 541 is attached to the outer side surface of the inner container 402. The third ribs 543 are formed only on the upper or middle upper portion of the front end of the front wall 533 of the cartridge 500, and the second catching projections 332 are formed only on the upper or middle upper portion of the front end of the front wall 323 of the fixing portion 302, so that the cover 300 can be slid to be fixed with the cartridge 500.

In some embodiments, the inner container 402 of the refrigerator 400 of the embodiment of the present invention is further provided with a first mounting hole 422 near the mounting opening 421; a second mounting hole 3211 is formed in the fixing portion 302 at a position corresponding to the first mounting hole 422; the fixing portion 302 and the inner container 402 are fixed in the left-right direction by a fixing member (not shown) inserted through the second mounting hole 3211 and the first mounting hole 422. Besides the protruding fixing structure of the slot of the embedded box 500 and the device cover 300, the fixing member is used to further ensure the stable installation. The fixing member may be a screw.

In some embodiments, the embedded box 500 of the refrigerator 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a notch 5341 formed on a rear wall thereof and having an opening facing the inner container 402; an inserting projection 3212 is formed at a position corresponding to the notch 5341 on the fixing portion 302; the inserting protrusion 3212 is fitted in the notch 5341 to position the fixing portion 302 and the embedded box 500 in the vertical direction. By providing the notch 5341 and the engaging projection 3212, the device cover 300 can be mounted by a single person.

As shown in fig. 6, the embedment box 500 has a side wall 531, a top wall 532, a front wall 533, a rear wall 534, a sloped wall 535 and a bottom wall 536. The front wall 533 and the rear wall 534 are opposite one another, the top wall 532 and the bottom wall 536 are opposite one another, and the sloped wall 535 is between the top wall 532 and the rear wall 534. An insertion tube opening 5311 is formed on the side wall 531 for fixing the external water pipe 800. A first rib 541 is provided at the front of the top wall 532, front wall 533, rear wall 534, ramp wall 535, and bottom wall 536. A second rib 542 extends upward from the front end of the top wall 532. A third rib 543 extends forward at an upper middle portion of the front end of the front wall 533. A first catching groove 501 is defined between the second rib 542 and the first rib 541, and a second catching groove 502 is defined between the third rib 543 and the first rib 541. In addition, a circuit 801 with a flash-proof rubber ring is integrated on the bottom wall 536 of the embedded box 500.

As shown in fig. 7, the fixing portion 302 of the device cover 300 has a side wall 321, a top wall 322, a front wall 323, a rear wall 324, a sloped wall 325, and a bottom wall 326. The front wall 323 and the rear wall 324 are opposed to each other in the front-rear direction, the top wall 322 and the bottom wall 326 are opposed to each other in the up-down direction, and the sloped wall 325 is provided between the top wall 322 and the rear wall 324. A second mounting hole 3211 is provided in the side wall 321 near the rear wall 324 and the bottom wall 326, and an insertion protrusion 3212 is provided adjacent to the second mounting hole 3211. The main body portion of the sidewall 321 is provided with a communication port 3213 for passing the water inlet pipe 304 and the connector 600 therethrough so as to be connected to the external water pipe 800. A first catching projection 331 is formed to extend downward at the front end of the top wall 322, and a second catching projection 332 is formed to extend rearward at the middle upper portion of the front end of the front wall 323.

The device cover 300 of the refrigerator 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention is detachably coupled to the inner container 402. The refrigerator 400 of the embodiment of the present invention further includes: and a shielding cover 700 configured to be fitted with the pre-embedded box 500, for shielding the installation opening 421 after the device cover 300 is removed from the inner container 402. When the device cover 300 is removed from the inner container 402, the mounting opening 421 and the external water pipe 800 are exposed to the view, and the external water pipe 800 can be prevented from being contaminated by the shielding cover 700, and the refrigerator 400 is more beautiful. Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of the shielding cover 700, and the structure of the shielding cover 700 is similar to that of the fixing portion 302, except that the side wall 321 of the shielding cover 700 is not provided with the communication port 3213. As shown in fig. 8, the shield cover 700 has a side wall 321, a top wall 322, a front wall 323, a rear wall 324, a sloped wall 325, and a bottom wall 326. The front wall 323 and the rear wall 324 are opposed to each other in the front-rear direction, the top wall 322 and the bottom wall 326 are opposed to each other in the up-down direction, and the sloped wall 325 is provided between the top wall 322 and the rear wall 324. A second mounting hole 3211 is provided in the side wall 321 near the rear wall 324 and the bottom wall 326, and an insertion protrusion 3212 is provided adjacent to the second mounting hole 3211. A first catching projection 331 is formed to extend downward at the front end of the top wall 322, and a second catching projection 332 is formed to extend rearward at the middle upper portion of the front end of the front wall 323.

Fig. 9 is a partially enlarged view of a part of the water container 100 and the water bottle 200 shown in fig. 2. Fig. 10 is an exploded view of the circuit board base 306, the water inlet pipe 304, the connector 600 and the external water pipe 800 of the water storage apparatus 100 shown in fig. 2. Fig. 11 is a partially sectional schematic view of the water inlet pipe 304, the connector 600, and the external water pipe 800 of the water storage apparatus 100 shown in fig. 2. Next, a connection structure between the water inlet pipe 304 and the external water pipe 800 of the water storage apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 9 to 11.

The inlet end of the water inlet pipe 304 of the water storage device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is detachably connected to the external water pipe 800 via the connector 600. The connector 600 includes: the connecting device comprises a first cover cap 601, a connecting pipe 603 and a second cover cap 602, wherein the first cover cap 601 and the second cover cap 602 are respectively fixedly inserted into the connecting pipe 603; wherein the inlet end of the inlet water pipe 304 is connected with the connecting pipe 603 through the first cap 601; the outlet end of the outer water tube 800 is connected to the connection tube 603 through the second cap 602. The water inlet pipe 304 and the external water pipe 800 are connected by the connector 600 having the first cap 601, the connection pipe 603, and the second cap 602 so that the connections between the several are soft connections that can be connected and disconnected many times. When the waterway is connected, the inlet water pipe 304 and the external water pipe 800 may be directly inserted into the connector 600, respectively. When the waterway is removed, the connector 600 is pulled strongly to separate the connector 600 from the external water pipe 800 in the case 401.

As shown in fig. 10, the connection pipe 603 has a first fixed pipe section 631, a transition pipe section 633, and a second fixed pipe section 632 connected in sequence, and the inner diameters of the first fixed pipe section 631 and the second fixed pipe section 632 are larger than the inner diameter of the transition pipe section 633. The first cap 601 and the second cap 602 respectively have a cap body 611 and a plurality of limiting pieces 612, a water pipe fixing hole 613 is opened on the cap body 611, and the plurality of limiting pieces 612 are formed by extending from the inner side surface of the cap body 611 around the water pipe fixing hole 613 at intervals and are inserted into the fixing pipe sections on the corresponding sides. The inlet end of the inlet pipe 304 passes through the pipe fixing hole 613 of the first cap 601 and the end thereof extends into the first fixing pipe segment 631, and the outlet end of the outer pipe 800 passes through the pipe fixing hole 613 of the second cap 602 and the end thereof extends into the second fixing pipe segment 632. The first cap 601 and the second cap 602 respectively have a cap body 611 and a plurality of limiting pieces 612, so that the first cap 601 and the second cap 602 have certain strength and can have certain flexibility. In addition, the connector 600 may further include one or more sealing rings 604 disposed at an end of the inlet pipe 304 and/or an end of the outlet end of the outer water pipe 800. A sealing ring 604 is generally provided at each of the end of the inlet pipe 304 and the end of the outlet end of the outer pipe 800.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the device cover 300 of the water storage device 100 of the embodiment of the utility model is further provided with a circuit board base 306, on which an insertion column 364 along the up-down direction is formed, an outlet end of the water inlet pipe 304 is inserted into the insertion column 364 to fix the water inlet pipe 304 and the device cover 300, wherein a notch 3641 is formed on a side wall of the insertion column 364; the outer surface of the inlet pipe 304 inside the insertion post 364 is formed with a protrusion 341. By forming the insertion column 364 with the notch 3641 on the circuit board base 306 and matching with the protrusion 341 at the outlet end of the water inlet pipe 304, the fixing structure of the water inlet pipe 304 in the device cover 300 is simple, and the water inlet pipe 304 can be stably fixed on the circuit board base 306. The circuit board base 306 has a plurality of socket hooks 366 formed thereon for fixing the circuit board base 306 and the body portion 301.

Fig. 15 is a schematic circuit diagram of the water storage apparatus 100 shown in fig. 2. The water level monitoring structure and the control method of the water storage apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 5, 6, and 12 to 15.

The water storage apparatus 100 of the embodiment of the present invention further includes: a water level monitoring circuit board 305, an electric switch device 901 and a control device 900. The water level monitoring circuit board 305 is disposed in the accommodating chamber 311. The water level monitoring circuit board 305 is provided with a first magnetic resistor 351 and a second magnetic resistor 352, and the first magnetic resistor 351 and the second magnetic resistor 352 are different in the upper and lower positions and the front and rear positions on the water level monitoring circuit board 305. The electric opening/closing device 901 opens and closes the water passage of the water inlet pipe 304. The control device 900 is connected to the water level monitoring circuit board 305 and the electric switch device 901, and is used for controlling the action of the electric switch device 901 to inject or not inject water into the kettle 200 based on the interaction signals of the first magnetic resistor 351, the second magnetic resistor 352 and the magnetic member 243. By arranging the electric switch device 901 and the control device 900, the water storage device 100 of the embodiment of the utility model can realize intelligent control of water level monitoring and automatic water injection, and meet the requirements of more convenient and intelligent domestic water of users.

The upper and lower positions and the front and rear positions of the first and second magnetoresistors 351 and 352 on the water level monitoring circuit board 305 are different, so that the signals of the water level monitoring circuit board 305 are different based on the difference of the interaction of the first and second magnetoresistors 351 and 352 and the magnetic member 243, and the state of the kettle 200 can be indicated. The states of the water jug 200 may include a water level state, a position state, an in-out state. The water level state of the water jug 200 may include a non-filling state and a filling required state, and the position state of the water jug 200 may include a put-in-place state and an not-put-in-place state. The entry and exit states of the jug 200 may include the jug 200 being put in and the jug 200 being removed.

As shown in fig. 14, in some embodiments, the water jug 200 is configured to be placed from the front to the rear under the device cover 300. The water level monitoring circuit board 305 is disposed above the magnetic member 243 in the front-rear direction, the projection of the first magnetoresistor 351 on the vertical plane is located below the projection of the second magnetoresistor 352, and the projection of the first magnetoresistor 351 on the horizontal plane is located behind the projection of the second magnetoresistor 352. When the water kettle 200 has different water level states, different position states and different access states, the interaction of the first magnetic resistor 351, the second magnetic resistor 352 and the magnetic member 243 is obviously different, that is, whether the first magnetic resistor 351 and the second magnetic resistor 352 have signals or not, the sequence of the signals of the first magnetic resistor 351 and the second magnetic resistor 352 and the like are different, so that the water level state, the position state and the access state of the water kettle 200 can be indicated based on the interaction of the first magnetic resistor 351, the second magnetic resistor 352 and the magnetic member 243.

Specifically, the following conditions are satisfied among the magnetic member 243, the first magnetoresistor 351, and the second magnetoresistor 352:

v≤r；

u+v＞r；

u+v-w≤r；

where r is the effective working radius of the magnetic member 243; v is the farthest up-down distance between the first magnetoresistor 351 and the magnetic member 243; u is an up-down distance between the first and second magnetoresistors 351 and 352; w is the movable distance of the magnetic member 243 up and down in the water jug 200. The farthest distance v between the first magnetic sensor 351 and the magnetic member 243 is not greater than r, so that the first magnetic sensor 351 can sense the magnetic force of the magnetic member 243 to send a signal when the water bottle 200 is correctly placed under the device cover 300. When the first magnetic resistor 351 has no signal, it indicates that the kettle 200 is not in place. The non-seated state of the water jug 200 includes two cases, one is that the water jug 200 is not seated under the device cover 300, for example, the water jug 200 is seated in other storage compartments of the refrigerator 400 or moved out of the refrigerator 400; the other is that the water jug 200 is not placed completely in place although it is placed under the device cover 300.

The distance limit condition between the effective acting radius of the magnetic member 243 and the first and second magnetoresistors 351 and 352 can realize the monitoring of the liquid level in the kettle 200: when the floater 204 is not supported by the water in the kettle 200, u + v is larger than r, the second magnetic sensing resistor 352 cannot sense the magnetic force of the magnetic part 243, no signal is generated, and water needs to be injected when the liquid level is too low; when the water in the kettle 200 lifts the floater 204, u + v-w is less than or equal to r, the second magnetic sensing resistor 352 can sense the magnetic force of the magnetic part 243, and a signal is generated, which indicates that water injection is not needed.

The magnetic force of the magnetic member 243 is related to the type of the magnetic member 243. As described above, the magnetic member 243 may be a magnet. The effective magnetic acting radius r of the magnets with different specifications is different. In general, in consideration of cost, the water storage apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention uses a magnet having an effective acting radius r of magnetic force of 20mm or less as the magnetic member 243.

The projection of the first magneto-resistor 351 on the horizontal plane is behind the projection of the second magneto-resistor 352, that is, there is a front-to-back distance between the first magneto-resistor 351 and the second magneto-resistor 352. Therefore, whether the water bottle 200 is put in or taken out can be judged by the front and back sequence of the signals of the first magnetic resistor 351 and the second magnetic resistor 352. The front-back distance m between the first magneto-resistor 351 and the second magneto-resistor 352 is generally equal to or greater than 10 mm. For example, if the water kettle 200 is filled with water, when the second magnetic resistor 352 has a signal first and the first magnetic resistor 351 has a signal later, the water kettle 200 is put in; when the first magnetic sensor 351 has no signal first and the second magnetic sensor 352 has no signal later, the kettle 200 is removed.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, a plurality of fixing blocks 361 are formed on the circuit board base 306 at intervals along the front-rear direction, bayonets 3611 are respectively formed on the plurality of fixing blocks 361, and the water level monitoring circuit board 305 is inserted into the bayonets 3611. Meanwhile, a plurality of hooks 362 are formed on the circuit board base 306 in a manner of extending upwards at positions close to the fixed blocks 361, and the water level monitoring circuit board 305 is clamped between the hooks 362 and the circuit board base 306. By inserting the water level monitoring circuit board 305 into the bayonet 3611 and fixing the water level monitoring circuit board with the hook 362, the water level monitoring circuit board 305 can be stably fixed.

As shown in fig. 6, the water level monitoring circuit board 305 is a special-shaped board, and the lower end of the portion where the second magnetic resistor 352 is disposed is higher than the lower end of the portion where the first magnetic resistor 351 is disposed. A convex portion 365 is formed on the circuit board base 306, and a portion of the water level monitor circuit board 305 where the second magnetic resistor 352 is provided is overlapped on the convex portion 365 of the circuit board base 306. By forming the convex portion 365 on the circuit board base 306, the portion of the water level monitoring circuit board 305 on which the second magnetic resistor 352 is disposed is overlapped on the convex portion 365 on the circuit board base 306, so that the water level monitoring circuit board 305 can be more stably fixed on the circuit board base 306.

The projection of the left and right width of the convex part 365 of the circuit board base 306 on the horizontal plane covers the handle 211 of the kettle body 201. A projection 2212 is formed on the cover main body 221 of the cover 202 corresponding to the projection 365 of the circuit board base 306, and the tip of the projection 2212 of the cover 202 covers the upper end of the handle 211. The lower portion of the front sidewall of the main body 301 of the device cover 300 has a docking port 312 at a position corresponding to the handle 211. The front end of the convex portion 2212 of the cover body 202 covers the upper end of the handle 211, and the device cover 300 is provided with the butt joint port 312, so that the matching between the kettle 200 and the device cover 300 can be further limited, and a user can place the kettle 200 in place quickly and accurately.

The water storage device 100 of the embodiment of the utility model can be further provided with a reminding device 902 for sending displacement reminding when the water kettle 200 is not placed in place. The reminder 902 may be integrated within the device cover 300. The control device 900 is connected to the reminding device 902 and is used for controlling the reminding device 902 to send out displacement reminding when the first magnetic resistor 351 is not in signal. The reminder may be, for example, a beep or the like.

Fig. 16 is a control flowchart of the water storage apparatus 100 shown in fig. 2 in which the water bottle 200 is placed in the inner container 402. After the water bottle 200 is placed in the refrigerator 400, the method for controlling the water storage device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes:

s102: judging whether the first magnetoresistor 351 has a signal; if yes, go to step S104; if not, go to step S110.

S104: judging whether the second magnetic resistor 352 has a signal; if yes, go to step S106; if not, go to step S108.

S106: the electric switch 901 is controlled to be closed, and water is not filled into the kettle 200.

S108: the electric switch device 901 is controlled to be turned on, and water is filled into the kettle 200.

S110: the reminder device 902 is controlled to issue a shift reminder.

After the water jug 200 is placed in the refrigerator 400, it is first judged whether the water jug 200 is placed in place. Since the first magnetoresistor 351 has a signal after the kettle 200 is put in place, whether the kettle 200 is put in place can be determined by judging whether the first magnetoresistor 351 has a signal. Therefore, when the first magnetic resistor 351 has no signal, which indicates that the water bottle 200 is not accurately placed below the device cover 300, the reminding device 902 is controlled to send out displacement reminding at the moment. When the first magnetic resistor 351 has a signal indicating that the water bottle 200 is in place, it is determined whether water needs to be filled into the water bottle 200. Here, in order to simplify the control process of water filling, it may be set that water is considered to be filled in the water bottle 200 when the float 204 is lifted by water, and water filling is not required. That is, when the second magnetic resistor 352 has a signal, it is determined that the water inside the kettle 200 is filled with water, and the water is not required to be filled. Therefore, when the second magnetic resistor 352 has a signal, the electric switch device 901 is controlled to be closed, and water is not filled into the kettle 200. When the second magnetic resistor 352 has no signal, the electric switch device 901 is controlled to be turned on, and water is filled into the kettle 200 until the second magnetic resistor 352 has a signal.

The water storage apparatus 100 of the embodiment of the present invention further includes: a signal processing circuit board 307. The signal processing circuit board 307 is disposed in the accommodating cavity 311, connected to the water level monitoring circuit board 305 and the control device 900, and configured to receive and process the signal output by the water level monitoring circuit board 305, and then send the processed signal to the control device 900.

A plurality of fixing posts 363 are further formed on the circuit board base 306, first fixing holes 3631 are formed on the fixing posts 363, and/or inserting rods 3632 are formed on the fixing posts 363. A second fixing hole 371 is formed at a position on the signal processing circuit board 307 corresponding to the fixing post 363, and the fixing of the signal processing circuit board 307 and the circuit board base 306 is achieved by inserting the fixing member 308 through the second fixing hole 371 and/or inserting the inserting rod 3632 into the second fixing hole 371. As shown in fig. 6, four fixing posts 363 are formed on the circuit board base 306, first fixing holes 3631 are formed on the two fixing posts 363, inserting rods 3632 are formed on the two fixing posts 363, the first fixing holes 3631 and the inserting rods 3632 are arranged diagonally, the inserting rods 3632 are used for positioning when the signal processing circuit board 307 is installed, and the first fixing holes 3631 are used for being connected with the second fixing holes 371 to fix the signal processing circuit board 307.

In some embodiments, the signal processing circuit board 307 is configured to receive the signal status of the first and

second magnetoresistors

351, 352 of the water level monitoring circuit board 305 and generate kettle status information. The control device 900 is used to control the operation of the electric switch device 901 based on the pot status information. The pot state information may be determined by a preset mapping relationship, where the mapping relationship specifies pot state information corresponding to the signal state of the first magneto-resistor 351, the signal state of the second magneto-resistor 352, and the signal order of the first magneto-resistor 351 and the second magneto-resistor 352. For example, in the mapping relation, it is specified that the pot state information corresponding to "the first magnetoresistor 351 has a signal and the second magnetoresistor 352 has no signal" is "water injection required". For example, the mapping relation specifies that "the first magnetoresistor 351 has a signal before and the second magnetoresistor 352 has a signal after" and the corresponding pot state information is "water is filled". For another example, it is specified in the mapping that "the first magneto resistor 351 has no signal first, and the second magneto resistor 352 has no signal later", and the corresponding pot status information is "the pot 200 has been removed".

As shown in fig. 15, the signal processing circuit board 307 may be powered by the control device 900 (which may be a main control board of the refrigerator 400), and a signal transmission line is provided between the two; the water level monitoring circuit board 305 is powered by the signal processing circuit board 307, and a signal transmission line is arranged between the water level monitoring circuit board 305 and the signal processing circuit board 307; the open and closed states of the electric switching device 901 (e.g., solenoid valve) are controlled by the control device 900 in accordance with the signal received from the signal processing circuit board 307; the reminder 902 is controlled by the control device 900 according to the signal received from the signal processing circuit board 307.

Several states and control examples of the water storage apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention are described below:

1) when the water bottle 200 is not placed under the device cover 300, the first and second magnetoresistors 351 and 352 cannot sense the magnetic force of the magnetic member 243, and no signal is output from the first and second magnetoresistors 351 and 352. The electrical switching apparatus 901 remains off.

2) When there is no water in the water bottle 200 or the water level is not high, the float 204 is not lifted by the water, and when the water bottle 200 is placed under the device cover 300, the first magnetic sensor 351 is in the magnetic range and can sense the magnetic force of the magnetic member 243, but the second magnetic sensor 352 is not in the magnetic range and cannot sense the magnetic force of the magnetic member 243, that is, the first magnetic sensor 351 has a signal, but the second magnetic sensor 352 has no signal. The signal processing circuit board 307 receives the signal "the first magnetic sensor 351 has a signal, the second magnetic sensor 352 has no signal" output from the water level monitoring circuit board 305, and the kettle state information is "water needs to be filled". The signal processing circuit board 307 sends the kettle status information to the control device 900, and the control device 900 controls the electric switch device 901 to be turned on to inject water into the kettle 200.

When the water kettle 200 is filled with water, the floater 204 is lifted by the water, and at the moment, the first magnetic resistor 351 and the second magnetic resistor 352 are both in the magnetic range, so that both the first magnetic resistor and the second magnetic resistor can sense magnetic force and have signals. The signal processing circuit board 307 receives the signal "the first magnetic sensor 351 is a signal, and the second magnetic sensor 352 is a signal" outputted from the water level monitoring circuit board 305, and the kettle state information is "water is filled". The signal processing circuit board 307 sends the kettle status information to the control device 900, and the control device 900 controls the electric switch device 901 to close to stop the water injection into the kettle 200.

3) When the water bottle 200 is removed in a full water state, the first magnetic sensor 351 cannot sense the magnetic force first, and then the second magnetic sensor 352 cannot sense the magnetic force. The signal processing circuit board 307 receives the signal "no signal is first generated at the first magneto resistor 351 and no signal is generated at the second magneto resistor 352" outputted from the water level monitoring circuit board 305, and the kettle state information is "the kettle 200 is moved out". The signal processing circuit board 307 does not send a signal to the control device 900, and the electrical switching device 901 remains off.

4) When the water kettle 200 is taken away after being filled with water, the floater 204 is not lifted by the water, the first magnetic sensing resistor 351 cannot sense the magnetic force at first and becomes no signal, and the second magnetic sensing resistor 352 cannot sense the magnetic force all the time. The signal processing circuit board 307 receives the signal "no signal of the first magnetic sensor 351 and no signal of the second magnetic sensor 352" output from the water level monitoring circuit board 305, and the corresponding kettle state information is "the kettle 200 has been moved out". The signal processing circuit board 307 does not send a signal to the control device 900, and the electrical switching device 901 remains off.

5) When the water bottle 200 is placed under the set cover 300 in a full water state, the second magnetic resistor 352 senses the magnetic force first, and then the first magnetic resistor 351 senses the magnetic force again. The signal processing circuit board 307 receives the signal "the second magnetic sensor 352 has a signal first and the first magnetic sensor 351 has a signal later" output from the water level monitoring circuit board 305, and the corresponding kettle state information is "the kettle 200 is filled with water". The signal processing circuit board 307 does not send a signal to the control device 900, and the electrical switching device 901 remains off.

6) When the water bottle 200 is filled with water but the water bottle 200 is not placed in place, the second magnetic sensor 352 senses the magnetic force, but the first magnetic sensor 351 does not sense the magnetic force. The signal processing circuit board 307 receives the signal "there is a signal in the second magnetic sensor 352 and no signal in the first magnetic sensor 351" output from the water level monitoring circuit board 305, and the corresponding kettle state information is "the kettle 200 is filled with water, but the placing position is incorrect". The signal processing circuit board 307 does not send a signal to the control device 900, and the electrical switching device 901 remains off. The signal processing circuit board 307 may also send the status signal to the control device 900, and the control device 900 controls the reminding device 902 to send out reminding information, such as a beep, etc., to remind the user to put the kettle 200 in place.

7) When the water bottle 200 is removed in a full state but not completely removed under the device cover 300, the first magnetic sensor 351 cannot sense the magnetic force, and the second magnetic sensor 352 can still sense the magnetic force. The signal processing circuit board 307 receives the signal "no signal of the first magneto resistor 351 and signal of the second magneto resistor 352" output from the water level monitoring circuit board 305, and the corresponding kettle state information is "the kettle 200 is full of water but is not completely moved out". The signal processing circuit board 307 does not send a signal to the control device 900, and the electrical switching device 901 remains off. Similarly, the signal processing circuit board 307 may also send the status signal to the control device 900, and the control device 900 controls the reminding device 902 to send out reminding information, such as a beep, etc., to remind the user to put the water bottle 200 in place or remove it completely.

In the description of the present embodiment, it is to be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top" and "bottom" indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in fig. 2, and are only for convenience in describing the present invention and simplifying the description, but do not indicate or imply that the device or element being referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

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 one or more of that feature. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically defined otherwise.

Thus, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while a number of exemplary embodiments of the utility model have been illustrated and described in detail herein, many other variations or modifications consistent with the principles of the utility model may be directly determined or derived from the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model. Accordingly, the scope of the utility model should be understood and interpreted to cover all such other variations or modifications.

Claims

1. A water storage apparatus, comprising:

the float seat is fixedly arranged with the kettle body or the cover body, and a water passing hole for water in the kettle body to pass in and out is formed in the float seat; and

the floater is movably arranged in the floater seat up and down.

2. The water storage apparatus of claim 1,

the float seat is fixed with the cover body.

3. The water storage apparatus of claim 2,

the lower surface of the cover body extends downwards to form a plurality of fixing bolts;

a plurality of seat fixing holes are formed in the positions, corresponding to the plurality of fixing bolts, of the float seat;

the fixing bolt is inserted into the seat fixing hole and then heated and softened to form a cap type structure to fix the float seat and the cover body.

4. The water storage apparatus of claim 1,

the float includes: a float body, a float cover and a magnetic member, wherein

5. The water storage apparatus of claim 4,

the float cover is in hot melt connection with the float body; and/or

The magnetic part is poured and formed and fixed in the floater cover.

6. The water storage apparatus of claim 4,

the float seat is provided with a bottom wall part and a side wall part, the bottom wall part and/or the side wall part is provided with the water passing port, and a plurality of limiting ribs are formed on the inner side surface of the side wall part at intervals;

the float body is clamped between the limiting edges.

7. The water storage device of claim 4, further comprising:

and the water inlet pipe is arranged in the accommodating cavity, the outlet end extends into the kettle, and the inlet end is connected with the external water pipe so as to introduce water into the kettle.

8. The water storage device of claim 7, further comprising:

the water level monitoring circuit board is arranged in the accommodating cavity, a first magnetic resistor and a second magnetic resistor are arranged on the water level monitoring circuit board, and the upper position and the lower position and the front position and the rear position of the first magnetic resistor and the second magnetic resistor on the water level monitoring circuit board are different;

an electric switch device for opening and closing the water path of the water inlet pipe; and

and the control device is connected with the water level monitoring circuit board and the electric switch device and is used for controlling the electric switch device to act to inject or not inject water into the kettle based on the interaction signals of the first magnetic resistor, the second magnetic resistor and the magnetic piece.

9. A refrigerator characterized by having the water storage apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, comprising:

the refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body, wherein a storage compartment is defined in an inner container of the refrigerator body; wherein

The water storage device is arranged in the storage room.