CN217118371U - Liquid feeding assembly, liquid distributor and dish washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a refill assembly, a liquid dispenser having the refill assembly, and a dishwasher having the liquid dispenser. The liquid feeding assembly comprises a flow guide mechanism and a floating piece. The diversion mechanism includes a fluid passage mountable to open into the reservoir, wherein the diversion mechanism is pivotably connected to the liquid treatment device to pivot relative to the liquid treatment device between an open position in which at least a portion of the diversion mechanism is exposed from the liquid treatment device and a closed position in which the diversion mechanism is retracted into the liquid treatment device. The float member is configured to be in a first position relative to the deflector mechanism in the absence of liquid buoyancy, and is capable of being in a second position relative to the deflector mechanism different from the first position based on liquid buoyancy. The liquid feeding subassembly can effectively and steadily provide the liquid level indication function.

Description

Liquid feeding assembly, liquid distributor and dish washing machine

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a refill assembly, a liquid dispenser having the refill assembly, and a dishwasher having the liquid dispenser.

Background

Sink dishwashers typically have a liquid dispenser into which a user adds liquid, such as detergent, dishwashing agent, etc., through a fill port, and which discharges the liquid through a drain port into a sink of the dishwasher as desired.

In current sump dishwashers, the fill port of the liquid dispenser is typically located on the side wall of the sink. For the convenience of liquid adding of users, most of the liquid adding openings protrude from the side wall of the washing tank, occupy the space of the washing tank and influence the appearance effect of the side wall of the washing tank.

Thus, there is a need for a liquid dispenser having a refill assembly that can be extended from the sink during refill and retracted into the sink sidewall during refill to reduce the space occupied by the sink.

However, the retractable liquid adding assembly has a design problem that although the liquid adding assembly can extend out, detergent added by a user can flow into a liquid storage cavity in the side wall of the washing pool, so that the liquid level is often invisible for the user, the liquid adding is not stopped timely, and finally the detergent is too much and even flows out.

Thus, there is a need for a level indicating mechanism that is effective in the design of a refillable liquid dispenser assembly to indicate to the user to stop adding detergent when the appropriate volume of detergent has been added. The mechanism needs to remain in a steady state after the user stops adding to prevent misleading the user to add the detergent again.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In view of the above-mentioned problems and needs, the present disclosure proposes a novel solution that solves the above-mentioned problems and brings other technical effects by adopting the following technical features.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a liquid feeding assembly including a flow guide mechanism and a float. The diversion mechanism includes a fluid passage mountable to open into the reservoir, wherein the diversion mechanism is pivotably connected to the liquid treatment device to pivot relative to the liquid treatment device between an open position in which at least a portion of the diversion mechanism is exposed from the liquid treatment device and a closed position in which the diversion mechanism is retracted into the liquid treatment device. The float member is configured to be in a first position relative to the deflector mechanism in the absence of liquid buoyancy, and is capable of being in a second position relative to the deflector mechanism different from the first position based on liquid buoyancy.

Preferably, the float member includes a float portion, an identification portion and a mounting portion located between the float portion and the identification portion, the mounting portion being pivotally mounted to the flow directing mechanism, wherein the float portion is configured to receive buoyancy of the liquid to pivotally move the float member from the first position to the second position.

Preferably, the float portion and the identification portion are at an obtuse angle with respect to each other.

Preferably, the indicator portion comprises an engagement side configured to be remote from the bottom wall of the air guide mechanism when the float member is in the first position and to be close to or engage the bottom wall of the air guide mechanism when the float member is in the second position, and an indicator side opposite to the engagement side and provided with an indicator.

Preferably, the engagement side is configured to be at an angle of more than 40 degrees to the bottom wall of the flow directing mechanism when the float member is in the first position.

Preferably, the material density of the float is less than the material density of other parts of the float member.

Preferably, the guide mechanism has two side walls located on both sides of a bottom wall of the guide mechanism, and the mounting portion of the floating member includes two mounting portions located on both sides of the floating member, which are pivotally mounted to the two side walls, respectively.

Preferably, the flow guide mechanism is provided with a float groove with an open bottom for accommodating the float member.

Preferably, the float groove is provided in the fluid passage.

Preferably, the bottom wall of the fluid passage includes a first portion, a second portion extending downstream from the first portion at an obtuse angle, and a third portion extending from the second portion and parallel to the first portion, the float groove being provided in the third portion.

Preferably, the width of the float groove is less than the entire width of the fluid channel.

Preferably, the float bath has a float bath sidewall extending from a bottom wall of the fluid passage.

Preferably, the float is a block structure.

Preferably, the liquid handling device is a liquid dispenser configured to receive liquid in the reservoir chamber through the priming assembly and selectively discharge the liquid through the dosing port.

The present disclosure also provides a liquid dispenser, comprising: a housing having a liquid storage chamber therein; the refill assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the deflector mechanism of the refill assembly is pivotably connected to the housing and the fluid passage of the refill assembly opens into the reservoir; a discharge mechanism configured to selectively discharge liquid in the reservoir chamber through the dosing port.

The present disclosure also provides a sump dishwasher comprising a refill assembly as defined in any of the preceding claims, or a liquid dispenser as defined in the preceding claims.

The best modes for carrying out the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the features and advantages of the present disclosure can be readily understood.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be briefly described below. The drawings are intended to depict only some embodiments of the disclosure, and not all embodiments of the disclosure are limited thereto.

FIG. 1A illustrates a specific example of a sump dishwasher proposed by the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary installation location of a liquid dispenser in a sump dishwasher;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary liquid dispenser;

fig. 3 shows an external view and a partial sectional view of a specific example of a liquid dispenser;

fig. 4A and 4B illustrate an assembled rear view and an exploded view, respectively, of a first embodiment of a liquid feeding assembly with level indicating function usable with a liquid dispenser as set forth in the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate the priming operation of the liquid dispenser with the first embodiment of the priming assembly installed;

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate the level indicating positions of a first embodiment of a liquid dispenser having a refill assembly installed therein in an unfilled and filled liquid condition, respectively;

fig. 7A and 7B illustrate an assembled rear view and an exploded view, respectively, of a second embodiment of a liquid feeding assembly with level indicating function usable with a liquid dispenser as set forth in the present disclosure;

fig. 8A to 8B show a charging operation of the liquid dispenser with the second embodiment of the charging assembly installed.

List of reference numerals

1 liquid distributor

2 liquid feeding mouth

3 throwing in mouth

4 washing chamber

5 liquid storage cavity

6 casing

100 diversion mechanism

101 float groove

102 first part

103 second part

104 third part

105 float groove side wall

106 fluid channel

107 side wall

109 bottom wall

200 float element

201 floating part

202 mark part

203 mounting part

300 sealing cover

301 sealed cover rotating shaft

S sealing element

L liquid level

A liquid

W-water tank type dish-washing machine

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure more clear, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail and fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the described embodiments of the disclosure without any inventive step, are within the scope of protection of the disclosure.

Possible embodiments within the scope of the disclosure may have fewer components, have other components not shown in the figures, different components, differently arranged components or differently connected components, etc. than the embodiments shown in the figures. In addition, two or more of the components in the drawings may be implemented in a single component, or a single component shown in the drawings may be implemented as multiple separate components.

Unless defined otherwise, technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The use of "first," "second," and similar terms in the description and claims of the present disclosure are not intended to indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Also, the use of the terms "a" or "an" and the like do not necessarily denote a limitation of quantity. The word "comprising" or "comprises", and the like, means that the element or item listed before the word covers the element or item listed after the word and its equivalents, but does not exclude other elements or items. The terms "connected" or "coupled" and the like are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "upper", "lower", "left", "right", and the like are used merely to indicate relative positional relationships, and when the absolute position of the object being described is changed, the relative positional relationships may also be changed accordingly.

In general, the present disclosure presents two types of priming assemblies with level indication capability, which can be used (but are not limited to) in the dishwashers and/or liquid dispensers shown in fig. 1A-3. The liquid dispenser is configured to receive liquid in its own reservoir via the priming assembly and selectively discharge the liquid through the dosing port. The liquid dispenser may be provided with a discharge device, such as a motor assembly, configured to selectively discharge liquid in the reservoir through the delivery port. Furthermore, the refill assembly proposed by the present disclosure may also be used in other liquid handling devices than liquid dispensers, such as devices having only a liquid storage or transit function, but no active dispensing function, etc. Hereinafter, for purposes of example, the specific operation of the refill assembly will be described primarily in the context of its installation into a liquid dispenser of a sink dishwasher. It should be noted that it is equally applicable in an euro dishwasher, such as may be mounted inside the door panel of an euro dishwasher.

Both types of liquid feeding assemblies proposed in the present disclosure are adapted to prompt the user to stop feeding when the amount of liquid such as detergent, dish detergent, etc. reaches a proper volume (usually a preset maximum volume), and can maintain a stable state after the user stops feeding to prevent misleading the user to feed the detergent again. The two types of liquid adding assemblies with liquid level prompting function mainly relate to a first embodiment of the liquid adding assembly shown in figures 4A and 4B and a second embodiment of the liquid adding assembly shown in figures 7A and 7B.

An exemplary application of the charging assembly will first be described with reference to fig. 1A-3. Wherein fig. 1A illustrates a specific example of a sink dishwasher W, the refill assembly of the present disclosure is particularly suited for use in such a dishwasher. Fig. 1B shows a preferred mounting position of the liquid dispenser 1 in a sink dishwasher, i.e. in a side wall of the washing chamber of the dishwasher, such that the filling opening 2 and the dosing opening 3 of the dispenser are both located inside the washing chamber 4 after mounting, thereby avoiding contamination of the counter top when a user adds detergent.

Fig. 2 and 3 show an external appearance view and a partial sectional view of a specific example of the liquid dispenser, respectively. The liquid dispenser 1 comprises a housing which can be enclosed by a first housing and a second housing, wherein a liquid storage cavity is arranged in the housing and can store a certain amount of liquid, such as detergent, dish brightening agent and the like. The shell is provided with a feeding port which is communicated with a liquid storage cavity of the dish washing machine, and liquid in the liquid storage cavity finally enters the washing tank from the feeding port of the liquid distributor.

The filling assembly set forth in this disclosure is described below. Both types of charging assemblies generally include a flow directing mechanism and a float.

The diversion mechanism includes a fluid channel 106 that can be installed to open into the reservoir of the liquid treatment device, and liquid added by the user can be injected into the fluid channel either directly or through an additional liquid addition section.

Wherein the deflector mechanism 100 is pivotally connected to the liquid treatment device to pivot between an open position and a closed position relative to the liquid treatment device. Specifically, the diversion mechanism 100 is pivotally connected to the housing of the liquid dispenser and opens into the reservoir thereof.

In the open position, at least a portion of the diversion mechanism is exposed from the liquid treatment device such that a user can add liquid to the diversion mechanism. In the closed position, the deflector mechanism is retracted into the liquid treatment device. In case of a liquid dispenser mounted to a dishwasher, this avoids that it occupies the washing space of the dishwasher and provides a good visual appearance.

The float member 200 is configured to be in a first position relative to the deflector mechanism 100 in the absence of liquid buoyancy, and is capable of being in a second position relative to the deflector mechanism 100 different from the first position based on liquid buoyancy. When the float is in the second position, at least a portion of it can be viewed by the user so that the user knows that the act of adding liquid should cease.

A first embodiment of the charging assembly proposed in the present disclosure is shown in fig. 4A-6B.

Fig. 4A and 4B show an assembled and an exploded view, respectively, of the first embodiment of the refill assembly. The priming assembly includes a deflector mechanism 100 and a float member 200. The float member 200 is pivotally mounted to the deflector mechanism 100 to be in a first position relative to the deflector mechanism 100 (see fig. 5B or 6B) in the absence of liquid buoyancy, and is capable of being pivoted relative to the deflector mechanism 100 to a second position (see fig. 5C or 6A) different from the first position based on liquid buoyancy.

Specifically, the float member may include a float portion 201, a logo portion 202, and a mounting portion 203 between the float portion and the logo portion. The indicator 203 may be characterized as "stop", such as: red, STOP or STOP words, etc. The mounting portion 203 may be embodied as a pivot shaft or a shaft hole (illustrated as a shaft hole) or the like. The mounting portion 203 is pivotally mounted to the deflector mechanism 100 to enable pivotal movement of the float member 200 from the first position to the second position when subjected to liquid buoyancy.

According to a preferred solution, said float portion 201 and said identification portion 202 are at an obtuse angle with respect to each other. The mounting portion 203 is located substantially at a corner between the float portion 201 and the identification portion 202.

According to a preferred version, the marking 202 comprises an engagement side 204 and a marking side 205 opposite said engagement side provided with a marking. The engagement side is configured to be remote from the bottom wall 109 of the air guide mechanism when the float member 200 is in the first position, preferably the engagement side is configured to be at an angle of more than 40 degrees, and more preferably at an angle of 45 degrees or more, with the bottom wall 109 of the air guide mechanism when the float member 200 is in the first position. As shown in fig. 5B or 6B, in the first position, the user does not see the logo on the logo side 205. When the float member 200 is in the second position, it is adjacent to or engages the bottom wall 109 of the air guide mechanism so that the label side 205 is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 109 of the air guide mechanism and is facing right up, as shown in fig. 5C or 6A, and is conveniently visible to the user.

According to a preferred aspect, the interior of the floating portion 201 is provided with a cavity so that the floating portion senses buoyancy and is displaced based on the buoyancy. Preferably, the entire float member is integrally formed of the same material. Due to the presence of the cavity at the float portion, the float portion is still more susceptible to displacement by buoyancy than other portions of the float member, in the case where the entire float member is integrally formed of the same material.

According to a preferred embodiment, the material density of the floating part 201 is less than that of the rest of the floating member 200, so that the floating part is suitable for floating in liquid such as detergent, dish polish and the like, thereby moving the identification part to a proper position.

According to a preferred solution, the deflector mechanism 100 has two side walls 107 located on either side of the bottom wall 109 of the deflector mechanism, and the mounting portion 203 of the float member comprises two mounting portions 203 located on either side of the float member, which are pivotally mounted to the two side walls 107, respectively.

Referring to fig. 5A-5C, a priming operation of the liquid dispenser of the first embodiment with the priming assembly installed is illustrated. In fig. 5A, the priming assembly of the liquid dispenser is in a closed position. In fig. 5B, the refill assembly of the dispenser is in the open position and the user has added liquid (e.g., detergent or dish polish) to the dispenser, but the liquid level L has only just touched the float, the float has not yet been subjected to buoyancy, the float is still in the first position, and its identification portion has not come into the user's line of sight. In fig. 5C, the liquid has substantially submerged most of the volume of the float and the float rotates clockwise under the influence of buoyancy, so that the indicator of the float comes into view of the user, who knows that the addition of liquid should be stopped. The floating piece can be maintained at the second position under the action of the buoyancy of the liquid, namely, the prompt state of stopping filling liquid is maintained.

Fig. 6A to 6B show the charging assembly in a second position and in a first position from another perspective. In fig. 6B, the liquid is not yet full and the float is still in the first position with its logo not in the line of sight of the user. In 6A, the liquid is filled and the float is transferred to the second position by buoyancy, so that the marking of the float comes into the view of the user, who knows that the addition of liquid should be stopped.

A second embodiment of the refill assembly set forth in the present disclosure is shown in fig. 7A-8B.

Referring to fig. 7A and 7B, a rear assembled view and an exploded view of a second embodiment of a refill assembly with level indicating functionality as proposed by the present disclosure are shown, respectively. The guide mechanism 100 is provided with a float groove 101 for accommodating the float member 200.

The float bowl is open at the bottom so that liquid can enter the float bowl from the bottom and exert a buoyant force on the float in the float bowl. Wherein the float member 200 is configured to be in a first position, i.e. in a float bowl position, relative to the deflector mechanism 100, without being buoyant by liquid, such as shown in fig. 8A. The float member 200 can be in a second position different from the first position, i.e., a position of floating from the float groove, with respect to the deflector mechanism 100 based on the buoyancy of the liquid, as shown in fig. 8B, for example.

According to a preferred version, said float bath 101 is arranged in a fluid channel 106. As the liquid level rises, it gradually floods the bottom of the fluid passage and enters the float tank from the bottom thereof, so as to push the float member 200 to float out.

According to a preferred embodiment, the width of the float bath 101 is less than the entire width of the fluid channel 106, i.e. the float bath 101 does not occupy the entire width of the fluid channel. In this way, the float member can be floated by the liquid buoyancy while the fluid passage 106 is draining.

According to a preferred version, the float bath 101 has float bath side walls 105 extending from a bottom wall 109 of the fluid channel 106. That is, the bottom wall 109 of the fluid passage 106 and the float bowl side wall 105 together enclose the receptacle of the float. Thus, the float bath 101 is simple in structure and easy to manufacture.

According to a preferred embodiment, the float member 200 is a block-like structure. In this way, the float member 200 is simple in construction and easy to manufacture.

According to a preferred version, the bottom wall 109 of the fluid channel 106 comprises a first portion 102, a second portion 103 extending downstream from the first portion at an obtuse angle, and a third portion 104 extending from the second portion and substantially parallel to the first portion. The first portion 102 serves as a drain during filling. The float bath 101 is arranged in the third portion 104, in other words the float bath 101 is arranged in a more downstream portion of the fluid channel 106, making it easier to partially submerge the fluid channel in the liquid.

Referring to fig. 7A and 7B, the refill assembly may further include a sealing cap 300 coupled to the deflector mechanism 100, the sealing cap 300 may be used as a cover to open and close the refill opening of the liquid dispenser. The sealing member S may be disposed between the sealing cover 300 and the deflector mechanism 100, and particularly, a sealing groove for receiving the sealing member S may be provided in the sealing cover 300 to further enhance sealing.

Preferably, the sealing cover 300 is pivotally connected to the diversion mechanism 100, for example, by using the mounting shaft 301 shown in fig. 7B, so that the sealing cover can adjust its sealing angle with the filling opening by itself, and the sealing pressure is more uniform, thereby optimizing the sealing performance.

It should be noted that although not shown, such a sealing cap 300 may also be provided in the first embodiment of the refill assembly.

Fig. 8A to 8B show a charging operation of the liquid dispenser with the second embodiment of the charging assembly installed. Referring to fig. 8A, the user is shown adding a liquid a, such as detergent or dish detergent, to the diversion mechanism 100 after opening the cover, the liquid a flowing along the fluid channel 106 into the reservoir. At the moment, liquid is just added, and the floating piece sinks in the float groove of the cover body due to less liquid in the liquid storage cavity, so that a user cannot see the liquid. In fig. 8B, the liquid level L of the liquid a reaches the maximum level, and the floating member floats under the buoyancy force to enter the field of view of the user, thereby playing a role in prompting the maximum level.

The present disclosure also provides a liquid dispenser, which may include a housing having a reservoir disposed therein and a refill assembly as described in any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the flow guide mechanism of the refill assembly is pivotally connected to the housing, and the fluid channel of the refill assembly opens into the reservoir. The liquid dispenser may also have a discharge mechanism, such as a motor assembly, configured to selectively discharge liquid in the reservoir chamber through the discharge port.

The present disclosure also provides a sump dishwasher comprising a refill assembly as described in any of the preceding embodiments, or a liquid dispenser as described in any of the preceding embodiments.

Exemplary embodiments of the proposed solution of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to preferred embodiments, however, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications may be made to the specific embodiments described above, and that many combinations of the various technical features and structures presented in the present disclosure may be made without departing from the concept of the present disclosure, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. A charging assembly usable with a liquid treatment device having a reservoir, the charging assembly comprising:

a deflector mechanism (100) comprising a fluid channel (106) mountable to open into the reservoir, wherein the deflector mechanism is pivotably connected to the liquid treatment device to pivot relative to the liquid treatment device between an open position in which at least a portion of the deflector mechanism is exposed from the liquid treatment device and a closed position in which the deflector mechanism is retracted into the liquid treatment device;

a float member (200) configured to be in a first position relative to the deflector mechanism (100) in the absence of liquid buoyancy, and capable of being in a second position relative to the deflector mechanism (100) different from the first position based on liquid buoyancy.

2. The refill assembly of claim 1, wherein the float member comprises a float portion (201), a flag portion (202), and a mounting portion (203) between the float portion and the flag portion, the mounting portion (203) being pivotally mounted to the deflector mechanism (100), wherein the float portion is configured to receive a buoyancy force of the liquid to cause pivotal movement of the float member (200) from the first position to the second position.

3. The refill assembly of claim 2, wherein the float portion (201) and the indicator portion (202) are at an obtuse angle with respect to each other.

4. The refill assembly of claim 1, wherein the indicator (202) comprises an engagement side (204) configured to be spaced apart from the bottom wall (109) of the deflector mechanism when the float member (200) is in the first position and an indicator side (205) opposite the engagement side and provided with indicia, the engagement side being configured to be adjacent to or engage the bottom wall (109) of the deflector mechanism when the float member (200) is in the second position.

5. The refill assembly of claim 4, wherein the engagement side is configured to be at an angle of greater than 40 degrees to the bottom wall (109) of the deflector mechanism when the float member (200) is in the first position.

6. Filling assembly according to claim 2, wherein the float (201) has a material density which is lower than the material density of the rest of the float (200).

7. The refill assembly according to claim 2, wherein the deflector has two side walls (107) on either side of a bottom wall (109) of the deflector, and the mounting portion (203) of the float comprises two mounting portions (203) on either side of the float, which are pivotally mounted to the two side walls (107), respectively.

8. Filling assembly according to claim 1, wherein the deflector means (100) is provided with an open-bottomed float groove (101) for accommodating the float member (200).

9. The refill assembly of claim 8, wherein the float bowl (101) is disposed in the fluid passage (106).

10. The refill assembly according to claim 8, wherein the bottom wall (109) of the fluid channel (106) comprises a first portion (102), a second portion (103) extending downstream from the first portion at an obtuse angle, and a third portion (104) extending from the second portion and parallel to the first portion, the float bowl (101) being arranged in the third portion (104).

11. The refill assembly of claim 8, wherein the float bowl (101) has a width less than the entire width of the fluid passage (106).

12. The refill assembly of claim 8, wherein the float bowl (101) has a float bowl sidewall (105) extending from a bottom wall (109) of the fluid passage (106).

13. Filling assembly according to claim 8, wherein the float (200) is a block-shaped structure.

14. The refill assembly of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the liquid handling device is a liquid dispenser configured to receive liquid in a reservoir chamber through the refill assembly and selectively discharge the liquid through a dosing port of the liquid dispenser.

15. A liquid dispenser, comprising:

a housing having a liquid storage chamber therein;

the refill assembly of any of claims 1-14, the deflector mechanism (100) of the refill assembly being pivotably connected to the housing, and the fluid passage (106) of the refill assembly leading to the reservoir;

a discharge mechanism configured to selectively discharge liquid in the reservoir chamber through the dosing port.

16. A dishwasher, comprising a refill assembly according to any of claims 1 to 14, or a liquid dispenser according to claim 15.

Images