WO2022095948A1 - 具有混合分配器的制冷电器 - Google Patents

具有混合分配器的制冷电器 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022095948A1
WO2022095948A1 PCT/CN2021/128878 CN2021128878W WO2022095948A1 WO 2022095948 A1 WO2022095948 A1 WO 2022095948A1 CN 2021128878 W CN2021128878 W CN 2021128878W WO 2022095948 A1 WO2022095948 A1 WO 2022095948A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
refrigeration appliance
sources
liquid
food storage
storage compartment
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2021/128878
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
李建武
Original Assignee
海尔智家股份有限公司
青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司
海尔美国电器解决方案有限公司
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 海尔智家股份有限公司, 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司, 海尔美国电器解决方案有限公司 filed Critical 海尔智家股份有限公司
Priority to EP21888640.6A priority Critical patent/EP4224099A4/en
Priority to CN202180074071.4A priority patent/CN116490739A/zh
Priority to AU2021376591A priority patent/AU2021376591B2/en
Publication of WO2022095948A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022095948A1/zh

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • F25D23/126—Water cooler
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
    • B67D1/0858—Cooling arrangements using compression systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0878—Safety, warning or controlling devices
    • B67D1/0882—Devices for controlling the dispensing conditions
    • B67D1/0884—Means for controlling the parameters of the state of the liquid to be dispensed, e.g. temperature, pressure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D2001/0093—Valves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D2001/0093—Valves
    • B67D2001/0094—Valve mountings in dispensers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00002—Purifying means
    • B67D2210/00005—Filters
    • B67D2210/0001—Filters for liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00031—Housing
    • B67D2210/00034—Modules
    • B67D2210/00036—Modules for use with or in refrigerators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00047—Piping
    • B67D2210/0006—Manifolds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00099—Temperature control
    • B67D2210/00104—Cooling only
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2323/00—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2323/122—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass the refrigerator is characterised by a water tank for the water/ice dispenser

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to refrigeration appliances, and more particularly to a dispenser system for refrigeration appliances.
  • Refrigeration appliances typically include a cabinet defining a refrigerated compartment. A variety of food items can be stored in the refrigerated compartment. The low temperature of the refrigerated compartment relative to the ambient atmosphere helps to increase the shelf life of food products stored in the refrigerated compartment.
  • Refrigeration appliances can also be equipped with distribution systems.
  • distribution systems typically provide cold water and/or ice from the interior of the refrigeration appliance to a distribution outlet accessible from the exterior of the refrigeration appliance.
  • distribution outlets are typically provided in the outer surface of the door of the refrigeration appliance to provide access to water and/or ice from the interior of the refrigeration appliance without the need to open the door.
  • such systems are limited in the number and variety of items or contents from within the refrigeration appliance that can be delivered to the dispensing outlet.
  • a refrigerator with an improved dispensing system is desired.
  • refrigeration appliances with features for dispensing multiple fluids would be useful.
  • a refrigeration appliance defines vertical, lateral and lateral directions. Vertical, lateral and horizontal are perpendicular to each other.
  • the refrigeration appliance includes a box body defining a food storage compartment therein. The food storage compartment extends laterally between the front and the rear. The front of the food storage compartment defines an opening for receiving food.
  • the refrigeration appliance also includes a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet at the front of the food storage compartment. The door is movable between a closed position and an open position to selectively hermetically close the food storage compartment.
  • the door includes an outer surface and an opposing inner surface, wherein the inner surface faces the food storage chamber when the door is in the closed position, and the outer surface faces away from the food storage chamber when the door is in the closed position.
  • the refrigeration appliance also includes a distributor assembly having a plurality of fluid sources and multiple fluid tubes, the plurality of fluid sources being fluidly coupled to the distributor assembly. Each of the plurality of liquid sources is fluidly coupled to the dispenser assembly by a multi-fluid tube.
  • a refrigeration appliance in another exemplary embodiment, includes a box body defining a food storage compartment therein.
  • the food storage compartment defines an opening for receiving food.
  • the refrigeration appliance further includes a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet at the opening of the food storage compartment.
  • the door is movable between a closed position and an open position to selectively hermetically close the food storage compartment.
  • the door includes an outer surface and an opposing inner surface, wherein the inner surface faces the food storage chamber when the door is in the closed position, and the outer surface faces away from the food storage chamber when the door is in the closed position.
  • the refrigeration appliance also includes a distributor assembly having a plurality of fluid sources and multiple fluid tubes, the plurality of fluid sources being fluidly coupled to the distributor assembly. Each of the plurality of liquid sources is fluidly coupled to the dispenser assembly by a multi-fluid tube.
  • Figure 1 provides a front view of a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the refrigeration appliance of FIG. 1 .
  • Figure 3 provides a front view of the refrigeration appliance of Figure 1 with the door in an open position.
  • FIG. 4 provides a schematic diagram of an exemplary sealed cooling system that may be used with a refrigeration appliance in one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 provides a diagram of an exemplary multiple fluid tube in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 provides a cross-sectional view of the multi-fluid tube of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional view of the multi-fluid tube of FIG. 5 taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 8 provides a schematic diagram of a multi-fluid dispenser system for a refrigeration appliance in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 provides a schematic diagram of a multi-fluid dispenser system for a refrigeration appliance in accordance with one or more additional embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 provides a schematic diagram of a multi-fluid dispenser system for a refrigeration appliance in accordance with one or more additional embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 provides a schematic diagram of a multi-fluid dispenser system for a refrigeration appliance in accordance with one or more additional embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigeration appliance 100 .
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigeration appliance 100.
  • FIG. Figure 3 is a front view of the refrigeration appliance 100 with its food preservation door 128 in an open position.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 extends along the vertical direction V between the top 101 and the bottom 102 .
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 also extends along a transverse direction L perpendicular to the vertical direction V between the first side 105 and the second side 106 .
  • the lateral direction T may additionally be defined as being perpendicular to the vertical V and the lateral direction L.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 extends along the lateral direction T between the front portion 108 and the rear portion 110 .
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 includes a box or housing 120 that defines one or more refrigeration compartments, such as the upper food preservation compartment 122 shown in FIG.
  • the lower freezer compartment or frozen food storage compartment 124 below the fresh food compartment 122 As used herein, a chamber may be "refrigerated” in that the chamber may operate at temperatures below room temperature, eg, less than about seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit (75°F).
  • the auxiliary food storage compartment may be disposed between the fresh food storage compartment 122 and the frozen food storage compartment 124, for example, along the vertical direction V.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 is often referred to as a bottom-mounted refrigerator. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG.
  • the housing 120 also defines a mechanical compartment 62' for receiving a sealed cooling system.
  • a sealed cooling system such as side-by-side or freezer appliances. Accordingly, the descriptions set forth herein are for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended to limit the technology in any respect.
  • the refrigerator doors 128 are each rotatably hinged to an edge of the housing 120 for access to the food preservation compartment 122 . It should be noted that while two door bodies 128 in a "French door" configuration are illustrated, any suitable door body arrangement utilizing one, two or more door bodies is within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
  • the freezing door 130 is arranged below the refrigerating door 128 so as to enter the freezing compartment 124 .
  • freezer door 130 is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer compartment 124 .
  • the auxiliary door body 127 is coupled to an auxiliary drawer (not shown) slidably installed in the auxiliary compartment (not shown).
  • a plurality of food storage compartments 140 are arranged within the fresh food storage compartment 122 .
  • Operation of refrigeration appliance 100 may be regulated by controller 134, which is operably coupled to user interface panel 136.
  • Interface panel 136 provides selections for the user to manipulate the operation of refrigeration appliance 100 to modify environmental conditions therein, such as temperature selections and the like.
  • the user interface panel 136 may be adjacent to the dispenser assembly 132 .
  • the controller 134 operates various components of the refrigeration appliance 100 in response to user manipulation of the user interface panel 136 .
  • Operation of refrigeration appliance 100 may be regulated by controller 134, which may, for example, regulate the operation of various components of refrigeration appliance 100 in response to programming and/or user manipulation of user interface panel 136.
  • the distribution assembly 132 includes a distributor that is disposed on or mounted to the exterior of the refrigeration appliance 100 , such as on the exterior surface of a refrigerator door 128 .
  • the dispenser includes a drain 137 for obtaining ice and liquid water, as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • An actuation mechanism 138 shown as a paddle, is mounted below the drain 137 for operating the dispenser.
  • any suitable actuation mechanism may be used to operate the dispenser.
  • the dispensing assembly 132 may include a sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor or a button.
  • a user interface panel 136 may be provided to control the mode of operation of the dispensing component 132 .
  • the user interface panel 136 includes a number of user inputs (not labeled), such as a water dispense button and an ice dispense button, for selecting a desired mode of operation, such as crushed ice or non-crushed ice.
  • the user input may include an input for selecting one of a number of different liquids such as juice, carbonated or soda, tea, etc. and/or an input for selecting the temperature of the water to be dispensed, such as cold water, room temperature or Warm water, and other possible options.
  • Drain 137 and actuation mechanism 138 are external parts of dispenser 134 and are mounted in dispenser recess 142 .
  • the dispenser recess 142 is provided at a predetermined height that is convenient for the user to retrieve ice or liquid and enables the user to access the dispensed ice and liquid without bending over and without opening the refrigerator door 128. / or liquid.
  • the dispenser recess 142 is disposed at approximately the level of the chest of an adult user.
  • dispensing assembly 132 may receive ice from ice maker 152 disposed in a sub-compartment of food preservation compartment 122 .
  • the controller 134 may include memory and one or more microprocessors, CPUs, etc., such as a general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessor, for executing programmed instructions or microcontroller code associated with the operation of the refrigeration appliance 100 .
  • the memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH.
  • the processor executes programming instructions stored in the memory.
  • the memory may be a separate component from the processor, or may be contained on a board within the processor. It should be noted that the controller 134 as disclosed herein is capable and operable to perform any method and associated method steps as may be disclosed herein.
  • the controller 134 may be located in various locations throughout the refrigeration appliance 100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 134 may be located within the door body 128 . In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the controller 150 and various operating components of the refrigeration appliance 100 .
  • the user interface panel 136 may represent a general purpose I/O ("GPIO") device or functional block.
  • user interface 136 may include input components such as one or more of various electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical input devices including rotary dials, buttons, and touch pads.
  • User interface 136 may include display components, such as digital or analog display devices designed to provide operational feedback to the user. For example, user interface 136 may include a touch screen that provides both input and display functions. User interface 136 may communicate with the controller via one or more signal lines or a shared communication bus.
  • FIG. 4 provides a schematic diagram of the refrigeration appliance 100, and in particular the hermetic cooling system 60 thereof.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 includes a mechanical room 62 that contains, at least in part, components for performing a known vapor compression cycle for cooling air.
  • Components include a compressor 64, a heat exchanger or condenser 66, an expansion device 68, and an evaporator 70 connected in series and charged with refrigerant.
  • the evaporator 70 is also a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the air passing through the evaporator to the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator 70, thereby evaporating the refrigerant.
  • cooling air C is generated and configured to cool the chambers 122 , 123 , 124 and 300 of the refrigeration appliance 100 .
  • the cooled air C may be directed to the food storage compartments 122 , 123 , 124 and 300 by the fan 74 .
  • the evaporated refrigerant flows from evaporator 70 to compressor 64, which operates to increase the pressure of the refrigerant.
  • This compression of the refrigerant raises its temperature, which is lowered by the passage of the gaseous refrigerant through the condenser 66, where it exchanges heat with ambient air to cool the refrigerant.
  • fan 72 is used to draw air through condenser 66 to provide forced convection for faster and efficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and ambient air.
  • the expansion device 68 further reduces the pressure of the refrigerant exiting the condenser 66, supplying the refrigerant to the evaporator 70 as a liquid.
  • a sealed refrigeration system operable to force cold air through refrigeration compartments 122 , 123 , 124 , and 300 .
  • the refrigeration system 60 depicted in FIG. 4 is provided by way of example only. It is also within the scope of the present invention to use refrigeration systems of other configurations. For example, fan 74 may be reconfigured to push air through evaporator 70, dual evaporators may be used with one or more fans, and many other configurations may also be employed.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 may include a multi-fluid distribution system.
  • the multiple fluids may be disparate liquids, such as one or more juices, one or more flavored and/or carbonated waters, teas such as iced tea, soda, etc., or may be different
  • multi-fluid dispensing systems may provide mixtures of these liquids, such as different flavored juices obtained by mixing more than one juice, different temperatures water obtained by mixing water from more than one source, etc., where each source provides a different temperature of water.
  • a multi-fluid distribution system may advantageously include a single fluid conduit, such as multi-fluid conduit 200, which, as will be described in more detail below, provides one or more liquids, including liquid mixtures, from a plurality of different sources Selective flow to distribution assembly 132 .
  • a single tube may pass through hinge 129 between tank 120 and door 128 in order to provide multiple fluids to distribution assembly 132 in door 128 .
  • other conduits may be included for other purposes, but only one conduit, eg, only multi-fluid tube 200, is coupled to distribution assembly 132 and provides liquid flow to distribution assembly 132 and/or its drain 137.
  • dispensing assembly 132 also includes features for dispensing ice
  • ice is a solid rather than a fluid. This is true even where the ice is partially melted, since at least primarily, eg, 90% or more of the ice's volume is in solid form, one of ordinary skill in the art would not consider the ice dispensing feature to provide "liquid flow to the dispensing assembly 132" .
  • dispensing assembly 132 also includes features for dispensing ice, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that only multi-fluid tube 200 provides liquid flow to dispensing assembly 132 and/or its discharge port 137 .
  • certain components of the multi-fluid distribution system may be located in the tank 120 or in the door 128 .
  • the valves 228, 230, and 232 of the multi-fluid distribution system may be located in the tank 120, thereby reducing the weight of the door 128 and simplifying the door design, or the valves may be located in the door 128 to provide increased storage capacity within the case 120.
  • FIGS. 5-7 An exemplary multi-fluid tube 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 .
  • the multi-fluid tube 200 may include a mixing wheel 202, as illustrated, while other embodiments may omit the mixing wheel 202.
  • FIG. 5 provides a side view of an exemplary mixing tube 200 in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the flow of one or more fluids through multi-fluid tube 200 may be from left to right on the page, such that in embodiments including mixing wheel 202 , mixing wheel 202 is located downstream of multi-fluid tube 200 at or near the end.
  • the multi-fluid tube 200 may include a plurality of distinct chambers, such as three chambers 208 , 210 and 212 , as illustrated in FIG. Fluid isolation, such as in embodiments where mixing wheels 202 are provided, from each other at least upstream of the mixing wheels 202 .
  • the multi-fluid tube 200 may include two chambers or more than three chambers.
  • the chambers may be defined by and separated from each other by a plurality of partitions 204 .
  • the multi-fluid tube 200 may include three baffles 204 that separate and define, eg, define their boundaries, three chambers 208, 210, and 212.
  • the plurality of different chambers may include: a first chamber 208 coupled to a first liquid source that provides the first liquid to the first chamber 208; a second chamber 210, The second chamber 210 is coupled to a second liquid source that provides a second liquid that is different from the first liquid, eg, differs at least with respect to the type and/or quality of liquid in the respective source, eg, temperature; and Three chambers 212, the third chamber 212 being coupled to a third liquid source that provides a third liquid different from each of the first liquid and the second liquid.
  • a mixing wheel 202 may be provided, such as the exemplary mixing wheel 202 illustrated in FIG. 7 .
  • a plurality of valves may be provided between each liquid source and the multi-fluid tube 200 such that by opening two or more valves, two or more liquids may be provided via the multi-fluid tube 200 to the distribution assembly 132, and the liquids may be mixed or blended together by flowing through the mixing wheel 202. Additionally, when only one valve is open, a single liquid can flow through mixing wheel 202 and still provide unmixed single liquid to dispensing assembly 132 . In FIG.
  • liquid may flow through multiple chambers, eg, three chambers, in a direction away from the page (eg, perpendicular to the view plane of FIG. 7 ), whereupon the liquid encounters multiple mixing blades 216 of mixing wheel 202
  • the mixing blades may be arranged in a circumferential array around mixing wheel 200 and may be configured (eg, shaped and oriented) to rotate in direction 218 under the force (eg, pressure) of the liquid flowing through mixing wheel 202 .
  • rotation of the mixing blades 216 imparts a swirling (eg, helical or vortex) motion to the liquid flowing through the mixing wheel 202 such that when two or more liquids flow through the mixing wheel 202, the resulting turbulence causes the liquids to mix or blended together.
  • a swirling eg, helical or vortex
  • valves may be provided between each liquid source and the multi-fluid tube 200 .
  • Various exemplary embodiments of multiple fluid dispensing systems including such valves are illustrated in FIGS. 8-11 .
  • a multi-fluid distribution system may include multiple different liquid sources, such as multiple tanks or storage containers, wherein each tank may be kept separate and independent from the liquid in each other tank different liquids stored locally.
  • the multi-fluid distribution system includes a first tank 220, a second tank 222, and a third tank 224, and each tank 220, 222, and 224 includes a different liquid source, eg, each tank Holds a different liquid than that contained in each of the other tanks.
  • the liquid may be one or more of fruit juices, teas, flavored waters, and the like.
  • the system may include a valve assembly 226 .
  • the valve assembly 226 typically includes a plurality of valves corresponding to the plurality of liquid sources, such as one valve for each liquid source and one liquid source coupled to each valve.
  • the plurality of liquid sources may include three liquid sources, eg, three tanks 220, 222, and 224, and the valve assembly 226 may include three valves, wherein , each valve is coupled to a corresponding one of the tanks.
  • the plurality of liquid sources may include three liquid sources, eg, three tanks 220, 222, and 224
  • the valve assembly 226 may include three valves, wherein , each valve is coupled to a corresponding one of the tanks.
  • the valve assembly 226 may include a first valve 230 coupled between the first tank 220 and the multi-fluid tube 200 , a second valve 228 coupled between the second tank 222 and the multi-fluid tube 200 , and a third valve 232 coupled between the third tank 224 and the multi-fluid tube 200 .
  • opening the first valve 230 allows the first liquid to flow from the first tank 220 to the multi-fluid tube (and from the multi-fluid tube 200 to the dispensing assembly 132 )
  • opening the second valve 228 allows the second liquid to flow from the The second tank 222 flows to the multi-fluid tube 200 and the like.
  • opening more than one, up to and including all (eg, all three) valves may allow a variety of different liquids to flow into and through the multi-fluid tube 200 within the mixing wheel 202 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 . and mixed thereby to provide a liquid mixture, such as a mixed fruit juice or a mixture of fruit juice and carbonated water, to the dispensing assembly 132 .
  • the opening times of the various valves 228, 230, and 232 may be different to provide different mixing ratios.
  • the first valve 230 may be open for twice as long as one or both of the second valve 228 and the third valve 232 to provide the first liquid with the second liquid and/or the first liquid in various combinations.
  • a 2:1 or 2:1:1 mixing ratio of the three liquids, or the second valve 228 may be open for 50% longer than one or both of the first valve 230 and the third valve 232 to be open for each This combination provides a mixing ratio of the second liquid to the first liquid and/or the third liquid of 1.5:1 or 1.5:1:1, etc.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 may include a box body 120 and a door body 128 , wherein the door body 128 is mounted to the box body 120 through a hinge 129 , eg, rotatably mounted.
  • multiple fluid tubes 200 may pass through hinge 129 , such as the only fluid conduit passing through hinge 129 to dispensing assembly 132 .
  • multiple sources of liquid such as the three tanks 220 , 222 and 224 illustrated in FIG. 8 , can be located in the tank 120 and can be distributed via the multi-fluid tube 200 through the hinge 129 and the outer surface of the door 128 Assembly 132 is in fluid communication.
  • multiple liquid sources may be in fluid communication with the distribution assembly 132 through and by a single shared or common conduit (eg, multi-fluid tube 200).
  • Providing a common or shared conduit for multiple liquid sources may advantageously allow multiple different liquids, including mixtures thereof, to be provided to the distribution assembly 132 on the exterior of the refrigeration appliance 100 (eg, the exterior surface of the door 128 ) without increasing extension Number of fluid conduits through hinge 129.
  • the valve assembly 226 may be disposed within the housing 120 .
  • FIG. 9 Another exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 9 in which the plurality of liquid sources includes three separate and distinct tanks 220 , 222 and 224 .
  • tanks 220 , 222 , and 224 may be located in tank 120 while valve assembly 226 is located in door 128 .
  • valve assembly 226 may be coupled to tanks 220 , 222 and 224 via first manifold 200 upstream of valve assembly 226
  • valve assembly 226 may be coupled to tanks 220 , 222 and 224 via The second manifold 200 is coupled to the distribution assembly 132 .
  • the second manifold 200 downstream of the valve assembly 226 may include the mixing wheel 202, while the first manifold 200 upstream of the valve assembly 226 may omit the mixing wheel 202.
  • the first tank 220 may be coupled to and in direct fluid communication with the first chamber 208 shown in FIG. 6 of the first manifold 200
  • the second tank 222 may be coupled to and in direct fluid communication with the second chamber 210 shown in FIG. 6 of the first manifold 200
  • the third tank 224 may be coupled to the third chamber 212 shown in FIG. 6 of the first manifold 200 and in direct fluid communication therewith.
  • first tank 220 may be connected to the upstream end of the first chamber 208 of the first manifold 200, and the first valve 230 may be connected to the downstream end of the first chamber 208 of the first manifold 200, the second Tank 222 may be connected to the upstream end of the second chamber 210 of the first manifold 200, while the second valve 228 may be connected to the downstream end of the second chamber 210 of the first manifold 200, and the third tank 224 may be connected to The upstream end of the third chamber 212 of the first manifold 200 and the third valve 232 may be connected to the downstream end of the third chamber 212 of the first manifold 200 .
  • opening one or more of valves 230, 228 and/or 232 provides flow of liquid from the respective tank in a similar manner as described above with respect to Figure 8 .
  • valve assembly 226 the flow of liquid is then provided from valve assembly 226 to second multi-fluid tube 200 .
  • first valve 230 may be connected to the upstream end of the first chamber 208 of the second manifold 200
  • second valve 228 may be connected to the upstream end of the second chamber 210 of the second manifold 200
  • third valve 233 may be connected to the upstream end of the third chamber 212 of the second manifold 200 .
  • the distribution assembly 132 may be coupled to the downstream end of the second manifold 200 , eg, downstream of each of its chambers 208 , 210 and 212 , whereby the distribution assembly 132 receives the chamber directly from the second manifold 200 A flow of one or more liquids in one or more of chambers 208 , 210 and/or 212 , such as a liquid mixture via mixing wheel 202 .
  • the plurality of liquid sources may be a plurality of water sources, each water source providing water at a different temperature than each other water source.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 may be connected to a water supply system, such as a well or a municipal water system, via a plumbing system in a building, as generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 may include a supply valve 144 through which the refrigeration appliance 100 is connected to a water supply system. Downstream of the supply valve 144 may be a supply conduit or inlet conduit 146 and optionally a water filter 148 .
  • a number of water sources may be downstream of the water filter 148 to receive filtered water therefrom.
  • the plurality of water sources may include a room temperature water source, such as room temperature conduit 150, extending directly from water filter 148 and/or inlet conduit 146 to provide water at a received temperature, such as ambient or room temperature, to valve assembly 226, such as shown in FIG. 10 .
  • Example first valve 230 The first valve 230 may then be connected to the upstream end of the multiple fluid tube 200 , such as to the first chamber 208 of the multiple fluid tube 200 at the upstream end of the multiple fluid tube 200 .
  • the plurality of water sources may also include a cold water source 234 .
  • cold water source 234 may include a tank or storage container that contains water from water filter 148 and/or inlet conduit 146 within tank 120, such as in one of its refrigerated compartments in order to cool the water, such as to or about the temperature of the refrigerated compartment in which the cold water tank 234 is located.
  • a source of cold water such as cold water tank 234 may be located in door body 128 , such as at or near the interior surface of door body 128 , to expose water in cold water tank 234 to a reduction in the cooling compartment of refrigeration appliance 100 temperature, such as below ambient temperature or room temperature, thereby cooling the water in the cold water tank 234.
  • Cold water source 234 may be coupled to valve assembly 226 , such as second valve 228 thereof, to provide cold water to multi-fluid tube 200 , such as to second chamber 210 of multi-fluid tube 200 .
  • Cold water source 234 may be coupled to valve assembly 226 via cold water conduit 236 .
  • a cold water conduit 236 may be coupled between the cold water tank 234 and the second valve 228 downstream of the cold water tank 234 and upstream of the second valve 228 .
  • the second valve 228 may be downstream of the cold water tank 234 and piping 236 and upstream of the multi-fluid pipe 200, particularly upstream of the second chamber 210 thereof.
  • the plurality of water sources may also include a warm water source, such as the warm water tank 238 schematically illustrated in FIG. 10 .
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 may include a heat exchanger, particularly the condenser 66 , wherein thermal energy (heat) from the refrigerant is transferred to the exterior of the condenser 66 .
  • warm water tank 238 may be disposed in machinery compartment 62 adjacent or in thermal communication with condenser 66 for supplying water from water filter 148 and/or inlet conduit 146 to storage in the warm water tank The water in 238 provides the heat.
  • the warm water tank 238 may be connected to the multi-fluid tube 200 , such as the third chamber 212 thereof, through and by means of the third valve 232 .
  • Warm water source 238 may be coupled to valve assembly 226 via warm water conduit 240 .
  • valve assembly 226 may be disposed in the door body 128, and may be in fluid communication with a plurality of water sources through the first multi-fluid pipe 200, including, for example, room temperature water pipe 150, cold water Tank 234 and warm water tank 238 and may be in fluid communication with distribution assembly 132 via second multi-fluid tube 200 in a similar manner as described above with respect to FIG. , 234 and 238 , as described above with respect to FIG. 10 .

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Abstract

一种制冷电器包括箱体，箱体中限定有食物储存室。该制冷电器还包括可旋转地安装到箱体的门体。门体包括外表面和相对的内表面，其中，当门体处于关闭位置时，内表面面向食物储存室，当门体处于关闭位置时，外表面背对食物储存室。制冷电器还包括分配器组件，该分配器组件具有多个流体源和多流体管，该多个流体源流体地联接到分配器组件。多个液体源中的每个液体源通过多流体管流体地联接到分配器组件。

Description

具有混合分配器的制冷电器 技术领域
本发明总体涉及制冷电器，更具体地涉及用于制冷电器的分配器系统。
背景技术
制冷电器通常包括限定制冷间室的箱体。多种食品可以储存在制冷间室内。制冷间室相对于环境大气的低温有助于增加储存在制冷间室内的食品的保质期。
制冷电器也可以配备有分配系统。这种分配系统通常将冷水和/或冰从制冷电器的内部提供至可从制冷电器的外部接近的分配出口。这种分配出口通常设置在制冷电器的门体的外表面中，以便在不需要打开门体的情况下提供从制冷电器的内部获得水和/或冰的途径。然而，这种系统受限于可以被递送到分配出口的来自制冷电器内的物品或内容物的数量和种类。
因此，期望一种具有改进的分配系统的冰箱。例如，具有用于分配多种流体的特征的制冷电器将是有用的。
发明内容
本发明的各个方面以及优点将会在下文的描述中进行阐述，或者是通过描述可以显而易见的，或者是可以通过实施本发明而学到。
在一个示例性实施方式中，提供了一种制冷电器。该制冷电器限定竖向、侧向以及横向。竖向、侧向以及横向相互垂直。制冷电器包括箱体，箱体中限定有食物储存室。食物储存室沿着侧向在前部与后部之间延伸。食物储存室的前部限定用于接收食品的开口。制冷电器还包括门 体，该门体在食物储存室的前部处可旋转地安装到箱体。门体可在关闭位置与打开位置之间移动，以选择性地密封封闭食物储存室。门体包括外表面和相对的内表面，其中，当门体处于关闭位置时，内表面面向食物储存室，当门体处于关闭位置时，外表面背对食物储存室。制冷电器还包括分配器组件，该分配器组件具有多个流体源和多流体管，该多个流体源流体地联接到分配器组件。多个液体源中的每个液体源通过多流体管流体地联接到分配器组件。
在另一示例性实施方式中，提供了一种制冷电器。制冷电器包括箱体，箱体中限定有食物储存室。食物储存室限定用于接收食品的开口。制冷电器还包括门体，该门体在食物储存室的开口处可旋转地安装到箱体。门体可在关闭位置与打开位置之间移动，以选择性地密封封闭食物储存室。门体包括外表面和相对的内表面，其中，当门体处于关闭位置时，内表面面向食物储存室，当门体处于关闭位置时，外表面背对食物储存室。制冷电器还包括分配器组件，该分配器组件具有多个流体源和多流体管，该多个流体源流体地联接到分配器组件。多个液体源中的每个液体源通过多流体管流体地联接到分配器组件。
参照下文的描述以及所附权利要求，本发明的这些和其它的特征、方面以及优点将变得更容易理解。结合在本说明书中并且构成本说明书一部分的附图显示了本发明的实施方式并且与描述一起用于对本发明的原理进行解释。
附图说明
参照附图，说明书中阐述了面向本领域普通技术人员的本发明的完整公开，这种公开使得本领域普通技术人员能够实现本发明，包括本发明的最佳实施例。
图1提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的制冷电器的前视图。
图2提供了图1的制冷电器的立体图。
图3提供了图1的制冷电器的前视图，其中门体处于打开位置。
图4提供了本发明的一个或多个示例性实施方式中的可以与制冷电器一起使用的示例性密封冷却系统的示意图。
图5提供了根据本发明的一个或多个实施方式的示例性多流体管的图。
图6提供了沿着图5中的线6-6截取的图5的多流体管的剖视图。
图7提供了沿着图5中的线7-7截取的图5的多流体管的剖视图。
图8提供了根据本发明的一个或多个实施方式的用于制冷电器的多流体分配器系统的示意图。
图9提供了根据本发明的一个或多个附加实施方式的用于制冷电器的多流体分配器系统的示意图。
图10提供了根据本发明的一个或多个附加实施方式的用于制冷电器的多流体分配器系统的示意图。
图11提供了根据本发明的一个或多个附加实施方式的用于制冷电器的多流体分配器系统的示意图。
具体实施方式
现在将详细地参照本发明的实施方式，其中的一个或多个示例示于附图中。每个示例都以对发明进行解释的方式给出，并不对本发明构成限制。实际上，对于本领域技术人员而言显而易见的是，能够在不偏离本发明的范围或者精神的前提下对本发明进行多种改型和变型。例如，作为一个实施方式的一部分示出或者进行描述的特征能够用于另一个实施方式，从而产生又一个实施方式。因此，期望的是，本发明覆盖落入所附权利要求及其等同形式的范围内的这些改型以及变型。
图1是制冷电器100的示例性实施方式的前视图。图2是制冷电器 100的立体图。图3是制冷电器100的前视图，其中其食物保鲜门体128处于打开位置。制冷电器100在顶部101与底部102之间沿着竖向V延伸。制冷电器100也在第一侧105与第二侧106之间沿着垂直于竖向V的横向L延伸。如图2所示，侧向T可以另外被限定为垂直于竖直V和横向L。制冷电器100在前部108与后部110之间沿着侧向T延伸。
制冷电器100包括箱体或壳体120，该箱体或壳体限定一个或多个制冷间室，诸如图3所示的上食物保鲜室122和图1所示的沿着竖向V布置在食物保鲜室122下方的下冷冻室或冷冻食物储存室124。如本文所用的，腔室可为“制冷的”，因为腔室可在低于室温的温度下操作，例如小于约七十五度华氏温度(75℉)。辅助食物储存室可例如沿着竖向V设置在新鲜食物储存室122与冷冻食物储存室124之间。因为冷冻食物储存室124设置在新鲜食物储存室122下方，所以制冷电器100通常被称为底置式冰箱。在示例性实施方式中，如图2，壳体120还限定了用于接收密封冷却系统的机械室62,。使用本文所公开的示教，本领域技术人员应当理解,本技术也可以与其它类型的冰箱例如对开门式或冷冻电器一起使用。因此，本文阐述的描述仅出于例示目的，而无意于在任何方面限制该技术。
冷藏门体128各自可旋转地铰接到壳体120的边缘，以便进入食物保鲜室122。应当注意，虽然示例了“法式门”构造的两个门体128，但是利用一个、两个或更多个门体的任意合适的门体布置都在本发明的范围和精神内。在冷藏门体128的下方布置冷冻门体130，以便进入冷冻室124。在示例性实施方式中，冷冻门体130联接至可滑动地安装在冷冻室124内的冷冻抽屉(未示出)。辅助门体127联接到可滑动地安装在辅助室(未示出)内的辅助抽屉(未示出)。如在图3中可以看到的，多个食物储存室140布置在新鲜食物储存室122内。
制冷电器100的操作可以由控制器134来调节，该控制器可操作地 联接到用户界面面板136。界面面板136提供用于用户操纵制冷电器100的操作以修改其中的环境条件的选择，诸如温度选择等。在一些实施方式中，用户界面面板136可以靠近分配器组件132。响应于用户对用户界面面板136的操作，控制器134操作制冷电器100的各种部件。制冷电器100的操作可以由控制器134调节，例如，控制器134可以响应于用户界面面板136的编程和/或用户操纵来调节制冷电器100的各种部件的操作。
如图1和图2中最佳实施例看到的，分配组件132包括分配器，该分配器设置在制冷电器100的外部或安装到该外部，例如设置在一个冷藏门体128的外表面上。分配器包括用于获取冰和液态水的排放口137，如图2所示。被示出为拨片的致动机构138安装在排放口137下方，以便操作分配器。在可选示例性实施方式中，可以使用任意合适的致动机构来操作分配器。例如，分配组件132可以包括传感器诸如超声传感器或按钮，而不是拨片138。可以设置用户界面面板136，以便控制分配组件132的操作模式。例如，用户界面面板136包括多个用户输入(未标记)，诸如水分配按钮和冰分配按钮，这些用户输入用于选择期望的操作模式，诸如碎冰或非碎冰。另外，用户输入可以包括用于选择多种不同液体诸如果汁、碳酸水或苏打水、茶等中的一种的输入和/或用于选择待分配的水的温度的输入，诸如冷水、室温或温水、以及其他可能的选项。
排放口137和致动机构138是分配器134的外部零件，并且安装在分配器凹部142中。分配器凹部142设置在预定高度处，该预定高度方便用户取冰或液体，并且使得用户能够在不需要弯腰的情况下且在不需要打开冷藏门体128的情况下获取所分配的冰和/或液体。在示例性实施方式中，分配器凹部142设置在接近成人用户的胸部水平的位置处。根据示例性实施方式，分配组件132可以从制冰机152接收冰，该制冰机布置在食物保鲜室122的子间室中。
控制器134可以包括存储器和一个或多个微处理器、CPU等，诸如通用或专用微处理器，该微处理器用于执行与制冷电器100的运行关联的编程指令或微控制代码。存储器可以表示诸如DRAM的随机存取存储器或诸如ROM或FLASH的只读存储器。在一个实施方式中，处理器执行存储在存储器中的编程指令。存储器可以是与处理器分开的部件，或者可以包含在处理器内的板上。应当注意，如本文所公开的控制器134能够并且可以运行为执行如本文可以公开的任意方法和关联的方法步骤。
控制器134可以设置在整个制冷电器100中的各种位置。在所示例的实施方式中，控制器134可以位于门体128内。在这种实施方式中，输入/输出(“I/O”)信号可以在控制器150与制冷电器100的各种操作部件之间路由。在一个实施方式中，用户界面面板136可以表示通用I/O(“GPIO”)装置或功能块。在一个实施方式中，用户界面136可以包括输入部件，诸如包括旋转拨号盘、按钮以及触摸板的各种电气、机械或机电输入装置中的一个或多个。用户界面136可以包括显示部件，诸如设计为向用户提供操作反馈的数字或模拟显示装置。例如，用户界面136可以包括提供输入和显示功能两者的触摸屏。用户界面136可以经由一条或多条信号线或共享的通信总线与控制器通信。
使用本文公开的示教，本领域技术人员应当理解，本发明可以与其它类型的冰箱一起使用，诸如冰箱/冰柜组合、对开门式、底置式、紧凑型和任意其它样式或型号的制冷电器。因此，可以提供制冷电器100的其它构造，应当理解，附图所示的构造和本文中阐述的描述仅作为示例性目的。
图4提供了制冷电器100、特别是其密封冷却系统60的示意图。如图4示例，制冷电器100包括机械室62，该机械室至少部分地包含用于执行已知的蒸汽压缩循环以便冷却空气的部件。部件包括串联连接并填 充有制冷剂的压缩机64、热交换器或冷凝器66、膨胀装置68以及蒸发器70。蒸发器70也是一种是热交换器，该热交换器将热量从经过蒸发器的空气传递到流经蒸发器70的制冷剂，从而使得制冷剂蒸发。由此可见，产生冷却空气C，并将其构造成对制冷电器100的腔室122、123、124和300进行制冷。冷却的空气C可以通过风扇74被引导到食物储存室122、123、124和300。
蒸发的制冷剂从蒸发器70流到压缩机64，该压缩机运行以增加制冷剂的压力。制冷剂的这种压缩升高其温度，通过气态制冷剂穿过冷凝器66使该温度降低，在冷凝器中与环境空气发生热交换以便冷却制冷剂。如箭头A示例，使用风扇72将空气吸过冷凝器66，以便提供强制对流，用于制冷剂与周围空气之间进行更快且高效的热交换。
膨胀装置68将离开冷凝器66的制冷剂进一步降低压力，使制冷剂作为液体供给到蒸发器70。总的来说，制冷回路中的蒸汽压缩循环部件、相关风扇以及相关间室有时被称为可操作为迫使冷空气穿过制冷室122、123、124和300的密封制冷系统。图4中描述的制冷系统60仅以示例的方式来提供。使用其他构造的制冷系统也在本发明的范围内。例如，风扇74可以被重新设置以推动空气穿过蒸发器70，双蒸发器可以与一个或多个风扇一起使用，并且也可以应用许多其他配置。
总体参照图5至图11，制冷电器100可以包括多流体分配系统。在各种实施方式中，多种流体可以是完全不同的液体，例如一种或多种果汁、一种或多种风味和/或碳酸水、茶例如冰茶、苏打水等，或者可以是不同温度的相同液体，诸如水，或者可以包括其任意组合，诸如冷水、室温水以及一种或多种果汁。另外，多流体分配系统可提供这些液体的混合物，例如通过混合多于一种果汁获得的不同风味的果汁、通过混合来自多于一个源的水获得的不同温度的水等，其中各个源提供不同温度的水。多流体分配系统可有利地包括单个流体管道，例如多流体管200， 如将在下面更详细地描述的，该管道提供了一种或多种液体，其包括液体混合物，从多个不同的源到分配组件132的选择性流动。特别地，仅单个管可以穿过箱体120与门体128之间的铰链129，以便将多种流体提供到门体128中的分配组件132。例如，可以包括用于其它目的其它管道，但是仅一个管道例如仅多流体管200联接到分配组件132并且将液体流提供到分配组件132和/或其排放口137。注意，在分配组件132还包括用于分配冰的特征的实施方式中，本领域的普通技术人员将认识到冰是固体而不是流体。即使在冰被部分融化的情况下也是如此，因为冰至少主要例如90％或更多的体积是固体形式，本领域的普通技术人员将不会认为冰分配特征提供“液体流到分配组件132”。因此，即使在分配组件132还包括用于分配冰的特征的实施方式中，本领域的普通技术人员应当理解，仅多流体管200向分配组件132和/或其排放口137提供液体流。
另外，在各种实施方式中，多流体分配系统的某些部件可位于箱体120中或门体128中。例如，如将在下面更详细地描述的，多流体分配系统的阀228、230和232可位于箱体120中，从而减小门体128的重量并简化门体设计，或者阀可位于门体128中以便在箱体120内提供增加的储存容量。
图5至图7中示例了根据本发明的一个或多个实施方式的示例性多流体管200。在一些实施方式中，多流体管200可包括混合轮202，如图示例，而其它实施方式可省略混合轮202。图5提供了根据本发明的一个或多个示例性实施方式的示例性混合管200的侧视图。如图5示例，一种或多种流体穿过多流体管200的流动可以是在页面上从左至右，使得在包括混合轮202的实施方式中，混合轮202位于多流体管200的下游端处或附近。
现在参照图6，多流体管200可包括多个不同的腔室，例如三个腔 室208、210和212，如图6示例，这些腔室在多流体管200的纵向范围的至少一部分上相互流体隔离，诸如在设置有混合轮202的实施方式中至少在混合轮202的上游相互流体隔离。在另外的实施方式中，多流体管200可包括两个腔室或多于三个腔室。腔室可由多个隔板204限定并由其相互分开。例如，如图6示例，多流体管200可包括三个隔板204，这些隔板分开并限定三个腔室208、210和212，例如限定它们的边界。特别地，多个不同的腔室可包括：第一室208，该第一室208联接到第一液体源，该第一液体源将第一液体提供到第一室208；第二室210，该第二室210联接到第二液体源，该第二液体源提供与第一液体不同的第二液体，例如，至少关于相应源中的液体的类型和/或质量，例如温度不同；以及第三室212，该第三室212联接到第三液体源，该第三液体源提供与第一液体和第二液体中的每一个不同的第三液体。
在一些实施方式中，可以提供混合轮202，诸如图7中示例的示例性混合轮202。如下面将更详细描述的，多个阀可设置在各个液体源与多流体管200之间，使得通过打开两个或更多个阀，两种或更多种液体可经由多流体管200提供给分配组件132，并且这些液体可通过流过混合轮202而混合或掺合到一起。另外，当仅打开一个阀时，单一液体可流过混合轮202，并且仍向分配组件132提供未混合的单一液体。在图7中，液体可以沿离开页面的方向(例如，垂直于图7的视图平面)流动通过多个腔室，例如，三个腔室，于是液体遇到混合轮202的多个混合叶片216，例如，这些混合叶片可以围绕混合轮200布置成圆周阵列，并且可以被构造成(例如，成形和定向成)在流过混合轮202的液体的力(例如，压力)下沿方向218旋转。从而，混合叶片216的旋转将涡旋(例如，螺旋或涡流)运动赋予流动通过混合轮202的液体，使得当两种或更多种液体流动通过混合轮202时，所产生的湍流导致液体混合或掺合在一起。
如上所述，多个阀可设置在各个液体源与多流体管200之间。图8至图11中示例了包括这种阀的多流体分配系统的各种示例性实施方式。
在一些实施方式中，例如，如图8示例，多流体分配系统可包括多个不同的液体源，诸如多个箱或储存容器，其中，各个箱可保持与各个其它箱中的液体分开且独立地储存的不同液体。例如，在图8所示例的实施方式中，多流体分配系统包括第一箱220、第二箱222和第三箱224，并且各个箱220、222和224包括不同的液体源，例如，各个箱容纳与其他每个箱中容纳的液体不同的液体。如上所述，液体可以是一种或多种果汁、茶、风味水等。
同样如例如在图8中可以看到的，系统可包括阀组件226。阀组件226通常包括与多个液体源相对应的多个阀，诸如每个液体源一个阀以及一个液体源联接到每个阀。例如，在诸如图8所示例的示例性实施方式的实施方式中，多个液体源可包括三个液体源，例如三个箱220、222和224，并且阀组件226可包括三个阀，其中，各个阀联接到箱中的相应的一个箱。特别地，如图8示例，阀组件226可包括联接在第一箱220与多流体管200之间的第一阀230、联接在第二箱222与多流体管200之间的第二阀228、以及联接在第三箱224与多流体管200之间的第三阀232。由此，在操作中，打开第一阀230允许第一液体从第一箱220流到多流体管(以及从多流体管200流到分配组件132)，打开第二阀228允许第二液体从第二箱222流到多流体管200等。在一些情况下，打开多于一个、直到并包括所有(例如所有三个)阀可以允许多种不同的液体流入并通过多流体管200，在如图5和图7所示的混合轮202内并由其混合，从而将诸如混合果汁或果汁和碳酸水的混合物等的液体混合物提供给分配组件132。另外，在一些实施方式中，各个阀228、230和232的打开时间可以不同，以提供不同的混合比。例如，第一阀230打开时间可以是第二阀228和第三阀232中的一个或两个的打开时间的两倍长， 以按各种组合提供第一液体与第二液体和/或第三液体的2:1或2:1:1的混合比，或者第二阀228打开时间可以比第一阀230和第三阀232中的一个或两个的打开时间长50％，以按各种组合提供第二液体与第一液体和/或第三液体的1.5:1或1.5:1:1的混合比等。
如图8示意性地示例，制冷电器100可以包括箱体120和门体128，其中门体128通过铰链129安装到箱体120，例如可旋转地安装。在各种实施方式中，如上所述，多流体管200可以穿过铰链129，诸如仅有的流体管道穿过铰链129到达分配组件132。由此，多个液体源，诸如图8所示例的三个箱220、222和224，可位于箱体120中，并且可经由多流体管200通过铰链129与门体128的外表面上的分配组件132流体连通。由此，多个液体源可通过且由单个共享或公共管道(例如多流体管200)与分配组件132流体连通。为多个液体源提供公共或共享管道可有利地允许将多种不同的液体包括其混合物提供至制冷电器100的外部上(例如门体128的外表面上)的分配组件132，而不增加延伸穿过铰链129的流体管道的数量。在一些实施方式中，例如，如图8示例，阀组件226可设置在箱体120内。
图9中示例了另一个示例性实施方式，其中，多个液体源包括三个分开且不同的箱220、222和224。在一些实施方式中，例如，如图9示例，箱220、222和224可以位于箱体120中，而阀组件226位于门体128内。在这样的实施方式中，例如，如图9示例，阀组件226可经由阀组件226上游的第一多流体管200联接到箱220、222和224，并且阀组件226可经由阀组件226下游的第二多流体管200联接到分配组件132。在这样的实施方式中，阀组件226下游的第二多流体管200可包括混合轮202，而阀组件226上游的第一多流体管200可省略混合轮202。
当阀组件226设置在门体128内时，例如如图9示例，第一箱220可联接到第一多流体管200的图6所示的第一室208并与其直接流体连 通，第二箱222可联接到第一多流体管200的图6所示的第二室210并与其直接流体连通，第三箱224可联接到第一多流体管200的图6所示的第三室212并与其直接流体连通。特别地，第一箱220可以连接到第一多流体管200的第一室208的上游端，而第一阀230可以连接到第一多流体管200的第一室208的下游端，第二箱222可以连接到第一多流体管200的第二室210的上游端，而第二阀228可以连接到第一多流体管200的第二室210的下游端，第三箱224可以连接到第一多流体管200的第三室212的上游端，而第三阀232可以连接到第一多流体管200的第三室212的下游端。由此，以与上面关于图8所述的类似的方式，打开阀230、228和/或232中的一个或多个提供了来自相应箱的液体流。
在例如图9所示例的实施方式中，然后从阀组件226向第二多流体管200提供液体流。特别地，第一阀230可连接到第二多流体管200的第一室208的上游端，第二阀228可连接到第二多流体管200的第二室210的上游端，第三阀233可连接到第二多流体管200的第三室212的上游端。分配组件132可联接到第二多流体管200的下游端，例如在其腔室208、210和212中的每一个的下游，由此，分配组件132接收直接来自第二多流体管200的腔室208、210和/或212中的一个或多个的一种或多种液体的流，诸如经由混合轮202的液体混合物。
在一些实施方式中，例如，如图10示例，多个液体源可以是多个水源，各个水源提供与每个其它水源温度不同的水。例如，如本领域普通技术人员通常理解的，制冷电器100可以经由建筑物中的管道系统连接到供水系统，诸如井或市政水系统等。制冷电器100可以包括供应阀144，通过该供应阀，制冷电器100连接到供水系统。供应阀144的下游可以是供应管道或入口管道146以及可选地水过滤器148。多个水源可以在水过滤器148的下游，以从其接收过滤后的水。
多个水源可包括室温水源，诸如室温管道150，其直接从水过滤器 148和/或入口管道146延伸，以将诸如环境温度或室温的接收温度的水提供给阀组件226，诸如图10所示例的第一阀230。然后，第一阀230可连接到多流体管200的上游端，诸如连接到多流体管200的上游端处的多流体管200的第一室208。
多个水源还可以包括冷水源234。例如，在一些实施方式中，冷水源234可以包括箱或储存容器，该箱或储存容器容纳来自水过滤器148和/或入口管道146的水，该箱或储存容器在箱体120内，诸如在其一个制冷间室中，以便将水冷却，诸如冷却至冷水箱234所位于的制冷间室的温度或大约该温度。在其他实施方式中，冷水源例如冷水箱234可以位于门体128中，诸如在门体128的内表面处或附近，以将冷水箱234中的水暴露至制冷电器100的制冷间室内的降低的温度，例如低于环境温度或室温，从而将冷水箱234中的水冷却。冷水源234可以联接到阀组件226，诸如其第二阀228，以将冷水提供到多流体管200，诸如提供到多流体管200的第二室210。冷水源234可经由冷水管道236联接到阀组件226。冷水管道236可以在冷水箱234的下游和第二阀228的上游联接在冷水箱234与第二阀228之间。第二阀228可以在冷水箱234和管道236的下游和多流体管200的上游，特别是其第二室210的上游。
多个水源还可以包括温水源，诸如图10中示意性示例的温水箱238。如上面在图4的上下文所述，制冷电器100可包括热交换器，特别是冷凝器66，其中，来自制冷剂的热能(热量)被传递到冷凝器66的外部。在这样的实施方式中，温水箱238可以设置在机械间室62中，邻近或接近冷凝器66和/或与其热连通，以便向来自水过滤器148和/或入口管道146的储存在温水箱238中的水提供热量。温水箱238可通过并借助第三阀232连接到多流体管200，例如其第三室212。温水源238可经由温水管道240联接到阀组件226。
在另外的实施方式中，如图11示例，阀组件226可设置在门体128 中，并可通过第一多流体管200与多个水源流体连通，多个水源包括例如室温水管道150、冷水箱234和温水箱238，并可经由第二多流体管200与分配组件132流体连通，这以如上关于图9所述的类似方式进行，除了第一多流体管200的上游端连接到水源150、234和238，如上关于图10所述。
本书面描述使用示例对本发明进行了公开，其中包括最佳实施例，并且还使本领域技术人员能够实施本发明，其中包括制造和使用任意装置或系统并且执行所包含的任意方法。本发明的可专利范围通过权利要求进行限定，并且可以包括本领域技术人员能够想到的其它的示例。如果这种其它的示例包括与权利要求的字面语言没有区别的结构元件，或者如果这种其它的示例包括与权利要求的字面语言没有实质区别的等同结构元件，则期望这种其它的示例落入权利要求的范围中。

Claims (18)

  1. 一种制冷电器，其特征在于，该制冷电器限定竖向、侧向以及横向，所述竖向、所述侧向以及所述横向相互垂直，所述制冷电器包括：
    箱体；
    食物储存室，该食物储存室限定在所述箱体中，所述食物储存室沿着所述侧向在前部与后部之间延伸，所述食物储存室的所述前部限定用于接收食品的开口；
    门体，该门体在所述食物储存室的所述前部处可旋转地安装到所述箱体，所述门体可在关闭位置与打开位置之间移动以选择性地密封地封闭所述食物储存室，所述门体包括外表面和相对的内表面，其中，当所述门体处于所述关闭位置时，所述内表面面向所述食物储存室，并且当所述门体处于所述关闭位置时，所述外表面背对所述食物储存室；
    分配器组件；
    多个液体源，该多个液体源流体地联接到所述分配器组件；以及
    多流体管，其中，所述多个液体源中的每个液体源通过所述多流体管流体地联接到所述分配器组件。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述分配器组件形成在所述门体的所述外表面中，所述门体通过铰链可旋转地安装到所述箱体，并且所述多流体管通过所述铰链在所述多个液体源与所述分配器组件之间延伸。
  3. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述多个液体源中的每个液体源位于所述箱体内。
  4. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述多个液体源包括多个水源，所述多个水源中的每个水源提供与每个其它水源不同温度的水。
  5. 根据权利要求4所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述多个水源包括室温水源、冷水源和温水源。
  6. 根据权利要求5所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述温水源定位为与所述制冷电器的密封冷却系统的冷凝器相邻。
  7. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，还包括多个阀， 所述多个阀中的每个阀流体地联接到所述多个液体源中的相应的一个液体源。
  8. 根据权利要求7所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述多个阀位于所述门体中，或所述多个阀位于所述箱体中。
  9. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述多个液体源包括多个不同的液体源。
  10. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，还包括在所述多流体管中的混合轮。
  11. 根据权利要求1所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，还包括布置在所述多流体管中的隔板，所述隔板将所述多流体管的内部分成多个腔，所述多流体管中的所述多个腔中的每个腔流体地联接到所述多个液体源中的单个液体源。
  12. 一种制冷电器，其特征在于，该制冷电器包括：
    箱体；
    食物储存室，该食物储存室限定在所述箱体中，所述食物储存室限定用于接收食品的开口；
    门体，该门体在所述食物储存室的所述开口处可旋转地安装到所述箱体，所述门体可在关闭位置与打开位置之间移动以选择性地密封地封闭所述食物储存室，所述门体包括外表面和相对的内表面，其中，当所述门体处于所述关闭位置时，所述内表面面向所述食物储存室，并且当所述门体处于所述关闭位置时，所述外表面背对所述食物储存室；
    分配器组件；
    多个液体源，该多个液体源流体地联接到所述分配器组件；以及
    多流体管，其中，所述多个液体源中的每个液体源通过所述多流体管流体地联接到所述分配器组件。
  13. 根据权利要求12所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述分配器组件形成在所述门体的所述外表面中，所述门体通过铰链可旋转地安装到所述箱体，并且所述多流体管通过所述铰链在所述多个液体源与所述分配器组件之间延伸。
  14. 根据权利要求12所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述多个液体源中的每个液体源位于所述箱体内。
  15. 根据权利要求12所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述多个液体源包括多个水源，所述多个水源包括室温水源、冷水源和温水源。
  16. 根据权利要求12所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，还包括多个阀，所述多个阀中的每个阀流体地联接到所述多个液体源中的相应的一个液体源。
  17. 根据权利要求16所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述多个阀位于所述门体中，或，所述多个阀位于所述箱体中。
  18. 根据权利要求12所述的制冷电器，其特征在于，所述多个液体源包括多个不同的液体源。
PCT/CN2021/128878 2020-11-06 2021-11-05 具有混合分配器的制冷电器 WO2022095948A1 (zh)

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EP21888640.6A EP4224099A4 (en) 2020-11-06 2021-11-05 REFRIGERATOR WITH MIXING DISTRIBUTOR
CN202180074071.4A CN116490739A (zh) 2020-11-06 2021-11-05 具有混合分配器的制冷电器
AU2021376591A AU2021376591B2 (en) 2020-11-06 2021-11-05 Refrigeration appliance having mixing distributor

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US17/091,490 US11598576B2 (en) 2020-11-06 2020-11-06 Refrigerator appliance with mixing dispenser
US17/091,490 2020-11-06

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AU2021376591B2 (en) 2024-07-04
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EP4224099A4 (en) 2024-03-06
CN116490739A (zh) 2023-07-25

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