WO2024078572A1 - 自动填充水壶过度填充关闭机构 - Google Patents

自动填充水壶过度填充关闭机构 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024078572A1
WO2024078572A1 PCT/CN2023/124223 CN2023124223W WO2024078572A1 WO 2024078572 A1 WO2024078572 A1 WO 2024078572A1 CN 2023124223 W CN2023124223 W CN 2023124223W WO 2024078572 A1 WO2024078572 A1 WO 2024078572A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
kettle
pivot arm
removable
magnet
automatic filling
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2023/124223
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
A. 沃特兰德路易斯
科迪根豪利 奇纳帕 雷迪洛克萨
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
Publication of WO2024078572A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024078572A1/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
    • 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
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/1202—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed
    • B67D1/1234—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed to determine the total amount
    • B67D1/1238—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed to determine the total amount comprising means for detecting the liquid level in vessels to be filled, e.g. using ultrasonic waves, optical reflexion, probes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G19/00—Table service
    • A47G19/12—Vessels or pots for table use
    • 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
    • B67D1/0014—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being supplied from water mains
    • 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
    • B67D1/0888—Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
    • 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
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/1202—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed
    • B67D1/1234—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed to determine the total amount
    • B67D1/124—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed to determine the total amount the flow being started or stopped by means actuated by the vessel to be filled, e.g. by switches, weighing
    • 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
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/1277—Flow control 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
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D2001/1259—Fluid level control devices
    • B67D2001/1261—Fluid level control devices the level being detected mechanically
    • 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
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D2001/1259—Fluid level control devices
    • B67D2001/1263—Fluid level control devices the level being detected electrically
    • 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
    • B67D2210/00141—Other parts
    • B67D2210/00144—Magnets, e.g. used in valves or for stirring
    • 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
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25C2700/04—Level of water
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
    • F25D2331/81—Pitchers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to refrigeration appliances and, more particularly, to an automatic fill water dispensing system for refrigeration appliances.
  • Some refrigeration appliances include an automatic filling dispensing system.
  • the automatic filling dispensing system typically includes a dispensing housing and a kettle. When the kettle is set in a specified point (for example, below the automatic filling housing), water or another liquid is automatically dispensed into the kettle.
  • Some automatic filling dispensing systems include a kettle presence sensor in the dispensing housing and a trigger device in the kettle to determine when the kettle is in the correct position to receive the dispensed liquid.
  • some automatic filling kettles include a kettle full sensor, which includes a float mechanism disposed in the housing of the kettle, and the float mechanism moves upward with the rising liquid in the automatic filling kettle. When the liquid in the automatic filling kettle has reached a specified filling level, the float mechanism triggers the system to stop dispensing liquid.
  • the float mechanism may fail due to manufacturing defects, sediment from the water, or water additives introduced into the kettle by the user, which accumulate and interfere with the normal operation of the float mechanism.
  • a stronger kettle fullness sensor to prevent contamination would be beneficial.
  • a redundant sensor to prevent the kettle from overfilling conditions may be beneficial. However, the redundant sensor will take up additional space in the kettle, thereby reducing the kettle volume, or increasing the overall size of the kettle.
  • a refrigeration appliance which includes a housing defining a food freshness chamber and an automatic filling kettle system.
  • the automatic filling kettle system includes a removable kettle having a kettle wall connected to the bottom of the kettle to define a volume, and the kettle wall defines an opening at the top edge of the removable kettle.
  • the kettle also includes a first magnet fixed to the first end of a pivot arm, and the pivot arm is pinned so as to rotate between a first position and a second position.
  • the automatic filling kettle system also includes a dispenser that defines a cavity within the food freshness chamber that receives the removable kettle.
  • the dispenser includes a first sensor, a filling tube suitable for directing water from a water source to the removable kettle, a valve connected to the filling tube, and a controller.
  • the controller is configured to, when the first sensor The first sensor opens the valve when the first magnet is detected when the pivot arm is in the first position, and closes the valve when the first sensor does not detect the first magnet in the second position.
  • a kind of automatic filling kettle system comprises a removable kettle, and this removable kettle has a kettle wall connected to the bottom of the kettle to limit the volume, and the kettle wall defines an opening at the top edge of the removable kettle.
  • the kettle also includes a first magnet fixed to the first end of the pivot arm, and the pivot arm is pinned so as to rotate between a first position and a second position.
  • the automatic filling kettle system also includes a dispenser, which defines a cavity for receiving the removable kettle.
  • the dispenser includes a first sensor, a filling pipe suitable for guiding water from a water source to the removable kettle, a valve connected to the filling pipe, and a controller.
  • the controller is configured to open the valve when the first sensor detects the first magnet when the pivot arm is in the first position, and close the valve when the first sensor does not detect the first magnet in the second position.
  • an automatic filling kettle system in yet another exemplary aspect, includes a removable kettle having a kettle wall connected to the bottom of the kettle to define a volume, the kettle wall defining an opening at the top edge of the removable kettle.
  • the kettle also includes: a first magnet fixed to the first end of a pivot arm, the pivot arm being pinned so as to rotate between a first position and a second position; and a second magnet.
  • a dispenser defines a cavity for receiving the removable kettle, the dispenser including a first sensor, a second sensor, a filling tube adapted to guide water from a water source to the removable kettle, and a valve coupled to the filling tube.
  • FIG. 1 provides a front view of a refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG2 provides a front view of the refrigeration appliance of FIG1 , wherein the refrigeration door is shown in an open configuration
  • FIG3 provides a perspective view of a kettle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG4 provides a side cross-sectional view of a kettle and a lid according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG5 provides an enlarged view of an upper portion of a kettle with a lid and an overfill shutoff mechanism in a first position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 6 provides the overfill shutoff mechanism of FIG. 5 in a second position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 's view;
  • FIG. 7 provides an exemplary diagram of a kettle received in a dispenser cavity according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG8 provides an enlarged view of an upper portion of a kettle with a lid and an overfill shutoff mechanism in a first position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a view of the overfill shutoff mechanism of FIG. 5 in a second position according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the terms “first”, “second” and “third” can be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another, and these terms are not intended to indicate the position or importance of the various components.
  • the terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising”.
  • the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”).
  • range limitations can be combined and/or interchanged. Such a range is identified and includes all sub-ranges contained therein, unless the context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein include endpoints, and the endpoints can be independently combined with each other.
  • the singular forms “one”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly specifies otherwise.
  • approximate language may correspond to the accuracy of an instrument used to measure a value, or the accuracy of a method or machine used to construct or manufacture a component and/or system.
  • approximate language may refer to a value within a 10% margin, i.e., included within ten percent greater or less than the value.
  • substantially vertical includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees with the vertical V in any direction, such as clockwise or counterclockwise.
  • Fig. 1 provides a front view of an exemplary refrigeration appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the refrigeration appliance 100 extends along a vertical direction V between a top 101 and a bottom 102, extends along a lateral direction L between a left side 105 and a right side 106, and extends along a transverse direction T (not shown) between a front and a rear, which is a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction V and the lateral direction L.
  • the vertical direction V, the lateral direction L, and the transverse direction T are perpendicular to each other and form an orthogonal direction system.
  • Refrigeration appliance 100 includes a housing or box 120 defining a refrigeration compartment, a food preservation compartment 122 and one or more freezer compartments (such as a first freezer compartment 124 and a second freezer compartment 125), and the freezer compartments can be arranged below the food preservation compartment 122 along a vertical V.
  • the food preservation compartment 122 is bounded by vertical walls on the left side 105 and the right side 106 (these walls are separated laterally), is bounded by horizontal walls on the top 101, and is bounded by a lower wall 132 at the bottom.
  • refrigeration appliance 100 can be generally referred to as a bottom-mounted or bottom-mounted refrigerator.
  • the box 120 also defines a mechanical chamber (not shown) for receiving a sealed cooling system (not shown).
  • the left refrigeration door 126 and the right refrigeration door 128 are rotatably hinged to the edge of the cabinet 120 at the left side 105 and the right side 106, respectively, so as to enter the food preservation chamber 122 ( Figure 2) or the sealed food preservation chamber 122, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the upper hinge and the lower hinge can connect each door 126, 128 to the cabinet 120.
  • the door arrangement is sometimes referred to as a "French door" configuration.
  • a freezer door (such as a first freezer door 130 and a second freezer door 131) can be arranged below the refrigeration door 126, 128 for entering one or more freezer compartments (such as a first freezer compartment 124 and a second freezer compartment 125), respectively.
  • the freezer door 130, 131 is connected to a freezer drawer (not shown), which is slidably connected to the first freezer compartment 124 and the second freezer compartment 125.
  • a freezer drawer (not shown), which is slidably connected to the first freezer compartment 124 and the second freezer compartment 125.
  • drawers are typically "pull-out" drawers, as they can be manually moved into and out of the freezer compartments 124, 125 on a suitable sliding mechanism.
  • Each door 126, 128, 130, 131 may include a handle for accessing one of the chambers 122, 124, 125 of the refrigeration appliance 100.
  • FIG. 2 provides a front perspective view of the refrigeration appliance 100 showing the refrigeration doors 126, 128.
  • the freezer doors 130, 131 are shown in a partially open position to expose a portion of the interior of the freezer compartments 124, 125, respectively.
  • the left door 126 of the refrigeration appliance 100 includes an inner surface 134 and an outer surface 136.
  • the inner surface 134 generally defines a portion of the interior of the fresh food compartment 122.
  • the outer surface 136 is generally opposite to the inner surface 134 and defines a portion of the exterior of the refrigeration appliance 100 when the door 126 is in the closed position.
  • freezer doors 130, 131 may likewise include an inner surface and an outer surface.
  • the doors 126, 128 may include storage boxes or shelves 138 that are movably or fixedly attached to the inner surfaces 134 of the doors 126, 128.
  • the left door 126 includes an automatic filling kettle system 140 according to the present invention.
  • the automatic filling kettle system 140 is illustrated on the left door 126. In other embodiments, the automatic filling kettle system 140 may be in different positions on the left door 126 or on the right door 128 or elsewhere in the food preservation chamber 122.
  • the automatic filling kettle system 140 includes a removable kettle 142, a dispenser 180 and a controller 200.
  • the details of the exemplary kettle 142 can be best illustrated with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a representative kettle 142, which includes a kettle wall 144, which is connected to or formed with a kettle bottom 146.
  • a top edge 150 is formed by the kettle wall 144 at the kettle end opposite to the kettle bottom 146.
  • the kettle wall 144 and the kettle bottom define a kettle volume 148 that can be entered through an opening 151 defined by the top edge 150.
  • the top edge 150 can also define a mouth 152 at the first end of the kettle, so that liquid is introduced or drawn out of the kettle 142.
  • a handle 153 can be included to provide a gripping area, thereby assisting in operating the kettle 142.
  • the exemplary kettle 142 is illustrated as a generally hollow rectangular cube.
  • Other embodiments may have other shapes, such as a hollow cylinder, and may or may not have features such as a spout or a handle.
  • FIG 4 An orthogonal coordinate system for an embodiment of the kettle 142 is defined in Figure 4.
  • the height H is generally parallel to the vertical V used with reference to the refrigeration appliance 100 in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the width W extends perpendicular to the height H from the mouth end to the handle end of the kettle 142.
  • the depth D is perpendicular to the H-W plane.
  • embodiments of the kettle 142 may include a lid 154 that is removably received in an opening 151 at the top edge 150.
  • the lid 154 may include a peripheral skirt 156 that is configured to be removably received in the opening 151 of the kettle 142.
  • Some embodiments of the skirt 156 may include a feature (not shown) that engages the interior of the kettle wall 144 at the top edge 150 to secure the lid from accidental separation from the kettle 142.
  • the cover 154 may include a top wall 158 that is coupled to or formed with the skirt 156 such that the skirt 156 and the top wall 158 define a cavity or volume 160 in the cover 154.
  • an embodiment of the present invention includes a first magnet 162 adjacent to the top wall 158 of the cover 154.
  • the first magnet 162 may be fixed to a first end 164 of a pivot arm 166.
  • the pivot arm 166 is pinned so as to rotate at 168 about an axis generally parallel to the depth D of FIG. 4 .
  • the pivot arm 166 is configured so that when pinned at 168, the first end 164 having the first magnet 162 is urged to a first position against the top wall 158.
  • the weight of the second end 170 of the pivot arm 166 causes the pivot arm 166 to rotate in a clockwise direction about the pivot 168, as shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the first magnet 162 is recognized by the detection sensor.
  • the cover 154 further includes a first float 172 that is located below the second end 170 of the pivot arm 166 and is constrained to allow movement in the H direction.
  • a float basket 174 having a plurality of perforations 175 can constrain movement of the first float 172 in the H direction.
  • the perforations 175 allow liquid to flow from the kettle volume 148 into the float basket 174.
  • the liquid level 171 causes the first float 172 to rise upward in the direction H.
  • the first float 172 contacts the second end of the pivot arm 166, thereby rotating the pivot arm 166 (counterclockwise in the example shown) to the second position.
  • the first end 164 of the pivot arm 166 moves away from the top wall 158, and therefore, the first magnet also moves away from the top wall 158.
  • the dispenser 180 defines a cavity 181 for receiving a removable kettle 142, wherein the H direction is substantially parallel to the vertical V of the refrigeration appliance 100.
  • the dispenser 180 is arranged on the inner surface 134 of the left door 126 of the refrigeration appliance 100.
  • Other embodiments may have dispensers on other doors or elsewhere in the food preservation chamber 122.
  • the cavity 181 includes a support or shelf 108 supporting the kettle 142 in the vertical V and a sensor plate 188 adjacent to the lid 154 of the kettle 142.
  • Other features may be provided to fix the kettle 142 in the cavity 181 during filling and when the door 126 is opened and closed to provide access to the food preservation chamber.
  • Dispenser 180 may include a fill tube 184 adapted to direct water from a water source to kettle 142.
  • a valve 186 may be disposed in line with fill tube 184 between the water source and kettle 142 to selectively allow water to flow to kettle 142.
  • the valve may be operably coupled to controller 200.
  • the sensor board 188 includes a first sensor 182 fixed to the board and positioned adjacent to detect the first magnet 162 in the kettle 142 when the kettle is present and properly positioned in the cavity 181.
  • the first sensor 182 can be any type of sensor capable of detecting the first magnet and providing a kettle presence signal to the controller 200.
  • Controller 200 is operably coupled to the sensor board 188 and the first sensor 182 to interpret the kettle presence signal from the first sensor.
  • the controller 200 controls the operation of the automatic filling kettle system as it interprets the signals received from the various sensors of the dispenser 180 and determines whether the automatic filling operation should be initiated and when it should be stopped.
  • the controller may include control circuitry, memory, and a microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programmed instructions or microcontrol code associated with the operation of the automatic filling kettle system.
  • the controller 200 may be constructed without the use of a microprocessor, for example, using a combination of independent analog or digital logic circuits to perform the control functions, rather than relying on software.
  • the controller 200 maintains the valve 186 in the closed position until a kettle presence signal is received from the first sensor 182 indicating that the kettle is in the proper position for automatic filling.
  • the kettle presence signal is sent when the pivot arm 166 in the kettle 142 is in the first position and the first magnet 162 is in a position to be sensed by the first sensor 182.
  • the first float 172 has no effect on the position of the pivot arm 166 or the first magnet 162.
  • the first float 172 is in a lower position, which indicates that the kettle is in a normal state (i.e., not overfilled with water), and water can be dispensed by the dispenser 180 to provide a maximum volume of water in the kettle 142.
  • the controller 200 may signal the valve 186 to allow water to flow into the kettle 142.
  • the fill tube 184 is disposed just above the mouth 152 of the kettle 142. In other embodiments, the fill tube 184 may be in other positions suitable for allowing water to flow into the kettle volume 148. Water continues to flow to the kettle until the first sensor 182 fails to send the kettle presence signal to the controller 200. This may occur when the kettle 142 is removed from the cavity 181 or when the first float 172 is pushed upward against the second end 170 of the pivot arm 166, thereby rotating the pivot arm 166 to the second position ( FIG. 7 ). In either case, when the kettle presence signal to the controller 200 is interrupted, the controller 200 signals the valve 186 to close, thereby stopping the water flow to the kettle 142.
  • one magnet/sensor pair (first magnet 162 and first sensor 182) provides both a kettle presence signal and a normal water level signal to the controller 200.
  • a kettle presence sensor, a water level sensor, and an overfill sensor as a redundant water control system.
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 such an automatic filling kettle system is illustrated, in which a kettle presence sensor and an overfill sensor are combined.
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an upper portion of a kettle 142 received in a cavity 181 of a dispenser 180 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the kettle 142 includes a lid 154, a first magnet 162, a second magnet 194, a pivot arm 166, and a first float 172.
  • the dispenser 180 includes a first sensor 182, a second sensor 196, a fill tube 184, and a valve 186 in line with the fill tube 184.
  • the construction of the cover 154 is generally similar to that described above, except that a channel 190 is added, which is fixed to or formed with the cover 154.
  • the channel 190 is generally cylindrical, with its axis parallel to the direction H.
  • the wall of the cylindrical channel 190 may be perforated or portions may be removed to allow water from the kettle volume 148 to freely enter the channel 190.
  • the second float 192 is a generally cylindrical body disposed within the channel 190 that is constrained to allow displacement in the H direction (ie, parallel to V).
  • the upper end of the second float 192 includes a second magnet 194 fixed to a first end of the second float 192 .
  • the kettle 142 is filled with a certain amount of water, reaching the liquid level 171.
  • the pivot arm 166 is in the first position, which places the first magnet 162 and the first sensor 182 in close proximity and signals the controller 200 that the kettle 142 is present and properly received in the cavity 181.
  • the kettle presence signal to the controller 200 also indicates that the dispenser 180 can dispense water to the kettle if necessary, as determined by the second magnet 194 and the second sensor 196.
  • the second float 192 has floated with the liquid level 171, and the second magnet 194 is in close proximity to the second sensor 196, signaling the controller 200 that the kettle is filled.
  • the controller 200 interprets the signal from the second sensor 196 and signals the valve 186 to stop the flow of water to the kettle 142.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram of an overfill condition where the valve 186 fails to receive a kettle full signal from the controller 200 and continues to dispense water into the kettle volume 148.
  • the liquid level 171 exceeds the desired fill level, thereby raising the first float 172 upward in the H direction.
  • the first float 172 contacts the second end 170 of the pivot arm 166, thereby rotating the pivot arm 166 to the second position as illustrated in FIG. 9 .
  • the first magnet 162 rotates away from the first sensor 182.
  • the controller 200 signals the valve 186 to close and interrupts the flow of water to the kettle 142 before the kettle overflows.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cookers (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

提供一种自动填充水壶系统（140），其包括可移除的水壶（142）、分配器（180）和控制器（200）。该可移除的水壶（142）包括被支撑以便在第一位置与第二位置之间旋转的磁体（162）。控制器（200）被配置为当分配器（180）中的传感器（182）检测到磁体（162）时打开分配器（180）中的阀（186）以将水引导到水壶（142），并且当传感器（182）未检测到磁体（162）时关闭阀（186）。

Description

自动填充水壶过度填充关闭机构 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自动填充水分配系统。
背景技术
一些制冷电器包括自动填充分配系统。自动填充分配系统通常包括分配壳体和水壶。当水壶设置在指定点中(例如在自动填充壳体下方)时，水或另一种液体自动地分配到水壶中。一些自动填充分配系统包括在分配壳体中的水壶存在传感器和在水壶中的触发装置，以确定水壶何时处于正确位置而接纳分配的液体。除了水壶存在传感器之外，一些自动填充水壶包括水壶注满传感器，该水壶注满传感器包括设置在水壶的壳体内的浮子机构，该浮子机构随着自动填充水壶中的上升液体向上移动。当自动填充水壶内的液体已经达到指定的填充料位时，浮子机构触发系统停止分配液体。
在一些情况下，浮子机构可能由于制造缺陷、来自水的沉积物或由用户引入到水壶中的水添加剂而失效，沉积物或添加剂积聚并干扰浮子机构的正常操作。更强的防止污染的水壶注满传感器将是有益的。另外或可选地，防止水壶过度填充状况的冗余传感器可以是有益的。然而，冗余传感器将占据水壶中的额外空间，从而减小水壶容积，或者增加水壶的总体尺寸。
因此，解决上述挑战中的一个或多个的冰箱中的自动填充分配系统将是期望的。
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，可以通过描述显而易见，或者可以通过实施本发明而学到。
在一个示例性方面，提供了一种制冷电器，该制冷电器包括限定食物保鲜室的箱体和自动填充水壶系统。自动填充水壶系统包括可移除的水壶，该可移除的水壶具有连接到水壶底部以限定容积的水壶壁，水壶壁在可移除的水壶的顶部边缘处限定开口。水壶还包括固定到枢转臂的第一端的第一磁体，枢转臂被销接以便在第一位置与第二位置之间旋转。自动填充水壶系统还包括分配器，该分配器限定接收可移除的水壶的食物保鲜室内的腔。分配器包括第一传感器、适于将水从水源引导到可移除水壶的填充管、联接到填充管的阀、以及控制器。控制器被配置为当第一传 感器在枢转臂处于第一位置时检测到第一磁体时打开阀，并且当第一传感器未检测到处于第二位置的第一磁体时关闭阀。
在另一个示例性方面，一种自动填充水壶系统包括可移除的水壶，该可移除的水壶具有连接到水壶底部以限定容积的水壶壁，水壶壁在可移除的水壶的顶部边缘处限定开口。水壶还包括固定到枢转臂的第一端的第一磁体，枢转臂被销接以便在第一位置与第二位置之间旋转。自动填充水壶系统还包括分配器，该分配器限定接收可移除的水壶的腔。分配器包括第一传感器、适于将水从水源引导到可移除水壶的填充管、联接到填充管的阀、以及控制器。控制器被配置为当第一传感器在枢转臂处于第一位置时检测到第一磁体时打开阀，并且当第一传感器未检测到处于第二位置的第一磁体时关闭阀。
在又一示例性方面，一种自动填充水壶系统包括可移除的水壶，该可移除的水壶具有连接到水壶底部以限定容积的水壶壁，水壶壁在可移除的水壶的顶部边缘处限定开口。水壶还包括：固定到枢转臂的第一端的第一磁体，枢转臂被销接以便在第一位置与第二位置之间旋转；以及第二磁体。分配器限定接收可移除水壶的腔，分配器包括第一传感器、第二传感器、适于将水从水源引导到可移除水壶的填充管、以及联接到填充管的阀。当第一传感器检测到第一磁体时，水壶存在信号被发送到控制器，并且当第二传感器未检测到第二磁体时，控制器发送打开阀的信号。
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的制冷电器的前视图，其中冷藏门体被示出为处于打开配置；
图3提供了根据本发明的实施方式的水壶的立体图；
图4提供了根据本发明的实施方式的水壶和盖的侧剖视图；
图5提供了根据本发明的实施方式的具有盖和处于第一位置的过度填充关闭机构的水壶的上部的放大视图；
图6提供了根据本发明的实施方式的处于第二位置的图5的过度填充关闭机构 的视图；
图7提供了根据本发明的实施方式的接收在分配器腔中的水壶的示例图；
图8提供了根据本发明的实施方式的具有盖和处于第一位置的过度填充关闭机构的水壶的上部的放大视图；以及
图9是根据本发明的实施方式的处于第二位置的图5的过度填充关闭机构的视图。
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。
如本文所用的，术语“第一”、“第二”和“第三”可以互换使用以将一个部件与另一个部件区分开，并且这些术语并不旨在表示各个部件的位置或重要性。术语“包括(includes)”和“包括(including)”旨在以类似于术语“包括(comprising)”的方式为包括的。类似地，术语“或”通常旨在是包括的(即，“A或B”旨在意指“A或B或两者”)。另外，在此以及在整个说明书和权利要求书中，范围限制可以组合和/或互换。这样的范围被识别并包括其中包含的所有子范围，除非上下文或语言另有说明。例如，本文公开的所有范围包括端点，并且端点可独立地彼此组合。单数形式“一”、“一个”和“该”包括复数引用，除非上下文另有明确规定。
如本文在整个说明书和权利要求书中使用的近似语言可以应用于修饰任何定量表示，该定量表示可容许在不导致其相关的基本功能改变的情况下变化。因此，由诸如“大体”、“大约”、“近似”以及“大致”的术语修饰的值不限于所指定的精确值。在至少一些情况下，近似语言可对应于用于测量值的仪器的精度、或用于构造或制造部件和/或系统的方法或机器的精度。例如，近似语言可以指在10％的裕度内，即包括在比所述值大或小百分之十内的值。在这点上，例如，当在角度或方向的背景下使用时，这种术语包括在比所述角度或方向大或小十度内，例如，“大体竖直”包括在例如顺时针或逆时针的任何方向上与竖向V形成多达十度的角度。
词语“示例性的”在本文中用于意指“用作示例、实例或说明”。另外，对“实 施方式”或“一个实施方式”的引用不一定是指同一实施方式，但可以是同一实施方式。本文描述为“示例性的”或“实施方式”的任何实施方案不是必须解释为比其它实施方案优选或有利。而且，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。
转向附图，图1提供了根据本发明的示例性实施方式的示例性制冷电器100的前视图。制冷电器100在顶部101与底部102之间沿着竖向V延伸，在左侧105与右侧106之间沿着侧向L延伸，并且在前部与后部之间沿着横向T(未示出)延伸，该横向是与竖向V和侧向L正交的方向。竖向V、侧向L和横向T相互垂直并形成正交方向系统。
制冷电器100包括限定制冷间室、食物保鲜室122和一个或多个冷冻室(诸如第一冷冻室124和第二冷冻室125)的壳体或箱体120，冷冻室都可以沿着竖向V布置在食物保鲜室122的下方。如图示例，食物保鲜室122在左侧105和右侧106由竖向壁限定边界(这些壁在侧向上隔开)，在顶部101由水平壁限定边界，并且在底部由下壁132限定边界。在这种构造下，制冷电器100通常可以被称为底置式或底装式冰箱。箱体120还限定了用于接收密封冷却系统(未示出)的机械室(未示出)。
左冷藏门体126和右冷藏门体128分别在左侧105和右侧106处可旋转地铰接到箱体120的边缘，以便进入食物保鲜室122(图2)或密封食物保鲜室122，如图1示例。例如，上铰链和下铰链可将各个门体126、128联接到箱体120。当左门体126和右门体128如图1示例构造时，门体布置有时称为“法式门”构造。冷冻门体(诸如第一冷冻门体130和第二冷冻门体131)可布置在冷藏门体126、128下方，用于分别进入一个或多个冷冻室(诸如第一冷冻室124和第二冷冻室125)。在图1所示的示例性实施方式中，冷冻门体130、131联接到冷冻抽屉(未示出)，该冷冻抽屉可滑动地联接在第一冷冻室124和第二冷冻室125内。由此，这种抽屉通常是“拉出式”抽屉，因为它们可以在合适的滑动机构上手动移入和移出冷冻室124、125。各个门体126、128、130、131可以包括用于进入制冷电器100的腔室122、124、125中的一个的把手。
图2提供了示出冷藏门体126、128的制冷电器100的前立体图，这些门体处于 打开位置，以露出食物保鲜室122的内部。另外，冷冻门体130、131被示出为处于部分打开位置，以分别露出冷冻室124、125内部的一部分。
制冷电器100的左门体126包括内表面134和外表面136。当门体126处于如图1所示的关闭位置时，内表面134通常限定食物保鲜室122的内部的一部分。外表面136通常与内表面134相对，并且当门体126处于关闭位置时限定制冷电器100的外部的一部分。
相同的构造可以导致与左门体126类似地形成的右门体128，其具有内表面134和外表面136。而且，还应当理解，冷冻门体130、131同样可包括内表面和外表面。
门体126、128可以包括可移动地或固定地附接到门体126、128的内表面134的储存盒或层架138。在图2中所示例的实施方式中，左门体126包括根据本发明的自动填充水壶系统140。为了方便起见，自动填充水壶系统140示例在左门体126上。在其它实施方式中，自动填充水壶系统140可在左门体126上的不同位置中或在右门体128上或在食物保鲜室122内的别处。
自动填充水壶系统140包括可移除的水壶142、分配器180和控制器200。示例性水壶142的细节可参考图3和图4最好地示例。图3是代表性的水壶142的立体图，其包括水壶壁144，该水壶壁连接到水壶底部146或与其一起形成。顶部边缘150由在与水壶底部146相对的水壶端处的水壶壁144形成。水壶壁144和水壶底部限定了可通过由顶部边缘150限定的开口151进入的水壶容积148。为了方便起见，顶部边缘150还可在水壶的第一端限定嘴152，以便于将液体引入或引出水壶142。在水壶的与嘴152相对的第二端，可包括把手153以提供抓握区域，从而辅助操作水壶142。
仅为了易于说明，示例性水壶142被示例为大体中空的矩形立方体。其它实施方式可具有其它形状，例如中空圆柱体，并且可具有或可不具有诸如嘴或把手的特征。
在图4中定义了用于水壶142的实施方式的正交坐标系。高度H大体平行于参考图1和图2中的制冷电器100使用的竖向V。宽度W垂直于高度H从水壶142的嘴端延伸到把手端。深度D垂直于H-W平面。
如图4示例，水壶142的实施方式可包括可移除地接收在顶部边缘150处的开口151中的盖154。盖154可包括周边裙部156，其被构造为可移除地接收在水壶142的开口151中。裙部156的一些实施方式可包括在顶部边缘150处接合水壶壁144的内部以固定盖防止其与水壶142意外分离的特征(未示出)。
盖154可包括顶壁158，其联结到裙部156或与其一起形成，使得裙部156和顶壁158在盖154中限定腔或容积160。如图5示例，本发明的实施方式包括与盖154的顶壁158相邻的第一磁体162。第一磁体162可以固定到枢转臂166的第一端164。枢转臂166被销接以便在168处围绕大体平行于图4的深度D的轴线旋转。枢转臂166被构造为使得当销接在168处时，具有第一磁体162的第一端164被推动到第一位置抵靠顶壁158。例如，枢转臂166的第二端170的重量的作用使得枢转臂166绕枢轴168沿顺时针方向旋转，如图5示例。如以下将更详细所述，当枢转臂166处于第一位置时，第一磁体162被检测传感器识别。
在实施方式中，盖154还包括第一浮体172，其位于枢转臂166的第二端170下方并且被限制为允许在H方向上的移动。例如，具有多个穿孔175的浮篮174可以限制第一浮体172向H方向的移动。当水壶容积148中的液位171如在如图5示例的填充不足状态下在浮篮174下方时，第一浮体172对枢转臂166或第一磁体162没有影响。
在如图6示例的过度填充状态下，穿孔175允许液体从水壶容积148流入到浮篮174中。液位171使第一浮体172在H方向上向上上升。第一浮体172接触枢转臂166的第二端，从而使枢转臂166旋转(如图示例逆时针)到第二位置。如图6示例，在第二位置，枢转臂166的第一端164远离顶壁158移动，因此，第一磁体也远离顶壁158移动。
分配器180限定接收可移除的水壶142的腔181，其中H方向大体平行于制冷电器100的竖向V。在图中示出的说明性实施方式中，分配器180设置在制冷电器100的左门体126的内表面134上。其它实施方式可以在其它门体上或在食物保鲜室122中的别处具有分配器。如图示例，腔181包括在竖向V上支撑水壶142的支撑件或层架108和与水壶142的盖154相邻的传感器板188。可提供其它特征(未示出)来在填充期间并且在门体126打开和关闭时将水壶142固定在腔181中，以提供进入食物保鲜室的途径。
分配器180可包括适于将水从水源引导到水壶142的填充管184。阀186可设置成与水源和水壶142之间的填充管184成一直线，以选择性地允许水流到水壶142。该阀可操作地联接到控制器200。
传感器板188包括第一传感器182，其固定在板上并相邻定位，以在水壶存在并适当地定位在腔181中时检测水壶142中的第一磁体162。第一传感器182可以是能够检测第一磁体并向控制器200提供投水壶存在信号的任何类型的传感器。控制器 200可操作地联接到传感器板188和第一传感器182，以解释来自第一传感器的水壶存在信号。
控制器200控制自动填充水壶系统的操作，因为它解释从分配器180的各种传感器接收的信号，并且确定自动填充操作是否应当启动以及它何时应当停止。控制器可包括控制电路、存储器和微处理器，诸如可操作为执行与自动填充水壶系统的操作相关联的编程指令或微控制代码的通用或专用微处理器。可选地，控制器200可以在不使用微处理器的情况下，例如，使用独立的模拟或数字逻辑电路的组合构建为执行控制功能，而不是依靠软件。
控制器200将阀186保持在关闭位置，直到从第一传感器182接收到指示水壶处于用于自动填充的适当位置的水壶存在信号。当水壶142中的枢转臂166处于第一位置且第一磁体162处于将由第一传感器182感测的位置时，发送水壶存在信号。如上所述，在第一位置，第一浮体172对枢转臂166或第一磁体162的位置没有影响。第一浮体172处于较低位置，其指示水壶处于正常状态(即，未过度填充水)，并且水可以由分配器180分配以在水壶142中提供最大体积的水。
在从第一传感器接收到水壶存在信号时，控制器200可信号通知阀186允许水流入水壶142。在图7示例的示例性实施方式中，填充管184设置在水壶142的嘴152正上方。在其它实施方式中，填充管184可处于适于允许水流到水壶容积148中的其它位置。水继续流向水壶，直到第一传感器182不能向控制器200发送水壶存在信号。这可在从腔181移除水壶142时或在第一浮体172被向上推动抵靠枢转臂166的第二端170从而将枢转臂166旋转到第二位置(图7)时发生。在任一情况下，当到控制器200的水壶存在信号中断时，控制器200信号通知阀186关闭，从而停止到水壶142的水流。
在上述说明性实施方式中，一个磁体/传感器对(第一磁体162和第一传感器182)向控制器200提供水壶存在信号和正常水位信号两者。在一些情况下，有利的可以是具有水壶存在传感器、水位传感器和过度填充传感器作为冗余水控制系统。在图8和图9的实施方式中，示例了这种自动填充水壶系统，其中组合了水壶存在传感器和过度填充传感器。
图8和图9示例了根据本发明的实施方式的接收在分配器180的腔181中的水壶142的上部。该水壶142包括盖154、第一磁体162、第二磁体194、枢转臂166和第一浮体172。分配器180包括第一传感器182、第二传感器196、填充管184和与填充管184成一直线的阀186。
在图8和图9中，盖154的构造大致与上述类似，只是增加了固定到盖154或与其一起形成的通道190。通道190通常是圆柱形的，其轴线平行于H方向。圆柱形通道190的壁可被穿孔或移除部分以允许水从水壶容积148自由地进入通道190。
第二浮体192是布置在通道190内的大体圆柱体，其被限制为允许在H方向(即，平行于V)上的位移。第二浮体192的上端包括固定到第二浮体192的第一端的第二磁体194。
如图8示例，水壶142填充有一定量的水，达到液位171。枢转臂166处于第一位置，其将第一磁体162和第一传感器182放置为紧密接近，并且信号通知控制器200水壶142存在并且适当地接收在腔181中。到控制器200的水壶存在信号还指示如果必要，分配器180可以将水分配到水壶，如由第二磁体194和第二传感器196确定的。
在图8中，第二浮体192已经随着液位171浮起，并且第二磁体194紧密接近第二传感器196，信号通知控制器200水壶被填充。控制器200解释来自第二传感器196的信号，并信号通知阀186停止到水壶142的水流。
图9是阀186未能从控制器200接收水壶满信号并继续将水分配到水壶容积148中的过度填充情况的图。液位171超过期望的填充料位，从而在H方向上向上升高第一浮体172。第一浮体172接触枢转臂166的第二端170，从而使枢转臂166旋转到如图9示例的第二位置。在第二位置中，第一磁体162旋转远离第一传感器182。这向控制器200发送不存在水壶并且不应当分配水的信号。控制器200信号通知阀186关闭，并且在水壶溢流之前中断到水壶142的水流。
应当理解，本发明也可以用于其它类型的制冷电器，例如顶置式或顶部冷冻器制冷电器或单门冰箱。因此，本文阐述的描述无意于在任何方面限制本发明。
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 (14)

  1. 一种自动填充水壶系统，其特征在于，包括：
    可移除水壶，该可移除水壶包括：
    水壶壁，该水壶壁连接到限定容积的水壶底部，所述水壶壁在所述可移除水壶的顶部边缘处限定开口；以及
    第一磁体，该第一磁体固定到枢转臂的第一端，所述枢转臂被销接以在第一位置与第二位置之间旋转；
    分配器，该分配器限定接收所述可移除的水壶的腔，所述分配器包括：
    第一传感器；
    填充管，该填充管适于将水从水源引导到所述可移除水壶；
    阀，该阀联接到所述填充管；以及
    控制器，该控制器被配置为当所述第一传感器在所述枢转臂处于所述第一位置时检测到所述第一磁体时打开所述阀，并且当所述第一传感器未检测到处于所述第二位置的所述第一磁体时关闭所述阀。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的自动填充水壶系统，其特征在于，还包括可移除地装配至所述可移除的水壶的所述开口的盖，其中，所述枢转臂被销接以便旋转到所述盖，并且当所述枢转臂处于所述第一位置时，所述第一磁体被推靠在所述盖的下侧上。
  3. 根据权利要求2所述的自动填充水壶系统，其特征在于，所述枢转臂被布置为使得所述枢转臂的第二端比所述第一端重，从而将所述枢转臂推动到所述第一位置中。
  4. 根据权利要求3所述的自动填充水壶系统，其特征在于，还包括第一浮体，该第一浮体限制在所述盖内并且当所述可移除的水壶中的水位低于特定料位时在竖向上位于所述枢转臂的所述第二端的下方。
  5. 根据权利要求4所述的自动填充水壶系统，其特征在于，当所述水位高于特定料位时，所述第一浮体漂浮在所述可移除的水壶中的水面上，使得所述第一浮体竖直向上地推动所述枢转臂的所述第二端，从而使所述枢转臂旋转至所述第二位置。
  6. 一种自动填充水壶系统，其特征在于，包括：
    可移除水壶，该可移除水壶包括：
    水壶壁，该水壶壁连接到限定容积的水壶底部，所述水壶壁在所述可移除 水壶的顶部边缘处限定开口；以及
    第一磁体，该第一磁体固定到枢转臂的第一端，所述枢转臂被销接以在第一位置与第二位置之间旋转；
    第二磁体；
    分配器，该分配器限定接收所述可移除的水壶的腔，所述分配器包括：
    第一传感器；
    第二传感器；
    填充管，该填充管适于将水从水源引导到所述可移除水壶；
    阀，该阀联接到所述填充管；
    其中，当所述第一传感器检测到所述第一磁体时，水壶存在信号被发送到控制器；以及
    当所述第二传感器没有检测到所述第二磁体时，所述控制器发送打开所述阀的信号。
  7. 根据权利要求6所述的自动填充系统，其特征在于，还包括可移除地装配至所述可移除的水壶的所述开口的盖，其中，所述枢转臂被销接至所述盖以便旋转，并且当所述枢转臂处于所述第一位置时，所述第一磁体被推靠在所述盖的下侧上。
  8. 根据权利要求7所述的自动填充系统，其特征在于，所述枢转臂被布置为使得所述枢转臂的第二端比所述第一端重，从而将所述枢转臂推动到所述第一位置中。
  9. 根据权利要求8所述的自动填充系统，其特征在于，还包括第一浮体，该第一浮体限制在所述盖内并且当所述可移除的水壶中的水位低于特定料位时在竖向上位于所述枢转臂的第二端的下方。
  10. 根据权利要求9所述的自动填充系统，其特征在于，还包括第二浮体，该第二浮体限制在所述盖内并且当所述可移除的水壶中的水位低于特定料位时在竖向上位于所述盖的下侧的下方。
  11. 根据权利要求10所述的自动填充水壶系统，其特征在于，所述第二磁体固定到所述第二浮体的第一端。
  12. 根据权利要求10所述的自动填充水壶系统，其特征在于，当所述可移除水壶中的所述水位超过特定料位时，所述第二传感器检测到所述第二磁体，并且所述控制器向所述阀发送信号以停止到所述可移除水壶的水流。
  13. 根据权利要求6所述的自动填充水壶系统，其特征在于，当所述第一传感器未能检测到所述第一磁体时，所述控制器向所述阀发送信号以停止到所述可移除 水壶的水流。
  14. 一种制冷电器，包括：
    箱体，该箱体限定食物保鲜室；
    门体，可旋转地铰接到箱体的边缘，以便进入食物保鲜室或密封食物保鲜室；
    其特征在于，所述食物保鲜室内或者门体上设有如权利要求1-13之一所述的自动填充水壶系统。
PCT/CN2023/124223 2022-10-14 2023-10-12 自动填充水壶过度填充关闭机构 WO2024078572A1 (zh)

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