TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of a water supply device, and particularly
to an automatic water supply device and a refrigerator having the same.
BACKGROUND
[0002] At present, many refrigerators may provide refrigerated drinking water. Generally,
there are two water supply manners: one is providing a dispenser on a surface of the
refrigerator so that the user may use a cup to receive water from the dispenser; the
other is filling water into a water vessel, then placing the water vessel into the
refrigerator, and then taking the water vessel out of the refrigerator after a period
of time to drink cold water. In the second solution, to facilitate the user to take
a sufficient amount of cold water at any time, some automatic water-filling devices
are available from the market, to detect whether the water vessel is placed on a bracket,
and detect whether a liquid level in the water vessel is low, and water is automatically
filled when the water vessel is placed on the bracket and the liquid level is low.
[0003] However, these automatic water-filling devices are structurally complicated and need
to use a plurality of sensors to respectively detect whether the water vessel is placed
on the bracket and whether the liquid level in the water vessel is low, so that the
costs are high, and the structures are complicated.
SUMMARY
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic water supply device
and a refrigerator having the same.
[0005] As compared with the prior art, in the automatic water supply device and the refrigerator
having the same according to the present invention, the automatic water supply device
judges whether the water vessel is placed on the bracket according to the ON state
and OFF state of the sensing unit, and then sends the detection signal characterizing
the liquid level in the water vessel to the control through the sensing unit in the
ON state. One sensing unit may be used to simultaneously detect whether the water
vessel is placed on the bracket as well as the liquid level in the water vessel, thereby
controlling the water valve to open when the water vessel is placed on the bracket
and the liquid level is low, to automatically fill water into the water vessel, so
that the user may take the cold water conveniently at any time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006]
FIG. 1 is a structure schematic view of a door body of a refrigerator according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a structural schematic view of an automatic water supply device according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a structural schematic view of an automatic water supply device according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of portion A in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a structural schematic view of a water vessel according to a first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a water vessel according to a first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a structural schematic view of an automatic water supply device according
to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the automatic water supply device according to
the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of portion B in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a water vessel according to the second embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention discloses a refrigerator. The refrigerator
comprises a cabinet and a door body 1 for opening and closing the cabinet, an automatic
water supply device 2 being provided on an inner side of the door body 1.
[0008] FIGS. 2-6 show an automatic water supply device according to a first embodiment of
the present disclosure. The automatic water supply device 2 comprises a water vessel
100, a bracket 200 for placing the water vessel 100, detection means 300, and a water
supply mechanism 400 for supplying water to the water vessel 100. The cabinet may
define a refrigerating chamber. When the door body 1 closes the cabinet, the cold
air in the refrigerating chamber may cool the water in the water vessel 100.
[0009] Certainly, sites where the automatic water supply device is used are not limited
to refrigerators, and may be various sites such as other refrigeration appliances
or cafes. In embodiments of the present invention, water is a collective term of liquid
beverages, and includes but not limited to liquid beverages such as purified water,
fruit juice, milk or coffee.
[0010] As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the water vessel 100 comprises a water filling port 110. The
detection means 300 comprises a switch movably connected to the bracket 200 and a
sensing unit 320 fitted with the switch. The switch is disposed on the bracket 200
at a position corresponding to a side wall of the water vessel 100. The water supply
mechanism 400 comprises a water supply pipe 410 and a water valve provided on the
water supply pipe 410. An outlet of the water supply pipe 410 corresponds to the water
filling port 110 of the water vessel 100. The automatic water supply device further
comprises a controller. The sensing unit 320 switches between an ON state and an OFF
state based on the movement of the switch. The water vessel 100 is placed on the bracket
200 to touch the switch, thereby driving the sensing unit 320 to be in the ON state.
The sensing 320 sends a detection signal characterizing the liquid level in the water
vessel 100 to the controller in the ON state. The controller controls the water valve
to open or close according to the detection signal.
[0011] The automatic water supply device disclosed in the present invention judges whether
the water vessel 100 is placed on the bracket 200 according to the ON state and OFF
state of the sensing unit 320, and then outputs the detection signal characterizing
the liquid level in the water vessel 100 through the sensing unit 320 in the ON state.
One sensing unit 320 may be used to simultaneously detect whether the water vessel
100 is placed on the bracket 200 as well as the liquid level in the water vessel 100,
thereby controlling the water valve to open when the water vessel 100 is placed on
the bracket 200 and the liquid level is low, to automatically fill water into the
water vessel 100, so that the user may take the cold water conveniently at any time.
[0012] Preferably, the sensing unit may be a capacitive sensor, a photoelectric sensor,
a pressure/weight sensor, a Hall sensor or the like, and may also be other sensors
as long as they may detect and determine the presence of the liquid in the water vessel
and/or the liquid level in the water vessel.
[0013] In the embodiment of the present invention, a height nearby the top of the water
vessel 100 is set as a preset liquid level. When the liquid level in the water vessel
reaches the preset liquid level, water needn't be further filled and the controller
will control the water valve to close; when the liquid level in the water vessel 100
does not reach the preset liquid level, water needs to be filled into the water vessel,
and the controller will control the water valve to open.
[0014] Specifically, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the sensing unit
320 comprises a capacitive sensor which is disposed on the bracket 200 at a position
corresponding to the side wall of the water vessel 100. The capacitive sensor detects
the liquid level in the water vessel 100 in the ON state, and generates the detection
signal according to the liquid level. In the embodiment of the present invention,
the capacitive sensor is specifically a capacitive liquid level sensor. The capacitive
liquid level sensor is a variable medium type capacitor that uses a change of a measured
medium surface to cause a capacitance change. Specifically, the switch and the capacitive
sensor are disposed on the bracket 300 at a height corresponding to a preset liquid
level of the water vessel 100. When the capacitive sensor is in the ON state, if the
liquid level in the water vessel 100 does not reach the preset liquid level, and the
capacitive sensor only detects air, the controller receives the first detection signal
and controls the water valve to open. At this time, water will filled into the water
vessel 100; during water filling, the liquid level in the water vessel 100 gradually
rises. When the liquid level is higher than the position of the capacitive sensor,
the capacitive sensor can detect that the medium changes from air to water. At this
time, the capacitance value changes, and the controller will receive the second detection
signal and control the water valve to close so that the automatic water filling is
completed. The capacitive sensor has a large detection dynamic range, a fast response
speed, a simple structure and a low cost.
[0015] In the embodiment of the present invention, the switch comprises a rotating member
311 rotatably connected to the bracket 200, an electrical connection member 312 is
provided on the bracket 200, and the capacitive sensor is disposed in the rotating
member 311. When the water vessel 100 is placed on the vessel 200, the side wall of
the water vessel 100 touches and presses the rotating member 311, so that the rotating
member 311 drives the capacitive sensor to rotate. The capacitive sensor contacts
the electrical connection member 312 to energize the capacitive sensor, so that whether
the water vessel 100 is placed on the bracket 200 may be judged through the ON state
and OFF state of the capacitive sensor. Therefore, it is unnecessary to provide an
additional sensor, and only the capacitive sensor for detecting the liquid level can
be used to detect whether the water vessel is placed on the bracket. In another embodiment,
the electrical connection member may be provided on the rotating member, and the capacitive
sensor may be fixedly disposed on the bracket.
[0016] In another embodiment, the capacitive sensor may also be disposed on the water vessel,
and the electrical connection member is disposed on the bracket. When the water vessel
is placed on the bracket, the capacitive sensor may be in contact with the electrical
connection member to be in an ON state.
[0017] Specifically, the water supply pipe 410 may be externally connected to the user's
water source, and extends along the cabinet of the refrigerator into the door body
1. When the water valve is opened, the external water source may fill the water vessel
100 with water through the water supply pipe 410. Specifically, in the embodiment
of the present invention, the water supply pipe extends from a compressor compartment
at a lower part of the cabinet along the cabinet into the inner side of the door body,
and the water valve may be provided on the water supply pipe in the compressor compartment.
Certainly, in other embodiments, the water valve may also be disposed on other parts
of the water supply pipe.
[0018] The electrical connection member 312 is an elastic member. When the water vessel
100 is placed on the bracket 200, a side wall of the water vessel 100 presses the
rotating member 311, and the capacitive sensor contacts the electrical connection
member 312 to make the elastic electrical connection member 312 in a compressed state.
When the water vessel 100 is removed from the bracket 200, the electrical connection
member 312 may release the elastic force to cause the rotating member 311 to rotate
reversely, and the capacitive sensor does not contact the electrical connection member
312 any longer and switches to the OFF state. After the water vessel 100 is taken
from the the bracket 200, the elastic electrical connection member 312 enables the
rotating member 311 to be automatically elastically driven to rotate, thereby making
the capacitive sensor to switch to the ON state and simplifying the ON/OFF state switching
of the capacitive sensor. The electrical connection member 312 may preferably be a
compression spring. As shown in FIG. 4, three compression springs extend from the
bracket 200, and correspond to the three contacts on the sensor, respectively.
[0019] The capacitive sensor comprises at least three contacts. When the rotating member
311 is pressed, the at least three contacts are all in contact with the electrical
connection member 312. The at least three contacts include at least two electrical
connection contacts and at least one signal connection contact. In the embodiment
of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the capacitive sensor comprises three
contacts, two of which are electrical connection contacts, and the remaining one is
a signal connection contact. Correspondingly, three electrical connection members
312 are provided on the bracket 200. When the rotating member 311 is pressed, the
two electrical connection contacts and one signal connection contact of the capacitive
sensor are respectively communicated with the corresponding electrical connection
members 312, so that the capacitive sensor is in the ON state. After the controller
detects that the capacitive sensor is in the ON state, it may determine that the water
vessel 100 is already placed on the bracket 200. The signal connection contact is
used to send a detection signal characterizing the liquid level in the water vessel
100 to the controller when the capacitive sensor is in the ON state.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the water vessel 100 further comprises a water vessel lid
120, a water vessel body 130, a water storage space defined by the water vessel lid
120 and the water vessel body 130, and the water filling port 110 is disposed on the
water vessel lid 120. The water vessel 100 further comprises a water filling cup 140
extending from the water filling port 110 to the bottom of the water vessel 100. A
plurality of water outlets 141 communicated with the water storage space are provided
on a peripheral wall of the water filling cup 140. The water filling cup 140 may slow
down the flow rate of the water upon water filling, reduce the noise upon water filling,
and prevent the water flow from splashing around.
[0021] Preferably, the water filling cup 140 comprises an upwardly-protruding bottom wall
142, and the water outlets 141 extend from top to bottom on the peripheral wall to
a position connected to the bottom wall 142. Specifically, a plurality of elongated
water outlets 141 are provided at an interval on the peripheral wall of the water
filling cup 140, and the water outlets 141 extend on the peripheral wall of the water
filling cup 140 so that water can flow into the water storage space quickly without
gathering in the water filling cup 140. The upward protrusion of the bottom wall 142
may further prevent the water in the water filling cup 140 from gathering and enable
the water to flow out through the water outlets 141.
[0022] A water spout 131 is disposed on the water vessel body 130, and a water baffle 150
is provided at a position adjacent to the water spout 131 in the water storage space.
A water passageway 151 communicated with the water spout 131 is formed between the
water baffle 150 and the inner wall of the water vessel 100. When the user takes water,
he may pour out water through the water spout 131. The water baffle 150 is provided
to prevent the water from flowing rapidly and splashing out of the water vessel 100
when the user pours water.
[0023] Preferably, the water baffle 150 is preferably arc-shaped. Furthermore, the arc top
of the water baffle 150 protrudes toward the side wall of the water vessel 100 opposite
to the water spout 131. The arc-shaped water baffle 150 has a good water blocking
effect, and its arc top protrudes toward the side wall of the water vessel 100 opposite
to the water spout 131, so that an effective water passageway is formed between the
water baffle 150 and the side wall of the water vessel 100, and further enhances the
splash-preventing effect.
[0024] In the embodiment of the present invention, the water baffle 150 extends from the
water vessel lid 120 to the bottom of the water vessel 100, and the water passageway
151 is formed on both sides and the bottom of the water baffle 150. The water baffle
150 extending to the bottom of the water vessel 100 may guide water into the water
passageway from a lower position of the water vessel 100, thereby further reducing
the flow rate of water when poured.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the door 1 is provided with a bottle seat 3, and the bracket
200 is additionally disposed on the bottle seat 3. The bracket 200 is pre-assembled
with the bottle seat 3 through a connecting piece. The connecting piece may be specifically
a hook structure to facilitate mounting the bracket 200 to or demounting the bracket
200 from the bottle seat 3. When the user does not need to use the water vessel, he
may remove the water vessel 100 and the bracket 200, and the original position where
the bracket is placed may continue to be used as the bottle seat. The outlet of the
water supply pipe 410 is fixed at an upper half of the bracket 100 to align with the
water filling port 110 on the water vessel lid 120 of the water vessel 100. The water
vessel 100 is located below the bottle seat 3 and on a side close to the door handle.
The water vessel may be drawn out transversely along the width direction of the door
body, so it occupies a small space in the refrigerator without affecting the storage
space of the shelves in the refrigerating compartment.
[0026] FIGS. 7-10 show an automatic water supply device according to a second embodiment
of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment
in that the sensing unit 320" includes a sensor 321' that cooperates with the rotating
member 311' and an inductive element 322' that is disposed in the water vessel 100
and rises and falls with the liquid level. The rotating member 311' is disposed on
the bracket 200' at a position corresponding to the top of the water vessel 100'.
The sensor 321' switches between an ON state and an OFF state based on the movement
of the switch, and the rotating member 311' drives the sensor 321' to be in the ON
state. The sensor 321' detects the position of the inductive element 322' in the ON
state to output a detection signal characterizing the liquid level in the water vessel
100'. The controller controls the opening or closing of the water valve according
to the received detection signal of the sensor 321'.
[0027] In the present embodiment, the sensor 321' is disposed in the rotating member 311',
and the top of the water vessel 100' is provided with a bump 124'. When the water
vessel 100' is placed on the bracket 200', the bump 124' on the top of the water vessel
100' presses the switch to cause the rotating member 311' to drive the sensor 321'
to rotate to energize the sensor 321', so that whether the water vessel 100' is placed
on the bracket 200' through the ON/OFF state of the sensor 321'. Inside the water
vessel 100', an inner box 121' is disposed extending downward from the lid 120', and
a peripheral wall of the inner box 121' is provided with a plurality of water holes
communicated with the water storage space, so that the water in the water vessel 100'
may flow into the inner box 121'. Specifically, a float box 122' is disposed in the
inner box 121', and the inductive element 322' is disposed in the float box 122'.
Specifically, the inner box 121' is snap-fitted on the water vessel lid 120', and
the inner box 121' does not rise or fall with the liquid level, whereas the float
box 122' moves up and down inside the inner box 121' as the liquid level changes.
With the inner box 121' that does not move along with the liquid level being disposed
in the water vessel 100', a movement range and movement direction of the float box
122' can be restricted, and it can be ensured that the magnet can only move within
a desired height range and move only in the height direction of the water vessel 100'.
The inductive element 322' is fixedly disposed in the float box 122' and moves up
and down with the float box 122'. The float box 122' seals the inductive element 322'
therein to ensure that the float box can float up and down.
[0028] Specifically, an outer diameter of the float box 122' matches an inner diameter of
the inner box 121', so that the float box 122' can only move up and down in the height
direction of the inner box 121'. The inner wall of the inner box 121' is further provided
with a plurality of guide ribs 1211' which extend from top to bottom and can prevent
the float box 122' from getting stuck when it moves up and down. An upper surface
of the float box 122' is further provided with a plurality of protrusions 1221', and
exhaust holes 123' are provided on the water vessel lid 120' at positions corresponding
to the protrusions 1221'. Specifically, after the liquid level in the water vessel
100' rises and the upper surface of the float box 122' contacts the bottom surface
of the water vessel lid 120', the float box 122' might not fall down when the liquid
level falls due to a siphon effect. With the protrusions 1221' being provided on the
upper surface of the float box 122' and the exhaust hole 123' being provided on the
water vessel lid 100', a gap is present between the upper surface of the float box
122' and the water vessel lid 100' to avoid occurrence of the siphon effect between
the upper surface of the float box 122' and the water vessel lid 100', so that the
up-down movement of the float box 122' is smoother.
[0029] In the embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 321' is a Hall switch, and
the Hall switch is provided on the bracket 200' at a position corresponding to the
top of the water vessel 100'; the inductive element 322' is a magnet. The Hall switch
is disposed on the water vessel lid 120', and the approaching of the magnet may be
detected. Specifically, the Hall switch is an active electromagnetic conversion device
made by an integrated packaging and assembling process based on the principle of the
Hall effect. The Hall switch may sense the magnitude of the magnetic flux. When the
magnetic flux reaches a preset value, a trigger in the Hall switch flips, and an output
level state of the Hall switch is also inverted accordingly, so that the magnetic
input signal may be converted into an electrical signal. The magnet in the float box
122' will move up and down with the liquid level, and the magnetic flux detected by
the Hall switch will also change accordingly. When the Hall switch is in the ON state,
the controller receives the signal and determines that the water vessel 100' has been
placed on the bracket 200'. If the liquid level in the water vessel 100' does not
reach the preset liquid level, the magnet is far away from the Hall switch and the
magnetic flux induced by the Hall switch cannot make the trigger inside the Hall switch
flip, and the controller will control the water valve to open and fill the water vessel
100' with water. During the water filling process, the liquid level will rise and
drive the float box 122' to move upward, and the magnet will also approach the Hall
switch until the magnetic flux induced by the Hall switch also reaches a preset value
when the liquid level in the water vessel 100' reaches the preset liquid level. At
this time, the trigger inside the Hall switch flips to invert the output level state
of the Hall switch, and the controller will control the water valve to close and stop
water filling. As such, the Hall switch judges the liquid level in the water vessel
100' by detecting the position of the magnet, and the controller may control the opening
and closing of the water valve according to the detection signal sent by the Hall
switch, to automatically fill the water vessel 100' with water when needed.
[0030] Other structures such as the cabinet door body and the water supply structure in
the second embodiment of the present invention are all the same as those in the first
embodiment, and will not be detailed any more here.
[0031] Another embodiment of the present invention further discloses an automatic water
supply method. The method comprises the following steps: S1: receiving a signal characterizing
that the sensing unit is in an ON state. S2: determining whether a first detection
signal characterizing that the liquid level in the water vessel reaches a preset level
is received. S3: if YES, turning to step S4; if NO, turning to step S5. S4: controlling
the water valve to close. S5: controlling the water valve to open, and meanwhile performing
step S3.
[0032] When the water vessel is placed on the bracket, the side wall of the water vessel
will press the rotating member to energize the sensing unit to be in the ON state.
At this time, the controller will receive the signal indicating that the sensing unit
is in the ON state. The sensing unit will detect the liquid level in the water vessel.
If the liquid level in the water vessel reaches the preset level, the sensing unit
will send the first detection signal to the controller; otherwise, the sensing unit
will not send the signal to the controller or sends a second detection signal to the
controller. When the controller does not receive the first signal or receives the
second detection signal, it will control the water valve to be in an open state, whereupon
the water supply pipe will automatically fill the water vessel with water. When the
liquid level in the water vessel gradually rises to the preset level, the controller
receives the first signal and controls the water valve to close to end the automatic
water filling. In this way, one sensor is used to achieve the detection of whether
the water vessel 100 is placed on the bracket 200 and the detection of the liquid
level in the water vessel 100 at the same time, so that the water vessel 100 may be
automatically filled with water, and the user may conveniently take a sufficient amount
of cold water at any time.
[0033] The automatic water supply device disclosed in the present invention judges whether
the water vessel is placed on the bracket according to the ON state and OFF state
of the sensing unit, and then detects the liquid level in the water vessel through
the sensing unit in the ON state. One sensing unit may be used to simultaneously detect
whether the water vessel is placed on the bracket as well as the liquid level in the
water vessel, thereby controlling the water valve to open when the water vessel is
placed on the bracket and the liquid level is low, to automatically fill water into
the water vessel, so that the user may take the cold water conveniently at any time.
The cooperation of the elastic electrical connection member and the rotating member
may cause whether the water vessel is placed on the bracket to correspond to the switching
between the ON state and OFF state of the sensing unit. The water filling cup disposed
in the water vessel may slow down the flow rate of the water upon water filling, reduce
the noise upon water filling, and prevent the water flow from splashing around. The
upward protrusion of the bottom wall of the water filling cup may further prevent
the water in the water filling cup from gathering and enable the water to flow out
through the water outlets. The water baffle is provided to prevent the water from
flowing rapidly and splashing out of the water vessel when the user pours water.
1. An automatic water supply device, wherein the device comprises a water vessel, a bracket
for placing the water vessel, detection means, and a water supply mechanism for supplying
water to the water vessel, the water vessel comprising a water filling port;
the detection means comprises a switch movably connected to the bracket and a sensing
unit fitted with the switch;
the water supply mechanism comprises a water supply pipe and a water valve provided
on the water supply pipe, and an outlet of the water supply pipe corresponds to the
water filling port of the water vessel;
the automatic water supply device further comprises a controller, the sensing unit
switches between an ON state and an OFF state based on the movement of the switch,
and the water vessel being placed on the bracket to touch the switch, thereby driving
the sensing unit to be in the ON state;
the sensing unit outputs a detection signal characterizing the liquid level in the
water vessel in the ON state, the controller controlling the water valve to open or
close according to the detection signal.
2. The automatic water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit comprises
a capacitive sensor which is disposed on the bracket at a position corresponding to
the side wall of the water vessel; the capacitive sensor detects the liquid level
in the water vessel in the ON state, and generates the detection signal according
to the liquid level.
3. The automatic water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the switch comprises
a rotating member rotatably connected to the bracket, an electrical connection member
is provided on the bracket, and the sensor is provided in the rotating member; when
the rotating member is pressed, the sensing unit contacts the electrical connection
member.
4. The automatic water supply device according to claim 3, wherein the sensing unit comprises
at least three contacts; when the rotating member is pressed, all of the at least
three contacts are in contact with the electrical connection member; the at least
three contacts comprise at least two electrical connection contacts and at least one
signal connection contact.
5. The automatic water supply device according to claim 3, wherein the electrical connection
member is an elastic member.
6. The automatic water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the water vessel comprises
a water vessel lid, a water vessel body, and a water storage space defined by the
water vessel lid and the water vessel body, and the water filling port is disposed
on the water vessel lid; the water vessel further comprises a water filling cup extending
from the water filling port to the bottom of the water vessel, and a plurality of
water outlets communicated with the water storage space are provided on a peripheral
wall of the water filling cup.
7. The automatic water supply device according to claim 6, wherein the water filling
cup comprises an upwardly-protruding bottom wall, and the water outlets extend from
top to bottom on the peripheral wall to a position connected to the bottom wall.
8. The automatic water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the water vessel comprises
a water vessel lid, a water vessel body, and a water storage space defined by the
water vessel lid and the water vessel body, a water spout is disposed on the water
vessel body, a water baffle is provided at a position adjacent to the water spout
in the water storage space, and a water passageway communicated with the water spout
is formed between the water baffle and the inner wall of the water vessel.
9. The automatic water supply device according to claim 8, wherein the water baffle is
arc-shaped.
10. The automatic water supply device according to claim 8, wherein the water baffle extends
from the water vessel lid to the bottom of the water vessel, and the water passageway
is formed on both sides and the bottom of the water baffle.
11. A refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator comprises a cabinet and a door body for opening
and closing the cabinet, the water supply device according to any of claims 1-10 being
disposed on an inner side of the door body.