1. An automatic water supply device is characterized by comprising a kettle, a bracket for placing the kettle, a detection device and a water supply mechanism for supplying water to the kettle, wherein the kettle comprises a water injection port;

the detection device comprises a switch movably connected to the bracket and a sensing unit matched with the switch;

the water supply mechanism comprises a water supply pipe and a water valve arranged on the water supply pipe, and the outlet of the water supply pipe corresponds to the water filling port of the kettle;

the automatic water supply device also comprises a controller, the sensing unit is switched between a connection state and a disconnection state based on the movement of the switch, and the kettle is placed on the bracket to touch the switch so as to drive the sensing unit to be in the connection state;

the sensing unit outputs a detection signal representing the liquid level in the kettle in a communicated state, and the controller controls the water valve to be opened or closed according to the detection signal.

2. The automatic water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit comprises a capacitive sensor, and the capacitive sensor is arranged on the bracket at a position corresponding to the side wall of the kettle; the capacitance sensor detects the liquid level in the kettle in a communicated 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, the bracket having an electrical connection, the sensing unit being disposed in the rotating member; the sensing unit is in contact with the electrical connection when the rotating member is pressed.

4. The automatic water supply device according to claim 3, wherein the sensing unit comprises at least three contacts; when the rotating piece is pressed, the at least three contacts are all contacted with the electric connecting piece; the at least three contacts include 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 bottle comprises a bottle cap, a bottle body and a water storage space defined by the bottle cap and the bottle body, and the water filling port is arranged on the bottle cap; the water kettle also comprises a water injection cup extending from the water injection port to the bottom of the water kettle, and a plurality of water outlets communicated with the water storage space are arranged on the peripheral wall of the water injection cup.

7. The automatic water supply device according to claim 6, wherein said pouring cup includes a bottom wall which is upwardly convex, and said water outlet extends from top to bottom on said peripheral wall to a position where it connects to the bottom wall.

8. The automatic water supply device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water bottle comprises a cover, a body and a water storage space defined by the cover and the body, the body is provided with a water outlet nozzle, a water baffle is arranged in the water storage space adjacent to the water outlet nozzle, and a water passage communicated with the water outlet nozzle is formed between the water baffle and the inner wall of the water bottle.

9. The automatic water supply apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the water guard plate is arc-shaped.

10. The automatic water supply device according to claim 8, wherein the water guard extends from the pot lid toward the bottom of the water pot, and the water passing passage is formed at both sides and the bottom of the water guard.

11. A refrigerator, characterized in that, comprising a refrigerator body and a door body for opening and closing the refrigerator body, the inside of the door body is provided with the automatic water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Background

Many refrigerators currently provide chilled drinking water. Generally, there are two water supply methods, one is to arrange a distributor on the surface of the refrigerator, and a user can use a cup to receive water at the distributor; another water supply mode is that a water kettle is arranged in the refrigerator, the water kettle is filled with water and then is placed in the refrigerating chamber, and cold water can be drunk after the water kettle is taken out after a period of time. In the second scheme, in order to bring convenience to users and take sufficient cold water at any time, some automatic water injection devices appear on the market, can detect whether a kettle is placed on a support or not, and detect whether the liquid level in the kettle is lower or not, and automatically inject water when the kettle is placed on the support and the liquid level is lower.

However, these automatic water injection devices have a complicated structure, and a plurality of sensors are required to detect whether the water bottle is placed on the bracket and whether the liquid level in the water valve is low, so that the cost is high and the structure is complicated.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a water supply device and a refrigerator with the same.

In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention provides an automatic water supply device, including a water bottle, a holder for holding the water bottle, a detection device, and a water supply mechanism for supplying water to the water bottle, wherein the water bottle includes a water injection port; the detection device comprises a switch movably connected to the bracket and a sensing unit matched with the switch; the water supply mechanism comprises a water supply pipe and a water valve arranged on the water supply pipe, and the outlet of the water supply pipe corresponds to the water filling port of the kettle; the automatic water supply device also comprises a controller, the sensing unit is switched between a connection state and a disconnection state based on the movement of the switch, and the kettle is placed on the bracket to touch the switch so as to drive the sensing unit to be in the connection state; the sensing unit sends a detection signal representing the liquid level in the kettle to the controller in a communicated state, and the controller controls the water valve to be opened or closed according to the detection signal.

As a further improvement of the invention, the sensing unit comprises a capacitive sensor, and the capacitive sensor is arranged on the bracket at a position corresponding to the side wall of the kettle; the capacitance sensor detects the liquid level in the kettle in a communicated state and generates the detection signal according to the liquid level.

As a further improvement of the invention, the sensing unit comprises a sensor matched with the switch and an induction element which is arranged in the kettle and rises and falls along with the liquid level; the automatic water supply device also comprises a controller, the sensor is switched between a connection state and a disconnection state based on the movement of the switch, the kettle is placed on the bracket to press the switch, and the switch drives the sensor to be in the connection state; the sensor detects the position of the induction element in a communicated state so as to output a detection signal representing the liquid level in the kettle; and the controller controls the water valve to be opened or closed according to the received detection signal of the sensor.

As a further improvement of the invention, a float box is arranged in the kettle, the induction element is fixedly arranged in the float box, and the float box is lifted along with the change of the liquid level.

As a further improvement of the invention, the sensor is a hall switch, and the hall switch is arranged on the bracket at a position corresponding to the top of the kettle; the induction element is a magnet.

As a further improvement of the invention, the switch comprises a rotating part which is rotatably connected with the bracket, the bracket is provided with an electric connecting part, and the sensing unit is arranged in the rotating part; the sensing unit is in contact with the electrical connection when the rotating member is pressed.

As a further development of the invention, the sensor unit comprises at least three contacts; when the rotating piece is pressed, the at least three contacts are all contacted with the electric connecting piece; the at least three contacts include at least two electrical connection contacts and at least one signal connection contact.

As a further improvement of the invention, the electrical connector is an elastic member.

As a further improvement of the invention, the kettle comprises a kettle cover, a kettle body and a water storage space limited by the kettle cover and the kettle body, and the water injection port is arranged on the kettle cover; the water kettle also comprises a water injection cup extending from the water injection port to the bottom of the water kettle, and a plurality of water outlets communicated with the water storage space are arranged on the peripheral wall of the water injection cup.

As a further improvement of the invention, the water injection cup comprises a bottom wall which is convex upwards, and the water outlet extends to a position connected with the bottom wall from top to bottom on the peripheral wall.

As a further improvement of the invention, the kettle comprises a kettle cover, a kettle body and a water storage space limited by the kettle cover and the kettle body, wherein a water outlet nozzle is arranged on the kettle body, a water baffle is arranged at a position close to the water outlet nozzle in the water storage space, and a water passing channel communicated with the water outlet nozzle is formed between the water baffle and the inner wall of the kettle.

As a further improvement of the invention, the water baffle is arc-shaped.

As a further improvement of the invention, the water baffle extends from the kettle cover to the bottom of the kettle, and the water passing channel is formed on two sides and the bottom of the water baffle.

The invention also discloses a refrigerator, which comprises a refrigerator body and a door body for opening and closing the refrigerator body, wherein the inner side of the door body is provided with the automatic water supply device.

Compared with the prior art, the automatic water supply device and the refrigerator with the same disclosed by the invention have the advantages that whether the kettle is placed on the bracket is judged according to the on-off state of the sensing unit, the sensing unit in the communicated state sends a detection signal representing the liquid level in the kettle to the controller, and one sensing unit can be used for simultaneously detecting whether the kettle is placed on the bracket and the liquid level in the kettle, so that the water valve is opened when the kettle is placed on the bracket and the liquid level is low, so that water is automatically injected into the kettle, and a user can conveniently take cold water at any time.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator door according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of an automatic water supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural view of an automatic water supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of portion A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the structure of a water jug according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a water jug according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view of an automatic water supply apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of an automatic water supply apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic view of portion B of FIG. 8;

fig. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a water jug according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments shown in the drawings. These embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention, and structural, methodological, or functional changes made by those skilled in the art according to these embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that terms used herein such as "upper," "above," "lower," "below," and the like, refer to relative positions in space and are used for convenience in description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative positional terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

As shown in fig. 1, the invention discloses a refrigerator, which comprises a refrigerator body and a door body 1 for opening and closing the refrigerator body, wherein an automatic water supply device 2 is arranged on the inner side of the door body 1.

As shown in fig. 2 to 6, an automatic water supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The automatic water supply device 2 includes a water bottle 100, a holder 200 for placing the water bottle 100, a detection device 300, and a water supply mechanism 400 for supplying water to the water bottle 100. The cabinet may define a cold storage chamber, and when the door 1 closes the cabinet, cold air in the cold storage chamber may cool water in the kettle 100.

Of course, the place of use of the automatic water supply device is not limited to the refrigerator, and may be various places such as other refrigeration home appliances, and a cafe. In embodiments of the present invention, water is a generic term for liquid beverages, including, but not limited to, liquid beverages such as purified water, fruit juice, milk, or coffee.

As shown in fig. 2-3, the water jug 100 includes a fill port 110. The detection device 300 comprises a switch movably connected to the bracket 200 and a sensing unit 320 matched with the switch, wherein the switch is arranged on the bracket 200 at a position corresponding to the side wall of the kettle 100. The water supply mechanism 400 includes a water supply pipe 410 and a water valve installed on the water supply pipe 410, and an outlet of the water supply pipe 410 corresponds to the water filling port 110 of the water bottle 100. The automatic water supply device further comprises a controller, the sensing unit 320 is switched between a connection state and a disconnection state based on the movement of the switch, and the water bottle 100 is placed on the bracket 200 to touch the switch, thereby driving the sensing unit 320 to be in the connection state. The sensing unit 320 sends a detection signal representing the liquid level in the kettle 100 to the controller in a communication state, and the controller controls the water valve to be opened or closed according to the detection signal.

The automatic water supply device disclosed by the invention judges whether the water kettle 100 is placed on the bracket 200 or not through the on-off state of the sensing unit 320, then outputs a detection signal representing the liquid level in the water kettle through the sensing unit 320 in the connected state, and can simultaneously detect whether the water kettle 100 is placed on the bracket 200 and the liquid level in the water kettle 100 by using one sensing unit 320, so that a control valve is opened when the water kettle 100 is placed on the bracket 200 and the liquid level is lower, so that water is automatically injected into the water kettle 100, and a user can conveniently take cold water at any time.

Preferably, the sensing unit may be a capacitive sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a pressure/weight sensor or a hall sensor, etc., as well as another sensor, as long as the presence and/or the level of the liquid in the kettle can be detected and determined.

In the embodiment of the invention, a height of the kettle 100 close to the top thereof is set as a preset liquid level, when the liquid level in the kettle reaches the preset liquid level, water does not need to be injected into the kettle, and the controller can control the water valve to be closed; when the liquid level in the kettle 100 does not reach the preset liquid level, water needs to be filled into the kettle, and the controller can control the water valve to be opened.

Specifically, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the sensing unit 320 includes a capacitive sensor, and the capacitive sensor is disposed on the bracket 200 at a position corresponding to the sidewall of the water bottle 100. The capacitance sensor detects the liquid level in the kettle 100 in a communicated state, and generates the detection signal according to the liquid level. In an embodiment of the present invention, the capacitive sensor is specifically a capacitive level sensor. The capacitance type liquid level sensor is a variable medium type capacitor which utilizes the capacitance change caused by the change of the measured medium surface. Specifically, the switch and the capacitive sensor are disposed on the bracket 300 at a height position corresponding to a preset liquid level of the water bottle 100. When the capacitance sensor is in a connected state, if the liquid level in the kettle 100 does not reach the preset liquid level and the capacitance sensor only detects air, the controller receives a first detection signal to control the water valve to be opened, and water is injected into the kettle 100 at the moment; in the water filling process, the liquid level in the kettle 100 gradually rises, when the liquid level is higher than the position where the capacitance sensor is located, the capacitance sensor can detect that the medium is changed from air to water, at the moment, the capacitance value is changed, the controller can receive a second detection signal to control the water valve to be closed, and then automatic water filling is completed. The capacitance sensor has the advantages of large detection dynamic range, high response speed, simple structure and low cost.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the switch includes a rotating member 311 rotatably connected to the bracket 200, an electrical connection member 312 is disposed on the bracket 200, and the capacitive sensor is disposed in the rotating member 311. When the kettle is placed on the bracket, the side wall of the kettle 100 touches and presses the rotating part 311, so that the rotating part 311 drives the capacitance sensor to rotate, the capacitance sensor contacts with the electric connecting part 312 to electrify the capacitance sensor, and whether the kettle 100 is not placed on the bracket 200 can be judged through the on-off state of the capacitance sensor. Therefore, whether the kettle is placed on the support to be detected can be achieved only by the aid of the capacitance sensor for detecting liquid level without arranging an additional sensor. In another embodiment, the electrical connector may be disposed on the rotating member and the capacitive sensor may be fixedly disposed on the bracket.

In another embodiment, the capacitive sensor may be provided on the kettle and the electrical connector may be provided on the bracket, the capacitive sensor being contactable with the electrical connector to be in a communicating state when the kettle is placed on the bracket.

Specifically, the water supply pipe 410 may be externally connected to a user water source and extend into the door body 1 along the refrigerator body. When the water valve is opened, the external water source can fill water into the kettle 100 through the water supply pipe 410. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the water supply pipe extends from the press cabin at the lower part of the box body, along the box body and enters the inner side of the door body, and the water valve may be arranged on the water supply pipe in the press cabin. Of course, in other embodiments, the water valve may be provided in other parts of the water supply pipe.

The electrical connection member 312 is an elastic member. When the kettle 100 is placed on the stand 200, the side wall of the kettle 100 presses the rotary member 311, the capacitive sensor contacts the electrical connector 312 and causes the resilient electrical connector 312 to be in a compressed state. When the kettle 100 is removed from the stand 200, the electric connection member 312 releases the elastic force to rotate the rotation member 311 in a reverse direction, and the capacitive sensor is no longer in contact with the electric connection member 312 and is switched to the off state. After the water bottle 100 is taken out from the bracket 200, the elastic electrical connection piece 312 enables the rotating piece 311 to be automatically driven by the elastic force to rotate, so that the capacitive sensor is switched to the off state, and the on-off state switching of the capacitive sensor is simplified. The electrical connector 312 may preferably be a compression spring, and as shown in fig. 4, three compression springs extend from the bracket 200 to correspond to three contacts on the sensor. .

The capacitive sensor includes at least three contacts, each of which is in contact with the electrical connection 312 when the rotary member 311 is pressed. The at least three contacts include at least two electrical connection contacts and at least one signal connection contact. In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 4, the capacitive sensor comprises three contacts, two of which are electrical connection contacts and the other one is a signal connection contact. Correspondingly, three electrical connections 312 are provided on the bracket 200. When the rotation member 311 is pressed, two electrical connection contacts and one signal connection contact of the capacitance sensor are respectively communicated with the corresponding electrical connection member 312, so that the capacitance sensor is in an energized state. After the controller detects that the capacitive sensor is in the power-on state, it may determine that the water jug 100 is placed on the stand 200. And the signal connection contacts are used for sending a detection signal representing the liquid level in the kettle 100 to the controller when the capacitive sensor is in a connected state.

As shown in fig. 5 to 6, the water bottle 100 further includes a cover 120, a bottle body 130 and a water storage space defined by the cover 120 and the bottle body 130, and the water inlet 110 is disposed on the cover 120. The water jug 100 further comprises a water filling cup 140 extending from the water filling port 110 to the bottom of the water jug 100, and a plurality of water outlets 141 communicated with the water storage space are arranged on the peripheral wall of the water filling cup 140. The water injection cup 140 is arranged to slow down the flow rate of water flow during water injection, reduce noise during water injection and prevent water flow from splashing everywhere.

Preferably, the water pouring cup 140 includes a bottom wall 142 protruding upward, and the water outlet 141 extends from top to bottom on the peripheral wall to a position connected to the bottom wall 142. Specifically, a plurality of strip-shaped water outlets 141 are spaced apart from each other on the circumferential wall of the water filling cup 140, and the water outlets 141 extend from the circumferential wall of the water filling cup 140 so that water can flow into the water storage space quickly without being collected in the water filling cup 140. The upward protrusion of the bottom wall 142 further prevents water in the water pouring cup 140 from collecting and flowing out of the water outlet 141.

The kettle body 130 is provided with a water outlet 131, a water baffle 150 is arranged in the water storage space and close to the water outlet 131, and a water passing channel 151 communicated with the water outlet 131 is formed between the water baffle 150 and the inner wall of the kettle 100. When the user takes water, the water may be poured out of the spout 131. The water guard plate 150 is provided to prevent water from flowing through the water bottle 100 when a user pours water.

Preferably, the water guard plate 150 is preferably curved. And, the arc top of the water guard 150 protrudes toward the sidewall of the water jug 100 opposite to the water outlet nozzle 131. The arc-shaped water baffle 150 has a good water retaining effect, and the arc top of the arc-shaped water baffle protrudes towards the side wall of the kettle 100 opposite to the water outlet 131, so that the water baffle 150 and the side wall of the kettle 100 form an effective water passing channel, and the water splashing prevention effect is further enhanced.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the water guard plate 150 extends from the lid 120 to the bottom of the kettle 100, and the water passage 151 is formed at both sides and the bottom of the water guard plate 150. The water deflector 150 extending toward the bottom of the kettle 100 may draw water into the water passage from a lower position of the kettle 100, thereby further reducing the flow rate of the poured water.

As shown in fig. 1, a bottle seat 3 is disposed on the door 1, a support 200 is additionally disposed on the bottle seat 3, the support 100 is preassembled with the bottle seat 3 through a connecting member, which may be a hook structure, so as to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the support 100 and the bottle seat 3. When the user does not need to use the kettle, the kettle 100 and the bracket 200 can be detached, and the original position for placing the bracket can be continuously used as the bottle seat. The outlet of the water supply pipe 410 is fixed to the upper half of the bracket 100 so as to be aligned with the water filling port 110 of the lid 120 of the water jug 100. The water bottle 100 is located at the lower side of the bottle holder 3 and near one side of the door handle. The kettle can be transversely drawn out along the width direction of the door body, so that the occupied space of the refrigerator is small, and the storage space of the rack in the refrigerating chamber is not influenced.

As shown in fig. 7 to 10, an automatic water supply apparatus is disclosed as a second embodiment of the present invention. Different from the first embodiment, the sensing unit 320 ' includes a sensor 321 ' cooperating with the rotating member 311 ' and a sensing element 322 ' disposed in the water bottle 100 and ascending and descending along with the liquid level, and the rotating member 311 ' is disposed on the bracket 200 ' at a position corresponding to the top of the water bottle 100 '. The sensor 321 ' is switched between a connection state and a disconnection state based on the movement of the switch, and the rotating member 311 ' drives the sensor 321 ' to be in the connection state. The sensor 321 ' detects the position of the sensing element 322 ' in a connected state to output a detection signal representing the liquid level in the kettle 100 '. The controller controls the water valve to be opened or closed according to the received detection signal of the sensor 321'.

In this embodiment, the sensor 321 'is disposed in the rotating member 311', the protrusion 124 is disposed on the top of the kettle 100, and when the kettle 100 is placed on the bracket 200, the protrusion 124 on the top of the kettle 100 presses the switch and the rotating member 311 drives the sensor 321 to rotate, so that the sensor 321 is powered on, and thus whether the kettle 100 is placed on the bracket 200 can be determined according to the on-off state of the sensor 321. An inner box 121 'is formed in the kettle 100' by extending the kettle cover 120 'downward, and a plurality of water holes communicated with the water storage space are formed in the circumferential wall of the inner box 121', so that water in the kettle 100 'can flow into the inner box 121'. The inner box 121 'is provided with a float box 122', and the sensing element 322 'is arranged in the float box 122'. Specifically, the inner box 121 ' is clamped on the pot lid 120 ', the inner box 121 ' does not move up and down with the liquid level, and the float box 122 ' moves up and down in the inner box 121 ' with the liquid level. By providing the inner case 121 'which does not move along with the liquid level in the kettle 100', the moving range and moving direction of the float case 122 'can be restricted, ensuring that the magnet moves only in a required height range and only in the height direction of the kettle 100'. The sensing unit 322 ' is fixed in the float box 122 ' and moves up and down with the float box 122 '. The float box 122 'seals the sensor 322' inside to ensure that it floats up and down.

Specifically, the outer diameter of the float case 122 'is matched with the inner diameter of the inner case 121' so that the float case 122 'can move up and down only in the height direction of the inner case 121'. The inner wall of the inner case 121 ' is further provided with a plurality of guide ribs 1211 ' extending from top to bottom to prevent the float case 122 ' from being caught when moving up and down. The upper surface of the float box 122 ' is further provided with a plurality of projections 1221 ', and the pot lid 120 ' is provided with air discharge holes 123 ' at positions corresponding to the projections 1221 '. Specifically, when the liquid level in the kettle 100 'rises and the upper surface of the float box 122' contacts the bottom surface of the lid 120 ', there is a possibility that the float box 122' cannot fall down when the liquid level falls due to a siphon effect. The protrusion 1221 'is formed on the upper surface of the float box 122' and the air outlet hole 123 'is formed on the pot lid 100', so that a gap is formed between the upper surface of the float box 122 'and the pot lid 100', and a siphon effect is prevented from being generated between the upper surface of the float box 122 'and the pot lid, thereby enabling the up-and-down movement of the float box 122' to be smoother.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 321 ' is a hall switch, and the hall switch is disposed on the bracket 200 ' at a position corresponding to the top of the kettle 100 '; the sensing element 322' is a magnet. The hall switch is arranged on the kettle cover 120' and can detect the approach of the magnet. Specifically, the hall switch is an active electromagnetic conversion device manufactured by utilizing an integrated packaging and assembling process on the basis of a hall effect principle, the hall switch can sense the magnitude of magnetic flux, when the magnetic flux reaches a preset value, a trigger inside the hall switch is turned over, and the output level state of the hall switch is also turned over, so that a magnetic input signal can be converted into an electric signal. The magnet in the float box 122' moves up and down with the liquid level, and the magnetic flux detected by the hall switch changes accordingly. When the hall switch is in the on state, the controller receives the signal and determines that the water bottle 100 'is placed on the stand 200'. And if the liquid level in the kettle 100 'does not reach the preset liquid level, the distance between the magnet and the Hall switch is far, and the magnetic flux sensed by the Hall switch cannot turn over the trigger inside the Hall switch, the controller can control the water valve to be opened so as to fill water into the kettle 100'. In the water injection process, the liquid level can rise to drive the float box 322 'to move upwards, the magnet can also be close to the Hall switch, when the liquid level in the kettle 100' reaches the preset liquid level, the magnetic flux sensed by the Hall switch also reaches the preset value, then the trigger inside the Hall switch is turned over to enable the output level state of the Hall switch to be switched, and then the controller can control the water valve to be closed to stop water injection. Therefore, the Hall switch can judge the liquid level in the kettle 100 'by detecting the position of the magnet, and the controller can control the opening and closing of the water valve according to the detection signal sent by the Hall switch, so that the kettle 100' can be automatically filled with water when needed.

Other structures such as the refrigerator door body and the water supply structure in the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are not described herein again.

The invention further discloses an automatic water supply method in another embodiment. The method comprises the following steps: s1, receiving a signal indicating that the sensing unit is in a connected state. And S2, judging whether a first detection signal representing that the liquid level in the kettle reaches a preset position is received. S3, if yes, go to step S4; if not, the process goes to step S5. And S4, controlling the water valve to be closed. And S5, controlling the water valve to be opened, and simultaneously executing the step S3.

When the kettle is placed on the support, the side wall of the kettle presses the rotating part to enable the sensing unit to be connected with electricity and be in a connected state, and the controller receives a signal representing that the sensing unit is in the connected state. The sensing unit can detect the liquid level in the kettle, and if the liquid level in the kettle reaches a preset position, the sensing unit can send a first detection signal to the controller; otherwise, the sensing unit does not send a 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, the controller can control the water valve to be in an open state, and at the moment, the water supply pipe can automatically fill water into the kettle. When the liquid level in the kettle gradually rises to reach the preset position, the controller receives the first signal, the controller can control the water valve to close, and the automatic water injection is finished. Thus, the detection of whether the kettle 100 is placed on the bracket 200 and the detection of the liquid level in the kettle 100 are simultaneously realized by using one sensor, so that the kettle 100 can be automatically filled with water, and a user can conveniently take sufficient cold water at any time.

The automatic water supply device and the refrigerator with the same disclosed by the invention have the advantages that whether the kettle is placed on the bracket or not is judged according to the on-off state of the sensing unit, the liquid level in the kettle is detected through the sensing unit in the connected state, and whether the kettle is placed on the bracket or not and the liquid level in the kettle can be simultaneously detected by using one sensing unit, so that the water control valve is opened when the kettle is placed on the bracket and the liquid level is lower, so that water is automatically injected into the kettle, and a user can conveniently take cold water at any time. The matching of the elastic electric connector and the rotating piece can lead whether the kettle is placed in the communicating state and the disconnecting state of the bracket and the sensing unit to be corresponding to the switching. The water injection cup arranged in the kettle can slow down the flow velocity of water flow during water injection, reduce the noise during water injection and prevent the water flow from splashing everywhere. The upward bulge of the bottom wall of the water injection cup can further prevent water in the water injection cup from gathering and flowing out of the water outlet. The water baffle is arranged, so that water can be prevented from flowing through the water tank suddenly and splashing out of the water tank when a user pours water.

It should be understood that although the present description refers to embodiments, not every embodiment contains only a single technical solution, and such description is for clarity only, and those skilled in the art should make the description as a whole, and the technical solutions in the embodiments can also be combined appropriately to form other embodiments understood by those skilled in the art.

The above-listed detailed description is only a specific description of a possible embodiment of the present invention, and they are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention.