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 sensing unit and a switch movably connected to the bracket, wherein the sensing unit comprises a sensor matched with the switch and an induction element which is arranged in the kettle and ascends and descends along with the liquid level;

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 sensor 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 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.

2. The automatic water supply device according to claim 1, wherein said switch comprises a rotating member rotatably connected to said bracket, said bracket having an electrical connection, said sensor being disposed within said rotating member; the sensor is in contact with the electrical connection when the switch is depressed.

3. The automatic water supply of claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises at least three contacts; when the switch is pressed, the at least three contacts are all in contact with the electric connector; the at least three contacts include at least two electrical connection contacts and at least one signal connection contact.

4. The automatic water supply device according to claim 2, wherein the electrical connection member is an elastic member.

5. The automatic water supply device according to claim 1, wherein a float box is provided in the water bottle, the induction unit is fixedly arranged in the float box, and the float box is lifted and lowered along with the change of the liquid level.

6. The automatic water supply device according to claim 1, wherein 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.

7. 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 provided 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.

8. The automatic water supply device according to claim 7, wherein said pouring cup includes a bottom wall projecting upward, and said water outlet extends from top to bottom on said peripheral wall to a position where it connects to the bottom wall.

9. 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.

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

12. A refrigerator comprising a cabinet and a door for opening and closing the cabinet, wherein the water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is provided inside the door.

Background

Currently, with the development of the refrigerator technology, many demands are made for the diversification of functions of the refrigerator. The demand for cold water is increased, so that a user can frequently use the water kettle, the water kettle is usually filled with water and then placed in the refrigerating chamber, and the cold water can be drunk after the water kettle is taken out for a while. However, the user needs to pay attention to the water amount in the kettle at any time and wait for a period of time before drinking cold water, and if the user forgets to add the water amount or urgently needs the cold water, the user is inconvenienced.

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 sensing unit and a switch movably connected to the bracket, wherein the sensing unit comprises a sensor matched with the switch and an induction element which is arranged in the kettle and ascends and descends along with the liquid level; 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 sensor 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 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, the switch comprises a rotating part which is rotatably connected with the bracket, the bracket is provided with an electric connecting piece, and the sensor is arranged in the rotating part; the sensor is in contact with the electrical connection when the switch is depressed.

As a further development of the invention, the sensor comprises at least three contacts; when the switch is pressed, the at least three contacts are all in contact with the electric connector; 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, 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 kettle comprises a kettle cover, a kettle body and a water storage space limited by the kettle cover and the kettle body, wherein 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 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.

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

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 water supply device.

Compared with the prior art, the automatic water supply device disclosed by the invention judges whether the kettle is placed on the bracket or not through the on-off state of the sensor, detects the liquid level in the kettle through the cooperation of the sensor and the sensing element in the communicated state, and can simultaneously detect whether the kettle is placed on the bracket and the liquid level in the kettle through the cooperation of the sensor and the sensing element, so that the water control valve is opened when the kettle is placed on the bracket and the liquid level is lower, so that the kettle is automatically filled with water, 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 a water supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a water supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

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

fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a water jug according to an 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, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a refrigerator, which includes a refrigerator body and a door body 1 for opening and closing the refrigerator body, wherein an automatic water supply device 2 is disposed inside the door body 1. As shown in fig. 2 to 5, the automatic water supply apparatus 2 includes a water bottle 100, a holder 200 for holding 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 and 4, the water bottle 100 includes a water filling port 110. The detection device comprises a sensing unit 320 and a switch movably connected to the support 200, the sensing unit 320 comprises a sensor 321 matched with the switch and an induction element 322 arranged in the kettle 100 and ascending and descending along with the liquid level, and the switch is arranged on the support 200 and corresponds to the top 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 sensor 321 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, so as to drive 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.

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 sensor 321, detects the liquid level in the water kettle 100 through the matching of the sensor 321 and the induction element 322 in the communicated 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 through the matching of the sensor 321 and the induction element 322, so that a water 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.

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.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the switch includes a rotating member 311 rotatably connected to the bracket 200, the bracket 200 is provided with an electrical connection member 312, and the sensor 321 is disposed in the rotating member 311. The sensor 321 is in contact with the electrical connection 312 when the switch is pressed. 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 whether the kettle 100 is placed on the bracket 200 can be determined according to the on-off state of the sensor 321. Therefore, whether the kettle is placed on the support to be detected can be achieved only by the aid of the liquid level detecting sensor without arranging an additional sensor. In another embodiment, the electrical connection may be provided on the rotor and the sensor on the holder.

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.

Further, the sensor 321 includes at least three contacts, each of which is in contact with the electrical connector 312 when the switch 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 present invention, as shown in fig. x, the sensor 321 includes three contacts, two of which are electrical connection contacts and the other of which is a signal connection contact. Correspondingly, three electrical connections 312 are provided on the bracket 200. When the switch is depressed, the electrical and signal connection contacts of the sensor 321 each communicate with the electrical connection 312, respectively, so that the sensor is energized. After the controller detects that the sensing unit is powered on, it can determine that the water bottle 100 is placed on the stand 200. And the signal connection contact is used to send a detection signal indicative of the liquid level in the kettle 100 to the controller when the capacitive sensor 321 is in a connected state. Specifically, when the sensor is in the connected state, the sensor cooperates with the sensing element to detect the liquid level in the kettle, and a detection signal generated by the sensor and indicating the liquid level in the kettle 100 is transmitted to the controller through the communication between the signal contact point and the electrical connector.

Further, 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, and the sensor 321 contacts the electrical connector 312 and puts the elastic electrical connector 312 in a compressed state. When the water bottle 100 is removed from the stand 200, the electric connection member 312 releases the elastic force to rotate the rotation member 311 in the reverse direction, and the sensor 321 is no longer in contact with the electric connection member 312 and is switched to the off state. The cooperation of the elastic electrical connector 312 and the rotating member 311 enables the water bottle 100 to be placed on the bracket in a connection state corresponding to the sensor, and enables the water bottle 100 not to be placed on the bracket in a disconnection state corresponding to the sensor, so that whether the water bottle 100 is placed on the bracket can be detected by using the on-off state of the sensor. 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.

Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the water bottle 100 further includes a bottle lid 120, a bottle body 130, and a water storage space defined by the bottle lid 120 and the bottle body 130. An inner box 121 is extended downwards from the lid 120 inside the water bottle 100, 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 water bottle 100 can flow into the inner box 121. The inner box 121 is provided with a float box 122, and the sensor 322 is arranged in the float box 122. Specifically, the inner box 121 is clamped on the pot lid 120, and 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 change. Thus, by providing the inner case 121 which does not move along with the liquid level in the kettle 100, the movement range and the movement direction of the float case can be restricted, and it is ensured that the magnet moves only in a required height range and only in the height direction of the kettle. The sensor 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 during the up-and-down movement. 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 exhaust holes 123 corresponding to the projections 1221. Specifically, when the liquid level in the water bottle 100 rises and the upper surface of the float box 122 contacts the bottom surface of the lid 120, the float box 122 may not fall down due to a siphon effect when the liquid level falls. The protrusion 1221 is formed on the upper surface of the float box 122 and the air outlet hole 123 is formed in 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 100, 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 sensor 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. And the magnet in the float box can move up and down along with the liquid level, so that the magnetic flux detected by the Hall switch changes along with the liquid level. In the state where the hall switch is turned on, the controller receives a signal and determines that the water bottle 100 has been 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 away, and the magnetic flux sensed by the Hall switch cannot turn over the trigger inside the Hall switch, then 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 and drive the float box 322 to move upwards, the magnet can 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 overturns to enable the output level state of the Hall switch to be converted, and then the controller can control the water valve to be closed to stop water injection. Therefore, the Hall switch judges the liquid level in the kettle 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 as to automatically fill water for the kettle when needed.

As shown in fig. 5, the water filling port 110 is disposed on the pot lid 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.

Furthermore, a water outlet 131 is arranged on the kettle body 130, a water baffle 150 is arranged in the water storage space and close to the water outlet 131, and a water passage 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 water bottle 100 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.

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 disclosed by the invention judges whether the kettle is placed on the bracket or not through the on-off state of the sensor, detects the liquid level in the kettle through the matching of the sensor in the connected state and the induction element, and can simultaneously detect whether the kettle is placed on the bracket and the liquid level in the kettle through the matching of the sensor and the induction element, so that the water control valve is opened when the kettle is placed on the bracket and the liquid level is lower, the water is automatically injected into the kettle, and a user can conveniently take cold water at any time. The inner box which does not move along with the liquid level is arranged in the kettle, so that the moving range and the moving direction of the float box can be limited, and the magnet can only move in the required height range and only move in the height direction of the kettle. The upper surface of the float box is provided with the bulge, and the kettle cover is provided with the exhaust hole, so that a gap is formed between the upper surface of the float box and the kettle cover, the siphon effect is avoided between the upper surface of the float box and the kettle cover, and the float box can move up and down more smoothly. 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.