Evaporator structure of a sprinkling irrigation ice maker

Abstract

An evaporator structure for a sprinkler ice maker includes an upper cover assembly and an ice-making mold assembly. The ice-making mold assembly has several forming cavities for forming ice blocks. It also includes a base plate assembly, an elastic connecting rod assembly, a transmission assembly, and a motor assembly. The motor assembly drives and connects to the transmission assembly. One end of the elastic connecting rod assembly is connected to the transmission assembly, and the other end is elastically connected to the base plate assembly. The base plate assembly and the upper cover assembly are rotatably connected via the transmission assembly. This invention, by configuring the base plate assembly, elastic connecting rod assembly, transmission assembly, and motor assembly, allows the base plate assembly to cover the bottom of the upper cover assembly in the first position, closing the forming cavities and resulting in a flatter bottom and more regular ice shape. When the evaporator releases ice, the motor assembly, transmission assembly, and elastic connecting rod assembly work together to rotate the base plate assembly downwards, opening the forming cavities. The ice blocks fall downwards into the ice storage container due to gravity, allowing the evaporator to release ice smoothly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice maker technology, and in particular to an evaporator structure for a spray ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] An ice maker is a device used to produce ice cubes or crushed ice; they are commonly used in commercial establishments such as bars, restaurants, beverage shops, and supermarkets, as well as in refrigerators and freezers in homes. They are also essential refrigeration equipment for entertainment and relaxation during the hot summer months. Spray ice makers are a type of ice maker, primarily used in shops, supermarkets, and bubble tea shops. However, spray ice makers on the market often have evaporators without a bottom plate structure, resulting in uneven ice cube formation at the bottom.

[0003] Therefore, further improvements are necessary. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide an evaporator structure for a sprinkler ice maker that is simple in structure, produces regular ice shapes, forms flat ice blocks, has high ice-making efficiency, and is highly practical, in order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0005] An evaporator structure for a sprinkler ice maker designed for this purpose includes an upper cover assembly and an ice-making mold assembly disposed within the upper cover assembly. The ice-making mold assembly has several forming cavities for forming ice blocks. The structure is characterized by further including a base plate assembly, an elastic connecting rod assembly, a transmission assembly, and a motor assembly. The motor assembly drives and connects to the transmission assembly. One end of the elastic connecting rod assembly is connected to the transmission assembly, and the other end is elastically connected to the base plate assembly. The base plate assembly and the upper cover assembly are rotatably connected via the transmission assembly. In a first position, the base plate assembly covers the bottom of the upper cover assembly to close the forming cavities, and the base plate assembly is locked to the bottom of the upper cover assembly under the elastic force of the elastic connecting rod assembly. The motor assembly drives the elastic connecting rod assembly to rotate up and down via the transmission assembly, which in turn drives the base plate assembly to rotate up and down. When the base plate assembly rotates downward to a second position, the forming cavities are opened.

[0006] The transmission assembly includes a coupling and a drive shaft. The output shaft of the motor assembly is connected to the drive shaft through the coupling. The elastic connecting rod assemblies are located on both sides of the base plate assembly. The two ends of the drive shaft are connected to the corresponding elastic connecting rod assemblies. The drive shaft is rotatably mounted on the upper cover assembly. The base plate assembly is connected to the drive shaft.

[0007] A micro switch is installed on the motor assembly, and the micro switch is connected to the motor assembly for communication. An action part is installed on the coupling. The output shaft of the motor assembly drives the transmission shaft to rotate up and down through the coupling. The transmission shaft drives the base plate assembly to rotate up and down through the elastic connecting rod assembly. When the base plate assembly rotates upward to reset to the first position, the action part acts on the micro switch to stop the motor assembly from working.

[0008] The elastic linkage assembly includes a linkage and an elastic element. One end of the linkage is connected to a drive shaft, and the other end of the linkage is connected to a base plate assembly through the elastic element. The drive shaft drives the linkage to rotate up and down, and the linkage drives the base plate assembly to rotate up and down through the elastic element.

[0009] The drive shaft has non-circular connecting ends at both ends, and the connecting rod has a non-circular shaft hole at one end, with the connecting end passing through the shaft hole.

[0010] The elastic element is a tension spring, and a first shaft is provided at the other end of the connecting rod. A second shaft is provided on the side of the base plate assembly. One end of the elastic element is hooked to the first shaft, and the other end of the elastic element is hooked to the second shaft. When the base plate assembly is closed on the bottom of the upper cover assembly, the base plate assembly is locked to the bottom of the upper cover assembly under the tension of the elastic element.

[0011] The base plate assembly includes a base plate, a spray pipe, and a water receiving box. The other end of the elastic connecting rod assembly is elastically connected to the base plate. The base plate covers the top opening of the water receiving box, and the base plate and the water receiving box are connected to each other. The spray pipe is fixed on the base plate, and the spray pipe is provided with several water outlet columns corresponding to the molding cavity. The water outlet columns are connected to the corresponding molding cavities. When the base plate assembly is covered at the bottom of the upper cover assembly, the base plate closes the molding cavity.

[0012] The upper cover assembly includes an upper cover and a cover plate. The cover plate covers the bottom opening of the upper cover, and an ice-making cavity is formed between the upper cover and the cover plate. The ice-making mold assembly is set inside the ice-making cavity. A first lug is provided at the bottom of the cover plate. A drive shaft passes through the first lug and is rotatably mounted on the first lug.

[0013] The ice-making mold assembly includes an ice-making mold and a refrigeration coil for refrigerant to pass through. Several forming cavities are respectively arranged inside the ice-making mold, and the refrigeration coil is wrapped around the outer periphery of the ice-making mold. The ice-making mold is fixed on the top cover.

[0014] The motor assembly includes a motor and a bracket, a motor drive connection transmission component, and the motor and micro switch are fixed on the bracket.

[0015] The evaporator of this spray ice maker comprises a base plate assembly, an elastic connecting rod assembly, a transmission assembly, and a motor assembly. In its first position, the base plate assembly covers the bottom of the upper cover assembly, closing the forming cavity and resulting in a flatter bottom and more regular ice shape. When the evaporator is de-icing, the motor assembly, transmission assembly, and elastic connecting rod assembly work together to rotate the base plate assembly downwards, opening the forming cavity. The ice blocks then fall downwards into the ice storage container due to gravity, allowing for smooth de-icing. Furthermore, after the forming cavity is closed, the base plate assembly is locked to the bottom of the upper cover assembly by the elastic force of the elastic connecting rod assembly, ensuring a secure and tight closure and preventing downward rotation due to gravity, thus improving the stability of the evaporator's operation. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the evaporator when the base plate assembly is in the first position in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the evaporator when the base plate assembly is in the second position in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the evaporator in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the evaporator in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the evaporator from another position in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is an exploded structural diagram of the upper cover assembly and the ice-making mold assembly in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 This is an exploded structural diagram of the base plate assembly in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 This is an exploded structural diagram of the elastic link assembly in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the elastic connecting rod assembly in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 10 This is an exploded structural diagram of the evaporator in one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0027] See Figures 1-10The evaporator structure of this sprinkler ice maker includes an upper cover assembly 1 and an ice-making mold assembly 2 disposed within the upper cover assembly 1. The ice-making mold assembly 2 has several forming cavities 6 for forming ice blocks. It also includes a base plate assembly 3, an elastic connecting rod assembly 4, a transmission assembly, and a motor assembly 5. The motor assembly 5 drives and connects to the transmission assembly. One end of the elastic connecting rod assembly 4 is connected to the transmission assembly, and the other end of the elastic connecting rod assembly 4 is elastically connected to the base plate assembly 3. The base plate assembly 3 and the upper cover assembly 1 are rotatably connected via the transmission assembly. When component 3 is in the first position A (i.e., the undetermined position), it covers the bottom of the upper cover assembly 1 to close the molding cavity 6, and the bottom plate assembly 3 is locked to the bottom of the upper cover assembly 1 under the elastic force of the elastic connecting rod assembly 4; the motor assembly 5 drives the elastic connecting rod assembly 4 to rotate up and down through the transmission assembly, and then the elastic connecting rod assembly 4 drives the bottom plate assembly 3 to rotate up and down. When the bottom plate assembly 3 rotates down to the second position B, it opens the molding cavity 6, and the ice will fall down into the ice storage container (such as an ice basket) below the evaporator due to gravity, thus completing the de-icing process.

[0028] The transmission assembly includes a coupling 7 and a drive shaft 8. The output shaft 9 of the motor 27 is connected to the drive shaft 8 through the coupling 7. The elastic connecting rod assemblies 4 are located on both sides of the base plate assembly 3. The two ends of the drive shaft 8 are respectively connected to the corresponding elastic connecting rod assemblies 4. The drive shaft 8 is rotatably mounted on the upper cover assembly 1. The base plate assembly 3 is connected to the drive shaft 8.

[0029] A micro switch 10 is provided on the motor assembly 5, and the micro switch 10 is communicatively connected to the motor 27. An action part 11 is provided on the coupling 7. The output shaft 9 of the motor assembly 5 drives the transmission shaft 8 to rotate up and down through the coupling 7. The transmission shaft 8 drives the base plate assembly 3 to rotate up and down through the elastic connecting rod assembly 4. When the base plate assembly 3 rotates upward to reset to the first position A, the action part 11 acts on the micro switch 10 to stop the motor 27 from working, thereby stopping the base plate assembly 3 from rotating and preventing the base plate assembly 3 from colliding with the top cover assembly 1 and causing damage to both. When the base plate assembly 3 rotates downward, the action part 11 disengages from the micro switch 10. The micro switch 10 is electrically connected to the circuit board of the ice maker, and the circuit board is electrically connected to the motor 27, thereby enabling the micro switch 10 to communicatively connect to the motor 27.

[0030] The elastic link assembly 4 includes a link 12 and an elastic element 13. One end of the link 12 is connected to the drive shaft 8, and the other end of the link 12 is connected to the base plate assembly 3 through the elastic element 13. The drive shaft 8 drives the link 12 to rotate up and down, and the link 12 drives the base plate assembly 3 to rotate up and down through the elastic element 13.

[0031] The drive shaft 8 has non-circular connecting ends 14 at both ends, and the connecting rod 12 has a non-circular shaft hole 15 at one end. The connecting end 14 passes through the shaft hole 15, so that the drive shaft 8 can drive the connecting rod 12 to rotate up and down. A first retaining ring 30 is provided on the connecting end 14, and one end of the connecting rod 12 is locked to the connecting end 14 by the first retaining ring 30.

[0032] The elastic element 13 is a tension spring, and the other end of the connecting rod 12 is provided with a first shaft 16, which is a flat-headed grooved pin. The bottom plate assembly 3 is provided with a second shaft 17 on its side. One end of the elastic element 13 is hooked to the first shaft 16, and the other end of the elastic element 13 is hooked to the second shaft 17. When the bottom plate assembly 3 is closed on the bottom of the top cover assembly 1, the bottom plate assembly 3 is locked to the bottom of the top cover assembly 1 under the pulling force of the elastic element 13, that is, the tension spring will pull the bottom plate assembly 3 upward. A second retaining spring 31 is provided between the first shaft 16 and the other end of the connecting rod 12, and the first shaft 16 is locked to the other end of the connecting rod 12 by the second retaining spring 31.

[0033] The base plate assembly 3 includes a base plate 18, a spray pipe 19, and a water receiving box 20. The other end of the elastic element 13 is elastically connected to the base plate 18. The base plate 18 covers the top opening of the water receiving box 20, and the base plate 18 and the water receiving box 20 are connected to each other by screws. The spray pipe 19 is fixed to the base plate 18 by screws, and the spray pipe 19 is provided with several water outlets 29 corresponding to the forming cavity 6. The water outlets 29 are connected to the corresponding forming cavities 6. The bottom opening of the forming cavity 6 is provided. When the base plate assembly 3 is covered on the bottom of the upper cover assembly 1, the base plate 18 closes the opening of the forming cavity 6, thereby closing the forming cavity 6. When the ice cube is formed in the forming cavity 6, the bottom is supported on the base plate 18, making the bottom of the formed ice cube more flat. The base plate 18 is provided with several clearance holes 32 corresponding to the water outlets 29. The clearance holes 32 are connected to the corresponding forming cavities 6, and the top of the water outlets 29 extends into the clearance holes 32.

[0034] The ice maker is equipped with a water tank and a water pump. The water pump inlet is connected to the water tank, and the water pump outlet is connected to the spray pipe 19. Thus, the water pump can pump water from the water tank to the spray pipe 19. The above structure is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0035] The upper cover assembly 1 includes an upper cover 21 and a cover plate 22 connected by screws. The cover plate 22 covers the bottom opening of the upper cover 21. The cover plate 22 has a through hole 33 in the middle corresponding to the position of the ice mold 25. An ice-making cavity 23 is formed between the upper cover 21 and the cover plate 22. The ice mold assembly 2 is disposed in the ice-making cavity 23. The bottom of the cover plate 22 is provided with a first lug 24. The drive shaft 8 passes through the first lug 24 and is rotatably mounted on the first lug 24. The first lug 24 is provided with a rotation hole 34, and the drive shaft 8 is rotatably connected to the rotation hole 34.

[0036] The ice-making mold assembly 2 includes an ice-making mold 25 and a refrigeration coil 26 for refrigerant passage. Several forming cavities 6 are respectively arranged inside the ice-making mold 25. The refrigeration coil 26 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the ice-making mold 25. The ice-making mold 25 is fixed on the upper cover 21. Several partitions 35 are provided on the ice-making mold 25, and adjacent forming cavities 6 are separated by partitions 35. Several connecting posts 36 are provided on the top of the ice-making mold 25, and several connecting holes 37 are provided on the top of the upper cover 21. The connecting posts 36 pass through the connecting holes 37, and the part of them passing through the connecting holes 37 is locked with a nut 38, thereby fixing the ice-making mold 25 inside the upper cover 21. The ice-making mold 25 is made of copper material, and the refrigeration coil 26 is a copper tube, which is welded to the outside of the ice-making mold 25.

[0037] The refrigeration coil 26 connects to the refrigeration unit of the ice maker. The refrigeration unit includes a compressor, condenser, dryer filter, capillary tube, solenoid valve, and liquid receiver. The structure of the refrigeration unit is existing technology and will not be described in detail here. The ice-making principle of this ice maker is as follows: the refrigerant circulates within the refrigeration coil 26, driving the ice mold 25 to cool to below zero. The water jet from the spray pipe 19 disperses on the inner surface of the ice mold 25 (e.g.,...). Figure 5 (As indicated by the arrow), that is, the side wall of the forming cavity 6, and slowly ice blocks are formed. After the ice making is completed, the bottom plate assembly 3 is opened, the copper pipe reversing valve is opened, and the ice removal action is performed. The ice blocks will fall downwards into the ice storage container below the evaporator due to gravity.

[0038] The water collection box 20 is connected to the molding cavity 6 through the vent hole 32. Most of the water sprayed into the molding cavity 6 will freeze, and a small portion will flow through the vent hole 32 and be collected in the water collection box 20 due to gravity.

[0039] A second lug 39 is provided on the rear side of the base plate 18. A drive shaft hole 40 is provided on the second lug 39. The drive shaft 8 is passed through and fixed in the drive shaft hole 40 so that the base plate assembly 3 can be rotated up and down on the upper cover assembly 1 via the drive shaft 8.

[0040] The motor assembly 5 includes a motor 27 and a bracket 28. The motor 27 drives the coupling 7, which is connected to the transmission shaft 8. The motor 27 and the micro switch 10 are fixed on the bracket 28, which is fixed on the body of the ice maker.

[0041] The above describes the preferred embodiments of this utility model, illustrating and describing its basic principles, main features, and advantages. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claims. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An evaporator structure for a sprinkler ice maker, comprising an upper cover assembly (1) and an ice-making mold assembly (2) disposed within the upper cover assembly (1), wherein the ice-making mold assembly (2) is provided with a plurality of forming cavities (6) for forming ice blocks, characterized in that: It also includes a base plate assembly (3), an elastic link assembly (4), a transmission assembly and a motor assembly (5). The motor assembly (5) drives and connects to the transmission assembly. One end of the elastic link assembly (4) is connected to the transmission assembly, and the other end of the elastic link assembly (4) is elastically connected to the base plate assembly (3). The base plate assembly (3) and the upper cover assembly (1) are rotatably connected through the transmission assembly. When the base plate assembly (3) is in the first position (A), it covers the bottom of the upper cover assembly (1) to close the molding cavity (6). The base plate assembly (3) is locked to the bottom of the upper cover assembly (1) under the elastic force of the elastic link assembly (4). The motor assembly (5) drives the elastic link assembly (4) to rotate up and down through the transmission assembly. In turn, the elastic link assembly (4) drives the base plate assembly (3) to rotate up and down. When the base plate assembly (3) rotates down to the second position (B), the molding cavity (6) is opened.

2. The evaporator structure of the sprinkler ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission assembly includes a coupling (7) and a transmission shaft (8). The output shaft (9) of the motor assembly (5) is connected to the transmission shaft (8) through the coupling (7). The elastic connecting rod assemblies (4) are located on both sides of the base plate assembly (3). The two ends of the transmission shaft (8) are connected to the corresponding elastic connecting rod assemblies (4). The transmission shaft (8) is rotatably mounted on the upper cover assembly (1). The base plate assembly (3) is connected to the transmission shaft (8).

3. The evaporator structure of the sprinkler ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that: A micro switch (10) is provided on the motor assembly (5), and the micro switch (10) is connected to the motor assembly (5). An action part (11) is provided on the coupling (7). The output shaft (9) of the motor assembly (5) drives the transmission shaft (8) to rotate up and down through the coupling (7). The transmission shaft (8) drives the base plate assembly (3) to rotate up and down through the elastic connecting rod assembly (4). When the base plate assembly (3) rotates upward to the first position (A), the action part (11) acts on the micro switch (10) to stop the motor assembly (5) from working.

4. The evaporator structure of the sprinkler ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic link assembly (4) includes a link (12) and an elastic element (13). One end of the link (12) is connected to the drive shaft (8), and the other end of the link (12) is connected to the base plate assembly (3) through the elastic element (13). The drive shaft (8) drives the link (12) to rotate up and down, and the link (12) drives the base plate assembly (3) to rotate up and down through the elastic element (13).

5. The evaporator structure of the sprinkler ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that: The transmission shaft (8) has non-circular connecting ends (14) at both ends, and the connecting rod (12) has a non-circular shaft hole (15) at one end, with the connecting end (14) passing through the shaft hole (15).

6. The evaporator structure of the sprinkler ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that: The elastic element (13) is a tension spring, and the other end of the connecting rod (12) is provided with a first shaft (16). The side of the bottom plate assembly (3) is provided with a second shaft (17). One end of the elastic element (13) is hooked to the first shaft (16), and the other end of the elastic element (13) is hooked to the second shaft (17). When the bottom plate assembly (3) is closed on the bottom of the top cover assembly (1), the bottom plate assembly (3) is locked to the bottom of the top cover assembly (1) under the pulling force of the elastic element (13).

7. The evaporator structure of the sprinkler ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that: The base plate assembly (3) includes a base plate (18), a spray pipe (19) and a water receiving box (20). The other end of the elastic connecting rod assembly (4) is elastically connected to the base plate (18). The base plate (18) covers the top opening of the water receiving box (20) and the base plate (18) and the water receiving box (20) are connected to each other. The spray pipe (19) is fixed on the base plate (18) and there are several water outlet columns (29) on the spray pipe (19) corresponding to the molding cavity (6). The water outlet columns (29) are connected to the corresponding molding cavity (6). When the base plate assembly (3) is covered at the bottom of the upper cover assembly (1), the base plate (18) closes the molding cavity (6).

8. The evaporator structure of the sprinkler ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that: The upper cover assembly (1) includes an upper cover (21) and a cover plate (22). The cover plate (22) covers the bottom opening of the upper cover (21). An ice-making cavity (23) is formed between the upper cover (21) and the cover plate (22). The ice-making mold assembly (2) is disposed in the ice-making cavity (23). A first lug (24) is provided at the bottom of the cover plate (22). The drive shaft (8) passes through the first lug (24) and is rotatably mounted on the first lug (24).

9. The evaporator structure of the sprinkler ice maker according to claim 8, characterized in that: The ice mold assembly (2) includes an ice mold (25) and a cooling coil (26) for refrigerant to pass through. Several forming cavities (6) are respectively arranged inside the ice mold (25). The cooling coil (26) is wrapped around the outer periphery of the ice mold (25). The ice mold (25) is fixed on the top cover (21).

10. The evaporator structure of the sprinkler ice maker according to claim 3, characterized in that: The motor assembly (5) includes a motor (27) and a bracket (28). The motor (27) drives the transmission assembly. The motor (27) and the micro switch (10) are fixed on the bracket (28).

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