Ice maker and refrigerator

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an ice maker and a refrigerator, the ice maker comprising: a screw rod arranged in a barrel, and an ice making channel being formed between the screw rod and the inner wall of the barrel; a first cooling structure and a second cooling structure arranged outside the barrel, the first cooling structure being configured to provide cold energy to the barrel in a first cold energy mode, and the second cooling structure being configured to provide cold energy to the barrel in a second cold energy mode, the cold energy in the first cold energy mode being greater than the cold energy in the second cold energy mode. The ice maker of the present disclosure has two cooling structures, and can provide cold energy to the barrel in different cold energy modes respectively. In the first cold energy mode with greater cold energy, the water in the ice making channel is rapidly frozen into ice, realizing fast ice making. In the second cold energy mode with smaller cold energy, the water in the ice making channel is ring-iced, and the ice crystals grow layer by layer, so that the water in the ice making channel is gradually frozen into transparent ice, and the ice is pure, realizing transparent ice making.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure belongs to the field of refrigeration equipment technology, specifically relating to an ice maker and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, a refrigerator is a device that keeps food fresh by having a storage compartment and a cold air supply system that supplies cold air to the storage compartment. A refrigerator may also have an ice-making compartment and an ice maker. In an ice-making system used to cool the ice-making water, a direct cooling system is constructed with refrigerant pipes extending into the ice-making compartment to cool the ice-making water and contact the ice-making tray. In a direct cooling system, the ice-making tray receives cooling energy from the refrigerant pipes via heat conduction. Therefore, direct cooling systems have the advantage of a relatively fast cooling rate for the chilled water, but also the disadvantage of producing opaque and blurry ice. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by this disclosure is that ice makers in the related art cannot be compatible with ice-making rate and ice-making quality, thereby providing an ice maker and a refrigerator.

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this disclosure provides an ice maker, comprising:

[0005] The cylinder contains a screw, and an ice-making channel is formed between the screw and the inner wall of the cylinder.

[0006] A first cooling structure and a second cooling structure are disposed outside the cylinder. The first cooling structure is configured to provide cooling to the cylinder in a first cooling mode, and the second cooling structure is configured to provide cooling to the cylinder in a second cooling mode. The cooling capacity in the first cooling mode is greater than the cooling capacity in the second cooling mode.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure and the technical problems it addresses can be further achieved through the following technical measures.

[0008] In some embodiments, the ice maker further includes a housing, with a cylinder disposed inside the housing and both axial ends of the cylinder extending to the outside of the housing.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first cooling structure includes a liquid inlet pipe and a gas outlet pipe, which are respectively disposed on the housing. The liquid inlet pipe is configured to inject liquid refrigerant into the housing and maintain the cylinder submerged in liquid refrigerant. The gas outlet pipe is configured to allow gaseous refrigerant to flow out of the housing.

[0010] In some embodiments, the liquid inlet pipe is located at the lower part of the housing along the direction of gravity, and the vent pipe is located at the upper part of the housing along the direction of gravity.

[0011] In some embodiments, the second cooling structure includes a liquid distribution pipe and a gas outlet pipe. The liquid distribution pipe is disposed inside the housing, and the gas outlet pipe is disposed on the housing. The liquid distribution pipe is configured to spray liquid refrigerant onto the cylinder, and the gas outlet pipe is configured to allow gaseous refrigerant to flow out from inside the housing.

[0012] In some embodiments, the liquid distribution pipe is parallel to the axial direction of the cylinder, the liquid distribution pipe is located above the cylinder along the direction of gravity, the cylinder is located at the lower part of the shell along the direction of gravity, and the air outlet pipe is located at the upper part of the shell along the direction of gravity.

[0013] In some embodiments, the flow direction of the liquid refrigerant in the distribution pipe is opposite to the ice discharge direction of the cylinder.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cylinder body is provided with an external tooth structure, which is configured to increase the heat exchange area on the outer surface of the cylinder body.

[0015] In some embodiments, the ice maker further includes a temperature detection device configured to detect the temperature inside the cylinder or housing.

[0016] In some embodiments, a drive device is provided at the axial end of the screw, which can drive the screw to rotate at different speeds.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cylinder has a water inlet at one end and an ice outlet at the other end. The ice outlet is equipped with a breaker, which is configured to break the spiral ice strips output from the ice outlet into blocks.

[0018] A refrigerator that uses the ice maker described above.

[0019] The ice maker and refrigerator disclosed herein have at least the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The ice maker disclosed herein has two cooling structures, which can provide cooling to the cylinder in different cooling modes. In the first cooling mode with a larger cooling capacity, the cylinder receives more cooling, and the water in the ice-making channel is rapidly frozen into ice, which is then pushed out of the cylinder by the screw, thus achieving rapid ice making. In the second cooling mode with a smaller cooling capacity, the cylinder receives less cooling, and the water in the ice-making channel freezes on the annular surface. The ice crystals grow layer by layer, and the gas in the water is gradually squeezed out, so that the water in the ice-making channel is gradually frozen into transparent ice. The ice is pure and transparent ice is made. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] The reference numerals in the attached figures are as follows:

[0023] 1. Cylinder; 2. Screw; 3. Ice-making channel; 4. Shell; 5. Liquid inlet pipe; 6. Gas outlet pipe; 7. Liquid distribution pipe; 8. Water inlet; 9. Ice outlet; 10. Breaker. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0025] Combination Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides an ice maker, including: a cylinder 1, a screw 2 inside the cylinder 1, and an ice-making channel 3 formed between the screw 2 and the inner wall of the cylinder 1; a first cooling structure and a second cooling structure, which are disposed outside the cylinder 1. The first cooling structure is configured to provide cooling to the cylinder 1 in a first cooling mode, and the second cooling structure is configured to provide cooling to the cylinder 1 in a second cooling mode. The cooling in the first cooling mode is greater than the cooling in the second cooling mode.

[0026] The ice maker disclosed herein has two cooling structures, which can provide cooling to the cylinder 1 in different cooling modes. In the first cooling mode with a larger cooling capacity, the cylinder 1 receives more cooling capacity, and the water in the ice-making channel 3 is rapidly frozen into ice, which is then pushed out of the cylinder 1 by the screw 2, thus achieving rapid ice making. In the second cooling mode with a smaller cooling capacity, the cylinder 1 receives less cooling capacity, and the water in the ice-making channel 3 freezes on the annular surface. The ice crystals grow layer by layer, and the gas in the water is gradually squeezed out, so that the water in the ice-making channel 3 is gradually frozen into transparent ice with pure ice quality, thus achieving transparent ice making.

[0027] While the refrigerant provides cooling to the cylinder 1, it absorbs heat from the water inside the cylinder 1, changing it from a liquid state to a gaseous state. This process needs to be completed in a sealed container. Therefore, in some embodiments, the ice maker also includes a housing 4, with the cylinder 1 disposed inside the housing 4 and both axial ends of the cylinder 1 extending to the outside of the housing 4.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first cooling structure needs to provide a large amount of cooling capacity to the cylinder 1. The first cooling structure achieves this large cooling capacity supply by immersing the cylinder 1 in a liquid refrigerant medium. The first cooling structure includes a liquid inlet pipe 5 and a gas outlet pipe 6, which are respectively disposed on the shell 4. The liquid inlet pipe 5 is configured to inject liquid refrigerant into the shell 4 and maintain the cylinder 1 submerged in the liquid refrigerant medium. The gas outlet pipe 6 is configured to allow gaseous refrigerant to flow out of the shell 4.

[0029] At this point, the surface of cylinder 1 is in complete contact with the liquid refrigerant, resulting in a high heat exchange rate and rapid evaporation. The surface of cylinder 1 can be made of a metal material with good thermal conductivity to enhance heat exchange. The ice-making rate can be controlled by adjusting the screw rotation speed and the refrigerant replenishment rate.

[0030] Compared with other heat exchange methods in related technologies, such as heat exchange tubes, the cylinder 1 obtains the most cooling capacity when it is immersed in liquid refrigerant, and the water in the ice-making channel 3 freezes the fastest.

[0031] In some embodiments, the liquid inlet pipe 5 is located at the lower part of the housing 4 along the direction of gravity. After the liquid refrigerant is injected into the housing 4, it directly collects around the cylinder 1 without splashing or other phenomena, thus reducing liquid level fluctuations. The gas outlet pipe 6 is located at the upper part of the housing 4 along the direction of gravity, which facilitates the outflow of the lighter gaseous refrigerant that collects at the top.

[0032] In some embodiments, the second cooling structure needs to provide a small amount of cooling capacity to the cylinder 1. The second cooling structure achieves this small cooling capacity supply by spraying liquid refrigerant onto the cylinder 1. The second cooling structure includes a liquid distribution pipe 7 and a gas outlet pipe 6. The liquid distribution pipe 7 is disposed inside the housing 4, and the gas outlet pipe 6 is disposed on the housing 4. The liquid distribution pipe 7 is configured to spray liquid refrigerant onto the cylinder 1, and the gas outlet pipe 6 is configured to allow gaseous refrigerant to flow out from the housing 4.

[0033] After the liquid distribution pipe 7 is turned on, it sprays out small droplets of refrigerant, which fall on the surface of the cylinder 1 to form a thin film that can evaporate quickly. The liquid distribution pipe 7 sprays the refrigerant evenly on the surface of the cylinder 1, making the heat exchange of the cylinder 1 more uniform and forming transparent ice blocks.

[0034] In some embodiments, the second cooling structure may also employ methods such as covering the outer surface of the cylinder 1 with a layer of cotton gauze to achieve heat absorption and ice making on the outer surface of the cylinder 1.

[0035] In some embodiments, the liquid distribution pipe 7 is parallel to the cylinder 1 along the axial direction, the liquid distribution pipe 7 is located above the cylinder 1 along the direction of gravity, the cylinder 1 is located at the lower part of the shell 4 along the direction of gravity, ensuring that the refrigerant sprayed by the liquid distribution pipe 7 falls on the surface of the cylinder 1, and the gas outlet pipe 6 is located at the upper part of the shell 4 along the direction of gravity.

[0036] In some embodiments, the flow direction of the liquid refrigerant in the liquid distribution pipe 7 is opposite to the ice outlet direction of the cylinder 1. The liquid distribution pipe 7 sprays a larger amount of refrigerant closer to the liquid inlet direction, and the relatively sufficient cold energy ensures that the cold energy received by the surface of the cylinder 1 along the ice outlet direction gradually increases, and the inside of the transparent ice block can also be completely frozen.

[0037] In some embodiments, in order to form a liquid film on the outside of the cylinder 1 by the liquid refrigerant and improve the heat exchange efficiency, the cylinder 1 is provided with an external tooth structure, which is configured to increase the heat exchange area on the outer surface of the cylinder 1.

[0038] In some embodiments, the ice maker further includes a temperature detection device configured to detect the temperature inside the cylinder 1 or the housing 4. By monitoring the temperature inside the cylinder 1 or the housing 4, the icing condition inside the ice-making channel 3 is monitored, so as to adjust the supply of the refrigerant and the screw speed.

[0039] In some embodiments, a driving device is provided at the axial end of the screw 2, which can drive the screw 2 to rotate at different speeds. The ice-making speed can be controlled by controlling the rotation speed of the screw 2. When the screw 2 rotates slowly, the speed at which ice is ejected is slower, the ice-making speed is slower, and the required refrigerant flow rate is relatively small. When the screw 2 rotates fast, the speed at which ice is ejected is faster, the ice-making speed is faster, and the required refrigerant flow rate is relatively large.

[0040] In some embodiments, the cylinder 1 has a water inlet 8 at one end and an ice outlet 9 at the other end. The ice outlet 9 is equipped with a breaker 10, which is configured to break the spiral ice strips output from the ice outlet 9 into blocks. Since the ice blocks pushed out by the screw 2 along the ice-making channel 3 are continuous spiral ice strips, a periodic breaker 10 needs to be installed at the outlet to control the size of the ice blocks. The breaker 10 only needs to cut the ice blocks at a set period to complete the production of ice blocks of a specific size.

[0041] The ice maker disclosed herein uses a screw ice cylinder, a tubeless ice maker, and tubular cooling to produce ice, enabling rapid or transparent ice production.

[0042] A refrigerator that uses the ice maker described above.

[0043] It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the aforementioned advantageous methods can be freely combined and superimposed without conflict.

[0044] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this disclosure and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this disclosure should be included within the protection scope of this disclosure. The above are merely preferred embodiments of this disclosure. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the technical principles of this disclosure, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An ice maker, characterized in that, include: A cylinder (1) is provided inside the cylinder (1), and an ice-making channel (3) is formed between the screw (2) and the inner wall of the cylinder (1); A first cooling structure and a second cooling structure are disposed outside the cylinder (1). The first cooling structure is configured to provide cooling to the cylinder (1) in a first cooling mode, and the second cooling structure is configured to provide cooling to the cylinder (1) in a second cooling mode. The cooling in the first cooling mode is greater than the cooling in the second cooling mode. The first cooling structure provides a large amount of cooling by supplying liquid refrigerant from bottom to top until the cylinder (1) is completely submerged; the second cooling structure provides a small amount of cooling by spraying liquid refrigerant from top to bottom onto the entire cylinder (1). The ice maker also includes a housing (4), the cylinder (1) is disposed inside the housing (4), and the two ends of the cylinder (1) extend out to the outside of the housing (4); The second cooling structure includes a liquid distribution pipe (7), which is disposed inside the housing (4). The liquid distribution pipe (7) is configured to spray liquid refrigerant onto the cylinder (1). The flow direction of the liquid refrigerant in the liquid distribution pipe (7) is opposite to the ice discharge direction of the cylinder (1).

2. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first cooling structure includes a liquid inlet pipe (5) and an air outlet pipe (6), which are respectively disposed on the housing (4). The liquid inlet pipe (5) is configured to inject liquid refrigerant into the housing (4) and maintain the cylinder (1) submerged in the liquid refrigerant. The air outlet pipe (6) is configured to allow gaseous refrigerant to flow out of the housing (4).

3. The ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The liquid inlet pipe (5) is located at the lower part of the housing (4) along the direction of gravity, and the air outlet pipe (6) is located at the upper part of the housing (4) along the direction of gravity.

4. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second cooling structure also includes an exhaust pipe (6), which is disposed on the housing (4) and is configured to allow gaseous refrigerant to flow out from the housing (4).

5. The ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The liquid distribution pipe (7) is axially parallel to the cylinder (1). The liquid distribution pipe (7) is located above the cylinder (1) along the direction of gravity. The cylinder (1) is located at the lower part of the shell (4) along the direction of gravity. The air outlet pipe (6) is located at the upper part of the shell (4) along the direction of gravity.

6. The ice maker according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The cylinder (1) is provided with an external tooth structure, which is configured to increase the heat exchange area of ​​the outer surface of the cylinder (1).

7. The ice maker according to claim 6, characterized in that, The ice maker also includes a temperature detection device configured to detect the temperature inside the cylinder (1) or shell (4).

8. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screw (2) is provided with a driving device at its axial end, which can drive the screw (2) to rotate at different speeds.

9. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cylinder (1) has a water inlet (8) at one end and an ice outlet (9) at the other end. The ice outlet (9) is equipped with a breaker (10), which is configured to break the spiral ice strips output from the ice outlet (9) into blocks.

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that, The ice maker according to any one of claims 1-9 is used.

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