Ice cube making unit and refrigerator

Abstract

The present application provides an ice making assembly and a refrigerator. The ice making assembly includes an ice crusher comprising a channel and a spiral blade disposed within the channel. The spiral blade rotates to crush ice entering the channel. The spiral blade crushes the ice, and the rotating spiral blade also propels the crushed ice, thereby reducing the need for conveying components and saving space and energy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of refrigerators, and in particular relates to an ice-making assembly and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] A refrigerator may include an ice maker to provide ice cubes. Current ice-making equipment includes at least an ice tray, an ice bucket, a conveyor for conveying ice in the bucket, an ice crushing device for crushing ice into cubes or crushed ice, and a corresponding drive mechanism. The drive mechanism, which drives both the conveyor and the ice crushing device, is complex in structure and consumes a lot of energy. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide an ice-making assembly and a refrigerator that can simplify the ice-making mechanism and thus reduce energy consumption.

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the present application provides an ice making assembly, comprising:

[0005] The ice crusher comprises a channel and a spiral blade, wherein the spiral blade is arranged in the channel; when the spiral blade rotates, the ice cubes entering the channel are crushed.

[0006] Optionally, the ice-making assembly further includes an ice maker, which is disposed above the ice crusher, and the ice maker outlet is communicated with the channel inlet.

[0007] Optionally, the channel includes an inclined section, and the inlet side of the channel is connected to the high end of the inclined section.

[0008] Optionally, the shaft of the spiral blade is configured to be inclined and mounted in the inclined section; the axial direction of the shaft is the same as the extending direction of the inclined section.

[0009] Optionally, the ice-making assembly further includes an ice-discharging channel connected between the ice-making machine outlet and the channel inlet; the ice-discharging channel is configured as an inclined surface for ice cubes to slide under their own weight.

[0010] Optionally, at least a first outlet and a second outlet are provided at the bottom of the outlet end of the channel, the distance between the first outlet and the inlet of the channel is smaller than the distance between the second outlet and the inlet of the channel; the aperture of the first outlet is smaller than the aperture of the second outlet.

[0011] Optionally, the bottom of the channel includes a screen, which is arranged between the first outlet and the channel inlet; the aperture of the screen is smaller than the aperture of the first outlet.

[0012] Optionally, the spiral blade includes a cutting portion for cutting the ice cubes, and an edge of the cutting portion is configured to be serrated.

[0013] Optionally, the ice crusher further includes a driving mechanism for driving the spiral blade to rotate.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present application, a refrigerator is provided, comprising the ice making assembly as described above.

[0015] The present application provides an ice making assembly comprising an ice crusher including a channel and a spiral blade disposed within the channel; the spiral blade rotates to crush ice entering the channel. The spiral blade is used to crush the ice, and the rotating spiral blade also propels the crushed ice, thereby reducing the need for conveying structures and saving space and energy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an ice-making assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0017] The reference numerals indicate:

[0018] 1. Spiral blade; 11. Motor; 2. Channel; 21. Inlet; 22. First outlet; 221. Second outlet; 23. Screen; 3. Ice maker; 4. Ice discharge channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] See also Figure 1 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present application, an ice making assembly includes:

[0020] The ice crusher comprises a channel 2 and a spiral blade 1. The spiral blade 1 is arranged in the channel 2. When the spiral blade 1 rotates, the ice cubes entering the channel 2 are crushed.

[0021] The ice cubes entering the channel 2 are chopped by the spiral blade 1, and the spiral propulsion capability of the spiral blade 1 is utilized to propel the movement of the crushed ice cubes, thereby avoiding the conveying mechanism in the traditional ice making assembly and saving space and energy consumption.

[0022] In some embodiments, the ice making assembly further includes an ice maker 3 , which is disposed above the ice crusher, and an outlet of the ice maker 3 is connected to an inlet 21 of the channel 2 .

[0023] An ice maker 3 is arranged above the ice crusher to directly crush the ice cubes without adding a transmission structure. The ice cubes fall down by themselves and enter the channel 2 of the ice crusher.

[0024] In some embodiments, the channel 2 includes an inclined section, and the inlet 21 of the channel 2 is connected to the high end of the inclined section.

[0025] In order to reduce the propulsion force of the spiral blade 1 and further reduce energy consumption, an inclined section channel 2 is used, and the force of pushing the ice cubes will be greatly reduced.

[0026] In some embodiments, the shaft of the spiral blade 1 is configured to be inclined and mounted in the inclined section; the axial direction of the shaft is the same as the extending direction of the inclined section.

[0027] The rotating shaft of the spiral blade 1 is set in the inclined section, and its main function is to chop the ice cubes; it can push the ice cubes while chopping, and combined with the inclined section channel 2, the ice cubes can be easily moved to the outlet of channel 2.

[0028] In some embodiments, the ice-making assembly further includes an ice-discharging channel 4 connected between the outlet of the ice-making machine 3 and the inlet 21 of the channel 2; the ice-discharging channel 4 is configured as an inclined surface for ice cubes to slide under their own weight.

[0029] In order to facilitate the collection of ice cubes made by the ice maker 3, an ice discharge channel 4 is additionally provided, and the ice discharge channel 4 is tilted to facilitate the collection of all ice cubes, while the ice cubes can slide down to the entrance 21 of the channel 2 by their own weight.

[0030] In some embodiments, at least a first outlet 22 and a second outlet 221 are provided at the bottom of the outlet end of the channel 2, and the distance between the first outlet 22 and the inlet 21 of the channel 2 is smaller than the distance between the second outlet 221 and the inlet 21 of the channel 2; the aperture of the first outlet 22 is smaller than the aperture of the second outlet 221.

[0031] A plurality of outlets with different apertures are provided at the bottom of the outlet end of the channel 2, so that ice cubes of different sizes can be selectively obtained.

[0032] In some embodiments, the bottom of the channel 2 includes a sieve 23 , which is disposed between the first outlet 22 and the inlet 21 of the channel 2 ; the pore size of the sieve 23 is smaller than the pore size of the first outlet 22 .

[0033] Since smaller ice pieces are produced when ice cubes are chopped, in order to prevent these ice pieces from being discharged through the outlet of the channel 2 , a screen 23 is provided at the bottom of the channel 2 so that these ice pieces can be discharged through the screen 23 .

[0034] In some embodiments, the spiral blade 1 includes a cutting portion for cutting the ice cubes, and the edge of the cutting portion is configured to be serrated.

[0035] In order to facilitate the crushing of ice cubes, the outer edge of the spiral blade 1 is provided with a serrated structure, which is convenient for cutting and high in efficiency.

[0036] In some embodiments, the ice crusher further includes a driving mechanism for driving the spiral blade 1 to rotate.

[0037] Using drive mechanism such as Figure 1 The motor 11 shown in the figure drives the spiral blade 1, which has good controllability.

[0038] Depend on Figure 1 As can be seen from the structure, the ice making assembly mainly includes two parts: an ice maker 3 and an ice crusher. The ice maker 3 includes at least an ice tray, an ice bucket and other components for making ice, and the ice bucket is used to store ice cubes; an ice discharge channel 4 is provided between the ice maker 3 and the ice crusher, and the bottom of the ice discharge channel 4 is provided with an inclined surface, and the ice cubes can slide into the ice crusher under the action of their own gravity; the ice crusher mainly includes a drive motor 11 and a spiral blade 1.

[0039] The present invention connects the outlet of the ice maker 3 with the ice crusher. After leaving the outlet of the ice maker 3, larger ice cubes can directly enter the ice crusher through the preset slope of the ice discharge channel 4, eliminating the ice conveying mechanism in the traditional ice maker 3. The ice crusher is directly driven by the motor 11 to rotate the spiral blade 1, ensuring the ice crushing speed. The spiral blade 1 can be regarded as a spiral guide rail, which can propel the ice cubes while crushing them, saving energy. Different outlets can be selected according to the needs of the ice crushing device, such as the size of the ice that the ice crushing device can crush.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present application, a refrigerator is provided, comprising the ice making assembly as described above.

[0041] The ice making assembly is arranged in a refrigerator, for example, the ice making assembly is arranged on the refrigerator door, so that ice cubes can be easily obtained, thereby improving the comfort of modern family life.

[0042] It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the above embodiments can be freely combined and superimposed without conflict.

[0043] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included within the scope of protection of the present application. The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and variations without departing from the technical principles of the present application, and such improvements and variations shall also be considered within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An ice making assembly, characterized in that: include: An ice crusher comprises a channel (2) and a spiral blade (1), wherein the spiral blade (1) is arranged in the channel (2); the spiral blade (1) comprises a cutting portion for cutting the ice cubes; when the spiral blade (1) rotates, the ice cubes entering the channel (2) are crushed; The bottom of the outlet end of the channel (2) is provided with at least a first outlet (22) and a second outlet (221); the distance between the first outlet (22) and the inlet (21) of the channel (2) is smaller than the distance between the second outlet (221) and the inlet (21) of the channel (2); the aperture of the first outlet (22) is smaller than the aperture of the second outlet (221); The channel (2) includes an inclined section, and the inlet (21) side of the channel (2) is connected to the high end of the inclined section; the ice cube making assembly also includes an ice maker (3).

2. The ice making assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The ice maker (3) is arranged above the ice crusher, and the outlet of the ice maker (3) is communicated with the inlet (21) of the channel (2).

3. The ice making assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The shaft of the spiral blade (1) is arranged in an inclined shape and mounted in the inclined section; the axial direction of the shaft is the same as the extending direction of the inclined section.

4. The ice making assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The ice cube making assembly further comprises an ice discharge channel (4) connected between the outlet of the ice maker (3) and the inlet (21) of the channel (2); the ice discharge channel (4) is configured as an inclined surface for ice cubes to slide under their own weight.

5. The ice making assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The bottom of the channel (2) includes a screen (23), and the screen (23) is arranged between the first outlet (22) and the inlet (21) of the channel (2); the aperture of the screen (23) is smaller than the aperture of the first outlet (22).

6. The ice making assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The edge of the cutting portion is configured to be sawtooth-shaped.

7. The ice making assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The ice crusher also includes a driving mechanism for driving the spiral blade (1) to rotate.

8. A refrigerator, characterized in that: The ice making assembly comprises the ice making assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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