Inverted ice-making and ice-discharging device, refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention provides a flip-type ice-making and ice-discharging device and a refrigerator. The flip-type ice-making and ice-discharging device includes a flip driving component, an ice-making box, and a magnetic ice-discharging component. The flip driving component is drivingly connected to the ice-making box so that the ice-making box has a first position adapted for ice-making and a second position adapted for ice-discharging. The magnetic ice-discharging component is disposed on one side of the bottom wall of the ice-making box. The ice-making box has a plurality of ice-making grids. When the ice-making box is in the second position, the magnetic ice-discharging component can apply a force to the bottom of the ice-making grid to force the ice cubes in the ice-making grid corresponding to the magnetic ice-discharging component in the ice-making box to come out. According to the present invention, the structure is simple, compact, and novel, and the space inside the refrigerator is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of refrigerator manufacturing, and particularly relates to a flip-type ice making and discharging device and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] The ice maker (i.e., ice making and discharging device) in the prior art mainly includes an ice making tray, and the ice making tray has a planar structure. When ice discharging is required after ice making is completed, the rotating shaft blades in the ice making cells separate the ice cubes in the ice cells from the ice making tray. On the one hand, this structure requires the rotating shaft blades to be in the ice cells, occupying the positions of the ice cells and also causing defects in the appearance of the ice cubes. On the other hand, the cantilever-type rotating shaft blades require greater strength when rotating to separate the ice cubes from the ice making tray, and are extremely prone to damage such as fracture, and the structure is relatively complex and the equipment occupies a large space. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a flip-type ice making and discharging device and a refrigerator, which have a simple, compact and novel structure and save space inside the refrigerator.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a flip-type ice making and discharging device, including a flip driving component, an ice making box, and a magnetic ice discharging component. The flip driving component is drivingly connected to the ice making box so that the ice making box has a first position adapted for ice making and a second position adapted for ice discharging. The magnetic ice discharging component is arranged on one side of the bottom wall of the ice making box. The ice making box has a plurality of ice making cells. When the ice making box is in the second position, the magnetic ice discharging component can apply a force to the bottom of the ice making cell to force the ice cubes in the ice making cell corresponding to the magnetic ice discharging component in the ice making box to escape.

[0005] Preferably, a rotating shaft is constructed on the box body of the ice making box, and the flip driving component includes a first rotary motor, and the power output shaft of the first rotary motor is drivingly connected to the rotating shaft.

[0006] Preferably, a plurality of vertically and horizontally interwoven vertical ribs are provided on the bottom wall of the box. The plurality of vertically and horizontally interwoven vertical ribs form a plurality of the ice making cells, and the bottom wall of each ice making cell is made of an elastic material.

[0007] Preferably, the vertical ribs are made of a hard material.

[0008] Preferably, a communication hole is provided at the bottom position of the vertical rib corresponding to each ice making cell to communicate the accommodation cavities of two adjacent ice making cells.

[0009] Preferably, the magnetic ice-discharging component comprises a roller, and a plurality of pushing protrusions adapted to the bottom of the ice-making tray are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the roller. When the pushing protrusions contact the bottom of the ice-making tray, the ice cubes in the adapted ice-making tray can be pushed out.

[0010] Preferably, the magnetic ice-discharging component includes a pushing member and a magnetic force generating member, and the pushing member can move toward the bottom wall of the ice box under the magnetic force of the magnetic force generating member to force the ice cubes in the ice box corresponding to the magnetic ice-discharging component to escape.

[0011] Preferably, the pushing member includes a plate body and a top protrusion extending toward the bottom wall of the box.

[0012] Preferably, a plurality of connecting guide rods are provided between the plate body and the bottom wall of the box, the plate body is mounted on the connecting guide rods, and the plurality of connecting guide rods are respectively and one by one mounted with elastic parts, the elastic parts are located between the plate body and the bottom wall of the box, so as to force the pushing part to break away from the contact with the bottom wall of the box when the magnetic force generating part releases the magnetic force.

[0013] Preferably, the magnetic force generating member comprises an electromagnetic coil, which is located on the bottom wall of the box and can generate attraction when it is controlled to be energized, and the pushing member is made of magnetic metal.

[0014] Preferably, there are a plurality of the pushing members and the magnetic force generating members, respectively, and the plurality of the pushing members and the magnetic force generating members are respectively arranged corresponding to the plurality of ice making trays.

[0015] The present invention also provides a refrigerator, comprising the above-mentioned flip-type ice-making and ice-dispensing device.

[0016] The present invention provides a flip-type ice-making and dispensing device and a refrigerator, wherein the ice-making box is in the first position for ice-making and in the second position for ice-dispensing. When the ice-making box has finished making ice and needs to dispense ice, the ice-making box is controlled to flip from the first position to the second position, and the magnetic ice-dispensing component is synchronously controlled to operate, thereby applying force to the bottom of the ice-making grid. Under the force of the magnetic ice-dispensing component and the weight of the ice cubes, the ice cubes escape from the ice-making grid and enter the ice storage box below, thereby achieving ice making and dispensing. The structure is simple, compact and novel, and can save space in the refrigerator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a flip-type ice-making and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ice box.

[0019] The reference numerals are shown as follows:

[0020] 1. First rotary motor; 2. Ice-making box; 21. Bottom wall of the box; 22. Ice-making grid; 23. Rotating shaft; 24. Vertical rib; 241. Communication hole; 3. Magnetic ice discharging component; 31. Pushing member; 311. Plate body; 312. Top convex; 313. Connecting guide rod; 314. Elastic member; 32. Magnetic generating member; 4. Evaporator; 41. Air outlet. Detailed implementation manners

[0021] Referring to Figures 1 to 2 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a flip-type ice-making and ice-discharging device is provided, which includes a flip driving component (not labeled in the figure), an ice-making box 2, and a magnetic ice discharging component 3. The flip driving component is drivingly connected to the ice-making box 2 so that the ice-making box 2 has a first position adapted for ice-making and a second position adapted for ice discharging. Specifically, for example, the first position is that the opening of the ice-making box 2 faces upward, and the second position is that the opening of the ice-making box 2 faces downward. The magnetic ice discharging component 3 is disposed on one side of the bottom wall 21 of the ice-making box 2. The ice-making box 2 is provided with a plurality of ice-making grids 22. When the ice-making box 2 is in the second position, the magnetic ice discharging component 3 can apply a force to the bottom of the ice-making grid 22 to force the ice cubes in the ice-making grid 22 corresponding to the magnetic ice discharging component 3 in the ice-making box 2 to fall out. In this technical solution, when the ice-making box 2 is in the first position, it is in the ice-making position, and when it is in the second position, it is in the ice-discharging position. When the ice-making in the ice-making box 2 is completed and ice discharging is required, the ice-making box 2 is controlled to flip from the first position to the second position, and the magnetic ice discharging component 3 is synchronously controlled to operate, and then a force is applied to the bottom of the ice-making grid 22. Under the action of the force applied by the magnetic ice discharging component 3 and the self-weight of the ice cubes, the ice cubes fall out of the ice-making grid 22 and enter the ice storage box below, thereby realizing ice-making and ice discharging. The structure is simple, compact, and novel, and can save space in the refrigerator.

[0022] In some embodiments, a rotating shaft 23 is configured on the box body of the ice-making box 2. The flipping drive component includes a first rotary motor 1. The power output shaft of the first rotary motor 1 is drivingly connected to the rotating shaft 23. When the first rotary motor 1 operates, it drives the ice-making box 2 to rotate through the rotating shaft 23, so that the ice-making box 2 can be switched between a first position and a second position. It can be understood that the first rotary motor 1 is preferably a stepping motor to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the position switching. Further, the first rotary motors 1 can be arranged on both opposite sides of the ice-making box 2. Of course, in order to save costs, when the size of the ice-making box 2 is not very large, it is preferably to arrange the first rotary motor 1 on only one side of the ice-making box 2. At this time, the side of the ice-making box 2 opposite to the first rotary motor 1 also has a rotating shaft 23, and the rotating shaft 23 on this side is pivotally connected to an external assembly carrier to ensure the reliable stability of the ice-making box 2 during the position switching process.

[0023] As a specific embodiment of the ice-making box 2, preferably, a plurality of vertically and horizontally intertwined vertical ribs 24 are provided on the bottom wall 21 of the box. The plurality of vertically and horizontally intertwined vertical ribs 24 form a plurality of ice-making cells 22. The bottom wall of each ice-making cell 22 is made of an elastic material. Making the bottom wall of the ice-making cell 22 of an elastic material can, on the one hand, ensure the exertion of the pushing effect of the magnetic ice discharging component 3 on the ice cubes in the ice-making cell 22, and on the other hand, can restore the original state after the pushing force is released, thereby ensuring the integrity of the appearance of the ice body.

[0024] Preferably, the vertical ribs 24 are made of a hard material, such as hard rubber, so as to be able to shape the ice body better.

[0025] Preferably, a communication hole 241 is provided at the bottom position of the vertical rib 24 corresponding to each ice-making cell 22 to communicate the accommodating cavities of two adjacent ice-making cells 22. This way can ensure that the water levels in each ice-making cell 22 are the same when filling water into the ice-making box 2, and further ensure the size consistency of the formed ice cubes.

[0026] As a specific embodiment of the magnetic ice discharging component 3, preferably, the magnetic ice discharging component 3 includes a push member 31 and a magnetic force generating member 32. The push member 31 can move toward the bottom wall 21 of the ice box 2 under the magnetic force of the magnetic force generating member 32 to force the ice cubes in the ice box 22 corresponding to the magnetic ice discharging component 3 in the ice box 2 to escape. The magnetic force generating member 32 is specifically an electromagnetic generating device, that is, when the magnetic force generating member 32 is powered on, it generates a corresponding magnetic force, and when the magnetic force generating member 32 is powered off, the magnetic force disappears accordingly, that is, the magnetic force generating member 32 is connected in series to a circuit (including a power supply), and the circuit has a corresponding relay to realize the control of whether the magnetic force generating member 32 generates magnetic force.

[0027] The push member 31 includes a plate body 311 and a top protrusion 312 extending toward the bottom wall 21 of the box. At this time, the plate body 311 can be one, and multiple top protrusions 312 are provided on it, and the multiple top protrusions 312 correspond to the multiple ice-making grids 22 one by one. At this time, the purpose of ice discharging can be achieved by the magnetic attraction between the magnetic force generating member 32 and the plate body 311. This structure can simplify the control strategy of the ice discharging process. In some embodiments, the push member 31 and the magnetic force generating member 32 are respectively provided in plurality, and the multiple push members 31 and the magnetic force generating member 32 correspond to the multiple ice-making grids 22 one by one. At this time, the multiple magnetic force generating members 32 are connected in parallel with each other, so that the ice discharging of any one of the multiple ice-making grids 22 can be controlled respectively, so that the amount of ice cubes discharged at a single time can be controlled to meet the different needs of users.

[0028] Furthermore, a plurality of connecting guide rods 313 (non-magnetic conductive materials, such as aluminum columns, etc.) are provided between the plate body 311 and the bottom wall 21 of the box. The plate body 311 is mounted on the connecting guide rods 313, and the plurality of connecting guide rods 313 are respectively mounted with elastic members 314 (such as springs) in a one-to-one correspondence. The elastic members 314 are located between the plate body 311 and the bottom wall 21 of the box, so as to force the pushing member 31 to break away from the contact with the bottom wall 21 of the box when the magnetic force generating member 32 releases the magnetic force. In this technical solution, the connecting guide rods 313 make the process of the pushing member 31 approaching or moving away from the bottom wall 21 of the box more stable and reliable, and the elastic member 314 can restore the ice making tray 22 to its original shape when the magnetic force generating member 32 contacts the magnetic force, thereby facilitating the complete shape of the ice cubes after the ice is formed.

[0029] Specifically, the magnetic force generating member 32 includes an electromagnetic coil, which is disposed on the bottom wall 21 of the box. After being controlled to be energized, it can generate an attractive force. The pushing member 31 is a magnetic metal (i.e., a metal that can be magnetically adsorbed, such as iron, nickel, cobalt and their alloys, etc.). At this time, the electromagnetic coil, as the core component that generates magnetic force by being energized and de-energized, can be wound around an iron core (such as an iron ring) to enhance its magnetic force generation.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a refrigerator, including the above-mentioned flip-type ice making and ice discharging device. It can be understood that the flip-type ice making and ice discharging device is placed in a low-temperature space having an evaporator 4. This low-temperature space provides an ice making environment through the evaporator 4. The evaporator 4 is placed in a corresponding air duct housing, and the air duct housing has a corresponding air outlet 41, and the air outlet 41 corresponds to the low-temperature space.

[0031] It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that, on the premise of no conflict, the above-mentioned advantageous ways can be freely combined and superimposed.

[0032] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention. The above is only the preferred implementation manner of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the technical principle of the present invention, several improvements and modifications can be made, and these improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flip - type ice - making and ice - discharging device, characterized in that, The invention comprises a flip driving component, an ice making box (2), and a magnetic ice discharging component (3); the flip driving component is drivingly connected to the ice making box (2) so that the ice making box (2) has a first position adapted to ice making and a second position adapted to ice discharging; the magnetic ice discharging component (3) is arranged on one side of a bottom wall (21) of the ice making box (2); the ice making box (2) has a plurality of ice making grids (22); when the ice making box (2) is in the second position, the magnetic ice discharging component (3) can exert force on the bottom of the ice making grid (22) to force ice cubes in the ice making grid (22) corresponding to the magnetic ice discharging component (3) in the ice making box (2) to escape; the magnetic ice discharging component (3) comprises a pushing member (31), a magnetic force generating member (32), the pushing member (31) being able to move toward the bottom wall (21) of the ice box (2) under the magnetic force of the magnetic force generating member (32) so as to force the ice cubes in the ice tray (22) corresponding to the magnetic ice discharging member (3) in the ice box (2) to escape; the pushing member (31) and the magnetic force generating member (32) are provided in plurality, and the plurality of pushing members (31) and the magnetic force generating member (32) are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of ice trays (22); a rotating shaft (23) is constructed on the box body of the ice box (2), and the flip driving member comprises a first rotary motor (1), and the power output shaft of the first rotary motor is drivingly connected to the rotating shaft (23).

2. The flip-type ice making and ice discharging device according to claim 1, wherein The bottom wall (21) of the box is provided with a plurality of vertical ribs (24) interlaced in a longitudinal and transverse manner, and the plurality of vertical ribs (24) interlaced in a longitudinal and transverse manner form a plurality of ice-making grids (22), and the bottom wall of each ice-making grid (22) is made of an elastic material.

3. The ice turning and discharging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vertical ribs (24) are made of hard material.

4. The ice turning and discharging device according to claim 3, characterized in that A communicating hole (241) is provided at the bottom of the vertical rib (24) corresponding to each of the ice making trays (22) so as to connect the accommodating cavities of two adjacent ice making trays (22).

5. The turnover type ice making and ice discharging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pushing member (31) comprises a plate body (311) and a top protrusion (312) extending towards the box bottom wall (21).

6. The flip-type ice making and ice discharging device according to claim 5, characterized in that, A plurality of connecting guide rods (313) are provided between the plate body (311) and the box bottom wall (21), the plate body (311) is mounted on the connecting guide rods (313), and the plurality of connecting guide rods (313) are respectively and one by one mounted with elastic members (314), the elastic members (314) being located between the plate body (311) and the box bottom wall (21) so as to force the pushing member (31) to break away from contact with the box bottom wall (21) when the magnetic force generating member (32) releases the magnetic force.

7. The flip-type ice making and ice discharging device according to claim 6, wherein, The magnetic force generating member (32) comprises an electromagnetic coil, which is located on the bottom wall (21) of the box and can generate attractive force when it is controlled to be energized, and the pushing member (31) is made of magnetic metal.

8. A refrigerator, comprising an ice-making and ice-dispensing device, characterized in that, The ice-making and dispensing device is a flip-type ice-making and dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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