Ice-making module and ice maker

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides an ice-making module and an ice maker. The ice-making module includes an ice-making bucket, an ice scraping rod, and an ice extruder. The ice scraping rod is disposed inside the ice-making bucket. The upper end of the ice scraping rod is connected to the ice extruder through a bushing. The ice extruder covers the upper end of the ice-making bucket. A gas passage is provided on the ice extruder. The gas passage penetrates the bushing and / or the ice scraping rod and communicates with the ice-making cavity of the ice-making bucket, so that the air pressure in the ice-making cavity of the ice-making bucket is balanced with the external atmospheric pressure. By providing a gas passage communicating with the ice-making cavity, the present invention can make the ice-making cavity communicate with the outside, keep the pressure in the ice-making cavity consistent with the external atmospheric pressure, discharge the gas in the ice-making cavity, eliminate the pressure fluctuation in the ice-making cavity, achieve the dynamic balance of the ice-making process, and enable the ice maker to continuously make ice for a long time without the problem that the ice extruded in the ice-making module is stuck, resulting in a large abnormal noise or even damage to the motor and the ice-making module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of ice making, and particularly relates to an ice making module and an ice maker having the ice making module. Background Art

[0002] In the ice making system of granular ice makers on the market, since a motor is required to drive the ice making structure to continuously make ice, in the case of continuous ice taking and water adding by users, the ice making system of the ice maker reaches a dynamic equilibrium state. During the ice making process, the water in the inner pipe of the ice making bucket is evaporated by the refrigerant to take away energy and turn into ice particles. The volume of ice will increase. When the ice particles are extruded at the ice outlet of the ice extruder, the volume of ice will decrease, and the pressure in the inner pipe of the ice making bucket will change dynamically accordingly. At the same time, as the continuous ice making time increases, affected by other factors such as the external environmental temperature or the air brought into the water, the air in the inner pipe of the ice bucket is more and more, and the water is less and less. The air cannot be discharged to form an air blockage, so that the pressure in the inner pipe of the ice bucket will randomly show irregular fluctuations, breaking the dynamic equilibrium state during continuous ice making. There will be a situation where the ice squeezed between the motor and the ice maker components is stuck, generating a large abnormal noise, and even seriously damaging the motor and the ice making system.

[0003] The Chinese patent application with the publication number CN113102853 A discloses an evaporator manufacturing process and a mold for an ice maker. The ice maker includes an ice making main body. An evaporator and a refrigeration copper pipe are installed in the ice making main body. The evaporator is provided with an outer pipe and an inner pipe which are hermetically fixed. The hermetically fixed connection of the evaporator is provided with a refrigeration copper pipe. As the ice making process prolongs, the pressure in the refrigeration cavity of this ice maker will fluctuate, breaking the dynamic equilibrium during continuous ice making and generating abnormal noise, affecting the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an ice making module with the ice making cavity communicating with the outside world to maintain the dynamic balance of the ice making process and improve the ice making efficiency.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in the embodiments of the present invention is an ice making module, including an ice making bucket. It is characterized in that the ice making module further includes a scraping rod and an ice extruder. The scraping rod is arranged in the ice making bucket. The upper end of the scraping rod is connected to the ice extruder through a bushing. The ice extruder seals the upper end of the ice making bucket. The ice extruder is provided with a gas channel. The gas channel penetrates the bushing and / or the scraping rod and communicates with the ice making cavity of the ice making bucket, so that the air pressure in the ice making cavity of the ice making bucket is balanced with the external atmospheric pressure.

[0006] The ice-making module of the embodiment of the present invention can communicate the ice-making cavity with the outside by providing a gas channel communicating with the ice-making cavity, so that the pressure in the ice-making cavity is kept consistent with the external atmospheric pressure, the gas in the ice-making cavity is discharged, the pressure fluctuation in the ice-making cavity is eliminated, and the dynamic balance of the ice-making process is achieved. The ice maker can continuously make ice for a long time without the problem that the ice squeezed in the ice-making module is stuck, resulting in a large abnormal noise or even damage to the motor and the ice-making module.

[0007] In some embodiments, the ice squeezer includes an ice squeezing member and a ice folding member provided at the upper end of the ice squeezing member; there is a clearance fit between the ice folding member and the ice squeezing member to form the gas channel; alternatively, the gas channel extends from the end face or side face of the ice folding member into the ice squeezing member and penetrates to the lower end face of the ice squeezing member. Different ways of forming the gas channel can ensure smoothness, convenient exhaust, and novel structure.

[0008] In some embodiments, the ice squeezing member has a mounting hole penetrating its upper and lower end faces, and the upper end of the ice scraping rod is mounted in the mounting hole through the shaft sleeve; the ice folding member includes an ice folding head and a connecting portion connected to the ice folding head, and at least the lower end of the connecting portion is provided with an external thread. The connecting portion extends into the mounting hole, the lower end of the connecting portion is threadedly connected to the upper end of the ice scraping rod, and there is a first gap between the upper end of the connecting portion and the hole wall of the mounting hole, and a second gap between the ice folding head and the upper end face of the ice squeezing member. The first gap and the second gap communicate with each other to jointly form the gas channel. The gas channel is formed by the clearance fit between the ice folding member and the ice squeezing member, and the forming method is simple and reasonable, which is beneficial to processing and manufacturing.

[0009] In some embodiments, the ice squeezing member and the ice folding member are an integral part, the upper end face of the ice squeezing member protrudes upward to form a protruding portion, the ice folding member is provided on the protruding portion, the ice squeezing member has a mounting hole penetrating its lower end face and the top surface of the protruding portion, and a through hole communicating with the mounting hole is provided on the side wall of the protruding portion. The mounting hole and the through hole jointly form the gas channel; the upper end of the ice scraping rod is mounted in the lower part of the mounting hole through the shaft sleeve. The gas channel is formed by opening holes, which is convenient for manufacturing and has a good exhaust effect.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ice squeezing component and the ice folding component are an integral part. A convex portion is formed by upward protrusion in the middle of the upper end surface of the ice squeezing component. The ice folding component is arranged on the convex portion. A mounting hole is formed in the middle of the ice squeezing component, which penetrates the lower end surface and the top surface of the convex portion. The mounting hole extends upward through to the top surface of the ice folding component to communicate with the outside. The upper end of the ice scraping rod is mounted in the lower part of the mounting hole through the shaft sleeve. The integrated structure reduces the number of components. The mounting hole directly penetrates through to the top surface of the ice folding component to form a gas passage, which is convenient for processing and manufacturing and has smooth exhaust.

[0011] In some embodiments, through grooves penetrating both axial ends are arranged on the inner wall and / or outer wall of the shaft sleeve along its axial direction. The upper end of the through groove communicates with the gas passage, and the lower end of the through groove communicates with the ice making cavity. In this way, the gas passage can be communicated with the ice making cavity through the shaft sleeve.

[0012] In some embodiments, the ice scraping rod includes a main body portion and a shaft end arranged at the upper end of the main body portion. The outer diameter of the main body portion is larger than that of the shaft end, so that a shoulder is formed at the connection between the main body portion and the shaft end. The shaft end is connected to the ice squeezer through a shaft sleeve. A third gap exists between the shoulder and the lower end surface of the ice squeezer. The third gap communicates with the gas passage through the through groove. The existence of the third gap enables the gas in the ice making cavity to enter the gas passage through the shaft sleeve without changing the structure of the ice scraping rod.

[0013] In some embodiments, a groove is arranged on the shoulder. The groove is arranged along the radial direction of the ice scraping rod and penetrates to the outer peripheral surface of the shoulder. The arrangement of the groove is more conducive to the smooth entry of the gas in the ice making cavity into the shaft sleeve and the discharge of the gas.

[0014] In some embodiments, a radial hole and an axial hole are arranged on the ice scraping rod. One end of the radial hole penetrates through to the circumferential surface of the part of the ice scraping rod located in the ice making cavity to communicate with the ice making cavity. The other end of the radial hole is connected to one end of the axial hole. The other end of the axial hole extends to the upper end surface of the ice scraping rod to communicate with the gas passage. By opening holes on the ice scraping rod, it can be directly communicated with the gas passage through the ice scraping rod, and the through groove of the shaft sleeve can be not used, with a simple structure and convenient implementation.

[0015] The present invention also provides an ice maker, which includes a machine body and an upper water tank arranged on the machine body. The ice maker further includes the ice making module described in any one of the above embodiments. The upper water tank is connected to the ice making bucket of the ice making module through a water inlet pipeline for supplying ice making water to the ice making cavity of the ice making bucket.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the ice-making module and the ice-making machine according to the embodiments of the present invention are as follows: the number of product parts is small, the structure is simple, the manufacturing efficiency is high, the product is economical, it can effectively ensure the continuous ice-making of the ice-making machine, maintain a dynamic balance state for a long time, avoid the problem that the extruded ice cubes in the ice-making module are stuck, resulting in a large abnormal noise or even seriously damaging the motor and the ice-making module, and improve the ice-making efficiency.

[0017] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0018] The overview of various implementations or examples of the technologies described in the present invention is not a full disclosure of the entire scope or all features of the disclosed technologies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the ice-making module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the ice extruder of the ice-making module.

[0021] Figure 3 For Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of the ice extruding component of the ice extruder in

[0022] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the second embodiment of the ice extruder of the ice-making module.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the ice extruder of the ice-making module.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the third embodiment of the ice extruder of the ice-making module.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the ice extruder of the ice-making module.

[0026] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the first embodiment of the bushing of the ice-making module.

[0027] Figure 9 It is a front view of the first embodiment of the bushing of the ice-making module.

[0028] Figure 10 It is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the second embodiment of the bushing of the ice-making module.

[0029] Figure 11 It is a front view of the second embodiment of the bushing of the ice-making module.

[0030] Figure 12Schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the ice scraping rod of the ice making module in the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 13 Schematic three-dimensional structure diagram of the ice scraping rod of the ice making module in the second embodiment.

[0032] Figure 14 Partial cross-sectional view of the ice making module in the first embodiment.

[0033] Figure 15 For Figure 14 Enlarged view of part A in

[0034] Figure 16 Partial cross-sectional view of the ice making module in the second embodiment.

[0035] Figure 17 For Figure 16 Enlarged view of part B in

[0036] Figure 18 Partial cross-sectional view of the ice making module in the third embodiment.

[0037] Figure 19 For Figure 18 Enlarged view of part C in

[0038] Figure 20 Partial cross-sectional view of the ice making module in the fourth embodiment.

[0039] Figure 21 For Figure 20 Enlarged view of part D in

[0040] Figure 22 Partial cross-sectional view of the ice making module in the fifth embodiment.

[0041] Figure 23 For Figure 22 Enlarged view of part E in

[0042] Figure 24 Partial cross-sectional view of the ice making module in the sixth embodiment.

[0043] Figure 25 For Figure 24 Enlarged view of part F in

[0044] Figure 26 Partial cross-sectional view of the ice making module in the seventh embodiment.

[0045] Figure 27 For Figure 26 Enlarged view of part G in

[0046] Figure 28 Partial cross-sectional view of the ice making module in the eighth embodiment.

[0047] Figure 29 is Figure 28 an enlarged view of part H in

[0048] Reference numerals:

[0049] 1 - ice - making bucket; 11 - ice - making cavity; 12 - ice - making bucket seat;

[0050] 2 - ice - scraping rod; 21 - main body part; 211 - groove; 22 - shaft end; 221 - threaded hole; 23 - third gap; 24 - radial hole; 25 - axial hole;

[0051] 3 - ice - squeezing device; 31 - ice - squeezing part; 311 - ice - discharging hole; 312 - convex part; 313 - mounting hole; 314 - through - hole; 32 - ice - folding part; 321 - ice - folding head; 322 - connecting part; 33 - first gap; 34 - second gap;

[0052] 4 - bushing; 41 - through - slot

[0053] 5 - upper water tank; 6 - water inlet pipe; 7 - lower bushing; 8 - water level line. Detailed implementation manners

[0054] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0055] The embodiments of the present invention provide an ice - making module, and this ice - making module is applied to an ice - maker. As Figure 1 shown, the ice - making module includes an ice - making bucket 1, an ice - scraping rod 2, and an ice - squeezing device 3. The ice - scraping rod 2 is arranged inside the ice - making bucket 1, and the upper end of the ice - scraping rod 2 is connected to the ice - squeezing device 3 through a bushing 4. The ice - squeezing device 3 is fixed to the upper end of the ice - making bucket 1 and covers the upper end of the ice - making bucket 1. The ice - squeezing device 3 is provided with a gas passage, and the gas passage penetrates through the bushing 4 and / or the ice - scraping rod 2 to communicate with the ice - making cavity 11 of the ice - making bucket 1, so as to balance the air pressure in the ice - making cavity 11 of the ice - making bucket 1 with the external atmospheric pressure.

[0056] During the ice - making process, the ice - scraping rod 2 rotates inside the ice - making bucket 1 to scrape the ice formed on the inner wall of the ice - making bucket 1, and the ice - scraping rod 2 pushes the ice to the ice - squeezing device 3 during rotation. Under the continuous extrusion of the ice below, the ice above is extruded into the ice - discharging hole 311 on the ice - squeezing device 3 to complete ice discharging. During the long - term continuous ice - making process, due to the presence of air brought in by the water in the ice - making cavity 11, the pressure in the ice - making cavity 11 fluctuates, breaking the dynamic balance of the ice - making process of the ice - making module, reducing the ice - making amount, and unable to push the ice into the ice - discharging hole 311. Freezing occurs at the ice - discharging hole 311, and the squeezed ice gets stuck, generating a large abnormal noise, and even seriously damaging the motor and the ice - making module in severe cases.

[0057] The ice-making module according to the embodiment of the present invention can communicate the inside of the ice-making chamber 11 with the outside by providing a gas passage, so that the pressure inside the ice-making chamber 11 is kept consistent with the external atmospheric pressure, and the gas inside the ice-making chamber 11 is discharged, eliminating the pressure fluctuation in the ice-making chamber 11, achieving the dynamic balance of the ice-making process, enabling the ice maker to continuously make ice for a long time, and preventing problems such as the ice jammed in the ice-making module generating a large abnormal noise or even damaging the motor and the ice-making module.

[0058] It can be understood that the gas passage can communicate with the ice-making chamber 11 through the passage in the through shaft sleeve 4, or the gas passage can also communicate with the ice-making chamber 11 through the passage on the part of the through ice scraping rod 2 extending into the ice extruder 3. The specific selection of the passage on the shaft sleeve 4 or the ice scraping rod 2, as well as the formation method of the passage on the shaft sleeve 4 and the ice scraping rod 2, the specific structure and position, etc. are not limited, as long as the ice-making chamber 11 can be communicated with the outside and the air inside it can be discharged. Since the cross-sections of the gas passage and the passages on the shaft sleeve 4 and the ice scraping rod 2 communicating with the gas passage are relatively small, ice will not be extruded from them, and it will not affect the extrusion of ice from the ice extruder 3.

[0059] As Figures 1 to 7 shown, the ice extruder 3 includes an ice extruding member 31 and a ice folding member 32 provided at the upper end of the ice extruding member 31; a clearance fit can be provided between the ice folding member 32 and the ice extruding member 31 to form a gas passage; alternatively, the gas passage extends from the end face or side face of the ice folding member 32 into the ice extruding member 31 and penetrates to the lower end face of the ice extruding member 31. That is, the formation method and specific position of the gas passage on the ice extruder 3 are not specifically limited.

[0060] The specific structure of the ice extruder 3 will be described below in combination with different embodiments.

[0061] Embodiment 1

[0062] As Figure 2 shown, the ice extruding member 31 and the ice folding part are of a split structure. As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the upper end face of the ice extruding member 31 is non-planar, and a convex portion 312 protrudes upward in the middle thereof, and the ice outlet holes 311 are arranged around the convex portion 312. The ice extruding member 31 has ice outlet holes 311 arranged around the convex portion 312. The ice outlet holes 311 penetrate the upper end face and the lower end face of the ice extruding member 31. The lower end face of the ice extruding member 31 is combined with the upper end face of the ice-making bucket 1 so that the lower end of the ice outlet hole 311 communicates with the ice-making chamber 11 of the ice-making bucket 1, and the ice in the ice-making chamber 11 can enter the ice outlet hole 311 through extrusion. See Figure 1 . Continuing to combine Figure 3, the middle part of the ice squeezing component 31 has a mounting hole 313 that penetrates the lower end face and the top face of the convex part 312. The upper end of the ice scraping rod 2 (the shaft end 22 hereinafter) is installed in the mounting hole 313 through a bushing 4, see Figure 1 .

[0063] Continue to combine Figure 2 , the ice folding component 32 includes an ice folding head 321 and a connecting part 322 connected to the ice folding head 321. At least the lower end of the connecting part 322 is provided with an external thread. The connecting part 322 extends into the mounting hole 313. The lower end of the connecting part 322 is threadedly connected to the upper end of the ice scraping rod 2, and there is a first gap 33 between the upper end of the connecting part 322 and the hole wall of the mounting hole 313. There is a second gap 34 between the ice folding head 321 and the upper end face of the ice squeezing component 31. The first gap 33 and the second gap 34 communicate with each other to jointly form a gas channel. Specifically, a threaded hole 221 is provided inside the upper end of the ice scraping rod 2 (see Figure 13 ), and the lower end of the connecting part 322 is threadedly connected to the threaded hole 221. The upper end of the connecting part 322 is in the shape of a smooth rod, and an annular first gap 33 is formed between it and the hole wall of the mounting hole 313. The ice folding head 321 is in the shape of a mushroom head, and its lower surface is a conical surface, which is spaced from the upper end face of the ice folding component 32 to form an annular second gap 34.

[0064] Embodiment Two

[0065] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the ice squeezing component 31 and the ice folding component 32 are an integral part. The upper end face of the ice squeezing component 31 is not a flat surface, and a convex part 312 protrudes upward in the middle thereof. The ice outlet hole 311 is arranged around the convex part 312. The ice folding component 32 can be integrally formed on the convex part 312 of the ice squeezing component 31. The middle part of the ice squeezing component 31 has a mounting hole 313 that penetrates its lower end face and extends into the convex part 312. A through hole 314 communicating with the mounting hole 313 is provided on the side wall of the convex part 312. The upper end of the ice scraping rod 2 is installed at the lower part of the mounting hole 313 through a bushing 4. The upper part of the mounting hole 313 communicates with the outside through the through hole 314. The upper part of the mounting hole 313 and the through hole 314 jointly form a gas channel. The number of the through holes 314 is not limited and can be one or more.

[0066] Embodiment Three

[0067] As Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the ice squeezing member 31 and the ice folding member 32 are an integral part. The upper end surface of the ice squeezing member 31 is non-planar, and a convex portion 312 protrudes upward in the middle of the upper end surface. The ice outlet hole 311 is arranged around the convex portion 312. The ice folding member 32 can be integrally formed on the convex portion 312 of the ice squeezing member 31. The middle part of the ice squeezing member 31 has a mounting hole 313 that penetrates the lower end surface and the top surface of the convex portion 312. The mounting hole 313 extends upward through to the top surface of the ice folding member 32 to communicate with the outside. The upper end of the ice scraping rod 2 is installed in the lower part of the mounting hole 313 through a bushing 4. The upper part of the mounting hole 313 forms a gas passage. That is, the difference between the structure of the ice squeezer 3 in the third embodiment and the structure of the ice squeezer 3 in the second embodiment is only that one is that the mounting hole 313 penetrates through to the top surface of the ice folding member 32 to communicate with the outside, and the other is that the mounting hole 313 penetrates through to the side surface of the convex portion 312 of the ice squeezing member 31 to communicate with the outside.

[0068] As Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, in the first embodiment of the bushing 4, a through groove 41 is provided on the outer wall of the bushing 4. The through groove 41 is arranged along the axial direction of the bushing 4 and penetrates through both ends of the axial direction of the bushing 4. The through groove 41 can be one or more. In this embodiment, the shown through grooves 41 are multiple. The multiple through grooves 41 are arranged in parallel and respectively penetrate through both ends of the axial direction of the bushing 4. As Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown, in the second embodiment of the bushing 4, a through groove 41 is provided on the inner wall of the bushing 4. The through groove 41 is arranged along the axial direction of the bushing 4 and penetrates through both ends of the axial direction of the bushing 4. The through groove 41 can be one or more. In this embodiment, the shown through grooves 41 are multiple. The multiple through grooves 41 are arranged in parallel and respectively penetrate through both ends of the axial direction of the bushing 4. Whether the through groove 41 is on the inner wall or the outer wall, its upper end is communicated with the gas passage, and the lower end of the through groove 41 is communicated with the ice making cavity 11. The through groove 41 on the bushing 4 is the passage on the bushing 4 mentioned above. Thus, through the through groove 41 (passage) on the bushing 4, the communication between the gas passage and the ice making cavity 11 is realized, and further the ice making cavity 11 is communicated with the outside, the pressure of the ice making cavity 11 is released, the ice making cavity 11 is kept consistent with the outside atmospheric pressure, and the pressure fluctuation in the ice making cavity 11 is eliminated.

[0069] As Figure 12 and Figure 13As shown, the ice scraping rod 2 includes a main body portion 21 and a shaft end 22 provided at the upper end of the main body portion 21. The main body portion 21 has a spiral structure to utilize ice scraping and drive the ice to move upward and be sent to the ice outlet hole 311. The outer diameter of the main body portion 21 is greater than that of the shaft end 22, so that a shoulder is formed at the connection between the main body portion 21 and the shaft end 22. A threaded hole 221 is provided along the axial direction of the shaft end 22 to be threadedly connected with the connecting portion 322 of the ice breaking member 32. The shaft end 22 is connected to the lower part of the mounting hole 313 of the ice squeezing member 31 through a shaft sleeve 4. There is a third gap 23 between the shoulder and the lower end face of the ice squeezing member 31, and the third gap 23 communicates with the gas passage (the upper part of the mounting hole 313) through the through groove 41 on the shaft sleeve 4. That is, there is no tight fit between the shoulder and the lower end face of the ice squeezing member 31, and there is a gap allowing gas to pass through. This gap is smaller than the size of the ice particles in the ice making cavity 11, so that the ice particles will not enter the third gap 23.

[0070] To facilitate the passage of gas, in the first embodiment of the ice scraping rod 2, as Figure 12 shown, a groove 211 is provided on the shoulder. The groove 211 is arranged along the radial direction of the ice scraping rod 2 and penetrates to the outer peripheral surface of the shoulder. That is, a groove 211 is provided on the upper end face of the main body portion 21 of the ice scraping rod 2, and the groove 211 penetrates to the side surface of the main body portion 21 to communicate with the inside of the ice making cavity 11, so that the gas in the ice making cavity 11 can enter the through groove 41 of the shaft sleeve 4 through the groove 211, and then enter the gas passage and be discharged to the outside. The number of the grooves 211 is not limited. In this embodiment, the number of the grooves 211 shown is two, and the two grooves 211 are located on the same straight line to facilitate the uniform discharge of the gas in the ice making cavity 11.

[0071] In the second embodiment of the ice scraping rod 2, as Figure 13 shown, a radial hole 24 and an axial hole 25 are provided on the ice scraping rod 2. One end of the radial hole 24 penetrates to the peripheral surface of the part of the ice scraping rod 2 located in the ice making cavity 11 to communicate with the inside of the ice making cavity 11. The other end of the radial hole 24 is connected to one end of the axial hole 25, and the other end of the axial hole 25 extends to the upper end face of the ice scraping rod 2 to communicate with the gas passage. The radial hole 24 and the axial hole 25 together form the passage on the ice scraping rod 2 described above. That is, a passage connecting the gas passage and the ice making cavity 11 is provided on the ice scraping rod 2, so that the gas passage of the ice squeezer 3 is communicated with the ice making cavity 11 through the passage on the ice scraping rod 2 without relying on the through groove 41 on the shaft sleeve 4. At this time, the through groove 41 may not be provided on the shaft sleeve 4.

[0072] The different structures of the ice making module will be separately described below in combination with different embodiments.

[0073] Embodiment 1

[0074] As Figure 14 and Figure 15As shown in the figure, the ice extruder 3 in the ice-making module of the first embodiment is of an integral structure. An installation hole 313 is provided on the ice extruding part 31, and a through hole 314 communicating with the installation hole 313 is provided on the side wall of the protruding part 312. A through groove 41 is provided on the inner wall of the shaft sleeve 4. There is a third gap 23 between the shaft shoulder of the ice scraping rod 2 and the lower end surface of the ice extruding part 31. The gas in the ice-making cavity 11 enters the installation hole 313 through the third gap 23 and the through groove 41, and is discharged outward through the through hole 314. Figure 15 The broken line with an arrow in the figure indicates the flow direction of the gas. That is, the ice-making cavity 11 communicates with the outside through the third gap 23, the through groove 41, the installation hole 313 and the through hole 314, so that the pressure in the ice-making cavity 11 is kept consistent with the outside atmospheric pressure.

[0075] The second embodiment

[0076] As Figure 16 and Figure 17 shown in the figure, the ice extruder 3 in the ice-making module of the second embodiment is of an integral structure. An installation hole 313 is provided on the ice extruding part 31, and the installation hole 313 penetrates through to the top surface of the ice folding part 32. A through groove 41 is provided on the inner wall of the shaft sleeve 4. There is a third gap 23 between the shaft shoulder of the ice scraping rod 2 and the lower end surface of the ice extruding part 31. The gas in the ice-making cavity 11 enters the installation hole 313 through the third gap 23 and the through groove 41, and is discharged outward. Figure 17 The broken line with an arrow in the figure indicates the flow direction of the gas. That is, the ice-making cavity 11 communicates with the outside through the third gap 23, the through groove 41 and the installation hole 313, so that the pressure in the ice-making cavity 11 is kept consistent with the outside atmospheric pressure.

[0077] The third embodiment

[0078] As Figure 18 and Figure 19 shown in the figure, the ice extruder 3 in the ice-making module of the third embodiment is of an integral structure. An installation hole 313 is provided on the ice extruding part 31, and the installation hole 313 penetrates through to the top surface of the ice folding part 32. A through groove 41 is provided on the inner wall of the shaft sleeve 4. A groove 211 is provided on the shaft shoulder of the ice scraping rod 2. The gas in the ice-making cavity 11 enters the installation hole 313 through the groove 211 and the through groove 41, and is discharged outward. Figure 19 The broken line with an arrow in the figure indicates the flow direction of the gas. That is, the ice-making cavity 11 communicates with the outside through the groove 211, the through groove 41 and the installation hole 313, so that the pressure in the ice-making cavity 11 is kept consistent with the outside atmospheric pressure.

[0079] The fourth embodiment

[0080] As Figure 20 and Figure 21As shown, the ice extruder 3 in the ice-making module of the fourth embodiment is of an integral structure. The ice extruding member 31 is provided with a mounting hole 313, and the side wall of the protruding portion 312 is provided with a through hole 314 communicating with the mounting hole 313. The inner wall of the shaft sleeve 4 is provided with a through groove 41. The shaft shoulder of the ice scraping rod 2 is provided with a groove 211. The gas in the ice-making cavity 11 enters the through hole 314 through the groove 211, the through groove 41, the mounting hole 313 and is discharged outward. Figure 21 The broken line with an arrow in the figure indicates the flow direction of the gas. That is, the ice-making cavity 11 communicates with the outside through the groove 211, the through groove 41, the mounting hole 313 and the through hole 314, so that the pressure in the ice-making cavity 11 is kept consistent with the outside atmospheric pressure.

[0081] The Fifth Embodiment

[0082] As Figure 22 and Figure 23 shown, the ice extruder 3 in the ice-making module of the fifth embodiment is of an integral structure. The ice extruding member 31 is provided with a mounting hole 313, and the side wall of the protruding portion 312 is provided with a through hole 314 communicating with the mounting hole 313. The ice scraping rod 2 is provided with a radially communicating hole 24 and an axially communicating hole 25. The gas in the ice-making cavity 11 enters the through hole 314 through the radially communicating hole 24, the axially communicating hole 25 and the mounting hole 313 and is discharged outward. Figure 23 The broken line with an arrow in the figure indicates the flow direction of the gas. That is, the ice-making cavity 11 communicates with the outside through the radially communicating hole 24, the axially communicating hole 25, the mounting hole 313 and the through hole 314, so that the pressure in the ice-making cavity 11 is kept consistent with the outside atmospheric pressure.

[0083] The Sixth Embodiment

[0084] As Figure 24 and Figure 25 shown, the ice extruder 3 in the ice-making module of the sixth embodiment is of an integral structure. The ice extruding member 31 is provided with a mounting hole 313, and the mounting hole 313 penetrates through to the top surface of the ice folding member 32. The ice scraping rod 2 is provided with a radially communicating hole 24 and an axially communicating hole 25. The gas in the ice-making cavity 11 enters the mounting hole 313 through the radially communicating hole 24 and the axially communicating hole 25 and is discharged outward. Figure 25 The broken line with an arrow in the figure indicates the flow direction of the gas. That is, the ice-making cavity 11 communicates with the outside through the radially communicating hole 24, the axially communicating hole 25 and the mounting hole 313, so that the pressure in the ice-making cavity 11 is kept consistent with the outside atmospheric pressure.

[0085] The Seventh Embodiment

[0086] As Figure 26 and Figure 27As shown in the figure, the ice extruder 3 in the ice-making module of the seventh embodiment is of a split structure. The ice extruding component 31 is provided with a mounting hole 313. The connecting portion 322 of the ice folding component 32 is connected to the shaft end 22 of the ice scraping rod 2, and a first gap 33 is formed between the connecting portion 322 and the inner wall of the upper part of the mounting hole 313. A second gap 34 is formed between the ice folding head 321 of the ice folding component 32 and the upper end surface of the ice extruding component 31. The inner wall of the shaft sleeve 4 is provided with a through groove 41. A third gap 23 is provided between the shaft shoulder of the ice scraping rod 2 and the lower end surface of the ice extruding component 31. The gas in the ice-making cavity 11 is discharged outward through the third gap 23, the through groove 41, the first gap 33, and the second gap 34. Figure 27 The broken line with an arrow in the figure indicates the flow direction of the gas. That is, the ice-making cavity 11 communicates with the outside through the third gap 23, the through groove 41, the first gap 33, and the second gap 34, so that the pressure in the ice-making cavity 11 is kept consistent with the outside atmospheric pressure.

[0087] Eighth Embodiment

[0088] As Figure 28 and Figure 29 shown in the figure, the ice extruder 3 in the ice-making module of the eighth embodiment is of a split structure. The ice extruding component 31 is provided with a mounting hole 313. The connecting portion 322 of the ice folding component 32 is connected to the shaft end 22 of the ice scraping rod 2, and a first gap 33 is formed between the connecting portion 322 and the inner wall of the upper part of the mounting hole 313. A second gap 34 is formed between the ice folding head 321 of the ice folding component 32 and the upper end surface of the ice extruding component 31. The inner wall of the shaft sleeve 4 is provided with a through groove 41. The shaft shoulder of the ice scraping rod 2 is provided with a groove 211. The gas in the ice-making cavity 11 is discharged outward through the groove 211, the through groove 41, the first gap 33, and the second gap 34. Figure 29 The broken line with an arrow in the figure indicates the flow direction of the gas. That is, the ice-making cavity 11 communicates with the outside through the groove 211, the through groove 41, the first gap 33, and the second gap 34, so that the pressure in the ice-making cavity 11 is kept consistent with the outside atmospheric pressure.

[0089] It can be understood that the above embodiments of the ice-making module are not exhaustive, and there can be various different combinations. For example, in the above eight embodiments, through grooves 41 can be provided on the outer wall of the shaft sleeve 4. For another example, in each of the above embodiments, grooves 211 can be provided on the shaft shoulders respectively.

[0090] In the drawings of the above embodiments, not only the structure of the ice-making module is shown, but also the upper water tank 5 and the water inlet pipe 6 are shown. The water level line 8 in the upper water tank 5 is flush with the water level line 8 in the ice-making cavity 11. Using the principle of the U-shaped tube, the water in the upper water tank 5 enters the ice-making cavity 11 through the water inlet pipe 6.

[0091] Continue to combine with Figure 14 、 Figure 16 、 Figure 18 、Figure 20 , Figure 22 , Figure 24 , Figure 26 and Figure 28 As shown in Figure 20 , Figure 22 , Figure 24 , Figure 26 and Figure 28 , a seat 12 for the ice-making bucket is provided at the bottom of the ice-making bucket 1, and the lower part of the ice scraping rod 2 is rotatably connected to the seat 12 of the ice-making bucket through a bushing 4. In order to distinguish it from the bushing 4 at the upper end of the ice scraping rod 2, the bushing 4 here can be defined as the lower bushing 7.

[0092] The ice-making module according to the embodiment of the present invention has few parts, a simple structure, high manufacturing efficiency, and is economical. It can effectively ensure continuous ice-making of the ice-making machine and maintain a dynamic balance state for a long time, avoiding problems such as the jam of the extruded ice in the ice-making module, resulting in a large abnormal noise or even serious damage to the motor and the ice-making module, and improving the ice-making efficiency.

[0093] The embodiment of the present invention also provides an ice-making machine, which includes a machine body and an upper water tank 5 provided on the machine body. The ice-making machine further includes the ice-making module according to any one of the above embodiments. The upper water tank 5 is connected to the ice-making bucket 1 of the ice-making module through a water inlet pipe 6 for supplying ice-making water into the ice-making cavity 11 of the ice-making bucket 1.

[0094] In the ice-making machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the ice-making cavity 11 of the ice-making module can communicate with the outside world, the dynamic balance during the ice-making process of the ice-making machine is more stable. During the long-term ice-making process, there will be no phenomenon that the extruded ice in the ice-making module is jammed, resulting in a large abnormal noise or even serious damage to the motor and the ice-making module, realizing that the ice-making machine can make ice normally for a long time and improving the user experience.

[0095] The above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the above examples (or one or more of their solutions) can be used in combination with each other, and considering these embodiments, they can be combined with each other in various combinations or arrangements.

Claims

1. An ice-making module, comprising an ice-making bucket, characterized in that, the ice-making module further includes an ice scraping rod and an ice extruder. The ice scraping rod is arranged in the ice-making bucket. The upper end of the ice scraping rod is connected to the ice extruder through a bushing. The ice extruder covers the upper end of the ice-making bucket. The ice extruder is provided with a gas passage, and the gas passage penetrates through the bushing and communicates with the ice-making cavity of the ice-making bucket, so that the air pressure in the ice-making cavity of the ice-making bucket is balanced with the external atmospheric pressure; a through groove penetrating through both ends in the axial direction is arranged on the inner wall and / or outer wall of the bushing along its axial direction. The upper end of the through groove communicates with the gas passage, and the lower end of the through groove communicates with the ice-making cavity; the ice scraping rod includes a main body portion and a shaft end arranged at the upper end of the main body portion. The outer diameter of the main body portion is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft end, so that a shoulder is formed at the connection between the main body portion and the shaft end. The shaft end is connected to the ice extruder through a bushing. A third gap is provided between the shoulder and the lower end surface of the ice extruder and / or a groove is arranged on the shoulder. The groove is arranged along the radial direction of the ice scraping rod and penetrates to the outer peripheral surface of the shoulder. The third gap communicates with the gas passage through the through groove.

2. The ice-making module according to claim 1, characterized in that, the ice extruder includes an ice extruding member and a ice-breaking member arranged at the upper end of the ice extruding member; a clearance fit is provided between the ice-breaking member and the ice extruding member to form the gas passage; or, the gas passage extends from the end surface or side surface of the ice-breaking member into the ice extruding member and penetrates to the lower end surface of the ice extruding member.

3. The ice-making module according to claim 2, characterized in that, the ice extruding member has a mounting hole penetrating through its upper and lower end surfaces. The upper end of the ice scraping rod is mounted in the mounting hole through the bushing; the ice-breaking member includes an ice-breaking head and a connecting portion connected to the ice-breaking head. At least the lower end of the connecting portion is provided with an external thread. The connecting portion extends into the mounting hole. The lower end of the connecting portion is threadedly connected to the upper end of the ice scraping rod, and a first gap is provided between the upper end of the connecting portion and the hole wall of the mounting hole. A second gap is provided between the ice-breaking head and the upper end surface of the ice extruding member. The first gap and the second gap communicate with each other to jointly form the gas passage.

4. The ice-making module according to claim 2, characterized in that, the ice extruding member and the ice-breaking member are an integral part. A convex portion protrudes upward from the middle of the upper end surface of the ice extruding member. The ice-breaking member is arranged on the convex portion. The ice extruding member has a mounting hole penetrating through its lower end surface and the top surface of the convex portion. A through hole communicating with the mounting hole is arranged on the side wall of the convex portion. The mounting hole and the through hole jointly form the gas passage; the upper end of the ice scraping rod is mounted in the lower part of the mounting hole through the bushing.

5. The ice-making module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ice squeezing component and the ice folding component are integrated. A convex portion is formed by upward protrusion in the middle of the upper end surface of the ice squeezing component. The ice folding component is arranged on the convex portion. The ice squeezing component has a mounting hole penetrating through its lower end surface and the top surface of the convex portion. The mounting hole extends upward and penetrates through to the top surface of the ice folding component to communicate with the outside. The upper end of the ice scraping rod is mounted on the lower part of the mounting hole through the shaft sleeve.

6. An ice maker, comprising a machine body and an upper water tank arranged on the machine body, characterized in that, the ice maker further comprises the ice making module according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The upper water tank is connected to the ice making barrel of the ice making module through a water inlet pipeline for supplying ice making water to the ice making cavity of the ice making barrel.

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