An automatic sterile ice maker

Abstract

This invention relates to an automatic aseptic ice maker, which may include: a housing, the upper part of which is provided with a cold air chamber; a refrigeration unit, which is installed in the housing and in fluid communication with the cold air chamber; a cooling tank, which is installed in the cold air chamber and has a plurality of through holes on its bottom and side walls; a first stirring device, which includes a stirring disc located in the cooling tank and capable of reciprocating up and down; and a plurality of second stirring devices, which are installed circumferentially around the upper part of the cooling tank, and the second stirring device includes blades located in the cooling tank and capable of reciprocating radially along the cooling tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical devices, and more specifically to an automatic aseptic ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, sterile saline ice sludge is being used more and more widely in the medical field, such as in organ transplantation surgery. In organ transplantation, the temporary preservation of organs requires a sterile, low-temperature environment. Traditionally, sterile saline ice sludge is made by freezing saline solution before use. Taking it out of the freezer and then thawing it into ice sludge requires a process, which is complex and prone to contamination. Furthermore, the ice sludge produced by existing ice makers contains angular ice pieces that can easily damage soft tissues.

[0003] Current automatic ice makers all use alcohol as the ice-making medium. The refrigeration unit first cools the alcohol, which then cools the saline solution in the ice-making basin to produce ice. This method has relatively low heat exchange efficiency, and the alcohol temperature is not low enough. Furthermore, alcohol is flammable, and leaks can pose safety hazards. Some hospitals also prohibit the reuse of alcohol to prevent contamination, which significantly increases the cost of ice making.

[0004] In addition, because existing automatic ice makers use a stirring method where the stirring disc moves up and down, the area near the upper side wall of the cooling tank is not stirred, which easily leads to ice shards (ice with sharp edges), thus affecting the use of ice slurry. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic aseptic ice maker to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0007] An automatic aseptic ice maker may include:

[0008] The chassis has a cooling air chamber at its upper part;

[0009] A refrigeration unit, wherein the refrigeration unit is installed in a casing and is in fluid communication with the cold air chamber;

[0010] A cooling tank is installed in the cold air chamber and has multiple through holes on its bottom and side walls;

[0011] A first stirring device, comprising a stirring disc located within the cooling tank and capable of reciprocating up and down movement; and

[0012] A plurality of second stirring devices are mounted circumferentially around the upper part of the cooling tank, and the second stirring devices include blades located within the cooling tank and capable of reciprocating radially along the cooling tank.

[0013] Furthermore, the cold air cavity is surrounded by an insulation layer.

[0014] Furthermore, the insulation layer comprises an inner insulation material and metal materials on both sides.

[0015] Furthermore, the thickness of the insulation material is more than 20 times the thickness of the metal material.

[0016] Furthermore, the refrigeration unit includes an evaporator and a fan, which are installed inside the cold air chamber.

[0017] Furthermore, the fan is an axial flow fan.

[0018] Furthermore, the blades are parallel to the inner wall of the cooling tank.

[0019] Furthermore, the lower edge of the blade is more than half the height of the cooling groove.

[0020] Furthermore, the number of the second stirring devices is four.

[0021] Furthermore, the drive mechanisms of both the first stirring device and the second stirring device are electric.

[0022] Furthermore, the drive mechanism includes a motor, a crank-connecting rod mechanism, and a push rod. One end of the crank-connecting rod mechanism is connected to the output shaft of the motor, and the other end is connected to one end of the push rod. The stirring disc or the blade is fixed to the other end of the push rod.

[0023] Furthermore, the cooling tank has an annular groove.

[0024] Furthermore, the diameter of the stirring plate is 0.5 to 0.8 times the diameter of the cooling tank.

[0025] Furthermore, the diameter of the through hole is 1 to 3 centimeters.

[0026] The present invention, by adopting the above-described technical solution, has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] 1. By using cold air instead of alcohol as the ice-making medium, the problems associated with using alcohol as a refrigerant are solved. On the other hand, since the temperature in the cold air chamber can reach minus forty degrees Celsius, the heat exchange rate is increased, the ice-making time is reduced, and the ice-making efficiency is improved.

[0028] 2. By setting up a first stirring device and a second stirring device, the quality of the ice mud can be improved, resulting in a soft ice mud without ice crystals. At the same time, the ice-making speed can be accelerated, and the ice-making efficiency can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the automatic aseptic ice maker of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the automated aseptic ice maker shown;

[0031] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the AA line automatic aseptic ice maker in the image;

[0032] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the first stirring device of the automatic aseptic ice maker shown.

[0033] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the second stirring device of the automatic aseptic ice maker shown. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide a clearer understanding of the purpose, features, and advantages of the present invention. It should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative of the essential spirit of the technical solution of the present invention.

[0035] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth for the purpose of illustrating various disclosed embodiments in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various disclosed embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known apparatuses, structures, and techniques associated with this application may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

[0036] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims, the word “comprising” and its variations, such as “including” and “having”, shall be understood to have an open, inclusive meaning, that is, to be interpreted as “including, but not limited to”.

[0037] Throughout this specification, references to "an embodiment" or "an embodiment" indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, the appearance of "in an embodiment" or "an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be combined in any manner in one or more embodiments.

[0038] The singular forms “a” and “the” used in this specification and the appended claims include plural references unless otherwise expressly stated herein. It should be noted that the term “or” is generally used to mean “and / or” unless otherwise expressly stated herein.

[0039] In the following description, in order to clearly demonstrate the structure and working method of the present invention, a number of directional terms will be used. However, terms such as "front", "back", "left", "right", "outside", "inside", "outward", "inward", "up", and "down" should be understood as convenient terms and not as limiting terms.

[0040] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal," "vertical," and "sag" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0041] In the description of this application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, an automatic aseptic ice maker may include a casing 1, a refrigeration unit, a cooling tank 3, a first stirring device 4, and a second stirring device 5. The casing 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped structure and is mainly made of sheet metal (e.g., aluminum profiles or steel). A cold air chamber 11 is located at the top of the casing 1. Heat dissipation holes 12 are provided on the left and right sides of the lower shell of the casing 1. The refrigeration unit is installed in the casing 1 and is in fluid communication with the cold air chamber 11, meaning the refrigeration unit provides cold air to the cold air chamber 11. The cooling tank 3 is installed in the cold air chamber 11 and has multiple through holes 31 on its bottom and side walls. That is, the cooling tank is "bathed" in cold air. During ice making, a disposable film (not shown) is laid in the cooling tank 3 and its upper end is sealed to the upper edge of the cooling tank 3 to form the container required for ice making. That is, the cooling tank 3 serves to support the disposable film. Cold air in the cold air chamber 11 exchanges heat with sterile liquid (e.g., physiological saline) in the disposable film through the wall of the cooling tank 3 and the through hole 31, thereby achieving ice making. The first stirring device 4 includes a stirring plate 41 located within the cooling tank 3 and capable of reciprocating up and down. That is, the first stirring device 4 can lift and lower the disposable sterile film to stir the physiological saline, thereby accelerating ice making and improving the uniformity of the ice slurry. Four second stirring devices 5 are installed circumferentially around the upper part of the cooling tank 3, spaced 90 degrees apart. Specifically, the four second stirring devices 5 are installed at the four corners of the casing 1. It should be understood that the number of second stirring devices 5 is not limited to four; it can be two, three, or five, etc. The second stirring device 5 includes blades 51 located within the cooling tank 3 and capable of reciprocating radially along the cooling tank 3. Therefore, hard ice shards (ice with sharp edges) can be avoided near the upper sidewall of the cooling tank. The first stirring device 4 and the second stirring device 5 ensure that the resulting ice slurry is uniform and soft, without hard ice crystals, and the ice-making speed is relatively fast.

[0043] The cooling chamber 11 is surrounded by an insulation layer, thereby preventing heat exchange between the surrounding environment and the cooling chamber 11, achieving energy savings. Specifically, all walls of the cooling chamber are made of insulation. The insulation layer comprises a central insulation material 111 and two side metal materials 112, ensuring both insulation and sufficient strength. The thickness of the insulation material 111 is typically more than 20 times the thickness of the metal materials 112; for example, the insulation material is 5 cm thick, and the metal materials are 1.5 mm thick. The insulation material can be polyurethane foam, insulation cotton, etc. The metal materials can be aluminum plates, stainless steel plates, etc.

[0044] The refrigeration unit may include a compressor (not shown), a condenser 21, an evaporator 22, and a fan 23. The compressor and condenser 21 are mounted in the lower part of the casing 1, while the evaporator 22 and fan 23 are mounted in the cooling air chamber 11. Specifically, the evaporator 22 is fixedly mounted on the right side wall of the cooling air chamber 11, and the fan 23 is fixedly mounted on the evaporator 22. The fan 23 circulates the air in the cooling air chamber through the fins of the evaporator 22 for cooling. The structure and connection relationship of the compressor, condenser 21, and evaporator 22 are well known and will not be described further here. Preferably, the fan 23 is an axial fan.

[0045] The cooling tank 3 is cylindrical and can be made of stainless steel or similar materials. The diameter of the through hole 31 in the cooling tank 3 is 1 to 3 cm, preferably 2 cm. Outside air can enter the cold air chamber 11 through the through hole 31. During ice making, the cold air in the cold air chamber 11 can come into contact with the disposable film through the through hole 31, thereby cooling the saline solution in the disposable film.

[0046] The upper end of the cooling tank 3 has a flange 32, allowing the cooling tank 3 to be suspended in the top opening of the cold air chamber 11 for easy placement and removal. An annular groove 33 is provided on the outer wall of the cooling tank 3 near the upper end (i.e., the flange 32) to facilitate the fixing of disposable film. Specifically, during ice making, the disposable film is slipped onto the annular groove 33, and then the end of the disposable film is secured in the annular groove 33 with a rubber band or rope.

[0047] The first stirring device 4 and the second stirring device 5 can operate in a staggered manner. Correspondingly, the four second stirring devices 5 can operate simultaneously, sequentially, or in groups. The stirring speed of the first stirring device 4 and the second stirring device 5 should not be too fast, typically around 30 times per minute. The structures of the first stirring device 4 and the second stirring device 5 are similar, and will be described in detail below.

[0048] like Figure 3 and 4As shown, the first stirring device 4 includes a drive mechanism and a stirring disc 41. The drive mechanism drives the stirring disc 41 to reciprocate up and down. Preferably, the drive mechanism is electric for easy control. Specifically, the drive mechanism includes a motor 42, a first connecting rod 43, a second connecting rod 44, and a push rod 45. The motor 42 is fixed on a motor mounting base 46, and its output shaft is supported by a bearing. One end of the first connecting rod 43 is fixed to the output shaft of the motor 52, and the other end is hinged to one end of the second connecting rod 44. The other end of the second connecting rod 44 is hinged to the lower end of the push rod 55, and the stirring disc 51 is fixed to the upper end of the push rod 55. Specifically, both ends of the second connecting rod 44 are hinged to the first connecting rod 43 and the push rod 42 through corresponding joint bearings. The first connecting rod 43 and the second connecting rod 44 constitute a crank-connecting rod mechanism; through the crank-connecting rod mechanism, the rotation of the motor 4 is converted into the up and down movement of the push rod 45. The motor 42 can be a motor with a reducer. Preferably, the motor 42 is a servo motor or a stepper motor. It should be understood that the drive mechanism is not limited to the illustrated embodiment; for example, it may employ an electric actuator or an electric linear slide with an actuator. To prevent the actuator 45 from wobbling, at least one linear bearing 47 is fitted onto the actuator 45.

[0049] The mixing disc 41 is detachably fixed to the upper end of the push rod 45 for easy replacement of different mixing discs. Specifically, the mixing disc 41 has a central mounting hole 411, and the upper end of the push rod 45 has a screw hole. The mixing disc 41 can be fixed to the upper end of the push rod 45 by screwing screws into the central mounting hole 411 and the screw hole. In this embodiment, the mixing disc 41 is circular. It should be understood that the mixing disc can also be other shapes. The mixing disc 41 can be made of stainless steel or the like. The mixing disc 41 needs to have a relatively large area to provide sufficient support area and ensure the mixing effect. Preferably, the diameter of the mixing disc 41 is 0.5 to 0.8 times the diameter of the cooling tank 3.

[0050] like Figure 3 and 5As shown, the second stirring device 5 includes a drive mechanism and blades 51. The drive mechanism drives the blades 51 to reciprocate radially along the cooling groove 3. Preferably, the drive mechanism is electric for easy control. Specifically, the drive mechanism includes a motor 52, a first connecting rod 53, a second connecting rod 54, and a push rod 55. The motor 52 is fixed to the motor mounting plate 56. One end of the first connecting rod 53 is fixed to the output shaft of the motor 52, and the other end is hinged to one end of the push rod 55. The blades 51 are fixed to the other end of the push rod 55. Specifically, both ends of the second connecting rod 54 are hinged to the first connecting rod 53 and the push rod 52 through corresponding joint bearings. The first connecting rod 53 and the second connecting rod 54 constitute a crank-connecting rod mechanism; through the crank-connecting rod mechanism, the rotation of the motor 52 is converted into the radial reciprocating motion of the push rod 55. The motor 52 can be a motor with a reducer. Preferably, the motor 52 is a servo motor or a stepper motor. It should be understood that the drive mechanism is not limited to the illustrated embodiment; for example, an electric push rod or an electric linear slide with a push rod structure can be used. To prevent the push rod 55 from wobbling, at least one linear bearing 57 is fitted onto the push rod 55.

[0051] The blade 51 has mounting holes 511, and the push rod 55 can be fixedly connected to the blade 51 with screws. Therefore, the blade 51 can be easily installed and removed. Preferably, the blade 51 is parallel to the inner wall of the cooling tank 3, that is, the blade 51 is arc-shaped, so that the blade 51 can make close contact with the disposable sterile film and avoid the disposable sterile film from breaking. The lower edge of the blade 51 is more than half the height of the cooling tank 3. That is, the height of the blade 51 is less than 1 / 2 the height of the cooling tank 3. The blade 61 can be made of stainless steel or the like. The thickness of the blade 61 can be about 1 mm to have sufficient strength. The size of the blade 61 is set so that when all blades 61 are at their maximum stroke, the gap between the blades 61 is very small (e.g., less than 1 cm), which ensures that the disposable sterile film is pushed by the blades 51 and avoids the formation of ice crystals.

[0052] The working principle of this invention is briefly explained below. First, a disposable film is laid in the cooling tank 3 and secured with rubber bands, then a certain amount of physiological saline is poured in; finally, the automatic ice-making button is pressed to complete the automatic ice-making process. The entire operation is very convenient. The use of an air bath solves the problems associated with using alcohol as a refrigerant, and because the temperature in the cold air chamber can reach minus forty degrees Celsius, the heat exchange rate is increased, the ice-making time is reduced, and the ice-making efficiency is improved. Furthermore, by setting up a first stirring device and a second stirring device, the quality of the ice slurry can be improved, resulting in a soft, slag-free slurry, which also accelerates the ice-making speed and increases the ice-making efficiency.

[0053] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, it should be understood that after reading the above teachings, those skilled in the art can make various alterations or modifications to the present invention. These equivalent forms also fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An automatic aseptic ice maker, characterized in that, include: The chassis has a cooling air chamber at its upper part; A refrigeration unit, wherein the refrigeration unit is installed in the casing and is in fluid communication with the cold air chamber; A cooling tank is installed in the cold air chamber and has multiple through holes on its bottom and side walls. When making ice, a disposable film is laid in the cooling tank and its upper end is sealed to the upper edge of the cooling tank to form a container required for ice making. The cold air in the cold air chamber exchanges heat with the sterile liquid in the disposable film through the tank wall and through holes of the cooling tank. A first stirring device, comprising a stirring plate located within the cooling tank and capable of reciprocating up and down, is used to drive the disposable film to reciprocate up and down. as well as Multiple second stirring devices are mounted circumferentially around the upper part of the cooling tank, and each second stirring device includes blades located in the cooling tank and capable of radial reciprocating motion along the cooling tank to drive the disposable film to reciprocate radially. The blades are sized such that when all blades are at their maximum stroke, the gap between the blades is less than 1 cm. The first stirring device and the second stirring device are configured to move independently.

2. The automatic aseptic ice maker as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cold air chamber is surrounded by an insulation layer.

3. The automatic aseptic ice maker as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The insulation layer comprises a middle insulation material and metal materials on both sides.

4. The automatic aseptic ice maker as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The blades are parallel to the inner wall of the cooling tank.

5. The automatic aseptic ice maker as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The lower edge of the blade is more than half the height of the cooling groove.

6. The automatic aseptic ice maker as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigeration unit includes an evaporator and a fan, which are installed inside the cold air chamber.

7. The automatic aseptic ice maker as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The fan is an axial flow fan.

8. The automatic aseptic ice maker as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first stirring device and the second stirring device have electric drive mechanisms.

9. The automatic aseptic ice maker as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The drive mechanism includes a motor, a crank-connecting rod mechanism, and a push rod. One end of the crank-connecting rod mechanism is connected to the output shaft of the motor, and the other end is connected to one end of the push rod. The stirring disc or the blade is fixed to the other end of the push rod.

10. The automatic aseptic ice maker as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling tank has an annular groove.

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