Device for preparing chewing ice and refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention discloses a device for making chewing ice, comprising: a shell, which is a cavity with an opening at the bottom, the side wall of the shell is provided with at least one air inlet, the air inlet is connected to an ice-making air supply duct; a spray assembly, the spray assembly is arranged at the upper part of the cavity, and comprises a water inlet and at least one water outlet located at the lower side of the water inlet, the water outlet is arranged toward the opening; wherein the diameter of the water inlet is greater than the diameter of the water outlet, and the distance between the air inlet and the opening is less than the distance between the water outlet and the opening. The device for making chewing ice disclosed in the present invention allows water droplets to directly contact with strong cold air, does not require an icing medium such as a steel cylinder, has a fast ice-making speed, and has a high ice-making efficiency; secondly, the chewing ice produced is dry ice, which is convenient for storage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of refrigeration, and in particular to a chewing ice making device and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] As people's living standards improve, refrigerators with ice makers are becoming more and more popular. In the prior art, ice makers for making chewable ice fill water in a steel cylinder, cool the steel cylinder, and make the water in the steel cylinder freeze into loose ice slag on the inner wall of the steel cylinder. Then, a spiral rod in the steel cylinder scrapes the ice slag off along the inner wall of the steel cylinder and squeezes it into blocks, which are finally discharged into an ice storage box. The chewable ice obtained by this ice making method is wet ice squeezed out of water, which has low ice making efficiency and poor taste, and is more likely to melt in the ice storage box. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for preparing chewing ice and a refrigerator.

[0004] To achieve one of the above-mentioned purposes of the invention, the present invention discloses a device for making chewing ice, comprising: a shell, which is a cavity with an opening at the bottom, and the side wall of the shell is provided with at least one air inlet hole, and the air inlet hole is connected to an ice-making air supply duct; a spray assembly, the spray assembly is arranged at the upper part of the cavity, and comprises a water inlet and at least one water outlet hole located at the lower side of the water inlet, and the water outlet hole is arranged toward the opening; wherein the diameter of the water inlet is larger than the diameter of the water outlet hole, and the distance between the air inlet hole and the opening is smaller than the distance between the water outlet hole and the opening.

[0005] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the side wall of the shell is provided with a plurality of groups of air inlet holes, and each group of air inlet holes is arranged at intervals in the vertical direction of the side wall.

[0006] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the air inlet hole includes an air outlet, and the air outlet is arranged obliquely upward toward the cavity.

[0007] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the shell side wall is arranged as a wavy structure, the air outlet is correspondingly arranged on the side wall of the wavy structure, the air inlet hole also includes an air inlet and an air inlet channel, and the air inlet channel is arranged in a straight line.

[0008] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the chewing ice making device also includes an air guide component, which is configured as a cavity covering the air inlet, and has a cold air inlet thereon, which is connected to the ice making air supply channel.

[0009] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, an extrusion molding assembly is provided below the opening, and the extrusion molding assembly includes a molding device with a screw and a driving device. An ice inlet connected to the opening is provided at the upper end of the molding device, and the driving device is used to extrude the ice particles in the molding device into shape and push them out of the molding device.

[0010] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the chewing ice making device further includes an ice guide member, which is funnel-shaped and disposed between the opening and the forming device to connect the opening and the ice inlet.

[0011] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the spray assembly includes a spray pipe with a water storage chamber provided therein, a plurality of water outlet holes are arranged in a straight line along the spray pipe, the water inlet and the water outlet holes are respectively connected to the water storage chamber; the water inlet is arranged above the water outlet holes.

[0012] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, a filter is provided in the water storage cavity, and a detachable end cap is provided at at least one end of the spray pipe.

[0013] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the shell further includes a top wall arranged above the side wall, and the top wall is provided with a buckle for fixing the spray assembly; the cavity is formed by the side wall and the top wall.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention discloses a refrigerator, comprising a box body and a door body for opening and closing the box body, and the refrigerator further comprises a chewing ice making device as described in any of the above technical solutions arranged on the box body or the door body.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the chewing ice making device disclosed in the present invention allows water droplets to directly contact with strong cold air, without the need for icing media such as steel cylinders, and has a fast ice making speed and high ice making efficiency. Secondly, the chewing ice produced is dry ice, which is easy to store. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for preparing chewing ice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a spray assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for preparing chewing ice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a device for preparing chewing ice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a device for preparing chewing ice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A partial enlarged view of the middle A;

[0022] Figure 7 1 is an exploded view of a device for preparing chewing ice according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodological, or functional changes made by a person skilled in the art based on these embodiments are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] It should be understood that the terms used herein, such as "upper", "lower", "outer", "inner", etc., indicating spatial relative positions are used for the purpose of convenience to describe the relationship of one unit or feature relative to another unit or feature as shown in the drawings. The spatial relative position terms may be intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation shown in the drawings.

[0025] One embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator, including a cabinet and a door for opening and closing the cabinet. Specifically, the cabinet can define storage compartments, which generally include a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, wherein the number and structural form of the storage compartments can be configured according to different needs.

[0026] The refrigerator also includes a chewable ice making device arranged on the box body or the door body, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the chewing ice making device comprises a housing 1 and a spray assembly 3 .

[0027] The shell 1 is a cavity 7 with an opening 5 at the bottom. At least one air inlet hole 11 is provided on the shell side wall 9. The air inlet hole 11 is connected to the ice-making air supply duct to transport cold air into the cavity 7.

[0028] The spray assembly 3 is disposed at the upper part of the cavity 7. Specifically, the spray assembly 3 includes a water inlet 301 and at least one water outlet 303 located at the lower side of the water inlet 301, and the water outlet 303 is disposed toward the opening 5. The diameter of the water inlet 301 is larger than the diameter of the water outlet 303, so that external water source quickly flows into the spray assembly 3 through the water inlet 301 and slowly drips from the water outlet 303.

[0029] Specifically, the distance between the air inlet hole 11 and the opening 5 is smaller than the distance between the water outlet hole 303 and the opening 5 , that is, the air inlet hole 11 is arranged below the water outlet hole 303 and close to the opening 5 .

[0030] In this embodiment, an ice-making chamber can be provided on the refrigerator, and the chewing ice making device is provided in the ice-making chamber. The ice-making air supply duct can provide cold air, and deliver the cold air to the cavity 7 through the air inlet 11, so as to quickly cool the water droplets dripping from the water outlet 303 into ice particles. The chewing ice making device disclosed in the present invention allows the water droplets to directly contact with the strong cold air, without the need for icing media such as steel cylinders, and has a fast ice-making speed and high ice-making efficiency; secondly, the chewing ice produced is dry ice, which is easy to store.

[0031] In this embodiment, if Figure 4 As shown, the shell 1 also includes a top wall 13, which is arranged above the side wall 103. The side wall 103 and the top wall 13 together form a cavity 7 for making ice. The top wall 13 is also provided with a buckle 15 for fixing the spray assembly, so that the spray assembly 3 can be detachably fixed on the top wall 13.

[0032] The spray assembly 3 includes a spray pipe 17 with a water storage chamber 16 disposed therein, a plurality of water outlet holes 303 are arranged in a straight line along the spray pipe 17, the water inlet 301 and the water outlet holes 303 are respectively connected to the water storage chamber 16; the water inlet 301 is arranged above the water outlet holes 303. In this embodiment, the spray pipe 17 is a long strip-shaped cavity structure, the water inlet 301 is located at the top of the spray pipe 17, and passes through the top wall 13 to be exposed at the top of the top wall 13, so as to facilitate the external water source to be discharged into the water storage chamber 16. The water outlet holes 303 are arranged in a straight line along the bottom of the spray pipe 17, so as to ensure that more water droplets drip through the water outlet holes 303 at the same time, so that the ice making speed of the chewing ice making device is faster and the ice making efficiency is higher.

[0033] Furthermore, a filter is provided in the water storage chamber 16, and a detachable end cap 21 is provided at at least one end of the spray pipe 17. In this embodiment, the end caps 21 are provided at both ends of the spray pipe 17, and the spray pipe 17 and the end caps 21 are connected by threads. The filter can reduce the impact of the water flow from the water inlet 301 on the water in the water storage chamber 16, making the water drop state of the water outlet 303 more stable; at the same time, the end cap 21 is provided to facilitate the removal and maintenance of the filter.

[0034] In this embodiment, if Figure 5 As shown, at least a portion of the side wall 9 of the shell 1 is configured as a wave-shaped structure, and the air inlet 11 is correspondingly configured at the side wall 25 of the wave-shaped structure.

[0035] The shell side wall 9 is provided with a plurality of air inlet holes 11, and each air inlet hole 11 is arranged at intervals in the vertical direction of the side wall 9, so that the cold air flow area covers the entire range of the water outlet hole 303. In this embodiment, the shell 1 is provided with a plurality of air inlet holes 11 on both opposite side walls 9, and the air outlets 113 on both sides are symmetrically arranged to the water outlet hole 303, and the cold air flow angle and air pressure are consistent to offset the horizontal force component of the water droplets, and the upward force component is superimposed, so that the water droplets slowly fall vertically to the opening 5. In addition, the crystallization state of the water droplets can be controlled by controlling the temperature of the cold air delivered by the air inlet or the air flow velocity ejected from the air inlet, so as to obtain chewing ice of different hardness, meeting the needs of more people.

[0036] Furthermore, each group of air inlet holes 11 is arranged at a position corresponding to the water outlet holes 303, so that the water droplets are fully cooled during the falling process and quickly freeze into ice particles. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the position of the air inlet holes 11 and the number of the air inlet holes 11 can also be changed according to the situation.

[0037] In this embodiment, if Figure 5 , 6 As shown, the air inlet 11 includes an air inlet 111, an air outlet 113 and an air inlet channel 115. The air inlet channel 115 is arranged in a straight line and connects the air inlet 111 and the air outlet 113. The air outlet 113 is arranged obliquely upward toward the cavity 7, so that the cold air entering the cavity 7 provides an upward component force to the falling water droplets. The water droplets fall slowly, and there is more time for cooling to be transferred with the cold air from the air outlet 113.

[0038] Specifically, the air outlet 113 is correspondingly arranged at the side wall 25 of the wavy structure to prevent water droplets sliding down the side wall 9 from clogging the air outlet 113 and ensure that the air outlet 113 provides sufficient cold air to condense the water droplets into ice particles.

[0039] In this embodiment, a return air port 26 communicating with the ice-making return air duct is further provided on the shell side wall 9 . Specifically, the return air port 26 and the air inlet 11 are located on different side walls 9 and close to the opening 5 .

[0040] In this embodiment, if Figure 5 As shown, the chewing ice making device also includes an air guide component 27, which is configured to cover the cavity of the air inlet hole 11, and a cold air inlet 271 is provided on it. The cold air inlet 271 is connected to the ice making air supply channel, and the cold air in the ice making air supply channel is transported to the air inlet 111.

[0041] In this embodiment, if Figure 7As shown, an extrusion molding assembly 29 is provided below the opening 5 , and the extrusion molding assembly 29 includes a molding device 291 with a screw and a driving device 293 . The driving device 293 is used to extrude and mold the ice particles in the molding device 291 and push the molding device 291 out.

[0042] Specifically, an ice inlet 2911 is provided at the upper end of the forming device 291. In this embodiment, the chewing ice making device further includes an ice guide 31, which is funnel-shaped and is disposed between the opening 5 and the forming device 291, connecting the opening 5 and the ice inlet 2911, and quickly transporting the ice particles made in the shell 1 to the forming device 291. At the same time, it can be understood that in other embodiments, the ice inlet 2911 can also be directly connected to the opening 5 of the shell 1.

[0043] The driving device 293 can be an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, etc. The output shaft of the driving device 293 is connected to the molding device 291 to transmit power to the molding device 291.

[0044] In this embodiment, the shaping device 291 further includes an ice outlet 2913, and an ice storage box is provided below the ice outlet 2913 to store the shaped chewable ice pushed out by the shaping device 291 for easy access by users.

[0045] It should be understood that although this specification is described according to implementation modes, not every implementation mode contains only one independent technical solution. This description of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each implementation mode may also be appropriately combined to form other implementation modes that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0046] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are only specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of the present invention. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent implementation methods or changes that do not deviate from the technical spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for preparing chewing ice, characterized in that: include: The shell is a cavity with an opening at the bottom, and the side wall of the shell is provided with at least one air inlet hole, and the air inlet hole is connected to the ice-making air supply duct; A spray assembly, the spray assembly is arranged at the upper part of the cavity, and comprises a water inlet and at least one water outlet located at the lower side of the water inlet, the water outlet is arranged toward the opening; Among them, the diameter of the water inlet is larger than the diameter of the water outlet, the distance between the air inlet and the opening is smaller than the distance between the water outlet and the opening, the air inlet includes an air outlet, at least a portion of the side wall of the shell is set as a wavy structure, and the air outlet is correspondingly set on the side wall of the wavy structure.

2. The chewing ice making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell side wall is provided with a plurality of groups of air inlet holes, and each group of air inlet holes is arranged at intervals in the vertical direction of the side wall.

3. The chewing ice making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air outlet is arranged obliquely upward toward the cavity.

4. The chewing ice making device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The air inlet hole also includes an air inlet port and an air inlet channel, and the air inlet channel is arranged in a straight line.

5. The chewing ice making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The chewing ice making device further comprises an air guide component, which is arranged as a cavity covering the air inlet hole, and has a cold air inlet arranged thereon, the cold air inlet being communicated with the ice making air supply channel.

6. The chewing ice making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An extrusion molding assembly is provided below the opening, and the extrusion molding assembly includes a molding device with a screw and a driving device. An ice inlet connected to the opening is provided at the upper end of the molding device, and the driving device is used to extrude the ice particles in the molding device and push the molding device out.

7. The chewing ice making device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The chewing ice making device further comprises an ice guide member, which is in the shape of a funnel and is arranged between the opening and the forming device, connecting the opening and the ice inlet.

8. The chewing ice making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spray assembly includes a spray pipe with a water storage cavity inside, a plurality of water outlet holes are arranged in a straight line along the spray pipe, the water inlet and the water outlet holes are respectively connected to the water storage cavity; the water inlet is arranged above the water outlet holes.

9. The chewing ice making device according to claim 8, characterized in that: A filter is arranged in the water storage cavity, and a detachable end cover is arranged at at least one end of the spray pipe.

10. The chewing ice making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell further comprises a top wall arranged above the side wall, and the top wall is provided with a buckle for fixing the spray assembly; the cavity is formed by the side wall and the top wall.

11. A refrigerator, comprising a cabinet and a door for opening and closing the cabinet, characterized in that The refrigerator further comprises a chewable ice making device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, which is arranged on the box body or the door body.

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