Evaporator ice tray cover and ice maker

Abstract

The present invention provides an evaporator ice tray cover and an ice maker, wherein the cover body of the evaporator ice tray cover is detachably connected to the evaporator and fits against the outer surface of the evaporator. The cover body is provided with a grid corresponding to the evaporator ice tray, and the grid is provided with a diversion structure on both sides along the longitudinal direction. The evaporator ice tray cover and ice maker of the present invention can be directly assembled with the evaporator of the ice maker, making it easy to assemble and disassemble and easy to clean and maintain after use. The cover body diverts and diverts water discharged from the water pipe, avoiding problems such as water flow dispersion, cross flow, and turbulence. The water volume received by each ice tray in the evaporator is uniform, ensuring consistent ice quality and preventing ice breakage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ice making machines, and in particular to an evaporator ice cube cover and an ice making machine. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, due to global warming, high temperatures have become more frequent, and the scorching summer heat has increased people's demand for cooling. Ice can quickly cool people down and can be used to make a variety of cold drinks. Traditional refrigerator ice-making methods are no longer able to meet the growing demand for ice due to issues such as long production times and the risk of flavor transfer. Ice-making machines are a product that targets this consumer demand for ice. An ice-making machine is a product or device that uses a compressor to cool water through an evaporator to produce ice.

[0003] When making ice in commercial ice makers, the water circulates through the pipes and drains into the evaporator ice tray, where it flows layer by layer. This can cause turbulent and interlaced water flow, resulting in inconsistent ice quality, with some ice being thin, some thick, and some even breaking. Furthermore, due to structural limitations of the evaporator ice tray, ice cubes often clumping together in rows or forming large blocks, forcing users to break the ice into individual pieces for further use. Both of these issues significantly impact the user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is the problem of turbulent and interlaced water flow, which leads to the uneven quality of ice cubes, some are thin and some are thick, and even the problem of ice cubes breaking. An evaporator ice grid cover and an ice maker are provided, which can be directly assembled with the evaporator of the ice maker, are convenient to assemble and disassemble, and are easy to clean and maintain after use. The water discharged from the water pipe is diverted and drained, avoiding the problems of dispersed, crossed and turbulent water flow, so that each ice grid in the evaporator receives a uniform amount of water, which can ensure the consistent quality of the ice cubes and prevent the ice cubes from breaking.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution proposed by the present invention is:

[0006] An evaporator ice tray cover includes a cover body, wherein the cover body is connected to the evaporator in a detachable manner and fits on the outer surface of the evaporator. The cover body is provided with a grid corresponding to the ice tray of the evaporator, and the grid is provided with a guide structure on both sides along the longitudinal direction.

[0007] The evaporator ice tray cover of the present invention can be directly assembled with the evaporator of the ice maker, making it easy to assemble and disassemble, and easy to clean and maintain after use. When the ice maker is operating, water circulates through the water pipe arranged at the top of the evaporator and drains downward from the water outlet. The water naturally flows into the evaporator ice tray and is transferred downward layer by layer, so that each ice tray stores a portion of water. The water stored in the ice tray absorbs heat from the evaporator and gradually freezes. After ice making is completed, the evaporator releases the ice cubes to the ice storage bar below, which is then available for users to use. During the ice making process, the diversion structure on the cover body serves as a drainage function. When the water pipe above the evaporator drains, the water first flows through the first row of diversion structures to the first row of ice trays for water storage. After the water storage is completed, the overflowing water is diverted by the second row of diversion structures to the second row of ice trays, and so on and so forth, flowing down layer by layer until it reaches the water tank below and then circulates. Therefore, the diversion structure design ensures that the drainage of each column of water outlets is evenly diverted, and there will be no cross-flow disorder. As a result, the water storage capacity of each ice tray is uniform, and the ice cubes produced are uniform in quality and thickness, avoiding the problem of uneven ice quality or even breakage.

[0008] During the ice-making process, the cover also acts as a heat insulator. Its grid design mimics the evaporator's ice trays, forming a grid structure that covers the area between adjacent ice trays. The cover's material, which has poor thermal conductivity, prevents water flowing between the two ice trays from directly contacting the evaporator during ice-making, where it absorbs heat and freezes into ice, potentially leading to linked ice cubes. This ensures that each ice tray makes ice independently, without interfering with each other. The resulting ice cubes are individual, making it easier for users to proceed with the next step and significantly improving the user experience.

[0009] The above technical solution can be further improved as described below.

[0010] According to the evaporator ice tray cover of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, the guide structure includes a guide groove.

[0011] The diversion groove is used for diversion, which has a simple structure, is easy to process and manufacture, and has a good diversion effect.

[0012] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the guide groove is a trumpet-shaped structure with a wide top and a narrow bottom.

[0013] The guide groove of the above-mentioned structural form can further optimize the guide effect.

[0014] Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the cover body is a sheet-like structure.

[0015] The cover body has a sheet structure, is simple in structure, is easy to process and manufacture, and can be well matched with the evaporator for installation.

[0016] Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the cover and the evaporator are connected in a snap-fit ​​manner.

[0017] The snap-fitting method makes the entire assembly structure simple and compact, and the assembly and disassembly are simple and convenient.

[0018] Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, a buckle structure is provided on the bottom surface of the cover body, and a slot structure that cooperates with the buckle structure is provided on the evaporator.

[0019] The matching structure of the card slot and the card buckle is simple and easy to process and manufacture. After assembly, the overall structure is beautiful and compact.

[0020] Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the buckle structures are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the cover body extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0021] The above arrangement of the snap structure can avoid being too close to the grid position, which affects the structural strength of the cover body, and facilitates the application of force during assembly and disassembly, thereby effectively avoiding damage to the cover body during assembly and disassembly.

[0022] Specifically, in another preferred embodiment, the cover and the evaporator are connected by threaded connection.

[0023] The threaded connection method can also effectively ensure that the entire assembly structure is simple and compact, and that assembly and disassembly are simple and convenient.

[0024] Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the cover is made of any one of silicone, plastic and wood.

[0025] Specifically, the cover is made of silicone, plastic and wood, which have poor thermal conductivity. This can greatly prevent the water flow in the middle of the two ice trays from directly contacting the evaporator during the ice making process, being absorbed heat by the evaporator and frozen into ice, resulting in the ice cubes being connected.

[0026] The ice making machine according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises an evaporator and the evaporator ice tray cover as described above connected to the evaporator.

[0027] Compared to existing technologies, the present invention has the following advantages: it can be directly assembled with the ice maker's evaporator, making it easy to disassemble and assemble, and easy to clean and maintain after use. During the ice-making process, the diversion structure on the cover acts as a drainage mechanism. When the water pipe above the evaporator drains, water first flows through the first row of diversion holes to the first row of ice trays for storage. After storage, the overflowing water is diverted by the second row of diversion structures to the second row of ice trays, and so on, flowing down layer by layer to the water tank below for recirculation. Therefore, the diversion structure design ensures that the drainage from each row of water outlets is evenly distributed, preventing cross-flow and turbulence. This ensures that each ice tray has a uniform water storage capacity, resulting in uniform ice quality and thickness, and avoids problems such as uneven ice quality and even broken ice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0029] Figure 1 The overall structure of the ice maker according to the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0030] Figure 2 The overall structure of the evaporator ice tray cover according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0031] Figure 3 The back structure of the evaporator ice tray cover according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0032] Figure 4 The overall structure of the ice maker according to the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown without the evaporator ice tray cover.

[0033] Figure 5 The partial structure of the ice maker according to the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown.

[0034] In the drawings, like parts are given like reference numerals, but the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereby.

[0036] Figure 1 The overall structure of the ice making machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 2 The overall structure of the evaporator ice cube cover 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 3 The back structure of the evaporator ice cube cover 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 4 The overall structure of the ice maker 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown without the evaporator ice cube cover 10 . Figure 5 The partial structure of the ice making machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the evaporator ice cube cover 10 of an embodiment of the present invention includes a cover body 1, wherein the cover body 1 is connected to the evaporator 20 in a detachable manner, and the cover body 1 is attached to the outer surface of the evaporator 20, and a grid 11 corresponding to the ice cube 21 of the evaporator 20 is provided on the cover body 1, and a guide structure 12 is provided on both sides of the grid 11 along the longitudinal direction.

[0039] The evaporator ice tray cover according to the embodiment of the present invention can be directly assembled with the evaporator 20 of the ice maker 100, making it easy to assemble and disassemble, and easy to clean and maintain after use. When the ice maker is operating, water circulates through the water pipe 30 arranged at the top of the evaporator 20 and drains downward through the water outlet 31. The water naturally flows into the evaporator ice tray 21 and is transferred downward layer by layer, so that each ice tray 21 stores a portion of water. The water stored in the ice tray 21 absorbs heat from the evaporator 20 and gradually freezes. After ice making is completed, the evaporator 20 releases the ice cubes into the ice storage bar 40 below, which is then ready for use by the user. During the ice making process, the diversion structure on the cover serves as a drainage function. When the water pipe above the evaporator drains, the water first flows through the first row of diversion structures to the first row of ice trays for storage. After the water is fully stored, the overflowing water is diverted by the second row of diversion structures to the second row of ice trays. This process continues layer by layer, flowing downward to the water tank below and then circulating again. Therefore, the diversion structure design ensures that the drainage of each column of water outlets is evenly diverted, and there will be no cross-flow disorder. As a result, the water storage capacity of each ice tray is uniform, and the ice cubes produced are uniform in quality and thickness, avoiding the problem of uneven ice quality or even breakage.

[0040] During the ice-making process, the cover also acts as a heat insulator. Its grid design mimics the evaporator's ice trays, forming a grid structure that covers the area between adjacent ice trays. The cover's material, which has poor thermal conductivity, prevents water flowing between the two ice trays from directly contacting the evaporator during ice-making, where it absorbs heat and freezes into ice, potentially leading to linked ice cubes. This ensures that each ice tray makes ice independently, without interfering with each other. The resulting ice cubes are individual, making it easier for users to proceed with the next step and significantly improving the user experience.

[0041] Specifically, in this embodiment, the cover 1 is made of any one of silicone, plastic, and wood. Specifically, silicone, plastic, and wood have poor thermal conductivity, which can greatly prevent the water flowing between the two ice trays from directly contacting the evaporator during the ice making process, thereby absorbing heat from the evaporator and freezing into ice, resulting in the ice cubes being connected.

[0042] like Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 5 Specifically, in this embodiment, the flow-guiding structure 12 includes a flow-guiding groove. Using a flow-guiding groove for flow guidance offers a simple structure, ease of fabrication, and excellent flow-guiding effectiveness. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flow-guiding groove is a trumpet-shaped structure with a wide top and a narrow bottom. This structure further optimizes the flow-guiding effectiveness.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 3 、 Figure 5Specifically, in this embodiment, the cover body 1 is a sheet-like structure. The sheet-like structure is simple, easy to manufacture, and can be installed well with the evaporator. Furthermore, the four corners of the sheet-like structure are rounded, which can make the entire mesh cover look beautiful and save material costs.

[0044] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, specifically, in this embodiment, the cover body 1 and the evaporator 20 are connected by a snap-fit ​​method. The snap-fit ​​method makes the entire assembly structure simple and compact, and the assembly and disassembly are simple and convenient. Specifically, in this embodiment, a snap-fit ​​structure 13 is provided on the bottom surface of the cover body 1, and a slot structure 22 that cooperates with the snap-fit ​​structure 13 is provided on the evaporator 20. The matching structure of the slot and the snap is simple and easy to process and manufacture. After the assembly is completed, the overall structure is beautiful and compact. Specifically, in this embodiment, the snap-fit ​​structure 13 is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the cover body extending in the longitudinal direction. The above-mentioned arrangement of the snap-fit ​​structure can avoid being too close to the grid position, which affects the structural strength of the cover body, and is convenient for applying force during assembly and disassembly, thereby effectively avoiding damage to the cover body during assembly and disassembly.

[0045] Specifically, in another embodiment not shown, the cover body 1 and the evaporator 20 are connected by a threaded connection. The threaded connection can also effectively ensure that the entire assembly structure is simple and compact, and that assembly and disassembly are simple and convenient.

[0046] Example 2

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the ice making machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an evaporator 20 and an evaporator ice cube cover 10 as described in the above embodiment and connected to the evaporator 20 .

[0048] According to the above embodiments, the evaporator ice tray cover and ice maker of the present invention can be directly assembled with the evaporator of the ice maker, making it easy to disassemble and assemble, and easy to clean and maintain after use. During the ice making process, the diversion structure on the cover body serves as a drainage function. When the water pipe above the evaporator drains, the water first flows through the first row of diversion results to the first row of ice trays for water storage. After the water storage is completed, the overflowing water is diverted by the second row of diversion structures to the second row of ice trays, and so on. It flows down layer by layer and then flows to the water tank below for recirculation. Therefore, the diversion structure design ensures that the drainage of each row of water outlet holes is evenly distributed, and there is no cross-flow disorder. This ensures that the water storage capacity of each ice tray is uniform, and the ice cubes produced are uniform in quality and thickness, avoiding the problem of uneven ice quality or even broken ice cubes.

[0049] While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications may be made and equivalent components may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the various technical features described in the various embodiments may be combined in any manner, provided no structural conflicts exist. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but encompasses all technical solutions within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An evaporator ice tray cover, characterized in that: comprising a cover body, wherein The cover is detachably connected to the evaporator and is attached to the outer surface of the evaporator. The cover is provided with a grid corresponding to the ice tray of the evaporator. The grid is provided with flow guide structures on both sides in the longitudinal direction; The cover and the ice tray are placed vertically, and the guide structure is located on the side of the cover away from the ice tray; the water in the water pipe on the top of the evaporator is drained downward from the water outlet hole and is sequentially transferred downward layer by layer to the ice trays in each row through the guide structure; The cover is made of any one of silicone, plastic and wood; The cover covers the portion between two adjacent ice trays of the evaporator to prevent the water flow between the two ice trays from directly contacting the evaporator, wherein the grid penetrates the cover along the thickness direction of the cover so that when the cover is connected to the evaporator, the grid connects the ice tray of the evaporator with the guide structure on the side of the cover facing away from the evaporator.

2. The evaporator ice tray cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow guiding structure includes a flow guiding groove.

3. The evaporator ice tray cover according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide groove is a trumpet-shaped structure with a wide top and a narrow bottom.

4. The evaporator ice tray cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The cover body is a sheet-like structure.

5. The evaporator ice tray cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The cover body and the evaporator are connected in a snap-fit ​​manner.

6. The evaporator ice tray cover according to claim 5, characterized in that: A buckle structure is provided on the bottom surface of the cover body, and a slot structure that cooperates with the buckle structure is provided on the evaporator.

7. The evaporator ice tray cover according to claim 6, characterized in that: The buckle structures are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the cover body extending in the longitudinal direction.

8. The evaporator ice tray cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The cover body and the evaporator are connected in a threaded manner.

9. An ice making machine, characterized in that: The utility model comprises an evaporator and an evaporator ice tray cover according to any one of claims 1 to 8 connected to the evaporator.

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