Ice storage boxes and refrigerators

Abstract

This application provides an ice storage box and a refrigerator. The ice storage box includes: a box body having a first receiving cavity, the box body including a bottom wall and a side wall, the side wall having an ice outlet higher than the bottom wall; an ice pushing wheel disposed within the first receiving cavity and located near the ice outlet; and an ice dispensing screw disposed within the first receiving cavity and connected to the ice pushing wheel. The ice dispensing screw is used to push ice towards the ice pushing wheel, and when the ice dispensing screw rotates, it drives the ice pushing wheel to transport ice blocks from the bottom wall to the ice outlet. This application embodiment uses the rotation of the ice dispensing screw to drive the ice pushing wheel to move ice blocks from a lower position to a higher ice outlet, thereby controlling the amount of ice dispensed each time and preventing the dispensing of too many ice blocks at once, thus improving the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of home appliances, and in particular to an ice storage box and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] As people's living standards continue to improve, refrigerators with automatic ice-making functions are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. Typically, such refrigerators have an automatic ice maker consisting of an ice-making system, an ice storage system, and an ice dispensing system. The ice-making system stores the produced ice blocks in the ice storage system, and the ice dispensing system dispenses the ice blocks from the ice storage system when consumers need them.

[0003] In existing refrigerators, ice cubes are pushed out of the ice outlet by a stirring blade under the action of gravity. However, the ice cubes are not discharged evenly. Sometimes very few ice cubes come out, and sometimes a large pile of ice cubes suddenly comes out, resulting in a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an ice storage box and a refrigerator, which can improve the problem of disordered ice dispensing in existing refrigerators.

[0005] This application provides an ice storage box for use in a refrigerator, the ice storage box comprising:

[0006] The box body has a first receiving cavity, the box body includes a bottom wall and a side wall, and an ice outlet is provided on the side wall, the ice outlet being higher than the bottom wall;

[0007] An ice pusher wheel is disposed within the first receiving cavity and located on the side near the ice outlet.

[0008] An ice-discharging screw is disposed in the first receiving cavity and connected to the ice-pushing wheel. The ice-discharging screw is used to push ice toward the ice-pushing wheel. When the ice-discharging screw rotates, it drives the ice-pushing wheel to transport the ice block from the bottom wall to the ice outlet.

[0009] Optionally, the ice pusher wheel includes:

[0010] The ring-shaped wheel has a hollow area;

[0011] The rotating center is located in the hollow region and is connected to the ice-discharging screw;

[0012] Multiple ice-pushing blades are spaced apart, with the inner end of each ice-pushing blade connected to the rotation center and the outer end of each ice-pushing blade connected to the inner surface of the annular wheel.

[0013] Each of the ice-pushing blades is used to transport ice blocks from the bottom wall to the ice outlet.

[0014] Optionally, each of the ice-pushing blades includes a first ice-pushing part and a second ice-pushing part connected together, the first ice-pushing part being disposed on the side closer to the ice-discharging screw, and the second ice-pushing part being disposed on the side away from the ice-discharging screw;

[0015] When the ice-pushing blade is facing the ice outlet, the first ice-pushing part bends away from the ice outlet, the second ice-pushing part bends towards the ice outlet, and the lowest point of the second ice-pushing part is lower than the lowest point of the first ice-pushing part.

[0016] Optionally, when the ice-pushing wheel rotates in the first direction, the ice-pushing blade bends toward the first direction, and the portion of the second ice-pushing part that connects to the inner surface of the annular wheel body lags behind the portion of the first ice-pushing part that connects to the inner surface of the annular wheel body.

[0017] Optionally, when the ice-pushing wheel rotates in the second direction, the ice-pushing blade bends toward the second direction, and the portion of the first ice-pushing part that connects to the inner surface of the annular wheel body lags behind the portion of the second ice-pushing part that connects to the inner surface of the annular wheel body.

[0018] Optionally, the surface of the first ice-pushing part used to support the ice block includes multiple smoothly connected curved surfaces; and / or

[0019] The surface of the second ice-pushing part used to support the ice block includes multiple smoothly connected curved surfaces.

[0020] Optionally, the ice pusher wheel further includes:

[0021] An ice block limiting block is connected to the rotation center, and the ice block limiting block and the ice pushing blade are arranged opposite to each other to form a groove to limit the ice block.

[0022] Optionally, the ice-discharging screw includes a rotating shaft that passes through the rotation center portion, wherein the distance from the rotating shaft to the bottom wall is less than the distance from the ice outlet to the bottom wall.

[0023] Optionally, the plurality of ice-pushing blades are evenly arranged along the circumference of the annular wheel.

[0024] Optionally, the box body further includes a baffle, which is connected to the bottom wall and is disposed opposite to the side wall to form a second receiving cavity, and the ice pusher is disposed in the second receiving cavity;

[0025] The baffle is provided with an ice inlet, which is located near the bottom wall, and the ice outlet is located away from the bottom wall.

[0026] Optionally, the ice storage box further includes:

[0027] A driving component is disposed within the first receiving cavity and located on the side away from the ice outlet. The driving component is connected to the end of the ice outlet screw away from the ice pusher wheel. When the driving component rotates, it drives the ice outlet screw to rotate, thereby driving the ice pusher wheel to rotate.

[0028] This application embodiment also provides a refrigerator, the refrigerator comprising:

[0029] Box;

[0030] An ice storage box, as described in any of the above claims, wherein the ice storage box is disposed within the housing.

[0031] Optionally, the refrigerator further includes an ice maker for making ice;

[0032] The box is equipped with a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, and the refrigerator compartment is equipped with the ice maker and the ice storage box;

[0033] The ice maker is located in the refrigerator compartment adjacent to the freezer compartment, and the ice storage box is located above the ice maker.

[0034] Optionally, the refrigerator further includes an ice maker for making ice;

[0035] The box is equipped with a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, and the refrigerator compartment is equipped with the ice maker and the ice storage box;

[0036] The ice maker is located in the refrigerator compartment adjacent to the freezer compartment, and the ice storage box is located above the ice maker.

[0037] Optionally, the refrigerator includes:

[0038] A door, which is rotatably connected to the box body;

[0039] A distributor is installed on the door of the container and is movably connected to the ice storage box to output ice blocks supplied by the ice storage box.

[0040] Optionally, the refrigerator further includes:

[0041] An ice transport mechanism includes a first drive assembly, a carrier, and an ice removal component. The first drive assembly drives the carrier to move between a first position and a second position, and the ice removal component is disposed at the second position.

[0042] When the vehicle moves to the first position, the vehicle is able to receive the ice blocks output by the ice maker;

[0043] When the vehicle moves to the second position, the de-icing component pushes the ice blocks carried by the vehicle into the ice storage box.

[0044] Optionally, the carrier is provided with an ice discharge port for discharging the ice it carries, and the ice transport mechanism further includes an ice baffle.

[0045] The surface of the ice storage box is provided with a blocking member. When the carrier moves to the second position, the blocking member can abut against the ice blocking member to drive the ice blocking member to open the ice discharge port so that the ice block can be pushed into the ice storage box.

[0046] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: The ice storage box provided in this application embodiment includes a box body, an ice dispensing screw, and an ice pushing wheel. The box body is provided with a first receiving cavity for holding ice blocks. The box body includes a bottom wall and a side wall. An ice dispensing port is provided on the side wall, which is higher than the bottom wall. The ice pushing wheel is located in the first receiving cavity and is located on the side near the ice dispensing port. The ice dispensing screw is located in the first receiving cavity. When the ice dispensing screw rotates, it can drive the ice pushing wheel to move the ice blocks from a low position to the ice dispensing port at a high position. Since the ice blocks need to be moved from a low position to a high position during the ice transportation process, the ice pushing wheel will not transport a lot of ice blocks in each ice transportation process, thereby controlling the amount of ice dispensing each time. Therefore, when the user takes ice, the number of ice blocks dispensing can be better controlled, and a large number of ice blocks will not be dispensed at once, thus improving the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0047] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0048] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0049] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice storage box provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0050] Figure 2 A side view of an ice storage box provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0051] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows an explosion of the ice storage box.

[0052] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the side wall of the ice storage box.

[0053] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the first structural design of the ice-pushing wheel in the ice storage box.

[0054] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The image shows a front view of an ice pusher wheel.

[0055] Figure 7 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a second structural design of the ice-pushing wheel in the ice storage box.

[0056] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0057] Figure 9 for Figure 8 The image shows a front view of the refrigerator after the door has been removed.

[0058] Figure 10 for Figure 8 The refrigerator shown is a cross-sectional view along the AA direction.

[0059] Figure 11 for Figure 8 The diagram shows the structure of the ice-making compartment in a refrigerator.

[0060] Figure 12 for Figure 11 The refrigerator shown is a cross-sectional view along the BB direction.

[0061] Figure 13 for Figure 11 The diagram shows an explosion of the ice-making compartment in a refrigerator.

[0062] Figure 14 for Figure 8 The diagram shows the structure of the ice conveying mechanism in the refrigerator.

[0063] Ice storage box 100;

[0064] Box body 110, first receiving cavity 111, ice outlet 112, ice inlet 113, bottom wall 1101, side wall 1102, baffle 1103;

[0065] Ice pushing wheel 120, ring wheel body 121, rotation center part 122, ice block limiting block 123, ice pushing blade 124, first ice pushing part 1241, second ice pushing part 1242;

[0066] Ice discharge screw 130, ice discharge screw fixing hole 1301;

[0067] Drive component 140;

[0068] Refrigerator 1, cabinet 10, door 20, refrigerator compartment 11, freezer compartment 12, ice maker 13;

[0069] First housing 131, second housing 132, ice-making device 133;

[0070] Ice storage box 100, ice maker 200, water supply device 300, ice conveying mechanism 400, distributor 500;

[0071] Lifting component 410, guide rail 411, drive unit 412;

[0072] Vehicle 420, ice transport board 421, guardrail 422, elastic component 423. Detailed Implementation

[0073] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0074] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0075] Existing ice dispensing systems typically consist of an ice-crushing device installed in an ice storage box. Ice blocks are pushed out of the outlet by a stirring blade under gravity, but the discharged ice blocks are disordered, sometimes more and sometimes less. This results in a poor user experience when collecting ice.

[0076] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, this application proposes an ice storage box and a refrigerator. The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, further illustrates this application.

[0077] Please see Figures 1 to 4 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice storage box provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 A side view of an ice storage box provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shown is an explosion diagram of the ice storage box. Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the side wall of the ice storage box. This application provides an ice storage box 100, which includes a box body 110, an ice dispensing screw 130, and an ice pushing wheel 120. The box body 110 has a first receiving cavity 111 for accommodating ice. The box body 110 includes a bottom wall 1101 and a side wall 1102. An ice dispensing port 112 is provided on the side wall 1102, and the ice dispensing port 112 is higher than the bottom wall 1101. The ice pushing wheel 120 is disposed within the first receiving cavity 111 and is located on the side near the ice dispensing port 112. The ice dispensing screw... 130 is set in the first receiving cavity 111. When the ice-discharging screw 130 rotates, it can drive the ice-pushing wheel 120 to move the ice block from a low position to the ice outlet 112 at a high position. Since the ice block needs to be transferred from a low position to a high position during the ice transportation process, the ice-pushing wheel 120 will not transport a lot of ice blocks in each ice transportation process, thereby controlling the amount of ice dispensed. Therefore, when the user takes ice, the number of ice blocks dispensed can be better controlled, and the phenomenon of dispensing a lot of ice blocks at once will not occur, thus improving the user experience.

[0078] It should be noted that "ice outlet 112 is higher than bottom wall 1101" means that the lower edge of ice outlet 112 is higher than bottom wall 1101, that is, the distance between the lower edge of ice outlet 112 and bottom wall 1101 is greater than zero, meaning the lower edge of ice outlet 112 and bottom wall 1101 do not coincide. In contrast, in the prior art, when the lower edge of ice outlet 112 of ice storage box 100 is lower than bottom wall 1101 or coincides with bottom wall 1101, ice needs to be pushed towards ice outlet 112 during the ice dispensing process, and gravity is used to push the ice out, which leads to uncontrollable ice volume. However, in this embodiment, by setting ice outlet 112 higher than bottom wall 1101, ice can be transported from a lower position to a higher position before being dispensed, thereby controlling the ice dispensing volume.

[0079] The box body 110 also includes a baffle 1103, which is connected to the bottom wall 1101 and is arranged opposite to the side wall 1102 to form a second receiving cavity. The ice pusher 120 is disposed in the second receiving cavity. The baffle 1103 is provided with an ice inlet 113, which is located near the bottom wall 1101, and the ice outlet 112 is located away from the bottom wall 1101. During the ice discharge process, the ice discharge screw 130 pushes the ice block from the ice inlet 113 into the ice pusher 120. Driven by the ice discharge screw 130, the ice pusher 120 transports the ice block from a lower position to the higher ice outlet 112, thereby realizing the ice discharge.

[0080] In some embodiments, the baffle 1103 is provided with an ice-discharging screw fixing hole 1301. The ice-discharging screw 130 includes a rotating shaft, which passes through the rotation center 122 and is located at the ice-discharging screw fixing hole 1301. The distance between the ice outlet 112 and the bottom wall 1101 is greater than the distance between the rotating shaft of the ice-discharging screw 130 and the bottom wall 1101. By positioning the ice outlet 112 above the rotating shaft, it can be ensured that the ice-discharging screw 130 pushes the ice block into the lower ice inlet 113, rather than directly squeezing the ice block out of the ice outlet 112, thereby ensuring control over the amount of ice discharged. In other embodiments, the ice outlet 112 is located near the upper edge of the side wall 1102. By positioning the ice outlet 112 near the upper edge, the ice-pushing wheel 120 can be rotated to the highest point before discharging ice, which can further control the amount of ice discharged. It should be noted that the specific position of the ice outlet 112 on the side wall 1102 can be set according to actual needs, and no specific restrictions are imposed here. It is only necessary to ensure that the lower edge of the ice outlet 112 is higher than the bottom wall 1101.

[0081] In some embodiments, the shape of the ice inlet 113 is adapted to the shape of the ice outlet screw 130, so that the ice blocks can better enter the ice pusher wheel 120 through the ice inlet 113, thereby improving the ice feeding efficiency. In some embodiments, the shape of the ice outlet 112 is adapted to the shape of the ice pusher wheel 120, so that the ice pusher wheel 120 can better push the ice blocks out of the ice outlet 112. In other embodiments, the shape of the ice inlet 113 can be one of a rectangle, a square, a circle, or an irregular shape, and the shape of the ice outlet 112 can be one of a rectangle, a square, a circle, or an irregular shape. It should be noted that the shapes of the ice inlet 113 and the ice outlet 112 can be the same or different, and can be set according to actual needs, without specific limitations here.

[0082] In some other embodiments, the box body 110 also includes a plurality of side plates, which are connected to the baffle 1103 and the side wall 1102, and the plurality of side plates, the baffle 1103 and the side wall 1102 surround to form a second receiving cavity.

[0083] Please continue reading. Figures 5 to 6 , Figure 5 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the first structural design of the ice-pushing wheel in the ice storage box. Figure 6 for Figure 5The diagram shows a front view of the ice pusher wheel. The ice pusher wheel 120 includes an annular wheel body 121, a rotation center 122, and a plurality of spaced-apart ice pusher blades 124. The annular wheel body 121 has a hollow region, the rotation center 122 is located in the central control region and is connected to the ice discharge screw 130, the inner end of each ice pusher blade 124 is connected to the rotation center 122, and the outer end of each ice pusher blade 124 is connected to the inner surface of the annular wheel body 121. Each ice pusher blade 124 is used to transport ice blocks from the bottom wall 1101 to the ice outlet 112.

[0084] The multiple ice-pushing blades 124 arranged at intervals can be two ice-pushing blades 124, or three or more ice-pushing blades 124. This embodiment of the application uses the ice-pushing wheel 120 having two ice-pushing blades 124 as an example for illustration, and should not be construed as a limitation. The specific number can be set according to the actual situation, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0085] It is understandable that an ice-holding space is formed between the two spaced and adjacent ice-pushing blades 124, which is used to hold ice blocks during the ice transport process.

[0086] In some embodiments, the plurality of ice-pushing blades 124 are uniformly arranged along the circumference of the annular wheel 121 so that each holding space is identical, thereby ensuring that the number of ice blocks is the same during each ice transport process. In some embodiments, the plurality of ice-pushing blades 124 are non-uniformly arranged along the circumference of the annular wheel 121 so that each ice holding space can hold a different number of ice blocks. The specific arrangement of the plurality of ice-pushing blades 124 needs to be determined according to the actual situation, and no specific limitations are imposed here.

[0087] Each ice-pushing blade 124 includes a first ice-pushing part 1241 and a second ice-pushing part 1242 connected together. The first ice-pushing part 1241 is located on the side closer to the ice-discharging screw 130, and the second ice-pushing part 1242 is located on the side away from the ice-discharging screw 130. When the ice-pushing blade 124 is facing the ice outlet 112, the first ice-pushing part 1241 bends away from the ice outlet 112, and the second ice-pushing part 1242 bends towards the ice outlet 112, with the lowest point of the second ice-pushing part 1242 being lower than the lowest point of the first ice-pushing part 1241. In this way, the ice block can be supported by the first ice-pushing part 1241 to prevent the ice block from sliding to the bottom wall 1101, and the ice block can slide from a higher position to the lower position of the ice outlet 112 under the action of gravity, thereby realizing ice discharging.

[0088] One end of the first ice-pushing part 1241 is connected to the rotation center part 122, and the other end of the first ice-pushing part 1241 is connected to the inner surface of the annular wheel 121. One end of the second ice-pushing part 1242 is connected to the rotation center part 122, and the other end of the second ice-pushing part 1242 is connected to the inner surface of the annular wheel 121.

[0089] The width of the ice-pushing blade 124 gradually increases from the inner end to the outer end.

[0090] When the ice-pushing wheel 120 rotates in the first direction, the ice-pushing blade 124 bends towards the first direction, and the portion of the second ice-pushing part 1242 that connects to the inner surface of the annular wheel body 121 lags behind the portion of the first ice-pushing part 1241 that connects to the inner surface of the annular wheel body 121. This ensures that when the first ice-pushing part 1241 is at its highest point, the second ice-pushing part 1242 is lower than the first ice-pushing part 1241, and the second ice-pushing part 1242 is tilted downwards towards the ice outlet 112, allowing ice blocks to slide into the ice outlet 112. Furthermore, when the ice-pushing blade 124 is located at the ice inlet 113, the lowest point of the first ice-pushing part 1241 faces the ice inlet 113, making it easier for ice blocks to enter the ice-holding space. Because the portion of the second ice-pushing part 1242 that connects to the inner surface of the annular wheel body 121 lags behind the lowest point of the first ice-pushing part 1241, the ice-holding space is increased, allowing the ice-pushing wheel 120 to transport more ice blocks in one rotation.

[0091] In some embodiments, the contact area between the first ice-pushing part 1241 and the rotation center part 122 is greater than the contact area between the second ice-pushing part 1242 and the rotation center part 122, and the width of the first ice-pushing part 1241 gradually decreases from the inner end to the outer end of the ice-pushing blade 124, while the width of the second ice-pushing part 1242 gradually increases from the inner end to the outer end of the ice-pushing blade 124.

[0092] Please continue reading. Figure 7 , Figure 7 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a second structural design of the ice-pushing wheel in the ice storage box. When the ice-pushing wheel 120 rotates in the second direction, the ice-pushing blade 124 bends toward the second direction, and the portion where the first ice-pushing part 1241 is connected to the inner surface of the annular wheel body 121 lags behind the portion where the second ice-pushing part 1242 is connected to the inner surface of the annular wheel body 121.

[0093] In some embodiments, the contact area between the first ice-pushing part 1241 and the rotation center part 122 is greater than the contact area between the second ice-pushing part 1242 and the rotation center part 122, and the width of the first ice-pushing part 1241 gradually decreases from the inner end to the outer end of the ice-pushing blade 124, while the width of the second ice-pushing part 1242 gradually increases from the inner end to the outer end of the ice-pushing blade 124.

[0094] It should be noted that the first direction and the second direction are opposite.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first ice-pushing part 1241 or the second ice-pushing part 1242 has an arc-shaped structure. In other embodiments, both the first ice-pushing part 1241 and the second ice-pushing part 1242 have arc-shaped structures. In some embodiments, the first ice-pushing part 1241 or the second ice-pushing part 1242 has a curved surface structure. It is understood that the structures of the first ice-pushing part 1241 and the second ice-pushing part 1242 can be the same or different, and can be set according to the actual situation. No specific restrictions are imposed here.

[0096] In some embodiments, the surface of the first ice-pushing part 1241 used to support the ice block includes a plurality of smoothly connected curved surfaces, and in some embodiments, the surface of the second ice-pushing part 1242 used to support the ice block includes a plurality of smoothly connected curved surfaces.

[0097] The first ice-pushing part 1241 and the second ice-pushing part 1242 are connected by a smooth transition.

[0098] The ice pusher wheel 120 also includes an ice block limiting block 123, which is connected to the rotation center 122. The ice block limiting block 123 and the ice pusher blade 124 are arranged opposite each other to form a groove to limit the ice block. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the relative angle between the ice block limiting block 123 and the ice pusher blade 124 can be adjusted as needed to adjust the size of the groove, thereby adjusting the amount of ice transported by the ice pusher wheel 120 in each rotation. The larger the angle between the ice block limiting block 123 and the ice pusher blade 124, the greater the amount of ice transported by the ice pusher wheel 120 in each rotation. In other embodiments, the length of the ice block limiting part can also be adjusted to adjust the amount of ice transported. The longer the ice block limiting part, the greater the amount of ice transported by the ice pusher wheel 120 in each rotation.

[0099] The ice storage box 100 also includes a drive unit 140, which is located inside the first receiving cavity 111 and on the side away from the ice outlet 112. The drive unit 140 is connected to the other end of the ice dispensing screw 130. When the drive unit 140 drives the ice dispensing screw 130 to rotate forward or backward, the ice dispensing screw 130 pushes ice toward the ice outlet 112, and the ice pushing wheel 120 transports the ice block to the ice outlet 112. Furthermore, when the drive unit 140 drives the ice dispensing screw 130 to rotate forward, the drive wheel rotates in a first direction, and when the drive unit 140 drives the ice dispensing screw 130 to rotate backward, the drive wheel rotates in a second direction.

[0100] Please continue reading. Figures 8 to 10 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 for Figure 8 The image shows a front view of the refrigerator after the door has been removed. Figure 10 for Figure 8The image shows a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator along the AA direction. This application also provides a refrigerator 1, which may include a body 10 and a door 20. The body 10 has cooling compartments such as a freezer compartment 12, a refrigerator compartment 11, or a wide-range variable temperature compartment. The door 20 is rotatably mounted on the body 10 to open or close the cooling compartments. The refrigerator 1 also includes an ice-making compartment 13 and an ice-making device 133 disposed within the ice-making compartment 13. The ice-making device 133 includes an ice storage box 100 and an ice maker 200. The ice storage box 100 is as described in any of the above claims. The ice storage box 100 is disposed within the refrigerator compartment 11, and the ice maker 200 is disposed within the refrigerator compartment 11 and adjacent to the freezer compartment 12. The ice storage box 100 is positioned above the ice maker 200. By placing the ice maker 200 below the ice storage box 100, since cold air accumulates from top to bottom, the temperature below the ice storage box 100 will be lower, which facilitates faster ice making. In addition, since the ice storage box 100 is positioned at a high level, the number of ice makers 200 can be increased in the space below the ice storage box 100 to obtain more ice.

[0101] Please continue reading. Figures 11 to 13 , Figure 11 for Figure 8 The diagram shows the structure of the ice-making compartment in a refrigerator. Figure 12 for Figure 11 The refrigerator shown is a cross-sectional view along the BB direction. Figure 13 for Figure 11 The diagram shows an exploded view of the ice-making compartment in a refrigerator. The ice-making compartment 13 may include a first housing 131 and a second housing 132, which are joined together to form the ice-making compartment. The first housing 131 and the second housing 132 can be detachably connected by means of screwing, snap-fitting, or magnetic fixation.

[0102] The ice-making apparatus 133 may also include a water supply device 300. The water supply device 300 is installed on the ice-making apparatus 133. The water supply device 300 is used to connect to an external water source. The water supply device 300 is also connected to the ice-making apparatus 133 to supply water required for making ice.

[0103] The ice-making device 133 may also include an ice-transporting mechanism 400. The ice-transporting mechanism 400 is used to transport at least a portion of the ice discharged from the ice maker 200 to the ice storage box 100. The ice-transporting mechanism 400 can transport at least a portion of the ice discharged from the ice maker 200 to the top of the ice-making device 133, so that the internal parts of the ice-making device 133 can be arranged more flexibly, or the ice-making device 133 can be flexibly installed in different positions on the refrigerator 1.

[0104] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 14 , Figure 14 for Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of the ice-carrying mechanism of the ice-making device. The ice-carrying mechanism 400 includes a lifting assembly 410, a carrier 420, and an ice-removing assembly (not shown in the figure). The lifting assembly 410 is mounted on the outer casing (not shown in the figure), and the carrier 420 is drivenly connected to the lifting assembly 410 so that the lifting assembly 410 can drive the carrier 420 to move between a first position and a second position in the direction of gravity. The openings of the ice maker 200 and the ice storage box 100 are located between the first and second positions so that the carrier 420 can receive the ice blocks discharged by the ice maker 200 when it moves to the first position. The ice-removing assembly is disposed on the outer casing (not shown in the figure), the ice storage box 100, or the carrier 420, and is used to push the ice blocks carried by the carrier 420 into the ice storage box 100 when the carrier 420 moves to the second position.

[0105] The lifting component 410 can be a lead screw drive component, a gear and rack drive component, or a cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, electric push rod, etc. This application embodiment does not limit it in this way.

[0106] For example, the lifting assembly 410 may include a guide rail 411 and a drive unit 412. The guide rail 411 is mounted on the housing, and the carrier 420 is slidably mounted on the guide rail 411. The drive unit 412 is drively connected to the carrier 420 to move the carrier 420 between a first position and a second position.

[0107] Specifically, the lower end of guide rail 411 is the first position, located below the ice maker 200. The upper end of guide rail 411 is the second position, located above the ice maker 200. When the carrier 420 moves to the first position, or when the carrier 420 moves below the ice maker 200, the ice discharged from the ice maker 200 can fall onto the carrier 420 under its own weight. Then, the carrier 420 can transport the ice to the second position, so that the de-icing component can push the ice on the carrier 420 into the ice storage box 100.

[0108] The structure of the guide rail 411 can be varied. For example, the guide rail 411 can be a straight guide rail 411 with its length direction parallel to the direction of gravity. Of course, the guide rail 411 can also be an arc-shaped guide rail 411 or a spiral guide rail 411 that spirals downwards. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0109] The mounting method of the guide rail 411 can be varied. For example, the guide rail 411 can be detachably connected to the housing by means of snap-fit, screw-fit, magnetic fixation, etc.

[0110] For example, the guide rail 411 may have a first pre-fixing structure and a first fastening structure. The side of the housing that mates with the guide rail 411 has a second pre-fixing structure and a second fastening structure. The first pre-fixing structure is connected to the second pre-fixing structure to pre-connect the guide rail 411 and the housing. The second fastening structure is configured such that when the first and second pre-fixing structures are pre-fixed, the second fastening structure is positioned to match the first fastening structure to achieve a fixed connection between the guide rail 411 and the housing.

[0111] Understandably, during the installation of the guide rail 411, the cooperation of the first pre-fixing structure and the second pre-fixing structure can ensure that the guide rail 411 is not easily misaligned with the housing during subsequent installation, so that the guide rail 411 can be accurately installed and fixed in the end.

[0112] The second pre-fixing structure may include a hook protruding from the inner surface of the housing, and the first pre-fixing structure includes a hooking part formed on the guide rail 411, such as a hooking hole or a hooking beam, so that the guide rail 411 can be pre-fixed by being hung on the hook through the hooking part.

[0113] Of course, in some other embodiments, the first pre-fixed structure and the second pre-fixed structure can be a pair of magnetically connected magnetic components, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0114] Both the second and first fastening structures can have screw holes, so that the guide rail 411 and the housing can be screwed together and fixed.

[0115] The drive unit 412 may be mounted on the housing of the ice-making device 133 and driven through the carrier 420. Alternatively, the drive unit 412 may be mounted on the guide rail 411 and driven through the carrier 420. Or, the drive unit 412 may be mounted on the carrier 420 and driven through the guide rail 411 or the housing of the ice-making device 133. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0116] The drive unit 412 may consist of a first motor and a first gear and rack transmission assembly, a first lead screw transmission assembly, or a first synchronous belt transmission assembly driven by the first motor. The first motor can then drive the carrier 420 to slide via the first gear and rack transmission assembly, the first lead screw transmission assembly, or the first synchronous belt transmission assembly. Of course, the drive unit 412 may also be a first electric push rod, etc., and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0117] The carrier 420 may include an ice-carrying plate 421 and a guardrail 422. The ice-carrying plate 421 is slidably connected to a guide rail 411 and is used to carry ice blocks. The guardrail 422 is slidably connected to the ice-carrying plate 421 so that the guardrail 422 can slide relative to the ice-carrying plate 421 in the direction of gravity. Furthermore, when the carrier 420 is in the second position below, the guardrail 422 can slide to at least partially above the ice-carrying plate 421 to prevent ice blocks from accidentally falling off the ice-carrying plate 421. When the carrier 420 moves to the second position, the guardrail 422 can slide to the underside of the ice-carrying plate 421 so that the ice removal assembly can push the ice blocks off the ice-carrying plate 421.

[0118] The carrier 420 is provided with an ice discharge port for discharging the ice blocks it carries, and the ice transport mechanism also includes an ice blocking component; the surface of the ice storage box 100 is provided with a blocking component. When the carrier 420 moves to the second position, the blocking component can abut against the ice blocking component to drive the ice blocking component to open the ice discharge port so that the ice blocks can be pushed into the ice storage box 100.

[0119] The carrier 420 may also include an elastic element 423. The elastic element 423 is disposed on the ice transport plate 421 and connected to the guardrail 422 to drive the guardrail 422 to move upward relative to the ice transport plate 421 in the direction of gravity. The elastic element 423 may be a tension spring, a torsion spring, or a compression spring, and this embodiment of the application does not limit it to this.

[0120] Please refer to it again. Figure 8 To facilitate users in obtaining ice and / or water, the refrigerator 1 may also include a distributor 500. The distributor 500 is installed on the door 20 and is connected to the water supply device 300, enabling it to dispense water supplied by the water supply device 300. The distributor 500 is also movably connected to the ice maker 133, enabling it to dispense ice blocks supplied by the ice maker 133. Therefore, without opening the cooling compartment, users can directly obtain water, ice, or both simultaneously through the distributor 500 on the door 20. Furthermore, since the water in the distributor 500 is supplied by the water supply device 300, which is located in the cooling compartment for pre-cooling, users can directly obtain ice water (i.e., liquid water at a low temperature but not yet frozen) through the distributor 500.

[0121] The dispenser 500 can rotate with the door 20 to connect or disconnect with the ice outlet 112 of the outer casing, so that the ice produced by the ice-making device 133 can be discharged into the dispenser 500 for the user to obtain.

[0122] The ice storage box and refrigerator provided in the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand this application. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this application, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. An ice storage box, used in a refrigerator, characterized in that, The ice storage box includes: The box body has a first receiving cavity, the box body includes a bottom wall and a side wall, and an ice outlet is provided on the side wall, the ice outlet being higher than the bottom wall; An ice pusher wheel is disposed within the first receiving cavity and located on the side near the ice outlet. An ice-discharging screw is disposed in the first receiving cavity and connected to the ice-pushing wheel. The ice-discharging screw is used to push ice toward the ice-pushing wheel. When the ice-discharging screw rotates, it drives the ice-pushing wheel to transport the ice block from the bottom wall to the ice outlet. A driving component is disposed within the first receiving cavity and located on the side away from the ice outlet. The driving component is connected to the end of the ice outlet screw away from the ice pusher wheel. When the driving component rotates, it drives the ice outlet screw to rotate, thereby driving the ice pusher wheel to rotate. The ice-pushing wheel includes: The ring-shaped wheel has a hollow area; The rotating center is located in the hollow region and is connected to the ice-discharging screw; Multiple ice-pushing blades are spaced apart, with the inner end of each ice-pushing blade connected to the rotation center and the outer end of each ice-pushing blade connected to the inner surface of the annular wheel. Each of the ice-pushing blades is used to transport ice blocks from the bottom wall to the ice outlet; Each of the ice-pushing blades includes a first ice-pushing part and a second ice-pushing part connected together. The first ice-pushing part is located on the side closer to the ice-discharging screw, and the second ice-pushing part is located on the side farther away from the ice-discharging screw. When the ice-pushing blade is facing the ice outlet, the first ice-pushing part bends away from the ice outlet, the second ice-pushing part bends towards the ice outlet, and the lowest point of the second ice-pushing part is lower than the lowest point of the first ice-pushing part. The ice pusher also includes: An ice block limiting block is connected to the rotation center, and the ice block limiting block and the ice pushing blade are arranged opposite to each other to form a groove to limit the ice block.

2. The ice storage box according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the ice-pushing wheel rotates in the first direction, the ice-pushing blade bends toward the first direction, and the portion of the second ice-pushing part that connects to the inner surface of the annular wheel body lags behind the portion of the first ice-pushing part that connects to the inner surface of the annular wheel body.

3. The ice storage box according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the ice-pushing wheel rotates in the second direction, the ice-pushing blade bends toward the second direction, and the portion of the first ice-pushing part that connects to the inner surface of the annular wheel body lags behind the portion of the second ice-pushing part that connects to the inner surface of the annular wheel body.

4. The ice storage box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface of the first ice-pushing part used to support the ice block includes multiple smoothly connected curved surfaces; and / or The surface of the second ice-pushing part used to support the ice block includes multiple smoothly connected curved surfaces.

5. The ice storage box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The ice-discharging screw includes a rotating shaft that passes through the rotation center portion, wherein the distance from the rotating shaft to the bottom wall is less than the distance from the ice outlet to the bottom wall.

6. The ice storage box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of ice-pushing blades are evenly arranged along the circumference of the annular wheel.

7. The ice storage box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box body also includes a baffle, which is connected to the bottom wall and is arranged opposite to the side wall to form a second receiving cavity, and the ice pusher is disposed in the second receiving cavity; The baffle is provided with an ice inlet, which is located near the bottom wall, and the ice outlet is located away from the bottom wall.

8. A refrigerator, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes: Box; An ice storage box, as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ice storage box is disposed within the housing.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The refrigerator also includes an ice maker for making ice; The box is equipped with a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, and the refrigerator compartment is equipped with the ice maker and the ice storage box; The ice maker is located in the refrigerator compartment adjacent to the freezer compartment, and the ice storage box is located above the ice maker.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, characterized in that, The refrigerator includes: A door, which is rotatably connected to the box body; A distributor is installed on the door of the container and is movably connected to the ice storage box to output ice blocks supplied by the ice storage box.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 9, characterized in that, The refrigerator also includes: An ice transport mechanism includes a first drive assembly, a carrier, and an ice removal component. The first drive assembly drives the carrier to move between a first position and a second position, and the ice removal component is disposed at the second position. When the vehicle moves to the first position, the vehicle is able to receive the ice blocks output by the ice maker; When the vehicle moves to the second position, the de-icing component pushes the ice blocks carried by the vehicle into the ice storage box.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, characterized in that, The carrier is provided with an ice discharge port for discharging the ice it carries, and the ice transport mechanism also includes an ice baffle. The surface of the ice storage box is provided with a blocking member. When the carrier moves to the second position, the blocking member can abut against the ice blocking member to drive the ice blocking member to open the ice discharge port so that the ice block can be pushed into the ice storage box.

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