Ice making unit and air conditioner

Abstract

The application discloses an ice making unit and an air conditioner. The air conditioner comprises a main machine and a sub-machine. The main machine comprises the ice making unit. The sub-machine is detachably arranged on the main machine. The ice cubes generated by the ice making unit can be transported into the sub-machine. The ice making unit comprises an ice making module. The ice making module comprises an ice making assembly, an ice removing assembly, a water supply assembly and an ice storage box. The ice making assembly comprises ice making components and a plurality of ice making boxes. The ice making boxes are movable between an ice making position and an ice removing position. In the ice making position, the water supply assembly supplies water to the ice making boxes. The ice making components release cold energy to the ice making boxes. In the ice removing position, the ice removing assembly removes the ice cubes in the ice making boxes into the ice storage box. According to the ice making unit, the ice cubes can be transported into the sub-machine, so that the sub-machine has the refrigeration function. The space utilization in the sub-machine can be effectively improved. The cold storage time is shorter, and the user does not need to wait for a long time. Moreover, the ice making unit can conveniently realize the generation of the ice cubes and the ice removing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of air treatment equipment, in particular to an ice making unit and an air conditioner. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the related art, an air conditioner with a sub-machine, the sub-machine performs instant cooling by a compressor provided in the sub-machine, or the sub-machine performs cooling in the sub-machine after the sub-machine is returned to the main machine of the air conditioner, and the sub-machine can perform cooling function after the sub-machine completes the cooling. The above-mentioned cooling method of the sub-machine has the following disadvantages: (1) the sub-machine carries the compressor, which occupies a large space of the sub-machine, affects the space arrangement of the cooling capacity and other functions of the sub-machine, and the compressor is heavy, which causes large power consumption of the sub-machine; (2) if the sub-machine performs instant cooling, hot air is blown at the rear of the machine for cooling, which easily causes local discomfort of the environment; if the sub-machine performs cooling in the sub-machine after the sub-machine is returned to the main machine, the sub-machine needs a long time for cooling, and the sub-machine can perform cooling function only after the sub-machine completes the cooling for a long time, which requires the user to wait for a long time and cannot better meet the cooling demand of the user. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application aims to at least solve one of the technical problems in the prior art. To this end, one object of the present application is to provide an ice making unit, which can be arranged in the main machine of an air conditioner, and the ice making unit in the main machine performs cooling, when the sub-machine needs to perform cooling, the sub-machine can be connected to the main machine, so that the ice blocks prepared in advance by the ice making unit in the main machine are quickly delivered to the sub-machine, so that the sub-machine has cooling function. Since the compressor does not need to be arranged in the sub-machine, the space utilization in the sub-machine can be effectively improved, and the cooling time is shorter by the main machine, the user does not need to wait for a long time, and the cooling demand of the user is better met. Moreover, the ice making unit can conveniently realize ice block generation and ice block removal, and can store the ice blocks, when the sub-machine needs to perform cooling, the ice blocks stored in the ice storage box can be delivered to the sub-machine, without the user waiting for a long time.

[0004] The ice-making unit according to the embodiment of the first aspect of the present application is used in an air conditioner, the air conditioner comprising a main machine and a sub-machine, the main machine comprising a heat exchange air supply unit and the ice-making unit, the sub-machine being detachably arranged on the main machine, the sub-machine comprising a refrigeration unit, when the sub-machine is connected to the main machine, ice cubes produced by the ice-making unit can be delivered into the refrigeration unit, the ice-making unit comprising an ice-making module, the ice-making module comprising an ice-making assembly, an ice-removing assembly, a water supply assembly and an ice storage box, the ice-making assembly comprising an ice-making component and a plurality of ice-making boxes which are arranged at intervals from each other, each of the ice-making boxes being movable between an ice-making position and an ice-removing position, the water supply assembly being configured to supply water to the ice-making boxes, the ice-making component being configured to release cold energy to the ice-making boxes; wherein, at the ice-making position, the water supply assembly supplies water to the ice-making boxes, and the ice-making component releases cold energy to the ice-making boxes; at the ice-removing position, the ice-removing assembly removes ice cubes in the ice-making boxes into the ice storage box.

[0005] The ice-making unit according to the embodiment of the present application can be arranged in the main machine of the air conditioner, and the ice-making unit of the main machine is used to realize ice storage, when the sub-machine is required to perform refrigeration, the sub-machine can be connected to the main machine, so that ice cubes produced by the ice-making unit of the main machine are quickly delivered to the sub-machine, and the sub-machine has the refrigeration function. Since the compressor is not arranged in the sub-machine, the space utilization in the sub-machine can be effectively improved, and the ice storage time is shorter, so that the user does not need to wait for a long time, and the refrigeration demand of the user is better met.

[0006] In addition, by arranging the ice-making module of the ice-making unit to comprise the ice-making assembly, the ice-removing assembly, the water supply assembly and the ice storage box, the production of ice cubes and the ice removal can be conveniently realized, and the ice cubes can be stored, when the sub-machine is required to perform refrigeration, the ice cubes stored in the ice storage box can be delivered to the sub-machine, and the sub-machine has the refrigeration function without the user waiting for a long time.

[0007] In addition, by arranging the ice-making assembly to comprise the ice-making component and a plurality of ice-making boxes which are arranged at intervals from each other, since the plurality of ice-making boxes are arranged at intervals from each other, the ice cubes in each of the ice-making boxes can be prevented or reduced from being adhered to each other during the process of water solidifying into ice cubes in each of the ice-making boxes, the problem that the ice cubes are too large to be discharged or the ice discharge pipeline is blocked during the process of discharging due to the ice cubes in adjacent ice-making boxes being adhered to each other during the ice-making process can be avoided, the size of the ice cubes can be easily controlled within a proper range, and the subsequent ice discharge process is ensured to be smooth.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present application, all the ice-making boxes are synchronously moved.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present application, each of the ice-making boxes is rotatable between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position.

[0010] According to some optional embodiments of the present application, the ice making module comprises: an ice making shell, the ice making assembly, the ice removing assembly and the ice storage box are all arranged in the ice making shell, the ice box driving assembly for driving the ice making box to rotate comprises: a connecting rod support arranged in the ice making shell, an arc-shaped sliding groove is formed on the connecting rod support, the number of the sliding grooves is the same as and corresponds to the number of the ice making boxes; a connecting rod movably arranged on the connecting rod support, the connecting rod has a protruding column accommodated in the sliding groove, the number of the protruding columns is the same as and corresponds to the number of the sliding grooves, each ice making box is connected with the connecting rod and each ice making box is rotatably connected with the connecting rod support; a connecting rod driving mechanism connected with the connecting rod to drive the connecting rod to move, when the connecting rod moves, each protruding column slides along the extension direction of the corresponding sliding groove.

[0011] In some optional embodiments of the present application, the connecting rod support comprises: a main plate, the main plate is formed with the sliding grooves, each ice making box is rotatably connected with the main plate; a surrounding plate arranged on the side of the main plate away from the ice making boxes, the surrounding plate extends along the circumference of the main plate and defines an accommodating groove with the main plate, the connecting rod support and the connecting rod driving mechanism are arranged in the accommodating groove.

[0012] In some optional embodiments of the present application, the sliding groove has ice making end and ice removing end at opposite ends along the extension direction, the ice making end is the lowest position of the sliding groove and the ice removing end is the highest position of the sliding groove; when the ice making box is at the ice making position, the protruding column is located at the ice making end; when the ice making box is at the ice removing position, the protruding column is located at the ice removing end.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present application, the ice making box has an ice making groove, one side of the ice making groove is open to form a material port, water is adapted to enter the ice making box from the material port, and ice cubes are adapted to fall out of the ice making box from the material port.

[0014] According to some optional embodiments of the present application, the ice storage box is located below the ice making box, when the ice making box is at the ice removing position, the ice cubes are adapted to fall from the ice making groove to the ice storage box under the action of their own gravity.

[0015] In some optional embodiments of the present application, in the ice making position, the material port is upward; in the ice removing position, the material port is horizontal, downward or obliquely downward.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, when the ice making box is in the ice releasing position, the material inlet is directed horizontally or downwardly, and the lower wall of the ice making groove is a support surface which extends downwardly in the direction adjacent to the material inlet.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present application, the ice releasing assembly comprises an ice releasing component for releasing heat to the ice making box, and the ice releasing component releases heat to the ice making box when the ice releasing assembly is in the ice releasing position.

[0018] According to some optional embodiments of the present application, the ice releasing component and the ice making component are the same component.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present application, the bottom wall of the ice storage box is formed with an ice outlet, and an ice outlet switch door is arranged at the ice outlet for opening and closing the ice outlet.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present application, the ice making module further comprises an ice stirring mechanism for stirring the ice blocks in the ice storage box.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present application, the plurality of ice making boxes are divided into a plurality of groups of ice making boxes, and the plurality of groups of ice making boxes are arranged in the up-down direction with intervals, and each group of ice making boxes comprises a plurality of ice making boxes arranged in the horizontal direction with intervals.

[0022] According to some optional embodiments of the present application, the ice making component comprises a refrigerant inlet pipe having a refrigerant inlet, a refrigerant outlet pipe having a refrigerant outlet, and a plurality of refrigeration branches arranged in the up-down direction, the number of the refrigeration branches being the same as and corresponding to the number of the groups of ice making boxes, the inlet end of each refrigeration branch being connected to and communicating with the refrigerant inlet pipe, and the outlet end of each refrigeration branch being connected to and communicating with the refrigerant outlet pipe.

[0023] In some optional embodiments of the present application, each refrigeration branch is located above the corresponding group of ice making boxes, each refrigeration branch comprises a branch body arranged in the horizontal direction, the inlet end of the branch body being connected to and communicating with the refrigerant inlet pipe, and the outlet end of the branch body being connected to and communicating with the refrigerant outlet pipe, and a plurality of branch protrusions connected to the lower side of the branch body and extending downwardly into the ice making groove, the branch protrusions having flow cavities therein which communicate with the flow channels in the branch body.

[0024] In some embodiments of the present application, the flow cavity is provided with a partition plate extending in the up-down direction, the top of the partition plate is connected with the top wall of the branch body, and the bottom of the partition plate is spaced apart from the bottom wall of the flow cavity to form a communication port, the communication port communicates the portions of the flow channel in the branch body located on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the partition plate.

[0025] Optionally, the cross section of the lower end of the branch protrusion decreases in the up-down direction.

[0026] In some embodiments of the present application, each group of ice-making box groups comprises a plurality of ice-making boxes arranged in a first direction, the first direction being parallel to the horizontal direction, each branch body comprises: a first header and a second header arranged oppositely and spaced apart in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the horizontal direction; a plurality of refrigerant branch pipes, the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes being arranged in the first direction and located between the first header and the second header, two ends of each refrigerant branch pipe being connected with the first header and the second header respectively, the lower side of each refrigerant branch pipe being connected with the branch protrusion, the number of the refrigerant branch pipes in each refrigerant branch is the same as and corresponds to the number of the ice-making boxes in each group of ice-making box groups.

[0027] Optionally, the flow channel cross section of the first header is larger than the flow channel cross section of the refrigerant branch pipe, the flow channel cross section of the second header is larger than the flow channel cross section of the refrigerant branch pipe, the flow channel cross section of the refrigerant inlet pipe is not less than the flow channel cross section of the first header, and the flow channel cross section of the refrigerant outlet pipe is not less than the flow channel cross section of the second header.

[0028] According to some optional embodiments of the present application, each group of ice-making box groups comprises a plurality of ice-making boxes arranged in a first direction, the first direction being parallel to the horizontal direction, the water supply assembly comprises: a water storage box for storing water; a water conveying component, the water conveying component comprising a water conveying main pipe extending in the up-down direction and a water conveying branch pipe extending in the first direction, the water conveying branch pipe being a plurality of and arranged in the up-down direction, the number of the water conveying branch pipes being the same as and corresponding to the number of the ice-making box groups, each water conveying branch pipe being located directly above the corresponding ice-making box group, and each water conveying branch pipe being formed with a water outlet hole at a corresponding position of the ice-making box of the corresponding ice-making box group; and a water supply pump for conveying water in the water storage box to the ice-making boxes through the water conveying component.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the present application, the water supply assembly comprises a water storage box for storing water, the water storage box is located below the ice storage box, a water leakage hole is formed on the bottom wall of the ice storage box, the water leakage hole communicates the ice storage box and the water storage box, a water conveying component, the water conveying component has a water conveying channel, and a water supply pump, the water supply pump is used for conveying water in the water storage box to the ice making box through the water conveying channel.

[0030] According to the air conditioner of the second aspect of the embodiments of the present application, the ice making unit according to the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application is comprised.

[0031] According to the air conditioner of the embodiments of the present application, by setting the ice making unit, the ice making unit of the host machine realizes cold storage, when the sub-machine needs to perform refrigeration, the sub-machine can be connected to the host machine, so that the ice blocks prepared in advance by the ice making unit of the host machine are quickly conveyed to the sub-machine, so that the sub-machine has the refrigeration function. Since the compressor does not need to be arranged in the sub-machine, the space utilization in the sub-machine can be effectively improved, and the cold storage time is shorter, and the user does not need to wait for a long time, which better meets the refrigeration needs of the user. Moreover, by setting the ice making module of the ice making unit to comprise the ice making assembly, the ice removing assembly, the water supply assembly and the ice storage box, the generation of ice blocks and the ice removing can be conveniently realized, and the ice blocks can be stored. When the sub-machine needs to perform refrigeration, the ice blocks stored in the ice storage box can be conveyed to the sub-machine, so that the sub-machine has the refrigeration function without the user waiting for a long time.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the present application, when the sub-machine is connected to the host machine, the water generated in the refrigeration unit can be conveyed to the water supply assembly.

[0033] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be made apparent from the following description, which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, that will be part hereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and be readily understood from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an air conditioner indoor unit according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0036] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a front view of the air conditioner indoor unit in

[0037] Figure 3 is Figure 1 is a top view of the air conditioner indoor unit in

[0038] Figure 4 is a view along Figure 3A-A line of the stereogram of the section view;

[0039] Figure 5 is Figure 4 A partial section view of the ice making unit of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0040] Figure 6 is a connection diagram of the ice making unit and the sub-machine of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0041] Figure 7 is another angle connection diagram of the ice making unit and the sub-machine of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0042] Figure 8 is a connection diagram of the docking assembly and the sub-machine of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present application, Figure 8 the arrow direction in is the water conveying direction;

[0043] Figure 9 is another angle connection diagram of the docking assembly and the sub-machine of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present application, Figure 9 the arrow direction in is the ice block conveying direction;

[0044] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the sub-machine of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0045] Figure 11 is Figure 10 a partial internal structure schematic diagram of the sub-machine in;

[0046] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the docking assembly of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0047] Figure 13 is Figure 12 a separation diagram of the docking assembly in;

[0048] Figure 14 is Figure 12 a perspective view of the ice making docking module of the docking assembly in;

[0049] Figure 15 is Figure 12 a perspective view of the refrigeration docking module of the docking assembly in;

[0050] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the ice making unit of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0051] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the ice making unit of the air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0052] Figure 18This is a schematic diagram of an ice-making module of an air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 19 yes Figure 18 Exploded view of the ice-making module in the image;

[0054] Figure 20 yes Figure 18 The main view of the ice-making module in the image;

[0055] Figure 21 It is along Figure 20 Sectional view of the middle BB line;

[0056] Figure 22 yes Figure 18 Top view of the ice-making module in the middle;

[0057] Figure 23 It is along Figure 22 A cross-sectional view of the CC line;

[0058] Figure 24 yes Figure 18 Partial structural diagram of the ice-making module in the image;

[0059] Figure 25 yes Figure 18 Diagram showing the fit between the partition of the ice-making module and the ice-making shell;

[0060] Figure 26 yes Figure 18 A 3D view of the partition of the ice-making module;

[0061] Figure 27 yes Figure 18 A 3D view of the door support for the ice-making module;

[0062] Figure 28 yes Figure 18 A 3D view of the ice-making components in the ice-making module;

[0063] Figure 29 yes Figure 18 A three-dimensional view of the ice-making component of the ice-making module from another angle;

[0064] Figure 30 This is a schematic diagram of an ice-making module of an air conditioner according to other embodiments of the present invention. Figure 30 The arrows in the diagram indicate the flow direction of water and refrigerant;

[0065] Figure 31 yes Figure 30 Exploded view of the ice-making module in the image;

[0066] Figure 32 yes Figure 30 The main view of the ice-making module in the image;

[0067] Figure 33 It is along Figure 32 Sectional view of the DD line;

[0068] Figure 34 yes Figure 30 A 3D view of the ice-making component of the ice-making module, with the ice box located at the ice-making position;

[0069] Figure 35 yes Figure 30 A 3D view of the ice-making component of the ice-making module, with the ice box in the de-icing position;

[0070] Figure 36 yes Figure 30 A schematic diagram of the ice-making component in the ice-making module;

[0071] Figure 37 It is along Figure 36 Sectional view of the EE line. Figure 37 The arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of refrigerant flow.

[0072] Figure 38 yes Figure 30 A 3D view of the ice-making component of the ice-making module, where the ice-making component releases cold energy to the ice-making box. Figure 38 The arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of refrigerant flow.

[0073] Figure 39 yes Figure 30 A 3D view of the ice-making component in the ice-making module, where the ice-making component releases heat to the ice-making container. Figure 39 The arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of refrigerant flow.

[0074] Figure 40 yes Figure 30 A schematic diagram showing the interaction between the ice box drive component and the ice box in the ice-making module.

[0075] Figure 41 yes Figure 30 A 3D view of the linkage support of the ice-making module;

[0076] Figure 412 is Figure 30 A three-dimensional view of the linkage support of the ice-making module from another angle;

[0077] Figure 43 yes Figure 30 A 3D view of the connecting rods of the ice-making module in the image;

[0078] Figure 44 yes Figure 30 A 3D view of the ice-making module's ice-making box, with the ice-making box positioned at the ice-making location;

[0079] Figure 45 yesFigure 30 Schematic view of the ice stirring mechanism and the partition plate of the ice making module in the ice maker.

[0080] Reference signs:

[0081] Air conditioner indoor unit 1000;

[0082] Host computer 100;

[0083] Host computer shell 10; base 11; top cover 12; rear shell 13; panel 14; upper panel 141; lower panel 142; air outlet frame 15; first chamber 101; second chamber 102; third chamber 103; host air inlet 104; switch door 16; heat exchange air supply unit 17; heat exchanger assembly 171; air duct assembly 172;

[0084] Ice making module 20;

[0085] Ice making component 2; refrigerant inlet pipe 21; refrigerant outlet pipe 22; ice making branch 23; first manifold 231; second manifold 232; refrigerant branch pipe 233; branch protrusion 234; flow cavity 2340; first flow passage 2341; second flow passage 2342; communication port 2343; partition 2344;

[0086] Ice removing component 24;

[0087] Ice making box 31; ice making tank 311; material port 312; support surface 313; rotating column 314; mounting bracket 315;

[0088] Connecting rod bracket 32; main body plate 321; sliding groove 322; ice making end 3221; ice removing end 3222; rotating hole 323; surrounding plate 324; containing groove 325; connecting rod 33; protruding column 331; connecting rod driving mechanism 34; motor pressure plate 35; shaft sleeve 36;

[0089] Water storage box 41; water conveying component 42; water conveying pipe 421; spray pipe 422; spray hole 4221; main water conveying pipe 423; branch water conveying pipe 424; water outlet hole 4241; water supply pump 43; auxiliary water tank 44; water passage 441; overflow 45; overflow passage 451; water conveying pipe 46; ice storage box 47;

[0090] Ice making shell 5; outer shell 51; upper outer shell 511; lower outer shell 512; inner shell 52; upper inner shell 521; lower inner shell 522; support arm 53; communication passage 531; support protrusion 54; support bracket 55; partition plate 56; horizontal part 561; ice outlet 5611; water leakage hole 5612; inclined part 562;

[0091] ice outlet switch door 571; switch door support 572; ice outlet passage 5721; mounting groove 5722; ice outlet driving mechanism 573; ice outlet pipe 574; ice stirring mechanism 58; stirring rod 581; ice stirring driving mechanism 582;

[0092] ice making pipe 61; gas return pipe 62; ice removal pipe 63; control valve 64; ice making condenser 65; ice making compressor 66; exhaust port 661; gas return port 662; throttling device 67; medium inlet pipe 68;

[0093] ice making docking module 70; mounting seat 71; docking component 72; first ice removal inlet 721; first ice removal outlet 722; first water inlet 723; first water outlet 724; positioning protrusion 725; Hall element 726; docking driving mechanism 73; charging seat 74;

[0094] slave machine 200;

[0095] slave machine body 8; refrigeration unit 80; refrigeration shell 81; refrigeration cavity 811; slave machine air outlet 812; cold source cavity 813; refrigeration docking module 82; second ice removal inlet 821; second ice removal outlet 822; second water inlet 823; second water outlet 824; positioning hole 825; magnet 826; circulating water pump 83;

[0096] slave machine chassis 9;

[0097] ice block 300. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0098] Embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, which show by way of example, embodiments in which like numerals indicate like elements or elements having the same or similar function throughout the several figures. The embodiments described below are exemplary only, and are not to be construed as limiting the present application.

[0099] An air conditioner according to embodiments of the present application is described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0100] Referring to Figures 1-11 , the air conditioner according to embodiments of the present application includes a master machine 100 and a slave machine 200, the master machine 100 can include a heat exchange air supply unit 17 and an ice making unit. The heat exchange air supply unit 17 can include a heat exchanger assembly 171 and an air duct assembly 172, the air duct assembly 172 includes an air duct component and a fan component provided on the air duct component, when the master machine 100 needs to perform refrigeration / heating, the fan component can be controlled to work, to drive indoor air to enter the master machine 100, exchange heat with the heat exchanger assembly 171, and then be discharged to the indoor, so as to adjust the temperature of the entire indoor environment. The ice making unit is used to perform cold storage, to generate ice blocks 300, and the generated ice blocks 300 can be used for refrigeration by the slave machine 200.

[0101] The sub-machine 200 is detachably arranged in the main machine 100, and the sub-machine 200 comprises a refrigeration unit 80, which can realize refrigeration on the surrounding environment of the sub-machine 200, adjust the temperature of the surrounding environment of the sub-machine 200, and specifically, can reduce the temperature of the surrounding environment of the sub-machine 200 to realize rapid adjustment of the local environment temperature. When the sub-machine 200 is connected to the main machine 100, the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice-making unit of the main machine 100 can be delivered into the refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200, so that the sub-machine 200 has the refrigeration function.

[0102] When the sub-machine 200 needs to be refrigerated, the sub-machine 200 can be connected to the main machine 100, and the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice-making unit of the main machine 100 can be delivered into the refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200. After the delivery is completed, the sub-machine 200 can be separated from the main machine 100, and the sub-machine 200 can be moved to a set spatial position to be refrigerated. The refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200 realizes refrigeration by using the cold energy of the ice cubes 300, so that the surrounding environment temperature of the sub-machine 200 can be rapidly adjusted. After the cold energy in the sub-machine 200 is used up, if the sub-machine 200 still needs to be refrigerated, the sub-machine 200 can be connected to the main machine 100 again, and the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice-making unit of the main machine 100 can be delivered into the refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200. After the delivery is completed, the sub-machine 200 can be separated from the main machine 100, and the sub-machine 200 can be moved to a set spatial position to be refrigerated. The sub-machine 200 can be moved to the same indoor space as the main machine 100 to be locally refrigerated, for example, the sub-machine 200 can be moved to a position far away from the main machine 100 to be locally refrigerated. Alternatively, the sub-machine 200 can be moved to an indoor space different from the main machine 100 to be locally refrigerated.

[0103] The ice cubes 300 in the sub-machine 200 can be completely changed into water, and it can be considered that the cold energy in the sub-machine 200 is used up at this time. Alternatively, the temperature in the refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200 can be detected. If the temperature in the refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200 is greater than a set temperature, it can be considered that the cold energy in the sub-machine 200 is used up.

[0104] It should be noted that the ice-making unit in the main machine 100 can make ice before the sub-machine 200 needs to be refrigerated to realize cold storage. Therefore, when the sub-machine 200 needs to realize the refrigeration function, the sub-machine 200 can be immediately connected to the main machine 100, and the ice-making unit of the main machine 100 can deliver the previously made ice cubes 300 into the refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200, which significantly reduces the waiting time of the user. After the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice-making unit of the main machine 100 are all delivered into the sub-machine 200, the ice-making unit of the main machine 100 can continue to generate ice cubes 300 for use next time when the sub-machine 200 needs.

[0105] Since the ice cubes 300 generated by the host 100 are transported to the slave 200, the user does not need to wait for a long time, and the cooling demand of the user is better met. Moreover, since the compressor does not need to be arranged in the slave 200, the space utilization in the slave 200 can be effectively improved, and the miniaturization of the slave 200 is facilitated, the occupied space of the slave 200 is reduced, and the use of the slave 200 is flexible and convenient.

[0106] Optionally, after the slave 200 is separated from the host 100, the slave 200 can be controlled to automatically move on the ground, so that the movement of the slave 200 is facilitated, the intelligentization of the movement of the slave 200 is realized, and the user can control the slave 200 to automatically move to a set space position according to needs.

[0107] For example, in the example of Figure 10 , the slave 200 includes a slave body 8 and a slave chassis 9 arranged at the bottom surface of the slave body 8, the slave body 8 includes the above-mentioned refrigeration unit 80, and the slave chassis 9 is an intelligent movable chassis.

[0108] Optionally, when the slave 200 is connected to the host 100, the host 100 can also charge the slave 200.

[0109] Optionally, the air conditioner can be a split type air conditioner, for example, the air conditioner can be a split floor type air conditioner, and the air conditioner includes an air conditioner indoor unit 1000 and an air conditioner outdoor unit, wherein the air conditioner indoor unit 1000 includes the above-mentioned host 100 and slave 200.

[0110] According to the air conditioner provided in the embodiment of the present application, the ice making unit is arranged in the host 100, the ice making unit of the host 100 is used to realize ice storage, when the slave 200 needs to perform cooling, the slave 200 can be connected to the host 100, so that the ice cubes 300 pre-prepared by the ice making unit of the host 100 are quickly transported to the slave 200, and the slave 200 has the cooling function. Since the compressor does not need to be arranged in the slave 200, the space utilization in the slave 200 can be effectively improved, and the ice storage time is shorter due to the ice storage by the host 100, the user does not need to wait for a long time, and the cooling demand of the user is better met.

[0111] According to some embodiments of the present application, refer to Figures 4-9When the sub-machine 200 is connected to the main machine 100, the water generated in the refrigeration unit 80 can be transported into the ice making unit. The ice cubes 300 in the sub-machine 200 release cold energy to melt into water, and when the sub-machine 200 is connected to the main machine 100, not only can the ice cubes 300 in the main machine 100 be transported to the sub-machine 200, but also the water in the sub-machine 200 can be transported to the ice making unit of the main machine 100, realizing the recycling of water and saving water resources. Among them, when the sub-machine 200 is connected to the main machine 100, the main machine 100 transports ice cubes 300 to the sub-machine 200 and the sub-machine 200 transports water to the main machine 100, which can be performed simultaneously, realizing the ice-water exchange between the main machine 100 and the sub-machine 200, and reducing the time for the sub-machine 200 to obtain ice cubes 300 from the main machine 100.

[0112] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 4-9 When the sub-machine 200 is connected to the main machine 100, the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice making unit can be transported into the refrigeration unit 80 by the action of its own gravity. In this way, a power transport device for transporting the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice making unit to the refrigeration unit 80 does not need to be additionally provided, which can reduce the number of parts, make the structure simple and low in cost.

[0113] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 4-10 The ice making unit includes an ice making module 20 for generating ice cubes 300, and when the sub-machine 200 is connected to the main machine 100, the ice making module 20 can transport the generated ice cubes 300 into the refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200. The main machine 100 includes a main machine shell 10, and the main machine shell 10 can have a first chamber 101, a second chamber 102 and a third chamber 103. Among them, the heat exchange air supply unit 17 can be arranged in the first chamber 101, and the side wall of the first chamber 101 is formed with a main machine air inlet 104 and a main machine air outlet, for example, the main machine air inlet 104 can be formed on the rear side of the first chamber 101, and the main machine air outlet can be formed on the front side of the first chamber 101. The heat exchange air supply unit 17 can include an air duct assembly 172 and a heat exchanger assembly 171, the air duct assembly 172 includes an air duct component and a fan component, when the main machine 100 needs to cool / heat the room, the fan component works to drive the indoor air to enter the first chamber 101 from the main machine air inlet 104, and the air entering the first chamber 101 is heated by the heat exchanger assembly 171 and then discharged to the indoor from the main machine air outlet, so as to cool / heat the indoor environment.

[0114] The ice making module 20 is arranged in the second chamber 102, and the sub-machine 200 is detachably arranged in the third chamber 103. When the sub-machine 200 is located in the third chamber 103, the sub-machine 200 can be connected with the main machine 100. When the sub-machine 200 is disconnected with the main machine 100, the sub-machine 200 can be separated from the third chamber 103. By defining the first chamber 101, the second chamber 102 and the third chamber 103 in the main machine shell 10, the heat exchange air supply unit 17, the ice making module 20 and the sub-machine 200 can be arranged and placed conveniently, the structure in the main machine shell 10 is modularized, the maintenance is facilitated, and the structure is compact.

[0115] Optionally, in the direction from top to bottom, the first chamber 101, the second chamber 102 and the third chamber 103 can be arranged in sequence. That is, the first chamber 101 is located at the topmost, the third chamber 103 is located at the lowermost, and the second chamber 102 is located between the first chamber 101 and the third chamber 103. By arranging the first chamber 101, the second chamber 102 and the third chamber 103 in sequence from top to bottom, when the sub-machine 200 is located in the third chamber 103, the sub-machine 200 is located below the ice making module 20, so that the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice making module 20 can be transported into the sub-machine 200 under the action of gravity. In addition, by arranging the third chamber 103 for accommodating the sub-machine 200 at the lowermost, the sub-machine 200 is facilitated to enter and separate from the third chamber 103. For example, when the air conditioner is a split floor type air conditioner, if the sub-machine 200 can be automatically moved, the sub-machine 200 can be automatically moved into and out of the third chamber 103 by automatic movement.

[0116] In some optional embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 4-15The air conditioner can comprise a docking assembly for docking the ice making module 20 and the refrigeration unit 80, and the docking assembly can comprise an ice making docking module 70 and a refrigeration docking module 82. The ice making docking module 70 is connected to the ice making module 20, and the refrigeration docking module 82 is connected to the refrigeration unit 80, and the refrigeration docking module 82 is adapted to be detachably connected to the ice making docking module 70. Through the docking assembly, the connection and separation of the sub-machine 200 and the main machine 100 can be conveniently achieved. The ice making docking module 70 can be located in the third chamber 103, so that the refrigeration docking module 82 of the sub-machine 200 is connected to the ice making docking module 70. For example, when the sub-machine 200 is located in the third chamber 103, the refrigeration docking module 82 can be connected to the ice making docking module 70, so that the connection of the sub-machine 200 and the main machine 100 is achieved. At this time, the ice making module 20 of the main machine 100 can be connected to the refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200 through the docking assembly and can realize communication, and the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice making module 20 can be transported into the sub-machine 200; when the sub-machine 200 needs to be separated from the main machine 100, for example, after the ice cubes 300 are transported into the sub-machine 200, the refrigeration docking module 82 can be separated from the ice making docking module 70, so that the separation of the sub-machine 200 and the main machine 100 can be achieved, and at this time, the sub-machine 200 can be moved out of the third chamber 103.

[0117] In some optional embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 4-6 and combining with Figures 16-17 The ice making unit comprises an ice making compressor 66, which is the refrigeration power of the ice making unit and can realize ice making of the refrigeration unit 80. The ice making compressor 66 can be arranged in the third chamber 103, and the ice making compressor 66 can be connected to the ice making module 20 through a refrigerant pipeline. The ice making compressor 66 can be located on the side of the ice making docking module 70 away from the ice making module 20, for example, when the first chamber 101, the second chamber 102 and the third chamber 103 are arranged from top to bottom in sequence, the ice making compressor 66 can be located on the lower side of the ice making module 20 and adjacent to the rear side of the third chamber 103, and the ice making compressor 66 can also be located below the rear side of the ice making docking module 70. When the sub-machine 200 is located in the third chamber 103, the sub-machine 200 is located in front of the ice making compressor 66. By arranging the ice making compressor 66 of the ice making unit in the third chamber 103, the structure layout of the main machine 100 can be reasonable and compact.

[0118] For example, in Figures 1-10In the example, the air conditioner is a split floor air conditioner, and the air conditioner comprises an air conditioner indoor unit 1000 and an air conditioner outdoor unit. The air conditioner indoor unit 1000 comprises the main unit 100 and the sub unit 200 described above. The main unit 100 comprises a main unit shell 10, a heat exchange and air supply unit 17, a refrigeration unit 80, the sub unit 200, and a docking assembly. The main unit shell 10 extends in the up-down direction. The main unit shell 10 comprises a base 11, a top cover 12, a rear shell 13, a panel 14, and an air outlet frame 15. The front side of the rear shell 13 is open. The main unit shell 13 is provided with a main unit air inlet 104. The air outlet frame 15 is connected to the front side of the rear shell 13 and is connected to the rear shell 13. The upper part of the air outlet frame 15 is provided with an air outlet air duct. The air outlet end of the air outlet air duct is formed as a main unit air outlet. The panel 14 comprises an upper panel 141 and a lower panel 142 arranged in the up-down direction. The upper panel 141 and the lower panel 142 are both arranged on the front side of the air outlet frame 15 and are both connected to the air outlet frame 15. The rear shell 13 and the air outlet frame 15 are both on the base 11 and are both above the base 11. The top cover 12 covers the top of the rear shell 13, the air outlet frame 15, and the upper panel 141,

[0119] The first chamber 101, the second chamber 102, and the third chamber 103 are sequentially arranged from top to bottom in the main unit shell 10. The heat exchange and air supply unit 17 is arranged in the first chamber 101. The heat exchange and air supply unit 17 comprises a heat exchanger assembly 171 and an air duct assembly 172. The air duct assembly 172 can be arranged on the front side of the heat exchanger assembly 171. The air outlet air duct constitutes part of the first chamber 101. The upper end surface of the lower panel 142 is higher than the highest position of the third chamber 103. For example, the upper end surface of the lower panel 142 can be higher than the lowest position of the second chamber 102 and lower than the highest position of the second chamber 102. The ice making unit can comprise an ice making compressor 66 and an ice making module 20. The ice making module 20 can be arranged in the second chamber 102. The ice making compressor 66 can be arranged in the third chamber 103. The sub unit 200 is detachably arranged in the third chamber 103. The second chamber 102 and the first chamber 101 can be partitioned. The third chamber 103 and the first chamber 101 are partitioned.

[0120] When the lower panel 142 opens the third chamber 103, the sub-machine 200 can enter or exit the third chamber 103 from the front side. For example, the lower panel 142 can be first moved forward, and then the lower panel 142 can be controlled to move upward to open the third chamber 103. In this way, the lower panel 142 can be conveniently opened to the third chamber 103 by first moving forward and then moving upward, and interference with the upper panel 141 during the upward movement of the lower panel 142 can be avoided. Conversely, when the lower panel 142 closes the third chamber 103, the lower panel 142 can be first moved downward, and then the lower panel 142 can be controlled to move backward to finally close the third chamber 103. When the lower panel 142 closes the third chamber 103, the front surface of the lower panel 142 can be flush with the front surface of the upper panel 141.

[0121] With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the main machine 100 can further include a switch door 16 for opening and closing the main machine air outlet, the switch door 16 is movably arranged on the main machine shell 10 along the circumference of the main machine shell 10. By controlling the movement of the switch door 16, the closing and opening of the main machine air outlet can be conveniently achieved.

[0122] With reference to Figure 5 , further, the air conditioner can further include a charging seat 74 for charging the sub-machine 200, the charging seat 74 can be arranged in the third chamber 103, for example, the charging seat 74 can be arranged on the bottom wall of the third chamber 103, and the charging seat 74 can be located at the front side of the ice-making compressor 66. When the sub-machine 200 moves into the third chamber 103, the charging interface on the sub-machine 200 can be plugged with the charging seat 74 on the main machine 100 to achieve the charging of the sub-machine 200 by the main machine 100. When the sub-machine 200 is disconnected from the main machine 100, the charging interface of the sub-machine 200 is disconnected from the charging seat 74 of the main machine 100, for example, when the sub-machine 200 automatically moves into the third chamber 103, the charging interface of the sub-machine 200 can be automatically plugged with the charging seat 74 of the main machine 100; during the movement of the sub-machine 200 out of the third chamber 103, the charging interface of the sub-machine 200 is automatically separated from the charging seat 74 of the main machine 100.

[0123] According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 4-6, the ice making unit and the main unit 100 respectively use separate compressors, the ice making unit uses a separate compressor to make ice and store cold, and the main unit 100 uses a separate compressor to refrigerate / heat. When the ice making unit and the main unit 100 respectively use separate compressors, the heat exchange air supply unit 17 includes a heat exchanger assembly 171 and an air duct assembly 172, the air duct assembly 172 includes an air duct component and a fan component provided on the air duct component, the ice making unit can share at least part of the fan component with the main unit 100, and the part of the ice making unit as a condenser is the ice making condenser 65, which can be located in the first chamber 101 described above, and the ice making condenser 65 of the ice making unit can be cooled by the fan component of the heat exchange air supply unit 17. When the fan component includes one fan, the fan can cool the ice making condenser 65; when the fan component includes multiple fans, one of the fans can be used to cool the ice making condenser 65.

[0124] It should be explained that "multiple" in the present application refers to two or more than two.

[0125] According to some embodiments of the present application, the ice making unit can share the compressor with the main unit 100, thereby reducing the number of compressors. The part of the ice making unit as a condenser is the ice making condenser 65, and when the ice making unit shares the compressor with the main unit 100, the heat exchanger in the heat exchanger assembly 171 of the main unit 100 can serve as the ice making condenser 65 described above.

[0126] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 4-15 , the ice making unit can include an ice making module 20 for producing ice cubes 300, and the air conditioner further includes a docking assembly for docking the ice making module 20 and the refrigeration unit 80, the docking assembly includes an ice making docking module 70 and a refrigeration docking module 82, and the ice making docking module 70 is connected to the ice making module 20. The refrigeration docking module 82 is adapted to be detachably connected with the ice making docking module 70. Through the docking assembly provided, the connection and separation of the subunit 200 and the main unit 100 can be conveniently realized.

[0127] The ice-making docking module 70 can have a first ice discharge inlet 721 and a first ice discharge outlet 722, which are in communication with each other. The first ice discharge inlet 721 is adapted to communicate with the ice-making module 20. For example, the first ice discharge inlet 721 can communicate with the ice-making module 20 through the ice discharge pipe 574. The refrigeration docking module 82 is connected to the refrigeration unit 80. The refrigeration docking module 82 has a second ice discharge inlet 821 and a second ice discharge outlet 822, which are in communication with each other. The second ice discharge outlet 822 is adapted to communicate with the refrigeration unit 80. When the sub-machine 200 is connected to the main machine 100, the refrigeration docking module 82 is connected to the ice-making docking module 70. The first ice discharge outlet 722 is docked with and communicates with the second ice discharge inlet 821. The ice cubes 300 in the ice-making module 20 can enter the ice-making docking module 70 through the first ice discharge inlet 721, and then sequentially pass through the first ice discharge outlet 722, the second ice discharge inlet 821, and enter the refrigeration docking module 82, and finally be discharged from the second ice discharge outlet 822 into the refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200. When the sub-machine 200 needs to be separated from the main machine 100 after the ice cubes 300 in the main machine 100 are delivered into the sub-machine 200, the refrigeration docking module 82 can be separated from the ice-making docking module 70, so that the sub-machine 200 can be smoothly separated from the main machine 100.

[0128] According to some optional embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 4-15 The ice-making docking module 70 can further include a first water inlet 723 and a first water outlet 724, which are in communication with each other. The first water outlet 724 is adapted to communicate with the ice-making module 20. The refrigeration docking module 82 can further include a second water inlet 823 and a second water outlet 824, which are in communication with each other. The second water inlet 823 is adapted to communicate with the refrigeration unit 80. When the sub-machine 200 is connected to the main machine 100, the refrigeration docking module 82 is adapted to be connected to the ice-making docking module 70. The second water outlet 824 is docked with and communicates with the first water inlet 723. Thus, when the main machine 100 and the sub-machine 200 are docked through the docking assembly to realize the docking between the ice-making module 20 of the main machine 100 and the refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200, not only the ice cubes 300 in the main machine 100 can be delivered into the sub-machine 200, but also the water in the sub-machine 200 can be delivered into the ice-making module 20 of the main machine 100, realizing the recycling of water and saving water resources.

[0129] Specifically, the water in the sub-machine 200 can enter the refrigeration docking module 82 through the second water inlet 823, and then sequentially pass through the second water outlet 824, the first water inlet 723, and enter the ice-making docking module 70, and finally enter the ice-making module 20 through the first water outlet 724. The ice-making module 20 can use the water input from the sub-machine 200 to make ice, realizing the recycling of water.

[0130] Optionally, the refrigeration unit 80 can comprise a circulating water pump 83, an outlet of the circulating water pump 83 being communicated with the second water inlet 823, the circulating water pump 83 being configured to deliver water in the refrigeration unit 80 to the ice making module 20. When the sub-machine 200 is connected with the main machine 100 through the docking assembly, the circulating water pump 83 can be controlled to be turned on, and the water in the refrigeration unit 80 is pressurized and accelerated by the circulating water pump 83, and then sequentially enters the ice making module 20 through the second water inlet 823, the second water outlet 824, the first water inlet 723 and the first water outlet 724.

[0131] According to some optional embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 11-15 , one of the ice making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 is provided with a positioning protrusion 725, and the other of the ice making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 is provided with a positioning hole 825. For example, the ice making docking module 70 is provided with the positioning protrusion 725, and the refrigeration docking module 82 is provided with the positioning hole 825; or the refrigeration docking module 82 is provided with the positioning protrusion 725, and the ice making docking module 70 is provided with the positioning hole 825. When the refrigeration docking module 82 is docked with the ice making docking module 70, the positioning protrusion 725 is fitted into the positioning hole 825. In this way, the refrigeration docking module 82 and the ice making docking module 70 can be quickly and accurately docked, and the connection strength and connection reliability of the refrigeration docking module 82 and the ice making docking module 70 can be improved.

[0132] According to some optional embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 11-15 , the ice making docking module 70 comprises a mounting seat 71, a docking component 72 and a docking driving mechanism 73. The docking component 72 is movably arranged on the mounting seat 71, for example, the docking component 72 is slidably arranged on the mounting seat 71, and the docking component 72 is provided with a first ice discharge inlet 721 and a first ice discharge outlet 722, which can be located on opposite sides of the docking component 72. The docking driving mechanism 73 is arranged on the mounting seat 71, and the docking driving mechanism 73 is connected with the docking component 72 to drive the docking component 72 to move, so as to dock or separate the ice making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82. The docking driving mechanism 73 can be arranged on the side of the docking component 72 away from the first ice discharge outlet 722. By arranging the ice making docking module 70 to comprise the above-mentioned mounting seat 71, docking component 72 and docking driving mechanism 73, the automatic docking and automatic separation of the ice making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 can be realized. In addition, by arranging the docking driving mechanism 73 on the main machine 100, the number of parts on the sub-machine 200 can be reduced, the structure of the sub-machine 200 is simple, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the sub-machine 200, and the use of the sub-machine 200 is more flexible and convenient.

[0133] For example, when the sub-machine 200 needs to be connected to the main machine 100 through the docking assembly, the refrigeration docking module 82 of the sub-machine 200 is opposite to the ice-making docking module 70 of the main machine 100, the docking driving mechanism 73 can be controlled to work, the docking driving mechanism 73 drives the docking component 72 to move towards the direction adjacent to the refrigeration docking module 82, so that the first ice outlet 722 on the docking component 72 is docked with the second ice inlet 821 on the refrigeration docking module 82; when the sub-machine 200 needs to be separated from the main machine 100, the docking driving mechanism 73 can be controlled to work, the docking driving mechanism 73 drives the docking component 72 to move away from the direction of the refrigeration docking module 82, so that the first ice outlet 722 on the docking component 72 is separated from the second ice inlet 821 on the refrigeration docking module 82.

[0134] When the first water inlet 723 and the first water outlet 724 are provided on the ice-making docking module 70, and the second water inlet 823 and the second water outlet 824 are provided on the refrigeration docking module 82, when the sub-machine 200 needs to be connected to the main machine 100 through the docking assembly, the refrigeration docking module 82 of the sub-machine 200 is opposite to the ice-making docking module 70 of the main machine 100, the docking driving mechanism 73 can be controlled to work, the docking driving mechanism 73 drives the docking component 72 to move towards the direction adjacent to the refrigeration docking module 82, so that the first ice outlet 722 on the docking component 72 is docked with the second ice inlet 821 on the refrigeration docking module 82, and the first water inlet 723 on the docking component 72 is docked with the second water outlet 824 on the refrigeration docking module 82; when the sub-machine 200 needs to be separated from the main machine 100, the docking driving mechanism 73 can be controlled to work, the docking driving mechanism 73 drives the docking component 72 to move away from the direction of the refrigeration docking module 82, so that the first ice outlet 722 on the docking component 72 is separated from the second ice inlet 821 on the refrigeration docking module 82, and the first water inlet 723 on the docking component 72 is separated from the second water outlet 824 on the refrigeration docking module 82.

[0135] When the ice-making docking module 70 has the positioning protrusion 725 and the refrigeration docking module 82 has the positioning hole 825, the refrigeration docking module 82 of the sub-machine 200 is opposite to the ice-making docking module 70 of the main machine 100 when the sub-machine 200 needs to be connected to the main machine 100 through the docking assembly. The docking driving mechanism 73 can be controlled to work, and the docking driving mechanism 73 drives the docking component 72 to move towards the refrigeration docking module 82, so that the first ice outlet 722 on the docking component 72 is docked with the second ice inlet 821 on the refrigeration docking module 82, and the first water inlet 723 on the docking component 72 is docked with the second water outlet 824 on the refrigeration docking module 82, and the positioning protrusion 725 is inserted into the positioning hole 825, so that the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 are docked. When the sub-machine 200 needs to be separated from the main machine 100, the docking driving mechanism 73 can be controlled to work, and the docking driving mechanism 73 drives the docking component 72 to move away from the refrigeration docking module 82, so that the first ice outlet 722 on the docking component 72 is separated from the second ice inlet 821 on the refrigeration docking module 82, and the first water inlet 723 on the docking component 72 is separated from the second water outlet 824 on the refrigeration docking module 82, and the positioning protrusion 725 is separated from the positioning hole 825, so that the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 are separated.

[0136] Optionally, the docking driving mechanism 73 can be a push rod motor or other driving mechanism that can realize linear motion output.

[0137] In some optional embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 11-15 The docking assembly can further include a detection sensor for detecting whether the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 are docked or separated to the right position, and the detection sensor is electrically connected to the docking driving mechanism 73. For example, when the docking driving mechanism 73 drives the docking component 72 to move towards the refrigeration docking module 82, so that the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 are docked, the detection sensor can be used to detect and judge whether the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 are docked to the right position. When it is confirmed that the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 are docked to the right position, the docking driving mechanism 73 is controlled to stop working. When the docking driving mechanism 73 drives the docking component 72 to move away from the refrigeration docking module 82, so that the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 are separated, the detection sensor can be used to detect and judge whether the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 are separated to the right position. When it is confirmed that the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 are separated to the right position, the docking driving mechanism 73 is controlled to stop working.

[0138] Optionally, the detection sensor is a Hall sensor. When the detection sensor is a Hall sensor, it may include a Hall element 726 and a magnet 826. The magnet 826 can generate a magnetic field and may be a permanent magnet. The Hall element 726 may be located on the ice-making docking module 70, for example, on the docking component 72, and the magnet 826 may be located on the refrigeration docking module 82. As the docking drive mechanism 73 drives the docking component 72 to move toward the adjacent refrigeration docking module 82, the distance between the docking component 72 of the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 becomes smaller and smaller, and the magnetic field signal detected by the Hall element 726 becomes stronger and stronger. When the magnetic field strength detected by the Hall element 726 reaches the first magnetic field strength, it indicates that the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 are properly docked, and the docking drive mechanism 73 can be controlled to stop working. As the docking drive mechanism 73 drives the docking component 72 to move away from the refrigeration docking module 82, the distance between the docking component 72 of the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 increases, and the magnetic field signal detected by the Hall element 726 becomes weaker. When the magnetic field strength detected by the Hall element 726 is less than the second magnetic field strength, it indicates that the ice-making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 have separated into place, and the docking drive mechanism 73 can be controlled to stop working. The second magnetic field strength is less than the first magnetic field strength.

[0139] For example, in Figures 11-15 In the example, the ice-making docking module 70 includes the aforementioned mounting base 71, docking component 72, and docking drive mechanism 73. The docking component 72 is movably disposed on the mounting base 71. The docking component 72 has a first ice-discharging inlet 721, a first ice-discharging outlet 722, a first water inlet 723, and a first water outlet 724. The first ice-discharging inlet 721 and the first ice-discharging outlet 722 are located on opposite sides of the docking component 72, and the first water inlet 723 and the first water outlet 724 are located on opposite sides of the docking component 72. The first ice-discharging outlet 722 and the first water inlet 723 are both located on the side of the docking component 72 adjacent to the refrigeration docking module 82, and the first ice-discharging inlet 721 and the first water outlet 724 are both located on the side of the docking component 72 away from the refrigeration docking module 82.

[0140] The docking driving mechanism 73 is arranged on the side of the docking component 72 away from the refrigeration docking module 82, and is connected with the docking component 72. The side of the docking component 72 adjacent to the refrigeration docking module 82 is also formed with the positioning protrusion 725. The docking assembly can also include a detection sensor, which is a Hall sensor and includes a Hall element 726 and a magnet 826. The Hall element 726 is arranged in the middle of the docking component 72, and the first ice outlet 722 and the first water inlet 723 are located on the opposite sides of the Hall element 726 in the horizontal direction. Two positioning protrusions 725 are formed on the docking component 72 and are located on the opposite sides of the Hall element 726 in the horizontal direction. One of the two positioning protrusions 725 is located on the side of the first ice outlet 722 away from the Hall element 726, and the other of the two positioning protrusions 725 is located on the side of the first water inlet 723 away from the Hall element 726.

[0141] The refrigeration docking module 82 has the second ice outlet 822 and the second water inlet 823, which are located on the opposite sides of the refrigeration docking module 82. The second ice outlet 822 and the second water inlet 823 are located on the side of the refrigeration docking module 82 away from the ice docking module 70. The second ice inlet 821 and the second water outlet 824 are located on the side of the refrigeration docking module 82 adjacent to the ice docking module 70. The magnet 826 is arranged in the middle of the refrigeration docking module 82, and the second ice inlet 821 and the second water outlet 824 are located on the opposite sides of the magnet 826 in the horizontal direction. Two positioning holes 825 are formed on the refrigeration docking module 82 and are located on the opposite sides of the magnet 826 in the horizontal direction. One of the two positioning holes 825 is located on the side of the second ice inlet 821 away from the magnet 826, and the other of the two positioning holes 825 is located on the side of the second water outlet 824 away from the magnet 826.

[0142] The ice-making unit according to an embodiment of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0143] Referring to 18- Figure 24 And Figures 30-35, the ice making unit can include an ice making module 20, the ice making module 20 can include an ice making assembly, an ice ejection assembly, a water supply assembly and an ice storage box 47, the water supply assembly can be used to supply water to the ice making assembly, the ice making assembly can be used to generate ice cubes 300, the water supply assembly delivers water to the ice making assembly, and the ice making assembly solidifies water into ice cubes 300. The ice ejection assembly is used to eject the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice making assembly into the ice storage box 47. By arranging the ice making module 20 to include the ice making assembly, the ice ejection assembly, the water supply assembly and the ice storage box 47 as described above, when the host 100 needs to make ice, the water supply assembly delivers water to the ice making assembly, and the ice making assembly solidifies water into ice. After the ice making assembly solidifies water into ice, the ice ejection assembly ejects the ice cubes 300 in the ice making assembly into the ice storage box 47 for use. During the ice ejection process of the ice ejection assembly on the ice making assembly, the water supply assembly can stop supplying water, and the ice making assembly can stop making ice.

[0144] The ice making assembly can repeatedly make ice and eject ice, for example, after the ice ejection assembly ejects the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice making assembly into the ice storage box 47, the water supply assembly can again supply water to the ice making assembly, the ice making assembly makes ice, and the ice ejection assembly again ejects the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice making assembly into the ice storage box 47. Through repeated ice making and ice ejection, when the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box 47 reaches the required amount, ice making can be stopped. The ice making docking module 70 is connected to the ice storage box 47, and the first ice ejection inlet 721 of the ice making docking module 70 can be in communication with the ice storage box 47 through the ice ejection pipe 574.

[0145] When water in the sub-machine 200 can be delivered to the ice making module 20, the first water delivery outlet 724 of the ice making docking module 70 can be connected to the water supply assembly, and water in the sub-machine 200 can be delivered to the water supply assembly of the ice making module 20, realizing the recycling of water.

[0146] By arranging the ice making module 20 to include the ice making assembly, the ice ejection assembly, the water supply assembly and the ice storage box 47 as described above, the generation of ice cubes 300 and ice ejection can be conveniently realized, and the ice cubes 300 can be stored. When the sub-machine 200 needs to be cooled, the ice cubes 300 stored in the ice storage box 47 can be delivered to the sub-machine 200, without the user having to wait for a long time, so that the sub-machine 200 has a cooling function.

[0147] According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to 18- Figure 24 and Figures 30-35The ice making assembly can include the ice making component 2 and the ice making box 31, the water supply assembly is used for supplying water to the ice making box 31, the ice making component 2 is used for releasing cold energy to the ice making box 31, the water in the ice making box 31 can be frozen into ice blocks 300 through the ice making component 2 releasing cold energy to the ice making box 31, and the ice making assembly is used for taking out the ice blocks 300 in the ice making box 31 to the ice storage box 47. The ice making component 2 can be connected to the ice making box 31, or the ice making component 2 can be adjacent to the ice making box 31, so that the cold energy released by the ice making component 2 can be absorbed by the ice making box 31 as much as possible, the ice making efficiency is improved, and the energy consumption is saved.

[0148] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 4-6 , referring to 18- Figure 24 and Figures 30-35 , and combining with Figure 16 , the ice making unit includes the ice making module 20, the ice making compressor 66, the ice making condenser 65, the ice making pipeline 61 and the gas return pipeline 62, wherein the ice making module 20 includes the ice making assembly, the ice block taking-out assembly, the water supply assembly and the ice storage box 47, the ice making assembly includes the ice making component 2 and the ice making box 31, and the ice making component 2 is used as the evaporator of the ice making unit. The ice making component 2 has a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet, one end of the ice making pipeline 61 is connected with the exhaust port 661 of the compressor, and the other end of the ice making pipeline 61 is connected with the refrigerant inlet of the ice making component 2. The ice making condenser 65 is connected in series on the ice making pipeline 61, the refrigerant outlet of the ice making component 2 is connected with the gas return port 662 of the ice making compressor 66 through the gas return pipeline 62, and the ice making pipeline 61 is connected with the throttling device 67 in series, and the throttling device 67 is connected in series on the downstream side of the ice making condenser 65. When the main machine 100 needs to make ice, the ice making compressor 66 works, the ice making component 2 is used as the evaporator, and the cold energy can be released to the ice making box 31, so that the ice making can be realized; when the ice making compressor 66 stops working, the ice making assembly stops making ice.

[0149] According to some embodiments of the present application, the ice block taking-out assembly includes the ice block taking-out component 24 used for releasing heat to the ice making box 31. It can be understood that after the water in the ice making box 31 is frozen into ice, the ice block taking-out component 24 can release cold energy to the ice making box 31, so that the ice blocks 300 in the ice making box 31 are disconnected with the ice making box 31, the ice blocks 300 are separated from the ice making box 31 under the action of gravity or other forces, and the ice blocks 300 are taken out to the ice storage box 47. The ice block taking-out component 24 releases heat to the ice making box 31 to realize ice block taking-out, and the ice block taking-out method is simple, and the ice block taking-out speed is fast and the efficiency is high.

[0150] In some optional embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 17, the ice-removing component 24 and the ice-making component 2 can be the same component. Thus, the number of components can be reduced, and the structure of the ice-making module 20 can be simple. The ice-making unit can include an ice-removing pipeline 63, one end of the ice-removing pipeline 63 can be connected with the exhaust port 661 of the ice-making compressor 66, and the other end of the ice-removing pipeline 63 can be connected with the refrigerant inlet of the ice-making component 2, for example, the other end of the ice-removing pipeline 63 is connected with the refrigerant inlet of the ice-making component 2 through the refrigerant inlet pipeline 68, and the ice-making pipeline 61 can be connected with the refrigerant inlet of the ice-making component 2 through the refrigerant inlet pipeline 68. The ice-removing pipeline 63 can be connected with a control valve 64, and the control valve 64 is used to control the ice-removing pipeline 63 to be cut off or conducted. When the ice-making component 2 is required to release cold energy to the ice-making box 31 to make ice, the control valve 64 is closed, the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the exhaust port 661 of the ice-making compressor 66 flows through the ice-making pipeline 61, and then flows into the ice-making component 2 through the refrigerant inlet of the ice-making component 2. In the process of flowing in the ice-making component 2, the ice-making component 2 releases cold energy to the ice-making box 31, and the refrigerant in the ice-making component 2 flows out of the ice-making component 2 through the refrigerant outlet of the ice-making component 2, and then flows into the compressor through the gas return pipeline 62 and the gas return port 662 of the compressor to be compressed again.

[0151] When the ice-making component 2 is required to release heat to the ice-making box 31 to remove ice, the control valve 64 is opened. Since the ice-making pipeline is connected with the ice-making condenser 65, the throttling device 67 and the like, the flow resistance of the ice-making pipeline 61 is far greater than that of the ice-removing pipeline 63. Therefore, the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the exhaust port 661 of the ice-making compressor 66 flows through the ice-removing pipeline 63 preferentially and basically, and only a small amount of refrigerant flows through the ice-making pipeline 61, so the refrigerant flowing through the ice-making pipeline 61 can be ignored. The high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the exhaust port 661 of the ice-making compressor 66 flows through the ice-removing pipeline 63, and then flows into the ice-making component 2 through the refrigerant inlet of the ice-making component 2. In the process of flowing in the ice-making component 2, the ice-making component 2 releases heat to the ice-making box 31, and the refrigerant in the ice-making component 2 flows out of the ice-making component 2 through the refrigerant outlet, and then flows into the compressor through the gas return pipeline 62 and the gas return port 662 of the compressor to be compressed again.

[0152] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 21-14 , Figure 28 and Figures 33-35 , the ice-making box 31 has an ice-making groove 311, one side of the ice-making groove 311 is open to form a material port 312, and the water output by the water supply assembly is adapted to enter the ice-making groove 311 of the ice-making box 31 from the material port 312. After the water in the ice-making groove 311 solidifies into ice blocks 300, the ice blocks 300 are adapted to be removed from the ice-making box 31 through the material port 312. By providing the material port 312 on the ice-making box 31, the water can be conveniently fed into the ice-making box 31, and the ice blocks 300 can be conveniently removed from the ice-making box 31. Moreover, the water and the ice blocks 300 are both transported from the material port 312, so that the structure of the ice-making box 31 can be simple.

[0153] In some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 21-14 , Figure 28 and Figures 33-35 , the ice storage box 47 can be located below the ice making box 31, so that the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 can fall from the ice making groove 311 to the ice storage box 47 through the material port 312 under the action of their own gravity. Thus, the ice cubes 300 can be caused to fall to the ice storage box 47 by the action of their own gravity, without the need for additional power mechanisms to cause the ice cubes 300 to fall to the ice storage box 47. In addition, in the process of ice removal, the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 fall to the ice storage box 47 under the action of their own gravity, and at the same time, a small amount of water is generated when the ice removal component 24 releases heat to the ice making box 31, and the small amount of water generated when the ice removal component 24 releases heat to the ice making box 31 also falls from the ice making groove 311 to the ice storage box 47 through the material port 312 under the action of its own gravity.

[0154] Alternatively, when the ice making box 31 is in the ice removal position, the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 can fall from the ice making groove 311 to the ice storage box 47 under the action of their own gravity, and when the ice making box 31 is in the ice removal position, the lower wall of the ice making groove 311 is a support surface 313 that extends downward and inclines in the direction adjacent to the material port 312. By setting the lower wall of the ice making groove 311 to be a downwardly inclined surface, the ice cubes 300 can be caused to slide along the support surface 313 of the ice making groove 311 under the action of their own gravity and fall to the ice storage box 47 through the material port 312.

[0155] According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figure 19 , Figure 20 , Figure 27 and Figure 33 , the bottom wall of the ice storage box 47 is formed with an ice outlet 5611, and the ice outlet 5611 is provided with an ice outlet switch door 571 for opening and closing the ice outlet 5611. The first ice discharge inlet 721 of the ice making docking module 70 is connected to the ice outlet 5611 through a discharge pipe 574. After the sub-machine 200 and the main machine 100 are docked through the docking assembly, the ice outlet switch door 571 opens the ice outlet 5611, and the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 can fall into the discharge pipe 574 under the action of their own gravity, and then pass through the first ice discharge inlet 721, the first ice discharge outlet 722, the second ice discharge inlet 821, and the second ice discharge outlet 822 of the docking assembly to enter the refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200. After the ice is discharged, the ice outlet switch door 571 can be caused to close the ice outlet 5611.

[0156] According to some optional embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figure 19 ,Figure 20 、 Figure 27 and Figure 33 The ice making module 20 can further comprise a switch door support 572 and an ice outlet driving mechanism 573. The switch door support 572 is arranged at the bottom of the ice storage box 47 and has an ice outlet channel 5721 adapted to communicate with the ice outlet 5611. The ice outlet switch door 571 is movably arranged on the switch door support 572 to block and open the ice outlet 5611 and the ice outlet channel 5721. The ice outlet driving mechanism 573 is arranged on the switch door support 572 and connected with the ice outlet switch door 571 to drive the ice outlet switch door 571 to move. For example, the switch door support 572 can further be formed with a mounting groove 5722 for accommodating the ice outlet driving mechanism 573. The mounting groove 5722 can be arranged at one side of the ice outlet channel 5721, and the mounting groove 5722 and the ice outlet channel 5721 can be arranged in a horizontal direction. By arranging the switch door support 572 outside the ice storage box 47 and arranging the ice outlet driving mechanism 573 on the switch door support 572, the space in the ice storage box 47 can be reduced, and the ice outlet driving mechanism 573 and the ice outlet switch door 571 can be conveniently installed. By driving the ice outlet switch door 571 to move through the ice outlet driving mechanism 573, the ice outlet switch door 571 can be conveniently driven to open and close the ice outlet 5611. When the ice outlet switch door 571 opens the ice outlet 5611, the ice cubes 300 can fall into the ice discharge pipe 574 through the ice outlet 5611 and the ice outlet channel 5721 under the action of gravity, and then be conveyed into the ice making machine 200 through the docking assembly.

[0157] Optionally, the ice outlet driving mechanism 573 can be a push rod motor.

[0158] Optionally, at least part of the bottom wall of the ice storage box 47 extends downwardly in a direction adjacent to the ice outlet 5611. In this way, the ice cubes 300 discharged into the ice storage box 47 can slide along the inclined bottom wall of the ice storage box 47 toward the ice outlet 5611 under the action of gravity, so that the ice cubes 300 are more concentrated at the ice outlet 5611. When the ice outlet 5611 is opened, the ice cubes 300 at the ice outlet 5611 can fall into the ice discharge pipe 574 through the ice outlet 5611 and the ice outlet channel 5721 under the action of gravity, and then be conveyed into the ice making machine 200 through the docking assembly. After the ice cubes 300 at the ice outlet 5611 are sequentially discharged from the ice storage box 47, the ice cubes 300 away from the ice outlet 5611 can slide along the inclined bottom wall of the ice storage box 47 toward the ice outlet 5611 under the action of gravity, and then fall into the ice discharge pipe 574 through the ice outlet 5611 and the ice outlet channel 5721, and then be conveyed into the ice making machine 200 through the docking assembly, until the ice discharge is completed.

[0159] According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figure 19 , Figure 23 , Figure 31 and Figure 45 , the ice making module 20 can further comprise an ice stirring mechanism 58, the ice stirring mechanism 58 being configured to stir the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47. By providing the ice stirring mechanism 58, the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 can be prevented from being stuck together and thus unable to be normally discharged into the ice making machine 200. When the ice cubes 300 are stored in the ice storage box 47, the ice stirring mechanism 58 can be kept working, and the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 can be better prevented from being stuck together and thus unable to be normally discharged into the ice making machine 200.

[0160] In some alternative embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figure 19 , Figure 23 , Figure 31 and Figure 45 , the ice stirring mechanism 58 can comprise a stirring rod 581 and an ice stirring driving mechanism 582, the stirring rod 581 being arranged in the ice storage box 47, and the ice stirring driving mechanism 582 being arranged outside the ice storage box 47 and connected to the stirring rod 581 to drive the stirring rod 581 to move. When the ice stirring mechanism 58 is required to stir the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 to prevent them from being stuck together, the ice stirring driving mechanism 582 can be turned on to drive the stirring rod 581 to move, and the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 can be moved by the stirring rod 581 to prevent them from being stuck together. In addition, by arranging the ice stirring driving mechanism 582 outside the ice storage box 47, water in the ice storage box 47 can be prevented from entering the ice stirring driving mechanism 582, the stability and reliability of the ice stirring driving mechanism 582 can be ensured, and the service life of the ice stirring driving mechanism 582 can be prolonged.

[0161] Alternatively, the ice stirring driving mechanism 582 can drive the stirring rod 581 to rotate, the ice stirring driving mechanism 582 can be an electric motor, and there can be two ice stirring driving mechanisms 582, the two ice stirring driving mechanisms 582 being respectively connected to two ends of the stirring rod 581 in the rotation axis direction of the stirring rod 581, and the two ice stirring driving mechanisms 582 being synchronously rotated.

[0162] According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 18-24 and Figures 30-35 , the water supply assembly comprises a water storage box 41, a water conveying component 42, and a water supply pump 43, the water storage box 41 being configured to store water, the water conveying component 42 having a water conveying passage, and the water supply pump 43 being arranged in the water conveying component 42 and being configured to convey the water in the water storage box 41 to the ice making box 31 through the water conveying passage of the water conveying component 42. By providing the water storage box 41, a certain amount of water can be stored, and when the ice making assembly is making ice, the water supply pump 43 can convey the water in the water storage box 41 to the ice making box 31 through the water conveying passage of the water conveying component 42.

[0163] Optionally, referring to Figures 18-24 and Figures 30-35 , the water storage box 41 can be located below the ice storage box 47. By arranging the water storage box 41 below the ice storage box 47, the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 can be smoothly dropped into the ice storage box 47 under the action of gravity.

[0164] Further, referring to Figures 18-24 and Figures 30-35 , when the water storage box 41 is located below the ice storage box 47, a water leakage hole 5612 can be formed on the bottom wall of the ice storage box 47, which can communicate the ice storage box 47 and the water storage box 41, so that the water in the ice storage box 47 can flow downward into the water storage box 41 through the water leakage hole 5612, and the water in the ice storage box 47 can be recovered into the water storage box 41 through the water leakage hole 5612. The water leakage hole 5612 can be located at the lowest point of the bottom wall of the ice storage box 47, so that the water in the ice storage box 47 can flow to the water leakage hole 5612 under the action of gravity, and the water in the ice storage box 47 can flow into the water storage box 41 through the water leakage hole 5612.

[0165] In some optional embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 18-24 and Figures 30-35 , the ice making module 20 comprises an ice making shell 5, the ice making assembly and the ice removing assembly are arranged in the ice making shell 5, the ice storage box 47 and the water storage box 41 are both located below the ice making box 31, and a partition plate 56 is arranged in the ice making shell 5 to separate the ice storage box 47 and the water storage box 41. By arranging the partition plate 56 in the ice making shell 5, the ice storage box 47 and the water storage box 41 can be conveniently formed. For example, the water storage box 41 is located below the ice storage box 47, and the partition plate 56 separates the ice storage box 47 and the water storage box 41 in the ice making shell 5 along the up-down direction.

[0166] When the water storage box 41 is located below the ice storage box 47, the partition plate 56 can constitute the bottom wall of the ice storage box 47, and the water leakage hole 5612 can be formed on the partition plate 56.

[0167] In some specific embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 21 , Figure 26 , Figure 33 and Figure 45, the partition 56 can include a horizontal portion 561 extending in a horizontal direction, the horizontal portion 561 being formed with an ice outlet 5611, and an inclined portion 562 connected to the horizontal portion 561 at one end and extending obliquely upward at the other end. By arranging the partition 56 to include the horizontal portion 561 and the inclined portion 562 as described above and arranging the ice outlet 5611 on the horizontal portion 561, the ice cubes 300 falling from the ice making box 31 into the ice storage box 47 slide along the inclined portion 562 to the horizontal portion 561 under the action of their own gravity, so that the ice cubes 300 are more concentrated at the ice outlet 5611, and when the ice outlet 5611 is opened, the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 can be conveniently discharged through the ice outlet 5611.

[0168] Optionally, when the partition 56 separates the ice storage box 47 and the water storage box 41 in the ice making shell 5, the partition 56 can be fixed in the ice making shell 5 in the following manner. For example, the inner side of the ice making shell 5 can be provided with a support structure for supporting the partition 56, which can include a support protrusion 54 on the inner side wall of the ice making shell 5, and can also include a support frame 55 arranged in the ice making shell 5. For example, when the partition 56 includes the horizontal portion 561 and the inclined portion 562 as described above, the inclined portion 562 can be supported on the support protrusion 54 or the support frame 55, and the horizontal portion 561 can be supported on the bottom wall of the ice making shell 5, for example, the bottom wall of the ice making shell 5 can be formed with an annular support arm 53, the horizontal portion 561 can be supported on the support arm 53, the support arm 53 is arranged below and around the ice outlet 5611, and the support arm 53 defines a communication passage 531 in the ice making shell 5, which communicates the ice outlet 5611 and the ice outlet passage 5721 on the switch door support 572. In other examples, the horizontal portion 561 can also be supported on the switch door support 572 as described above.

[0169] According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 18-24 and Figures 30-33 , the ice making module 20 includes an ice making shell 5, the ice making shell 5 includes an outer shell 51, an inner shell 52 arranged in the outer shell 51, and a thermal insulation layer arranged between the outer shell 51 and the inner shell 52, and the ice making assembly, the ice cube removing assembly and the ice storage box 47 are all arranged in the inner shell 52. By arranging the ice making shell 5 to have the structure of the thermal insulation sandwich, the loss of cold energy of the ice cubes 300 produced by the ice making module 20 can be reduced.

[0170] For example, in Figures 18-24 and Figures 30-33In the example shown in FIG. 1, the ice-making shell 5 includes the outer shell 51, the inner shell 52, and the thermal insulation layer. The outer shell 51 includes an upper outer shell 511 and a lower outer shell 512. The inner shell 52 includes an upper inner shell 521 and a lower inner shell 522. The thermal insulation layer includes an upper thermal insulation layer and a lower thermal insulation layer. The upper inner shell 521 is open at the top and the lower inner shell 522 is open at the bottom. The upper inner shell 521 is arranged in the upper outer shell 511. The upper thermal insulation layer is arranged between the outer wall of the upper inner shell 521 and the inner wall of the upper outer shell 511. The lower thermal insulation layer is arranged between the outer wall of the lower inner shell 522 and the inner wall of the lower outer shell 512. The upper outer shell 511 and the lower outer shell 512 are detachably connected, for example, the upper outer shell 511 and the lower outer shell 512 are connected by fasteners. Thus, the ice-making shell 5 can be easily disassembled and the internal components of the ice-making shell 5 can be easily maintained.

[0171] According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 4-15 The refrigeration unit 80 of the sub-machine 200 can include a refrigeration shell 81 and a refrigeration module. The refrigeration shell 81 defines a refrigeration cavity 811 and a cold source cavity 813. The refrigeration cavity 811 can be located above the cold source cavity 813. The refrigeration module is arranged in the refrigeration cavity 811. The refrigeration docking module 82 is connected to the side wall of the cold source cavity 813. The second ice outlet 822 of the refrigeration docking module 82 is located in the cold source cavity 813 and communicates with the cold source cavity 813. The ice cubes 300 can be discharged into the cold source cavity 813 through the second ice outlet 822. When the refrigeration docking module 82 has the second water inlet 823 and the second water outlet 824, the second water inlet 823 is located in the cold source cavity 813 and communicates with the cold source cavity 813. The refrigeration unit 80 can further include the circulating water pump 83. The circulating water pump 83 can be arranged in the cold source cavity 813. The inlet of the circulating water pump 83 communicates with the cold source cavity 813. The outlet of the circulating water pump 83 is connected to the second water inlet 823. When the sub-machine 200 exchanges ice water with the main machine 100, the ice cubes 300 can be transported into the cold source cavity 813. The circulating water pump 83 can transport the water in the cold source cavity 813 into the water supply assembly of the main machine 100. The first water outlet 724 of the ice-making docking module 70 and the water storage box 41 can communicate through the water pipe 46. For example, the circulating water pump 83 can transport the water in the cold source cavity 813 into the water storage box 41 through the docking assembly and the water pipe 46.

[0172] The refrigeration module includes a refrigeration fan and a refrigeration component. A sub-machine air inlet is formed in the side wall of the refrigeration cavity 811. The refrigeration fan can be a centrifugal fan. The refrigeration component includes a heat exchange pipe and a fin. The fin is arranged on the heat exchange pipe. The heat exchange pipe has a water inlet and a water outlet. The refrigeration unit 80 further includes a refrigeration circulating pump. The refrigeration circulating pump is connected in series with the heat exchange pipe. The refrigeration circulating pump can be arranged in the cold source cavity 813. The ice blocks 300 in the cold source cavity 813 can be melted into low-temperature cold water. The refrigeration circulating pump can deliver the low-temperature cold water in the cold source cavity 813 to the heat exchange pipe through the water inlet. After flowing through the heat exchange pipe, the low-temperature cold water flows back to the cold source cavity 813 through the water outlet, so as to realize the circulation of the low-temperature cold water in the heat exchange pipe. When the refrigeration fan operates, the air outside the sub-machine 200 enters the refrigeration cavity 811 from the sub-machine air inlet. After heat exchange with the refrigeration component, the air temperature is reduced, and the air is blown out to the indoor environment from the sub-machine air outlet, so as to reduce the ambient temperature of the sub-machine 200 and realize local refrigeration. When the ice blocks 300 in the cold source cavity 813 are completely melted or the water temperature in the cold source cavity 813 is detected to be higher than a set value, it can be considered that the cold energy in the sub-machine 200 is used up. If the sub-machine 200 needs to continue refrigeration, the sub-machine 200 can be connected to the main machine 100, and the ice blocks 300 prepared in advance in the main machine 100 are delivered to the sub-machine 200.

[0173] A control method of an air conditioner according to some embodiments of the present application is described below.

[0174] In this embodiment, the ice making module 20 includes the ice making assembly, the water supply assembly, the ice making assembly and the ice storage box 47 described above. The control method of the air conditioner can include the following steps.

[0175] The main machine 100 receives an ice making instruction. For example, a user can send an ice making instruction to the main machine 100 through a mobile terminal or a remote controller. The main machine 100 receives the ice making instruction.

[0176] After the main machine 100 receives the ice making instruction, the water supply assembly supplies water to the ice making assembly. For example, the water pump 43 delivers the water in the water storage box 41 to the ice making tank 311 of the ice making box 31 through the water conveying channel of the water conveying component 42. For example, the water conveying channel flows the water into the ice making tank 311 through the material port 312 described above. The ice making component 2 releases cold energy to the ice making box 31. The water in the ice making box 31 is solidified into ice blocks 300. The ice making component 2 can release cold energy to the ice making box 31 while water is supplied to the ice making box 31. Alternatively, the ice making component 2 can release cold energy to the ice making box 31 after a certain amount of water is supplied to the ice making box 31, so that the ice making assembly generates ice blocks 300.

[0177] The ice discharging assembly discharges the ice cubes 300 generated by the ice making assembly into the ice storage box 47, for example, the ice discharging part 24 of the ice discharging assembly can release heat to the ice making box 31, so that the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 are disconnected from the ice making box 31, after the ice cubes 300 are disconnected from the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31, the ice cubes 300 fall from the material port 312 to the ice storage box 47 located below under the action of gravity;

[0178] The ice making and ice discharging can be repeated multiple times, the weight of the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 can be detected in real time during the ice making process, and the ice making can be stopped when it is determined that the ice amount in the ice storage box 47 reaches the preset weight, the pre-prepared ice cubes 300 stored in the ice storage box 47 can be used when needed later;

[0179] When the sub-machine 200 needs cold energy, the user can send an ice discharging instruction to the main machine 100 and the sub-machine 200, and the main machine 100 and the sub-machine 200 receive the ice discharging instruction;

[0180] After the main machine 100 receives the ice discharging instruction, it is determined whether the ice amount in the current ice storage box 47 reaches the preset weight, if the ice amount in the current ice storage box 47 reaches the preset weight, the sub-machine 200 can be moved into the third chamber 103 of the main machine 100, the charging interface on the sub-machine 200 can be plugged with the charging seat 74 on the main machine 100, the refrigeration docking module 82 on the sub-machine 200 corresponds to the ice making docking module 70 in the main machine 100, the docking driving mechanism 73 drives the docking part 72 to move towards the direction adjacent to the refrigeration docking module 82, so that the ice making docking module 70 and the refrigeration docking module 82 are docked, thereby realizing the connection between the sub-machine 200 and the main machine 100;

[0181] The ice outlet 5611 of the ice storage box 47 is opened, and the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 are transported into the cold source cavity 813 of the refrigeration unit 80 through the ice outlet 5611, the ice discharging pipe 574 and the docking assembly.

[0182] After the main machine 100 receives the ice discharging instruction, it is determined whether the ice amount in the current ice storage box 47 reaches the preset weight, if the ice amount in the current ice storage box 47 reaches the preset weight, the ice making module 20 performs ice making until the ice amount in the ice storage box 47 reaches the preset weight.

[0183] When the sub-machine 200 can transport the water in the cold source cavity 813 into the water storage box 41 of the main machine 100, after the main machine 100 receives the ice discharge refrigeration, not only the ice cubes 300 in the main machine 100 can be transported to the sub-machine 200, but also the water in the sub-machine 200 can be transported to the main machine 100, so as to realize the ice-water exchange between the main machine 100 and the sub-machine 200. Alternatively, the sub-machine 200 can transport the water in the cold source cavity 813 into the water storage box 41 at the same time as the main machine 100 discharges the ice; or the sub-machine 200 can transport the water in the cold source cavity 813 into the water storage box 41 first, and then the main machine 100 discharges the ice.

[0184] The ice-making module 20 according to some embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 18-29 The ice-making module 20 according to some embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0185] The ice-making module 20 according to some embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 18-29 In the present embodiment, the ice-making module 20 comprises an ice-making assembly, an ice-discharging assembly, a water supply assembly and an ice storage box 47. The ice-making assembly comprises an ice-making component 2 and a fixed ice-making box 31. The ice-making box 31 defines a plurality of ice-making grooves 311 arranged at intervals. The ice-making component 2 is used to release cold energy to the ice-making box 31. The water supply assembly is used to supply water to the ice-making box 31. The ice-discharging assembly is used to make the ice cubes 300 in the ice-making box 31 fall into the ice storage box 47.

[0186] Alternatively, the ice-making box 31 can be an integrally formed piece.

[0187] When ice-making is needed, the water supply assembly supplies water to the ice-making box 31, so that the water enters the plurality of ice-making grooves 311 of the ice-making box 31. The ice-making component 2 releases cold energy to the ice-making box 31, so that the water in the ice-making box 31 solidifies into ice cubes 300. After the water in the ice-making box 31 solidifies into ice cubes 300, the ice-discharging assembly makes the ice cubes 300 in the ice-making box 31 fall into the ice storage box 47.

[0188] The fixed ice-making box 31 means that the ice-making box 31 does not move. The ice-making position and the ice-discharging position of the ice-making box 31 are the same position. For example, the ice-making module 20 can comprise an ice-making shell 5. The ice-making assembly and the ice-discharging assembly are arranged in the ice-making shell 5. The ice-making box 31 is connected to the ice-making shell 5 and is fixed relative to the ice-making shell 5.

[0189] By comprising the ice-making component 2 and the ice-making box 31 having a plurality of ice-making grooves 311, and by fixing the ice-making box 31, the structure of the ice-making assembly can be simple, and a larger number of ice cubes 300 can be made at one time.

[0190] The ice releasing assembly can include an ice releasing component 24 for releasing heat to the ice making box 31. The ice releasing component 24 releases heat to the ice making box 31, so that the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 can be separated from the ice making box 31 and can fall into the ice storage box 47 under the action of gravity.

[0191] Optionally, the ice releasing component 24 can be the same component as the ice making component 2. When it is required to form ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31, the ice making component 2 releases cold to the ice making box 31; when it is required to separate the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 into the ice storage box 47, the ice releasing component 24 can be controlled to release heat to the ice making box 31. How to control the ice making component 2 to release cold to the ice making box 31 and the ice releasing component 24 to release heat to the ice making box 31 can be referred to the above description, which will not be repeated here.

[0192] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 21-24 and Figure 28 , Figure 29 , the ice making box 31 has an ice making groove 311, one side of the ice making groove 311 is open to form a material port 312, water is adapted to enter the ice making box 31 from the material port 312, and the ice cubes 300 are adapted to be separated from the ice making box 31 from the material port 312. The ice storage box 47 is located below the ice making box 31. During ice releasing, the ice cubes 300 are adapted to fall from the ice making groove 311 into the ice storage box 47 under the action of gravity. Through the material port 312, the water supply and the ice cube 300 separation can share the material port 312, so that the structure of the ice making box 31 is simple.

[0193] For example, referring to Figures 21-24 , the ice storage box 47 is located below the ice making box 31, and the ice cubes 300 are adapted to fall from the ice making groove 311 into the ice storage box 47 under the action of gravity, so that the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 can be conveniently separated into the ice storage box 47.

[0194] Optionally, referring to Figure 21 and Figure 28 , the material ports 312 of the ice making box 31 are all horizontal or inclined downward. Thus, the ice cubes 300 in the ice making groove 311 can be conveniently separated from the ice making groove 311 and fall into the ice storage box 47 under the action of gravity.

[0195] Further, the lower wall surface of the ice making groove 311 is a support surface 313, which extends downwardly in a direction adjacent to the material outlet 312. Since the support surface 313 of the ice cubes 300 in the ice making groove 311 extends downwardly in a direction adjacent to the material outlet 312, when the ice making groove 311 is released from the ice making box 31 by the ice releasing component 24 to make the ice cubes 300 separate from the ice making box 31, the ice cubes 300 in the ice making groove 311 can slide along the support surface 313 under the action of gravity and fall out of the ice making groove 311 from the material outlet 312 and into the ice storage box 47.

[0196] In some optional embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 21-24 and Figure 28 , Figure 29 , the plurality of material outlets 312 are formed on the same side of the ice making box 31. In this way, the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 can be released from the same side of the ice making box 31, so that the structure of the ice making box 31 is simple and the ice releasing is convenient.

[0197] Optionally, the plurality of material outlets 312 of the ice making box 31 are oriented in the same direction, so that the structure of the ice making box 31 is simple and the ice cubes 300 in the plurality of ice making grooves 311 can be released from the corresponding material outlets 312.

[0198] Optionally, the plurality of ice making grooves 311 can be arranged in an array on the same plane extending in the up-down direction. In this way, the structure of the ice making box 31 is simple, and during the falling of the ice cubes 300 in the plurality of ice making grooves 311, the structure on the ice making box 31 does not block the ice cubes 300 and affect the falling of the ice cubes 300.

[0199] In some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 28 and Figure 29 , the ice making component 2 is arranged on the side of the ice making box 31 away from the material outlet 312, and the ice making component 2 can be arranged in a serpentine shape on the back side of the ice making box 31. In this way, the structure of the ice making assembly is compact, and the influence of the ice making component 2 on the falling of the ice cubes 300 can be avoided, so that the falling of the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 is more smooth.

[0200] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 31-33The bottom wall of the ice storage box 47 is formed with an ice outlet 5611, and the ice outlet 5611 is provided with an ice outlet switch door 571 for opening and closing the ice outlet 5611. The ice maker 20 can further include a switch door support 572 and an ice outlet driving mechanism 573 connected to the switch door support 572 and configured to drive the ice outlet switch door 571 to move, thereby opening and closing the ice outlet 5611. For the ice storage box 47, the switch door support 572, and the ice outlet switch door 571, refer to the above description, and details are not repeated here.

[0201] According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 31-33 The ice maker 20 further includes an ice stirring mechanism 58 configured to stir the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47. By providing the ice stirring mechanism 58, the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 can be prevented from sticking together and being unable to be normally discharged into the ice maker 200. For the specific structure of the ice stirring mechanism 58 and other related matters, refer to the above description, and details are not repeated here.

[0202] According to some embodiments of the present application, the water supply assembly is adapted to spray water into the ice making tank 311. By spraying water into the ice making tank 311 of the ice making box 31, air in the water can be effectively removed, the air bubble content in the ice cubes 300 can be reduced, and the quality of the ice cubes 300 formed can be improved. In this embodiment, the ice making component 2 can be controlled to release cold energy to the ice making box 31 at the same time when the water supply assembly sprays water into the ice making tank 311.

[0203] In some optional embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 19-24 and Figure 28 , Figure 29 The water supply assembly can include a water storage box 41, a water conveying component 42, and a water supply pump 43. The water storage box 41 is configured to store water, the water conveying component 42 has a water conveying passage, and the water supply pump 43 is configured to convey water in the water storage box 41 to the ice making box 31 through the water conveying component 42. The water conveying component 42 includes a water conveying pipe 421 extending in the up-down direction and a spraying pipe 422 connected to the upper end of the water conveying pipe 421 and extending in the horizontal direction. The spraying pipe 422 is formed with a plurality of spraying holes 4221 for spraying water into the ice making tank 311. The plurality of spraying holes 4221 can be arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the spraying pipe 422. The water supply pump 43 can be connected to the lower end of the water conveying pipe 421 and can be arranged in the water storage box 41. When the water supply assembly needs to supply water to the ice making box 31, the water supply pump 43 is operated to draw water in the water storage box 41 into the spraying pipe 422 through the water conveying pipe 421. The water flowing into the spraying pipe 422 is sprayed into the ice making box 31 through the plurality of spraying holes 4221 on the spraying pipe 422.

[0204] Optionally, with reference to Figures 19-24 and Figure 28 , Figure 29 , the spraying pipe 422 can be arranged on the top of the ice making box 31, and the spraying pipe 422 is located above the uppermost ice making groove 311, for example, the top of the ice making box 31 can be provided with a mounting rack 315, and the spraying pipe 422 can be mounted on the mounting rack 315. The spraying holes 4221 are formed in the lower part of the spraying pipe 422 and face obliquely downward. In this way, the water entering the spraying pipe 422 can be sprayed downward through the plurality of spraying holes 4221, and since all the ice making grooves 311 on the ice making box 31 are below the spraying pipe 422, the water sprayed downward by the spraying pipe 422 can be sprayed into the plurality of ice making grooves 311 through the material ports 312.

[0205] In some optional embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 18-24 , the water storage box 41 is located below the ice storage box 47, and the bottom wall of the ice storage box 47 is provided with a water leakage hole 5612 communicating the ice storage box 47 and the water storage box 41, and the water in the ice storage box 47 can flow into the water storage box 41 through the water leakage hole 5612 for recycling.

[0206] In some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 19-24 , the ice storage box 47 is located below the ice making box 31, and the water supply assembly can include a water storage box 41, a water conveying component 42, a water supply pump 43 and an auxiliary water tank 44, the water storage box 41 is used for storing water, the water conveying component 42 has a water conveying passage, the water supply pump 43 is used for conveying the water in the water storage box 41 to the ice making box 31 through the water conveying component 42. The auxiliary water tank 44 is arranged on one side of the ice making box 31 in the horizontal direction, the auxiliary water tank 44 is located above the ice storage box 47, and the auxiliary water tank 44 communicates with the water storage box 41. The water in the cold source cavity 813 of the sub-machine 200 can be conveyed to the auxiliary water tank 44 through the circulating water pump 83 and the water conveying pipe 46, and the water in the auxiliary water tank 44 can be supplemented into the water storage box 41. By arranging the auxiliary water tank 44, the water storage capacity of the ice making module 20 can be increased. Moreover, by arranging the auxiliary water tank 44 on one side of the ice making box 31 in the horizontal direction and above the ice storage box 47, the structure of the ice making module 20 can be compact.

[0207] In some optional embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 19-24The auxiliary water tank 44 is arranged at one side of the ice making box 31 where the material port 312 is formed, the top of the auxiliary water tank 44 is open, the upper edge of the auxiliary water tank 44 is provided with an overflow piece 45 adjacent to one side of the material port 312, the overflow piece 45 has an overflow channel 451, the overflow channel 451 is communicated with the auxiliary water tank 44 and extends towards the material port 312, when the water in the auxiliary water tank 44 is more and higher than the upper edge of the auxiliary water tank 44, the water overflowed in the auxiliary water tank 44 can be guided to the ice making box 31 through the flow guiding effect of the overflow channel 451, in the process of flowing out of the overflow channel 451, part of the water can flow into the ice making tank 311 through the material port 312. In the process of ice making, when the water supply pump 43 is used to deliver the water in the water storage box 41 to the ice making box 31 through the water conveying member 42, if the water in the auxiliary water tank 44 is more, the water overflowed in the auxiliary water tank 44 can be guided to the ice making box 31 through the overflow channel 451, the water supply efficiency is improved, and then the ice making efficiency is improved.

[0208] For example, in some examples of the present application, with reference to Figures 18-24 and Figure 28 The ice making module 20 includes the ice making shell 5, the partition plate 56, the ice making assembly, the water supply assembly and the ice removing assembly described above. The water supply assembly can include the water storage box 41, the water conveying member 42, the water supply pump 43 and the auxiliary water tank 44, the water conveying member 42 includes the water conveying pipe 421 and the spray pipe 422 described above, and the bottom wall of the ice storage box 47 is formed with a water leakage hole 5612 communicated with the water storage box 41. The partition plate 56 is arranged in the ice making shell 5, so that the ice making shell 5 is divided into the ice storage box 47 and the water storage box 41, the water storage box 41 is located below the ice storage box 47, and the partition plate 56 constitutes the bottom wall of the ice storage box 47. The ice making assembly includes the ice making box 31 and the ice making member 2, the ice removing assembly includes the ice removing member 24, the ice making member 2 and the ice removing member 24 are the same member, the ice making assembly and the auxiliary water tank 44 are both arranged in the refrigeration shell 81 and both are located above the ice storage box 47, the ice making assembly and the auxiliary water tank 44 are arranged in the horizontal direction, one side of the ice making box 31 adjacent to the auxiliary water tank 44 is formed with a plurality of ice making tanks 311, the material ports 312 of the plurality of ice making tanks 311 all face the horizontal direction and all face the auxiliary water tank 44, the plurality of ice making tanks 311 are arranged in an array on the same plane extending in the up-down direction, and the ice making member 2 is arranged at the side of the ice making box 31 away from the material port 312. The ice making box 31 is connected to the ice making shell 5, and the auxiliary water tank 44 is fixedly mounted on the ice making shell 5. The bottom wall of the auxiliary water tank 44 is formed with a water passage hole 441 communicated with the auxiliary water tank 44 and the ice storage box 47, the water in the auxiliary water tank 44 can flow into the ice storage box 47 through the water passage hole 441, and the water in the ice storage box 47 can flow into the water storage box 41 through the water leakage hole 5612 for recycling.

[0209] Reference will be made to Figures 30-45An ice making module 20 according to another embodiment of the present application is described.

[0210] Referring to Figures 30-45 In the present embodiment, the ice making module 20 comprises an ice making assembly, an ice ejecting assembly, a water supply assembly and an ice storage box 47, the ice making assembly comprises an ice making part 2 and a plurality of ice making boxes 31 which are spaced apart from each other, any two adjacent ice making boxes 31 among the plurality of ice making boxes 31 are spaced apart from each other. Each ice making box 31 is movable between an ice making position and an ice ejecting position, for example, each ice making box 31 is rotatable between the ice making position and the ice ejecting position. The water supply assembly is used to supply water to the ice making boxes 31, and the ice making part 2 is used to release cold energy to the ice making boxes 31. In the ice making position, the water supply assembly supplies water to the ice making boxes 31, and the ice making part 2 releases cold energy to the ice making boxes 31; in the ice ejecting position, the ice ejecting assembly ejects the ice cubes 300 in the ice making boxes 31 into the ice storage box 47.

[0211] When ice making is needed, the ice making boxes 31 are located in the ice making position, the water supply assembly supplies water to the ice making boxes 31, and the ice making part 2 releases cold energy to the ice making boxes 31, so that the water in the ice making boxes 31 is frozen into ice cubes 300. After the water in the ice making boxes 31 is all frozen into ice cubes 300, the ice making boxes 31 are moved to the ice ejecting position, and the ice ejecting assembly ejects the ice cubes 300 in the ice making boxes 31 into the ice storage box 47.

[0212] By comprising the ice making part 2 and the plurality of ice making boxes 31 which are spaced apart from each other, and because the plurality of ice making boxes 31 are spaced apart from each other, the ice cubes 300 in each ice making box 31 can be prevented or reduced from being adhered to each other during the freezing of the water in each ice making box 31 into ice cubes 300, the problem that the ice cubes 300 are too large to be discharged or cause the ice discharge pipeline to be blocked due to the ice cubes 300 in the adjacent ice making boxes 31 being adhered to each other during the ice making process can be avoided, the size of the ice cubes 300 can be easily controlled within a suitable range, and the subsequent ice discharge process can be ensured to be smooth.

[0213] It should be noted that when the ice making module 20 stops working, all the ice making boxes 31 can be kept in the ice making position.

[0214] The ice ejecting assembly can comprise an ice ejecting part 24 for releasing heat to the ice making boxes 31, and the ice ejecting part 24 releases heat to the ice making boxes 31 in the ice ejecting position, so that the ice cubes 300 in the ice making boxes 31 can be disconnected from the ice making boxes 31 and can fall into the ice storage box 47 under the action of their own gravity.

[0215] Optionally, the ice releasing component 24 can be the same component as the ice making component 2. In the ice making position, the ice making component 2 releases cold energy to the ice making box 31; in the ice releasing position, the ice releasing component 24 can be controlled to release heat to the ice making box 31. The specific control method for realizing the ice making component 2 releasing cold energy to the ice making box 31 in the ice making position and the ice releasing component 24 releasing heat to the ice making box 31 in the ice releasing position can refer to the above description, and will not be described here.

[0216] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 31-35 and Figure 44 , the ice making box 31 has an ice making groove 311 therein, one side of the ice making groove 311 is open to form a material port 312, water is adapted to enter the ice making box 31 from the material port 312, and the ice cubes 300 are adapted to be released out of the ice making box 31 from the material port 312. The ice storage box 47 is located below the ice making box 31, and when the ice making box 31 is in the ice releasing position, the ice cubes 300 are adapted to fall out of the ice making groove 311 into the ice storage box 47 under the action of their own gravity. By providing the material port 312, the water supply and the ice cube 300 release can share the material port 312, so that the structure of the ice making box 31 is simple.

[0217] In the ice making position, the material port 312 can be upward, so that the water supplied by the water supply assembly into the ice making groove 311 can be kept in the ice making groove 311; in the ice releasing position, the material port 312 can be horizontal, downward or obliquely downward, so as to facilitate the ice cubes 300 in the ice making groove 311 to slide out of the ice making groove 311 and fall into the ice storage box 47 under the action of their own gravity.

[0218] For example, in some specific examples of the present application, referring to Figures 31-35 and Figure 44 , when the ice making box 31 is in the ice releasing position, the material port 312 can be horizontal or obliquely downward, and the lower wall of the ice making groove 311 is a support surface 313, which extends downwardly and obliquely in the direction adjacent to the material port 312. When the ice making box 31 is in the ice releasing position, the support surface 313 of the ice cubes 300 in the ice making groove 311 extends downwardly and obliquely in the direction adjacent to the material port 312, so that when the ice releasing component 24 releases heat to the ice making box 31 to make the ice cubes 300 separate from the ice making box 31, the ice cubes 300 in the ice making groove 311 can easily slide along the support surface 313 under the action of their own gravity, and slide out of the ice making groove 311 from the material port 312 and fall into the ice storage box 47.

[0219] According to some embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 31-33The bottom wall of the ice storage box 47 is formed with an ice outlet 5611, and the ice outlet 5611 is provided with an ice outlet switch door 571 for opening and closing the ice outlet 5611. The ice making module 20 can further include a switch door support 572 and an ice outlet driving mechanism 573 arranged on and connected with the switch door support 572 to drive the ice outlet switch door 571 to move, thereby opening and closing the ice outlet 5611. For the ice storage box 47, the switch door support 572, and the ice outlet switch door 571, please refer to the above description, which will not be repeated here.

[0220] According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 31-33 The ice making module 20 further includes an ice stirring mechanism 58 for stirring the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47. By providing the ice stirring mechanism 58, the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 can be prevented from sticking together and failing to be normally discharged into the sub-machine 200. For the specific structure of the ice stirring mechanism 58 and other related matters, please refer to the above description, which will not be repeated here.

[0221] According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 31-35 and Figures 40-44 In the process of moving the ice making box 31 from the ice releasing position to the ice making position and the process of moving the ice making box 31 from the ice making position to the ice releasing position, all the ice making boxes 31 are synchronously moved, thereby reducing the moving time of all the ice making boxes 31 between the ice releasing position and the ice making position and improving the ice making efficiency.

[0222] For example, when the ice making box 31 is at the ice making position, the material port 312 of the ice making box 31 faces upward, the water supply assembly delivers water into the ice making groove 311 of the ice making box 31 through the material port 312, and the ice making component 2 releases cold energy to the ice making box 31, so that the water in the ice making groove 311 is frozen into ice cubes 300; after the water in the ice making box 31 is all frozen into ice cubes 300, all the ice making boxes 31 in the ice making assembly are synchronously rotated from the ice making position to the ice releasing position, at which time the material port 312 of the ice making box 31 faces the horizontal direction, and the ice releasing component 24 of the ice releasing assembly releases heat to the ice making box 31, so that the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 fall from the material port 312 to the ice storage box 47 under the action of their own gravity. After the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 are all discharged into the ice storage box 47, all the ice making boxes 31 in the ice making assembly are synchronously rotated from the ice releasing position to the ice making position.

[0223] In the ice making position, the water supply assembly can first supply water into the ice making box 31 until the ice cubes 300 reach the required weight, and then stop supplying water, and the ice making component 2 releases cold energy to the ice making box 31; or the water supply assembly supplies water into the ice making box 31 at the same time as the ice making component 2 releases cold energy to the ice making box 31, and when the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 reach the required weight, the water supply assembly stops supplying water. After the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 reach the required weight, the ice removal operation is performed subsequently.

[0224] If the weight of the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 does not reach the required weight, the ice making and ice removal operations can continue until the weight of the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 meets the required weight, and the ice making operation can be stopped.

[0225] In this embodiment, the ice making assembly is described with reference to Figures 31-35 and Figures 40-44 Each ice making box 31 is rotatable between the ice making position and the ice removal position, and the ice making module 20 comprises an ice making shell 5, the ice making assembly, the ice removal assembly, and the ice storage box 47 are all arranged in the ice making shell 5, and the ice box driving assembly for driving all the ice making boxes 31 of the ice making assembly to rotate synchronously comprises a connecting rod support 32, a connecting rod 33, and a connecting rod driving mechanism 34. The connecting rod support 32 is arranged in the ice making shell 5, and the connecting rod support 32 can be connected to the ice making shell 5 by fasteners and fixed relative to the ice making shell 5. The connecting rod support 32 is formed with arc-shaped sliding grooves 322, the number of the sliding grooves 322 is the same as and corresponds to the number of the ice making boxes 31, the connecting rod 33 is movably arranged in the connecting rod support 32, the connecting rod 33 has protruding columns 331 accommodated in the sliding grooves 322, the number of the protruding columns 331 is the same as and corresponds to the number of the sliding grooves 322, each ice making box 31 is connected to the connecting rod 33, and the outer side wall of the ice making box 31 can be formed with a matching hole, which can be a blind hole, the protruding column 331 on the connecting rod 33 is accommodated in the sliding groove 322 and extends into the matching hole on the ice making box 31, each ice making box 31 is rotatably connected to the connecting rod support 32, the outer side wall of each ice making box 31 is formed with a rotating column 314, the connecting rod support 32 is formed with rotating holes 323, the number of the rotating holes 323 is the same as and corresponds to the number of the rotating columns 314, each rotating column 314 is rotatably accommodated in the corresponding rotating hole 323, and the center of each rotating hole 323 can coincide with the center of curvature of the corresponding sliding groove 322. The connecting rod driving mechanism 34 is connected to the connecting rod 33 to drive the connecting rod 33 to move. When the connecting rod 33 moves, each protruding column 331 slides along the extension direction of the corresponding sliding groove 322.

[0226] When it is required to rotate the ice making boxes 31 from the ice making position to the ice dropping position or from the ice dropping position to the ice making position, the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 can be controlled to work, and the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 drives the connecting rod 33 to move. In the process of the movement of the connecting rod 33, the protruding column 331 on the connecting rod 33 moves along the sliding groove 322 on the connecting rod support 32, so that the connecting rod 33 can make an arc motion. In the process of the movement of the connecting rod 33, the connecting rod 33 rotates with the plurality of ice making boxes 31 connected to the connecting rod 33, and each ice making box 31 rotates around the rotating column 314 thereof, so that the plurality of ice making boxes 31 can be synchronously rotated, and the plurality of ice making boxes 31 are synchronously rotated from the ice making position to the ice dropping position or from the ice dropping position to the ice making position.

[0227] Optionally, the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 can be a push rod motor. When the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 can be a push rod motor, the connecting rod support 32 can have an elastic deformation capability. For example, the connecting rod support 32 can be a plastic piece. In the process of the movement of the connecting rod 33 driven by the connecting rod driving mechanism 34, the elastic deformation of the connecting rod support 32 can make the connecting rod 33 move along the arc-shaped sliding groove 322. When the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 can be a push rod motor, the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 can be movably connected with the connecting rod 33, so that the connecting rod 33 can move along the arc-shaped sliding groove 322 in the process of the movement of the connecting rod 33 driven by the connecting rod driving mechanism 34.

[0228] For example, in the examples of Figure 31 、 Figure 34 、 Figure 35 and Figure 40 , the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 is a push rod motor, the connecting rod 33 is formed with a matching groove, the ice box driving assembly further comprises a motor pressing plate 35 and a shaft sleeve 36, the shaft sleeve 36 is sleeved on the outer circumferential side of the output shaft of the push rod motor, the motor pressing plate 35 is detachably connected to the connecting rod 33, the motor pressing plate 35 covers the open side of the matching groove, and the motor pressing plate 35 and the inner wall of the matching groove define a matching cavity for accommodating the shaft sleeve 36, so that the connecting of the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 and the connecting rod 33 can be realized.

[0229] In some examples of the present application, with reference to Figures 31-35 and Figures 40-44, the opposite ends of the sliding groove 322 along the extending direction are an ice making end 3221 and an ice releasing end 3222 respectively, the ice making end 3221 is the lowest position of the sliding groove 322, the ice releasing end 3222 is the highest position of the sliding groove 322, the convex column 331 is located at the ice making end 3221 when the ice making box 31 is at the ice making position, and the convex column 331 is located at the ice releasing end 3222 when the ice making box 31 is at the ice releasing position. For example, when all the ice making boxes 31 are at the ice making position, each convex column 331 on the connecting rod 33 is accommodated in the ice making end 3221 of the corresponding sliding groove 322, after the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 are formed, the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 need to be released into the ice storage box 47, the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 is controlled to work, the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 drives the connecting rod 33 to move, in the process of the movement of the connecting rod 33, the convex column 331 on the connecting rod 33 moves along the sliding groove 322 on the connecting rod support 32, so that the connecting rod 33 moves along the arc towards the upward and oblique direction. In the process of the movement of the connecting rod 33, the connecting rod 33 rotates synchronously with the plurality of ice making boxes 31 connected to the connecting rod 33, each ice making box 31 rotates around the rotating column 314 thereof, so that the plurality of ice making boxes 31 can be rotated synchronously, when the connecting rod 33 moves to the position that the convex column 331 on the connecting rod 33 is accommodated in the ice releasing end 3222 of the sliding groove 322, the connecting rod 33 can be kept at the position that the convex column 331 on the connecting rod 33 is accommodated in the ice releasing end 3222 of the sliding groove 322, so that the plurality of ice making boxes 31 are kept at the ice releasing position, the ice releasing component 24 releases heat to the ice making box 31, so that the ice cubes 300 in the ice making box 31 are disconnected from the ice making box 31, and the ice cubes 300 and a small amount of water in the ice making box 31 fall from the material port 312 to the ice storage box 47 under the action of gravity.

[0230] After the ice cubes 300 in the plurality of ice making boxes 31 are released, the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 drives the connecting rod 33 to move in the reverse direction, the convex column 331 on the connecting rod 33 moves along the sliding groove 322 on the connecting rod support 32, so that the connecting rod 33 moves along the arc towards the downward and oblique direction. In the process of the movement of the connecting rod 33, the connecting rod 33 rotates synchronously with the plurality of ice making boxes 31 connected to the connecting rod 33, each ice making box 31 rotates around the rotating column 314 thereof, so that the plurality of ice making boxes 31 can be rotated synchronously, when the connecting rod 33 moves to the position that the convex column 331 on the connecting rod 33 is accommodated in the ice making end 3221 of the sliding groove 322, the connecting rod 33 can be kept at the position that the convex column 331 on the connecting rod 33 is accommodated in the ice making end 3221 of the sliding groove 322. If the amount of the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 is not enough, ice making can be continued; if the amount of the ice cubes 300 in the ice storage box 47 reaches the requirement, ice making can be stopped.

[0231] By setting the ice making end 3221 at the lowest position of the chute 322, it can be understood that the ice removing time is much shorter than the ice making time, and the linkage driving mechanism 34 can be controlled to stop working when the protruding column 331 of the linkage 33 is kept at the ice making end 3221 of the chute 322, and the linkage 33 can be kept at the ice making end 3221 of the chute 322 by the gravity of the linkage 33 itself when the linkage driving mechanism 34 is not working, thereby saving energy consumption.

[0232] In some examples of the present application, with reference to Figures 31-35 and Figures 40-44 The linkage support 32 can include a main plate 321 and a surrounding plate 324, the main plate 321 is formed with the chute 322, each ice making box 31 is rotatably connected to the main plate 321, the surrounding plate 324 is arranged on the side of the main plate 321 away from the ice making box 31, the surrounding plate 324 extends along the circumference of the main plate 321, the surrounding plate 324 can be annular, for example, the main plate 321 is rectangular plate-shaped, the surrounding plate 324 can be rectangular frame-shaped, the surrounding plate 324 is arranged adjacent to the outer circumference of the main plate 321, and the surrounding plate 324 and the main plate 321 define a receiving groove 325 therebetween, the linkage support 32 and the linkage driving mechanism 34 are arranged in the receiving groove 325, and the linkage driving mechanism 34 can be arranged below the linkage 33 and connected to the bottom of the linkage 33. By defining the receiving groove 325 in the linkage support 32, the linkage support 32 and the linkage driving mechanism 34 are facilitated to be installed, and the linkage driving mechanism 34 and the linkage support 32 can be separated from the ice making box 31 by the linkage support 32, so that water splashing to the linkage driving mechanism 34 during water supply to the ice making box 31 is avoided, and the stability and reliability of the linkage driving mechanism 34 are affected.

[0233] According to some optional embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 31-35 and Figures 40-44 When the ice making assembly includes a plurality of ice making boxes 31 arranged at intervals, the plurality of ice making boxes 31 are divided into a plurality of ice making box groups, the plurality of ice making box groups are arranged at intervals in the up-down direction, and each ice making box group includes a plurality of ice making boxes 31 arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction. By arranging the ice making boxes 31 in multiple layers at intervals, layered ice making can be achieved, and a large amount of ice can be made at a time, and the ice making efficiency is high.

[0234] For example, in Figures 31-35 and Figures 40-44In the specific example, the ice making module 20 comprises an ice making shell 5, the ice making assembly and the ice removing assembly are arranged in the ice making shell 5, the ice making shell 5 is provided with a partition plate 56 to divide the ice making shell 5 into an ice storage box 47 and a water storage box 41, the water storage box 41 is located below the ice storage box 47, and the ice making box 31 is located above the ice storage box 47. When the ice making assembly comprises a plurality of ice making boxes 31 arranged in a spaced manner, the plurality of ice making boxes 31 are divided into a plurality of ice making box groups, the plurality of ice making box groups are arranged in a spaced manner along the up-down direction, and each ice making box group comprises a plurality of ice making boxes 31 arranged in a spaced manner along the horizontal direction. For example, the plurality of ice making boxes 31 are divided into two ice making box groups, the two ice making box groups are arranged in a spaced manner along the up-down direction, and each ice making box group comprises three ice making boxes 31 arranged in a spaced manner along a first direction (for example, the front-rear direction in the drawings) in sequence, and the first direction is parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0235] The ice box driving assembly for driving all the ice making boxes 31 of the ice making assembly to rotate synchronously comprises two groups, and the two groups of ice box driving assemblies are respectively located on opposite sides of the ice making box group along a second direction (for example, the left-right direction in the drawings), and the second direction is parallel to the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the first direction. Each ice box driving assembly comprises the connecting rod support 32, the connecting rod 33 and the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 described above, each ice making box 31 extends along the second direction, and each ice making box 31 is formed with a rotating column 314 and a matching hole on opposite sides along the second direction. The connecting rod 33 of each ice box driving assembly can be formed with six protruding columns 331, the six protruding columns 331 are divided into two groups, the two groups of protruding columns 331 are arranged in a spaced manner along the up-down direction, and each group of protruding columns 331 comprises three protruding columns 331 arranged in a spaced manner along the first direction. The connecting support comprises the main body plate 321 and the surrounding plate 324 described above, the main body plate 321 is formed with the sliding groove 322 and the rotating hole 323 described above, the sliding groove 322 is six, the six sliding grooves 322 are divided into two groups, the two groups of sliding grooves 322 are arranged in a spaced manner along the up-down direction, and each group of sliding grooves 322 comprises three sliding grooves 322 arranged in a spaced manner along the first direction; the rotating hole 323 is six, and the six rotating holes 323 correspond to the six sliding grooves 322 one by one, and the center of each rotating hole 323 is located at the position of the center of curvature of the corresponding sliding groove 322.

[0236] The connecting rod support 32 of each ice box driving assembly is detachably connected with the ice making shell 5, the connecting rod support 32 of each ice box driving assembly is formed with an accommodating groove 325, and the connecting rod support 32 of each ice box driving assembly and the inner side wall of the ice making shell 5 define an accommodating cavity, the open side of the accommodating groove 325 of the connecting rod support 32 is covered by the ice making shell 5 to form a relatively closed accommodating cavity, and the connecting rod 33 and the connecting rod driving mechanism 34 are arranged in the accommodating cavity, so that water can be better prevented from entering the accommodating groove 325 to affect the connecting rod driving mechanism 34.

[0237] In some embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 31-40The ice making assembly comprises a plurality of ice making boxes 31 arranged in a spaced manner, the plurality of ice making boxes 31 are divided into a plurality of ice making box groups, the plurality of ice making box groups are arranged in a spaced manner along the up-down direction, and each ice making box group comprises a plurality of ice making boxes 31 arranged in a spaced manner along the horizontal direction. The ice making component 2 comprises a refrigerant inlet pipe 21, a refrigerant outlet pipe 22, and a plurality of ice making branches 23, the refrigerant inlet pipe 21 is provided with a refrigerant inlet, the refrigerant outlet pipe 22 is provided with a refrigerant outlet, and the plurality of ice making branches 23 are arranged along the up-down direction, the number of the ice making branches 23 is the same as the number of the ice making box groups and corresponds to the ice making box groups one by one, the inlet end of each ice making branch 23 is connected to and communicates with the refrigerant inlet pipe 21, and the outlet end of each ice making branch 23 is connected to and communicates with the refrigerant outlet pipe 22. The refrigerant enters the refrigerant inlet pipe 21 from the refrigerant inlet, the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant inlet pipe 21 can flow into each ice making branch 23, and each ice making branch 23 can release cold energy to the corresponding ice making box group. The refrigerant of each ice making branch 23 flows into the refrigerant outlet pipe 22 and then flows out of the ice making component 2 through the refrigerant outlet.

[0238] The structure of the refrigeration unit 80 has been described above, and the refrigerant can circulate and flow in the ice making component 2 by using the ice making compressor 66. By arranging the ice making component 2 to comprise a plurality of ice making branches 23 arranged along the up-down direction, each ice making box group can obtain sufficient cold energy, the cold energy is relatively uniform, the ice formation of each ice making box 31 is relatively uniform, the ice making time is relatively consistent, and the ice making efficiency is improved.

[0239] In some optional embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 31-40 each ice making branch 23 is located above the corresponding ice making box group, each ice making branch 23 comprises a branch body and a plurality of branch protrusions 234, the branch body is arranged along the horizontal direction, the inlet end of the branch body is connected to and communicates with the refrigerant inlet pipe 21, the outlet end of the branch body is connected to and communicates with the refrigerant outlet pipe 22, the branch protrusions 234 are connected to the lower side of the branch body and extend downward, and the branch protrusions 234 are provided with flow cavities 2340 communicating with the flow channels in the branch body. The refrigerant enters the refrigerant inlet pipe 21 from the refrigerant inlet, the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant inlet pipe 21 can flow into the branch body of each ice making branch 23 through the inlet end of the branch body, and a part of the refrigerant flows through the flow cavities 2340 of the branch protrusions 234 downward in the process of flowing through the branch body. Each ice making branch 23 can release cold energy to the corresponding ice making box group. The refrigerant of each ice making branch 23 flows into the refrigerant outlet pipe 22 through the outlet end of the branch body and then flows out of the ice making component 2 through the refrigerant outlet.

[0240] When the ice making box 31 is at the ice making position, the material port 312 of the ice making box 31 faces upward, and the branch protrusion 234 is adapted to extend into the ice making groove 311 through the material port 312 or extend into the material port 312. By arranging the branch protrusion 234 and extending the branch protrusion 234 into the ice making groove 311, the cold energy of the ice making component 2 can be better released into the ice making groove 311, so that the water in the ice making groove 311 can quickly receive the cold energy released by the ice making component 2, thereby improving the ice making efficiency. It can be understood that the thickness of the ice block 300 in the ice making groove 311 can be controlled by controlling the water level in the ice making groove 311, so as to ensure that there is a gap between the branch protrusion 234 and the ice block 300 in the ice making groove 311, and avoid that the branch protrusion 234 and the ice block 300 in the ice making groove 311 are adhered together. After the ice block 300 in the ice making box 31 forms ice to a required degree, the ice making box 31 moves to the ice removing position, at which time the material port 312 faces the horizontal direction, and the ice making component 2 can serve as an ice removing component 24 to release heat to the ice making box 31, thereby achieving ice removal.

[0241] It can be understood that sufficient space is left between the two ice making boxes 31 adjacent to each other in the up-down direction and between the two ice making boxes 31 adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, so as to ensure that each ice making box 31 can rotate smoothly and avoid interference between the ice making boxes 31. In addition, when the ice making box 31 is at the ice making position, the height of the ice making box 31 in the up-down direction can be less than the width of the ice making box 31 in the first direction, so as to ensure that the ice making boxes 31 do not interfere with each other when the ice making boxes 31 rotate. Furthermore, by reasonably arranging the distance between the ice making branch 23 and each group of ice making boxes 31, it can be ensured that the ice making boxes 31 do not interfere with the ice making branch 23 during the rotation of the ice making boxes 31.

[0242] In some specific embodiments of the present application, referring to Figure 37 A partition plate 2344 extending in the up-down direction is arranged in the flow cavity 2340 of each branch protrusion 234, the top of the partition plate 2344 is connected with the top wall of the branch body, and the bottom of the partition plate 2344 is spaced apart from the bottom wall of the flow cavity 2340 to form a communication port 2343, the communication port 2343 communicates the portions of the flow channel in the branch body located on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the partition plate 2344, and the partition plate 2344 in each branch protrusion 234 and the inner wall of the flow cavity 2340 define the above-mentioned communication port 2343, the first flow channel 2341 and the second flow channel 2342, the first flow channel 2341 and the second flow channel 2342 are located on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the partition plate 2344, and the first flow channel 2341 and the second flow channel 2342 are communicated through the communication port 2343 at the bottom.

[0243] During the process that the refrigerant flows through each ice-making branch 23, part of the refrigerant in the branch body flows into the flow cavity 2340 of the branch protrusion 234, part of the refrigerant in the branch body flows into the first flow channel 2341 of the flow cavity 2340, then flows into the second flow channel 2342 through the communication port 2343, and then continues to flow in the branch body upward, and finally flows into the refrigerant outlet pipe 22 from the outlet end of the branch protrusion 234. By arranging the above-mentioned partition 2344 in the flow cavity 2340 of each branch protrusion 234, a loop is formed in the branch protrusion 234, which can make the cold energy better transmitted and improve the ice-making effect and efficiency.

[0244] Optionally, with reference to Figures 31-40 , the cross section of the lower end of the branch protrusion 234 decreases in the upward direction, for example, the outer surface of the lower end of the branch protrusion 234 can be formed as a circular arc surface, specifically, the lower end of the branch protrusion 234 can be formed as a semispherical shape. In this way, the space occupied by the lower end of the branch protrusion 234 can be reduced.

[0245] In some specific examples of the present application, with reference to Figures 31-40 , each group of ice-making box groups includes a plurality of ice-making boxes 31 arranged in a first direction, and each branch body includes a first collecting pipe 231, a second collecting pipe 232, and a plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 233. The first collecting pipe 231 and the second collecting pipe 232 are oppositely and spacedly arranged in a second direction, and both the first collecting pipe 231 and the second collecting pipe 232 extend in the first direction. The plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 233 are spacedly arranged in the first direction and located between the first collecting pipe 231 and the second collecting pipe 232. Each refrigerant branch pipe 233 extends in the second direction, and both ends of each refrigerant branch pipe 233 are connected with the first collecting pipe 231 and the second collecting pipe 232, respectively. The first collecting pipe 231 is closed at one end and constitutes an inlet end of the branch body, and the second collecting pipe 232 is closed at one end and constitutes an outlet end of the branch body.

[0246] The lower side of each refrigerant branch pipe 233 is connected with a branch protrusion 234. The lower side of each refrigerant branch pipe 233 can be connected with a plurality of branch protrusions 234, and the plurality of branch protrusions 234 are arranged in the extension direction of each refrigerant branch pipe 233. The number of refrigerant branch pipes 233 in each ice-making branch 23 is the same as and one-to-one corresponds to the number of ice-making boxes 31 in each group of ice-making box groups. For example, when the number of ice-making boxes 31 in each group of ice-making box groups is three, the number of refrigerant branch pipes 233 in each ice-making branch 23 is also three, each refrigerant branch pipe 233 is located above the corresponding ice-making box 31, and the branch protrusion 234 on each refrigerant branch pipe 233 extends downward.

[0247] The refrigerant enters the refrigerant inlet pipe 21 from the refrigerant inlet, and the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant inlet pipe 21 can flow into the plurality of ice-making branches 23. The refrigerant flows into the first header pipe 231 through the inlet end of the first header pipe 231, and the refrigerant flowing into the first header pipe 231 can flow into the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 233, respectively. In the process of flowing through the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 233, part of the refrigerant in the refrigerant branch pipe 233 flows downward into the branch protrusion 234, specifically, flows downward into the first flow channel 2341 of the flow cavity 2340, and then flows into the second flow channel 2342 through the communication port 2343, and then flows upward into the refrigerant branch pipe 233 to continue flowing. The refrigerant flows into the second header pipe 232, and then flows out of the refrigerant outlet pipe 22 from the outlet end of the second header pipe 232.

[0248] The flow channel cross section of the first header pipe 231 is greater than the flow channel cross section of the refrigerant branch pipe 233, the flow channel cross section of the second header pipe 232 is greater than the flow channel cross section of the refrigerant branch pipe 233, the flow channel cross section of the first header pipe 231 and the flow channel cross section of the second header pipe 232 can be the same, and the flow channel cross sections of the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 233 can be the same. The cross section of the flow cavity 2340 of the branch protrusion 234 can be smaller than the flow channel cross section of the refrigerant branch pipe 233, and the cross sections of the flow cavities 2340 of all the branch protrusions 234 can be the same. The flow channel cross section of the refrigerant inlet pipe 21 is not less than the flow channel cross section of the first header pipe 231, and the flow channel cross section of the refrigerant outlet pipe 22 is not less than the flow channel cross section of the second header pipe 232. For example, the inner diameter of the first header pipe 231 is greater than the inner diameter of the refrigerant branch pipe 233, the inner diameter of the second header pipe 232 is greater than the inner diameter of the refrigerant branch pipe 233, the inner diameter of the first header pipe 231 and the inner diameter of the second header pipe 232 can be the same, and the inner diameters of the plurality of refrigerant branch pipes 233 can be the same. The inner diameter of the branch protrusion 234 can be smaller than the inner diameter of the refrigerant branch pipe 233, and the inner diameters of all the branch protrusions 234 can be the same. The inner diameter of the refrigerant inlet pipe 21 is not less than the inner diameter of the first header pipe 231, and the inner diameter of the refrigerant outlet pipe 22 is not less than the inner diameter of the second header pipe 232. By setting the flow channel cross sections of the refrigerant inlet pipe 21 and the refrigerant outlet pipe 22 and the flow channel cross sections of the first header pipe 231 and the second header pipe 232 to be larger, the refrigerant flow rate can be prevented from being greatly attenuated, the circulation efficiency of the refrigerant can be ensured, and the ice-making efficiency can be ensured.

[0249] In some optional embodiments of the present application, with reference to Figures 31-40Each ice-making box group includes a plurality of ice-making boxes 31 arranged in the first direction, and the water supply assembly includes a water storage box 41, a water conveying component 42, and a water supply pump 43. The water storage box 41 is used to store water, and the water in the cold source cavity 813 of the sub-machine 200 can be delivered to the water storage box 41 through the circulating water pump 83 and the water conveying pipe 46. When the water in the water storage box 41 is insufficient, water can also be supplemented into the water storage box 41. The water conveying component 42 has a water conveying passage, and the water supply pump 43 is used to deliver the water in the water storage box 41 to the ice-making box 31 through the water conveying passage.

[0250] Specifically, the water conveying component 42 includes a water conveying main pipe 423 and a plurality of water conveying branch pipes 424. The water conveying main pipe 423 extends in the up-down direction, and the water conveying branch pipes 424 extend in the first direction. The water conveying branch pipes 424 are arranged in the up-down direction and connected to the upper part of the water conveying main pipe 423. One end of each water conveying branch pipe 424 is connected to and communicates with the water conveying main pipe 423, and the other end of each water conveying branch pipe 424 is closed. The number of water conveying branch pipes 424 is the same as and corresponds to the number of ice-making box groups. For example, when the ice-making box groups are three, the water conveying branch pipes 424 are also three. Each water conveying branch pipe 424 is located directly above the corresponding ice-making box group, and each water conveying branch pipe 424 forms a water outlet hole 4241 at a corresponding position of the ice-making box 31 of the corresponding ice-making box group. The number of water outlet holes 4241 formed on each water conveying branch pipe 424 is not less than the number of ice-making boxes 31 of the corresponding ice-making box group, and each ice-making box 31 in each ice-making box group corresponds to at least one water outlet hole 4241.

[0251] When the water supply assembly needs to supply water to the ice-making box 31, the water supply pump 43 works to draw water in the water storage box 41 through the water conveying main pipe 423. The water in the water conveying main pipe 423 can flow into the plurality of water conveying branch pipes 424, and the water in each water conveying branch pipe 424 can flow into the ice-making groove 311 of the corresponding ice-making box 31 through the water outlet hole 4241, so as to realize water supply to each ice-making box 31.

[0252] In some optional embodiments of the present application, referring to Figures 31-40 The water storage box 41 is located below the ice storage box 47, and the bottom wall of the ice storage box 47 is formed with a water leakage hole 5612 communicating the ice storage box 47 and the water storage box 41. The water in the ice storage box 47 can flow into the water storage box 41 through the water leakage hole 5612 for recycling.

[0253] In the description of the specification, reference to "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "an exemplary embodiment", "an example", "a specific example", or "some examples" means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic being described is included in at least one embodiment or example of the application. The appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in an exemplary embodiment", "an example", "a specific example", or "some examples" in various places in the specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0254] Although embodiments of the application have been shown and described, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations thereto without departing from the principles and scope of the application, which are defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ice-making unit, characterized in that, For use in an air conditioner, the air conditioner includes a main unit and a sub-unit, the main unit includes a heat exchange and air supply unit and an ice-making unit, the sub-unit is detachably disposed on the main unit, the sub-unit includes a refrigeration unit, and when the sub-unit is connected to the main unit, ice blocks produced by the ice-making unit can be delivered to the refrigeration unit, the ice-making unit including: An ice-making module includes an ice-making component, an ice-removing component, a water supply component, and an ice storage box. The ice-making component includes an ice-making part and multiple ice-making boxes spaced apart from each other. Each ice-making box has an ice-making trough. The multiple ice-making boxes are divided into multiple groups, which are spaced apart vertically. Each group includes multiple ice-making boxes spaced apart horizontally. Each ice-making box is movable between an ice-making position and an ice-removing position. The water supply component supplies water to the ice-making boxes. The ice-making part releases cold energy to the ice-making boxes. The ice-making part includes a refrigerant inlet pipe, a refrigerant outlet pipe, and multiple refrigeration branches. The refrigerant inlet pipe has a refrigerant inlet, and the refrigerant outlet pipe has a refrigerant outlet. The refrigeration branches are arranged vertically, and the number of refrigeration branches is the same as the number of ice-making box groups and corresponds one-to-one. The inlet end of each refrigeration branch is connected to and communicates with the refrigerant inlet pipe, and the outlet end of each refrigeration branch is connected to and communicates with the refrigerant outlet pipe. Each refrigeration branch is located above the corresponding ice-making box group. Each refrigeration branch includes a branch body and multiple branch protrusions. The branch body is arranged horizontally, and the inlet end of the branch body is connected to and communicates with the refrigerant inlet pipe. The outlet end of the branch body is connected to and communicates with the refrigerant outlet pipe. The branch protrusions are connected to the lower side of the branch body and extend downward into the ice-making tank. The branch protrusions have a flow cavity that communicates with the flow channel in the branch body. In the ice-making position, the water supply component supplies water to the ice-making box, and the ice-making component releases cold energy to the ice-making box; in the ice-removing position, the ice-removing component removes the ice from the ice-making box into the ice storage box.

2. The ice-making unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, All the ice-making boxes move synchronously.

3. The ice-making unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the ice-making boxes is rotatable between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position.

4. The ice-making unit according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ice-making module includes: an ice-making shell, wherein the ice-making component, the ice-removing component, and the ice storage box are all disposed within the ice-making shell, and an ice box driving component for driving the ice box to rotate includes: A connecting rod support is provided on the ice-making shell, and an arc-shaped sliding groove is formed on the connecting rod support. The number of the sliding grooves is the same as the number of the ice-making boxes and they correspond one-to-one. A connecting rod is movably disposed on the connecting rod support. The connecting rod has a protrusion that is accommodated in the slide groove. The number of protrusions and the slide groove are the same and correspond one-to-one. Each ice maker is connected to the connecting rod and each ice maker is rotatably connected to the connecting rod support. A linkage drive mechanism is connected to the linkage to drive the linkage to move. When the linkage moves, each of the protrusions slides along the extension direction of the corresponding groove.

5. The ice-making unit according to claim 4, characterized in that, The linkage support includes: A main plate having the groove formed thereon, and each ice box being rotatably connected to the main plate; A side panel is provided on the side of the main plate away from the ice maker. The side panel extends circumferentially along the main plate and defines a receiving groove between the side panel and the main plate. The connecting rod bracket and the connecting rod drive mechanism are both located in the receiving groove.

6. The ice-making unit according to claim 4, characterized in that, The two opposite ends of the chute along its extension direction are an ice-making end and an ice-removing end, respectively. The ice-making end is the lowest position of the chute and the ice-removing end is the highest position of the chute. When the ice-making box is in the ice-making position, the protruding post is located at the ice-making end. When the ice-making box is in the ice-removing position, the protruding post is located at the ice-removing end.

7. The ice-making unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, One side of the ice-making tank is open to form a material inlet, through which water is adapted to enter the ice-making box, and ice cubes are adapted to exit the ice-making box from the material inlet.

8. The ice-making unit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The ice storage box is located below the ice-making box. When the ice-making box is in the de-icing position, the ice is adapted to fall from the ice-making tank into the ice storage box under its own gravity.

9. The ice-making unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, In the ice-making position, the material inlet faces upward; in the de-icing position, the material inlet faces horizontally, downward, or diagonally downward.

10. The ice-making unit according to claim 9, characterized in that, When the ice-making box is in the de-icing position, the material inlet faces horizontally or downwards, and the lower wall of the ice-making tank serves as a support surface, which extends downwards in a direction adjacent to the material inlet.

11. The ice-making unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The de-icing assembly includes a de-icing component for releasing heat to the ice-making box, wherein the de-icing component releases heat to the ice-making box at the de-icing position.

12. The ice-making unit according to claim 11, characterized in that, The de-icing component and the ice-making component are the same component.

13. The ice-making unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom wall of the ice storage box has an ice outlet, and the ice outlet is provided with an ice outlet switch door for opening and closing the ice outlet.

14. The ice-making unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice-making module further includes an ice-stirring mechanism, which is used to stir the ice blocks in the ice storage box.

15. The ice-making unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow cavity is provided with a partition extending in the vertical direction. The top of the partition is connected to the top wall of the branch body, and the bottom of the partition is spaced apart from the bottom wall of the flow cavity to form a communication port. The communication port connects the flow channel in the branch body located on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the partition.

16. The ice-making unit according to claim 15, characterized in that, The cross-section of the lower end of the branch protrusion decreases from top to bottom.

17. The ice-making unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each group of ice-making boxes includes a plurality of ice-making boxes spaced apart along a first direction, the first direction being parallel to the horizontal direction, and each branch body includes: A first manifold and a second manifold are arranged opposite to and spaced apart along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the horizontal direction; Multiple refrigerant branch pipes are arranged at intervals along the first direction and located between the first manifold and the second manifold. The two ends of each refrigerant branch pipe are connected to the first manifold and the second manifold, respectively. The lower side of each refrigerant branch pipe is connected to the branch protrusion. The number of refrigerant branch pipes in each refrigeration branch is the same as the number of ice boxes in each group of ice boxes and corresponds one-to-one.

18. The ice-making unit according to claim 17, characterized in that, The flow channel cross-section of the first manifold is larger than that of the refrigerant branch pipe, the flow channel cross-section of the second manifold is larger than that of the refrigerant branch pipe, the flow channel cross-section of the refrigerant inlet pipe is not smaller than that of the first manifold, and the flow channel cross-section of the refrigerant outlet pipe is not smaller than that of the second manifold.

19. The ice-making unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each group of ice-making boxes includes multiple ice-making boxes spaced apart along a first direction, the first direction being parallel to the horizontal direction, and the water supply assembly includes: Water storage box for storing water; The water-carrying component includes a main water-carrying pipe extending in the vertical direction and a branch water-carrying pipe extending in the first direction. There are multiple branch water-carrying pipes, which are spaced apart in the vertical direction. The number of branch water-carrying pipes is the same as the number of ice-making box groups and corresponds one-to-one. Each branch water-carrying pipe is located directly above the corresponding ice-making box group, and each branch water-carrying pipe has a water outlet hole at the corresponding position of the ice-making box in the corresponding ice-making box group. A water supply pump is used to transport water from the water storage box to the ice-making box through the water transport component.

20. The ice-making unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water supply components include: A water storage box for storing water, the water storage box being located below the ice storage box, and a drainage hole being formed on the bottom wall of the ice storage box connecting the ice storage box and the water storage box; A water-carrying component, wherein the water-carrying component has a water-carrying channel; A water supply pump is used to transport water from the water storage box to the ice-making box through the water transport channel.

21. An air conditioner, characterized in that, include: The ice-making unit according to any one of claims 1-20.

22. The air conditioner according to claim 21, characterized in that, When the sub-unit is connected to the host unit, the water generated in the refrigeration unit can be delivered to the water supply assembly.

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