Ice making machine based on super-hydrophobic surface microstructure rapid demoulding and its working method

Abstract

The present invention discloses an ice-making machine with rapid demoulding based on a super-hydrophobic surface microstructure and a working method thereof. In the present invention, the rotating shaft of the demoulding mechanism and the frame form a rotating pair, one end of the two connecting rods are respectively fixed to the two ends of the rotating shaft, and the other end is respectively hinged to one end of the two pull rods, the other end of the two pull rods are respectively hinged to the two ends of the push rods, and the push rods and the frame form a sliding pair; in the mold, the upper mold sleeve is fixed to the frame, and the lower mold sleeve is fixed to the rotating shaft. The upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve can be opened and closed, and when the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are closed, a plurality of mold cavities arranged at intervals are formed, and holes are provided on the upper mold sleeve above each mold cavity, and a microstructure with a super-hydrophobic surface is provided on the inner surface of each mold cavity of the lower mold sleeve. The present invention reduces the bonding force between the ice cubes and the inner surface of the upper mold cavity of the lower mold sleeve by providing a microstructure with a super-hydrophobic surface, and is easy to fall off through vibration; in the present invention, the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are both made of stainless steel instead of silicone, thereby improving the service life of the mold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of ice making machines, and in particular relates to an ice making machine with rapid demoulding based on a super-hydrophobic surface microstructure and a working method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Traditional ice makers use silicone as their mold material. Demolding typically requires external heating to initially melt the frozen ice mold. Then, a pin is used to squeeze the silicone mold, causing it to elastically deform and separate from the ice mold, completing the process. However, traditional ice makers have the following disadvantages: First, demolding requires heating the mold shell and then applying external force to deform the mold, significantly reducing the lifespan of the silicone mold over repeated use. Second, mold selection requires consideration of the specific silicone material, mold size, minimum deformation during demolding, and maximum elastic deformation that allows for rebound after demolding. Repeated cooling and heating of the mold material can alter its properties, preventing it from fully rebounding after demolding, leading to malfunction of the ice maker. Third, the lifespan of an ice maker is affected by factors such as the minimum operating temperature, demolding heating temperature, and the degree of elastic deformation of the mold, making it difficult to accurately predict. Therefore, there is a need for an ice maker that does not require heating during demolding and allows the ice mold to easily separate from the mold. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to provide an ice making machine with rapid demoulding based on a super-hydrophobic surface microstructure and a working method thereof.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] The present invention discloses an ice-making machine with rapid demoulding based on a super-hydrophobic surface microstructure, comprising a frame, a mold and a demoulding mechanism; the demoulding mechanism comprises a driving member, a vibrator, a pull rod, a rotating shaft and a push rod; the rotating shaft and the frame form a rotating pair and are driven by the driving member; one end of two connecting rods are respectively fixed to the two ends of the rotating shaft, and the other end is respectively hinged to one end of two pull rods; the other end of the two pull rods is respectively hinged to the two ends of a push rod parallel to the rotating shaft; the push rod and the frame form a sliding pair, and a plurality of vertical push rods arranged at intervals are fixed to the push rod; and a plurality of vibrators are fixed to the evaporation pipe housing of the mold.

[0006] The mold includes an upper mold sleeve and a lower mold sleeve arranged up and down, and the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are both made of stainless steel; the upper mold sleeve located below the push rod is fixed to the frame by an upper mold sleeve fixing frame, and the lower mold sleeve is fixed to the rotating shaft by a lower mold sleeve fixing frame; when the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are closed, a plurality of mold cavities arranged at intervals are formed, and the adjacent mold cavities are connected; the upper mold sleeve is provided with holes above each mold cavity, and each hole is located directly below the corresponding push rod, and the inner surface of the lower mold sleeve located in each mold cavity is provided with a microstructure, and the microstructure has a superhydrophobic surface; the outer surfaces of the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are fixed with evaporation pipes; both ends of the evaporation pipes are connected to the refrigeration system, and the refrigeration system provides cooling; the lower mold sleeve fixing frame is fixed with an evaporation pipe shell, and the evaporation pipe on the outer surface of the lower mold sleeve is placed in the evaporation pipe shell.

[0007] Preferably, the driving member includes a servo motor, a worm, a rotating shaft one, a rotating shaft two, a rotating shaft three and a gear one; the housing of the servo motor is fixed to the frame, one end of the worm is fixed to the output shaft of the servo motor, and the other end forms a rotating pair with the worm bracket, and the worm bracket is fixed to the frame; the rotating shaft one, the rotating shaft two and the rotating shaft three are all rotatably connected to the control box, and the control box is fixed to the frame; the worm is engaged with the turbine fixed on the rotating shaft one, the rotating shaft one is connected to the rotating shaft two through the gear pair one, the rotating shaft two is connected to the rotating shaft three through the gear pair two, the gear one is fixed on the rotating shaft, and is engaged with the gear two fixed on the rotating shaft three.

[0008] More preferably, a protective device is further provided, which includes a torsion spring and a control rod, the lower end of the control rod and the control rod cover form a rotating pair, the upper end is sleeved with a torsion spring, and the two ends of the torsion spring are respectively fixed to the control rod and the control box; an integrally formed circular convex strip is provided on the gear of the driving member, and a notch is provided on the circular convex strip, and when the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are closed, the integrally formed convex rod on the upper end of the control rod is embedded in the notch.

[0009] Preferably, the driving member and the refrigeration system are both arranged in a control box.

[0010] Preferably, the rotating shaft is supported on the frame via a bearing seat.

[0011] Preferably, two guide rails spaced apart are fixed on the frame, and both ends of the push rod and the two guide rails form sliding pairs respectively.

[0012] Preferably, a water injection tank is fixed on the frame above the upper mold sleeve.

[0013] Preferably, the inner surface of the lower mold sleeve located in each mold cavity is a hemispherical surface, the microstructure is composed of a plurality of needle-shaped column hole groups equidistantly distributed along the meridians, and the needle-shaped column hole groups are composed of a plurality of needle-shaped column holes evenly distributed along the latitudes.

[0014] The working method of the ice making machine with rapid demoulding based on the super-hydrophobic surface microstructure of the present invention is as follows:

[0015] First, close the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve, and inject water into the corresponding mold cavity through the hole; turn on the controller to control the refrigeration system to start refrigeration, and the refrigerant gas is transported to each evaporation pipe. The water in the mold cavity begins to condense. After the freezing reaches the preset time, the controller controls the refrigeration system to end refrigeration; then the controller controls the driving member to drive the shaft to rotate 90 degrees in the forward direction, and the shaft drives the push rods to move downward through the connecting rod and the pull rod. Each push rod is inserted into the corresponding hole, and at the same time, the shaft drives the lower mold sleeve to rotate downward. Each ice cube is pushed downward by the corresponding push rod until it is separated from the upper mold sleeve and rotates downward with the lower mold sleeve; then the controller controls The driving motor of each vibrator starts working, and the vibrator transmits the vibration to the lower mold sleeve through the evaporation pipe casing. At the same time, because the microstructure on the lower mold sleeve has a super hydrophobic surface, the water injected into the mold cavity cannot enter the microstructure, and the air in the microstructure cannot be discharged. The contact area between the condensed ice cubes and the inner surface of the mold cavity of the lower mold sleeve is reduced, and the binding force is small. Under the action of vibration, the ice cubes are separated from the lower mold sleeve and fall into the collection frame, completing the demolding; finally, the controller controls the driving part to drive the rotating shaft to reverse 90°, and the rotating shaft drives the push rod to move upward and reset through the connecting rod and the pull rod, and drives the lower mold sleeve to rotate upward until it closes with the upper mold sleeve.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] 1. In the present invention, both the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are made of stainless steel, replacing the traditional silicone mold. When demoulding, the driving member drives the rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft drives the push rod to move downward through the connecting rod and the pull rod. The push rod on the push rod pushes the ice cube to move downward until it is separated from the upper mold sleeve. At the same time, the rotating shaft drives the lower mold sleeve and the ice cube to rotate downward. Because each mold cavity on the lower mold sleeve is provided with a microstructure with a super hydrophobic surface, the water injected into the mold cavity cannot enter the microstructure, and the air in the microstructure cannot be discharged, so that the contact area between the condensed ice cube and the inner surface of the mold cavity of the lower mold sleeve is reduced, the bonding force is small, and it is easy to separate from the lower mold sleeve. The ice cube is generated by the vibrator The vibration separates the mold from the lower mold sleeve to complete demoulding. There is no need to heat or use external force to deform the mold to achieve the purpose of demoulding, which greatly improves the service life of the mold. At the same time, the use of stainless steel molds not only solves the problem of mold resilience caused by the use of silicone molds, but also improves the working stability of the ice maker. In addition, the thermal conductivity of stainless steel is much higher than that of silicone, which speeds up the freezing speed, improves the working efficiency of the ice maker, and makes the life of the ice maker easier to predict. There is no need to consider factors such as the minimum operating temperature, demoulding heating temperature, and degree of elastic deformation of the mold when the ice maker uses silicone molds.

[0018] 2. The present invention is provided with a protective device. When the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are combined, the protruding rod integrally formed on the upper end of the control rod is embedded in the recess to prevent the rotation of the rotating shaft and prevent the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve from opening when the power is cut off during the ice making process, thereby increasing the safety of the ice maker during operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve when they are opened in the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the driving member and the protection device in the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the protection device in the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the control box, mold and demoulding mechanism in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 A top view of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the microstructure in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the ice-making machine with rapid demoulding based on super-hydrophobic surface microstructure of the present invention includes a frame, a demoulding mechanism 3 and a mold 4.

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the demoulding mechanism 3 includes a driving member, a vibrator 6, a pull rod 20, a rotating shaft 25 and a push rod; the rotating shaft 25 and the frame form a rotating pair and are driven by the driving member; one end of the two connecting rods 22 are respectively fixed to the two ends of the rotating shaft 25, and the other end is respectively hinged to one end of the two pull rods 20; the other end of the two pull rods 20 are respectively hinged to the two ends of the push rods parallel to the rotating shaft 25; the push rod and the frame form a sliding pair, and a plurality of vertical and spaced push rods are fixed on the push rod; a number of vibrators 6 are fixed on the evaporation pipeline shell 5 of the mold 4.

[0029] like Figure 2 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the mold 4 includes an upper mold sleeve 7 and a lower mold sleeve 8 arranged in an upper and lower manner. The upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are both made of stainless steel. The upper mold sleeve 7 located below the push rod is fixed to the frame by an upper mold sleeve fixing frame 26, and the lower mold sleeve 8 is fixed to the rotating shaft 25 by a lower mold sleeve fixing frame; the upper mold sleeve 7 and the lower mold sleeve 8 can be opened and closed, and when the upper mold sleeve 7 and the lower mold sleeve 8 are closed, a plurality of mold cavities arranged at intervals are formed, and adjacent mold cavities are connected, and the shape of the mold cavity is the shape of an ice cube; a hole is provided on the upper mold sleeve 7 above each mold cavity, and each hole is located directly below the corresponding push rod, and a microstructure is provided on the inner surface of the lower mold sleeve 8 in each mold cavity, and the microstructure has a super-hydrophobic surface; an evaporation pipe 24 is fixed to the outer surface of the upper mold sleeve 7 and the lower mold sleeve 8; both ends of the evaporation pipe 24 are connected to the refrigeration system, and the refrigeration system provides cooling; an evaporation pipe shell 5 is fixed on the lower mold sleeve fixing frame, and the evaporation pipe shell 5 is used to protect the evaporation pipe 24 on the lower mold sleeve 8.

[0030] Among them, each vibrator 6 is driven by its own drive motor, and the servo motor 9 of the drive component, the refrigeration system and each drive motor are all controlled by the controller in the control box 1, and the controller is controlled by the control switch 2 to power on or off.

[0031] As a preferred embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, the driving parts include a servo motor 9, a worm 12, a rotating shaft 10, a rotating shaft 2, a rotating shaft 3 13 and a gear 14; the housing of the servo motor 9 is fixed to the frame, one end of the worm 12 is fixed to the output shaft of the servo motor 9, and the other end forms a rotating pair with the worm bracket 27, and the worm bracket 27 is fixed to the frame; the rotating shaft 10, the rotating shaft 2 and the rotating shaft 3 13 are all rotatably connected to the control box 1 (forming a rotating pair), and the control box 1 is fixed to the frame; the worm 12 is engaged with the worm wheel fixed on the rotating shaft 10, the rotating shaft 10 is connected to the rotating shaft 2 through the gear pair 11, the rotating shaft 2 is connected to the rotating shaft 3 13 through the gear pair 2, and the gear 14 is fixed on the rotating shaft and meshes with the gear 2 fixed on the rotating shaft 3 13.

[0032] More preferably, a protective device is provided, such as Figure 4 As shown, the protection device includes a torsion spring 15 and a control rod 16. The lower end of the control rod 16 and the control rod cover 18 form a rotating pair, and the upper end is sleeved with a torsion spring 15. The two ends of the torsion spring 15 are respectively fixed to the control rod 16 and the control box 1; the control rod cover 18 is fixed to the frame; the gear 14 of the driving member is provided with an integrally formed circular ridge 17, and the circular ridge 17 is provided with a notch. When the upper mold sleeve 7 and the lower mold sleeve 8 are closed, the integrally formed ridge on the upper end of the control rod 16 is embedded in the notch to prevent the upper mold sleeve 7 and the lower mold sleeve 8 from opening when the power is cut off during ice making.

[0033] As a preferred embodiment, the driving component and the refrigeration system are both arranged in the control box 1.

[0034] As a preferred embodiment, the rotating shaft 25 is supported on the frame through a bearing seat 23.

[0035] As a preferred embodiment, two guide rails 19 spaced apart are fixed on the frame, and both ends of the push rod and the two guide rails 19 form sliding pairs respectively.

[0036] As a preferred embodiment, a water injection tank 21 is fixed on the frame above the upper mold sleeve 7. The water injection tank 21 is used to store water. When water injection is needed, water can be injected into the mold cavity from the hole through a water pipe.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment, Figure 7 As shown, the inner surface of the lower mold sleeve 8 located in each mold cavity is a hemispherical surface, and the microstructure is composed of a plurality of needle-shaped column hole groups distributed equidistantly along the meridians, and the needle-shaped column hole groups are composed of a plurality of needle-shaped column holes evenly distributed along the latitudes.

[0038] The working method of the ice making machine with rapid demoulding based on the super-hydrophobic surface microstructure of the present invention is as follows:

[0039] First, close the upper mold sleeve 7 and the lower mold sleeve 8, and inject water into the corresponding mold cavity through the hole. Turn on the controller to control the refrigeration system to start refrigeration. The refrigerant gas is transported to each evaporation pipe 24, and the water in the mold cavity begins to condense. After the freezing reaches the preset time, the controller controls the refrigeration system to end refrigeration; then, the protection device unlocks gear 14 (the protruding rod on the control rod moves out of the recess of the circular protrusion on gear 1), and the controller controls the driving member to drive the rotating shaft to rotate 90° in the forward direction. The rotating shaft 25 drives the push rod to move downward through the connecting rod 22 and the pull rod 20. Each push rod is inserted into the corresponding hole. At the same time, the rotating shaft drives the lower mold sleeve 8 to rotate downward. Each ice cube is pushed downward by the corresponding push rod until it is separated from the upper mold sleeve 7 and rotates downward with the lower mold sleeve 8; then the controller controls the driving motor of each vibrator 6 to start working. The vibrator 6 is driven by the connecting rod 22 and the pull rod 20. The evaporation pipe shell 5 transmits the vibration to the lower mold sleeve 8. At the same time, because the microstructure on the lower mold sleeve 8 has a super-hydrophobic surface, the water injected into the mold cavity cannot enter the microstructure, and the air in the microstructure cannot be discharged, so that the contact area between the condensed ice cubes and the inner surface of the mold cavity of the lower mold sleeve 8 is reduced, and the binding force is small. Under the action of vibration, the ice cubes are separated from the lower mold sleeve 8 and fall into the collection frame, completing the demoulding; finally, the controller controls the driving member to drive the rotating shaft to reverse 90°, and the rotating shaft drives the push rod to move upward and reset through the connecting rod 22 and the pull rod 20, and drives the lower mold sleeve 8 to rotate upward until it closes with the upper mold sleeve 7, and the protective device locks gear one (under the action of the restoring force of the torsion spring, the protruding rod on the control rod is embedded in the recess of the circular protrusion on the gear one).

Claims

1. An ice-making machine with rapid demoulding based on a super-hydrophobic surface microstructure, comprising a frame and a mold, characterized in that: The demoulding mechanism also includes a demoulding mechanism comprising a driving member, a vibrator, a pull rod, a rotating shaft, and a push rod; the rotating shaft and the frame form a rotating pair and are driven by the driving member; one end of two connecting rods is fixed to the two ends of the rotating shaft respectively, and the other end is hinged to one end of two pull rods respectively; the other ends of the two pull rods are hinged to the two ends of the push rods parallel to the rotating shaft respectively; the push rods form a sliding pair with the frame, and a plurality of vertical push rods arranged at intervals are fixed to the push rods; a plurality of vibrators are fixed to the evaporation pipe housing of the mold; The mold includes an upper mold sleeve and a lower mold sleeve arranged in an upper and lower manner, and both the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are made of stainless steel; the upper mold sleeve located below the push rod is fixed to the frame by an upper mold sleeve fixing frame, and the lower mold sleeve is fixed to the rotating shaft by a lower mold sleeve fixing frame; when the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are closed, a plurality of mold cavities arranged at intervals are formed, and two adjacent mold cavities are connected; a hole is provided on the upper mold sleeve above each mold cavity, and each hole is located directly below the corresponding push rod, and a microstructure is provided on the inner surface of the lower mold sleeve located in each mold cavity, and the microstructure has a super-hydrophobic surface; evaporation pipes are fixed to the outer surfaces of the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve; both ends of the evaporation pipe are connected to the refrigeration system, and the refrigeration system provides cooling; an evaporation pipe shell is fixed on the lower mold sleeve fixing frame, and the evaporation pipe on the outer surface of the lower mold sleeve is placed in the evaporation pipe shell.

2. The ice making machine with rapid demoulding based on super-hydrophobic surface microstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving component includes a servo motor, a worm, a rotating shaft one, a rotating shaft two, a rotating shaft three and a gear one; the housing of the servo motor is fixed to the frame, one end of the worm is fixed to the output shaft of the servo motor, and the other end forms a rotating pair with the worm bracket, and the worm bracket is fixed to the frame; the rotating shaft one, the rotating shaft two and the rotating shaft three are all rotatably connected to the control box, and the control box is fixed to the frame; the worm is engaged with the worm wheel fixed on the rotating shaft one, the rotating shaft one is connected to the rotating shaft two through the gear pair one, the rotating shaft two is connected to the rotating shaft three through the gear pair two, the gear one is fixed on the rotating shaft, and is engaged with the gear two fixed on the rotating shaft three.

3. The ice making machine with rapid demoulding based on super-hydrophobic surface microstructure according to claim 2, characterized in that: A protective device is also provided, which includes a torsion spring and a control rod. The lower end of the control rod and the control rod cover form a rotating pair, and the upper end is sleeved with a torsion spring. The two ends of the torsion spring are respectively fixed to the control rod and the control box; an integrally formed circular convex strip is provided on the gear of the driving member, and a notch is provided on the circular convex strip. When the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve are closed, the integrally formed convex rod on the upper end of the control rod is embedded in the notch.

4. The ice maker with rapid demoulding based on super-hydrophobic surface microstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving component and the refrigeration system are both arranged in a control box.

5. The ice maker with rapid demoulding based on super-hydrophobic surface microstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating shaft is supported on the frame through a bearing seat.

6. The ice maker with rapid demoulding based on super-hydrophobic surface microstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two guide rails arranged at a distance from each other are fixed on the frame, and two ends of the push rod and the two guide rails respectively form sliding pairs.

7. The ice maker with rapid demoulding based on super-hydrophobic surface microstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water injection trough is fixed on the frame above the upper die sleeve.

8. The ice-making machine with rapid demoulding based on super-hydrophobic surface microstructure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner surface of the lower mold sleeve located in each mold cavity is a hemispherical surface, and the microstructure is composed of a plurality of needle-shaped column hole groups distributed equidistantly along the meridians, and the needle-shaped column hole groups are composed of a plurality of needle-shaped column holes evenly distributed along the latitudes.

9. The operating method of an ice-making machine based on a super-hydrophobic surface microstructure for rapid demoulding according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The details are as follows: First, close the upper mold sleeve and the lower mold sleeve, and inject water into the corresponding mold cavity through the hole; turn on the controller to control the refrigeration system to start refrigeration, and the refrigerant gas is transported to each evaporation pipe. The water in the mold cavity begins to condense. After the freezing reaches the preset time, the controller controls the refrigeration system to end refrigeration; then the controller controls the driving member to drive the shaft to rotate 90 degrees in the forward direction, and the shaft drives the push rods to move downward through the connecting rod and the pull rod. Each push rod is inserted into the corresponding hole, and at the same time, the shaft drives the lower mold sleeve to rotate downward. Each ice cube is pushed downward by the corresponding push rod until it is separated from the upper mold sleeve and rotates downward with the lower mold sleeve; then the controller controls The driving motor of each vibrator starts working, and the vibrator transmits the vibration to the lower mold sleeve through the evaporation pipe casing. At the same time, because the microstructure on the lower mold sleeve has a super hydrophobic surface, the water injected into the mold cavity cannot enter the microstructure, and the air in the microstructure cannot be discharged. The contact area between the condensed ice cubes and the inner surface of the mold cavity of the lower mold sleeve is reduced, and the binding force is small. Under the action of vibration, the ice cubes are separated from the lower mold sleeve and fall into the collection frame, completing the demolding; finally, the controller controls the driving part to drive the rotating shaft to reverse 90°, and the rotating shaft drives the push rod to move upward and reset through the connecting rod and the pull rod, and drives the lower mold sleeve to rotate upward until it closes with the upper mold sleeve.

10. The operating method of the ice-making machine based on super-hydrophobic surface microstructure rapid demoulding according to claim 9, characterized in that: Before the driving member drives the rotating shaft to rotate 90° forward, first rotate the control lever so that the protruding rod on the control lever moves out of the notch of the circular protrusion on gear one, thereby unlocking gear one; after the lower die sleeve rotates upward to close with the upper die sleeve, under the action of the restoring force of the torsion spring, the protruding rod on the control lever is embedded in the notch of the circular protrusion on gear one, locking gear one.

Images