An ice maker ice cube grid assembly apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses ice tray assembling equipment for ice machines, and relates to the related field of production and processing.The equipment comprises a workbench, a support frame fixedly installed on the workbench, a storage box slidably installed at the bottom of the support frame, a pushing structure installed on the support frame and used for driving the support frame to intermittently and equidistantly move, a feeding part installed at the bottom side end of the storage box and communicated with the storage box, a partition plate fixedly installed in the storage box, a storage cavity and a driving cavity formed in the storage box by the partition plate, a blocking plate detachably installed at one end of the storage cavity, and an ice tray box placed on the workbench.The equipment omits the polishing process after welding by not using a welding machine, can independently assemble the ice tray box and the partition plate, saves the use of more manpower, and has a significant improvement in assembling efficiency due to the use of the bolt fixing mode for assembling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of production and processing, specifically to an ice tray assembly device for an ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] Ice trays are household items that are filled with water and placed in the refrigerator to freeze ice cubes. Ice trays are also used in ice makers to form ice cubes. The ice trays in existing ice makers are detachable and installed on the ice maker. The ice tray consists of an ice tray box and cross-mounted partitions, which are usually made of metal. The partitions are fixed inside the ice tray box to form multiple rectangular chambers inside the ice tray box.

[0003] Typically, multiple partitions are welded horizontally and vertically and then placed inside an ice cube tray. A retaining frame then holds the welded partitions in place. To ensure stability, welding is performed at each intersection. On an assembly line, this process usually involves two parts: arrangement and welding, with each part performing the assembly. However, this method has the following drawbacks:

[0004] First, there are many welding points, resulting in relatively low efficiency.

[0005] Second, the welded area is not smooth enough, and the welded part usually needs to be ground after welding, which increases the number of assembly steps.

[0006] Third, it requires a large number of workers and there are certain dangers in the welding process.

[0007] Therefore, we propose an ice tray assembly device for ice makers. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ice tray assembly device for an ice maker to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an ice tray assembly device for an ice maker, comprising:

[0010] A workbench and a support frame fixedly installed on the workbench. A storage box is slidably installed at the bottom of the support frame. The storage box is connected to a pushing structure installed on the support frame for driving the support frame to move intermittently at equal intervals. A dispensing component is installed at the bottom side of the storage box and communicates with it.

[0011] A partition is fixed inside the storage box, which divides the interior of the storage box into a storage cavity and a drive cavity. A sealing plate is detachably attached to one end of the storage cavity.

[0012] An ice cube tray is placed on the workbench. The storage box assembles the second partition and the first partition, which are stored in the storage cavity, onto the ice cube tray through an assembly mechanism installed on the storage box.

[0013] Preferably, the assembly mechanism includes first movable slots on both sides of the storage box, a push plate that slides in cooperation with the first movable slot is installed in the storage cavity, a plurality of springs are fixedly installed on one side of the push plate, the end of the spring away from the push plate is fixed to the inner wall of the storage cavity, and a sealing plate can be detachably installed on the open end of the storage cavity, and a plurality of limiting posts are fixed on the side of the sealing plate facing the push plate.

[0014] Preferably, guide rods are fixed on both sides of the storage box, and guide sleeves are slidably installed on the guide rods; the L-shaped plate;

[0015] It also includes a transmission rod, on which two symmetrically arranged limiting blocks are rotatably mounted. The limiting blocks are slidably engaged with the limiting grooves opened on the storage box. Both ends of the transmission rod are coaxially fixed with lead screws. The two lead screws have opposite screw directions, and each lead screw is fitted with a threaded sleeve that is threaded with it. The threaded sleeve is fixed to the L-shaped plate.

[0016] A gear is fixed coaxially with the transmission rod, and the gear meshes with a second rack disposed on the storage box;

[0017] It also includes a push plate, which passes through and slides in a third movable slot on the storage box. The push plate is rotatably connected to the transmission rod. An electric telescopic rod is fixed in the drive cavity, and the movable rod of the electric telescopic rod is fixed to the push plate.

[0018] Preferably, a transmission frame is slidably mounted on the delivery component, and a second guide rod is fixed on both sides of the transmission frame. A second guide sleeve is slidably mounted on the second guide rod, and a second guide sleeve is fixed on the second guide sleeve. A bolt fastener is installed at the end of the second L-shaped plate.

[0019] The delivery component is fixedly equipped with a vertically mounted cylinder and a horizontally mounted bidirectional cylinder. The movable end of the cylinder is fixed to the transmission frame, and the movable end of the bidirectional cylinder is connected to the second L-shaped plate.

[0020] Preferably, the pushing structure includes a second movable slot formed on the support frame, and a transmission component is fixed on the storage box. The transmission component passes through the second movable slot and slides in cooperation with the second movable slot.

[0021] A drive shaft is rotatably mounted on the workbench, and incomplete gears are coaxially fixed at both ends of the drive shaft. The incomplete gears cooperate with the first rack set on the support frame.

[0022] A motor is fixed to one side of the transmission component, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the transmission shaft.

[0023] Preferably, it also includes a turntable, the edge of which is provided with a positioning ring, the positioning ring is installed in a positioning groove opened on the worktable, the positioning ring is provided with a ball bearing, the turntable is rotatably installed on the worktable, and the turntable is provided with a plurality of positioning plates for limiting the position of the ice cube tray.

[0024] Preferably, the second partition and the first partition are provided with slots at equal intervals on their opposite sides.

[0025] Preferably, fixing blocks are provided on both sides of the top of the first partition and the second partition, and bolts are pre-installed on the fixing blocks;

[0026] The ice cube tray has a slot that matches the fixing block, and a screw hole that mates with the bolt is provided in the slot.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: by driving the storage box to perform equidistant intermittent movement, the first partition or the second partition is placed and the bolts are tightened during each intermittent process. After the first partition is assembled, the ice cube tray is rotated 90° by adjusting the structure, and then the second partition is assembled in the same way.

[0028] Each partition is individually fixed with bolts, ensuring its stability without welding. Since no welding machine is used, the post-weld grinding process is eliminated. This device can independently assemble the ice tray and partitions, saving a lot of manual labor. Furthermore, the assembly efficiency is significantly improved due to the use of bolts for assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded structural diagram;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure at the bottom of the support frame in this invention;

[0032] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of the structure at point A in the middle;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the storage box in this invention;

[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of 13 and 13 in this invention;

[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission frame in this invention;

[0036] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged view of the structure at point B;

[0037] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first partition and the second partition in this invention.

[0038] In the diagram: 1. Workbench; 2. Support frame; 3. Motor; 4. Drive shaft; 5. Incomplete gear; 6. First rack; 7. Storage box; 8. First movable slot; 9. Ice tray; 10. First partition; 11. Transmission component; 12. Second movable slot; 13. Positioning plate; 14. Turntable; 15. Second partition; 16. Guide component; 17. Third movable slot; 18. Limiting slot; 19. Second rack; 20. Transmission frame; 21. Push plate; 22. Spring; 23. Push plate; 24. Electric telescopic rod; 25. Sealing plate; 26. Guide rod; 27. Transmission rod; 28. Limiting block; 29. ​​Gear; 30. Lead screw; 31. L-shaped plate; 32. Threaded sleeve; 33. Guide sleeve; 34. Second guide rod; 35. Second guide sleeve; 36. Second L-shaped plate; 37. Bolt fastener. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] Please see Figure 1-8 The present invention provides a technical solution: an ice tray assembly device for an ice maker, comprising a workbench 1 and a support frame 2 fixedly installed on the workbench 1. At least four support legs are fixed to the bottom of the workbench 1. Multiple guide members 16 are fixed on the storage box 7. The support frame 2 is slidably engaged with a guide groove opened at the bottom of the support frame 2 through the multiple guide members 16. The storage box 7 is connected to a pushing structure installed on the support frame 2 for driving the support frame 2 to move intermittently at equal distances. A dispensing member is installed on the bottom side of the storage box 7 and communicates with it.

[0041] The pushing structure includes a second movable slot 12 formed on the support frame 2, and a transmission component 11 is fixed on the storage box 7. The transmission component 11 passes through the second movable slot 12 and slides in cooperation with the second movable slot 12.

[0042] A drive shaft 4 is rotatably mounted on the workbench 1. Incomplete gears 5 are coaxially fixed at both ends of the drive shaft 4. The incomplete gears 5 cooperate with the first rack 6 set on the support frame 2.

[0043] A motor 3 is fixed to one side of the transmission component 11, a horizontal plate is fixed to one side of the transmission component 11, and a motor 3 is fixed to the horizontal plate. The output shaft of the motor 3 is connected to the transmission shaft 4 via a transmission belt.

[0044] Furthermore, when the motor 3 is working, the output shaft drives the transmission shaft 4 to rotate via the transmission belt. When the transmission shaft 4 rotates, it drives the two incomplete gears 5 to rotate synchronously. When the toothed part of the incomplete gear 5 meshes with the first rack 6, the transmission shaft 4 rotates and drives the transmission shaft 4 to move along the length direction of the support frame 2. When the toothed part of the incomplete gear 5 rotates to the side away from the first rack 6, the incomplete gear 5 and the first rack 6 do not have a transmission relationship. At this time, during the intermittent period of the movement of the transmission component 11, the second partition 15 or the first partition 10 is placed and fixed.

[0045] A partition is fixed inside the storage box 7, which divides the interior of the storage box 7 into a storage cavity and a drive cavity. A sealing plate 25 is detachably attached to one end of the storage cavity.

[0046] Ice tray 9, which is placed on the workbench 1, and storage box 7, which assembles the second partition 15 and the first partition 10 stored in the storage cavity onto the ice tray 9 through an assembly mechanism installed on the storage box 7.

[0047] The first partition 10 and the second partition 15 are provided with fixing blocks on both sides of the top. The fixing blocks are pre-installed with bolts. The ice cube tray 9 is provided with a groove that matches the fixing block. The groove is provided with a screw hole that matches the bolt.

[0048] The second partition 15 and the first partition 10 are both provided with slots at equal intervals on the opposite side.

[0049] Furthermore, during assembly, the first partition 10 is first installed into the ice cube tray 9. Then, after adjusting the ice cube tray 9, the second partition 15 is installed. The first partition 10 and the second partition 15 are engaged at their contact points. The locking mechanism serves to reinforce the assembly and improve overall stability.

[0050] When the second partition 15 or the first partition 10 is deployed, it moves into the slot and limits the first partition 10 through the slot. Then the bolts are tightened to complete the assembly.

[0051] Furthermore, the second partition 15 and the first partition 10 are arranged in the following order: seven horizontally, seven vertically, and then seven horizontally. The second partition 15 and the first partition 10 are stored in the storage cavity in this order.

[0052] The ice cube tray 9 is placed on the workbench 1, and then the pushing structure and the assembly structure are driven to work. When the pushing structure works, it drives the storage box 7 to move intermittently and equidistantly along the length of the support frame 2. During the interval, the first partition 10 is assembled into the ice cube tray 9 and fixed. After the first partition 10 is assembled, the second partition 15 is assembled by rotating the ice cube tray 9. Then, the second partition 15 and the first partition 10 are installed in the ice cube tray 9 in a cross manner, so as to improve automation and greatly improve assembly efficiency.

[0053] The assembly mechanism includes first movable slots 8 on both sides of the storage box 7. A push plate 21 that slides in cooperation with the first movable slots 8 is installed in the storage cavity. A plurality of springs 22 are fixedly installed on one side of the push plate 21. The end of the spring 22 away from the push plate 21 is fixed to the inner wall of the storage cavity. A sealing plate 25 can also be detachably installed on the open end of the storage cavity. A plurality of limiting posts are fixed on the side of the sealing plate 25 facing the push plate 21.

[0054] Furthermore, when adding the second partition 15 and the second rack 19, the sealing plate 25 is removed, and the first partition 10 and the second partition 15 are pushed to abut against the push plate 21. The second partition 15 and the first partition 10 are pushed by external force to drive the push plate 21 to move horizontally. When the push plate 21 moves horizontally, the spring 22 is compressed, causing the spring 22 to deform and store elastic potential energy. Then the sealing plate 25 is reinstalled.

[0055] At this time, the elastic potential energy stored in the spring 22 drives the push plate 21 to move toward the sealing plate 25, and then pushes the first partition 10 and the second partition 15 toward the sealing plate 25 until they come into contact with the fixed column.

[0056] Please see Figure 3 The delivery component is installed at the bottom side of the storage box 7. A first partition 10 or a second partition 15 that abuts against the positioning post is directly above the delivery component. Due to the elastic potential energy of the spring 22, the first partition 10 or the second partition 15 is currently in a non-falling state.

[0057] Guide rods 26 are fixed on both sides of the storage box 7, and guide sleeves 33 are slidably installed on the guide rods 26; the L-shaped plate 31;

[0058] It also includes a transmission rod 27, on which two symmetrically arranged limiting blocks 28 are rotatably mounted. The limiting blocks 28 are slidably engaged with the limiting grooves 18 opened on the storage box 7. Both ends of the transmission rod 27 are coaxially fixed with lead screws 30. The two lead screws 30 have opposite screw directions, and each lead screw 30 is fitted with a threaded sleeve 32 that is threadedly engaged with it. The threaded sleeve 32 is fixed to the L-shaped plate 31.

[0059] A gear 29 is fixed coaxially with the transmission rod 27, and the gear 29 meshes with the second rack 19 disposed on the storage box 7;

[0060] It also includes a push plate 23, which passes through a third movable slot 17 opened on the storage box 7 and is slidably engaged with the third movable slot 17. The push plate 23 is rotatably connected to the transmission rod 27. An electric telescopic rod 24 is fixed in the drive cavity, and the movable rod of the electric telescopic rod 24 is fixed to the push plate 23.

[0061] Furthermore, when the electric telescopic rod 24 is working, it drives the movable rod at the movable end to extend, and the movable rod drives the push plate 23 to move along the third movable groove 17. When the push plate 23 moves, it drives the transmission rod 27 to move accordingly. When the transmission rod 27 moves along the length of the storage box 7, the gear 29 and the second rack 19 are meshed, which causes the transmission rod 27 to rotate. When the transmission rod 27 rotates, it drives the two lead screws 30 to rotate synchronously. Since the screw directions of the two lead screws 30 are opposite, they drive the two L-shaped plates 31 to move relative to each other through the threaded engagement with the two threaded sleeves 32.

[0062] The movement state of the L-shaped plate 31 is such that the two L-shaped plates 31 move relative to each other while moving in a direction away from the sealing plate 25, and both L-shaped plates 31 move into the first movable groove 8.

[0063] In the initial state, the two L-shaped plates 31 are in the position of the positioning post and do not contact the first partition 10 or the second partition 15 that abuts against the positioning post. When the L-shaped plates 31 move horizontally, they still do not contact each other. When passing through the first partition 10 or the second partition 15 that is in contact with the positioning post, with the relative movement of the two L-shaped plates 31, the L-shaped plates 31 are positioned between the second partition 15 or the first partition 10 that abuts against the positioning post and the adjacent second partition 15 or the first partition 10. Simply put, the second partition 15 or the first partition 10 that abuts against the positioning post is plate number one, and the adjacent first partition 10 or the second partition 15 is plate number two. With the relative movement of the L-shaped plates 31, the L-shaped plates 31 move to the position between plate number one and plate number two. When the L-shaped plates 31 continue to move horizontally, they push plate number two, causing the pushing force on plate number one to disappear, and then the plate number one drops due to its own weight.

[0064] When the L-shaped plate 31 returns to its initial state, the second plate replaces the first plate, and then the L-shaped plate 31 performs a reciprocating motion to drive the single first partition 10 or the second partition 15 to be placed into the ice cube tray 9 through the dispensing component.

[0065] The delivery component is also slidably mounted with a transmission frame 20. A second guide rod 34 is fixed on both sides of the transmission frame 20. A second guide sleeve 35 is slidably mounted on the second guide rod 34. A second guide sleeve 35 is fixed on the second guide sleeve 35. A bolt fastener 37 is installed at the end of the second L-shaped plate 36.

[0066] The delivery component is fixedly equipped with a vertically mounted cylinder and a horizontally mounted bidirectional cylinder. The movable end of the cylinder is fixed to the transmission frame 20, and the movable end of the bidirectional cylinder is connected to the second L-shaped plate 36.

[0067] Furthermore, the bidirectional cylinder is first driven to work. When the bidirectional cylinder works, it drives the second L-shaped plates 36 located on both sides of the delivery component to move relative to each other. When the two second L-shaped plates 36 move relative to each other to the end of their stroke, they are directly above the bolts preset on the first partition plate 10 or the second partition plate 15. When the cylinder works, it drives the transmission frame 20 to move vertically downward, so as to drive the bolt fasteners 37 on both sides to move vertically downward synchronously. During the downward movement, the bolt fasteners 37 work to tighten the bolts preset on the first partition plate 10 or the second partition plate 15 as the bolt fasteners 37 move downward, so as to achieve the purpose of quickly fixing the first partition plate 10 or the second partition plate 15. Then, after the second partition plate 15 or the first partition plate 10 is delivered, the delivered first partition plate 10 or the second partition plate 15 is fixed.

[0068] It should be noted that the cylinder and the double-acting cylinder in this embodiment are both applications of existing technology and are not shown in the figures.

[0069] It also includes a turntable 14, the edge of which is provided with a positioning ring. The positioning ring is installed in a positioning groove opened on the worktable 1. A ball bearing is installed on the positioning ring. The turntable 14 is rotatably installed on the worktable 1. The turntable 14 is provided with a plurality of positioning plates 13 for limiting the position of the ice cube tray 9.

[0070] Furthermore, after the second partition 15 is assembled, the turntable 14 is rotated 90° by external force or related driving equipment, and then the first partition 10 is assembled.

[0071] In another embodiment, positioning blocks are fixed on both sides of the turntable 14, and the positioning blocks are slidably engaged with positioning grooves formed on the worktable 1. The positioning grooves are one-quarter of the circumference of the turntable 14, so that the turntable 14 can rotate up to 90° when it rotates.

[0072] In summary, by driving the storage box to perform equidistant intermittent movements, the partition is deployed and the bolts are tightened during each intermittent process. After the first partition is assembled, the ice tray is rotated 90° by adjusting the structure, and then the second partition is assembled using the same assembly method.

[0073] Each partition is individually fixed with bolts, ensuring its stability without welding. Since no welding machine is used, the post-weld grinding process is eliminated. This device can independently assemble the ice tray and partitions, saving a lot of manual labor. Furthermore, the assembly efficiency is significantly improved due to the use of bolts for assembly.

[0074] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0075] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ice tray assembly device for an ice maker, characterized in that, include: A workbench (1) and a support frame (2) fixedly installed on the workbench (1). A storage box (7) is slidably installed on the bottom of the support frame (2). The storage box (7) is connected to a push structure installed on the support frame (2) for driving the support frame (2) to move intermittently at equal intervals. A delivery component connected to the storage box (7) is installed on the bottom side. The storage box (7) is fixed with a partition, which divides the interior of the storage box (7) into a storage cavity and a drive cavity. A sealing plate (25) is detachably attached to one end of the storage cavity. Ice cube tray (9), the ice cube tray (9) is placed on the workbench (1), and the storage box (7) is assembled onto the ice cube tray (9) by the assembly mechanism installed on the storage box (7) with the second partition (15) and the first partition (10) stored in the storage cavity. The assembly mechanism includes first movable slots (8) on both sides of the storage box (7), a push plate (21) that slides with the first movable slots (8) is installed in the storage cavity, a plurality of springs (22) are fixedly installed on one side of the push plate (21), the end of the spring (22) away from the push plate (21) is fixed to the inner wall of the storage cavity, and a sealing plate (25) can be detachably installed on the open end of the storage cavity, and a plurality of limiting posts are fixed on the side of the sealing plate (25) facing the push plate (21); The assembly mechanism also includes a turntable (14), the edge of which is provided with a positioning ring, the positioning ring is installed in a positioning groove opened on the worktable (1), the positioning ring is provided with a ball bearing, the turntable (14) is rotatably installed on the worktable (1), and the turntable (14) is provided with a plurality of positioning plates (13) for limiting the position of the ice cube tray (9). Guide rods (26) are fixed on both sides of the storage box (7), and guide sleeves (33) are slidably installed on the guide rods (26). The guide sleeves (33) are connected and fixed to the L-shaped plate (31). It also includes a transmission rod (27), on which two symmetrically arranged limiting blocks (28) are rotatably mounted. The limiting blocks (28) are slidably engaged with the limiting grooves (18) opened on the storage box (7). Both ends of the transmission rod (27) are coaxially fixed with lead screws (30). The two lead screws (30) have opposite screw directions, and both lead screws (30) are fitted with threaded sleeves (32) that are threaded with them. The threaded sleeves (32) are fixed to the L-shaped plate (31). A gear (29) is fixed on the transmission rod (27) and is coaxial with it. The gear (29) meshes with a second rack (19) provided on the storage box (7). It also includes a push plate (23), which passes through a third movable slot (17) opened on the storage box (7) and slides with the third movable slot (17). The push plate (23) is rotatably connected to the transmission rod (27). An electric telescopic rod (24) is fixed in the drive cavity, and the movable rod of the electric telescopic rod (24) is fixed to the push plate (23).

2. The ice tray assembly equipment for an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The delivery component is also slidably mounted with a transmission frame (20), and a second guide rod (34) is fixed on both sides of the transmission frame (20). A second guide sleeve (35) is slidably mounted on the second guide rod (34), and a second L-shaped plate (36) is fixed on the second guide sleeve (35). A bolt fastener (37) is installed at the end of the second L-shaped plate (36). The delivery component is fixedly equipped with a vertically mounted cylinder and a horizontally mounted bidirectional cylinder. The movable end of the cylinder is fixed to the transmission frame (20), and the movable end of the bidirectional cylinder is connected to the second L-shaped plate (36).

3. The ice tray assembly equipment for an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pushing structure includes a second movable slot (12) opened on the support frame (2), and a transmission component (11) is fixed on the storage box (7). The transmission component (11) passes through the second movable slot (12) and slides with the second movable slot (12). A drive shaft (4) is rotatably mounted on the workbench (1). Both ends of the drive shaft (4) are coaxially fixed with incomplete gears (5). The incomplete gears (5) cooperate with the first rack (6) set on the support frame (2). A motor (3) is fixed on one side of the transmission component (11), and the output shaft of the motor (3) is connected to the transmission shaft (4) for transmission.

4. The ice tray assembly equipment for an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second partition (15) and the first partition (10) are provided with slots at equal intervals on the opposite side.

5. The ice tray assembly equipment for an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both sides of the top of the first partition (10) and the second partition (15) are provided with fixing blocks, and bolts are pre-installed on the fixing blocks; The ice cube tray (9) is provided with a slot that matches the fixing block, and a screw hole that matches the bolt is provided in the slot.

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