A heating control system for an ice press

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of edible ice processing equipment, and discloses a heating control system of a ice press, which is characterized in that a heating base is arranged on the outer surface of a ice press mold, a heating element is arranged on the outer surface of the heating base, sensors for detecting guide rails for guiding the up-down sliding of an upper shell are arranged in the upper shell, the working state of the ice press is recognized according to the electric signals fed back by the sensors in real time, and then the working mode of the heating module is switched according to the working state of the ice press, so that the ice press mold can be preheated before ice blocks are put into the ice press mold, thereby improving the ice pressing efficiency.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of edible ice processing equipment, in particular to a heating control system of an ice press. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of society, the "ice culture" gradually popularized, people's demand for ice in production and life is rapidly increasing, in the family and commercial applications, ice is usually solid block, but in some special cases, it may be desirable for ice to form different or unique shapes. For example, when drinking wine, it may be particularly desirable for ice to melt slowly. It has been found that special-shaped ice such as spherical ice and diamond-shaped ice melts more slowly than block ice of the same volume. Therefore, spherical ice, diamond-shaped ice and other different shaped ice are provided in bars, restaurants and other places. In the past, such special-shaped ice blocks were mostly made by hand carving. However, it can be extremely difficult, dangerous and time-consuming to shape ice by hand. In recent years, ice presses have entered the market to replace hand carving to manufacture special-shaped ice blocks such as ice balls and diamond-shaped ice. The existing typical ice press is a pure metal product, including a metal mold that defines the profile of the ice blank that can be reshaped. The ice press relies on the natural fitting of the metal mold to press out a certain fixed shape of ice. Its ice pressing scheme mainly relies on the natural heat conduction of metal, which absorbs air heat and transfers it to the ice block. The ice block absorbs heat and melts to form an ice block in the shape of the metal mold. During the ice pressing process, due to the large heat exchange between the metal mold and the ice block, the temperature of the metal mold decreases. After the first ice pressing is completed, the temperature of the metal mold is at a low state, and the temperature difference with the ice block is small, so the heat transfer efficiency is low, and the second ice pressing cannot be directly performed. Therefore, if multiple ice blocks are to be continuously melted, the user needs to place the metal mold of the ice press in hot water and wait until the mold is heated. The working efficiency is very low. Moreover, the shape of the metal mold of the existing ice press is fixed, and only one shape of ice block can be made. If other shapes of ice blocks are needed, other ice presses with metal molds of other shapes need to be prepared, which increases the cost of ice pressing. In view of this, the prior art proposes an ice press with active heating and replaceable mold.

[0003] For example, Chinese invention patent application CN111947365A discloses a gravity extrusion type single ball ice press, which includes an extrusion upper mold and an extrusion lower mold, a lifting frame arranged between the two, and a press hammer for moving the extrusion upper mold in the direction of the extrusion lower mold. In order to accelerate the melting of the ice block, a heating plate and a corresponding heating controller are also arranged at the top of the extrusion upper mold and the bottom of the extrusion lower mold, so that the ice block is heated at low temperature while being extruded, to quickly process it into an ice ball.

[0004] For example, Chinese patent application CN113874667A discloses a single-line ice pressing machine assembly, which includes a first mold part and a second mold part, and a heated guide rail is arranged between the two mold parts to transfer heat generated by the heater on the first mold to the second mold, or directly generate heat from the high-heated guide rail to the two molds.

[0005] However, in the heating mode of the above two ice pressing machines, the heat conduction area is small, resulting in low ice pressing efficiency. SUMMARY

[0006] The purpose of the present application is to provide a heating control method and a heating controller for an ice pressing machine, which partially solve or alleviate the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, can improve the ice pressing efficiency, and can preheat in advance to more efficiently utilize the heat generated by the heating module.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present application specifically adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] The present application provides a heating control system for an ice pressing machine, which includes:

[0009] A heating module is arranged in the upper shell and the lower shell respectively to provide heat to the ice pressing mold; the heating module includes a heating base wrapped and tightly fitted on the outer surface of the ice pressing mold, and a heating element wrapped and tightly fitted on the outer surface of the heating base;

[0010] A guide rail is arranged on the lower shell to guide the upper shell to slide up and down;

[0011] A first sensor and a second sensor are arranged in the first detection position and the second detection position of the upper shell respectively to detect the guide rail;

[0012] A heating controller is arranged in the lower shell or the upper shell and electrically connected with the first sensor and the second sensor;

[0013] When the upper shell is buckled with the lower shell, the connecting end and the free end of the guide rail are located in the detection area of the second sensor and the first sensor respectively, so that the first sensor and the second sensor generate and send a first electric signal to the heating controller; when the upper shell slides upward along the guide rail, the first sensor gradually moves away from the free end of the guide rail, and the first sensor generates and sends a second electric signal to the heating controller; when the upper shell slides upward along the guide rail, the second sensor moves from the connecting end to the free end of the guide rail, and gradually moves away from the free end, and the second sensor generates and sends a second electric signal to the heating controller.

[0014] The heating controller comprises:

[0015] The data receiving module is configured to receive the electric signals sent by the sensors in real time.

[0016] The state identifying module is configured to identify the current working state of the ice press according to the electric signals received by the data receiving module. If it is identified that the working state of the ice press is the standby state, the heating module is triggered to start the power-off mode. Until it is identified again that the ice press is about to enter the ice pressing state according to the electric signals sent by the first sensor and the second sensor, the heating module is triggered to start the heating mode, so as to start preheating and continue heating until the ice pressing is completed. If it is identified that the working state of the ice press is the ice pressing completion or mold replacement state, the heating module is triggered to start the power-off mode.

[0017] The heating control module is configured to switch the working mode of the heating module according to the identification result of the state identifying module.

[0018] In some embodiments, the state identifying module specifically comprises:

[0019] The first judging unit is configured to judge the type of the electric signals sent by the first sensor and the second sensor.

[0020] The second judging unit is configured to, when the first judging unit judges that the electric signal sent by the first sensor is the first electric signal, judge whether the duration of receiving the first electric signal exceeds a first preset time threshold. If the first preset time threshold is exceeded, it is determined that the current working state of the ice press is the standby state.

[0021] The third judging unit is configured to, when the first judging unit first judges that the electric signal sent by the first sensor is the second electric signal in the standby state, judge whether the second electric signal sent by the second sensor is received within a second preset time threshold since the second electric signal sent by the first sensor is first received. If the second electric signal sent by the second sensor is received within the second preset time threshold, it is determined that the ice press enters the mold replacement state. If the second electric signal sent by the second sensor is not received within the second preset time threshold, it is determined that the ice press is about to enter the ice pressing state.

[0022] The third judging unit is configured to, when the ice press is in the ice pressing state, judge whether the first electric signal sent by the first sensor is received. If yes, it is determined that the ice press completes the ice pressing.

[0023] In some embodiments, the heating control module comprises:

[0024] a first control unit configured to generate and send a first control signal to the heating module to control the heating module to start a power-off mode when the state recognition module recognizes that the current working state of the ice press is a standby state;

[0025] a second control unit configured to generate and send a second control signal to the heating module to control the heating module to start a heating mode when the state recognition module recognizes that the current working state of the ice press is about to enter an ice pressing state;

[0026] a third control unit configured to generate and send a third control signal to the heating module to control the heating module to start a power-off mode when the state recognition module recognizes that the ice press has completed ice pressing or enters a mold replacement state.

[0027] In some embodiments, the sensor is a photoelectric switch sensor.

[0028] In some embodiments, the guide rail is a rod, a tube or a strip made of a material capable of reflecting the light signal emitted by the photoelectric switch sensor.

[0029] In some embodiments, when the upper shell is buckled with the lower shell, the first detection position is located in the area around the free end of the guide rail in the upper shell.

[0030] In some embodiments, when the upper shell is buckled with the lower shell, the second detection position is located in the area around the connecting end of the guide rail in the upper shell.

[0031] In some embodiments, the heating element is a PI heating film.

[0032] In some embodiments, the heating base side wall is provided with a fixed ring groove, the heating element is a plurality of heating rods uniformly arranged in the fixed ring groove, and there is a gap between the fixed ring groove and the side wall of the heating base.

[0033] In some embodiments, the heating control system further comprises a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the heating element in real time, and a safety control module electrically connected to the temperature sensor, the safety control module being configured to determine whether the real-time temperature collected by the temperature sensor exceeds a preset temperature threshold in the heating mode, and if the preset temperature threshold is exceeded, triggering the heating controller to switch the working mode of the heating module to the power-off mode.

[0034] In some embodiments, the heating control system further comprises a plurality of signal indicator lights for indicating the working state of the ice press, the signal indicator lights being electrically connected to the heating controller.

[0035] The present application has the following advantages: the present application coats a heating base on the outer surface of the ice pressing mold, which can closely adhere to the outer surface of the ice pressing mold, and coats a heating element on the outer surface of the heating base (such as the outer surface of the side wall and / or the outer surface of the bottom), which closely adheres to the outer surface of the heating base, that is, the linear heat conduction or local heat conduction in the prior art is changed to almost full-coated heat conduction, which greatly increases the heat conduction area and makes the heating of the ice pressing mold more uniform, thereby improving the melting speed of the ice cubes, that is, improving the ice pressing efficiency. At the same time, due to the increase of the heating area, it is necessary to consider how to efficiently and reasonably use the heat. Based on this, a light axis for guiding the sliding of the upper shell on the lower shell made of a specific material is arranged as a guide rail on the lower shell, and at least two sensors for sensing the guide rail are arranged on the upper shell, so that the working state of the ice pressing machine can be automatically identified according to the electric signals output by the two sensors, and then the working mode of the heating module is controlled according to the working state.

[0036] For example, when the ice pressing machine is in standby state, the heating module is also in standby state (that is, the path between the heating element and the power supply is disconnected); when the ice pressing machine is about to enter the ice pressing state (such as the upper shell is just lifted by a small height, but at this time the ice cubes are not put in), the heating module is immediately controlled to start heating, so that the ice pressing mold is preheated by the heating base, which on the one hand avoids the problem that when the ice cubes are put in the ice pressing mold and then heated, the ice cubes will not melt until a certain time is heated, which leads to low ice pressing efficiency; on the other hand, it also avoids the problem that without preheating, when the ice cubes are put in the ice pressing mold, the temperature of the ice pressing mold is low due to the influence of the ice cubes, and if the ice cube melting time is to be reduced as soon as possible, the heating power of the heating unit needs to be increased, which leads to high energy consumption. That is, the heating control system and the heating control method of the present application not only improve the ice pressing efficiency, but also reduce the energy consumption to a certain extent.

[0037] For another example, when it is identified that the working state of the ice pressing machine is ice pressing completion, the heating module is controlled to stop heating, so that the user does not need to squat beside the ice pressing machine all the time to wait, that is, the problem that the ice cubes are over-melted due to the heating module still in heating mode after the ice pressing is completed because the user is not beside the ice pressing machine when the artificial judgment is avoided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or prior art description. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference signs. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn according to the actual proportions. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained from these drawings without creative labor.

[0039] Figure 1 A perspective view of the ice pressing machine according to an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 1.

[0040] Figure 2 An exploded view of the ice pressing machine according to an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 2.

[0041] Figure 3 A sectional view of the ice pressing machine according to an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 3.

[0042] Figure 4 An enlarged view of the A in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 4. Figure 1

[0043] An enlarged view of the B in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 5. Figure 5

[0044] An enlarged view of the C in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 6. Figure 6

[0045] An enlarged view of the D in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 7. Figure 7

[0046] A functional module diagram of the heating controller of the ice pressing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 8. Figure 8

[0047] A functional module diagram of the heating control system of the ice pressing machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 9. Figure 9

[0048] An enlarged view of the E in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 10. Figure 10

[0049] An enlarged view of the F in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 11. Figure 11 Figure 10 An enlarged view of the G in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 12.

[0050] Figure 12 An enlarged view of the H in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 13.

[0051] Figure 13 ​A schematic view of the assembly relationship between the heating rod and the heating base in another exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0052] Mark identification summary: 1 - lock slide button; 2 - lock card; 3 - handle; 4 - fixing piece; 5 - optical axis (as guide rail); 6 - magnet; 7 - optical axis fixing hole; 8 - PI heating film piece; 9 - heating base; 10 - ice mold; 11 - optical axis fixing screw; 12 - circuit board; 13 - power cord sealing shell; 14 - base; 15 - foot pad; 16 - power cord; 17 - lower shell; 18 - upper shell; 19, 22 - photoelectric switch sensor; 20 - handle fixing screw; 21 - gasket; 23 - positioning pin shaft; 24 - clamping groove; 25 - D-shaped drive shaft; 26 - elastic reset piece; 27 - heating rod; 28 - fixed ring groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in connection with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0054] Herein, the suffix such as "module", "part" or "unit" used to designate an element is merely for facilitating the description of the present application, and has no specific meaning by itself. Thus, "module", "part" or "unit" can be mixedly used.

[0055] Herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "front", "back", "one end", "the other end" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are merely for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and thus cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only for the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0056] Herein, the term "or" is generally intended to be inclusive of either, or both, of the items it connects, i.e., "A or B" is intended to mean "A, or B, or both". "And / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated items. "Multiple" herein means two or more, i.e., it includes two, three, four, five, etc.

[0057] Herein, radial R can be defined as outward from axial O (e.g., perpendicular to axial O). Circumferential C can be defined as around axial O (e.g., perpendicular to axial O in a plane defined by radial R).

[0058] Herein, unless specifically stated and defined otherwise, the terms "mount", "provided with", "connected", and the like, should be interpreted broadly, for example, "connected" can be fixed connection, can be detachable connection, or integrally connected; can be mechanical connection, can be direct connection, or indirect connection through intermediate medium, can be internal communication of two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0059] In this specification, certain embodiments can be disclosed in a format that is in a range. It should be understood that such "in a range" description is merely for the convenience and brevity, and should not be interpreted as a rigid limitation on the disclosed range. Therefore, the description of the range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all possible sub-ranges and independent numerical values within the range.

[0060] Herein, the term "light axis" refers to a rod, strip or ribbon with its own axis made of material capable of reflecting the light signal emitted by the photoelectric switch sensor.

[0061] Embodiment 1: Reference Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present application provides a ice crusher, which comprises a base 14 and an ice crusher body fixed on the base 14, the base 14 is provided with a circuit board 12 (including a heating controller) and a power cord sealing shell 13, a power cord 16 extends from the power cord sealing shell 13, and a foot pad 15 is fixed on the bottom of the base 14.

[0062] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned ice crusher body comprises an upper shell 18, a lower shell 17, and an ice pressing mold fixed in the upper shell 18 and the lower shell 17 respectively, wherein a pair of light axis fixing holes 7 are symmetrically arranged in the upper shell 18, and a pair of light axes 5 are symmetrically fixed on the lower shell 17 for guiding the upper shell 18 to slide up and down, the light axes 5 are fixed on the lower shell 17 by light axis fixing screws 11, and the light axes 5 can pass through the light axis fixing holes 7 to buckle the upper shell 18 and the lower shell 17.

[0063] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned ice pressing mold comprises a heating base 9 and an ice pressing mold 10 arranged in the heating base 9, wherein the heating base 9 is fixed in the upper shell 18 and the lower shell 17 by a fixing piece 4, and preferably, the heating base 9 and the ice pressing mold 10 are provided with a magnet 6, that is, the ice pressing mold 10 is closely attached to the heating base 9 by magnetic attraction.

[0064] Further, referring toFigure 4 Positioning holes are arranged on the heating base 9 and the ice pressing mold 10, and positioning pins 23 are arranged in the positioning holes to position and align the ice pressing mold 10. On the one hand, the positioning holes can guide and position the ice pressing mold when the ice pressing mold is replaced or placed. On the other hand, the positioning holes can prevent the upper and lower ice pressing molds from being misaligned to cause the ice pressing shape to be inconsistent with the mold.

[0065] In the prior art, a heating plate is arranged at the bottom of the mold to heat, or a heating rod is arranged (i.e., linear heating). On the one hand, the heating area of the mold is small, which makes the ice block melting efficiency low. On the other hand, the heating is not uniform, for example, the area close to the heating rod or the heating plate has higher heat, and the area far from the heating rod or the heating plate has relatively low heat. In order to avoid this problem, the surface of the heating base 9 is covered with a PI heating film 8 (i.e., a flexible heating element) in some embodiments. By arranging the heating film, the requirement for gravity or extrusion force is greatly reduced, and therefore, the weight requirement for the mold or the heating base is lower, which makes the weight of the ice pressing machine lighter.

[0066] Preferably, the contact surface of the heating base 9 and the ice pressing mold 10 is a bevel.

[0067] The ice pressing machine provided in the above embodiments is provided with a strong magnet 6 on the contact surface of the heating base 9 and the ice pressing mold 10, which ensures that the metal mold is closely attached to the heating base. When different shaped ice blocks need to be pressed, the mold can be pulled out, the ice pressing mold 10 with different shaped ice pressing cavities is placed in the heating base 9, and is magnetically attracted by the magnet 6 to complete the installation and fixation of the ice pressing mold, and then the ice pressing can be started. At the same time, in order to improve the heat transfer efficiency and speed up the ice pressing process, the contact surface of the metal mold and the heating base is treated as a bevel, the contact area of the two is increased, and the heat transfer effect is better.

[0068] The ice pressing machine provided in the above embodiments transfers the heat generated by the heating base 9 to the metal ice pressing mold, so that the ice pressing mold 10 generates heat, and the ice block is melted into the mold shape to complete the pressing of the special shaped ice block.

[0069] In order to facilitate the carrying of the ice pressing machine, a handle 3 is arranged on the upper shell 18, a locking part is arranged on the handle 3, and a clamping groove 24 is arranged at the top end of the optical axis. The upper shell and the lower shell of the ice pressing machine are fixedly connected by clamping the locking part in the clamping groove 24, so as to facilitate the carrying and storage of the ice pressing machine.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 8, Figure 5 , Figure 6 The locking part includes a locking slide button 1 and a locking card 2. When it is necessary to carry or move the position, the locking slide button 1 is pushed slightly, and the locking slide button 1 drives the locking card 2 to be clamped into the clamping groove 24, as shown in FIG. 8. Figure 5As shown, since the optical axis 5 is fixed with the lower shell 17, the upper shell 18 of the ice crusher is fixed with the lower shell 17, and the handle 3 is fixed with the optical axis 5, so that the operator can hold the handle 3 to complete the carrying and transferring operation. When working normally, the locking slide button 1 is pulled back, as shown, so that the locking component is unlocked and separated from the optical axis 5, at which time the handle is pulled to open the machine, and the ice cubes are placed in the center of the machine to start the ice crushing. Figure 6

[0071] Embodiment 2: The present application also provides another ice crusher, which comprises the modules of the above-mentioned ice crusher, and is different in that the ice crusher in the embodiment further comprises a sensor for detecting the optical axis.

[0072] In some embodiments, the sensor adopts a photoelectric switch sensor, which is arranged at the top of the upper shell 18 (i.e., the first detection position) and is electrically connected with the heating controller. Specifically, in the standby state and when the upper shell and the lower shell are buckled, the photoelectric switch sensor 19 at the top of the upper shell detects the free end of the optical axis, and once the upper shell 18 is lifted so that the detection area of the photoelectric switch sensor 19 is away from the free end of the optical axis, the photoelectric switch sensor will generate a second electric signal and send it to the heating controller.

[0073] Further, a photoelectric switch sensor 22 is also arranged at the bottom of the upper shell (i.e., the second detection position) and is electrically connected with the heating controller. Specifically, in the standby state and when the upper shell and the lower shell are buckled, the photoelectric switch sensor 19 at the top of the upper shell detects the free end of the optical axis, and once the upper shell 18 is lifted so that the detection area of the photoelectric switch sensor 19 is away from the free end of the optical axis, the photoelectric switch sensor will generate a second electric signal and send it to the heating controller.

[0074] The ice crusher provided by the above-mentioned embodiment realizes the automatic start and stop heating function of the heating base 9 by arranging the photoelectric switch sensor 19 at the top of the upper shell 18 and the photoelectric switch sensor 22 at the bottom of the upper shell and cooperating with the optical axis 5, thereby preventing the heating base from over-heating and causing the ice cubes to over-melt and affect the ice crushing shape.

[0075] Embodiment 3: The present application also provides another ice crusher, which comprises the modules of the above-mentioned embodiments 1 or 2, and is different in that, as shown in Figures 10-13 ​In the embodiment, the locking component in the ice presser is driven in the axial direction. Specifically, the handle 3 of the ice presser is not driven in the horizontal shaft direction as in the above embodiment, but is in the form of a cylinder in cross section, and is rotatably connected to the upper shell by a cylinder. The locking component further comprises a D-shaped driving shaft 25 fixedly connected to the handle, which is rotatably arranged on the upper shell, the top of the D-shaped driving shaft 25 is fixedly connected to the handle by a fastener such as a bolt, and the bottom of the D-shaped driving shaft 25 is provided with a clamping groove or notch, so that the longitudinal cross section of the D-shaped driving shaft 25 is in the form of an inverted L shape, see Figure 10 ;

[0076] Referring to Figure 12 , in the unlocked state, the locking protrusion of the locking card 2 is in contact with the clamping groove sidewall (or the circular arc portion) of the driving shaft, that is, the locking card is clamped by the D-shaped driving shaft, so that the elastic return member at the other end of the locking card is in the retracted state;

[0077] Referring to Figure 10 and Figure 11 , when the handle is rotated to drive the D-shaped driving shaft to rotate, so that the clamping groove at the bottom of the D-shaped driving shaft faces the locking protrusion, under the action of the elastic return member, the locking protrusion of the locking card 2 gradually clamps into the clamping groove (or the notch) at the bottom of the D-shaped driving shaft, and is in contact with the groove bottom of the clamping groove of the D-shaped driving shaft, correspondingly, the other end (or the locking end) of the locking card gradually clamps into the ring groove on the optical axis, thereby achieving locking.

[0078] Embodiment 4: The present application also provides another ice presser, which comprises the components in the above embodiments 1 or 2, and the difference is that the heating element in the ice presser of the present embodiment is a plurality of heating rods 27 uniformly arranged on the sidewall of the cylindrical heating base, see Figure 13 . Specifically, the heating rod is tightly attached to the end face of the heating base 9 through the fixed ring groove 28, and a certain gap is left in the radial direction; during operation, the heating rod 27 is the heat source, and the heat is transferred to the heating base 9 through the fixed ring groove 28; the gap between the fixed ring groove 28 and the heating base 9 hinders the heat from being transferred radially inward, so that the temperature gradient distribution of the heating base has the characteristic of decreasing from top to bottom.

[0079] Embodiment 5: Based on the ice presser in any one of the above embodiments 2 to 4, the present application further provides a heating control method of the ice presser.

[0080] Referring to Figure 7 , the heating control method of the present application comprises the following steps:

[0081] S11, the heating controller acquires the electrical signals sent by the first sensor and the second sensor, and identifies the working state of the ice presser according to the electrical signals, if the working state of the ice presser is the standby state, step S13 is executed; if the working state of the ice presser is the ice pressing completion or mold replacement state, step S15 is executed.

[0082] In some embodiments, the state of the ice press is identified by detecting whether the upper shell is opened and the degree of opening through photoelectric switch sensors 19 (i.e. first sensor) and 22 (second sensor) arranged at the top and bottom of the upper shell. For example, if the photoelectric sensor at the top cannot detect the light axis, but the photoelectric sensor at the bottom can detect the light axis, it indicates that the upper shell is only opened, but not completely separated from the light axis (or partially opened), so the upper shell needs to be opened to put ice cubes in for pressing, i.e. the ice press is about to press ice; and when the photoelectric sensor at the top detects the light axis again in this state, it indicates that the upper shell is completely buckled with the lower shell, at which time the pressing is completed. For another example, if the photoelectric sensors at the top and bottom cannot detect the light axis, it indicates that the upper shell is completely separated from the light axis (or completely opened), so the ice press may need to be replaced.

[0083] S13, the heating controller generates and sends a first control signal to the heating module to control the heating module to start / keep the power-off mode, until it is identified again according to the electrical signals sent by the first sensor and the second sensor that the ice press is about to enter the ice pressing state, generates and sends a second control signal to the heating module to control the heating module to start the heating mode, so as to start preheating and continue heating until the ice pressing is completed.

[0084] In some embodiments, the heating controller controls the heating unit on the heating base to be powered on, so that the heating module enters the heating mode, and correspondingly, controls the heating unit to be powered off, so that the heating module enters the power-off mode.

[0085] S15, the heating controller generates and sends a third control signal to the heating module to control the heating module to start the power-off mode.

[0086] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 8 The step of identifying the working state of the ice press according to the electrical signals in step S11 above specifically includes:

[0087] determining whether the electrical signal sent by the first sensor is the first electrical signal; if it is the first electrical signal, determining whether the duration of continuously receiving the first electrical signal sent by the first sensor exceeds a first preset time threshold; if it exceeds the first preset time threshold, determining that the current working state of the ice press is the standby state; if it is the second electrical signal, determining whether the second electrical signal sent by the second sensor is received within a second preset time threshold since the first time of receiving the second electrical signal sent by the first sensor; if the second electrical signal sent by the second sensor is received within the second preset time threshold, determining that the ice press enters the mold replacement state; if the second electrical signal sent by the second sensor is not received within the second preset time threshold, determining that the ice press is about to enter the ice pressing state, and when the first electrical signal sent by the first sensor is received again, determining that the ice pressing of the ice press is completed.

[0088] Generally, when pressing ice, the upper shell is not completely opened, that is, the top of the optical axis is not completely separated from the internal space of the upper shell, so that the photoelectric switch sensor 19 at the bottom of the upper shell can still detect the optical axis. When the ice pressing mold needs to be replaced, the upper shell needs to be completely pulled out, at this time, the top of the optical axis is completely separated from the upper shell, and the photoelectric switch sensor at the bottom of the upper shell detects that the optical axis is separated.

[0089] Specifically, the working principle will be described in detail as follows:

[0090] When the upper and lower shells 17, 18 of the ice press are buckled together, the photoelectric switch sensor 19 at the top of the upper shell 18 detects the optical axis 5, at this time, the ice press is in the standby state, the heating base has not started heating, or the ice pressing is completed, and the control of the heating base stops the continuous heating;

[0091] When the upper shell 18 of the ice press is lifted to prepare for ice pressing, as the upper shell is lifted, the photoelectric switch sensor 19 detects the departure of the optical axis 5 and outputs the second electrical signal, and the heating controller receives the electrical signal and controls the PI heating film to be powered on, so that the heating base starts heating;

[0092] As the ice pressing process proceeds, the upper shell slides down along the optical axis, and when the upper shell and the lower shell are buckled together again, the ice pressing is completed, the photoelectric switch sensor 19 at the top of the upper shell 18 detects the optical axis, the PI heating film stops being powered on, and the heating base stops heating.

[0093] In order to replace the ice pressing mold conveniently, the upper shell and the lower shell need to be separated completely, but this action will trigger the heating film to heat, and the operator is at risk of being scalded, so the photoelectric switch sensor 22 is also arranged at the bottom of the upper shell, when the photoelectric switch sensor 22 at the bottom of the upper shell cannot detect the light axis 5, it indicates that the upper shell is completely pulled out of the lower shell, at this time, the PI heating film is not powered on, and the ice pressing machine is in a standby state, so that the safety of the operator is ensured.

[0094] In order to ensure the safety of the user, the ntc thermistor (that is, one kind of temperature sensor) is integrated to the surface of the PI heating film 8 to monitor the film temperature in real time, when the temperature exceeds the set safety value, the power supply is actively cut off, and the heating is stopped. In order to realize the multiple protection functions, the temperature protection switch is additionally increased in the electric circuit, when the temperature exceeds the safety value and the power supply is not cut off, the power supply is passively cut off by the temperature protection switch. Therefore, the second passive protection can be triggered in the case that the first active protection fails, so that the safety of the ice pressing machine is greatly increased.

[0095] Further optimization is that, in order to facilitate the operator to intuitively feel the working state of the ice pressing machine during the working process, the indicating light is arranged on the main body of the ice pressing machine, so that the operator can more intuitively understand the working state of the ice pressing machine. For example, different colors are presented in different states to indicate that, when the temperature exceeds the temperature protection value, the light flashes red, when in the standby state, the light displays warm white, and the like.

[0096] In summary, the ice pressing machine provided by the embodiment has the advantages of simple and compact structure, easy carrying and storage, replaceable mold, active heating function, high heat transfer efficiency, intelligent automatic heating and closing function, improved ice pressing efficiency, simple and easy-to-operate ice pressing mold replacement method, realization of pressing of ice blocks with different shapes by replacing the mold, and reduced ice pressing cost.

[0097] Embodiment 4: see Figure 9 The application further provides a heating control system of the ice pressing machine, specifically comprising: heating modules arranged in the upper shell and the lower shell respectively and used for providing heat to the ice pressing mold; a guide rail arranged on the lower shell and used for guiding the upper shell to slide up and down; first and second sensors arranged at first and second detection positions in the upper shell respectively and cooperating with the guide rail to detect whether the upper shell is lifted; a heating controller arranged in the lower shell or the upper shell and electrically connected with the first and second sensors; wherein the heating module comprises: a heating base wrapped and closely attached to the outer surface of the ice pressing mold, and a heating element wrapped and closely attached to the outer surface of the heating base.

[0098] When the upper shell is buckled with the lower shell, the connecting end and the free end of the guide rail are located in the detection area of the second sensor and the first sensor respectively, so that the two sensors generate and send the first electric signal to the heating controller;

[0099] When the upper shell slides upward along the guide rail, the first sensor generates and sends the second electric signal to the heating controller when the first sensor gradually moves away from the free end of the guide rail (or the free end of the guide rail moves away from the detection area of the first sensor);

[0100] When the upper shell slides upward along the guide rail, the second sensor generates and sends the second electric signal to the heating controller when the second sensor moves from the connecting end to the free end of the guide rail and gradually moves away from the free end (or the free end of the guide rail gradually moves from the detection area of the first sensor to the detection area of the second sensor, and finally moves away from the detection area of the second sensor).

[0101] In some embodiments, the heating controller comprises:

[0102] The data receiving module is configured to receive the electric signals sent by the two sensors in real time;

[0103] The state identifying module is configured to identify the current working state of the ice press according to the electric signals received by the data receiving module; if it is identified that the working state of the ice press is the standby state, the heating module is triggered to start / keep the power-off mode, until it is identified again that the ice press is about to enter the ice pressing state according to the electric signals sent by the first sensor and the second sensor, the heating module is triggered to start the heating mode, so as to start preheating and continue heating until the ice pressing is completed; if it is identified that the working state of the ice press is the ice pressing completion or mold replacement state, the heating module is triggered to start the power-off mode.

[0104] The heating control module is configured to switch the working mode of the heating module according to the identification result of the state identifying module.

[0105] In some embodiments, the state identifying module specifically comprises:

[0106] The first judging unit is configured to judge the type of the electric signal sent by the first sensor and the second sensor;

[0107] The second judging unit is configured to, when the first judging unit judges that the electric signal sent by the first sensor is the first electric signal, judge whether the duration of receiving the first electric signal exceeds a first preset time threshold; if the first preset time threshold is exceeded, it is determined that the current working state of the ice press is the standby state.

[0108] The third judging unit is configured to, when the first judging unit judges that the electrical signal sent by the first sensor is the second electrical signal for the first time in the standby state, judge whether the second electrical signal sent by the second sensor is received within a second preset time threshold since the second electrical signal sent by the first sensor is received for the first time; if the second electrical signal sent by the second sensor is received within the second preset time threshold, it is determined that the ice presser enters the mold replacement state; if the second electrical signal sent by the second sensor is not received within the second preset time threshold, it is determined that the ice presser is about to enter the ice pressing state; the fourth judging unit is configured to, when the ice presser is in the ice pressing state, judge whether the first electrical signal sent by the first sensor is received, and if yes, it is determined that the ice presser completes ice pressing.

[0109] In some embodiments, the heating control module comprises: a first control unit configured to, when the state recognition module recognizes that the current working state of the ice presser is the standby state, generate and send a first control signal to the heating module to control the heating module to start the power-off mode; a second control unit configured to, when the state recognition module recognizes that the current working state of the ice presser is about to enter the ice pressing state, generate and send a second control signal to the heating module to control the heating module to start the heating mode; and a third control unit configured to, when the state recognition module recognizes that the ice presser completes ice pressing or enters the mold replacement state, generate and send a third control signal to the heating module to control the heating module to start the power-off mode.

[0110] In some embodiments, when the upper shell is buckled with the lower shell, the first detection position is located in a region around the free end of the guide rail in the upper shell; and / or, when the upper shell is buckled with the lower shell, the second detection position is located in a region around the connecting end of the guide rail in the upper shell.

[0111] In some embodiments, the heating control system further comprises a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the heating element in real time, and a safety control module electrically connected with the temperature sensor, the safety control module being configured to judge whether the real-time temperature collected by the temperature sensor exceeds a preset temperature threshold in the heating mode, and if yes, trigger the heating controller to switch the working mode of the heating module to the power-off mode.

[0112] It is worth noting that the circuits, electronic components, power supply systems and other technologies involved in the present embodiment are all prior art, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand the specific power supply systems and control systems thereof on the premise of understanding the principles of the above-mentioned application, without further description.

[0113] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising", "comprises" or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element preceded by "comprises a" does not, without more limitations, foreclose the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the recited element.

[0114] The above describes the embodiments of the present application in connection with the drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments, and the above-described specific embodiments are merely illustrative, but not restrictive, and those skilled in the art can make many forms under the inspiration of the present application without departing from the purpose of the present application and the scope protected by the claims, which all belong to the protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A heating control system for an ice press, characterized in that, The ice press includes an upper housing and a lower housing for mounting the ice pressing mold, and the heating control system includes: Heating modules are respectively disposed in the upper housing and the lower housing for providing heat to the ice pressing mold; the heating module includes: a heating base covering and tightly attached to the outer surface of the ice pressing mold, and a heating element covering and tightly attached to the outer surface of the heating base; A guide rail is provided on the lower housing to guide the upper housing to slide up and down; A first sensor for detecting the guide rail is respectively set at a first detection position in the upper housing, and a second sensor for detecting the guide rail is respectively set at a second detection position. A heating controller disposed within the lower housing or the upper housing and electrically connected to the first sensor and the second sensor; When the upper housing and the lower housing are fastened together, the connecting end and the free end of the guide rail are respectively located in the detection areas of the second sensor and the first sensor, thereby causing the first sensor and the second sensor to generate and send a first electrical signal to the heating controller; when the upper housing slides upward along the guide rail, causing the first sensor to gradually move away from the free end of the guide rail, the first sensor generates and sends a second electrical signal to the heating controller; when the upper housing slides upward along the guide rail, causing the second sensor to gradually move from the connecting end of the guide rail to the free end and move away from the free end, the second sensor generates and sends a second electrical signal to the heating controller. The heating controller includes: The data receiving module is used to receive electrical signals sent by the sensor in real time; The status recognition module is used to identify the current working status of the ice press machine based on the electrical signal received by the data receiving module. If the working status of the ice press machine is identified as standby, the heating module is triggered to start / maintain power-off mode until the electrical signal is again detected that the ice press machine is about to enter the ice pressing state, at which point the heating module is triggered to start the heating mode, thereby starting preheating and continuing to heat until the ice pressing is completed. If the working status of the ice press machine is identified as ice pressing completed or mold changing state, the heating module is triggered to start the power-off mode. The heating control module is used to switch the operating mode of the heating module according to the recognition result of the status recognition module.

2. The heating control system for an ice press machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The state recognition module specifically includes: The first judgment unit is used to determine the type of electrical signals sent by the first sensor and the second sensor; The second judgment unit is used to determine whether the duration of receiving the first electrical signal exceeds a first preset time threshold when the first judgment unit determines that the electrical signal sent by the first sensor is a first electrical signal. If it exceeds the first preset time threshold, the ice press machine is determined to be in standby mode. The third judgment unit is used to determine, when in standby mode, if the first judgment unit first determines that the electrical signal sent by the first sensor is the second electrical signal, whether the second electrical signal sent by the second sensor has been received within a second preset time threshold range since the first receipt of the second electrical signal sent by the first sensor; if the second electrical signal sent by the second sensor is received within the second preset time threshold range, the ice press is determined to enter the mold changing state; if the second electrical signal sent by the second sensor is not received within the second preset time threshold range, the ice press is determined to enter the ice pressing state. The third judgment unit is used to determine whether the first electrical signal sent by the first sensor is received when the ice pressing state is in progress. If so, it is determined that the ice press has completed the ice pressing process.

3. The heating control system for an ice press machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heating control module includes: The first control unit is used to generate and send a first control signal to the heating module when the status recognition module recognizes that the current working state of the ice press is standby state, so as to control the heating module to start the power-off mode. The second control unit is used to generate and send a second control signal to the heating module when the status recognition module recognizes that the current working state of the ice press is about to enter the ice pressing state, so as to control the heating module to start the heating mode. The third control unit is used to generate and send a third control signal to the heating module when the status recognition module recognizes that the ice press has completed ice pressing or entered the mold changing state, so as to control the heating module to start the power-off mode.

4. The heating control system for an ice press machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sensor is a photoelectric switch sensor.

5. The heating control system for an ice press machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The guide rail is a rod-shaped, tubular, or strip-shaped component made of a material capable of reflecting the light signal emitted by the photoelectric switch sensor.

6. A heating control system for an ice press machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, When the upper housing and the lower housing are fastened together, the first detection position is located in the area inside the upper housing surrounding the free end of the guide rail.

7. A heating control system for an ice press machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, When the upper housing and the lower housing are fastened together, the second detection position is located in the area surrounding the guide rail connection end inside the upper housing.

8. A heating control system for an ice press machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The heating element is a PI heating film or a fixed ring groove is provided on the side wall of the heating base. The heating element is a plurality of heating rods evenly distributed in the fixed ring groove, and there is a gap between the fixed ring groove and the side wall of the heating base.

9. The heating control system for an ice press machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: A temperature sensor for real-time monitoring of the heating element temperature, and a safety control module electrically connected to the temperature sensor. The safety control module is used to determine whether the real-time temperature collected by the temperature sensor exceeds a preset temperature threshold in the heating mode. If it exceeds the preset temperature threshold, the heating controller is triggered to switch the working mode of the heating module to a power-off mode.

10. The heating control system for an ice press machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes multiple indicator lights for indicating the working status of the ice press, and the indicator lights are electrically connected to the heating controller.

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