An improved high-efficiency ice maker

Abstract

This invention discloses an improved high-efficiency ice maker, comprising a shell, an upper end cover, a lower end cover, a rotating shaft, and a spiral scraper. The shell includes an outer cylinder, a middle cylinder, and an inner cylinder. A spiral guide plate is installed inside the refrigeration chamber, and multiple flow-tampering components are also installed within the refrigeration chamber. The key feature is that the flow-tampering components include an outer ring cylinder, an inner ring cylinder, a swirling ring, a rotating rod, spiral blades, and a flow-tampering tube. The inner and outer ring cylinders are connected via a swirling ring. A rotating rod is located at the center of the inner ring cylinder, and spiral blades are connected to the outer circumference of the rotating rod. A flow-tampering tube is located at the downstream end of the inner ring cylinder, and the flow-tampering tube is connected to a first connecting seat via a support rod. Both ends of the rotating rod are rotatably connected to the first and second connecting seats, respectively. This invention enables better mixing of the refrigerant, allowing for sufficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and the refrigeration chamber and its walls, thereby improving the production efficiency of slush / ice slurry / ice residue and enhancing the overall performance of the ice maker.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ice maker technology, and specifically to an improved high-efficiency ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] like Figure 1-2 As shown, an existing ice maker includes a housing 1, an upper end cover 2, a lower end cover 3, a rotating shaft 4, and a spiral scraper 5. The upper end cover 2 and the lower end cover 3 are respectively connected to both ends of the housing 1. The rotating shaft 4 and the spiral scraper 5 are installed inside the housing 1. The spiral scraper 5 is fixedly connected to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 4 and extends spirally along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 4. Both ends of the rotating shaft 4 are rotatably connected to the housing 1 via bearings. One end of the rotating shaft 4 is connected to a motor 7 via a gearbox 6. The housing 1 includes an outer cylinder 11, a middle cylinder 12, and an inner cylinder 13 arranged radially in sequence. A heat insulation cavity is formed between the outer cylinder 11 and the middle cylinder 12. The inner cylinder 13 and the inner cylinder 12 form a refrigeration chamber. The inner cavity of the inner cylinder 13 forms an ice-making chamber. A spiral guide plate 8 is provided in the refrigeration chamber. The spiral guide plate 8 extends spirally along the axial direction. Multiple baffles 9 are provided in the refrigeration chamber. One or more baffles 9 are provided in the pitch gap of the spiral guide plate 8. The lower end of the shell 1 is connected to a water inlet pipe 14 and a refrigerant inlet pipe 16. The water inlet pipe 14 is connected to the ice-making chamber. The refrigerant inlet pipe 16 is connected to the refrigeration chamber. The upper end of the shell 1 is connected to an ice outlet pipe 15 and a refrigerant outlet pipe 17. The ice outlet pipe 15 is connected to the ice-making chamber. The refrigerant outlet pipe 17 is connected to the refrigeration chamber. For example, existing technologies CN108332465A discloses a turbulent vortex-type fluidized ice maker, CN207831744U discloses a fluidized ice maker integrating ice scraping and feeding, CN207831745U discloses an ice maker with turbulence function, and CN207831746U discloses a fluidized ice maker with stirring function. However, the turbulence components of existing ice makers still have poor effects on the vortex / turbulence, disturbance, and swirl of refrigerant fluid flow, and the mixing and heat exchange effects need further improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide an improved high-efficiency ice maker. Through the improved design of the flow-turbing component, this invention can further improve the eddy / turbulent flow, disturbance, and swirl properties of the refrigerant flow, enabling better mixing of the refrigerant and allowing for sufficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and the refrigeration chamber and its walls. This improves the production efficiency of ice slush / ice slurry / ice slag and enhances the performance of the ice maker.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0005] An improved high-efficiency ice maker includes a shell (1), an upper end cover (2), a lower end cover (3), a rotating shaft (4), and a spiral scraper (5). The upper end cover and the lower end cover are respectively connected to both ends of the shell. The rotating shaft and the spiral scraper are installed inside the shell. The spiral scraper is fixedly connected to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft and extends spirally along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. One end of the rotating shaft is connected to a motor (7) via a gearbox (6). The shell includes an outer cylinder (11), a middle cylinder (12), and an inner cylinder (13) arranged radially in sequence. The outer cylinder and the middle cylinder form a heat insulation cavity, and the middle cylinder and the inner cylinder form a refrigeration cavity. The inner cavity of the inner cylinder forms an ice-making cavity. A spiral guide plate (8) is provided inside the refrigeration cavity. The spiral guide plate extends spirally along the axial direction. The device is equipped with multiple flow-disrupting components (9); characterized in that: the flow-disrupting component (9) includes an outer ring cylinder (91), an inner ring cylinder (92), a swirl ring (93), a rotating rod (94), a spiral blade (95), a flow-disrupting tube (96), a first connecting seat (97), and a second connecting seat (98). The inner ring cylinder is disposed on the inner circumference of the outer ring cylinder, and the inner ring cylinder and the outer ring cylinder are connected by a swirl ring. A rotating rod is disposed at the center of the inner ring cylinder, and a spiral blade is connected to the outer circumference of the rotating rod. The spiral blade extends spirally along the axial direction. A flow-disrupting tube is disposed at the downstream end of the inner ring cylinder. The flow-disrupting tube is connected to the first connecting seat through a support rod. The two ends of the rotating rod are rotatably connected to the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat, respectively. The support rod is rotatably connected to or fixedly connected to the first connecting seat.

[0006] Furthermore, the turbulence-disrupting element (9) also includes an annular vortex fluid (99), which is disposed at the downstream end of the inner annular cylinder and is integrally formed or welded with the inner annular cylinder (92). The annular vortex fluid is disposed on the outer periphery of the turbulence-disrupting cylinder.

[0007] Furthermore, the annular vortex fluid (99) includes a concave-convex structure, which extends 360° circumferentially and is continuously bent, and the wall thickness of the concave-convex structure is designed to be uniform; from an axial perspective, the concave-convex structure is wavy; the diameter of the upstream end of the concave-convex structure is smaller than the outer diameter of the downstream end, but larger than the inner diameter of the downstream end.

[0008] Furthermore, the swirling ring (93) is provided with a first swirling jet hole (931) and a second swirling jet hole (932). The first swirling jet holes are distributed circumferentially and disposed on the radial outer periphery of the second swirling jet holes. The second swirling jet holes are distributed circumferentially. In at least two non-parallel planes, the axis of the first swirling jet hole is inclined relative to the axis of the rotating rod (94). In the axial direction of the rotating rod, the swirling ring is disposed between the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat.

[0009] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the spiral blade (95) gradually increases from its upstream end to its downstream end; the upstream end of the rotating rod (94) is rotatably connected to the second connecting seat, the second connecting seat is connected to the inner wall of the inner ring cylinder through multiple ribs distributed along the circumference, and the downstream end of the rotating rod is rotatably connected to the first connecting seat, the first connecting seat is connected to the inner wall of the inner ring cylinder through multiple ribs distributed along the circumference.

[0010] Furthermore, the downstream end of the support rod (961) is connected to the inner wall of the turbulence cylinder (96) through multiple circumferentially distributed guide vanes (962), and the upstream end of the support rod is rotatably or fixedly connected to the first connecting seat (97); the cross-section of the turbulence cylinder is spindle-shaped, and multiple circumferentially distributed swirl grooves are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the turbulence cylinder (96). Through the action of the guide vanes and / or swirl grooves, the turbulence cylinder rotates under the impact of the fluid.

[0011] Furthermore, the outer ring cylinder (91) has a spindle-shaped cross section, and the radial thickness at the upstream end is greater than the radial thickness at the downstream end; the radial thickness at the upstream end of the turbulence cylinder (96) is greater than the radial thickness at the downstream end.

[0012] Furthermore, the downstream end of the annular vortex fluid (99) has an inner diameter D1 and an axial length L1; the downstream end of the turbulence tube (96) has a diameter D2 and an axial length L2; there is an axial overlap length Ls between the turbulence tube and the annular vortex fluid; D2 / D1 = 0.45-0.7, L2 / L1 = 0.5-0.75, Ls / L1 = 0.25-0.55.

[0013] Furthermore, L1 / D1 = 0.75-0.95, Ls / D1 = 0.2-0.45.

[0014] Furthermore, one or more turbulence elements (9) are disposed within the pitch gap of the spiral guide plate (8), and the turbulence elements are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder (13) and / or the inner peripheral surface of the middle cylinder (12) and / or the blade surface of the spiral guide plate.

[0015] This invention discloses an improved high-efficiency ice maker. Compared with the existing flow-dispersing components, this invention, through the improved design of the flow-dispersing components, can further enhance the eddy / turbulent flow, disturbance, and swirling properties of the refrigerant flow. This allows for better and more thorough mixing of the refrigerant, enabling sufficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and the refrigeration chamber and its walls. Consequently, it can improve the production efficiency of ice slush / ice slurry / ice residue and enhance the overall performance of the ice maker. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing ice maker.

[0017] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of an existing ice maker.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the airflow-damping component structure of the ice maker of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the airflow-damping component structure of the ice maker of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the annular vortex structure of the turbulence-inducing component of the ice maker of the present invention.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Shell; 2. Upper end cover; 3. Lower end cover; 4. Rotating shaft; 5. Spiral scraper; 6. Gearbox; 7. Motor; 8. Spiral guide plate; 9. Turbulent component; 11. Outer cylinder; 12. Middle cylinder; 13. Inner cylinder; 14. Water inlet pipe; 15. Ice outlet pipe; 16. Refrigerant inlet pipe; 17. Refrigerant outlet pipe; 91. Outer annular cylinder; 92. Inner annular cylinder; 93. Swirl ring; 94. Rotating rod; 95. Spiral blade; 96. Turbulent cylinder; 97. First connecting seat; 98. Second connecting seat; 99. Annular vortex; 931. First swirling jet hole; 932. Second swirling jet hole; 961. Support rod; 962. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the technical solution and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solution of the present invention will be described in a clearer and more complete manner below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only some embodiments of the present invention, and are only used to explain the present invention, not to limit the present invention. It should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts / structures related to the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. Other related parts can be referred to with ordinary design. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments and technical features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0023] Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this invention. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the description of this invention should have the ordinary meaning understood by those skilled in the art.

[0024] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] like Figure 1-2As shown, an improved high-efficiency ice maker according to the prior art / invention includes a housing 1, an upper end cover 2, a lower end cover 3, a rotating shaft 4, and a spiral scraper 5. The upper end cover 2 and the lower end cover 3 are respectively connected to both ends of the housing 1. The rotating shaft 4 and the spiral scraper 5 are installed inside the housing 1. The spiral scraper 5 is fixedly connected to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 4 and extends spirally along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 4. Both ends of the rotating shaft 4 are rotatably connected to the housing 1 via bearings. One end of the rotating shaft 4 is connected to a motor 7 via a gearbox 6. The housing 1 includes an outer cylinder 11, a middle cylinder 12, and an inner cylinder 13 arranged radially in sequence. A heat insulation cavity is formed between the outer cylinder 11 and the middle cylinder 12, and a refrigeration cavity is formed between the middle cylinder 12 and the inner cylinder 13. The inner cylinder 13 forms an ice-making chamber. A spiral guide plate 8 is installed inside the refrigeration chamber, extending spirally along the axial direction. Multiple baffles 9 are installed inside the refrigeration chamber, with one or more baffles 9 located within the pitch gap of the spiral guide plate 8. The baffles 9 are located on the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 13 and / or the inner circumferential surface of the middle cylinder 12 and / or the blade surface of the spiral guide plate 8. The lower end of the shell 1 is connected to a water inlet pipe 14 and a refrigerant inlet pipe 16. The water inlet pipe 14 is connected to the ice-making chamber, and the refrigerant inlet pipe 16 is connected to the refrigeration chamber. The upper end of the shell 1 is connected to an ice outlet pipe 15 and a refrigerant outlet pipe 17. The ice outlet pipe 15 is connected to the ice-making chamber, and the refrigerant outlet pipe 17 is connected to the refrigeration chamber.

[0026] like Figure 3-5 As shown, the arrow "→" indicates the direction of refrigerant fluid flow. The flow-deflecting component 9 of the present invention includes an outer ring cylinder 91, an inner ring cylinder 92, a swirl ring 93, a rotating rod 94, a spiral blade 95, a flow-deflecting tube 96, a first connecting seat 97, and a second connecting seat 98. The inner ring cylinder 92 is disposed on the inner circumferential side of the outer ring cylinder 91. The inner ring cylinder 92 and the outer ring cylinder 91 are connected by the swirl ring 93. A rotating rod 94 is disposed at the center of the inner ring cylinder 92. A spiral blade 95 is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating rod 94. The spiral blade 95 extends spirally along the axial direction. A flow-deflecting tube 96 is disposed at the downstream end of the inner ring cylinder 92. The flow-deflecting tube 96 is connected to the first connecting seat 97 through a support rod 961. The two ends of the rotating rod 94 are rotatably connected to the first connecting seat 97 and the second connecting seat 98, respectively. The support rod 961 is rotatably connected to or fixedly connected to the first connecting seat 97.

[0027] The turbulence-disrupting component 9 also includes an annular vortex fluid 99, which is disposed at the downstream end of the inner annular cylinder 92 and is integrally formed with the inner annular cylinder 92. The annular vortex fluid 99 is disposed on the outer periphery of the turbulence-disrupting cylinder 96.

[0028] Compared to existing flow-dispersing components, this invention, through improved design of the flow-dispersing component, can further enhance the eddy / turbulent flow, disturbance, and swirling properties of the refrigerant flow, enabling better mixing of the refrigerant and allowing for sufficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and the refrigeration chamber and its walls. This, in turn, improves the production efficiency of slush / ice slurry / ice slag and enhances the performance of the ice maker.

[0029] Furthermore, the annular vortex fluid 99 includes a concave-convex structure, which extends 360° circumferentially and is continuously bent, and the wall thickness of the concave-convex structure is designed to be uniform; from an axial perspective, the concave-convex structure appears wavy (e.g., Figure 5 (As shown); the diameter of the upstream end of the concave-convex structure is smaller than the outer diameter of the downstream end, and larger than the inner diameter of the downstream end (as shown). Figure 3 (As shown).

[0030] The swirl ring 93 has a first swirl jet hole 931 and a second swirl jet hole 932. The first swirl jet holes 931 are distributed circumferentially and are located on the radial outer periphery of the second swirl jet holes 932. The second swirl jet holes 932 are distributed circumferentially. In at least two or three non-parallel planes, the axis of the first swirl jet hole 931 is inclined relative to the axis of the rotating rod 94. In the axial direction (upward) of the rotating rod 94, the swirl ring 93 is located between the first connecting seat 97 and the second connecting seat 98.

[0031] The present invention, through the structural design of the annular vortex fluid 99 and the swirl ring 93, can further improve the vortex / turbulence, disturbance and swirl properties of the refrigerant flow, and can better enable the refrigerant to mix fully with each other, so that the refrigerant can fully exchange heat with the refrigeration cavity and its walls.

[0032] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the spiral blade 95 gradually increases from its upstream end to its downstream end; the upstream end of the rotating rod 94 is rotatably connected to the second connecting seat 98, and the second connecting seat 98 is connected to the inner wall of the inner ring cylinder 92 through multiple ribs distributed along the circumference; the downstream end of the rotating rod 94 is rotatably connected to the first connecting seat 97, and the first connecting seat 97 is connected to the inner wall of the inner ring cylinder 92 through multiple ribs distributed along the circumference.

[0033] The downstream end of the support rod 961 is connected to the inner wall of the turbulence cylinder 96 through multiple circumferentially distributed guide vanes 962. The upstream end of the support rod 961 is rotatably or fixedly connected to the first connecting seat 97. The cross-section of the turbulence cylinder 96 is spindle-shaped, and multiple circumferentially distributed swirl grooves are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the turbulence cylinder 96. Through the action of the guide vanes 962 and / or the swirl grooves, the turbulence cylinder 96 rotates under the impact of the fluid.

[0034] The present invention, through the structural design of the spiral blades 95 and the turbulence tube 96, can further improve the eddy / turbulent flow, disturbance and swirling properties of the refrigerant flow, and can better enable the refrigerant to mix fully with each other, so that the refrigerant can fully exchange heat with the refrigeration cavity and its walls.

[0035] The outer ring cylinder 91 has a spindle-shaped cross-section, and the radial thickness at the upstream end is greater than the radial thickness at the downstream end; the radial thickness at the upstream end of the turbulence cylinder 96 is greater than the radial thickness at the downstream end.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, further, the downstream end of the annular vortex fluid 99 has an inner diameter D1 and an axial length L1; the downstream end of the turbulence-disrupting cylinder 96 has a diameter D2 and an axial length L2; the turbulence-disrupting cylinder 96 and the annular vortex fluid 99 have an axial overlap length Ls; D2 / D1=0.5-0.65, L2 / L1=0.54-0.7, Ls / L1=0.3-0.5.

[0037] L1 / D1=0.77-0.91, Ls / D1=0.25-0.4.

[0038] This invention, through the parameter optimization design of the annular vortex fluid 99 and the turbulence tube 96, can further improve the vortex / turbulence, disturbance, and swirl properties of the refrigerant flow, enabling the refrigerant to mix more thoroughly and allowing for sufficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and the refrigeration chamber and its walls.

[0039] This invention discloses an improved high-efficiency ice maker. Compared with the existing flow-dispersing components, this invention, through the improved design of the flow-dispersing components, can further enhance the eddy / turbulent flow, disturbance, and swirling properties of the refrigerant flow. This allows for better and more thorough mixing of the refrigerant, enabling sufficient heat exchange between the refrigerant and the refrigeration chamber and its walls. Consequently, it can improve the production efficiency of ice slush / ice slurry / ice residue and enhance the overall performance of the ice maker.

[0040] The above embodiments are illustrative of the present invention and not intended to limit the invention. It is understood that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An improved high-efficiency ice maker, comprising a shell (1), an upper end cover (2), a lower end cover (3), a rotating shaft (4), and a spiral scraper (5). The upper end cover and the lower end cover are respectively connected to the two ends of the shell. The rotating shaft and the spiral scraper are installed inside the shell. The spiral scraper is fixedly connected to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft and extends spirally along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. One end of the rotating shaft is connected to the motor (7) via a gearbox (6). The shell comprises an outer cylinder (11), a middle cylinder (12), and an inner cylinder (13) arranged radially in sequence. The outer cylinder and the middle cylinder form a heat insulation cavity. The middle cylinder and the inner cylinder form a refrigeration cavity. The inner cavity of the inner cylinder forms an ice-making cavity. A spiral guide plate (8) is provided inside the refrigeration cavity. The spiral guide plate extends spirally along the axial direction. Multiple turbulence-inducing components (9) are provided inside the refrigeration cavity. Its features are: The turbulence-disrupting component (9) includes an outer ring cylinder (91), an inner ring cylinder (92), a swirl ring (93), a rotating rod (94), a spiral blade (95), a turbulence-disrupting tube (96), a first connecting seat (97), and a second connecting seat (98). The inner ring cylinder is located on the inner circumference of the outer ring cylinder. The inner ring cylinder and the outer ring cylinder are connected by a swirl ring. A rotating rod is located at the center of the inner ring cylinder. A spiral blade is connected to the outer circumference of the rotating rod. The spiral blade extends spirally along the axial direction. A turbulence-disrupting tube is located at the downstream end of the inner ring cylinder. The turbulence-disrupting tube is connected to the first connecting seat through a support rod. The two ends of the rotating rod are rotatably connected to the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat, respectively. The support rod is rotatably connected to or fixedly connected to the first connecting seat. The turbulence-disrupting component (9) also includes an annular vortex fluid (99), which is disposed at the downstream end of the inner ring cylinder and is integrally formed or welded with the inner ring cylinder (92). The annular vortex fluid is disposed on the outer periphery of the turbulence-disrupting cylinder. The annular vortex fluid (99) includes a concave-convex structure, which extends 360° circumferentially and is continuously bent, and the wall thickness of the concave-convex structure is designed to be uniform; from the axial perspective, the concave-convex structure is wavy; the diameter of the upstream end of the concave-convex structure is smaller than the outer diameter of the downstream end and larger than the inner diameter of the downstream end. The swirl ring (93) is provided with a first swirl jet hole (931) and a second swirl jet hole (932). The first swirl jet holes are distributed circumferentially and are located on the radial outer periphery of the second swirl jet holes. The second swirl jet holes are distributed circumferentially. In at least two non-parallel planes, the axis of the first swirl jet hole is inclined relative to the axis of the rotating rod (94). In the axial direction of the rotating rod, the swirl ring is located between the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat. The outer diameter of the spiral blade (95) gradually increases from its upstream end to its downstream end; the upstream end of the rotating rod (94) is rotatably connected to the second connecting seat, which is connected to the inner wall of the inner ring cylinder through multiple ribs distributed along the circumference; the downstream end of the rotating rod is rotatably connected to the first connecting seat, which is connected to the inner wall of the inner ring cylinder through multiple ribs distributed along the circumference.

2. The improved high-efficiency ice maker as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The downstream end of the support rod (961) is connected to the inner wall of the turbulence tube (96) through multiple circumferentially distributed guide vanes (962), and the upstream end of the support rod is rotatably or fixedly connected to the first connecting seat (97); the cross-section of the turbulence tube is spindle-shaped, and multiple circumferentially distributed swirl grooves are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the turbulence tube (96). Through the action of the guide vanes and / or swirl grooves, the turbulence tube rotates under the impact of the fluid.

3. An improved high-efficiency ice maker as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The outer ring cylinder (91) has a spindle-shaped cross section, and the radial thickness at the upstream end is greater than that at the downstream end; the radial thickness at the upstream end of the turbulence cylinder (96) is greater than that at the downstream end.

4. An improved high-efficiency ice maker as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The downstream end of the annular vortex fluid (99) has an inner diameter D1 and an axial length L1; the downstream end of the turbulence tube (96) has a diameter D2 and an axial length L2; there is an axial overlap length Ls between the turbulence tube and the annular vortex fluid. D2 / D1=0.45-0.7, L2 / L1=0.5-0.75, Ls / L1=0.25-0.

55.

5. An improved high-efficiency ice maker as described in claim 4, characterized in that, L1 / D1=0.75-0.95, Ls / D1=0.2-0.

45.

6. An improved high-efficiency ice maker as described in claim 1, characterized in that, One or more turbulence elements (9) are disposed within the pitch gap of the spiral guide plate (8), and the turbulence elements are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder (13) and / or the inner peripheral surface of the middle cylinder (12) and / or the blade surface of the spiral guide plate.

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