An ice maker with high sealing performance

Abstract

This invention discloses an ice maker with high sealing performance, comprising a housing, an upper end cover, a lower end cover, a rotating shaft, and a spiral scraper. The key feature is that: a shaft head section is connected to the bottom end of the rotating shaft; an annular sealing seat is installed on the outer side of the lower end cover; a bottom end cover is installed at the bottom end of the sealing seat; an annular mounting seat is installed between the shaft head section and the lower end cover; a mechanical seal, a first bearing, and a second bearing are sequentially installed within the sealing seat and between the mounting seat and the bottom end cover; a bushing is fitted onto the second stage of the shaft head section; a spiral groove is provided on the upper outer circumferential surface of the bushing; an mounting groove is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the mounting seat; a first sealing element is installed in the mounting groove, located below the spiral groove and above the mechanical seal. This invention effectively improves the sealing performance of the bottom end of the rotating shaft, reducing / preventing malfunctions or downtime caused by seal leakage, thereby ensuring / improving the production efficiency of slushies / fluid ice.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ice maker technology, and specifically to an ice maker with high sealing performance. Background Technology

[0002] Existing ice makers, for example, prior art CN108332465A discloses a turbulent vortex flow ice maker, and CN108645085A discloses a scraper assembly for an ice maker evaporator and ice making. However, the bottom mounting / connection structure design of existing ice makers still has the problem of poor sealing effect and inability to classify and handle leakage according to its severity, which needs further improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies and provide an ice maker with high sealing performance. By incorporating a three-seal structure at the shaft end, it effectively improves the sealing performance at the bottom of the shaft, reducing / preventing malfunctions or downtime caused by seal leaks, thereby ensuring / improving the production efficiency of smoothies / liquid ice. Through the design of a buffer chamber, observation tube, and one-way pressure relief valve, it can reduce the frequency of maintenance / repair in the event of minor leaks. When a preset amount of liquid accumulates in the observation tube, operators can promptly detect and perform corresponding maintenance / repair or replace the seals / sealing structures, thus ensuring / improving the production efficiency of smoothies / liquid ice.

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

[0005] An ice maker with high sealing performance 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 and the lower end cover are respectively connected to both ends of the housing. The rotating shaft and the spiral scraper are installed inside the housing. The spiral scraper is fixedly connected to the outer peripheral wall of the rotating shaft and extends spirally along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The two ends of the rotating shaft are rotatably connected to the housing through bearings. One end of the rotating shaft is connected to a motor (7) through a gearbox (6). The rotating shaft (4) is characterized by having a shaft head section (19) connected to its bottom end. An annular sealing seat (20) is installed on the outer side of the lower end cover. A bottom end cover (21) is installed at the bottom end of the sealing seat. The shaft head section and the lower end cover are connected to the housing. An annular mounting seat (22) is installed between the end caps. A mechanical seal (23), a first bearing (24), and a second bearing (25) are installed sequentially inside the sealing seat and between the mounting seat and the bottom end cap. A bushing (28) is fitted on the second stage of the shaft head section. The bushing rotates with the shaft. The mechanical seal is installed on the outer circumference of the bushing. A spiral groove (29) is provided on the upper outer circumference of the bushing. The spiral groove is used to drive the liquid in the sealing gap between the bushing and the mounting seat to flow upward and inhibit its downward flow. An installation groove is opened on the inner circumference of the mounting seat. A first sealing element (30) is installed in the installation groove. The first sealing element is located below the spiral groove and above the mechanical seal.

[0006] Furthermore, a drive blade (26) is provided on the first stage of the shaft head section (19). The drive blade rotates together with the shaft. The drive blade is adjacent to and located above the spiral groove (29). The drive blade is used to drive the liquid near the upper end of the spiral groove to the outside, so as to reduce the flow of liquid into the sealing gap between the bushing (28) and the mounting seat (22).

[0007] Furthermore, a through hole (27) is provided on the blade surface of the spiral scraper (5) adjacent to the drive blade (26), and the through hole connects the upper and lower sides of the blade surface.

[0008] Furthermore, the through hole (27) includes a first through hole and a second through hole, the diameter of the first through hole is larger than the diameter of the second through hole, and the second through hole is located radially outside the first through hole relative to the axis of the rotating shaft.

[0009] Furthermore, the first through hole includes multiple through holes one, and the second through hole includes multiple through holes two.

[0010] Further, the mechanical seal (23) includes a stationary ring (31), a stationary ring seat (32), a rotating ring (33), and a rotating ring seat (34). The stationary ring is installed in the groove of the stationary ring seat, the stationary ring seat is installed in the cylindrical part (221) of the mounting seat, the rotating ring is installed in the groove of the rotating ring seat, and the rotating ring seat is installed on the bushing. The rotating ring and the stationary ring are rotated to form a seal. A flange is provided on the outer periphery of the mounting seat. The flange is located above the cylindrical part. The flange, the cylindrical part (221), and the mounting seat are integrally formed. A buffer cavity (35) is formed between the flange, the cylindrical part, the sealing seat, and the lower end cover. A first channel (36) and a second channel (37) are provided on the cylindrical part. A through groove (38) is provided on the upper end face of the stationary ring seat. One or more through grooves extend radially and are connected to the second channel. The first channel and the second channel are connected to the buffer cavity.

[0011] Furthermore, a third channel (39) is provided on the sealing seat (20), the third channel is connected to the buffer chamber (35), and an observation tube (40) is connected to the outer end of the third channel and the outer end of the sealing seat. A one-way pressure relief valve (41) is provided at the end of the observation tube. The one-way pressure relief valve is used to release excess gas or vapor that may be generated in the buffer chamber, and the observation tube is used to observe whether liquid is generated in it.

[0012] Furthermore, a second sealing element (42) is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the lower end cover (3) and the outer circumferential surface of the annular mounting seat (22), a third sealing element (43) is provided between the lower end surface of the lower end cover and the upper end surface of the sealing seat (20), and a fourth sealing element (44) is provided between the bottom end cover (21) and the lower end surface of the sealing seat.

[0013] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the drive blade (26) is greater than the outer diameter of the second seal (42), and the outer diameter of the drive blade is smaller than the outer diameter of the buffer cavity (35).

[0014] This invention discloses an ice maker with high sealing performance. By setting three sealing structures on the shaft end section, from top to bottom, they are a spiral groove seal, a packing seal, and a mechanical seal. The first spiral groove is used to drive the liquid in the sealing gap between the bushing and the mounting seat to flow upward. The second is a packing seal, and the third is a mechanical seal. This can effectively improve the sealing performance of the bottom end of the shaft, reduce / prevent failures or downtime caused by seal leakage, and thus ensure / improve the production efficiency of shaved ice / fluid ice.

[0015] This invention, through the design of a buffer chamber, observation tube, and one-way pressure relief valve, addresses the issue of minor leaks. The buffer chamber collects gas, and the one-way pressure relief valve releases any excess gas / vapor generated within it. This reduces maintenance / repair frequency in the event of minor leaks, thereby ensuring / improving the production efficiency of smoothies / fluid ice. When a preset amount of liquid accumulates in the observation tube, it indicates a leak in the three seals, signifying damage. Workers can then promptly detect and perform appropriate maintenance / repair or replace the seals / sealing structures through the observation tube, further ensuring / improving the production efficiency of smoothies / fluid ice. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ice maker with high sealing performance according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a partially enlarged structural diagram of the ice maker with high sealing performance according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged structural diagram of the ice maker with high sealing performance according to the present invention.

[0019] 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. Baffle; 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; 19. Shaft head section; 20. Annular seal seat; 21. Bottom end cover; 22. Annular mounting seat; 221. Cylinder body; 23. Mechanical seal; 24. First bearing; 25. Second bearing; 26. Drive blade; 27. Through hole; 28. Bushing; 29. ​​Spiral groove / spiral protrusion; 30. First seal; 31. Stationary ring; 32. Stationary ring seat; 33. Moving ring; 34. Moving ring seat; 35. Buffer chamber / accumulation chamber; 36. First channel; 37. Second channel; 38. Groove / through groove; 39. Third channel; 40. Observation tube; 41. One-way pressure relief valve; 42. Second seal; 43. Third seal; 44. Fourth seal. Detailed Implementation

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, an ice maker with high sealing performance according to the present 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 peripheral wall 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 through bearings. One end of the rotating shaft 4 is driven by a motor 7 through a gearbox 6. The housing 1 includes an outer cylinder 11, a middle cylinder 12, and an inner cylinder 13 arranged radially in sequence. The outer cylinder 11 and the middle cylinder 12 form a heat insulation cavity Q1. The middle cylinder 11... The inner cylinder 13 and the inner cylinder 12 form a refrigeration chamber Q2. The inner cavity of the inner cylinder 13 forms an ice-making chamber Q3. A spiral guide plate 8 is provided in the refrigeration chamber. The spiral guide plate 8 extends spirally along the axial direction. Multiple turbulence-inducing elements 9 are provided in the refrigeration chamber. The turbulence-inducing elements 9 are provided on the outer peripheral wall of the inner cylinder 13 or on the spiral 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. 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.

[0024] like Figure 2-3 As shown, the bottom end of the rotating shaft 4 is connected to a shaft head section 19, and an annular sealing seat 20 is installed on the outer side of the lower end cover 3. A bottom end cover 21 is installed at the bottom end of the sealing seat 20. An annular mounting seat 22 is installed between the shaft head section 19 and the lower end cover 3. A mechanical seal 23, a first bearing 24, and a second bearing 25 are installed sequentially inside the sealing seat 20 and between the mounting seat 22 and the bottom end cover 21. A bushing 28 is fitted on the second stage of the shaft head section 19. The bushing 28 rotates together with the rotating shaft 4. The mechanical seal 23 is installed on the outer circumference of the bushing 28. A spiral groove / spiral protrusion 29 is provided on the upper outer circumference surface of the bushing 28. The spiral groove 29 is used to drive the liquid in the sealing gap between the bushing 28 and the mounting seat 22 to flow upward and inhibit its downward flow. An installation groove is opened on the inner circumference surface of the mounting seat 22. A first sealing element 30 (packing seal) is installed in the installation groove. The first sealing element 30 is located below the spiral groove 29 and above the mechanical seal 23.

[0025] This invention provides a three-layer sealing structure on the shaft head section 19 of the rotating shaft 4, consisting of a spiral groove seal, a packing seal, and a mechanical seal from top to bottom. The first layer, the spiral groove 29, drives the liquid in the sealing gap between the bushing 28 and the mounting base 22 to flow upward. The second layer, the first sealing element 30, is a packing seal. The third layer is a mechanical seal. This effectively improves the sealing performance of the bottom end of the rotating shaft 4, reduces / prevents malfunctions or downtime caused by seal leakage, and thus ensures / improves the production efficiency of shaved ice / fluid ice.

[0026] Furthermore, a drive blade 26 is provided on the first stage of the shaft head section 19. The drive blade 26 rotates together with the rotating shaft 4. The drive blade 26 is adjacent to and located above the spiral groove 29. The drive blade 26 is used to drive the liquid near the upper end of the spiral groove 29 outward to reduce / suppress the flow of liquid into the sealing gap between the bushing 28 and the mounting seat 22. Through the design of the drive blade 26, this invention can further improve the sealing performance of the bottom end of the rotating shaft 4, reduce / prevent failures or downtime caused by seal leakage, thereby ensuring / improving the production efficiency of slushies / fluid ice.

[0027] A through hole 27 is provided on the blade surface adjacent to the driving blade 26 of the spiral scraper 5, and the through hole 27 connects the upper and lower sides of the blade surface. The design of the through hole 27 can reduce the obstruction / resistance of the blade surface of the spiral scraper 5 to the liquid flow driven by the driving blade 26, and at the same time improve the uniformity of fluid temperature on the upper and lower sides of the blade surface.

[0028] The through hole 27 includes a first through hole and a second through hole. The diameter of the first through hole is larger than the diameter of the second through hole, and the second through hole is located radially outside the first through hole relative to the axis of the rotating shaft 4.

[0029] In one embodiment, the first through hole includes a plurality of through holes one, and the second through hole includes a plurality of through holes two.

[0030] like Figure 2-3As shown, the mechanical seal 23 further includes a stationary ring 31, a stationary ring seat 32, a rotating ring 33, and a rotating ring seat 34. The stationary ring 31 is installed in the groove of the stationary ring seat 32, which is installed in the cylindrical portion 221 of the mounting base 22. The rotating ring 33 is installed in the groove of the rotating ring seat 34, which is installed on the bushing 28. The rotating ring 33 and the stationary ring 31 are rotary contact seals. A flange is provided on the outer periphery of the mounting base 22, and the flange is located in the cylindrical portion 221. Above, the flange portion, the cylindrical body portion 221 and the mounting base 22 are integrally formed / integrated, and the flange portion, the cylindrical body portion 221, the sealing base 20 and the lower end cover 3 form a buffer cavity / accumulation cavity 35; the cylindrical body portion 221 is provided with a first channel 36 and a second channel 37, and the upper end face of the stationary ring seat 32 is provided with a groove / through groove 38, one or more through grooves 38 extend radially and are connected to the second channel 37, and the first channel 36 and the second channel 37 are connected to the buffer cavity 35.

[0031] In one embodiment, a third channel 39 is provided on the sealing seat 20, the third channel 39 is connected to the buffer chamber 35, and an observation tube 40 is connected to the outer end of the third channel 39 and the outer end of the sealing seat 20. A one-way pressure relief valve 41 is provided at the end of the observation tube 40. The one-way pressure relief valve 41 is used to release excess gas / vapor that may be generated in the buffer chamber 35, and the observation tube 40 is used to observe whether liquid is generated in it.

[0032] After the ice maker has been running for a long time, a certain amount of liquid leakage may occur at the second packing seal. At this time, the leaked trace liquid flows into the gap between the stationary ring seat 32 and the moving ring seat 34, which can play a certain cooling role on the sealing surface between the moving ring 33 and the stationary ring 31. Under the high temperature generated by the relative rotation of the sealing surfaces of the moving ring 33 and the stationary ring 31, the liquid vaporizes. The gas flows into the buffer chamber 35 through the first channel 36 and the second channel 37. The one-way pressure relief valve 41 is used to release the excess gas / vapor that may be generated in the buffer chamber 35. The observation tube 40 is used to observe whether there is liquid in it. When a preset amount of liquid accumulates in the observation tube 40, it indicates that there is a leak in the three seals and that they have been damaged. At this time, the staff can use the observation tube 40 to promptly detect and perform corresponding maintenance / repair or replace the seals / sealing structure.

[0033] This invention, through the design of a buffer chamber 35, an observation tube 40, and a one-way pressure relief valve 41, addresses the issue of minor leaks. The buffer chamber 35 collects gas, and the one-way pressure relief valve 41 releases any excess gas / vapor generated within it. This reduces maintenance / repair frequency in the event of minor leaks, thereby ensuring / improving the production efficiency of smoothies / fluid ice. When a preset amount of liquid accumulates in the observation tube 40, it indicates a leak in the three seals, signifying damage. Workers can then promptly detect and perform appropriate maintenance / repair or replace the seals / sealing structures through the observation tube 40, further ensuring / improving the production efficiency of smoothies / fluid ice.

[0034] A second sealing element 42 (sealing ring) is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the lower end cover 3 and the outer circumferential surface of the annular mounting seat 22; a third sealing element 43 (sealing ring) is provided between the lower end surface of the lower end cover 3 and the upper end surface of the sealing seat 20; and a fourth sealing element 44 (sealing ring) is provided between the bottom end cover 21 and the lower end surface of the sealing seat 20.

[0035] The outer diameter of the drive blade 26 is larger than the outer diameter of the second seal 42, and the outer diameter of the drive blade 26 is smaller than the outer diameter of the buffer cavity 35, so as to improve the effect of driving the liquid near the upper end of the spiral groove 29 to the outside.

[0036] On the third stage of the shaft head section 19, between the mechanical seal 23 and the bottom end cover 21, the first bearing 24 and the second bearing 25 are installed in sequence.

[0037] The present invention discloses an ice maker with high sealing performance. By setting three sealing structures on the shaft end section 19 of the rotating shaft 4, from top to bottom, they are a spiral groove seal, a packing seal, and a mechanical seal. The first seal, the spiral groove 29, is used to drive the liquid in the sealing gap between the bushing 28 and the mounting seat 22 to flow upward. The second seal, the first sealing element 30, is a packing seal. The third seal is a mechanical seal. This can effectively improve the sealing performance of the bottom end of the rotating shaft 4, reduce / prevent failures or downtime caused by seal leakage, and thus ensure / improve the production efficiency of shaved ice / fluid ice.

[0038] This invention, through the design of a buffer chamber 35, an observation tube 40, and a one-way pressure relief valve 41, addresses the issue of minor leaks. The buffer chamber 35 collects gas, and the one-way pressure relief valve 41 releases any excess gas / vapor generated within it. This reduces maintenance / repair frequency in the event of minor leaks, thereby ensuring / improving the production efficiency of smoothies / fluid ice. When a preset amount of liquid accumulates in the observation tube 40, it indicates a leak in the three seals, signifying damage. Workers can then promptly detect and perform appropriate maintenance / repair or replace the seals / sealing structures through the observation tube 40, further ensuring / improving the production efficiency of smoothies / fluid ice.

[0039] 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 ice maker with high sealing performance, comprising 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 and the lower end cover are respectively connected to the two ends of the housing. The rotating shaft and the spiral scraper are installed inside the housing. The spiral scraper is fixedly connected to the outer peripheral wall of the rotating shaft and extends spirally along the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The two ends of the rotating shaft are rotatably connected to the housing through bearings. One end of the rotating shaft is connected to the motor (7) through a gearbox (6). Its features are: The bottom end of the rotating shaft (4) is connected to the shaft head section (19), and an annular sealing seat (20) is installed on the outer side of the lower end cover. The bottom end cover (21) is installed at the bottom end of the sealing seat. An annular mounting seat (22) is installed between the shaft head section and the lower end cover. A mechanical seal (23), a first bearing (24), and a second bearing (25) are installed in sequence inside the sealing seat and between the mounting seat and the bottom end cover. A bushing (28) is fitted on the second stage of the shaft head section. The bushing rotates with the rotating shaft. The mechanical seal is installed on the outer circumference of the bushing. A spiral groove (29) is provided on the upper outer circumference surface of the bushing. The spiral groove is used to drive the liquid in the sealing gap between the bushing and the mounting seat to flow upward and inhibit its downward flow. An installation groove is opened on the inner circumference surface of the mounting seat. A first sealing element (30) is installed in the installation groove. The first sealing element is located below the spiral groove and above the mechanical seal. A drive blade (26) is provided on the first stage of the shaft head section (19). The drive blade rotates with the shaft. The drive blade is adjacent to and above the spiral groove (29). The drive blade is used to drive the liquid near the upper end of the spiral groove to the outside, so as to reduce the flow of liquid into the sealing gap between the bushing (28) and the mounting seat (22). A through hole (27) is provided on the blade surface of the adjacent drive blade (26) of the spiral scraper (5), and the through hole connects the upper and lower sides of the blade surface; The mechanical seal (23) includes a stationary ring (31), a stationary ring seat (32), a rotating ring (33), and a rotating ring seat (34). The stationary ring is installed in the groove of the stationary ring seat, the stationary ring seat is installed in the cylindrical part (221) of the mounting seat, the rotating ring is installed in the groove of the rotating ring seat, and the rotating ring seat is installed on the bushing. The rotating ring and the stationary ring are rotated and sealed. The outer periphery of the mounting seat is provided with a flange, which is located above the cylindrical part. The flange, the cylindrical part (221), and the mounting seat are integrally formed. The flange, the cylindrical part, the sealing seat, and the lower end cover form a buffer cavity (35). The cylindrical part is provided with a first channel (36) and a second channel (37). The upper end face of the stationary ring seat is provided with a through groove (38). One or more through grooves extend radially and are connected to the second channel. The first channel and the second channel are connected to the buffer cavity.

2. The ice maker with high sealing performance as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The through hole (27) includes a first through hole and a second through hole. The diameter of the first through hole is larger than that of the second through hole, and the second through hole is located radially outside the first through hole relative to the axis of the rotating shaft.

3. An ice maker with high sealing performance as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first through hole includes multiple through holes one, and the second through hole includes multiple through holes two.

4. An ice maker with high sealing performance as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A third channel (39) is provided on the sealing seat (20), which is connected to the buffer chamber (35). An observation tube (40) is connected to the outer end of the third channel and the outer end of the sealing seat. A one-way pressure relief valve (41) is provided at the end of the observation tube. The one-way pressure relief valve is used to release excess gas or vapor that may be generated in the buffer chamber. The observation tube is used to observe whether liquid is generated in it.

5. An ice maker with high sealing performance as described in claim 4, characterized in that, A second sealing element (42) is provided between the inner circumferential surface of the lower end cover (3) and the outer circumferential surface of the annular mounting seat (22), a third sealing element (43) is provided between the lower end surface of the lower end cover and the upper end surface of the sealing seat (20), and a fourth sealing element (44) is provided between the bottom end cover (21) and the lower end surface of the sealing seat.

6. An ice maker with high sealing performance as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the drive blade (26) is greater than the outer diameter of the second seal (42), and the outer diameter of the drive blade is less than the outer diameter of the buffer cavity (35).

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