Ice moving device and refrigeration equipment

Abstract

The application discloses ice moving devices and refrigeration equipment, wherein the ice moving device comprises an ice moving channel, a power assembly, an ice returning channel, a rotating baffle and a reset member. The ice moving channel is provided with an ice outlet, an ice inlet and an ice returning port, the ice outlet is located above the ice inlet, and the ice returning port is located between the ice inlet and the ice outlet; the power assembly is arranged in the ice moving channel; the ice returning channel is communicated with the ice returning port; the rotating baffle is rotationally arranged in the ice moving channel at the ice returning port; and the reset member is arranged on the rotating baffle and drives the rotating baffle to rotate to an initial position. The power assembly drives ice blocks to continuously pop out of the ice outlet, the ice taking efficiency is high, the ice taking is fast and continuous, the ice blocks are not easy to melt and have high quality, and the ice blocks are not easy to melt and adhere to each other. Through cooperation of the rotating baffle and the reset member, the movement of the ice blocks to the ice outlet is not affected, the ice blocks that fail to be taken out can be guided to the ice returning channel, the ice block blocking is avoided, the working stability of the ice moving device is ensured, and the ice moving efficiency is further improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of refrigeration devices, and specifically relates to ice moving devices and refrigeration equipment. Background Art

[0002] Existing ice retrieval technology usually involves manual retrieval or automatic retrieval from the bottom of the ice storage bin using gravity. To improve convenience and enable ice retrieval at a suitable height, some refrigerators are designed with ice retrieval facilities on the upper refrigeration door. Retrieving ice from the refrigeration door requires two ice makers, especially one set in the refrigerator compartment. Making and storing ice in the refrigerator compartment consumes a lot of energy and requires a lot of space for insulation. To solve this problem, some refrigeration equipment considers making ice in the freezer compartment and moving the ice to the refrigerator compartment. However, how to efficiently move the ice is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides an ice moving device and a refrigeration device to solve the technical problem of difficulty in efficiently moving ice cubes.

[0004] and a plurality of ice cubes are placed in the ice storage container and the ice storage container is moved to the ice storage container so that the ice cubes can be moved to the ice storage container.

[0005] A reset member is provided on the rotating baffle, and drives the rotating baffle to rotate toward the initial position.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application adopts another technical solution: a refrigeration device, including the above ice moving device.

[0007] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: the power assembly of this application drives ice cubes to eject toward the ice outlet, resulting in rapid ice movement and high ice retrieval efficiency, enabling rapid and continuous ice retrieval, shortening the waiting time for users to retrieve ice, and preventing ice cubes from melting easily, resulting in high-quality ice cubes and preventing ice cubes from melting and sticking together. Furthermore, the cooperation between the rotating baffle and the reset member does not affect the movement of ice cubes toward the ice outlet, and can guide ice cubes that fail to be ejected into the ice return channel, thereby avoiding ice blockage, ensuring the operating stability of the ice moving device, and further improving ice moving efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can also derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive work, among which:

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the ice moving device of the present application;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of another embodiment of the ice moving device of the present application;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of another embodiment of the ice moving device of the present application;

[0012] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the ice removal device of the present application in use in an ice removal device;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a flow chart of an embodiment of a control method for a refrigeration device of the present application;

[0014] Figure 6 This is a flow chart of another embodiment of the control method for refrigeration equipment of the present application;

[0015] Figure 7 This is a flow chart of another embodiment of the control method for refrigeration equipment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 8 This is a flow chart of another embodiment of the control method for refrigeration equipment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 9 This is a flow chart of another embodiment of the control method for refrigeration equipment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a framework of an embodiment of the storage medium of the present application;

[0019] Figure 11This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application;

[0020] Figure 12 This is another overall structural diagram of an embodiment of the ice moving device of the present application;

[0021] Figure 13 This is a structural diagram of a first solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application;

[0022] Figure 14 This is another structural schematic diagram of the first solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application;

[0023] Figure 15 This is a structural diagram of a second solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application;

[0024] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the door body of the second solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application;

[0025] Figure 17 This is a structural diagram of a third solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application;

[0026] Figure 18 yes Figure 17 Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of part A;

[0027] Figure 19 This is another structural schematic diagram of a third solution of another embodiment of the ice moving device of the present application;

[0028] Figure 20 This is a structural diagram of a fourth solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application;

[0029] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the door body of the fourth solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application, rather than to limit the present application. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only some, rather than all, structures related to the present application are shown in the accompanying drawings. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0031] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0032] In the description of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of this application, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically specified.

[0033] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the ice moving device of the present application.

[0034] An embodiment of the present application provides an ice moving device 100. The ice moving device 100 includes an ice moving channel 120, a conveying channel 150, a sorting assembly 180, and an ejection assembly 190. The ice moving channel 120 includes an ice outlet 1222, an ice inlet 1221, and an ejection area 1223. The ice outlet 1222 is located above the ice inlet 1221. The ejection area 1223 is located below the ice inlet 1221. The conveying channel 150 is connected to the ice moving channel 120 through the ice inlet 1221. The sorting assembly 180 is arranged in the conveying channel 150 to transport ice cubes one by one to the ice moving channel 120. Since the ejection area 1223 is located below the ice inlet 1221, the sorting assembly 180 transports the ice cubes one by one through the ice inlet 1221, and the ice cubes move from the ice inlet 1221 to the ejection area 1223 under the action of gravity. The ejection assembly 190 is disposed at one end of the ice transfer passage 120 away from the ice outlet 1222. The ejection assembly 190 is used to eject a predetermined number of ice cubes located in the ejection area 1223 toward the ice outlet 1222. The sorting assembly 180 cooperates with the ejection assembly 190, which transports the ice cubes one by one to the ice transfer passage 120. The ejection assembly 190 then ejects a predetermined number of ice cubes located in the ejection area 1223 toward the ice outlet 1222.

[0035] The sorting assembly 180, the conveying channel 150 and the ejection assembly 190 of the ice moving device 100 of the present application can be arranged in the first refrigeration compartment 12 (see Figure 4 ), the ice taking assembly 300 is located in the second refrigeration compartment 13 above the first refrigeration compartment 12 (see Figure 4), the ice moving channel 120 extends from the first refrigeration compartment 12 to the second refrigeration compartment 13. The first refrigeration compartment 12 is a refrigeration compartment, and the second refrigeration compartment 13 is a freezer compartment. The sorting component 180 can be connected to the ice making component 200 (see Figure 15 The ejection assembly 190 drives the ice cube to be ejected toward the ice outlet 1222. The ice cube has a certain initial velocity and moves from the ejection area 1223 toward the ice outlet 1222, and finally moves along the ice moving channel 120 to the ice taking assembly 300 (see Figure 4 Since the ejection assembly 190 can continuously eject ice cubes at a certain speed, the ice cubes from the ice making assembly 200 can be continuously and quickly ejected to the ice taking assembly 300. The ice cubes move quickly, the ice taking efficiency is high, and fast and continuous ice taking is achieved. The user's waiting time for taking ice is short. In addition, the ice cubes are not easy to melt, the ice cubes are of high quality, and the ice cubes are not easy to melt and stick together.

[0036] The refrigeration equipment 10 (see Figure 4 ), the ice-making assembly 200 can be disposed in the first refrigeration compartment 12, and the ice-collecting assembly 300 can be disposed in the second refrigeration compartment 13. The ice-moving device 100 can quickly and sequentially transport ice cubes from the first refrigeration compartment 12 to the ice-collecting assembly 300 in the second refrigeration compartment 13. The ice-moving device 100 transports ice cubes to the ice-collecting assembly 300 located above the second refrigeration compartment 13, making it easier for users to collect ice and improving the user experience. Furthermore, the ice-making assembly 200 disposed in the first refrigeration compartment 12 can share a cold source with the first refrigeration compartment 12, eliminating the need for a separate evaporator required for ice making due to the ice-making assembly 200 being disposed in the second refrigeration compartment 13. This saves component costs and energy consumption, reduces the space occupied in the second refrigeration compartment 13, and improves the volume ratio of the second refrigeration compartment 13. The ejection assembly 190 can drive the ice cubes to be ejected, so that the ice cubes gain an initial velocity and then quickly move to the ice removal assembly 300. The ice cubes are directly moved from the first refrigeration compartment 12 to the ice removal assembly 300 of the second refrigeration compartment 13. The fast ice movement speed not only improves the ice removal efficiency, but also eliminates the need to install an evaporator in the second refrigeration compartment 13 to keep the ice cubes cold, thereby further improving the volume ratio of the second refrigeration compartment 13.

[0037] The ice moving device 100 of the present application not only improves the efficiency of ice retrieval, but also solves the problems of inconvenience in ice retrieval for users and space occupation of the second refrigeration compartment 13 .

[0038] It should be noted that the predetermined number can be one, two, or more. The predetermined number matches the driving force of ejection assembly 190. To ensure the success rate of ice ejection, the driving force of ejection assembly 190 can eject more than the predetermined number of ice cubes toward the ice outlet. Ejection assembly 190 can eject one, two, or another number of ice cubes located in ejection area 1223 toward ice outlet 1222 in a single ejection.

[0039] The ejection assembly 190 includes a push plate 191 and an electromagnetic ejector 192. The push plate 191 is movably arranged in the ice transfer channel 120 along the extension direction of the ice transfer channel 120. The electromagnetic ejector 192 is arranged on the side of the push plate 191 away from the ice outlet 1222. The output end of the electromagnetic ejector 192 is connected to the push plate 191. The electromagnetic ejector 192 can drive the push plate 191 to eject a predetermined distance from the ejection area 1223 toward the ice outlet 1222. The ice cubes acquire a certain initial velocity under the push of the push plate 191 and then move toward the ice outlet 1222. The electromagnetic ejector 192 can also drive the push plate 191 back to the ejection area 1223. Specifically, the electromagnetic ejector 192 can control the ejection or retraction of the push plate 191 by turning the current on and off. By controlling the magnitude of the current, the ejection speed of the push plate 191 can be controlled, thereby adjusting the ejection speed of the ice cubes.

[0040] In some embodiments, the conveying channel 150 includes a conveying portion 152, a guide portion 153, and a funnel portion 154. A sorting assembly 180 is disposed on the conveying portion 152. The conveying portion 152 includes an inlet end 1521 and an outlet end 1522, with the outlet end 1522 being higher than the ice inlet 1221. The guide portion 153 connects the outlet end 1522 and the ice inlet 1221. The funnel portion 154 is disposed above the inlet end 1521 and is configured to receive ice cubes entering the conveying portion 152. Because the outlet end 1522 is higher than the ice inlet 1221 and the guide portion 153 connects the outlet end 1522 and the ice inlet 1221, ice cubes can move from the outlet end 1522 to the ice inlet 1221 under the action of gravity. The diameter of the funnel portion 154 gradually increases from one end of the funnel portion 154 connected to the conveying portion 152 to the end away from the conveying portion 152, so that the funnel portion 154 facilitates the ice cubes removed from the ice making assembly 200 to enter the conveying channel 150, thereby improving the success rate of the ice cubes entering the conveying channel 150.

[0041] Furthermore, the outlet end 1522 of the conveying portion 152 is higher than the inlet end 1521 of the conveying portion 152, so that the sorting component 180 disposed in the conveying portion 152 needs to transport the ice cubes at a lower position to a higher position. The sorting component 180 can raise the height of the ice cubes to a certain extent, so that the ice cubes can be closer to the second refrigeration compartment 13, shortening the height that the ice cubes need to rise along the ice moving channel 120, reducing the driving force required by the ejection component 190 to drive the ice cubes to rise, and improving the success rate of ice ejection.

[0042] The sorting component 180 for delivering ice cubes one by one to the ice moving channel 120 can have various implementation structures:

[0043] In some embodiments, the conveying portion 152 is linear. The sorting assembly 180 includes a transmission wheel group 181, a transmission belt 182, a partition 183 and a first power member (not shown in the figure). The transmission wheel group 181 is arranged on the conveying portion 152, and the transmission wheel group 181 includes at least two transmission wheels 1811 arranged at intervals, and the transmission wheels 1811 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the conveying portion 152. The transmission wheel 1811 is rotatably supported on the conveying portion 152. The transmission belt 182 is wound around the transmission wheel group 181. The first power member drives the transmission wheel 1811 to rotate, so that the transmission belt 182 is transmitted as the transmission wheel 1811 rotates. A plurality of partitions 183 are provided, and a plurality of partitions 183 are spaced apart on the transmission belt 182. Each adjacent two partitions 183 are used to receive an ice cube. The provision of partition 183 facilitates the movement of ice cubes along the conveyor belt 182 toward the guide portion 153, thereby enhancing the stability of the ice cubes on the conveyor belt 182. Partition 183 also separates the ice cubes, preventing them from sticking together. As the ice cubes move along the ice conveyor belt 182 to the end of the sorting assembly 180 near the guide portion 153, partition 183 gradually rotates from above the conveyor belt 182 to below it. The ice cubes, freed from the barrier provided by partition 183, fall under gravity into the guide portion 153 and move along it to the ice transfer channel 120. The speed at which the first power member drives the transmission wheel 1811 can be adaptively adjusted based on the speed at which the ejection assembly 190 ejects the ice cubes from the ice transfer channel 120.

[0044] Please continue reading Figure 2 , Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of another embodiment of the ice moving device of the present application. In some other embodiments, the conveying portion 152 is disc-shaped. The sorting assembly 180 includes a rotating disk 185 and a second power member (not shown in the figure). The rotating disk 185 is rotatably arranged on the conveying portion 152. A plurality of recessed grooves 186 are arranged at intervals on the outer periphery of the rotating disk 185, and each recessed groove 186 is used for an ice cube to be inserted. The second power member drives the rotating disk 185 to rotate. When the sorting assembly 180 needs to transport ice cubes to the ice moving channel 120, the second power member drives the rotating disk 185 to rotate, and the ice cubes entering from the funnel portion 154 are sequentially inserted into the recessed grooves 186. When the recessed grooves 186 rotate to face the guide portion 153, the ice cubes fall from the recessed grooves 186 into the guide portion 153 and move along the guide portion 153 to the ice moving channel 120. The speed at which the second power member drives the rotating disk 185 to rotate can be adaptively adjusted according to the speed at which the ejection assembly 190 drives the ice cubes to eject out of the ice moving channel 120 .

[0045] In some embodiments, the ice-moving channel 120 includes an ice-moving section 121 and a guide section 122. The ejection area 1223 and the ice inlet 1221 are provided in the ice-moving section 121. The ice-moving section 121 is connected to the conveying channel 150 through the ice inlet 1221. The guide section 122 is connected to the ice-moving section 121 and is bent toward one side for guiding to the ice-removing assembly 300. The ice-moving section 121 is used to connect to the ice-moving chamber. When the ice cube moves in the ice-moving section 121, the ice cube rises a sufficient distance along the ice-moving section 121; the guide section 122 is used to turn and connect to the ice-removing assembly 300. When the ice cube moves to the guide section 122, the ice cube has risen a sufficient distance. The guide section 122 is used to change the direction of movement of the ice cube so that it moves toward the ice-removing assembly 300. There is a smooth transition between the ice-moving section 121 and the guide section 122.

[0046] Specifically, the ice moving section 121 can be arranged in a vertical direction to shorten the distance that ice cubes need to rise along the ice moving section 121. Of course, the ice moving section 121 can also be extended in a direction with a smaller angle to the vertical direction; alternatively, the ice moving channel 120 can be an entire arc-shaped ice moving channel 120, which is used to extend from the ice moving outlet 1222 to the ice retrieval assembly 300, ensuring that ice cubes can rise stably and communicate with the ice retrieval assembly 300.

[0047] Specifically, the angle between the extension direction of the guide section 122 and the ice-moving section 121 at the connection point is greater than 90° and less than 180°, so as to prevent the ice cubes from falling back into the ice-moving section 121 due to excessive turning angle when entering the guide section 122 from the ice-moving section 121, thereby ensuring that the ice cubes can smoothly pass through the ice-moving channel and move to the ice-taking assembly 300.

[0048] To ensure that sorting assembly 180 can smoothly transport ice cubes into ice transfer channel 120, ice transfer device 100 also includes a first sensor 1224. First sensor 1224 is located at ice inlet 1221. First sensor 1224 senses the passage of ice cubes, indicating that ice cubes have entered the ice transfer chamber. When first sensor 1224 senses the passage of ice cubes, the ice cubes fall through ice inlet 1221 into ejection zone 1223. Ejection assembly 190 then prepares to perform an ejection operation, driving the ice cubes in ejection zone 1223 to eject toward ice outlet 1222.

[0049] To ensure that the ejection assembly 190 successfully ejects ice cubes out of the ice outlet 1222 of the ice removal channel 120, in some embodiments, the ice removal device 100 further includes a second sensor 1225. The second sensor 1225 is disposed at the ice outlet 1222. The second sensor 1225 senses the passage of ice cubes, indicating that ice cubes have successfully passed through the ice removal channel 120 and moved to the ice removal assembly 300. When the second sensing element 1225 senses the passage of ice cubes, the sorting component 180 can continue to transport ice cubes to the ice moving channel 120, and the ejection component 190 can prepare for the next ice ejection operation; when the ejection component 190 performs an ejection operation, the second sensing element 1225 still does not sense the passage of ice cubes, which means that the ice cubes did not pass through the ice outlet 1222 after being ejected, but still fell back to the ejection area 1223 along the ice moving channel 120. At this time, an ice jam may occur. The sorting component 180 can be controlled to stop feeding ice, and the ejection component 190 can be controlled to perform another ice ejection operation to eject the ice cubes that were not successfully ejected.

[0050] In some other embodiments, the ice moving device 100 further includes a weight sensor 193. The weight sensor 193 is provided on the push plate 191. If ice cubes enter the ice moving channel 120 and fall onto the push plate 191, the weight sensor 193 can sense the change in ice cubes, and the ejection assembly 190 can prepare to perform an ejection operation to drive the ice cubes located in the ejection area 1223 to be ejected toward the ice outlet 1222; if the ejection assembly 190 ejects the ice cubes toward the ice outlet 1222, but the ice cubes do not pass through the ice outlet 1222 but still fall back to the ejection area 1223 along the ice moving channel 120, the weight sensor 193 can sense the weight change again, thereby controlling the sorting assembly 180 to pause ice entry, and controlling the ejection assembly 190 to perform an ice ejection operation again to eject the ice cubes that were not successfully ejected.

[0051] The first sensing element 1224 can be used in conjunction with the second sensing element 1225 or the weight sensor 193 to accurately detect the status of ice cubes in the ice moving device 100 .

[0052] Please continue reading Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of another embodiment of the ice moving device of the present application; Figure 4Schematic diagram of the ice moving device of the present application in the use state of the ice moving equipment. Another embodiment of the present application provides an ice moving device 100. The ice moving device 100 includes an ice moving channel 120, a power assembly 170, an ice return channel 160, a rotating baffle 161 and a reset member 162. The ice moving channel 120 is provided with an ice outlet 1222, an ice inlet 1221 and an ice return port 1226. The ice outlet 1222 is located above the ice inlet 1221, and the ice return port 1226 is located between the ice inlet 1221 and the ice outlet 1222. The power assembly 170 is arranged in the ice moving channel 120, and is used to drive the ice cubes entering the ice moving channel 120 from the ice inlet 1221 to move out to the ice outlet 1222. The ice return channel 160 is connected to the ice return port 1226. Rotating baffle 161 is rotatably positioned within ice removal channel 120, corresponding to ice return port 1226. In its natural state, rotating baffle 161 is in its initial position, blocking ice removal channel 120. Rotating baffle 161 is tilted downward from its end away from ice return port 1226 to its end closer to ice return port 1226. When ice cubes are ejected from ice inlet 1221 toward ice outlet 1222, they push rotating baffle 161 toward ice return port 1226, allowing them to pass through. A reset member 162 is provided on rotating baffle 161, driving rotating baffle 161 to rotate toward its initial position.

[0053] Due to the configuration of the rotating baffle 161, when no ice cubes pass through, the reset member 162 drives the rotating baffle 161 to its initial position. When the power assembly 170 drives the ice cubes in the ice removal duct 120 toward the ice outlet 1222, the ice cubes contact and push the rotating baffle 161 toward the ice outlet 1222, allowing the ice cubes to pass smoothly. The rotating baffle 161 rotates to its initial position under the action of the reset member 162. When ice cubes pass through the rotating baffle 161 but fail to pass through the ice outlet 1222 due to insufficient power or abnormal ice size, the ice cubes will fall along the ice removal duct 120. Blocked by the rotating baffle 161, when the ice cubes fall onto the rotating baffle 161, they will slide along the inclined rotating baffle 161 to the ice return outlet 1226 and ultimately move into the ice return duct 160. Therefore, the rotating baffle 161 does not affect the movement of ice cubes toward the ice outlet 1222 , and can guide ice cubes that fail to be discharged to the ice return channel 160 , thereby avoiding ice blockage and ensuring the working stability of the ice moving device 100 .

[0054] It should be noted that when the rotating baffle 161 rotates to the initial position, the end of the rotating baffle 161 away from the ice return port 1226 abuts against the ice removal channel 120, and the rotating baffle 161 is tilted downward. The reset member 162 can no longer drive the rotating baffle 161 to rotate, and the rotating baffle 161 remains in the initial position. Of course, in other embodiments, other limiting mechanisms can be provided at the rotation axis of the rotating baffle 161 to ensure that the rotating baffle 161 can only rotate to the initial position.

[0055] The power assembly 170 may employ the ejection assembly 190 of any of the aforementioned embodiments. An ejection area 1223 is provided within the ice-moving channel 120, located below the ice inlet 1221. The ejection assembly 190 is disposed at one end of the ice-moving channel 120 away from the ice outlet 1222, and is configured to eject a predetermined number of ice cubes located in the ejection area 1223 toward the ice outlet 1222. The specific structure of the ejection assembly 190 is not further described herein. Of course, the power assembly 170 may also employ other drive mechanisms capable of driving ice cubes upward along the ice-moving channel 120, such as a roller brush ejection mechanism.

[0056] In the present application, the power assembly 170, ice return channel 160, rotating baffle 161 and reset member 162 of the ice moving device 100 can be arranged in the first refrigeration compartment 12, the ice taking assembly 300 is located in the second refrigeration compartment 13 above the first refrigeration compartment 12, and the ice moving channel 120 extends from the first refrigeration compartment 12 to the second refrigeration compartment 13. The first refrigeration compartment 12 is a refrigeration compartment, and the second refrigeration compartment 13 is a freezer compartment. The ice making assembly 200 (see Figure 15 ) is connected to the ice removal channel 120 via the ice inlet 1221. The power assembly 170 drives the ice cubes toward the ice outlet 1222. The ice cubes have a certain initial velocity and eventually move along the ice removal channel 120 to the ice retrieval assembly 300. Because the power assembly 170 can continuously eject the ice cubes at a certain speed, the ice cubes from the ice making assembly 200 can be ejected continuously and quickly to the ice retrieval assembly 300. This allows for rapid ice movement and high ice retrieval efficiency, enabling rapid and continuous ice retrieval. Users also minimize waiting time for ice retrieval. Furthermore, the ice cubes are not easily melted, resulting in high-quality ice cubes that are less likely to stick together.

[0057] In a refrigeration device 10 employing the ice-moving device 100 of the present application, the ice-making assembly 200 can be disposed in the first refrigeration compartment 12, and the ice-removing assembly 300 can be disposed in the second refrigeration compartment 13. The ice-moving device 100 can quickly and sequentially transport ice cubes from the first refrigeration compartment 12 to the ice-removing assembly 300 in the second refrigeration compartment 13. Transporting ice cubes to the ice-removing assembly 300 located above the second refrigeration compartment 13 via the ice-moving device 100 facilitates ice retrieval and improves user experience. Furthermore, since the ice-making assembly 200 is disposed in the first refrigeration compartment 12, it can share a cold source with the first refrigeration compartment 12. This eliminates the need for a separate evaporator for ice making due to the ice-making assembly 200 being disposed in the second refrigeration compartment 13, thereby saving component costs and energy consumption, reducing the space occupied in the second refrigeration compartment 13, and improving the volume ratio of the second refrigeration compartment 13. The power assembly 170 drives the ice cubes to move to the ice removal assembly 300, and the ice cubes are directly moved from the first refrigeration compartment 12 to the ice removal assembly 300 of the second refrigeration compartment 13. The ice cubes move quickly, which not only improves the ice removal efficiency but also eliminates the need to install an evaporator in the second refrigeration compartment 13 to keep the ice cubes cold, thereby further improving the volume ratio of the second refrigeration compartment 13.

[0058] The ice moving device 100 of the present application not only improves the efficiency of ice retrieval, but also solves the problems of inconvenience in ice retrieval for users and space occupation of the second refrigeration compartment 13 .

[0059] There are many solutions for the reset member 162 to drive the rotating baffle 161 to rotate toward the initial position. Several specific solutions for the reset member 162 are listed below:

[0060] In some embodiments, the reset member 162 includes a torsion spring. The torsion spring is mounted on the rotation axis of the rotating baffle 161. One end of the torsion spring abuts the rotating baffle 161, and the other end of the torsion spring abuts the ice-moving channel 120, thereby driving the rotating baffle 161 to rotate toward the initial position and maintain it in the initial position. When the power assembly 170 drives the ice cubes in the ice-moving channel 120 to move toward the ice outlet 1222, the ice cubes contact and push the rotating baffle 161 to overcome the resistance of the torsion spring and rotate toward the ice outlet 1222, allowing the ice cubes to pass smoothly. The rotating baffle 161 rotates to the initial position under the rebound force of the torsion spring.

[0061] In some other embodiments, the reset member 162 comprises an elastic member. One end of the elastic member is connected to the ice return channel 160, and the other end is connected to the side of the rotating baffle 161 facing the ice return port 1226. When the power assembly 170 drives the ice cubes in the ice transfer channel 120 to be ejected from the ice inlet 1221 to the ice outlet 1222, the ice cubes push the rotating baffle 161 toward the ice return port 1226, compressing the elastic member. After the ice cubes successfully pass through the rotating baffle 161, the elastic member rebounds, driving the rotating baffle 161 to rotate to its initial position and maintain it there.

[0062] In some other embodiments, the reset member 162 includes a counterweight. The counterweight is disposed on the side of the rotating baffle 161 facing away from the ice return port 1226. When the power assembly 170 drives the ice cubes in the ice removal channel 120 toward the ice outlet 1222, the ice cubes contact and push the rotating baffle 161 to rotate toward the ice outlet 1222, overcoming the weight of the counterweight, allowing the ice cubes to pass smoothly. After the ice cubes have passed smoothly, because the side of the rotating baffle 161 facing away from the ice return port 1226 is heavier, the rotating baffle 161 rotates to its initial position under the weight of the counterweight and remains in the initial position.

[0063] When ice cubes that fail to pass through the ice outlet 1222 fall into the ice return chute 160, the bottom wall of the ice return chute 160 is gradually tilted downward in a direction away from the ice return outlet 1226 to facilitate ice recovery. This facilitates ice cubes' downward movement along the ice return chute 160 and prevents ice cubes from falling from the ice return chute 160 back into the ice transfer chute 120.

[0064] In some embodiments, ice removal device 100 further includes a conveying channel 150 and a sorting assembly 180. Conveying channel 150 communicates with ice removal channel 120 via ice inlet 1221. Sorting assembly 180 is disposed within conveying channel 150 to deliver ice cubes individually to ice removal channel 120. Conveying channel 150 and sorting assembly 180 can employ any of the aforementioned embodiments and are not further described herein.

[0065] Furthermore, the ice outlet end of the ice return duct 160 is connected to the conveying duct 150, thereby returning the ice cubes to the conveying duct 150 for reentry into the ice removal duct 120. Alternatively, the ice outlet end of the ice return duct 160 is connected to the ice making assembly 200, thereby returning the ice cubes to the ice making assembly 200. Specifically, the ice return duct 160 is connected to the ice storage bin of the ice making assembly 200. The ice cubes in the ice storage bin can be pushed into the conveying duct 150 by the screw.

[0066] To ensure that sorting assembly 180 smoothly transports ice cubes into ice transfer channel 120, ice transfer device 100 further includes a first sensor 1224. First sensor 1224 is disposed at ice inlet 1221. First sensor 1224 senses the passage of ice cubes, indicating that ice cubes have entered ice transfer channel 120. When first sensor 1224 senses the passage of ice cubes, the ice cubes fall through ice inlet 1221 into ejection zone 1223, and ejection assembly 190 prepares to perform an ejection operation, driving the ice cubes in ejection zone 1223 to eject toward ice outlet 1222.

[0067] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5This is a flow chart of an embodiment of a control method for an ice moving device according to the present application. Another embodiment of the present application provides a control method for an ice moving device. The ice moving device can employ any of the aforementioned embodiments. The ice moving device includes an ice moving channel, a conveying channel, a sorting assembly, and an ejection assembly. The ice moving channel includes an ice outlet, an ice inlet, and an ejection zone. The ice outlet is located above the ice inlet. The ejection zone is located below the ice inlet. The conveying channel communicates with the ice moving channel through the ice inlet. The sorting assembly is disposed within the conveying channel to transport ice cubes individually to the ice moving channel. Since the ejection zone is located below the ice inlet, the sorting assembly conveys ice cubes individually through the ice inlet, where they move from the ice inlet to the ejection zone under the action of gravity. The ejection assembly is disposed at the end of the ice moving channel away from the ice outlet and is used to eject ice cubes located in the ejection zone toward the ice outlet. The ice moving device also includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is disposed at the ice inlet, and the second sensor is disposed at the ice outlet. The ice removal device further includes a control component for executing the control method in any embodiment of the present application.

[0068] In some embodiments, a method for controlling an ice removal device includes:

[0069] S101: Obtaining an ice removal instruction.

[0070] Obtain an ice removal instruction. The ice removal instruction may be generated by user operation. The ice removal instruction includes an ice removal start instruction and a target ice removal amount. Specifically, the control component of the ice removal device may generate the ice removal instruction by obtaining user operation on an operation interface. Alternatively, the ice removal instruction may be generated by user operation on an application on a mobile terminal, and the control component may obtain the ice removal instruction.

[0071] S102: Controlling the sorting component to perform ice delivery at a first speed to deliver ice cubes into the ice moving channel.

[0072] It should be noted that when the sorting component performs the ice delivery operation at a first speed, ice cubes can generally be delivered to the ice moving channel at a uniform speed. For example, when the sorting component includes a transmission belt or a rotating disk, controlling the sorting component to perform the ice delivery operation at the first speed includes controlling the transmission belt or the rotating disk to drive or rotate at the first speed, so that the ice cubes carried by the transmission belt or the rotating disk are delivered to the ice moving channel at a reasonable speed. In some cases, ice is not delivered to the delivery channel in a timely manner, for example, ice cubes are not evenly distributed on the transmission belt or ice cubes are not evenly carried on the rotating disk. In this case, the efficiency of the sorting component performing the ice delivery operation at the first speed to deliver ice cubes to the ice moving channel is still within a reasonable range and does not affect the overall efficiency of the ice moving device in delivering ice cubes.

[0073] S103: Obtaining ice entry information of ice cubes through the first sensor, where the ice entry information is generated when ice cubes pass through the ice inlet and enter the ice moving channel.

[0074] The first sensing element is used to sense the passage of ice cubes, indicating that ice cubes have entered the ice moving channel through the ice inlet. Ice entry information of ice cubes can be obtained through the first sensing element, and the ice entry information is generated by ice cubes passing through the first sensing element.

[0075] S104: controlling the ejection assembly to execute the ice ejection operation, so as to drive the ice cubes that fall from the ice inlet to the ejection area to be ejected toward the ice outlet.

[0076] When the first sensor senses ice cubes entering the ice transfer channel, it controls the ejection assembly to eject the ice cubes, driving the ice cubes that have fallen from the ice inlet into the ejection area toward the ice outlet. It should be noted that the ejection assembly can wait for a predetermined time, allowing the ice cubes to completely land on the ejection assembly before ejecting them. Alternatively, the ejection assembly can immediately eject the ice cubes upon the first sensor sensing ice entry. Since ice cubes fall rapidly through the ice inlet, the ejection assembly can be controlled to eject the ice cubes immediately after the first sensor detects ice entry, allowing the ice cubes to acquire sufficient initial velocity and be ejected toward the ice outlet.

[0077] Specifically, controlling the ejection assembly to perform the ice ejection operation includes determining that the first sensor detects a predetermined number of ice cubes passing through the ice inlet after the ejection assembly last performed the ice ejection operation, and then controlling the ejection assembly to perform the ice ejection operation. The predetermined number can be one, two, or more, and the predetermined number matches the driving force of the ejection assembly.

[0078] It should be noted that, under normal circumstances, the time required for a predetermined number of ice cubes to be ejected from the ejection area to the ice outlet is less than the interval between two consecutive ice cube deliveries by the sorting assembly into the ice transfer channel. Therefore, during normal operation of the ice transfer device, when the sorting assembly is delivering ice at the first speed, the ejection assembly will not successfully eject the predetermined number of ice cubes from the ice outlet before the next ice cube enters the ice transfer channel.

[0079] S105: obtaining ice-out information of the ice cubes through the second sensor, where the ice-out information is generated when the ice cubes pass through the ice outlet.

[0080] The second sensor is used to sense the passage of ice cubes, indicating that ice cubes have successfully passed through the ice removal channel and are removed from the ice outlet. Ice-out information of the ice cubes can be obtained through the second sensor, and the ice-out information is generated by the ice cubes passing through the second sensor.

[0081] S106: Perform ice out detection. The ice out detection step includes determining whether ice out information matches ice in information.

[0082] The sorting assembly and the ejection assembly work together. The sorting assembly delivers ice cubes one by one into the ice removal channel, and the ejection assembly ejects the ice cubes toward the ice outlet. However, due to problems such as insufficient power or abnormal ice size, the ejection assembly may eject the ice cubes, but the ice cubes may not pass through the ice outlet and fall along the ice removal channel. At this time, if the sorting assembly continues to feed ice, it may cause ice jam. Therefore, the control method of the ice removal device of the present application also includes ice discharge detection. The ice discharge detection step includes determining whether the ice discharge information and ice delivery information match.

[0083] Among them, the first sensing member and the second sensing member can be set in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the first sensing member and the second sensing member are quantity sensors. The first sensing member obtains the ice-in information of the ice cubes, including obtaining the ice-in quantity of the ice cubes through the first sensing member. The ice-out information of the ice cubes through the second sensing member includes obtaining the ice-out quantity of the ice cubes through the second sensing member. Determining whether the ice-out information and the ice-in information match includes: determining whether the ice-in quantity and the ice-out quantity are consistent within the first predetermined time when the ejection component is controlled to perform the ice-ejection operation. Under normal circumstances, within the first predetermined time when the ejection component performs the ice-ejection operation, the ice cubes can smoothly pass through the ice-moving channel and pass through the ice outlet, and the ice-out quantity is consistent with the ice-in quantity. If the ice-in quantity and the ice-out quantity are consistent, it means that the ice-out information and the ice-in information match; if the ice-in quantity and the ice-out quantity are inconsistent, it means that the ice-out information and the ice-in information do not match.

[0084] In yet other embodiments, the first and second sensing elements are proximity sensors. Determining whether the ice-out information and the ice-in information match includes determining whether the second sensing element senses the ice-out information within a second predetermined time after the first sensing element senses the ice-in information. Under normal circumstances, within the second predetermined time after the first sensing element senses the ice-in information, the ejection assembly can successfully eject the ice cubes from the ice-moving channel, allowing the ice cubes to pass through the ice outlet, and the second sensing element can sense the ice-out information. If the second sensing element senses the ice-out information, it indicates that the ice-out information and the ice-in information match; if the second sensing element does not sense the ice-out information, it indicates that the ice-out information and the ice-in information do not match.

[0085] S107: If the ice delivery information does not match the ice delivery information, the sorting component is controlled to temporarily suspend the ice delivery operation, and the ejection component is controlled to perform the ice ejection operation again.

[0086] If the ice outgoing information does not match the ice incoming information, it means that some ice cubes have not passed through the ice outlet smoothly and are retained in the ice moving channel. In this case, the sorting component is controlled to temporarily suspend the ice delivery work, and the ejection component is controlled to perform the ice ejection work again, so as to eject the ice cubes retained in the ice moving channel to the ice outlet again, so as to restore the normal working state of the ice moving device.

[0087] It should be noted that controlling the sorting component to suspend the ice delivery work includes controlling the sorting component to pause the ice delivery work or slow down the ice delivery work, so as to prevent the sorting component from delivering new ice cubes into the ice moving channel before the ejection component successfully ejects the retained ice cubes, thereby preventing ice blockage.

[0088] If the ice out information matches the ice in information, the ice removal device operates normally, and the process returns to step S106 to continue ice out detection.

[0089] Specifically, controlling the sorting component to temporarily suspend ice delivery and controlling the ejection component to re-eject ice includes: controlling the sorting component to deliver ice at a second speed; and controlling the ejection component to re-eject ice to drive ice cubes located in the ejection area to be ejected toward the ice outlet again. The second speed is lower than the first speed, so that no new ice cubes are added to the ice removal channel while the ice cubes located in the ejection area are ejected toward the ice outlet again. This prevents the sorting component from delivering new ice cubes into the ice removal channel before the ejection component successfully ejects the remaining ice cubes, thereby preventing ice blockage.

[0090] In some embodiments, after the step of controlling the ejection assembly to perform the ice ejection operation again, the control method further includes:

[0091] S108: Perform ice out recheck. The ice out recheck step includes determining again whether the ice out information matches the ice in information.

[0092] After the ejection assembly is controlled to execute the step of ejecting the ice again, it is necessary to determine whether the ejection operation is successful in ejecting the ice out of the ice moving channel.

[0093] When the first and second sensing elements are quantity sensors, the ice discharge recheck step includes determining whether the ice intake quantity and ice discharge quantity are consistent within a first predetermined time after the ejection assembly is controlled to re-eject the ice. Under normal circumstances, within the first predetermined time after the ejection assembly re-ejects the ice, ice cubes can smoothly pass through the ice transfer channel and the ice outlet, and the ice discharge quantity is consistent with the ice intake quantity. If the ice intake quantity and ice discharge quantity are consistent, the ice discharge information and ice intake information match; if the ice intake quantity and ice discharge quantity are inconsistent, the ice discharge information and ice intake information do not match.

[0094] When the first and second sensors are proximity sensors, the ice discharge recheck step includes determining whether the second sensor senses ice discharge information within a third predetermined time after the ejection assembly is controlled to perform a second ice discharge. Under normal circumstances, within the third predetermined time after the ejection assembly performs a second ice discharge, the ejection assembly successfully ejects ice cubes from the ice transfer channel, allowing the ice cubes to pass through the ice outlet, and the second sensor senses ice discharge information. If the second sensor senses ice discharge information, it indicates that the ice discharge information matches the ice intake information; if the second sensor does not sense ice discharge information, it indicates that the ice discharge information does not match the ice intake information.

[0095] S109: If the ice delivery information does not match the ice delivery information, the sequencing component is controlled to stop ice delivery and output a fault message.

[0096] If the ice delivery information doesn't match the ice delivery information, the ejection assembly hasn't ejected all the ice successfully from the ice outlet. This indicates a possible malfunction in the ice removal system. The control sequencer stops ice delivery and outputs a fault message. This fault message can be sent to the user or server, allowing the user or maintenance engineers to assist in troubleshooting.

[0097] If the ice delivery information matches the ice inlet information, the process returns to the step of controlling the sorting component to perform the ice delivery operation at the first speed. The sorting component continues to deliver ice cubes to the ice moving channel, and the ejection component continues to eject the ice cubes toward the ice outlet, so that the ice moving device delivers ice cubes to the ice taking component.

[0098] Please continue reading Figure 6 , Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of another embodiment of the control method of the refrigeration equipment of the present application. In some embodiments, the control method of the ice moving device of the present application further includes:

[0099] S110: Determine whether the amount of ice input reaches the target ice taking amount.

[0100] It is determined whether the amount of ice input detected by the first sensor reaches the target ice taking amount in the ice taking instruction.

[0101] S111: If the amount of ice entering reaches the target ice taking amount, the sorting component is controlled to stop delivering ice cubes into the ice moving channel, and the ejection component is controlled to perform the ice ejection operation again and then stop working.

[0102] If the ice intake reaches the target ice removal quantity, the sorting component stops feeding ice into the ice transfer channel. The sorting component is controlled to stop feeding ice into the ice transfer channel, and the ejection component is controlled to perform one more ice ejection operation before stopping. This ejects all ice in the ice transfer channel toward the ice outlet, preventing any ice from remaining in the ice transfer channel.

[0103] It should be noted that, in the process of the sorting component transporting ice cubes into the ice moving channel, some ice cubes may not have been detected by the first sensor, but have already left the sorting component and are about to enter the ice moving channel, and will eventually enter the ice moving channel, so the final ice taking amount may slightly exceed the target ice taking amount, but is still within the reasonable ice taking amount range. Therefore, in order to obtain an accurate ice taking amount, setting the first sensor at the ice inlet can also mean setting the first sensor before the ice inlet, and the first sensor is located at the guide part of the conveying channel.

[0104] S112: If the amount of ice input does not reach the target ice taking amount, the sorting component and the ejection component are controlled to maintain the current working state, and the process returns to the step of determining whether the amount of ice input reaches the target ice taking amount.

[0105] In the above embodiment, when the amount of ice entering reaches the target ice taking amount, the sorting component can be controlled to stop delivering ice cubes to the ice moving channel, and the ejection component can be controlled to perform the ice ejection operation again and then stop working. In other embodiments, ice taking can also be stopped by other means. Figure 7 , Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of another embodiment of the control method of the ice moving device of the present application. The control method of the ice moving device of the present application also includes:

[0106] S113: Obtaining an instruction to pause ice extraction.

[0107] The ice retrieval pause instruction may be generated by a user operation. Specifically, the control component of the ice moving device may generate the ice retrieval pause instruction by obtaining the user's operation on the operation interface, or the ice retrieval pause instruction may also be generated by the user's operation on the application of the mobile terminal, and the control component may obtain the ice retrieval pause instruction.

[0108] S114: Controlling the sorting component to stop delivering ice cubes into the ice moving channel, and controlling the ejection component to execute the ice ejection operation once more and then stop.

[0109] The sorting component is controlled to stop delivering ice cubes into the ice moving channel, and the ejection component is controlled to stop working after performing the ice ejection operation again, so as to eject all the ice cubes in the ice moving channel toward the ice outlet to prevent ice cubes from remaining in the ice moving channel.

[0110] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a flow chart of another embodiment of the control method of the ice moving device of the present application.

[0111] Another embodiment of the present application provides a control method for an ice moving device. The ice moving device can adopt the ice moving device of any of the above embodiments. The ice moving device includes an ice moving channel, a conveying channel, a sorting assembly, and an ejection assembly. The ice moving channel includes an ice outlet, an ice inlet, and an ejection area. The ice outlet is located above the ice inlet. The ejection area is located below the ice inlet. The conveying channel is connected to the ice moving channel through the ice inlet. The sorting assembly is arranged in the conveying channel to convey ice cubes one by one to the ice moving channel. Since the ejection area is located below the ice inlet, the sorting assembly conveys the ice cubes one by one through the ice inlet, and the ice cubes move from the ice inlet to the ejection area under the action of gravity. The ejection assembly is arranged at the end of the ice moving channel away from the ice outlet, and the ejection assembly is used to drive the ice cubes located in the ejection area to be ejected toward the ice outlet. The ice moving device also includes a weight sensor, which is arranged at the output end of the ejection assembly.

[0112] In some embodiments, a method for controlling an ice removal device includes:

[0113] S201: Obtaining an ice taking instruction.

[0114] Obtain an ice removal instruction. The ice removal instruction may be generated by user operation. The ice removal instruction includes an ice removal start instruction and a target ice removal amount. Specifically, the control component of the ice removal device may generate the ice removal instruction by obtaining user operation on an operation interface. Alternatively, the ice removal instruction may be generated by user operation on an application on a mobile terminal, and the control component may obtain the ice removal instruction.

[0115] S202: Controlling the sorting component to perform ice delivery at a first speed to deliver ice cubes into the ice moving channel.

[0116] It should be noted that when the sorting component performs the ice delivery operation at a first speed, ice cubes can generally be delivered to the ice moving channel at a uniform speed. For example, when the sorting component includes a transmission belt or a rotating disk, controlling the sorting component to perform the ice delivery operation at the first speed includes controlling the transmission belt or the rotating disk to drive or rotate at the first speed, so that the ice cubes carried by the transmission belt or the rotating disk are delivered to the ice moving channel at a reasonable speed. In some cases, ice is not delivered to the delivery channel in a timely manner, for example, ice cubes are not evenly distributed on the transmission belt or ice cubes are not evenly carried on the rotating disk. In this case, the efficiency of the sorting component performing the ice delivery operation at the first speed to deliver ice cubes to the ice moving channel is still within a reasonable range and does not affect the overall efficiency of the ice moving device in delivering ice cubes.

[0117] S203: Controlling the ejection assembly to perform the ice ejection operation, so as to drive the ice cubes that fall from the ice inlet to the ejection area to be ejected toward the ice outlet.

[0118] The ejection assembly is controlled to eject ice, driving ice cubes that fall from the ice inlet into the ejection area toward the ice outlet. It should be noted that the ejection assembly can wait for a predetermined time, until the weight sensor senses the ice cubes, before pushing the ejection assembly to eject them. The ejection assembly can also begin ejecting ice at a predetermined frequency, which is consistent with the efficiency of the sorting assembly in delivering ice cubes into the ice transfer channel. The ejection assembly operates at the predetermined frequency to promptly eject ice cubes toward the ice outlet.

[0119] In some embodiments, controlling the ejection assembly to eject ice includes performing an ice entry detection step, wherein the ice entry detection step includes determining whether the sensing value of a weight sensor reaches a preset value, where the preset value is the weight of a predetermined number of ice cubes ejected by the ejection assembly in a single ejection. If the sensing value of the weight sensor reaches the preset value, the ejection assembly is controlled to eject ice; if the sensing value of the weight sensor does not reach the preset value, the ice discharge detection step continues. The predetermined number can be one, two, or more. To ensure a successful ice ejection rate, the ejection assembly's driving force is typically greater than the weight of the predetermined number of ice cubes.

[0120] In some other embodiments, the ice moving device further includes a first sensor. The first sensor is disposed at the ice inlet. Controlling the ejection assembly to perform the ice ejection operation includes: performing ice entry detection, wherein the ice entry detection step includes determining whether the first sensor senses that a predetermined number of ice cubes have passed through the ice inlet since the ejection assembly last performed the ice ejection operation. If the first sensor senses that a predetermined number of ice cubes have passed through the ice inlet, the ejection assembly is controlled to perform the ice ejection operation; if the first sensor senses that a predetermined number of ice cubes have not passed through the ice inlet, the ice discharge detection continues.

[0121] It should be noted that, under normal circumstances, the time required for a predetermined number of ice cubes to be ejected from the ejection area to the ice outlet is less than the interval between two consecutive ice cube deliveries by the sorting assembly into the ice transfer channel. Therefore, during normal operation of the ice transfer device, when the sorting assembly is delivering ice at the first speed, the ejection assembly will not successfully eject the predetermined number of ice cubes from the ice outlet before the next ice cube enters the ice transfer channel.

[0122] S204: performing ice-out detection, wherein the ice-out detection step includes determining whether the sensing value of the weight sensor is greater than a threshold value, and the threshold value is greater than the weight of a preset number of ice cubes ejected by the ejection assembly in a single ejection.

[0123] The sorting component and the ejection component work together. The sorting component transports ice cubes one by one into the ice moving channel, and the ejection component cooperates to eject a predetermined number of ice cubes toward the ice outlet. However, due to problems such as insufficient power or abnormal ice size, the ejection component may eject the ice cubes, but the ice cubes may fail to pass through the ice outlet and fall along the ice moving channel. At this time, if the sorting component continues to feed ice, ice blockage may occur. Therefore, the control method of the ice moving device of the present application also includes ice outlet detection. The ice outlet detection step includes determining whether the sensing value of the weight sensor is greater than a threshold value. Among them, the threshold value is greater than or equal to the weight of a preset number of ice cubes ejected by the ejection component in a single ejection.

[0124] It should be noted that while the weight of a single ice cube is relatively stable, it can still deviate. When the threshold is set to the weight of a preset number of ice cubes, the actual weight of the preset number of ice cubes may exceed the threshold, resulting in a misjudgment. Therefore, to improve the accuracy of ice discharge detection, the threshold can be set to a value greater than the weight of the preset number of ice cubes. When the pressure sensed at the output of the ejection assembly is slightly greater than the weight of the preset number of ice cubes, it is not detected as an ice discharge anomaly. Specifically, the threshold is the weight of a first number of ice cubes, where the first number is one greater than the predetermined number. For example, when the preset number is the weight of one ice cube, the threshold is the weight of two ice cubes. If the sensed value is the weight of three ice cubes, an ice discharge anomaly has occurred.

[0125] S205: If the sensing value is greater than the threshold, the sorting component is controlled to temporarily suspend the ice delivery operation, and the ejection component is controlled to perform the ice ejection operation again.

[0126] If the sensing value is greater than the threshold, it means that some ice cubes have not passed through the ice outlet smoothly and are trapped in the ice moving channel. The sorting component has added ice to the ice moving channel again, causing the sensing value sensed by the weight sensor to be greater than the threshold. At this time, although the ice cubes in the ice moving channel are greater than the predetermined number, the driving force of the ejection component can still eject them from the ice outlet. However, in order to prevent the sorting component from continuously feeding ice into the ice moving channel, which will cause an excessive amount of ice cubes in the ice moving channel and cause ice blockage, it is necessary to control the sorting component to temporarily suspend the ice feeding work and control the ejection component to perform the ice ejection work again, so as to eject the ice cubes trapped in the ice moving channel to the ice outlet again, so as to restore the normal working state of the ice moving device.

[0127] It should be noted that controlling the sorting component to suspend the ice delivery work includes controlling the sorting component to pause the ice delivery work or slow down the ice delivery work, so as to avoid the sorting component from continuously delivering new ice cubes into the ice moving channel before the ejection component successfully ejects the trapped ice cubes, thereby preventing ice blockage.

[0128] If the sensing value is less than or equal to the threshold value, the ice removal device is working normally, and the process returns to step S204 to continue ice removal detection.

[0129] Specifically, controlling the sorting component to temporarily suspend ice delivery and controlling the ejection component to re-eject ice includes: controlling the sorting component to deliver ice at a second speed; and controlling the ejection component to re-eject ice to drive ice cubes located in the ejection area to be ejected toward the ice outlet again. The second speed is lower than the first speed, so that no new ice cubes are added to the ice removal channel while the ice cubes located in the ejection area are ejected toward the ice outlet again. This prevents the sorting component from delivering new ice cubes into the ice removal channel before the ejection component successfully ejects the remaining ice cubes, thereby preventing ice blockage.

[0130] In some embodiments, after the step of controlling the ejection assembly to perform the ice ejection operation again, the control method further includes:

[0131] S206: Perform ice-out recheck, where the ice-out recheck step includes determining again whether the sensing value of the weight sensor is greater than a threshold.

[0132] After controlling the ejection assembly to execute the second ice ejection step, it is necessary to determine whether the second ice ejection successfully ejected the ice from the ice removal channel. The ice discharge recheck step includes determining whether the weight sensor's sensing value is greater than a threshold. Under normal circumstances, after the ejection assembly executes the second ice ejection step, the ice can smoothly pass through the ice removal channel and out the ice outlet, and the weight sensor's sensing value is less than or equal to the threshold. If the sensing value is greater than the threshold, it indicates that the remaining ice has not been successfully ejected; if the sensing value is less than or equal to the threshold, it indicates that the remaining ice has been successfully ejected.

[0133] S207: If the sensing value is greater than the threshold, the sorting component is controlled to stop ice delivery and output a fault message.

[0134] If the sensing value exceeds the threshold, the ejection component fails to eject the ice from the ice outlet after another ejection, indicating a possible malfunction in the ice moving mechanism. The control sequence component stops ice delivery and outputs a fault message. This fault message can be sent to the user or server, allowing the user or maintenance engineers to assist in troubleshooting.

[0135] If the sensing value is less than or equal to the threshold value, it means that the ejection assembly has successfully ejected the ice cubes from the ice outlet, and then the process returns to the step of controlling the sorting assembly to perform the ice delivery operation at the first speed. The sorting assembly continues to deliver ice cubes to the ice moving channel, and the ejection assembly continues to eject ice cubes from the ice outlet, so that the ice moving device can deliver ice cubes to the ice taking assembly.

[0136] See also Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is a flow chart of another embodiment of the control method of the ice moving device of the present application.

[0137] The control method of the ice removal device of the present application also includes:

[0138] S208: Obtaining an instruction to pause ice extraction.

[0139] The ice retrieval pause instruction may be generated by a user operation. Specifically, the control component of the ice moving device may generate the ice retrieval pause instruction by obtaining the user's operation on the operation interface, or the ice retrieval pause instruction may also be generated by the user's operation on the application of the mobile terminal, and the control component may obtain the ice retrieval pause instruction.

[0140] S209: Control the sorting component to stop delivering ice cubes into the ice moving channel, and control the ejection component to execute the ice ejection operation once more and then stop.

[0141] The sorting component is controlled to stop delivering ice cubes into the ice moving channel, and the ejection component is controlled to stop working after performing the ice ejection operation again, so as to eject all the ice cubes in the ice moving channel toward the ice outlet to prevent ice cubes from remaining in the ice moving channel.

[0142] Please continue reading Figure 10 , Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the framework of an embodiment of the storage medium of the present application.

[0143] Yet another embodiment of the present application provides a storage medium 20 on which program data is stored. When the program data is executed by a processor, the control method for the refrigeration equipment of any of the above embodiments is implemented.

[0144] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed methods and devices can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device implementation methods described above are only schematic. For example, the division of modules or units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0145] Units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0146] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0147] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium 20. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium 20, including several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the various implementation methods of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium 20 includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), disk or optical disk, and other media that can store program code.

[0148] Please continue reading Figure 11 and Figure 12 , Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application; Figure 12 This is another overall structural diagram of an embodiment of the ice moving device of the present application.

[0149] Another embodiment of the present application provides a refrigeration device 10. Refrigeration device 10 includes a housing 11, a first refrigeration compartment 12, a second refrigeration compartment 13, an ice-making assembly 200, an ice-removing assembly 300, and an ice-moving device 100. The first refrigeration compartment 12 is disposed in the housing 11 and includes a first door 14. The second refrigeration compartment 13 is disposed in the housing 11 and is located above the first refrigeration compartment 12. The second refrigeration compartment 13 includes a second door 15 rotatably mounted on the housing 11. The ice-making assembly 200 is disposed in the first refrigeration compartment 12. The ice-removing assembly 300 is disposed on the second door 15. The ice-moving device 100 can employ any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0150] In some embodiments, the ice removal device 100 includes an ice removal channel 120, a conveying channel 150, a sorting assembly 180, and an ejection assembly 190. The ice removal channel 120 includes an ice outlet 1222, an ice inlet 1221, and an ejection area 1223. The ice outlet 1222 is located above the ice inlet 1221. The ejection area 1223 is located below the ice inlet 1221. The conveying channel 150 is connected to the ice removal channel 120 through the ice inlet 1221. The sorting assembly 180 is disposed within the conveying channel 150 to transport ice cubes one by one to the ice removal channel 120. Since the ejection area 1223 is located below the ice inlet 1221, the sorting assembly 180 transports the ice cubes one by one through the ice inlet 1221. The ice cubes move from the ice inlet 1221 to the ejection area 1223 under the action of gravity. The ejection assembly 190 is disposed at one end of the ice transfer passage 120 away from the ice outlet 1222. The ejection assembly 190 is used to eject a predetermined number of ice cubes located in the ejection area 1223 toward the ice outlet 1222. The sorting assembly 180 cooperates with the ejection assembly 190, which transports the ice cubes one by one to the ice transfer passage 120. The ejection assembly 190 then ejects a predetermined number of ice cubes located in the ejection area 1223 toward the ice outlet 1222.

[0151] The sorting assembly 180, conveying channel 150, and ejection assembly 190 are located in the first refrigeration compartment 12. The ice transfer channel 120 extends from the first refrigeration compartment 12 to the second refrigeration compartment 13. The transfer channel 150 is connected to the ice-making assembly 200. The first refrigeration compartment 12 is a refrigerator compartment, and the second refrigeration compartment 13 is a freezer compartment. The ice transfer device 100 transfers ice cubes from the first refrigeration compartment 12 to the ice-removing assembly 300 located above in the second refrigeration compartment 13, making it easier for users to retrieve ice and improving the user experience. Furthermore, the ice-making assembly 200, located in the first refrigeration compartment 12, can share a cold source with the first refrigeration compartment 12. This eliminates the need for a separate evaporator for ice making due to the ice-making assembly 200 being located in the second refrigeration compartment 13. This saves costs and space in the second refrigeration compartment 13, thereby increasing the volume ratio of the second refrigeration compartment 13. The refrigeration device 10 of the present application not only improves the efficiency of ice retrieval, but also solves the problems of inconvenience in ice retrieval for users and space occupation of the second refrigeration compartment 13 .

[0152] Furthermore, the ice transfer channel 120 is also provided with an ice return port 1226. The ice outlet port 1222 is located above the ice inlet port 1221, and the ice return port 1226 is located between the ice inlet port 1221 and the ice outlet port 1222. The ejection assembly 190 is provided in the ice transfer channel 120 and is used to drive the ice cubes that enter the ice transfer channel 120 from the ice inlet port 1221 to move out of the ice outlet port 1222. The ice return channel 160 is connected to the ice return port 1226. The rotating baffle 161 is rotatably provided in the ice transfer channel 120 at a position corresponding to the ice return port 1226. In a natural state, the rotating baffle 161 is located in an initial position and blocks the ice transfer channel 120. The rotating baffle 161 is arranged to be tilted downward in a direction from one end away from the ice return port 1226 to the end close to the ice return port 1226. When ice cubes are ejected from ice inlet 1221 toward ice outlet 1222, they push rotating baffle 161 toward ice return port 1226, allowing the ice cubes to pass through. A reset member 162 is provided on rotating baffle 161, driving rotating baffle 161 to rotate toward its initial position. Rotating baffle 161 does not affect the movement of ice cubes toward ice outlet 1222, but instead guides ice cubes that fail to be ejected into ice return channel 160, preventing ice blockage and ensuring the operational stability of ice moving device 100.

[0153] The docking mode between different mechanisms of the ice moving device 100 can all adopt a bell-mouth form, and the inner diameter of the ice moving channel 120 needs to be larger than the size of the ice cubes to avoid jamming during ice cube transportation.

[0154] The ice removal channel 120 in the refrigeration device 10 of the present application can be set in various locations where the ice removal channel 120 can be set, such as the interior of the first refrigeration compartment 12 and / or the second refrigeration compartment 13, the side wall of the first refrigeration compartment 12 and / or the second refrigeration compartment 13, the door of the first refrigeration compartment 12 and / or the second refrigeration compartment 13, or the rotating shaft of the first refrigeration compartment 12 and / or the second refrigeration compartment 13. The following will specifically describe several solutions for setting the ice removal channel 120 in different locations of the refrigeration device 10:

[0155] <First option>:

[0156] See also Figure 13 and Figure 14 , Figure 13 This is a structural diagram of a first solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application; Figure 14 This is another structural diagram of the first solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application.

[0157] The ice removal duct 120 includes a first portion 125, a second portion 126, and a third portion 127, which are sequentially connected. The second portion 126 is rotatably connected to the first portion 125 and / or the third portion 127. The first portion 125 is located within the first refrigeration compartment 12 or the first door 14. The first portion 125 is provided with an ice inlet 1221, an ice return port 1226, and an ejection area 1223. The second portion 126 is located between the first door 14 and the second door 15. The third portion 127 is located within the second door 15. The third portion 127 is provided with an ice outlet 1222. The third portion 127 is connected to the ice removal assembly 300. The rotation axis of the second door 15 is located within the second portion 126. The ejection assembly 190 drives ice cubes toward the ice outlet 1222 of the ice removal duct 120. The ice cubes pass through the first portion 125, the second portion 126, and the third portion 127 in sequence before entering the ice removal assembly 300.

[0158] Since the second part 126 is located between the first door body 14 and the second door body 15, and the rotation axis of the second door body 15 is located in the second part 126, during the process of the second door body 15 rotating to open and close, the third part 127 and the second part 126 can also always remain docked. The pipeline sealing of the third part 127 and the second part 126 is good, avoiding condensation problems caused by poor docking sealing.

[0159] It should be noted that the rotation axis of the second door body 15 can coincide with the central axis of the second portion 126, ensuring that the third portion 127 always maintains a good docking with the second portion 126 during the rotation of the second door body 15. In actual use, due to the cross-sectional shape of the pipe and manufacturing and installation deviations, the rotation axis of the second door body 15 may be offset from the central axis of the second portion 126. However, as long as the rotation axis of the second door body 15 is located within the second portion 126, the rotation of the second door body 15 does not affect the docking of the second portion 126 and the third portion 127 and the passage of ice cubes.

[0160] In some embodiments, as Figure 14As shown, the first refrigeration compartment 12 includes a top wall 19, a bottom wall, a back wall 18, and a first side wall 16 and a second side wall 17 connecting the top and bottom walls. The first side wall 16 is positioned adjacent to the second portion 126. An ejection assembly 190 is located on the top wall 19 or the first side wall 16 of the first refrigeration compartment 12. Specifically, the top wall 19 and the first side wall 16 of the first refrigeration compartment 12 enclose a storage space. The ejection assembly 190, the transport channel 150, and the ice return channel 160 are located within the storage space and may be fixed to the top wall 19 or the first side wall 16. Similarly, the ice-making assembly 200 may also be positioned within the storage space and fixed to the top wall 19 or the first side wall 16. Placing the ice-making assembly 200 adjacent to the top wall 19 brings it closer to the second refrigeration compartment 13, shortening the height that ice cubes must rise along the ice transfer channel 120, reducing the power required by the ejection assembly 190, and improving the success rate of ice ejection.

[0161] Because first portion 125 needs to extend to communicate with second portion 126, and second portion 126 is located between first door 14 and second door 15, when ice-moving unit 110 is disposed in first refrigeration compartment 12, first door 14 has a clearance slot that matches first portion 125, allowing first portion 125 to extend outward from within first refrigeration compartment 12 to communicate with second portion 126. In this case, ejection assembly 190 is fixed within first refrigeration compartment 12, and the position of first portion 125 remains fixed. First portion 125 and first door 14 are relatively independent, and first door 14 can be rotatably disposed within housing 11. Alternatively, first refrigeration compartment 12 further includes a first drawer, and first door 14 is disposed within the first drawer, which can be pushed and pulled within housing 11.

[0162] Of course, if Figure 13 As shown, the first portion 125 and the ejection assembly 190 can also be provided in the first door body 14. When the first door body 14 is rotatably provided in the box body 11, the rotation axis of the first door body 14 is located in the second portion 126. Since the second portion 126 is located between the first door body 14 and the second door body 15, and the rotation axis of the first door body 14 is located in the second portion 126, during the process of the first door body 14 rotating to open and close, the first portion 125 and the second portion 126 can also always remain in contact with each other. The pipeline sealing performance of the first portion 125 and the second portion 126 is good, thereby avoiding the problem of condensation caused by poor sealing of the contact. It should be noted that at this time, the ice inlet 1221 and the ice return port 1226 of the first part 125 are separated from the conveying channel 150 and the ice return channel 160 respectively as the first door body 14 is opened. After the first door body 14 is closed, the ice inlet 1221 and the ice outlet end of the conveying channel 150 can be snapped together, and the ice return port 1226 and the ice inlet end of the ice return channel 160 can be snapped together, without affecting the sorting component 180 to smoothly convey the ice cubes to the ice moving channel 120, and without affecting the movement of ice cubes that have not been successfully ejected to the ice return channel 160.

[0163] In order to achieve relative rotation between the second door body 15 and the cabinet 11 and docking of the various parts of the ice removal channel 120, in some embodiments, the second refrigeration compartment 13 includes a first rotating shaft (not shown in the figure) and a second rotating shaft arranged coaxially. The second door body 15 is rotatably connected to the cabinet 11 via the first rotating shaft on the side away from the first door body 14. The second rotating shaft is arranged on the side of the second door body 15 close to the first door body 14. The second rotating shaft is a second part 126. The first part 125 and the second part 126 are fixedly connected or integrally formed. The second part 126 and the third part 127 are rotationally connected, so that the first part 125 and the second part 126 are always docked, and the rotation of the second door body 15 drives the third part 127 and the second part 126 to rotate synchronously. Alternatively, the first part 125 and the second part 126 are rotatably connected, and the second part 126 and the third part 127 are fixedly connected or integrally formed, so that the first part 125 and the second part 126 are always docked, and the rotation of the second door body 15 drives the third part 127 to rotate.

[0164] In yet other embodiments, the second refrigeration compartment 13 includes a first and a second coaxially arranged rotating shaft. The second door 15 is rotatably connected to the housing 11 via the first rotating shaft on the side away from the first door 14. The second rotating shaft is located on the side of the second door 15 closer to the first door 14. The second rotating shaft comprises a second portion 126, with its ends respectively sleeved around the outside of the third portion 127 and the first portion 125, or inserted into the third portion 127 and the first portion 125. Because the ends of the second portion 126 rotate relative to the first portion 125 and the third portion 127, respectively, they ensure stable docking between the second portion 126, the first portion 125, and the third portion 127. Furthermore, the ends of the second portion 126 sleeved around the outside of the third portion 127 and the first portion 125, or inserted into the third portion 127 and the first portion 125, respectively, ensuring that ice cubes can smoothly pass through the first, second, and third portions 125, 126, and 127 before reaching the ice removal assembly 300. Specifically, the second portion 126 may remain relatively fixed to the box body 11 , or the second portion 126 may be rotatably connected to the box body 11 , which is not limited here.

[0165] Furthermore, the third part 127 includes an ice-moving section 121 and a guide section 122. The ice-moving section 121 is connected to the second part 126. The guide section 122 is connected to the ice-moving section 121 and bends toward the ice-removing assembly 300. There is a smooth transition between the ice-moving section 121 and the guide section 122. Specifically, the ice-moving section 121 can be arranged in a vertical direction to shorten the distance that the ice cubes rise along the ice-moving section 121. Of course, the ice-moving section 121 can also be extended in a direction with a smaller angle to the vertical direction; or, the third part 127 as a whole can be arc-shaped to ensure that the ice cubes can rise stably and be connected to the ice-removing assembly 300.

[0166] Specifically, the angle between the guide section 122 and the ice moving section 121 is greater than 90° and less than 180°, so as to prevent the ice cubes from falling back into the ice moving section 121 due to excessive turning angle when entering the guide section 122 from the ice moving section 121, thereby ensuring that the ice cubes can smoothly pass through the ice moving channel 120 and move to the ice retrieval assembly 300.

[0167] <Second option>:

[0168] Please continue reading Figure 15 and Figure 16 , Figure 15 This is a structural diagram of a second solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application; Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the door body of the second solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application.

[0169] The ice removal channel 120 includes a first sub-channel 123 and a second sub-channel 124, which are connected in sequence. The second sub-channel 124 is disposed in the second door body 15 and is partially disposed within the handle 1501. The second sub-channel 124 has an ice outlet 1222 and is connected to the ice removal assembly 300. The first sub-channel 123 is provided with an ice inlet 1221, an ice return port 1226, and an ejection area 1223. The ejection assembly 190 can drive ice cubes to be ejected toward the ice outlet 1222 of the ice removal channel 120. The ice cubes pass through the first sub-channel 123 and the second sub-channel 124 in sequence and then enter the ice removal assembly 300. By combining the handle 1501 with the second sub-channel 124, the handle 1501 is designed to be a hollow channel. The second sub-channel 124 is set in the second door body 15 and partially set in the handle 1501. When the second door body 15 is opened or closed, the handle 1501 can bear the door opening load. When ice cubes need to be taken, the ice cubes can be moved to the ice taking assembly 300 through the second sub-channel 124, thereby reducing the volume occupied by the second sub-channel 124 in the second refrigeration compartment 13 and increasing the volume ratio of the second refrigeration compartment 13.

[0170] In some embodiments, the first refrigeration compartment 12 includes a top wall 19, a bottom wall, a back wall 18, and a first side wall 16 and a second side wall 17 connecting the top wall 19 and the bottom wall. The first side wall 16 is disposed near the second portion 126. The top wall 19 and the first side wall 16 of the first refrigeration compartment 12 enclose a storage space. The ice-making assembly 200 can be disposed within the storage space, and the ice-making assembly 200 can be fixedly mounted on the top wall 19 or the first side wall 16. Placing the ice-making assembly 200 near the top wall 19 brings it closer to the second refrigeration compartment 13, shortens the height that ice cubes need to rise along the ice-moving channel 120, reduces the power required by the ejection assembly 190, and improves the success rate of ice ejection.

[0171] The second sub-channel 124 includes an ice-moving section 121, a connecting section 128, and a guide section 122. The ice-moving section 121 is disposed within the handle 1501. The connecting section 128 connects the first sub-channel 123 and the ice-moving section 121. The guide section 122 connects the ice-moving section 121 and curves toward the ice-removing assembly 300. The guide section 122 can be higher than the ice-removing assembly 300, facilitating ice cubes to fall from the guide section 122 into the ice-removing assembly 300 under the action of gravity. The inner walls of the ice-moving section 121, the connecting section 128, and the guide section 122 have a smooth transition.

[0172] To ensure that ice cubes can smoothly pass through first and second sub-channels 123, 124 and enter ice removal assembly 300, ice cubes form a moving trajectory as they move within ice removal channel 120. The angle between the tangent direction at each position of the moving trajectory and the direction of gravity is greater than 90° and less than or equal to 180°. This allows the ice cubes to smoothly ascend along first and second sub-channels 123, 124, avoiding falling due to excessive turning angles. Furthermore, the angle between the tangent direction at each position of the moving trajectory and the direction of gravity is greater than 135° and less than or equal to 180°. This allows the ice cubes to ascend along ice removal channel 120 more smoothly, requiring less power, resulting in fewer collisions and quieter noise, all for an overall improved user experience.

[0173] It should be noted that the height of the guide section 122 may be higher than the ice retrieval assembly 300, and the guide section 122 needs to bend downward to connect to the ice retrieval assembly 300. When the ice cube falls along the guide section 122, the angle between its moving direction and the direction of gravity is less than 90°. Therefore, the above-mentioned moving trajectory refers to the upward moving trajectory of the ice cube in the ice moving channel 120, and does not include the moving trajectory of the ice cube when it enters the guide section 122 and falls downward toward the ice retrieval assembly 300.

[0174] Ice removal assembly 101 allows ice cubes to quickly pass through ice removal channel 120. The time it takes for ice cubes to pass through ice removal section 121 within handle 1501 is short, and the ambient temperature outside refrigeration device 10 has little effect on the ice cubes. However, in some embodiments, handle 1501 may be wrapped with an insulating layer. This insulating layer reduces heat exchange between the interior and exterior of handle 1501, preventing both excessively high ambient temperatures that could affect ice quality and excessively low temperatures that could cause condensation to form on the exterior of handle 1501, further enhancing the user experience.

[0175] Since the ice removal device 100 is typically installed in a refrigeration appliance 10 with double doors, and the handle 1501 is typically located away from the rotation axis of the second door 15, to facilitate the docking of the ice removal unit 110 with the second sub-channel 124, the ejection assembly 190 and the first sub-channel 123 can be installed in the first door 14. The ejection assembly 190 and the first sub-channel 123 move synchronously with the opening and closing of the first door 14. When the first door 14 is closed onto the cabinet 11, the first sub-channel 123 and the second sub-channel 124 dock. Furthermore, since the first sub-channel 123 is located in the first door 14 and the second sub-channel 124 is located in the second door 15, a gap exists between the first and second doors 14, typically small, allowing ice cubes to pass directly through the gap between the first and second doors 14, 15. In some embodiments, the end of the connecting section 128 closest to the first door 14 protrudes from the second door 15, and the end of the connecting section 128 closest to the first door 14 is positioned directly opposite the first sub-channel 123. The connecting section 128 protruding from the second door body 15 can further reduce the gap between the connecting section 128 and the first sub-channel 123, thereby reducing the loss of cooling energy.

[0176] Of course, in some single-door refrigerators, the ejection assembly 190 and first sub-channel 123 can also be located within the first refrigerating compartment 12, with the ejection assembly 190 located on the second sidewall 17 of the first refrigerating compartment 12 near the handle 1501, and the first sub-channel 123 located within the first compartment. A partition 102 is provided between the first refrigerating compartment 12 and the second refrigerating compartment 13. An intermediate channel 129 is provided within the partition 102, connecting the first sub-channel 123 with the second sub-channel 124. In this case, the second door 15 will protrude into the second refrigerating compartment 13, facilitating direct connection between the second sub-channel 124 and the intermediate channel 129.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first door 14 is rotatably mounted on the housing 11. In other embodiments, the first refrigeration compartment 12 includes a first drawer, which is push-pull mounted on the housing 11, and the first door 14 is fixed to the first drawer. When the ejection assembly 190 and the first sub-channel 123 are mounted on the first door 14, as the first door 14 is turned on or off, or pushed or pulled on, the ejection assembly 190 and the first sub-channel 123 move with the first door 14. At this point, the first sub-channel 123 is offset from the second sub-channel 124 as the first door 14 opens. After the first door 14 closes, the first sub-channel 123 and the second sub-channel 124 are directly opposite each other, without affecting the passage of ice cubes.

[0178] In addition, the ice inlet 1221 and the ice return port 1226 are separated from the conveying channel 150 and the ice return channel 160 respectively as the first door body 14 is opened. After the first door body 14 is closed, the ice inlet 1221 and the ice outlet end of the conveying channel 150 can be snapped together, and the ice return port 1226 and the ice inlet end of the ice return channel 160 can be snapped together, without affecting the sorting component 180 to smoothly convey the ice cubes to the ice moving channel 120, and without affecting the movement of ice cubes that have not been successfully ejected to the ice return channel 160.

[0179] <Third option>:

[0180] Please continue reading Figure 17 and Figure 18 , Figure 17 This is a structural diagram of a third solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application; Figure 18 yes Figure 17 Schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of part A.

[0181] The ice removal channel 120 includes a first sub-channel 123 and a second sub-channel 124 that are connected in sequence. The second sub-channel 124 is provided in the second door body 15. The first sub-channel 123 is provided in the first refrigeration compartment 12. The second sub-channel 124 has an ice outlet 1222 and is connected to the ice removal assembly 300. The first sub-channel 123 is provided with an ice inlet 1221, an ice return port 1226 and an ejection area 1223. The ejection assembly 190 is located in the first refrigeration compartment 12. The ejection assembly 190 can drive ice cubes to be ejected toward the ice outlet 1222 of the ice removal channel 120. The ice cubes pass through the first sub-channel 123 and the second sub-channel 124 in sequence and then enter the ice removal assembly 300.

[0182] By arranging the second sub-channel 124 in the second door 15 , the inner space of the second refrigeration compartment 13 is not occupied, the volume ratio of the refrigeration device 10 is improved, and no extra protrusion is added to the appearance of the refrigeration device 10 , thereby optimizing the appearance.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first refrigeration compartment 12 includes a top wall 19, a bottom wall, a back wall 18, and a first side wall 16 and a second side wall 17 connecting the top wall 19 and the bottom wall. The top wall 19 and the first side wall 16 of the first refrigeration compartment 12 enclose a storage space. An ice-making assembly 200 can be disposed within the storage space and fixedly mounted on the top wall 19 or the first side wall 16. Placing the ice-making assembly 200 near the top wall 19 brings it closer to the second refrigeration compartment 13, shortening the height that ice cubes must rise along the ice-moving channel 120, reducing the power required by the ejection assembly 190, and improving the success rate of ice ejection.

[0184] Because ejection assembly 190 and first sub-channel 123 are located within first refrigeration compartment 12, to facilitate docking between first sub-channel 123 and second sub-channel 124, cabinet 11 further includes a spacer layer 102 disposed between first refrigeration compartment 12 and second refrigeration compartment 13. A middle channel 129 is disposed within spacer layer 102, connecting first sub-channel 123 and second sub-channel 124. At this point, second door 15 protrudes into second refrigeration compartment 13, with the inlet end of second sub-channel 124 aligned with the ice outlet end of middle channel 129, facilitating direct connection between second sub-channel 124 and middle channel 129. When second door 15 is opened, second sub-channel 124 and middle channel 129 are offset. When second door 15 is closed on cabinet 11, second sub-channel 124 and middle channel 129 dock. By arranging the first sub-channel 123 in the first refrigeration compartment 12 and connecting with the second sub-channel 124 through the middle channel 129, the ice removal channel 120 is entirely located in the first refrigeration compartment 12 and the second refrigeration compartment 13, and the connection is more advantageous.

[0185] Specifically, the ejection assembly 190 may be disposed on the top wall 19 or the first side wall 16 of the first refrigeration compartment 12 .

[0186] To facilitate the movement of ejection assembly 190 within first sub-channel 123 and to facilitate the movement of ice cubes ejected by ejection assembly 190 toward ice outlet 1222 of ice removal channel 120, second sub-channel 124 of ice removal channel 120 is located on the side of ice retrieval assembly 300 near the rotation axis of second door 15. This linear connection between second sub-channel 124 and first sub-channel 123 facilitates the movement of ice cubes through ice removal channel 120 to ice retrieval assembly 300.

[0187] Further, see Figure 19 , Figure 19 It is another structural diagram of the third scheme of another embodiment of the ice moving device of the present application. The second sub-channel 124 includes an ice moving section 121 and a guide section 122. The ice moving section 121 is connected to the first sub-channel 123. The guide section 122 is connected to the ice moving section 121 and bends toward the ice retrieval assembly 300. There is a smooth transition between the ice moving section 121 and the guide section 122. Specifically, the ice moving section 121 can be arranged in the vertical direction to shorten the distance that the ice cubes rise along the ice moving section 121. Of course, the ice moving section 121 can also be extended in a direction with a smaller angle to the vertical direction; or, the second sub-channel 124 as a whole can be arc-shaped to ensure that the ice cubes can rise stably and be connected to the ice retrieval assembly 300.

[0188] Specifically, the angle between the guide section 122 and the ice moving section 121 is greater than 90° and less than 180°, so as to prevent the ice cubes from falling back into the ice moving section 121 due to excessive turning angle when entering the guide section 122 from the ice moving section 121, thereby ensuring that the ice cubes can smoothly pass through the ice moving channel 120 and move to the ice retrieval assembly 300.

[0189] <Fourth option>:

[0190] Please continue reading Figure 20 and Figure 21 , Figure 20 This is a structural diagram of a fourth solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application; Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the door body of the fourth solution of another embodiment of the ice removal device of the present application.

[0191] The ice-moving channel 120 includes a first sub-channel 123 and a second sub-channel 124 that are connected in sequence. The first sub-channel 123 is provided in the first door body 14, and the second sub-channel 124 is provided in the second door body 15. The second sub-channel 124 has an ice outlet 1222 and is connected to the ice-removing assembly 300. The first sub-channel 123 is provided with an ice inlet 1221, an ice return port 1226, and an ejection area 1223. The ejection assembly 190 is provided in the first door body 14. The ejection assembly 190 can drive the ice cubes to move out of the ice outlet 1222 of the ice-moving channel 120. The ice cubes pass through the first sub-channel 123 and the second sub-channel 124 in sequence and then enter the ice-removing assembly 300.

[0192] By arranging the first sub-channel 123 in the first door body 14 and the second sub-channel 124 in the second door body 15, the internal space of the first refrigeration compartment 12 and the second refrigeration compartment 13 is not occupied, the volume ratio of the refrigeration device 10 is improved, and the appearance of the refrigeration device 10 is not increased by additional protrusions, thereby optimizing the appearance.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first refrigeration compartment 12 includes a top wall 19, a bottom wall, a back wall 18, and a first side wall 16 and a second side wall 17 connecting the top wall 19 and the bottom wall. The top wall 19 and the first side wall 16 of the first refrigeration compartment 12 enclose a storage space. An ice-making assembly 200 can be disposed within the storage space and fixedly mounted on the top wall 19 or the first side wall 16. Placing the ice-making assembly 200 near the top wall 19 brings it closer to the second refrigeration compartment 13, shortening the height that ice cubes must rise along the ice-moving channel 120, reducing the power required by the ejection assembly 190, and improving the success rate of ice ejection.

[0194] The ice-moving channel 120 also includes an intermediate channel 129, which is disposed in the first door body 14. The intermediate channel 129 is connected between the first sub-channel 123 and the second sub-channel 124. Since the intermediate channel 129 is located in the first door body 14 and the second sub-channel 124 is located in the second door body 15, there is a certain gap between the first door body 14 and the second door body 15. Usually, the gap is small, and ice cubes can pass directly through the gap between the first door body 14 and the second door body 15. In some embodiments, the end of the second sub-channel 124 close to the first door body 14 protrudes from the second door body 15, and the end of the second sub-channel 124 close to the first door body 14 is disposed opposite the intermediate channel 129. The protrusion of the second sub-channel 124 from the second door body 15 can further narrow the gap between the second sub-channel 124 and the intermediate channel 129, thereby reducing the loss of cold air. During the opening of the first door 14 and / or the second door 15 , the second sub-channel 124 is staggered with the middle channel 129 . When the first door 14 and the second door 15 are closed on the box body 11 , the second sub-channel 124 is docked with the middle channel 129 .

[0195] In addition, the ice inlet 1221 and the ice return port 1226 of the first part 125 are separated from the conveying channel 150 and the ice return channel 160 respectively as the first door body 14 is opened. After the first door body 14 is closed, the ice inlet 1221 and the ice outlet end of the conveying channel 150 can be snapped together and docked, and the ice return port 1226 and the ice inlet end of the ice return channel 160 can be snapped together and docked, without affecting the sorting component 180 from smoothly conveying the ice cubes to the ice moving channel 120, and without affecting the movement of ice cubes that have not been successfully ejected to the ice return channel 160.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first door 14 is rotatably mounted on the housing 11. In other embodiments, the first refrigeration compartment 12 includes a first drawer that is push-pull mounted on the housing 11, and the first door 14 is fixed to the first drawer. As the first door 14 is rotated or pushed / pull open, the ejection assembly 190 and the first sub-channel 123 move with the first door 14. At this time, the first sub-channel 123 or the middle channel 129 is staggered with the second sub-channel 124 as the first door 14 opens. After the first door 14 is closed, the first sub-channel 123 or the middle channel 129 can be arranged directly opposite the second sub-channel 124, without affecting the passage of ice cubes.

[0197] When the refrigeration unit 10 is a double-door refrigeration unit 10, the second door 15 includes two second sub-doors. The second sub-doors are relatively narrow, and the space available for the ice removal assembly 300 is limited. Furthermore, since the ice making assembly 200 is located near the first side wall 16 and the ejection assembly 190 is located in the first door 14, the second sub-channel 124 is located on the side of the ice removal assembly 300 near the rotation axis of the second door 15 to facilitate the connection of the ice transfer channel 120 and to facilitate the ice cubes ejected by the ejection assembly 190 toward the ice outlet 1222 of the ice transfer channel 120 to rise along the ice transfer channel 120. In this case, in conjunction with the location of the ejection assembly 190, the second sub-channel 124 is linearly connected to the first sub-channel 123, further facilitating the movement of ice cubes through the ice transfer channel 120 to the ice removal assembly 300.

[0198] Of course, in some single-door refrigerators, the second door 15 is a single door, and the width of the second door 15 is relatively wide, which provides more space for the ice removal assembly 300. The second sub-channel 124 of the ice transfer channel 120 can be selectively located on the side of the ice removal assembly 300 that is away from or close to the rotation axis of the second door 15. In this case, in conjunction with the location of the ejection assembly 190, the second sub-channel 124 is linearly connected to the first sub-channel 123, which further facilitates the movement of ice cubes through the ice transfer channel 120 to the ice removal assembly 300.

[0199] Furthermore, the second sub-channel 124 includes an ice-moving section 121 and a guide section 122. The ice-moving section 121 is connected to the first sub-channel 123. The guide section 122 is connected to the ice-moving section 121 and bends toward the ice-removing assembly 300. There is a smooth transition between the ice-moving section 121 and the guide section 122. Specifically, the ice-moving section 121 can be arranged in a vertical direction to shorten the distance that the ice cubes rise along the ice-moving section 121. Of course, the ice-moving section 121 can also be extended in a direction with a smaller angle to the vertical direction; or, the second sub-channel 124 as a whole can be arc-shaped to ensure that the ice cubes can rise stably and be connected to the ice-removing assembly 300.

[0200] Specifically, the angle between the guide section 122 and the ice moving section 121 is greater than 90° and less than 180°, so as to prevent the ice cubes from falling back into the ice moving section 121 due to excessive turning angle when entering the guide section 122 from the ice moving section 121, thereby ensuring that the ice cubes can smoothly pass through the ice moving channel 120 and move to the ice retrieval assembly 300.

[0201] The above embodiments provide four solutions for setting the ice moving channel 120 at different positions of the refrigeration equipment 10. Of course, the ice moving channel 120 can also be set at other positions of the refrigeration equipment 10 in conjunction with the position of other components such as the box body 11 structure, which is not limited here.

[0202] In some embodiments, as Figure 18As shown, in order to maintain the temperature of the first refrigeration compartment 12 and prevent the loss of cold, the refrigeration device 10 further includes a sealing assembly 500. The sealing assembly 500 is movably provided on the first door body 14, and is used to close or open the ice-moving channel 120 located in the first refrigeration compartment 12, that is, to close or open the first part 125, the middle channel 129 or the first sub-channel 123. When the ice-moving channel 120 needs to be used for ice removal, the sealing assembly 500 movably opens the ice-moving channel 120 located in the first refrigeration compartment 12; when the ice-moving channel 120 is not used for ice removal, the sealing assembly 500 movably closes the ice-moving channel 120 located in the first refrigeration compartment 12. The temperature of the first refrigeration compartment 12 is relatively low. By providing the sealing assembly 500, the temperature loss of the first refrigeration compartment 12 can be avoided, and the problem of the second refrigeration compartment 13 being affected by the cold and causing the temperature to be too low to affect the quality of the stored items can also be avoided.

[0203] In some embodiments, the ice-making assembly 200 further includes an ice storage bin (not shown) and an ice-pushing mechanism (not shown) disposed within the ice storage bin. The ice-pushing mechanism pushes ice cubes from the ice storage bin through the ice-making outlet of the ice-making assembly 200 to the ice-transfer inlet 111 for transferring the ice cubes to the ice-transfer unit 110. The ice-making assembly 200 may further include an ice-making unit disposed above the ice storage bin, which produces ice cubes and transfers them to the ice storage bin.

[0204] In order to meet the different ice needs of users, such as Figure 19 As shown, the ice-making device also includes an ice crushing assembly 400. The ice crushing assembly 400 is positioned above the ice dispensing assembly 300 and is used to crush ice cubes. The ice transfer channel 120 is connected to the ice dispensing assembly 300 via the ice crushing assembly 400. The ice crushing assembly 400 can be switched between full ice mode and crushed ice mode to meet the user's ice needs.

[0205] It is understood that the meaning of "plurality" herein is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless there is a special limitation. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally also includes steps or units that are not listed, or optionally also includes other steps or units that are inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices. The term "and / or" is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0206] The above description is only an implementation method of the present application and does not limit the patent scope of the present application. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the description and drawings of this application, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An ice removal device, characterized in that: The ice moving device comprises: An ice removal channel is provided with an ice outlet, an ice inlet, and an ice return outlet, wherein the ice outlet is located above the ice inlet, and the ice return outlet is located between the ice inlet and the ice outlet; A power assembly is provided in the ice moving channel, and is used to drive the ice cubes entering the ice moving channel from the ice inlet to move toward the ice outlet; an ice return channel connected to the ice return port; a rotating baffle rotatably disposed in the ice removal channel corresponding to the ice return port; in a natural state, the rotating baffle is located at an initial position and blocks the ice removal channel; the rotating baffle is tilted downward in a direction away from one end of the ice return port to one end close to the ice return port; when ice cubes are ejected from the ice inlet to the ice outlet, the ice cubes push the rotating baffle to rotate toward the ice return port to allow the ice cubes to pass through; A reset member is provided on the rotating baffle, and drives the rotating baffle to rotate toward the initial position.

2. The ice removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reset element comprises: A torsion spring is sleeved on the rotating shaft of the rotating baffle, one end of the torsion spring abuts against the rotating baffle, and the other end of the torsion spring abuts against the ice moving channel to drive the rotating baffle to rotate toward the initial position.

3. The ice removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reset element comprises: An elastic member has one end connected to the ice return channel and the other end connected to the rotating baffle. When ice cubes pop out from the ice inlet to the ice outlet, the ice cubes push the rotating baffle to rotate toward the ice return outlet and compress the elastic member. When the ice cubes pass over the rotating baffle, the elastic member rebounds and drives the rotating baffle to rotate toward the initial position.

4. The ice removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reset element comprises: The counterweight block is arranged on the side of the rotating baffle away from the ice return port.

5. The ice removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In a direction away from the ice return port, the bottom wall of the ice return channel is gradually inclined downward.

6. The ice removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ice moving device comprises: a conveying channel, connected to the ice moving channel through the ice inlet; The sorting component is arranged in the conveying channel and is used for conveying ice cubes one by one to the ice moving channel.

7. The ice removal device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The ice outlet end of the ice return channel is connected to the conveying channel; or the ice outlet end of the ice return channel is connected to an ice making assembly for conveying ice cubes to the conveying channel.

8. The ice removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power component is an ejection component. An ejection area is provided in the ice moving channel. The ejection area is located below the ice inlet. The ejection component is provided at one end of the ice moving channel away from the ice outlet. The ejection component is used to drive a predetermined number of ice cubes located in the ejection area to be ejected toward the ice outlet.

9. The ice removal device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The ejection assembly comprises: A push plate is movably arranged on the ice moving channel along an extension direction of the ice moving channel; An electromagnetic catapult is disposed on a side of the push plate facing away from the ice outlet. An output end of the electromagnetic catapult is connected to the push plate. The electromagnetic catapult can drive the push plate to eject a predetermined distance from the ejection area toward the ice outlet, and can also drive the push plate back to the ejection area.

10. The ice removal device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The ice moving device comprises: The first sensor is arranged at the ice inlet.

11. A refrigeration device, characterized in that: The invention comprises the ice moving device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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