Ice making device, control method thereof and water dispenser

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an ice making device and a control method thereof and a water dispenser, the ice making device is provided with a water inlet and comprises an ice making module, an ice conveying module, an ice storage module, a prompt module and a control module, the ice making module is communicated with the water inlet and used for receiving water from the water inlet and making ice blocks, and the prompt module is communicated with the control module. The ice conveying module is used for conveying ice blocks to the ice storage module, the ice storage module comprises an ice storage box used for storing the ice blocks and an ice amount detector used for detecting current ice amount information in the ice storage box, and the control module is used for controlling the ice conveying module to convey the ice blocks to the ice storage box and timing the storage time of the ice blocks when the ice making module completes ice making; and when the ice block storage time reaches a preset threshold value and it is determined that ice blocks still exist in the ice storage box according to the current ice amount information, the prompt module is controlled to send out prompt information about that the ice blocks are not fresh. The preset threshold value of the ice block storage time is set, the user can be reminded when the ice blocks are not fresh, and it is guaranteed that the freshness of the ice blocks is provided for the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration technology, and in particular to an ice-making device and a control method thereof, and a water dispenser having the ice-making device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the times, cold drinks have become a more common food and are widely accepted by people. Usually, in order to ensure the taste of cold drinks, ice cubes are added thereto.

[0003] The ice making device can be used to make ice cubes and store ice cubes. Since users may not take ice cubes in time after making ice cubes, which may cause ice cubes to melt, ice cubes are usually kept warm to reduce their melting speed, and are refrigerated to freeze them when they melt.

[0004] Since users do not use ice cubes for a long time, bacteria may multiply and cause the ice cubes to have an unpleasant smell. Since the ice cubes are frozen again after melting, it is impossible to judge whether they are fresh from the appearance, which may cause users to use stale ice cubes and provide a poor user experience. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to at least partially solve the problems existing in the prior art, some embodiments of the present invention provide an ice-making device, which has a water inlet, includes an ice-making module, an ice-transfer module, an ice-storage module, a prompt module and a control module. The ice-making module is connected to the water inlet, and is used to receive water from the water inlet and make ice cubes. The ice-transfer module is used to transport the ice cubes to the ice-storage module. The ice-storage module includes an ice storage box for storing ice cubes and an ice quantity detector for detecting current ice quantity information in the ice storage box. The control module is used to control the ice-transfer module to transport the ice cubes to the ice storage box and to time the ice storage time when the ice-making module completes ice making, and when the ice storage time reaches a preset threshold and it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that there are still ice cubes in the ice storage box, control the prompt module to send a prompt message that the ice cubes are not fresh.

[0006] Excessive breeding of ice bacteria and the production of odor will affect the user's experience and even cause poisoning. By setting a preset threshold for the storage time of ice cubes, users can be reminded in time when the ice cubes are not fresh, which can ensure the freshness of ice cubes to users to a certain extent and improve user experience. Moreover, in the ice-making device provided by the present application, the ice cubes are immediately transported to the ice storage box after being made, so that users can take them at any time, thereby ensuring the freshness of the ice cubes. Further, the ice cubes will not be repeatedly frozen in the ice storage box or in the ice-making module, which can not only ensure the freshness of the ice cubes, but also avoid a large amount of freezing of ice cubes. After a large amount of freezing, it is not only difficult to remove from the ice-making module, but also there may be a serious consequence of a large amount of ice in the device causing damage to the ice-making module. Once the ice-making device is used in embedded devices, such as embedded water dispensers, embedded refrigerators, etc., the maintenance cost caused by equipment damage is very high, and the user experience is very poor. The ice-making device provided by the present application is particularly suitable for various embedded devices.

[0007] Exemplarily, the ice-making device also includes an input module, which is used to receive a target ice quantity input by a user, generate and send the target ice quantity information to the control module, the target ice quantity is n times the single ice-making quantity of the ice-making module, and n is a positive integer, wherein the control module controls the ice delivery module to transport the ice cubes to the ice storage box and times the ice storage time when the ice-making module completes ice making, including the following operations: controlling the ice delivery module to transport the single ice-making quantity of ice cubes to the ice storage box each time the ice-making module completes ice making; and when it is determined that the ice storage box is emptied based on the current ice quantity information, re-timing the ice storage time from the next time the ice-making module completes ice making.

[0008] This setting allows users to obtain the required number of ice cubes with one input, simplifying the operation. When the ice cubes are made, they can be promptly delivered to the ice storage box through the ice delivery module, reducing the waiting time of users. In addition, when the number of ice cubes required by the user is greater than the single ice making amount and the equipment needs to make ice multiple times, it avoids the contamination of subsequent ice cubes by the first batch of ice cubes in this ice making task due to staleness, thereby always providing users with the freshest ice cubes.

[0009] Exemplarily, the target ice amount is less than the maximum ice storage amount of the ice storage box.

[0010] This ensures that the target amount of ice is appropriate and that ice does not overflow from the ice storage bin, causing waste or damage to the device.

[0011] Exemplarily, the control module is further configured to, when receiving the target ice quantity information from the input module, control the prompt module to issue a prompt message about emptying the ice storage box if it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that the ice storage box is not emptied.

[0012] The volume of the ice storage box is limited. The user should make ice after emptying the ice storage box to avoid ice cubes overflowing from the ice storage box and causing waste or damage to the device.

[0013] Exemplarily, the control module is further configured to: when it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that there is no ice in the ice storage box and the ice-making module stops making ice, control the prompt module to issue a prompt message that there is no ice at this time.

[0014] By setting the ice quantity detection function, users can easily obtain ice information and make ice in time; on the other hand, if the ice information prompted by the machine is inconsistent with the actual situation, the user can be reminded of equipment failure and deal with it in time to avoid the ice-making device working in abnormal conditions for a long time.

[0015] Exemplarily, the ice storage module further includes an installation position detector for detecting whether the ice storage box is installed in place and sending the detection result to the control module, wherein the control module controls the ice delivery module to deliver ice cubes to the ice storage box when the ice storage box is installed in place.

[0016] This can prevent the ice delivery module from delivering ice cubes to the ice storage box when the ice storage box is not placed or the ice storage box is tilted, thereby preventing the ice cubes from falling and being wasted.

[0017] Exemplarily, the control module is further configured to: control the ice-making module to stop making ice each time the ice-making module completes making ice and determines that the ice storage box is not installed in place.

[0018] The size of ice cubes can be kept within a controllable range, which facilitates the storage and transportation of ice cubes, reduces energy waste, avoids damage to the ice-making device, and improves user experience.

[0019] Exemplarily, the ice-making module includes: one or more ice-making heads; a refrigeration assembly, which is used to cool the ice-making heads; and an ice-making water storage box, which has an ice-making position. When the ice-making water storage box is in the ice-making position, the ice-making head extends into the ice-making water storage box to form ice cubes on the ice-making head.

[0020] By controlling the spacing between multiple ice heads and the refrigeration time of the refrigeration component, it can be ensured that two adjacent ice cubes will not connect to each other. Moreover, each ice cube only contacts its own ice head, so the contact area is small, which makes it easy for the ice cube to separate from the ice head. In addition, when the refrigeration component stops refrigerating, the temperature of the ice head can be quickly increased compared to the temperature of the ice mold, so that the ice cube can be easily separated from the ice head, thereby simplifying the control logic. In addition, this ice-making water storage box can be easily refilled with water.

[0021] Exemplarily, the control module is used to: control the working time of the refrigeration component so that there is water remaining in the ice-making water storage box when each ice-making is completed.

[0022] This can prevent all the water from freezing into ice cubes, causing the ice-making head and the ice-making water storage box to freeze completely. It can also prevent the ice-making water storage box from being unable to leave the ice-making position and the ice cubes being too large for the ice delivery module to transport.

[0023] Exemplarily, the ice transport module includes: an ice transport track, an ice receiving portion of the ice transport track is located directly below the ice making head, and an ice output portion of the ice transport track is located directly above the ice storage box; and a driver, under the action of which the ice making water storage box is movable between an ice making position and a demolding position, wherein when the ice making water storage box is in the demolding position, it is located outside the ice falling path between the ice making head and the ice receiving portion.

[0024] This design allows the ice cubes to enter the ice receiving part by gravity after they are made, and the ice-making water storage box can be used for the next ice-making operation immediately after the ice cubes in the ice-making head are emptied. This improves the ice-making efficiency when the user requires a large amount of ice cubes, simplifies the structure of the ice-making device, reduces costs, and makes it more reliable.

[0025] Exemplarily, the driver is used to drive the ice-making water storage box to rotate around a horizontal axis so that the ice-making water storage box moves between an ice-making position and a demolding position.

[0026] The cross section of the ice making water storage box is semicircular, and the driver is used to drive the ice making water storage box to rotate around the horizontal axis so that the ice making water storage box can move between the ice making position and the demoulding position. It can be easily rotated to the demoulding position, so that the structure is simple, the cost is low, and it is more stable and reliable.

[0027] Exemplarily, there are multiple ice-making heads arranged in one or more rows along the horizontal axis; and / or the cross section of the ice-making water storage box perpendicular to the horizontal axis is semicircular with the horizontal axis as the axis.

[0028] In this way, when making ice, multiple ice cubes can be made at one time. The cross section of the ice making water storage box is semicircular, which can be easily rotated to the demoulding position, so that the structure is simple, the cost is low, and it is more stable and reliable.

[0029] Exemplarily, at least the ice receiving portion of the ice transport track is provided with a first drainage hole.

[0030] The first drainage hole can prevent water from entering the ice storage box, and can also prevent ice and water from being transported on the ice transport track, causing ice cubes to freeze on the ice transport track. In addition, in order to prevent ice cubes and the ice making water storage box from freezing, after each ice making, there is water left in the ice making water storage box, and the first drainage hole facilitates this part of water to flow back into the water storage container (if any), thereby recycling this part of water and avoiding resource waste.

[0031] Exemplarily, the ice-making device further includes a water storage container, and the first drain hole is communicated with a water inlet of the water storage container.

[0032] After each ice cube is made, there is water left in the ice making water storage box. The first drainage hole facilitates this part of water to flow back into the water storage container, thereby recycling this part of water and avoiding waste of resources.

[0033] Exemplarily, the ice transport track is inclined downward in a direction from the ice receiving portion to the ice output portion.

[0034] After the ice cubes are made, they can enter the ice storage box along the ice conveying track by gravity, and the structure of the ice making device can be simplified, the cost can be reduced, and the device can be made more reliable.

[0035] Exemplarily, the control module is further used to: control the refrigeration assembly to reduce the intensity of refrigeration on the ice-making head when the ice-making module completes ice-making, so as to separate the ice cubes from the ice-making head.

[0036] In contrast, by reducing the refrigeration intensity, energy can be saved, and the ice-making module can quickly make ice and demould ice cubes, improving the user experience.

[0037] Exemplarily, the refrigeration component includes: a refrigerant circulation pipeline, the refrigerant circulation pipeline includes a first heat absorption section, a heat release section, a first pipeline section connected between the outlet of the first heat absorption section and the inlet of the heat release section, and a second pipeline section connected between the outlet of the heat release section and the inlet of the first heat absorption section, the first heat absorption section and the ice-making head can be heat-exchanged; a heat dissipation device, the heat dissipation device is used to dissipate heat from the heat release section; a compressor, the compressor is arranged on the first pipeline section; and a defrost solenoid valve, the defrost solenoid valve is connected to the refrigerant circulation pipeline in parallel with the heat release section, wherein the control module controls the refrigeration component to reduce the intensity of refrigeration on the ice-making head by controlling the defrost solenoid valve to open.

[0038] By reducing the refrigeration intensity through the defrost solenoid valve, energy can be saved, and the ice-making module can quickly make ice and demould ice cubes, improving the user experience.

[0039] Exemplarily, the refrigeration component also includes a first expansion valve, which is arranged on the second pipeline section, and the defrost solenoid valve is connected in parallel to the heat release section and the first expansion valve, and the first expansion valve is used to adjust the refrigerant flow according to the superheat of the first heat absorption section.

[0040] The expansion valve can be set up to gradually reduce the refrigeration intensity of the refrigeration component as the temperature of the ice-making head and water gradually decreases, thereby completing the ice-making work more stably and reducing energy consumption. The defrost solenoid valve is connected in parallel to the heat release section and the first expansion valve. In this way, when the defrost is turned on, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation pipeline will not be limited by the first expansion valve, and can directly enter the inlet of the first heat absorption section, thereby quickly raising the temperature of the ice-making head to achieve ice demolding.

[0041] Exemplarily, the ice-making device also includes a water storage container, the water inlet is connected to the ice-making module through the water storage container, and the refrigeration component also includes a second heat absorption section, which is connected to the refrigerant circulation pipeline in parallel with the first heat absorption section, and the second heat absorption section can exchange heat with the water storage container.

[0042] By setting the second heat absorption section, the refrigeration component can be used to cool the water storage container at the same time, so that cold water with a lower temperature can be generated and provided to the user through the cold water outlet. Moreover, the water transported from the water storage container to the ice-making water storage box is cold water, which can speed up the ice-making speed of the ice-making head. When the first drain hole is connected to the water storage container, the waste of the residual water with a lower temperature after ice making can be avoided, which saves refrigeration time and energy consumption when making ice, and improves user experience.

[0043] Exemplarily, a second drain hole is provided at the bottom of the ice storage box, the ice-making device has a drain port for communicating with the outside, and the second drain hole is communicated with the drain port.

[0044] This can not only ensure the cleanliness of the ice cubes, but also prevent water accumulation from causing bacterial growth and further shortening the shelf life of the ice cubes.

[0045] Exemplarily, the ice-making device further includes a water storage container, and the water inlet is connected to the ice-making module through the water storage container.

[0046] When users make ice, they can directly use cold water to make ice, thus shortening the ice-making time. In addition, the cold water temperature is lower, so the ice-making speed is faster, reducing the waiting time for users.

[0047] Exemplarily, the water storage container is located below the ice transport module.

[0048] In the above technical solution, the water storage container is arranged below the ice transport module, so that the residual ice water after ice making can flow back into the water storage container by gravity, saving resources and energy.

[0049] Exemplarily, a water pump is provided on the pipeline between the water storage container and the ice-making module.

[0050] In the above technical solution, the cold water in the cold tank is pumped to the refrigeration component by a water pump, so the approximate amount of pumped cold water can be controlled, and the cold water temperature is lower, so the ice making speed is faster, reducing the user's waiting time.

[0051] Exemplarily, a sterilization component is provided in the water storage container and / or in the pipeline where the water inlet of the water storage container is located.

[0052] In the above technical solution, the sterilization component is provided to ensure that the ice cubes and cold water are fresh and have no odor.

[0053] Exemplarily, the ice-making device further includes a refrigeration component for cooling the water storage container and / or a heat-insulating layer surrounding the water storage container.

[0054] In the above technical solution, providing a thermal insulation layer can prevent the cold water from exchanging heat with the outside world, thus avoiding the need for repeated refrigeration and wasting energy.

[0055] The invention also discloses a water dispenser, which comprises a water purifier and an ice-making device, wherein the purified water outlet of the water purifier is communicated with the water inlet of the ice-making device.

[0056] The purified water outlet of the water purifier is connected to the water inlet of the ice-making device, which can ensure the purity of the water source for ice-making, further avoid bacterial growth, and ensure the quality of the produced ice cubes and cold water.

[0057] The present invention also discloses a control method for an ice-making device, the ice-making device comprising an ice-making module, an ice-transfer module, an ice-storage module and a prompt module, the ice-making module being used to make ice cubes, the ice-transfer module being used to transfer the ice cubes to the ice-storage module, the ice-storage module comprising an ice-storage box for storing the ice cubes, the control method comprising: when the ice-making module completes ice-making, controlling the ice-transfer module to transfer the ice cubes to the ice-storage box and timing the storage time of the ice cubes; detecting current ice quantity information in the ice-storage box; when the ice-storage time reaches a preset threshold and it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that there are still ice cubes in the ice-storage box, controlling the prompt module to send a prompt message that the ice cubes are not fresh.

[0058] This can promptly inform the user that the ice is not fresh, thus improving the user experience.

[0059] Exemplarily, the control method also includes: receiving a target ice amount input by a user, the target ice amount is n times the single ice making amount of the ice making module, where n is a positive integer, wherein the step of controlling the ice delivery module to transport the ice cubes to the ice storage box and timing the ice storage time when the ice making module completes ice making specifically includes: controlling the ice delivery module to transport the single ice making amount of ice cubes to the ice storage box each time the ice making module completes ice making; and when it is determined that the ice storage box is emptied based on the current ice amount information, retiming the ice storage time from the next time the ice making module completes ice making.

[0060] This arrangement allows the user to obtain the required number of ice cubes with one input, thus simplifying the operation; and after the ice cubes are made, they can be promptly transported to the ice storage box through the ice delivery module, thus reducing the user's waiting time. In addition, when the number of ice cubes required by the user is greater than the single ice-making amount and the equipment needs to make ice multiple times, it can avoid the first batch of ice cubes in this ice-making task being stale and contaminating the subsequent ice cubes, thereby always providing the user with the freshest ice cubes.

[0061] Exemplarily, the control method further includes: after receiving the target ice amount, in the case where it is determined according to the current ice amount information that the ice storage box is not emptied, controlling the prompt module to issue a prompt message about emptying the ice storage box.

[0062] Ice making is performed after the user has emptied the ice storage box, also to avoid ice cubes overflowing from the ice storage box, causing waste or damaging the device.

[0063] Exemplarily, the control method further includes: when it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that there is no ice in the ice storage box and the ice-making module stops making ice, controlling the prompt module to issue a prompt message that there is no ice at this time.

[0064] This can prompt the user to make ice in time according to need without opening the ice storage box for confirmation.

[0065] Exemplarily, the control method further includes: detecting whether the ice storage box is installed in place, wherein the step of controlling the ice delivery module to deliver ice cubes to the ice storage box is performed when the ice storage box is installed in place.

[0066] This avoids the waste of ice cubes falling.

[0067] Exemplarily, the control method further includes: controlling the ice-making module to stop making ice each time the ice-making module completes making ice and the ice storage box is not installed in place.

[0068] In this way, the ice-making module is controlled to stop making ice after completing the current ice-making process, so that the size of the ice cubes is within a controllable range, which facilitates the storage and transportation of ice cubes, reduces energy waste, avoids damage to the ice-making device, and improves user experience.

[0069] A series of simplified concepts are introduced in the summary of the invention, which will be further described in detail in the detailed description. The summary of the invention does not mean to attempt to define the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor does it mean to attempt to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solution.

[0070] The advantages and features of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] The following drawings of the present invention are used as part of the present invention for understanding the present invention. The drawings show the embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions, and are used to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings,

[0072] Figure 1 A water circuit diagram of an ice-making device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0073] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of the ice-making device shown in another direction;

[0074] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a water circuit diagram of a water dispenser including an ice-making device according to the present invention.

[0075] Figure 4-7 They are respectively logic block diagrams of control methods according to different exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0076] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a control method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0078] 10. Ice-making device; 11. Water inlet; 12. Drain outlet; 13. Cold water outlet; 20. Water purifier; 110. Ice-making head; 120. Compressor; 130. Ice-making water storage box; 140. Water storage container; 141. Sterilization component; 142. Water inlet of water storage container; 150. Water pump; 161. First heat absorption section; 162. Heat release section; 163. First pipeline section; 164. Second pipeline section; 165. Second heat absorption section; 166. Three-way switching valve; 170. Heat dissipation device; 180. Defrost solenoid valve; 191. First expansion valve; 192. Second expansion valve; 200. Ice delivery module; 210. Driver; 220. Ice delivery track; 221. First drain hole; 300. Ice storage module; 310. Ice storage box; 320. Ice quantity detector; 330. Second drain hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] In the following description, a large amount of details are provided so that the present invention can be thoroughly understood. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the following description only exemplarily illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented without one or more such details. In addition, in order to avoid confusion with the present invention, some technical features well known in the art are not described in detail.

[0080] In order to fully understand the embodiments of the present invention, detailed structures will be presented in the following description. Obviously, the implementation of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, but in addition to these detailed descriptions, the present invention may also have other embodiments.

[0081] The embodiment of the present invention provides an ice-making device, which can be used in water purifiers and also in equipment such as refrigerators. The ice-making device is particularly suitable for making fresh ice cubes for immediate consumption by users. Figure 1-2 An ice-making device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The ice-making device 10 may include an ice-making module, an ice-transporting module 200 and an ice-storing module 300.

[0082] The ice making module is in communication with the water inlet 11, and is used to receive water from the water inlet 11 and make ice cubes. Exemplarily, the water inlet 11 can be in communication with the water purifier 20 to obtain purified water from the water purifier 20, so that ice cubes can be made using the purified water. Optionally, the water inlet 11 can also receive purified water from bottled water or tap water, etc. The ice delivery module 200 is used to deliver ice cubes to the ice storage module 300. The ice delivery module 200 may include one or more of a manipulator and a conveyor belt, etc. The ice cubes produced by the ice making module are delivered to the ice storage module 300 by the ice delivery module 200 for temporary storage.

[0083] The ice storage module 300 may include an ice storage box 310 for storing ice cubes and an ice quantity detector 320 for detecting the current ice quantity information in the ice storage box 310. The ice quantity detector 320 may include any suitable sensor such as an infrared detector, an ultrasonic detector, etc. The current ice quantity information may include whether there are ice cubes in the ice storage box 310 and / or the specific ice quantity in the ice storage box 310, etc. Exemplarily, the ice quantity detector 320 may obtain the current ice quantity information in the ice storage box 310 and transmit it to the control module.

[0084] The ice storage module 300 may have a heat preservation function. It is understood that the ice making device is usually used in a room temperature environment, and the ice storage module 300 does not have a refrigeration function. At room temperature, ice cubes will melt quickly. Therefore, materials such as heat insulation cotton are usually provided to keep the ice storage box 310 warm. The heat insulation material may be provided on the ice storage box 310, or may be provided in the ice storage module 300 and separated from the ice storage box 310. This can delay the melting of ice cubes.

[0085] When the ice making module completes ice making, the control module can control the ice delivery module 200 to deliver ice cubes to the ice storage box 310 and count the ice storage time. In one embodiment, the ice making module may include an ice cube mold and a refrigeration component, and the refrigeration component refrigerates the ice cube mold to obtain ice cubes of the same shape as the ice cube mold. The start and stop of the ice making module can be controlled by the control module. For example, when the control module obtains information that the user needs to take ice, the refrigeration component can be controlled to start, so that the ice making module starts to make ice. When the refrigeration time reaches a preset time, the refrigeration component is controlled to stop working, so that the ice making module stops making ice. Optionally, the temperature around the ice cube mold can be monitored, and when the temperature reaches a preset value, the ice making module is controlled to stop making ice. At this time, the ice cubes are made, and the ice storage time starts to be counted. At the same time, the ice cubes are delivered to the ice storage box 310 through the ice delivery module 200. The ice quantity detector 320 can detect the current ice quantity information in the ice storage box 310 in real time and send it to the control module. Optionally, the ice quantity detector 320 may also start detecting the current ice quantity information in the ice storage box 310 and send it to the control module after the ice delivery module 200 delivers the ice cubes to the ice storage box 310 for a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be greater than or equal to the time taken for the ice cubes to reach the ice storage box 310 from the ice making module. The control module may control the prompt module to issue a prompt message about the ice cubes being not fresh when the ice cube storage time reaches a preset threshold and the ice quantity detector 320 detects the current ice quantity information in the ice storage box 310 and determines that there are still ice cubes in the ice storage box 310. Under normal use conditions, the time from when the ice cubes are made to when they are not fresh may be from several hours to more than ten hours, or more.

[0086] The preset threshold value of the ice storage time is usually not greater than the melting time of the ice. It is understandable that when the ice has completely melted or most of it has melted and can no longer be used, it is not very meaningful to remind the user that the ice is not fresh. Moreover, when the size of the ice does not change much, the ice may not be fresh enough and is not suitable for consumption due to the growth of bacteria. Therefore, the preset threshold value can be the time when the designer considers the user's usage scenario and other conditions when designing the product, and the ice is not suitable for use. It can also be the time when the user judges that the ice is not suitable for use according to his own needs. The preset threshold value may also need to be appropriately modified according to the season and environment. For example, in winter and summer, or indoors and outdoors, the change of the external temperature will affect the temperature in the ice storage box 310 to a certain extent, and then affect the bacterial reproduction rate of the ice, resulting in different times when the ice has a peculiar smell, and the preset threshold value needs to be adjusted. The prompt module can use one or more prompt methods such as sound prompts, light prompts, and electronic prompts. Users can also choose appropriate prompt methods according to their own needs, or shield unnecessary prompt methods.

[0087] Excessive breeding of ice bacteria and the production of odor will affect the user's experience and even cause poisoning. By setting a preset threshold for the storage time of ice cubes, users can be reminded in time when the ice cubes are not fresh, which can ensure the freshness of ice cubes provided to users to a certain extent and improve user experience. Moreover, in the ice making device 10 provided by the present application, the ice cubes are immediately transported to the ice storage box 310 after being made, so that users can take them at any time, thereby ensuring the freshness of the ice cubes. Further, the ice cubes will not be repeatedly frozen in the ice storage box 310 or in the ice making module, which can not only ensure the freshness of the ice cubes, but also avoid a large amount of freezing of ice cubes. After a large amount of freezing, it is not only difficult to remove from the ice making module, but also there may be a serious consequence of a large amount of ice in the device causing damage to the ice making module. Once the ice making device 10 is used for embedded devices, such as embedded water dispensers, embedded refrigerators, etc., the maintenance cost caused by equipment damage is very high, and the user experience is very poor. The ice making device 10 provided by the present application is particularly suitable for various embedded devices.

[0088] Exemplarily, the ice-making device 10 may further include an input module. The input module may include a touch screen, a button, etc. Optionally, the input module may also include a receiver for receiving a target ice amount input by a user through a user operation interface on the electronic device. In short, the input module may be used to receive a target ice amount input by a user, generate and send target ice amount information to the control module. The control module may control the ice-making device 10 to make a required number of ice cubes according to the target ice amount information. Since the single ice-making amount of the ice-making module is limited, the number of ice cubes required by the user may be greater than the single ice-making amount. At this time, the control module will control the ice-making module to make ice multiple times. Usually, from a cost perspective, the single ice-making amount of the ice-making module is fixed, so the target ice amount is n times the single ice-making amount of the ice-making module, and n is a positive integer, that is, an integer multiple of the single ice-making amount of the ice-making module. The aforementioned "the control module controls the ice delivery module 200 to deliver ice cubes to the ice storage box 310 and times the ice storage time when the ice making module completes ice making" includes the following operations: the control module controls the ice delivery module 200 to deliver ice cubes of a single ice making amount to the ice storage box 310 each time the ice making module completes ice making; and when it is determined that the ice storage box 310 is emptied according to the current ice quantity information, the ice storage time is re-timed from the next time the ice making module completes ice making. Starting the timing from the time when the ice cubes are made by the ice making module can better judge the freshness of the ice cubes. It is understandable that the preparation of ice cubes takes a certain amount of time, and the user may take out all or part of the ice cubes in the ice storage box 310 before the preparation of the required amount of ice cubes is completed. Specifically, when the target amount of ice required by the user is 2 times or more than the single ice making amount of the ice making module, it is possible that after the first ice making is completed, the user did not take away all the ice cubes made in the first time, so whether the ice cubes in the ice storage box 310 are fresh should be timed from the time when the ice making module produces the first batch of ice cubes after the user starts making ice, because if the first batch of ice cubes are not fresh, they may contaminate the subsequent ice cubes. If the user takes away all the ice cubes, that is, when it is determined that the ice storage box 310 is emptied based on the current ice amount information, the ice storage time is re-timed from the next time the ice making module 110 completes ice making.

[0089] This arrangement allows the user to obtain the required number of ice cubes with one input, thus simplifying the operation. When the ice cubes are made, they can be promptly delivered to the ice storage box 310 through the ice delivery module 200, thus reducing the waiting time of the user. Furthermore, when the number of ice cubes required by the user is greater than the single ice making amount and the device needs to make ice multiple times, it is avoided that the first batch of ice cubes in this ice making task is not fresh and contaminates the subsequent ice cubes, thereby always providing the user with the freshest ice cubes.

[0090] The single ice-making time of the ice-making module usually does not exceed 10 minutes. Therefore, for the target ice amount set by the user, even if multiple ice-making is completed, the time from the first ice-making completion to the last ice-making completion will not exceed the preset threshold, making the ice cubes stale.

[0091] In the above scheme, when the ice-making module needs to make ice multiple times, the present application does not exclude the embodiment in which the ice cubes are temporarily stored in the ice-making module or on the ice delivery module 200 after each ice-making, and after all the ice cubes required by the user are made, they are transported to the ice storage box 310 through the ice delivery module 200.

[0092] For example, the target ice quantity input by the user is less than the maximum ice storage capacity of the ice storage box 310. If the target ice quantity is greater than the maximum ice storage capacity of the ice storage box 310, ice cubes will overflow from the ice storage box 310, and even jam the ice delivery module 200 or the ice making module, etc., resulting in malfunction or even damage to the ice making device 10. To avoid the above situation, a protection logic is set in the control module, which can ensure that the target ice quantity is appropriate and ice cubes will not overflow from the ice storage box 310 to cause waste or damage to the device.

[0093] Exemplarily, the control module is also used for, when receiving the target ice quantity information from the input module, controlling the prompting module to send a prompting message about emptying the ice storage box 310, in the case where it is determined that the ice storage box 310 has not been emptied according to the current ice quantity information. Each time the input module receives the target ice quantity information from the user, the control module will determine whether the ice storage box 310 has been emptied according to the current ice quantity information. If the ice storage box 310 has not been emptied, the control module controls the prompting module to send a prompting message about emptying the ice storage box 310. Before the user empties the ice storage box 310, the control module will not control the ice making module to make ice. As described above, the volume of the ice storage box 310 is limited, and ice making is performed after the user empties the ice storage box 310, also to avoid ice cubes overflowing from the ice storage box 310, causing waste or damage to the device.

[0094] For example, when the control module determines that there is no ice in the ice storage box 310 and the ice making module stops making ice according to the current ice amount information, the control prompt module sends a prompt message about no ice at this time to prompt the user that there is no ice in the ice storage box 310. The user can decide whether to make ice according to actual needs. If the user takes away the ice in the interval between two ice making, or the ice making function has just been started and the ice has not been made yet, it is obviously not necessary to prompt the user to make ice.

[0095] In order to slow down the melting speed of ice cubes in the ice storage box 310 and further keep the ice cubes warm, a movable cover plate can be provided on the top of the ice storage box 310, or a push-pull drawer-type ice storage box 310 can be provided. Before the movable cover plate is opened or the ice storage box 310 is pulled out from the main body of the ice making device 10, it is not convenient to know the information of the ice cubes therein. By setting the ice quantity detection function, it is convenient for the user to know whether there are ice cubes at present, so as to make ice in time as needed; on the other hand, if the ice cube information prompted by the machine is inconsistent with the actual situation, the user can be reminded of the equipment failure and handle it in time to avoid the ice making device 10 working in abnormal conditions for a long time.

[0096] As not shown, the ice storage module may also include an installation in place detector for detecting whether the ice storage box 310 is installed in place and sending the detection result to the control module. The detection result may indicate that the ice storage box 310 is installed in place or the ice storage box 310 is not installed in place. The installation in place sensor may include one or more of an infrared transmitter and receiver, various types of contact switches and proximity switches, and any other suitable sensors, etc., to detect whether the ice storage box 310 is installed in place. The control module controls the ice delivery module 200 to deliver ice cubes to the ice storage box 310 when the ice storage box 310 is installed in place. Only when the ice storage box 310 is installed in place, the control module will control the ice delivery module 200 to deliver ice cubes to the ice storage box 310, otherwise the control ice delivery module 200 does not work. In this way, it can be avoided that the ice delivery module 200 delivers ice cubes to the ice storage box 310 when the ice storage box 310 is not placed or the ice storage box 310 is skewed, thereby avoiding the occurrence of ice cubes falling and wasting.

[0097] Since the ice delivery module 200 delivers ice cubes to the ice storage box 310 only when the ice storage box 310 is installed in place, the ice cubes may still remain in the ice making device 10. For example, Figure 2 As shown, the control module is also used to control the ice-making module to stop making ice each time the ice-making module completes ice-making and determines that the ice storage box 310 is not installed in place. When the ice storage box 310 is not in place, if the ice-making module continues to make ice at this time, a large amount of ice cubes may be formed in the ice-making module, making it difficult to separate the ice cubes from the ice-making module, or the ice delivery module 200 cannot be transmitted due to the large ice cubes, or even damage the ice-making module. Therefore, when the ice storage box 310 is not in place, when the ice-making head 110 completes the current ice-making process, the ice-making is stopped, so that the size of the ice cubes can be within a controllable range, which is convenient for the storage and transmission of ice cubes, reduces energy waste, and can also avoid damage to the ice-making device 10, thereby improving the user experience. At this time, the ice cubes may melt. As will be described later, the ice-making device 10 is provided with a good water recovery component, so that even if the ice cubes melt, there will be no leakage.

[0098] As mentioned above, the ice making module may include an ice cube mold and a refrigeration assembly. In this embodiment, ice cubes are formed in the ice cube mold. Such an ice cube mold is usually provided with a plurality of ice grooves, and the position of each water injection into the ice groove may be fixed, so that the structure of the device is relatively simple. In order to allow water to reach all ice grooves, the tops of the ice grooves are connected to each other, and the volume of the ice cubes will increase after freezing, which may cause the final frozen ice cubes to be connected into one piece. The transmission of the entire piece of ice requires that the ice transport module 200 and the ice storage box 310 have a sufficiently large size, and it is not convenient for users to use. In addition, before the ice cubes are transmitted, the ice cubes need to be demolded. The contact area between the ice cubes and the ice cube mold is large, and demolding is very laborious. Based on this, in another group of embodiments, the ice making module may include one or more ice making heads 110, a refrigeration assembly for cooling the ice making heads 110, and an ice making water storage box 130. The ice making water storage box 130 has an ice making position. When the ice making water storage box 130 is in the ice making position, the ice making head 110 extends into the ice making water storage box 130. Figure 2 As shown, when making ice, water for making ice will be injected into the ice making water storage box 130, and the ice making head 110 is arranged above the ice making water storage box 130, and the water submerges the ice making part of the ice making head 110. As the temperature of the ice making head 110 gradually decreases, the ice making part is gradually covered by ice cubes, thereby generating ice cubes on the ice making head 110. In this way, by controlling the spacing between multiple ice making heads 110 and the refrigeration time of the refrigeration assembly, it can be ensured that two adjacent ice cubes will not be connected to each other. Moreover, each ice cube only contacts with its own ice making head 110, so the contact area is small, which facilitates the separation of the ice cube from the ice making head 110. In addition, when the refrigeration assembly stops refrigeration, the temperature of the ice making head 110 can be quickly increased compared to the temperature of the ice cube mold, so that the ice cube is easily separated from the ice making head 110, thereby simplifying the control logic. In addition, this ice making water storage box 130 can be easily replenished with water.

[0099] For example, the control module controls the working time of the refrigeration assembly so that there is water remaining in the ice making water storage box 130 each time ice making is completed. This can prevent all the water from freezing into ice cubes, causing the ice making head 110 and the ice making water storage box 130 to freeze completely, and can also prevent the ice making water storage box 130 from being unable to leave the ice making position and the ice cubes being too large for the ice delivery module 200 to deliver.

[0100] For example, continue to refer to Figure 2The ice delivery module 200 may include an ice delivery track 220, and an ice receiving portion of the ice delivery track 220 is located directly below the ice making head 110, so that when the temperature of the ice making head 110 rises, the portion of the ice in contact with the ice making head 110 melts, and the ice falls into the ice receiving portion of the ice delivery track 220 after falling. Optionally, the ice delivery track 220 output portion is located directly above the ice storage box 310, so that the ice can slide or roll into the ice storage box 310 under the action of gravity. That is, the projection of the ice making head 110 in the horizontal plane falls into the projection of the ice receiving portion in the horizontal plane. In this way, the ice falling from the ice making head 110 can fall into the ice receiving portion of the ice delivery track 220. The ice receiving portion can be any part of the ice delivery track 220, as long as it can receive the ice falling from the ice making head 110. The ice delivery track 220 output portion is located directly above the ice storage box 310. The projection of the ice output part in the plane where the opening of the ice storage box 310 is located falls into the opening of the ice storage box 310, so that the ice output by the ice output part can fall into the ice storage box 310. Preferably, the ice delivery track 220 can also be tilted downward in the direction from the ice receiving part to the ice output part. Optionally, the ice delivery track 220 can also include a conveyor belt or the like. The ice delivery module 200 can also include a driver 210, and the ice-making water storage box 130 can move between the ice-making position and the demoulding position under the action of the driver 210. When the ice-making water storage box 130 is in the demoulding position, the ice is located outside the falling path of the ice between the ice-making head 110 and the ice receiving part. In other words, there is no shielding between the ice-making head 110 and the ice receiving part of the ice delivery track 220. This design allows the ice cubes to enter the ice receiving portion by gravity after being made, and then enter the ice storage box 310 along the ice transport track 220 by gravity. The ice storage box 130 can be used for the next ice making operation immediately after the ice cubes in the ice making head 110 are emptied. This improves the ice making efficiency when the user requires a large amount of ice cubes, simplifies the structure of the ice making device 10, reduces costs, and makes it more reliable.

[0101] The ice making water storage box 130 can move between the ice making position and the demoulding position through one or more translations under the action of the driver 210, or can rotate along its axis to avoid the falling track of ice cubes and reach the demoulding position. The ice making water storage box 130 may not completely avoid the falling track of ice cubes. When reaching the demoulding position, the ice cubes can fall into the ice making water storage box 130, and then be guided by the box wall and fall into the ice cube receiving part of the ice delivery track 220 below; or when in the ice making position, the ice cubes can fall into the ice making water storage box 130, and when the ice making water storage box 130 moves from the ice making position to the demoulding position, the ice cubes can be dumped into the ice cube receiving part of the ice delivery track 220, etc.

[0102] For example, return reference Figure 1, the ice-making head 110 can be multiple and arranged in one or more rows along the horizontal axis, so that when making ice, multiple ice cubes can be made at one time. The cross section of the ice-making water storage box 130 perpendicular to the horizontal axis can be a semicircle, and the semicircle takes the horizontal axis as the axis. The semicircle can include 1 / 2 circle or slightly larger than 1 / 2 circle or less than slightly 1 / 2 circle, etc. The driver 210 is used to drive the ice-making water storage box 130 to rotate around the horizontal axis so that the ice-making water storage box 130 moves between the ice-making position and the demoulding position. When it is located directly below the ice-making head 110, it is the ice-making position, and the ice-making water storage box 130 can store the most water at this time. When it rotates to the demoulding position, the ice cubes of the ice-making head 110 can fall below. When the cross section of the ice making water storage box 130 is larger than 1 / 2 circle, it has a large water storage capacity and needs to be rotated at a larger angle to ensure that the ice cubes fall below; when the cross section is 1 / 2 circle or smaller than 1 / 2 circle, the ice cubes can be guided by the ice making water storage box 130 when falling, and can be rotated at a smaller angle to make the ice cubes fall below. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the demoulding position according to the shape of the cross section of the ice making water storage box 130 to ensure that the ice cubes will not be unable to be poured out of the ice making water storage box 130. The cross section of the ice making water storage box 130 is semicircular, which can facilitate its rotation to the demoulding position, so that the structure is simple, the cost is low, and it is more stable and reliable.

[0103] For example, when ice making is finished, the control module can control the ice making module to stop working so that the ice cubes can be demolded; or when the ice making module completes ice making, the refrigeration module can be controlled to reduce the refrigeration intensity of the ice making head 110 so that the ice cubes can be separated from the ice making head 110 to achieve ice demolding. The ice making module may include: a refrigerant circulation pipeline, a compressor 120, a heat dissipation device 170 and a defrosting solenoid valve 180, such as Figure 1As shown. The refrigerant circulation pipeline may include a first heat absorbing section 161 and a heat releasing section 162. The outlet of the first heat absorbing section 161 and the inlet of the heat releasing section 162 are connected by a first pipeline section 163, and the outlet of the heat releasing section 162 and the inlet of the first heat absorbing section 161 are connected by a second pipeline section 164, so that the refrigerant circulates in the pipeline. The first heat absorbing section 161 and the ice making head 110 can exchange heat. The refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation pipeline absorbs heat at the first heat absorbing section 161 and turns into a gaseous state, is compressed into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas at the compressor 120 on the first pipeline section 163, and is cooled and turned into a liquid state by the heat dissipation device 170 provided at the heat releasing section 162. The ice making head 110 and the first heat absorbing section 161 may be integrated, and the refrigerant evaporates inside the ice making head 110, thereby reducing the temperature of the ice making head 110. Of course, the ice-making head 110 and the first heat-absorbing section 161 may also be separate components, and the first heat-absorbing section 161 may also be inserted into the refrigerating head 110 or arranged around the refrigerating head 110, as long as the temperature between the ice-making head 110 and the first heat-absorbing section 161 can be increased or decreased by heat exchange. The defrosting solenoid valve 180 is connected to the refrigerant circulation pipeline in parallel with the heat-releasing section 162. The control module can control the defrosting solenoid valve 180 to open, so that most of the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant does not pass through the heat-releasing section 162 to cool down, and directly returns to the first heat-absorbing section 161 through the defrosting solenoid valve 180, which can reduce the refrigeration intensity of the ice-making head 110. Under normal circumstances, starting and stopping the compressor 120 consumes more electrical energy. In contrast, reducing the refrigeration intensity through the defrosting solenoid valve 180 can save energy, and the ice-making module can quickly realize ice making and ice cube demoulding, thereby improving user experience.

[0104] For example, continue to refer to Figure 1 The refrigeration module may further include a first expansion valve 191, which is disposed on the second pipe section 164. The first expansion valve 191 may adjust the refrigerant flow rate entering the inlet of the first heat absorbing section 161 according to the superheat at the outlet of the first heat absorbing section 161. Specifically, since the temperature of the ice-making head 110 and the surrounding ice-making water changes over a period of time, and heat is released during the freezing process of the water, the temperature of the refrigerant at the outlet of the first heat absorbing section 161 also decreases from high to low. If the refrigeration is always performed at the maximum refrigeration intensity, the temperature of the water in the ice-making water storage box 130 is too cold, and the ice-making head 110 and the ice-making water storage box 130 may suddenly freeze at a certain critical point. By setting this expansion valve, the refrigeration intensity of the refrigeration component can be gradually reduced synchronously as the temperature of the ice-making head 110 and the water gradually decreases, thereby completing the ice-making work more stably and reducing energy consumption.

[0105] The defrost solenoid valve 180 is connected in parallel to the heat release section 162 and the first expansion valve 191. In this way, when the defrost is turned on, the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation pipeline will not be restricted by the first expansion valve 191, and can directly enter the entrance of the first heat absorption section 161, thereby quickly increasing the temperature of the ice-making head 110 to achieve ice demolding.

[0106] For example, reference Figure 2 As shown, at least the ice receiving portion of the ice transport track 220 is provided with a first drainage hole 221, and the residual liquid water poured out can be discharged through the first drainage hole 221 when the ice-making water storage box 130 reaches the demolding position. Exemplarily, the ice-making device 10 may also include a water storage container 140, and the first drainage hole 221 is connected to the water inlet 142 of the water storage container 140, so that the water with a lower temperature after ice making can be collected for use in the next ice making, without repeatedly refrigerating the water at room temperature. The water inlet 11 is connected to the ice-making module through the water storage container 140, and the water storage container 140 can receive and store water for ice making from the water inlet 11. Return to reference Figure 1 The water storage container 140 may include two water inlets 142, one of which is connected to the water inlet 11, and a float assembly may be provided, so as to replenish water in time and stop replenishing water when the water storage container 140 is short of water or full of water. The other water inlet 142 of the water storage container 140 may be connected to the first drain hole 221. In an embodiment not shown, the water inlet of the water storage container may also be one place, and the water inlet and the first drain hole are both connected thereto.

[0107] The first drainage hole 221 is provided to prevent water from entering the ice storage box 310, and also to prevent ice and water from being transported on the ice delivery track 220, so that ice cubes may freeze on the ice delivery track 220. In addition, as mentioned above, in order to prevent ice cubes and the ice-making water storage box 130 from freezing, after each ice cube is made, there is water left in the ice-making water storage box 130, and the first drainage hole 221 facilitates this part of water to flow back into the water storage container 140 (if any), thereby recycling this part of water and avoiding waste of resources.

[0108] Exemplarily, the refrigeration assembly may further include a second heat absorbing section 165. The second heat absorbing section 165 and the first heat absorbing section 161 may be connected in parallel to the refrigerant circulation pipeline through a three-way switching valve 166. The second heat absorbing section 165 and the water storage container 140 may be heat exchanged, and the temperature of the water inside the water storage container 140 may be reduced. The control module may control the three-way switching valve 166 to allow the refrigerant to pass only through the first heat absorbing section 161 when making ice, and to allow the refrigerant to pass only through the second heat absorbing section 165 when cooling water. As described above, a second expansion valve 192 may be provided at the inlet of the second heat absorbing section 165, and the opening size may be automatically adjusted according to the superheat of the refrigerant at the outlet of the second heat absorbing section 165, thereby controlling the second heat absorbing section 165 to reduce the refrigeration intensity when the temperature inside the water storage container 140 is low, and to increase the refrigeration intensity when the temperature inside the water storage container 140 is high, thereby automatically controlling the temperature of the cold water in the water storage container 140.

[0109] By providing the second heat absorbing section 165, the refrigeration component can be used to cool the water storage container 140 at the same time, so that cold water with a relatively low temperature can be generated and provided to the user through the cold water outlet 13. Moreover, the water transported from the water storage container 140 to the ice-making water storage box 130 is cold water, which can speed up the ice-making speed of the ice-making head 110. When the first drain hole 221 is connected to the water storage container 140, the waste of the relatively low temperature water left over from ice making can be avoided, which can save refrigeration time and energy consumption during ice making, and improve user experience.

[0110] For example, the bottom of the ice storage box 310 may be provided with a second drainage hole 330. When the ice cubes stored therein melt, the second drainage hole 330 may drain the water and discharge it to the outside through the drainage port 12 on the ice making device 10. This can not only ensure the cleanliness of the ice cubes, but also prevent the accumulation of water from causing bacterial growth, thereby preventing the shelf life of the ice cubes from being further shortened.

[0111] Exemplarily, the water storage container 140 may be located below the ice delivery module 200. In this way, the residual ice water in the ice making water storage box 130 after each ice making can flow directly into the water storage container 140 through the first drainage hole 221 under the action of gravity, without the need for an additional pumping device. At this time, since the ice making water storage box 130 is above the water storage device 140, a water pump 150 may be provided on the pipeline between the water storage container 140 and the ice making module to pump the cold water in the water storage container 140 into the ice making water storage box 130. By controlling the working time of the water pump 150, the water pumping can be stopped after the ice making water storage box 130 is filled, so as to avoid the water in the ice making water storage box 130 being constantly replaced by the water pumped by the water pump 150 with a relatively high temperature, thereby extending the ice making time. In other embodiments, the water storage container 140 may be arranged above the ice making water storage box 130, so that the ice making water storage box 130 can be filled by gravity. At this time, the remaining ice water can be pumped back to the water storage container 140 by other water pumps. Of course, the present application does not exclude the embodiment of directly discharging the remaining ice water into the drain port 12 instead of returning to the water storage container 140 after ice making.

[0112] During the ice-making process, the ice water may be contaminated by bacteria in the air. When the residual ice water from ice-making flows back into the water storage container 140, the bacteria will be brought into the water storage container 140, causing the output cold water and the ice cubes produced to have an odor. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the bacteria in the water entering the water storage container 140 are sufficiently small. A sterilization component may be provided on the pipeline where the water inlet 142 of the water storage container 140 is located. By providing an overflow sterilization component on the pipeline where the residual ice water flows back into the water storage container 140 after ice-making, the bacteria in the water contaminated during the ice-making process are eliminated, thereby ensuring that no odor is generated in the water storage container 140. Optionally, a sterilization component 141 may be provided in the water storage container 140, such as Figure 1 As shown, the sterilization component 141 can directly sterilize the water in the water storage container 140 to prevent bacteria from breeding and contaminating the cold water. The sterilization component 141 can be any element suitable for sterilizing cold water, such as an ultraviolet sterilization lamp, an ozone generator, etc., and basically will not cause the temperature of the cold water to rise. Of course, the sterilization component 141 can also be set in the water storage container 140 and in the pipeline where the water inlet 142 of the water storage container 140 is located. Compared with the overflow sterilization component, the sterilization component 141 is set in the water storage container 140, and the normal temperature water received from the water inlet 11 can also be sterilized, ensuring the hygiene and reliability of the water used for ice making and ice cubes; while the overflow sterilization component kills less water per unit time, and can stop working when ice making stops, which is energy-saving and environmentally friendly.

[0113] In order to prevent the water storage container 140 from being affected by the external environment and causing the temperature of the cold water therein to rise, an insulation layer is provided around the water storage container 140. As described above, the water storage container 140 can also be connected to a refrigeration component to provide cold water with a lower temperature when the user does not make ice but only takes cold water. When the user makes ice, the cold water is directly taken for ice making, thereby shortening the ice making time.

[0114] By placing the water storage container 140 below the ice delivery module 200, the residual ice water after ice making can flow back into the water storage container 140 by gravity, saving resources and energy. The water storage container 140 can be cooled by a refrigeration component to provide cold water. Providing an insulation layer can prevent the cold water from exchanging heat with the outside world, avoiding the need for repeated refrigeration and wasting energy. By pumping the cold water in the water storage container 140 to the refrigeration component through the water pump 150, the approximate amount of cold water pumped can be controlled, and the cold water temperature is lower, so the speed of ice making is faster, reducing the waiting time for users. Providing a sterilization component 141 can ensure that the ice cubes and cold water are fresh and have no odor.

[0115] The present invention also discloses a water dispenser, such as Figure 3 As shown, the water dispenser includes any of the above-mentioned ice making devices 10 and a water purifier 20. The purified water outlet of the water purifier 20 is connected to the water inlet 11 of the ice making device 10, which can ensure the purity of the water source for ice making, further avoid bacterial growth, and ensure the quality of the produced ice cubes and cold water.

[0116] The present invention also discloses a control method for an ice-making device 10. The ice-making device 10 may include an ice-making module, an ice-transporting module 200, an ice-storing module 300 and a prompting module. The ice-making module is used to make ice cubes. The ice-transporting module 200 is used to transport the made ice cubes to the ice-storing module 300. The ice-storing module 300 includes an ice-storing box 310 for storing ice cubes.

[0117] Figure 4 A logic block diagram of a control method is shown, and the control method may include the following steps:

[0118] Step S1: When the ice making module completes ice making, the ice transport module 200 is controlled to transport ice cubes to the ice storage box 310 and the ice storage time is counted;

[0119] Step S2: Detecting the current amount of ice in the ice storage box 310;

[0120] Step S3: When the ice storage time reaches a preset threshold and it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that there are still ice cubes in the ice storage box, the control prompt module sends a prompt message that the ice cubes are not fresh.

[0121] This can promptly inform the user that the ice is not fresh, thus improving the user experience.

[0122] For example, Figure 5 As shown, the control method may also include:

[0123] Step S0: receiving a target ice quantity input by a user, where the target ice quantity is n times the single ice-making quantity of the ice-making module, where n is a positive integer.

[0124] In this case, the aforementioned step S1 may include:

[0125] Step S11: when the ice making module completes ice making each time, the ice delivery module 200 is controlled to deliver ice cubes of a single ice making amount to the ice storage box 310;

[0126] Step S12: when it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that the ice storage box is emptied, the ice storage time is re-timed from the time when the ice making module completes ice making next time.

[0127] This arrangement allows the user to obtain the required number of ice cubes with one input, thus simplifying the operation; and after the ice cubes are made, they can be promptly transported to the ice storage box 310 through the ice delivery module 200, thus reducing the user's waiting time. In addition, when the number of ice cubes required by the user is greater than the single ice-making amount and the equipment needs to make ice multiple times, it is possible to avoid the first batch of ice cubes in this ice-making task from being stale and contaminating the subsequent ice cubes, thereby always providing the user with the freshest ice cubes.

[0128] For example, Figure 6 As shown, the control method may also include:

[0129] After receiving the target ice amount (ie, executing step S01 ), step S02 is executed: when it is determined according to the current ice amount information that the ice storage box 310 is not emptied, the control prompt module issues a prompt message about emptying the ice storage box 310 .

[0130] Ice making is performed after the user empties the ice storage box 310 , also to avoid ice cubes overflowing from the ice storage box 310 , causing waste or damaging the device.

[0131] Exemplarily, the control method may further include: when it is determined according to the current ice amount information that there is no ice in the ice storage box 310 and the ice-making module stops making ice, controlling the prompt module to issue a prompt message that there is no ice at this time.

[0132] This can prompt the user to make ice in time without opening the ice storage box 310 for confirmation.

[0133] For example, Figure 7 As shown, the control method may also include:

[0134] Step S03: Detect whether the ice storage box 310 is installed in place.

[0135] The aforementioned step S10 is performed when the ice storage box 310 is installed in place. Only when the ice storage box 310 is in place, the ice delivery module 200 is controlled to deliver ice cubes to the ice storage box 310. This avoids the occurrence of ice cubes falling and wasting.

[0136] Exemplarily, the control method may further include controlling the ice-making module to stop making ice each time the ice-making module completes making ice and the ice storage box 310 is not installed in place.

[0137] In this way, the ice-making module is controlled to stop making ice after completing the current ice-making process, so that the size of the ice cubes is within a controllable range, which facilitates the storage and transportation of ice cubes, reduces energy waste, avoids damage to the ice-making device 10, and improves the user experience.

[0138] Figure 8 The control method flow chart of a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown. When the user inputs an ice-making instruction, the ice-making instruction includes target ice quantity information. First, it is detected whether there are ice cubes in the ice storage box 310. If there are ice cubes, the user is prompted to empty the ice storage box 310. If there are no ice cubes, the ice-making module is controlled to start ice-making. When ice-making is completed, it is detected whether the ice storage box 310 is in place, and the timing is started; if the ice storage box 310 is not in place, ice-making is stopped, and the ice delivery module 200 is controlled to stop delivering ice. If the ice storage box 310 is in place, the ice delivery module 200 is controlled to deliver ice to the ice storage box 310. If the ice-making amount is less than the ice-making amount of the target ice-making amount information, the control of the ice-making module is returned to continue making ice until the ice-making amount is equal to the ice-making amount of the target ice-making amount information. When the timing reaches the preset threshold, and it is detected that there are still ice cubes in the ice storage box 310, the user is prompted that the ice cubes are not fresh and need to be re-made.

[0139] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional words such as "front", "back", "up", "down", "left", "right", "lateral", "vertical", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", etc. is usually based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention; the directional words "inside" and "outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contour of each component itself.

[0140] For ease of description, regional relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface", "above", etc. may be used here to describe the regional positional relationship between one or more components or features shown in the figure and other components or features. It should be understood that regional relative terms include not only the orientation of the components as described in the figure, but also different orientations in use or operation. For example, if the components in the accompanying drawings are inverted as a whole, the components "above other components or features" or "above other components or features" will include the situation where the components are "below other components or structures" or "below other components or structures". Therefore, the exemplary term "above" may include both "above" and "below". In addition, these components or features may also be positioned at other different angles (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other angles), and this article is intended to include all of these situations.

[0141] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, parts, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0142] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the numbers used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0143] The present invention has been described by the above embodiments, but it should be understood that the above embodiments are only for the purpose of example and description, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the scope of the described embodiments. In addition, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and more variations and modifications can be made according to the teachings of the present invention, and these variations and modifications all fall within the scope of the protection claimed by the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ice-making device, the ice-making device having a water inlet, characterized in that: It includes ice making module, ice delivery module, ice storage module, prompt module and control module. The ice making module is in communication with the water inlet, and is used to receive water from the water inlet and make ice cubes. The ice transport module is used to transport the ice cubes to the ice storage module. The ice storage module includes an ice storage box for storing the ice cubes and an ice quantity detector for detecting current ice quantity information in the ice storage box. The control module is used for controlling the ice delivery module to deliver the ice cubes to the ice storage box and timing the ice storage time when the ice making module completes ice making, and controlling the prompt module to issue a prompt message that the ice cubes are not fresh when the ice storage time reaches a preset threshold and it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that there are still ice cubes in the ice storage box.

2. The ice-making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ice-making device further includes an input module, which is used to receive a target ice quantity input by a user, generate and send target ice quantity information to the control module, wherein the target ice quantity is n times the single ice-making quantity of the ice-making module, where n is a positive integer, When the ice making module completes ice making, the control module controls the ice transport module to transport the ice cubes to the ice storage box and times the ice cube storage time, including performing the following operations: Controlling the ice delivery module to deliver the ice cubes of the single ice-making amount to the ice storage box each time the ice-making module completes ice-making; and When it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that the ice storage box is emptied, the ice storage time is re-timed from the time when the ice-making module completes ice-making next time.

3. The ice-making device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The target ice amount is less than a maximum ice storage amount of the ice storage box.

4. The ice-making device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control module is further configured to, when receiving the target ice quantity information from the input module, control the prompt module to issue a prompt message about emptying the ice storage box if it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that the ice storage box is not emptied.

5. The ice-making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control module is further used for: when it is determined according to the current ice amount information that there is no ice in the ice storage box and the ice making module stops making ice, controlling the prompt module to issue a prompt message that there is no ice at this time.

6. The ice-making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ice storage module further includes an installation position detector for detecting whether the ice storage box is installed in place and sending the detection result to the control module. The control module controls the ice delivery module to deliver the ice cubes to the ice storage box when the ice storage box is installed in place.

7. The ice-making device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The control module is further used for controlling the ice-making module to stop making ice each time the ice-making module completes making ice and determines that the ice storage box is not installed in place.

8. The ice-making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ice making module comprises: One or more ice making heads; a refrigeration assembly, the refrigeration assembly being used to refrigerate the ice-making head; and An ice-making water storage box is provided with an ice-making position. When the ice-making water storage box is in the ice-making position, the ice-making head extends into the ice-making water storage box to form the ice cubes on the ice-making head.

9. The ice-making device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The control module is used to control the working time of the refrigeration component so that water remains in the ice-making water storage box when ice making is completed each time.

10. The ice-making device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The ice transport module comprises: an ice transport track, wherein an ice receiving portion of the ice transport track is located directly below the ice making head, and an ice output portion of the ice transport track is located directly above the ice storage box; and A driver, wherein the ice-making water storage box is movable between the ice-making position and the demoulding position under the action of the driver, Wherein, when the ice-making water storage box is in the demoulding position, it is located outside the ice-cube falling path between the ice-making head and the ice-cube receiving portion.

11. The ice-making device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The driver is used for driving the ice-making water storage box to rotate around a horizontal axis so that the ice-making water storage box moves between the ice-making position and the demoulding position.

12. The ice-making device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The ice-making heads are multiple and arranged in one or more rows along the horizontal axis; and / or A cross section of the ice-making water storage box perpendicular to the horizontal axis is in a semicircular shape with the horizontal axis as an axis.

13. The ice-making device according to claim 10, characterized in that: At least the ice receiving portion of the ice transport track is provided with a first drainage hole.

14. The ice-making device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The ice-making device further comprises a water storage container, and the first drainage hole is communicated with a water inlet of the water storage container.

15. The ice-making device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The ice transport track is inclined downward along a direction from the ice receiving portion to the ice output portion.

16. The ice-making device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The control module is also used for controlling the refrigeration assembly to reduce the intensity of refrigeration on the ice-making head when the ice-making module completes ice-making, so as to make the ice cubes separate from the ice-making head.

17. The ice-making device according to claim 16, characterized in that: The refrigeration assembly comprises: A refrigerant circulation pipeline, the refrigerant circulation pipeline comprising a first heat absorbing section, a heat releasing section, a first pipeline section connected between an outlet of the first heat absorbing section and an inlet of the heat releasing section, and a second pipeline section connected between an outlet of the heat releasing section and an inlet of the first heat absorbing section, wherein the first heat absorbing section and the ice making head can exchange heat; A heat dissipation device, the heat dissipation device is used to dissipate heat from the heat release section; a compressor, the compressor being disposed on the first pipeline section; and a defrost solenoid valve, wherein the defrost solenoid valve is connected to the refrigerant circulation pipeline in parallel with the heat release section, The control module controls the refrigeration component to reduce the refrigeration intensity of the ice-making head by controlling the defrost solenoid valve to open.

18. The ice-making device according to claim 17, characterized in that: The refrigeration component also includes a first expansion valve, which is arranged on the second pipeline section, and the defrost solenoid valve is connected in parallel to the heat release section and the first expansion valve, and the first expansion valve is used to adjust the refrigerant flow according to the superheat of the first heat absorption section.

19. The ice-making device according to claim 17, characterized in that: The ice-making device further comprises a water storage container, and the water inlet is connected to the ice-making module through the water storage container. The refrigeration component further includes a second heat absorbing section, which is connected to the refrigerant circulation pipeline in parallel with the first heat absorbing section, and the second heat absorbing section can exchange heat with the water storage container.

20. The ice-making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the ice storage box is provided with a second drainage hole, the ice making device has a drainage port for communicating with the outside, and the second drainage hole is communicated with the drainage port.

21. The ice-making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ice-making device further comprises a water storage container, and the water inlet is connected to the ice-making module through the water storage container.

22. The ice-making device according to claim 21, characterized in that The water storage container is located below the ice transport module; and / or A water pump is provided on the pipeline between the water storage container and the ice making module; and / or A sterilizing component is arranged in the water storage container and / or on the pipeline where the water inlet of the water storage container is located; and / or The ice-making device further comprises a refrigeration component for cooling the water storage container and / or a heat-insulating layer surrounding the water storage container.

23. A water dispenser, characterized in that: The water dispenser comprises a water purifier and an ice-making device as described in any one of claims 1 to 22, and a purified water outlet of the water purifier is connected to a water inlet of the ice-making device.

24. A control method for an ice-making device, characterized in that: The ice-making device comprises an ice-making module, an ice-transporting module, an ice-storing module and a prompting module. The ice-making module is used to make ice cubes. The ice-transporting module is used to transport the ice cubes to the ice-storing module. The ice-storing module comprises an ice-storing box for storing the ice cubes. The control method comprises: When the ice making module completes ice making, controlling the ice transport module to transport the ice cubes to the ice storage box and timing the ice cube storage time; Detecting current ice quantity information in the ice storage box; When the ice storage time reaches a preset threshold and it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that there are still ice cubes in the ice storage box, the prompt module is controlled to issue a prompt message that the ice cubes are not fresh.

25. The control method according to claim 24, characterized in that: The control method further comprises: receiving a target ice quantity input by a user, wherein the target ice quantity is n times the single ice making quantity of the ice making module, where n is a positive integer; Wherein, the step of controlling the ice delivery module to deliver the ice cubes to the ice storage box and timing the ice cube storage time when the ice making module completes ice making specifically includes: Controlling the ice delivery module to deliver the ice cubes of the single ice-making amount to the ice storage box each time the ice-making module completes ice-making; and When it is determined according to the current ice quantity information that the ice storage box is emptied, the ice storage time is re-timed from the time when the ice-making module completes ice-making next time.

26. The control method according to claim 25, characterized in that: The control method further comprises: After receiving the target ice amount, in the case where it is determined according to the current ice amount information that the ice storage box is not emptied, the prompt module is controlled to issue a prompt message about emptying the ice storage box.

27. The control method according to claim 24, characterized in that: When it is determined according to the current ice amount information that there is no ice in the ice storage box and the ice-making module stops making ice, the prompt module is controlled to issue a prompt message that there is no ice at this time.

28. The control method according to claim 24, characterized in that: The control method further includes: detecting whether the ice storage box is installed in place, Wherein, the step of controlling the ice delivery module to deliver the ice cubes to the ice storage box is performed when the ice storage box is installed in place.

29. The control method according to claim 28, characterized in that: The control method further comprises: Each time the ice-making module completes ice-making and the ice storage box is not installed in place, the ice-making module is controlled to stop making ice.

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