Ice Maker

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of ice making, and discloses an ice making machine, including a frame, a water sprinkling pipe, an ice tray evaporator and a guide plate assembly; the water sprinkling pipe is arranged above the frame; the ice tray evaporator is installed on the frame and is located below the water sprinkling pipe; the ice tray evaporator has at least two ice grids, and a partition is arranged between two adjacent ice grids along the gravity direction; the guide plate assembly is movably connected to the frame, the guide plate assembly includes at least one guide plate, and the guide plate includes a blocking portion and at least one guiding portion; when the guide plate assembly is in a first position, the guide plate assembly and the ice tray evaporator are spaced apart; when the guide plate assembly is in a second position, the blocking portion is located outside the ice grid and forms a first gap between the partitions surrounding the ice grid, a guiding portion is embedded in an ice grid and forms a second gap between the partitions surrounding the ice grid, and along the gravity direction, two adjacent ice grids are connected through the first gap and the second gap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of ice making, and in particular to an ice making machine. Background Art

[0002] An ice maker is a mechanical device that passes water through an ice tray evaporator and uses the refrigerant of the ice tray evaporator to cool and generate ice cubes. In the related art, water flows down along the horizontal surface of the partition and enters the ice tray through the surface tension and wettability of the water. However, due to the limited wettability and surface tension of water, the water can only wet the outer surface of the upper and lower surfaces of the partition during the flow down process. In other words, it is difficult for water to penetrate the inner side of the lower surface of the partition, which easily causes partial ice residue in the ice cubes. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present application is to provide an ice maker, aiming to improve the situation in the related art where some ice cubes remain.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present application, an ice making machine is provided, comprising:

[0005] frame;

[0006] A water spray pipe is arranged above the frame;

[0007] An ice tray evaporator is installed on the frame and is located below the water spray pipe; the ice tray evaporator has at least two ice trays, and a partition is provided between two adjacent ice trays along the gravity direction;

[0008] A guide plate assembly, movably connected to the frame, the guide plate assembly comprising at least one guide plate, the guide plate comprising a blocking portion and at least one guiding portion connected to the blocking portion;

[0009] The guide plate assembly can move to a first position or a second position relative to the ice tray evaporator. When the guide plate assembly is located at the first position, the guide plate assembly and the ice tray evaporator are spaced apart. When the guide plate assembly is located at the second position, the blocking portion is located outside the ice tray and forms a first gap with the partitions that surround the ice tray. The guide portion is embedded in one of the ice trays and forms a second gap with the partitions that surround the ice tray. Along the gravity direction, two adjacent ice trays are connected through the first gap and the second gap.

[0010] Wherein, in some embodiments, at least two of the ice trays are arranged in an array;

[0011] The number of the guide plates is the same as the number of ice trays arranged longitudinally in the same row of the ice tray evaporator;

[0012] The number and position of the guide parts of the guide plate correspond to the number and position of the ice cubes arranged in the same row of the ice tray evaporator.

[0013] Wherein, in some embodiments, each of the guide portions is parallel to the partition in a one-to-one correspondence;

[0014] When the guide plate assembly is located at the second position, a third gap is formed between the end surface of the guide portion facing the inner wall of the ice tray and the corresponding inner wall of the ice tray; the spacing of the third gap and the spacing of the second gap both meet the range of 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0015] In some embodiments, any of the partitions is gradually inclined downward toward an opening away from the ice tray.

[0016] Wherein, in some embodiments, the end surface of any of the guide portions facing the inner wall of the ice compartment is an arc-shaped transition surface.

[0017] Wherein, in some embodiments, the ice maker includes a power source and an induction component;

[0018] The power source is installed on the frame and is transmission-connected to the guide plate assembly, and the power source can drive the guide plate assembly to move to the first position or the second position relative to the ice tray evaporator;

[0019] The sensing component can sense that the ice tray evaporator cools the water flowing through the second gap into ice, and generates a corresponding control signal so that the power source drives the guide plate component to move from the second position to the first position.

[0020] Wherein, in some embodiments, the guide plate assembly includes two support plates; the two support plates are arranged opposite to each other, each guide plate is evenly arranged between the two support plates, and a cavity is arranged between one support plate and one of the guide plates;

[0021] The sensing component comprises a sensing member and a sensed member; the sensing member is disposed on one of the two support plates, and the sensed member is movably disposed in the cavity;

[0022] When the guide plate assembly is located at the second position, after the ice tray evaporator cools the water flowing through the first gap and the second gap into ice, the sensed component is lifted to a predetermined position by the water gathered in the cavity, and the sensed component generates a corresponding control signal so that the power source drives the guide plate assembly to move from the second position to the first position.

[0023] Wherein, in some embodiments, two ends of each of the blocking portions are respectively connected to the two support plates;

[0024] The cavity is located at the junction of the support plate and one end of the blocking portion, and the cavity has an opening. When the guide plate assembly is located at the second position, at least one ice tray is connected to the cavity through the opening, so that water flowing through the first gap can flow into the cavity.

[0025] In some embodiments, the sensing element is a Hall sensor plate, and the sensed element is a floating ball with a magnet.

[0026] Wherein, in some embodiments, the rack includes a rack body and two guard plates; the two guard plates are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the rack body, and the positions of the guard plates are opposite to the positions of the support plates one by one;

[0027] The power source is a motor, and the motor is installed at one end of the guard plate;

[0028] The ice maker includes a gear and a rack structure, wherein the gear is located at the other end of one of the guard plates and is fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor, and the rack structure is fixed to one of the support plates. The rack structure is meshed with the gear so that the guide plate assembly can slide relative to the frame.

[0029] Wherein, in some embodiments, the ice maker includes a water tank and a submersible pump;

[0030] The water tank is located below the rack and is connected to the at least two ice trays, and the water tank can store water for making ice;

[0031] The submersible pump is arranged in the water tank, and the submersible pump is connected with the water spray pipe through a pipeline.

[0032] Wherein, in some embodiments, the ice maker includes a compressor, a regenerator, a liquid reservoir, a condenser, a drying filter, an ice-making capillary, an ice-making solenoid valve, and an ice-removing solenoid valve;

[0033] The left end of the compressor is connected to the right end of the regenerator, and the right end of the compressor is connected to one end of the ice-making evaporator;

[0034] The left end of the regenerator is respectively connected to the right end of the liquid storage device and the right end of the drying filter, and the right end of the regenerator is simultaneously connected to the left end of the condenser;

[0035] The left end of the liquid reservoir is connected to the other end of the ice-making evaporator;

[0036] The right end of the condenser is connected to the right end of the compressor;

[0037] An ice-making capillary tube is arranged in the connection passage between the left end of the drying filter and one end of the ice-making evaporator;

[0038] An ice-making solenoid valve is provided in the connecting passage between the other end of the ice-making evaporator and the left end of the liquid reservoir;

[0039] A de-icing solenoid valve is arranged in the connection passage between the right end of the compressor and one end of the ice-making evaporator.

[0040] Compared with the ice making machine in the related art, in which the water naturally flows to the ice trays arranged in the same row, the ice making machine involved in the present application has a guide portion on each guide plate along the gravity direction. When the guide plate is in the second position, a guide portion is embedded in an ice tray and forms a second gap between the partition plate surrounding the ice tray. The extension direction of the second gap is set at an angle with the gravity direction, and the second gap extends to the inner wall close to the ice tray. Through the surface tension and wettability of water, the water can flow to the inner side of the ice tray. Secondly, after the water in the second gap freezes, the guide plate assembly returns from the second position to the first position, which can reduce the situation where the guide portions of each guide plate are frozen in the ice tray and cannot be removed. Finally, the guide plate assembly withdraws from the ice tray evaporator. There is already a certain thickness of ice layer in the ice tray. The outflowing water continues to flow along the wall of the ice layer to the side of the ice tray and freezes, which improves the situation where the ice cubes are partially iced due to the difficulty of water infiltration on the side of the ice tray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for the specific embodiments or the prior art description. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn according to the actual scale.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an ice maker shown in one embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the ice maker shown at another angle;

[0044] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the ice maker shown is from a top view;

[0045] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an alternating state of a guide plate assembly in an ice making machine in a first position and a second position;

[0046] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of the middle A;

[0047] Figure 6 for Figure 1 The structural schematic diagram of the frame in the ice making machine shown;

[0048] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A diagram showing the electrical connections between the main electrical components of the ice machine;

[0049] Reference numerals:

[0050] 1. Frame; 101. Frame body; 1011. Overflow surface; 101a. Installation cavity; 101b. Overflow cavity; 102. Guard plate; 102a. Guide hole;

[0051] 2. Water pipe;

[0052] 3. Ice tray evaporator; 301. Ice tray body; 3a. Ice tray; 302. Evaporation tube; 303. Partition plate;

[0053] 4. guide plate assembly; 401. guide plate; 4011. blocking portion; 4012. guiding portion; 402. supporting plate; 4a. cavity; 4aa. opening;

[0054] 5. Water tank;

[0055] 7. Compressor;

[0056] 8. Regenerator;

[0057] 9. Liquid reservoir;

[0058] 10. Condenser;

[0059] 11. Dry filter;

[0060] 12. Ice-making capillary;

[0061] 13. Ice making solenoid valve;

[0062] 14. De-icing solenoid valve;

[0063] 15. Power source;

[0064] 16. Gear;

[0065] 17. Rack structure;

[0066] 18. Sensing component; 1801. Sensing element; 1802. Sensing element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0068] It should be noted that when an element / component is referred to as being "fixed to" another element / component, it may be directly on the other element / component or there may be an intermediate element / component. When an element / component is considered to be "connected" to another element / component, it may be directly connected to the other element / component or there may be an intermediate element / component at the same time; at the same time, when an element / component is considered to be "connected" to another element / component, it may be integrally formed or assembled with the other element / component. When an element / component is considered to be "set on" another element / component, it may be directly set on the other element / component or there may be an intermediate element / component at the same time.

[0069] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or at least two related listed items.

[0070] The technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0071] See also Figures 1 to 7 One embodiment of the present application provides an ice making machine, comprising: a frame 1, a water spray pipe 2, an ice tray evaporator 3 and a guide plate assembly 4. The water spray pipe 2 is installed on the frame 1; the ice tray evaporator 3 is installed in the frame 1; the ice tray evaporator 3 has at least two ice trays 3a, and the guide plate assembly 4 is movably connected to the frame 1 and is located in front of the at least two ice trays 3a.

[0072] The guide plate assembly 4 can move to a first position or a second position relative to the ice tray evaporator 3. When the guide plate assembly 4 is at the first position, the guide plate assembly 4 and the ice tray evaporator 3 are spaced apart; when the guide plate assembly 4 is at the second position, the guide plate assembly 4 and at least two ice trays 3a spaced apart along the gravity direction overlap with each other to form a plurality of flow channels, each of which can guide the water flowing out of the water spray pipe 2.

[0073] To help readers understand the technical solution of the present application, a single process of forming ice cubes by an ice maker is used as an example below.

[0074] When the ice maker is in an initial state, the guide plate assembly 4 is in the first position and remains in the first position.

[0075] When the ice maker is in operation, the guide plate assembly 4 can move from the first position to the second position and remain in the second position, and the water flowing out of the water spray pipe 2 flows to the alternate ice grids 3a and the flow channel along the direction of gravity; at the same time, the ice maker is operated in the refrigeration mode, and the ice tray evaporator 3 gradually condenses the water in the ice grid 3a and the water in the flow channel into ice;

[0076] After the water in the flow channel freezes, the guide plate assembly 4 moves back to the first position and remains in the first position, and the ice tray evaporator 3 condenses the water that continues to flow into the ice tray 3a into ice;

[0077] After the ice cubes in the ice tray 3a are formed to a predetermined size, the cooling mode of the ice maker is switched to the heating mode, and the ice tray evaporator 3 heats the ice cubes in the ice tray 3a, causing the surrounding of the ice cubes to melt slightly and be demolded naturally.

[0078] It is understandable that the number of times the ice maker forms ice cubes can be adaptively adjusted according to actual usage requirements, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. In addition, when the ice maker forms ice cubes multiple times, it can always be in an operating state, and the guide plate assembly 4 can switch back and forth between the first position and the second position, and simultaneously switch the cooling mode and the heating mode of the ice maker.

[0079] For rack 1, combine Figure 6 See also Figures 1 to 4 In some embodiments, the frame 1 includes a frame body 101 and two guard plates 102. The frame body 101 is a mounting support structure for the water spray pipe 2 and the ice tray evaporator 3, and the two guard plates 102 are mounting support structures for the guide plate assembly 4.

[0080] Two protective plates 102 are respectively located on opposite sides of the frame body 101. The two protective plates 102 and the frame body 101 enclose an open space that is generally in a U-shape, and this open space is used to arrange the deflector assembly 4. Optionally, one protective plate 102 is integrally connected to one side of the frame body 101 through a bending plate, so that one protective plate 102 is arranged parallel to one side of the frame body 101, and the other protective plate 102 is integrally connected to the other side of the frame body 101 through another bending plate, so that the other protective plate 102 is arranged parallel to the other side of the frame body 101. Thus, a redundant space is reserved between each of the two protective plates 102 and one side of the frame body 101 to accommodate other structures of the deflector assembly 4 except the deflector 401 of the deflector assembly 4 when the deflector assembly 4 moves to the second position, thereby reducing the interference between other structures of the deflector assembly 4 except the deflector 401 on the deflector assembly 4 and the frame 1 when the deflector assembly 4 moves to the second position. Exemplarily, the frame 1 is integrally formed by an injection molding process.

[0081] As Figure 6 shown, in some embodiments, the frame body 101 is generally in a rectangular frame structure. The frame body 101 is recessed inward along its thickness direction to form an installation cavity 101a, and the shape and size of the installation cavity 101a match the shape and size of the ice tray evaporator 3.

[0082] An open overflow cavity 101b is provided at the top of the installation cavity 101a. Fixed grooves are provided on both side walls on opposite sides of the overflow cavity 101b, and the cross-sectional shape of the fixed grooves matches the cross-sectional shape of the water spraying pipe 2, so as to facilitate the embedding of the water spraying pipe 2. Optionally, the fixed groove provided on one side wall of the overflow cavity 101b is a notch groove, so as to facilitate the water spraying pipe 2 to pass through the frame 1 and communicate with other pipelines of the ice maker.

[0083] The overflow cavity 101b and the installation cavity 101a are separated by an overflow surface 1011. The overflow surface 1011 gradually slopes downward relative to the horizontal plane, so as to facilitate the water flowing out of the water spraying pipe 2 to flow into each ice cell 3a of the ice tray evaporator 3. A Coanda surface is formed at the outer edge of the overflow surface 1011, so that the water flowing out of the water spraying pipe 2 generates the Coanda effect and evenly covers each area within a single ice cell 3a. Examples of the shape of the Coanda surface that satisfies the Coanda effect include a fan shape, an arc shape, a wave shape, etc. Exemplarily, the shape of the Coanda surface is generally in a fan shape, and the center line of the fan shape corresponds to the center line of the through hole of the water spraying pipe 2 to be described below. Since the opening area of the fan-shaped Coanda surface is usually larger than that of a single linear Coanda surface, it is beneficial to improve the drainage capacity and can reduce the occurrence of water overflow and ponding on the Coanda surface.

[0084] For the water spray pipe 2, in some embodiments, at least one through hole is opened on the side of the water spray pipe 2 facing the ice tray evaporator 3, and the water spray pipe 2 is configured to flow water to the ice tray evaporator 3 through the at least one through hole. Exemplarily, the water spray pipe 2 is made of polyvinyl chloride material. Polyvinyl chloride has good corrosion resistance, can be used for a long time in the working scene of the ice maker without rusting, and can withstand the cold and hot changes in the ice production process.

[0085] It is understandable that the number of through holes of the water sprinkling pipe 2 and the number of the aforementioned Coanda surfaces correspond one-to-one to the number of ice trays 3a arranged transversely of the ice tray evaporator 3 to be described below, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. For example, when the number of ice trays 3a arranged transversely of the ice tray evaporator 3 is at least two, the number of the Coanda surfaces and the number of through holes of the water sprinkling pipe 2 are both at least two, and the at least two through holes of the water sprinkling pipe 2, the at least two Coanda surfaces and the at least two ice trays 3a arranged transversely of the ice tray evaporator 3 correspond one-to-one.

[0086] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, in order to recycle the water flowing out of the water spray pipe 2 to save the use cost of the ice maker, in some embodiments, the ice maker includes a water tank 5 and a submersible pump (not shown). The water tank 5 is installed at the bottom of the frame 1. The top of the water tank 5 is open, and the water flowing through the ice tray evaporator 3 falls into the water tank 5 through the opening. The submersible pump is arranged at the bottom of the water tank 5 and is connected to the water spray pipe 2 through a pipeline to pump the water in the water tank 5 to the water spray pipe 2. Optionally, a support surface is provided on the top wall of the water tank 5 surrounding the top opening, and the bottom plane of the frame body 101 is against the support surface of the water tank 5, so as to facilitate the installation and fixation of the frame 1 and the water tank 5.

[0087] To facilitate readers to understand the circulating water circuit of the ice maker of the present application, the following continues to illustrate the single process of forming ice cubes by the ice maker as an example.

[0088] When the guide plate assembly 4 is kept in the second position, the submersible pump continues to work, and the submersible pump pumps the ice-making water in the water tank 5 to the water spray pipe 2. The water flowing out of the water spray pipe 2 continues to flow to the alternate ice grids 3a and the flow channel along the gravity direction, and finally falls into the water tank 5 through the opening on the water tank 5.

[0089] When the guide plate assembly 4 is kept in the first position and the ice cubes in the ice tray 3a are formed to a predetermined size, the submersible pump is turned off and the water spray pipe 2 no longer discharges water.

[0090] It is understandable that the type of submersible pump can be adaptively adjusted according to the different processes of forming ice cubes by the ice tray evaporator 3, and is not specifically limited here. For example, when the ice tray evaporator 3 is required to cool and form ice cubes quickly or slowly, the submersible pump should be equipped with an adjustable control module to allow the user to adjust the water flow speed and flow rate out of the water spray pipe 2 as needed; for another example, when the ice tray evaporator 3 forms a single type of ice cubes, the relevant design parameters of the submersible pump are fixed, and the water flow speed and flow rate out of the water spray pipe 2 are not adjustable.

[0091] It is also understandable that the water supply method of the water spray pipe 2 is not limited to this, and it can be adaptively adjusted according to the actual application scenario of the ice maker, and can satisfy the requirement of flowing water through at least one through hole to the ice tray evaporator 3. For example, in other embodiments, the water spray pipe 2 is connected to an external water source through a pipeline, and the water supply logic of the external water source can be similar to or different from the water supply logic of the submersible pump, which is not specifically limited here.

[0092] For ice tray evaporator 3, as Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the ice tray evaporator 3 includes an ice tray body 301 and an evaporation tube 302. The ice tray body 301 is embedded in the installation cavity 101a, and the side of the ice tray body 301 facing away from the frame body 101 is recessed to form at least two ice grids 3a, and the at least two ice grids 3a are arranged in a rectangular array, and a partition 303 is provided between two adjacent ice grids 3a along the gravity direction. The evaporation tube 302 is connected to the side of the ice tray body 301 facing the frame body 101 in a circuitous manner, and is arranged corresponding to the inner wall of each ice grid 3a, and the two ends of the evaporation tube 302 pass through the frame body 101, and the two ends of the evaporation tube 302 are configured to input and output working medium to cool or heat the ice tray body 301. The working medium includes a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid or a high-temperature and high-pressure liquid.

[0093] In some embodiments, the ice tray body 301 is an integrally formed structure. For example, the ice tray body 301 is formed by die-casting of an aluminum alloy, which has good corrosion resistance and does not require an additional anti-corrosion process, thereby reducing the production cost of the ice maker.

[0094] The evaporation tube 302 is a copper tube, which has high heat conduction efficiency, high material strength, and is not easy to corrode. For example, the evaporation tube 302 is connected and fixed to the ice tray body 301 by, but not limited to, arc welding, laser welding or brazing.

[0095] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 or Figure 4As shown, in order to facilitate the ice cubes to automatically slide down along the partition 303 under the action of gravity and be collected in a centralized manner, in some embodiments, the partition 303 gradually tilts downward in the direction away from the opening of the ice tray 3a. In other words, the partition 303 is arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal plane. Optionally, the partition 303 gradually tilts downward in the direction away from the opening of the ice tray 3a, including: at least one partition 303 of the plurality of partitions 303 arranged longitudinally in the same row of the ice tray evaporator 3 gradually tilts downward in the direction away from the opening of the ice tray 3a; and / or at least one partition 303 of the plurality of partitions 303 arranged transversely in the same row of the ice tray evaporator 3 gradually tilts downward in the direction away from the opening of the ice tray 3a.

[0096] Alternatively, in some other embodiments, the partition 303 is arranged parallel to the horizontal plane. Compared with the partition 303 being placed obliquely, the right-angled ice tray 3a can produce regular ice cubes, and the ice cubes are not prone to chipping.

[0097] like Figure 7 As shown, in order to realize ice making and ice defrosting of the ice tray evaporator 3 at the same time, in some embodiments, the ice maker includes a compressor 7, a regenerator 8, a liquid reservoir 9, a condenser 10, a drying filter 11, an ice making capillary 12, an ice making solenoid valve 13 and an ice defrosting solenoid valve 14.

[0098] The left end of the compressor 7 is connected to the right end of the regenerator 8, and the right end of the compressor 7 is connected to one end of the evaporation tube 302;

[0099] The left end of the regenerator 8 is connected to the right end of the liquid storage tank 9 and the right end of the drying filter 11 respectively, and the right end of the regenerator 8 is connected to the left end of the condenser 10 at the same time;

[0100] The left end of the liquid reservoir 9 is connected to the other end of the evaporation tube 302;

[0101] The right end of the condenser 10 is connected to the right end of the compressor 7;

[0102] The connecting passage between the left end of the drying filter 11 and one end of the evaporation tube 302 is provided with an ice-making capillary tube 12;

[0103] The connecting passage between the other end of the evaporation tube 302 and the left end of the liquid reservoir 9 is provided with an ice-making solenoid valve 13;

[0104] A deicing solenoid valve 14 is provided in the connection passage between the right end of the compressor 7 and one end of the evaporation tube 302 .

[0105] To facilitate readers to understand the technical solution of the present application, the cooling mode and heating mode of the ice maker of the present application are explained in detail below.

[0106] First is the refrigeration process of the ice maker. The ice making solenoid valve 13 is in an open state, and the ice removing solenoid valve 14 is in a closed state.

[0107] The low-temperature, low-pressure gas-type refrigerant is compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas through the compressor 7; the high-temperature, high-pressure gas is then cooled by the air through the condenser 10 into a medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid; the medium-temperature, high-pressure liquid then exchanges heat with the low-temperature, low-pressure gas-type refrigerant from the liquid storage 9 in the regenerator 8, and the refrigerant is further cooled into a supercooled liquid; the supercooled liquid passes through the drying filter 11, thereby filtering out the impurities and water in the supercooled liquid. This step can prevent the impurities and water from clogging the ice-making capillary 12, and then the supercooled liquid cannot pass through the capillary, resulting in the inability to perform the ice-making process; finally, the supercooled liquid is throttled through the ice-making capillary 12, and the supercooled liquid further becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid. The low-temperature, low-pressure liquid simultaneously flows through the evaporation tube 302, thereby simultaneously making ice through the ice tray body 301.

[0108] The refrigerant passes through the ice-making solenoid valve 13 and enters the liquid reservoir 9, where gas-liquid separation of the refrigerant is achieved to prevent liquid absorption when the refrigerant with moisture enters the compressor 7; then the refrigerant exchanges heat with the medium-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant delivered from the condenser 10 through the regenerator 8, turning the refrigerant into a superheated gas; finally, the refrigerant flows back to the compressor 7, thus forming a complete ice-making cycle.

[0109] The second is the deicing process, in which the ice-making solenoid valve 13 and the deicing solenoid valve 14 are both in the open state.

[0110] The refrigerant is compressed from low-temperature and low-pressure gas to high-temperature and high-pressure gas by the compressor 7; it enters the evaporator 302 through the deicing solenoid valve 14, and heats the inner wall of the ice tray 3a through the ice tray body 301, so that the surface of the ice cube in contact with the ice tray 3a is partially heated and melted and separated from the ice tray 3a, thereby realizing the deicing function. The gas then returns to the compressor 7 through the ice making solenoid valve 13, the liquid storage tank 9, and the regenerator 8, thereby forming a deicing cycle.

[0111] It is understandable that the regenerator 8 is used to realize the function of heat exchange, but it is not a necessary component of the ice maker. The regenerator 8 can be omitted and the ice making and ice-removing functions can also be realized.

[0112] At the same time, the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the position selection of the liquid reservoir 9, which can be set at an appropriate position. For example, the liquid reservoir 9 can be placed at the right end of the regenerator 8 and the left end of the compressor 7, or the liquid reservoir 9 can be placed on the side of the frame body 101 away from the ice tray evaporator 3, or the liquid reservoir 9 can be eliminated, and the ice making and ice defrosting functions can also be achieved.

[0113] In addition, the regenerator 8 and the liquid storage 9 can be integrated together to realize the functions of both in the form of a heat exchanger. For example, a larger container or a heat exchanger in the form of a sleeve with a coiled tube inside can be used to realize the functions of both the liquid storage 9 and the regenerator 8.

[0114] For the guide plate assembly 4, as Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the guide plate assembly 4 includes at least one guide plate 401. The at least one guide plate 401 is located in the open space of the main body of the frame 1 and in front of at least two ice trays 3a, and the at least one guide plate 401 is movably connected to at least one of the two guard plates 102. The at least one guide plate 401 is arranged in sequence along the gravity direction, wherein the number of the guide plates 401 is the same as the number of ice trays 3a arranged longitudinally in the same row of the ice tray evaporator 3.

[0115] Each guide plate 401 includes a stopper 4011 and at least one guide portion 4012 connected to the stopper 4011. Each guide portion 4012 is at an angle to the stopper 4011, and each guide portion 4012 extends from one end of the stopper 4011 toward the direction close to the ice tray body 301. The number and position of a guide portion 4012 correspond to the number and position of ice trays 3a arranged in the same row of the ice tray evaporator 3. Optionally, at least one guide portion 4012 and the stopper 4011 have a smooth transition.

[0116] When the at least one guide plate 401 is located at the first position, the blocking portion 4011 and the at least one guide portion 4012 are spaced apart from the ice tray body 301;

[0117] When at least one guide plate 401 is located at the second position, the blocking portion 4011 is located outside the ice tray 3a and forms a first gap with a partition 303, and a guiding portion 4012 is embedded in an ice tray 3a and forms a second gap with the partition 303 located in the ice tray 3a, and along the gravity direction, two adjacent ice trays 3a are connected through the first gap and the second gap. The first gap and the second gap constitute the aforementioned flow channel.

[0118] Compared with the ice making machine in the related art, in which the water naturally flows to the ice trays 3a arranged in the same row longitudinally, the ice making machine involved in the present application has a guide portion 4012 on each guide plate 401 along the gravity direction. When the guide plate 401 is in the second position, a guide portion 4012 is embedded in an ice tray 3a and forms a second gap with the partition plate 303 surrounding the ice tray 3a. The extension direction of the second gap is set at an angle with the gravity direction, and the second gap extends to the inner wall close to the ice tray 3a. Through the surface tension and wettability of water, the water can flow to the inner side of the ice tray 3a. Secondly, after the water in the second gap freezes into ice, the guide plate assembly 4 returns from the second position to the first position, which can reduce the situation where the guide portion 4012 of each guide plate 401 is frozen in the ice tray 3a and cannot be detached. Finally, the guide plate assembly 4 exits the ice tray evaporator 3, and a certain thickness of ice layer has been formed in the ice grid 3a. The outflowing water continues to flow along the wall of the ice layer to the inside of the ice grid 3a and freezes, thereby improving the situation where some ice cubes are left in the ice grid 3a due to the difficulty of water infiltration.

[0119] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, each guide portion 4012 is parallel to the partition 303. Specifically, when the partition 303 gradually tilts downward toward the opening direction away from the ice tray 3a, each guide portion 4012 parallel to the partition 303 forms an acute angle with the stop portion 4011. When the partition 303 is arranged parallel to the horizontal plane, each guide portion 4012 parallel to the partition 303 forms a right angle with the stop portion 4011.

[0120] Continue as Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, when the guide plate assembly 4 is located in the second position, a third gap is formed between the end face of a guide portion 4012 facing the inner wall of the ice tray 3a and the corresponding inner wall of the ice tray 3a. The spacing of the third gap and the spacing of the second gap both meet 2mm to 5mm. This is because the inventor found after research that by limiting the spacing of the third gap and the spacing of the second gap within this numerical range, the water flow passing through the third gap and the second gap can generate sufficient adhesion to meet the Coanda effect, and the water flow will bend along the end face of the guide portion 4012 toward the inner wall of the ice tray 3a and flow to the wall surface of the inner wall of the ice tray 3a, so that the entire ice tray 3a is wetted in water, thereby improving the texture and bubble phenomenon of the ice cubes, and can make completely transparent ice cubes.

[0121] Continue as Figure 4As shown, in order to facilitate the water flow to flow toward the inner wall of the ice tray 3a, in some embodiments, the end surface of any guide portion 4012 facing the inner wall of the ice tray 3a is an arc-shaped transition surface. Compared with the end surface of the guide portion 4012 facing the inner wall of the ice tray 3a being a regular surface (such as a rectangular surface), the arc-shaped transition surface changes the flow path of the water flow, creates a pressure difference at different positions and maintains the stability of the water flow, thereby promoting and enhancing the Coanda effect.

[0122] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the guide plate assembly 4 includes two support plates 402. The two support plates 402 are arranged opposite to each other, and each guide plate 401 is evenly arranged between the two support plates 402. One support plate 402 is spaced apart from and opposite to a guard plate 102, and the other support plate 402 is spaced apart from and opposite to another guard plate 102. Exemplarily, both ends of each stopper 4011 are connected to the two support plates 402, respectively.

[0123] Each guide plate 401 is movably connected to the frame 1 through two support plates 402. Specifically, the ice maker includes a power source 15, a gear 16 and a rack structure 17. Exemplarily, the power source 15 is a stepper motor, which is installed at one end of a guard plate 102, the gear 16 is located at the other end of the guard plate 102 and is fixed to the rotating shaft of the power source 15, and the rack structure 17 is fixed to a support plate 402, and the rack structure 17 is engaged with the gear 16 so that each guide plate 401 can slide relative to the main body of the frame 1. Optionally, another guard plate 102 is provided with a guide hole 102a that matches the moving path of the guide plate assembly 4, and another support plate 402 passes through the guide hole 102a through a pan head screw, and with the engagement of the rack structure 17, the two ends of the guide plate 401 can slide smoothly relative to the main body of the frame 1. Of course, the power source 15 can also be other driving mechanisms other than the motor, such as a cylinder, a screw, and a hydraulic transmission mechanism.

[0124] It should be noted that the moving path of the guide plate assembly 4 is related to the setting mode of the partition 303. For example, in the embodiment of the present application, the partition 303 gradually tilts downward in the direction away from the opening of the ice tray 3a, and the moving path of the guide plate assembly 4 gradually tilts upward in the direction close to the ice tray evaporator 3. The first position can be defined as the position of the guide plate assembly 4 when it moves to one end of the guide hole 102a close to the ice tray evaporator 3, and the second position can be defined as the position of the guide plate assembly 4 when it moves to the other end of the guide hole 102a away from the ice tray evaporator 3.

[0125] like Figure 5As shown, in order to realize the automation of ice making by the ice maker, in some embodiments, the ice maker includes a sensing component 18. The sensing component 18 can sense that the ice tray evaporator 3 cools the water flowing through the second gap into ice, and generates a corresponding control signal so that the power source 15 drives the guide plate component 4 to move from the second position to the first position.

[0126] Specifically, a cavity 4a is provided between a support plate 402 and one of the guide plates 401. The sensing assembly 18 includes a sensing member 1801 and a sensed member 1802. The sensing member 1801 is provided on a side support plate 402 close to the cavity 4a, and the sensed member 1802 is movably provided in the cavity 4a. When the guide plate assembly 4 is located at the second position, after the ice tray evaporator 3 cools the water flowing through the first gap and the second gap into ice, the sensed member 1802 is lifted to a predetermined position by the water gathered in the cavity 4a, and the sensing member 1801 generates a corresponding control signal so that the power source 15 drives the guide plate assembly 4 to move from the second position to the first position. Exemplarily, the sensing member 1801 is a Hall sensor plate, and the sensed member 1802 is a floating ball with a magnet. Since there is no physical contact between the Hall sensor plate and the floating ball with a magnet, water will not leak out when the water level changes, so that the Hall sensor plate can send control signals more accurately and switch the operating status of each component. Of course, the specific structure of the sensing component 18 is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the sensing component 18 is a float travel switch. Alternatively, the sensing element 1801 is a magnetically controlled switch, and the sensed element 1802 is a magnet.

[0127] Continue as Figure 5 As shown, in order to facilitate the water in the baffle to continuously flow into the cavity 4a, in some embodiments, the cavity 4a is located at the intersection of the support plate 402 and one end of a baffle 4011, and the cavity 4a has an opening 4aa. When the guide plate assembly 4 is located at the second position, at least one ice tray 3a is connected to the cavity 4a through the opening 4aa, so that the water flowing through the first gap can flow into the cavity 4a.

[0128] To help readers understand the sensing principle of the ice maker sensing assembly 18 of the present application, the following continues to illustrate the single process of forming ice cubes by the ice maker by way of example.

[0129] When the guide plate assembly 4 is kept in the second position, the floating ball with magnet is in the low position, and the submersible pump starts to work, pumping the water in the water tank 5 to the water spray pipe 2, and the water flowing out of the water spray pipe 2 continues to flow to the alternate ice trays 3a and the flow channel along the gravity direction, the water level in the cavity 4a floats, and the floating ball with magnet is lifted. Since the floating ball with magnet is not lifted to the top of the cavity 4a, the Hall sensor plate is not triggered, and each guide part 4012 of the guide plate 401 continues to be embedded in the corresponding ice tray 3a;

[0130] When the ice tray evaporator 3 begins to freeze, the water in the first gap and the second gap slowly freezes into ice, and the water resistance flowing through the first gap and the second gap becomes larger and larger, causing the water level in the cavity 4a to rise; until the first gap and the second gap are completely frozen, the floating ball with magnet is lifted to the top of the cavity 4a by the gathered water, triggering the stepper motor to move, causing the guide plate assembly 4 to withdraw from the ice tray 3a.

[0131] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or at least two embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0132] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of this application, "at least two" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0133] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An ice making machine, characterized in that: include: frame; A water spray pipe is arranged above the frame; An ice tray evaporator is installed on the frame and located below the water spray pipe; The ice tray evaporator has at least two ice trays, and a partition is provided between two adjacent ice trays along the gravity direction; A guide plate assembly, movably connected to the frame, the guide plate assembly comprising at least one guide plate, the guide plate comprising a blocking portion and at least one guiding portion connected to the blocking portion; The guide plate assembly can move to a first position or a second position relative to the ice tray evaporator. When the guide plate assembly is located at the first position, the guide plate assembly and the ice tray evaporator are spaced apart. When the guide plate assembly is located at the second position, the blocking portion is located outside the ice tray and forms a first gap with the partitions that surround the ice tray. The guide portion is embedded in one of the ice trays and forms a second gap with the partitions that surround the ice tray. Along the gravity direction, two adjacent ice trays are connected through the first gap and the second gap.

2. The ice making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least two of the ice trays are arranged in an array; The number of the guide plates is the same as the number of ice trays arranged longitudinally in the same row of the ice tray evaporator; The number and position of the guide parts of the guide plate correspond to the number and position of the ice cubes arranged in the same row of the ice tray evaporator.

3. The ice making machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each of the guide parts is parallel to the partition in a one-to-one correspondence; When the guide plate assembly is located at the second position, a third gap is formed between the end surface of the guide portion facing the inner wall of the ice tray and the corresponding inner wall of the ice tray; the spacing of the third gap and the spacing of the second gap both meet the range of 2 mm to 5 mm.

4. The ice making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Any of the partitions is gradually inclined downward toward an opening direction away from the ice tray.

5. The ice making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The end surface of any one of the guide portions facing the inner wall of the ice compartment is an arc-shaped transition surface.

6. The ice making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The ice maker includes a power source and an induction component; The power source is installed on the frame and is transmission-connected to the guide plate assembly, and the power source can drive the guide plate assembly to move to the first position or the second position relative to the ice tray evaporator; The sensing component can sense that the ice tray evaporator cools the water flowing through the second gap into ice, and generates a corresponding control signal so that the power source drives the guide plate component to move from the second position to the first position.

7. The ice making machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The guide plate assembly includes two support plates; the two support plates are arranged opposite to each other, each guide plate is evenly arranged between the two support plates, and a cavity is arranged between one support plate and one of the guide plates; The sensing component comprises a sensing member and a sensed member; the sensing member is disposed on one of the two support plates, and the sensed member is movably disposed in the cavity; When the guide plate assembly is located at the second position, after the ice tray evaporator cools the water flowing through the first gap and the second gap into ice, the sensed component is lifted to a predetermined position by the water gathered in the cavity, and the sensed component generates a corresponding control signal so that the power source drives the guide plate assembly to move from the second position to the first position.

8. The ice making machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: Two ends of each of the blocking parts are respectively connected to the two support plates; The cavity is located at the junction of the support plate and one end of the blocking portion, and the cavity has an opening. When the guide plate assembly is located at the second position, at least one ice tray is connected to the cavity through the opening, so that water flowing through the first gap can flow into the cavity.

9. The ice making machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sensing element is a Hall sensor plate, and the sensed element is a floating ball with a magnet.

10. The ice making machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The frame includes a frame body and two guard plates; the two guard plates are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the frame body, and the positions of the guard plates are opposite to the positions of the support plates one by one; The power source is a motor, and the motor is installed at one end of the guard plate; The ice maker includes a gear and a rack structure, wherein the gear is located at the other end of one of the guard plates and is fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor, and the rack structure is fixed to one of the support plates. The rack structure is meshed with the gear so that the guide plate assembly can slide relative to the frame.

11. The ice making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The ice maker includes a water tank and a submersible pump; The water tank is located below the rack and is connected to the at least two ice trays, and the water tank can store water for making ice; The submersible pump is arranged in the water tank, and the submersible pump is connected with the water spray pipe through a pipeline.

12. The ice making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The ice maker includes a compressor, a regenerator, a liquid storage device, a condenser, a drying filter, an ice-making capillary tube, an ice-making solenoid valve, and an ice-removing solenoid valve; The left end of the compressor is connected to the right end of the regenerator, and the right end of the compressor is connected to one end of the ice-making evaporator; The left end of the regenerator is connected to the right end of the liquid storage device and the right end of the drying filter respectively, and the right end of the regenerator is connected to the left end of the condenser at the same time; The left end of the liquid reservoir is connected to the other end of the ice-making evaporator; The right end of the condenser is connected to the right end of the compressor; An ice-making capillary tube is arranged in the connection passage between the left end of the drying filter and one end of the ice-making evaporator; An ice-making solenoid valve is provided in the connecting passage between the other end of the ice-making evaporator and the left end of the liquid reservoir; A de-icing solenoid valve is arranged in the connection passage between the right end of the compressor and one end of the ice-making evaporator.

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