Ice maker

Abstract

The invention is applicable to the technical field of ice making, and discloses an ice maker which comprises an ice making mechanism and a refrigerant circulating system. The ice making mechanism comprises an ice making assembly and an ice storage container, and the refrigerant circulation system comprises a first refrigeration pipeline connected with a refrigeration component and a first bypass connected with the first refrigeration pipeline in parallel. The refrigerant circulation system further comprises a first valve body assembly used for selectively controlling the refrigerant to flow through the ice storage container after passing through the first bypass or the first refrigeration pipeline. At least part of the refrigerating component is located in the ice making assembly, and the first valve body assembly is connected between the first refrigerating pipeline and the first bypass. According to the ice maker, no matter the ice maker is in an ice making state or a standby state, the refrigerant can flow through the ice storage container to cool the ice storage container, and the ice block storage effect of the ice storage container is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ice making, and particularly to an ice maker. Background Art

[0002] An ice maker is a refrigeration mechanical device that converts water into ice based on a refrigeration cycle system, and is gradually applied to various occasions such as catering, hotels, and hospitals.

[0003] In some application scenarios, when the ice is made, it may not be used immediately. At this time, it is necessary to store the made ice. Therefore, an ice storage container for storing ice is usually configured in the ice maker. In the related art, due to design limitations, the ice storage effect of the ice storage container is poor when the ice maker stops making ice, and the ice will melt. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides an ice maker, aiming to solve the technical problem that the ice in the ice storage container of the existing ice maker will melt when the ice maker stops making ice, resulting in poor ice storage effect.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present application, in one embodiment, an ice maker is provided, including:

[0006] An ice making mechanism, the ice making mechanism includes an ice making component and an ice storage container;

[0007] A refrigerant circulation system, the refrigerant circulation system includes a first refrigeration pipeline connected to a refrigeration component and a first bypass path parallel to the first refrigeration pipeline, and the refrigerant circulation system further includes a first valve body assembly for selectively controlling the refrigerant to flow through the first bypass path or the first refrigeration pipeline and then through the ice storage container; at least a part of the refrigeration component is located in the ice making component, and the first valve body assembly is connected between the first refrigeration pipeline and the first bypass path.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first refrigeration pipeline further includes a first pipeline and a second pipeline connected downstream of the first pipeline, and the refrigeration component is connected between the first pipeline and the second pipeline;

[0009] The first valve body assembly is connected between the first pipeline and the first bypass path, or the first valve body assembly is connected between the second pipeline and the first bypass path.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first valve body assembly includes a three-way valve;

[0011] Alternatively, the first valve body assembly includes two two-way valves.

[0012] In one embodiment, a connection part is provided on the second pipeline, and the output end of the first bypass is connected to the connection part;

[0013] The connection part divides the second pipeline into a first conduction pipe and a second conduction pipe, and the first conduction pipe is connected between the refrigeration component and the second conduction pipe;

[0014] The second conduction pipe is provided with a cold preservation section flowing through the ice storage container, or both the first conduction pipe and the first bypass are provided with cold preservation sections flowing through the ice storage container.

[0015] In one embodiment, the ice maker further includes a supplementary cooling evaporation device for generating gaseous refrigerant from the flowing liquid refrigerant;

[0016] The supplementary cooling evaporation device is arranged downstream of the cold preservation section.

[0017] In one embodiment, the refrigerant circulation system further includes a second refrigeration pipeline, a second bypass and a second valve body assembly;

[0018] The second refrigeration pipeline includes a compression component, a third pipeline, a condensation component, a fourth pipeline and a throttling component arranged in sequence along the refrigerant flow direction. The output end of the first refrigeration pipeline is communicated with the inlet of the compression component, and the input end of the first refrigeration pipeline is communicated with the outlet of the throttling component;

[0019] The input end of the second bypass is communicated with the outlet of the compression component, and the output end of the second bypass is communicated with the inlet of the refrigeration component; the second valve body assembly is used to selectively control the refrigerant discharged from the compression component to flow into the refrigeration component through the second bypass, or to flow into the refrigeration component through the condensation component and the throttling component in sequence.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second valve body assembly is connected between the second refrigeration pipeline and the second bypass;

[0021] Or, the second valve body assembly is connected between the first refrigeration pipeline and the second bypass.

[0022] In one embodiment, the second valve body assembly includes a three-way valve;

[0023] Or, the second valve body assembly includes two two-way valves.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first refrigeration pipeline and / or the first bypass is provided with a cold preservation section;

[0025] The refrigerant cycle system further includes a third bypass passage and a third valve body assembly; the third bypass passage is arranged in parallel with the cold insulation section, and the third valve body assembly is connected between the third bypass passage and the cold insulation section for selectively controlling the refrigerant to flow into the compression component through the third bypass passage or the cold insulation section.

[0026] In one embodiment, the ice maker further includes a controller, and the ice maker has an ice-making mode and a standby mode;

[0027] When the ice maker is in the ice-making mode, the controller controls the first valve body assembly to conduct the refrigeration component; when the ice maker is in the standby mode, the controller controls the first valve body assembly to conduct the first bypass passage.

[0028] According to the ice maker of the above embodiment, by providing the first valve body assembly to selectively control the refrigerant to flow through the first bypass passage or the first refrigeration pipeline and then through the ice storage container. As needed, the refrigerant can flow through the refrigeration component or the first bypass passage during the circulation process. When the refrigerant flows through the first refrigeration pipeline, the ice maker can be in the ice-making state. At this time, the low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the refrigeration component flows through the ice storage container to achieve cold insulation of the ice storage container; when the refrigerant flows through the first bypass passage, the ice maker is in the standby state. At this time, the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the first bypass passage flows through the ice storage container to achieve cold insulation of the ice storage container. Therefore, for the ice maker provided in this application, whether the ice maker is in the ice-making state or the standby state, the refrigerant can flow through the ice storage container to cool the environment where the ice storage container is located, thereby achieving cold insulation of the ice storage container, reducing the phenomenon of ice melting, and improving the effect of storing ice in the ice storage container. Description of the Drawings

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the ice maker provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the ice maker provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the ice maker provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4It is a schematic structural diagram of an ice maker provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of an ice maker provided in the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of an ice maker provided in the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of an ice maker provided in the seventh embodiment of the present invention when the second valve body assembly includes a three-way valve;

[0037] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of an ice maker provided in the seventh embodiment of the present invention when the second valve body assembly includes two two-way valves.

[0038] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings:

[0039] 100, ice maker; 10, ice making mechanism; 11, ice making component; 12, ice storage container; 20, first refrigeration pipeline; 21, first pipeline; 211, first delivery pipe; 212, second delivery pipe; 22, refrigeration component; 23, second pipeline; 231, first conduction pipe; 232, second conduction pipe; 31, first bypass; 32, second bypass; 33, third bypass; 40, first valve body assembly; 41, first three-way valve; 42, first two-way valve; 43, second two-way valve; 44, second three-way valve; 50, cold insulation section; 51, first cold insulation section; 52, second cold insulation section; 60, supplementary cooling evaporation device; 70, second refrigeration pipeline; 71, compression component; 72, third pipeline; 721, first delivery pipe; 722, second delivery pipe; 73, condensation component; 74, fourth pipeline; 75, throttling component; 80, second valve body assembly; 81, third three-way valve; 82, third two-way valve; 83, fourth two-way valve; 90, third valve body assembly.

[0040] The realization, functional characteristics and advantages of the object of the present invention will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Specific embodiments

[0041] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0042] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture. If this specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0043] It should also be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. When an element is referred to as "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time.

[0044] In addition, the descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the present invention are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In addition, the technical solutions between various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that those skilled in the art can implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the protection scope required by the present invention. Among them, the arrows in the drawings indicate the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0045] Currently, more and more ice makers are equipped with ice storage containers for storing the prepared ice cubes. In the related art, due to design limitations, the ice storage effect of the ice storage container is poor when the ice maker stops making ice, and the ice cubes will melt.

[0046] In view of this, the present invention provides an ice maker to improve the ice storage effect of the ice storage container and reduce the melting of ice cubes.

[0047] Embodiment 1:

[0048] As Figure 1 shown, the ice maker 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes an ice making mechanism 10 and a refrigerant circulation system. The ice making mechanism 10 includes an ice making assembly 11 and an ice storage container 12. The ice making assembly 11 is used to hold ice making water, and the ice storage container 12 is used to store ice cubes. The refrigerant circulation system includes a first refrigeration pipeline 20 connected to a refrigeration component 22. Specifically, the first refrigeration pipeline 20 includes a first pipeline 21, a refrigeration component 22, and a second pipeline 23 arranged in sequence along the refrigerant flow direction. At least part of the refrigeration component 22 is located in the ice making assembly 11 and is at least used to absorb the heat in the ice making assembly 11 to condense the ice making water into ice cubes. Among them, the flow direction of the refrigerant refers to the flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circulation system.

[0049] In a specific application, when the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through the refrigeration component 22, it absorbs the heat around the refrigeration component 22 to generate a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. By arranging at least a part of the refrigeration component 22 inside the ice-making assembly 11, when the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through, it can absorb the heat inside the ice-making assembly 11, causing the ice-making water inside the ice-making assembly 11 to condense into ice cubes, thereby realizing the preparation of ice cubes. It should be noted that the state in which the ice maker 100 condenses the ice-making water into ice cubes when the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flows through the refrigeration component 22 is called the ice-making state.

[0050] In one embodiment, the refrigeration component 22 can be arranged as an evaporator.

[0051] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 , the refrigerant circulation system further includes a first bypass passage 31 and a first valve body assembly 40. The first bypass passage 31 is arranged in parallel with the first refrigeration pipeline 20, that is, the first bypass passage 31 is arranged in parallel with the refrigeration component 22. Specifically, the input end of the first bypass passage 31 communicates with the first pipeline 21, and the output end of the first bypass passage 31 communicates with the second pipeline 23. The first valve body assembly 40 is connected between the first refrigeration pipeline 20 and the first bypass passage 31 and is used to selectively control the refrigerant to flow through the storage ice container 12 after passing through the first bypass passage 31 or the first refrigeration pipeline 20. That is to say, the first valve body assembly 40 is used to selectively control the refrigeration component 22 or the first bypass passage 31 to be conducted. With such an arrangement, the refrigerant can flow through the refrigeration component 22 or the first bypass passage 31 during the circulation process as needed. Among them, during the circulation process of the refrigerant, the refrigerant can flow into the first bypass passage 31 or the first refrigeration pipeline 20 in a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid form.

[0052] In a specific application, when the first valve body assembly 40 controls the refrigeration component 22 to be conducted, the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant can flow through the refrigeration component 22, absorbing the heat inside the ice-making assembly 11, so that the ice-making water inside the ice-making assembly 11 can condense into ice cubes, and the ice maker 100 realizes ice making; when the first valve body assembly 40 controls the first bypass passage 31 to be conducted, the refrigerant flows into the first bypass passage 31 and does not flow through the refrigeration component 22, and the ice maker 100 does not prepare ice cubes. It should be noted that the state in which the ice maker 100 does not prepare ice cubes when the refrigerant flows through the first bypass passage 31 is called the standby state.

[0053] In one embodiment, the refrigerant cycle system is provided with a cold insulation section 50, and the cold insulation section 50 passes through the ice storage container 12 to keep the ice storage container 12 cold. When the refrigeration component 22 is turned on, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration component 22 can be delivered to the cold insulation section 50; when the first bypass passage 31 is turned on, the refrigerant flowing into the first bypass passage 31 can be delivered to the cold insulation section 50. It should be noted that the cold insulation section 50 can be a section of pipeline independent of the first refrigeration pipeline 20 and the first bypass passage 31, or can be a part of the first refrigeration pipeline 20 and / or the first bypass passage 31.

[0054] In specific applications, when the refrigeration component 22 is turned on, the refrigerant flowing out of the refrigeration component 22 (i.e., low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant) is delivered to the cold insulation section 50, and the refrigerant absorbs the heat around the cold insulation section 50, that is, absorbs the heat in the environment where the ice storage container 12 is located, cools the environment where the ice storage container 12 is located, and thus keeps the ice storage container 12 cold. When the first bypass passage 31 is turned on, the refrigerant flowing into the first bypass passage 31 (i.e., low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant) is delivered to the cold insulation section 50, and the refrigerant absorbs the heat around the cold insulation section 50, that is, absorbs the heat in the environment where the ice storage container 12 is located, cools the environment where the ice storage container 12 is located, and thus keeps the ice storage container 12 cold.

[0055] With the above technical solution, when the refrigeration component 22 is turned on, the ice maker 100 can be in the ice-making state. At this time, the low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the refrigeration component 22 is delivered to the cold insulation section 50 to keep the ice storage container 12 cold; when the first bypass passage 31 is turned on, the ice maker 100 is in the standby state. At this time, the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the first bypass passage 31 is delivered to the cold insulation section 50 to keep the ice storage container 12 cold. Therefore, for the ice maker 100 provided in this embodiment, whether the ice maker 100 is in the ice-making state or the standby state (i.e., the state of not making ice cubes), the refrigerant is delivered to the cold insulation section 50 to cool the environment where the ice storage container 12 is located, and then keep the ice storage container 12 cold, improving the effect of storing ice cubes in the ice storage container 12 and reducing the phenomenon of ice cube melting.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 1 , the first refrigeration pipeline 20 further includes a first pipeline 21 and a second pipeline 23 connected downstream of the first pipeline 21, and the refrigeration component 22 is connected between the first pipeline 21 and the second pipeline 23. The first valve body assembly 40 is connected between the first pipeline 21 and the first bypass passage 31, and the first valve body assembly 40 includes a three-way valve. By providing a three-way valve, the selective conduction of the first refrigeration pipeline 20 and the first bypass passage 31 is realized, and the structure is simple.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first pipeline 21 includes a first delivery pipe 211 and a second delivery pipe 212. The second delivery pipe 212 is connected between the first delivery pipe 211 and the refrigeration component 22. The input end of the first bypass passage 31 is connected to the connection part between the first delivery pipe 211 and the second delivery pipe 212. For ease of description, the three-way valve in this embodiment is defined as the first three-way valve 41. The first three-way valve 41 includes a first input port, a first output port, and a second output port. The first input port of the first three-way valve 41 communicates with the first delivery pipe 211, the first output port of the first three-way valve 41 communicates with the first bypass passage 31, and the second output port of the first three-way valve 41 communicates with the second delivery pipe 212.

[0058] In specific applications, when the first output port of the first three-way valve 41 is opened and the second output port of the first three-way valve 41 is closed, the first bypass passage 31 is conducted, and the ice maker 100 is in the standby state. The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the first bypass passage 31 is transported to the cold insulation section 50; when the first output port of the first three-way valve 41 is closed and the second output port of the first three-way valve 41 is opened, the refrigeration component 22 is conducted, and the ice maker 100 is in the ice-making state. The low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the refrigeration component 22 is transported to the cold insulation section 50.

[0059] It can be understood that in other embodiments, the first input port of the first three-way valve 41 can also communicate with the upstream component of the first pipeline 21 (such as the throttling component 75 described below), the first output port of the first three-way valve 41 communicates with the first bypass passage 31, and the second output port of the first three-way valve 41 communicates with the first pipeline 21. It should be noted that the upstream and downstream in this application are both referred to with reference to the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0060] Please refer to Figure 1 , a connection part (not labeled in the figure) is provided on the second pipeline 23. The output end of the first bypass passage 31 is connected to the connection part. The connection part divides the second pipeline 23 into a first conduction pipe 231 and a second conduction pipe 232. The first conduction pipe 231 is connected between the refrigeration component 22 and the second conduction pipe 232. The second conduction pipe 232 is provided with a cold insulation section 50 passing through the ice storage container 12.

[0061] In specific applications, when the first bypass passage 31 is conducted, the ice maker 100 is in the standby state. The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the first bypass passage 31 flows into the second conduction pipe 232 and is then transported to the cold insulation section 50; when the refrigeration component 22 is conducted, the ice maker 100 is in the ice-making state. After the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flows through the refrigeration component 22 to generate low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, it flows into the first conduction pipe 231, and then flows into the second conduction pipe 232 and is transported to the cold insulation section 50.

[0062] Please refer to Figure 1, the ice maker 100 further includes a supplementary cooling evaporation device 60 which is used to generate gaseous refrigerant from the flowing liquid refrigerant, and the supplementary cooling evaporation device 60 is arranged downstream of the cold insulation section 50. By providing the supplementary cooling evaporation device 60, it is ensured that the refrigerant flowing into the following compression component 71 is gaseous refrigerant.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 1 , the refrigerant circulation system further includes a second refrigerant pipeline 70. The second refrigerant pipeline 70 includes a compression component 71, a third pipeline 72, a condensation component 73, a fourth pipeline 74 and a throttling component 75 arranged in sequence along the refrigerant flow direction. The output end of the second pipeline 23 is communicated with the inlet of the compression component 71, and the input end of the first pipeline 21 is communicated with the outlet of the throttling component 75. With such an arrangement, the first refrigerant pipeline 20 and the second refrigerant pipeline 70 form a closed-loop refrigerant circulation system. Among them, the compression component 71 can be set as a compressor, the condensation component 73 can be set as a condenser, and the throttling component 75 can be set as a capillary tube.

[0064] In specific applications, the low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant enters the compression component 71, and the compression component 71 compresses it into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and then transports it to the condensation component 73 through the third pipeline 72. After being processed by the condensation component 73, a medium-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant is output. The medium-temperature and high-pressure liquid refrigerant is transported to the throttling component 75 through the fourth pipeline 74. After being processed by the throttling component 75, it is output in a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid form, and then transported to the refrigeration component 22 through the first pipeline 21. After heat exchange processing in the refrigeration component 22, the refrigerant is output in a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous form, and then transported back to the compression component 71 through the second pipeline 23.

[0065] In an embodiment, the ice maker 100 further includes a controller (not shown in the figure). The ice maker 100 has an ice-making mode and a standby mode. When the ice maker 100 is in the ice-making mode, the controller controls the first valve body assembly 40 to conduct the refrigeration component 22; when the ice maker 100 is in the standby mode, the controller controls the first valve body assembly 40 to conduct the first bypass passage 31. By providing the controller to control the first valve body assembly 40, the intelligence of the ice maker 100 can be improved. It should be noted that when the ice maker 100 is in the ice-making mode, it can be in the ice-making state, and when the ice maker 100 is in the standby mode, it is in the standby state.

[0066] The working principle of the ice maker 100 provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0067] When the ice maker 100 is in the ice-making mode, the controller controls the first output port of the first three-way valve 41 to be closed and the second output port of the first three-way valve 41 to be opened. The refrigeration component 22 is turned on, and the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flows through the refrigeration component 22, absorbs the heat in the ice-making assembly 11 to form a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, and condenses the ice-making water in the ice-making assembly 11 into ice cubes, realizing ice-making of the ice maker 100. The low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows into the second conduction pipe 232 through the first conduction pipe 231, and then is transported to the cold insulation section 50. The low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant absorbs the heat around the cold insulation section 50, that is, absorbs the heat in the environment where the ice storage container 12 is located, cools the environment where the ice storage container 12 is located, and thus keeps the ice storage container 12 cold.

[0068] When the ice maker 100 is in the standby mode, when the controller controls the first output port of the first three-way valve 41 to be opened and the second output port of the first three-way valve 41 to be closed, the first bypass passage 31 is turned on. The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flows into the first bypass passage 31, then flows into the second conduction pipe 232, and then is transported to the cold insulation section 50. The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant absorbs the heat around the cold insulation section 50, that is, absorbs the heat in the environment where the ice storage container 12 is located, cools the environment where the ice storage container 12 is located, and thus keeps the ice storage container 12 cold.

[0069] Embodiment 2:

[0070] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment is mainly different from the ice maker 100 provided in Embodiment 1 in the setting of the first valve body assembly 40. Specifically, in Embodiment 1, the first valve body assembly 40 includes a three-way valve; while in this embodiment, the first valve body assembly 40 includes two two-way valves.

[0071] By setting two two-way valves, the selective conduction of the first refrigeration pipeline 20 and the first bypass passage 31 is realized, and the structure is simple.

[0072] For the convenience of description, the two two-way valves in this embodiment are respectively defined as the first two-way valve 42 and the second two-way valve 43. Please refer to Figure 2 , the first two-way valve 42 is connected to the first bypass passage 31, and the second two-way valve 43 is connected to the second delivery pipe 212. In specific applications, when the first two-way valve 42 is opened and the second two-way valve 43 is closed, the first bypass passage 31 is turned on, and the ice maker 100 is in the standby state. The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the first bypass passage 31 is transported to the cold insulation section 50; when the first two-way valve 42 is closed and the second two-way valve 43 is opened, the refrigeration component 22 is turned on, the ice maker 100 is in the ice-making state, and the low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the refrigeration component 22 is transported to the cold insulation section 50.

[0073] Except for the above differences, the ice maker 100 and other components provided in this embodiment can be designed with reference to Embodiment 1, and will not be described herein again.

[0074] Embodiment 3:

[0075] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 , the difference between the ice maker 100 provided in this embodiment and those in Embodiments 1 and 2 mainly lies in the installation position of the first valve body assembly 40, specifically: in Embodiments 1 and 2, the first valve body assembly 40 is connected between the first pipeline 21 and the first bypass 31; while in this embodiment, the first valve body assembly 40 is connected between the second pipeline 23 and the first bypass 31.

[0076] Among them, the first valve body assembly 40 may include a three-way valve or two two-way valves. In this embodiment, an example in which the first valve body assembly 40 includes a three-way valve will be described.

[0077] Please refer to Figure 3 , the three-way valve is connected to the connection part of the second pipeline 23. For ease of description, the three-way valve in this embodiment is defined as the second three-way valve 44. The second three-way valve 44 includes a second input port, a third input port, and a third output port. The second input port of the second three-way valve 44 communicates with the first bypass 31, the third input port of the second three-way valve 44 communicates with the first conduction pipe 231, and the third output port of the second three-way valve 44 communicates with the second conduction pipe 232.

[0078] In specific applications, when the second input port of the second three-way valve 44 is opened and the third input port of the second three-way valve 44 is closed, the first bypass 31 is conducted, and the ice maker 100 is in the standby state. The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the first bypass 31 is transported to the cold insulation section 50; when the second input port of the second three-way valve 44 is closed and the third input port of the second three-way valve 44 is opened, the refrigeration component 22 is conducted, and the ice maker 100 is in the ice-making state. The low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the refrigeration component 22 is transported to the cold insulation section 50.

[0079] Except for the above differences, the ice maker 100 and other components provided in this embodiment can be designed with reference to Embodiments 1 and 2, and will not be described herein again.

[0080] Embodiment 4:

[0081] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the difference between the ice maker 100 provided in this embodiment and those in Embodiments 1 to 3 mainly lies in the installation position of the cold insulation section 50, specifically: in Embodiments 1 to 3, the second conduction pipe 232 is provided with a cold insulation section 50 flowing through the ice storage container 12; while in this embodiment, both the first conduction pipe 231 and the first bypass 31 are provided with cold insulation sections 50 flowing through the ice storage container 12.

[0082] For ease of description, the cold insulation section 50 provided in the first bypass passage 31 is defined as the first cold insulation section 51, and the cold insulation section 50 provided in the first conduction pipe 231 is defined as the second cold insulation section 52.

[0083] In a specific application, when the first bypass passage 31 is conducting, the ice maker 100 is in a standby state, and the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing into the first bypass passage 31 is transported to the first cold insulation section 51; when the refrigeration component 22 is conducting, the ice maker 100 is in an ice-making state, and the low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing out of the refrigeration component 22 flows into the first conduction pipe 231 and is then transported to the second cold insulation section 52.

[0084] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the supplementary cooling evaporation device 60 can be provided downstream of the first cold insulation section 51, or can be provided downstream of both the first cold insulation section 51 and the second cold insulation section 52.

[0085] Except for the above differences, the ice maker 100 and other components provided in this embodiment can be designed with reference to Embodiments 1 to 3, and will not be described herein again.

[0086] Embodiment 5:

[0087] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5 , the main difference between the ice maker 100 provided in this embodiment and the ice makers 100 provided in Embodiments 1 to 4 lies in whether there is a second bypass passage 32 and a second valve body assembly 80, specifically reflected in: in Embodiments 1 to 4, the ice maker 100 does not have a second bypass passage 32 and a second valve body assembly 80; while in this embodiment, the refrigerant circulation system further includes a second bypass passage 32 and a second valve body assembly 80.

[0088] Please refer to Figure 5 , the input end of the second bypass passage 32 is connected to the outlet of the compression component 71, and the output end of the second bypass passage 32 is connected to the inlet of the refrigeration component 22. By providing the second bypass passage 32, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant output from the compression component 71 can be transported to the refrigeration component 22 through the second bypass passage 32.

[0089] When the ice maker 100 prepares ice cubes, the ice cubes are firmly adhered to the outer surface of part of the refrigeration component 22. By transporting high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant to the refrigeration component 22, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant releases heat when passing through the refrigeration component 22, which can cause the ice cubes adhered to the refrigeration component 22 to separate from the refrigeration component 22, thereby facilitating the refrigeration component 22 to perform the next round of ice cube preparation. It should be noted that the state in which the ice maker 100 is in when the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows through the refrigeration component 22 and the ice cubes separate from the refrigeration component 22 is called the ice-detaching state. When the ice maker 100 is in the ice-making mode, it can also be in the ice-detaching state.

[0090] In one embodiment, the second valve body assembly 80 is used to selectively control the refrigerant discharged from the compression component 71 to flow into the refrigeration component 22 through the second bypass passage 32, or to flow into the refrigeration component 22 in sequence through the condensation component 73 and the throttling component 75. In other words, the second valve body assembly 80 is used to selectively control the second refrigeration pipeline 70 to be connected to the refrigeration component 22, or the second bypass passage 32 to be connected to the refrigeration component 22.

[0091] In specific applications, when the second valve body assembly 80 controls the second refrigeration pipeline 70 to be connected to the refrigeration component 22, the refrigerant is processed by the second refrigeration pipeline 70 and transported to the refrigeration component 22 in the form of a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid, and the ice maker 100 is in an ice-making state; when the second valve body assembly 80 controls the second bypass passage 32 to be connected to the refrigeration component 22, the refrigerant is transported to the refrigeration component 22 in the form of a high-temperature and high-pressure gas, and the ice maker 100 is in an ice-defrosting state.

[0092] In one embodiment, the second valve body assembly 80 is connected between the second refrigerant pipeline 70 and the second bypass passage 32 .

[0093] See also Figure 5 The second valve body assembly 80 is connected between the third pipeline 72 and the second bypass passage 32, and the second valve body assembly 80 includes a three-way valve. By setting the three-way valve, the second refrigeration pipeline 70 or the second bypass passage 32 can be selectively connected, and the structure is simple.

[0094] In this embodiment, the third pipeline 72 includes a first delivery pipe 721 and a second delivery pipe 722, the second delivery pipe 722 is connected between the first delivery pipe 721 and the condensing component 73, and the input end of the second bypass passage 32 is connected to the connection between the first delivery pipe 721 and the second delivery pipe 722. For ease of description, the three-way valve of this embodiment is defined as a third three-way valve 81, and the third three-way valve 81 includes a fourth input port, a fourth output port, and a fifth output port. The fourth input port of the third three-way valve 81 is connected to the first delivery pipe 721, the fourth output port of the third three-way valve 81 is connected to the second bypass passage 32, and the fifth output port of the third three-way valve 81 is connected to the second delivery pipe 722.

[0095] In a specific application, when the fourth output port of the third three-way valve 81 is opened and the fifth output port of the third three-way valve 81 is closed, the second bypass passage 32 is connected, the ice maker 100 is in a defrosting state, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing into the second bypass passage 32 is transported to the refrigeration component 22, so that the ice cubes adhered to the refrigeration component 22 are separated from the refrigeration component 22; when the fourth output port of the third three-way valve 81 is closed and the fifth output port of the third three-way valve 81 is opened, the second refrigeration pipeline 70 is connected, and the refrigerant is processed by the second refrigeration pipeline 70 and then transported to the refrigeration component 22 or the first bypass passage 31 in a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid form.

[0096] It can be understood that in other embodiments, the fourth input port of the third three-way valve 81 can also be connected to the compression component 71, the fourth output port of the third three-way valve 81 is connected to the second bypass passage 32, and the fifth output port of the third three-way valve 81 is connected to the third pipeline 72.

[0097] In one embodiment, the refrigerant circulation system further includes a third bypass passage 33 and a third valve assembly 90. The third bypass passage 33 is arranged in parallel with the cold preservation section 50. The third valve assembly 90 is connected between the third bypass passage 33 and the cold preservation section 50, and is used to selectively control the refrigerant to flow into the compression component 71 through the third bypass passage 33 or the cold preservation section 50, that is, the third valve assembly 90 is used to selectively control the conduction of the third bypass passage 33 or the cold preservation section 50. By setting the third bypass passage 33, the refrigerant can be transported back to the compression component 71 through the third bypass passage 33 without passing through the cold preservation section 50.

[0098] In a specific application, when the ice maker 100 is in the defrosting state, the temperature of the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is still high after flowing through the refrigeration component 22. If it flows to the cold preservation section 50, it will not only fail to keep the ice storage container 12 cold, but may also cause the ice cubes in the ice storage container 12 to melt. By setting the third bypass passage 33, when the ice maker 100 is in the defrosting state, the refrigerant is transported back to the compression component 71 through the third bypass passage 33 instead of passing through the cold preservation section 50, thereby avoiding the phenomenon that the refrigerant transported to the refrigeration component 22 through the second bypass passage 32 causes the ice cubes to melt due to flowing into the cold preservation section 50.

[0099] The third valve body assembly 90 may be configured as a three-way valve or two two-way valves.

[0100] In this embodiment, the second pipeline 23 is provided with a cold preservation section 50 , and the third valve body assembly 90 is connected between the second pipeline 23 and the third bypass passage 33 .

[0101] The working principle of the ice making machine 100 provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0102] 1) When the ice maker 100 is in the ice-making mode and in the ice-making state, the controller can control the fourth outlet of the third three-way valve 81 to be closed, the fifth outlet of the third three-way valve 81 to be opened, and the second refrigeration pipeline 70 to be conducted; the controller controls the first outlet of the first three-way valve 41 to be closed and the second outlet of the first three-way valve 41 to be opened, and the first refrigeration pipeline 20 to be conducted; after being processed by the second refrigeration pipeline 70, the refrigerant is transported to the refrigeration component 22 in the form of a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid. The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant can absorb the heat in the ice-making assembly 11 to form a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, so that the ice-making water in the ice-making assembly 11 can be condensed into ice cubes, realizing ice-making of the ice maker 100. At this time, the controller can control the third valve body assembly 90 to conduct the refrigeration component 22 and the cold insulation section 50, so that the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration component 22 can be transported to the cold insulation section 50 to keep the ice storage container 12 cold-insulated.

[0103] 2) When the ice maker 100 is in the ice-making mode and in the ice-thawing state, the controller controls the fourth outlet of the third three-way valve 81 to be opened, the fifth outlet of the third three-way valve 81 to be closed, and the second bypass 32 to be conducted; the controller controls the first outlet of the first three-way valve 41 to be closed and the second outlet of the first three-way valve 41 to be opened, and the first refrigeration pipeline 20 to be conducted; the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant is transported to the refrigeration component 22 through the second bypass 32, so that the ice cubes adhered to the refrigeration component 22 are separated from the refrigeration component 22. At this time, the controller controls the third valve body assembly 90 to conduct the refrigeration component 22 and the third bypass 33, so as to prevent the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration component 22 from flowing into the cold insulation section 50 and increasing the temperature of the ice storage container 12.

[0104] 3) When the ice maker 100 is in the standby mode, the controller can control the fourth outlet of the third three-way valve 81 to be closed, the fifth outlet of the third three-way valve 81 to be opened, and the second refrigeration pipeline 70 to be conducted; the controller controls the first outlet of the first three-way valve 41 to be opened and the second outlet of the first three-way valve 41 to be closed, and the first bypass 31 to be conducted; the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant flows into the first bypass 31. At this time, the controller can control the third valve body assembly 90 to conduct the first bypass 31 and the cold insulation section 50, and the refrigerant flows into the second conduction pipe 232 through the first bypass 31 and is then transported to the cold insulation section 50 to keep the ice storage container 12 cold-insulated.

[0105] Except for the above differences, the ice maker 100 and other components provided in this embodiment can be designed with reference to Embodiments 1 to 4 and will not be described herein again.

[0106] Embodiment 6:

[0107] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6, the difference between this embodiment and the ice maker 100 provided in Embodiment 5 mainly lies in the different settings of the second valve body assembly 80, specifically reflected in: in Embodiment 5, the second valve body assembly 80 includes a three-way valve; while in this embodiment, the second valve body assembly 80 includes two two-way valves.

[0108] By setting two two-way valves, the selective conduction of the second refrigeration pipeline 70 and the second bypass 32 is realized, and the structure is simple.

[0109] For ease of description, the two two-way valves in this embodiment are respectively defined as the third two-way valve 82 and the fourth two-way valve 83. Please refer to Figure 6 , the third two-way valve 82 is connected to the second bypass 32, and the fourth two-way valve 83 is connected to the second refrigeration pipeline 70. Among them, the fourth two-way valve 83 can be connected to the second delivery pipe 722 or the fourth pipeline 74.

[0110] In specific applications, when the third two-way valve 82 is opened and the fourth two-way valve 83 is closed, the second bypass 32 is conducted, and the ice maker 100 is in the defrosting state. The refrigerant flowing into the second bypass 32 is delivered to the refrigeration component 22 to separate the ice adhered to the refrigeration component 22 from the refrigeration component 22; when the third two-way valve 82 is closed and the fourth two-way valve 83 is opened, the second refrigeration pipeline 70 is conducted, and after being processed by the second refrigeration pipeline 70, the refrigerant is delivered to the refrigeration component 22 or the first bypass 31 in the form of a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid.

[0111] Except for the above differences, the ice maker 100 and other components provided in this embodiment can be designed with reference to Embodiment 5, and will not be described herein again.

[0112] Embodiment 7:

[0113] Please refer to Figures 5 to 8 , the difference between this embodiment and the ice maker 100 provided in Embodiments 5 and 6 mainly lies in the different installation positions of the second valve body assembly 80, specifically reflected in: in Embodiments 5 and 6, the second valve body assembly 80 is connected between the second refrigeration pipeline 70 and the second bypass 32; while in this embodiment, the second valve body assembly 80 is connected between the first pipeline 21 and the second bypass 32.

[0114] Please refer to Figure 7 , the second valve body assembly 80 may include a three-way valve. Please refer to Figure 8 , the second valve body assembly 80 may also include two two-way valves.

[0115] Except for the above differences, the ice maker 100 and other components provided in this embodiment can be designed with reference to Embodiment 5, and will not be described herein again.

[0116] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention accordingly. Any equivalent structural transformation made under the inventive concept of the present invention by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or any direct / indirect application in other related technical fields, is included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ice maker, characterized in that, Comprising: An ice-making mechanism, which includes an ice-making component and an ice storage container; A refrigerant circulation system, which includes a first refrigeration pipeline connected to a refrigeration component and a first bypass path parallel to the first refrigeration pipeline. The refrigerant circulation system also includes a first valve body assembly for selectively controlling the refrigerant to flow through the first bypass path or the first refrigeration pipeline and then through the ice storage container. At least part of the refrigeration component is located inside the ice-making component, and the first valve body assembly is connected between the first refrigeration pipeline and the first bypass path.

2. The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein, The first refrigeration pipeline further includes a first pipeline and a second pipeline connected downstream of the first pipeline, and the refrigeration component is connected between the first pipeline and the second pipeline; The first valve body assembly is connected between the first pipeline and the first bypass path, or the first valve body assembly is connected between the second pipeline and the first bypass path.

3. The ice maker according to claim 2, wherein, The first valve body assembly includes a three-way valve; Alternatively, the first valve body assembly includes two two-way valves.

4. The ice maker according to claim 2, wherein The second pipeline is provided with a connection part, and the output end of the first bypass path is connected to the connection part; The connection part divides the second pipeline into a first conduction pipe and a second conduction pipe, and the first conduction pipe is connected between the refrigeration component and the second conduction pipe; The second conduction pipe is provided with a cold preservation section flowing through the ice storage container, or both the first conduction pipe and the first bypass path are provided with cold preservation sections flowing through the ice storage container.

5. The ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The ice maker further includes a supplementary cooling evaporation device for generating gaseous refrigerant from the flowing liquid refrigerant; The supplementary cooling evaporation device is arranged downstream of the cold preservation section.

6. The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein, The refrigerant circulation system further includes a second refrigeration pipeline, a second bypass path and a second valve body assembly; The second refrigeration pipeline includes a compression component, a third pipeline, a condensation component, a fourth pipeline and a throttling component arranged in sequence along the refrigerant flow direction. The output end of the first refrigeration pipeline is communicated with the inlet of the compression component, and the input end of the first refrigeration pipeline is communicated with the outlet of the throttling component; The input end of the second bypass path is communicated with the outlet of the compression component, and the output end of the second bypass path is communicated with the inlet of the refrigeration component. The second valve body assembly is used for selectively controlling the refrigerant discharged from the compression component to flow into the refrigeration component through the second bypass path, or to flow into the refrigeration component through the condensation component and the throttling component in sequence.

7. The ice maker according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second valve body assembly is connected between the second refrigeration pipeline and the second bypass path; Alternatively, the second valve body assembly is connected between the first refrigeration pipeline and the second bypass path.

8. The ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second valve body assembly includes a three-way valve; Alternatively, the second valve body assembly includes two two-way valves.

9. The ice maker according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first refrigeration pipeline and / or the first bypass path is provided with a cold preservation section; The refrigerant cycle system further includes a third bypass path and a third valve body assembly; the third bypass path is arranged in parallel with the cold insulation section, and the third valve body assembly is connected between the third bypass path and the cold insulation section for selectively controlling the refrigerant to flow into the compression component through the third bypass path or the cold insulation section.

10. The ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The ice maker further includes a controller, and the ice maker has an ice-making mode and a standby mode; When the ice maker is in the ice-making mode, the controller controls the first valve body assembly to conduct the refrigeration component; When the ice maker is in the standby mode, the controller controls the first valve body assembly to conduct the first bypass path.

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