Ice making device and refrigeration equipment with same

Abstract

The invention provides an ice-making device and refrigeration equipment with the ice-making device, the ice-making device comprises an ice-making machine and an ice storage box used for storing ice blocks made by the ice-making machine, the ice storage box is provided with an ice receiving area located under the ice-making machine and an ice storage area adjacent to the ice receiving area, an ice distributing plate is installed in the ice storage box, and the ice distributing plate is connected with the ice receiving area and the ice storage area. The ice distributing plate has a first state for guiding ice blocks falling off from the ice machine to the ice storage area, so that the problem that the ice blocks discharged by the ice machine are stacked in an ice receiving area under the ice machine is solved, and waste of the volume in the ice storage box is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration equipment, and in particular to an ice-making device and refrigeration equipment having the same. Background Art

[0002] With the development of refrigeration technology, refrigerators with ice-making functions have gradually become popular in the market. The ice-making function of refrigerators needs to rely on ice-making devices to be realized.

[0003] An ice-making device typically consists of an ice maker installed inside a refrigerator and an ice storage bin located below the ice maker. Ice produced by the ice maker is discharged into the ice storage bin for storage. During use, because the ice storage bin and the ice maker are relatively fixed, ice discharged into the ice storage bin by the ice maker often accumulates directly below the ice maker, preventing the bin from being evenly filled, resulting in wasted ice storage bin capacity. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making device and a refrigeration equipment having the same, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] To achieve one of the above-mentioned objects of the invention, the present invention provides an ice-making device, comprising an ice maker and an ice storage box for storing ice cubes taken out by the ice maker, the ice storage box having an ice receiving area located directly below the ice maker and an ice storage area adjacent to the ice receiving area, an ice separating plate installed in the ice storage box, and the ice separating plate having a first state for guiding ice cubes shed by the ice maker to the ice storage area.

[0006] As a further improvement of the present invention, when the ice separating plate is in the first state, the ice separating plate is tilted from the ice receiving area to the ice storage area, one end of the ice separating plate is located in the ice receiving area, and the other end is located in the ice storage area, and the end of the ice separating plate located in the ice receiving area is higher than the end located in the ice storage area.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, the ice separating plate further has a second state for separating the ice storage box.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the ice receiving area and the ice storage area are arranged side by side along a first direction, and a central axis extending along a second direction is provided in the ice storage box, and the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction; the ice separating plate includes a first ice separating plate and a second ice separating plate pivotally connected to both sides of the central axis, and when the ice separating plate is in a first state, the first ice separating plate and the second ice separating plate are simultaneously unfolded to cover the ice receiving area; when the ice separating plate is in a second state, the first ice separating plate and the second ice separating plate are simultaneously retracted to vertically separate the ice storage box.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, the central axis includes a first connection area for connecting to the first ice-separating plate, a second connection area for connecting to the second ice-separating plate, and a third connection area located between the first connection area and the second connection area. An elastic member is provided in the third connection area for simultaneously abutting against the first ice-separating plate and the second ice-separating plate.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the first ice-separating plate includes a first ice-separating portion and a first auxiliary ice-separating portion that is telescopically connected to the first ice-separating portion on a side away from the central axis; the second ice-separating plate includes a second ice-separating portion and a second auxiliary ice-separating portion that is telescopically connected to the second ice-separating portion on a side away from the central axis.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, the first ice-separating part is fixedly connected to the first mounting part on two opposite sides along the second direction, the first mounting part is provided with a first slide groove on the side facing the first ice-separating part, the first auxiliary ice-separating part is provided with first guide columns on two opposite sides along the second direction, and each first guide column is slidably connected to the corresponding first slide groove; the second ice-separating part is fixedly connected to the second mounting part on two opposite sides along the second direction, the second mounting part is provided with a second slide groove on the side facing the second ice-separating part, the second auxiliary ice-separating part is provided with second guide columns on two opposite sides along the second direction, and each second guide column is slidably connected to the corresponding second slide groove.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the ice storage box includes a connecting wall connected to the central axis, and the connecting wall is provided with a plurality of first card slots arranged at intervals, and the first card slots are inclined from high to low from the ice receiving area to the ice storage area; when the ice separating plate is in the first state, the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are simultaneously located in the first card slot.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the connecting wall is provided with vertically extending first limiting walls and second limiting walls at intervals along the first direction; when the ice-separating plate is in the second state, the first ice-separating plate and the second ice-separating plate are both retracted to a vertical position, the first mounting portion abuts against the first limiting wall, and the second mounting portion abuts against the second limiting wall.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention provides a refrigeration device, comprising an ice-making compartment, wherein the ice-making device described in any one of the above technical solutions is provided in the ice-making compartment.

[0015] The ice-making device of the present invention includes an ice maker and an ice storage box. The ice storage box has an ice receiving area located directly below the ice maker and an ice storage area adjacent to the ice receiving area. An ice separating plate is installed in the ice storage box. The ice cubes shed by the ice maker are guided to the ice storage area through the ice separating plate, thereby solving the problem that the ice cubes discharged by the ice maker are accumulated in the ice receiving area directly below the ice maker, and avoiding wasting the volume in the ice storage box. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the refrigeration equipment in the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the ice storage box with the middle ice dividing plate in the first state;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the ice storage box with the middle ice dividing plate in the second state;

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of the ice storage box with the ice separating plate in the second state from another perspective;

[0021] Figure 6 Yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the exploded center ice plate and center axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodological, or functional changes made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] It should be understood that the terms used herein, such as "upper," "lower," "inner," and "front," etc., indicating spatial relative positions, are used for ease of explanation to describe the relationship of one component or feature relative to another component or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation shown in the drawings.

[0025] See also Figures 1 to 7As shown, the present invention provides a refrigeration device 100, wherein the ice-making device includes a box body 101 and a door body 102 for opening and closing the box body 101. An independent ice-making chamber is provided inside the refrigeration device 100, and an ice-making device is provided in the ice-making chamber. Ice cubes are made by the ice-making device to meet the user's demand for edible ice cubes.

[0026] The ice-making device further comprises an ice maker and an ice storage bin 1. The ice maker uses the cold air within the ice-making chamber to condense pure water into ice cubes, which are then dropped into the ice storage bin 1 located below the ice maker. Specifically, the ice storage bin 1 includes an ice receiving area 11 located directly below the ice maker and an ice storage area 12 adjacent to the ice receiving area 11, providing the ice storage bin 1 with a large capacity. The ice storage bin 1 of the present invention is also equipped with an ice separator 2. The separator 2 has a first state that directs ice cubes dropped from the ice maker to the ice storage area 12. This eliminates the problem of ice cubes discharged from the ice maker accumulating in the ice receiving area 11 directly below the ice maker and avoids wasting the capacity of the ice storage bin 1.

[0027] It is understood that the refrigeration device 100 can be a common refrigeration device such as a refrigerator or freezer, and the ice maker can adopt the structure of an existing ice maker. In the present invention, the ice maker performs ice removal after completing one ice making cycle. For example, the ice maker removes ice by flipping the ice maker. The ice cubes fall onto the ice separation plate 2 of the ice storage box 1. The ice separation plate 2 guides the ice cubes into the ice storage box 1 for storage. The ice maker then continues to make ice for the next time.

[0028] When the ice cubes are discharged from the ice maker, the ice cubes are deposited in the ice receiving area 11 and the ice storage area 12, respectively.

[0029] It is understandable that the area of the ice receiving area 11 shielded by the ice separating plate 2 in the present invention can be adjusted according to demand. For example, the ice separating plate 2 can shield the entire ice receiving area 11, so that all the ice cubes shed from the ice maker are guided to the ice storage area 12. Of course, it is understandable that the ice separating plate 2 can shield part of the ice receiving area 11, so that part of the ice cubes shed from the ice maker falls into the ice receiving area 11 and part falls into the ice storage area 12.

[0030] Furthermore, the ice separating plate 2 also has a second state for separating the ice storage box 1, so that the ice storage box 1 becomes two independent storage spaces, one side of which can store ice cubes and the other side of which can place food or items, thereby meeting the user's needs for storing multiple items and improving the user experience.

[0031] Furthermore, the ice receiving area 11 and the ice storage area 12 are arranged side by side along a first direction, and a central axis 3 extending along a second direction is provided in the ice storage box 1, and the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction. Specifically, the first direction can be the left and right direction when the ice making device is in use, and the second direction can be the front and back direction when the ice making device is in use.

[0032] The ice-separating plate 2 includes a first ice-separating plate 21 and a second ice-separating plate 22 pivotally connected to either side of the central axis 3. When the ice-separating plate 2 is in a first position, the first and second ice-separating plates 21, 22 simultaneously deploy to cover the ice receiving area 11, thereby directing ice cubes discharged from the ice maker to the ice storage area 12. This solves the problem of ice cubes discharged from the ice maker accumulating in the ice receiving area 11 directly below the ice maker and avoids wasting the volume within the ice storage bin 1. Of course, it is understood that when the ice-separating plate 2 is in the first position, the first and second ice-separating plates 21, 22 can also be deployed simultaneously to partially cover the ice storage area 12. When the ice-separating plate 2 is in a second position, the first and second ice-separating plates 21, 22 simultaneously retract to vertically separate the ice storage bin 1, transforming the ice storage bin 1 into two independent storage spaces, meeting the user's needs for storing multiple items and enhancing the user experience.

[0033] Specifically, the ice storage box 1 includes two side walls arranged opposite each other along a second direction, with both ends of the central axis 3 connected to corresponding side walls, and the two side walls restrict movement of the central axis 3 along the second direction. When the ice separating plate 2 is in the first state, the first ice separating plate 21 and the second ice separating plate 22 are simultaneously in the deployed position, wherein the first ice separating plate 21 is located on the side of the central axis 3 close to the ice receiving area 11, and the second ice separating plate 22 is located on the side of the central axis 3 close to the ice storage area 12. The first ice separating plate 21 is tilted from high to low in a direction close to the central axis 3, and the second ice separating plate 22 is tilted from high to low in a direction away from the central axis 3. The first ice separating plate 21 and the second ice separating plate 22 together form an inclined ice separating plate 2, thereby quickly guiding ice cubes shed by the ice maker to the ice storage area 12.

[0034] When the ice separating plate 2 switches from the first state to the second state, the first ice separating plate 21 and the second ice separating plate 22 simultaneously rotate downward about the central axis 3 until the first ice separating plate 21 and the second ice separating plate 22 are both in a vertical position, thereby dividing the ice bank 1 into two independent storage spaces. Preferably, the first ice separating plate 21 and the second ice separating plate 22 abut against each other, which not only satisfies the requirement that the ice bank 1 has two independent storage spaces, but also reduces the volume occupied by the ice separating plate 2 within the ice bank 1, thereby increasing the space utilization within the ice bank 1.

[0035] Furthermore, the central axis 3 includes a first connecting area 31 for connecting the first ice-separating plate 21, a second connecting area 32 for connecting the second ice-separating plate 22, and a third connecting area 33 located between the first connecting area 31 and the second connecting area 32. An elastic member 34 is installed on the third connecting area 33, and the elastic member 34 simultaneously abuts against the first ice-separating plate 21 and the second ice-separating plate 22. Specifically, the first ice-separating plate 21 is sleeved in the first connecting area 31, and the second ice-separating plate 22 is sleeved in the second connecting area 32. When the ice-separating plate 2 is in the first state or the second state, the two ends of the elastic member 34 simultaneously abut against the first ice-separating plate 21 and the second ice-separating plate 22, so that the first ice-separating plate 21 and the second ice-separating plate 22 remain in the expanded position or the vertical position.

[0036] Furthermore, the first ice-separating plate 21 includes a first ice-separating portion 211 and a first auxiliary ice-separating portion 212 that is retractably connected to the side of the first ice-separating portion 211 away from the central axis 3. The second ice-separating plate 22 includes a second ice-separating portion 221 and a second auxiliary ice-separating portion 222 that is retractably connected to the side of the second ice-separating portion 221 away from the central axis 3. By designing the first and second ice-separating plates 21 and 22 as retractable structures, the first auxiliary ice-separating portion 212 extends the length of the first ice-separating plate 21 in a first direction when the ice-separating plate 2 is in a first position, thereby adjusting the area of the ice-receiving area 11 covered by the first ice-separating plate 21. The second auxiliary ice-separating portion 222 extends the length of the second ice-separating plate 22 in the first direction, thereby adjusting the position where ice cubes released from the ice maker fall into the ice storage area 12. When the ice-separating plate 2 is in a second position, the first and second auxiliary ice-separating portions 212 and 222 can be retracted, making the ice-separating plate 2 compact and reducing the space occupied by the ice storage bin 1.

[0037] Furthermore, the first ice separating portion 211 is fixedly connected with a first mounting portion 213 on two sides opposite to each other along the second direction, and the first mounting portion 213 is provided with a first sliding groove 214 on one side facing the first ice separating portion 211. The first auxiliary ice separating portion 212 is provided with a first guide post 215 on two sides opposite to each other along the second direction, and each of the first guide posts 215 is slidably connected to the corresponding first sliding groove 214. When the first guide post 215 moves along the first sliding groove 214 toward the first ice separating portion 211, the first auxiliary ice separating portion 212 overlaps the first ice separating portion 211. As the accumulation of ice gradually increases, the length of the first ice-separating plate 21 in the first direction decreases. When the first guide column 215 moves along the first slide groove 214 in the direction away from the first ice-separating portion 211, the overlapping area of the first auxiliary ice-separating portion 212 and the first ice-separating portion 211 gradually decreases, and the length of the first ice-separating plate 21 in the first direction increases. The present invention cooperates with the first guide column 215 and the first slide groove 214 to telescopically connect the first auxiliary ice-separating portion 212 to the first ice-separating portion 211, thereby adjusting the length of the first ice-separating plate 21 and changing the area of the ice-receiving area 11 shielded by the first ice-separating plate 21.

[0038] The second ice separating portion 221 is fixedly connected to the second mounting portion 223 on both sides opposite to each other along the second direction. The second mounting portion 223 is provided with a second sliding groove 224 on one side facing the second ice separating portion 221. The second auxiliary ice separating portion 222 is provided with a second guide post 225 on both sides opposite to each other along the second direction. Each second guide post 225 is slidably connected to the corresponding second sliding groove 224. When the second guide post 225 moves along the second sliding groove 224 toward the second ice separating portion 221, the overlapping area of the second auxiliary ice separating portion 222 and the second ice separating portion 221 gradually increases. The second ice-separating plate 22 increases in length, and the length of the second ice-separating plate 22 in the first direction decreases. When the second guide post 225 moves along the second slide groove 224 in the direction away from the second ice-separating portion 221, the overlapping area of the second auxiliary ice-separating portion 222 and the second ice-separating portion 221 gradually decreases, and the length of the second ice-separating plate 22 in the first direction increases. The present invention cooperates with the second guide post 225 and the second slide groove 224 to telescopically connect the second auxiliary ice-separating portion 222 to the second ice-separating portion 221, thereby realizing adjustment of the length of the second ice-separating plate 22 and adjustment of the position where the ice cubes shed from the ice maker fall into the ice storage area 12.

[0039] Furthermore, of the two side walls connected to the central axis 3, the side wall closest to the door body 102 is a connecting wall 13. The connecting wall 13 is provided with a plurality of first slots 131 spaced apart at intervals. The first slots 131 are arranged slanted from high to low, from the ice receiving area 11 to the ice storage area 12. When the ice separating plate 2 is in the first state, the first mounting portion 213 and the second mounting portion 223 are simultaneously located within the first slots 131, allowing the first and second ice separating plates 21, 22 to remain in the deployed position while guiding ice cubes. This ensures that the ice separating plate 2 can effectively separate ice and resolve the problem of ice accumulation within the ice storage box 1. It is understood that the first slots 131 may also be provided on both side walls connected to the central axis 3.

[0040] Furthermore, the connecting wall 13 is provided with a vertically extending first limiting wall 132 and a second limiting wall 133 at intervals along the first direction; when the ice-separating plate 2 is in the second state, the first ice-separating plate 21 and the second ice-separating plate 22 are both retracted to a vertical position, the first mounting portion 213 abuts against the first limiting wall 132, and the second mounting portion 223 abuts against the second limiting wall 133, and the first ice-separating plate 21 and the second ice-separating plate 22 are kept in a retracted state by the first limiting wall 132 and the second limiting wall 133.

[0041] In the present invention, the adjustment process of the ice separating plate 2 from the first state to the second state is as follows: Taking the first ice separating plate 21 as an example, a thrust is applied to the first ice separating plate 21, causing the first ice separating plate 21 to squeeze the elastic member 34 and move toward the elastic member 34, thereby disengaging the first mounting portion 213 from the first retaining groove 131. After the first ice separating plate 21 rotates downward about the central axis 3 until the first ice separating plate 21 is in a vertical position, the first ice separating plate 21 is released, causing the elastic member 34 to push the first ice separating plate 21 away from the elastic member 34 until the first mounting portion 213 abuts against the first limiting wall 132, thereby maintaining the first ice separating plate 21 in the second state. The adjustment process of the second ice separating plate 22 in the present invention is similar and will not be further described. It is understood that the states of the first and second ice separating plates 21, 22 can be adjusted independently in the present invention.

[0042] It should be understood that although this specification is described in terms of implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each implementation method can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0043] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are only specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of the present invention. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent implementation methods or changes that do not deviate from the technical spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ice making device, comprising an ice maker and an ice storage box for storing ice cubes taken out by the ice maker, characterized in that: The ice storage box comprises an ice receiving area directly below the ice maker and an ice storage area adjacent to the ice receiving area. An ice separating plate is installed in the ice storage box. The ice separating plate has a first state for guiding ice cubes shed by the ice maker to the ice storage area.

2. The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein: When the ice separating plate is in the first state, the ice separating plate is tilted from the ice receiving area to the ice storage area, one end of the ice separating plate is located in the ice receiving area, and the other end is located in the ice storage area, and the end of the ice separating plate located in the ice receiving area is higher than the end located in the ice storage area.

3. The ice making device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The ice separating plate further has a second state for separating the ice storage box.

4. The ice making device according to claim 3, characterized in that The ice receiving area and the ice storage area are arranged side by side along a first direction, and a central axis extending along a second direction is provided in the ice storage box, and the second direction is a direction perpendicular to the first direction; The ice separating plate includes a first ice separating plate and a second ice separating plate pivotally connected to both sides of the central axis. When the ice separating plate is in a first state, the first ice separating plate and the second ice separating plate are simultaneously unfolded to cover the ice receiving area; when the ice separating plate is in a second state, the first ice separating plate and the second ice separating plate are simultaneously retracted to vertically separate the ice storage box.

5. The ice making device according to claim 4, characterized in that The central axis includes a first connection area for connecting to the first ice-separating plate, a second connection area for connecting to the second ice-separating plate, and a third connection area located between the first connection area and the second connection area. The third connection area is provided with an elastic member that abuts against both the first ice-separating plate and the second ice-separating plate.

6. The ice making device according to claim 4, characterized in that The first ice separating plate includes a first ice separating portion and a first auxiliary ice separating portion which is telescopically connected to a side of the first ice separating portion away from the central axis; The second ice separating plate includes a second ice separating portion and a second auxiliary ice separating portion which is telescopically connected to a side of the second ice separating portion away from the central axis.

7. The ice making device according to claim 6, characterized in that The first ice separating portion is fixedly connected to two opposite sides along the second direction with a first mounting portion, a first sliding groove is provided on one side of the first mounting portion facing the first ice separating portion, and the first auxiliary ice separating portion is provided with a first guide post on two opposite sides along the second direction, and each first guide post is slidably connected to the corresponding first sliding groove; The second ice-separating part is fixedly connected to two opposite sides along the second direction with a second mounting part, a second sliding groove is provided on the side of the second mounting part facing the second ice-separating part, and second guide columns are provided on two opposite sides along the second direction of the second auxiliary ice-separating part, and each second guide column is slidably connected to the corresponding second sliding groove.

8. The ice making device according to claim 7, characterized in that The ice storage box includes a connecting wall connected to the central axis, and a plurality of first card slots are provided on the connecting wall. The first card slots are inclined from high to low from the ice receiving area to the ice storage area. When the ice separating plate is in the first state, the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are simultaneously located in the first card slots.

9. The ice making device according to claim 8, characterized in that The connecting wall is provided with a first limiting wall and a second limiting wall extending vertically at intervals along the first direction; When the ice separating plate is in the second state, the first ice separating plate and the second ice separating plate are both retracted to a vertical position, the first mounting portion abuts against the first limiting wall, and the second mounting portion abuts against the second limiting wall.

10. A refrigeration device comprising an ice-making chamber, characterized in that: The ice making device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is arranged in the ice making room.

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