Ice making device and refrigerator

Abstract

The invention provides an ice making device and a refrigerator. The ice making device comprises a bearing mechanism, an ice making mechanism, an ice detecting mechanism and a driving mechanism, the ice making mechanism comprises an ice mold and an ice rake rotationally arranged on the ice mold, and the ice rake rotates in the ice turning direction to turn over ice; the driving mechanism comprises a motor, a main gear in driving connection with the motor and an ice detection rod gear in driving connection with the main gear, and when the main gear rotates to drive the ice rake to rotate in the ice turning direction, the ice detection rod is lifted up for ice detection. According to the ice making device, the driving mechanism drives the ice rake to move in the ice turning direction to achieve ice turning, the driving mechanism drives the ice rake to move in the ice turning direction to drive the ice detection rod to move to achieve ice detection, and when it is detected that the ice making device is not full of ice, the driving mechanism continues to move in the ice turning direction to achieve ice turning. The rotating stroke of the driving mechanism is reduced, the ice turning time is saved, and the ice turning efficiency can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular to an ice-making device and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0002] Refrigerators utilize a refrigeration system to maintain a low temperature inside, which not only preserves food but also allows for ice-making by installing an ice-making device, greatly facilitating users' ice needs. In traditional aluminum-cast ice-making devices, the drive mechanism turns the ice by driving the ice rake in the direction of ice turning. The drive mechanism then drives the ice rake in the opposite direction of the ice turning direction, thereby driving the ice detection rod to detect ice. When the ice is detected to be less than full, the drive mechanism needs to drive the ice rake back in the direction of ice turning to its initial position, and then move from the initial position in the direction of ice turning to detect ice turning. Thus, when the ice is detected to be less than full, the drive mechanism needs to drive the ice rake to turn back before turning the ice. This requires a long rotation stroke, resulting in a long ice turning time and low ice turning efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present application provides an ice-making device and a refrigerator to solve at least some of the problems in the related art.

[0004] An ice-making device, comprising:

[0005] A carrying mechanism, assembled in the refrigerator;

[0006] An ice making mechanism is provided on the supporting mechanism and includes an ice mold and an ice rake rotatably provided on the ice mold, wherein the ice rake rotates in the ice mold in a direction of turning the ice so that the ice in the ice mold is separated from the ice mold and enters the ice storage mechanism;

[0007] An ice detection mechanism, comprising an ice detection rod, the ice detection rod being arranged close to the supporting mechanism and being rotated to detect whether the ice storage mechanism is full of ice; and

[0008] The driving mechanism includes a motor, a main gear drivingly connected to the motor, and an ice detection rod gear drivingly connected to the main gear. The main gear rotates to drive the ice rake to rotate. The main gear drives the ice rake to rotate in the direction of turning over the ice by a preset angle. During this process, the ice rake moves from the initial position of the ice rake to the second position of the ice rake. The ice detection rod gear drives the ice detection rod to lift in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod to detect whether it is full of ice.

[0009] When the ice detection rod is fully raised, the main gear drives the ice rake to continue rotating in the direction of turning over the ice from the second position of the ice rake so that the ice in the ice mold breaks away from the ice mold and enters the ice storage mechanism. The main gear drives the ice detection rod gear to drive the ice detection rod to fall back to its initial position.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present application, when the ice detection rod is blocked and not fully raised, the main gear drives the ice rake to rotate in the opposite direction of the ice turning direction from the second position of the ice rake to the initial position of the ice rake, and the main gear drives the ice detection rod gear to drive the ice detection rod to fall and return to the initial position of the ice detection rod; or, the main gear stops driving the ice rake and the ice detection rod gear, so that the ice detection rod remains in an incompletely raised state, waiting for the ice cubes in the ice storage mechanism to become less, and the ice detection rod continues to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod until the ice detection rod is fully raised.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present application, the driving mechanism further includes a position detection circuit board, the main gear is provided with a first position detection component, the ice detection lever gear is provided with a second position detection component, and the position detection circuit board is provided with a first position sensing component and a second position sensing component respectively;

[0012] When the ice rake is in the initial position, the first position detection component corresponds to the first position sensing component; when the ice detection rod is fully raised, the second position detection component corresponds to the second position sensing component, and the ice detection result is determined to be not full of ice; when the ice detection rod is blocked and not fully raised, the second position detection component and the second position sensing component do not correspond to each other, and the ice detection result is determined to be full of ice.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present application, the first position detection component and the second position detection component are magnets, and the first position sensing component and the second position sensing component are Hall sensors.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present application, an ice raking portion is provided on the circumference of the ice rake along the length direction of the ice rake, and the ice raking portion is arranged on the ice rake toward the same side. When the ice rake is in the initial position and when the ice rake is in the second position, the angle between the ice raking portion and the horizontal plane of the ice mold is an acute angle, and when the ice rake is in the initial position, the angle between the ice raking portion and the horizontal plane of the ice mold is greater than the angle between the ice raking portion and the horizontal plane of the ice mold when the ice rake is in the second position.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present application, the circumference of the main gear includes a gear portion 1 and a gear portion 2, and a transmission assembly is provided between the main gear and the ice detection rod gear. When the main gear rotates in the ice turning direction, the driving connection between the gear portion 1 and the transmission assembly switches to the driving connection between the gear portion 2 and the transmission assembly, and finally switches to the driving connection between the gear portion 1 and the transmission assembly.

[0016] The ice detection rod gear is provided with a first worm spring. When the ice detection rod is in an initial state, the first worm spring is in a force storage state. The force stored in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detection rod gear to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod to lift the ice detection rod. The gear portion 1 is drivingly connected to the transmission assembly, and the transmission assembly is used to limit the rotation of the ice detection rod gear in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod, thereby limiting the lifting of the ice detection rod.

[0017] The main gear rotates in the direction of turning over ice, so that the second gear part is drivingly connected to the transmission assembly, and the transmission assembly releases the restriction on the ice detection rod gear rotating in the direction of lifting the ice detection rod. Under the action of the first worm spring, the ice detection rod gear rotates in the direction of lifting the ice detection rod, so that the ice detection rod is lifted for ice detection;

[0018] When it is detected that the ice is not full, the main gear rotates in the direction of turning over the ice, so that the gear part 1 is drivingly connected to the transmission assembly;

[0019] When full ice is detected, the main gear rotates in the opposite direction of the ice turning direction, so that the gear part 1 is drivably connected to the transmission assembly. When the gear part 1 is drivably connected to the transmission assembly, the gear part 1 drives the ice detecting rod gear to rotate in the opposite direction of the ice detecting rod lifting direction through the transmission assembly, so that the ice detecting rod falls and returns to the initial position of the ice detecting rod and stores force in the first worm spring. The force stored in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detecting rod gear to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod to lift the ice detecting rod; or when full ice is detected, the main gear stops driving the ice rake and the ice detecting rod gear, so that the ice detecting rod remains in a state of not being fully lifted, waiting for the ice cubes in the ice storage mechanism to become less, and the ice detecting rod continues to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod until the ice detecting rod is fully lifted.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present application, the main gear is a cam, the first gear portion is a flange portion of the cam, the second gear portion is an inner recess of the cam, the transmission assembly includes a transmission rack slidably arranged in the driving mechanism, one end of the transmission rack abuts the cam, and the transmission assembly further includes a first gear and a second gear, the first gear is respectively meshed with the transmission rack and the second gear, and the second gear is respectively meshed with the first gear and the ice detection rod gear;

[0021] When the gear portion 1 contacts the transmission rack, the second gear restricts the ice detecting rod gear from rotating in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, thereby restricting the ice detecting rod from being lifted;

[0022] When the cam rotates in the ice-turning direction so that the second gear part abuts against the transmission rack, the transmission rack can slide toward the cam, thereby releasing the restriction of the second gear on the ice-detecting rod gear from rotating in the direction of lifting the ice-detecting rod. Under the action of the first worm spring, the ice-detecting rod gear rotates in the direction of lifting the ice-detecting rod, so that the ice-detecting rod is lifted for ice detection.

[0023] When it is detected that the ice box is not full, the cam rotates in the direction of turning over the ice, so that the gear part 1 abuts against the transmission rack;

[0024] When full ice is detected, the cam rotates in the direction opposite to the ice turning direction, causing the gear portion 1 to abut against the transmission rack; or the cam stops rotating, causing the ice detection lever to remain in a partially raised state, waiting for the ice in the ice storage mechanism to become less, and the ice detection lever continues to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detection lever until it is fully raised, outputting a non-full ice signal, and the cam rotates in the ice turning direction, causing the gear portion 1 to abut against the transmission rack;

[0025] When the gear part 1 abuts against the transmission rack, the transmission rack can slide in the direction away from the cam, and through the meshing relationship between the transmission rack, the first gear and the second gear, the ice detecting rod gear is driven to rotate in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, so that the ice detecting rod falls and returns to the initial position of the ice detecting rod and accumulates force in the first worm spring. The force accumulated in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detecting rod gear to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod to lift the ice detecting rod.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present application, the main gear is a non-full gear, the gear part 1 is a toothless part of the non-full gear, the gear part 2 is a toothed part of the non-full gear, the transmission assembly includes a third gear, a fourth gear and a fifth gear, the third gear is meshed with the gear part 2; the fourth gear is meshed with the third gear, a second worm spring and an angle limiter are provided below the fourth gear, the fifth gear is provided on the top of the fourth gear, a direction limiter is provided between the fourth gear and the fifth gear, for limiting the rotation direction of the fifth gear relative to the fourth gear, and the fifth gear is meshed with the ice detection rod gear;

[0027] When the gear part 1 is closer to the third gear relative to the gear part 2, the gear part 2 is not engaged with the third gear, and the fourth gear restricts the fifth gear from rotating in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, thereby restricting the ice detecting rod gear from rotating in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod and thus restricting the lifting of the ice detecting rod;

[0028] The non-full gear rotates in the ice turning direction, so that the gear part 2 is engaged with the third gear, driving the third gear to rotate, and the fourth gear is driven to rotate through the third gear, so as to store force for the second worm spring. When the fourth gear rotates, the restriction of the fourth gear on the rotation direction of the fifth gear is released, and the fifth gear can rotate in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detection rod, thereby releasing the restriction of the fifth gear on the rotation of the ice detection rod gear in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod, and thus the ice detection rod is lifted to detect ice;

[0029] When it is detected that the ice is not full, the non-full gear rotates in the direction of turning over the ice, so that the second gear part and the third gear are no longer engaged;

[0030] When full ice is detected, the non-full gear rotates in the opposite direction of the ice turning direction, so that the gear part 2 and the third gear are no longer engaged, or the non-full gear stops rotating, so that the ice detection rod remains in a state of not being fully raised, and waits for the ice in the ice storage mechanism to become less, and the ice detection rod continues to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod until the ice detection rod is fully raised, outputs a non-full ice signal, and the non-full gear rotates in the ice turning direction, so that the gear part 2 and the third gear are no longer engaged;

[0031] When the gear part 2 is no longer engaged with the third gear, the stored force in the second worm spring causes the fourth gear to rotate and drives the fifth gear to rotate in the direction of lifting the ice detecting rod. The fifth gear drives the ice detecting rod gear to rotate in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, so that the ice detecting rod falls and returns to its initial position and stores force in the first worm spring. The force stored in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detecting rod gear to rotate in the direction of lifting the ice detecting rod to lift the ice detecting rod.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present application, the angle limiter includes a circular groove provided on the driving mechanism, the circular groove is provided with a limiting plate, and a notch is provided at the bottom of the fourth gear. When the fourth gear rotates until one end of the notch abuts against the limiting plate, the fourth gear is restricted from continuing to rotate, thereby limiting the rotation angle of the fourth gear; when one end of the notch of the fourth gear abuts against the limiting plate, the gear part 2 disengages the third gear.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present application, the direction limiting member includes two sliding grooves provided on the top of the fourth gear and two sliders provided below the fifth gear. When the fourth gear is not rotating, the two sliders are in contact with the two sliding grooves on the side moving in the opposite direction to the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod. The two sliding grooves are used to limit the rotation of the two sliders in the opposite direction to the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod.

[0034] When the third gear drives the fourth gear to rotate, the sliding groove on the top of the fourth gear rotates in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, releasing the abutment of the two sliding grooves on the two sliders rotating in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod. Driven by the ice detecting rod gear, the fifth gear rotates in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, so that the two sliders are in abutment with the two sliding grooves again toward the side moving in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod.

[0035] When the second worm spring drives the fourth gear to move in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, the two sliders move toward the side moving in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod and abut against the two sliding grooves again. The fourth gear drives the fifth gear to move in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, and drives the ice detecting rod gear to move in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, so that the ice detecting rod falls and returns to its initial position.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present application, the ice turning direction is clockwise, the ice detecting rod is lifted in a counterclockwise direction, and the opposite direction of the ice detecting rod lifting direction is clockwise.

[0037] The present application provides a refrigerator, comprising the ice-making device, wherein the ice-making device is assembled in the refrigerator.

[0038] The ice-making device provided in the present application includes a supporting mechanism, an ice-making mechanism, an ice-detecting mechanism and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a motor, a main gear connected to the motor, and an ice-detecting rod gear connected to the main gear. During the process in which the main gear drives the ice rake to rotate in the direction of turning over the ice by a preset angle, the ice rake moves from the initial position of the ice rake to the second position of the ice rake, and the ice-detecting rod gear drives the ice-detecting rod to rise in the direction in which the ice-detecting rod is lifted to detect whether the ice is full.

[0039] The ice-making device and refrigerator provided by the present application realize ice turning by driving the ice rake to move in the ice turning direction. The driving mechanism realizes ice checking by driving the ice rake to move in the ice turning direction and then driving the ice checking rod to move. When it is detected that the ice is not full, the driving mechanism continues to move in the ice turning direction to realize ice turning, and there is no need to return to the initial position before turning the ice. Such an arrangement reduces the rotation stroke of the driving mechanism, saves the time for turning the ice, and can improve the efficiency of turning the ice.

[0040] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0042] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a refrigerator shown in an embodiment;

[0043] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The refrigerator shown is a half-section view at AA;

[0044] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The refrigeration principle diagram of the refrigerator shown;

[0045] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the refrigerator shown is integrated with an ice making device;

[0046] Figure 5 FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of an ice-making device provided in one embodiment;

[0047] Figure 6 FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a driving mechanism in the ice-making device of the present application;

[0048] Figure 7 Shown is a structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the driving mechanism in the ice-making device of the present application;

[0049] Figure 8 for Figure 7 The schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth gear and the fifth gear in the ice making device is shown.

[0050] Refrigerator 1, cabinet device 80, compressor 86, condenser 87, evaporator 88, expansion valve 89, cabinet assembly 81, freezing chamber 83, refrigeration chamber 84, cabinet door assembly 82, first cabinet door 82a, second cabinet door 82b, air duct 85, ice making device 10, carrying mechanism 20, ice making mechanism 30, driving mechanism 40, ice detection mechanism 50, ice detection rod 51, ice storage mechanism 60, chassis 21, back plate 22, hanging hole 221, hanging hook 222, adjusting rib 223, water filling port 224, ice mold 31, ice rake 32, ice rake portion 321, ice rake driving member 322, ice peeler 33, ice making groove 311, ice rake portion 3 21, ice peeling port 331, motor 41, main gear 42, gear unit 1 421, gear unit 2 422, first position detection component 423, second position detection component 431, ice detection lever gear 43, reduction gear set 44, transmission assembly 70, transmission rack 71, limiting groove 712, limiting rod 713, first gear 72, second gear 73, third gear 74, fourth gear 75, fifth gear 76, angle limiting member 77, circular slide 771, limiting plate 772, notch 773, direction limiting member 78, first slider 781, second slider 782, first slide 783, second slide 784, first side wall 787. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, identical numerals in different figures represent identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present application, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0052] The terms used in this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. Unless otherwise defined, technical or scientific terms used in this application should have the ordinary meaning understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terms "first," "second," and similar words used in this specification and claims do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but are simply used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms "a" or "an" and similar words do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one. The terms "plurality" or "several" mean two or more. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "front," "rear," "lower," and / or "upper" and similar words are for convenience only and are not intended to limit to a single position or spatial orientation. The terms "include" or "comprising" and similar words mean that the elements or objects listed before "include" or "comprising" include the elements or objects listed after "include" or "comprising" and their equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. The terms "connected" or "connected" and similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connections and can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect.

[0053] The terms used in this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0054] The present application provides an ice-making device and a refrigerator. The ice-making device and the refrigerator of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features of the following embodiments and implementations may be combined with each other unless they conflict.

[0055] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a refrigerator shown in an embodiment; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The refrigerator shown is a half-section view at AA; Figure 3 for Figure 1 The refrigeration principle diagram of the refrigerator shown in Figure 1 is as follows. Figure 1-3In the illustrated embodiment, the refrigerator 1 provided by the present application includes a cabinet device 80, a compressor 86, a condenser 87, an evaporator 88, and an expansion valve 89. The cabinet device 80 includes a cabinet assembly 81, a freezing chamber 83, a refrigerating chamber 84, and a door assembly 82. The freezing chamber 83 and the refrigerating chamber 84 are respectively arranged in the cabinet assembly 81. The door assembly 82 includes a first door 82a and a second door 82b. The first door 82a is rotatably connected to the cabinet assembly 81 to open or close the freezing chamber 83. The second door 82b is rotatably connected to the cabinet assembly 81 to open or close the freezing chamber 83. The compressor 86, the condenser 87, the evaporator 88, and the expansion valve 89 are respectively arranged in the cabinet assembly 81, and at least a portion of the evaporator 88 is arranged in the freezing chamber 83.

[0056] Combine Figure 3 As shown, when the refrigerator 1 is in operation, the compressor 86 outputs a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant to the condenser 87, which condenses the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant into a medium-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant. The medium-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant undergoes expansion and throttling by the expansion valve 89, further reducing its pressure and temperature. It then flows out of the expansion valve 89 as a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant to the evaporator 88. The low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant evaporates into a gaseous refrigerant in the evaporator 88. At least a portion of the evaporator 88 is located within the freezing chamber 83, allowing the refrigerant to absorb a large amount of heat from the freezing chamber 83 during evaporation, thereby lowering the temperature within the freezing chamber 83 and facilitating the use of freezing chamber 83 to refrigerate items, thereby achieving refrigeration in the refrigerator 1. The refrigerant exiting the evaporator 88 is then replenished back to the compressor 86, forming a refrigerant circuit. In this manner, the refrigerant continuously circulates within the refrigerant circuit to maintain a refrigerated environment in the freezing chamber 83 (e.g., less than -1°C).

[0057] See you later Figure 2 As shown, an air duct 85 is provided between the refrigeration compartment 84 and the freezing compartment 83, so as to facilitate the transportation of part of the cold air from the freezing compartment 83 to the refrigeration compartment 84 through the air duct 85, so as to reduce or maintain the low temperature environment of the refrigeration compartment 84 (for example, 2°C to 8°C).

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, along the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the refrigerator 1, the freezer compartment 83 is disposed below the refrigerator compartment 84. The refrigerator 1 further includes a first fan (not labeled) disposed in the cabinet assembly 81. The air inlet or outlet of the first fan is connected to the air duct 85, which is used to transport part of the cold air from the freezer compartment 83 to the refrigerator compartment 84.

[0059] In some embodiments, the outer wall of the freezing chamber 83 is covered with an insulation layer (not shown) to separate the evaporator 88 from the compressor 86 and the condenser 87. The refrigerator 1 also includes an air-cooling heat dissipation assembly (not shown) provided in the cabinet assembly 81, which can at least dissipate heat from the condenser 87.

[0060] In some embodiments, the box assembly 81 further includes a fresh-keeping compartment disposed in the box assembly 81 . Along the height direction of the refrigerator 1 , the fresh-keeping compartment is disposed between the refrigeration compartment 84 and the freezing compartment 83 .

[0061] In order to meet the needs of users for using ice cubes, Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a refrigerator integrated with an ice-making device 10. In some embodiments, refrigerator 1 further includes ice-making device 10 for making ice cubes. Ice-making device 10 is assembled within freezer compartment 83 of refrigerator 1. Ice-making device 10 utilizes the cold air within freezer compartment 83 to make ice cubes for the user. The installation of ice-making device 10 within refrigerator 1 enables refrigerator 1 to not only freeze, refrigerate, and preserve food, but also make ice cubes, meeting user needs and enhancing the product's competitiveness.

[0062] In some optional embodiments, the ice-making device is assembled inside the first door 82a of the refrigerator 1. This arrangement allows full utilization of the space inside the first door 82a, conserving space within the freezer compartment 83. An ice storage mechanism 60 is also provided inside the first door 82a of the refrigerator 1. Along the height (Z-axis) of the refrigerator 1, the ice storage mechanism 60 is positioned below the ice-making device 10. This allows the ice storage mechanism 60 to receive ice cubes prepared by the ice-making device 10.

[0063] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice making device 10 provided in one embodiment. Figure 5 As shown, the ice-making device 10 includes a supporting mechanism 20, an ice-making mechanism 30, an ice-detecting mechanism 50 and a driving mechanism 40. The supporting mechanism 20 is assembled in the refrigerator 1. In one embodiment of the present application, the supporting mechanism 20 is assembled on the inner side of the first door 82a of the refrigerator 1. Specifically, the supporting mechanism 20 includes a chassis 21 and a back plate 22 connected to the chassis 21. The back plate 22 of the supporting mechanism 20 is provided with a hanging hole 221 or a hanging hook 222, or a hanging hole 221 and a hanging hook 222. A hanging column is provided at a corresponding position on the inner side of the first door 82a in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator. The supporting mechanism 20 is assembled in the refrigerator 1 through the hanging column provided on the inner side of the first door 82a.

[0064] The ice-making mechanism 30 is arranged on the supporting mechanism 20, and the ice-making device 10 includes an ice mold 31 and an ice rake 32 rotatably arranged on the ice mold 31. The ice-making mechanism 30 also includes an ice peeler 33. The ice peeler 33 is located on a side of the ice mold 31 relatively away from the back plate 22 and extends in a direction covering the ice mold 31. The ice peeler 33 is provided with an ice peeling port 331 corresponding to the position of the ice-making groove 311. The ice rake 32 rotates in the ice mold 31 in the direction of turning the ice so that the ice in the ice mold 31 is separated from the ice mold 31 through the ice peeling port 331 and enters the ice storage mechanism 60.

[0065] The ice rake 32 is provided with an ice-raking portion 321 along its circumference and along its length. These portions are positioned on the same side of the rake 32 and correspond to the ice grooves 311 within the ice mold 31, corresponding in position, size, shape, and number. Due to the placement of the ice-peeling opening 331 of the ice-making mechanism 30, ice is turned clockwise. Specifically, driven by the ice rake 32, the ice-raking portion 321 rotates clockwise, extending into the ice grooves 311. This forces the ice cubes within the ice grooves 311 to rotate clockwise toward the ice-peeling opening 331 of the ice peeler 33. The ice then escapes from the ice mold 31 at the opening 331 and enters the ice storage mechanism 60.

[0066] The ice-making mechanism 30 is mounted on the supporting mechanism 20. The supporting mechanism 20 and the ice mold 31 of the ice-making mechanism 30 can be integrally formed, that is, the supporting mechanism 20 and the ice mold 31 of the ice-making mechanism 30 are integrally formed, or the supporting mechanism 20 and the ice-making mechanism 30 are fixedly connected. The supporting mechanism 20 and the ice mold 31 of the ice-making mechanism 30 can also be detachably connected to facilitate cleaning of the ice mold 31. For example, the ice mold 31 of the ice-making mechanism 30 can be snap-fitted, plug-fitted, or magnetically connected to the chassis 21 of the supporting mechanism 20. When the ice-making mechanism 30 is detachably mounted on the supporting mechanism 20, the driving mechanism 40 and the ice rake 32 can be detachably driven to prevent the fixed connection between the driving mechanism 40 and the ice rake 32 from affecting the disassembly of the ice rake 32, and thus affecting the disassembly of the entire ice-making mechanism 30.

[0067] The back plate 22 of the support mechanism 20 is equipped with adjustment ribs 223 corresponding to the ice-making groove 311. The adjustment ribs 223 extend along the length of the back plate 22 and are located on both sides of the ice-making groove 311. The adjustment ribs 223 straighten and guide the ice cubes upward as the ice-raking unit 321 drives them upward from the ice-making groove 311. This prevents the ice cubes from tilting left or right and escaping from the ice-raking unit 321, preventing them from reaching the ice-stripping opening 331 and preventing them from being removed.

[0068] The back plate 22 of the support mechanism 20 is provided with a water inlet 224 corresponding to the ice mold 31. The bottom of the water inlet 224 is arranged toward the ice mold 31, and water is injected into the ice mold 31 through the water inlet 224. The ice-making mechanism 30 utilizes the cold air in the freezing chamber 83 to freeze the water injected into the ice mold 31 into ice cubes. The water injection can be manual or automatic, and this application does not limit this.

[0069] The ice detection mechanism 50 includes an ice detection rod 51, which is positioned near the support mechanism 20. Rotation of the ice detection rod 51 detects whether the ice storage mechanism 60 is full of ice. If the ice detection rod 51 encounters no ice blocks during rotation, indicating that the ice storage mechanism 60 is not full. If the ice detection rod 51 encounters ice blocks and cannot rotate further, indicating that the ice storage mechanism 60 is full. If the ice storage mechanism 60 is not full, the ice rake 32 can be driven clockwise within the ice making trough 311 to turn the ice, transferring the ice from the ice mold 31 to the ice storage mechanism 60. If the ice storage mechanism 60 is full, indicating that the ice storage mechanism 60 can no longer accommodate additional ice, the ice turning operation and ice making operation are stopped, and the already made ice remains in the ice making trough 311. After a period of time, the ice detection is repeated to determine whether the ice storage mechanism 60 is full.

[0070] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the driving mechanism 40 in the ice making device 10 of this application. Figure 6 As shown, the drive mechanism 40 includes a motor 41, a main gear 42 drivingly connected to the motor 41, and an ice detection rod gear 43 drivingly connected to the main gear 42. Specifically, the main gear 42 can be a multi-layer gear structure, one layer of the gears of the main gear 42 is drivingly connected to the motor 41, and a reduction gear set 44 is provided between the motor 41 and the main gear 42. The reduction gear set 44 is used to transfer the kinetic energy of the motor 41 to the main gear 42 and reduce the speed of the motor 41, thereby achieving the purpose of rationally arranging the positions of the main gear 42 and the motor 41.

[0071] The rotation of the main gear 42 drives the ice rake 32 to rotate. Specifically, an ice rake driving component 322 is provided at the center of the rotating shaft of the main gear 42. The ice rake driving component 322 drives the connected ice rake 32. The rotation of the main gear 42 drives the ice rake driving component 322 to rotate and then drives the ice rake 32 to rotate. The ice can be turned over by the rotation of the ice rake 32.

[0072] During the process of the main gear 42 driving the ice rake 32 to rotate in the direction of turning over the ice by a preset angle, that is, the direction of turning over the ice is clockwise, the ice rake 32 moves from the initial position of the ice rake 32 to the second position of the ice rake 32, and the ice detection rod gear 43 drives the ice detection rod 51 to rise along the lifting direction of the ice detection rod 51 to detect whether it is full of ice.

[0073] There are two possible outcomes when checking whether the ice is full. The first is that the ice detection lever 51 is fully raised, indicating that the ice storage mechanism 60 is not full of ice. The main gear 42 drives the ice rake 32 to continue rotating from its second position in the direction of turning the ice, causing the ice in the ice mold 31 to break free from the mold 31 and enter the ice storage mechanism 60. While the main gear 42 drives the ice rake 32 to continue rotating from its second position in the direction of turning the ice, the main gear 42 drives the ice detection lever gear 43, which is connected to the ice detection lever gear 43. This drives the ice detection lever gear 43 to cause the ice detection lever 51 to fall back to its initial position, which is the position where the ice detection lever 51 is not raised.

[0074] The second result is that the ice detection rod 51 is not fully raised, indicating that its movement is hindered by ice. At this point, the ice storage mechanism 60 is full of ice, and ice turning is not necessary. The first solution is to rotate the ice rake 32 from its second position to its initial position, driven by the main gear 42, in the direction opposite to the ice turning direction. While the main gear 42 is rotating the ice rake 32 in the direction opposite to the ice turning direction, the main gear 42 drives the ice detection rod gear 43, causing the ice detection rod 51 to fall back to its initial position.

[0075] The second approach is to stop the main gear 42 from driving the ice rake 32 and the ice detection rod 51, causing the ice detection rod 51 to remain in its currently partially raised position. The ice rake 32 also remains in its current position, waiting for the ice in the ice storage mechanism 60 to decrease. The ice detection rod 51 is no longer blocked by ice and continues to rotate in the direction of its lifting until it is fully raised. This indicates that the ice storage mechanism 60 is not full of ice. The main gear 42 drives the ice rake 32 to continue rotating in the direction of ice flipping, causing the ice in the ice mold 31 to break away from the ice mold 31 and enter the ice storage mechanism 60. While the main gear 42 drives the ice rake 32 to continue rotating in the direction of ice flipping, the main gear 42 drives the ice detection rod gear 43, causing the main gear 42 to drive the ice detection rod gear 43 to cause the ice detection rod 51 to fall back to its initial position, which is the position where the ice detection rod 51 is not raised.

[0076] The ice-making device 10 provided in the present application has a driving mechanism 40 that realizes ice turning by driving the ice rake 32 to move in the ice turning direction. The driving mechanism 40 realizes ice turning by driving the ice rake 32 to move in the ice turning direction and then driving the ice detection rod 51 to move. When it is detected that the ice is not full, the driving mechanism 40 continues to move in the ice turning direction to realize ice turning, and there is no need to return to the initial position before turning the ice. This arrangement reduces the rotation stroke of the driving mechanism 40, saves the time for turning the ice, and can improve the efficiency of turning the ice.

[0077] In order to facilitate the detection of whether the ice detection rod 51 is fully lifted, in some embodiments of one embodiment of the present application, the driving mechanism 40 further includes a position detection circuit board (not shown). The position detection circuit board is arranged in the driving mechanism 40 and is arranged in contact with the outer cover of the driving mechanism 40, so as to save space in the driving mechanism 40. The main gear 42 is provided with a first position detection component 423. The first position detection component 423 rotates with the main gear 42. It can be understood that the first position detection component 423 rotates with the ice rake 32. The ice detection rod gear 43 is provided with a second position detection component 431. The second position detection component 431 rotates with the ice detection rod gear 43. Because the ice detection rod gear 43 is driven and connected to the ice detection rod 51, the second position detection component 431 can reflect the movement of the ice detection rod 51.

[0078] The position detection circuit board is provided with a first position sensing component and a second position sensing component. The first position sensing component is used to sense the first position detection component 423 , and the second position sensing component is used to sense the second position detection component 431 .

[0079] When the ice rake 32 is in the initial position, the first position detection component 423 corresponds to the first position sensing component. When the ice detection rod 51 is fully raised, the second position detection component 431 corresponds to the second position sensing component, and the ice detection result is determined to be less than full of ice. When the ice detection rod 51 is blocked and not fully raised, the second position detection component 431 cannot rotate to the position corresponding to the second position sensing component, and the ice detection result is determined to be full of ice. In some embodiments, the first position detection component 423 and the second position detection component 431 are magnets, and the first position sensing component and the second position sensing component are Hall sensors.

[0080] Please refer again Figure 5 , Figure 5 The middle ice rake 32 is in the initial position. At this time, the angle between the ice rake portion 321 in the ice rake 32 and the horizontal plane of the ice mold 31 is an acute angle. Specifically, the angle range can be between 45 degrees and 75 degrees, preferably 60 degrees. This arrangement allows the ice-making device 10 to prevent the ice rake portion 321 from extending into the ice-making trough 311 when there is no need to turn the ice during the ice-making process, and to maintain a certain distance from the horizontal plane of the ice mold 31, thereby preventing water in the ice mold 31 from splashing onto the ice rake 32. In addition, setting the angle range to between 45 degrees and 75 degrees can also prevent the ice rake portion 321 from colliding with the bottom surface of the water injection mechanism where the water injection port 224 is located.

[0081] When the ice rake 32 is in the second position, the angle between the ice rake portion 321 and the horizontal plane of the ice mold 31 is also acute. Furthermore, the angle between the ice rake portion 321 and the horizontal plane of the ice mold 31 when the ice rake 32 is in the initial position is greater than the angle between the ice rake portion 321 and the horizontal plane of the ice mold 31 when the ice rake 32 is in the second position. It is understood that when the ice rake 32 is in the initial position and rotates clockwise to the second position, the angle between the ice rake portion 321 and the horizontal plane of the ice mold 31 is reduced.

[0082] When the ice rake 32 is in the second position, the angle between the ice rake portion 321 and the horizontal plane of the ice mold 31 is also acute. This prevents the ice rake portion 321 from extending into the ice trough 311 before it is needed to flip the ice. It maintains a certain distance from the horizontal plane of the ice mold 31, preventing water in the ice mold 31 from splashing onto the ice rake 32. Furthermore, when the ice rake 32 is in the second position, the angle between the ice rake portion 321 and the horizontal plane of the ice mold 31 should not be too large. Such an angle would require the ice inspection to be completed even with a relatively small rotation of the main gear 42, increasing the design complexity of the drive mechanism 40. In some embodiments of the present application, when the ice rake 32 is in the second position, the angle between the ice rake portion 321 and the horizontal plane of the ice mold 31 is set to be greater than 0 degrees and less than 5 degrees.

[0083] Please refer again Figure 6 ,like Figure 6 As shown, the main gear 42 includes a circumferential gear portion 1 421 and a circumferential gear portion 2 422. A transmission assembly 70 is provided between the main gear 42 and the ice detection lever gear 43. During the rotation of the main gear 42 in the ice turning direction, the driving connection between the gear portion 1 421 and the transmission assembly 70 switches to the driving connection between the gear portion 2 422 and the transmission assembly 70, and finally switches to the driving connection between the gear portion 1 421 and the transmission assembly 70. The gear portion 1 421 and the gear portion 2 422 are located circumferentially of the main gear 42, and the gear portion 1 421 and the gear portion 2 422 constitute the driving surface of the main gear 42 and the transmission assembly 70.

[0084] The ice detecting rod gear 43 is provided with a first worm spring. When the ice detecting rod 51 is in the initial state, the first worm spring is in a force storage state. The force stored in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detecting rod gear 43 to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod 51 to lift the ice detecting rod 51. The gear part 1 421 is driven and connected to the transmission assembly 70. The transmission assembly 70 is used to limit the rotation of the ice detecting rod gear 43 in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod 51 and thereby limit the lifting of the ice detecting rod 51.

[0085] The main gear 42 rotates in the direction of turning over the ice, so that the gear part 2 422 is driven and connected to the transmission assembly 70, and the restriction of the transmission assembly 70 on the rotation of the ice detection rod gear 43 in the direction of lifting the ice detection rod 51 is released. The ice detection rod gear 43 rotates in the direction of lifting the ice detection rod 51 under the action of the first worm spring, so that the ice detection rod 51 is lifted for ice detection.

[0086] When it is detected that the ice is not full, the main gear 42 rotates in the ice turning direction, so that the gear part 1 421 is drivingly connected to the transmission assembly 70.

[0087] When the ice is full, the first processing method is to rotate the main gear 42 in the direction opposite to the ice turning direction, drivingly connecting the gear unit 1 421 to the transmission assembly 70. The second processing method is to stop the main gear 42, keep the ice detection lever 51 in its current partially raised position, and also keep the ice rake 32 in its current position, waiting for the ice in the ice storage mechanism 60 to decrease and the ice detection lever 51 to be no longer blocked by ice. The ice detection lever 51 then continues to rotate in the direction of its raising until it is fully raised. This outputs a "not full ice" signal, and the main gear 42 rotates in the direction of ice turning, drivingly connecting the gear unit 1 421 to the transmission assembly 70.

[0088] When the gear part 421 is driven and connected to the transmission assembly 70, the gear part 421 drives the ice detecting rod gear 43 to rotate in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod 51 through the transmission assembly 70, so that the ice detecting rod 51 falls and returns to the initial position of the ice detecting rod 51 and stores force in the first worm spring. The force stored in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detecting rod gear 43 to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod 51 to lift the ice detecting rod 51.

[0089] exist Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the main gear 42 is a cam, gear portion 1 421 is a flange portion of the cam, and gear portion 2 422 is a recessed portion of the cam. The transmission assembly 70 includes a transmission rack 71 slidably disposed within the drive mechanism 40, with one end of the transmission rack 71 abutting the cam. In some embodiments of the present application, a rack rack is provided below the transmission rack 71 and connected to the transmission assembly 70. A slideway is provided on the rack rack, and a slider is provided at the bottom of the transmission rack 71. The slider slides within the slideway, allowing the transmission rack 71 to slide within the drive mechanism 40. Two limiting slots 712 are defined within the transmission rack 71, and two limiting rods 713 extend upward from the rack rack. The limiting rods 713 and limiting slots 712 limit the sliding distance of the transmission rack 71, corresponding to the distance of the recessed portion of the cam.

[0090] The transmission assembly 70 further includes a first gear 72 and a second gear 73 . The first gear 72 is meshed with the transmission rack 71 and the second gear 73 , respectively. The second gear 73 is meshed with the first gear 72 and the ice detection rod gear 43 , respectively.

[0091] The process of ice inspection and turning is as follows:

[0092] When the gear part 1 421 contacts the transmission rack 71, the second gear 73 limits the ice detection rod gear 43 from rotating in the direction of the ice detection rod 51 lifting, thereby limiting the lifting of the ice detection rod 51. This state is the initial state of the ice detection rod 51.

[0093] The cam rotates in the direction of ice turning, causing gear section 2 422 to abut against transmission rack 71. Because gear section 2 422 is a recessed portion of main gear 42, relative to gear section 1 421, when gear section 2 422 abuts transmission rack 71, transmission rack 71 can slide toward the cam. This sliding of transmission rack 71 toward the cam does not affect the counterclockwise rotation of first gear 72 or the clockwise rotation of second gear 73, thereby preventing the counterclockwise rotation of ice detection lever gear 43 (the direction in which ice detection lever 51 is raised). This releases the restriction imposed by second gear 73 on the rotation of ice detection lever gear 43 in the direction in which ice detection lever 51 is raised. The ice detecting rod gear 43 rotates in the direction of lifting the ice detecting rod 51 under the action of the first worm spring, so that the ice detecting rod 51 is lifted for ice detection, and at the same time drives the second gear 73 to rotate in the clockwise direction. The second gear 73 rotates clockwise to drive the first gear 72 to rotate counterclockwise. The first gear 72 rotates counterclockwise to drive the transmission rack 71 to rotate toward the direction close to the main gear 42 and abut against the gear part 2 422.

[0094] When it is detected that the ice container is not full, the cam rotates in the ice turning direction, that is, rotates clockwise, so that the gear portion 421 abuts against the transmission rack 71.

[0095] When full ice is detected, the first processing method is: the cam rotates in the opposite direction of the ice turning direction, that is, counterclockwise, to return the ice rake 32 to the initial position of the ice rake 32, so that the gear part 421 abuts against the transmission rack 71.

[0096] The second processing method is: the cam stops rotating, so that the ice detection rod 51 remains in a state of not being fully raised, and waits for the ice cubes in the ice storage mechanism 60 to become less. The ice detection rod 51 continues to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod 51 until the ice detection rod 51 is fully raised, and an ice-not-full signal is output. The cam rotates in the ice-turning direction, so that the gear part 421 abuts against the transmission rack 71.

[0097] When gear portion 1 421 abuts transmission rack 71, gear portion 1 421, being a flange portion of main gear 42, is positioned relative to gear portion 2 422. This contact causes transmission rack 71 to slide away from the cam. Sliding transmission rack 71 away from main gear 42, meshing between transmission rack 71, first gear 72, and second gear 73, drives ice detection lever gear 43 to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction in which ice detection lever 51 is raised.

[0098] Specifically, the transmission rack 71 slides in a direction away from the main gear 42, driving the first gear 72 to rotate clockwise. The clockwise rotation of the first gear 72 drives the second gear 73 to rotate counterclockwise. The counterclockwise rotation of the second gear 73 drives the ice detection rod gear 43 to rotate clockwise. The clockwise direction is the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detection rod 51, causing the ice detection rod 51 to fall back to its initial position. During this process, the first worm spring accumulates force. The force stored in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detection rod gear 43 to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod 51, thereby lifting the ice detection rod 51 and facilitating the next round of ice detection.

[0099] Please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of another embodiment of the driving mechanism 40 in the ice making device 10 of the present application. Figure 8 for Figure 7 The schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth gear and the fifth gear in the ice making device is shown. Figure 7 The embodiment shown is Figure 6 Compared with the embodiment shown, the difference is that Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the main gear 42 is a non-full gear, and Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, compared to Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the transmission assembly 70 is constructed differently.

[0100] like Figure 7-8 As shown, the main gear 42 is a non-full gear, with gear section 1 421 being the toothless portion of the non-full gear, and gear section 2 422 being the toothed portion of the non-full gear. The transmission assembly 70 includes a third gear 74, a fourth gear 75, and a fifth gear 76. The third gear 74 is meshed with gear section 2 422; the fourth gear 75 is meshed with the third gear 74. A second worm spring and an angle limiter 77 are provided below the fourth gear 75. The fifth gear 76 is located on top of the fourth gear 75. A direction limiter 78 is provided between the fourth and fifth gears 75, which is used to limit the rotational direction of the fifth gear 76 relative to the fourth gear 75. The fifth gear 76 is meshed with the ice detection lever gear 43.

[0101] When gear portion 1 421 is closer to third gear 74 than gear portion 2 422, gear portion 2 422 is not meshed with third gear 74, and fourth gear 75 restricts fifth gear 76 from rotating in the direction opposite to the direction in which ice detecting lever 51 is lifted. In other words, fourth gear 75 restricts fifth gear 76 from rotating clockwise. When fifth gear 76 cannot rotate clockwise, because fifth gear 76 is meshed with ice detecting lever gear 43, it blocks ice detecting lever gear 43 from rotating clockwise, that is, from rotating in the direction in which ice detecting lever 51 is lifted, thereby restricting the lifting of ice detecting lever 51.

[0102] The non-full gear rotates clockwise in the direction of ice turning, causing gear portion 2 422 to mesh with third gear 74, driving third gear 74 counterclockwise. This, in turn, drives fourth gear 75 clockwise, accumulating force in the second worm spring. The clockwise rotation of fourth gear 75 releases the restriction on fifth gear 76 from fourth gear 75, allowing fifth gear 76 to rotate in the direction opposite to the direction in which the ice detection lever 51 is raised, i.e., clockwise. This, in turn, releases the restriction on ice detection lever gear 43 from fifth gear 76 from the direction in which the ice detection lever 51 is raised, allowing counterclockwise rotation, thereby raising the ice detection lever 51 to detect ice.

[0103] When it is detected that the wheel is not full of ice, the non-full gear rotates in the direction of turning over the ice, that is, rotates clockwise for turning over the ice, and the second gear portion 422 is no longer engaged with the third gear 74.

[0104] When the ice is full, the first response is to rotate the non-full gear in the opposite direction of the ice turning direction, that is, counterclockwise, to return the ice rake 32 to its initial position, and the second gear 422 and the third gear 74 are no longer engaged. The second response is to stop the non-full gear, keeping the ice detection lever 51 in a partially raised position, and wait for the ice in the ice storage mechanism 60 to decrease. The ice detection lever 51 then continues to rotate in the direction of its lifting until it is fully raised, outputting a "not full ice" signal. The non-full gear then rotates in the direction of ice turning direction, that is, clockwise, to turn the ice, and the second gear 422 and the third gear 74 are no longer engaged.

[0105] When the second gear part 422 is no longer engaged with the third gear 74, the stored force in the second worm spring causes the fourth gear 75 to rotate counterclockwise and drives the fifth gear 76 to rotate counterclockwise. The fifth gear 76 drives the ice detecting rod gear 43 to rotate in the clockwise direction. The clockwise direction is the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod 51, so that the ice detecting rod 51 falls and returns to the initial position of the ice detecting rod 51, and stores force in the first worm spring. The force stored in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detecting rod gear 43 to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod 51 to lift the ice detecting rod 51 for the next round of ice detection.

[0106] To better limit the rotation angle of the fourth gear 75 and further limit the angle at which the ice detection lever 51 can be lifted, the angle limiter 77 includes a circular groove 771 provided in the drive mechanism 40. The circular groove 771 is provided with a limit plate 772. A notch 773 is provided at the bottom of the fourth gear 75. When the fourth gear 75 rotates until one end of the notch 773 abuts the limit plate 772, further rotation of the fourth gear 75 is restricted, thereby limiting the rotation angle of the fourth gear 75. When one end of the notch 773 of the fourth gear 75 abuts the limit plate 772, the second gear portion 422 is disengaged from the third gear 74.

[0107] The direction limiting member includes two slide grooves provided on the top of the fourth gear 75 and two sliders provided below the fifth gear 76. Figure 8 As shown, the two sliders are the first slider 781 and the second slider 782, and the two slide grooves are the first slide groove 783 and the second slide groove 784. The first slider 781 is located in the first slide groove 783, and the second slider 782 is located in the second slide groove 784. Both slide grooves include a first side wall 787.

[0108] When the fourth gear 75 is not rotating, the two sliders, facing the side that moves in the direction opposite to the lifting direction of the ice detection lever 51, abut against the two chute grooves. These chute grooves are used to restrict the two sliders from rotating in the direction opposite to the lifting direction of the ice detection lever 51. Specifically, the first slider 781 abuts against the first side wall 787 of the first chute groove 783, and the second slider 782 abuts against the first side wall 787 of the second chute groove 784. This restricts the first and second sliders 781, 782 from rotating clockwise within the first and second chute grooves 783, 784, thereby restricting the fifth gear 76 from rotating clockwise relative to the fourth gear 75.

[0109] When the third gear 74 drives the fourth gear 75 to rotate clockwise, the chute at the top of the fourth gear 75 rotates in the direction opposite to the lifting direction of the ice detection lever 51. This causes the first and second chute 783 and 784 at the top of the fourth gear 75 to rotate clockwise, releasing the contact between the two chute 783 and the clockwise rotation of the two sliders. Driven by the ice detection lever gear 43, the fifth gear 76 rotates in the direction opposite to the lifting direction of the ice detection lever 51. During this clockwise rotation of the fifth gear 76, the two sliders, facing the side opposite to the lifting direction of the ice detection lever 51, re-engage with the two chute 781. Specifically, the first slider 781 abuts the first sidewall 787 of the first chute 783, and the second slider 782 abuts the first sidewall 787 of the second chute 784.

[0110] When the second worm spring drives the fourth gear 75 to move counterclockwise in the direction in which the ice detecting lever 51 is lifted, the two sliders, facing the side opposite to the lifting direction of the ice detecting lever 51, again abut the two chute grooves. Specifically, the first slider 781 abuts the first side wall 787 of the first chute groove 783, and the second slider 782 abuts the first side wall 787 of the second chute groove 784. The counterclockwise rotation of the fourth gear 75 drives the fifth gear 76 to rotate counterclockwise, thereby driving the ice detecting lever gear 43 to move clockwise in the direction opposite to the lifting direction of the ice detecting lever 51, causing the ice detecting lever 51 to fall back to its initial position.

[0111] The ice-making device 10 and refrigerator 1 provided in the present application, in the ice-making device 10, the driving mechanism 40 realizes ice turning by driving the ice rake 32 to move in the ice turning direction, and realizes ice checking by driving the ice rake 32 to move in the ice turning direction and then driving the ice checking rod 51 to move. When it is detected that the ice is not full, the driving mechanism 40 continues to move in the ice turning direction to realize ice turning, and there is no need to return to the initial position before turning the ice. Such a setting reduces the rotation stroke of the driving mechanism 40, saves the time for turning the ice, and can improve the efficiency of turning the ice.

[0112] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present application after considering the specification and practicing the application disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present application are indicated by the following claims.

[0113] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the exact structures described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ice making device, characterized in that: include: A carrying mechanism, assembled in the refrigerator; An ice making mechanism is provided on the supporting mechanism and includes an ice mold and an ice rake rotatably provided on the ice mold, wherein the ice rake rotates in the ice mold in a direction of turning the ice so that the ice in the ice mold is separated from the ice mold and enters the ice storage mechanism; An ice detection mechanism includes an ice detection rod, the ice detection rod is arranged close to the carrying mechanism, and the ice detection rod is rotated to detect whether the ice storage mechanism is full of ice; and The driving mechanism includes a motor, a main gear drivingly connected to the motor, and an ice detection rod gear drivingly connected to the main gear. The main gear rotates to drive the ice rake to rotate. The main gear drives the ice rake to rotate in the direction of turning over the ice by a preset angle. During this process, the ice rake moves from the initial position of the ice rake to the second position of the ice rake. The ice detection rod gear drives the ice detection rod to lift in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod to detect whether it is full of ice. When the ice detection rod is fully raised, the main gear drives the ice rake to continue rotating in the direction of turning over the ice from the second position of the ice rake so that the ice in the ice mold breaks away from the ice mold and enters the ice storage mechanism. The main gear drives the ice detection rod gear to drive the ice detection rod to fall back to its initial position.

2. The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein: When the ice detecting rod is blocked and not fully raised, the main gear drives the ice rake to rotate in the opposite direction of the ice turning direction from the second position of the ice rake to the initial position of the ice rake, and the main gear drives the ice detecting rod gear to drive the ice detecting rod to fall and return to the initial position of the ice detecting rod; or the main gear stops driving the ice rake and the ice detecting rod gear, so that the ice detecting rod remains in an incompletely raised state, waiting for the ice cubes in the ice storage mechanism to become less, and the ice detecting rod continues to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod until the ice detecting rod is fully raised.

3. The ice making device according to claim 2, wherein: The driving mechanism further includes a position detection circuit board, the main gear is provided with a first position detection component, the ice detection lever gear is provided with a second position detection component, and the position detection circuit board is provided with a first position sensing component and a second position sensing component respectively; When the ice rake is in the initial position, the first position detection component corresponds to the first position sensing component; when the ice detection rod is fully raised, the second position detection component corresponds to the second position sensing component, and the ice detection result is determined to be not full of ice; when the ice detection rod is blocked and not fully raised, the second position detection component and the second position sensing component do not correspond to each other, and the ice detection result is determined to be full of ice.

4. The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein: The ice rake is provided with an ice raking portion along the circumference of the ice rake in the longitudinal direction of the ice rake, and the ice raking portion is arranged on the ice rake toward the same side. When the ice rake is in the initial position and the ice rake is in the second position, the angle between the ice raking portion and the horizontal plane of the ice mold is an acute angle, and when the ice rake is in the initial position, the angle between the ice raking portion and the horizontal plane of the ice mold is greater than the angle between the ice raking portion and the horizontal plane of the ice mold when the ice rake is in the second position.

5. The ice making device according to claim 2, wherein: The main gear includes a gear part 1 and a gear part 2 in the circumference thereof. A transmission assembly is provided between the main gear and the ice detection rod gear. When the main gear rotates in the ice turning direction, the driving connection between the gear part 1 and the transmission assembly switches to the driving connection between the gear part 2 and the transmission assembly, and finally switches to the driving connection between the gear part 1 and the transmission assembly. The ice detection rod gear is provided with a first worm spring. When the ice detection rod is in an initial state, the first worm spring is in a force storage state. The force stored in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detection rod gear to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod to lift the ice detection rod. The gear portion 1 is drivingly connected to the transmission assembly, and the transmission assembly is used to limit the rotation of the ice detection rod gear in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod, thereby limiting the lifting of the ice detection rod. The main gear rotates in the direction of turning over ice, so that the second gear part is drivingly connected to the transmission assembly, and the transmission assembly releases the restriction on the ice detection rod gear rotating in the direction of lifting the ice detection rod. Under the action of the first worm spring, the ice detection rod gear rotates in the direction of lifting the ice detection rod, so that the ice detection rod is lifted for ice detection; When it is detected that the ice is not full, the main gear rotates in the direction of turning over the ice, so that the gear part 1 is drivingly connected to the transmission assembly; When full ice is detected, the main gear rotates in the opposite direction of the ice turning direction, so that the gear part 1 is drivably connected to the transmission assembly. When the gear part 1 is drivably connected to the transmission assembly, the gear part 1 drives the ice detecting rod gear to rotate in the opposite direction of the ice detecting rod lifting direction through the transmission assembly, so that the ice detecting rod falls and returns to the initial position of the ice detecting rod and stores force in the first worm spring. The force stored in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detecting rod gear to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod to lift the ice detecting rod; or when full ice is detected, the main gear stops driving the ice rake and the ice detecting rod gear, so that the ice detecting rod remains in a state of not being fully lifted, waiting for the ice cubes in the ice storage mechanism to become less, and the ice detecting rod continues to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod until the ice detecting rod is fully lifted.

6. The ice making device according to claim 5, characterized in that The main gear is a cam, the first gear portion is a flange portion of the cam, and the second gear portion is an inner recess of the cam. The transmission assembly includes a transmission rack slidably arranged in the driving mechanism, one end of the transmission rack abuts the cam, and the transmission assembly also includes a first gear and a second gear, the first gear is respectively meshed with the transmission rack and the second gear, and the second gear is respectively meshed with the first gear and the ice detection rod gear; When the gear portion 1 contacts the transmission rack, the second gear restricts the ice detecting rod gear from rotating in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, thereby restricting the ice detecting rod from being lifted; When the cam rotates in the ice-turning direction so that the second gear part abuts against the transmission rack, the transmission rack can slide toward the cam, thereby releasing the restriction of the second gear on the ice-detecting rod gear from rotating in the direction of lifting the ice-detecting rod. Under the action of the first worm spring, the ice-detecting rod gear rotates in the direction of lifting the ice-detecting rod, so that the ice-detecting rod is lifted for ice detection. When it is detected that the ice box is not full, the cam rotates in the direction of turning over the ice, so that the gear part 1 abuts against the transmission rack; When full ice is detected, the cam rotates in the direction opposite to the ice turning direction, causing the gear portion 1 to abut against the transmission rack; or the cam stops rotating, causing the ice detection lever to remain in a partially raised state, waiting for the ice in the ice storage mechanism to become less, and the ice detection lever continues to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detection lever until it is fully raised, outputting a non-full ice signal, and the cam rotates in the ice turning direction, causing the gear portion 1 to abut against the transmission rack; When the gear part 1 abuts against the transmission rack, the transmission rack can slide in the direction away from the cam, and through the meshing relationship between the transmission rack, the first gear and the second gear, the ice detecting rod gear is driven to rotate in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, so that the ice detecting rod falls and returns to the initial position of the ice detecting rod and accumulates force in the first worm spring. The force accumulated in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detecting rod gear to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod to lift the ice detecting rod.

7. The ice making device according to claim 5, characterized in that The main gear is a non-full gear, the gear part 1 is the toothless part of the non-full gear, the gear part 2 is the toothed part of the non-full gear, the transmission assembly includes a third gear, a fourth gear and a fifth gear, the third gear is meshed with the gear part 2; the fourth gear is meshed with the third gear, a second worm spring and an angle limiter are provided below the fourth gear, the fifth gear is provided on the top of the fourth gear, a direction limiter is provided between the fourth gear and the fifth gear, for limiting the rotation direction of the fifth gear relative to the fourth gear, and the fifth gear is meshed with the ice detection rod gear; When the gear part 1 is closer to the third gear relative to the gear part 2, the gear part 2 is not engaged with the third gear, and the fourth gear restricts the fifth gear from rotating in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, thereby restricting the ice detecting rod gear from rotating in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod and thus restricting the lifting of the ice detecting rod; The non-full gear rotates in the ice turning direction, so that the gear part 2 is engaged with the third gear, driving the third gear to rotate, and the fourth gear is driven to rotate through the third gear, so as to store force for the second worm spring. When the fourth gear rotates, the restriction of the fourth gear on the rotation direction of the fifth gear is released, and the fifth gear can rotate in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detection rod, thereby releasing the restriction of the fifth gear on the rotation of the ice detection rod gear in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod, and thus the ice detection rod is lifted to detect ice; When it is detected that the ice is not full, the non-full gear rotates in the direction of turning over the ice, so that the second gear part and the third gear are no longer engaged; When full ice is detected, the non-full gear rotates in the opposite direction of the ice turning direction, so that the gear part 2 and the third gear are no longer engaged, or the non-full gear stops rotating, so that the ice detection rod remains in a state of not being fully raised, and waits for the ice in the ice storage mechanism to become less, and the ice detection rod continues to rotate in the lifting direction of the ice detection rod until the ice detection rod is fully raised, outputs a non-full ice signal, and the non-full gear rotates in the ice turning direction, so that the gear part 2 and the third gear are no longer engaged; When the gear part 2 is no longer engaged with the third gear, the stored force in the second worm spring causes the fourth gear to rotate and drives the fifth gear to rotate in the direction of lifting the ice detecting rod. The fifth gear drives the ice detecting rod gear to rotate in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, so that the ice detecting rod falls and returns to its initial position and stores force in the first worm spring. The force stored in the first worm spring is used to drive the ice detecting rod gear to rotate in the direction of lifting the ice detecting rod to lift the ice detecting rod.

8. The ice making device according to claim 7, characterized in that The angle limiter includes a circular slide groove provided on the driving mechanism, the circular slide groove is provided with a limiting plate, and a notch is provided at the bottom of the fourth gear. When the fourth gear rotates until one end of the notch abuts against the limiting plate, the fourth gear is restricted from continuing to rotate, thereby limiting the rotation angle of the fourth gear; when one end of the notch of the fourth gear abuts against the limiting plate, the gear portion 2 is disengaged from the third gear.

9. The ice making device according to claim 8, characterized in that The direction limiting member includes two sliding grooves provided on the top of the fourth gear and two sliders provided below the fifth gear. When the fourth gear is not rotating, the two sliders abut against the two sliding grooves on the side moving in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod. The two sliding grooves are used to limit the two sliders from rotating in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod. When the third gear drives the fourth gear to rotate, the sliding groove on the top of the fourth gear rotates in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, releasing the abutment of the two sliding grooves on the two sliders rotating in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod. Driven by the ice detecting rod gear, the fifth gear rotates in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, so that the two sliders are in abutment with the two sliding grooves again toward the side moving in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod. When the second worm spring drives the fourth gear to move in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, the two sliders move toward the side moving in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod and abut against the two sliding grooves again. The fourth gear drives the fifth gear to move in the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, and drives the ice detecting rod gear to move in the opposite direction of the lifting direction of the ice detecting rod, so that the ice detecting rod falls and returns to its initial position.

10. The ice making device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The ice turning direction is clockwise, the ice detecting rod is lifted in a counterclockwise direction, and the opposite direction of the ice detecting rod lifting direction is clockwise.

11. A refrigerator, characterized in that: The ice-making device comprises the ice-making device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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