Ice making device, storage equipment and water drinking equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses an ice making device, storage equipment and water drinking equipment, and belongs to the technical field of ice making. The ice making device comprises a machine shell, an ice making container, a heater, a cold source and a light source. The ice-making container is installed on the machine shell, and at least one containing cavity used for making ice is formed in the ice-making container; the heater is mounted in the ice making container; the cold source is used for supplying cold to the accommodating cavity; the light source is installed on the machine shell and used for outputting light radiation to the containing cavity. According to the ice block, the overall transparency of the ice block is improved, the attractiveness of the ice block is improved, meanwhile, the melting time of the ice block is prolonged, the melting rate of the ice block is reduced, and the icing effect is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of ice-making technology, and in particular relates to an ice-making device, storage equipment and drinking water equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Transparent ice is becoming increasingly widely used, as it's essential for chilling drinks and food. While some refrigerators and water dispensers have ice-making functions, the ice produced by these devices often contains air bubbles and other impurities, resulting in low transparency. This affects the appearance of drinks and food, and the ice melts quickly, leading to poor chilling. Therefore, there is room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application aims to address at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this application proposes an ice-making device, a storage device, and a drinking water device, which improves the overall transparency of ice, prolongs the melting time of ice, and enhances the chilling effect.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides an ice-making apparatus, comprising: a housing, an ice-making container, a heater, a cold source, and a light source; the ice-making container is installed on the housing and forms at least one receiving cavity for making ice; the heater is installed on the ice-making container; the cold source is used to supply cooling to the receiving cavity; the light source is installed on the housing and is used to output light radiation to the receiving cavity.

[0005] According to the ice-making apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application, by setting a cold source, a light source, and a heater, the light source can reduce the tension of the water-ice interface by outputting light radiation, and the heater can generate heat radiation to the containment cavity. The increase in the temperature of the liquid medium leads to a decrease in the tension of the ice-water interface. The combination of heat radiation and light radiation can effectively reduce the adsorption force of the ice-water interface on air bubbles, thereby further reducing the number of air bubbles attached to the ice-water interface. The cold source can provide cooling to the liquid medium in the containment cavity so that the liquid medium freezes layer by layer, so that the air bubbles are continuously squeezed and compressed by the ice layer, and then gradually gather towards the last frozen part of the containment cavity until they escape from the liquid medium without being frozen in the middle of the ice. This improves the overall transparency of the ice and enhances the aesthetics of the ice. At the same time, it prolongs the melting time of the ice, reduces the melting rate of the ice, and improves the chilling effect.

[0006] According to one embodiment of this application, the heater is installed on the wall of the ice-making container away from the cold source.

[0007] According to one embodiment of this application, the heater is a membrane type and is attached to the outer wall of the ice-making container;

[0008] or,

[0009] The heater is linear and is installed on the outer wall of the ice-making container;

[0010] or,

[0011] The heater is plate-type and is installed on the outer wall of the ice-making container.

[0012] According to one embodiment of this application, the ratio of the area of ​​the heater to the area of ​​the inner wall of the receiving cavity is b, which satisfies: 0.02≤b≤0.5.

[0013] According to one embodiment of this application, the heat transfer direction of the cold source is set opposite to the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source, and the distance from the heater to the center of the light source is less than the distance from the heater to the center of the cold source.

[0014] According to one embodiment of this application, the vector angle between the heat transfer direction of the cold source and the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source is 180±10°, and the heater is provided on both sides of the light radiation output by the light source.

[0015] According to one embodiment of this application, the light source is used to output light radiation from a first side of the ice-making container to the receiving cavity, and the cold source is used to supply cooling from a second side of the ice-making container to the receiving cavity. The first side and the second side are disposed opposite to each other, and the heater is installed on the first side.

[0016] According to one embodiment of this application, the light source is used to output light radiation from a first side of the ice-making container to the receiving cavity, the wall of the ice-making container has at least one cooling section, the cold source is used to supply cooling to the outer wall of the cooling section, the cooling section is disposed opposite to the first side, and the heater is installed on the first side.

[0017] According to one embodiment of this application, the cooling section includes a plurality of sections symmetrically arranged on both sides of the target axis, and the angle between the axis of the light source and the target axis is α, satisfying: α≤5°.

[0018] According to one embodiment of this application, the light source is installed above the receiving cavity, the heater is installed on the upper wall of the ice-making container, and the cold source is used to supply cold to the lower wall of the receiving cavity.

[0019] According to one embodiment of this application, the light source is adapted to be located above the liquid surface of the receiving cavity and spaced apart from the liquid surface.

[0020] According to one embodiment of this application, the light source is located above the top wall of the receiving cavity and spaced apart from the receiving cavity.

[0021] According to one embodiment of this application, in the event that the liquid medium in the containment cavity freezes, the light source is separated from the ice formed by the liquid medium.

[0022] According to one embodiment of this application, when the receiving cavity contains a liquid medium to be made into ice, at least a portion of the light source is immersed in the liquid medium.

[0023] According to one embodiment of this application, the ice-making container further forms an exhaust chamber communicating with the receiving cavity, the exhaust chamber being located on the receiving cavity, and the heater being located on both sides of the exhaust chamber.

[0024] According to one embodiment of this application, at least a portion of the outer wall of the ice-making container is provided with an insulation layer.

[0025] According to one embodiment of this application, the cold source is used to supply cooling to the receiving cavity through a wall without the insulation layer.

[0026] According to one embodiment of this application, the operating power of the light source is P, which satisfies: 0.3W≤P≤3W.

[0027] According to one embodiment of this application, when no insulation layer is provided outside the ice-making container, the operating power of the light source is P, which satisfies: 0.5W≤P≤10W.

[0028] or,

[0029] The wavelength of the light radiation output by the light source is λ, which satisfies: 100nm≤λ;

[0030] or,

[0031] The light radiation angle output by the light source is β, and the shortest distance from the light source to the receiving cavity is h, satisfying: 20°≤β≤140°.

[0032] Secondly, this application provides a storage device, which includes: the ice-making device described in any of the above embodiments.

[0033] According to the storage device of this application, by setting a cold source, a light source, and a heater, the light source can reduce the tension of the water-ice interface by outputting light radiation, and the heater can generate heat radiation to the containing cavity. The increase in the temperature of the liquid medium leads to a decrease in the tension of the ice-water interface. The combination of heat radiation and light radiation can effectively reduce the adsorption force of the ice-water interface on air bubbles, thereby further reducing the number of air bubbles attached to the ice-water interface. The cold source can provide cooling to the liquid medium in the containing cavity so that the liquid medium freezes layer by layer, causing the air bubbles to be continuously squeezed and expelled by the ice layer, and then gradually gather towards the last frozen part of the containing cavity until they escape from the liquid medium without being frozen in the middle of the ice. This improves the overall transparency of the ice and enhances its aesthetics, while also prolonging the melting time of the ice, reducing the melting rate of the ice, and improving the chilling effect.

[0034] Thirdly, this application provides a drinking water device, which includes: the ice-making device described in any of the above embodiments.

[0035] According to the drinking water device of this application, by setting a cold source, a light source, and a heater, the light source can reduce the tension of the water-ice interface by outputting light radiation, and the heater can generate heat radiation to the containing cavity. The increase in the temperature of the liquid medium leads to a decrease in the tension of the ice-water interface. The combination of heat radiation and light radiation can effectively reduce the adsorption force of the ice-water interface on air bubbles, thereby further reducing the number of air bubbles attached to the ice-water interface. The cold source can provide cooling to the liquid medium in the containing cavity so that the liquid medium freezes layer by layer, causing the air bubbles to be continuously squeezed and expelled by the ice layer, and then gradually gather towards the last frozen part of the containing cavity until they escape from the liquid medium without being frozen in the middle of the ice. This improves the overall transparency of the ice and enhances the aesthetics of the ice, while also prolonging the melting time of the ice, reducing the melting rate of the ice, and improving the chilling effect.

[0036] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the ice-making device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a second schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0040] Figure 3 This is the third schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0041] Figure 4 This is the fourth schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0042] Figure 5 This is the fifth schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0043] Figure 6 This is the sixth schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0044] Figure 7 This is the seventh schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0045] Figure 8 This is one embodiment of the ice-making apparatus provided in this application;

[0046] Figure 9 This is a comparative example of the ice-making apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0047] Figure 10 This is a second embodiment of the ice-making apparatus provided in this application.

[0048] Figure label:

[0049] 1. Housing; 2. Ice-making container; 21. Receiving cavity; 22. Cooling section; 23. Exhaust cavity; 3. Insulation layer; 4. Cold source; 5. Light source; 6. Liquid medium; 7. Heater. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0051] The following is for reference. Figures 1-10 This application describes an ice-making apparatus, a storage device, and a drinking water device according to embodiments thereof.

[0052] It should be noted that the storage device in this embodiment can be understood as a refrigeration storage device in a broad sense, including but not limited to refrigerators, freezers, display cases, beverage cabinets, wine cabinets, refrigerated display cases, and refrigerated vending machines, etc., which have ice-making functions. The storage devices have diverse structural forms and a wide range of applications.

[0053] In this embodiment, the drinking water device can be understood as a broadly defined refrigerated water dispenser, which is used to extract purified water or make ice. Ice generated by an ice-making device, or ice generated and stored in an ice-making device, is transferred to the water dispenser, from which the user can obtain ice. The water dispenser includes, but is not limited to, direct drinking water machines, pipeline water dispensers, countertop water purifiers and heating / purifying machines, tea bar machines, and instant hot water purifiers, as well as other household or commercial drinking water devices with ice-making functions.

[0054] Ice-making devices can be small appliances used for making ice independently, or they can be ice-making modules for storage devices or drinking water equipment.

[0055] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the ice-making device in this embodiment includes: a housing 1, an ice-making container 2, a heater 7, a cold source 4, and a light source 5.

[0056] An ice-making container 2 is installed on the housing 1, forming at least one receiving cavity 21 for ice making; a cold source 4 is used to supply cooling to the receiving cavity 21; a heater 7 is installed on the ice-making container 2; and a light source 5 is installed on the housing 1, which outputs light radiation to the receiving cavity 21.

[0057] The housing 1 provides protection and support for the internal components, such as the ice container 2, the cold source 4, and the light source 5. For example, the housing 1 can be a rigid shell such as a plastic shell, a metal shell, or a glass shell.

[0058] An ice-making container 2 is installed inside the housing 1, forming at least one receiving cavity 21. For example, the number of receiving cavities 21 can be 1, 3, 6, 10, 20, or more. The receiving cavity 21 is the main area for ice production; one receiving cavity 21 can produce one ice cube. During the freezing process, liquid media 6 such as water, juice, tea, or beverages are injected into the receiving cavity 21 and then cooled by the cold energy provided by the cold source 4, eventually solidifying into ice cubes.

[0059] Liquid medium 6 contains various impurities, such as fruit particles, tea leaves, or bubbles. Among these, bubbles are the main factor affecting the transparency of the ice.

[0060] The receiving cavity 21 can be spherical, cubic or other irregular shapes. When the receiving cavity 21 is spherical, the ice-making device can make spherical ice blocks. When the receiving cavity 21 is cubic, the ice-making device can make cubic ice blocks. The volume of the receiving cavity 21 can be 20ml, 35ml or 50ml, or a combination of receiving cavities 21 with different volumes, to meet the needs of different ice-using scenarios.

[0061] The freezing process of liquid medium 6 requires three stages: cooling, crystallization, and freezing. During the cooling stage, the temperature of liquid medium 6 gradually decreases to the freezing point. During the crystallization stage, liquid medium 6 gradually freezes from a liquid state to a solid state. During the freezing stage, the water content in the ice gradually decreases to zero, and the hardness of the ice increases.

[0062] The heater 7 can be installed at least at one location on the inner wall, outer wall, or between the inner and outer walls of the ice-making container 2. For example, the heater 7 can be at least one of a heating film, a heating wire, or a heating plate.

[0063] The cold source 4 can be a refrigeration system for storage equipment or drinking water equipment, or the cold source 4 can be a refrigeration device of the ice-making device itself, such as a semiconductor refrigeration chip or other refrigeration device.

[0064] The cooling capacity provided by the cold source 4 can cause the liquid medium 6 inside the containment cavity 21 to freeze. The refrigeration system can be directly connected to the ice-making container 2, and the cold air of the refrigeration system can be forced to circulate to provide cold air to the containment cavity 21; or, the ice-making device can be placed in the freezer compartment of the storage device, and the cold air in the freezer compartment can provide cooling capacity to the containment cavity 21 through natural convection; or, a refrigeration device such as a semiconductor refrigeration chip can directly exchange heat with the ice-making container 2 to provide cooling capacity to the containment cavity 21.

[0065] When the ice-making device can make ice independently, the cold source 4 can be the ice-making device's own refrigeration unit; when the ice-making device needs to be placed in the freezer compartment of the storage equipment to make ice, the ice-making device can directly or indirectly utilize the cold energy of the storage equipment to make ice.

[0066] The light source 5 can be visible light or invisible light with a certain wavelength. Light can change the surface tension of the ice-water interface. Light uses a variety of optical effects to change the surface tension of the ice-water interface, such as the photothermal effect. Most of the light radiation output by the light source 5 passes through the liquid medium 6 and shines on the ice-water interface. After the ice-water interface absorbs light energy under the irradiation of light radiation, its temperature rises. This temperature change can reduce the surface tension of the ice-water interface, thereby effectively reducing the adsorption force of the ice-water interface on the bubbles.

[0067] The light source 5 can be installed on the housing 1 by means of snap-fit ​​connection, threaded connection, plug-in connection or magnetic attraction.

[0068] Because the light source 5 generates heat during operation, the temperature is higher closer to the light source 5 within the containment cavity 21, resulting in later freezing at these locations. As the ice grows, the ice-water interface gradually approaches the location of the light source 5. During this process, the light radiation generated by the light source 5 can continuously penetrate the unfrozen liquid medium 6 and irradiate the ice-water interface, thus continuously reducing the surface tension of the newly formed ice-water interface. During the freezing process of the liquid medium 6 within the containment cavity 21, dissolved air continuously precipitates out to form bubbles. Due to the reduced adsorption force at the ice-water interface under the influence of light radiation, the amount of bubbles adsorbed at the interface is significantly reduced. The free bubbles are gradually pushed out by the ice layer to the unfrozen area near the light source 5 until they escape from the liquid medium 6, thereby significantly improving the transparency of the frozen ice.

[0069] The positions of the light source 5 and the cold source 4 can be set according to actual conditions. For example, the light source 5 and the cold source 4 can be set opposite each other, or the light source 5 and the cold source 4 can be set at a certain angle; or the cold source 4 can be set in the center of the receiving cavity 21, the ice-making container 2 is transparent and placed in the light chamber, and the peripheral walls of the ice-making container 2 can receive the light radiation output by the light source 5. The light source 5 can be a combination of one or more light beads, so that the number of light beads can be adapted according to the required radiation intensity to adapt to various working scenarios.

[0070] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the ice-making device includes an insulation layer 3, an ice-making container 2, and a cold source 4. At least part of the wall of the ice-making container 2 is not covered by the insulation layer 3. The wall of the ice-making container 2 not covered by the insulation layer 3 exchanges heat with the cold source 4 to form a cooling section 22. The liquid medium in the receiving cavity 21 freezes layer by layer from the position near the cooling section 22 to the position away from the cooling section 22. Along the direction from the position near the cooling section 22 to the position away from the cooling section 22, ice bands, ice crystal bands, and liquid medium bands are formed layer by layer in the receiving cavity 21. The liquid medium solidifies and freezes in the temperature range below -3℃ to form a solid ice band. The liquid medium in the temperature range between -3℃ and 0℃ is an ice crystal band in a mixed state of ice and water. The liquid medium in the temperature range above 0℃ is in a liquid state. When bubbles float and pass through the ice crystal band, the ice-water interface of the solid ice in the ice crystal band will generate an adsorption force on the bubbles, and some bubbles will be adsorbed to the surface of the solid ice. Ice crystal zones can be divided according to temperature and different ice-to-water ratios at different temperature levels. For example, the first ice crystal layer has the highest ice content in the temperature range of -3℃ to -2℃, the second ice crystal layer has a moderate ice content in the temperature range of -2℃ to -1℃, and the third ice crystal layer has the lowest ice content in the temperature range of -1℃ to 0℃. The arrows in the diagram indicate the upward trend of temperature.

[0071] Figure 8In the embodiment with light source 5, the light source 5 and the cold source 4 are arranged opposite each other, forming a structure with the light source 5 above and the cold source 4 below. The light radiation output by the light source 5 irradiates the newly formed ice-water interface, and also irradiates the ice-water interface on the surface of solid ice within the ice crystal zone. Under the action of light radiation, the surface tension of the ice-water interface decreases, and the bubbles adsorbed on the ice-water interface escape. At the same time, since the light source 5 outputs heat while working, the temperature in the area near the light source 5 rises, and the total thickness of the ice crystal layer in the -3℃ to 0℃ temperature range within the containment cavity 21 decreases. That is, the thickness of the first ice crystal layer (-3℃ to -2℃), the second ice crystal layer (-2℃ to -1℃), and the third ice crystal layer (-1℃ to 0℃) all decrease. The decrease in the total thickness of the ice crystal zone leads to a decrease in the total number of solid ice within the ice crystal zone. The probability of bubbles being adsorbed by solid ice during the floating process decreases, and the resistance to the escape of bubbles is less, thereby reducing the number of frozen bubbles and improving the transparency of the ice. The temperature changes in the figure are shown by the arrows. The temperature is higher in the region further away from the cold source 4, and the area of ​​the region with higher temperature gradually increases.

[0072] Figure 9 As a comparative example without light source 5, in this embodiment, the temperature is lower in the area near the ice zone. The total thickness of the ice crystal layer within the -3℃ to 0℃ temperature range in the receiving cavity 21 increases; specifically, the thicknesses of the first ice crystal layer (-3℃ to -2℃), the second ice crystal layer (-2℃ to -1℃), and the third ice crystal layer (-1℃ to 0℃) all increase. This increased total thickness of the ice crystal zone leads to a greater number of solid ice crystals within it. This increases the probability of bubbles being adsorbed by the solid ice during their ascent, increasing the escape resistance and thus increasing the number of bubbles frozen within the ice zone, affecting the transparency of the ice. The temperature change in the figure is shown by the arrows; the temperature is higher further away from the cold source 4, and the temperature changes linearly.

[0073] Figure 10In the second embodiment, which only has a light source 5 and a cold source 4, the cavity 21 is not provided with an insulation layer 3, and the wall of the cavity 21 forms a cooling section 22. Compared with the case where a part of the cavity 21 is provided with an insulation layer, in this embodiment, the entire wall of the cavity 21 forms a cooling section 22. The cold source 4 cools the wall of the cavity 21 so that the liquid medium freezes layer by layer from the position close to the cooling section 22 toward the position away from the cooling section 22, that is, the ice layer grows from the outside to the inside and extends around the circumference of the cavity 21. The light radiation emitted by light source 5 irradiates the spherical newly formed ice-water interface within the irradiation angle, and also irradiates the ice-water interface on the surface of solid ice within the ice crystal zone. Under the action of light radiation, the surface tension of the ice-water interface within the irradiation angle decreases, and the bubbles adsorbed on the ice-water interface escape. At the same time, since light source 5 outputs heat while working, the temperature of the area near light source 5 rises. The ice-water interface not irradiated by light radiation will be affected by heat radiation, resulting in a decrease in surface tension, and the bubbles adsorbed on the ice-water interface escape. The total thickness of the ice crystal layer in the temperature range of -3℃ to 0℃ in the containment cavity 21 decreases, that is, the thickness of the first ice crystal layer at -3℃ to -2℃, the second ice crystal layer at -2℃ to -1℃, and the third ice crystal layer at -1℃ to 0℃ all decrease. The decrease in the total thickness of the ice crystal zone leads to a decrease in the total number of solid ice in the ice crystal zone. The probability of bubbles being adsorbed by solid ice during the floating process is reduced, and the resistance to the escape of bubbles is less, thereby reducing the number of frozen bubbles and improving the transparency of the ice. The temperature changes in the figure are shown by the arrows. The temperature is higher in the region further away from the cold source 4, and the area of ​​the region with higher temperature gradually increases.

[0074] In summary, the comparison between the comparative examples and Example 1 shows that setting the light source 5 can significantly reduce the bubble content in the ice and improve the transparency of the ice. The comparison between the comparative examples and Example 2 shows that setting the insulation layer can increase the directional freezing effect of the ice layer and improve the transparency of the ice.

[0075] To improve the transparency of ice, numerous ice-making devices have been designed, but none have effectively solved the problem of increasing ice transparency. For example:

[0076] Related technology one involves an ice-making device equipped with a pneumatic stirring degassing device and an ultrasonic vibration degassing device. The air supply system provides compressed air, blowing it into each ice mold, causing air bubbles to rise to the surface and carry air out of the water. The ultrasonic vibration degassing device vibrates the upper part of the water, causing some residual air bubbles at the top to escape, thus improving the transparency of the ice top. However, during the crystallization process, the air supply system blowing air into the ice mold results in a large amount of gas participating in freezing, leaving many residual air bubbles in the liquid medium. Ultrasonic vibration degassing also struggles to completely remove gas from the ice-water interface. Theoretical analysis and experimental verification show that the transparency of ice produced by this method remains low.

[0077] Related technology two involves an ice-making device equipped with a cold source and an ice tray placed within an insulation layer. The top of the insulation layer is open, and the cold source is positioned at this opening. The cold source cools the liquid medium within the ice tray, causing it to freeze layer by layer from top to bottom, thus squeezing impurities to the bottom of the ice tray and preventing them from freezing in the middle of the ice block. However, during this crystallization process, due to the adsorption force of the ice-water interface on air bubbles, and the buoyancy of the air bubbles relative to the liquid medium, the air bubbles actually rise to the ice-water interface and are adsorbed there. As the liquid medium freezes layer by layer, these air bubbles are frozen layer by layer within the ice, resulting in air bubbles inside the ice block and reducing its transparency. This method does not effectively solve the problem of ice block transparency.

[0078] Related technology three: The ice-making device includes an ice chamber and a lower heater. The lower heater provides heat to the lower chamber during the freezing process, causing the ice inside the ice chamber to freeze from top to bottom. During the crystallization stage, air bubbles in the ice chamber move downwards. When ice making is complete, the bottommost part of the spherical ice is white. In the above crystallization process, the downward directional freezing causes air bubbles to converge downwards. However, due to buoyancy, the bubbles rise to the ice-water interface and are adsorbed there. As the water freezes layer by layer, the air bubbles are frozen inside the ice layer. Air bubbles exist inside the ice block, and the bottommost part of the ice block has more white air bubbles. The transparency of the ice block produced by this method is still not high.

[0079] Related technology four involves an ice-making device that includes an ice mold and a heating mechanism. The top of the ice mold contacts the low-temperature space to receive cold energy, while the bottom of the ice mold is equipped with a heating device, a water storage box, and an exhaust vent. During the ice-making process, the liquid medium freezes layer by layer from top to bottom, and air bubbles are pushed downwards into the water storage cavity. The essence of related technology four is the same as that of related technology three, both using heating of the liquid medium to cause air bubbles in the liquid medium to converge towards the unfrozen area, thereby improving the transparency of the ice. Related technology four also suffers from the problem of air bubbles being adsorbed at the ice-water interface due to buoyancy and the adsorption force of the ice-water interface. During the layer-by-layer freezing process, the air bubbles are frozen inside the ice layer, affecting the transparency of the ice. Therefore, it does not effectively solve the problem of ice transparency.

[0080] In contrast, the ice-making apparatus provided in this application can control surface tension using light. By altering the adsorption force of the ice-water interface through light radiation generated by the light source 5, the number of bubbles adsorbed at the ice-water interface is significantly reduced. As ice grows within the containment cavity 21, the ice-water interface gradually moves closer to the location of the light source 5. During this process, the light radiation generated by the light source 5 can always penetrate the unfrozen liquid medium 6 and irradiate the ice-water interface. Thus, the light radiation can continuously reduce the tension of the newly formed ice-water interface. Due to the reduced adsorption force of the ice-water interface under the action of light radiation, the number of bubbles adsorbed at the ice-water interface is significantly reduced. The reduction in bubbles within the ice layer significantly improves transparency. The bubbles are gradually pushed out of the ice layer to the unfrozen area near the light source 5 until they escape from the liquid medium 6, significantly improving the transparency of the frozen ice.

[0081] According to the ice-making apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application, by setting a cold source 4, a light source 5, and a heater 7, the light source 5 can reduce the tension of the water-ice interface by outputting light radiation, and the heater 7 can generate heat radiation to the receiving cavity 21. The temperature of the liquid medium 6 increases, which leads to a decrease in the tension of the ice-water interface. The combination of heat radiation and light radiation can effectively reduce the adsorption force of the ice-water interface on bubbles, thereby further reducing the number of bubbles attached to the ice-water interface. The cold source 4 can provide cooling to the liquid medium 6 in the receiving cavity 21 so that the liquid medium 6 freezes layer by layer, so that the bubbles are continuously squeezed and expelled by the ice layer, and then gradually gather towards the last frozen part of the receiving cavity 21 until they escape from the liquid medium 6 without being frozen in the middle of the ice. This improves the overall transparency of the ice and enhances the aesthetics of the ice. At the same time, it prolongs the melting time of the ice, reduces the melting rate of the ice, and improves the chilling effect.

[0082] In some embodiments, the heater 7 is installed on the wall of the ice container 2 away from the cold source 4.

[0083] In this embodiment, the liquid medium 6 in the containment cavity 21 freezes layer by layer along the direction from near the cold source 4 to away from the cold source 4. The heater 7 is installed on the wall of the ice-making container 2 away from the cold source 4. The air bubbles are placed on opposite sides of the heater 7 and the cold source 4 at intervals. The air bubbles will be gradually squeezed out by the ice layer to the area away from the cold source 4. The heater 7 is set in the area away from the cold source 4. The heater 7 can generate heat radiation to the containment cavity 21. The heat radiation output to the ice-water interface will reduce the tension of the ice-water interface, thereby effectively reducing the adsorption force of the ice-water interface on the air bubbles, thereby improving the transparency of the ice.

[0084] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, heater 7 is installed on the outer wall of ice container 2.

[0085] In this embodiment, the heat radiation output by the heater 7 can pass through the outer wall of the receiving cavity 21 and output heat into the receiving cavity 21. By placing the heater 7 outside the receiving cavity 21, contact between the heater 7 and the liquid medium 6 can be avoided, which can improve the safety and hygiene of the produced ice cubes. It can also protect the heater 7 and extend its service life. At the same time, it can make the ice cubes form the same shape as the receiving cavity 21, improving the aesthetics. It can also reduce the encroachment of the heater 7 on the effective volume of the receiving cavity 21 and improve the utilization rate of the effective volume of the receiving cavity 21.

[0086] The structure of heater 7 includes at least the following three types:

[0087] Firstly, the heater 7 is a membrane type and is attached to the outer wall of the ice-making container 2.

[0088] In this embodiment, the membrane heating device can be attached to the outer wall of the ice-making container 2, with a large heating area and a relatively uniform temperature within the heating area. It can output heat radiation evenly to the receiving cavity 21, and the heat radiation generated by the heater 7 can be output to the ice-water interface in a relatively uniform manner. The ice-water interface receives a relatively uniform radiation intensity, the tension difference between the ice-water interface is small, and the transparency of the ice is good.

[0089] Secondly, the heater 7 is linear and is installed on the outer wall of the ice-making container 2.

[0090] The linear heating device can be attached or wrapped around the outer wall of the ice container 2 in a mesh-like manner, which can achieve the heating effect while reducing the heating area and saving costs.

[0091] The linear heating device can be either a continuous, serpentine type or a radial type.

[0092] Third, the heater 7 is plate-type and is installed on the outer wall of the ice container 2. At least a portion of the plate-type heating device is in contact with the outer wall of the ice container 2 to transfer heat through the outer wall of the ice container 2 to the receiving cavity 21.

[0093] In some embodiments, the ratio of the area of ​​the heater 7 to the area of ​​the inner wall of the receiving cavity 21 is b, satisfying: 0.02≤b≤0.5.

[0094] The area of ​​heater 7 is smaller than the area of ​​the inner wall of cavity 21, and the ratio b of the area of ​​heater 7 to the area of ​​the inner wall of cavity 21 can be 0.02, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 or 0.5.

[0095] In this embodiment, the area of ​​heater 7 is the heating area of ​​heater 7. When heater 7 is a linear heating wire, the ratio of the area of ​​heater 7 to the area of ​​the inner wall of the receiving cavity 21 can be as small as 0.02. When heater 7 is a film heating film, the ratio of the area of ​​heater 7 to the area of ​​the inner wall of the receiving cavity 21 can be as large as 0.4. By setting the ratio of the heating area of ​​heater 7 to the area of ​​the inner wall of the receiving cavity 21 to no more than 0.5, the heat radiation output by heater 7 can reduce the interfacial tension of ice and water, and the influence of heater 7 on the freezing rate can also be reduced.

[0096] In some embodiments, the heat transfer direction of the cold source 4 is set opposite to the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source 5, and the distance from the heater 7 to the center of the light source 5 is less than the distance from the heater 7 to the center of the cold source 4.

[0097] The heater 7 is positioned close to the light source 5. While the light source 5 generates light radiation, it also generates a small amount of heat radiation. The heat radiation generated by the light source 5 and the heat radiation generated by the heater 7 are superimposed to further heat the nearby liquid medium 6. The temperature rise can reduce the tension of the ice-water interface, thereby reducing the adsorption force of the ice-water interface on the bubbles.

[0098] The heat transfer area of ​​the cold source 4 is roughly fan-shaped, and the heat transfer direction of the cold source 4 is the direction of the central axis of the fan shape; the irradiation area of ​​the light radiation output by the light source 5 is also roughly fan-shaped, and the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source 5 is the direction of the central axis of the fan shape.

[0099] In this embodiment, the cold source 4 and the light source 5 are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the ice-making container 2.

[0100] For example, when the cavity 21 is spherical, the cold source 4 and the light source 5 are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the cavity 21 along the radial direction of the ice-making container 2; when the cavity 21 is axially symmetrical, the cold source 4 and the light source 5 are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the cavity 21 along the axis of symmetry of the ice-making container 2.

[0101] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, the light source 5 and the cold source 4 can be arranged vertically on the upper and lower sides of the receiving cavity 21; or, the light source 5 and the cold source 4 can be arranged horizontally on the left and right sides of the receiving cavity 21; or, the light source 5 and the cold source 4 can be arranged inclinedly on both sides of the inclined direction of the receiving cavity 21.

[0102] In this embodiment, by setting the heat transfer direction of the cold source 4 relative to the light radiation irradiation direction output by the light source 5, setting the ice growth direction in the cavity 21 relative to the light radiation irradiation direction, and setting the light radiation irradiation area relative to the heat transfer area of ​​the cold source 4, the area of ​​light radiation irradiated on the ice-water interface can be increased, and the light radiation generated by the light source 5 can be irradiated on the ice-water interface more uniformly. The ice-water interface receives a more uniform radiation intensity, the tension difference of the ice-water interface is small, and the transparency of the ice is better.

[0103] Understandably, if the light source 5 is not positioned opposite the cold source 4, the irradiation area generated by the light source 5 will be biased relative to the heat transfer direction of the cold source 4, potentially resulting in only localized irradiation of the ice-water interface by the light source 5. If the light radiation output by the light source 5 fails to uniformly irradiate the ice-water interface, the area of ​​the ice-water interface receiving stronger light radiation will have lower surface tension and weaker adsorption, resulting in fewer adsorbed bubbles and higher ice transparency, but a slower ice growth rate. Conversely, the area of ​​the ice-water interface receiving weaker light radiation will have higher surface tension and stronger adsorption, resulting in more adsorbed bubbles and lower ice transparency, but a faster ice growth rate. As the freezing process continues, one side of the ice block will have more bubbles and lower transparency, while the other side will have fewer bubbles and higher transparency. Therefore, positioning the heat transfer direction of the cold source 4 opposite to the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source 5 allows the light radiation generated by the light source 5 to irradiate the ice-water interface more uniformly, minimizing the difference in light radiation intensity received by the ice-water interface. This effectively reduces the adsorption force on bubbles in all areas of the ice-water interface, improving the transparency of the ice block.

[0104] In some embodiments, the light source 5 is used to output light radiation from the first side of the ice-making container 2 to the receiving cavity 21, and the cold source 4 is used to supply cold from the second side of the ice-making container 2 to the receiving cavity 21. The first side and the second side are arranged opposite to each other, and the heater 7 is installed on the first side.

[0105] The first side of the ice container 2 is arranged opposite to the second side of the ice container 2. For example, the first side and the second side can be the upper and lower sides of the ice container 2 along the vertical direction, the first side and the second side can be the left and right sides of the ice container 2 along the horizontal direction, or the first side and the second side can be the opposite sides of the ice container 2 along the inclined direction.

[0106] The light source 5 and the cold source 4 are located on opposite sides of the ice-making container 2. The light source 5 and the cold source 4 can be set opposite to each other or staggered relative to each other.

[0107] In this embodiment, the heater 7 and the light source 5 are installed on the same side of the ice-making container 2. The radiation generated by the superposition of the thermal radiation generated by the light source 5 and the heat radiation generated by the heater 7 can be uniformly output towards the cold source 4. The thermal radiation generated by the light source 5 and the heat radiation generated by the heater 7 can be output relatively uniformly at the ice-water interface. The light radiation intensity received by the ice-water interface is small, and each area of ​​the ice-water interface can effectively reduce the adsorption force on bubbles and improve the transparency of the ice.

[0108] In some embodiments, the vector angle between the heat transfer direction of the cold source 4 and the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source 5 is 180±10°, and heaters 7 are provided on both sides of the light radiation output by the light source 5.

[0109] The vector angle between the heat transfer direction of the cold source 4 and the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source 5 satisfies [170°, 190°]. For example, the vector angle between the heat transfer direction of the cold source 4 and the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source 5 is 175°, 180°, or 185°. In other words, the heat transfer direction of the cold source 4 and the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source 5 are set relative to each other or offset by a small angle, so that the light radiation generated by the light source 5 can irradiate the ice-water interface more uniformly, the light radiation intensity received by the ice-water interface is less different, and each region of the ice-water interface can effectively reduce the adsorption force on bubbles and improve the transparency of the ice.

[0110] For example, the vector angle between the heat transfer direction of the cold source 4 and the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source 5 is 180°, that is, the heat transfer direction of the cold source 4 and the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source 5 are set relative to each other.

[0111] In this embodiment, the light source 5 and the cold source 4 are arranged opposite each other, and the heater 7 is symmetrically arranged with the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source 5 as the center of symmetry. The radiation generated by the superposition of the thermal radiation generated by the light source 5 and the thermal radiation generated by the heater 7 can be uniformly output towards the cold source 4. The thermal radiation generated by the light source 5 and the thermal radiation generated by the heater 7 can be output relatively uniformly at the ice-water interface. The difference in light radiation intensity received by the ice-water interface is small. Each area of ​​the ice-water interface can effectively reduce the adsorption force on bubbles and improve the transparency of the ice.

[0112] In some embodiments, the light source 5 is used to output light radiation from the first side of the ice-making container 2 to the receiving cavity 21. The wall of the ice-making container 2 has at least one cooling section 22. The cold source 4 is used to supply cold to the outer wall of the cooling section 22. The cooling section 22 is disposed opposite to the first side. The heater 7 is installed on the first side.

[0113] In this system, the liquid medium 6 in the containment cavity 21 exchanges heat with the cold source 4 through the cooling section 22. When the refrigeration system is directly connected to the ice-making container 2, the cooling section 22 faces the cold air outlet of the refrigeration system, and the refrigeration system directly provides cold energy to the cooling section 22. When the ice-making device is placed in the freezer compartment of the storage device, the cold energy in the freezer compartment comes into contact with the cooling section 22 to provide cold energy to the containment cavity 21. When the cold source 4 is a refrigeration device such as a thermoelectric cooler, the refrigeration device such as a thermoelectric cooler can be attached to the cooling section 22 to directly provide cold energy to the containment cavity 21.

[0114] The heater 7 and the light source 5 are installed on the same side of the ice-making container 2. The radiation generated by the superposition of the thermal radiation generated by the light source 5 and the heat radiation generated by the heater 7 can be evenly output towards the cold source 4. The thermal radiation generated by the light source 5 and the heat radiation generated by the heater 7 can be output relatively evenly at the ice-water interface. The light radiation intensity received by the ice-water interface is small, and each area of ​​the ice-water interface can effectively reduce the adsorption force on air bubbles and improve the transparency of the ice.

[0115] When the receiving cavity 21 is spherical, the cooling section 22 can be at least one arc-shaped surface or at least one strip arc segment arranged opposite to the first side; when the receiving cavity 21 is cubic, the cooling section 22 can be at least one plane or at least one strip segment arranged opposite to the first side.

[0116] The cooling section 22 can be a single continuous surface or multiple spaced surfaces. It can be a continuous strip segment that is bent and coiled or multiple strip segments that are spaced apart.

[0117] In some embodiments, the cooling section 22 includes a plurality of sections symmetrically arranged on both sides of the target axis, and the angle between the axis of the light source 5 and the target axis is α, satisfying: α≤5°.

[0118] Among them, the axis of the light source 5 is the central axis of the irradiation area of ​​the light radiation output by the light source 5, and the angle α between the axis of the light source 5 and the target axis can be 0°, 2°, 4° or 5°.

[0119] For example, the axis of the light source 5 can coincide with the target axis, and the angle α between the axis of the light source 5 and the target axis is 0°. The cooling section 22 is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the target axis, that is, the cooling section 22 is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the axis of the light source 5. The light source 5 and the cold source 4 are arranged opposite each other. The cold energy provided by the cold source 4 can freeze the liquid medium 6 opposite to the light source 5. The newly formed ice-water interface is symmetrically located on both sides of the axis of the light source 5, so that the light radiation generated by the light source 5 can irradiate the ice-water interface more evenly. The light radiation intensity received by the ice-water interface is small, and each area of ​​the ice-water interface can effectively reduce the adsorption force on the bubbles and improve the transparency of the ice.

[0120] In some embodiments, the light source 5 is installed above the receiving cavity 21, the heater 7 is installed on the upper wall of the ice-making container 2, and the cold source 4 is used to supply cold to the lower wall of the receiving cavity 21.

[0121] The light source 5 and the heater 7 are both installed above the receiving cavity 21. The light source 5 and the heater 7 are heat sources, that is, the heat source is arranged above the cold source.

[0122] In this embodiment, the light source 5 can be spaced above the receiving cavity 21 or installed in the receiving cavity 21. The light radiation output by the light source 5 irradiates from the top of the receiving cavity 21 toward the lower wall of the receiving cavity 21. The heat transfer direction of the cold source 4 is from the lower wall of the receiving cavity 21 toward the top of the receiving cavity 21, that is, the light source 5 is arranged above and the cold source 4 is arranged below.

[0123] In related technology two, the cold source is placed above the ice grid. Although directional freezing can push air bubbles in the water to the bottom of the ice grid, due to the buoyancy of the air bubbles and the adsorption of the ice-water interface, the air bubbles will inevitably rise to the ice-water interface and be adsorbed there. Therefore, the transparency of the ice produced by this method is still not high.

[0124] In related technologies three and four, a cold source is placed above and a heat source is placed below. During the crystallization process, the directional freezing from top to bottom causes the bubbles to gather on the lower side. However, due to buoyancy, the bubbles will be adsorbed at the ice-water interface. As the water freezes layer by layer, the bubbles will still be frozen inside the ice layer, and the bottom part of the resulting ice is white. The transparency of the ice produced by this method is still not high.

[0125] In contrast, this application adopts a light-on-top, cold-on-bottom arrangement, placing the light source 5 above the receiving cavity 21 and the cold source 4 below the receiving cavity 21. During the freezing process, the directional freezing from bottom to top will cause the bubbles to gather upwards. Due to buoyancy, the bubbles will more easily gather towards the area where the light source 5 is located, which is the last to freeze, further reducing the amount of bubbles at the ice-water interface and significantly improving the transparency of the ice.

[0126] In this embodiment, the light source 5 is arranged above the cold source 4. Since the air density is less than that of water, bubbles are more easily discharged from bottom to top due to buoyancy. By placing the cold source 4 at the bottom, as the ice grows upwards, the bubbles are more easily pushed to the unfrozen area near the light source 5 at the top. Furthermore, light radiation can reduce the tension of the ice-water interface, thereby effectively reducing the adsorption force of the ice-water interface on the bubbles. This can significantly reduce the number of bubbles adsorbed at the ice-water interface. Under the dual effects of water escaping from bottom to top due to buoyancy and the reduced adsorption force of the ice-water interface on the bubbles, the transparency of the ice can be significantly improved.

[0127] In some embodiments, the light source 5 is adapted to be located above the liquid surface of the receiving cavity 21, and the light source 5 is spaced apart from the liquid surface.

[0128] In this embodiment, the light source 5 is located above the liquid surface, and there is a certain distance between the light source 5 and the liquid surface, that is, there is an air cavity between the light source 5 and the liquid surface, or a light-transmitting plate is provided between the light source 5 and the liquid surface, so as to avoid the light source 5 from contacting the liquid medium 6. This can improve the safety and hygiene of the produced ice, and also protect the light source 5 and extend its service life.

[0129] In the case where there is an air cavity between the light source 5 and the liquid surface, as the ice grows towards the light source 5, the air bubbles are gradually squeezed into the air cavity between the light source 5 and the liquid surface. This can significantly reduce the residual air bubbles on the liquid surface, improve the overall transparency of the ice, and reduce the phenomenon of the ice appearing as white ice in the last freezing area, as in related technology 3.

[0130] In some embodiments, the light source 5 is located above the top wall of the receiving cavity 21 and spaced apart from the receiving cavity 21.

[0131] In this embodiment, the light source 5 is located outside the receiving cavity 21 and above the top wall of the receiving cavity 21. For example, the light source 5 can be installed on the outside of the top wall of the ice-making container 2 so that the light source 5 is spaced apart from the receiving cavity 21 inside the ice-making container 2. The light source 5 can also be spaced apart from the top wall of the ice-making container 2.

[0132] The light source 5 can penetrate the top wall of the receiving cavity 21 and irradiate into the receiving cavity 21. By placing the light source 5 outside the receiving cavity 21, it is possible to avoid contact between the light source 5 and the liquid medium 6, which can improve the safety and hygiene of the produced ice cubes. It can also protect the light source 5 and extend its service life. At the same time, it can make the ice cubes form the same shape as the receiving cavity 21, improving the aesthetics. In addition, it can reduce the encroachment of the light source 5 on the effective volume of the receiving cavity 21, thereby improving the utilization rate of the effective volume of the receiving cavity 21.

[0133] In some embodiments, if the liquid medium 6 in the receiving cavity 21 freezes, the light source 5 is separated from the ice formed by the liquid medium 6.

[0134] Since the solid volume of the liquid medium 6 is greater than its liquid volume when it freezes, placing the light source 5 at a position separated from the ice formed by the liquid medium 6 can reduce the contact between the light source 5 and the liquid surface when the liquid medium 6 in the receiving cavity 21 is not frozen. This can improve the safety and hygiene of the produced ice, protect the light source 5, extend its service life, and make the ice form the same shape as the receiving cavity 21, improving its aesthetics. At the same time, it can reduce the encroachment of the light source 5 on the effective volume of the receiving cavity 21, and improve the utilization rate of the effective volume of the receiving cavity 21.

[0135] In some embodiments, the ice-making container 2 also forms an exhaust chamber 23 that communicates with the receiving cavity 21. The exhaust chamber 23 is located on the receiving cavity 21, and the heater 7 is located on both sides of the exhaust chamber 23.

[0136] The exhaust chamber 23 can be provided in one or more ways, and each receiving chamber 21 is connected to the exhaust chamber 23. The exhaust chamber 23 and the receiving chamber 21 can be integrally formed or connected by adhesive or thread.

[0137] It is understandable that during the freezing process of the liquid medium 6 in the containment cavity 21, the air bubbles will be gradually squeezed out of the venting cavity 23 by the ice layer, thereby significantly reducing the residual air bubbles on the liquid surface, significantly reducing the number of residual air bubbles in the liquid medium 6, improving the overall transparency of the ice, and reducing the phenomenon that, as in related technology 3, the air bubbles cannot be discharged from the liquid medium, causing the ice to appear as white ice in the last freezing area.

[0138] For example, the exhaust chamber 23 can be located in the area near the light source 5 so that when the bubbles are gradually pushed out of the ice layer to the unfrozen area near the light source 5, they can escape from the liquid medium 6 into the exhaust chamber 23; or, the exhaust chamber 23 can be located at the top of the receiving cavity 21 so that the bubbles can move upward due to buoyancy and be more easily discharged into the exhaust chamber 23; or, the exhaust chamber 23 can be located in the upper middle part of the receiving cavity 21 so that the bubbles can escape into the exhaust chamber 23 due to buoyancy.

[0139] In this embodiment, by placing the heater 7 on both sides of the exhaust chamber 23, the freezing time of the liquid medium 6 near the exhaust chamber 23 can be delayed. The heater 7 heats the inner wall surface of the receiving cavity 21 located on both sides of the exhaust chamber 23, reducing the surface tension in this area and reducing the adsorption force on the bubbles, so that the bubbles attached to the inner wall surface of the receiving cavity 21 located on both sides of the exhaust chamber 23 can be more easily discharged into the exhaust chamber 23.

[0140] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the wall outside the ice-making container 2 is provided with an insulation layer 3.

[0141] In this embodiment, all or part of the outer wall of the ice container 2 is provided with a heat insulation layer 3. The heat insulation layer 3 is used to isolate the ice container 2 from the outside temperature, thereby reducing the heat exchange between the wall of the ice container 2 covered by the heat insulation layer 3 and the outside, thus achieving the heat insulation effect of the receiving cavity 21.

[0142] In the case where a heat insulation layer 3 is provided on part of the outer wall of the ice-making container 2, the cold source 4 can supply cold to the receiving cavity 21 through the wall of the ice-making container 2 that is not provided with a heat insulation layer 3.

[0143] The insulation layer 3 can be a foamed material layer or a flexible insulation layer 3, etc.

[0144] In this embodiment, the refrigeration system can be directly connected to the wall of the ice container 2 without the insulation layer 3, and the cold air of the refrigeration system can be forced to circulate to blow the cold air to the wall without the insulation layer 3; or, the ice-making device can be placed in the freezer compartment of the storage device, and the cold air in the freezer compartment can provide cooling to the receiving cavity 21 through the wall without the insulation layer 3; or, a refrigeration device such as a semiconductor refrigeration chip can directly exchange heat with the wall of the ice container 2 without the insulation layer 3 to provide cooling to the receiving cavity 21.

[0145] In the case where the entire outer wall of the ice-making container 2 is provided with an insulation layer 3, the insulation layer 3 covers the outer wall of the ice-making container 2, and the refrigeration system can provide directional cooling by connecting with a local wall of the ice-making container 2; or, a refrigeration device such as a semiconductor refrigeration chip can directly exchange heat with a local wall of the ice-making container 2 to provide directional cooling for the receiving cavity 21.

[0146] In some embodiments, when an insulation layer 3 is provided outside the ice container 2, the operating power of the light source 5 is P, which satisfies: 0.3W≤P≤3W.

[0147] In this embodiment, the operating power P of the light source 5 can be 0.3W, 1.5W, 2W, 2.5W or 3W, which can be determined according to the volume of the receiving cavity 21, the shape of the receiving cavity 21, the structure of the ice-making container 2 and the type of liquid medium 6.

[0148] It is understandable that, due to the presence of the insulation layer 3, the liquid medium 6 in the containment cavity 21 freezes by directional, layer-by-layer freezing. The freezing rate is slow, the ice-water interface transition rate is slow, and the time for the light radiation output by the light source 5 to irradiate the ice-water interface is extended. The ice-water interface tension can be reduced by generating low-intensity light radiation through the low-power light source 5, thus saving energy and increasing the freezing rate.

[0149] In some embodiments, when no insulation layer 3 is provided outside the ice container 2, the operating power of the light source 5 is P, which satisfies: 0.5W≤P≤10W.

[0150] In this embodiment, the operating power P of the light source 5 can be 0.5W, 0.8W, 2W, 3W, 3.5W, 5W, 6.5W, 8W or 10W, which can be determined according to the volume of the receiving cavity 21, the shape of the receiving cavity 21, the structure of the ice-making container 2 and the type of liquid medium 6.

[0151] In this embodiment, since no insulation layer 3 is provided, the entire wall surface of the ice-making container 2 can exchange heat with the cold source 4. The cold source 4 can provide more cooling capacity to the container cavity 21, thereby making the liquid medium 6 freeze faster and the ice-water interface change rate faster. The time that the light radiation output by the light source 5 irradiates the ice-water interface is shortened. Compared with the use of low-intensity light radiation irradiation, the ice-water interface may not receive light radiation during the rapid change, resulting in the tension of the ice-water interface not being effectively reduced, and the adsorption force of the ice-water interface on the air bubbles cannot be reduced well. The high-intensity light radiation generated by the high-power light source 5 is used to irradiate the rapidly changing ice-water interface to quickly and effectively reduce the tension of the ice-water interface.

[0152] In some embodiments, when no insulation layer 3 is provided outside the ice container 2, the operating power of the light source 5 is P, which satisfies: 3W≤P≤10W.

[0153] In this embodiment, the operating power P of the light source 5 can be 3W, 3.5W, 5W, 6.5W, 8W or 10W, which can be determined according to the volume of the receiving cavity 21, the shape of the receiving cavity 21, the structure of the ice-making container 2 and the type of liquid medium 6.

[0154] In some embodiments, the wavelength of the light radiation output by the light source 5 is λ, which satisfies: 100nm≤λ.

[0155] The wavelength λ of the light radiation output by the light source 5 can be 100nm, 200nm, 450nm, 700nm, 1000nm, 1200nm or higher.

[0156] For example, the wavelength λ of the light radiation output by light source 5 can satisfy: 400nm ≤ λ ≤ 700nm, for example, λ can be 400nm, 500nm, 650nm or 700nm, that is, the light is visible light; or, the wavelength λ of the light radiation output by light source 5 can satisfy: λ ≥ 1000nm, for example, λ can be 1000nm, 1200nm, 1350nm or 1500nm, that is, the light is infrared light above 1000nm. Experimental results show that when the wavelength of the light radiation is greater than 100nm, the light radiation generated by light source 5 can reduce the tension of the ice-water interface and improve the transparency of the ice.

[0157] In some embodiments, the light radiation angle output by the light source 5 is β, and the shortest distance from the light source 5 to the receiving cavity 21 is h, satisfying: 20°≤β≤140°, h≤50mm.

[0158] The irradiance angle of the light emitted by light source 5 needs to ensure that the light radiation irradiates the constantly changing ice-water interface as much as possible during ice growth. This is so that as the ice-water interface approaches light source 5, the light radiation generated by light source 5 can always penetrate the unfrozen liquid medium 6 and irradiate the ice-water interface. The irradiance angle β of the light emitted by light source 5 can be 20°, 30°, 50°, 60°, 100°, 130°, or 140°. The larger the irradiance angle β of the light emitted by light source 5, the larger the area of ​​the ice-water interface that the light radiation emitted by light source 5 can irradiate for a longer period of time.

[0159] The light source 5 is placed on the liquid surface, and the light source 5 is spaced apart from the liquid surface. The smaller the shortest distance h from the light source 5 to the receiving cavity 21, the closer the light source 5 is to the interface of the liquid medium 6 in the receiving cavity 21, and the greater the amount of light radiation emitted by the light source 5 enters the receiving cavity 21.

[0160] Where the shortest distance h from the light source 5 to the receiving cavity 21 satisfies 0mm<h≤50mm, the shortest distance h from the light source 5 to the receiving cavity 21 can be 10mm, 15mm, 25mm, 30mm, 45mm or 50mm. That is, the light source 5 and the receiving cavity 21 are spaced apart, and the interface between the light source 5 and the liquid medium 6 is spaced apart to avoid contact between the light source 5 and the liquid medium 6. This can improve the safety and hygiene of the produced ice, and also protect the light source 5 and extend its service life.

[0161] When the shortest distance h from the light source 5 to the receiving cavity 21 satisfies h = 0 mm, the light source 5 is set in the receiving cavity 21. The light source 5 can be set on the side wall of the ice-making container 2, for example, the light source 5 can be set on the inner side wall or the outer side wall of the ice-making container 2, so as to increase the amount of light radiation output by the light source 5 entering the receiving cavity 21.

[0162] In this embodiment, with the light source 5 determined, the smaller the shortest distance h from the light source 5 to the receiving cavity 21, the larger the irradiance angle β of the light radiation output by the light source 5, and the greater the time and area of ​​the light radiation output by the light source 5 irradiating the ice-water interface.

[0163] For example, such as Figures 5-7 As shown in the figure, the circle represents the spherical cavity 21; the intensity of the light radiation output by multiple concentric semicircular light sources 5 arranged concentrically outward from the origin of the coordinate system; and the angle represented by the lines radiating outward from the origin of the coordinate system, with the angle between two adjacent rays being 10°.

[0164] like Figure 5 As shown, when h = 0 mm and β = 140°, the light radiation output by the light source 5 can completely enter the receiving cavity 21, and the light radiation can illuminate different heights of the receiving cavity 21; as Figure 6As shown, when h = 10 mm and β = 80°, the light radiation received at the bottom of the cavity 21 is relatively weak; Figure 7 As shown, when h = 50 mm and β = 60°, the amount of light radiation output by the light source 5 entering the cavity 21 is small, and the light radiation cannot reach the bottom of the cavity 21. The light radiation received by the water-ice interface near the bottom of the cavity 21 is very weak.

[0165] In some embodiments, 3720≤E=cL / (rcos0.5β)≤360000.

[0166] Where E represents illuminance; c is a coefficient, c = 1; r is the farthest distance from the light source 5 to the inner wall of the cavity 21, in meters; and L is the luminous intensity of the light source 5, in candela.

[0167] In this embodiment, E can be 5800, 10200, 23000, 93000 or 360000. By setting the illuminance range of the light source 5, the range and quality of the light radiation of the light source 5 can be improved, thereby increasing the transparency of the ice.

[0168] In some embodiments, when the receiving cavity 21 contains the liquid medium 6 to be made into ice, at least a portion of the light source 5 is immersed in the liquid medium 6.

[0169] In this embodiment, at least a portion of the light source 5 is located below the surface of the liquid medium 6, and most or all of the light radiation from the light source 5 can irradiate into the containment cavity 21, thereby increasing the amount of light radiation output by the light source 5 that irradiates into the containment cavity 21, thereby increasing the time that the light radiation irradiates the constantly changing ice-water interface and increasing the area of ​​the light radiation irradiating the ice-water interface.

[0170] This application also provides a storage device, including: an ice-making apparatus according to any of the above embodiments.

[0171] According to the storage device provided in the embodiments of this application, by setting a cold source 4 and a light source 5, the light source 5 can reduce the tension of the water-ice interface by outputting light radiation, thereby reducing the number of air bubbles attached to the ice-water interface. The cold source 4 can provide cooling to the liquid medium 6 in the receiving cavity 21 so that the liquid medium 6 freezes layer by layer, causing the air bubbles to be continuously squeezed and expelled by the ice layer, and then gradually gather towards the last frozen part of the receiving cavity 21 until they escape from the liquid medium 6 without being frozen in the middle of the ice. This improves the overall transparency of the ice and enhances the aesthetics of the ice, while also prolonging the melting time of the ice, reducing the melting rate of the ice, and improving the chilling effect.

[0172] This application also provides a drinking water device, including: an ice-making device according to any of the above embodiments.

[0173] According to the drinking water device provided in the embodiments of this application, by setting a cold source 4 and a light source 5, the light source 5 can reduce the tension of the water-ice interface by outputting light radiation, thereby reducing the number of air bubbles attached to the ice-water interface. The cold source 4 can provide cooling to the liquid medium 6 in the receiving cavity 21 so that the liquid medium 6 freezes layer by layer, causing the air bubbles to be continuously squeezed and expelled by the ice layer, and then gradually gather towards the last frozen part of the receiving cavity 21 until they escape from the liquid medium 6 without being frozen in the middle of the ice. This improves the overall transparency of the ice and enhances its aesthetics. At the same time, it prolongs the melting time of the ice, reduces the melting rate of the ice, and improves the chilling effect.

[0174] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and the number of objects is not limited; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0175] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0176] In the description of this application, "first feature" and "second feature" may include one or more of the features.

[0177] In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more.

[0178] In the description of this application, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or the first and second features being in contact through another feature between them.

[0179] In the description of this application, the terms "above," "over," and "on top" for the first feature and the second feature include the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature.

[0180] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0181] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ice making device, characterized by, The ice-making device comprises: a casing; an ice-making container installed in the casing and forming at least one accommodation cavity for ice-making; a heater installed in the ice-making container; a cold source for supplying cold to the accommodation cavity; a light source installed in the casing and used for outputting light radiation to the accommodation cavity.

2. The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein, The heater is installed on a wall of the ice-making container away from the cold source.

3. The ice making device of claim 1, wherein, The heater is in a film type and attached to an outer wall of the ice-making container; or, the heater is in a wire type and installed on an outer wall of the ice-making container; or, the heater is in a plate type and installed on an outer wall of the ice-making container.

4. The ice making device of claim 1, wherein, The ratio of the area of the heater to the area of the inner wall of the accommodation cavity is b, which satisfies 0.02≤b≤0.

5.

5. The ice making device of claim 1, wherein, The heat transfer direction of the cold source is arranged opposite to the irradiation direction of the light radiation output by the light source, and the distance from the heater to the center of the light source is less than the distance from the heater to the center of the cold source.

6. The ice making device of claim 1, wherein, The light source is used for outputting light radiation to the accommodation cavity from a first side of the ice-making container, the wall of the ice-making container has at least one cold supply section, the cold source is used for supplying cold to the outer wall of the cold supply section, the cold supply section is arranged opposite to the first side, and the heater is installed on the first side.

7. The ice making device of claim 1, wherein, The light source is installed above the accommodation cavity, the heater is installed on the upper wall of the ice-making container, and the cold source is used for supplying cold to the lower wall of the accommodation cavity.

8. The ice making device according to claim 7, wherein, The light source is adapted to be located above the liquid surface of the accommodation cavity and spaced apart from the liquid surface.

9. The ice making device of claim 1, wherein, At least part of the light source is immersed in the liquid medium when the accommodation cavity contains the liquid medium to be made into ice.

10. The ice-making device according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The ice-making container further forms an exhaust cavity in communication with the accommodation cavity, the exhaust cavity is located above the accommodation cavity, and the heater is located on both sides of the exhaust cavity.

11. The ice-making device according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein At least part of the wall outside the ice-making container is provided with a thermal insulation layer, and the cold source is used for supplying cold to the accommodation cavity through the wall without the thermal insulation layer.

12. The ice making device of claim 11, wherein, The working power of the light source is P, which satisfies 0.3W≤P≤3W.

13. The ice-making device according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein When the wall outside the ice-making container is not provided with a thermal insulation layer, the working power of the light source is P, which satisfies 0.5W≤P≤10W; or, the wavelength of the light radiation output by the light source is λ, which satisfies 100nm≤λ; or, the irradiation angle of the light radiation output by the light source is β, the shortest distance from the light source to the accommodation cavity is h, and 20°≤β≤140°.

14. A storage device, comprising: The ice-making device comprises: the ice-making device according to any one of claims 1-13.

15. A drinking water apparatus, characterized in that The ice-making device comprises: the ice-making device according to any one of claims 1-13.

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