Ice making device and ice maker

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of ice making, in particular to an ice making device and an ice maker. The ice making device comprises a first evaporator assembly and a water box assembly, the water box assembly comprises a water box body, an inner shell and a disturbance part, the inner shell and the first evaporator assembly define a first ice making cavity, the water box body is arranged on the side, away from the first evaporator assembly, of the inner shell, and the water box body and the inner shell define a water inlet cavity; a turbulent flow hole communicated with the water inlet cavity and the first ice making cavity is formed in the inner shell; the disturbance component is connected with the water box body. According to the ice making device provided by the embodiment of the invention, the disturbance component drives the water in the water inlet cavity to flow, so that the water in the water inlet cavity and the water in the first ice making cavity can fully and mutually flow and circulate, and gas and impurities in the water can be taken away by continuously flowing liquid water in the process of forming ice by the water; and finally, it is ensured that the interior of the manufactured ice block is free of bubbles and is glittering and translucent, and the quality of the ice block is remarkably improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ice-making technology, and more particularly to ice-making apparatus and ice makers. Background Technology

[0002] With the significant improvement in modern living standards, people's pursuit of quality of life has become increasingly refined, making ice makers and refrigerators with integrated ice-making functions indispensable in homes and commercial spaces. These devices operate on a relatively uniform principle: rapidly cooling water in a mold using a first evaporator component to freeze it into ice, meeting various needs such as daily drinking, food preservation, and commercial cocktail making. However, in practical applications, most ice-making mechanisms in these technologies often produce ice cubes containing a large number of air bubbles. This is because during the rapid freezing process, air dissolved in the water is trapped within the ice crystal structure before it can escape. These bubbles cause the ice cubes to appear cloudy, have low transparency, and lack a crystal-clear aesthetic. Ultimately, the problem of air bubbles in the ice cubes leads to poor ice quality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in related technologies. To this end, this invention proposes an ice-making device that produces ice blocks that are free of internal air bubbles and are crystal clear, significantly improving the quality of the ice blocks.

[0004] The present invention also proposes an ice maker.

[0005] An ice-making apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: First evaporator assembly; A water tank assembly includes a water tank body, an inner shell, and a disturbance component. The inner shell and the first evaporator assembly form a first ice-making chamber. The water tank body is disposed on the side of the inner shell opposite to the first evaporator assembly. The water tank body and the inner shell form a water inlet chamber. The inner shell is provided with a disturbance hole connecting the water inlet chamber and the first ice-making chamber. The disturbance component is connected to the water tank body and is adapted to drive the water in the water inlet chamber to flow.

[0006] According to the ice-making apparatus of the present invention, the water in the water inlet chamber is driven to flow by the disturbance component, so that the water in the water inlet chamber and the water in the first ice-making chamber can flow and circulate fully with each other. During the process of water freezing into ice, the gas and impurities in the water are carried away by the continuously flowing liquid water and are not trapped in the ice crystals. Ultimately, this ensures that the ice blocks produced are bubble-free and crystal clear, which significantly improves the quality of the ice blocks.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the disturbance component includes: A drive mechanism is disposed on the outside of the water box body. A disturbance mechanism is provided inside the water inlet chamber. The water box body is provided with a connection hole. The connecting shaft of the drive mechanism passes through the connection hole and is connected to the disturbance mechanism. The drive mechanism is adapted to drive the disturbance mechanism to move. The disturbance mechanism is adapted to drive the water in the water inlet chamber to flow.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism includes a driving motor, the disturbance mechanism includes a disturbance impeller, the disturbance impeller is sleeved on the connecting shaft of the driving motor, and the driving motor is adapted to drive the disturbance impeller to rotate.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the driving mechanism includes a linear driving member, the disturbance mechanism includes a disturbance push plate, the disturbance push plate is sleeved on the connecting shaft of the linear driving member, and the linear driving member is adapted to drive the disturbance push plate to perform linear reciprocating motion.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water box assembly further includes: A substrate is disposed on the side of the water box body facing the first evaporator assembly and is sealed to the water box body; the substrate is provided with a through hole, the inner shell covers the corresponding through hole and is sealed to the substrate, the side of the inner shell facing the first evaporator assembly forms a receiving cavity, the side of the first evaporator assembly facing the inner shell forms a second ice tray, and the receiving cavity and the second ice tray communicate to form the first ice-making cavity.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the number of inner housings is two, and the disturbance mechanism is located between the two inner housings.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner shell is hemispherical, and a strip-shaped through hole is provided on the inner shell, the center of the strip-shaped through hole being located on the central axis of the inner shell.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple turbulence holes, which are evenly distributed on one side of the two strip-shaped through holes that are close to each other.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner housing is provided with a non-stick coating on the side facing the first ice-making cavity.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sealing ring is provided in the connecting hole, and the sealing ring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the connecting shaft and seals with the connecting shaft.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the ice maker includes the ice-making apparatus described in any of the preceding claims.

[0017] By using the aforementioned ice-making device, the quality of the ice produced by the ice maker has been improved, enhancing the product's competitiveness.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention 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 the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the water box assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the water box assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the evaporator assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the evaporator assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a front view of the second ice-making container provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the water-air connection seat provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 This is one of the three-dimensional structural schematic diagrams of the ice-making device provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a top view of the ice-making device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 9 It is along Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along section line FF.

[0029] Figure 10 It is along Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure made along section line GG.

[0030] Figure 11This is the second three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure label: 20. Water tank assembly; 21. Base plate; 210. Water tank body; 211. Water inlet cavity; 220. Inner shell; 221. First ice-making cavity; 222. Strip-shaped through hole; 240. Water-air connection seat; 241. Overflow connection port; 242. Water inlet / outlet connection port; 243. First annular sealing gasket; 244. Second annular sealing gasket; 30. Disturbance component; 310. Drive mechanism; 320. Disturbance mechanism; 40. Outer shell; 41. Cover; 410. Support base; 422. Ice outlet port; 430. Sprayer component; 431. Combustion channel; 433. Drainage channel; 434. Drain outlet; 435. Nozzle; 436. Guide channel; 440. Partition; 441. Partition frame; 442. Shielding component; 50. First evaporator assembly; 51. First ice-making box body; 511. First ice tray; 52. Second ice-making box body; 521. Second ice tray; 53. Evaporation chamber; 531. Diverter chamber; 532. Diverter evaporation chamber; 54. Refrigerant inlet; 55. Refrigerant outlet; 56. First partition; 57. First channel; 58. Second partition; 59. Second channel. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0033] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0034] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0035] In embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0036] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. 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. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the ice-making device includes a first evaporator assembly 50 and a water tank assembly 20. The water tank assembly 20 includes a water tank body 210, an inner shell 220, and a disturbance component 30. The inner shell 220 cooperates with the first evaporator assembly 50 to form a first ice-making chamber 221. The water tank body 210 is located on the side of the inner shell 220 away from the first evaporator assembly 50. The water tank body 210 and the inner shell 220 form an independent water inlet chamber 211. By functionally separating the main water storage area (water inlet chamber 211) from the direct freezing area (first ice-making chamber 221), conditions are provided for water circulation. The inner shell 220 is provided with a disturbance hole connecting the water inlet chamber 211 and the first ice-making chamber 221. The disturbance hole allows water in the water inlet chamber 211 to enter the first ice-making chamber 221 and exchange with it. The disturbance component 30 is connected to the water tank body 210 and is adapted to drive the water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow.

[0038] The ice-making device provided by the present invention drives the water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow through the disturbance component 30, so that the water in the water inlet chamber 211 and the water in the first ice-making chamber 221 can flow and circulate fully with each other. During the process of water freezing into ice, the gas and impurities in the water will be carried away by the continuously flowing liquid water and will not be trapped in the ice crystals. Ultimately, this ensures that the ice blocks produced are free of air bubbles and are crystal clear, which significantly improves the quality of the ice blocks.

[0039] It is understandable that, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the disturbance component 30 includes a drive mechanism 310 and a disturbance mechanism 320. The drive mechanism 310 is located outside the water tank body 210, while the disturbance mechanism 320 is located inside the water inlet chamber 211. External placement of the drive mechanism 310 effectively prevents direct contact between the core drive components, such as the motor, and the water, greatly improving product safety and lifespan. A connection hole is provided on the water tank body 210, through which the connecting shaft of the drive mechanism 310 passes and connects to the disturbance mechanism 320. The drive mechanism 310 is adapted to drive the disturbance mechanism 320 to move, and the disturbance mechanism 320 is adapted to drive the water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow. By driving the water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow, the water in the first ice-making chamber 221 circulates with the water in the ice-making chamber. When the water freezes, the discharged gas and impurities are immediately carried away by the flowing water, preventing them from freezing inside the ice crystals. This allows for the stable production of high-quality ice cubes that are almost bubble-free and crystal clear.

[0040] It is understandable that, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the drive mechanism 310 includes a drive motor, and the disturbance mechanism 320 includes a disturbance impeller. The disturbance impeller is directly mounted on the connecting shaft of the drive motor, and the drive motor is adapted to drive the disturbance impeller to rotate. During ice making, the drive motor drives the disturbance impeller to rotate stably, and the disturbance impeller then drives the water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow. Through the disturbance holes, the water continuously washes the freezing interface of the first ice-making chamber 221, promoting full circulation between the water in the first ice-making chamber 221 and the water in the water inlet chamber 211. This continuous circulation can promptly remove the air and impurities that are released during the freezing process, preventing them from freezing inside the ice, thus fundamentally solving the problem of turbidity in the ice. The resulting ice has extremely high transparency and excellent quality.

[0041] It is also understood that the drive mechanism 310 includes a water pump and a connecting pipe. The water pump can be set inside or outside the water box body 210. The water pump inlet is connected to the water inlet chamber 211 through the connecting pipe, and the water pump outlet is connected to the first ice-making chamber 221 through the connecting pipe. During the ice-making process, the water pump continuously pumps the water in the water box body 210 through the connecting pipe and sprays or injects it onto the freezing surface of the first ice-making chamber 221, while the unfrozen water flows back into the water box body 210 through the turbulence hole, forming a complete closed loop.

[0042] It is understood that the drive mechanism 310 includes a linear drive component, and the disturbance mechanism 320 includes a disturbance pusher plate. The disturbance pusher plate is sleeved on the connecting shaft of the linear drive component. The linear drive component is adapted to drive the disturbance pusher plate to perform linear reciprocating motion. By precisely controlling the stroke and frequency of the linear drive component, a kind of pulsating water flow can be generated. Compared with the rotating water flow in a single direction, this reciprocating motion can more effectively agitate the water in the corners of the cavity. During ice making, the linear drive component drives the disturbance pusher plate to perform regular linear reciprocating motion. When the disturbance pusher plate moves, it will alternately push and pull the water in the water cavity 211, thereby driving it to flow. This process creates a continuous pressure difference between the water inlet cavity 211 and the first ice-making cavity 221, forcing the water to flow and circulate fully between the two cavities, ensuring that the final ice cube is pure inside and crystal clear in appearance, significantly improving the quality and aesthetics of the ice cube.

[0043] It is understandable that, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the water box assembly 20 also includes a base plate 21. The base plate 21 is a rectangular plate and is disposed on the side of the water box body 210 facing the first evaporator assembly 50, and is sealed to the water box body 210. The base plate 21 has through holes, and the inner shell 220 covers the corresponding through holes and is sealed to the base plate 21. This installation method makes the inner shell 220 a modular component that is easy to disassemble and assemble, providing a technical premise for diversifying the ice cube shape by replacing the inner shell 220 with different concave shapes. The base plate 21, the inner shell 220, and the water box body 210 cooperate to form an independent water inlet cavity 211. The formation of the water inlet cavity 211 can serve as a water flow buffer and distribution area, which helps to stabilize the water pressure and flow rate entering the first ice-making cavity 221. The inner shell 220 has a receiving cavity on the side facing the first evaporator assembly 50. After the water box assembly 20 is installed in place, the edge of the inner shell 220 contacts and seals with the upper surface of the first evaporator assembly 50.

[0044] Understandably, a snap-fit ​​portion is provided on the side of the through hole facing the first evaporator assembly 50, and this snap-fit ​​portion extends continuously along the entire edge of the through hole. Correspondingly, a first sealing groove is provided on the side of the inner shell 220 away from the first evaporator assembly 50, and this first sealing groove also extends completely along the edge of the inner shell 220, with its opening facing upward. The shape of the first sealing groove is designed to be similar to and match the shape of the snap-fit ​​portion. During assembly, the snap-fit ​​portion can be precisely snapped into the first sealing groove and form a tight sealing fit with it. This snap-fit ​​fit method has the following advantages: on the one hand, it realizes the convenience of quick installation and disassembly between the inner shell 220 and the substrate 21 without tools. Users only need to press lightly to complete the fixation, which greatly optimizes the operating experience. On the other hand, through the tight engagement of the snap-fit ​​portion and the periphery of the sealing groove, a reliable annular seal is formed, which effectively prevents water in the water inlet chamber 211 from leaking from the joint gap between the inner shell 220 and the substrate 21, ensuring that all water is accurately guided to the first ice-making chamber 221, avoiding waste of water resources.

[0045] It is understood that the substrate 21 is provided with a limiting step 253 on the side away from the first evaporator assembly 50. Correspondingly, the edge of the inner shell 220 is provided with a sealing part on the side away from the first evaporator assembly 50, and a second sealing groove is provided on the side of the sealing part facing the first evaporator assembly 50 (i.e., the bottom surface). The opening of the second sealing groove faces downward. The limiting step 253 is embedded in the second sealing groove and forms a sealing fit with the second sealing groove. This structure not only achieves a stable locking between components and prevents relative misalignment, but more importantly, it forms a tortuous, non-linear labyrinthine sealing path, forming a double sealing structure, which can effectively prevent water leakage in the water inlet chamber 211 when the water level is high or the pressure fluctuates.

[0046] Understandably, there are two inner shells 220, so two ice blocks can be made at the same time. The disturbance mechanism 320 is located between the two inner shells 220, so that a single disturbance mechanism 320 can act on two independent ice-making chambers at the same time. This not only simplifies the overall mechanical structure, reduces the number of parts and potential failure points, and lowers the manufacturing cost, but also generates a more symmetrical and uniform water flow to the disturbance holes on both sides, ensuring the consistency of the quality of the two ice blocks.

[0047] Understandably, the inner shell 220 is hemispherical, and it is provided with strip-shaped through holes 222. The center of the strip-shaped through holes 222 is located on the central axis of the inner shell 220, ensuring that water can enter from the apex or center of the ice block mold. This facilitates the formation of a uniform and symmetrical circulation path, which is the basis for constructing an efficient water circulation. The strip-shaped through holes 222 of the first ice-making cavity 221 serve as the main pathway for water to enter the first ice-making cavity 221 from the water inlet cavity 211, while the turbulence holes serve as the main pathway for water to flow back from the first ice-making cavity 221 to the water inlet cavity 211. By clearly distinguishing the water inlet and outlet channels, an efficient circulation loop is constructed. Water flows in from the central strip-shaped through hole 222, flushes the first ice-making cavity 221, and then flows out from the surrounding turbulence holes. This design avoids short-circuiting or turbulence of the water flow, ensuring that the water in the entire first ice-making cavity 221 can be effectively replaced and renewed, thereby maximizing the efficiency of air venting and impurity removal to produce high-quality transparent ice blocks.

[0048] Understandably, there are multiple turbulence holes, evenly distributed on one side of the two strip-shaped through-holes 222 that are close to each other. This design, with multiple water outlet paths, ensures smooth and sufficient water flow from the first ice-making chamber 221 back to the inlet chamber 211, avoiding flow bottlenecks that might be caused by a single hole diameter, thus maintaining the stability and high efficiency of the entire circulation system. The even distribution of multiple turbulence holes on one side of the two strip-shaped through-holes 222 is highly purposeful; it places the return water path closest to the central turbulence mechanism 320, creating the shortest and most direct circulation loop, significantly reducing flow resistance and improving circulation efficiency. Simultaneously, the even distribution ensures that water is smoothly and synchronously drawn from the inner edge of the first ice-making chamber 221, avoiding the generation of local eddies or stagnant zones caused by uneven water output, ensuring a consistent water flow renewal rate throughout the first ice-making chamber 221. This is crucial for uniformly removing impurities and ensuring high consistency in the quality of the two ice blocks.

[0049] Understandably, the inner shell 220 is provided with a non-stick coating on the side facing the first ice-making cavity 221. This coating reduces the adhesion between the ice and the surface of the inner shell 220, thereby significantly reducing the force required to remove the ice during the ice removal process. This not only protects the integrity of the ice and prevents it from cracking or scratching when it is removed, but also ensures that the final product ice has a smooth and perfect appearance.

[0050] Understandably, a sealing ring is installed inside the connection hole. This structure is key to achieving rotary sealing, reliably sealing the gap between the connecting shaft of the drive mechanism 310 and the water box body 210. This effectively prevents water in the inlet chamber 211 from leaking out through the connection hole, ensuring the watertightness of the equipment and avoiding safety hazards such as short circuits in external circuits or damage to the drive mechanism 310 caused by water leakage. The sealing ring is fitted around the outer circumference of the connecting shaft and seals with it, ensuring that even when the connecting shaft rotates or reciprocates, the sealing ring remains tightly attached to the surface of the shaft, forming a reliable dynamic watertight barrier. This ensures the sealing reliability and durability of the device during long-term operation, greatly improving the overall safety level and service life of the product.

[0051] It is understandable that the inner shell 220 is made of a flexible material, and the pressing mechanism is set on the water box body 210. The pressing mechanism is adapted to squeeze the inner shell 220 to deform during ice removal so that the ice block is separated from the inner shell 220.

[0052] According to the ice-making apparatus provided by the present invention, since the inner shell 220 is made of a flexible material, it can easily undergo recoverable deformation under external force. During the ice removal process, by pressing the pressing mechanism by hand, the pressing mechanism further compresses the flexible inner shell 220 under pressure, causing it to deform locally or entirely. This method of separating ice blocks through compression and deformation simplifies the overall mechanical structure, reducing manufacturing costs and achieving higher reliability and longer service life due to the reduction of moving parts. Throughout the entire ice removal process, the pressing mechanism always acts on the outer wall of the inner shell 220, avoiding direct contact between the pressing mechanism and the ice blocks inside the inner shell 220, thus ensuring the food-grade hygiene of the ice blocks.

[0053] Understandably, the first ice-making cavity 221 is spherical, and the inner shell 220 is hemispherical, producing spherical ice. Of course, the first ice-making cavity 221 can also be ellipsoidal, animal-shaped, or other shapes, with the shape of the inner shell 220 adjusted according to the shape of the first ice-making cavity 221. A receiving cavity is provided on the side of the inner shell 220 facing the first evaporator assembly 50. Both the receiving cavity and the second ice grid are hemispherical. When the inner shell 220 is attached to the top of the first evaporator, the receiving cavity and the second ice grid connect to form the spherical first ice-making cavity 221.

[0054] Understandably, the water tank body 210 is provided with mounting holes, located on the top of the water tank body 210, to facilitate operation directly after opening the ice maker's cover 41. Of course, the location of the mounting holes is not limited to this; they can also be located in other positions on the water tank body 210.

[0055] The pressing mechanism includes a pressing element and an elastic element. The pressing element is vertically arranged, with its first end movably passing through a mounting hole. The pressing element is located above the inner housing 220. The number of pressing elements is the same as the number of inner housings 220, and each pressing element corresponds to one inner housing 220. The elastic element is connected to the pressing element and can store energy and release it after the external force is removed, thus allowing the pressing element to automatically return to its initial position after pressing the inner housing 220. This achieves automatic reset after pressing, eliminating the need for manual reset by the user and improving the convenience of operation and the efficiency of continuous use. The elastic element is suitable for switching between an initial state and a deformed state. In the initial state, the first end of the pressing element is separated from the inner housing 220. In the deformed state, by applying external force to the pressing part, its first end abuts against the inner shell 220 and squeezes the flexible inner shell 220 to deform it. The deformation of the flexible inner shell 220 is used to break the adhesion between the ice and the shell surface, thereby separating the ice from the inner shell 220, achieving an easy and convenient ice removal effect. This method is not only simple and labor-saving to operate, but also effectively avoids the problems of ice breaking or mold damage caused by traditional knocking and twisting methods.

[0056] It is understood that the elastic element includes a compression spring, which is sleeved on the outer periphery of the pressing component. The coaxial arrangement of the compression spring and the pressing component makes the overall structure compact, occupies little space, and ensures that the pressing component is subjected to uniform force during movement, thereby achieving stable and smooth reciprocating motion. The first end of the compression spring abuts against the outer side of the water box body 210, and the second end of the pressing component is provided with a pressing part. The cross-sectional area of ​​the pressing part is larger than that of the compression spring, and the second end of the compression spring abuts against the pressing part. The pressing part not only provides a larger contact area, improving the user's comfort and ease of operation when pressing, but also serves as the limiting and force-bearing end of the spring, ensuring the smooth transmission of pressure and spring force. Of course, the specific type of elastic element is not limited to this; it can also be a tension spring or other types of springs.

[0057] Understandably, a guide sleeve is provided on the outer side of the water tank body 210. The guide sleeve provides precise guidance for the reciprocating motion of the pressing component, ensuring that the pressing component always moves stably along a predetermined path, thereby avoiding shaking or deflection during the movement. The pressing component is located inside the guide sleeve, and the guide sleeve and the pressing component are coaxially arranged. The compression spring is located between the guide sleeve and the pressing component, and the spring is housed inside the guide structure, which not only protects the spring from contamination or damage by external impurities, but also makes the overall structure cleaner and more compact. The pressing part slides in conjunction with the guide sleeve. Through the sliding contact between the upper end of the pressing part and the inner wall of the guide sleeve, the smoothness of the entire pressing stroke is ensured, improving the operating feel and the reliability of the mechanism.

[0058] Understandably, the ice-making device also includes a handle and at least two guide sleeves. The handle is connected to two of the guide sleeves, and the handle facilitates the removal of the water tank assembly 20 from the mounting cavity of the bracket. Preferably, two guide sleeves are provided, spaced apart at the top of the water tank body 210 along its length. One end of the handle is connected to one guide sleeve, and the other end is connected to the other guide sleeve, thus forming a complete handle structure, allowing the user to easily and smoothly remove or place the entire ice-making device with one hand. The handle and guide sleeves are integrally molded, reducing the number of parts, simplifying the production process, and lowering manufacturing costs. At the same time, the integrated structure ensures the strength and durability of the connection, avoiding loosening problems that may occur after long-term use.

[0059] Understandably, the pressing mechanism also includes a sealing ring, which is fitted onto the first end of the pressing member and seals with the pressing member. In the initial state, the sealing ring abuts against and seals with the edge of the mounting hole near the water inlet chamber 211 to prevent water in the water inlet chamber 211 from flowing out through the gap between the pressing member and the mounting hole. In the deformed state, the sealing ring separates from the edge of the mounting hole near the water inlet chamber 211.

[0060] The pressing mechanism also includes a sealing ring, which is fitted onto the first end of the pressing member and seals against it. In the initial state, the elastic force of the elastic element causes the sealing ring to abut against the edge of the mounting hole near the water inlet chamber 211 and form a sealing fit, thereby creating a waterproof barrier to prevent water in the water inlet chamber 211 from flowing out through the gap between the pressing member and the mounting hole after water is injected, thus improving the sealing performance of the water box assembly 20. In the deformed state, when the pressing member is pressed down, the sealing ring moves downward and separates from the edge of the mounting hole. At this time, since the water in the water inlet chamber 211 has been discharged, no water will flow out even though there is a gap between the pressing member and the mounting hole.

[0061] Understandably, a positioning groove is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first end of the pressing component. The positioning groove is annular, and the sealing ring is embedded in the positioning groove. By setting the positioning groove, the sealing ring is effectively prevented from axially moving or falling off during the frequent reciprocating motion of the pressing component, which greatly improves the stability and reliability of the sealing structure and ensures the long-lasting effectiveness of the sealing effect.

[0062] Understandably, a sealing bevel is provided on the edge of the mounting hole near the water inlet chamber 211. This bevel extends circumferentially along the mounting hole, forming a complete conical sealing surface, ensuring the continuity and integrity of the seal and preventing any leakage points. In the initial state, under the preload of the elastic element, the sealing ring and the sealing bevel tightly abut against each other, forming a sealing fit. This bevel contact method decomposes the axial spring pressure into a larger positive pressure perpendicular to the bevel, thus achieving a good sealing effect with only a small amount of elastic force. Simultaneously, by setting the sealing bevel, the contact area between the water box body 210 and the sealing ring is increased, further improving the sealing reliability of the water box assembly 20.

[0063] Understandably, the first end of the pressing component has a contact portion with a cross-sectional area larger than that of the pressing component rod. This design increases the contact area between the pressing component and the inner housing 220, effectively dispersing the pressure applied to the flexible inner housing 220 when pressure is applied. This avoids the risk of the pressing component tip piercing or damaging the inner housing 220 due to excessive stress concentration, significantly improving the durability and reliability of the mechanism. Simultaneously, the larger contact area allows pressure to be transmitted more evenly to the inner housing 220, causing it to deform more gently and over a wider range. This more efficiently breaks the adhesion between the ice and the housing, making the de-icing operation easier and more thorough.

[0064] Understandably, the inner housing 220 has a positioning sleeve on the side facing the pressing component. When the pressing component moves downward, its first end inserts into the positioning sleeve, providing precise positioning. Then, as the pressing component continues to move downward, it deforms the inner housing 220 connected to the positioning sleeve. Because the pressing position is precisely positioned, each press ensures that it acts on the most effective deformation area of ​​the inner housing 220, thus achieving efficient and reliable de-icing. The positioning sleeve positions the lower end of the pressing component, fundamentally preventing lower-end offset due to uneven force or gap tolerances. This avoids localized damage to the inner housing 220 or de-icing failure caused by misaligned pressing, greatly improving product durability and user operation success rate.

[0065] The water tank body 210 has at least two inlet and outlet ports communicating with the inlet chamber 211 on its side wall, and these ports are spaced apart vertically. By providing at least two inlet and outlet ports communicating with the inlet chamber 211 on the side wall of the water tank body 210, multiple water flow channels are provided. Compared to a single inlet / outlet design, this improves the redundancy and reliability of the piping, avoiding the risk of the entire de-icing process failing due to blockage in a single pipe. By arranging the at least two inlet and outlet ports vertically, even if the lower inlet / outlet is blocked by ice, the higher inlet / outlet remains unobstructed, serving as a backup channel to ensure that the remaining cold water in the inlet chamber 211 can be smoothly discharged, providing conditions for subsequent injection of de-icing water. Subsequently, high-temperature melting water can be efficiently injected into the inlet chamber 211 through the unobstructed upper inlet and outlet (or through both inlets after the lower inlet is unsealed). This rapidly and evenly heats and melts the ice in the chamber, effectively solving the problem that traditional single-outlet designs are prone to ice blockage and interruption during de-icing. This ensures the success rate of de-icing operations and the continuity and stability of the entire ice-making device, guaranteeing the normal progress of de-icing.

[0066] Understandably, an overflow port is also provided on the side wall of the water tank body 210. When water is injected into the water inlet chamber 211, the overflow port provides a smooth passage for the air in the water inlet chamber 211 to be discharged, effectively avoiding problems of poor water injection or insufficient water injection caused by back pressure generated by the formation of a closed air chamber in the water inlet chamber 211. The overflow port is located on one side of the upper water inlet and outlet. The overflow port is suitable for discharging air and / or excess water in the water inlet chamber 211. By limiting the highest liquid level in the water inlet chamber 211 through its specific height position, it can automatically discharge water exceeding the standard water volume, thereby achieving precise control of the amount of water for each ice making.

[0067] Understandably, the water box assembly 20 also includes a baffle plate, which is vertically disposed on the inner side wall of the water box body 210. The baffle plate covers the overflow port, and a flow channel communicating with the overflow port is formed between the baffle plate and the side wall of the water box body 210. This flow channel provides a dedicated and stable channel for air and excess water that is relatively isolated from the main water chamber, ensuring smooth air venting and drainage. Both the upper and lower ends of the baffle plate are provided with connection ports communicating with the flow channel. Specifically, the height of the upper port of the baffle is greater than the height of the overflow port, ensuring that this port mainly serves as a high-level venting channel. During water injection, it can efficiently expel the compressed air in the cavity, avoiding air resistance that could affect the water injection speed and accuracy. At the same time, the height of the lower port of the baffle is less than the height of the overflow port. During de-icing, even if the lower port of the baffle is temporarily blocked by ice or ice-water mixture due to its proximity to the bottom of the water body, the upper port, which is much higher than the ice-sealed area, remains unobstructed. It can serve as a reliable pressure relief and venting channel, providing an outlet for the air displaced or water vapor generated during subsequent injection of de-icing water. This completely solves the potential failure point of poor venting and inability to inject de-icing water smoothly due to a blockage of a single channel. Venting can also be carried out through the upper port, greatly improving the de-icing success rate and operational reliability of the equipment under complex working conditions.

[0068] It is understandable that there are two inlets and outlets, both of which are on the same vertical line, and the height of the overflow outlet is less than or equal to the height of the upper inlet and outlet.

[0069] Understandably, the baffle is equipped with multiple flow holes that are directly connected to the flow channel, thereby increasing the total flow area for air discharge and effectively improving the efficiency and speed of air discharge. Furthermore, the multiple flow holes are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction, ensuring that at least one flow hole is always above the water surface regardless of the water level in the flow channel. This allows for the smooth discharge of air accumulated in the upper layer, thus avoiding the problem of some air being trapped in the flow channel due to water level changes and ensuring the stability of the exhaust effect.

[0070] Understandably, the ice-making device also includes a support frame with an internal mounting cavity, providing an integrated mounting space for the first evaporator assembly 50 and the water box assembly 20. This makes the entire device more compact and provides effective support and protection for the internal components. The top of the support frame has an opening that communicates with the mounting cavity, allowing installers to easily insert or remove core components such as the first evaporator assembly 50 and the water box assembly 20 from above. This simplifies assembly and subsequent maintenance procedures and improves production and maintenance efficiency. The first evaporator assembly 50 and the water box assembly 20 are stacked sequentially in the mounting cavity from bottom to top.

[0071] Understandably, the ice-making device also includes a water-gas connection seat 240. A positioning groove is provided on the side wall of the bracket, and the water-gas connection seat 240 is embedded in the positioning groove. The positioning groove provides a precise installation position for the water-gas connection seat 240, ensuring that it can be installed quickly and accurately in the predetermined position. The embedded method ensures the stability and reliability of the connection between the two, avoiding loosening or misalignment caused by factors such as equipment vibration. The water-gas connection seat 240 is centrally provided with an overflow connection port 241 and at least two inlet and outlet water connection ports 242. By integrating multiple fluid interfaces into this independent modular component, the structure of the bracket body is simplified, eliminating the need to open multiple water channels, thereby significantly reducing the processing complexity and manufacturing cost of the bracket. The water-gas connection seat 240 fits against the side wall of the water box body 210 so that the inlet and outlet water connection ports 242 can be connected to the inlet and outlet water ports one by one, and the overflow connection port 241 can be connected to the overflow port.

[0072] Understandably, the inner diameter of the inlet / outlet connection 242 is larger than the inner diameter of the inlet / outlet. By making the inner diameter of the inlet / outlet connection 242 larger than the inner diameter of the inlet / outlet, even if there is a certain vertical or horizontal alignment deviation in the water box assembly 20 during installation, as long as the outline of the inlet / outlet falls within the outline of the inlet / outlet connection 242, an effective flow passage can still be formed between the two, thus ensuring the continuity of the water path. This greatly reduces the installation accuracy requirements of the water / air connector 240.

[0073] Understandably, the edge of the inlet / outlet water connection 242 is provided with a first annular sealing gasket 243. The first annular sealing gasket 243 uses its own elasticity to fill the tiny gaps between the connection surfaces. The first annular sealing gasket 243 seals with the edge of the inlet / outlet water connection, ensuring that water will not leak from the interface during water intake or drainage. Similarly, the edge of the overflow connection 241 is also provided with a second annular sealing gasket 244. The second annular sealing gasket 244 seals with the edge of the overflow port, effectively preventing overflowing water or exhaust air from leaking into the equipment from the interface, avoiding the risk of possible electrical short circuits or component corrosion. Preferably, the side wall of the bracket or the side wall of the water tank body 210 is inclined. When the water tank body 210 is installed downward, the water tank body 210 will be subjected to the horizontal component force of the inclined side wall of the bracket, thereby pressing the first annular sealing gasket 243 and the second annular sealing gasket 244 tighter and tighter. This self-locking design uses the weight of the components themselves and the installation action to continuously apply and enhance the sealing pressure, which greatly improves the long-term reliability and sealing performance of the connection. Even if the sealing gasket wears material after long-term use, this structure can compensate to a certain extent.

[0074] Understandably, the inlet and outlet water pipes are interconnected with each inlet and outlet water connection 242. The dispersed interfaces are integrated through a main pipeline to form an integrated water distribution pipeline, thereby simplifying the water system layout of the entire device. Ultimately, all inlet and outlet water connections 242 share a single inlet and outlet water pipe, allowing the entire ice-making device to complete all water inlet and outlet operations with only one external interface. This not only simplifies the installation of external pipelines and reduces the number of joints and potential leakage risks, but also reduces material costs and installation space requirements.

[0075] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the first evaporator assembly 50 includes a first ice-making container 51 and a second ice-making container 52.

[0076] The first ice-making container 51 has an outer surface for making ice, on which a plurality of first ice trays 511 are provided. The first ice trays 511 are cavities for holding water and freezing it into ice blocks of a specific shape. For example, the first ice trays 511 can be hemispherical grooves for making spherical ice, or cylindrical protrusions for making bullet ice.

[0077] The second ice-making container 52 also has an outer surface for ice making, and the second ice tray 521 is located on the side of the second ice-making container 52 opposite to the first ice-making container 51. The second ice tray 521 is a cavity for making ice cubes of a different shape. For example, the second ice tray 521 can be a rectangular groove for making square ice. In a preferred embodiment, the first ice tray 511 and the second ice tray 521 have different shapes, so that the first evaporator assembly 50 provided in this embodiment of the invention can simultaneously make two different shapes of ice cubes to meet diverse ice-making needs. Of course, the first ice tray 511 and the second ice tray 521 can also have the same shape.

[0078] It should be noted that the first ice-making container 51 and the second ice-making container 52 are usually made of metal materials with good thermal conductivity, such as copper, aluminum or stainless steel, to ensure that heat can be conducted efficiently.

[0079] The core improvement of the first evaporator assembly 50 provided in this embodiment of the invention lies in the fact that the back of the first ice-making box body 51 (i.e., the side facing away from the first ice tray 511) and the back of the second ice-making box body 52 (i.e., the side facing away from the second ice tray 521) are fixedly connected. This back-to-back fixed connection means that the two ice-making boxes together form a sealed cavity, which is the evaporation cavity 53. The evaporation cavity 53 is the core space used to contain and evaporate the refrigerant.

[0080] The fixed connection between the first ice-making container body 51 and the second ice-making container body 52 can be achieved through various mature processes, such as welding, brazing, or bonding with high-strength, high- and low-temperature resistant adhesives. In some embodiments of the present invention, the first ice-making container body 51 and the second ice-making container body 52 have the same shape, and the first ice-making container body 51 and the second ice-making container body 52 are welded together.

[0081] To allow refrigerant to enter and exit the evaporation chamber 53, a refrigerant inlet 54 and a refrigerant outlet 55 are provided on the first ice-making box 51 or the second ice-making box 52. Both the refrigerant inlet 54 and the refrigerant outlet 55 are directly connected to the internal evaporation chamber 53. The positions of the refrigerant inlet 54 and the refrigerant outlet 55 are specifically configured to ensure that the refrigerant completely fills the evaporation chamber 53. This reflects the working principle of a "flooded" evaporator. Typically, the refrigerant inlet 54 is located at a lower position in the evaporation chamber 53, while the refrigerant outlet 55 is located at a higher position. This arrangement facilitates the entry of liquid refrigerant from below, gradually filling the entire evaporation chamber 53, while the gaseous refrigerant produced by evaporation collects and exits from above, ensuring that most of the space within the evaporation chamber 53 is immersed in liquid refrigerant.

[0082] Traditional ice makers typically require two separate evaporators and complex piping systems to produce two types of ice. This invention addresses this by arranging two ice-making containers back-to-back, using their mating surfaces to form a shared evaporation chamber 53. The refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat within this shared chamber, which is simultaneously conducted from both directions to the first ice-making container 51 and the second ice-making container 52, thus achieving simultaneous cooling of both types of ice. Employing a flooded heat exchange principle, the evaporation chamber 53 is filled with liquid refrigerant, ensuring that the entire back surface of both ice-making containers is in full contact with the liquid refrigerant, thereby improving the heat transfer coefficient and efficiency.

[0083] Based on the above structural description, the first evaporator assembly 50 provided in this embodiment of the invention is described as follows: First, water is supplied to the first ice tray 511 of the first ice-making box 51 and the second ice tray 521 of the second ice-making box 52. Then, the refrigeration system of the first evaporator assembly 50 is started, and low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant continuously enters the evaporation chamber 53 through the refrigerant inlet 54 until the evaporation chamber 53 is basically filled. After absorbing the heat transferred from the walls of the first ice-making box 51 and the second ice-making box 52 (i.e., the heat of the water in the ice trays), the liquid refrigerant in the evaporation chamber 53 boils (phase change evaporation) and becomes gaseous. Due to the full-liquid heat exchange, the entire back surface of the two ice-making boxes becomes a highly efficient heat exchange surface. The gaseous refrigerant generated by evaporation rises to the top of the evaporation chamber 53 due to its low density and is drawn into the compressor through the refrigerant outlet 55, completing one refrigeration cycle. At the same time, new liquid refrigerant is continuously replenished from the inlet to maintain the liquid level in the evaporation chamber 53.

[0084] As heat is continuously dissipated, the water in the first ice tray 511 and the second ice tray 521 gradually freezes into the designed ice cube shape. After ice making is complete, the evaporator can be briefly heated through methods such as hot air bypass to melt the contact surface between the ice cube and the ice tray, allowing it to detach smoothly and completing a full ice making cycle.

[0085] It is understandable that, such as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the first evaporator assembly 50 provided in this embodiment of the invention integrates the functions of two independent evaporators into one first evaporator assembly 50. That is, the back of the first ice-making box body 51 is fixedly connected to the back of the second ice-making box body 52 to form a back-to-back arrangement sharing a common evaporation chamber 53. This eliminates the shell and part of the piping of one of the evaporators, reduces the overall size and space occupied by the equipment, and reduces the number of welding points and potential leakage risks, thereby improving the long-term reliability of the entire structure.

[0086] Furthermore, it employs a full-fluid heat exchange design, ensuring that the entire heat exchange surface of both ice-making chambers is in contact with the liquid refrigerant, resulting in a large heat exchange area and a high heat transfer coefficient. Simultaneously, heat exchange occurs on both sides, shortening the heat transfer path and maximizing energy utilization, thus significantly improving ice-making speed.

[0087] Meanwhile, by setting ice trays of different shapes on the two ice-making boxes, one ice-making device can produce two different shapes of ice at the same time, meeting the diverse needs of users and improving the market competitiveness of the product, without the need to purchase two separate ice-making devices.

[0088] In some embodiments of the present invention, either the first ice tray 511 or the second ice tray 521 is spherical in shape. A spherical ice tray generally refers to a hemispherical groove cavity used to make spherical ice. When water freezes in it, it can form a complete or nearly complete spherical ice block.

[0089] Both the refrigerant inlet 54 and the refrigerant outlet 55 are located on the ice-making container corresponding to the spherical ice tray. Essentially, all pipe connections to the refrigerant circulation system are concentrated on one ice-making container. The other ice-making container (e.g., the container for making cubes) does not need any ports and can have a simpler structure, serving only as a heat exchange and forming surface.

[0090] Furthermore, the refrigerant inlet 54 and refrigerant outlet 55 are spaced apart and located on the same side of the respective ice-making box. More specifically, the refrigerant inlet 54 and refrigerant outlet 55 are spaced apart and located on the same side of the spherical ice box. "Same side" can be understood as the same end face or the same side wall. For example, the refrigerant inlet 54 and refrigerant outlet 55 can both be located on the left side wall, right side wall, or top wall of the spherical ice box. To better achieve flooded heat exchange, in practical applications, the refrigerant inlet 54 can be located at a lower position and the refrigerant outlet 55 at a higher position on a vertical side wall of the spherical ice box.

[0091] It is understood that, in this embodiment of the invention, all refrigerant ports (refrigerant inlet 54 and refrigerant outlet 55) are concentrated on a single component, the spherical ice box body, making the other ice box body a portless "passive" component. This simplifies the mold design and manufacturing process of the non-spherical ice box body. When assembling (e.g., welding) the two ice box bodies, there is no need to consider the alignment of the ports on the two ice box bodies, reducing assembly difficulty and scrap rate.

[0092] When the first evaporator assembly 50 provided in this embodiment of the invention is installed inside the ice-making equipment, the external piping becomes very neat and compact, eliminating the need for complex, looping piping inside the ice-making equipment. This not only saves installation space but also makes installation and subsequent maintenance more convenient and efficient.

[0093] With the refrigerant inlet 54 positioned at a lower location and the refrigerant outlet 55 at a higher location, the denser liquid refrigerant enters through the lower inlet 54 and naturally fills the bottom of the evaporator chamber 53 due to gravity, gradually filling the entire chamber. During heat exchange, the gaseous refrigerant produced by absorbing heat and boiling, being much less dense than the liquid refrigerant, naturally rises and accumulates at the top of the evaporator chamber 53. The higher refrigerant outlet 55 effectively discharges the gaseous refrigerant from the top, sending it to the compressor. Simultaneously, a liquid level controller (not shown in the figure) controls the inlet valve to replenish new liquid refrigerant, thereby maintaining a stable high liquid level within the evaporator chamber 53. This ensures that the heat exchange surface is always wetted by liquid, guaranteeing a stable, full-fluid heat exchange effect.

[0094] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the first evaporator assembly 50 also includes a first partition 56. Considering the ice-making container as a cuboid, the first partition 56 is disposed along the length of the corresponding ice-making container in the evaporation chamber 53 to divide the evaporation chamber 53 into at least two independent flow channels 531. For example, a single first partition 56 can divide the evaporation chamber 53 into two parts, forming a first flow channel 531 and a second flow channel 531, which are largely isolated from each other.

[0095] A first channel 57 is formed between the first partition 56 and the ice-making container body on the side away from the refrigerant inlet 54 or refrigerant outlet 55. The first channel 57 is used to connect two adjacent branch chambers 531. Assuming that the refrigerant inlet 54 and refrigerant outlet 55 are both located at the same end (e.g., the front end) of the evaporation chamber 53, the extension of the first partition 56 will not completely touch the other end (rear end) of the evaporation chamber 53. A gap or notch will be left between the first partition 56 and the rear end wall of the evaporation chamber 53. This gap is the first channel 57, which allows the two branch chambers 531 separated by the first partition 56 to communicate with each other at the end away from the refrigerant inlet 54 or refrigerant outlet 55. This allows the evaporation chamber 53 to be set as a "U"-shaped or zigzag flow channel, achieving a better full-fill heat exchange configuration.

[0096] The refrigerant inlet 54 is connected to one of the branch chambers 531, for example, the first branch chamber 531. The refrigerant outlet 55 is connected to another branch chamber 531, for example, the second branch chamber 531.

[0097] When the refrigerant enters the first distribution chamber 531 through the refrigerant inlet 54, it cannot flow directly to the refrigerant outlet 55 due to the obstruction of the first baffle 56. Instead, it is forced to flow along the entire length of the first distribution chamber 531 until it reaches the far end. At the far end, the refrigerant enters the adjacent second distribution chamber 531 through the first channel 57. Subsequently, the refrigerant flows back along the entire length of the second distribution chamber 531 and finally flows out from the refrigerant outlet 55.

[0098] This reversal path design extends the actual flow path of the refrigerant within the evaporation chamber 53, forcing the refrigerant to flow through almost the entire length of the evaporation chamber 53. This ensures full contact with the ice-making box along its length, and initially achieves uniform cooling of the entire ice-making box.

[0099] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the first evaporator assembly 50 also includes a second partition 58, which is disposed in each diversion cavity 531 along the width direction of the corresponding ice-making box body to divide the corresponding diversion cavity 531 into at least two independent sub-evaporation cavities 532; a second channel 59 is provided between the second partition 58 and the cavity wall of the corresponding sub-evaporation cavity 532, and the second channel 59 is used to connect two adjacent sub-evaporation cavities 532.

[0100] This is equivalent to adding multiple transverse, baffle-like second baffles 58 to each of the narrow, elongated flow channels 531 separated by the first baffle 56. The second baffles 58 are used to further divide each flow channel 531 into at least two independent sub-evaporation channels 532, which make the flow path of the refrigerant inside the flow channel 531 more tortuous.

[0101] The formation of the second channel 59 is similar to that of the first channel 57; that is, each transverse second baffle 58 does not completely seal the cross-section of the flow divider cavity 531. One end of the second baffle 58 is connected to one side wall (e.g., the lower side wall) of the flow divider cavity 531, while the other end of the second baffle 58 leaves a gap with the other side wall (e.g., the upper side wall), and this gap is the second channel 59. In order to form a continuous tortuous flow path, the second channels 59 reserved in two adjacent second baffles 58 are usually located on opposite sides. This allows the refrigerant to flow in a meandering manner around the second baffles 58 inside the flow divider cavity 531.

[0102] It is understood that, by adding multiple transverse second baffles 58, the embodiments of the present invention construct microscopic "S"-shaped or "Z"-shaped meandering flow paths within each straight segment (flow branching cavity 531). Ultimately, the first baffle 56 divides the evaporation cavity 53 into multiple flow branching cavities 531, and the first channel 57 connects adjacent flow branching cavities 531 to form a macroscopic zigzag flow path; while the second baffle 58 further divides the flow branching cavities 531 into multiple sub-evaporation cavities 532, and the second channel 59 connects adjacent sub-evaporation cavities 532 to form a microscopic meandering flow path.

[0103] When the refrigerant flows within any of the branch chambers 531, it encounters multiple transverse second baffles 58. Assuming the first second baffle 58 has a second channel 59 on the right, the refrigerant must detour around it from the left; the next second second baffle 58 may have a second channel 59 on the left, requiring the refrigerant to detour around it again from the right. This process repeats, meaning the refrigerant travels in an "S" or "Z" shaped meandering path within the straight channel of the branch chamber 531. This further forces the refrigerant to flow through most of the heat exchange area of ​​the evaporation chamber 53, achieving full coverage not only in the length direction but also in the width direction. The meandering flow path increases the refrigerant's disturbance and turbulence, disrupting the stability of the boundary layer on the heat exchange surface and enhancing the convective heat transfer coefficient.

[0104] It is understood that, through the combination of the first partition 56 and the second partition 58, the embodiments of the present invention force the refrigerant to take a longer and more tortuous path, resulting in a longer contact time and a wider contact area between the refrigerant and the heat exchange wall of the ice-making container, and enhancing fluid turbulence. This makes the vaporization heat exchange process of the refrigerant more complete, improving the overall heat exchange efficiency between the refrigerant and the ice-making container. Higher heat exchange efficiency means that the refrigeration compressor can complete the ice-making process with a shorter operating time or lower power consumption. The refrigeration capacity of the refrigerant is fully utilized, reducing energy waste, thus effectively improving the energy efficiency ratio of the entire refrigeration system and achieving energy saving and consumption reduction.

[0105] Furthermore, the forced flow path design effectively avoids the problems of refrigerant flow "short-circuiting" and "dead zones," ensuring a more uniform surface temperature distribution throughout the ice-making container. Due to its high heat exchange efficiency and uniform temperature, the ice-making container can quickly and synchronously reach the freezing temperature. This not only shortens the ice-making cycle and increases the ice-making speed, but also produces ice cubes with high transparency, uniform density, and resistance to breakage, thus improving the overall quality of the ice.

[0106] The present invention also provides an ice maker, which includes the ice-making apparatus described in any of the above embodiments.

[0107] Understandably, the ice maker also includes a housing 40, which is hollow inside. The ice-making device is located inside the housing 40. An ice-dispensing opening is provided on the top of the housing 40, and the position of the ice-dispensing opening corresponds to the position of the opening of the bracket 215 to facilitate the removal of the water box assembly 20. The ice-dispensing opening is provided with a cover 41, which is hinged to the housing 40.

[0108] Understandably, the ice maker also includes a cube ice-making device, which includes a support base 410, a spray element 430, and a partition 440. The first evaporator assembly 50 is disposed on the upper part of the support base 410, and the second ice-making box body 52 is located on the upper part of the first ice-making box body 51. The bottom of the first ice-making container 51 has multiple ice outlet ports 422 that correspond one-to-one with the first ice trays 511. A spray member 430 is disposed inside the support base 410 and is adapted to spray water into the interior of the first ice trays 511 through the ice outlet ports 422. The first evaporator assembly 50 is adapted to freeze the water in the first ice trays 511 into ice. A partition 440 is disposed at at least one ice outlet port 422, and the thermal conductivity of the partition 440 is lower than that of the first ice-making container 51.

[0109] The ice-making device provided by this invention uses a partition 440 made of insulating material between adjacent ice outlet ports 422. Since the thermal conductivity of the partition 440 is lower than that of the first ice-making box 51, while the first evaporator assembly 50 efficiently cools and rapidly freezes the water flowing over its surface into ice, the water in contact with the partition 440 is unable to reach its freezing point due to the obstruction of heat transfer, thus remaining liquid and flowing downwards under gravity, eventually flowing into the water circulation system for reuse. The partition 440 establishes a static thermal barrier between adjacent ice-making areas, effectively preventing "ice bridge" adhesion during ice formation and growth, ensuring that each ice block can be formed independently and completely without any subsequent mechanical separation, greatly improving the convenience of ice dispensing and the integrity of the ice blocks. Simultaneously, because this solution uses a top-down spraying method for ice making, water is evenly sprayed onto the inner surface of the low-temperature first ice grid 511 through the spray nozzle 430, and the water remains in a continuous flow state throughout this process. This dynamic freezing process makes it difficult for air and tiny impurities in the water to be "locked" in the ice crystal structure due to the agitation of the water. Instead, they are carried away by the unfrozen water flow, ensuring that the final ice cubes have a dense internal structure and are free of air bubbles, thus obtaining crystal clear, high-quality ice cubes.

[0110] Understandably, the first ice tray 511 is rectangular, and the ice outlet 422 is rectangular, resulting in uniformly shaped, angular square ice cubes. The first ice-making box 51 is designed as a compact cuboid, with six independent first ice trays 511 integrated inside, and six ice outlets 422 correspondingly located at the bottom of the first ice-making box 51. These six ice outlets 422 are arranged in a two-row, three-column array. This highly integrated matrix layout allows the device to simultaneously produce multiple ice cubes within a very limited physical space, greatly improving the ice production rate per unit time and overall work efficiency. To further ensure product quality uniformity, the dimensions of each ice outlet 422 are designed to be completely equal. This ensures that each square ice cube produced from different cavities has the same specifications, meeting the standardization and quantitative requirements for ice cubes in commercial applications. By independently setting a rectangular frame-shaped partition 440 at each ice outlet 422, the frame structure not only physically isolates the area of ​​each ice outlet 422, but more importantly, it forms an effective heat barrier between adjacent ice blocks that are forming, fundamentally eliminating the phenomenon of "ice bridges" sticking between ice blocks caused by cold diffusion, and ensuring that all ice blocks can fall off smoothly in an independent and complete individual form.

[0111] Understandably, multiple independent partitions 440 are integrated into a single partition 440 frame using a one-piece molding process. This ensures that the relative positions of each partition 440 are fixed, allowing for precise alignment with the ice outlet port 422 array at the bottom of the first ice-making container 51 during installation. This eliminates the need for tedious individual adjustments to each partition 440, improving assembly efficiency. Furthermore, the partition 440 frame is designed for detachable connection to the first ice-making container 51, simplifying subsequent cleaning and maintenance. Users or maintenance personnel can easily remove the entire partition 440 frame, providing a thorough cleaning of the frame itself, the surface of the first ice-making container 51 it covers, and the inner wall of the ice outlet port 422. This effectively removes scale or biofilm that may accumulate over long-term use, ensuring the hygiene and safety of ice production.

[0112] Understandably, an ice outlet is provided on one side of the support base 410, providing a unified discharge channel for all produced ice blocks, facilitating efficient docking with the ice storage box or conveyor below. Multiple baffles 442 are located below the side of the partition 440 near the ice outlet. These baffles 442 are spaced apart along the length of the first ice-making box 51, forming a barrier. When the spray nozzle 430 at the bottom sprays water upwards, this barrier effectively intercepts and guides water that might otherwise fly directly towards the ice outlet, causing it to fall back onto the upper surface of the spray nozzle 430. This not only avoids water waste but also ensures the dryness and cleanliness of the exterior of the ice maker and the ice outlet channel. Simultaneously, the baffles 442 prevent water from splashing onto the ice outlet and forming ice clings at the edge, ensuring the ice outlet channel remains unobstructed and allowing ice blocks to slide out smoothly without clogging.

[0113] It is understood that the spray element 430 has a confluence channel 431 inside, and is equipped with a water inlet and multiple sets of nozzle mechanisms. The water inlet is suitable for supplying water to the confluence channel 431, and the nozzle mechanisms are suitable for spraying water into the interior of the first ice tray 511. Both the water inlet and the multiple sets of nozzle mechanisms are connected to the confluence channel 431. This connection method allows the water flow from the water inlet to be collected and stabilized in a centralized cavity, ensuring that the water flow has reached a stable pressure state before being distributed to each nozzle mechanism, thus guaranteeing that each nozzle mechanism receives nearly the same water supply. A support member is provided at the bottom of the spray element 430 so that the bottom of the spray element 430 is spaced a certain distance from the bottom of the support base 410, thereby forming a drainage channel 433 between the bottom of the spray element 430 and the bottom of the support base 410. This eliminates the need for additional complex drainage pipes, effectively optimizing the internal space layout and reducing manufacturing costs. The bottom of the support base 410 is provided with a drain outlet 434 that communicates with the drainage channel 433. The drain outlet 434 is rectangular.

[0114] During operation, water first enters the manifold 431 through the inlet, and then is distributed to each nozzle mechanism through the manifold 431. The water is then sprayed onto the first ice grid 511 above by each nozzle mechanism. The water that has not frozen into ice flows back to the surface of the spray element 430 under the action of gravity, and then gathers and flows into the drain channel 433. Finally, the water flows out through the drain outlet 434 at the bottom of the support base 410, which is connected to the drain channel 433. After flowing out of the drain outlet 434, the water flows back to the cold water tank through the pipeline under the action of gravity for reuse.

[0115] Understandably, the upper surface of the spray element 430 faces the ice outlet and is inclined downwards. This downward inclination of the spray element 430 has two advantages: First, during the ice-making process, unfrozen water droplets flowing down from the first ice tray 511 naturally collect along the inclined surface and are guided into the drainage channel 433, effectively preventing water accumulation on the surface of the spray element 430 and improving the efficiency of the entire water circulation system. Second, when ice making is complete and the de-icing stage begins, the ice blocks that fall off the first ice-making box 51 can smoothly slide downwards along the inclined surface and be accurately guided to the single ice outlet, ultimately reliably sliding into the ice storage chamber below. This avoids the accumulation and blockage of ice blocks inside the machine, ensuring the smooth operation of the continuous ice-making process.

[0116] It is understood that three sets of nozzle mechanisms are provided in this embodiment. Of course, the number of nozzle mechanisms is not limited to this, and is determined according to the number and arrangement of the first ice trays 511. The three sets of nozzle mechanisms are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the first ice-making box body 51 on the upper surface of the spraying component 430. Each set of nozzle mechanisms includes two nozzles 435. The nozzles 435 in the same set are arranged at intervals along the width direction of the first ice-making box body 51, and the nozzles 435 are set one-to-one with the first ice trays 511. This point-to-point spraying method ensures that each first ice tray 511 can obtain an independent water supply source, fundamentally ensuring that the amount of water received by all ice blocks during the forming process is equal and stable. This not only greatly improves the efficiency of water resource utilization, but also ensures that the size, weight and shape of the produced ice blocks are highly consistent.

[0117] Understandably, multiple guide channels 436 are provided between adjacent sets of nozzle mechanisms. These guide channels 436 are arranged at intervals along the length of the first ice-making container 51, forming a guide area on the upper surface of the spray element 430. This effectively guides the return water within the entire length of the first ice-making container 51, preventing local water accumulation. Adjacent guide channels 436 are parallel to each other and extend along the width of the first ice-making container 51, i.e., along the inclined direction of the upper surface of the spray element 430. This allows the return water to flow smoothly and quickly into the guide channels 436 and be drained away, greatly improving drainage efficiency and reducing the residence time of water on the surface of the spray element 430. The upper and lower ends of the longer guide channels 436 are connected to the drainage channel 433, as are the upper and lower ends of the shorter guide channels 436. When the water in the first ice tray 511 flows back to the upper surface of the spray element 430, it can be guided by these guide grooves 436 into the drainage channel 433. This effectively prevents the backflow water from crossing or colliding with the water flow normally sprayed from the nozzle 435, ensuring that the water flow path sprayed towards the first ice tray 511 is undisturbed and the flow rate is stable. This, in turn, ensures the uniformity and integrity of the ice block formation, ultimately improving ice-making efficiency and ice block quality.

[0118] It is understandable that the spray element 430 is detachably connected to the support base 410 to facilitate the installation and removal of the spray element 430, thereby facilitating the cleaning and maintenance of the spray element 430. The detachable connection method can be a snap-fit ​​connection or a screw connection.

[0119] The present invention also provides an ice-making method, which uses an ice maker to make ice. The ice maker also includes a water pump, which is connected to the water inlet chamber 211 through an inlet / outlet port 212. Specifically, the ice maker also includes a pure water tank 6, an inlet / outlet pipe 3, a drain valve 4, and a water addition switching valve 5. The first end of the inlet / outlet pipe 3 is connected to the inlet / outlet port 212, the drain valve 4 is connected to the second end of the inlet / outlet pipe 3, and the outlet of the drain valve 4 is connected to a cold water tank 17. The pure water tank 6 is suitable for storing pure water, and the first inlet of the pure water tank 6 is connected to the first interface of the water addition switching valve 5. The inlet of the water pump 7 is connected to the outlet of the pure water tank 6, the outlet of the water pump 7 is connected to the second interface of the water addition switching valve 5, and the third interface of the water addition switching valve 5 is connected to the second end of the inlet / outlet pipe 3.

[0120] Ice-making methods include: Step S100: Control the water pump to pump ice-making water into the water inlet chamber 211; In step S200, the disturbance component 30 is controlled to drive the ice-making water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow, so that the ice-making water in the water inlet chamber 211 and the ice-making water in the first ice-making chamber 221 flow to each other. In step S300, the first evaporator assembly 10 is controlled to freeze the ice-making water in the first ice-making chamber 221 into ice blocks.

[0121] According to the ice-making method of the present invention, the ice-making water in the water inlet chamber 211 is driven to flow by the disturbance component 30, so that the ice-making water in the water inlet chamber 211 and the ice-making water in the first ice-making chamber 221 flow to each other. During the process of water freezing into ice, the gas and impurities in the water are carried away by the continuously flowing liquid water and are not trapped in the ice crystals. This ensures that the ice blocks produced are free of bubbles and are crystal clear, which significantly improves the quality of the ice blocks.

[0122] It is understood that the ice maker also includes a drain valve, which is connected to the inlet / outlet 212; after the step of controlling the first evaporator assembly 10 to freeze the ice-making water in the first ice-making chamber 221 into ice cubes, the following is also included: In step S400, the drain valve is opened to discharge the remaining ice-making water in the water inlet chamber 211 through the upper inlet / outlet 212.

[0123] Because the remaining ice-making water in the inlet chamber 211 is at a low temperature, this portion of the low-temperature remaining ice-making water is pre-discharged by opening the drain valve before pumping the melting water. This effectively prevents the low-temperature ice-making water from mixing with the subsequently entering high-temperature melting water. This ensures that the melting water entering the inlet chamber 211 maintains a higher temperature level, allowing it to melt the ice in the inlet chamber 211 more quickly and efficiently using its higher heat. This provides favorable conditions for the subsequent de-icing process and significantly improves the melting efficiency of the entire ice-making cycle.

[0124] Understandably, after the step of controlling the drain valve to open so as to drain the remaining ice-making water in the first ice-making chamber 221 through the upper inlet / outlet 212, the following steps are also included: In step S400, the water pump is controlled to pump de-icing water into the water inlet chamber 211 to melt the ice in the water inlet chamber 211.

[0125] By using melting water at a temperature higher than that used for making ice, the significant temperature difference between the two enhances heat transfer, allowing heat to be transferred to the ice more quickly, effectively accelerating the melting process and shortening the de-icing time in the ice-making cycle. The melting water can be at room temperature, or, for higher efficiency, a heater can be added between the water pump and the inlet chamber 211 to actively heat the melting water. This design ensures that the melting water has a high temperature when entering the inlet chamber 211, thus eliminating dependence on ambient temperature and making the melting process more stable, efficient, and controllable. When the high-temperature melting water is pumped into the inlet chamber 211, it first melts the ice remaining in the inlet chamber 211 and the ice in the turbulence hole 222 connecting the first ice-making chamber 221 and the inlet chamber 211. This precisely melts the key parts connecting the finished ice block and the water box assembly 20 (inner shell 220), greatly improving the success rate and reliability of de-icing.

[0126] Understandably, after the step of controlling the water pump to pump de-icing water into the inlet chamber 211 to melt the ice in the inlet chamber 211, the following steps are also included: In step S500, the first evaporator assembly 10 is controlled to heat the side of the ice block near the first evaporator assembly 10 so that the ice block separates from the first evaporator assembly 10.

[0127] Although the ice block near the inner shell 220 has been melted by the de-icing water in the above steps, solving the problem of ice block adhesion to the inner shell 220, the ice block is still connected to the first evaporator assembly 10, preventing it from being completely detached. Therefore, it is necessary to also de-ice the side of the ice block near the first evaporator assembly 10. Specifically, by controlling the opening of the refrigerant solenoid valve in the refrigeration system, the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor is directly introduced into the internal flow channel of the first evaporator assembly 10. This allows for the rapid and direct use of the high-temperature medium generated by the system's own operation as a heat source, eliminating the need for additional heating components and energy consumption, thus achieving efficient and energy-saving heat transfer. When the high-temperature refrigerant flows through the first evaporator, it rapidly raises the surface temperature of the ice block in contact with it, melting only a very thin layer of ice into a water film. This maximizes the integrity and low-temperature state of the ice block, preventing a decline in ice quality due to excessive melting.

[0128] Understandably, after the step of controlling the water pump to pump de-icing water into the inlet chamber 211 to melt the ice in the inlet chamber 211, the following steps are also included: Step S410: Control the drain valve to open so that the melted ice water in the water inlet chamber 211 can be discharged through the upper inlet / outlet 212 and the lower inlet / outlet 212.

[0129] After the ice in the inlet chamber 211 melts, the residual ice in the bottom inlet / outlet 212 also melts, ensuring that the bottom inlet / outlet 212 is restored to its open state. When the drain valve is opened, the melted water in the inlet chamber 211, which has completed its melting task, can be discharged simultaneously through both the upper and lower inlet / outlet 212. Using the lower inlet / outlet 212, located at the lowest point, for drainage allows gravity to completely drain any remaining water from the chamber, effectively preventing hygiene problems caused by water accumulation.

[0130] It should be noted that step S410 is executed after step S400 and before step S500.

[0131] It is understood that the disturbance component 30 includes a drive mechanism 310 and a disturbance mechanism 320. The drive mechanism 310 is located outside the water inlet chamber 211, and the disturbance mechanism 320 is located inside the water inlet chamber 211. The drive mechanism 310 is connected to the disturbance mechanism 320.

[0132] Specifically, the drive mechanism 310 and the disturbance mechanism 320 can be directly connected or connected by magnetic attraction. When the drive mechanism 310 and the disturbance mechanism 320 are directly connected, the water box body 210 is provided with a connection hole, the connecting shaft of the drive mechanism 310 passes through the connection hole and is connected to the disturbance mechanism 320, the drive mechanism 310 is adapted to drive the disturbance mechanism 320 to move, and the disturbance mechanism 320 is adapted to drive the water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow.

[0133] It is understandable that the steps of controlling the disturbance component 30 to drive the ice-making water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow include: The drive mechanism 310 drives the disturbance mechanism 320 to rotate in the forward or reverse direction until the ice-making water in the first ice-making chamber 221 is frozen into ice blocks.

[0134] It is understandable that the steps of controlling the disturbance component 30 to drive the ice-making water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow include: Step S210: Control the drive mechanism 310 to drive the disturbance mechanism 320 to rotate forward for a first predetermined time; Step S220: Control the drive mechanism 310 to close for the second predetermined time; Step S230: Control the drive mechanism 310 to drive the disturbance mechanism 320 to rotate in the opposite direction for a first predetermined time; Step S240: Repeat the above steps in sequence.

[0135] By driving the disturbance mechanism 320 to rotate forward for a first predetermined time and stop for a second predetermined time, and then driving the disturbance mechanism 320 to rotate in the opposite direction for a first predetermined time, a periodic disturbance is formed, causing the water flow direction to change continuously, simulating the "oscillating cleaning" effect, making it difficult for air bubbles to remain in the first ice-making chamber 221 and the water inlet chamber 211.

[0136] By driving the disturbance mechanism 320 to rotate forward for a first predetermined time, a strong unidirectional water flow is generated, which powerfully washes over the inner walls of the first ice-making chamber 221 and the water inlet chamber 211, as well as the surface of the ice layer that is forming, forcibly peeling off the bubbles that have already attached or are about to attach. Then, the flow stops for a second predetermined time. This brief period of stillness is not completely still, but rather uses the inertia of the water flow to create ripples and turbulence. This not only disrupts the regular attachment trend of the bubbles, but also provides a time window for the tiny bubbles suspended in the water to rise or gather. Then, the driving mechanism 310 drives the disturbance mechanism 320 to rotate in the opposite direction for a first predetermined time, generating a strong water flow in the opposite direction to the previous flow, which performs a secondary reverse wash on the bubbles that were not effectively removed in the previous stage or that re-aggregated during the stillness period. This alternating motion, along with the pauses in between, creates a highly efficient periodic disturbance, causing the water flow direction within the cavity to change repeatedly. This simulates a highly efficient "oscillating cleaning" effect, ensuring that the water remains in a dynamic and unstable state throughout the entire ice-making process. This makes it extremely difficult for air bubbles to remain at the solid-liquid interface or stay still in the water, thus effectively expelling them from the ice-making area and ultimately obtaining highly transparent, bubble-free ice.

[0137] It is understandable that after repeating the above steps in sequence, the following steps are also included: Step S250: Control the drive mechanism 310 to drive the disturbance mechanism 320 to rotate forward for a second predetermined time, wherein the second predetermined time is less than the first predetermined time; Step S260: Control the drive mechanism 310 to drive the disturbance mechanism 320 to rotate in the opposite direction for a second predetermined time; Step S270: Repeat the above steps sequentially until the ice-making water in the first ice-making chamber 221 is frozen into ice blocks.

[0138] By driving the agitation mechanism 320 to rotate forward for a short second predetermined time, the rapid and brief agitation generates an instantaneous water flow impact, which disturbs the solidifying ice-water interface, thereby breaking the critical stable state where bubbles reside. Immediately following, the agitation mechanism 320 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction for the same second predetermined time. This rapid reverse action generates a reverse instantaneous impact, which can further remove bubbles that were not promptly dispelled or pushed to other corners in the previous action. Since the second predetermined time is significantly shorter than the first predetermined time used to achieve water circulation, this rapid switching between forward and reverse directions forms a high-frequency commutation rotation mode. This mode generates continuous micro-oscillations and turbulence in the water near the ice surface, effectively "scraping" the surface of the ice layer at high frequency. This causes the micro-bubbles in the water to be continuously pushed away by the dynamic water flow before they are "captured" by the ice crystals, greatly reducing the probability of bubbles solidifying at the solid-liquid interface, thus significantly improving the transparency and purity of the final ice product.

[0139] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only for illustrating the present invention and not for limiting the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various combinations, modifications, or equivalent substitutions of the technical solutions of the present invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention and should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ice-making device, characterized in that, include: First evaporator assembly (50); The water box assembly (20) includes a water box body (210), an inner shell (220), and a disturbance component (30). The inner shell (220) and the first evaporator assembly (50) form a first ice-making chamber (221). The water box body (210) is located on the side of the inner shell (220) away from the first evaporator assembly (50). The water box body (210) and the inner shell (220) form a water inlet chamber (211). The inner shell (220) is provided with a disturbance hole that connects the water inlet chamber (211) and the first ice-making chamber (221). The disturbance component (30) is connected to the water box body (210) and is adapted to drive the water in the water inlet chamber (211) to flow.

2. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The disturbance component (30) includes: A drive mechanism (310) is disposed outside the water box body (210). A disturbance mechanism (320) is provided in the water inlet chamber (211). The water box body (210) is provided with a connection hole. The connecting shaft of the drive mechanism (310) passes through the connection hole and is connected to the disturbance mechanism (320). The drive mechanism (310) is adapted to drive the disturbance mechanism (320) to move. The disturbance mechanism (320) is adapted to drive the water in the water inlet chamber (211) to flow.

3. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive mechanism (310) includes a drive motor, and the disturbance mechanism (320) includes a disturbance impeller. The disturbance impeller is sleeved on the connecting shaft of the drive motor, and the drive motor is adapted to drive the disturbance impeller to rotate.

4. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving mechanism (310) includes a linear driving member, and the disturbance mechanism (320) includes a disturbance push plate. The disturbance push plate is sleeved on the connecting shaft of the linear driving member, and the linear driving member is adapted to drive the disturbance push plate to perform linear reciprocating motion.

5. The ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The water tank assembly (20) also includes: The substrate (21) is disposed on the side of the water box body (210) facing the first evaporator assembly (50) and is sealed to the water box body (210); the substrate (21) is provided with a through hole, the inner shell (220) covers the corresponding through hole and is sealed to the substrate (21); the inner shell (220) forms a receiving cavity on the side facing the first evaporator assembly (50), the first evaporator assembly (50) forms a second ice tray (521) on the side facing the inner shell (220), and the receiving cavity communicates with the second ice tray (521) to form the first ice-making cavity (221).

6. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, There are two inner housings (220), and the disturbance mechanism (320) is located between the two inner housings (220).

7. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inner shell (220) is hemispherical and has a strip-shaped through hole (222) on it. The center of the strip-shaped through hole (222) is located on the central axis of the inner shell (220).

8. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The number of the turbulence holes is multiple, and the multiple turbulence holes are evenly distributed on the side of the two strip-shaped through holes (222) that are close to each other.

9. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inner shell (220) is provided with a non-stick coating on the side facing the first ice-making cavity (221).

10. The ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, A sealing ring is provided inside the connecting hole, and the sealing ring is sleeved on the outer circumference of the connecting shaft and seals with the connecting shaft.

11. An ice maker, characterized in that, The ice maker includes the ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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