Evaporator assembly and ice making equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of ice making equipment, and provides an evaporator assembly and ice making equipment. The evaporator assembly comprises a first ice-making box body and a second ice-making box body which are both provided with ice grids, the back face of the first ice-making box body is fixedly connected with the back face of the second ice-making box body, and an evaporation cavity used for containing refrigerants is formed between the first ice-making box body and the second ice-making box body; at least one of the first ice-making box body and the second ice-making box body is provided with a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet which are communicated with the evaporation cavity, and the positions of the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet are configured to be used for filling the evaporation cavity with a refrigerant so as to perform heat exchange on the first ice-making box body and the second ice-making box body at the same time. The two ice-making box bodies are arranged in a back-to-back mode and share one evaporation cavity, one evaporator shell and part of pipelines are omitted, the overall size and occupied space of the structure are reduced, and the reliability of long-term operation of the structure is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ice-making equipment technology, and more particularly to an evaporator assembly and ice-making equipment. Background Technology

[0002] As equipment for producing ice, the performance of ice makers directly affects ice-making efficiency and ice quality. With the upgrading of consumer demand, the market demand for ice cubes of different shapes (such as cubes and spheres) is increasing. Spheres, due to their slow melting speed and large contact area, are often used to prepare high-end beverages to ensure flavor; while cubes are more popular because of their ease of preparation and versatility.

[0003] Currently, most ice makers on the market can only produce ice cubes of a single shape. To obtain both cube and spherical ice, users typically need to purchase two separate ice makers, which not only results in high overall equipment costs but also requires a large amount of space. Although a few devices exist that can produce different ice shapes by changing molds, their operation is cumbersome and cannot meet the need to obtain two types of ice simultaneously.

[0004] Therefore, some related technologies attempt to integrate two types of ice tray molds into one device, using two independent evaporation flow paths to correspond to the two types of molds respectively. This results in a complex overall structure and large size of the evaporator, making it difficult to maintain and apply in scenarios with limited space. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the related art. To this end, the present invention provides an evaporator assembly and an ice-making device, which uses two ice-making boxes arranged back to back to share a single evaporation chamber, eliminating the outer shell and part of the piping of one of the evaporators, reducing the overall size and space occupied by the structure, and improving the long-term reliability of the entire structure.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides an evaporator assembly comprising: The first ice-making container body has a first ice tray on it; The second ice-making container has a second ice tray on it; The back of the first ice-making container is fixedly connected to the back of the second ice-making container, and an evaporation chamber for containing refrigerant is formed between the first ice-making container and the second ice-making container. At least one of the first ice-making container and the second ice-making container is provided with a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet, both of which are connected to the evaporation chamber. The positions of the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet are configured to fill the evaporation chamber with refrigerant, so as to exchange heat between the first ice-making container and the second ice-making container simultaneously.

[0007] The evaporator assembly provided in this embodiment integrates the functions of two independent evaporators into one evaporator assembly. That is, the back of the first ice-making box is fixedly connected to the back of the second ice-making box, and the two ice-making boxes are arranged back to back and share a common evaporation chamber. This eliminates the need for the outer shell and some piping of one of the evaporators, which not only reduces the overall size and space occupied by the structure, but also reduces the number of welding points and potential leakage risks, thereby improving the long-term reliability of the entire structure.

[0008] Furthermore, the refrigerant inlet and outlet are positioned to fill the evaporation chamber with refrigerant, allowing simultaneous heat exchange between the first and second ice-making containers. This flooded heat exchange design ensures that the entire heat exchange surface of both ice-making containers is in contact with the liquid refrigerant, resulting in a large heat exchange area and a high heat transfer coefficient. Simultaneous heat exchange on both sides shortens the heat transfer path, increases energy utilization, and improves ice-making speed.

[0009] 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. Users do not need to purchase two separate ice-making devices, which improves the market competitiveness of the product.

[0010] A second aspect of the present invention provides an ice-making apparatus, comprising: A water box assembly includes a water box body and an inner shell. The inner shell is located inside the water box body and forms a water inlet cavity with the water box body. The inner shell is provided with multiple turbulence holes. And the evaporator assembly described in any of the above, wherein the second ice-making box in the evaporator assembly and the inner shell form a first ice-making cavity, and the first ice-making cavity is connected to the water inlet cavity through the turbulence hole.

[0011] 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

[0012] 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.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the evaporator assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the evaporator assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a front view of the second ice-making box body provided in the embodiment of the present invention (including the refrigerant flow trajectory).

[0016] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the ice-making equipment provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the ice-making equipment provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of part A in the middle.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disturbance mechanism provided in this invention.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the disturbance mechanism provided in this invention.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of another embodiment of the disturbance mechanism provided in this invention.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the water box assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the evaporator assembly and support provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the water-air connection seat provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of the pressing mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure label: 20. Water box assembly; 210. Water box body; 211. Water inlet chamber; 212. Water inlet and outlet; 213. Overflow port; 214. Baffle; 215. Bracket; 220. Inner shell; 221. First ice-making chamber; 222. Baffle hole; 230. Pressing mechanism; 231. Pressing element; 232. Elastic element; 233. Guide sleeve; 234. Handle; 235. Sealing ring; 236. Positioning groove; 237. Contact part; 238. Pressing part; 240. Water-air connection seat; 241. Overflow connection port; 242. Water inlet and outlet connection port; 243. First annular sealing gasket; 244. Second annular sealing gasket; 30. Disturbing component; 310. Drive mechanism; 320. Disturbing mechanism; 321. Connecting rod; 322. Baffle plate; 323. Connecting rod body; 324. Insert rod; 325. Rotating sleeve; 326. Limiting ring; 330. First magnetic attraction mechanism; 331. Second magnet; 332. Rotating seat body; 333. Connecting piece; 340. Second magnetic attraction mechanism; 341. Mounting base; 342. First magnet; 40. Outer shell; 41. Cover; 50. 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

[0027] 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.

[0028] See Figures 1 to 3 This invention provides an evaporator assembly 50, which, through an integrated design, is not only compact in structure but also enables efficient dual ice-making functions. The evaporator assembly 50 includes a first ice-making box 51 and a second ice-making box 52.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The second ice-making container 52 also has an outer surface for ice making, on which a plurality of second ice trays 521 are provided. The second ice trays 521 are cavities 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, thereby enabling the evaporator assembly 50 provided in this embodiment of the invention to simultaneously produce ice cubes of two different shapes, meeting diverse ice-making needs. Of course, the first ice tray 511 and the second ice tray 521 can also have the same shape.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The core improvement of the 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.

[0033] The fixed connection between the first ice-making container 51 and the second ice-making container 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 51 and the second ice-making container 52 have the same shape, and the back of the first ice-making container 51 and the back of the second ice-making container 52 are welded together.

[0034] 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.

[0035] Traditional ice-making equipment (such as ice makers) typically requires 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 evaporation chamber 53, and this absorbed heat 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. Furthermore, it employs a flooded heat exchange principle, filling the evaporation chamber 53 with liquid refrigerant, ensuring that the entire back heat exchange surface of both ice-making containers is in full contact with the liquid refrigerant, thereby improving the heat transfer coefficient and efficiency.

[0036] Based on the above structural description, the 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 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] It is understood that the evaporator assembly 50 provided in this embodiment of the invention integrates the functions of two independent evaporators into one evaporator assembly 50. That is, the back of the first ice-making box 51 is fixedly connected to the back of the second ice-making box 52, and the two ice-making boxes are arranged back to back and share a common evaporation chamber 53. This eliminates the shell and some piping of one of the evaporators, which not only reduces the overall size of the structure and the space occupied, but also reduces the number of welding points and potential leakage risks, thereby improving the long-term reliability of the entire structure.

[0039] Furthermore, it employs a full-fluid heat exchange design, ensuring that the entire heat exchange surface of both ice-making containers 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 increasing energy utilization, thereby improving ice-making speed.

[0040] 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. Users do not need to purchase two separate ice-making devices, which improves the market competitiveness of the product.

[0041] Continue reading Figures 1 to 3 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Furthermore, the refrigerant inlet 54 and the refrigerant outlet 55 are spaced apart and located on the same side of the corresponding ice-making box. More specifically, the refrigerant inlet 54 and the refrigerant outlet 55 are spaced apart and located on the same side of the spherical ice-making box. "Same side" can be understood as the same end face or the same side wall. For example, the refrigerant inlet 54 and the refrigerant outlet 55 can both be located on the left side wall, right side wall, or top wall of the spherical ice-making 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-making box.

[0044] 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 ice-making box of the spherical ice, making the other ice-making box a portless passive component. This simplifies the mold design and manufacturing process of the non-spherical ice-making box. When assembling (e.g., welding) the two ice-making boxes, there is no need to consider the alignment of the ports on the two ice-making boxes, reducing assembly difficulty and scrap rate.

[0045] When the 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.

[0046] Furthermore, by placing the refrigerant inlet 54 at a lower position and the refrigerant outlet 55 at a higher position, the denser liquid refrigerant, entering from the lower refrigerant inlet 54, will naturally fill the bottom of the evaporator chamber 53 due to gravity, gradually filling the entire evaporator chamber 53. During the heat exchange process, the gaseous refrigerant produced by absorbing heat and boiling, being much less dense than the liquid refrigerant, will naturally rise and accumulate at the top of the evaporator chamber 53. The higher refrigerant outlet 55 can effectively discharge the gaseous refrigerant at the top and send it to the compressor. At the same time, the liquid level controller (not shown in the figure) controls the inlet valve to replenish new liquid refrigerant, thereby maintaining a stable high liquid level in the evaporator chamber 53, ensuring that the heat exchange surface is always wetted by liquid, and ensuring a stable full-fluid heat exchange effect.

[0047] Continue reading Figure 2 and Figure 3In some embodiments of the present invention, the evaporator assembly 50 further includes a first partition 56. Considering the ice-making container of the spherical ice 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-diverting chambers 531. For example, a single first partition 56 can divide the evaporation chamber 53 into two parts, forming a first flow-diverting chamber 531 and a second flow-diverting chamber 531, which are isolated from each other in most areas.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Continue reading Figure 2 and Figure 3In some embodiments of the present invention, the evaporator assembly 50 further 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.

[0053] This is equivalent to adding multiple second baffles 58, which act like baffles, 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.

[0054] The formation of the second channel 59 is similar to that of the first channel 57; that is, each 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). 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.

[0055] It is understood that, by adding multiple 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 cavity 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.

[0056] When the refrigerant flows within any of the branch chambers 531, it encounters multiple second baffles 58. Assuming the first second baffle 58 has a second channel 59 on its upper side, the refrigerant must bypass it from above; the next second second baffle 58 may have a second channel 59 on its lower side, requiring the refrigerant to bypass it from below. 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 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, enhancing the convective heat transfer coefficient.

[0057] It is understood that, in this embodiment of the invention, the combination of the first partition 56 and the second partition 58 forces the refrigerant to spread along a 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 allows for a more complete vaporization heat exchange process of the refrigerant, 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.

[0058] Furthermore, the forced flow path design effectively avoids dead zones in refrigerant flow, 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.

[0059] See Figures 4 to 13 The present invention also provides an ice-making device, which includes a water box assembly 20 and an evaporator assembly 50 provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0060] The water tank assembly 20 includes a water tank body 210 and an inner shell 220. The water tank body 210 is rectangular, and the inner shell 220 is located inside the water tank body 210, forming a water inlet cavity 211. The inner shell 220 has multiple flow-dispersing holes 222. The second ice-making box body 52 in the evaporator assembly 50 and the inner shell 220 form a first ice-making cavity 221, which is connected to the water inlet cavity 211 through the flow-dispersing holes 222. 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, and the shape of the inner shell 220 can be adjusted according to the shape of the first ice-making cavity 221.

[0061] Understandably, by setting multiple turbulence holes 222 as connecting channels, the redundancy and efficiency of water flow are ensured. Even if some turbulence holes 222 are slightly blocked due to freezing, the remaining turbulence holes 222 can still maintain normal water exchange, ensuring the stability of the ice-making process. Multiple turbulence holes 222 are evenly distributed in the inner shell 220, ensuring that water can flow in every part of the first ice-making chamber 221, thereby establishing a uniform temperature field and flow field in the first ice-making chamber 221. This allows the water in the water inlet chamber 211 and the water in the first ice-making chamber 221 to flow and circulate fully. During the slow 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 bubble-free and crystal clear, improving the quality of the ice blocks.

[0062] The inner shell 220 is made of a flexible material. A pressing mechanism 230 is provided on the water tank body 210. The pressing mechanism 230 is adapted to deform the inner shell 220 during ice removal, so that the ice cubes are separated from the inner shell 220. Because 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 230 by hand, the pressing mechanism 230 will further compress the flexible inner shell 220 under pressure, causing it to deform locally or entirely. This method of separating ice cubes by compression and deformation simplifies the overall mechanical structure, not only reducing manufacturing costs but also achieving higher reliability and a longer service life due to the reduction of moving parts. Throughout the entire ice removal process, the pressing mechanism 230 always acts on the outer wall of the inner shell 220, avoiding direct contact between the pressing mechanism 230 and the ice cubes inside the inner shell 220, thus ensuring the food-grade hygiene of the ice cubes.

[0063] See Figures 5 to 8 In some embodiments of the present invention, the ice-making device further includes a disturbance component 30, which includes a drive mechanism 310, a disturbance mechanism 320, a first magnetic attraction mechanism 330, and a second magnetic attraction mechanism 340. The drive mechanism 310 and the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330 are both disposed outside the water box body 210 of the water box assembly 20. The drive mechanism 310 is connected to the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330. The disturbance mechanism 320 and the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340 are both disposed inside the water inlet chamber 211. The disturbance mechanism 320 is connected to the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340. The first magnetic attraction mechanism 330 and the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340 are magnetically attracted to each other. The drive mechanism 310 is adapted to drive the disturbance mechanism 320 to rotate, and the disturbance mechanism 320 is adapted to drive the water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow.

[0064] In this embodiment of the invention, the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330 and the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340 are magnetically engaged to achieve the connection between the drive mechanism 310 and the disturbance mechanism 320. This allows the drive mechanism 310 to drive the disturbance mechanism 320 to rotate through the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330 and the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340. There is no need to open a hole in the water box assembly 20 to connect the drive mechanism 310 and the disturbance mechanism 320, thus avoiding water leakage and simplifying the structure of the ice maker.

[0065] By placing the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330 outside the water tank assembly 20 and connecting it to the drive mechanism 310, and placing the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340 inside the water tank assembly 20 and connecting it to the disturbance mechanism 320, power transmission is achieved through the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330 and the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340. This ultimately achieves a non-contact connection between the drive mechanism 310 and the disturbance mechanism 320, allowing the rotating magnetic field generated by the external drive mechanism 310 to penetrate the side wall of the water tank assembly 20 when it rotates. This magnetic force stably drives the disturbance mechanism 320 inside the water tank to rotate synchronously. In this way, the entire power transmission process does not require any through holes in the water tank assembly 20 for installing the drive shaft, avoiding the need for seals in mechanical transmission methods where the drive shaft passes through the water tank assembly 20. This prevents leakage problems that may occur due to aging, wear, or improper installation of seals, improving the product's safety and durability. Furthermore, by eliminating the complex sealing structure, the overall structure of the ice maker is simplified, reducing the number of parts and production costs, making the assembly process more convenient and efficient.

[0066] The turbulence hole 222 serves as a channel connecting the water inlet chamber 211 and the first ice-making chamber 221. It not only ensures a continuous supply of water required for ice making, but more importantly, it guides the water flow to circulate between the two chambers in a preset manner. In conjunction with the operation of the turbulence mechanism 320, it effectively removes the air dissolved in the water, generating crystal clear, bubble-free, high-quality ice.

[0067] It is understandable that, such as Figures 6 to 8As shown, the agitation mechanism 320 includes a connecting rod 321 and a baffle plate 322. The connecting rod 321 is disposed in the water inlet chamber 211 and is horizontally arranged along the width direction of the water box assembly 20. The connecting rod 321 is connected to the water box body 210 and is adapted to provide an installation base for the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340. The second magnetic attraction mechanism 340 is rotatably sleeved on the first end of the connecting rod 321. The baffle plate 322 is adapted to drive the water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow. The baffle plate 322 is fixedly connected to the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340, so that the rotational torque transmitted from the external driving force can be directly and without loss transmitted to the baffle plate 322, thereby efficiently agitating the water in the water inlet chamber 211, forming a continuous flow, accelerating the discharge of dissolved air in the water, and making the water temperature in the water inlet chamber 211 uniform, which helps to produce high-quality ice cubes with fewer bubbles and greater purity and transparency.

[0068] It is understandable that, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the connecting rod 321 includes a connecting rod body 323 and a plug-in rod 324. A retaining seat is provided on the side wall of the water inlet cavity 211 away from the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330, and a locking slot is provided on the upper part of the retaining seat. By providing a retaining seat on the side wall of the water inlet cavity 211 away from the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330 and providing a locking slot on its upper part, the first end of the connecting rod body 323 can be directly locked into the retaining seat through the locking slot, realizing quick installation and positioning without tools, greatly simplifying the assembly steps, improving production efficiency, and also providing great convenience for possible subsequent maintenance or cleaning. The second end of the connecting rod body 323 is provided with a plug-in hole, and the first end of the plug-in rod 324 is inserted into the plug-in hole. The cross-section of the plug-in rod 324 is a non-circular cross-section, which ensures that the plug-in rod 324 and the connecting rod body 323 are coaxially arranged and there is no relative rotation between them. This arrangement not only reduces the injection molding difficulty of a single slender part, but more importantly, it makes it possible to complete the installation of the transverse support rod in a closed cavity, ensuring that the assembled rod has good overall rigidity and torque transmission capability.

[0069] On the other side of the water inlet chamber 211, near the side wall of the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330, a blind hole is correspondingly provided. The second end of the plug rod 324 is inserted into this blind hole, thereby fixing both ends of the connecting rod 321. The blind hole provides a stable support point for the connecting rod 321 while maintaining the closed integrity of the water box wall. Preferably, the inner diameter of the blind hole gradually increases in the direction away from the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330, thus forming a tapered guide opening. This plays a guiding role during assembly, allowing the end of the plug rod 324 to be easily and accurately aligned and inserted into the blind hole, reducing assembly difficulty, avoiding component damage caused by misalignment or jamming, and further improving the convenience and reliability of installation.

[0070] It is understandable that, such as Figure 8 As shown, the connecting rod 321 also includes a rotating sleeve 325, which is rotatably fitted onto the insertion rod 324. The second magnetic attraction mechanism 340 is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the rotating sleeve 325. The rotating sleeve 325 is rotatably fitted onto the insertion rod 324, which serves as a fixed shaft, thus forming a dedicated sliding bearing structure between the fixed insertion rod 324 and the rotating component. By concentrating the rotational friction entirely between the inner surface of the rotating sleeve 325 and the outer surface of the insertion rod 324, a self-lubricating material with a lower coefficient of friction can be used to manufacture the rotating sleeve 325, thereby reducing rotational resistance. This makes the start-up and operation of the entire disturbance mechanism 320 more stable and smooth, and significantly improves the durability and service life of the rotating component. The second magnetic attraction mechanism 340 is fitted onto and fixedly connected to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating sleeve 325, so that the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340 itself no longer needs to directly rotate relative to the fixed insertion rod 324, extending the service life of the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340.

[0071] It is understandable that, such as Figure 8 As shown, a limiting ring 326 is integrally formed or fixedly provided on the outer circumferential surface of the plug rod 324, providing a rigid limiting mechanism for the axial movement of the rotating sleeve 325, so that the first side of the rotating sleeve 325 forms a limiting engagement with the end face of the limiting ring 326. Based on this, by simultaneously forming a limiting engagement with the end face of the second end of the connecting rod body 323 on the other side of the rotating sleeve 325, the rotating sleeve 325 is precisely "clamped" and constrained within a predetermined working area between the two. This bidirectional limiting structure effectively prevents any unnecessary axial movement or drift of the rotating sleeve 325 during rotation, ensuring that the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340 fixed thereon always maintains the optimal magnetic coupling distance and alignment position with the external first magnetic attraction mechanism 330, thereby ensuring the high efficiency and stability of power transmission. It also avoids collisions and friction between the rotating component and the inner wall of the water cavity or other components due to axial movement, ensuring the smooth operation of the equipment.

[0072] It is understandable that, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340 includes a mounting base 341 and a first magnet 342. The mounting base 341 has a central hole, allowing it to be directly fitted onto and fixed to the outer circumference of the rotating sleeve 325. A baffle plate 322 is positioned on the side of the mounting base 341 away from the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330. This arrangement effectively separates the magnetic coupling area responsible for power transmission from the fluid action area responsible for agitating the water flow, providing physical isolation to the sidewall of the water box body 210. This ensures that the first magnet 342 and the second magnet 331 are as close as possible to each other to achieve maximum magnetic torque, while avoiding interference with the magnetic field during rotation of the baffle plate 322. This optimizes both power transmission and fluid agitation functions. The first magnet 342 is mounted on the mounting base 341, which provides a mounting foundation for the first magnet 342, ensuring that all first magnets 342 are evenly distributed circumferentially.

[0073] Understandably, by providing four circumferentially spaced first grooves on the side of the mounting base 341 away from the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330, a mounting base is provided for the four first magnets 342, ensuring that all the first magnets 342 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, thereby achieving good dynamic balance performance, reducing vibration and noise during rotation, and making the disturbance mechanism 320 operate more smoothly; at the same time, by embedding the four first magnets 342 one by one into the four grooves, it is ensured that the first magnets 342 will not shift under high-speed rotation and magnetic force, ensuring the stability and reliability of torque transmission.

[0074] A limiting step is provided on the edge of the central hole away from the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330, and the baffle 322 is fitted onto the limiting step. By providing a limiting step on the edge of the central hole of the mounting base 341 away from the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330, a fixed foundation is provided for the installation of the baffle 322, enabling rapid installation of the baffle 322. After installation, the baffle 322 also covers the opening of the first groove. On the one hand, the baffle 322 itself acts as a cover plate, completely encapsulating the first magnet 342 in the dry groove cavity. This encapsulation effectively prevents the magnet from directly contacting water, ensuring the cleanliness and safety of the ice-making water. On the other hand, it also uses the limiting step of the mounting base 341 to fix itself, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the assembly process.

[0075] It is understood that the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330 includes a rotating seat and a second magnet 331. The rotating seat is connected to the connecting shaft of the drive mechanism 310. The second magnet 331 is disposed on the rotating seat and magnetically engages with the first magnet 342.

[0076] It is understandable that, such as Figure 6As shown, the rotating seat includes a rotating seat body 332 and a connecting piece 333. The rotating seat body 332 is disc-shaped, which ensures uniform mass distribution during rotation, facilitating dynamic balance and ensuring smooth rotation, effectively reducing vibration and noise during operation. Four second grooves are provided on the side of the rotating seat body 332 opposite to the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340. These four grooves are equidistantly arranged circumferentially. This equidistant layout ensures uniform distribution of the weight and magnetic force of the subsequently installed second magnets 331, avoiding rotational instability or uneven magnetic force caused by eccentricity. There are four second magnets 331, each correspondingly embedded in one of the four second grooves. The number of second grooves is not limited to this and is determined based on the number of second magnets 331. The connecting piece 333 is disc-shaped and is sleeved on the connecting shaft of the drive mechanism 310, achieving a reliable connection between the rotating seat and the external drive source. The connecting piece 333 is located on the side of the rotating seat body 332 away from the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340 and covers the opening of the second groove.

[0077] Understandably, the number of first magnets 342 is the same as the number of second magnets 331, and the positions of the first magnets 342 and the second magnets 331 correspond one-to-one. This arrangement ensures a stable and balanced magnetic field coupling between the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330 and the second magnetic attraction mechanism 340, thereby maximizing the efficiency of magnetic force transmission and ensuring that power can be transmitted from the drive mechanism to the baffle plate 322 without loss and with high efficiency. The four first magnets 342 are arranged symmetrically in pairs. This symmetrical arrangement gives the first magnetic attraction mechanism 330 excellent dynamic balance performance when rotating, effectively avoiding vibration and noise caused by uneven mass distribution, and ensuring the smoothness and quietness of equipment operation. The magnetic poles of adjacent first magnets 342 are set oppositely. Through the alternating arrangement of N and S poles, a rapidly changing magnetic field gradient is formed between adjacent magnets. This layout can generate a stronger magnetic force during rotation, whether it is an attractive or repulsive force, thus providing a strong driving torque for rotation and ensuring reliable synchronous rotation. The magnetic pole of the end of the first magnet 342 near the second magnet 331 is the same as the magnetic pole of the end of the second magnet 331 near the first magnet 342. When the first magnet 342 on the driving side rotates, the repulsive force it generates will "push" the second magnet 331 on the driven side to rotate synchronously, realizing non-contact torque transmission. This repulsive coupling method transmits power.

[0078] It is understood that one of the connecting piece 333 and the rotating seat body 332 is provided with multiple latches, which are arranged circumferentially at intervals. The other of the connecting piece 333 and the rotating seat body 332 is provided with multiple snap-fit ​​holes, which are also arranged circumferentially at intervals. The multiple latches pass through the multiple snap-fit ​​holes one by one and then snap onto the edge of the snap-fit ​​holes. This connection method, which uses elastic latches and snap-fit ​​holes to cooperate, allows the assembly process to be completed simply by aligning and applying pressure, making the operation extremely simple. This enables a quick connection between the connecting piece 333 and the rotating seat body 332, simplifying the assembly method of the connecting piece 333 and the rotating seat body 332. This tool-free and additional fastener (such as screws) assembly mode shortens the assembly time on the production line, reduces the skill requirements for operators, and improves production efficiency, ultimately directly translating into reduced manufacturing costs and increased product capacity. Of course, the connection method between the connecting piece 333 and the rotating seat body 332 is not limited to this; other detachable connection methods can also be used.

[0079] See Figure 9 In some embodiments of the present invention, the disturbance component 30 includes a drive mechanism 310 and a disturbance mechanism 320. The drive mechanism 310 is disposed outside the water box body 210, while the disturbance mechanism 320 is disposed inside the water inlet cavity 211. External placement of the drive mechanism 310 effectively prevents core drive components such as the motor from directly contacting the water, thus improving product safety and service life. A connection hole is provided on the water box 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 cavity 211 to flow. By driving the water in the water inlet cavity 211 to flow, the water in the first ice-making cavity 221 circulates with the water in the ice-making cavity. When the water freezes, the gas and impurities discharged 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.

[0080] The ice-making equipment provided by the present invention drives the disturbance mechanism 320 to move through the drive mechanism 310. The disturbance mechanism 320 drives the water in the water inlet chamber 211 to flow, 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, thus improving the quality of the ice blocks.

[0081] It is understandable that, such as Figure 9As 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] Understandably, 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 pulsating water flow can be generated. Compared with a single-direction rotating water flow, 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 alternately pushes and pulls 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, thus improving the quality and aesthetics of the ice cube.

[0084] Understandably, the inner shell 220 is hemispherical, and it is provided with strip-shaped turbulence holes 222. The center of the strip-shaped turbulence 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, which is conducive to forming a uniform and symmetrical circulation path and is the basis for constructing an efficient water circulation. The strip-shaped turbulence holes 222 on the first ice-making cavity 221 serve as the main path for water to enter the first ice-making cavity 221 from the water inlet cavity 211, while the turbulence holes serve as the main path 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 through the central strip-shaped turbulence hole 222, washes the first ice-making chamber 221, and then flows out through 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 chamber 221 can be effectively replaced and renewed, thereby maximizing the efficiency of exhaust and impurity removal to produce high-quality transparent ice.

[0085] Understandably, placing the return water path closest to the central disturbance mechanism 320 creates the most direct circulation loop, reducing flow resistance and improving circulation efficiency. Simultaneously, the uniform distribution ensures that water is smoothly and synchronously drawn from the inner edge of the first ice-making chamber 221, avoiding the formation of localized eddies or stagnant zones caused by uneven water output. This ensures a consistent water flow renewal rate throughout the entire first ice-making chamber 221, which is crucial for uniformly removing impurities and ensuring a high degree of consistency in the quality of the two ice blocks.

[0086] 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 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 appearance.

[0087] Understandably, a sealing ring is installed inside the connection hole to reliably seal the gap between the connecting shaft of the drive mechanism 310 and the water box body 210, thereby effectively preventing water in the water 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 that may be caused by water leakage; the sealing ring is sleeved on the outer circumference of the connecting shaft and seals with the connecting shaft, ensuring that even when the connecting shaft rotates or reciprocates, the sealing ring can still fit tightly against the surface of the shaft, forming a reliable dynamic watertight barrier, ensuring the sealing reliability and durability of the device during long-term operation, and improving the overall safety level and service life of the product.

[0088] It is understandable that, such as Figures 10 to 13As shown, the water tank body 210 is provided with a mounting hole located on the top of the water tank body 210, so as to facilitate direct operation after opening the cover 41 of the ice maker. Of course, the location of the mounting hole is not limited to this and can also be provided in other locations on the water tank body 210.

[0089] The pressing mechanism 230 includes a pressing member 231 and an elastic member 232. The pressing member 231 is vertically arranged, and its first end is movably inserted through a mounting hole. The pressing member 231 is located above the inner housing 220. The number of pressing members 231 and the number of inner housings 220 are the same, and each pressing member 231 corresponds to one inner housing 220. The elastic member 232 is connected to the pressing member 231. The elastic member 232 can store energy and release it after the external force is removed, so that the pressing member 231 automatically returns 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 member 232 is suitable for switching between an initial state and a deformed state. In the initial state, the first end of the pressing member 231 is separated from the inner housing 220. In the deformed state, by applying external force to the pressing member 231, 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 allowing the ice to separate 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.

[0090] It is understandable that, such as Figure 13 As shown, the elastic element 232 includes a compression spring, which is sleeved on the outer periphery of the pressing element 231. The coaxial arrangement of the compression spring and the pressing element 231 makes the overall structure compact and occupies little space, while ensuring that the pressing element 231 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 element 231 is provided with a pressing part 238. The cross-sectional area of ​​the pressing part 238 is larger than that of the compression spring, and the second end of the compression spring abuts against the pressing part 238. The pressing part 238 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 the elastic element 232 is not limited to this; it can also be a tension spring or other types of springs.

[0091] It is understandable that, such as Figure 13As shown, a guide sleeve 233 is provided on the outer side of the water box body 210. The guide sleeve 233 provides precise guidance for the reciprocating motion of the pressing part 231, ensuring that the pressing part 231 always moves stably along the predetermined path, thereby avoiding shaking or deflection during the movement. The pressing part 231 is located inside the guide sleeve 233, and the guide sleeve 233 and the pressing part 231 are coaxially arranged. The compression spring is located between the guide sleeve 233 and the pressing part 231, 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 238 slides in conjunction with the guide sleeve 233. Through the sliding contact between the upper end of the pressing part 238 and the inner wall of the guide sleeve 233, the smoothness of the entire pressing stroke is ensured, improving the operating feel and the reliability of the mechanism.

[0092] It is understandable that, such as Figure 10 As shown, the ice-making equipment also includes a handle 234 and at least two guide sleeves 233. The handle 234 is connected to two of the guide sleeves 233. The handle 234 facilitates the removal of the water tank assembly 20 from the mounting cavity of the bracket 215. Preferably, two guide sleeves 233 are provided, spaced apart along the length of the water tank body 210 on the top of the water tank body 210. One end of the handle 234 is connected to one guide sleeve 233, and the other end of the handle 234 is connected to the other guide sleeve 233, thus forming a complete handle 234 structure, which allows the user to easily and smoothly remove or place the entire ice-making equipment with one hand. The handle 234 and the guide sleeves 233 are integrally formed, reducing the number of parts, simplifying the production process and reducing manufacturing costs. At the same time, the integrated structure also ensures the strength and durability of the connection, avoiding loosening problems that may occur after long-term use.

[0093] It is understandable that, such as Figure 13 As shown, the pressing mechanism 230 also includes a sealing ring 235, which is sleeved on the first end of the pressing member 231 and seals with the pressing member 231. In the initial state, the sealing ring 235 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 231 and the mounting hole. In the deformed state, the sealing ring 235 separates from the edge of the mounting hole near the water inlet chamber 211.

[0094] The pressing mechanism 230 also includes a sealing ring 235, which is sleeved on the first end of the pressing member 231 and seals against it. In the initial state, the elastic force of the elastic member 232 causes the sealing ring 235 to abut against the edge of the mounting hole near the water inlet chamber 211 and form a sealing fit, thereby forming a waterproof barrier to prevent water in the water inlet chamber 211 from flowing out through the gap between the pressing member 231 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 231 is pressed down, the sealing ring 235 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 231 and the mounting hole.

[0095] It is understandable that, such as Figure 13 As shown, a positioning groove 236 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first end of the pressing member 231. The positioning groove 236 is annular, and the sealing ring 235 is embedded in the positioning groove 236. By setting the positioning groove 236, the sealing ring 235 is effectively prevented from axially moving or falling off during the frequent reciprocating motion of the pressing member 231, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the sealing structure and ensuring the long-lasting effectiveness of the sealing effect.

[0096] 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 pre-tightening force of the elastic element 232, the sealing ring 235 tightly abuts against the sealing bevel, 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 235 is increased, further improving the sealing reliability of the water box assembly 20.

[0097] It is understandable that, such as Figure 13 As shown, the first end of the pressing member 231 is provided with a contact portion 237, the cross-sectional area of ​​which is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the rod portion of the pressing member 231. This design aims to increase the contact area between the pressing member 231 and the inner shell 220, thereby effectively dispersing the pressure acting on the flexible inner shell 220 when pressure is applied. This avoids the risk of the pressing member 231 tip piercing or damaging the inner shell 220 due to excessive stress concentration, thus improving the durability and reliability of the mechanism. Simultaneously, the larger contact area allows the pressure to be transmitted more evenly to the inner shell 220, causing it to deform more gently and over a wider range. This more efficiently breaks the adhesion between the ice and the shell, making the de-icing operation easier and more thorough.

[0098] Understandably, a positioning sleeve is provided on the side of the inner housing 220 facing the pressing member 231. When the pressing member 231 moves downward, its first end is inserted into the positioning sleeve, providing precise positioning for the pressing member 231. Then, the pressing member 231 continues to move downward, deforming the inner housing 220 connected to the positioning sleeve by pressing it. Because the pressing position is precisely positioned, it ensures that each press acts on the most effective deformation area of ​​the inner housing 220, thereby achieving efficient and reliable de-icing. The positioning sleeve can position the lower end of the pressing member 231, fundamentally preventing the lower end of the pressing member 231 from shifting due to uneven force or gap tolerance. This avoids local damage to the inner housing 220 or de-icing failure due to misaligned pressing, greatly improving the product's durability and the success rate of user operation.

[0099] It is understandable that, such as Figure 10 As shown, the side wall of the water box body 210 is provided with at least two inlet and outlet ports 212 communicating with the water inlet chamber 211, and the at least two inlet and outlet ports 212 are spaced apart in the vertical direction. By providing at least two inlet and outlet ports 212 communicating with the water inlet chamber 211 on the side wall of the water box body 210, multiple water flow channels are provided. Compared with the design of a single inlet and outlet port 212, the redundancy and reliability of the pipeline are improved, avoiding the risk of the entire de-icing process failing due to blockage of a single pipeline. By arranging at least two inlet and outlet ports 212 spaced apart in the vertical direction, even if the lower inlet and outlet port 212 is blocked by ice, the higher inlet and outlet port 212 remains unobstructed and can serve as a backup channel, ensuring that the remaining cold water in the water inlet chamber 211 can be discharged smoothly, 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 / outlet 212 (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 equipment, guaranteeing the normal progress of de-icing.

[0100] It is understandable that, such as Figure 12As shown, an overflow port 213 is also provided on the side wall of the water box body 210. When water is injected into the water inlet chamber 211, the overflow port 213 provides a smooth discharge channel for the air in the water inlet chamber 211, effectively avoiding the problem 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 213 is located on one side of the upper water inlet and outlet 212. The overflow port 213 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.

[0101] It is understandable that, such as Figure 12 As shown, the water box assembly 20 also includes a baffle 214, which is vertically disposed on the inner side wall of the water box body 210. The baffle 214 covers the overflow port 213, and a flow channel communicating with the overflow port 213 is formed between the baffle 214 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 214 are provided with connection ports communicating with the flow channel. Specifically, the height of the upper port of the baffle 214 is greater than the height of the overflow port 213, ensuring that the upper 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 214 is less than the height of the overflow port 213. During de-icing, even if the lower port of the baffle 214 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 and can serve as a reliable pressure relief and venting channel. This provides an outlet for the air displaced or water vapor generated during subsequent injection of de-icing water, thus completely solving the potential failure point of poor venting and inability to inject de-icing water smoothly due to a blocked single channel. Venting can also be carried out through the upper port, improving the de-icing success rate and operational reliability of the equipment under complex working conditions.

[0102] It is understandable that there are two inlet and outlet ports 212, and the two inlet and outlet ports 212 are on the same vertical line. The height of the overflow port 213 is less than or equal to the height of the upper inlet and outlet port 212.

[0103] Understandably, the baffle 214 is provided with multiple flow holes, which 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 in the vertical direction, so that no matter the water level in the flow channel, at least one flow hole is always above the water surface, which can smoothly discharge the air accumulated in the upper layer. This avoids the problem that some air is trapped in the flow channel due to water level changes and cannot be discharged, thus ensuring the stability of the exhaust effect.

[0104] It is understandable that, such as Figure 11 As shown, the ice-making equipment also includes a bracket 215, which has an internal mounting cavity that provides an integrated mounting space for the evaporator assembly 50 and the water box assembly 20, making the entire device more compact and providing effective support and protection for the internal components. The top of the bracket 215 has an opening that communicates with the mounting cavity, allowing installers to easily insert or remove core components such as the evaporator assembly 50 and the water box assembly 20 from above, simplifying assembly and subsequent maintenance processes and improving production and maintenance efficiency. The evaporator assembly 50 and the water box assembly 20 are stacked sequentially in the mounting cavity from bottom to top.

[0105] It is understandable that, such as Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the ice-making equipment also includes a water-gas connection seat 240. A positioning groove (not labeled in the figure) is provided on the side wall of the bracket 215. The water-gas connection seat 240 is embedded in the positioning groove, which provides a precise installation position for the water-gas connection seat 240, ensuring that it can be quickly and accurately installed 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 / outlet water connection ports 242. By integrating multiple fluid interfaces onto this independent modular component, the structure of the bracket 215 body is simplified, eliminating the need for multiple water channels, thereby reducing the processing complexity and manufacturing cost of the bracket 215. The water-gas connection seat 240 fits against the side wall of the water box body 210, so that the inlet / outlet water connection ports 242 and the inlet / outlet water ports 212 can be connected one-to-one, and the overflow connection port 241 can be connected to the overflow port 213.

[0106] Understandably, the inner diameter of the inlet / outlet connection 242 is larger than the inner diameter of the inlet / outlet 212. By making the inner diameter of the inlet / outlet connection 242 larger than the inner diameter of the inlet / outlet 212, 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 212 falls within the outline of the inlet / outlet connection 242, an effective flow passage can still be formed between the two, thereby ensuring the continuity of the water circuit. This reduces the installation accuracy requirements of the water / air connector 240.

[0107] Understandably, the edge of the inlet / outlet 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 212, 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 213, 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 sidewall of the bracket 215 or the sidewall of the water tank body 210 is inclined. When the water tank body 210 is installed downwards, the water tank body 210 will be subjected to the horizontal component force of the inclined sidewall of the bracket 215, 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, improving 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.

[0108] Understandably, the ice-making equipment also includes inlet and outlet water pipes, which 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 equipment 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.

[0109] Understandably, the ice-making device also includes a housing 40, which is hollow inside. An ice-removing opening is located on the top of the housing 40, and its position corresponds to the opening of the bracket 215 to facilitate the removal of the water box assembly 20. The ice-removing opening is fitted with a cover 41, which is hinged to the housing 40.

[0110] It is understandable that ice-making equipment also includes a compressor, a refrigerant solenoid valve, a condenser, a dryer filter, and a capillary tube. The compressor outlet is connected to the condenser inlet and the first interface of the refrigerant solenoid valve, and the condenser outlet is connected to the dryer filter inlet.

[0111] 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 evaporator assembly, characterized in that, include: The first ice-making container body has a first ice tray on it; The second ice-making container has a second ice tray on it; The back of the first ice-making container is fixedly connected to the back of the second ice-making container, and an evaporation chamber for containing refrigerant is formed between the first ice-making container and the second ice-making container. At least one of the first ice-making container and the second ice-making container is provided with a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet, both of which are connected to the evaporation chamber. The positions of the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet are configured to fill the evaporation chamber with refrigerant, so as to exchange heat between the first ice-making container and the second ice-making container simultaneously.

2. The evaporator assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Either the first ice tray or the second ice tray is spherical in shape; The refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet are both located on the ice-making box body corresponding to the spherical ice tray, and the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet are spaced apart on the same side of the corresponding ice-making box body.

3. The evaporator assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: A first partition is disposed in the evaporation cavity along the length of the corresponding ice-making box body to divide the evaporation cavity into at least two independent flow chambers. A first channel is formed between the first partition and the ice-making box body on the side away from the refrigerant inlet or the refrigerant outlet. The first channel is used to connect the two adjacent flow chambers. The refrigerant inlet is connected to one of the flow dividers, and the refrigerant outlet is connected to the other flow divider.

4. The evaporator assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: A second partition is provided in each of the respective distribution chambers along the width direction of the corresponding ice-making container to separate the respective distribution chambers into at least two independent evaporation chambers; A second channel is provided between the second partition and the cavity wall of the corresponding sub-evaporation chamber, and the second channel is used to connect two adjacent sub-evaporation chambers.

5. The evaporator assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first ice-making box and the second ice-making box have the same shape, and the back of the first ice-making box and the back of the second ice-making box are welded and fixed together.

6. An ice-making device, characterized in that, include: A water box assembly includes a water box body and an inner shell. The inner shell is located inside the water box body and forms a water inlet cavity with the water box body. The inner shell is provided with multiple turbulence holes. And the evaporator assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second ice-making box body in the evaporator assembly and the inner shell form a first ice-making cavity, and the first ice-making cavity is connected to the water inlet cavity through the turbulence hole.

7. The ice-making equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The disturbance component includes a drive mechanism, a disturbance mechanism, a first magnetic attraction mechanism, and a second magnetic attraction mechanism. The drive mechanism and the first magnetic attraction mechanism are both disposed outside the water box body. The drive mechanism is connected to the first magnetic attraction mechanism. The disturbance mechanism and the second magnetic attraction mechanism are both disposed inside the water inlet cavity. The disturbance mechanism is connected to the second magnetic attraction mechanism. The first magnetic attraction mechanism and the second magnetic attraction mechanism are magnetically attracted to each other. The drive mechanism is adapted to drive the disturbance mechanism to rotate. The disturbance mechanism is adapted to drive the water in the water inlet cavity to flow.

8. The ice-making equipment according to claim 7, characterized in that, The disturbance mechanism includes: A connecting rod is located inside the water inlet cavity and inserted into the second magnetic attraction mechanism; A baffle plate, connected to the second magnetic attraction mechanism and located around the connecting rod, is adapted to drive the water in the inlet chamber to flow.

9. The ice-making equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The link includes: The connecting rod body has a first end connected to the side wall of the water inlet chamber away from the first magnetic attraction mechanism, and a second end of the connecting rod body is provided with a plug hole; A plug rod, the first end of which is inserted into the plug hole, and the second end of which is connected to the side wall of the water inlet cavity near the first magnetic attraction mechanism.

10. The ice-making equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The disturbance component includes a drive mechanism and a disturbance mechanism. The drive mechanism is located outside the water box body, and the disturbance mechanism is located inside the water inlet cavity. 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, and the disturbance mechanism is adapted to drive the water in the water inlet cavity to flow. The driving mechanism includes a driving motor, and 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.

Images