Ice discharging mechanism and ice discharging system thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses an ice discharging mechanism and an ice discharging system thereof. The ice discharging mechanism comprises a circular shifting wheel arranged on the inner side wall of a heat preservation space, and a driving mechanism arranged outside the heat preservation space and used for driving the circular shifting wheel to rotate. A plurality of poking pieces are arranged on the periphery of the circular poking wheel at intervals and are perpendicular to the wheel face of the circular poking wheel, the wheel face is connected with the poking pieces through extending parts, and the poking pieces are located between the inner side wall of the heat preservation space and the wheel face of the circular poking wheel; the bottom sealing part is located between the poking pieces and the center of the circular poking wheel, and a containing space for containing granular ice is defined by every two adjacent poking pieces, the extending part between every two adjacent poking pieces, the bottom sealing part and the inner side wall of the heat preservation space; the extending parts of the adjacent wheel surfaces form a notch for the granular ice to enter the accommodating space; and an ice outlet is formed in the inner side wall of the heat preservation space corresponding to the outer edge above the circular shifting wheel. The ice outlet structure is simplified, and a larger particle ice containing space is provided for a heat preservation space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigeration equipment control technology, and in particular to an ice dispensing mechanism and its ice dispensing system. Background Technology

[0002] An ice maker is a device used to automatically produce ice. It freezes water into ice through a refrigeration system and outputs ice in the specified form, such as cubes or granules, according to demand.

[0003] The existing ice dispensing mechanism has a large impeller blade at the bottom of the granular ice storage space. The rotating impeller blade pushes the ice blocks into the ice block outlet at the bottom of the granular ice storage space. The disadvantage of this method is that the granular ice submerges the impeller blade and tends to stick together over time. It is necessary to install a stirring rod above the granular ice to break it up, and then the impeller blade pushes the granular ice into the ice block outlet. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides an ice-discharging mechanism and its ice-discharging system, which simplifies the ice-discharging structure and provides a larger space for holding granular ice in the insulated space.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an ice-discharging mechanism, which includes a circular dial wheel disposed on the inner side wall of an insulated space, and a driving mechanism disposed outside the insulated space to drive the circular dial wheel to rotate. A number of paddles are spaced around the periphery of the circular dial. The paddles are perpendicular to the wheel surface of the circular dial. The wheel surface is connected to the paddles through an extension. The paddles are located between the inner wall of the heat preservation space and the wheel surface of the circular dial. A sealing bottom is also provided between the inner wall of the heat-insulating space and the wheel surface of the circular dial. The sealing bottom is located between the center of the dial and the circular dial. The two adjacent dials, the extension between the two adjacent dials, the sealing bottom and the inner wall of the heat-insulating space enclose and form a container space for accommodating granular ice. The extensions of adjacent wheel surfaces form notches to allow ice particles to enter the accommodating space; An ice outlet is provided on the inner wall of the insulated space corresponding to the upper outer edge of the circular dial.

[0006] In this design, a circular rotary wheel is placed upright on the side wall of the insulated space. The volume of granular ice within the space dynamically changes vertically, never exceeding the ice outlet. This means the circular rotary wheel is always partially submerged in the ice granules. During its rotation, the rotary wheel stirs the agglomerated ice granules and simultaneously collects the broken-up ice granules into the holding space before conveying them out through the outlet. Compared to existing technologies, this design eliminates the need for a stirring rod, achieving both stirring and conveying functions, and providing a larger holding space for the insulated space.

[0007] As an improvement to the above solution, the tangent at the intersection of the extended projection lines of several of the paddles and the edge of the circular dial makes an acute angle with the projection line of the paddle, with the acute angle pointing towards the rotation direction of the circular dial. In this solution, when granular ice is scooped into the accommodating space, the use of tilting paddles can shorten the trajectory of the granular ice carried in the accommodating space from the bottom of the circular dial to the longitudinal center, ensuring stable granular ice scooping even when the volume of granular ice in the insulated space is small.

[0008] As an improvement to the above solution, the bottom sealing layer is ring-shaped or circular.

[0009] As an improvement to the above solution, the angle between the outer edge of the sealed bottom and the inner wall of the insulation space is an acute angle. In this solution, the outer edge of the sealed bottom is inclined. When the circular dial rotates to the ice outlet, the granular ice carried by the containing space slides into the ice outlet along the inclined outer edge of the sealed bottom because there is no inner wall of the insulation space to block it. In addition, the inclined outer edge of the sealed bottom also ensures that the granular ice carried by the containing space does not easily fall into the insulation space from the gap when rotating.

[0010] As an improvement to the above solution, when the granular ice is scooped into the receiving space, the bottom of the circular dial is raised to the center along a trajectory, and a cap is provided on the outer edge of the circular dial. In this solution, because the granular ice carried in the receiving space is lifted from the bottom of the circular dial to the longitudinal center during the process of scooping the granular ice into the receiving space, the tilt angle of the dial causes the granular ice carried in the receiving space to slide out along the inclined surface of the dial. To solve this problem, a cap is provided to ensure that even if there is very little granular ice in the insulated space, the dial can still scoop it into the receiving space without it sliding out.

[0011] As an improvement to the above solution, the bottom of the insulation space is inclined, and the circular dial is located at the lower end of the inclined bottom of the insulation space. The inclined bottom of the insulation space in this solution allows the ice particles to automatically slide into the notch of the circular dial by their own gravity, preventing the ice particles closest to the bottom surface of the insulation space from failing to enter the circular dial.

[0012] As an improvement to the above solution, the drive mechanism includes a unidirectional motor located outside the insulation space and a transmission shaft fixedly connected to the center of a circular dial. The opposite end of the transmission shaft extends through the inner wall of the insulation space and is fixedly connected to a driven gear. The output end of the unidirectional motor is connected to a driving gear that drives the driven gear through a chain.

[0013] As an improvement to the above solution, a cup holder is installed below where the ice particles exiting the ice outlet fall, and a cantilever beam gravity sensor is connected to the bottom of the cup holder. This solution can obtain the specific weight of the ice being dispensed, providing a control signal to stop ice dispensing.

[0014] Secondly, the present invention provides an ice dispensing system, which includes the aforementioned ice dispensing mechanism, a cup holder, a cantilever beam gravity sensor connected to the bottom of the cup holder, an ice dispensing controller, and a barcode scanner. The granular ice output from the ice outlet falls into a cup holder positioned below. The bottom of the cup holder is connected to a cantilever beam gravity sensor. The outputs of the cantilever beam gravity sensor and the barcode scanner are respectively connected to the corresponding inputs of the ice dispensing controller. The output of the ice dispensing controller is connected to the input of the motor. The barcode scanner obtains the identification code affixed to the cup. The identification code stores information about cups of different sizes. The ice dispensing controller identifies the different standard weight information of the granulated ice associated with different sized cups, obtains the standard weight information of the granulated ice corresponding to the current cup, and controls the start motor to drive the circular dial to dispense ice. The ice dispensing controller continuously scans the output signal of the cantilever beam gravity sensor. Once it detects that the weight of the ice particles in the cup has reached the standard weight, it stops the motor and the circular dial stops dispensing ice.

[0015] This solution enables precise control of the ice output.

[0016] As an improvement to the above solution, the ice dispensing controller is also connected to a touch screen, allowing modification of the standard weight of granulated ice associated with various cup sizes. This solution improves the accuracy and flexibility of ice dispensing, adapting to cups of different sizes and accommodating the need to adjust the weight of granulated ice required for different beverage recipes. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a circular dial of an ice-dispensing mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is the present invention. Figure 1 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point A; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of an ice-discharging mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is the present invention. Figure 3 A partially enlarged structural diagram of the upper part of the medium-circular dial; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal three-dimensional structure of an ice-discharging mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the control structure of an ice-discharging system provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0019] See Figure 1 The present invention provides an ice-dispensing mechanism 200, which includes a circular dial wheel 210. A plurality of paddles 211 are spaced apart around the periphery of the circular dial wheel. The paddles are perpendicular to the wheel surface 212 of the circular dial wheel, and the wheel surface is connected to the paddles 211 via extensions 213. The tangent 215 at the intersection of the projection lines 214 of the paddles 211 and the edge of the circular dial wheel forms an acute angle with the projection lines of the paddles, with the acute angle pointing towards the rotation direction of the circular dial wheel.

[0020] A circular dial 210 is mounted on the inner wall 221 of the insulation space 220. The center of the circular dial 210 is fixed to one end of a drive shaft 231. The other end of the drive shaft passes through the inner wall 221 of the insulation space and is fixedly connected to a driven gear 232. A drive gear 234 is connected to the output end of a unidirectional motor 233 located outside the insulation space 220. The drive gear 232 is driven by a chain 235 to rotate the circular dial 210.

[0021] The lever 211 is located between the inner wall 221 of the insulated space and the wheel surface 212 of the circular lever. An annular sealed bottom 241, optionally circular, is provided between the inner wall 221 of the insulated space and the wheel surface of the circular lever. The sealed bottom is located between the center of the lever 211 and the center of the circular lever 210. The accommodating space enclosed by two adjacent levers 211, the extension 213 between two adjacent levers, the sealed bottom 241, and the inner wall 221 of the insulated space can accommodate one or two pieces of granular ice. The extension 213 of adjacent wheel surfaces forms a notch 216 to allow granular ice to enter the accommodating space. An ice outlet 222 is provided on the inner wall of the insulated space corresponding to the upper outer edge of the circular lever 210.

[0022] When the circular dial 210 rotates under the drive of the unidirectional motor 233, the granular ice at the bottom 223 of the insulation space enters the accommodating space from the horizontal direction through the notch 216. This causes the rotating circular dial 210 to lift the granular ice in the accommodating space from the bottom 223 of the insulation space to the ice outlet 222 of the insulation space. Since there is no obstruction from the inner wall of the insulation space at the ice outlet, the granular ice in the accommodating space falls into the ice outlet 222.

[0023] The angle between the outer edge 242 of the annular sealed bottom 241 and the inner wall 221 of the insulation space is an acute angle, which makes the outer edge 242 of the sealed bottom of the accommodating space inclined. When the circular dial rotates to the ice outlet 222, the ice particles slide into the ice outlet 222 along the inclined outer edge 242 of the sealed bottom. This solves the technical problem that the angle at which the ice particles enter the accommodating space may cause ice blocks to get stuck between two adjacent dials 211, and even if they reach the ice outlet, they will not fall into the ice outlet. In addition, the inclined outer edge of the sealed bottom also ensures that the ice particles are not easy to fall into the insulation space from the gap when the accommodating space is carrying them and rotating.

[0024] When the volume of granular ice at the bottom of the insulated space is lower than the rotation center of the circular dial, the dial rotates counterclockwise. Between the 6 and 9 o'clock positions, during the process of scooping up the granular ice, the dial's tilt angle has not yet rotated to a level sufficient to support the ice, making it prone to sliding out along the dial's inclined surface. Between the 6 and 9 o'clock positions, a capping top of 25° is provided on the outer edge of the circular dial to prevent the dial from sliding out of the accommodating space along its inclined surface during the rotation of the dial while scooping up the granular ice. The capping top is preferably an arc-shaped capping plate.

[0025] The bottom 223 of the insulation space is inclined, and the circular dial 210 is located at the lower end of the inclined bottom of the insulation space.

[0026] The ice dispensing system includes an ice dispensing mechanism 200, a cup holder 261 for placing cups, a cantilever beam gravity sensor 262 connected to the bottom of the cup holder, an ice dispensing controller 263, and a barcode scanner 264. An ice dispensing outlet 222 is sequentially connected to an ice dispensing channel 224 and an ice drop outlet 225, with the cup holder 261 positioned directly below the ice drop outlet 225. The outputs of the cantilever beam gravity sensor 262 and the barcode scanner 264 are respectively connected to the corresponding inputs of the ice dispensing controller 263, and the input of a unidirectional motor 233 is connected to the output of the ice dispensing controller 263.

[0027] Cups are usually categorized as medium, large, and extra-large. After ordering, a label will be affixed to the cup, with an identification code printed on it. The identification code is either a barcode or a QR code, and it stores information about whether the cup is medium, large, or extra-large.

[0028] After the barcode scanner acquires information about the different volume types of the cup, the ice dispensing controller identifies the different standard weight information of the granulated ice associated with different volume cups, obtains the standard weight information of the granulated ice corresponding to the current cup, and controls the start of the unidirectional motor 233 to drive the circular dial 210 to dispense ice. The ice dispensing controller 263 continuously scans the output signal of the cantilever beam gravity sensor 262. After detecting that the weight of the granulated ice in the current cup has reached the standard weight, it controls the unidirectional motor 233 to stop working, and the circular dial 210 stops dispensing ice.

[0029] Optionally, the ice dispensing controller is also connected to a touch screen 265, which allows modification of the standard weight of the granular ice associated with various cup models, thereby improving the accuracy and flexibility of ice dispensing.

[0030] The barcode scanner 264 is mounted on the same panel as the touchscreen 265, but is not shown in the figure.

[0031] The above description represents the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ice-discharging mechanism, characterized in that, It includes a circular dial wheel installed on the inner wall of the insulation space, and a drive mechanism installed outside the insulation space that drives the circular dial wheel to rotate; A number of paddles are spaced around the periphery of the circular dial. The paddles are perpendicular to the wheel surface of the circular dial. The wheel surface is connected to the paddles through an extension. The paddles are located between the inner wall of the heat preservation space and the wheel surface of the circular dial. A sealing bottom is also provided between the inner wall of the heat-insulating space and the wheel surface of the circular dial. The sealing bottom is located between the center of the dial and the circular dial. The two adjacent dials, the extension between the two adjacent dials, the sealing bottom and the inner wall of the heat-insulating space enclose and form a container space for accommodating granular ice. The extensions of adjacent wheel surfaces form notches to allow ice particles to enter the accommodating space; An ice outlet is provided on the inner wall of the insulated space corresponding to the upper outer edge of the circular dial.

2. The ice-discharging mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tangent at the intersection of the projection lines of several of the paddles and the edge of the circular dial forms an acute angle with the projection lines of the paddles, with the acute angle pointing in the direction of rotation of the circular dial.

3. The ice-discharging mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom seal is either ring-shaped or circular.

4. The ice-discharging mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the outer edge of the bottom seal and the inner wall of the insulation space is an acute angle.

5. The ice-discharging mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When granular ice is scooped into the accommodating space, the bottom of the circular dial is raised to the longitudinal center trajectory, and the outer edge of the circular dial is sealed with a top.

6. The ice-discharging mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the insulation space is inclined, and the circular dial is located at the lower end of the inclined bottom of the insulation space.

7. The ice-discharging mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drive mechanism includes a unidirectional motor located outside the insulation space and a transmission shaft fixedly connected to the center of a circular dial. The opposite end of the transmission shaft extends through the inner wall of the insulation space and is fixedly connected to a driven gear. The output end of the unidirectional motor is connected to a driving gear that drives the driven gear through a chain.

8. The ice-discharging mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ice particles output from the ice outlet fall into a cup holder positioned below, and the bottom of the cup holder is connected to a cantilever beam gravity sensor.

9. An ice-discharging system, characterized in that, Includes an ice dispensing mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-7, a cup holder, a cantilever beam gravity sensor connected to the bottom of the cup holder, an ice dispensing controller, and a barcode scanner; The granular ice output from the ice outlet falls into a cup holder positioned below. The bottom of the cup holder is connected to a cantilever beam gravity sensor. The outputs of the cantilever beam gravity sensor and the barcode scanner are respectively connected to the corresponding inputs of the ice dispensing controller. The output of the ice dispensing controller is connected to the input of the motor. The barcode scanner obtains the identification code affixed to the cup. The identification code stores information about cups of different sizes. The ice dispensing controller identifies the different standard weight information of the granulated ice associated with different sized cups, obtains the standard weight information of the granulated ice corresponding to the current cup, and controls the start motor to drive the circular dial to dispense ice. The ice dispensing controller continuously scans the output signal of the cantilever beam gravity sensor. Once it detects that the weight of the ice particles in the cup has reached the standard weight, it stops the motor and the circular dial stops dispensing ice.

10. The ice-discharging mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ice dispensing controller is also connected to a touch screen, which allows users to modify the standard weight of the granular ice associated with various sizes of cups.

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