Ice making device and water purifier

Abstract

The application discloses an ice making device and a water purifier, and belongs to the technical field of water purifiers. The ice making device comprises a shell, a first containing cavity and a second containing cavity, the first containing cavity is located above the second containing cavity, an ice making system, a tray, an ice storage box, an ice water tank and a first channel. The ice making system comprises a compressor, a condenser, a dryer, an evaporator and a liquid storage device, the evaporator comprises a first ice making head and a second ice making head. The tray is rotationally connected with the shell, the tray is arranged in the first containing cavity, the first ice making head is arranged in the tray, and the second ice making head is arranged in the tray. The ice storage box is arranged in the first containing cavity. The ice water tank is arranged in the second containing cavity. The inlet of the first channel is communicated with the first containing cavity, and the outlet of the first channel is communicated with the second containing cavity. Compared with the prior art, the water in the ice water tank can be cooled without increasing the refrigeration element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water purifier technology, specifically to an ice-making device and a water purifier. Background Technology

[0002] An ice-making device is one of the functional modules of a water purifier. It uses a refrigeration system (typically including a compressor, condenser, and evaporator) to cool and freeze water into ice. The ice-making time is related to the temperature of the supplied water; the lower the water temperature, the shorter the ice-making time. Therefore, the water stored in the ice water tank should be as low as possible. Current technology involves installing a separate refrigeration element within the ice water tank to cool the water, but this is energy-intensive and requires an additional refrigeration element, resulting in high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ice-making device and a water purifier that can cool the water in the ice water tank without adding refrigeration components, and is low in cost and simple in structure.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an ice-making device, comprising: a housing including a first receiving cavity and a second receiving cavity, the first receiving cavity being located above the second receiving cavity; an evaporator including a first ice-making head and a second ice-making head; a tray rotatably connected to the housing, the tray being disposed within the first receiving cavity, the first ice-making head being disposed within the tray, and the second ice-making head being disposed within the tray; a storage refrigerator disposed within the first receiving cavity; an ice water tank disposed within the second receiving cavity; and a first channel, the inlet of the first channel communicating with the first receiving cavity, and the outlet of the first channel communicating with the second receiving cavity.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the refrigerator is provided with a first through hole, one end of the first through hole is connected to the first receiving cavity, and the other end is connected to the second receiving cavity.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes a motor, which is fixedly connected to the housing, and the output end of the motor is drivenly connected to the tray.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system further includes an impeller pump, a water supply pipe, and a water outlet pipe. One end of the water supply pipe is connected to the bottom of the ice water tank, and the other end is connected to the impeller pump. One end of the water outlet pipe is connected to the impeller pump, and the other end is connected to the side of the tray.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple first ice-making heads, and the multiple first ice-making heads are arranged along the length direction of the evaporator.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the opening of the first channel is rectangular.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple second ice-making heads.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of second ice-making heads are located directly above the entrance of the first channel.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a guide plate is further included, the guide plate being disposed on one side of the pallet and fixedly connected to the pallet.

[0014] Secondly, the present invention also provides a water purifier, including the ice-making device of the above embodiments.

[0015] Beneficial effects: When the ice-making device of the present invention completes ice making and de-icing, the ice blocks formed by the second ice-making head will fall into the ice water tank through the first channel. These falling ice blocks will directly mix with the water in the storage refrigerator, and the low temperature of the ice blocks will be used to cool the water in the storage refrigerator, thereby shortening the ice-making time. Compared with the prior art, the water in the ice water tank can be cooled without adding refrigeration elements, which is low in cost and simple in structure.

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0018] Key designations: 1. Shell; 11. First cavity; 12. Second cavity; 2. Evaporator; 21. First ice-making head; 22. Second ice-making head; 3. Tray; 4. Refrigerator; 41. First through hole; 5. Ice water tank; 6. First channel; 7. Spacer; 8. Motor; 9. Impeller pump; 91. Water supply pipe; 92. Water outlet pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] Furthermore, the following descriptions of various embodiments are based on the accompanying illustrations and are used to illustrate specific embodiments that can be implemented in this application. Directional terms used in this application, such as "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," and "side," are merely for reference to the accompanying illustrations. Therefore, the directional terms used are for better and clearer explanation and understanding of this application, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0021] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "linked," and "set on" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] The terms "first," "second," and "third" used in the embodiments of this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first," "second," or "third" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two or three, and "multiple sets" means at least two sets, such as two or three sets, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] Please refer to Figure 1This application provides an ice-making device, comprising: a housing 1, including a first receiving cavity 11 and a second receiving cavity 12, the first receiving cavity 11 being located above the second receiving cavity 12; an evaporator 2, the evaporator 2 including a first ice-making head 21 and a second ice-making head 22; a tray 3, rotatably connected to the housing 1, the tray 3 being disposed within the first receiving cavity 11, the first ice-making head 21 being disposed within the tray 3, and the second ice-making head 22 being disposed within the tray 3; a storage refrigerator 4, the storage refrigerator 4 being disposed within the first receiving cavity 11; an ice water tank 5, disposed within the second receiving cavity 12; and a first channel 6, the inlet of the first channel 6 communicating with the first receiving cavity 11, and the outlet of the first channel 6 communicating with the second receiving cavity 12. When the ice-making device is in operation, the first ice-making head 21 and the second ice-making head 22 in the tray 3 located within the first receiving cavity 11 can simultaneously make ice. Ice blocks made by the first ice-making head 21 fall into the storage refrigerator 4 for storage, while ice blocks made by the second ice-making head 22 fall into the ice water tank 5 of the second receiving cavity 12 through the first channel 6. When the ice-making device of the present invention completes ice making and de-icing, the ice blocks formed by the second ice-making head 22 will fall into the ice water tank 5 through the first channel 6. These falling ice blocks will directly mix with the water in the storage refrigerator 4, and the low temperature of the ice blocks will be used to cool the water in the storage refrigerator 4, thereby shortening the ice-making time. Compared with the prior art, the water in the ice water tank 5 can be cooled without adding refrigeration elements, which is low in cost and simple in structure.

[0024] Specifically, the housing 1 can be a one-piece molded structure, with the first receiving cavity 11 and the second receiving cavity 12 separated by a partition. Optionally, the housing 1 can also be formed by two independent upper and lower boxes connected by snaps or screws. The evaporator 2 is a coil type, with the first ice-making head 21 and the second ice-making head 22 being specifically bent and shaped protrusions on the coil of the evaporator 2, through which refrigerant flows. The tray 3 is rotatably connected to a bearing seat on the side wall of the housing 1 via a pivot. The refrigerator 4 can be a drawer type, which can be pulled out from the side of the housing 1. The top of the ice water tank 5 can be provided with a cover. The first channel 6 can be an inclined slide, with its inlet located below the tray 3 and its outlet leading to the top of the ice water tank 5.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first ice-making head 21 is located directly above the opening of the refrigerator 4, and the second ice-making head 22 is located directly above the entrance of the first channel 6. When the first ice-making head 21 makes ice, the ice cubes fall directly into the refrigerator 4 after detaching from the ice-making head, reducing deviation or splashing during the ice cube drop process. Simultaneously, the ice cubes made by the second ice-making head 22, located directly above the entrance of the first channel 6, can fall directly into the ice water tank 5 through the first channel 6 after detaching. In some embodiments, the relative positions of the ice-making head and the refrigerator 4 or the first channel 6 may be inaccurate, resulting in uncertain ice cube drop paths, potentially causing collection failures or internal contamination of the device. This invention, by defining the specific positions of the two ice-making heads, ensures that the ice cubes from the first ice-making head 21 fall precisely into the refrigerator 4, and the ice cubes from the second ice-making head 22 fall precisely into the first channel 6, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of ice cube collection and reducing malfunctions caused by improper ice cube drop positions.

[0026] Specifically, the refrigerator 4 has a rectangular opening, and the central axis of the first ice-making head 21 is vertically aligned with the center of the rectangular opening. The entrance to the first channel 6 is an opening formed in the bottom plate of the first receiving cavity 11, and the central axis of the second ice-making head 22 is vertically aligned with the center of this opening.

[0027] In some embodiments, a spacer 7 is also included, which is disposed between the refrigerator 4 and the first channel 6. When ice blocks accumulate in the refrigerator 4 or ice blocks produced by the second ice-making head 22 fall through the first channel 6, the spacer 7 physically separates the refrigerator 4 and the first channel 6. In some embodiments, if the refrigerator 4 and the first channel 6 for ice block falling are too close or there is no isolation, ice blocks in the refrigerator 4 may accidentally roll into the first channel 6, interfering with the ice water preparation process or causing the first channel 6 to become blocked. By setting the spacer 7, the present invention forms a barrier between the refrigerator 4 and the first channel 6, effectively preventing ice blocks in the refrigerator 4 from accidentally entering the first channel 6, ensuring that the ice water tank 5 only receives ice blocks from the second ice-making head 22, thereby ensuring the independence and operational stability of the ice-making and cooling functions.

[0028] Specifically, the spacer 7 can be a vertically arranged partition, with its bottom fixedly connected to the bottom plate of the first receiving cavity 11 and its top lower than the tray 3. Optionally, the spacer 7 can also be a fence composed of multiple columns, or a raised dam structure, arranged on the side of the refrigerator 4 near the first channel 6.

[0029] In some embodiments, the bottom of the refrigerator 4 is provided with a first through hole 41, one end of which communicates with the first receiving cavity 11 and the other end of which communicates with the second receiving cavity 12. When the ice maker is operating or being cleaned, condensate or other liquids may be generated in the first receiving cavity 11. These liquids can flow from the first receiving cavity 11 into the lower second receiving cavity 12 through the first through hole 41 at the bottom of the refrigerator 4. In some embodiments, if there is no dedicated drainage path for the liquid in the upper cavity, it may accumulate and breed bacteria, or affect the normal operation of the upper components. This invention provides a natural drainage channel for the liquid in the first receiving cavity 11 by providing a first through hole 41 at the bottom of the refrigerator 4, allowing the liquid to drain into the ice water tank 5 of the second receiving cavity 12 by gravity or be treated separately. This helps to keep the inside of the first receiving cavity 11 dry and clean, improves the hygiene of the device, and reduces maintenance requirements.

[0030] Specifically, the first through hole 41 can be a circular hole, a square hole, or an array of multiple small holes. A filter screen can be provided at the first through hole 41 to prevent larger debris from falling into the second receiving cavity 12. Optionally, the first through hole 41 can also be connected to a short tube extending to a specific position in the second receiving cavity 12.

[0031] In some embodiments, a motor 8 is also included, which is fixedly connected to the housing 1, and the output end of the motor 8 is drivenly connected to the tray 3. When the tray 3 needs to be rotated for de-icing or cleaning, the motor 8, fixedly connected to the housing 1, is activated, and its output end drives the tray 3 to rotate. By setting the motor 8 and drivingly connecting it to the tray 3, the present invention realizes automatic rotation control of the tray 3, thereby improving the automation and efficiency of the de-icing operation and making it more convenient for users.

[0032] Specifically, the motor 8 is a stepper motor 8 or a DC geared motor 8, which is fixed to the mounting base on the side wall of the housing 1 by screws. The output end of the motor 8 can be directly connected to the rotating shaft of the tray 3 via a coupling, or it can be connected to the tray 3 via a gear set or a pulley set. Optionally, the motor 8 can also drive the tray 3 via a worm gear mechanism.

[0033] In some embodiments, the system further includes an impeller pump 9, a water supply pipe 91, and a water outlet pipe 92. One end of the water supply pipe 91 is connected to the bottom of the ice water tank 5, and the other end is connected to the impeller pump 9. One end of the water outlet pipe 92 is connected to the impeller pump 9, and the other end is connected to the side of the tray 3. When water needs to be supplied to the tray 3 for ice making, the impeller pump 9 is activated, drawing water from the bottom of the ice water tank 5 through the water supply pipe 91 and sending it to the side of the tray 3 through the water outlet pipe 92, where it is injected into the ice-making compartments within the tray 3. In some embodiments, the water supply system may have a complex structure or an indirect water supply path, affecting ice-making efficiency and reliability. This invention, by setting up the impeller pump 9, the water supply pipe 91, and the water outlet pipe 92, constitutes a direct water supply loop from the ice water tank 5 to the tray 3, thereby achieving a stable and controllable water supply to the tray 3 and ensuring a continuous water supply for ice making.

[0034] Specifically, the impeller pump 9 is fixed to the side wall or bottom plate of the second receiving cavity 12 by a bracket. The water supply pipe 91 and the water outlet pipe 92 are food-grade silicone pipes or rigid PVC pipes, connected to the pump port and interface by pipe clamps. The connection between the water outlet pipe 92 and the side of the tray 3 can be equipped with a nozzle or spray head to ensure uniform water spraying. Alternatively, water supply can also be achieved by gravity flow or air pressure drive.

[0035] In some embodiments, there are multiple first ice-making heads 21, arranged along the length of the evaporator 2. When the ice-making system is working, the multiple first ice-making heads 21 arranged along the length of the evaporator 2 can perform ice-making operations simultaneously. In some embodiments, the ice-making capacity of a single ice-making head is limited, making it difficult to meet the demand for large-scale ice production at one time. By setting multiple first ice-making heads 21 arranged along the evaporator 2, the present invention enables the production of a larger number of ice blocks in one ice-making cycle, thereby improving the ice production capacity of the refrigerator 4.

[0036] Specifically, the number of the first ice-making heads 21 is 3 to 10, arranged at equal intervals on the coil of the evaporator 2. Each first ice-making head 21 corresponds to an independent ice-making grid on the tray 3. Alternatively, the multiple first ice-making heads 21 can also be divided into two groups and arranged at non-equal intervals.

[0037] In some embodiments, the opening of the first channel 6 is rectangular. When ice blocks made by the second ice-making head 22 fall, they must enter the first channel 6 through the opening of the first channel 6. By setting the opening of the first channel 6 to be rectangular, the present invention provides a wider entrance cross-section, which can better accommodate ice blocks, especially when the ice blocks fall in a non-vertical posture, thereby reducing the risk of ice blocks clogging at the channel entrance and improving the smoothness of ice block falling.

[0038] Specifically, the long side of the opening of the rectangular first channel 6 is arranged radially along the tray 3, and its short side is arranged circumferentially along the tray 3. Optionally, the opening of the first channel 6 can also be square, elliptical, or racetrack-shaped.

[0039] In some embodiments, there are multiple second ice-making heads 22. When it is necessary to improve the efficiency of ice-making water, multiple second ice-making heads 22 can work simultaneously to produce ice for cooling the ice water tank 5. By setting multiple second ice-making heads 22, the present invention increases the ice production for cooling water, thereby accelerating the cooling speed of water in the ice water tank 5 and improving the efficiency of ice making.

[0040] Specifically, there are 2 to 4 second ice-making heads 22, which can be arranged along the length of the evaporator 2 or around the inlet of the first channel 6. Alternatively, the number of second ice-making heads 22 can be increased to accommodate the capacity of the ice water tank 5.

[0041] In some embodiments, a plurality of second ice-making heads 22 are located directly above the inlet of the first channel 6. When the plurality of second ice-making heads 22 make ice simultaneously, the ice blocks produced by each second ice-making head 22, after falling off, are all located directly above the inlet of the first channel 6, and can fall into the ice water tank 5 through the first channel 6 individually or collectively. By limiting the location of the plurality of second ice-making heads 22 to directly above the inlet of the first channel 6, the present invention ensures that all ice blocks used for making ice water can be accurately guided to the first channel 6, thereby achieving efficient and centralized collection of ice blocks, and further ensuring the stable operation of the cooling function.

[0042] Specifically, multiple second ice-making heads 22 can be arranged in a row, positioned directly above the entrance of the first channel 6. Optionally, multiple second ice-making heads 22 can also be arranged in two rows, located above the sides of the channel opening, where ice blocks converge inside the channel opening as they fall.

[0043] In some embodiments, a guide plate is also included, which is disposed on one side of the tray 3 and fixedly connected to the tray 3. When the tray 3 rotates to remove ice, the guide plate disposed on one side of the tray 3 and fixedly connected to the tray 3 rotates accordingly. When the ice block falling from the first ice-making head 21 hits the guide plate, its falling path is changed and guided. By setting the guide plate, the present invention applies a guiding effect to the falling ice block, making it more inclined to fall towards the refrigerator 4, thereby improving the accuracy of the ice block falling into the refrigerator 4 and reducing the situation where the ice block falls outside the refrigerator 4.

[0044] Specifically, the guide plate is an arc-shaped plate with its concave surface facing the refrigerator 4, and is fixedly connected to the edge of the tray 3 by welding or screws. Optionally, the guide plate can also be a flat plate, inclined and connected to the tray 3 at a certain angle, or the guide plate can be multiple dispersed guide vanes.

[0045] This invention also provides a water purifier including the aforementioned ice-making device. When the water purifier needs to provide ice water, its built-in ice-making device starts working. The first ice-making head 21 of the ice-making device produces ice blocks for storage, while the ice blocks produced by the second ice-making head 22 are used to cool the water in the ice water tank 5. In the prior art, water purifiers typically only provide room temperature water; if ice water is needed, an external ice-making device is required, resulting in low integration. This invention integrates the aforementioned ice-making device into the water purifier, enabling the water purifier to provide purified water while also possessing the functions of ice making and ice water preparation, thereby expanding the functionality of the water purifier and providing users with a more convenient and integrated drinking water solution.

[0046] Specifically, the water purifier also includes a filter assembly, an inlet valve, and a pure water tank. The inlet of the ice water tank 5 of the ice-making device is connected to the outlet of the pure water tank of the water purifier. Alternatively, the ice-making device may share part of the housing 1 with the water purifier, or the ice-making device may be installed as an independent module inside or on top of the water purifier.

[0047] The above description is only a part of the embodiments of this application and does not limit the scope of protection of this application. Any equivalent device or equivalent process transformation made based on the content of this application specification and drawings, or directly or indirectly used in other related technical fields, are similarly included in the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An ice-making device, characterized in that, include: The housing (1) includes a first receiving cavity (11) and a second receiving cavity (12), wherein the first receiving cavity (11) is located above the second receiving cavity (12); Evaporator (2), the evaporator (2) includes a first ice-making head (21) and a second ice-making head (22); The tray (3) is rotatably connected to the housing (1). The tray (3) is disposed in the first receiving cavity (11). The first ice-making head (21) is disposed in the tray (3). The second ice-making head (22) is disposed in the tray (3). A refrigerator (4) is disposed within the first receiving cavity (11); An ice water tank (5) is disposed within the second receiving cavity (12); and The first channel (6) has an inlet connected to the first receiving cavity (11) and an outlet connected to the second receiving cavity (12).

2. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the refrigerator (4) is provided with a first through hole (41), one end of the first through hole (41) is connected to the first receiving cavity (11), and the other end is connected to the second receiving cavity (12).

3. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a motor (8), which is fixedly connected to the housing (1), and the output end of the motor (8) is connected to the tray (3) for transmission.

4. An ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an impeller pump (9), a water supply pipe (91) and a water outlet pipe (92). One end of the water supply pipe (91) is connected to the bottom of the ice water tank (5) and the other end is connected to the impeller pump (9). One end of the water outlet pipe (92) is connected to the impeller pump (9) and the other end is connected to the side of the tray (3).

5. An ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are multiple first ice-making heads (21), and the multiple first ice-making heads (21) are arranged along the length direction of the evaporator (2).

6. An ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening of the first channel (6) is rectangular.

7. An ice-making apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second ice-making head (22) is multiple.

8. An ice-making apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, Multiple second ice-making heads (22) are located directly above the entrance of the first channel (6).

9. An ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a guide plate, which is disposed on one side of the tray (3) and is fixedly connected to the tray (3).

10. A water purifier, characterized in that, Includes the ice-making apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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