Ice maker and refrigeration appliance

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of ice-making technology, providing an ice maker and refrigeration equipment. The ice maker includes a housing, a drive assembly, an ice pusher, and a heating element. The housing contains a first ice-making chamber and a second ice-making chamber. The drive assembly is driven to the second ice-making chamber, which is adapted to switch between an ice-making position and an ice-removing position relative to the first ice-making chamber. In the ice-making position, the first and second ice-making chambers are adapted to enclose an ice-making space; in the ice-removing position, the second ice-making chamber is adapted to move away from the first ice-making chamber. The ice pusher is mounted on the drive assembly and, from the ice-making position to the ice-removing position, at least a portion of the pusher is adapted to extend into the first ice-making chamber to detach ice blocks from it. The heating element is disposed in the first ice-making chamber. This ensures that the ice blocks separate from the inner wall of the first ice-making chamber, thereby achieving rapid demolding of the ice blocks from the first and second ice-making chambers.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In daily life, people may need to add ice when drinking cold beverages or alcohol, leading to a growing market demand for ice makers and refrigerators equipped with ice makers. The basic principle of ice making is: water is poured into the ice tray of the ice maker, then cold air is supplied to the ice chamber to freeze the water into ice cubes, which are then demolded from the ice trays and fall into the ice storage box for the user to use.

[0003] As consumers' demands for ice-making functions increase, they have also expressed different requirements for ice shapes, such as spherical or polyhedral ice cubes, which require mold fitting to form special shapes. Existing ice makers, due to limitations in their ice grids and ice-turning structures, often leave ice cubes stuck in the mold cavity formed by two mold shells after ice making. Since it's impossible to determine which mold shell the ice cube is stuck in during demolding, a demolding tool and a moving mechanism are typically installed on each side of the mold shell. During demolding, the moving mechanism drives the mold shell, and the two demolding tools hold the mold shells together to force the ice cube to detach. These current ice demolding methods are inefficient at removing these special-shaped ice cubes that require mold fitting, and the demolding structure design of ice makers is relatively complex, resulting in high production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in related technologies. To this end, this invention proposes an ice maker that can efficiently control the demolding of ice blocks, and simplifies the demolding structure of the ice maker, thereby reducing production costs.

[0005] The present invention also proposes a refrigeration device.

[0006] An ice maker according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: A housing, wherein a first ice-making cavity and a second ice-making cavity are provided inside the housing; The device includes a drive assembly and an ice pusher. The drive assembly is kinetically connected to a second ice-making chamber, which is adapted to switch between an ice-making position and an ice-removing position relative to a first ice-making chamber. In the ice-making position, the first and second ice-making chambers are adapted to enclose an ice-making space. In the ice-removing position, the second ice-making chamber is adapted to move away from the first ice-making chamber. The ice pusher is mounted on the drive assembly and extends from the ice-making position to the ice-removing position. At least a portion of the ice pusher is adapted to extend into the first ice-making chamber to detach ice blocks from the first ice-making chamber. A heating element is disposed in the first ice-making cavity.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drive assembly includes a rotating shaft, a rocker arm, and a drive member. The drive member is connected to the second ice-making chamber via the rotating shaft. The rocker arm is provided at the end of the rotating shaft, and the ice pusher is movably connected to the rocker arm.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rocker arm is provided with a guide groove, the guide groove includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed opposite to each other, the ice pusher includes a protrusion, the protrusion is located in the guide groove, in the ice-making position, the protrusion abuts against the first sidewall, and in the ice-removing position, the protrusion abuts against the second sidewall.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an elastic element is connected between the rocker arm and the second ice-making cavity, and from the de-icing position to the ice-making position, the elastic element is adapted to drive the second ice-making cavity to engage with the first ice-making cavity.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second ice-making cavity is provided with a mounting sleeve, the inner wall of the mounting sleeve is provided with a receiving groove extending in its axial direction, the rocker arm includes a mounting part sleeved on the rotating shaft, the outer periphery of the mounting part is provided with a stop extending in its axial direction, the mounting sleeve is sleeved on the outer periphery of the mounting part, and the stop is movably disposed in the receiving groove.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a stop portion is provided on the housing, and a deformation portion is provided at the bottom of the second ice-making cavity. In the de-icing position, the deformation portion abuts against the stop portion, and the deformation portion is adapted to deform to push out the ice block in the second ice-making cavity.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first ice-making chamber includes a plurality of first ice-making sub-cavities arranged sequentially at intervals, each of the first ice-making sub-cavities being provided with an opening, wherein the first ice-making chamber further includes a water injection tank, and at least one of the openings is located at the bottom of the water injection tank.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker further includes a water injection box, the outlet of which is in fluid communication with the water injection tank.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second ice-making chamber includes a plurality of second ice-making sub-cavities arranged sequentially at intervals, and two adjacent second ice-making sub-cavities are in fluid communication through a water tank.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first ice-making cavity is made of a metal material, and the second ice-making cavity is made of an elastic material.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a refrigeration device includes a housing and the ice maker described above, the ice maker being connected to the housing.

[0017] The above-described one or more technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention have at least one of the following technical effects: The first ice-making cavity is heated by a heating element, causing the ice to gradually detach from its inner wall. After heating, the drive assembly switches the second ice-making cavity from the ice-making position to the de-icing position. During this process, the drive assembly drives at least part of the ice-pushing rod to extend into the first ice-making cavity through an opening, causing the ice to separate from its inner wall and fall into the second ice-making cavity, where it is then ejected. This completes the de-icing stage. This ensures the ice separates from the inner wall of the first ice-making cavity, achieving rapid demolding of the ice from both the first and second ice-making cavities.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

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

[0020] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the ice maker provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the ice maker provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is the third structural schematic diagram of the ice maker provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is the fourth structural schematic diagram of the ice maker provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is one of the schematic diagrams of the installation structure of the second ice-making cavity provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 This is the second schematic diagram of the installation structure of the second ice-making chamber provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

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

[0027] Figure 8 This is the second schematic diagram of the structure of the first ice-making cavity provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second ice-making cavity provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the ice pusher provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure label: 1. Housing; 101. Stop; 102. Support base; 2. Ice pusher; 201. Protrusion; 202. Extrusion part; 3. First ice-making chamber; 301. Opening; 302. First ice-making sub-chamber; 303. Groove; 304. Water inlet groove; 4. Second ice-making chamber; 401. Second ice-making sub-chamber; 402. Water passage groove; 403. Protrusion; 404. Deformation part; 5. Drive assembly; 501. Drive component; 502. Rotating shaft; 503. Rocker arm; 5031. Guide groove; 5032. Mounting part; 50321. Stop block; 6. Elastic component; 7. Ice probe component; 8. Tray; 801. Mounting sleeve; 8011. Receiving groove; 9. Pressure plate; 10. Water inlet box. Detailed Implementation

[0031] 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.

[0032] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0034] In embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0035] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0036] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 10 The ice maker and refrigeration equipment provided in the embodiments of the invention will be described in detail through specific implementation examples and application scenarios.

[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 10 As shown, the ice maker of this embodiment includes: a housing 1, an ice pusher 2, a heating element, and a drive assembly 5.

[0038] The housing 1 contains a first ice-making cavity 3 and a second ice-making cavity 4. A drive assembly 5 is connected to the second ice-making cavity 4. The second ice-making cavity 4 is adapted to switch between an ice-making position and an ice-removing position relative to the first ice-making cavity 3. In the ice-making position, the first ice-making cavity 3 and the second ice-making cavity 4 are adapted to enclose an ice-making space. In the ice-removing position, the second ice-making cavity 4 is adapted to move away from the first ice-making cavity 3. An ice-pushing rod 2 is mounted on the drive assembly 5. From the ice-making position to the ice-removing position, at least a portion of the ice-pushing rod 2 is adapted to extend into the first ice-making cavity 3 to detach ice blocks from the first ice-making cavity 3. Additionally, a heating element is disposed in the first ice-making cavity 3 and corresponds to it. The first ice-making cavity 3 may also be equipped with a temperature sensor.

[0039] It should be noted that the shell 1 has a bottom plate, the first ice-making cavity 3 and the second ice-making cavity 4 are disposed on the inner side of the bottom plate, and the ice pusher 2 can be disposed on the outer side of the bottom plate. The first ice-making cavity 3 is disposed near the inner side of the bottom plate and has an opening 301, so that the ice pusher 2 can extend into the first ice-making cavity 3 through the opening 301. In addition, the bottom plate is provided with a clearance opening corresponding to the opening 301. Both the first ice-making cavity 3 and the second ice-making cavity 4 can be hemispherical to make the ice-making space spherical, thereby producing spherical ice blocks.

[0040] For example, a heating element is provided on the inner side of the base plate, so that when the first ice-making cavity 3 is installed on the inner side of the base plate, the first ice-making cavity 3 can contact the heating element.

[0041] It is particularly important to note that ice makers also include a refrigeration system. This system provides cooling to the ice maker, freezing the water in the ice-making chamber into ice. Specifically, the refrigeration system includes components such as a compressor, a dryer filter, a condenser, a capillary tube, an evaporator, a check valve, and a solenoid valve. The compressor provides power to the refrigeration system. The dryer filter removes moisture and residue, ensuring stable ice-making operation. Condensers, whether air-cooled or water-cooled, primarily rely on a fan to remove excess heat, cooling the high-temperature vaporous refrigerant into a liquid state, providing the necessary temperature for evaporation in the refrigeration system. The capillary tube throttles the liquid refrigerant, converting it into vaporous refrigerant, providing the conditions for evaporation in the refrigeration system, and also regulates the refrigerant flow rate. The evaporator's main function is to absorb heat from the water, rapidly freezing it into ice. Other components, such as the check valve, prevent refrigerant backflow and gas leakage; the solenoid valve controls the refrigerant flow rate, speed, and pressure in the refrigeration system. Understandably, the basic structure of the above-described refrigeration system is only an example. In practical applications, corresponding components can be added or modified according to the actual situation, and no specific limitations are made here.

[0042] In practical applications, the ice-making process generally includes a pre-water intake inspection stage, an ice-making stage, and a de-icing stage. During the pre-water intake inspection stage, the first ice-making chamber 3 and the second ice-making chamber 4 are checked sequentially to ensure they are properly engaged and that the first round of ice making is complete. After the pre-water intake inspection is completed, water begins to enter the ice-making space through the opening 301 on the first ice-making chamber 3. For example, a fixed water intake volume can be set at this time, such as 180ml. After water intake is complete, the ice-making stage begins. During the ice-making stage, the ice-making space is continuously cooled, entering an ice-making and freezing mode. Ice making is considered complete when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than or equal to -9℃, after which the de-icing stage begins. In other words, after ice making is completed, the first ice-making cavity 3 is heated by the heating element, and the ice gradually detaches from the inner wall of the first ice-making cavity 3. Heating is complete when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is greater than or equal to 3°C. Afterwards, the drive assembly 5 drives the second ice-making cavity 4 to switch from the ice-making position to the de-icing position. During this process, the drive assembly 5 drives at least part of the ice-pushing rod 2 to extend into the first ice-making cavity 3 through the opening 301, causing the ice to separate from the inner wall of the first ice-making cavity 3 and fall into the second ice-making cavity 4, where it is then removed. This completes the de-icing stage. This ensures that the ice separates from the inner wall of the first ice-making cavity 3, thereby achieving the goal of rapid demolding of the ice from the first ice-making cavity 3 and the second ice-making cavity 4.

[0043] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the drive assembly 5 includes a rotating shaft 502, a rocker arm 503, and a drive component 501. The drive component 501 is connected to the second ice-making chamber 4 via the rotating shaft 502. The end of the rotating shaft 502 is provided with a rocker arm 503, and the ice pusher 2 is movably connected to the rocker arm 503.

[0044] The base plate has a support seat 102 on its inner side. For example, two support seats 102 are spaced apart on the inner side of the base plate, and the rotating shaft 502 passes through the two support seats 102. Exemplarily, a drive member 501 is installed on the inner side of the base plate. The drive member 501 can be a drive motor, and the drive motor is connected to the rotating shaft 502 in a transmission manner. It should be particularly noted that the base plate has clearance holes, and there can be two rocker arms 503. One rocker arm 503 can be located near the edge of the housing 1, and the other rocker arm 503 corresponds to the through hole. Thus, the two rocker arms 503 correspond to the two ends of the rotating shaft 502, respectively.

[0045] It should be noted that, from the ice-making position to the ice-removing position, driven by the drive component 501, the second ice-making cavity 4 moves away from the first ice-making cavity 3, and under the action of the rocker arm 503, the ice-pushing rod 2 gradually extends into the first ice-making cavity 3; from the ice-removing position to the ice-making position, driven by the drive component 501, the second ice-making cavity 4 moves closer to the first ice-making cavity 3, and under the action of the rocker arm 503, the ice-pushing rod 2 gradually moves away from the first ice-making cavity 3.

[0046] It is particularly important to note that after the heating element heats the first ice-making cavity 3 to the target temperature, the ice block inside the first ice-making cavity 3 may still be partially adhered to the first ice-making cavity 3. Alternatively, the ice block may melt and produce water under the heating element. In this case, there is a water film between the ice block and the first ice-making cavity 3. Under the action of the surface tension of the water film, the ice block and the first ice-making cavity 3 are still difficult to separate directly. Therefore, the ice pusher 2 can be used to achieve complete separation of the ice block from the first ice-making cavity 3.

[0047] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 10 As shown, the rocker arm 503 is provided with a guide groove 5031, which includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed opposite to each other. The ice pusher 2 includes a protrusion 201 located within the guide groove 5031. In the ice-making position, the protrusion 201 abuts against the first sidewall, and in the ice-removing position, the protrusion 201 abuts against the second sidewall. The guide groove 5031 can be an arc-shaped groove.

[0048] Specifically, such as Figure 10 As shown, the ice pusher 2 has a U-shaped overall structure and includes a horizontal bar and a vertical bar. A pressing part 202 is connected to the horizontal bar. The pressing part 202 is used to extend into the first ice-making chamber 3. The extending direction of the pressing part 202 is consistent with the direction of the vertical bar. A protrusion 201 is provided on the outer side of the vertical bar. The pressing part 202 can be made of an elastic material.

[0049] It should be noted that in the ice-making position, the protrusion 201 abuts against the first sidewall. From the ice-making position to the ice-removing position, driven by the drive component 501, the second ice-making cavity 4 moves away from the first ice-making cavity 3, and the guide groove 5031 moves relative to the protrusion 201. When the protrusion 201 abuts against the second sidewall, the rocker arm 503 can drive the ice pusher 2 to gradually extend into the first ice-making cavity 3. That is to say, from the ice-making position to the ice-removing position, the ice pusher 2 is stationary in the first half of the stroke, and only moves vertically relative to the first ice-making cavity 3 in the second half. As the ice is being removed, the protrusion 201 abuts against the second side wall. From the ice removal position to the ice making position, driven by the drive member 501, the second ice making cavity 4 moves closer to the first ice making cavity 3, and the guide groove 5031 moves relative to the protrusion 201. When the protrusion 201 abuts against the first side wall, the rocker arm 503 can drive the pusher 2 to gradually move away from the first ice making cavity 3. That is to say, from the ice removal position to the ice making position, the pusher 2 is stationary in the first half of the journey, and only moves linearly relative to the first ice making cavity 3 in the second half of the journey.

[0050] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the second ice-making cavity 4 is provided with a mounting sleeve 801. The inner wall of the mounting sleeve 801 is provided with a receiving groove 8011 extending along its axial direction. The rocker arm 503 includes a mounting part 5032 sleeved on the rotating shaft 502. A stop block 50321 extending along its axial direction is provided on the outer periphery of the mounting part 5032. The mounting sleeve 801 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the mounting part 5032, and the stop block 50321 is movably disposed within the receiving groove 8011. An elastic member 6 connects the rocker arm 503 and the second ice-making cavity 4. From the ice-removing position to the ice-making position, the elastic member 6 is adapted to drive the second ice-making cavity 4 to engage with the first ice-making cavity 3.

[0051] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, the ice maker also includes a tray 8 and a pressure plate 9. The second ice-making cavity 4 is installed within the space enclosed by the tray 8 and the pressure plate 9. For example, the flange of the second ice-making cavity 4 is clamped between the tray 8 and the pressure plate 9, thus the tray 8, the pressure plate 9, and the second ice-making cavity 4 can be fixedly connected together. Additionally, a mounting sleeve 801 is provided on the edge of the tray 8. Exemplarily, the inner wall of the mounting sleeve 801 has two symmetrically arranged receiving grooves 8011, and correspondingly, the outer periphery of the mounting portion 5032 has two symmetrically arranged stops 50321. Furthermore, an elastic member 6 connects the rocker arm 503 and the tray 8. One end of the elastic member 6 is connected to the tray 8, and the other end is connected to the rocker arm 503. Exemplarily, the other end of the elastic member 6 is connected to the rocker arm 503 near the first side wall. The elastic member 6 can be a spring.

[0052] It should be noted that the size of the stop 50321 is smaller than the size of the receiving groove 8011. Specifically, the receiving groove 8011 has opposing first and second inner sidewalls. The stop 50321 switches between a first position and a second position relative to the receiving groove 8011. In the first position, the stop 50321 can abut against the first inner sidewall, and in the second position, the stop 50321 can abut against the second inner sidewall. For example, when the stop 50321 moves from the first position to the second position, it is equivalent to the rotating shaft 502 rotating by 30°.

[0053] It is particularly important to note that, from the de-icing position to the ice-making position, the rotating shaft 502 can rotate under the drive of the driving component 501. At this time, the rotating shaft 502 can drive the rocker arm 503 to reset. Furthermore, through the cooperation of the stop block 50321 and the receiving groove 8011, the rocker arm 503 can drive the tray 8 to move, so that the second ice-making cavity 4 can be engaged with the first ice-making cavity 3. At this time, the stop block 50321 can abut against the first inner sidewall. Under the action of the elastic component 6, the second ice-making cavity 4 can be tightly engaged with the first ice-making cavity 3.

[0054] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, a stop part 101 is provided on the housing 1, and a deformation part 404 is provided at the bottom of the second ice-making cavity 4. In the de-icing position, the deformation part 404 abuts against the stop part 101, and the deformation part 404 is adapted to deform to push out the ice block in the second ice-making cavity 4.

[0055] It should be noted that a deformable part 404 is provided at the bottom of the second ice-making cavity 4. The deformable part 404 can be made of an elastic material and can be a protrusion. In addition, a through hole is provided on the tray 8, and the protrusion passes through the through hole. Furthermore, the stop part 101 has an inclined surface, and the protrusion can contact the inclined surface at the ice removal position.

[0056] Understandably, the first ice-making cavity 3 is made of a metallic material, such as copper, and the second ice-making cavity 4 is made of an elastic material, such as silicone. The bottom of the second ice-making cavity 4 is flat.

[0057] Specifically, from the ice-making position to the ice-removing position, the second ice-making cavity 4 is far away from the first ice-making cavity 3, making it easier for the ice ball to adhere to the second ice-making cavity 4. When it reaches the ice-removing position, the protrusion can contact the inclined surface, and under the reaction force, the second ice-making cavity 4 deforms, causing the ice ball to slide off and complete the ice-removing process.

[0058] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the first ice-making chamber 3 includes a plurality of first ice-making sub-chambers 302 arranged sequentially at intervals. Each first ice-making sub-chamber 302 is provided with an opening 301. The first ice-making chamber 3 also includes a water injection tank 304, and at least one of the openings 301 is located at the bottom of the water injection tank 304.

[0059] For example, the first ice-making chamber 3 includes four first ice-making sub-chambers 302 arranged at intervals in sequence. Each first ice-making sub-chamber 302 has an opening 301 at its bottom. The first ice-making chamber 3 also includes a water injection tank 304. The openings 301 of the two middle first ice-making sub-chambers 302 are located at the bottom of the water injection tank 304, which can improve the water intake efficiency.

[0060] In an optional embodiment, the ice maker further includes a water injection box 10, the outlet of which is in fluid communication with the water injection tank 304. It should be noted that by supplying liquid to the water injection tank 304 through the water injection box 10, and then allowing the liquid to enter the first ice-making chamber 3 from the water injection tank 304, the water supply and the ice-pushing action of the ice pusher 2 do not interfere with each other.

[0061] like Figure 9 As shown, the second ice-making chamber 4 includes a plurality of second ice-making sub-chambers 401 arranged sequentially at intervals, and two adjacent second ice-making sub-chambers 401 are fluidly connected through a water tank 402.

[0062] It should be noted that the first ice-making chamber 3 includes a first body with a first contact surface. A first ice-making sub-cavity 302 is recessed on the first contact surface, and a groove 303 is provided on the first contact surface near the first ice-making sub-cavity 302. The second ice-making chamber 4 includes a second body with a second contact surface. A second ice-making sub-cavity 401 is recessed on the second contact surface, and a protrusion 403 is provided on the second contact surface near the second ice-making sub-cavity 401. A water channel 402 is provided between adjacent second ice-making sub-cavities 401 to ensure a consistent liquid level in each second ice-making sub-cavity 401. When the first and second contact surfaces are engaged, the protrusion 403 mates with the groove 303, ensuring the sealing between the first ice-making sub-cavity 302 and the second ice-making sub-cavity 401. Furthermore, a skirt is provided at the edge of the second contact surface. When the second ice-making sub-cavity 401 and the first ice-making sub-cavity 302 are engaged, the skirt covers the first ice-making sub-cavity 302.

[0063] The following explains the ice-making method of an ice maker.

[0064] Liquid in the water injection box 10 enters the first ice-making chamber 3 through the water injection tank 304 to achieve water intake. After water intake, the ice-making stage begins. During the ice-making stage, the ice-making space is continuously cooled, entering the ice-making and freezing mode. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less than or equal to -9°C, ice-making is confirmed to be complete, and then the de-icing stage begins. After confirming that ice-making is complete, the first ice-making chamber 3 is heated by the heating element, and the ice gradually detaches from the inner wall of the first ice-making chamber 3. Heating is completed when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is greater than or equal to 3°C. The ice detection element 7 obtains information about the ice in the ice storage chamber, such as whether the ice storage chamber is full. If there are not enough ice in the ice storage chamber, the de-icing stage begins. Then, the drive element 501 drives the second ice-making chamber 4 to switch from the ice-making position to the de-icing position. During this process, the rocker arm 503 drives the ice pusher 2 to extend into the first ice-making chamber 3 through the opening 301, so that the ice separates from the inner wall of the first ice-making chamber 3 and falls into the second ice-making chamber 4. Upon reaching the de-icing position, the protrusions on the second ice-making cavity 4 contact the inclined surface on the shell 1. Under the reaction force, the second ice-making cavity 4 deforms, causing the ice ball inside to slide down, completing the de-icing process. The second ice-making cavity 4 can be held in the de-icing position for a preset time, such as 2 minutes. At this time, the ice ball in the second ice-making cavity 4 slides into the ice storage chamber, where the flexible ice storage tray 8 better protects the spherical ice.

[0065] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention also provide a refrigeration device, including a housing and an ice maker, the ice maker being connected to the housing. The refrigeration device can be a refrigerator, freezer, etc., and is not specifically limited thereto.

[0066] Specifically, since the refrigeration equipment includes the ice maker as described above, and the specific structure of the ice maker is as described in the above embodiments, the refrigeration equipment shown in this embodiment includes all the technical solutions of the above embodiments. Therefore, it has at least all the beneficial effects achieved by all the above technical solutions, which will not be described in detail here.

[0067] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only for illustrating the present invention and not for limiting the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various combinations, modifications, or equivalent substitutions of the technical solutions of the present invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention and should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ice maker, characterized in that, include: The housing (1) is provided with a first ice-making cavity (3) and a second ice-making cavity (4). A drive assembly (5) and an ice pusher (2) are provided. The drive assembly (5) is connected to the second ice-making chamber (4). The second ice-making chamber (4) is adapted to switch between an ice-making position and an ice-removing position relative to the first ice-making chamber (3). In the ice-making position, the first ice-making chamber (3) and the second ice-making chamber (4) are adapted to form an ice-making space. In the ice-removing position, the second ice-making chamber (4) is adapted to move away from the first ice-making chamber (3). The ice pusher (2) is mounted on the drive assembly (5). From the ice-making position to the ice-removing position, at least a portion of the ice pusher (2) is adapted to extend into the first ice-making chamber (3) to dislodge ice blocks from the first ice-making chamber (3). A heating element is disposed in the first ice-making cavity (3).

2. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly (5) includes a rotating shaft (502), a rocker arm (503), and a drive member (501). The drive member (501) is connected to the second ice-making chamber (4) via the rotating shaft (502). The rocker arm (503) is provided at the end of the rotating shaft (502), and the ice pusher (2) is movably connected to the rocker arm (503).

3. The ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rocker arm (503) is provided with a guide groove (5031), the guide groove (5031) includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed opposite to each other, the ice pusher (2) includes a protrusion (201), the protrusion (201) is located in the guide groove (5031), in the ice-making position, the protrusion (201) abuts against the first sidewall, and in the ice-removing position, the protrusion (201) abuts against the second sidewall.

4. The ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that, An elastic element (6) is connected between the rocker arm (503) and the second ice-making cavity (4). From the de-icing position to the ice-making position, the elastic element (6) is adapted to drive the second ice-making cavity (4) to engage with the first ice-making cavity (3).

5. The ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second ice-making cavity (4) is provided with a mounting sleeve (801). The inner wall of the mounting sleeve (801) is provided with a receiving groove (8011) extending in its axial direction. The rocker arm (503) includes a mounting part (5032) sleeved on the rotating shaft (502). The outer periphery of the mounting part (5032) is provided with a stop block (50321) extending in its axial direction. The mounting sleeve (801) is fitted on the outer periphery of the mounting part (5032), and the stop block (50321) is movably disposed in the receiving groove (8011).

6. The ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The housing (1) is provided with a stop (101), and the bottom of the second ice-making cavity (4) is provided with a deformation part (404). In the de-icing position, the deformation part (404) abuts against the stop (101), and the deformation part (404) is adapted to deform to push out the ice block in the second ice-making cavity (4).

7. The ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first ice-making chamber (3) includes a plurality of first ice-making sub-chambers (302) arranged sequentially at intervals. Each first ice-making sub-chamber (302) is provided with an opening (301). The first ice-making chamber (3) also includes a water injection tank (304), and at least one of the openings (301) is located at the bottom of the water injection tank (304).

8. The ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that, The ice maker also includes a water injection box (10), the outlet of which is in fluid communication with the water injection tank (304).

9. The ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The second ice-making chamber (4) includes a plurality of second ice-making sub-chambers (401) arranged sequentially at intervals, and two adjacent second ice-making sub-chambers (401) are fluidly connected through a water tank (402).

10. The ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first ice-making cavity (3) is made of metal, and the second ice-making cavity (4) is made of elastic material.

11. A refrigeration device, characterized in that, It includes a housing and an ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the ice maker is connected to the housing.

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