A soaking type ice making assembly and high-efficiency ice maker
By using a horizontal evaporator and immersion ice-making process, combined with the design of the drive shaft and refrigerant, the balance between energy saving and efficiency in ice makers has been solved, improving the transparency of ice cubes and the speed of ice making.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DELI GROUP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
AI Technical Summary
Existing ice makers struggle to balance energy efficiency and ice-making efficiency, and the resulting ice cubes have poor transparency.
It adopts a horizontal evaporator and immersion ice-making process. The ice-making water box and ice tray are rotated by a drive shaft. Combined with the refrigerant inlet and outlet design, it can achieve uniform distribution of refrigerant in the ice tray and discharge of bubbles, and make ice before cooling to the critical point of liquid and solid equilibrium.
While saving energy, it improves ice-making efficiency, increases the transparency of ice blocks, shortens ice-making time, and enables rapid ice production.
Smart Images
Figure CN122149124A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of ice makers, and more specifically to an immersion ice-making component and a high-efficiency ice maker. Background Technology
[0002] In existing technologies, most ice makers use vertical evaporators and a flowing water ice-making process to produce ice. Water flows and freezes on the surface of the vertical evaporator. Once the ice layer reaches a certain thickness, it is melted and removed by electric heating or a hot air valve, and the falling ice is collected. This method effectively washes away impurities and air bubbles from the water, resulting in transparent and pure ice. However, because a large amount of water needs to be continuously circulated across the surface of the vertical evaporator, the required water volume is significant, and the circulating water also leads to a loss of cooling capacity. Therefore, this ice-making method is not considered energy-efficient.
[0003] Another approach to ice making involves using a horizontal evaporator and an immersion ice-making process. Ice trays are placed below the horizontal evaporator, which has multiple ice-making ends extending into each tray. The refrigerant evaporates directly in the evaporator, absorbing heat and freezing the water in the trays. The trays are then rotated so their openings face downwards, and the ice melts and detaches through a hot gas valve, collecting the fallen ice cubes. This method eliminates the need for a continuous water flow, making it more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. However, it is less efficient than a continuous vertical ice-making system, and the resulting ice cubes are more prone to air bubbles, leading to poor transparency. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an immersion ice-making component that uses a horizontal evaporator and an immersion ice-making process to produce ice, thereby improving ice-making efficiency and increasing the transparency of ice blocks while saving energy.
[0005] The technical solution of this invention is to provide an immersion ice-making assembly, including a drive shaft, an ice-making water box, and an evaporator. The ice-making water box is mounted on the drive shaft and is driven by the drive shaft to rotate up and down. The evaporator has an evaporation chamber, and the outer wall of the evaporation chamber has a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet, both communicating with the evaporation chamber. The inner wall of the evaporation chamber has several ice trays with their openings facing downwards, i.e., the ice trays are all upside down. The closed top of each ice tray has an exhaust duct, and the bottom of each ice tray's opening has a water inlet. The exhaust duct and the water inlet are used to connect the inner cavity of the ice tray with the external environment of the evaporator. The drive shaft can drive the ice-making water box to rotate upwards so that the ice trays can be upside down inside the ice-making water box. The ice-making water box can contain ice-making liquid for completely immersing the ice trays, and the ice-making liquid can enter the ice trays through the water inlet. The drive shaft can also drive the ice-making water box to rotate downwards so that the ice cubes made inside the ice trays can fall freely from the openings of the ice trays.
[0006] Compared with the prior art, the immersion ice-making assembly of the present invention has the following advantages: During ice making, the evaporator is placed horizontally and inverted inside the ice-making water tank, and the ice tray is immersed in the ice-making liquid inside the ice-making water tank. The ice-making liquid can enter the ice tray from the water inlet. As the liquid level in the ice tray rises, the gas in the ice tray is discharged to the outside through the exhaust duct at the top, so that the ice tray is eventually filled with ice-making liquid. That is, ice is produced by using a horizontal evaporator and immersion ice-making process. There is no loss of cooling capacity due to circulating water during the ice-making process, which is energy-saving and environmentally friendly. Because the side wall of the ice cube tray is in contact with the evaporation chamber, the ice-making liquid will freeze first here and then gradually spread to the center of the ice cube tray. The air bubbles in the ice-making liquid will also be gradually forced to the center of the ice cube tray and then discharged to the outside through the vent, thus increasing the transparency of the ice cubes. The traditional flow-through ice-making process cannot pre-cool the ice-making liquid because it will begin to freeze once it flows on the surface of the vertical evaporator. However, the immersion ice-making component of this invention uses a different immersion ice-making process. Before making ice, the ice-making liquid in the ice tray or the entire ice-making water box can be pre-cooled. This is possible, and the ice-making liquid in the ice-making water box can even be cooled to the critical point of liquid-solid equilibrium. When ice making begins, the ice-making time can be greatly shortened, the ice-making efficiency can be improved, and the effect of rapid ice production can be achieved.
[0007] Preferably, the ice-making water box includes a water box carrier plate and a water box. The water box carrier plate is mounted on a drive shaft and is driven by the drive shaft to rotate up and down. The water box is elastically mounted on the water box carrier plate and is driven by the water box carrier plate to rotate up and down. The ice tray can be inverted inside the water box, and the water box can contain ice-making liquid to completely immerse the ice tray. With this structure, the water box is elastically mounted on the water box carrier plate, which allows the water box carrier plate to rotate up and down together with the water box, and also provides an upward elastic force on the water box, thereby ensuring that the water box and the inverted evaporator remain in contact.
[0008] Preferably, a heat-insulating barrier is provided on the outer wall of the evaporation chamber, surrounding the outer wall of the evaporation chamber for external heat insulation. With this structure, during the ice-making process, the ice-making liquid surrounding the evaporator inside the ice-making water box can be prevented from freezing, thus preventing the ice-making water box from freezing together with the evaporator and affecting de-icing.
[0009] Preferably, the closed top of the ice tray is designated as an inner top plate, and the cavity wall of the evaporation chamber, which is vertically opposite to the inner top plate, is designated as an outer top plate. Several guide vanes are installed inside the evaporation chamber, with their tops and bottoms connected to the outer top plate and the inner top plate, respectively. The guide vanes guide the refrigerant entering from the refrigerant inlet to flow through the sidewalls of each ice tray before exiting through the refrigerant outlet. This structure ensures that the ice-making liquid in each ice tray freezes simultaneously, and that the freezing process of the ice-making liquid in the ice tray gradually spreads from the sidewalls towards the center of the ice tray.
[0010] Preferably, both the refrigerant inlet and refrigerant outlet are located on the outer top plate and at the same end of the evaporator. This structure extends the residence time of the refrigerant in the evaporation chamber, improves the utilization rate of cooling capacity, and is energy-saving and environmentally friendly.
[0011] This invention also provides a high-efficiency immersion ice maker. The technical solution includes a frame, within which are arranged a water supply assembly, a refrigeration assembly, and the immersion ice-making assembly as described above. The refrigeration assembly includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. The evaporator is fixed within the frame with the ice tray opening facing downwards. A drive shaft drives the ice-making water box to rotate upwards until the bottom of the ice tray opening contacts the inner bottom of the ice-making water box. The water supply assembly includes an ice-making water tank and a water pump. The ice-making water tank stores ice-making liquid and is connected to the water pump. The water pump is connected to the ice-making water box and pumps the ice-making liquid from the ice-making water tank into the ice-making water box.
[0012] Compared with existing technologies, the high-efficiency immersion ice maker of the present invention uses a horizontal evaporator and an immersion ice-making process to produce ice. While saving energy, it can improve ice-making efficiency and increase the transparency of ice cubes. Moreover, during ice making, the bottom of the opening of the ice tray abuts against the inner bottom of the ice-making water box, so that the opening of the ice tray and the inner bottom of the ice-making water box are tightly fitted together, leaving no water layer gaps, thus preventing the opening of the ice tray and the inner bottom of the ice-making water box from freezing together and affecting the ice removal.
[0013] Preferably, a drive motor is installed inside the frame, and the drive motor is connected to the transmission shaft to drive the transmission shaft to rotate forward or backward. This structure facilitates control of the transmission shaft's rotation, thereby facilitating the vertical rotation of the ice-making water box.
[0014] Preferably, an electronic control system is installed inside the frame, and a touch screen is installed above the electronic control system on the frame. The touch screen, water pump, compressor, condenser, and drive motor are all electrically connected to the electronic control system. Operating the touch screen allows the electronic control system to enter either ice-making or de-icing mode. In ice-making mode, the electronic control system first controls the drive motor to rotate the transmission shaft clockwise until the bottom of the ice-making water box contacts the bottom of the ice tray opening. Then, it controls the water pump to pump ice-making liquid into the ice-making water box, and then controls the refrigeration components to introduce low-temperature refrigerant vapor into the evaporator to make ice. In de-icing mode, the electronic control system controls the drive motor to rotate the transmission shaft counterclockwise, causing the ice-making water box to flip downwards, allowing the ice cubes in the ice tray to fall freely. With this structure, the high-efficiency immersion ice maker of this invention can automatically make and de-ic itself by operating the touch screen, making operation convenient.
[0015] Preferably, the electronic control system includes a timer for scheduled ice making. This timer stores pre-cooling time information and scheduled ice making time information. The touchscreen allows modification of the pre-cooling time and scheduled ice making time information, and controls the electronic control system to enter the scheduled ice making state. In the scheduled ice making state, the electronic control system first controls the timer to start a countdown. When the countdown reaches the pre-cooling time before the scheduled ice making time, the electronic control system enters the ice making state. With this structure, scheduled ice making can be achieved by operating the touchscreen. Before the official scheduled ice making time, the ice-making liquid in the ice tray or the entire ice-making water tank can be pre-cooled within the pre-cooling time, even to the point of liquid-solid equilibrium. When ice making begins, this significantly shortens the ice making time, improves ice making efficiency, and achieves rapid ice production.
[0016] Preferably, a thermostatic valve is installed inside the frame, which is connected to both the compressor and the evaporator, and is also electrically connected to the electronic control system. After ice making is complete, the electronic control system controls the thermostatic valve to open, allowing the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant vapor discharged from the compressor to be introduced into the evaporator, preventing the ice from freezing to the ice tray. With this structure, the area where the ice is in contact with the ice tray melts quickly after ice making, preventing the ice from freezing together and allowing for rapid de-icing.
[0017] Preferably, a travel rod is provided on the drive shaft, and an ice-making travel switch and an ice-removing travel switch are respectively provided on both sides of the travel rod on the frame. Both the ice-making travel switch and the ice-removing travel switch are electrically connected to the drive motor. When the drive motor drives the drive shaft to rotate forward until the travel rod triggers the ice-making travel switch, the drive motor automatically stops, and the bottom of the ice-making water box abuts against the bottom of the ice tray opening. When the drive motor drives the drive shaft to rotate in reverse until the travel rod triggers the ice-removing travel switch, the drive motor automatically stops, and the ice-making water box rotates downward by 90°. With this structure, the control of the drive motor is simple and easy to implement, ensuring that the ice-making water box can rotate to the correct position. During ice removal, the ice-making water box rotates downward by 90°, so that the gravity line of the ice-making water box and the drive shaft are in the same vertical plane, and the drive shaft does not have to bear the torque caused by the gravity of the ice-making water box.
[0018] Preferably, the ice-making water tank is equipped with a main water inlet, and a float switch is installed inside the main water inlet. The float switch is used to close or open the main water inlet according to the water level in the ice-making water tank. With this structure, the water intake process in the ice-making water tank can be automatically controlled.
[0019] Preferably, a removable ice basket is installed below the immersion ice-making assembly within the frame. When the ice-making water box is tilted downwards, the ice basket receives ice cubes that fall freely from the opening of the ice tray and ice-making liquid flowing from the ice-making water box. A first one-way valve is installed on the ice basket. When the ice basket is installed within the frame, the first one-way valve contacts the frame, thus opening the valve. Removing the ice basket from the frame closes the valve. A circulating water tank is located below the ice basket. The first one-way valve connects the ice basket and the circulating water tank. A water guide pipe is installed on the circulating water tank, and a circulating water inlet connected to the water guide pipe is installed on the ice-making water tank. With this structure, the ice basket can collect ice cubes and allow the ice-making liquid to be recycled back into the ice-making water tank. The first one-way valve ensures that the ice-making liquid in the ice basket enters the circulating water tank promptly while preventing it from dripping outside the tank.
[0020] Preferably, the ice basket is offset from the immersion ice-making component, and an ice block guide plate is provided inside the frame below the immersion ice-making component. The ice block guide plate is used to guide ice blocks that fall freely from the opening of the ice tray and ice-making liquid flowing from the ice-making water tank into the ice basket. This structure ensures that ice blocks and ice-making liquid flowing from the ice-making water tank can accurately enter the ice basket.
[0021] Preferably, a removable main water tank is installed inside the frame. A second check valve is installed on the main water tank. When the main water tank is installed inside the frame, the second check valve contacts the frame, thus opening the valve. Removing the main water tank from the frame closes the second check valve. The second check valve connects the main water tank and the ice-making water tank. This structure allows a large-capacity main water tank to be installed inside the frame to automatically supply ice-making liquid to the ice-making water tank. The second check valve ensures that the ice-making liquid in the main water tank is supplied to the ice-making water tank while preventing ice-making liquid from dripping outside the ice-making water tank.
[0022] Preferably, the frame is equipped with an external water inlet, which is connected to the ice-making water tank for connecting to an external water source. This structure allows for automatic water supply to the ice-making water tank from an external source. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the immersion ice-making component of the present invention in the ice-making state.
[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the immersion ice-making component of the present invention in the de-icing state.
[0025] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the immersion ice-making assembly of the present invention.
[0026] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the immersion ice-making assembly of the present invention.
[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the ice tray structure in the immersion ice-making assembly of the present invention.
[0028] Figure 6 This is a front view of the evaporator in the immersion ice-making assembly of the present invention.
[0029] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction.
[0030] Figure 8 This is a left-side sectional view of the high-efficiency ice maker of the present invention.
[0031] Figure 9 This is a right-side sectional view of the high-efficiency ice maker of the present invention.
[0032] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the water box assembly in the high-efficiency ice maker of the present invention.
[0033] As shown in the diagram: 1. Drive shaft; 1-1. Stroke rod; 2. Drive motor; 3. Water tank carrier plate; 4. Water tank; 5. Insulated enclosure; 6. Evaporator; 6-1. Outer top plate; 6-2. Evaporation chamber; 6-3. Ice tray; 6-4. Refrigerant inlet; 6-5. Refrigerant outlet; 6-6. Exhaust duct; 6-7. Guide vane; 6-8. Water inlet tank; 7. Frame; 8. Compressor; 9. Condenser; 10. Water pump; 11. Ice-making water tank; 11-1. Main... 11-2 Inlet, 11-3 Outlet, 11-3 Circulating water inlet, 12 Float switch, 13 External water inlet, 14 Ice block guide plate, 15 Ice basket, 15-1 Ice basket handle, 16 First check valve, 17 Circulating water tank, 17-1 Water guide pipe, 18 Main water tank, 18-1 Water tank handle, 19 Second check valve, 20 Electrical control system, 21 Touch screen, 22 Ice making limit switch, 23 Ice removal limit switch, 24 Ice collection port. Detailed Implementation
[0034] To better understand this application, various aspects of this application will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these detailed descriptions are merely illustrative of exemplary embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of this application in any way. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements.
[0035] In the accompanying drawings, the thickness, size, and shape of the objects have been slightly exaggerated for illustrative purposes. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to scale.
[0036] It should also be understood that the terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing," when used in this specification, indicate the presence of the stated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. Furthermore, when expressions such as "...at least one" appear after a list of listed features, they modify the entire listed feature, not individual elements in the list. Example
[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the immersion ice-making assembly of the present invention includes a drive shaft 1, an ice-making water box, and an evaporator 6; the ice-making water box includes a water box carrier plate 3 and a water box 4. The water box carrier plate 3 is mounted on the drive shaft 1 and is driven by the drive shaft 1 to rotate up and down. The water box 4 is elastically mounted on the water box carrier plate 3 and is driven by the water box carrier plate 3 to rotate up and down. The elastic mounting means that a number of springs or other elastic elements are provided between the bottom of the water box 4 and the water box carrier plate 3.
[0038] like Figure 4As shown, the evaporator 6 contains an evaporation chamber 6-2, which is formed by an outer cavity wall and an inner cavity wall. An ice grid plate is installed on the inner cavity wall of the evaporation chamber 6-2, and several ice grids 6-3 with their openings facing downwards are installed on the ice grid plate, meaning the ice grids 6-3 are all inverted. Figure 5 As shown, each ice tray 6-3 has an exhaust duct 6-6 on its closed top and a water inlet trough 6-8 on its open bottom. Both the exhaust duct 6-6 and the water inlet trough 6-8 are used to connect the inner cavity of the ice tray 6-3 with the external environment of the evaporator 6.
[0039] The closed top of the ice tray 6-3 is the inner top plate, and the outer wall of the evaporator cavity 6-2, which is vertically opposite to the inner top plate, is the outer top plate 6-1. A refrigerant inlet 6-4 and a refrigerant outlet 6-5 are provided on the outer top plate 6-1. Both the refrigerant inlet 6-4 and the refrigerant outlet 6-5 are connected to the evaporator cavity 6-2 and located at the same end of the evaporator 6. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, a number of guide vanes 6-7 are provided in the evaporation chamber 6-2. The top and bottom of the guide vanes 6-7 are connected to the outer top plate 6-1 and the inner top plate, respectively. The guide vanes 6-7 are used to guide the refrigerant entering from the refrigerant inlet 6-4 to flow through the side wall of each ice grid 6-3 and then out through the refrigerant outlet 6-5.
[0040] A heat insulation barrier 5 is installed on the outer wall of the evaporation chamber 6-2. The heat insulation barrier 5 surrounds the outer wall of the evaporation chamber 6-2 and is used for external heat insulation.
[0041] The drive shaft 1 can drive the water box carrier plate 3 to rotate the water box 4 upwards, so that the ice tray 6-3 can be inverted inside the water box 4. The water box 4 can contain ice-making liquid for completely immersing the ice tray 6-3, and the ice-making liquid can enter the ice tray 6-3 through the water inlet 6-8. Figure 1 As shown in the diagram; the transmission shaft 1 can drive the water box carrier plate 3 to rotate the water box 4 downwards, allowing the ice cubes made in the ice tray 6-3 to fall freely from the opening of the ice tray 6-3, as shown in the diagram. Figure 2 As shown in the image. Example
[0042] like Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, the high-efficiency ice maker of the present invention includes a frame 7, within which are arranged a water supply assembly, a refrigeration assembly, an immersion ice-making assembly as described in Embodiment 1, a drive motor 2, and a thermal valve (not shown). The water supply assembly includes an ice-making water tank 11 and a water pump 10. The ice-making water tank 11 stores ice-making liquid and has an outlet 11-2 connected to the water pump 10. The water pump 10 is connected to a water box 4 and pumps the ice-making liquid from the ice-making water tank 11 into the water box 4. The refrigeration assembly includes a compressor 8, a condenser 9, an expansion valve, and an evaporator 6. The evaporator 6 is fixed within the frame 7 with the opening of the ice tray 6-3 facing downwards. The drive motor 2 is connected to the transmission shaft 1 and is used to drive the transmission shaft 1 to rotate forward or backward. This allows the transmission shaft 1 to drive the water box carrier plate 3, causing the water box 4 to flip upward until the bottom of the opening of the ice tray 6-3 contacts the inner bottom of the water box 4. It can also drive the water box carrier plate 3, causing the water box 4 to flip downward to complete the ice removal process. The thermostatic valve is connected to the compressor 8 and the evaporator 6 respectively, and is used to guide the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant vapor discharged from the compressor 8 into the evaporator 6 after ice making to prevent the ice from freezing to the ice tray 6-3.
[0043] The frame 7 is also equipped with an electrical control system 20. A touch screen 21 is installed on the frame 7 above the electrical control system 20. The touch screen 21, water pump 10, compressor 8, condenser 9, drive motor 2 and the aforementioned thermostatic valve are all electrically connected to the electrical control system 20. Operating the touch screen 21 can control the electrical control system 20 to enter the ice-making state or the ice-removing state.
[0044] In the ice-making state, the electronic control system 20 first controls the drive motor 2 to drive the transmission shaft 1 to rotate forward until the bottom of the water box 4 contacts the bottom of the opening of the ice tray 6-3. Then, it controls the water pump 10 to pump ice-making liquid into the water box 4. Then, it controls the refrigeration component to introduce low-temperature refrigerant vapor into the evaporator 6 to make ice.
[0045] After ice making is completed, the ice is de-iced. The electrical control system 20 controls the thermal valve to open, so that the part of the ice cube in contact with the ice tray 6-3 melts quickly. At the same time, the electrical control system 20 controls the drive motor 2 to drive the transmission shaft 1 to reverse, and the water box 4 flips downward so that the ice cube in the ice tray 6-3 falls freely.
[0046] In this embodiment, a travel rod 1-1 is provided on the transmission shaft 1, and an ice-making travel switch 22 and an ice-removing travel switch 23 are respectively provided on both sides of the travel rod 1-1 on the frame 7. Figure 10As shown, both the ice-making limit switch 22 and the ice-removing limit switch 23 are electrically connected to the drive motor 2. When the drive motor 2 drives the transmission shaft 1 to rotate forward to the limit rod 1-1 to trigger the ice-making limit switch 22, the drive motor 2 automatically stops, and the bottom of the water box 4 abuts against the bottom of the opening of the ice tray 6-3. When the drive motor 2 drives the transmission shaft 1 to rotate backward to the limit rod 1-1 to trigger the ice-removing limit switch 23, the drive motor 2 automatically stops, and the water box 4 flips downward by 90°.
[0047] To facilitate ice collection during de-icing, a removable ice basket 15 is provided inside the frame 7 below the immersion ice-making component. The ice basket 15 is offset from the immersion ice-making component. An ice block guide plate 14 is provided inside the frame 7 below the immersion ice-making component. When the water box 4 is flipped downwards, the ice block guide plate 14 can guide the ice blocks that fall freely from the opening of the ice tray 6-3 and the ice-making liquid flowing from the water box 4 into the ice basket 15.
[0048] An ice basket 15 is equipped with a first one-way valve 16. The ice basket 15 is installed inside the frame 7, allowing the first one-way valve 16 to contact the frame 7, thus opening the first one-way valve 16. An ice basket handle 15-1 is also provided on the ice basket 15. Pulling the handle 15-1 removes the ice basket 15 from the frame 7, at which point the first one-way valve 16 closes. A circulating water tank 17 is located below the ice basket 15. The first one-way valve 16 connects the ice basket 15 and the circulating water tank 17. A water guide pipe 17-1 is provided on the circulating water tank 17, and a circulating water inlet 11-3 connected to the water guide pipe 17-1 is provided on the ice-making water tank 11.
[0049] To automate the replenishment of water to the ice-making water tank 11, a detachable main water tank 18 is installed inside the frame 7. A second check valve 19 is installed on the main water tank 18. The main water tank 18, when installed inside the frame 7, allows the second check valve 19 to abut against the frame 7, thus opening the second check valve 19. A water tank handle 18-1 is installed on the main water tank 18. Pulling the handle 18-1 removes the main water tank 18 from the frame 7, at which point the second check valve 19 closes. The second check valve 19 connects the main water tank 18 and the ice-making water tank 11. Simultaneously, the ice-making water tank 11 is equipped with a main water inlet 11-1, which contains a float switch 12. The float switch 12 opens or closes the main water inlet 11-1 based on the water level in the ice-making water tank 11. Thus, the float switch 12 automatically controls the water supply from the main water tank 18 to the ice-making water tank 11.
[0050] The main water tank 18 is located above the ice basket 15. An opening for collecting ice is provided between the main water tank 18 and the ice block guide plate 14. An ice collection port 24 is provided, which serves as the opening for the ice block guide plate 14 to introduce ice blocks and ice-making liquid into the ice basket 15.
[0051] To dissipate heat from the machine, the compressor 8 is located on the outer wall of the frame 7, and the frame 7 is equipped with a heat dissipation mesh opposite to the compressor 8 to facilitate heat dissipation of the compressor 8.
[0052] In other embodiments, the main water tank 18 may be omitted, and instead, an external water inlet 13 may be installed on the frame 7. The external water inlet 13 is connected to the ice-making water tank 11 for connecting to an external water source. In this way, the float switch 12 can also automatically control the external water source to enter the ice-making water tank 11. Example
[0053] The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 2 is that the electronic control system 20 is equipped with a timed ice-making device, which stores pre-cooling time information and timed ice-making time information. The touch screen 21 can modify the pre-cooling time information and timed ice-making time information, and control the electronic control system 20 to enter the timed ice-making state. In the timed ice-making state, the electronic control system 20 first controls the timed device to start a countdown. When the countdown reaches the pre-cooling time before the timed ice-making time, the electronic control system 20 enters the ice-making state.
[0054] Thus, ice making can be scheduled by operating the touchscreen 21. Before the scheduled ice making time, the ice-making liquid in the ice tray 6-3 or the entire water tank 4 can be pre-cooled during the pre-cooling time. For example, if the user schedules to use ice in 2 hours, the high-efficiency ice maker of this invention can start working 5 minutes before the scheduled time to pre-cool the ice-making liquid in the water tank 4, and can even cool the ice-making liquid in the water tank 4 to the critical point of liquid-solid equilibrium. When ice making begins, the ice making time can be greatly shortened, the ice making efficiency can be improved, and the effect of rapid ice production can be achieved.
[0055] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any modifications or equivalent substitutions made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof should be covered within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. An immersion-type ice-making component, characterized in that, The device includes a drive shaft (1), an ice-making water box, and an evaporator (6). The ice-making water box is mounted on the drive shaft (1) and is driven by the drive shaft (1) to rotate up and down. An evaporation chamber (6-2) is provided inside the evaporator (6). A refrigerant inlet (6-4) and a refrigerant outlet (6-5) are provided on the outer wall of the evaporation chamber (6-2), both of which are connected to the evaporation chamber (6-2). Several ice grids (6-3) with their openings facing downwards are provided on the inner wall of the evaporation chamber (6-2). That is, the ice grids (6-3) are all upside down. An exhaust duct (6-6) is provided on the closed top of each ice grid (6-3). A water inlet trough (6-8) is provided on the bottom of the opening of each ice grid (6-3). The exhaust duct (6-6) and the water inlet trough (6-8) are used to connect the inner cavity of the ice grid (6-3) with the external environment of the evaporator (6). The drive shaft (1) can drive the ice-making water box to flip upward so that the ice tray (6-3) can be inverted inside the ice-making water box. The ice-making water box can contain ice-making liquid for completely immersing the ice tray (6-3), and the ice-making liquid can enter the ice tray (6-3) through the water inlet (6-8). The drive shaft (1) can drive the ice-making water box to flip downward so that the ice cubes made in the ice tray (6-3) can fall freely from the opening of the ice tray (6-3).
2. The immersion ice-making assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice-making water box includes a water box carrier plate (3) and a water box (4). The water box carrier plate (3) is mounted on a transmission shaft (1) and is driven by the transmission shaft (1) to flip up and down. The water box (4) is elastically mounted on the water box carrier plate (3) and is driven by the water box carrier plate (3) to flip up and down. The ice tray (6-3) can be inverted inside the water box (4). The water box (4) can contain ice-making liquid for completely immersing the ice tray (6-3).
3. The immersion ice-making assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, A heat insulation barrier (5) is provided on the outer wall of the evaporation chamber (6-2). The heat insulation barrier (5) surrounds the outer wall of the evaporation chamber (6-2) for external heat insulation.
4. The immersion ice-making assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The closed top of the ice tray (6-3) is set as an inner top plate, and the cavity wall of the evaporation chamber (6-2), which is opposite to the inner top plate, is set as an outer top plate (6-1). Several guide vanes (6-7) are provided in the evaporation chamber (6-2). The top and bottom of the guide vanes (6-7) are connected to the outer top plate (6-1) and the inner top plate, respectively. The guide vanes (6-7) are used to guide the refrigerant entering from the refrigerant inlet (6-4) to flow through the side wall of each ice tray (6-3) and then flow out from the refrigerant outlet (6-5).
5. The immersion ice-making assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The refrigerant inlet (6-4) and refrigerant outlet (6-5) are both located on the outer top plate (6-1) and at the same end of the evaporator (6).
6. A high-efficiency immersion ice maker, comprising a frame 7, characterized in that, The frame (7) is equipped with a water filling assembly, a refrigeration assembly, and an immersion ice-making assembly as described in any one of claims (1) to 5. The refrigeration assembly includes a compressor (8), a condenser (9), an expansion valve, and an evaporator (6). The evaporator (6) is fixed in the frame (7) with the ice tray (6-3) opening downwards. The drive shaft (1) can drive the ice-making water box to rotate upwards until the bottom of the opening of the ice tray (6-3) abuts against the inner bottom of the ice-making water box. The water filling assembly includes an ice-making water tank (11) and a water pump (10). The ice-making water tank (11) is used to store ice-making liquid and is connected to the water pump (10). The water pump (10) is connected to the ice-making water box and is used to pump the ice-making liquid in the ice-making water tank (11) into the ice-making water box.
7. The high-efficiency immersion ice maker according to claim 6, characterized in that, A drive motor (2) is installed inside the frame (7). The drive motor (2) is connected to the transmission shaft (1) and is used to drive the transmission shaft (1) to rotate forward or backward.
8. The high-efficiency immersion ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that, An electronic control system (20) is installed inside the frame (7). A touch screen (21) is installed above the electronic control system (20) on the frame (7). The touch screen (21), water pump (10), compressor (8), condenser (9), and drive motor (2) are all electrically connected to the electronic control system (20). By operating the touch screen (21), the electronic control system (20) can be controlled to enter the ice-making state or the ice-removing state. In the ice-making state, the electronic control system (20) first controls the drive motor (2) to drive the transmission shaft (1) to rotate forward until the bottom of the ice-making water box touches the bottom of the opening of the ice grid (6-3). Then, the water pump (10) is controlled to pump ice-making liquid into the ice-making water box. Then, the refrigeration components are controlled to introduce low-temperature refrigerant vapor into the evaporator (6) to make ice. In the ice-removing state, the electronic control system (20) controls the drive motor (2) to drive the transmission shaft (1) to rotate in reverse. The ice-making water box flips downward so that the ice blocks in the ice grid (6-3) fall freely.
9. The high-efficiency immersion ice maker according to claim 8, characterized in that, The electronic control system (20) is equipped with a timed ice-making device, which stores pre-cooling time information and timed ice-making time information. The touch screen (21) can modify the pre-cooling time information and timed ice-making time information and control the electronic control system (20) to enter the timed ice-making state. In the timed ice-making state, the electronic control system (20) first controls the timed device to enter the countdown. When the countdown reaches the pre-cooling time before the timed ice-making time, the electronic control system (20) enters the ice-making state.
10. The high-efficiency immersion ice maker according to claim 8, characterized in that, A thermostatic valve is installed inside the frame (7). The thermostatic valve is connected to the compressor (8) and the evaporator (6) respectively. The thermostatic valve is electrically connected to the electronic control system (20). After ice making is completed, the electronic control system (20) controls the thermostatic valve to open, so as to introduce the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant vapor discharged by the compressor (8) into the evaporator (6) so that the ice blocks do not freeze and stick to the ice grid (6-3).
11. The high-efficiency immersion ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that, A travel rod (1-1) is provided on the drive shaft (1). An ice-making travel switch (22) and an ice-removing travel switch (23) are respectively provided on both sides of the travel rod (1-1) on the frame (7). The ice-making travel switch (22) and the ice-removing travel switch (23) are both electrically connected to the drive motor (2). When the drive motor (2) drives the drive shaft (1) to rotate forward to trigger the ice-making travel switch (22) on the travel rod (1-1), the drive motor (2) stops automatically, and the bottom of the ice water box abuts against the bottom of the opening of the ice tray (6-3). When the drive motor (2) drives the drive shaft (1) to rotate backward to trigger the ice-removing travel switch (23) on the travel rod (1-1), the drive motor (2) stops automatically, and the ice water box rotates downward by 90°.
12. The high-efficiency immersion ice maker according to claim 6, characterized in that, The ice-making water tank (11) is equipped with a main water inlet (11-1), and a float switch (12) is installed inside the main water inlet (11-1). The float switch (12) is used to close or open the main water inlet (11-1) according to the water level in the ice-making water tank (11).
13. The high-efficiency immersion ice maker according to claim 6, characterized in that, A removable ice basket (15) is provided inside the frame (7) below the immersion ice-making assembly. When the ice-making water box is flipped downwards, the ice basket (15) is used to receive ice blocks that fall freely from the opening of the ice tray (6-3) and ice-making liquid flowing down from the ice-making water box. A first one-way valve (16) is provided on the ice basket (15). The installation of the ice basket (15) inside the frame (7) allows the first one-way valve (16) to abut against the frame (7), from which... The first one-way valve (16) is opened, and the ice basket (15) is removed from the frame (7), at which point the first one-way valve (16) closes. A circulating water tank (17) is provided below the ice basket (15). The first one-way valve (16) is used to connect the ice basket (15) and the circulating water tank (17). A water guide pipe (17-1) is provided on the circulating water tank (17), and a circulating water inlet (11-3) connected to the water guide pipe (17-1) is provided on the ice-making water tank (11).
14. The high-efficiency immersion ice maker according to claim 13, characterized in that, The ice basket (15) is offset from the immersion ice-making component. An ice block guide plate (14) is provided inside the frame (7) below the immersion ice-making component. The ice block guide plate (14) is used to guide the ice blocks that fall freely from the opening of the ice tray (6-3) and the ice-making liquid flowing down from the ice-making water box into the ice basket (15).
15. The high-efficiency immersion ice maker according to claim 12, characterized in that, A removable main water tank (18) is installed inside the frame (7). A second check valve (19) is installed on the main water tank (18). The main water tank (18) is installed inside the frame (7) so that the second check valve (19) abuts against the frame (7), thereby opening the second check valve (19). When the main water tank (18) is removed from the frame (7), the second check valve (19) closes. The second check valve (19) is used to connect the main water tank (18) and the ice-making water tank (11).
16. The high-efficiency immersion ice maker according to claim 12, characterized in that, An external water inlet (13) is provided on the frame (7), which is connected to the ice-making water tank (11) for connecting to an external water source.