Ice release method and ice making apparatus

Abstract

This application relates to the field of refrigeration technology, specifically to a de-icing method and ice-making equipment. In this de-icing method, a multi-stage de-icing process replaces the traditional continuous and rapid de-icing heating process. In the first and second de-icing modes, the temperature of the cooling column is controlled so that only a portion of the ice block slides down. During this process, a drainage actuator discharges only a portion of the water, keeping the ice block constantly submerged in water. Only after the remaining water is drained does the final de-icing process begin in the third stage. This application embodiment effectively alleviates the tensile stress caused by drastic temperature differences within a short period by using staged de-icing. Simultaneously, the buoyancy of the remaining water supports the ice block, preventing it from sliding down significantly or tilting and deforming after detaching from the cooling column. This avoids cracks on the ice block surface due to concentrated thermal stress, ensuring the integrity and appearance quality of the produced ice block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigeration technology, and in particular to a de-icing method and ice-making equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the complete ice-making process of common ice makers mainly includes stages such as water supply, ice making, and ice removal. During the ice removal stage, the conventional principle is to control the opening of a solenoid valve, allowing the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor to be introduced directly into the evaporator without passing through the condenser. The heat of the refrigerant continuously and rapidly heats the cooling columns of the evaporator, thereby melting the ice layer on the contact surface to achieve ice removal. Simultaneously, traditional ice makers usually empty any remaining water from the ice container before ice removal.

[0003] However, this conventional de-icing method has significant drawbacks. Because the de-icing process is a rapid, continuous heating process over a short period, the temperature at the contact surface between the ice and the cooling column rises rapidly, causing the ice surface to heat up instantly and expand in volume. Simultaneously, the interior of the ice remains at a relatively low temperature and has not yet expanded synchronously. This significant temperature gradient between the inside and outside creates substantial tensile stress between the two regions. Since ice material itself is brittle and has low tensile strength, it is prone to material failure when resisting this thermal stress, resulting in numerous cracks on the surface of the detached ice. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One objective of this application is to provide a de-icing method and ice-making equipment to solve the technical problem that existing ice makers cause thermal stress inside the ice block due to a drastic temperature difference in a short period of time during the de-icing process, which in turn causes cracks to easily appear on the surface of the ice block.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a de-icing method applied to an ice-making device. The ice-making device includes an ice-making box, a refrigeration component, a drainage actuator, and a controller. The refrigeration component includes an evaporator, and the cooling column of the evaporator extends into the ice-making box. The refrigeration component and the drainage actuator are respectively connected to and controlled by the controller. The de-icing method includes: In response to the de-icing signal, the refrigeration component is controlled to enter the de-icing mode for a first duration, so that the ice block slides down a first distance relative to the cooling column that has been heated to a first target temperature, the first distance being less than the depth of the cooling column immersed in water; The drainage actuator is controlled to discharge a first preset amount of water from the ice-making box, so that the ice cubes remain submerged in water. The refrigeration component is controlled to enter the de-icing mode for a second duration, so that the ice block slides down a second distance relative to the cooling column that has been heated to a second target temperature, the second distance being less than the depth to which the cooling column is immersed in water; The drainage actuator is controlled to discharge the remaining water from the ice-making container; The refrigeration component is controlled to enter the de-icing mode for a third duration, so that the ice block is completely removed from the cooling column that has been heated to the third target temperature.

[0006] Optionally, after the ice block slides down a first or second distance and before a portion of the water is discharged, and / or, during the process of the drainage actuator discharging a portion of the water, the refrigeration component is controlled to enter an ice-making mode to cool the evaporator.

[0007] Optionally, before controlling the drainage actuator to discharge the remaining water in the ice-making container, the following steps are repeated at least once: The system controls the refrigeration component to enter the de-icing mode to allow the ice to slide down, and controls the drainage actuator to discharge a portion of the water.

[0008] Optionally, before the controller controls the refrigeration component to enter the de-icing mode for a first duration in response to the de-icing signal, the method further includes: Determine whether the pre-de-icing conditions are met; When the pre-de-icing conditions are met, the refrigeration component is controlled to enter the pre-de-icing mode for a fourth duration, so that the ice block and the cooling column are initially detached. In the pre-de-icing mode, the target temperature of the evaporator is lower than the target temperature in the de-icing mode and higher than the target temperature in the ice-making mode.

[0009] Optionally, the pre-de-icing conditions include: When the ice-making mode reaches the first preset duration; or The ice cubes on the evaporator reach a preset volume threshold; or In ice-making mode, the evaporator temperature remains below the preset target temperature for a second preset duration.

[0010] Optionally, the refrigeration component includes a throttling component, which can provide a first throttling degree and a second throttling degree, respectively. The first throttling degree is greater than the second throttling degree. The throttling component provides the first throttling degree in the refrigeration mode. The fourth duration of controlling the refrigeration component to enter the pre-de-icing mode includes: The throttling component is controlled to switch from providing the first throttling level to providing the second throttling level to enter the pre-de-icing mode and maintain it for the fourth duration.

[0011] Optionally, the throttling assembly includes a first throttling element, a second throttling element, and a switching element connected in parallel. The switching element is connected to the first throttling element and the second throttling element respectively, and is used to switch the refrigerant flow through the first throttling element or the second throttling element. The first throttling element can provide a first throttling degree, and the second throttling element can provide a second throttling degree. Controlling the throttling assembly to switch from the first throttling degree to the second throttling degree includes: The switching element controls the refrigerant flow to switch through the second throttling element.

[0012] Optionally, the third target temperature is greater than both the first target temperature and the second target temperature.

[0013] Optionally, the third duration is greater than both the first duration and the second duration.

[0014] In another aspect, embodiments of this application provide an ice-making apparatus, including: Ice maker; A refrigeration assembly, including an evaporator that extends at least partially into the ice-making container for forming ice cubes within the ice-making container; A drainage actuator for draining water from the ice-making container; and A controller, wherein the refrigeration component and the drainage actuator are respectively connected to and controlled by the controller, the controller being used to perform the de-icing method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0015] The embodiments of this application achieve the following technical effects: These embodiments employ a multi-stage de-icing process instead of the traditional continuous and rapid de-icing heating process. In the first and second de-icing modes, the temperature of the cooling column is controlled to ensure that only a portion of the ice block slides down. During this process, a drainage actuator discharges only a portion of the water, keeping the ice block constantly submerged. Only after the remaining water is drained does the final de-icing process begin in the third stage. These phased de-icing methods effectively alleviate the tensile stress caused by drastic temperature differences within the ice block in a short time. Simultaneously, the buoyancy of the remaining water supports the ice block, preventing it from sliding down significantly or tilting after detaching from the cooling column. This avoids cracks on the ice block surface due to concentrated thermal stress, ensuring the integrity and appearance quality of the produced ice block. Attached Figure Description

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

[0017] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of the system architecture of an ice-making device. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the refrigerant flow direction of an ice-making device in ice-making mode, provided as an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the refrigerant flow direction of an ice-making device in de-icing mode, provided as an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is an initial schematic diagram of the ice-making box of an ice-making device before de-icing, provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in this application embodiment, showing the ice-making box after it first enters the de-icing mode; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an ice-making device provided in an embodiment of the present application, showing the ice-making box after the first drainage. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in this application embodiment, showing the ice-making box after entering the de-icing mode for the second time; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of an ice-making device provided in this application, showing the ice-making box after the second drainage; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in this application embodiment, showing the ice-making box after entering the de-icing mode for the third time; Figure 10 A schematic flowchart of a de-icing method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigerant flow direction of an ice-making device in pre-de-icing mode, provided as an embodiment of this application. Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a computer device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0019] It should be noted that, unless there is a conflict, the various features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other, all of which are within the protection scope of this application. Furthermore, although functional modules are divided in the device schematic diagram and a logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described can be executed in a different order than the module division in the device or the order in the flowchart. Moreover, the terms "first," "second," and "third" used in this application do not limit the data or execution order, but only distinguish identical or similar items with essentially the same function and effect.

[0020] In related technologies, existing de-icing solutions involve controlling the opening of a solenoid valve to introduce high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor directly into the evaporator without passing through the condenser. The heat from the refrigerant continuously and rapidly heats the cooling coils of the evaporator, melting the ice layer at the contact surface and achieving de-icing. Meanwhile, traditional ice makers typically empty any remaining water from the ice container before de-icing. Because the de-icing process is a rapid and continuous heating process within a short time, the temperature at the contact surface between the ice and the cooling coils rises rapidly, causing the ice surface to heat up instantly and expand in volume, while the interior of the ice remains at a relatively low temperature and has not yet expanded synchronously.

[0021] This significant temperature gradient between the inner and outer sides creates substantial tensile stress between the two regions. Because ice itself is brittle and has low tensile strength, it is prone to failure when resisting this thermal stress, resulting in numerous cracks on the surface of the detached ice. This not only damages the structural integrity of the ice but also severely affects the aesthetic appearance of the ice produced by the ice maker.

[0022] To resolve the above technical issues, please refer to Figure 1 In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an ice-making device 100, which can be a stand-alone ice maker or an ice-making module integrated into other household appliances such as refrigerators and water dispensers, and has an ice-removing function after the ice-making process is completed.

[0023] The ice-making device 100 includes an ice-making box 10, a refrigeration component 20, a drainage actuator 30, and a controller 40. The refrigeration component 20 includes an evaporator 21, whose cooling column 211 at least partially extends into the ice-making box 10. In ice-making mode, refrigerant flows into the cooling column 211 to absorb heat and form ice blocks 200 on the outer surface of the cooling column 211. The flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigeration component 20 during ice-making mode is as follows: Figure 2 As shown (black arrows indicate refrigerant flow direction). The drain actuator 30 is connected to the ice maker 10 and is used to drain the water accumulated in the ice maker 10 under controlled conditions. The controller 40 is electrically connected to both the refrigeration component 20 and the drain actuator 30, and is used to output commands according to preset logic to regulate the operating status of each stage.

[0024] Upon receiving the defrosting signal, the controller 40 does not directly execute a single, continuous heating defrosting action, but rather coordinates the operation of each component in a phased sequence. The first phase involves the first entry into defrosting mode after responding to the defrosting signal. The controller 40 controls the refrigeration unit 20 to enter defrosting mode and maintain it for a first duration. The flow of refrigerant in the refrigeration unit 20 is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, at this point, the cooling column 211 of the evaporator 21 heats up to the first target temperature. Please refer to [further details]. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As the surface ice melts, the ice block 200 loosens relative to the cooling column 211 and slides downwards a distance. Since the ice box 10 still contains the remaining low-temperature water from the ice-making stage, the ice block 200 does not completely detach from the cooling column 211 under the buoyancy of the water, but remains partially submerged in the water.

[0025] Please refer to the following: Figure 5 and Figure 6 After the first stage of heating is completed, the controller 40 sends a command to the drainage actuator 30 to drain the first preset amount of water from the ice-making container 10. The low-temperature water in the ice-making container 10 drops from water level L1 to water level L2. By lowering the liquid level, buoyancy is reduced, providing space for the ice cube 200 to slide again, but some water is still retained so that the ice cube 200 remains partially submerged. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 7 The second stage begins with the refrigeration unit 20 re-entering the de-icing mode after the first stage of drainage. The controller 40 then controls the refrigeration unit 20 to enter the de-icing mode again and maintain it for a second duration. The cooling column 211 is further heated to the second target temperature. The surface of the ice 200 continues to melt and slides down the cooling column 211 a second distance. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 8 Next, the controller 40 controls the drainage actuator 30 to drain the remaining water from the ice container 10. (See also...) Figure 9 The third stage is when the second stage of drainage ends and the ice removal mode is entered again. After the obstruction of the water body is cleared, the controller 40 controls the refrigeration component 20 to enter the ice removal mode again and maintain it for the third duration. At this time, the cooling column 211 heats up to the third target temperature, so that the contact surface of the ice block 200 is completely melted, and the ice block 200 can completely detach from the cooling column 211 and slide into the ice box 10.

[0026] Understandably, this application embodiment uses a multi-stage de-icing process instead of the traditional continuous and rapid de-icing heating process. In the first and second de-icing modes, the temperature of the cooling column 211 is controlled so that the ice block 200 only partially slides down. During this process, the drainage actuator 30 discharges only a portion of the water, keeping the ice block 200 partially submerged in water. Only after the remaining water is drained does the final de-icing process begin in the third time. This application embodiment effectively alleviates the tensile stress caused by the drastic temperature difference in a short period of time to the inside of the ice block 200 through staged de-icing. At the same time, the buoyancy of the remaining water supports the ice block 200, preventing it from sliding down significantly or tilting and deforming after it loosens on the cooling column 211. This avoids cracks on the surface of the ice block 200 due to thermal stress concentration, ensuring the integrity and appearance quality of the produced ice block 200.

[0027] The de-icing signal in this embodiment is an instruction or status indicator that triggers the controller 40 to begin the de-icing process. This de-icing signal can be generated by the control logic within the ice-making device 100 or originate from external input. In practical applications, the de-icing signal is typically triggered after a predetermined goal is achieved during the ice-making stage. For example, the controller 40 can determine whether the ice block 200 has reached the expected thickness based on the cumulative duration of continuous operation in the ice-making mode. When the operating time reaches a preset time threshold, the controller 40 generates a de-icing signal. Alternatively, if a temperature detection element is installed inside the ice-making box 10 or near the evaporator 21, the controller 40 can monitor whether the temperature of the evaporator 21 or the water temperature remains below a specific temperature value for a certain period, using this as a basis for determining the completion of ice making and generating a de-icing signal. Furthermore, the de-icing signal can also be triggered by detecting other physical quantities, such as using changes in water level, changes in the obstruction of the light path by the ice block 200, or changes in the weight of the ice-making box 10 to determine the volume of the ice block 200. A signal is generated when the detected data meets preset conditions. The generation of the de-icing signal means that an ice-making stage has transitioned to the de-icing stage. After receiving the signal, the controller 40 immediately starts the subsequent staged heating and drainage actions.

[0028] The refrigeration assembly 20 is used to absorb heat from the water in the ice-making box 10 during the ice-making stage to form ice blocks 200 on the surface of the cooling column 211, and to provide heat to the evaporator 21 during the de-icing stage to melt the contact surface of the ice blocks 200. The refrigeration assembly 20 includes at least a compressor 22, a condenser 23, a throttling component 25, and an evaporator 21, which are connected by pipes to form a closed loop for refrigerant circulation. The cooling column 211 of the evaporator 21 extends at least partially into the ice-making box 10, serving as an interface for direct heat exchange with the water or ice blocks 200. In ice-making mode, the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 22 is cooled by the condenser 23, then depressurized and cooled by the throttling element, and enters the evaporator 21 to absorb heat from the water surrounding the cooling column 211, causing the water to condense into ice on the surface of the cooling column 211. In de-icing mode, the refrigeration unit 20 can switch the refrigerant flow path, allowing the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 22 to bypass the condenser 23 and directly enter the evaporator 21. The heat released by the refrigerant heats the cooling column 211, thereby melting the ice layer attached to the surface of the cooling column 211. The controller 40 controls the temperature rise of the cooling column 211 by adjusting the duration and repetition frequency of the de-icing mode to coordinate with the segmented drainage action of the drainage actuator 30. In addition, the refrigeration unit 20 can also switch the throttling path with different throttling degrees to make the evaporator 21 operate in a relatively high pre-de-icing state before formal de-icing, so that the contact surface between the ice block 200 and the cooling column 211 is loosened in advance.

[0029] In this embodiment, the de-icing mode refers to the switching of the refrigeration component 20 from a conventional refrigeration cycle to a state where the high-temperature refrigerant discharged by the compressor 22 heats the evaporator 21. In de-icing mode, the de-icing solenoid valve 24 in the refrigeration system is activated, guiding the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor 22's exhaust port to the inlet of the evaporator 21 without passing through the condenser 23 for heat dissipation. The high-temperature refrigerant flows within the evaporator 21 and releases heat, causing the surface temperature of the cooling column 211 extending into the ice-making box 10 to rise, thus melting the ice layer in contact with the cooling column 211. This mode controls the target temperature reached by the cooling column 211 and the duration of the temperature rise by adjusting the activation duration of the de-icing solenoid valve 24 through the controller 40, thereby achieving the required degree of melting as the ice block 200 slides a specified distance at different stages. When the de-icing mode ends, the de-icing solenoid valve 24 resets, and the refrigeration system immediately returns to a conventional refrigeration cycle.

[0030] The drainage actuator 30 is used to drain some or all of the water stored in the ice container 10 in response to the command of the controller 40. In one embodiment, the drainage actuator 30 may include a drainage pump located at the bottom of the ice container 10, and the drainage volume per cycle can be adjusted by controlling the start-stop time or speed of the pump. In another embodiment, the drainage actuator 30 may include an electric drainage valve connected to the ice container 10. When the valve is open, the water in the ice container 10 is discharged through the pipeline under the action of gravity, and the drainage volume can be determined by the duration of valve opening. For ice-making equipment 100 without an active drainage pump, the drainage actuator 30 can also achieve the drainage function by driving the ice container 10 to tilt around a rotating axis, and the controller 40 controls the drainage volume by adjusting the tilt angle or the duration of maintaining the tilt posture. In addition, a water level detection element can be installed in the ice container 10 or in the drainage pipeline, and the controller 40 controls the action of the drainage actuator 30 according to the water level feedback signal to more accurately achieve the preset drainage volume.

[0031] Please see Figure 10 In a second aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a de-icing method applied to the ice-making equipment 100 in the foregoing embodiments. This method reduces cracks in the ice block 200 caused by thermal stress concentration through staged de-icing and drainage. The de-icing method can be performed by the controller 40 in the ice-making equipment 100 in conjunction with various actuators. The ice-making method includes: S100, in response to the de-icing signal, the refrigeration component 20 is controlled to enter the de-icing mode for a first duration, so that the ice block 200 slides down a first distance relative to the cooling column 211 which has been heated to the first target temperature. The first distance is less than the depth of the cooling column 211 immersed in water.

[0032] In this step, the ice container 10 typically contains unfrozen, low-temperature water. When the controller 40 receives a defrosting signal, it first controls the refrigeration unit 20 to enter defrosting mode and maintain it for a first duration. During this period, high-temperature refrigerant is introduced into the evaporator 21, causing the temperature of the cooling column 211 to rise to a first target temperature. The portion of the surface of the cooling column 211 in contact with the ice block 200 melts, causing the ice block 200 to loosen and slide down the cooling column 211 a first distance. Since the water in the ice container 10 has not yet been drained, the ice block 200 is supported by the buoyancy of the water, limiting its sliding range. Only a small gap is formed between the ice block 200 and the cooling column 211, while the ice block 200 remains partially submerged in the water.

[0033] S200, control the drainage actuator 30 to discharge the first preset amount of water from the ice box 10 so that the ice cubes 200 are still partially submerged in water; In this step, the controller 40 controls the drainage actuator 30 to discharge a first preset amount of water. The drop in water level reduces the buoyancy of the ice block 200, providing space for the ice block 200 to continue sliding in the next stage, while the remaining water still keeps the ice block 200 partially submerged. For example, the drainage time in this step is set to 5 seconds.

[0034] S300, control the refrigeration component 20 to enter the de-icing mode for a second duration, so that the ice block 200 slides down a second distance relative to the cooling column 211 which has been heated to the second target temperature, the second distance being less than the depth of the cooling column 211 immersed in water; In this step, the controller 40 again controls the refrigeration component 20 to enter the de-icing mode and maintain it for a second duration, while the cooling column 211 heats up to the second target temperature. The contact surface of the ice block 200 continues to melt, and the ice block 200 slides down a further second distance.

[0035] S400, controls the drainage actuator 30 to discharge the remaining water in the ice box 10; For example, the drainage time in this step is set to 5 seconds.

[0036] S500, control the refrigeration component 20 to enter the de-icing mode for a third duration, so that the ice block 200 is completely separated from the cooling column 211 which has been heated to the third target temperature.

[0037] In this step, the controller 40 controls the refrigeration component 20 to enter the de-icing mode and maintain it for a third duration, while the cooling column 211 heats up to the third target temperature. Since there is no water obstruction at this time, after the contact surface of the ice block 200 has fully melted, the ice block 200 completely detaches from the cooling column 211 under the action of gravity and slides down to the bottom of the ice box 10.

[0038] In some embodiments, after the ice block 200 slides down a first or second distance and before a portion of the water is discharged, and / or during the process of the drainage actuator 30 discharging a portion of the water, the refrigeration component 20 is controlled to enter an ice-making mode to cool the evaporator 21.

[0039] Understandably, after the ice block 200 slides down a first or second distance due to the temperature rise, the contact surface between the ice block 200 and the cooling column 211 has partially melted, forming a water film or tiny gaps. If drainage is carried out directly at this time or the next heating stage is started, the ice block 200 may experience unexpected accelerated sliding, deflection, or tilting due to the loss of restraint, resulting in uneven subsequent ice removal.

[0040] In this embodiment, the refrigeration unit 20 is switched back to ice-making mode after the ice block 200 has completed one slide and before some water is discharged, and / or during the process of the drainage actuator 30 discharging some water. In this mode, the refrigerant discharged by the compressor 22 enters the evaporator 21 after condensation and throttling, causing the temperature of the cooling column 211 to drop from above the freezing point de-icing temperature back below the ice-making temperature. The liquid water on the surface and in the gaps of the cooling column 211 then refreezes, forming a new connection structure between the ice block 200 and the cooling column 211.

[0041] This brief refreezing process temporarily fixes the ice block 200 in its current sliding position, offsetting the impact of buoyancy changes or water disturbance caused by drainage on the attitude of the ice block 200. When the controller 40 switches back to the de-icing mode for the next heating cycle, the new connection structure will be preferentially melted again, allowing the ice block 200 to continue sliding downwards. Through this alternating control of "heating and melting - intermittent freezing - reheating and melting," the ice block 200 can achieve position correction and attitude fixation after each slide, thus ensuring that the ice block 200 moves smoothly along the axial direction of the cooling column 211 throughout the entire segmented de-icing process until it is completely detached from the cooling column 211.

[0042] In some embodiments, the third target temperature is greater than both the first and second target temperatures. The target temperatures for the first and second stages can be set at relatively low levels, requiring only localized melting of the ice layer on the surface of the cooling column 211 to drive the ice block 200 downwards a predetermined distance. The target temperature for the third stage is set to a higher value than the first two stages to provide a greater melting depth and a faster heat transfer rate, ensuring that the ice block 200 can completely detach from the cooling column 211 and fall to the bottom of the ice-making box 10. For example, the third target temperature is set to 20°C, and the first and second target temperatures are set above 0°C and below 20°C.

[0043] In some embodiments, the third duration is greater than both the first and second durations. For example, the first duration includes 3 seconds for heating to the first target temperature, the second duration includes 3 seconds for heating to the second target temperature, and the third duration includes 7 seconds for heating to the third target temperature.

[0044] Understandably, the controller 40 maintains the refrigeration component 20 in the de-icing mode for a relatively short period, i.e., the first and second durations are relatively limited, which is sufficient to partially melt the ice layer on the contact surface and generate the required sliding distance, while avoiding excessive heat input that could cause the ice block 200 to melt excessively or the internal temperature to rise too quickly. The duration of the third-stage de-icing mode is set to be longer than the first and second durations to ensure that after the water is drained, the surface of the cooling column 211 has enough time to continuously release heat, completing the transition from partial loosening to complete separation, allowing the ice block 200 to stably detach from the cooling column 211 and fall into the ice storage chamber.

[0045] In some embodiments, the following steps are repeated at least once before step S400: The refrigeration unit 20 is controlled to enter the de-icing mode to cause the ice block 200 to slide down, and the drainage actuator 30 is controlled to discharge a portion of the water.

[0046] In this step, the controller 40 controls the evaporator 21 to heat up to either a first target temperature or a second target temperature. To improve de-icing efficiency, the drainage actuator 30 can be controlled to discharge a second preset amount of water, exceeding the first preset amount, thereby increasing the sliding distance of the ice block 200 in each repetition stage. Conversely, to improve the quality of the de-iced ice block 200, the drainage actuator 30 can be controlled to discharge a second preset amount of water, less than the first preset amount, thereby reducing the sliding distance of the ice block 200 in each repetition stage. Increasing the number of repetition stages further reduces cracks caused by ice de-icing.

[0047] In other embodiments, the designer can set the target temperature for each repetition stage and the amount of water drained according to actual needs, which is not limited here.

[0048] Understandably, by increasing the number of intermediate heating and drainage cycles in this embodiment, the number of times the ice block 200 slides down increases, and the ice block 200 slides down a smaller distance in each cycle, thereby further extending the contact time between the ice block 200 and the water, and causing the buoyancy to gradually decrease as the number of drainage cycles increases.

[0049] In actual operation, after completing the first round of de-icing, heating, and drainage, the controller 40 does not immediately enter the second stage of heating and drainage, but instead performs one or more similar rounds of heating and drainage. During each heating stage, the rate of ice block 200 sliding is strictly controlled; during each drainage stage, the water level in the ice-making box 10 decreases gradually by a preset small increment. Because the ice block 200 remains partially submerged in water throughout multiple cycles, the buoyancy support and thermal buffering effect of the water on the ice block 200 are continuously maintained, preventing instability or internal stress concentration caused by a sudden drop in water level or excessive heating in a single cycle.

[0050] The ice-making device 100 of this application embodiment can flexibly adjust the number of heating and drainage times during the ice removal process according to the actual size of the ice block 200, the length of the cooling column 211, or the structure of the ice box 10, so that the temperature change curve of the cooling column 211 is smoother, the distance of each slide of the ice block 200 is shorter, and the movement is more controllable, thereby effectively suppressing surface cracks of the ice block 200 under more working conditions.

[0051] In some embodiments, prior to step S100, the method further includes: S010. Determine whether the pre-de-icing conditions are met; In one embodiment, the pre-de-icing condition includes the duration of the ice-making mode reaching a first preset duration. Specifically, based on the cumulative duration of the ice-making mode operation, when the controller 40 detects that the duration of the ice-making mode has reached the first preset duration, it determines that the ice block 200 has been formed to the expected size.

[0052] In another embodiment, the pre-de-icing condition includes the ice block 200 on the evaporator 21 reaching a preset volume threshold. Specifically, the actual physical size of the ice block 200 is used as the criterion. For example, by setting a position sensor or photoelectric sensor in the ice-making box 10, the volume of the ice block 200 on the evaporator 21 can be directly or indirectly detected to see if it reaches the preset volume threshold. When the volume of the ice block 200 meets the preset condition, it indicates that the ice block 200 has sufficient structural strength to withstand the interface loosening caused by subsequent pre-de-icing heating without breaking.

[0053] In another embodiment, the pre-de-icing condition includes the evaporator 21 temperature remaining below a preset target temperature for a second preset duration during the ice-making mode. Specifically, as the heat exchange between the cooling column 211 and the water tends to reach equilibrium in the later stages of freezing, the temperature change tends to be gradual. During the ice-making process, as the ice block 200 gradually wraps around the cooling column 211, the temperature of the evaporator 21 will continue to decrease. When the controller 40 detects that the temperature of the evaporator 21 has dropped below the preset target temperature and is stably maintained at this low temperature for the second preset duration, it can be inferred that the ice block 200 has been fully formed and is tightly attached to the cooling column 211.

[0054] S020. When the pre-de-icing conditions are met, the refrigeration component 20 is controlled to enter the pre-de-icing mode for a fourth duration, so that the ice block 200 and the cooling column 211 are initially detached. In the pre-de-icing mode, the target temperature of the evaporator 21 is lower than the target temperature in the de-icing mode and higher than the target temperature in the ice-making mode.

[0055] Understandably, after receiving the de-icing signal and before entering the first stage of de-icing heating, a gentle heating process is first applied to the cooling column 211 to loosen the contact interface between the ice block 200 and the cooling column 211.

[0056] Specifically, the controller 40 first determines whether preset pre-de-icing conditions are met, such as the ice-making time reaching a threshold or the ice block 200 volume reaching the expected value. If the conditions are met, the controller 40 controls the refrigeration unit 20 to enter pre-de-icing mode and maintain it for a fourth duration. In this mode, the target temperature of the evaporator 21 is set to be higher than the refrigeration temperature in the ice-making mode but lower than the direct heating temperature in the de-icing mode, typically controlled within a range slightly above the freezing point. The refrigerant flows through the evaporator 21 at a reduced throttling level or adjusted flow rate, and the temperature of the cooling column 211 slowly rises to this intermediate target temperature.

[0057] Because the temperature rise is limited and the process is gradual, only a shallow layer of melting occurs on the surface of the cooling column 211. The ice crystal bonding layer between the ice block 200 and the cooling column 211 is partially dissolved, forming an extremely thin liquid water film or tiny gaps, which significantly reduces the adhesion strength between the ice block 200 and the cooling column 211. However, the temperature rise during the pre-de-icing stage is not enough to drive the ice block 200 to undergo significant overall slippage, and the ice block 200 remains basically in place.

[0058] When the controller 40 subsequently controls the refrigeration component 20 to enter the de-icing mode for the first duration, the cooling column 211 is further heated, and the ice block 200 only needs to overcome the significantly weakened adhesion to begin sliding down. By dispersing the melting stress and separation impact that were originally concentrated in the initial stage of a single heating process into two stages through the pre-de-icing step, the irregular movement or local stress change of the ice block 200 caused by the sudden drop in adhesion at the moment of initial separation is reduced, thereby further improving the integrity and appearance quality of the ice block 200 throughout the entire de-icing process.

[0059] Please refer to the following: Figure 2 and Figure 11 In some embodiments, the cooling component 20 includes a throttling component 25, which can provide a first throttling degree and a second throttling degree, respectively. The first throttling degree is greater than the second throttling degree. The throttling component 25 provides the first throttling degree in the cooling mode.

[0060] Step S020 includes: S021, the throttling component 25 switches from providing a first throttling level to providing a second throttling level to enter the pre-de-icing mode and maintain it for a fourth duration.

[0061] Understandably, the embodiments of this application adjust the operating temperature of the evaporator 21 by changing the throttling degree of the throttling component 25. Its working principle is to utilize the difference in the pressure reduction and temperature reduction effect of different throttling degrees to make the evaporator 21 operate in an intermediate temperature state between the ice-making mode and the ice-removing mode during the pre-ice removal stage.

[0062] The throttling component 25 in the cooling assembly 20 has at least two switchable throttling levels: a first throttling level and a second throttling level, wherein the throttling effect of the first throttling level is stronger than that of the second throttling level. Please refer to... Figure 2 In ice-making mode, the throttling component 25 provides a first degree of throttling. After the refrigerant flows through the throttling path, it generates a large pressure drop and temperature drop. When it enters the evaporator 21, it is at a lower evaporation temperature, thereby forming a low-temperature environment below the freezing point on the surface of the cooling column 211 to promote water freezing.

[0063] Please see Figure 11 When the controller 40 determines that the pre-de-icing conditions are met and it needs to enter the pre-de-icing mode, its control throttling component 25 switches from providing the first throttling level to providing the second throttling level and maintains this for a fourth duration. Because the throttling effect of the second throttling level is relatively weak, the pressure drop of the refrigerant flowing through this passage decreases, and the temperature and pressure entering the evaporator 21 increase accordingly. The evaporation temperature within the evaporator 21 then rises to a value higher than that of the ice-making mode but still lower than the target value of the conventional de-icing mode, typically controlled within a range slightly above the freezing point.

[0064] In this pre-de-icing mode, the refrigeration cycle is not interrupted. A complete refrigeration cycle loop is maintained between the compressor 22, condenser 23, throttling component 25, and evaporator 21, allowing the system to operate stably for an extended period. The surface temperature of the cooling column 211 rises gently, causing shallow melting of the ice crystal layer between the ice block 200 and the cooling column 211, forming tiny gaps or a liquid water film, thus achieving the initial loosening of the ice block 200. Because the heating process is gradual and the temperature rise is limited, no significant stress is generated inside the ice block 200 due to instantaneous temperature differences, providing a favorable initial state for the orderly sliding of the ice block 200 in the subsequent segmented de-icing stage.

[0065] Specifically, the throttling assembly 25 includes a first throttling element 251, a second throttling element 252, and a switching element 253 connected in parallel. The switching element 253 is connected to the first throttling element 251, the second throttling element 252, and the condenser 23, respectively, and is used to switch the refrigerant flow through the first throttling element 251 or the second throttling element 252. The first throttling element 251 can provide a first throttling degree, and the second throttling element 252 can provide a second throttling degree.

[0066] Step S021 includes: S0211, control switching element 253 switches the refrigerant flow through the second throttling element 252.

[0067] Understandably, this application embodiment sets two sets of throttling elements with different throttling degrees in parallel, and changes the flow path of the refrigerant by means of switching element 253, thereby realizing the switching of the operating temperature of the evaporator 21 between the pre-de-icing mode and the ice-making mode.

[0068] The throttling assembly 25 includes a first throttling element 251, a second throttling element 252, and a switching element 253 for switching the refrigerant flow direction, all connected in parallel. The first throttling element 251 provides a strong first throttling degree, for example, by using a capillary tube with a small inner diameter or a long length. This results in a large pressure drop as the refrigerant flows through it, leading to a lower temperature when it enters the evaporator 21, corresponding to the operating state in ice-making mode. The second throttling element 252 provides a weaker second throttling degree, for example, by using a capillary tube with a large inner diameter or a short length. This results in a relatively small pressure drop as the refrigerant flows through it, leading to a relatively higher temperature when it enters the evaporator 21, corresponding to the operating state in pre-de-icing mode.

[0069] The switching element 253 is connected to the inlet or outlet of the first throttling element 251 and the second throttling element 252, respectively, and can be controlled by the controller 40 to change the flow path of the refrigerant. In ice-making mode, the switching element 253 is in the first conducting position, guiding the refrigerant through the first throttling element 251 and into the evaporator 21. At this time, the system operates at a lower evaporation temperature, and water continuously freezes on the surface of the cooling column 211. For example, the switching element 253 can be an electromagnetic three-way valve.

[0070] When the controller 40 determines that the pre-de-icing conditions are met and the pre-de-icing mode needs to be entered, it sends an action command to the switching element 253. Upon responding to the command, the switching element 253 switches to the second conducting position, and the refrigerant flow path changes from the first throttling element 251 to the second throttling element 252, maintaining this position for a fourth duration. Because the throttling effect of the second throttling element 252 is weaker than that of the first throttling element 251, the temperature drop of the refrigerant during the throttling process is reduced, resulting in increased pressure and temperature upon entering the evaporator 21. Consequently, the evaporation temperature within the evaporator 21 rises to a preset range slightly above the freezing point.

[0071] During this process, the compressor 22 and condenser 23 operate continuously, the refrigeration cycle is uninterrupted, and the evaporation temperature is adjusted only by changing the throttling path. The surface temperature of the cooling column 211 rises gradually, causing shallow melting of the ice crystal layer between the ice block 200 and the cooling column 211, forming initial loosening and creating conditions for subsequent staged de-icing. This embodiment uses a parallel dual-throttling element in conjunction with the switching element 253, making the switching action between the pre-de-icing mode and the ice-making mode simple, and achieving evaporation temperature adjustment without the need for additional heating devices.

[0072] See Figure 12 , Figure 12This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a computer device 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application. The computer device 1200 can be the controller 40 of the ice-making device 100 described above. The computer device 1200 includes one or more processors 1201 and a memory 1202. The memory 1202 is connected to one or more processors 1201, for example, via a bus 1203.

[0073] Processor 1201 is configured to support the computer device 1200 in performing the corresponding functions in the methods described in the above method embodiments. Processor 1201 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a hardware chip, or any combination thereof. The aforementioned hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The aforementioned PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0074] Memory 1202 is used to store program code, etc. Memory 1202 may include volatile memory (VM), such as random access memory (RAM); memory 1202 may also include non-volatile memory (NVM), such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk drive (HDD), or solid-state drive (SSD); memory 1202 may also include combinations of the above types of memory.

[0075] The memory 1202 can be used to store non-volatile software programs, non-volatile computer-executable programs, and modules, such as the program instructions / modules corresponding to the de-icing method in the embodiments of this application. The processor executes the various functional applications and data processing of the de-icing method and control device by running the non-volatile software programs, instructions, and modules stored in the memory, thereby implementing the de-icing method provided in the above-described method embodiments.

[0076] The memory 1202 may include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store the operating system and applications required for at least one function. The data storage area may store data created based on the use of the controller, etc. In some embodiments, the memory may optionally include memory remotely located relative to the processor, which can be connected to the controller via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, corporate intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

[0077] One or more modules are stored in memory 1202. When executed by one or more processors, they perform the de-icing method in any of the above method embodiments. For example, they perform the method steps described in the above method embodiments to realize the functions of the modules described in the above device embodiments.

[0078] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program including program instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in the foregoing embodiments.

Claims

1. A de-icing method, characterized in that, The method is applied to ice-making equipment, which includes an ice-making box, a refrigeration component, a drainage actuator, and a controller. The refrigeration component includes an evaporator with a cooling column extending into the ice-making box. The refrigeration component and the drainage actuator are respectively connected to and controlled by the controller. The de-icing method includes: In response to the de-icing signal, the refrigeration component is controlled to enter the de-icing mode for a first duration, so that the ice block slides down a first distance relative to the cooling column that has been heated to a first target temperature, the first distance being less than the depth of the cooling column immersed in water; The drainage actuator is controlled to discharge a first preset amount of water from the ice-making box, so that the ice cubes remain submerged in water. The refrigeration component is controlled to enter the de-icing mode for a second duration, so that the ice block slides down a second distance relative to the cooling column that has been heated to a second target temperature, the second distance being less than the depth to which the cooling column is immersed in water; The drainage actuator is controlled to discharge the remaining water from the ice-making container; The refrigeration component is controlled to enter the de-icing mode for a third duration, so that the ice block is completely removed from the cooling column that has been heated to the third target temperature.

2. The de-icing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the ice block slides down a first or second distance and before some water is discharged, and / or, during the process of the drainage actuator discharging some water, the refrigeration component is controlled to enter the ice-making mode to cool the evaporator.

3. The de-icing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before controlling the drainage actuator to discharge the remaining water in the ice-making container, repeat the following steps at least once: The system controls the refrigeration component to enter the de-icing mode to allow the ice to slide down, and controls the drainage actuator to discharge a portion of the water.

4. The de-icing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before the controller controls the refrigeration component to enter the de-icing mode for a first duration in response to the de-icing signal, the method further includes: Determine whether the pre-de-icing conditions are met; When the pre-de-icing conditions are met, the refrigeration component is controlled to enter the pre-de-icing mode for a fourth duration, so that the ice block and the cooling column are initially detached. In the pre-de-icing mode, the target temperature of the evaporator is lower than the target temperature in the de-icing mode and higher than the target temperature in the ice-making mode.

5. The de-icing method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pre-de-icing conditions include: When the ice-making mode reaches the first preset duration; or The ice cubes on the evaporator reach a preset volume threshold; or In ice-making mode, the evaporator temperature remains below the preset target temperature for a second preset duration.

6. The de-icing method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The refrigeration component includes a throttling component, which can provide a first throttling degree and a second throttling degree, respectively. The first throttling degree is greater than the second throttling degree. The throttling component provides the first throttling degree in the refrigeration mode. The fourth duration of controlling the refrigeration component to enter the pre-de-icing mode includes: The throttling component is controlled to switch from providing the first throttling level to providing the second throttling level to enter the pre-de-icing mode and maintain it for the fourth duration.

7. The de-icing method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The throttling assembly includes a first throttling element, a second throttling element, and a switching element connected in parallel. The switching element is connected to both the first and second throttling elements and is used to switch the refrigerant flow through either the first or second throttling element. The first throttling element provides a first throttling degree, and the second throttling element provides a second throttling degree. Controlling the throttling assembly to switch from the first throttling degree to the second throttling degree includes: The switching element controls the refrigerant flow to switch through the second throttling element.

8. The de-icing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third target temperature is greater than both the first target temperature and the second target temperature.

9. The de-icing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third duration is greater than both the first duration and the second duration.

10. An ice-making device, characterized in that, include: Ice maker; A refrigeration assembly, including an evaporator that extends at least partially into the ice-making container for forming ice cubes within the ice-making container; A drainage actuator is used to drain the water from the ice-making container; as well as A controller, wherein the refrigeration component and the drainage actuator are respectively connected to and controlled by the controller, the controller being used to perform the de-icing method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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