Ice making system and apparatus having ice making function

Abstract

The application provides an ice making system and a device with ice making function, and relates to the technical field of ice making systems. The ice making system comprises a water pump, a water supply pipe, a water inlet assembly and an ice making module. The water inlet assembly comprises a buffer tank and a water outlet pipe. The buffer tank has a cylindrical inner cavity. A water inlet hole and a water outlet hole are arranged on the peripheral side wall of the buffer tank. The water inlet hole is communicated with the water pump through the water supply pipe. The water inlet hole and the water outlet hole are both located in the lower half of the buffer tank. The hole axis of the water inlet hole is parallel to the tangent of the side cavity wall of the cylindrical inner cavity, and the hole axis of the water outlet hole is perpendicular to the tangent. One end of the water outlet pipe is communicated with the water outlet hole. The ice making module comprises a shell. The shell is provided with a water pipe socket. The other end of the water outlet pipe is communicated with the inside of the shell through the water pipe socket. The ice making system provided by the application replaces the throttle valve with the buffer tank and utilizes the hole position layout of tangential water inlet and radial water outlet. While realizing water flow deceleration and buffering, the ice making system effectively simplifies the pipe connection structure and reduces the cost of the whole machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of ice-making systems, and particularly to an ice-making system and a device with ice-making function. Background Technology

[0002] Ice-making equipment refers to equipment that converts water into ice blocks through mechanical refrigeration. It is widely used in homes, restaurants, hotels, medical facilities, and commercial retail.

[0003] Whether for home or commercial use, the ice-making principle of these devices is roughly the same: a water pump delivers a fixed amount of water from the storage tank to the ice-making module, where ice is prepared through low-temperature heat exchange. The water supply structure directly determines the overall operational stability of the machine. The ability to provide a stable, low-speed, splash-free, and constant-pressure water flow is a core design indicator for ensuring stable ice production and reducing the probability of overall machine failure.

[0004] In existing water supply structures, throttle valves are used to reduce the water flow to a low speed. This results in numerous connection points in the water supply pipes, and the use of throttle valves leads to high overall equipment costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an ice-making system and an ice-making device, which can solve the technical problems of multiple water supply pipe connection points and high overall equipment cost in the prior art.

[0006] In one aspect, this application provides an ice-making system, including a water pump, a water supply pipe, a water inlet assembly, and an ice-making module.

[0007] The water inlet assembly includes a buffer tank and an outlet pipe. The buffer tank has a cylindrical inner cavity. An inlet and an outlet are formed in the peripheral wall of the buffer tank, with the inlet connected to the water pump via a supply pipe. Along the axial direction of the cylindrical inner cavity, the buffer tank is divided into an upper and lower half, with both the inlet and outlet located in the lower half. The axis of the inlet is parallel to the tangent of the side wall of the cylindrical inner cavity, while the axis of the outlet is perpendicular to the tangent. One end of the outlet pipe is connected to the outlet.

[0008] The ice-making module includes an outer casing with a water pipe socket. The other end of the water outlet pipe is connected to the interior of the outer casing through the water pipe socket.

[0009] The beneficial effects of the ice-making system provided in this application are as follows: by replacing the throttle valve with a buffer tank and utilizing the tangential inlet and radial outlet layout, the system effectively simplifies the pipeline connection structure and reduces the overall cost while achieving water flow deceleration and buffering. Specifically, the cylindrical inner cavity of the buffer tank provides a volumetric buffer space for the high-pressure water flow output by the water pump; the axis of the inlet hole is parallel to the tangent of the side wall of the cylindrical inner cavity, so that after the water flow enters the lower half tangentially, it forms a stable vortex under the guidance of the cylindrical wall surface. The high-speed water flow is transformed into a low-speed, stable water flow by utilizing the combined effects of vortex flow friction loss and cavity volume diffusion; the axis of the outlet hole is perpendicular to the aforementioned tangent, so that the water flow after vortex buffering is smoothly discharged radially to the outlet pipe, avoiding the direct impact of high-speed water flow on the ice grid mold of the ice-making module. Since both the inlet and outlet are located in the lower half of the buffer tank, the water flow after swirling and buffering naturally converges in the lower cavity under the action of gravity, and is then stably discharged through the outlet, further ensuring the uniformity and continuity of the water flow rate.

[0010] In one possible design, the buffer tank is arranged at an angle relative to the top plate of the outer shell, and the inlet is higher than the outlet.

[0011] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: the buffer tank is arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal plane and the water inlet is higher than the water outlet, so that the water flow entering tangentially can naturally flow downward under the action of gravity after being buffered by swirling and discharged from the water outlet, ensuring that it is smoothly discharged to the water outlet pipe, and avoiding the direct impact of high-speed water flow on the ice grid mold of the ice making module.

[0012] In one possible design, the angle between the axis of the cylindrical inner cavity and the top plate of the outer shell is 60° to 80°.

[0013] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: By limiting the angle ∠C between the axis of the cylindrical inner cavity and the horizontal plane to 60°~80°, within this angle range, the buffer tank maintains sufficient inclination to ensure smooth gravity drainage, while avoiding the problem of excessive inclination leading to an overly short swirling buffer path and insufficient deceleration effect. Simultaneously, this angle range allows for a more compact and rational spatial layout of the buffer tank within the equipment, balancing buffering performance with efficient use of structural installation space.

[0014] In one possible design, the buffer tank is also provided with an air inlet, and the ice-making module is also provided with an air pipe socket; the water inlet assembly also includes an air pipe, one end of which is connected to the air inlet, and the other end of which is connected to the interior of the outer shell through the air pipe socket.

[0015] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: By adding an air pipe and connecting its two ends to the buffer tank and the outer shell respectively, a pressure balance path is established between the buffer tank and the outer shell. When the water pump supplies water to the ice-making module, the air inside the outer shell can flow back to the upper part of the buffer tank through the air pipe, allowing the air inside the outer shell to be released. This prevents air from entering the water outlet pipe as much as possible, effectively eliminating the airlock phenomenon caused by air accumulation in the water outlet pipe. This ensures that the water flow from the water outlet pipe can continuously and stably flow into the ice-making module, improving the reliability of the water supply.

[0016] In one possible design, the air inlet is located in the upper part of the buffer tank, and the axis of the air inlet is parallel to the axis of the water outlet, with the air pipe and the water outlet pipe connected together.

[0017] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: the air inlet is located in the upper part of the buffer tank, that is, the air inlet is set at a high position away from the lower water flow area. The water flowing in through the water inlet is located in the lower part of the buffer tank and is not likely to enter the air inlet, which can effectively avoid the risk of water overflowing from the air inlet when the water level in the buffer tank fluctuates. At the same time, the axis of the air inlet is set parallel to the axis of the water outlet, so that the direction of the air pipe and the water outlet pipe are consistent, and the air pipe and the water outlet pipe are connected, making the pipeline layout more regular and compact, reducing the cross-tangle of pipelines, facilitating the pipeline layout and fixing within the limited space of the equipment, and improving the neatness of the internal structure and the assembly process.

[0018] In one possible design, the diameter of the water outlet pipe is larger than the diameter of the air pipe.

[0019] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: The diameter of the water outlet pipe is set to be larger than that of the air pipe, and a differentiated design is implemented based on the different flow requirements for ice-making water supply and air pressure balance. The water outlet pipe undertakes the main task of transporting ice-making water; a larger diameter reduces flow resistance and ensures sufficient water supply. The air pipe is only used for gas flow to balance air pressure; a smaller diameter is sufficient to meet ventilation requirements. This design optimizes material usage and structural space occupation while meeting functional requirements, reducing the overall cost of the machine, and avoiding unnecessary space waste and assembly interference problems caused by excessively large air pipes.

[0020] In one possible design, the axes of the water outlet pipe and the air pipe are both inclined relative to the top plate of the casing; the axes of the water pipe socket and the air pipe socket are both inclined relative to the top plate of the casing.

[0021] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: The axes of the water outlet pipe and the air pipe, as well as the corresponding water pipe socket and air pipe socket axes, are all set to be inclined relative to the horizontal plane. This layout is compatible with the inclined arrangement of the buffer tank, allowing the pipeline to extend naturally along the inclined direction and reducing pipeline bends. The inclined pipeline facilitates the natural backflow or discharge of residual water inside the pipe under the action of gravity, reducing the risk of pipeline blockage caused by water freezing in low-temperature environments. Simultaneously, the inclined docking structure facilitates the insertion and positioning of the pipeline, improving assembly efficiency and connection reliability.

[0022] In one possible design, the end face of the water outlet pipe that connects to the water pipe socket and the end face of the air pipe that connects to the air pipe socket are both bevels, and the bevels are parallel to the top plate of the outer casing.

[0023] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: the end faces of the water outlet pipe and the water pipe socket, and the end faces of the air pipe and the air pipe socket are both inclined planes, and these inclined planes are parallel to the horizontal plane. This ensures that although the pipeline axis is arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal plane, the joint end faces remain horizontal. This design provides a flat horizontal docking reference surface in the inclined pipeline system, facilitating alignment, insertion, and sealing operations between the pipeline and the socket, reducing the assembly difficulty during inclined installation. At the same time, the horizontal end face is conducive to the uniform pressure of the sealing ring, improving the sealing reliability at the joint and reducing the risk of leakage.

[0024] In one possible design, the water supply pipe, water inlet assembly, water pipe socket, and gas pipe socket are all embedded in the foam layer.

[0025] The above technical solution has the following advantages or beneficial effects: Compared with the open structure in the prior art where the water supply pipe is directly connected to the external atmospheric environment, this embodiment completely embeds the water supply pipe and related connection structure in the foam layer, so that there is no physical contact channel between the pipe and the atmospheric environment, fundamentally cutting off the path for external pollutants, dust and microorganisms to enter the water supply system through the gaps in the pipe wall or open ports, and significantly improving the hygiene and safety of the water supply.

[0026] Secondly, this application also provides an ice-making device, including the ice-making system described in the first aspect.

[0027] Since the equipment with ice-making function includes the ice-making system in the first aspect, it also has the technical effects of the ice-making system, which will not be elaborated here. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an ice-making system in the prior art; Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of an ice-making device in the prior art; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making system provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the ice-making system from another perspective; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the ice-making system in the image; Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A partial front view of the section plane in the image; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the water inlet assembly provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Sectional view of AA; Figure 9 yes Figure 7 Sectional view of BB; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the water inlet assembly provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making module provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 12 This is an exploded view of the buffer tank provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0030] Figure label: 10' Water pump; 20' Water supply pipe; 40' Ice making module; 50' Ice storage box; 60' Water storage box; 71' Throttling valve; 72' Water inlet pipe; 73' Connector; 74' Embedded box; 75' Box cover; 10. Water pump; 20. Water supply pipes; 30. Water inlet assembly; 31. Buffer tank; 31a. Upper half; 31b. Lower half; 311. Cylindrical inner cavity; 312. Water inlet; 313. Water outlet; 314. Air inlet; 315. Tank body; 316. Cover; 317. Tangent; 32. Water outlet pipe; 321. Inclined surface; 33. Air pipe; 40. Ice-making module; 41. Outer casing; 411. Water pipe socket; 412. Gas pipe socket; 42. Mold; 50. Ice storage box; 60. Water storage box. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0032] In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. In this application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "linked," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two elements or the interaction between two elements, unless otherwise explicitly specified. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0034] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "inner," "outer," "upper," "bottom," "front," and "rear," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship (if any) based on the appendix. Figure 1 The orientations or positional relationships shown are for the purpose of facilitating and simplifying the description of this application, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0035] It should also be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same component or part. For the same part in the embodiments of this application, the reference numerals may only be used to mark one part or component as an example. It should be understood that the reference numerals are also applicable to other identical parts or components.

[0036] Ice-making equipment refers to devices that convert water into ice cubes through mechanical refrigeration. They are widely used in homes, restaurants, hotels, medical facilities, and retail businesses. Based on usage scenarios, they can be divided into two main categories: household ice-making equipment and commercial ice-making equipment. Household equipment mainly includes refrigerators with automatic ice-making functions, freestanding household ice makers, and ice bars, characterized by smaller ice production capacity, compact structure, and compatibility with home environments. Commercial equipment encompasses commercial ice makers, beverage display cases, commercial ice bars, and ice-making water dispensers, characterized by larger ice production capacity, longer continuous operating time, and more complex operating environments.

[0037] Whether for home or commercial use, the ice-making principle of these devices is roughly the same: a water pump delivers a fixed amount of water from the storage tank to the ice-making module, where ice is prepared through low-temperature heat exchange. The water supply structure directly determines the overall operational stability of the machine. The ability to provide a stable, low-speed, splash-free, and constant-pressure water flow is a core design indicator for ensuring stable ice production and reducing the probability of overall machine failure.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing ice-making system. Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of ice-making equipment in the prior art. For example... Figures 1-2 As shown, current household and commercial ice-making devices mainly consist of components such as a water storage box 60', a water pump 10', a water supply pipe 20', an ice-making module 40', and an ice storage box 50'. A throttling valve 71' is installed on the water supply pipe 20'. When the water pump 10' draws water from the water storage box 60', the output water pressure is high and the flow rate is fast. If the water is directly fed into the ice-making module 40', the water flow will overflow the ice grid, not only failing to freeze evenly but also potentially splashing out and affecting the ice-making effect. The throttling valve 71', through internal small holes or narrow slits, restricts the flow area of ​​the water, thereby reducing the high-pressure, high-velocity water flow into a low-speed, stable flow.

[0039] Continue as Figure 2As shown, a pre-embedded box 74' is embedded in the protective shell of the ice-making equipment, and a cover 75' is placed over the pre-embedded box 74' to prevent dust. The ice-making module 40' is equipped with a connector 73'. One end of the water inlet pipe 72' is installed on the pre-embedded box 74' and connected to the external environment. The other end of the water inlet pipe 72' is connected to the connector 73'. The water supply pipe 20' extends into the water inlet pipe 72', and the diameter of the water supply pipe 20' is smaller than that of the water inlet pipe 72'. After the water pump 10' is started, the water in the water storage box 60' is slowed down by the throttle valve 71', and then the water flows from the water supply pipe 20' into the water inlet pipe 72'. After that, the water flows through the connector 73' into the ice tray mold of the ice-making module 40'. Because the water supply pipe 20' is connected to the external atmospheric environment, the air pressure inside the pipe can be balanced, thereby effectively avoiding airlock and ensuring stable water flow.

[0040] As can be seen, the ice-making system in the aforementioned prior art reduces the water flow to a low speed using a throttle valve 71', resulting in numerous connection points on the water supply pipe 20' and increasing the overall cost of the equipment. Furthermore, the water supply pipe 20' has an open structure; although the cover 75' provides dust protection, long-term use still carries the risk of water supply structure contamination. In addition, the system has poor risk closure capabilities. For example, if ice blockage occurs at the joint 73' of the inlet pipe 72', water will flow back into the embedded box 74' during ice-making, and then overflow through the cover 75', posing a safety risk. Moreover, such ice blockages cannot be detected in advance using simple methods; they can only be discovered after the risk actually occurs.

[0041] In view of this, in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application provides an ice-making system and an ice-making device. By replacing the throttle valve with a buffer tank and utilizing the orifice layout of tangential water inlet and radial water outlet, the system can effectively simplify the pipeline connection structure and reduce the overall cost while achieving water flow deceleration and buffering.

[0042] This application first provides a device with an ice-making function, which includes, but is not limited to, a refrigerator with an ice-making function, a freestanding household ice maker, an ice bar, a countertop water purifier and ice maker, a commercial ice maker, a cold drink display cabinet, medical and laboratory ice-making equipment, etc.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making system provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the ice-making system from another perspective. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the ice-making system. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A partial front view of the section plane in the image. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the water inlet assembly 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Sectional view of AA. Figure 9 yes Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of BB.

[0044] It should be noted that, Figure 5 and Figure 6 The ice cube tray 42 has its opening facing to the side because it is being tilted and dispensing ice by the drive motor. When water is being poured into the ice cube tray 42, its opening faces upwards.

[0045] like Figures 3-4 As shown in the figure, the present application embodiment provides an ice-making system, including a water pump 10, a water supply pipe 20, a water inlet component 30, an ice-making module 40, a water storage box 60, an ice storage box 50, etc.

[0046] The water storage box 60 serves as the system's water storage container, used to store the raw water required for ice making, providing a continuous and stable water supply for the water pump 10.

[0047] The water pump 10 serves as the power source for the ice-making system. It is used to extract water from the water storage box 60 and pressurize it for output, providing driving pressure for the water flow in the entire water supply pipeline, ensuring that the water flow can overcome pipeline resistance and be continuously delivered to the ice-making module 40.

[0048] The water supply pipe 20 serves as a fluid transport channel connecting the water pump 10 and the water inlet assembly 30, and is used to guide the high-pressure water flow output by the water pump 10 to the buffer tank 31, thereby achieving fluid communication between the water storage box 60 and the buffer tank 31.

[0049] The water inlet assembly 30 serves as an intermediate water supply unit connecting the water pump 10 and the ice-making module 40. Its core function is to slow down and buffer the high-pressure, high-speed water flow output by the water pump 10, and then introduce the stabilized low-speed water flow into the ice-making module 40.

[0050] The ice-making module 40 serves as the ice-making execution unit of the system. It is equipped with an ice grid mold 42 and a low-temperature heat exchange structure, which is used to freeze the water flow delivered by the water inlet component 30 into ice blocks through mechanical refrigeration.

[0051] The ice storage box 50, as the ice collection and storage container of the system, is located below the ice making module 40. It is used to receive the ice blocks that have been prepared and detached by the ice making module 40, so as to facilitate centralized storage and user access.

[0052] like Figures 5-6 As shown, the water inlet assembly 30 includes a buffer tank 31 and an outlet pipe 32. The buffer tank 31 has a cylindrical inner cavity 311. The peripheral sidewall of the buffer tank 31 has an inlet hole 312 and an outlet hole 313, and the inlet hole 312 is connected to the water pump 10 via a water supply pipe 20. Figures 7-8 As shown, along the axial direction of the cylindrical inner cavity 311, i.e. Figure 8 In direction a, the buffer tank 31 is divided into an upper half 31a and a lower half 31b, with the inlet 312 and outlet 313 both located in the lower half 31b of the buffer tank 31. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the axis of the inlet hole 312 ( Figure 9 The dashed line in the inlet hole 312 is parallel to the tangent 317 of the side wall of the cylindrical inner cavity 311, and the axis of the outlet hole 313 is ( Figure 9 The dashed line in the water outlet 313 is perpendicular to the tangent 317.

[0053] Return to Figure 6 As shown, one end of the water outlet pipe 32 is connected to the water outlet hole 313. The ice-making module 40 includes a housing 41 and an ice tray mold 42. In addition, the ice-making module 40 also includes an evaporator, a de-icing device, a drive motor, a sensor, etc. A water pipe socket 411 is provided on the housing 41. The water pipe socket 411 has a hole inside, which connects the inside and outside of the housing 41. The other end of the water outlet pipe 32 is inserted into the water pipe socket 411, so that the water outlet pipe 32 is fixed to the housing 41 through the water pipe socket 411. At the same time, the water outlet pipe 32 is also connected to the inside of the housing 41.

[0054] The water pipe socket 411 is connected to the other end of the water outlet pipe 32, so that water can be injected into the ice cube mold 42 inside the outer shell 41 through the water outlet pipe 32.

[0055] The ice-making system provided in this application replaces the throttle valve with a buffer tank 31 and utilizes a tangential inlet and radial outlet layout to slow down and buffer the water flow while effectively simplifying the pipeline connection structure and reducing the overall cost. Specifically, the cylindrical inner cavity 311 of the buffer tank 31 provides a volume buffer space for the high-pressure water flow output by the water pump 10; the axis of the inlet hole 312 is parallel to the tangent 317 of the side wall of the cylindrical inner cavity 311, so that after the water flow enters the lower half 31b tangentially, it forms a stable vortex under the guidance of the cylindrical wall surface. The high-speed water flow is transformed into a low-speed, stable water flow by the dual effects of vortex flow friction loss and cavity volume diffusion; the axis of the outlet hole 313 is perpendicular to the tangent 317, so that the water flow after vortex buffering is smoothly discharged radially to the outlet pipe 32, avoiding the high-speed water flow from directly impacting the ice grid mold 42 of the ice-making module 40. Since both the inlet hole 312 and the outlet hole 313 are located in the lower half 31b of the buffer tank 31, the water flow after swirling and buffering naturally converges into the cavity of the lower half 31b under the action of gravity, and is then stably discharged through the outlet hole 313, which further ensures the uniformity and continuity of the water flow rate.

[0056] In addition, the buffer tank 31, together with the outlet pipe 32 and the supply pipe 20, forms a relatively closed water supply path, replacing the open structure in the prior art where the supply pipe 20 is directly connected to the outside atmosphere, which significantly reduces the risk of pollution during the long-term use of the water supply system.

[0057] Furthermore, when the downstream flow path or ice-making module 40 is blocked by ice, the water outlet 313 of the buffer tank 31 is directly connected to the blockage point through the water outlet pipe 32. Since the buffer tank 31, water supply pipe 20, and water pump 10 form a relatively closed water supply path, the water continuously pumped by the water pump 10 cannot be discharged normally downstream through the water outlet pipe 32, causing the pressure inside the cylindrical inner cavity 311 to rapidly accumulate and increase. At this time, the water pump 10 is in a pressure-locked working state, and the load current of its drive motor increases significantly (or manifests as a decrease in speed and an abnormal increase in operating power). The control unit can determine that ice blockage has occurred downstream by monitoring the operating parameters of the water pump 10 in real time, such as current, power, and speed, and immediately cut off the power supply to the water pump 10 to stop the water supply. Thus, the system transforms the traditional, reactive mode of "waiting for actual overflow to passively detect the fault" into a closed-loop control mode of "actively identifying the pressure-locked characteristics of the water pump 10 and shutting it down in advance for protection," significantly improving the response speed to ice blockage faults and enhancing the system's risk closed-loop capability and operational safety.

[0058] Optionally, such as Figure 9 As shown, and in combination Figure 6 As shown, on the outside of the buffer tank 31, a connector extends outward from the opening of the water inlet 312, which can be easily connected to the water supply pipe 20. During connection, the water supply pipe 20 is directly inserted into the connector, so that the water supply pipe 20 is connected to the water inlet 312.

[0059] Continue as Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the buffer tank 31 is arranged at an angle relative to the top plate of the outer casing 41, wherein the top plate of the outer casing 41 can be understood as... Figure 5 The uppermost plate of the outer casing 41 is provided with reinforcing ribs, as well as structural features such as bosses, slots, and holes for mounting other components. In the assembled machine, the top plate of the outer casing 41 is parallel to the horizontal plane, and the buffer tank 31 is arranged at an angle relative to the top plate of the outer casing 41. This can also be understood as the buffer tank 31 being arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal plane, and the water inlet 312 of the buffer tank 31 is higher than the water outlet 313.

[0060] The buffer tank 31 is arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal plane and the water inlet 312 is higher than the water outlet 313. This allows the water that enters tangentially to flow downwards naturally under the action of gravity after being buffered by swirling flow and discharged from the water outlet 313. This ensures that the water is smoothly discharged to the water outlet pipe 32 and avoids the high-speed water flow from directly impacting the ice grid mold 42 of the ice making module 40.

[0061] Continue as Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the angle between the axis of the cylindrical inner cavity 311 and the top plate (horizontal plane) of the outer shell 41 is 60°~80°. The angle between the axis of the cylindrical inner cavity 311 and the top plate of the outer shell 41 can be understood as... Figure 8 In the equation, ∠C = 60°~80°.

[0062] The angle ∠C between the axis of the cylindrical inner cavity 311 and the horizontal plane is limited to 60°~80°. Within this angle range, the buffer tank 31 maintains sufficient inclination to ensure smooth gravity drainage, while avoiding the problem of excessive inclination leading to an excessively short swirling buffer path and insufficient deceleration effect. At the same time, this angle range allows for a more compact and reasonable spatial layout of the buffer tank 31 within the equipment, balancing buffering performance with the utilization rate of structural installation space.

[0063] Continue as Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the buffer tank 31 is also provided with an air inlet 314, and the outer shell 41 of the ice-making module 40 is also provided with an air pipe socket 412. Similar to the water pipe socket 411, the air pipe socket 412 also has a hole inside, which connects the inside and outside of the outer shell 41. The water inlet assembly 30 also includes an air pipe 33. One end of the air pipe 33 is connected to the air inlet 314, and the other end of the air pipe 33 is inserted into the air pipe socket 412, so that the air pipe 33 is fixed to the outer shell 41 through the air pipe socket 412. At the same time, the air pipe 33 is also connected to the inside of the outer shell 41.

[0064] Before introducing the technical principles of this embodiment, it is necessary to understand a basic concept—the airlock phenomenon. The airlock phenomenon refers to the accumulation of gas in liquid pipelines, pump chambers, or closed systems, forming air plugs or air resistance, which leads to the inability of liquid to flow normally or equipment failure. The core mechanism is that the compressibility of gas destroys the pressure difference or channel required to maintain liquid flow.

[0065] By adding an air pipe 33 and connecting its two ends to the buffer tank 31 and the outer casing 41 respectively, a pressure balance path is established between the buffer tank 31 and the outer casing 41. When the water pump 10 supplies water to the ice-making module 40, the air inside the outer casing 41 can flow back to the upper part of the buffer tank 31 through the air pipe 33, allowing the air inside the outer casing 41 to be released. This prevents air from entering the water outlet pipe 32 as much as possible, effectively eliminating the airlock phenomenon caused by air accumulation in the water outlet pipe 32. This ensures that the water flow from the water outlet pipe 32 can continuously and stably flow into the ice-making module 40, improving the reliability of the water supply.

[0066] Continue as Figure 8As shown, in some embodiments, the air inlet 314 is located in the upper half 31a of the buffer tank 31, and the axis of the air inlet 314 is parallel to the axis of the water outlet 313. The air pipe 33 and the water outlet 32 ​​are connected.

[0067] The air inlet 314 is located in the upper half 31a of the buffer tank 31, meaning it is positioned high away from the lower water flow area. Water entering through the water inlet 312 flows into the lower half 31b of the buffer tank 31 and is less likely to enter the air inlet 314, effectively preventing the risk of water overflowing from the air inlet 314 when the water level in the buffer tank 31 fluctuates. Furthermore, a low-pressure water pump 10 can be selected to control the water flow rate in the water supply pipe 20, thereby preventing water entering the buffer tank 31 from overflowing from the air inlet 314.

[0068] Meanwhile, the axis of the air inlet 314 is set parallel to the axis of the water outlet 313, so that the direction of the air pipe 33 and the water outlet 32 ​​are consistent. Furthermore, the air pipe 33 and the water outlet 32 ​​are connected, making the pipeline layout more regular and compact, reducing the cross-tangle of pipelines, facilitating the arrangement and fixing of pipelines in the limited space of the equipment, and improving the neatness of the internal structure and the assembly process.

[0069] Continue as Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the diameter d2 of the water outlet pipe 32 is greater than the diameter d1 of the air pipe 33.

[0070] The diameter d2 of the water outlet pipe 32 is set to be larger than the diameter d1 of the air pipe 33. This design differentiates the flow requirements based on the different needs for ice-making water supply and air pressure balance: the water outlet pipe 32 undertakes the main task of transporting ice-making water, and the larger diameter d2 reduces flow resistance and ensures sufficient water supply; the air pipe 33 is only used for air circulation to balance air pressure, and the smaller diameter d1 is sufficient to meet the ventilation requirements. This design optimizes material usage and structural space occupation while meeting functional requirements, reducing the overall cost of the machine, and avoiding unnecessary space waste and assembly interference problems caused by an excessively large air pipe 33.

[0071] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the water inlet component 30 provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0072] like Figure 10 As shown, and in combination Figure 8As shown, after the water pump 10 starts, the water in the water storage box 60 is injected into the buffer tank 31 through the water supply pipe 20 via the water inlet 312. Since the water inlet 312 is located in the lower half 31b of the buffer tank 31, and its axis is parallel to the tangent 317 of the side wall of the cylindrical inner cavity 311, the high-pressure water flow enters the cavity tangentially and forms a stable vortex in the lower half 31b under the guidance of the cylindrical wall. Under the combined effects of friction loss and cavity volume diffusion, the vortex flow velocity decreases, transforming into a low-speed, stable water flow, and naturally converges in the inclined lower half 31b of the buffer tank 31 under the action of gravity. Subsequently, the water flow is radially and smoothly discharged through the water outlet 313 perpendicular to the aforementioned tangent 317, and flows into the ice grid mold 42 of the ice-making module 40 through the water outlet pipe 32 and water pipe socket 411, completing the ice-making water supply. Figure 10 The solid arrows in the diagram represent the flow path of water through the water supply pipe 20, buffer tank 31, and outlet pipe 32 during the water supply process.

[0073] Continue as Figure 10 As shown, and in combination Figure 8 As shown, during the water supply process, the original air inside the outer casing 41 gathers upwards under the continuous filling of water. Since the two ends of the air pipe 33 are connected to the air inlet 314 of the upper half 31a of the buffer tank 31 and the air pipe socket 412 of the outer casing 41 respectively, the gas inside the outer casing 41 continuously flows back to the upper half 31a of the buffer tank 31 through the air pipe socket 412 and the air pipe 33 under the action of the water inlet pressure difference, so that the air pressure inside the outer casing 41 and the air pressure at the top of the buffer tank 31 are kept in dynamic balance. As a result, the gas inside the outer casing 41 can be discharged smoothly, avoiding the accumulation of gas inside the outer casing 41 that cannot be released, which would cause airlock in the water outlet pipe 32. This ensures that the water flow in the water outlet pipe 32 can flow stably and smoothly into the ice grid mold 42 of the ice making module 40 under continuous air pressure balance, thus ensuring the continuity and reliability of ice making and water supply. Figure 10 The hollow arrow in the diagram represents the flow path of air flowing out of the outer casing 41 through the air pipe 33.

[0074] Continue as Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the axis of the water outlet pipe 32 and the axis of the air pipe 33 are both inclined relative to the top plate (horizontal plane) of the housing 41. The axis of the water pipe socket 411 and the axis of the air pipe socket 412 are both inclined relative to the top plate (horizontal plane) of the housing 41.

[0075] The axes of the water outlet pipe 32 and the air pipe 33, as well as the corresponding axes of the water pipe socket 411 and the air pipe socket 412, are all set to be inclined relative to the horizontal plane. This layout is adapted to the inclined arrangement of the buffer tank 31, allowing the pipeline to extend naturally along the inclined direction and reducing pipeline bends. The inclined pipeline facilitates the natural backflow or discharge of residual water in the pipe under the action of gravity, reducing the risk of pipeline blockage caused by water freezing in the pipe under low temperature conditions. At the same time, the inclined docking structure facilitates the insertion and positioning of the pipeline and the socket, improving assembly efficiency and connection reliability.

[0076] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making module 40 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0077] like Figure 11 As shown, the outer casing 41 of the ice-making module 40 is provided with an inclined water pipe socket 411 and an air pipe socket 412. Since the air pipe 33 is connected to the water outlet pipe 32, the water pipe socket 411 and the air pipe socket 412 need to be designed to be interconnected.

[0078] Continue as Figure 8 As shown, in some embodiments, the end face of the end of the water outlet pipe 32 that connects to the water pipe socket 411 and the end face of the air pipe 33 that connects to the air pipe socket 412 are both inclined surfaces 321, and the inclined surfaces 321 are parallel to the top plate (horizontal plane) of the outer shell 41.

[0079] The end faces of the water outlet pipe 32 and the water pipe socket 411, and the end faces of the air pipe 33 and the air pipe socket 412, are both inclined planes 321, which are parallel to the horizontal plane. This ensures that although the pipe axis is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, the mating end faces remain horizontal. This design provides a flat horizontal mating reference surface in the inclined pipe system, facilitating alignment, insertion, and sealing operations between the pipe and the socket, reducing the assembly difficulty during inclined installation. At the same time, the horizontal end face is conducive to the uniform pressure of the sealing ring, improving the sealing reliability at the joint and reducing the risk of leakage.

[0080] In some embodiments, the ice-making equipment further includes a foam layer, which is a thermal insulation structural layer located between the outer shell and the inner liner of the ice-making equipment. It is typically made of polyurethane (PU) foam material filled and cured on-site through a foaming process. The water supply pipe 20, the water inlet assembly 30, the water pipe socket 411, and the gas pipe socket 412 are all embedded in the foam layer.

[0081] The water supply pipe 20, water inlet assembly 30, water pipe socket 411, and gas pipe socket 412 are all embedded in the foam layer, so that the water supply pipeline and related connecting structures are completely covered and fixed by the foam material. On the one hand, the foam layer utilizes its heat insulation properties to effectively block the low temperature of the ice-making module or the equipment cavity from being conducted to the water supply pipeline, significantly reducing the risk of residual water freezing inside the water supply pipe 20 and water inlet assembly 30 due to excessively low temperatures, leading to pipe blockage. On the other hand, after the foam layer has cured and formed, it provides structural fitting and elastic support for the embedded pipelines and components, reducing pipeline vibration and noise transmission caused by the operation of the water pump 10 and water flow pulsation, while avoiding the risk of loosening of the connectors due to the pipeline being suspended and swaying. In addition, hiding the water supply pipeline and related connecting structures inside the foam layer saves space in the equipment cavity, making the overall structure more compact. Compared with the open structure in the prior art where the water inlet pipe 72' is directly connected to the external atmospheric environment, this embodiment completely embeds the water supply pipeline and related connection structure in the foam layer, so that there is no physical contact channel between the pipeline and the atmospheric environment. This fundamentally cuts off the path for external pollutants, dust and microorganisms to enter the water supply system through the gaps in the pipe wall or open ports, significantly improving the safety of water supply hygiene.

[0082] Figure 12 This is an exploded view of the buffer tank 31 provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0083] like Figure 12 As shown, in some embodiments, the buffer tank 31 includes a tank body 315 and a cover 316. The top of the tank body 315 is an open structure, and the cover 316 covers the open part of the tank body 315. The tank body 315, the water outlet pipe 32, and the air pipe 33 are integrally formed structures.

[0084] The buffer tank 31 adopts a split structure, including a tank body 315 with an open top and a removable cover 316, which facilitates regular cleaning, descaling, and maintenance of the cylindrical inner cavity 311, solving the hygiene hazards that may arise after long-term use of a closed buffer container. Meanwhile, the tank body 315, water outlet pipe 32, and air pipe 33 adopt an integrated molding structure, reducing the number of parts and assembly processes, eliminating the risk of seal failure at multiple pipe connections to the tank body 315, improving the overall structural strength and sealing reliability of the water inlet assembly 30, and reducing the risk of leakage and manufacturing costs.

[0085] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An ice-making system, characterized in that, include: Water pump (10) and water supply pipe (20); Water inlet assembly (30), the water inlet assembly (30) comprising: A buffer tank (31) has a cylindrical inner cavity (311); the buffer tank (31) has a water inlet (312) and a water outlet (313) on its peripheral sidewall, and the water inlet (312) is connected to the water pump (10) through the water supply pipe (20); along the axial direction of the cylindrical inner cavity (311), the buffer tank (31) is divided into an upper half (31a) and a lower half (31b), and the water inlet (312) and the water outlet (313) are both located in the lower half (31b) of the buffer tank (31); the axis of the water inlet (312) is parallel to the tangent (317) of the sidewall of the cylindrical inner cavity (311), and the axis of the water outlet (313) is perpendicular to the tangent (317); The water outlet pipe (32) is connected at one end to the water outlet hole (313); Ice-making module (40), the ice-making module (40) includes: The outer casing (41) is provided with a water pipe socket (411), and the other end of the water outlet pipe (32) is connected to the interior of the outer casing (41) through the water pipe socket (411).

2. The ice-making system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer tank (31) is arranged at an angle relative to the top plate of the outer shell (41), and the water inlet (312) is higher than the water outlet (313).

3. The ice-making system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The angle between the axis of the cylindrical inner cavity (311) and the top plate of the outer shell (41) is 60°~80°.

4. The ice-making system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The buffer tank (31) is also provided with an air inlet (314), and the outer shell (41) is also provided with an air pipe socket (412); the water inlet assembly (30) also includes: The air tube (33) has one end connected to the air inlet (314) and the other end connected to the interior of the outer shell (41) through the air tube socket (412).

5. The ice-making system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The air inlet (314) is located in the upper half (31a) of the buffer tank (31), and the hole axis of the air inlet (314) is parallel to the hole axis of the water outlet (313). The air pipe (33) and the water outlet (32) are connected.

6. The ice-making system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The diameter of the water outlet pipe (32) is larger than the diameter of the air pipe (33).

7. The ice-making system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The axis of the water outlet pipe (32) and the axis of the air pipe (33) are both inclined relative to the top plate of the outer shell (41). The axes of the water pipe socket (411) and the air pipe socket (412) are both inclined relative to the top plate of the outer casing (41).

8. The ice-making system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The end face of the water outlet pipe (32) that connects to the water pipe socket (411) and the end face of the air pipe (33) that connects to the air pipe socket (412) are both inclined surfaces (321), and the inclined surfaces (321) are parallel to the top plate of the outer shell (41).

9. The ice-making system according to any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that, The water supply pipe (20), the water inlet assembly (30), the water pipe socket (411), and the air pipe socket (412) are all embedded in the foam layer.

10. A device with an ice-making function, characterized in that, Includes the ice-making system as described in any one of claims 1-9.

Images