Ice making device and cold storage apparatus

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of electrical equipment, and discloses an ice making device and a cold storage device, the ice making device comprising an ice making chamber, a first air inlet pipe, a first air return pipe and a first heat exchange assembly, the first heat exchange assembly comprising a first heat exchange chamber, the two ends of the first air inlet pipe and the first air return pipe being communicated with the ice making chamber and the first heat exchange chamber, a first Tesla valve structure being arranged in the first air inlet pipe, the first Tesla valve structure having a first forward flow direction, and the first forward flow direction being a direction from the first heat exchange chamber to the ice making chamber. The ice making device is provided with the first Tesla valve structure in the first air inlet pipe, the first Tesla valve structure has the first forward flow direction from the first heat exchange chamber to the ice making chamber, when fluid flows along the first forward flow direction, the flow resistance of the fluid flowing through the first Tesla valve structure is small, the reverse backflow of cold energy can be prevented, the loss of cold energy is reduced, the cold energy is concentrated in the ice making chamber, and the ice making effect is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrical equipment technology, and in particular to an ice-making device and a cold storage device. Background Technology

[0002] This section provides only background information relevant to this disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] Some cold storage devices in related technologies are equipped with ice-making units. The ice-making unit obtains its cooling capacity by having the cold air in the freezer compartment enter the ice-making chamber through the air inlet duct, and then return to the freezer compartment through the air return duct inside the ice-making chamber for ice making. However, because the ice-making chamber of the ice-making unit is far from the freezer evaporator, the entire heat exchange loop is long, resulting in significant cooling capacity loss and poor ice-making effect. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to at least solve the problems of large cooling loss and poor ice-making effect in existing ice-making devices. This purpose is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention provides an ice-making apparatus, comprising: an ice-making chamber, a first air inlet duct, a first air return duct, and a first heat exchange assembly;

[0006] The ice-making chamber is equipped with an ice-making component for making ice. The first heat exchange component includes a first heat exchange chamber. The two ends of the first air inlet pipe are respectively connected to the ice-making chamber and the first heat exchange chamber. The first air inlet pipe is used to supply air to the ice-making chamber. The two ends of the first air return pipe are respectively connected to the ice-making chamber and the first heat exchange chamber. The first air return pipe is used to return air to the ice-making chamber.

[0007] The first air inlet duct is provided with a first Tesla valve structure, which has a first forward flow direction, which is the direction from the first heat exchange chamber to the ice making chamber.

[0008] The ice-making device of the present invention incorporates a first Tesla valve structure within a first air inlet pipe. This first Tesla valve structure has a first forward flow direction from the first heat exchange chamber to the ice-making chamber. When the fluid flows along this first forward flow direction, the low-temperature fluid exiting the first heat exchange chamber experiences minimal flow resistance as it passes through the first Tesla valve structure, allowing it to flow smoothly with almost no loss. Conversely, when flowing in the reverse direction, it encounters significant resistance and can hardly flow at all. This effectively prevents the cold energy in the ice-making chamber from flowing back into the first heat exchange chamber, ensuring unidirectional flow of cold energy, reducing cold energy loss, concentrating cold energy within the ice-making chamber, effectively maintaining the low-temperature state within the ice-making chamber, and improving the ice-making effect.

[0009] In addition, the ice-making apparatus according to the present invention may also have the following additional technical features:

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, a second Tesla valve structure is provided in the first return air duct, the second Tesla valve structure having a second forward flow direction, the second forward flow direction being the direction from the ice-making chamber to the first heat exchange chamber.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first air inlet pipe has an air inlet channel, and the first Tesla valve structure includes:

[0012] A first flow channel is provided in the air inlet channel, the inlet of the first flow channel is connected to the first heat exchange chamber, and the outlet of the first flow channel is connected to the ice making chamber.

[0013] Multiple second flow channels are disposed within the air inlet channel. Both ends of each second flow channel are connected to the first flow channel, and the flow direction at any end of each second flow channel is set at an angle to the axial direction of the corresponding first flow channel.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first flow channel includes a plurality of interconnected branch flow channels, the branch flow channels being direct flow channels, each of the branch flow channels being connected to a second flow channel, and the extension direction of each second flow channel being inclined away from the first forward flow direction.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, the central axes of any two adjacent branch channels are set at an angle, and the included angle is an obtuse angle.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention, the central axes of any two adjacent branch channels coincide.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first heat exchange assembly further includes a first heat exchanger disposed within the first heat exchange chamber and close to the ice-making chamber.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first air inlet pipe has an air inlet communicating with the ice-making chamber, the air inlet being disposed on the top side of the ice-making chamber, the ice-making assembly including at least one ice box, and the air inlet being disposed facing the side of the ice box.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present invention, the end of the first return air duct that communicates with the ice-making chamber is a return air inlet, and the return air inlet is located at the bottom side of the ice-making chamber.

[0020] Another aspect of the present invention provides a cold storage device, including a housing and an ice-making device as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is provided with a cold storage compartment and the ice-making device is disposed in the cold storage compartment.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present invention, the cold storage device further includes a second air inlet pipe, a second air return pipe, and a second heat exchange component. The second heat exchange component includes a second heat exchange chamber. The two ends of the second air inlet pipe are respectively connected to the cold storage chamber and the second heat exchange chamber, and the two ends of the second air return pipe are respectively connected to the cold storage chamber and the second heat exchange chamber. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown from a first perspective.

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown from a second perspective.

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Cross-sectional view at point AA;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Cross-sectional view at point BB;

[0027] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0028] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a first Tesla valve structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0029] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a first Tesla valve structure according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0030] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a cold storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown from a first perspective.

[0031] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a cold storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown from a second perspective.

[0032] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0033] 100. Cold storage equipment;

[0034] 10. Ice-making device; 20. Box body; 201. Box liner;

[0035] 1. Ice-making room;

[0036] 2. First air inlet duct; 21. Air inlet;

[0037] 3. First return air duct; 31. Return air outlet;

[0038] 4. First heat exchange assembly; 41. First heat exchange chamber; 42. First heat exchanger; 43. First fan; 44. First heat exchange cover plate; 45. Second heat exchange cover plate;

[0039] 5. First Tesla valve structure; 51. First flow channel; 511. Branch flow channel; 52. Second flow channel; X. First forward flow direction;

[0040] 6. Ice-making components; 61. Ice box; 62. Ice storage box. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0042] It should be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “described” as used herein may also include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore indicate the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not construed as requiring them to be performed in a particular order described or illustrated unless the order of performance is explicitly indicated. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0043] Although terms such as first, second, third, etc., may be used in this document to describe multiple elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or segment from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms used herein do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or segment without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0044] For ease of description, spatial relative terms may be used in the text to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to another element or feature, as shown in the figure. These relative terms include, for example, "inside," "outside," "middle," "outer," "below," "below," "above," "over," etc. Such spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, an element described as "below other elements or features" or "below other elements or features" would subsequently be oriented "above other elements or features" or "above other elements or features." Therefore, the example term "below" can include both upper and lower orientations.

[0045] Some cold storage devices in related technologies are equipped with ice-making units. The ice-making unit obtains cold air from the freezer compartment through an inlet duct into the ice-making chamber, and then returns to the freezer compartment through a return duct inside the ice-making chamber for ice making. However, because the ice-making chamber of the ice-making unit is far from the freezer evaporator, the entire heat exchange loop is long, resulting in significant cold air loss. In addition, the system has many components and a complex structure, and the collision of cold air through the long pipeline can cause turbulence, resulting in poor ice-making effect.

[0046] In view of this, this embodiment provides an ice-making device 10, which aims to solve the above-mentioned technical problems by setting a first Tesla valve structure 5 in the first air inlet pipe 2, which has a first positive flow direction X from the first heat exchange chamber 41 to the ice-making chamber 1. When the fluid flows into the ice-making chamber 1 along the first positive flow direction X, the flow resistance is small and the backflow of cold energy is prevented, thereby reducing the loss of cold energy and improving the ice-making effect.

[0047] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an ice-making device 10 is provided for a cold storage device 100. The ice-making device 10 includes: an ice-making chamber 1, a first air inlet pipe 2, a first air return pipe 3, and a first heat exchange component 4.

[0048] The ice-making chamber 1 is equipped with an ice-making component 6. The first heat exchange component 4 includes a first heat exchange chamber 41. The two ends of the first air inlet pipe 2 are connected to the ice-making chamber 1 and the first heat exchange chamber 41, respectively. The first air inlet pipe 2 is used to introduce air into the ice-making chamber 1, drawing in the cold air flowing out of the first heat exchange chamber 41 to provide a low-temperature environment for the ice-making process, promoting water cooling and freezing. The two ends of the first return air pipe 3 are connected to the ice-making chamber 1 and the first heat exchange chamber 41, respectively. The first return air pipe 3 is used to return air from the ice-making chamber 1, drawing out the air (air whose temperature has risen relatively after the ice-making process) from the ice-making chamber 1 and sending it back to the first heat exchange chamber 41 for further cooling, forming an air circulation system. This improves cooling efficiency, prevents heat accumulation in the ice-making chamber 1, and ensures the continuous operation of the ice-making process.

[0049] A first Tesla valve structure 5 is installed inside the first air inlet duct 2. The first Tesla valve structure 5 has a first forward flow direction X, which is the direction from the first heat exchange chamber 41 to the ice-making chamber 1. The first Tesla valve structure 5 directs the low-temperature airflow from the first heat exchange chamber 41 to the ice-making chamber 1, and prevents the low-temperature airflow in the ice-making chamber 1 from flowing back to the first heat exchange chamber 41. The first Tesla valve structure 5 plays a unidirectional flow guiding role, ensuring that air can only flow from the first heat exchange chamber 41 to the ice-making chamber 1 and cannot flow in the opposite direction. This effectively prevents the cold energy in the ice-making chamber 1 from flowing back to the first heat exchange chamber 41 through the first air inlet duct 2, ensuring a stable low-temperature environment in the ice-making chamber 1.

[0050] The ice-making device 10 of the present invention provides a first Tesla valve structure 5 in the first air inlet pipe 2. The first Tesla valve structure 5 has a first forward flow direction X from the first heat exchange chamber 41 to the ice-making chamber 1. When the fluid flows along the first forward flow direction X, the low-temperature fluid flowing out of the first heat exchange chamber 41 has low flow resistance when flowing through the first Tesla valve structure 5, allowing the low-temperature fluid to pass through relatively smoothly with almost no loss. However, when flowing in the reverse direction, it will encounter great resistance and almost cannot flow. This effectively prevents the cold energy in the ice-making chamber 1 from flowing back into the first heat exchange chamber 41, ensuring unidirectional flow of cold energy, reducing the loss of cold energy, concentrating the cold energy in the ice-making chamber 1, effectively maintaining the low temperature state in the ice-making chamber 1, and improving the ice-making effect and efficiency.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first air inlet pipe 2 has an air inlet channel, and the first Tesla valve structure 5 is disposed within the air inlet channel, such as... Figure 6As shown, the first Tesla valve structure 5 includes a first flow channel 51 and multiple second flow channels 52. Both the first flow channel 51 and the multiple second flow channels 52 are located within the air inlet channel. The inlet of the first flow channel 51 is connected to the first heat exchange chamber 41, and the outlet of the first flow channel 51 is connected to the ice-making chamber 1. Both ends of each second flow channel 52 are connected to the first flow channel 51, and the flow direction at any end of each second flow channel 52 is angled to the axial direction of the corresponding first flow channel 51.

[0052] The first flow channel 51 includes multiple interconnected branch flow channels 511. Each branch flow channel 511 is a direct flow channel, and the central axes of any two adjacent branch flow channels 511 are set at an obtuse angle. Each branch flow channel 511 is connected to a second flow channel 52, and the extension direction of each second flow channel 52 is inclined away from the first positive flow direction X.

[0053] When the fluid flows along the first forward flow direction X, it enters the first Tesla valve structure 5 through the inlet of the first flow channel 51. The fluid flows along the first flow channel 51 and enters the second flow channel 52. Since the flow directions at both ends of each second flow channel 52 are set at an angle to the axial direction of the corresponding first flow channel 51, and the extension direction of each second flow channel 52 is inclined away from the first forward flow direction X, the fluid will flow along the direction of the second flow channel 52 after entering the second flow channel 52, instead of flowing directly along the axial direction of the first flow channel 51. This flow mode can effectively reduce energy loss when the fluid passes through the Tesla valve and facilitate the fluid to pass through the connection between the first flow channel 51 and the second flow channel 52. This makes the resistance of the fluid smaller when flowing along the first forward flow direction X, while the resistance increases significantly when flowing in the opposite direction, thereby realizing the unidirectional flow of the fluid.

[0054] In other embodiments of the invention, such as Figure 7 As shown, the first Tesla valve structure 5 in this embodiment and Figure 6 The difference in the first Tesla valve structure 5 in the illustrated embodiment is that the central axes of any two adjacent branch channels 511 of the first flow channel 51 of the first Tesla valve structure 5 in this embodiment coincide, that is, the first flow channel 51 is a direct flow channel.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present invention, a second Tesla valve structure is provided inside the first return air duct 3. The second Tesla valve structure has a second forward flow direction, which is the direction from the ice-making chamber 1 to the first heat exchange chamber 41. When the gas in the ice-making chamber 1 is heated (e.g., during the de-icing process), it enters the first heat exchange chamber 41 through the first return air duct 3. By providing the second Tesla valve structure inside the first return air duct 3, the hot gas has lower flow resistance and higher flow velocity when flowing through the second Tesla valve structure, allowing the air to pass through relatively smoothly. This allows the hot air to quickly enter the first heat exchange chamber 41 through the first return air duct 3 for cooling, thereby quickly entering the next ice-making cycle and achieving the purpose of rapid ice making. At the same time, the unidirectional flow characteristic of the second Tesla valve structure ensures that the cold air in the ice-making chamber 1 does not mix with the hot air, thereby maintaining the low-temperature environment of the ice-making chamber 1 and improving the ice-making efficiency and effect. The structure of the second Tesla valve structure is the same as that of the first Tesla valve structure 5, and will not be described in detail here.

[0056] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the first heat exchange assembly 4 also includes a first heat exchanger 42, which is disposed within the first heat exchange chamber 41 and close to the ice-making chamber 1. The first heat exchange chamber 41 provides a closed space for the first heat exchanger 42, allowing fluid to flow within it and exchange heat through the first heat exchanger 42. The first air inlet duct 2 is used to introduce air into the first heat exchange chamber 41, causing it to flow through the first heat exchanger 42, thereby achieving heat absorption or release. The first air return duct 3 is used to exit the heat-exchanged fluid from the first heat exchange chamber 41.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first heat exchanger 42 of the ice-making device 10 is independently set, so that the position of the first heat exchanger 42 can be adjusted according to the position of the ice-making chamber 1. The first heat exchanger 42 is set at a position close to the ice-making chamber 1. By setting the first heat exchanger 42 close to the ice-making chamber 1, the distance of the entire heat exchange circuit is shortened, so that the fluid after heat exchange can quickly enter the ice-making chamber 1, further reducing the loss of cold energy during the transmission process.

[0058] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 and 5As shown, the first air inlet duct 2 has an air inlet 21 communicating with the ice-making chamber 1. The air inlet 21 is located on the top side of the ice-making chamber 1. The ice-making assembly 6 includes at least one ice box 61, each ice box 61 including multiple ice trays. The air inlet 21 is positioned directly opposite the side of the ice box 61. The air inlet 21, located on the top side of the ice-making chamber 1, allows cold air to enter the ice-making chamber 1 from above, forming a top-down cooling airflow, which helps to quickly lower the temperature inside the ice trays. The air inlet 21, positioned directly opposite the side of the ice box 61, allows cold air to be directly blown onto the side of the ice box 61 and to flow evenly within the ice-making chamber 1 along the length of the ice box 61. The airflow direction is as follows: Figure 3 and Figure 4 As indicated by the arrows, the cold air can flow evenly across each ice tray, delivering a consistent amount of cold air to different ice trays. This ensures that the ice-making time for each ice tray is approximately the same, avoiding the problem of some ice trays being full while others are not. At the same time, cold air flows from top to bottom to the bottom of the ice tray, ensuring that cold air is also delivered to the bottom of the ice box 61, which helps to keep the ice warm and further improves the ice-making effect.

[0059] In other embodiments, two, three, or more ice boxes 61 may be provided. The multiple ice boxes 61 are spaced apart along the height direction of the ice-making chamber 1. The height and width of the air inlet 21 are the same as the total height and width of the ice boxes 61, and the air inlet 21 is positioned facing the side of the multiple ice boxes 61.

[0060] In some embodiments of the present invention, the end of the first return air duct 3 that connects to the ice-making chamber 1 is a return air inlet 31, which is located at the bottom side of the ice-making chamber 1. During ice making, the low-temperature airflow entering the ice-making chamber 1 from the air inlet 21 flows downward, passes over the outer surface of the ice box 61 to make ice, and finally flows from the return air inlet 31 to the first heat exchanger 42 for cooling. By setting the return air inlet 31 at the bottom side of the ice-making chamber 1, cold air can be guided to the bottom of the ice-making chamber 1, so that the bottom of the ice box 61 is also supplied with cold air, which has the effect of keeping the ice warm and further improving the ice-making effect. Furthermore, by setting the return air inlet 31 at the bottom of the ice-making chamber 1, the air flowing to the bottom of the ice-making chamber 1 can be effectively drawn into the first return air duct 3, so that the air forms a circulation flow in the ice-making chamber 1, which can prevent the air from accumulating at the bottom of the ice-making chamber 1, ensure that the air flow in the entire ice-making chamber 1 is more uniform, and help maintain the stability of the indoor temperature.

[0061] In this embodiment, the ice-making device 10 also includes a water inlet assembly (not shown in the figure). The water inlet assembly includes a water inlet pump and a water inlet pipe. The water inlet pipe is connected to an external water source, such as a tap water pipe or other water supply equipment, to ensure a stable water supply. The water inlet pump in the water inlet assembly draws water from the water source into the water storage tank inside the ice-making device 10. The operating status of the water inlet pump is usually controlled by the control system of the ice-making device 10 according to the water level sensor or a preset program to ensure that the water level in the water storage tank reaches a suitable height. Under the action of the water pump, the water in the water storage tank is transported to the ice box 61 through the water inlet pipe for ice making.

[0062] During ice making, the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 42 rapidly absorbs heat from the surrounding medium and evaporates into low-temperature, low-pressure gas. The first fan 43 sends the low-temperature, low-pressure gas into the ice-making chamber 1 through the first air inlet duct 2. As the water temperature continuously decreases, it gradually reaches the freezing point and begins to freeze. The low-temperature gas causes the water in the ice tray to solidify into ice blocks. After the gas entering the ice-making chamber 1 cools the chamber, its temperature rises. It then returns to the first heat exchange chamber 41 through the first return air duct 3 and undergoes heat exchange through the first heat exchanger 42. After being heated by the first heat exchanger 42 into low-temperature, low-pressure air, it re-enters the ice-making chamber 1 through the first air inlet duct 2 for circulating ice making.

[0063] After ice making is completed, the formation of ice is detected by devices such as temperature sensors, ice thickness sensors, or timers. When the ice reaches the set thickness or meets the de-icing conditions, the ice-making device 10 enters the de-icing stage. De-icing methods can include thermal de-icing, water-flushing de-icing, and mechanical de-icing. Thermal de-icing involves installing heating elements, such as heating wires or heating tubes, on the ice box 61. During de-icing, the heating elements are energized and heated, causing the ice to separate from the evaporator. Water-flushing de-icing uses a water pump to spray hot or warm water onto the surface of the ice through a spray device, using the impact force and temperature of the water flow to detach the ice. Mechanical de-icing uses the movement of mechanical devices, such as a flipping mechanism, vibrator, or robotic arm, to apply external force to the ice, causing it to detach from the evaporator or ice-making components. After de-icing, the ice falls into the ice storage box 62 at the bottom of the ice-making chamber 1 under the action of gravity or other auxiliary devices, ready for use.

[0064] A second aspect of the present invention provides a cold storage device 100, such as... Figure 8 and 9As shown, the cold storage device 100 can be a general household refrigerator, freezer, or similar device. This embodiment uses a refrigerator as an example for explanation. The refrigerator includes a cabinet 20, a door, and the aforementioned ice-making device 10. The cabinet 20 includes an outer shell (not shown in the figure) and a liner 201. The outer shell is the outer shell of the refrigerator, and the liner 201 is used for insulation of the refrigerator and is located inside the outer shell. The liner 201 has multiple mutually separated storage compartments, each of which can be used as an independent storage space for storing food and other items. The storage compartments can be divided into refrigerator compartments, freezer compartments, and variable temperature compartments, depending on the storage temperature. The door is closable at the opening of the cabinet 20 to open or close the refrigerator compartment. The ice-making device 10 is located inside the refrigerator compartment, at the top or side of the refrigerator compartment. An ice-retrieving chamber is opened on the door, and the ice-making chamber is connected to the ice-retrieving chamber, allowing users to retrieve ice without opening the refrigerator door, which is convenient for users.

[0065] In some embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator further includes a second heat exchange assembly, a second air inlet pipe, and a second air return pipe. The second heat exchange assembly includes a second heat exchange chamber, a second heat exchanger, and a second fan. The two ends of the second air inlet pipe are respectively connected to the second heat exchange chamber and the storage compartment. The two ends of the second air return pipe are respectively connected to the second heat exchange chamber and the storage compartment. The low-temperature gas after heat exchange by the second heat exchanger is discharged from the second heat exchange chamber and enters the storage compartment through the second air inlet pipe. The hot gas in the storage compartment flows into the second heat exchange chamber through the second air return pipe and is heat-exchanged by the second heat exchanger. The low-temperature, low-pressure air after heat exchange enters the storage compartment again through the second air inlet pipe for circulation.

[0066] The first heat exchange assembly 4 also includes a first heat exchange cover plate 44 and a second heat exchange cover plate 45. The first heat exchange cover plate 44 and the second heat exchange cover plate 45 are both installed on the rear cover plate of the box liner 201. The first heat exchange cover plate 44 and the second heat exchange cover plate 45 enclose to form a first heat exchange chamber 41. A first heat exchanger 42 and a first fan 43 are provided in the first heat exchange chamber 41. The first fan 43 is connected to the inlet of the first air inlet pipe 2. The outlet of the first air inlet pipe 2 is connected to the ice-making chamber 1. The first heat exchanger 42 is located near the outlet of the first return air pipe 3. The inlet of the first return air pipe 3 is connected to the ice-making chamber 1.

[0067] During ice making, the refrigerant in the first heat exchanger 42 rapidly absorbs heat from the surrounding medium and evaporates into low-temperature, low-pressure gas. The first fan 43 sends this low-temperature, low-pressure gas into the ice-making chamber 1 through the first air inlet duct 2. As the water temperature continuously decreases, it gradually reaches its freezing point and begins to freeze. The low-temperature gas causes the water in the ice tray to solidify into ice blocks. When the ice blocks reach a certain thickness, the de-icing component removes the ice, and the de-iced ice blocks fall into the ice storage box 62 at the bottom of the ice-making chamber 1. The ice is then delivered through the ice delivery channel for users to use. After the gas entering the ice-making chamber 1 cools the chamber, its temperature rises. It then returns to the first heat exchange chamber 41 through the first return air duct 3 and undergoes heat exchange through the first heat exchanger 42. After being heated by the first heat exchanger 42 into low-temperature, low-pressure air, it re-enters the ice-making chamber 1 through the first air inlet duct 2 for circulating ice making.

[0068] The cold storage device 100 of the present invention provides a first Tesla valve structure 5 in the first air inlet duct 2. The first Tesla valve structure 5 has a first forward flow direction X from the first heat exchange chamber 41 to the ice-making chamber 1. When the fluid flows along the first forward flow direction X, the flow resistance is small and the flow velocity is fast when the fluid flows through the first Tesla valve structure 5, and it can prevent the cold energy from flowing back, reduce the loss of cold energy, and concentrate the cold energy in the ice-making chamber 1 to improve the ice-making effect. In addition, by providing a second Tesla valve structure in the first return air duct 3, the second Tesla valve structure has a second forward flow direction, which is from the ice-making chamber 1 to the first heat exchange chamber 41. When the fluid flows along the second forward flow direction, the flow resistance is small and the flow velocity is fast when the fluid flows through the second Tesla valve structure, and it can prevent the cold energy from flowing back. It can make the gas heated after ice making in the ice-making chamber 1 flow out of the ice-making chamber 1 quickly, realize the rapid cooling of the ice-making chamber 1, and thus quickly enter the next ice-making cycle, achieving the purpose of rapid ice making.

[0069] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An ice-making device, characterized in that, include: Ice-making chamber, first air inlet duct, first air return duct, and first heat exchange assembly; The ice-making chamber is equipped with an ice-making component for making ice. The first heat exchange component includes a first heat exchange chamber. The two ends of the first air inlet pipe are respectively connected to the ice-making chamber and the first heat exchange chamber. The first air inlet pipe is used to supply air to the ice-making chamber. The two ends of the first air return pipe are respectively connected to the ice-making chamber and the first heat exchange chamber. The first air return pipe is used to return air to the ice-making chamber. The first air inlet duct is provided with a first Tesla valve structure, which has a first forward flow direction, which is the direction from the first heat exchange chamber to the ice making chamber.

2. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, A second Tesla valve structure is provided inside the first return air duct. The second Tesla valve structure has a second forward flow direction, which is the direction from the ice-making chamber to the first heat exchange chamber.

3. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first air inlet pipe has an air inlet channel, and the first Tesla valve structure includes: A first flow channel is provided in the air inlet channel, the inlet of the first flow channel is connected to the first heat exchange chamber, and the outlet of the first flow channel is connected to the ice making chamber. Multiple second flow channels are disposed within the air inlet channel. Both ends of each second flow channel are connected to the first flow channel, and the flow direction at any end of each second flow channel is set at an angle to the axial direction of the corresponding first flow channel.

4. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first flow channel includes a plurality of branch flow channels connected in sequence. Each branch flow channel is a direct flow channel. Each branch flow channel is connected to a second flow channel, and the extension direction of each second flow channel is inclined away from the first forward flow direction.

5. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The central axes of any two adjacent branch channels are set at an angle, and the included angle is an obtuse angle.

6. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The central axes of any two adjacent branch channels coincide.

7. The ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first heat exchange assembly further includes a first heat exchanger, which is disposed in the first heat exchange chamber and close to the ice-making chamber.

8. The ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first air inlet pipe has an air inlet communicating with the ice-making chamber. The air inlet is located on the top side of the ice-making chamber. The ice-making assembly includes at least one ice box, and the air inlet is located on the side of the ice box.

9. The ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The end of the first return air duct that connects to the ice-making chamber is a return air inlet, which is located at the bottom side of the ice-making chamber.

10. A cold storage device, characterized in that, The device includes a housing and an ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing is provided with a cold storage compartment and the ice-making apparatus is disposed in the cold storage compartment.

11. The cold storage equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that, The cold storage equipment also includes a second air inlet pipe, a second air return pipe, and a second heat exchange component. The second heat exchange component includes a second heat exchange chamber. The two ends of the second air inlet pipe are respectively connected to the cold storage chamber and the second heat exchange chamber, and the two ends of the second air return pipe are respectively connected to the cold storage chamber and the second heat exchange chamber.

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