An ice making device and a refrigerator

Abstract

The application provides an ice making device and a refrigerator. The ice making device comprises a rigid ice tray, a flexible ice mold and a heat exchange pipeline. The rigid ice tray is internally provided with a groove for bearing the flexible ice mold. The heat exchange pipeline is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the rigid ice tray. One side of the flexible ice mold facing the rigid ice tray is provided with ice cells for ice making, and the ice cells are buckled in the groove to jointly form an ice making space. An overflow groove is formed on the side of the flexible ice mold opposite to the rigid ice tray, and the flexible ice mold is further provided with a through hole for connecting the ice cells and the overflow groove. In the ice making process, the air bubbles in the flexible ice mold can be discharged outward from the through hole, and the water in the flexible ice mold can also overflow to the overflow groove through the through hole. The application does not fixedly connect the flexible ice mold with the heat exchange pipeline, but fixedly connects the rigid ice tray with the heat exchange pipeline, so that the flexible ice mold can be released from the restraint of the heat exchange pipeline, and the flexible ice mold is convenient for ice removal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of ice-making technology, and more specifically, to an ice-making device and a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] Existing ice-making devices typically have ice molds. By adding water into the ice molds and using the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange pipes to cool the ice molds, ice blocks can be made quickly.

[0003] However, to improve the cooling efficiency of ice molds, heat exchange pipes are usually fixedly connected to the outer wall of the ice mold. As a result, it is difficult to rotate the ice mold after ice making, leading to difficulties in removing the ice. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an ice-making device and a refrigerator that enables ice molds to be easily de-iced.

[0005] Specifically, this application is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0006] This application provides an ice-making apparatus, comprising:

[0007] Rigid ice trays, flexible ice molds, and heat exchange piping;

[0008] The rigid ice tray has a groove inside for supporting the flexible ice mold; the heat exchange pipeline is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the rigid ice tray;

[0009] The flexible ice mold has an ice grid for making ice on the side facing the rigid ice plate. The ice grid is fastened into the groove to form an ice-making space. The flexible ice mold has an overflow groove on the side facing away from the rigid ice plate. The flexible ice mold also has a through hole for connecting the ice grid and the overflow groove.

[0010] Optionally, the groove includes a groove support wall and a groove sidewall;

[0011] The flexible ice mold has an opening communicating with the ice tray, and the groove support wall abuts against the opening;

[0012] The groove sidewall is arranged around the groove support wall and connected to the groove support wall; the flexible ice mold is tightly fitted to the groove sidewall.

[0013] Optionally, the sidewall of the groove is provided with at least two water filling scale lines of different heights.

[0014] Optionally, the overflow trough includes two conical grooves located on opposite sides in the width direction of the flexible ice mold and recessed into the rigid ice plate;

[0015] The conical groove extends along the length of the flexible ice mold.

[0016] Optionally, the thermal conductivity of the rigid ice plate is greater than that of the flexible ice mold;

[0017] The inner wall of the ice tray is configured as an ice-adhesive surface so that ice blocks can adhere to it when the flexible ice mold is separated from the rigid ice tray.

[0018] Optionally, the flexible ice mold is further configured to undergo elastic deformation under external force after being separated from the rigid ice tray, causing the ice blocks to fall off.

[0019] Optionally, the ice-making device further includes a drive assembly; the drive assembly is connected to the flexible ice mold and is used to drive the flexible ice mold to move between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position.

[0020] Optionally, the driving assembly includes a driving mechanism and a transmission mechanism; the output end of the driving mechanism is connected to the transmission mechanism, and the transmission mechanism is also connected to the flexible ice mold.

[0021] The power of the drive mechanism is transmitted to the flexible ice mold via the transmission mechanism; under the power transmitted by the transmission mechanism, the flexible ice mold can translate along a curve between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position.

[0022] Optionally, the transmission mechanism includes a dual rocker structure; the ice-making device also includes a fixed support member;

[0023] In the dual-rocker structure, one rocker is the master rocker and the other is the slave rocker. The first end of the master rocker is rotatably connected to the output end of the drive mechanism, and the second end is rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold. The first end of the slave rocker is rotatably connected to the fixed support, and the second end is rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold. Both the master and slave rockers reciprocate around their own first-end rotation axis, so that the flexible ice mold translates along a curve between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position.

[0024] Alternatively, both rockers in the dual rocker structure are active rockers, with the first end of each active rocker rotatably connected to the output end of the drive mechanism and the second end rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold; each active rocker swings back and forth around the rotation axis of its first end, so that the flexible ice mold translates along a curve between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position.

[0025] Optionally, the drive assembly further includes a follower rod;

[0026] The follower rod and the dual rocker structure are located on opposite sides of the flexible ice mold, respectively;

[0027] The first end of the follower rod is rotatably connected to the fixed support, and the second end is rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold; the two rockers in the dual rocker structure are symmetrically distributed relative to the follower rod, and the follower rod swings synchronously with the two rockers.

[0028] Optionally, the ice-making device further includes a housing and a torsion stop;

[0029] The housing is provided with an ice-making area and an ice-removing area. The rigid ice tray is disposed in the ice-making area, and the torsion stop is disposed in the ice-removing area.

[0030] The flexible ice mold has a first motion state and a second motion state; in the first motion state, the flexible ice mold translates along a curve in a first direction to separate from the rigid ice plate, and translates from the ice-making area to the ice-removing area to abut against the torsion stop to reach the ice-removing position;

[0031] In the second motion state, the flexible ice mold continues to translate along the curve in the first direction, so that the flexible ice mold is twisted to achieve de-icing.

[0032] Optionally, the ice-making device further includes a mounting support frame, with the rigid ice tray mounted on one side of the mounting support frame; the groove is formed on the surface of the rigid ice tray facing away from the mounting support frame.

[0033] Optionally, the rigid ice tray is mounted on the side of the mounting support frame, and the side of the rigid ice tray has the groove formed thereon;

[0034] Alternatively, the rigid ice tray is mounted above the mounting support frame, and the groove is formed on the top of the rigid ice tray.

[0035] This application also provides a refrigerator, including a freezer compartment, wherein the freezer compartment is provided with an ice-making device as described in any of the above.

[0036] The technical solution provided in this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0037] This application provides an ice-making device and a refrigerator. During the ice-making process, air bubbles inside the flexible ice mold can be discharged through a through-hole, and water inside the flexible ice mold can also overflow into an overflow tank through the through-hole. This application does not fix the flexible ice mold to the heat exchange pipes; instead, it fixes the rigid ice tray to the heat exchange pipes, allowing the flexible ice mold to be freed from the constraints of the heat exchange pipes. After ice-making is complete, it is easy to remove the ice from the flexible ice mold. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1This is an exploded view of the structure of the rigid ice tray and the flexible ice mold in an ice-making apparatus shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a flexible ice mold facing away from a rigid ice plate, as shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a flexible ice mold facing the rigid ice tray, as shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a rigid ice tray and a flexible ice mold, as shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice-making device for removing a flexible ice mold, as shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0043] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an ice-making device in ice-making state, as shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an ice-making device disposed on the side of a mounting support frame, as shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0045] Reference numerals: 1. Ice-making device; 10. Rigid ice tray; 101. Groove; 101a. Groove support wall; 101b. Groove side wall; 102. Groove edge; 11. Flexible ice mold; 110. Ice tray; 111. Ice-sticking surface; 113. Overflow trough; 114. Through hole; 115. Opening; 12. Drive assembly; 121. Drive mechanism; 122. Transmission mechanism; 122a. Active rocker arm; 122b. Driven rocker arm; 123. Follower rod; 13. Housing; 131. Ice-making zone; 132. Ice-removing zone; 14. Torsion stop; 15. Mounting support frame; 16. Heat exchange pipeline; 17. Ice-removing switch; 18. Ice-making switch; 19. Fixed support; 20. Ice basket; A. First direction. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The technical solutions in the embodiments (or "implementations") of this application will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements.

[0047] If the embodiments of this application contain terms relating to directional indications or positional relationships (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, inside, outside, top, bottom, center, vertical, horizontal, longitudinal, transverse, length, width, counterclockwise, clockwise, axial, radial, circumferential, etc.), such terms are only used to explain the relative positional relationships and movements between components in a specific posture (as shown in the attached figures); if the specific posture changes, the directional indications or positional relationships will also change accordingly. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" used in the embodiments of this application are only for descriptive convenience and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0048] Please see Figures 1 to 3 This application provides an ice-making device 1, including a rigid ice tray 10, a flexible ice mold 11, and a heat exchange pipe 16. The rigid ice tray 10 has a groove 101 for supporting the flexible ice mold 11. The heat exchange pipe 16 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the rigid ice tray 10. The flexible ice mold 11 has an ice grid 110 on the side facing the rigid ice tray 10, and the ice grid 110 is fastened into the groove 101 to form an ice-making space. The flexible ice mold 11 has an overflow groove 113 on the side facing away from the rigid ice tray 10, and the flexible ice mold 11 also has a through hole 114 for communicating between the ice grid 110 and the overflow groove 113. During the ice-making process, air bubbles inside the ice tray 110 can be discharged outward through the through-hole 114, and water inside the ice tray 110 can also overflow into the overflow tank 113 through the through-hole 114. This not only improves the quality of the ice but also minimizes the risk of water overflowing and freezing the flexible ice mold 11 and rigid ice tray 10 on the outside, reducing the difficulty of demolding. For example, the flexible ice mold 11 can have multiple ice trays 110, with each through-hole 114 corresponding to one of the ice trays 110.

[0049] This application breaks through the conventional design limitation that "only ice molds with ice grids can be fixedly connected to the heat exchange pipe 16". By fixing the rigid ice plate 10 that supports the flexible ice mold 11 to the heat exchange pipe 16, while the flexible ice mold 11 with ice grids is not fixedly connected to the heat exchange pipe 16, the flexible ice mold 11 can easily flip over and unfreeze after the ice is made.

[0050] It should be noted that the rigid ice tray 10 can be made of metallic materials, such as, but not limited to, aluminum alloy or stainless steel. Of course, the rigid ice tray 10 can also be made of non-metallic materials such as ceramic. The flexible ice mold 11 can be made of flexible polymer materials, such as, but not limited to, rubber or plastic.

[0051] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4In one embodiment, the groove 101 includes a groove support wall 101a and a groove sidewall 101b. The flexible ice mold 11 has an opening 115 communicating with the ice tray 110, and the groove support wall 101a abuts against the opening 115. The groove sidewall 101b is disposed around the groove support wall 101a and connected to the groove support wall 101a; the flexible ice mold 11 is in close contact with the groove sidewall 101b. By setting the groove support wall 101a to abut against the opening 115 of the flexible ice mold 11, the contact area between the ice and the rigid ice tray 10 can be reduced, facilitating subsequent ice removal. In addition, by setting the groove sidewall 101b to be in close contact with the flexible ice mold 11, it is not only easier to prepare regular ice blocks in the ice tray 110 of the flexible ice mold 11, but also to minimize the probability of water filling the gap between the flexible ice mold 11 and the groove sidewall 101b, thereby further reducing the contact area between the ice and the rigid ice tray 10 and facilitating subsequent ice removal. In one embodiment, an annular sealing strip is provided between the groove sidewall 101b and the flexible ice mold 11 to further improve the sealing effect of both.

[0052] In one embodiment, the groove sidewall 101b is provided with at least two water filling scale lines of different heights. This allows for the injection of different amounts of water into the rigid ice pan 10 according to different ice-making needs, followed by the placement of the flexible ice mold 11 inside the rigid ice pan 10, and the activation of the ice-making process to produce ice blocks of different sizes.

[0053] It should be noted that after the flexible ice mold 11 is attached to the rigid ice tray 10, the side wall of the flexible ice mold 11 with the through hole 114, i.e., the ice tray side wall, can be kept at a certain distance from the horizontal plane to facilitate the overflow of gas and water during the subsequent ice-making process. Of course, the side wall of the flexible ice mold 11 with the through hole 114, i.e., the ice tray side wall, can also be kept flush with the horizontal plane to minimize water overflow.

[0054] In one embodiment, the overflow trough 113 includes two conical grooves located on opposite sides of the flexible ice mold 11 in the width direction and recessed into the rigid ice plate 10; the conical grooves extend along the length direction of the flexible ice mold 11. Figure 2 Although only the overflow trough 113 on one side of the flexible ice mold 11 is shown, an overflow trough 113 is also provided on the other side along the width direction of the flexible ice mold. This allows the volume of the overflow trough 113 to be increased without significantly affecting the internal volume of the ice tray. Furthermore, as the depth of the conical groove gradually increases, the area in contact with water gradually decreases, facilitating easy subsequent ice removal.

[0055] Please continue reading. Figure 3 In one embodiment, the thermal conductivity of the rigid ice plate 10 is greater than that of the flexible ice mold 11;

[0056] The inner wall of the ice tray 110 is configured as an ice-adhesive surface 111 so that ice can adhere to it when the flexible ice mold 11 is separated from the rigid ice tray 10. Thus, the flexible ice mold 11 can carry ice away from the rigid ice tray 10, facilitating subsequent ice removal by deforming the flexible ice mold 11, thereby reducing the difficulty of ice removal.

[0057] Because the thermal conductivity of the rigid ice tray 10 is greater than that of the flexible ice mold 11, during the de-icing process, the rigid ice tray 10 has a faster heat transfer process than the flexible ice mold 11, causing the ice in the rigid ice tray 10 to melt quickly. However, because the heat transfer process of the flexible ice mold 11 is relatively slow, the ice may melt and separate from the rigid ice tray 10 before separating from the flexible ice mold 11. This application does not fix the flexible ice mold 11 to the heat exchange pipe 16, but instead fixes the rigid ice tray 10 to the heat exchange pipe 16. This allows the flexible ice mold 11 to be freed from the constraints of the heat exchange pipe 16, facilitating de-icing after ice making.

[0058] In one embodiment, the flexible ice mold 11 is further configured to elastically deform under an external force after separating from the rigid ice tray 10, causing the ice to detach. This external force can be provided by a mechanical power source or manually by the user. Thus, ice removal is achieved by causing the flexible ice mold 11 to elastically deform, and after the force is removed, the flexible ice mold 11 can return to its original shape for use in the next ice-making process. Exemplarily, the external force can be a force capable of causing at least a portion of the flexible ice mold 11 to rotate about an axis, resulting in torsional deformation. Of course, the external force can also be a force acting on different positions of the flexible ice mold 11, causing at least a portion of the flexible ice mold 11 to bend.

[0059] Please see Figure 5 In one embodiment, the ice-making device 1 further includes a drive assembly 12; the drive assembly 12 is connected to the flexible ice mold 11 and is used to drive the flexible ice mold 11 to move between an ice-making position and an ice-removing position. Thus, when the drive assembly 12 drives the flexible ice mold 11 to the ice-making position, the flexible ice mold 11 can be engaged with the rigid ice tray 10, participating in the ice-making process together with the rigid ice tray 10. When the drive assembly 12 drives the flexible ice mold 11 to the ice-removing position, it facilitates the removal of ice from the flexible ice mold 11.

[0060] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 5 In one embodiment, the drive assembly 12 includes a drive mechanism 121 and a transmission mechanism 122; the output end of the drive mechanism 121 is connected to the transmission mechanism 122 in a transmission manner, and the transmission mechanism 122 is also connected to the flexible ice mold 11 in a transmission manner.

[0061] The power of the drive mechanism 121 is transmitted to the flexible ice mold 11 via the transmission mechanism 122. Under the action of the power transmitted by the transmission mechanism 122, the flexible ice mold 11 can translate along a curve between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position. Thus, during the translation along the curve, the posture of the flexible ice mold 11 can remain basically unchanged, allowing the ice to adhere stably to the ice-adhering surface 111 of the flexible ice mold 11. This minimizes the risk of the flexible ice mold 11 rotating along its own axis during movement, thereby preventing the ice from accidentally falling off before reaching the ice-removing position.

[0062] Please continue reading. Figure 1 In one embodiment, the transmission mechanism 122 includes a dual rocker structure; the ice-making device 1 also includes a fixed support 19. One rocker in the dual rocker structure is the master rocker 122a, and the other is the slave rocker 122b. The first end of the master rocker 122a is rotatably connected to the output end of the drive mechanism 121, and the second end is rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold 11. The first end of the slave rocker 122b is rotatably connected to the fixed support 19, and the second end is rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold 11. Both the master rocker 122a and the slave rocker 122b reciprocate around their respective first-end rotation axes, causing the flexible ice mold 11 to translate along a curve between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position. Thus, the dual rocker structure, the flexible ice mold 11, and the fixed support 19 can form a planar four-bar linkage mechanism. Only one drive mechanism 121 is needed to control the movement of one active rocker 122a, and the secondary rocker 122b can follow the active rocker 122a to achieve the translation of the flexible ice mold 11. The structure is simple and occupies less space.

[0063] In other examples, both rockers in the dual-rocker structure are active rockers 122a. The first ends of both active rockers are rotatably connected to the output end of the drive mechanism 121, and the second ends are rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold 11. Both active rockers reciprocate around their own first-end rotation axis, causing the flexible ice mold 11 to translate along a curve between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position. Thus, the movement of the two active rockers 122a can be controlled one-to-one by the two drive mechanisms 121 to evenly distribute the load and make the ice removal process smoother.

[0064] Of course, based on the process of the drive mechanism 121 (e.g., but not limited to a drive motor) driving the transmission mechanism 122 to drive the flexible ice mold 11 to translate along the curve, it can be understood that in other embodiments, the transmission mechanism 122 may also include a cam structure or other planar multi-link mechanisms, as long as it can realize the conversion of the rotational force of the drive mechanism 121 into a swinging force, thereby driving the flexible ice mold 11 to translate along the curve. Those skilled in the art can make specific structural designs as needed, which will not be described in detail here.

[0065] It should be noted that the fixed support 19 can be a component that provides support force from the rocker arm 122b, such as the housing 13 of the ice-making device 1, or any structure provided on the housing 13 that serves to fix and support.

[0066] Please continue reading. Figure 5 In one embodiment, the drive assembly 12 further includes a follower rod 123; the follower rod 123 and the dual rocker structure are located on opposite sides of the flexible ice mold 11; the first end of the follower rod 123 is rotatably connected to the fixed support member 19, and the second end is rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold 11; the two rockers in the dual rocker structure are symmetrically distributed relative to the follower rod 123, and the follower rod 123 swings synchronously with the two rockers. Thus, by following the movement of the follower rod 123, the swaying of the flexible ice mold 11 during translation can be minimized, further reducing the risk of accidental ice block detachment.

[0067] Please see Figure 5 In one embodiment, the ice-making device 1 further includes a housing 13 and a torsion stop 14. The housing 13 is provided with an ice-making zone 131 and an ice-removing zone 132. The rigid ice tray 10 is disposed in the ice-making zone 131, and the torsion stop 14 is disposed in the ice-removing zone 132.

[0068] The flexible ice mold 11 has a first motion state and a second motion state; in the first motion state, the flexible ice mold 11 has a first direction A (e.g., Figure 5 The ice plate moves along the curve in direction A (as shown) until it separates from the rigid ice plate 10, and moves from the ice-making area 131 to the de-icing area 132 to abut against the torsion stop 14, so as to reach the de-icing position.

[0069] In the second motion state, the flexible ice mold 11 continues to translate along the curve in the first direction A, causing the flexible ice mold 11 to twist to achieve ice removal. Thus, the torsion stop 14 can create resistance to the moving flexible ice mold 11, facilitating the torsion of the flexible ice mold 11.

[0070] It should be noted that the specific structure of the torsion stop 14 is not specifically limited here. It can also be a cylindrical, square column or other symmetrical structure, or other irregular structure.

[0071] Please see Figure 6 In one embodiment, the ice-making device 1 includes an ice-removal switch 17. After the second end of the follower rod 123 abuts against the ice-removal switch 17, it indicates that the flexible ice mold 11 has translated along a curve in the first direction A to reach a designated position and abut against the torsion stop 14. Based on this, it continues to translate along the curve in the first direction A to its designated position, so that the flexible ice cover 11 is torn under the restriction of the torsion stop 14, causing the ice to detach from the flexible ice cover 11, thus completing the ice removal process. In other embodiments, the ice-making device 1 also includes an ice-making switch 18. After the second end of the follower rod or the flexible ice cover 11 abuts against the ice-making switch 18, it indicates that the flexible ice cover 11 has been engaged in the rigid ice mold 10, and the subsequent ice-making process can be executed.

[0072] It should be noted that the de-icing switch 17 and the ice-making switch 18 can both be mounted on the housing 13, but the design positions of the de-icing switch 17 and the ice-making switch 18 are not specifically limited here.

[0073] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment, the ice-making device 1 further includes an ice basket 20 and a water storage box disposed in the de-icing zone 132;

[0074] The ice basket 20 is arranged side by side with the rigid ice tray 10, and the height of the ice basket 20 is lower than the height of the rigid ice tray 10. The water storage box is located below the ice basket 20 and communicates with the opening 115 of the rigid ice tray 10. Thus, ice can be collected through the ice basket, and water can be injected into the rigid ice tray 10 through the water storage box. For example, the inlet of a water pump is connected to the water storage box through a water pipe, and the outlet of the water pump is connected to the opening 115 of the rigid ice tray 10 through a water pipe. The water pump is used to inject water from the water storage box into the groove inside the rigid ice tray 10, and then the flexible ice mold 11 is fitted into the groove to facilitate subsequent ice making.

[0075] Please see Figure 7 In one embodiment, the ice-making device 1 further includes a mounting support frame 15, with the rigid ice tray 10 mounted on one side of the mounting support frame 15; the groove 101 is formed on the surface of the rigid ice tray 10 facing away from the mounting support frame 15. This provides a stable installation environment for the ice-making device 1. For example, as... Figure 5 As shown, the rigid ice tray 10 is mounted above the mounting support frame 15, and the groove 101 is formed on the top of the rigid ice tray 10. This design allows the opening 115 of the rigid ice tray 10 to face upwards, and enables the flexible ice mold 11 to unfreeze at the top. In other examples, such as Figure 7 As shown, the rigid ice tray 10 is mounted on the side of the mounting support frame 15, and the side of the rigid ice tray 10 forms the groove 101. This design allows the opening 115 of the rigid ice tray 10 to face to the side, and enables the flexible ice mold 11 to detach from the side.

[0076] It should be noted that the mounting support frame 15 can be integrated with the fixed support member 19, for example, both can be the housing 13 of the ice making device 1. Of course, the mounting support frame 15 can also be another structure that serves to fix and support, other than the fixed support member 19. No specific restrictions are made here.

[0077] In one embodiment, for a structure where the rigid ice tray 10 is mounted on the side of the mounting support frame 15, the flexible ice mold 11 can be first fastened into the groove of the rigid ice tray 10. Then, an vent and a water injection hole are provided in the common area at the top of the rigid ice tray 10 and the flexible ice mold 11. The partition between two adjacent ice trays 110 inside the flexible ice mold 11 is provided with a gas communication hole and a liquid communication hole. Thus, after the flexible ice mold 11 is fastened to the rigid ice tray 10, water can be injected into the ice trays 110 through the water injection hole at the top, and then uniform water supply to each ice tray 110 can be achieved through the liquid communication hole on the partition. Furthermore, air bubbles in the water can also pass through the gas communication hole during the ice-making process and eventually converge at the vent for discharge.

[0078] This application also provides a refrigerator, including a freezer compartment, wherein the freezer compartment is provided with an ice-making device 1 as described in any of the above.

[0079] It should be noted that the technical solutions or features described in the above embodiments can be combined or supplemented with each other without conflict. The scope of protection of this application is not limited to the precise structures described in the above embodiments and shown in the accompanying drawings; all modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An ice-making device, characterized in that, include: Rigid ice trays, flexible ice molds, and heat exchange piping; The rigid ice tray has a groove inside for supporting the flexible ice mold; the heat exchange pipeline is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the rigid ice tray; The flexible ice mold has an ice grid for making ice on the side facing the rigid ice plate. The ice grid is fastened into the groove to form an ice-making space. The flexible ice mold has an overflow groove on the side facing away from the rigid ice plate. The flexible ice mold also has a through hole for connecting the ice grid and the overflow groove.

2. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The groove includes a groove support wall and a groove side wall; The flexible ice mold has an opening communicating with the ice tray, and the groove support wall abuts against the opening; The groove sidewall is arranged around the groove support wall and connected to the groove support wall; the flexible ice mold is tightly fitted to the groove sidewall.

3. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The groove sidewall is provided with at least two water filling scale lines of different heights.

4. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The overflow trough includes two conical grooves located on opposite sides in the width direction of the flexible ice mold and recessed into the rigid ice plate. The conical groove extends along the length of the flexible ice mold.

5. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermal conductivity of the rigid ice plate is greater than that of the flexible ice mold; The inner wall of the ice tray is configured as an ice-adhesive surface so that ice blocks can adhere to it when the flexible ice mold is separated from the rigid ice tray.

6. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The flexible ice mold is also configured to elastically deform under external force after being separated from the rigid ice plate, causing the ice blocks to fall off.

7. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The ice-making device further includes a drive assembly; the drive assembly is connected to the flexible ice mold and is used to drive the flexible ice mold to move between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position.

8. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a drive mechanism and a transmission mechanism; the output end of the drive mechanism is connected to the transmission mechanism, and the transmission mechanism is also connected to the flexible ice mold. The power of the drive mechanism is transmitted to the flexible ice mold via the transmission mechanism; under the power transmitted by the transmission mechanism, the flexible ice mold can translate along a curve between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position.

9. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism includes a double rocker structure; the ice-making device also includes a fixed support component. In the dual-rocker structure, one rocker is the master rocker and the other is the slave rocker. The first end of the master rocker is rotatably connected to the output end of the drive mechanism, and the second end is rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold. The first end of the slave rocker is rotatably connected to the fixed support, and the second end is rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold. Both the master and slave rockers reciprocate around their own first-end rotation axis, so that the flexible ice mold translates along a curve between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position. Alternatively, both rockers in the dual rocker structure are active rockers, with the first end of each active rocker rotatably connected to the output end of the drive mechanism and the second end rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold; each active rocker swings back and forth around the rotation axis of its first end, so that the flexible ice mold translates along a curve between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position.

10. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The drive assembly also includes a follower rod; The follower rod and the dual rocker structure are located on opposite sides of the flexible ice mold, respectively; The first end of the follower rod is rotatably connected to the fixed support, and the second end is rotatably connected to the flexible ice mold; the two rockers in the dual rocker structure are symmetrically distributed relative to the follower rod, and the follower rod swings synchronously with the two rockers.

11. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The ice-making device also includes a housing and a torsion stop; The housing is provided with an ice-making area and an ice-removing area. The rigid ice tray is disposed in the ice-making area, and the torsion stop is disposed in the ice-removing area. The flexible ice mold has a first motion state and a second motion state; in the first motion state, the flexible ice mold translates along a curve in a first direction to separate from the rigid ice plate, and translates from the ice-making area to the ice-removing area to abut against the torsion stop to reach the ice-removing position; In the second motion state, the flexible ice mold continues to translate along the curve in the first direction, so that the flexible ice mold is twisted to achieve de-icing.

12. The ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The ice-making device further includes a mounting support frame, and the rigid ice tray is mounted on one side of the mounting support frame; the groove is formed on the surface of the rigid ice tray facing away from the mounting support frame.

13. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that, The rigid ice tray is mounted on the side of the mounting support frame, and the side of the rigid ice tray has the groove formed thereon. Alternatively, the rigid ice tray is mounted above the mounting support frame, and the groove is formed on the top of the rigid ice tray.

14. A refrigerator, comprising a freezer compartment, characterized in that, The freezer compartment is equipped with an ice-making device as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images