Ice making device and water purifying and drinking machine

Abstract

Some embodiments of the utility model provide an ice-making device and a water purifying and drinking machine, the ice-making device comprises an ice storage box, a refrigeration assembly and an airflow generation assembly, and the ice storage box is provided with an ice storage space for storing ice blocks, and a first air inlet and a first air outlet which are communicated with the ice storage space. The refrigeration assembly comprises a heat absorption part which is located outside the ice storage space. The airflow generation assembly is located outside the ice storage space and used for forming airflow, and the path of the airflow sequentially passes through the heat absorption piece, the first air inlet and the first air outlet. Compared with the mode that the ice blocks are directly placed on the heat absorption piece, almost all parts of the surfaces of the irregular ice blocks can be effectively cooled, and therefore the melting time of the ice blocks is further prolonged. The airflow can accelerate evaporation of water on the surfaces of the ice blocks, and dryness of the ice blocks is further guaranteed. The relatively dry ice blocks are not easy to adhere, bacteria are not easy to breed, the ice blocks can be stored for a longer time, and the taste is relatively good.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of beverage purifiers, and in particular to an ice-making device and a beverage purifier provided with the ice-making device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the times, water purifiers have been recognized and purchased by most people. Water purifiers can meet users' higher requirements for water quality.

[0003] In order to meet the diverse needs of users, some water purifiers on the market are also equipped with heating, cooling and even ice-making functions, which can provide users with hot water, cold water and ice cubes to enrich the user experience. For water purifiers that can make ice, most of them are equipped with ice storage boxes, and the ice cubes taken out by the water purifier are stored in the ice storage box. When users need to take ice cubes, they can directly take ice cubes from the ice storage box, which reduces the time waiting for ice cubes to be made.

[0004] However, when the user does not use the ice cubes stored in the ice storage box for a long time, the ice cubes will melt and produce cold water, which cannot be preserved for a long time. The wet ice cubes are also prone to breeding bacteria and have a relatively poor taste. In addition, the cold water produced by the melting of the ice cubes will cause the ice cubes to stick together. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to at least partially solve the problems existing in the prior art, some embodiments of the present utility model are provided.

[0006] Some embodiments of the utility model provide an ice-making device, including: an ice storage box, a refrigeration component and an airflow generating component, wherein the ice storage box has an ice storage space for storing ice cubes and a first air inlet and a first air outlet connected to the ice storage space. The refrigeration component includes a heat absorber, which is located outside the ice storage space. The airflow generating component is located outside the ice storage space, and the airflow generating component is used to form an airflow, and the path of the airflow passes through the heat absorber, the first air inlet and the first air outlet in sequence. The air cooled by the heat absorber is blown to the surface of the ice cube by the airflow generating component. Compared with placing the ice cube directly on the heat absorber, almost all parts of the irregular ice cube surface can be effectively cooled, thereby further extending the melting time of the ice cube. The airflow can also accelerate the evaporation of water on the surface of the ice cube, further ensuring the drying of the ice cube. The relatively dry ice cube is not easy to stick, is less likely to breed bacteria, can be stored for a longer time, and has a relatively good taste.

[0007] Exemplarily, the ice-making device further includes a second air inlet and a second air outlet, the second air inlet is connected between the first air inlet and the outside, the second air outlet is connected between the first air outlet and the outside, and the airflow path also passes through the second air inlet and the second air outlet. The heat absorbing element is located on the airflow path between the second air inlet and the first air inlet. By introducing outside air to cool the ice storage space, the air volume is large and the cold preservation effect is better; and the outside air is drier than the air in the ice-making device, which can better ensure the dryness of the ice cubes 200, so that the ice cubes have a better taste.

[0008] Exemplarily, the refrigeration assembly further includes a heat release element, which is located on the path of the airflow between the first air outlet and the second air outlet. Thus, the air volume and residual cooling of the airflow blown out from the first air outlet can be used to cool the heat release element. The heat of the heat release element can be dissipated more quickly, reducing the risk of overheating of the heat release element, thereby maintaining efficient operation of the system and improving the stability and reliability of the entire refrigeration assembly.

[0009] Exemplarily, the ice-making device further includes: an ice-making head and a cold container. The ice-making head is used to make ice cubes. The cold container has a first space for accommodating the ice-making head, and an ice outlet is provided on the cold container wall forming the first space of the cold container, wherein one of the first air inlet and the first air outlet is connected to the ice outlet, and one of the first air inlet and the first air outlet is also used to receive ice cubes discharged from the ice outlet. In this way, air circulation can be formed between the interior of the ice storage box and the interior of the cold container. After the air cooled by the heat-absorbing element cools the ice cubes in the ice storage space, it can also enter the cold container to provide a low-temperature environment for the ice-making head when making ice, so that the ice-making efficiency of the ice-making head in the first space can be accelerated. Moreover, energy utilization is also improved.

[0010] Exemplarily, the cold container further has a vent connected to the first space, and the path of the airflow also passes through the vent, wherein when the first air outlet is connected to the ice outlet, the vent is connected to the first air inlet, and the heat absorber is located on the path of the airflow between the vent and the first air inlet; or when the first air inlet is connected to the ice outlet, the vent is connected to the first air outlet, and the heat absorber is located on the path of the airflow between the vent and the first air outlet. The path of the airflow forms a cycle in the ice-making device and passes through the ice storage space and the interior of the cold container. The circulating airflow path allows the ice-making device to recycle the cold air cooled by the heat absorber, while keeping the ice cubes in the ice storage space warm, providing a low-temperature environment for the ice-making head when making ice, saving energy and having a good insulation effect.

[0011] Exemplarily, the cold chamber wall is located at the bottom of the first space, the ice outlet is arranged downward, the top of the ice storage box has an ice inlet, the ice inlet includes a first part and a second part, the first part is located directly below the ice outlet and docked with the ice outlet, and the second part protrudes forward from the first space. One of the first part and the second part forms a first air inlet, and the other of the first part and the second part forms a first air outlet. The heat absorber and the airflow generating assembly are located above the second part and in front of the first space. The heat absorber and the airflow generating assembly are arranged between the front side of the cold chamber and the upper side of the ice storage box, which minimizes the path of wind outside the cold chamber and the ice storage box, reduces heat exchange with the outside world, and avoids cold loss.

[0012] For example, the ice storage box is located at the front side of the cold container, and the heat absorbing component and the airflow generating component are located at the sides of the cold container and the ice storage box. The heat absorbing component and the airflow generating component are both arranged at the sides of the cold container and the ice storage box, and the structural design of the existing water purifier is not greatly changed, thereby reducing the cost of installation and maintenance.

[0013] For example, the cold container further has a second space for storing water, and the second space is located below the first space. The low temperature environment in the second space of the cold container can improve the ice-making efficiency of the ice-making head in the first space, and the heat absorbed by the ice-making head in the first space during operation can also keep the second space at a low temperature. Moreover, the excess uncondensed water generated by the ice-making head in the first space during the ice-making process can fall into the second space. It can be seen that the structure of the ice-making device is more concise and compact.

[0014] Exemplarily, an ice conveying channel is provided in the cold tank, and the ice conveying channel divides the space in the cold tank into a first space and a second space. A drainage hole is provided on the ice conveying channel, and the ice conveying channel extends downwardly obliquely to the edge of the ice outlet. In the process of ice cubes and some residual cold water sliding down the ice conveying channel to the ice outlet, the cold water can return to the cold tank through the drainage hole, thereby avoiding the need to provide an additional device to collect this part of the cold water. Moreover, this part of the cold water has a lower temperature, and directly returning to the cold tank can avoid the loss of cold. At the same time, relatively dry ice cubes can enter the ice outlet. Dry ice cubes are not easy to stick together, and are less likely to breed bacteria. They can be stored for a longer time and have a relatively good taste.

[0015] Exemplarily, the refrigeration component also includes a compressor and a condenser, the heat absorbing component is an evaporator, the outlet of the evaporator is connected to the inlet of the compressor, the outlet of the compressor is connected to the inlet of the condenser, and the outlet of the condenser is connected to the inlet of the evaporator. The ice-making device also includes an ice-making head, the ice-making head has a refrigerant flow channel, the outlet of the refrigerant flow channel is connected to the inlet of the compressor, the outlet of the condenser is connected to the inlet of the refrigerant flow channel, and ice cubes are made by the ice-making head. The ice-making head and the heat absorbing component are connected to the same compressor and the same condenser, so as to maximize the performance of the compressor and the condenser. At the same time, because there is no need to set up other compressors, condensers or other refrigeration components, the internal space of the water purifier is saved, and the volume and production cost of the water purifier are reduced.

[0016] Some embodiments of the utility model provide a beverage purifier, comprising a main body and any ice-making device as described above. The ice storage box of the ice-making device is detachably connected to the front side of the main body. The refrigeration assembly and the airflow generating assembly of the ice-making device are arranged in the main body.

[0017] A series of simplified concepts are introduced in the utility model content, which will be further described in detail in the detailed implementation section. The utility model content section does not mean to attempt to define the key features and essential technical features of the technical solution claimed for protection, nor does it mean to attempt to determine the scope of protection of the technical solution claimed for protection.

[0018] The advantages and features of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The following drawings of the present invention are used as part of the present invention for understanding the present invention. The drawings show the implementation of the present invention and its description, and are used to explain the principle of the present invention. In the drawings,

[0020] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a water purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 1B for Figure 1A The three-dimensional images of the water purifier shown are at different angles;

[0022] Figure 1C for Figure 1A The three-dimensional images of the water purifier shown are at different angles;

[0023] Figure 1D for Figure 1A The illustrated three-dimensional view of the water purifier with the ice box and water container removed;

[0024] Figure 2A It is an internal structure diagram of a water purifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 2B for Figure 2A The internal structure diagram of the water purifier from another angle is shown;

[0026] Figure 3A is a perspective view of an ice-making device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 3B To have Figure 3A A perspective view of a beverage purifier of the ice making device shown;

[0028] Figure 4A is a perspective view of an ice-making device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4B for Figure 4A The front view of the ice-making device shown is shown with the refrigeration assembly and the airflow generating assembly removed;

[0030] Figure 4C for Figure 4A The ice making device shown is a side view with the refrigeration assembly and the airflow generating assembly removed;

[0031] Figure 5A is a perspective view of an ice-making device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 5B for Figure 5A The ice making device shown is a three-dimensional view after removing the refrigeration component and the airflow generating component;

[0033] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a cold container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a perspective drawing method is adopted in the upper half in order to show the internal structure of the upper half;

[0034] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0035] 1. Main body; 2. Water tank; 3. Water inlet; 4. Filter element; 5. Water storage container; 100. Ice-making device; 101. Second air inlet; 102. Second air outlet; 111. Ice-making head; 111a. Main pipeline; 111b. Ice hanging end; 112. Refrigerator; 112a. Ice outlet; 112b. Ventilation port; 112c. First space; 112d. Second space; 113. Ice storage box; 113a. First air inlet; 113b. First air outlet; 113c. Ice inlet; 1131c. First part; 1132c. Second part; 114. Air flow generating assembly; 115. Heat absorbing element; 116. Ice delivery channel; 117. Drain hole; 120. Compressor; 130. Condenser; 141. Ice-making water storage box; 142. Driver; 200. Ice cubes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In the following description, a large number of details are provided so that the present invention can be thoroughly understood. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the following description only illustrates preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented without one or more of such details. In addition, in order to avoid confusion with the present invention, some technical features known in the art are not described in detail.

[0037] In order to thoroughly understand the implementation of the utility model, a detailed structure will be presented in the following description. Obviously, the implementation of the utility model is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art. The preferred implementation of the utility model is described in detail below, but in addition to these detailed descriptions, the utility model can also have other implementations.

[0038] Some embodiments of the present invention provide an ice-making device. The ice-making device can be used in any suitable product such as a water purifier, a refrigerator, etc. According to other embodiments of the present invention, a water purifier using the ice-making device is also provided. In order to have an overall understanding of the principle of the present application, the water purifier according to the embodiment of the present invention will first be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Combined with reference Figures 1A to 2B , the water purifier may include a main body 1. The main body 1 may have a water inlet and a water intake 3. A filter element 4 may be provided in the main body 1, and the raw water inlet of the filter element 4 may be connected to the water inlet. The filter element 4 may include, for example, an activated carbon filter element, a PP filter element, a ceramic filter element, a resin filter element, an ultrafiltration filter element, a nanofiltration filter element, a reverse osmosis filter element, and a composite filter element composed of one or more of the filter elements. For the nanofiltration filter element and the reverse osmosis filter element, appropriate pressure is required when they are working, so the water purifier may also include a booster pump. Exemplarily, the filter element 4 of the water purifier may adopt a small-flux filter element, that is, a filter element with a daily water production of no more than 40 gallons. The use of a small-flux filter element can reduce the weight of the water purifier and reduce the volume, and is particularly suitable for desktop water purifiers with limited use space. The desktop water purifier may use a water tank 2 for water supply, and the water outlet of the water tank 2 is connected to the water inlet on the main body 1. Therefore, the use of a small-flux filter element can fully meet the water demand and reduce the cost of the filter element. The filter element 4 can filter the raw water to remove harmful bacteria, heavy metals and other impurities. The clean water outlet of the filter element 4 can be connected to the water intake 3 to provide users with high-quality clean water. Optionally, the water purifier can also be other types of water purifiers, such as under-the-sink water purifiers and embedded water purifiers. These types of water purifiers can be installed at a location with a tap water source, so the water tank 2 may not be included, and the water inlet on the main body 1 can be directly connected to the tap water pipe.

[0040] Exemplarily, the ice making device 100 can be arranged in the main body 1. The filter element 4 can also provide purified water for the ice making device 100. Using purified water from the filter element 4 not only makes the ice cubes 200 taste better, but also makes it less likely to breed bacteria, thereby extending the storage time of the ice cubes 200.

[0041] In the case where the water purifier is a desktop water purifier, it may also include a water storage container 5, which is detachably mounted to the front of the main body 1 in the horizontal direction, and the water storage container 5 is connected to the clean water outlet of the filter element 4 when it is mounted to the main body 1. As described above, the filter element 4 of the water purifier may adopt a small flux filter element, and the clean water flow rate outputted by the filter element 4 is usually difficult to meet the user's water intake needs. Therefore, the prepared pure water can be stored in the water storage container 5 during the time period when the user does not take water, so as to quickly provide sufficient clean water when the user takes water. When the water storage container 5 is installed in the water purifier, the ice making device 100 may also be connected to the water storage container 5, so as to quickly obtain the clean water required for ice making. In some embodiments, the water storage container 5 can be replenished and taken in water through a pipe extending from the top into the water storage container 5.

[0042] Exemplarily, the water storage container 5 may be Figures 1A to 1C The user can remove the water storage container 5 and pour water directly into a container such as a cup, which is easy to operate and in line with daily habits, and there is no restriction on the water flow. The water purifier may be placed in a low space such as a sideboard, and the water storage container 5 can be disassembled and installed in a horizontal direction, which is convenient for users to use.

[0043] The beverage purifier may further include an ice storage box 113, which is detachably mounted to the main body 1 in a horizontal direction. The ice storage box 113 may be mounted to the main body 1 and may be in contact with the ice outlet 112a (such as the ice outlet 112a) of the ice making device 100. Figure 1DThe ice storage box 113 is connected to the ice storage box 113 (as shown) to hold the ice cubes 200 made by the ice making device 100. Subsequently, the user can remove the ice storage box 113 to transfer the ice cubes 200 to the target location. Exemplarily, a drain port (not shown) may be provided at the bottom of the ice storage box 113, and the water entering the ice storage box 113 with the ice cubes 200 and the water generated by the melting of the ice cubes 200 can be discharged to the sewer or other wastewater collection container through the drain port of the ice storage box 113. In this way, water accumulation in the ice storage box 113 can be avoided, and the ice cubes 200 can be dried at the same time. Compared with ice cubes 200 soaked in water or wet ice cubes 200, dry ice cubes 200 are not easy to adhere, and are less likely to breed bacteria, can be stored for a longer time, and have a relatively good taste. In order to extend the storage time of the ice cubes 200, the ice storage box 113 can be made of heat-insulating materials, or coated or lined with heat-insulating materials, so as to reduce the heat exchange between the ice cubes 200 and the outside world. In some exemplary embodiments, the ice storage box 113 may not be provided with a drain port, and the ice cubes 200 in the ice storage box 113 may be separated from the bottom surface of the ice storage box 113 so that the ice cubes 200 can be drained.

[0044] refer to Figure 3A The ice storage box 113 has an ice storage space for storing ice cubes 200. The ice storage box 113 may also have a first air inlet 113a and a first air outlet 113b that are connected to the ice storage space. Exemplarily, the first air inlet 113a and the first air outlet 113b of the ice storage box 113 may be holes arranged on the wall of the ice storage box 113. Optionally, for the ice storage box 113 that has an opening that is connected to the outside, the opening may be directly used as one of the first air inlet and the first air outlet, or the opening may be used as the first air inlet and the first air outlet, so that the structural changes to the ice storage box 113 can be reduced. The opening arranged on the ice storage box 113 may be an ice inlet of the ice storage box 113, or a drain outlet of the ice storage box 113 (if any), or other functional openings. The ice storage space is connected to the outside of the ice storage box 113 through the first air inlet 113a and the first air outlet 113b, and an airflow path can be formed that passes through the first air inlet 113a, the ice storage space, and the first air outlet 113b in sequence. As a result, the airflow can transfer the cold energy of the refrigeration component mentioned below to the ice storage space, thereby reducing the temperature in the ice storage space.

[0045] Exemplary, with reference to Figure 2A and Figure 2B, the ice-making device 100 may include a refrigeration component. The refrigeration component can transfer heat from a low-temperature area (i.e., a space that needs to be cooled) to a high-temperature area (i.e., a space where heat is released), thereby reducing the temperature of a target space, such as an ice storage space. The refrigeration component may include a heat absorber 115. For example, the heat absorber 115 may be a cold end of a semiconductor refrigeration sheet, or an evaporator connected to the compressor 120 through a refrigerant pipeline. In short, the heat absorber 115 can be used to absorb heat from an object or space to be cooled. Since the volume of the ice storage space is limited, the ice storage box 113 may also be removed, so the heat absorber 115 may be located outside the ice storage space.

[0046] Combined with reference Figure 2A and Figure 3A , the ice-making device 100 may include an airflow generating component 114, and the airflow generating component 114 is located outside the ice storage space. The airflow generating component 114 may be an axial flow fan, a turbo fan, a mixed flow fan or other fans. The airflow generating component 114 may also be a fan. The airflow generating component 114 may be used to blow air into the first air inlet 113a. In other embodiments, the airflow generating component 114 may also be used to draw air outward from the first air outlet 113b, or the airflow generating component 114 may both blow air into the first air inlet 113a and draw air outward from the first air outlet 113b. In this case, the airflow generating component 114 that blows air into the first air inlet 113a and the airflow generating component 114 that draws air outward from the first air outlet 113b may not be the same. Figure 3A In the illustrated embodiment, the airflow generating assembly 114 may adopt an axial flow fan. When the axial flow fan is working, the direction of most of the airflow is parallel to the rotating shaft of the fan, that is, along the axial direction. The airflow generating assembly 114 is used to form an airflow, and the path of the airflow passes through the heat absorbing member 115, the first air inlet 113a and the first air outlet 113b in sequence. The airflow is cooled by passing through the heat absorbing member 115, and then enters the ice storage space through the first air inlet 113a to perform heat exchange with the ice cubes 200 in the ice storage space, and finally the airflow after the heat exchange is completed flows out from the first air outlet 113b. Such a setting ensures the low temperature of the ice cubes 200 in the ice storage box 113, and prevents the ice cubes 200 from melting and producing cold water due to the user not taking the ice cubes 200 in the ice storage box 113 for a long time. The air cooled by the heat absorbing member 115 is blown to the surface of the ice cube 200 through the airflow generating assembly 114. Compared with placing the ice cube 200 directly on the heat absorbing member 115, almost every part of the irregular surface of the ice cube 200 can be effectively cooled, thereby further extending the melting time of the ice cube 200. The airflow can also accelerate the evaporation of water on the surface of the ice cube 200, further ensuring the dryness of the ice cube 200. The relatively dry ice cube 200 is less likely to stick, less likely to breed bacteria, can be stored for a longer time, and has a relatively better taste.

[0047] Exemplarily, the ice making device 100 may further include an ice making head 111. The ice making head 111 has a refrigerant flow channel, and the ice cubes 200 are made by the ice making head 111. Exemplarily, in combination with reference Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the ice-making head 111 can be considered as an evaporator, and the refrigerant flow channel in the ice-making head 111 can be connected to the compressor 120 through a refrigerant circulation pipeline. The refrigeration assembly may also include a condenser 130 disposed on the refrigerant circulation pipeline. As described above, the refrigerant can evaporate into a gaseous state at the evaporator. The gaseous refrigerant can reach the condenser 130 through the refrigerant circulation pipeline, and condense and release heat at the condenser 130 under the pressure provided by the compressor 120. Thus, the compressor 120 transfers the heat of the evaporator to the condenser 130. Exemplarily, the condenser 130 may include a spiral or serpentine arrangement of condensing tubes, which can extend the path of the refrigerant and increase the heat dissipation area, so that the refrigerant is fully condensed. In some embodiments, the condenser 130 is also provided with fins for increasing the heat dissipation area. The water purifier may also include a fan (not shown) for cooling the condenser 130, and the fan can increase the flow rate of the air, so that the heat is taken away faster, and the condensation efficiency of the condenser 130 is improved.

[0048] When making ice, ice cubes can be made by pouring water on the ice-making head 111, but this will cause most of the water to fall along the ice-making head 111, generating the noise of running water. And the ice cubes 200 made are usually stalactite-shaped, very long, sharp and easy to break. Such ice cubes 200 are not convenient to use, and the user experience is not good. Therefore, illustratively, an ice-making water storage box 141 can be included. The ice-making water storage box 141 can be used to hold water for making ice cubes 200. The top of the ice-making water storage box 141 has an opening. The ice-making water storage box 141 can be moved between the working position and the ice-falling position under the drive of the driver 142. When the ice-making water storage box 141 is in the working position, the ice-making head 111 can extend below the water surface in the ice-making water storage box 141. In this way, ice cubes 200 can be formed on the ice-hanging end 111b of the ice-making head 111 immersed in water, and the shape of the ice cubes 200 is similar to that of the ice-hanging end 111b. The length and width of such ice cubes 200 are more appropriate, and the noise of running water will not be generated all the time, and the user experience is better. After ice making is completed, the driver 142 can drive the ice-making water storage box 141 to move to the ice-falling position, that is, avoid the path of the ice cubes 200 falling, so that the ice cubes 200 can enter the ice storage box 113.

[0049] like Figure 6As shown, the ice-making head 111 may generally include a main pipe 111a and a plurality of ice-hanging ends 111b arranged on the main pipe 111a. The plurality of ice-hanging ends 111b extend downward from the main pipe 111a respectively. The plurality of ice-hanging ends 111b are spaced apart from each other. The refrigerant pipeline is mainly located in the main pipe 111a, and the plurality of ice-hanging ends 111b can be heat-exchanged with the main pipe 111a. Optionally, the refrigerant pipeline may also extend from the main pipe 111a to the plurality of ice-hanging ends 111b. When the ice-making head 111 is working, ice cubes 200 may be formed on the plurality of ice-hanging ends 111b respectively, and the size of the ice cubes 200 on the plurality of ice-hanging ends 111b may be controlled by controlling the working time of the compressor 120. If necessary, the ice cubes 200 on the adjacent ice-hanging ends 111b may be prevented from contacting each other, so that a small ice cube 200 is formed on each ice-hanging end 111b. Of course, if necessary, the ice cubes 200 on the multiple ice hanging ends 111b can also be connected into a whole block. The compressor 120 has a lower refrigeration temperature and higher efficiency, can quickly achieve ice making, and has low energy consumption. Of course, in some embodiments, it is not excluded that the ice making head 111 adopts electronic refrigeration, absorption refrigeration and other methods for refrigeration.

[0050] For example, in conjunction with reference Figure 1C , Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe ice-making device 100 may further include a second air inlet 101 and a second air outlet 102, wherein the second air inlet 101 is connected between the first air inlet 113a and the outside, and the second air outlet 102 is connected between the first air outlet 113b and the outside, and the airflow path also passes through the second air inlet 101 and the second air outlet 102. The second air inlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 may be provided on the housing of the ice-making device 100. When the ice-making device 100 is installed in a beverage purifier, the second air inlet 101 and the second air outlet 102 may be located on the housing of the beverage purifier. The heat absorbing member 115 may be located on the path of the airflow between the second air inlet 101 and the first air inlet 113a. It is easy to understand that the airflow can be connected through, and the connected parties do not have to be directly connected. For example, the airflow can reach the first air inlet 113a from the outside through the second air inlet 101, that is, the second air inlet 101 is connected between the first air inlet 113a and the outside, and the second air inlet 101 does not need to be connected to the first air inlet 113a and the outside by a pipeline. Under the action of the airflow generating component 114, the outside air can be introduced through the second air inlet 101, and then the heat absorbing component 115 cools the introduced outside air. Subsequently, under the action of the airflow generating component 114, the cooled cold air is blown into the ice storage space in the ice storage box 113, ensuring that the ice stored in the ice storage space does not melt. By introducing the outside air to cool the ice storage space, the air volume is large and the cold preservation effect is better; and the outside air is drier than the air in the ice making device 100, which can better ensure the dryness of the ice cubes 200, so that the ice cubes 200 have a better taste.

[0051] As known to those skilled in the art, the refrigeration assembly may further include a heat release component. Exemplarily, the heat release component may include the compressor 120 and the condenser 130 as described above, and may also include other components in the refrigeration assembly that release heat. One or more of the various heat release components described above may be arranged on the path of the airflow between the first air outlet 113b and the second air outlet 102. Thus, the air volume and residual cooling of the airflow blown out from the first air outlet 113b may be utilized to cool the heat release component. The heat of the heat release component can be dissipated more quickly, reducing the risk of overheating of the heat release component, thereby maintaining efficient operation of the system and improving the stability and reliability of the entire refrigeration assembly.

[0052] Exemplarily, in the case of including an ice-making head 111, the outlet of the refrigerant flow channel of the ice-making head 111 can be connected to the inlet of the compressor 120, the outlet of the compressor 120 can be connected to the inlet of the condenser 130, and the outlet of the condenser 130 can be connected to the inlet of the refrigeration pipeline of the ice-making head 111. The ice-making head 111 and the heat-absorbing element 115 are connected to the same compressor 120 and the same condenser 130, which maximizes the performance of the compressor 120 and the condenser 130. At the same time, because there is no need to set up other compressors 120, condensers 130 or other refrigeration components, the internal space of the water purifier is saved, and the volume and production cost of the water purifier are reduced. In some exemplary embodiments, the refrigerant in the refrigeration component can be switched between the ice-making head 111 and the heat-absorbing element 115 through a switching valve.

[0053] Combined with reference Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 6 The ice-making device 100 may further include a cold container 112, and the cold container 112 may have a first space 112c for accommodating the ice-making head 111. An ice outlet 112a may be provided on the cold container wall where the first space 112c is located. Figure 1D and Figure 6 As shown, the ice cubes 200 made by the ice making head 111 can fall into the ice storage box 113 through the ice outlet 112a. The ice storage box 113 can have an ice inlet 113c connected to the ice outlet 112a. The ice inlet 113c can be used as one of the first air inlet and the first air outlet. That is, one of the first air inlet and the first air outlet is connected to the ice outlet 112a, and is also used to receive the ice cubes 200 discharged from the ice outlet 112a. For example, the ice inlet connected to the ice outlet 112a can be used as the first air inlet, and air can enter the ice storage space through the first air inlet, and leave the ice storage space through a first air outlet different from the ice inlet provided on the ice storage box 113. In another embodiment, the ice inlet 113c can be used as the first air outlet, and air can enter from the first air inlet different from the ice inlet 113c provided on the ice storage box 113, and blow out from the ice inlet 113c. In some embodiments not shown, the ice inlet 113c can also serve as the first air inlet and the first air outlet at the same time. In this way, air circulation can be formed between the interior of the ice storage box 113 and the interior of the cold container 112. After cooling the ice cubes 200 in the ice storage space, the air cooled by the heat absorber 115 can also enter the cold container 112 to provide a low temperature environment for the ice making head 111 to make ice, so that the ice making efficiency of the ice making head 111 in the first space 112c can be accelerated. In addition, the energy utilization rate is also improved.

[0054] Since there may be dust in the air of the external environment, in order to prevent dust from contaminating the ice cube 200, FIG. 3A to FIG. 3BIn the embodiment shown, an air filter assembly may be provided on the path of the air flow before the first air inlet 113a. Figure 4A and Figure 4B In the embodiment described, the airflow generated by the airflow generating assembly 114 can circulate in the internal space of the ice making device 100. Specifically, for example, the airflow can circulate in the housing of the water purifier; or, as described above, directly circulate between the housing of the water purifier and the cold container 112, and between the ice storage space and the heat absorbing member 115. In some embodiments, the airflow can pass through the interior of the cold container 112. In this way, there is no need to set up a filter assembly, which reduces costs and can also avoid the resistance of the filter assembly to the airflow generating assembly 114.

[0055] Combined with reference FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B In this embodiment, the airflow generating component 114 can adopt a centrifugal fan, whose working principle is that the airflow flows into the rotating blade channel axially, is thrown to the outer edge of the impeller under the action of centrifugal force, and is discharged from the air outlet. The exhaust direction is perpendicular to the fan shaft, and 360-degree exhaust in a specified direction can be achieved to change the flow direction of the wind. Exemplarily, the cold chamber 112 also has a vent 112b connected to the first space 112c, and the path of the airflow also passes through the vent 112b. When the ice inlet 113c on the ice storage box 113 is connected to the ice outlet 112a as the first air inlet, the vent 112b can be connected to the first air outlet (not shown) on the ice storage box 113, and the heat absorber 115 is located on the path of the airflow between the vent 112b and the ice inlet 113c. The path of the airflow at this time is the ice inlet 113c, the ice storage space, the first air outlet, the heat absorber 115 and the airflow generating assembly 114, the vent 112b, the first space 112c, the ice outlet 112a, and the ice inlet 113c. The airflow forms a cycle in the ice-making device 100 and passes through the ice storage space and the inside of the cold container 112. The circulating airflow allows the ice-making device 100 to recycle the cold air cooled by the heat absorber 115, while keeping the ice cubes 200 in the ice storage space warm, and providing a low temperature environment for the ice-making head 111 when making ice, saving energy and having a good insulation effect.

[0056] Optionally, in conjunction with reference Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4C, the ice inlet 113c on the ice storage box 113 can be used as when the first air outlet is connected to the ice outlet 112a, the vent 112b is connected to the first air inlet (not shown) on the ice storage box 113, and the heat absorber 115 is located on the path of the airflow between the vent 112b and the first air inlet. At this time, the path of the airflow is the first air inlet, the ice storage space, the ice inlet 113c, the ice outlet 112a, the first space 112c, the vent 112b, the heat absorber 115 and the airflow generating assembly 114, and the first air inlet. At this time, the air cooled by the heat absorber 115 directly enters the ice storage space of the ice storage box 113 through the first air inlet, directly cools the ice cubes 200 in the ice storage space, and has a better insulation effect on the ice cubes 200.

[0057] Combined with reference Figure 4A , Figure 4C and Figure 6 , the cold chamber wall where the ice outlet 112a is located can be located at the bottom of the first space 112c. The ice outlet 112a can be set downward. The top of the ice storage box 113 has an ice inlet 113c, and the ice inlet 113c can include a first part 1131c and a second part 1132c. The first part 1131c is located directly below the ice outlet 112a and docks with the ice outlet 112a. The first part 1131c is located directly below the ice outlet 112a, so that the ice cubes formed on the ice-making head 111 can directly fall into the ice storage box 113 through the ice outlet 112a under the action of gravity. In order to achieve this purpose, the orthographic projection of the ice outlet 112a on the horizontal plane must fall into the orthographic projection of the first part 1131c on the plane, so that the first part 1131c can receive the ice cubes. The first part 1131c can receive the ice cubes 200 discharged from the ice outlet 112a. The second portion 1132c protrudes forward from the first space 112c. One of the first portion 1131c and the second portion 1132c can form a first air inlet of the ice storage box 113, and the other of the first portion 1131c and the second portion 1132c forms a first air outlet of the ice storage box 113. Thus, the ice inlet 113c of the ice storage box 113 can be used for both air intake and air outlet through the blocking effect of the front wall of the cold chamber 112. In this way, there is no need to open an additional opening on the ice storage box 113 to form the aforementioned first air inlet and first air outlet.

[0058] For example, in conjunction with reference Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 4C and Figure 6, the heat absorbing member 115 and the airflow generating assembly 114 can be located above the second portion 1132c and in front of the first space 112c. Exemplarily and not restrictively, the vent 112b is arranged at the front side of the cold container 112. The heat absorbing member 115 and the airflow generating assembly 114 are arranged between the front side of the cold container 112 and the upper side of the ice storage box 113, which minimizes the path of the wind outside the cold container 112 and the ice storage box 113, reduces the heat exchange with the outside, and avoids the loss of cold. Exemplarily, after being cooled by the heat absorbing member 115, the airflow can enter the ice storage space through the ice inlet 113c, directly cool the ice cubes 200 in the ice storage space, and then enter the cold container 112 through the ice inlet 113c. Exemplarily, the airflow direction formed by the airflow generating assembly 114 can also be opposite to the above-mentioned circulation direction, that is, after being cooled by the heat absorbing member 115, it can first enter the cold container 112, and then enter the ice cubes 200 in the ice storage space for cooling. The heat absorbing member 115 and the airflow generating assembly 114 are arranged above the ice storage box 113 and in front of the cold container 112. On the one hand, the ice inlet 113c at the top of the ice storage box 113 can be used as the first air inlet and the first air outlet of the ice storage space; on the other hand, the space here can be used. The driver 142 for driving the ice making water storage box 141 to move is protrudingly located at the front side of the ice making water storage box 141, and the heat absorbing member 115 and the airflow generating assembly 114 can be located below the driver 142, so that the volume of the ice making device 100 will not be changed.

[0059] Typically, the ice storage box 113 may be located at the front side of the cold container 112. In another embodiment, for example, in conjunction with reference Figure 5A and Figure 5B, the heat absorbing member 115 and the airflow generating assembly 114 can be located on the side of the cold container 112 and the ice storage box 113. Exemplarily and not restrictively, the vent 112b can be arranged on the side of the cold container 112, and the side of the ice storage box 113 can be provided with a first air inlet 113a. The heat absorbing member 115 and the airflow generating assembly 114 are arranged adjacent to the first air inlet 113a and the vent 112b, so that the airflow after cooling can first enter the ice storage space of the ice storage box 113, and then enter the cold container 112, and form a circulation between the ice storage box 113 and the cold container 112. Optionally and not shown, the side of the ice storage box 113 can be provided with a first air outlet, so that the airflow after cooling can first enter the cold container 112, and then enter the ice storage space of the ice storage box 113. The former can first cool the ice cubes 200 in the ice storage space, and the heat preservation effect of the ice cubes 200 is better. The heat absorbing member 115 and the airflow generating assembly 114 are both arranged on the sides of the cold container 112 and the ice storage box 113, which does not significantly change the existing structure design of the water purifier, thereby reducing the cost of installation and maintenance. For example, the airflow direction formed by the airflow generating assembly 114 can also be opposite to the above-mentioned circulation direction, that is, after being cooled by the heat absorbing member 115, the airflow can first enter the cold container 112, and then enter the ice cubes 200 in the ice storage space for cooling.

[0060] refer to Figure 6 , a first space 112c for accommodating an ice-making head 111 and a second space 112d for storing water may be provided in the cold chamber 112. Exemplarily, the second space 112d is used to store cold water. The second space 112d is located below the first space 112c. The low temperature environment in the second space 112d of the cold chamber 112 can improve the ice-making efficiency of the ice-making head 111 in the first space 112c, and at the same time, the heat absorbed by the ice-making head 111 in the first space 112c during operation can also maintain the low temperature of the second space 112d. Moreover, the excess uncondensed water generated by the ice-making head 111 in the first space 112c during the ice-making process can fall into the second space 112d. It can be seen that the structure of the ice-making device is more concise and compact.

[0061] For example, Figure 6As shown, an ice delivery channel 116 may be provided in the cold container 112. The ice delivery channel 116 is used to receive the ice cubes 200 falling from the ice-making head 111 and transport the ice cubes 200 to the ice outlet 112a. The ice delivery channel 116 divides the space in the cold container 112 into a first space 112c and a second space 112d. A drainage hole 117 is provided on the ice delivery channel 116. The ice delivery channel 116 extends downwardly obliquely to the edge of the ice outlet 112a. In the process of ice cubes 200 and some residual cold water sliding down the ice delivery channel 116 to the ice outlet 112a, the cold water can return to the cold container 112 through the drainage hole 117, thereby avoiding the need to provide additional devices to collect this part of the cold water, and this part of the cold water has a lower temperature, and directly returning to the cold container 112 can avoid the loss of cold capacity. At the same time, relatively dry ice cubes 200 can enter the ice outlet 112a. Dry ice cubes 200 are less likely to stick together and less likely to breed bacteria, so they can be stored for a longer period of time and have a relatively better taste.

[0062] According to another aspect of the present application, a water purifier is provided. Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D and Figure 2A , the water purifier may include a main body 1 and any of the aforementioned ice-making devices 100. The ice storage box 113 of the ice-making device 100 is detachably connected to the front side of the main body 1. The refrigeration component and the airflow generating component 114 of the ice-making device 100 are arranged in the main body 1. The detachable ice storage box 113 can be easily taken out of the water purifier, which is convenient for users to take ice cubes 200 and also makes cleaning easier. The user can rinse the ice storage box 113 under the faucet, or use a detergent for deep cleaning to ensure the hygiene and purity of the ice cubes 200. The refrigeration component and the airflow generating component 114 of the ice-making device 100 are arranged in the main body 1 to ensure that it is not affected by the external environment of the water purifier during operation, and to ensure the working stability of the ice-making device 100.

[0063] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional words such as "front", "back", "up", "down", "left", "right", "lateral", "vertical", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", etc. are usually based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention; the directional words "inside" and "outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contours of each component itself.

[0064] For ease of description, regional relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used here to describe the regional positional relationship between one or more components or features shown in the figure and other components or features. It should be understood that regional relative terms include not only the orientation of the components as described in the figure, but also different orientations in use or operation. For example, if the components in the accompanying drawings are inverted as a whole, the components "above other components or features" or "above other components or features" will include the situation where the components are "below other components or structures" or "below other components or structures". Therefore, the exemplary term "above" may include both "above" and "below". In addition, these components or features may also be positioned at other different angles (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other angles), and this article is intended to include all of these situations.

[0065] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, parts, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0066] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the numbers used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0067] The utility model has been described through the above embodiments, but it should be understood that the above embodiments are only for the purpose of example and description, and are not intended to limit the utility model to the scope of the described embodiments. In addition, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the utility model is not limited to the above embodiments, and more variations and modifications can be made according to the teachings of the utility model, and these variations and modifications all fall within the scope of protection claimed by the utility model. The protection scope of the utility model is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ice-making device, characterized in that: The ice making device comprises: An ice storage box, the ice storage box having an ice storage space for storing ice cubes, and a first air inlet and a first air outlet communicated with the ice storage space; a refrigeration assembly, the refrigeration assembly comprising a heat absorber, the heat absorber being located outside the ice storage space; and An airflow generating component is located outside the ice storage space, and is used to form an airflow, and the path of the airflow passes through the heat absorption component, the first air inlet and the first air outlet in sequence.

2. The ice-making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes a second air inlet and a second air outlet, the second air inlet is connected between the first air inlet and the outside, the second air outlet is connected between the first air outlet and the outside, and the path of the airflow also passes through the second air inlet and the second air outlet; The heat absorption element is located on the path of the air flow between the second air inlet and the first air inlet.

3. The ice-making device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The refrigeration assembly further includes a heat release element, and the heat release element is located on a path of air flow between the first air outlet and the second air outlet.

4. The ice-making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ice making device also includes: An ice-making head for making ice cubes; and A cold cabinet, wherein the cold cabinet has a first space for accommodating the ice-making head, and an ice outlet is provided on a cold cabinet wall forming the first space of the cold cabinet, wherein one of the first air inlet and the first air outlet is connected to the ice outlet, and the one of the first air inlet and the first air outlet is also used to receive ice cubes discharged from the ice outlet.

5. The ice-making device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cooling tank also has a vent connected to the first space, and the airflow path also passes through the vent, wherein When the first air outlet is connected to the ice outlet, the vent is connected to the first air inlet, and the heat absorbing element is located on the path of the air flow between the vent and the first air inlet; or When the first air inlet is connected to the ice outlet, the vent is connected to the first air outlet, and the heat absorbing element is located on the path of the air flow between the vent and the first air outlet.

6. The ice-making device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cold chamber wall is located at the bottom of the first space, the ice outlet is arranged downward, the top of the ice storage box is provided with an ice inlet, the ice inlet comprises a first part and a second part, the first part is located directly below the ice outlet and docked with the ice outlet, the second part protrudes forward from the first space, One of the first part and the second part forms the first air inlet, and the other of the first part and the second part forms the first air outlet, The heat absorbing element and the airflow generating assembly are located above the second portion and in front of the first space.

7. The ice-making device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ice storage box is located at the front side of the cold container, and the heat absorbing element and the airflow generating assembly are located at the sides of the cold container and the ice storage box.

8. The ice-making device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cold container also has a second space for storing water, and the second space is located below the first space.

9. The ice-making device according to claim 8, characterized in that: An ice conveying channel is arranged in the cold container, the ice conveying channel divides the space in the cold container into the first space and the second space, a drainage hole is arranged on the ice conveying channel, and the ice conveying channel extends downwardly and obliquely to the edge of the ice outlet.

10. The ice-making device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigeration assembly further includes a compressor and a condenser, the heat absorbing element is an evaporator, the outlet of the evaporator is connected to the inlet of the compressor, the outlet of the compressor is connected to the inlet of the condenser, and the outlet of the condenser is connected to the inlet of the evaporator; The ice-making device also includes an ice-making head, in which a refrigerant flow channel is provided, an outlet of the refrigerant flow channel is connected to an inlet of the compressor, an outlet of the condenser is connected to the inlet of the refrigerant flow channel, and the ice cubes are made by the ice-making head.

11. A water purifier, characterized in that: The beverage purifier comprises a main body and an ice-making device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The ice storage box of the ice-making device is detachably connected to the front side of the main body; The refrigeration assembly and the airflow generating assembly of the ice-making device are arranged in the main body.

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