Ice maker

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ice maker. The ice maker comprises a supporting shell, ice cube trays, an ice cube collecting container and a vibration module, the ice cube tray is arranged on the supporting shell and is provided with a plurality of ice making grooves; the ice block collecting container is arranged on the supporting shell; the vibration module comprises a vibration part and a transmission assembly, the transmission assembly is connected to the ice cube tray, the vibration part is installed on the transmission assembly, and the vibration part is used for generating vibration during working and transmitting the vibration to the ice cube tray through the transmission assembly. According to the embodiment, ice blocks are separated from the ice cube trays through vibration, the ice unloading process is relatively mild, the influence of vibration on the ice maker is relatively small, and the ice maker is prevented from being damaged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of refrigeration equipment, and in particular to an ice maker. Background Art

[0002] As the demand for ice cubes increases, ice making devices for making ice cubes have emerged. Ice making devices can produce ice cubes for refrigerating fresh food, medical ice compresses, mixing drinks, etc. Generally, ice making devices have an ice tray, and liquid water is temporarily stored in multiple slots on the ice tray. The ice cubes are taken out after the liquid water condenses into ice.

[0003] After the ice cubes are frozen, the connection between them and the ice tray is relatively strong. The existing ice-making device causes the ice cubes to fall off by impacting the ice tray, which makes the ice-making device easily damaged and has a poor deicing effect. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present application provides an ice maker, which includes a supporting shell, an ice tray, an ice collection container and a vibration module; the ice tray is arranged on the supporting shell, and the ice tray is provided with a plurality of ice making grooves; the ice collection container is arranged on the supporting shell; the vibration module includes a vibration member and a transmission assembly, the transmission assembly is connected to the ice tray, the vibration member is installed on the transmission assembly, and the vibration member is used to generate vibration during operation and transmit the vibration to the ice tray through the transmission assembly.

[0005] Among them, in some optional embodiments, the ice-making groove is arranged on one side of the ice tray, the transmission assembly includes a shell, the shell is fixedly connected to the side of the ice tray away from the ice-making groove, the shell is provided with an enclosed space, and the vibration member is arranged in the enclosed space and abuts against the shell.

[0006] Among them, in some optional embodiments, the shell includes a mounting shell and a packaging cover, the mounting shell is fixedly connected to the ice tray, the mounting shell is provided with an installation space, and the vibration member is arranged in the installation space; the packaging cover is connected to the mounting shell, and the packaging cover covers the installation space so that the mounting shell and the packaging cover jointly define an enclosed space.

[0007] Among them, in some optional embodiments, the installation space forms an opening on a side of the installation shell facing away from the ice tray, and the packaging cover includes a covering portion and an embedded portion connected to each other, the covering portion covers the opening, the embedded portion protrudes toward the installation shell relative to the covering portion, and the embedded portion is embedded in the installation space through the opening and fits against the inner wall of the installation shell.

[0008] In some optional embodiments, the transmission assembly further includes a seal, which is disposed in the installation space and clamped between the vibration member and the packaging cover.

[0009] In some optional embodiments, the transmission assembly further includes a shock absorbing member, the shock absorbing member and the sealing member are respectively located on two opposite sides of the vibration member, and the vibration member and the mounting shell clamp the shock absorbing member together.

[0010] Among them, in some optional embodiments, the ice tray has an ice-making side and an installation side arranged opposite to each other, a plurality of ice-making grooves are arranged on the ice-making side, a transmission assembly is connected to the installation side, and a local structure of the transmission assembly is spaced apart from the installation side; the ice maker also includes a connected compressor and a refrigerant pipe, the compressor is arranged on the supporting shell, the refrigerant pipe is used for supplying the refrigerant agent to flow, and the refrigerant pipe is arranged between the transmission assembly and the ice tray and in contact with the ice tray.

[0011] In some optional embodiments, the ice maker further includes a detection sensor component, which includes a signal outputter and a signal receiver. The signal outputter is used to transmit a detection signal to the signal receiver, and a propagation path of the detection signal intersects with a movement path of the ice cubes.

[0012] Among them, in some optional embodiments, the ice maker also includes a water circulation system, and a water outlet and a water collection port are respectively provided at both ends of the water circulation system. The water collection port is connected to the ice collection container, and the ice grid is located between the water outlet and the ice collection container. The water circulation system is used to drive the flowing water to flow through the ice making side and then flow into the ice collection container.

[0013] Among them, in some optional embodiments, the supporting shell is used to be supported on a horizontal supporting plane, the ice tray has an ice-making side, and multiple ice-making grooves are arranged on the ice-making side; when the ice maker is in working state, the ice-making side is arranged toward the horizontal supporting plane, and the angle between the plane defined by the ice-making side and the vertical plane is in the range of: greater than 0° and less than or equal to 15°.

[0014] The present application provides an ice maker, which includes a support shell, an ice tray, an ice collection container, and a vibration module. The ice collection container is arranged on the support shell, the ice tray is arranged on the support shell and on one side of the ice collection container, the ice tray is provided with a plurality of ice making grooves, and the plurality of ice making grooves are connected to the collection port of the ice collection container. The vibration module includes a vibration member and a transmission assembly, the transmission assembly is connected to the ice tray, the vibration member is installed on the transmission assembly, the vibration member is used to generate vibration during operation and transmit the vibration to the ice tray through the transmission assembly, the ice tray and the ice thereon vibrate, so that the ice cubes are shaken off the ice tray and collected in the ice collection container.

[0015] The present embodiment separates the ice cubes from the ice tray by vibration, which can effectively separate the ice cubes from the ice tray. The components that vibrate during the ice-removing process are mainly the ice tray and the vibration module. Other components of the ice maker, such as the support shell and the ice collection container, do not vibrate or vibrate very little. The entire ice-removing process is relatively peaceful and generates less noise. The vibration generated by the vibration component has little effect on other structures other than the ice tray, thereby avoiding damage to the ice maker and extending the service life of the ice maker. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application, the drawings required for use in the implementation manner will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some implementation manners of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the ice making machine provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the vibration module of the ice maker is shown.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of the packaging cover of the vibration module shown.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the water circulation system of the ice making machine is shown.

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of the ice tray of the ice maker shown.

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A side view of an ice tray of an ice maker is shown.

[0023] Figure numbers: 100, ice maker, 10, supporting shell, 11, accommodating space, 20, ice tray, 21, ice making groove, 22, ice making side, 23, installation side, 24, first end, 25, second end, 26, groove group, 27, conduction groove, 33, ice cube collection container, 331, collection port, 40, vibration module, 41, vibration member, 42, transmission assembly, 421, shell, 4212, installation shell, 4213, installation space, 4214, packaging cover, 4215, sealing part, 4216, embedded part, 424, sealing member, 425, shock absorbing member, 50, water circulation system, 51, water collection port, 52, water outlet, 53, water pump, 54, water pipe, 60, refrigerant pipe, 81, signal output device, 82, signal receiver, 90, compressor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0025] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 The present application embodiment provides an ice maker 100 , which is used to prepare ice cubes for refrigerating fresh food, applying ice compresses for medical use, mixing drinks, etc. In this embodiment, the ice maker 100 includes a supporting shell 10 , an ice tray 20 , and a vibration module 40 .

[0026] The support shell 10 serves as the main structure of the ice maker 100 and forms the appearance of the ice maker 100. The support shell 10 has a receiving space 11, and the ice tray 20 is arranged on the support shell 10 and located in the receiving space 11. A plurality of ice making grooves 21 are arranged on one side of the ice tray 20, and liquid water can be temporarily stored in the ice making grooves 21 and condensed in the ice making grooves 21 to form ice cubes. The shape of the ice cubes is roughly the same as the shape of the ice making grooves 21, and different ice making grooves 21 can be selected to produce ice cubes of different shapes or sizes. In this embodiment, the ice tray 20 is arranged in the receiving space 11, which can prevent dust and other impurities from entering the ice making grooves 21, ensuring the cleanliness of the ice cubes, and the support shell 10 can separate the ice tray 20 from the external environment to prevent the external environment from exchanging heat with the ice tray 20 and the ice cubes on the ice tray 20, ensuring the ice making efficiency and avoiding excessive energy consumption.

[0027] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the vibration module 40 includes a vibration member 41 and a transmission assembly 42. The transmission assembly 42 is fixedly connected to the ice tray 20, and the vibration member 41 is installed on the transmission assembly 42 and is transmission-connected with the transmission assembly 42. In this embodiment, the vibration needs to be transmitted through the transmission assembly 42, so the vibration member 41 and the transmission assembly 42 can abut to achieve the transmission of vibration. In some embodiments, the vibration member 41 and the transmission assembly 42 can be fixedly connected (welded, screwed) to achieve the transmission of vibration. After the liquid water condenses in the ice tray 20 to form ice cubes, the vibration member 41 works to generate vibration, and the vibration is transmitted to the ice tray 20 through the transmission assembly 42, and the ice cubes in the ice tray 20 and the ice making groove 21 vibrate so that the ice cubes can be separated from the ice tray 20. In this embodiment, the vibration member 41 can be a vibration motor, an exciter, etc.

[0028] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2In this embodiment, the ice maker 100 further includes an ice cube collection container 33, which is also disposed on the support shell 10 and located in the accommodating space 11. In this embodiment, in actual application, the support shell 10 of the ice maker 100 is used to be supported on a support plane (e.g., a platform surface such as the ground or a tabletop), and the support shell 10 can also be hung on an indoor wall and located above the indoor floor. In this embodiment, the support shell 10 is disposed on the support plane, and a collection port 331 is provided on the side of the ice cube collection container 33 away from the support plane. The ice tray 20 is located above the ice cube collection container 33. The ice cubes in the ice making trough 21 are separated from the ice tray 20 under the vibration of the vibration module 40, and fall into the ice cube collection container 33 through the collection port 331.

[0029] In summary, the ice maker 100 in this embodiment includes a support housing 10, an ice tray 20, a vibration module 40 and an ice cube collection container 33 arranged inside the support housing 10. The vibration module 40 includes a vibration member 41 and a transmission assembly 42, and the transmission assembly 42 is connected between the vibration member 41 and the ice tray 20. After ice cubes are formed in the ice making groove 21 on the ice tray 20, the vibration member 41 works to generate vibration and transmits the vibration to the ice tray 20 through the transmission assembly 42, and the ice tray 20 and the ice cubes thereon vibrate, so that the ice cubes fall off the ice tray 20 and are concentrated in the ice cube collection container 33. The present embodiment separates the ice cubes from the ice tray 20 by vibration, and can effectively separate the ice cubes from the ice tray 20. The components that vibrate during the ice-removing process are mainly the ice tray 20 and the vibration module 40. Other components of the ice-making machine 100, such as the support shell 10 and the ice cube collection container 30, do not vibrate or vibrate very little. The entire ice-removing process is relatively peaceful and generates less noise. The vibration generated by the vibration component 41 has little effect on other structures other than the ice tray 20, thereby avoiding damage to the ice-making machine 100 and extending the service life of the ice-making machine 100.

[0030] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the transmission assembly 42 includes a shell 421, which is used to install the vibration member 41 and to transmit the vibration generated by the vibration member 41 to the ice tray 20. Specifically, the shell 421 is fixedly connected to the side of the ice tray 20 away from the ice making groove 21 to prevent the transmission assembly 42 from hindering the ice cubes from falling off. The shell 421 has a closed space, and the vibration member 41 is installed in the closed space to isolate the vibration member 41 from the outside, to prevent water droplets from condensing on the vibration member 41 in an environment of alternating hot and cold, and to prevent the vibration member 41 from short-circuiting when encountering water. The vibration member 41 is in contact with the shell 421, so that when the vibration member 41 is working, the vibration can be transmitted to the shell 421 and then transmitted to the ice tray 20 again.

[0031] See also Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3In this embodiment, the housing 421 includes a mounting shell 4212 and a packaging cover 4214. The mounting shell 4212 is provided with a mounting space 4213. The mounting space 4213 is used to accommodate the vibration member 41. The packaging cover 4214 is connected to the mounting shell 4212 and covers the mounting space 4213, so that the mounting space 4213 is sealed. In this embodiment, the mounting shell 4212 (mounting space 4213) and the packaging cover 4214 jointly define a closed space. Specifically, the mounting space 4213 forms an opening on the side of the mounting shell 4212 away from the ice tray 20, and the vibration member 41 is embedded in the mounting space 4213 via the opening. The packaging cover 4214 is connected to the side of the mounting shell 4212 away from the ice tray 20 and covers the opening to seal the mounting space 4213.

[0032] In this embodiment, the packaging cover 4214 includes a sealing portion 4215 and an embedding portion 4216 connected to each other. The sealing portion 4215 is a plate-shaped structure. The sealing portion 4215 is attached to the side of the installation shell 4212 away from the ice tray 20 to fit with the edge structure of the opening, thereby covering the opening. The embedding portion 4216 protrudes toward the installation shell 4212 relative to the sealing portion 4215. The embedding portion 4216 is embedded in the installation space 4213 through the opening and fits with the inner wall of the installation shell 4212 to increase the contact area between the packaging cover 4214 and the installation shell 4212, thereby improving the airtightness of the installation space 4213.

[0033] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the transmission assembly 42 further includes a seal 424, which is disposed in the installation space 4213. The peripheral edge structure of the seal 424 can fit with the side wall of the installation space 4213 to preliminarily separate the vibration member 41 from the external air. In this embodiment, the seal 424 is located between the vibration member 41 and the packaging cover 4214 and is clamped by the vibration member 41 and the packaging cover 4214, so as to prevent the seal 424 from moving in the installation space 4213, and also to limit the range of movement of the vibration member 41, so as to ensure that the vibration member 41 is in contact with the installation shell 4212. In this embodiment, the seal 424 can include at least one of a silicone seal and a rubber seal.

[0034] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2The transmission assembly 42 in this embodiment further includes a shock absorber 425, which is disposed in the installation space 4213. The shock absorber 425 and the sealing member 424 are respectively located on both sides of the vibration member 41. The shock absorber 425 is located between the mounting shell 4212 and the vibration member 41 to separate the mounting shell 4212 and the vibration member 41, so as to avoid the vibration member 41 from hard contact with the mounting shell 4212, thereby further reducing the impact force generated by the vibration member 41 and the noise generated by the vibration. The vibration member 41 and the mounting shell 4212 clamp the shock absorber 425 together, and the vibration generated by the vibration member 41 during operation can be transmitted to the mounting shell 4212 through the shock absorber 425, so that the impact force is weakened and the noise is small, and the shock absorber 425 can evenly transmit the vibration to the mounting shell 4212, so that each part of the ice tray 20 is roughly evenly stressed, and it is prevented that the ice cubes in some ice making grooves 21 cannot fall off. In this embodiment, the shock absorbing member 425 may include at least one of a silicone shock absorbing pad, a rubber shock absorbing pad, and a sponge shock absorbing pad.

[0035] See also Figure 4 The ice maker 100 in this embodiment is a water-flowing ice maker 100. Specifically, the ice maker 100 further includes a water circulation system 50, which is disposed in the accommodating space 11 of the supporting shell 10. A water collecting port 51 and a water outlet 52 are respectively disposed at both ends of the water circulation system 50. The water collecting port 51 is connected to the ice cube collection container 33, and the water outlet 52 is located on the side of the ice tray 20 away from the ice cube collection container 33. The ice tray 20 is located between the ice cube collection container 33 and the water outlet 52, that is, in the vertical direction, the water outlet 52, the ice tray 20 and the ice cube collection container 33 are arranged from top to bottom. In the present embodiment, the side of the ice tray 20 having multiple ice-making grooves 21 is defined as the ice-making side 22. In actual application scenarios, the water circulation system 50 can drive the flowing water to be discharged from the water outlet 52. The flowing water flows through the ice-making side 22 and passes through the multiple ice-making grooves 21 on the ice-making side 22. Part of the flowing water condenses in the ice-making grooves 21, and part of the flowing water flows into the ice cube collection container 33. Then, the water circulation system 50 draws the flowing water in the ice cube collection container 33 through the water collection port 51 and discharges the flowing water from the water outlet 52.

[0036] In this embodiment, the water circulation system 50 may include a water pump 53 and a water pipe 54, and the two ends of the water pipe 54 are respectively provided with a water collection port 51 and a water outlet 52. The water pump 53 is connected to the water pipe 54 and is located between the water collection port 51 and the water outlet 52. The water pump 53 works to suck liquid water in the ice collection container 33 through the water collection port 51 and discharge the liquid water from the water outlet 52.

[0037] See also Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6In this embodiment, the support plane where the support shell 10 is located is approximately a horizontal plane, and the ice tray 20 is fixed relative to the ice cube collection container 33 and is approximately inclined relative to the horizontal support plane, so that when the ice maker 100 is in working state, the ice-making side 22 faces the horizontal support plane and the collection port 331 of the ice cube collection container 33, so that the ice cubes can fall into the ice cube collection container 33 after being separated from the ice tray 20. In this embodiment, a vertical plane is set based on the horizontal support plane, and the plane defined by the ice-making side 22 intersects with the vertical plane and the intersection line is parallel to the horizontal support plane. The angle between the plane defined by the ice-making side 22 and the vertical plane is in the range of: greater than 0° and less than or equal to 15°, such as 3°, 5°, 6.5°, 10°, 15°, etc. In this embodiment, the angle range between the plane defined by the ice-making side 22 and the vertical plane is preferably selected to be greater than 0° and less than or equal to 10°, such as 1°, 2°, 3°, 5.5°, 8°, 10°, etc. Under the arrangement of this embodiment, it is beneficial to separate ice cubes from the ice tray 20 and to facilitate the collection of ice cubes. In other embodiments, the ice tray 20 can be arranged horizontally and the ice-making side 22 is away from the horizontal support plane. After the liquid water is condensed and formed, the ice tray 20 is driven by a driving mechanism (such as a motor, a hydraulic rod) to rotate until the ice-making side 22 faces the ice cube collection container 33.

[0038] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the end of the ice tray 20 away from the horizontal support plane is defined as the first end 24, and the end of the ice tray 20 close to the horizontal support plane is defined as the second end 25. The ice maker 100 in this application is a water-flowing ice maker 100. In actual working conditions, the flowing water has a certain flow rate when it is discharged from the water outlet 52. The flowing water can flow from the first end 24 to the ice-making side 22, and then continue to flow and leave the ice-making side 22 from the second end 25 and flow to the ice cube collection container 33, so that the flowing water can roughly flow through each ice-making groove 21 on the ice-making side 22.

[0039] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, a plurality of ice-making grooves 21 are arranged in an array to form a plurality of groove groups 26, and the plurality of ice-making grooves 21 in each groove group 26 are arranged in sequence approximately along the direction from the first end 24 to the second end 25. The plurality of groove groups 26 are arranged in sequence approximately along the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, a conducting groove 27 is provided between two adjacent ice-making grooves 21 in each groove group 26, and the conducting groove 27 is formed on the surface of the ice-making side 22, and the conducting groove 27 is respectively connected with two adjacent ice-making grooves 21, so as to facilitate the flowing water to flow from one ice-making groove 21 to the ice-making groove 21 adjacent to the ice-making groove 21.

[0040] See also Figure 2In this embodiment, the side of the ice tray 20 away from the ice making groove 21 is defined as the installation side 23, so the installation side 23 and the ice making side 22 are respectively located on opposite sides of the ice tray 20. The ice maker 100 also includes a compressor 90 and a refrigerant pipe 60. The compressor 90 is arranged on the support shell 10. The refrigerant pipe 60 is connected to the compressor 90. A refrigerant agent flows in the refrigerant pipe 60 and the compressor 90. The refrigerant agent is used to exchange heat with flowing water. As can be seen from the foregoing, the transmission assembly 42 is located on the installation side 23 of the ice tray 20 and is connected to the ice tray 20. In this embodiment, the refrigerant pipe 60 is arranged between the transmission assembly 42 and the ice tray 20, and the refrigerant pipe 60 is in contact with the installation side 23 of the ice tray 20 to ensure the heat exchange effect between the refrigerant pipe 60 and the flowing water, thereby improving the ice making efficiency.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the mounting shell 4212 of the transmission assembly 42 is connected to the mounting side 23. In the present embodiment, the mounting shell 4212 and the ice tray 20 can be connected by a connecting structure (such as screws, pins, etc.) so that the mounting shell 4212 and the ice tray 20 are detachably connected to facilitate the pre-assembly of the vibration module 40. In some embodiments, the mounting shell 4212 and the ice tray 20 can be connected by welding to ensure the stability of the connection relationship, so as to facilitate the efficient transmission of vibration. The local structure of the mounting shell 4212 is spaced apart from the ice tray 20, and the refrigerant pipe 60 is located between the mounting shell 4212 and the ice tray 20. The refrigerant pipe 60 is welded to the ice tray 20 so that the connection relationship between the refrigerant pipe 60 and the ice tray 20 is relatively stable, thereby improving the heat conduction effect and the heat exchange effect. The refrigerant pipe 60 is spaced apart from the mounting shell 4212 to prevent the refrigerant pipe 60 from vibrating at a high frequency or with a large amplitude, thereby ensuring that the refrigerant pipe 60 is firmly connected to the ice tray 20, preventing the refrigerant pipe 60 from being damaged due to high-frequency and high-amplitude vibration, and preventing refrigerant leakage.

[0042] See also Figure 4 In this embodiment, the ice maker 100 further includes a detection sensor assembly, which can be arranged on the ice cube collection container 33. The detection sensor assembly in this embodiment includes a signal output device 81 and a signal receiver 82, and the signal output device 81 is used to transmit a detection signal to the signal receiver 82. The signal output device 81 and the signal receiver 82 are arranged at the edge structure of the collection port 331 and are located on the side of the collection port 331 close to the ice making side 22. The signal output device 81 and the signal receiver 82 are arranged at intervals, and the ice tray 20 is approximately located between the signal output device 81 and the signal receiver 82, so that when the ice cube passes through the collection port 331, the ice cube is located between the signal output device 81 and the signal receiver 82, that is, in this embodiment, the propagation path of the detection signal intersects with the movement path of the ice cube in the process of falling into the ice cube collection container 30.

[0043] In this embodiment, the ice maker 100 includes a control module (not shown in the figure), and the control module is electrically connected to the compressor 90 and the detection sensor assembly. In this embodiment, the detection sensor assembly includes an infrared sensor assembly, the signal output device 81 includes an infrared light emitter, and the signal receiver 82 includes a photodiode. The infrared light emitter and the photodiode are electrically connected to the control module. The infrared light emitter emits infrared light to the photodiode. When the infrared light irradiates the photodiode, current is generated, and the control module converts the current into a digital signal or an analog signal.

[0044] In actual application scenarios, ice cubes move between the signal output device 81 and the signal receiver 82 and are located on the propagation path of the detection signal. The ice cubes prevent the detection signal from continuing to propagate toward the signal receiver 82, and the signal receiver 82 is interrupted in receiving the detection signal. Since the ice tray 20 can generate multiple ice cubes at a time, it takes a certain amount of time for all the ice cubes to fall into the ice collection container 33. Therefore, the signal receiver 82 does not receive the detection signal during this period of time or the received detection signal is discontinuous. After all the ice cubes fall into the ice collection container 33, the detection signal can be transmitted to the signal receiver 82, and the signal receiver 82 is in a state of stably receiving the detection signal. When the duration of this state reaches a certain length of time (for example, 2 seconds, 3 seconds, etc.), it indicates that all the ice cubes have fallen into the ice collection container 33. At this time, the control module controls the compressor 90 to start the refrigeration mode to make ice again.

[0045] In this embodiment, the control module includes a timing module, which records the time when the compressor 90 is in the cooling mode. When the time reaches a preset time, it indicates that ice making is completed. The control module controls the water circulation system 50 mentioned above to stop pumping water and starts the vibration member 41 to vibrate, so that the ice cubes fall off the ice tray 20 under the action of vibration. In the actual application scenario, the control module controls the compressor 90 to start the heating mode, so that the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe 60 releases heat. When the refrigerant flows through the ice tray 20, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the ice cubes in the ice tray 20, so that the part of the ice cubes that contacts the ice making groove 21 melts, so that the ice cubes are separated from the ice making groove 21 to accelerate the speed of ice cubes falling off. After all the ice cubes fall into the ice cube collection container 33, the control module controls the compressor 90 to start the cooling mode to make ice again, and the cycle repeats.

[0046] The present application provides an ice maker 100, which includes a support shell 10, an ice tray 20, a vibration module 40, and an ice cube collection container 33 disposed inside the support shell 10. The vibration module 40 includes a vibration member 41 and a transmission assembly 42, and the transmission assembly 42 is connected between the vibration member 41 and the ice tray 20. After ice cubes are formed in the ice making groove 21 on the ice tray 20, the vibration member 41 works to generate vibration and transmits the vibration to the ice tray 20 through the transmission assembly 42, and the ice tray 20 and the ice cubes thereon vibrate, so that the ice cubes fall off the ice tray 20 and are concentrated in the ice cube collection container 33. The present embodiment separates the ice cubes from the ice tray 20 by vibration, and can effectively separate the ice cubes from the ice tray 20. The components that vibrate during the ice-removing process are mainly the ice tray 20 and the vibration module 40. Other components of the ice-making machine 100, such as the support shell 10 and the ice cube collection container 30, do not vibrate or vibrate very little. The entire ice-removing process is relatively peaceful and generates less noise. The vibration generated by the vibration component 41 has little effect on other structures other than the ice tray 20, thereby avoiding damage to the ice-making machine 100 and extending the service life of the ice-making machine 100.

[0047] In the specification of this application, certain words are used to refer to specific components in the specification and claims. Those skilled in the art should understand that hardware manufacturers may use different terms to refer to the same component. The specification and claims do not use the difference in name as a way to distinguish components, but use the difference in function of the components as the criterion for distinction. For example, "including" mentioned throughout the specification and claims is an open term, so it should be interpreted as "including but not limited to"; "substantially" means that those skilled in the art can solve technical problems within a certain error range and basically achieve technical effects.

[0048] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", and "inside" indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are merely simplified descriptions for the convenience of describing the present application. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0049] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, it can be internal communication between two elements, or it can be only surface contact. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0050] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0051] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0052] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An ice making machine, characterized in that: include: Supporting shell; An ice tray, the ice tray being arranged on the supporting shell and having a plurality of ice making grooves; An ice cube collection container, wherein the ice cube collection container is disposed on the supporting shell; as well as A vibration module, the vibration module includes a vibration member and a transmission assembly, the transmission assembly is connected to the ice tray, the vibration member is installed on the transmission assembly, the vibration member is used to generate vibration during operation and transmit the vibration to the ice tray through the transmission assembly, and the ice cubes in the ice making groove are separated from the ice making groove under the action of vibration and are collected in the ice cube collection container.

2. The ice making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that The ice making groove is arranged on one side of the ice tray, the transmission assembly includes a shell, the shell is fixedly connected to the side of the ice tray away from the ice making groove, the shell is provided with a closed space, the vibration member is arranged in the closed space and abuts against the shell.

3. The ice making machine according to claim 2, characterized in that The housing comprises: A mounting shell, the mounting shell being fixedly connected to the ice tray, the mounting shell being provided with a mounting space, and the vibrating member being arranged in the mounting space; and A packaging cover is connected to the mounting shell, and the packaging cover seals the mounting space so that the mounting shell and the packaging cover together define the enclosed space.

4. The ice making machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The installation space forms an opening on a side of the installation shell away from the ice tray, and the packaging cover includes a sealing portion and an embedding portion connected to each other, the sealing portion covers the opening, the embedding portion protrudes toward the installation shell relative to the sealing portion, and the embedding portion is embedded in the installation space through the opening and fits against the inner wall of the installation shell.

5. The ice making machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transmission assembly further includes a sealing member, which is disposed in the installation space and is clamped between the vibration member and the packaging cover.

6. The ice making machine according to claim 5, characterized in that The transmission assembly further comprises a shock absorbing member, wherein the shock absorbing member and the sealing member are respectively located on two opposite sides of the vibration member, and the vibration member and the mounting shell clamp the shock absorbing member together.

7. The ice making machine according to claim 1, characterized in that The ice tray has an ice-making side and an installation side that are arranged opposite to each other, a plurality of ice-making grooves are arranged on the ice-making side, the transmission assembly is connected to the installation side, and a local structure of the transmission assembly is spaced apart from the installation side; The ice maker also includes a compressor and a refrigerant pipe that are connected. The compressor is arranged on the supporting shell. The refrigerant pipe is used for the flow of refrigerant. The refrigerant pipe is arranged between the transmission assembly and the ice tray and is in contact with the ice tray.

8. The ice making machine according to claim 7, characterized in that The ice maker further comprises a detection sensor assembly, which comprises a signal outputter and a signal receiver. The signal outputter is used to transmit a detection signal to the signal receiver, and a propagation path of the detection signal intersects with a movement path of the ice cubes.

9. The ice making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The ice maker also includes a water circulation system, and two ends of the water circulation system are respectively provided with a water outlet and a water collection port, the water collection port is connected to the ice collection container, the ice grid is located between the water outlet and the ice collection container, and the water circulation system is used to drive the flowing water to flow through the ice making side and then flow into the ice collection container.

10. The ice making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The supporting shell is used to be supported on a horizontal supporting plane, the ice tray has an ice-making side, and the plurality of ice-making grooves are arranged on the ice-making side; when the ice maker is in working state, the ice-making side is arranged toward the horizontal supporting plane, and the angle between the plane defined by the ice-making side and the vertical plane is in the range of: greater than 0° and less than or equal to 15°.

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