Ice making module for multifunctional water dispenser

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of small household appliances, in particular to an ice-making module for a multifunctional water dispenser, which comprises an ice water tank, and an ice storage tank, an ice-making tank and an ice-making element are sequentially arranged in the ice water tank from bottom to top; a water inlet of the micro water pump is communicated with the ice water tank, and a water outlet of the micro water pump is communicated with the ice making groove; a water receiving tank is arranged in the ice water tank and located between the ice storage tank and the ice making tank, and at least one water outlet hole used for conveying ice water in the water receiving tank to the ice water tank is formed in the bottom of the water receiving tank. The multifunctional water dispenser solves the problems that an existing multifunctional water dispenser is large in energy consumption, frequently generates noise and is low in ice making efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of small household appliances, and more specifically, to an ice-making module for a multifunctional water dispenser. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the market demand, existing water dispensers have added functions such as carbonated water, purified water, and ice-making in addition to the original functions of only providing hot water and ice water. Such water dispensers that integrate at least three functions of hot water, ice water, carbonated water, purified water, and ice-making are often called multifunctional water dispensers.

[0003] For a household multifunctional water dispenser, its volume should not be too large. In order to enable the multifunctional water dispenser to stably provide hot water, ice water, and ice cubes simultaneously within a limited design space, the refrigeration module selected for making ice water in the multifunctional water dispenser is usually a micro-compressor instead of a semiconductor refrigeration sheet. When the temperature of the ice water in the ice water tank is higher than the preset threshold, the micro-compressor starts to operate to cool the ice water in the ice water tank. At the same time, in order to ensure that ice cubes can be provided at any time, the refrigeration element for making ice cubes usually works continuously for a long time, and the temperature of the made ice cubes is also lower than the temperature of the ice water in the ice water tank.

[0004] The ice-making water process and the ice-making process in existing multifunctional water dispensers are independent of each other. For the ice-making water process, when the temperature of the ice water in the ice water tank is higher than the preset threshold, the micro-compressor starts to operate to cool the ice water in the ice water tank. The working power of the micro-compressor is relatively large (compared with the refrigeration element), and it will also generate relatively large noise. At the same time, the temperature difference of the ice water in the ice water tank (that is, the threshold difference between the start and stop of the micro-compressor) is relatively large. For the ice-making process, the efficiency is low when making the next batch of ice cubes because the normal temperature water is introduced into the ice-making tank, and the ice water in the ice water tank is not reasonably utilized. In addition, since the refrigeration element usually works continuously for a long time, when the ice water in the ice-making tank is completely turned into ice cubes, the refrigerating capacity generated by the refrigeration element will be wasted and not reasonably utilized.

[0005] In summary, due to the fact that the ice-making water process and the ice-making process in existing multifunctional water dispensers are not combined, the multifunctional water dispenser has problems such as high energy consumption, frequent noise generation, and low ice-making efficiency. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] Aiming at the deficiencies of the existing technology, the purpose of the present utility model is to provide an ice-making module for a multifunctional water dispenser, which can solve the problems of high energy consumption, frequent noise generation, and low ice-making efficiency existing in existing multifunctional water dispensers.

[0007] The above technical purpose of the present utility model is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0008] An ice-making module for a multi-functional water dispenser, comprising an ice water tank for accommodating the ice water to be drunk. Inside the ice water tank, there are successively arranged from bottom to top an ice storage tank for accommodating ice cubes, an ice-making tank for accommodating the ice water to be made into ice cubes, and an ice-making element for making the ice water in the ice-making tank into ice cubes; on the ice water tank, there is a micro water pump for conveying the ice water in the ice water tank to the ice-making tank. The water inlet of the micro water pump is communicated with the ice water tank, and its water outlet is communicated with the ice-making tank; inside the ice water tank and between the ice storage tank and the ice-making tank, there is a water receiving tank for accommodating the ice water overflowing from the ice-making tank and conveying the overflowing ice water to the ice water tank. At least one water outlet hole for conveying the ice water in the water receiving tank to the ice water tank is opened at the bottom of the water receiving tank.

[0009] Optionally, the ice-making tank is rotatably connected to the ice water tank, and on the ice water tank, there is a turning ice motor for driving the ice-making tank to rotate reciprocally to put the ice cubes into the ice storage tank.

[0010] Optionally, a baffle for blocking the ice cubes from entering the water receiving tank is hinged on the side wall of the ice-making tank.

[0011] Optionally, an ice outlet is opened on the ice storage tank, and on the ice water tank, there is an ice outlet motor. A spring ice outlet screw for conveying the ice cubes in the ice storage tank to the ice outlet is arranged on the output shaft of the ice outlet motor.

[0012] Optionally, the bottom surface of the ice storage tank is an inclined surface, and an ice water return hole for conveying the ice water generated by the melting of the ice cubes in the ice storage tank to the ice water tank is opened at the lowest point of the bottom surface.

[0013] Optionally, the axis of the spring ice outlet screw is arranged parallel to the bottom surface of the ice storage tank.

[0014] Optionally, it further comprises a protective shell provided with an ice outlet channel. The protective shell sleeves the ice water tank. The ice outlet channel is communicated with the ice outlet. A heat insulation layer is filled between the protective shell and the ice water tank.

[0015] Optionally, a first travel switch and a second travel switch are arranged on the ice water tank, and a travel bump for actively pressing against the first travel switch or the second travel switch is arranged at the end of the ice-making tank.

[0016] In summary, the utility model has the following beneficial effects: The ice water in the ice water tank is conveyed to the ice-making tank by the micro water pump for cooling treatment. The cooled ice water overflows from the ice-making tank and returns to the ice water tank through the water receiving tank provided with water outlet holes, so that the micro compressor does not need to start frequently. The extra cooling capacity generated by the refrigeration element is transferred to the ice water through the ice cubes, thereby reducing energy consumption and reducing the frequency of noise generation. In addition, when making the next batch of ice cubes, the micro water pump conveys the ice water in the ice water tank to the ice-making tank for ice-making, which has higher ice-making efficiency compared with making ice cubes from normal temperature water. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is the first structural schematic diagram of the present utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 is the second structural schematic diagram of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 The top view of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 is Figure 3 the sectional view of the A-A section in

[0021] Figure 5 is Figure 3 the sectional view of the B-B section in

[0022] Figure 6 is the partial structural schematic diagram of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 7 is the partial exploded view of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 8 is the structural schematic diagram of the present utility model installed on a multi-functional water dispenser.

[0025] In the figures: 1, ice water tank; 11, upper ice water inlet hole; 12, first travel switch; 13, second travel switch; 2, ice storage tank; 21, ice outlet; 22, ice water return hole; 3, ice making tank; 31, ice baffle; 32, travel bump; 4, ice making element; 5, water receiving tank; 51, water outlet; 6, ice turning motor; 7, ice outlet motor; 8, spring ice outlet screw; 9, protective housing; 91, ice outlet channel; 10, heat preservation layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] In order to make the objectives, features and advantages of the present utility model more obvious and understandable, the following will give a detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of the present utility model are shown in the drawings. However, the present utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0027] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "installation", "connection", "attachment", "fixation" shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances. The terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features.

[0028] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the direct contact between the first and second features, or may include the situation where the first and second features are not in direct contact but in contact through additional features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature. Terms such as "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right", "up", "down" and similar expressions are only for the purpose of illustration, rather than indicating or implying that the indicated device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus cannot be understood as a limitation to the present utility model.

[0029] The present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments.

[0030] The present utility model provides an ice-making module for a multi-functional water dispenser, as Figure 1-8 shown, which includes an ice water tank 1 for accommodating the ice water to be drunk. Inside the ice water tank 1, there are successively arranged from bottom to top a storage ice tank 2 for accommodating ice cubes, an ice-making tank 3 for accommodating the ice water to be made into ice cubes, and an ice-making element 4 for making the ice water in the ice-making tank 3 into ice cubes; on the ice water tank 1, there is a micro water pump for delivering the ice water in the ice water tank 1 to the ice-making tank 3. The water inlet of the micro water pump is communicated with the ice water tank 1, and its water outlet is communicated with the ice-making tank 3; inside the ice water tank 1 and between the storage ice tank 2 and the ice-making tank 3, there is a water receiving tank 5 for accommodating the ice water overflowing from the ice-making tank 3 and delivering the overflowing ice water to the ice water tank 1. At least one water outlet hole 51 for delivering the ice water in the water receiving tank 5 to the ice water tank 1 is opened at the bottom of the water receiving tank 5.

[0031] In this embodiment, an upper ice water inlet hole 11 is provided at the upper end of the ice water tank 1, a lower ice water inlet hole (not shown in the drawings) is provided at the middle end, and an ice water outlet hole (not shown in the drawings) is provided at the lower end thereof; the ice water outlet hole is communicated with the water inlet of a micro water pump (not shown in the drawings) through one port of a three-way pipe and a conduit, and the ice water outlet hole is communicated with the ice water outlet nozzle of a water dispenser through another port of the three-way pipe and a conduit; the lower ice water inlet hole is communicated with the water outlet hole of the refrigeration module through a conduit, and the ice water prepared by the refrigeration module is introduced into the ice water tank 1 through this; the upper ice water inlet hole 11 is communicated with the water outlet of the micro water pump through a conduit. The ice storage tank 2 is lapped at a position slightly lower inside the ice water tank 1 through a limiting structure, a water receiving tank 5 is lapped above the ice storage tank 2 through a limiting structure, an ice making tank 3 is rotatably arranged above the water receiving tank 5, and an ice making element 4 is inserted above the ice making tank 3, and the ice making end of the ice making element 4 extends into the ice making tank 3. The ice making element 4 is a commonly used ice making component in the art, and its refrigerating end is immersed in liquid water, which can convert the liquid water into solid ice cubes, and can generate a certain amount of heat to make the ice cubes fall from the refrigerating end into the ice making tank 3; for the specific structure of the ice making element 4, reference can be made to the patent of CN117597560A. In addition, in order to accelerate the falling of the ice cubes from the ice making end of the ice making element 4, hot water in the hot water tank of the water dispenser can also be sprayed on the ice making end of the ice making element 4 through another micro water pump, so that part of the ice cubes melt and fall from the ice making end onto the ice making tank 3.

[0032] The ice cube making and ice water making processes of the present utility model are as follows: Tap water is treated by a filter element to obtain normal temperature pure water. A part of the pure water enters the heating module to obtain hot water, and another part of the pure water enters the refrigeration module to obtain ice water. The ice water enters the ice water tank 1 through the lower ice water inlet hole for storage. A part of the ice water in the ice water tank 1 flows through the ice water outlet hole to the ice water outlet nozzle of the drinking water (which can be directly drunk), and another part of the ice water in the ice water tank 1 enters the ice making tank 3 through the ice water outlet hole, the micro water pump and the upper ice water inlet hole 11, and then the ice making element 4 makes the ice water into ice cubes.

[0033] When the ice water temperature in the ice water tank 1 rises to the intermediate temperature of two preset thresholds (for example, the starting temperature of the micro compressor is 10 °C, and its stopping working temperature is 4 °C, then the intermediate temperature is 7 °C), the micro water pump starts to operate, and conveys the ice water in the ice water tank 1 to the ice making tank 3 for heat exchange with the ice cubes. The cooled ice water overflows from the ice making tank 1 and flows back to the ice water tank 1 through the water receiving tank 5 provided with a water outlet hole 51, thereby reducing the ice water temperature in the ice water tank 1. This design enables the micro compressor not to start frequently, and the extra refrigerating capacity generated by the refrigerating element 4 is transferred to the ice water through the ice cubes, thereby reducing energy consumption and the frequency of noise generation. In addition, when making the next batch of ice cubes, the micro water pump conveys the ice water in the ice water tank 1 to the ice making tank 3 for ice making, which has a higher ice making efficiency compared with making ice cubes from normal temperature water.

[0034] Further, the ice-making tank 3 is rotatably connected to the ice water tank 1, and an ice-turning motor 6 for driving the ice-making tank 3 to rotate reciprocally to put ice cubes into the ice storage tank 2 is provided on the ice water tank 1.

[0035] As Figure 4-6 shown, both ends of the ice-making tank 3 have rotating shafts, and are installed on the ice water tank 1 through corresponding pin hole structures, so that the ice-making tank 3 can rotate within a certain angle range on the ice water tank 1. The ice-turning motor 6 is a stepping motor, which is fixed on the side wall of the ice water tank 1 by screws, and its output shaft is in a relatively fixed state with the rotating shaft of the ice-making tank 3 through a clamping structure, so as to achieve transmission connection. Of course, it can also be connected by existing transmission methods.

[0036] Further, a baffle 31 for blocking ice cubes from entering the water receiving tank 5 is hinged on the side wall of the ice-making tank 3.

[0037] As Figure 4-7 shown, in order to prevent some ice cubes with smaller volumes from falling into the water receiving tank 5 during the flipping process of the ice-making tank 3, a baffle 31 is hinged on the side wall of the ice-making tank 3, and the baffle 31 covers the gap between the ice-making tank 3 and the water receiving tank 5. This design avoids some ice cubes falling into the water receiving tank 5 and affecting the normal reciprocating rotation of the ice-making tank 3.

[0038] Further, an ice outlet 21 is provided on the ice storage tank 2, and an ice outlet motor 7 is provided on the ice water tank 1. A spring ice outlet screw 8 for conveying the ice cubes in the ice storage tank 2 to the ice outlet 21 is provided on the output shaft of the ice outlet motor 7.

[0039] As Figure 4-7 shown, the right end of the spring ice outlet screw 8 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the ice outlet motor 7 by threading, and its left end is inserted into the positioning hole on the ice storage tank 2. The ice outlet motor 7 is a reduction motor and is fixed on the side wall of the ice water tank 1 by screws. The ice outlet motor 7 drives the spring ice outlet screw 8 to rotate, and then conveys the ice cubes in the ice storage tank 2 to the ice outlet 21 and the ice outlet channel 91 of the water dispenser in sequence, and finally enters the ice receiving container under the action of gravity.

[0040] Further, the bottom surface of the ice storage tank 2 is an inclined surface, and an ice water return hole 22 for conveying the ice water generated by the melting of the ice cubes in the ice storage tank 2 to the ice water tank 1 is provided at the lowest point of the bottom surface.

[0041] As Figure 4-7 shown, the ice storage tank 2 is a tank body with an inclined bottom surface, and the horizontal height of its right end (the ice outlet 21 end) is higher than its left end to facilitate the conveying of ice cubes. The ice water return hole 22 is located at the leftmost end of the bottom of the ice storage tank 2, and can convey the ice water generated by the melting of some ice cubes in the ice storage tank 2 to the ice water tank 1, delaying the heating rate of the ice water in the ice water tank 1 and saving energy to a certain extent.

[0042] Further, in order to facilitate the stable transportation of ice cubes, the axis of the spring ice discharging screw 8 is arranged parallel to the bottom surface of the ice storage tank 2.

[0043] Further, in order to further delay the heating rate of the ice water in the ice water tank 1, the present utility model further includes a protective housing 9 provided with an ice discharging channel. The protective housing 9 sleeves the outer wall of the ice water tank 1. The ice discharging channel 91 is communicated with the ice discharging port 21. A heat insulation layer 10 is filled between the protective housing 9 and the ice water tank 1. The heat insulation layer 10 is formed by foaming heat insulation materials.

[0044] Further, a first travel switch 12 and a second travel switch 13 are arranged on the ice water tank 1, and a travel bump 32 that movably abuts against the first travel switch 12 or the second travel switch 13 is arranged at the end of the ice making tank 3.

[0045] As Figure 1 shown, the travel bump 32 is installed at the left end of the ice making tank 3 by interference fit. The first travel switch 12 and the second travel switch 13 are installed around the travel bump 32 on the ice water tank 1 by screws. Both the first travel switch 12 and the second travel switch 13 are electrically connected to the ice turning motor 6 through a controller. Under normal conditions, the travel bump 32 abuts against the first travel switch 12, and at this time, the opening of the ice making tank 3 faces upward. When turning the ice, the ice turning motor 6 rotates a certain angle, so that the travel bump 32 abuts against the second travel switch 13 (at this time, the opening of the ice making tank 3 is inclined downward). At this time, the controller receives the signal fed back by the second travel switch 13 and drives the ice turning motor 6 to reverse, so that the travel bump 32 abuts against the first travel switch 12 again, and the process of receiving ice water to make ice cubes is carried out. The cooperation of the first travel switch 12, the second travel switch 13 and the travel bump 32 can effectively control the rotation angle of the ice making tank 3

[0046] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present utility model. The protection scope of the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions within the idea of the present utility model belong to the protection scope of the present utility model. It should be pointed out that for those of ordinary skill in the art in this technical field, several improvements and refinements made without departing from the principle of the present utility model should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An ice-making module for a multifunctional water dispenser, characterized in that: The utility model comprises an ice water tank for storing ice water to be drunk, wherein an ice storage tank for storing ice cubes, an ice making tank for storing ice water to be made into ice cubes, and an ice making element for making ice cubes from the ice water in the ice making tank are sequentially arranged from bottom to top in the ice water tank; a micro water pump for conveying the ice water in the ice water tank to the ice making tank is arranged on the ice water tank, the water inlet of the micro water pump is connected with the ice water tank, and the water outlet thereof is connected with the ice making tank; a water receiving tank for storing ice water overflowing from the ice making tank and conveying the overflowing ice water to the ice water tank is arranged inside the ice water tank and between the ice storage tank and the ice making tank, and at least one water outlet hole for conveying the ice water in the water receiving tank to the ice water tank is arranged at the bottom of the water receiving tank.

2. The ice-making module for a multifunctional water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ice making tank is rotatably connected to the ice water tank, and the ice water tank is provided with an ice turning motor for driving the ice making tank to rotate back and forth and then putting ice cubes into the ice storage tank.

3. The ice-making module for a multifunctional water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: An ice blocking plate is hinged on the side wall of the ice making groove and is used to block ice cubes from entering the water receiving groove.

4. The ice-making module for a multifunctional water dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: An ice outlet is provided on the ice storage tank, an ice outlet motor is provided on the ice water tank, and a spring ice outlet screw for conveying ice cubes in the ice storage tank to the ice outlet is provided on the output shaft of the ice outlet motor.

5. The ice-making module for a multifunctional water dispenser according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the ice storage tank is an inclined surface, and an ice water return hole for conveying ice water generated by melting ice cubes in the ice storage tank to the ice water tank is opened at the lowest point of the bottom surface.

6. The ice-making module for a multifunctional water dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that: The axis of the spring ice-discharging screw is arranged parallel to the bottom surface of the ice storage tank.

7. The ice-making module for a multifunctional water dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a protective shell with an ice outlet passage, an ice water tank is sleeved on the protective shell, the ice outlet passage is connected with the ice outlet, and an insulation layer is filled between the protective shell and the ice water tank.

8. The ice-making module for a multifunctional water dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ice water tank is provided with a first travel switch and a second travel switch, and the end of the ice making groove is provided with a travel protrusion which is movably pressed against the first travel switch or the second travel switch.

Images