Ice maker with laterally-arranged water tank

Abstract

The ice maker with the laterally-arranged water tank comprises a shell, a water tank assembly, a refrigerating system, a control system, a water path system and an ice storage basket, the refrigerating system, the control system and the water path system are arranged in the shell and arranged on the rear side of the ice maker, the front side of the ice maker is divided into a left section and a right section, and the ice storage basket is arranged in the shell. Wherein one section is provided with the ice storage basket, the other section is provided with the water tank assembly, the water tank assembly is exposed, and a water storage tank in the water tank assembly can be taken down from the ice maker. According to the ice maker with the laterally-arranged water tank, the water tank assembly is arranged on the front face of the ice maker, water adding is convenient, the water amount can be observed at any time, management is easy, the using effect is excellent, and the ice maker has wide market prospects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of ice making machines, and in particular to an ice making machine with a side-mounted water tank. Background Art

[0002] As the ambient temperature rises and people's quality of life improves, the demand for ice cubes in life is increasing, and the demand for various foods to be preserved and various cold drinks, such as wine, milk tea, coffee, etc., has greatly increased the demand for household ice makers. Most of the ice makers on the market currently have water tanks designed inside or on the back of the product. For example, the Chinese patent with authorization announcement number CN218442902U discloses a water tank rear-mounted ice maker, which is equipped with a water replenishment tank, a main water tank, and an auxiliary water tank. The water replenishment tank can be removed for cleaning and maintenance. Since the water replenishment tank is set on the back of the product, the water volume cannot be easily observed, and it is not convenient to disassemble. If the ice maker is placed in a corner or a closet, it is even more inconvenient to observe and disassemble. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of the above problems existing in the prior art, an object of the embodiments of the present application is to provide an ice maker with a side-mounted water tank.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in the embodiment of the present application is an ice maker with a side-mounted water tank, comprising an outer shell, a water tank assembly, a refrigeration system, a control system, a water system and an ice storage basket, wherein the refrigeration system, the control system and the water system are respectively arranged in the outer shell and placed on the rear side of the ice maker, and the front side of the ice maker is divided into two left and right sections, wherein the ice storage basket is arranged in one section and the water tank assembly is arranged in the other section, the water tank assembly is exposed, and the water tank in the water tank assembly can be removed from the ice maker.

[0005] In an optional embodiment, a water tank is provided on the inner side of the lower part of the ice storage basket, a control panel is provided on the outer side of the lower part of the ice storage basket, and the front side of the water tank assembly, the front side of the ice storage basket and the control panel together constitute the front side of the ice maker. This layout is reasonable, the structure is compact, and the outer shape of the ice maker is regular.

[0006] In an optional embodiment, the water tank assembly includes a water tank and a water tank seat, the water tank is placed on the water tank seat, the water tank seat is a hollow structure, and part of the pipeline of the water system is placed in the hollow structure of the water tank seat. By providing a hollow water tank seat, not only can the water tank be supported, but also part of the pipeline of the water system can be placed in the water tank seat.

[0007] In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of positioning holes are provided at the top of the water tank base, and a plurality of positioning posts are provided at the bottom of the water storage tank; when the water storage tank is placed on the water tank base in a plug-and-play manner, the plurality of positioning holes are inserted into the corresponding positioning holes one by one. Through the cooperation of the positioning posts and the positioning holes, the water storage tank can be stably held on the water tank base.

[0008] In an alternative embodiment, a hook with an upward opening is provided on the side wall of the ice storage basket facing the water storage tank; a clamping groove is provided on the side wall of the water storage tank facing the ice storage basket, and when the water storage tank is placed on the water tank base in a plug-and-play manner, the hook is snapped into the clamping groove; and / or

[0009] The side wall of the water storage tank facing away from the ice storage basket is exposed and provided with a handle position. Through the cooperation of the hook and the clamping groove, the stability of the water storage tank after installation is further improved; by providing the handle position, it is convenient for the user to remove the water storage tank.

[0010] In an alternative embodiment, the water storage tank includes a box body, a box cover and a rotating arm, and shaft holes are respectively provided at the top of the opposite side walls of the box body near the top;

[0011] Both ends of the rotating arm are respectively provided with rotating shafts, and the rotating shafts are respectively rotatably connected to the two shaft holes;

[0012] The box cover is provided on the rotating arm, and when the rotating arm rotates, it can drive the box cover to move, so that the box cover opens or closes the box opening at the top of the box body. Designing a flip-up box cover at the top of the box body can facilitate water filling.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the rotating arm is U-shaped and includes two opposite arm portions and a body portion connecting the two arm portions. The rotating shafts are respectively provided on the outer sides of the free ends of the two arm portions; an auxiliary arm is provided on the inner side of the rotating arm, and both ends of the auxiliary arm are respectively connected to the inner sides of the two arm portions. Two pairs of clamps sleeved on the body portion are respectively provided in the middle of the auxiliary arm, and an installation groove is formed between each pair of clamps;

[0014] Claw portions are provided on the inner side of the box cover, and the claw portions are snapped into the installation groove. By using the cooperation of the claw portions and the installation groove, the box cover is not only installed on the rotating arm, but also the box cover can rotate relative to the rotating arm, which is beneficial to opening and closing the box body by the box cover.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the water tank assembly further includes a one-way valve, and the one-way valve includes a valve body and a valve core;

[0016] The bottom of the water storage tank is provided with an outwardly protruding water outlet joint. The valve core is arranged inside the water outlet joint and can move relative to the water outlet joint to open or close the water outlet joint. An elastic member is sleeved on the valve core to apply a force to keep the valve core closed to the water outlet joint.

[0017] The valve body is arranged inside the water tank seat and is connected to one end of the water outlet pipe. When the water storage tank is placed on the water tank seat, the water outlet joint extends into the valve body. The valve body pushes the valve core to move to open the water outlet joint, enabling the water in the water storage tank to enter the water outlet pipe. When the water storage tank is removed from the water tank seat, the valve core closes the water outlet joint under the action of the elastic member. By providing a one-way valve, when the water storage tank is removed from the water tank seat, it is possible to prevent the water in the water storage tank from leaking, realizing the detachable function of the water storage tank.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, a through hole is provided on the top surface of the water tank seat.

[0019] The valve body includes a valve seat and a valve rod. The valve seat has a valve cavity with an open top. One end of the water outlet pipe is connected to the valve seat and communicates with the valve cavity. The valve rod is vertically arranged in the valve cavity. The top end of the valve seat extends into the through hole, and a sealing member is provided between the valve seat and the through hole. When the water storage tank is placed on the water tank seat, the water outlet joint passes through the through hole and extends into the valve cavity. The sealing member tightly wraps around the outside of the water outlet joint, and the valve rod pushes the valve core upward to open the water outlet joint. This valve body structure is reasonable. When the water storage tank is placed on the water tank seat, it can not only enable the one-way valve to control the opening of the water outlet joint but also seal between the water outlet joint and the valve seat to prevent leakage during water transmission.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the ice maker further includes an upper water tank. The upper water tank is connected to the ice making bucket of the ice maker and is used to supply ice making water to the ice making bucket. The upper water tank and the ice making bucket are respectively connected to a first drain pipe.

[0021] The water storage tank of the water tank assembly is connected to a water outlet pipe. The water outlet pipe is connected to a second drain pipe through a three-way joint.

[0022] The water trough is connected to a third drain pipe.

[0023] The tails of the first drain pipe, the second drain pipe, and the third drain pipe are all located at the rear bottom of the ice maker and extend horizontally in parallel to the outside of the ice maker. The ends of the first drain pipe, the second drain pipe, and the third drain pipe extending outside the ice maker are flush and are provided with drain plugs. After the ice maker is used for a long time or cleaned, the accumulated water in the ice making bucket, the upper water tank, the water trough, and the water storage tank can be drained.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application are as follows: For the ice maker with the water tank on the side, the water tank assembly is arranged on the front of the product, which is convenient for adding water, observing the water volume at any time and easy to maintain. The use effect is excellent and it has a broad market prospect.

[0025] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0026] The overview of various implementations or examples of the technology described in the present application is not a complete disclosure of the entire scope or all features of the disclosed technology. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the drawings which are not necessarily drawn to scale, the same reference numerals may describe similar components in different views. The drawings generally illustrate various embodiments by way of example and not by way of limitation, and are used together with the description and the claims to explain the embodiments of the application being claimed. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0028] Figure 1 It is the front view of the ice maker according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 2 It is the side view of the ice maker according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 3 It is the top view of the ice maker according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 4 and Figure 5 It is the perspective view of the ice maker according to the embodiment of the present application from different perspectives. Among them, in order to show the internal structure, part of the housing is removed.

[0032] Figure 6 It is the schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ice maker according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 7 It is the schematic diagram of the structure of the ice maker according to the embodiment of the present application after removing the water storage tank.

[0034] Figure 8 It is the cross-sectional view of the box body of the water storage tank according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0035] Figure 9 It is the schematic diagram of the structure of the water storage tank according to the embodiment of the present application in the open state.

[0036] Figure 10 It is the cross-sectional view of the water storage tank according to the embodiment of the present application in the open state.

[0037] Figure 11 A cross-sectional view of the water tank assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 12 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the rotating arm according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Figure 13 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the tank cover according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Figure 14 A cross-sectional view of the water storage tank placed on the water tank seat according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] Figure 15 is Figure 14 an enlarged view of part A in

[0042] Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of the water storage tank with a one-way valve according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0043] Figure 17 is Figure 16 an enlarged view of part B in

[0044] Figure 18 An exploded view of the water storage tank, the water tank seat and the one-way valve according to an embodiment of the application.

[0045] Reference numerals:

[0046] 1 - Outer shell;

[0047] 2 - Water tank assembly; 21 - Water storage tank; 211 - Box body; 2111 - Card slot; 2112 - Handle position; 2113 - Shaft hole; 2114 - Positioning post; 2115 - Water outlet; 212 - Tank cover; 2121 - Claw; 2122 - V-shaped opening; 213 - Water outlet joint; 2131 - Water outlet channel; 22 - Water tank seat; 221 - Positioning hole; 222 - Through hole; 23 - Rotating arm; 231 - Installation groove; 24 - Rotating shaft; 25 - Auxiliary arm; 26 - Clamp;

[0048] 3 - Ice storage basket; 31 - Hook;

[0049] 4 - Water trough; 5 - Upper water tank;

[0050] 6 - One-way valve; 61 - Valve body; 611 - Valve seat; 6111 - Valve cavity; 612 - Valve rod; 62 - Valve core; 63 - Elastic component; 64 - First sealing ring; 65 - Sealing component;

[0051] 71 - Compressor; 72 - Condenser; 73 - Fan; 74 - Ice making bucket;

[0052] 81 - Control board; 82 - Power board; 83 - Motor; 84 - Solenoid valve; 85 - Water pump; 86 - Control panel.

[0053] 101 - Water outlet pipe; 102 - Three - way joint; 103 - First drain pipe; 104 - Second drain pipe; 105 - Third drain pipe; 106 - Drain pipe plug; 107 - First water pipe; 108 - Second water pipe; 109 - Third water pipe; 110 - Fourth water pipe; 111 - Fifth water pipe; 112 - Sixth water pipe. Specific embodiments

[0054] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0055] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in this application should have the ordinary meaning understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The "first", "second", and similar terms used in this application do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Words such as "including" or "comprising" mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word cover the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. "Connection" or "connected" and similar terms are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are only used to represent relative positional relationships, and when the absolute position of the object being described changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0056] To keep the following description of the embodiments of the present application clear and concise, detailed descriptions of known functions and known components are omitted in this application.

[0057] As Figures 1 to 6 shown, the embodiments of the present application provide an ice maker with a side - mounted water tank. The ice maker includes a housing 1, a water tank assembly 2, a refrigeration system, a control system, a water circuit system, and an ice storage basket 3. The refrigeration system, the control system, and the water circuit system are respectively arranged inside the housing 1 and at the rear side of the ice maker. The front side of the ice maker is divided into two left - and - right intervals. One interval is provided with the ice storage basket 3, and the other interval is provided with the water tank assembly 2. The water tank assembly 2 is exposed, and the water storage tank 21 in the water tank assembly 2 can be removed from the ice maker.

[0058] In this application, the water tank assembly 2 is arranged on the front of the ice maker, enabling the water level in the water storage tank 21 of the water tank assembly 2 to be observed, and the ice maker to be replenished with water in a timely and convenient manner according to the water level in the water storage tank 21, thus enhancing the user experience. In addition, the water storage tank 21 of the water tank assembly 2 can be removed from the ice maker, facilitating the cleaning and maintenance of the water storage tank 21.

[0059] The water tank assembly 2 provides the water required for ice making for the refrigeration system; the refrigeration system makes the water into the required ice cubes; the control system is used to detect and control the normal operation of the entire ice maker; the water circuit system is to transport the ice-making water from the water tank assembly 2 to each system. As Figures 4 to 6 shown, the refrigeration system mainly includes a compressor 71, a condenser 72, a fan 73, an evaporation tube, an ice-making bucket 74 and its pipelines. The control system mainly includes a control board 81, a power supply board 82, a motor 83, etc.

[0060] In some embodiments, in combination with Figure 4 and Figure 6 , a water trough 4 is arranged on the inner side of the lower part of the ice storage basket 3, and a control panel 86 is arranged on the outer side of the lower part of the ice storage basket 3. The front side of the water tank assembly 2, the front side of the ice storage basket 3 and the control panel 86 together form the front of the ice maker. The water trough 4 is used to receive the ice water melted from the ice cubes in the ice storage basket 3, and the recycled ice water can be used for ice making again. The control panel 86 can be used for users to input instructions to control the ice maker to execute corresponding programs. This layout is reasonable, the structure is compact, and the external shape of the ice maker is regular.

[0061] It can be understood that the so-called front side (or the front) of the ice maker refers to the side facing the user during use, while the rear side of the ice maker refers to the side facing away from the user during use, that is, the back of the ice maker.

[0062] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the water tank assembly 2 includes a water storage tank 21 and a water tank base 22. The water storage tank 21 is detachably arranged on the water tank base 22. The water tank base 22 is a hollow structure, and a part of the pipelines of the water circuit system is placed in the hollow structure of the water tank base 22. By providing the hollow water tank base 22, not only can the water storage tank 21 be supported, but also a part of the pipelines of the water circuit system can be placed in the water tank base 22, so as to facilitate the connection between the water circuit system and the water storage tank 21 and send the water in the water storage tank 21 into the water trough 4 or the upper water tank 5.

[0063] The water storage tank 21 can be removed from or inserted into the water tank base 22 in the same way as the ice storage basket 3, that is, by pushing and pulling, or it can also be removed from or inserted into the water tank base 22 in an up-and-down plug-and-play manner.

[0064] In some embodiments, as Figure 7 shown, a plurality of positioning holes 221 are provided at the top of the water tank base 22. AsFigure 7 As shown, a plurality of positioning posts 2114 are provided at the bottom of the water storage tank 21. When the water storage tank 21 is placed on the water tank base 22 in a way of being inserted and pulled out vertically, a plurality of positioning holes 221 are respectively inserted into the corresponding positioning holes 221 one by one. The specific number of the positioning posts 2114 and the positioning holes 221 can be determined according to actual needs. In this embodiment, the water storage tank 21 is in a cube shape. The bottom of the cube-shaped water storage tank 21 has four corners, and one positioning post 2114 is respectively arranged at each of the four corners. In this way, the water storage tank 21 can be stably positioned on the water tank base 22.

[0065] Optionally, as Figure 7 shown, the side wall of the ice storage basket 3 facing the water storage tank 21 is provided with a hook 31 with an upward opening. The side wall of the water storage tank 21 facing the ice storage basket 3 is provided with a slot 2111, see Figures 7 to 11 . When the water storage tank 21 is placed on the water tank base 22 in a way of being inserted and pulled out vertically, the hook 31 is snapped into the slot 2111. Through the cooperation of the hook 31 and the slot 2111, the stability of the water storage tank 21 after installation is further improved, so that it closely fits on the ice storage basket 3 and will not tip over.

[0066] The number of the hooks 31 on the side wall of the ice storage basket 3 is not limited. For example, three hooks 31 can be arranged as in this embodiment Figure 7 shown. The three hooks 31 are arranged in a row horizontally and are close to the top of the ice storage basket 3. Three slots 2111 can be correspondingly arranged on the side wall of the water storage tank 21, and the three hooks 31 can be respectively snapped into the three slots 2111 one by one. In order to simplify the structure and facilitate the smooth snapping of the hook 31 into the slot 2111, as Figures 7 to 11 shown, only one slot 2111 is provided. The length of the slot 2111 extending in the horizontal direction is relatively long, so that the three hooks 31 can be simultaneously snapped into the slot 2111.

[0067] Furthermore, as Figure 2 and Figure 17 shown, the side wall of the water storage tank 21 facing away from the ice storage basket 3 is exposed and is provided with a handle position 2112. The user can take out the water storage tank 21 by holding the handle position 2112 and pulling it upward, which is convenient to operate. The handle position 2112 can be arranged near the bottom of the side wall.

[0068] In some embodiments, as Figures 9 to 11 shown, the water storage tank 21 includes a box body 211, a box cover 212 and a rotating arm 23. The positioning post 2114, the slot 2111 and the handle position 2112 are all arranged on the box body 211. Axial holes 2113 are respectively provided at the top of the opposite side walls of the box body 211, see Figure 7 and Figure 9 .

[0069] As Figure 12As shown, rotating shafts 24 are respectively arranged at both ends of the rotating arm 23, and the two rotating shafts 24 are respectively rotatably connected to two shaft holes 2113, so that the rotating arm 23 can rotate relative to the box body 211. As Figure 9 shown, the box cover 212 is arranged on the rotating arm 23. When the rotating arm 23 rotates, it can drive the box cover 212 to move, so that the box cover 212 can open or close the box opening at the top of the box body 211. Designing a flipable box cover 212 at the top of the box body 211 can facilitate water addition.

[0070] In some embodiments, continuing to combine Figure 12 , the rotating arm 23 is U-shaped and includes two oppositely arranged arm portions and a body portion connected between the two arm portions. Rotating shafts 24 are respectively arranged on the outer sides of the free ends of the two arm portions. An auxiliary arm 25 is arranged on the inner side of the rotating arm 23. The two ends of the auxiliary arm 25 are respectively connected to the inner sides of the two arm portions. Two pairs of clamps 26 sleeved on the body portion are respectively arranged in the middle of the auxiliary arm 25. An installation groove 231 is formed between each pair of clamps 26. As Figure 13 shown, a claw 2121 is arranged on the inner side of the box cover 212, and the claw 2121 is snapped into the installation groove 231. By arranging the auxiliary arm 25, the stability of the box cover 212 during the rotation process can be increased; through the two pairs of clamps 26, the connection between the auxiliary arm 25 and the rotating arm 23 is realized, and the installation groove 231 is formed at the same time, and the structural design is ingenious; by using the cooperation between the claw 2121 and the installation groove 231, not only the box cover 212 is installed on the rotating arm 23, but also the box cover 212 can rotate relative to the rotating arm 23, which is beneficial to realizing the opening and closing of the box cover 212 for the box body 211.

[0071] As Figure 9 shown, by pressing the two arm portions towards each other, the rotating arm 23 is deformed, and the rotating shafts 24 at the free ends of the two arm portions are assembled into the shaft holes 2113, so that the rotating shafts 24 can rotate in the shaft holes 2113. A round shaft smaller than the diameter of the body portion of the rotating arm 23 is arranged in the installation groove 231, and its diameter can be 4 mm, for example. The claw 2121 on the box cover 212 has a variable diameter opening. The front end of the variable diameter opening is a V-shaped opening 2122, and the rear end of the variable diameter opening is circular and adapted to the round shaft in the installation groove 231. See Figure 10; The front-end opening dimension of the V-shaped opening 2122 is greater than 4 mm, while the dimension at the smallest part of the V-shaped opening 2122 is less than 4 mm, for example, it is 3.2 mm. When the clamping jaw 2121 is inserted into the installation groove 231, the round shaft in the installation groove 231 first passes through the front-end opening of the V-shaped opening 2122, and then pushes the V-shaped opening 2122 to deform at the smallest dimension of the V-shaped opening 2122, so that the round shaft forcibly passes through the smallest dimension of the V-shaped opening 2122 and enters the circular part at the rearmost end of the reduced-diameter opening, and is limited within this circular part. In this way, the box cover 212 is limited on the rotating arm 23, and the box cover 212 can rotate relative to the rotating arm 23. Thus, the box cover 212 and the box body 211 form a double-hinge connection through the rotating arm 23 to realize the rotation of the switch door, and the overall structure is stable and reliable, and the operation is convenient.

[0072] It can be understood that the formation method of the installation groove 231 on the main body part of the rotating arm 23 is not limited to being formed by two pairs of clamps 26. It can also directly form two annular installation grooves 231 with an outer diameter smaller than other parts on the main body part by means of cutting.

[0073] In some embodiments, such as Figure 14 and Figure 15 shown, the water tank assembly 2 further includes a one-way valve 6, and the one-way valve 6 includes a valve body 61 and a valve core 62. As Figures 16 to 17 shown, a water outlet joint 213 communicating with the inside of the water storage tank 21 (the box body 211) and protruding outward is provided at the bottom of the water storage tank 21. The valve core 62 is arranged in the water outlet joint 213 and can move relative to the water outlet joint 213 to open or close the water outlet joint 213. An elastic member 63 for applying a force to keep the valve core 62 closed to the water outlet joint 213 is sleeved on the valve core 62. Refer to Figure 17 . As Figure 14 shown, the valve body 61 is arranged in the water tank base 22 and is connected to one end of the water outlet pipe 101. When the water storage tank 21 is placed on the water tank base 22, the water outlet joint 213 extends into the valve body 61, and the valve body 61 pushes the valve core 62 to move to open the water outlet joint 213, so that the water in the water storage tank 21 enters the water outlet pipe 101; when the water storage tank 21 is removed from the water tank base 22, the valve core 62 closes the water outlet joint 213 under the action of the elastic member 63, and the water in the water storage tank 21 will not leak out.

[0074] Continue to combine with Figure 17, the water outlet joint 213 has a water outlet channel 2131 penetrating through its upper and lower ends. The bottom of the water storage tank 21 is provided with a water outlet 2115, and the upper end of the water outlet channel 2131 is connected to the water outlet 2115. The valve core 62 is arranged in the water outlet channel 2131, and the head of the valve core 62 passes through the water outlet 2115 and extends into the water storage tank 21. A first sealing ring 64 is sleeved on the head of the valve core 62. The elastic member 63 can be a compression spring. The compression spring is sleeved on the middle part of the valve core 62. The lower end of the compression spring abuts against the tail of the valve core 62, and the upper end of the compression spring abuts against the bottom periphery of the water outlet 2115.

[0075] As Figure 16 shown, when the water storage tank 21 is removed from the water tank seat 22, the head of the valve core 62 is pulled downward under the action of the compression spring, and seals the water outlet 2115, and the water outlet joint 213 is closed. Refer to Figure 17 , at this time, the water in the water storage tank 21 cannot enter the water outlet pipe 101 through the water outlet 2115 and the water outlet joint 213. By providing the one-way valve 6, when the water storage tank 21 is removed from the water tank seat 22, it is possible to prevent the water in the water storage tank 21 from leaking out, and the detachable function of the water storage tank 21 is realized.

[0076] In some embodiments, as Figure 17 shown, a through hole 222 is provided on the top surface of the water tank seat 22. As Figure 15 shown, the valve body 61 includes a valve seat 611 and a valve stem 612. The valve seat 611 has a valve cavity 6111 with an open top. One end of the water outlet pipe 101 is connected to the valve seat 611 and communicates with the valve cavity 6111. The valve stem 612 is arranged vertically in the valve cavity 6111. The top end of the valve seat 611 extends into the through hole 222, and a sealing member 65 is arranged between the valve seat 611 and the through hole 222. The sealing member 65 can be a sealing ring. When the water storage tank 21 is placed on the water tank seat 22, the water outlet joint 213 passes through the through hole 222 and extends into the valve cavity 6111. The sealing member 65 tightly wraps around the outside of the water outlet joint 213. The valve stem 612 pushes the valve core 62 upward, and the valve core 62 is lifted. The head of the valve core 62 disengages from the water outlet 2115. At this time, the water outlet joint 213 is opened, and the water in the water storage tank 21 can sequentially enter the water outlet pipe 101 through the water outlet channel 2131 and the valve cavity 6111. The structure of the valve body 61 is reasonable. When the water storage tank 21 is placed on the water tank seat 22, it can not only make the one-way valve 6 control the opening of the water outlet joint 213, but also seal between the water outlet joint 213 and the valve seat 611 to avoid leakage during the water delivery process.

[0077] In some embodiments, as Figure 4As shown, the ice maker further includes an upper water tank 5. The water inlet of the upper water tank 5 is connected to the water tank 4 so that the water in the water tank 4 can be sent into the upper water tank 5. The water outlet of the upper water tank 5 is connected to the ice-making barrel 74 of the ice maker for supplying ice-making water to the ice-making barrel 74. The drain outlets of the upper water tank 5 and the ice-making barrel 74 are respectively connected to the first drain pipe 103. Refer to Figure 5 . By setting the first drain pipe 103, the stored water in the upper water tank 5 and the ice-making barrel 74 can be drained after the ice maker has been used for a long time or cleaned.

[0078] In some embodiments, as Figure 5 shown, the water outlet pipe 101 is connected to the fifth water pipe 111 through a tee joint 102, and the fifth water pipe 111 is then connected to the second drain pipe 104. When it is necessary to drain the water in the water storage tank 21 after the ice maker has been used for a long time or cleaned, the stored water in the water storage tank 21 can be drained through the second drain pipe 104.

[0079] Optionally, the bottom of the water tank 4 can be connected to the third drain pipe 105 so that the water existing in the water tank 4 can be drained through the third drain pipe 105 when necessary (after the ice maker has been used for a long time or cleaned).

[0080] As Figure 5 shown, the tails of the first drain pipe 103, the second drain pipe 104, and the third drain pipe 105 are all located at the bottom rear side of the ice maker and extend horizontally in parallel to the outside of the ice maker. The ends of the first drain pipe 103, the second drain pipe 104, and the third drain pipe 105 extending outside the ice maker are flush and provided with a drain pipe plug 106. The layout is reasonable, the drainage is convenient, and the three drain pipes can share a drain pipe plug 106, which simplifies the combination and saves parts.

[0081] Continuing to combine Figure 5 , when drainage is required, first open the drain pipe plug 106, and the three drain pipes respectively drain the stored water in the upper water tank 5, the ice-making barrel 74, the water storage tank 21, and the water tank 4. Among them, the drainage path of the upper water tank 5 and the ice-making barrel 74: the first water pipe 107 and the second water pipe 108 converge → the third water pipe 109 → the first drain pipe 103. The drainage path of the water storage tank 21: the water outlet pipe 101 → the fourth water pipe 110 → the second drain pipe 104. The drainage path of the water tank 4: the fifth water pipe 111 → the sixth water pipe 112 → the third drain pipe 105. After drainage is completed, insert the drain pipe plug 106.

[0082] It can be understood that the water outlet pipe 101, each water pipe, and the drain pipe in this application all belong to the water circuit system.

[0083] The specific working principle of the ice maker in the embodiment of this application is as follows:

[0084] When in use, first add water to the water storage tank 21, and then start working by turning on the power board 82 and the control board 81. First, the solenoid valve 84 is opened, and the water in the water storage tank 21 flows out through the water outlet pipe 101 and enters the water tank 4. After the solenoid valve 84 is opened for a certain period of time, it is closed to complete the water filling of the water tank 4. Then, the water pump 85 is turned on to transport the water in the water tank 4 to the upper water tank 5 to fill the upper water tank 5. When the water level sensor in the upper water tank 5 senses that the water level reaches the specified level, the water pump 85 stops, as Figure 4 ;

[0085] After the water pump 85 stops, the compressor 71, the motor 83, and the fan 73 are started to start making ice. The motor 83 drives the ice scraping rod in the ice making barrel 74 to rotate, and the generated ice is pushed out of the ice making barrel 74. Then, the pushed ice falls into the ice storage basket 3 along the inclined plane of the ice outlet box, see Figure 6 ;

[0086] A handle is provided on the front of the ice storage basket 3. When ice is needed, the ice storage basket 3 can be pulled out by holding the handle to take ice. After use, the ice storage basket 3 can be pushed back again.

[0087] The above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the above examples (or one or more of their solutions) can be used in combination with each other, and considering these embodiments, they can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations.

Claims

1. An ice maker with a side-mounted water tank, comprising a housing (1), a water tank assembly (2), a refrigeration system, a control system, a water circuit system, and an ice storage basket (3), characterized in that, The refrigeration system, the control system and the water circuit system are respectively arranged inside the housing (1) and located at the rear side of the ice maker. The front side of the ice maker is divided into two left and right intervals. One interval is provided with the ice storage basket (3), and the other interval is provided with the water tank assembly (2). The water tank assembly (2) is exposed, and the water storage tank (21) in the water tank assembly (2) can be removed from the ice maker.

2. The ice maker with the water tank disposed on the side according to claim 1, wherein A water trough (4) is arranged inside the lower part of the ice storage basket (3), and a control panel (86) is arranged outside the lower part of the ice storage basket (3). The front side of the water tank assembly (2), the front side of the ice storage basket (3) and the control panel (86) together form the front of the ice maker.

3. The ice maker with a side-mounted water tank according to claim 1, wherein, The water tank assembly (2) includes a water tank base (22) and the water storage tank (21). The water storage tank (21) is placed on the water tank base (22). The water tank base (22) is of a hollow structure, and a part of the pipeline of the water circuit system is placed inside the hollow structure of the water tank base (22).

4. The ice maker with the water tank disposed at the side according to claim 3, wherein, A plurality of positioning holes (221) are arranged at the top of the water tank base (22), and a plurality of positioning posts (2114) are arranged at the bottom of the water storage tank (21); when the water storage tank (21) is placed on the water tank base (22) in a way of being inserted and pulled up and down, a plurality of the positioning holes (221) are inserted into a plurality of the positioning holes (221) in a one-to-one correspondence.

5. The ice maker with the water tank disposed on the side according to claim 4, wherein A hook (31) with an upward opening is arranged on the side wall of the ice storage basket (3) facing the water storage tank (21); a clamping groove (2111) is arranged on the side wall of the water storage tank (21) facing the ice storage basket (3). When the water storage tank (21) is placed on the water tank base (22) in a way of being inserted and pulled up and down, the hook (31) is clamped into the clamping groove (2111); and / or The side wall of the water storage tank (21) facing away from the ice storage basket (3) is exposed and provided with a handle position (2112).

6. The ice maker with a side-mounted water tank according to claim 3, wherein, The water storage tank (21) includes a box body (211), a box cover (212) and a rotating arm (23). Axial holes (2113) are respectively arranged at the positions close to the top of the opposite side walls of the box body (211). Rotating shafts (24) are respectively arranged at both ends of the rotating arm (23), and the rotating shafts (24) are respectively rotatably connected to the two axial holes (2113). The box cover (212) is arranged on the rotating arm (23). When the rotating arm (23) rotates, it can drive the box cover (212) to move so as to open or close the box opening at the top of the box body (211).

7. The ice maker with a side-mounted water tank according to claim 6, characterized in that, The rotating arm (23) is in a U shape and includes two relatively arranged arm parts and a body part connecting between the two arm parts. The rotating shafts (24) are respectively arranged on the outer sides of the free ends of the two arm parts; an auxiliary arm (25) is arranged inside the rotating arm (23). The two ends of the auxiliary arm (25) are respectively connected to the inner sides of the two arm parts. Two pairs of clamps (26) sleeved on the body part are respectively arranged at the middle part of the auxiliary arm (25), and an installation groove (231) is formed between each pair of clamps (26). The inner side of the box cover (212) is provided with clamping claws (2121), and the clamping claws (2121) are snapped into the installation groove (231).

8. The ice maker with the water tank disposed on the side according to claim 3, wherein, The water tank assembly (2) further includes a one-way valve (6), and the one-way valve (6) includes a valve body (61) and a valve core (62); The bottom of the water storage tank (21) is provided with an outwardly protruding water outlet joint (213), the valve core (62) is arranged in the water outlet joint (213), and can move relative to the water outlet joint (213) to open or close the water outlet joint (213), and an elastic member (63) for applying a force to keep the valve core (62) closed to the water outlet joint (213) is sleeved on the valve core (62); The valve body (61) is arranged in the water tank base (22) and is connected to one end of the water outlet pipe (101). When the water storage tank (21) is placed on the water tank base (22), the water outlet joint (213) extends into the valve body (61), and the valve body (61) pushes the valve core (62) to move to open the water outlet joint (213), so that the water in the water storage tank (21) enters the water outlet pipe (101). When the water storage tank (21) is removed from the water tank base (22), the valve core (62) closes the water outlet joint (213) under the action of the elastic member (63).

9. The ice maker with the water tank disposed at the side according to claim 8, wherein, A through hole (222) is provided on the top surface of the water tank base (22); The valve body (61) includes a valve seat (611) and a valve rod (612). The valve seat (611) has a valve cavity (6111) with an open top. One end of the water outlet pipe (101) is connected to the valve seat (611) and communicates with the valve cavity (6111); the valve rod (612) is vertically arranged in the valve cavity (6111), and the top end of the valve seat (611) extends into the through hole (222), and a sealing member (65) is arranged between the valve seat (611) and the through hole (222); when the water storage tank (21) is placed on the water tank base (22), the water outlet joint (213) passes through the through hole (222) and extends into the valve cavity (6111), the sealing member (65) tightly wraps around the outer side of the water outlet joint (213), and the valve rod (612) pushes the valve core (62) upward to open the water outlet joint (213).

10. The ice maker with a side-mounted water tank according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ice maker further includes an upper water tank (5), and the upper water tank (5) is connected to the ice making bucket (74) of the ice maker for providing ice making water to the ice making bucket (74); the upper water tank (5) and the ice making bucket (74) are respectively connected to a first drain pipe (103); The water storage tank (21) of the water tank assembly (2) is connected to a water outlet pipe (101), and the water outlet pipe (101) is connected to a second drain pipe (104) through a three-way joint (102); The water trough (4) is connected to a third drain pipe (105); The tails of the first drain pipe (103), the second drain pipe (104) and the third drain pipe (105) are all located at the rear bottom of the ice maker, and horizontally extend in parallel to the outside of the ice maker. The ends of the first drain pipe (103), the second drain pipe (104) and the third drain pipe (105) extending outside the ice maker are flush and are provided with drain pipe plugs (106).

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