Ice maker with novel ice collecting box

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of electric appliances, in particular to an ice maker with a novel ice collecting box, which comprises an outer shell, an inner shell, a water supply box and the ice collecting box, an ice outlet of the ice maker is aligned with an opening of the ice collecting box, the water supply box is arranged below the ice collecting box, and the water supply box is arranged below the ice collecting box. A water outlet used for discharging water into the water supply box is formed in the side, close to the water supply box, of the ice collecting box. The ice storage box has the effect of improving the situation that the melting speed of ice cubes in the ice collection box is too high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electrical appliances, and particularly to an ice maker with a novel ice storage box. Background Art

[0002] An ice maker is a mechanical device that uses water as a carrier, adopts a refrigeration system, and makes ice through core components such as an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve when powered on. The working principle of the ice maker is mainly based on the principles of thermodynamics and the phase change process of substances.

[0003] The water supply box of the ice maker provides a water source for ice making. The refrigerant absorbs the heat of the water in the evaporator to freeze the water. The compressor compresses the refrigerant to create conditions for the condensation process. The high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant flows into the condenser, releases heat and becomes a gas, enters the evaporator through the expansion valve, and evaporates to absorb the heat of the surrounding environment to form ice cubes. This cycle process is repeated continuously, and the liquid water condenses into solid ice and falls into the ice storage box through the ice outlet.

[0004] On existing ice makers, a cavity for pulling out the ice storage box is usually provided separately. After the detection device in the ice maker detects that a certain amount of ice cubes have fallen into the ice storage box, the ice making will stop. However, because there are a large number of ice cubes in the ice maker, they are usually not taken out all at once. The remaining ice cubes in the ice storage box will melt due to untimely taking. The ice-water mixture in the ice storage box will affect the ice cubes made in the next batch and accelerate the melting of the ice cubes in the ice storage box. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to improve the situation where the ice cubes in the ice storage box melt too quickly, this application provides an ice maker with a novel ice storage box.

[0006] An ice maker with a novel ice storage box provided by this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An ice maker with a novel ice storage box includes a housing, an inner housing, a water supply box, and an ice storage box. The ice outlet of the ice maker is aligned with the opening of the ice storage box. The water supply box is arranged below the ice storage box. A drain port for draining water into the water supply box is provided on one side of the ice storage box close to the water supply box.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, the outer shell is for installing the inner shell and other core components. The ice storage box and the water supply box are installed side by side vertically on the inner shell. A drain opening is formed on the ice storage box. When the ice stored in the ice storage box melts, the ice water can flow out along the drain opening. The ice water can be collected through the drain opening and enter the water supply box. The vertical corresponding arrangement of the water supply box and the ice storage box and the arrangement of the drain opening can, on the one hand, enable the ice water in the ice storage box to flow out in time, improving the situation that the ice in the ice storage box melts too fast. On the other hand, it can also enable the ice water to be recycled for ice making, reducing the number of times of adding water to the water supply box repeatedly and improving the ice making efficiency of the water supply box.

[0009] Further, the ice storage box includes a panel, a bottom plate, a back plate and side plates. The drain opening is formed on the bottom plate. A guiding plate for the ice and water to slide down is fixedly connected between the back plate and the bottom plate. The guiding plate is inclined from one side of the bottom plate to one side of the back plate.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the panel is used for buckling with the outer shell. The drain opening is formed on the bottom plate. The guiding plate is fixedly connected between the back plate and the bottom plate. When the ice falls from the ice outlet, the guiding plate can guide the ice, preventing the ice from directly impacting the bottom plate and causing the ice to break. When the ice melts, the guiding plate can also play a role in guiding water, introducing the ice water in the ice storage box to the drain opening on the bottom plate, enabling the ice water in the ice storage box to flow out in time and improving the situation that the ice in the ice storage box melts too fast.

[0011] Further, a partition plate is arranged at the middle position of the inner shell. A water passing opening is formed on the partition plate. The water passing opening is located above the water supply box and at the corresponding position of the drain opening.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the cooperation between the inner shell and the partition plate jointly forms two cavities arranged side by side vertically. The cavity above is for placing the ice storage box, and the water supply box is placed in the cavity below. When the ice in the ice storage box melts, the ice water slides down to the bottom plate under the action of the guiding plate and is discharged from the drain opening. The ice water discharged from the drain opening enters the water supply box through the water passing opening on the partition plate.

[0013] Further, a supporting plate for supporting the ice storage box is arranged on the inner shell. The supporting plate is fixedly connected to two opposite inner walls of the inner shell and is located above the partition plate.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the arrangement of the supporting plate can support the ice storage box, separating the ice storage box from the partition plate, preventing water accumulation between the ice storage box and the partition plate. The arrangement of the supporting plate is beneficial to the outflow of the ice water in the ice storage box, improving the situation that the ice in the ice storage box melts too fast.

[0015] Furthermore, a U-shaped baffle is fixedly connected between the supporting plate and the partition, and the U-shaped baffle is perpendicular to the supporting plate and the partition.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the U-shaped baffle is arranged between the supporting plate and the partition, and the ice water flowing out of the ice collecting box is restricted at the edge of the partition, which guides the ice water to quickly flow into the water supply box through the water outlet, thereby improving the situation where the ice cubes in the ice collecting box melt too quickly.

[0017] Furthermore, a clamping protrusion for clamping and fixing the ice collecting box is arranged on the inner wall of the inner shell, and a groove for the clamping protrusion to enter is opened at a corresponding position of the side plate of the ice collecting box.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the clamping protrusion is arranged on the inner wall of the inner shell, and the side plate of the ice collecting box is provided with a groove. The matching arrangement of the clamping protrusion and the groove can achieve the effect of clamping and fixing between the ice collecting box and the inner shell, which is beneficial to improving the stability of the ice collecting box placed in the machine body.

[0019] Furthermore, the inner shell is provided with a telescopic groove for the clamping protrusion to be telescopic, and the telescopic groove is provided at a position adjacent to the clamping protrusion.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the expansion groove is opened at the adjacent position of the clamping protrusion. When the outer wall of the ice collecting box presses the clamping protrusion, the clamping protrusion can achieve the effect of expansion and contraction on the inner wall of the inner shell through the expansion groove, thereby facilitating the ice collecting box to be placed in the machine body and clamped and fixed with the inner shell, which is beneficial to improving the stability of the ice collecting box placed in the machine body.

[0021] Furthermore, a sensor is arranged on a side of the inner shell close to the ice collecting box, and a notch for avoiding the sensor is arranged on a side plate of the ice collecting box.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the setting of the sensor can sense the placement status of the ice collection box, so that the ice maker can identify whether the ice collection box is installed in the machine body, thereby determining whether the ice making operation can be started, and can also sense the temperature in the machine body, which is conducive to the machine body detecting the ice making environment. A clearance gap is set on the side plate of the ice collection box. When the ice collection box is placed on the inner shell, the clearance gap can avoid the sensor, thereby improving the detection effect of the sensor.

[0023] Furthermore, a display module for displaying temperature is provided on the housing, and the display module is electrically connected to the sensor.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, a display module is provided on the housing, and the display module is electrically connected to the sensor. The setting of the display module enables the detection result of the sensor to be directly observed by the user, which is conducive to controlling the start and stop of the ice maker.

[0025] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0026] 1. The ice collection box and the water supply box are installed side by side on the inner shell. When the ice cubes in the ice collection box melt, the drain port on the ice collection box and the water port on the partition allow the ice water to flow into the water supply box along the drain port. The ice water in the ice collection box flows out in time, improving the situation where the ice cubes in the ice collection box melt too quickly. The ice water is recycled to the water supply box for ice making, reducing the number of times to add water to the water supply box, and improving the ice making efficiency of the water supply box.

[0027] 2. A sensor is provided on the inner shell, which can sense the placement status of the ice collection box, so that the ice maker can identify whether the ice collection box is installed in the machine body, thereby determining whether the ice making operation can be started. It can also sense the temperature inside the machine body, which is beneficial for the machine body to detect the ice making environment. A display module is provided on the outer shell, so that the detection results of the sensor can be directly observed by the user. A clearance notch is provided on the side panel of the ice collection box. When the ice collection box is placed on the inner shell, the clearance notch can avoid the sensor, thereby improving the detection effect of the sensor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an ice maker with a new ice collection box according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure explosion of an ice maker with a novel ice collecting box according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the inner shell of an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of the structure of the sensor, snap-on protrusion and telescopic slot in part A.

[0032] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice box according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged schematic diagram of the structure of the groove and drain outlet in part B.

[0034] Description of reference numerals: 1. Outer shell; 11. Display module; 2. Inner shell; 21. Partition plate; 211. Water passing opening; 22. Support plate; 23. U-shaped baffle; 24. Clamping protrusion; 25. Telescopic groove; 26. Sensor; 3. Water supply box; 4. Ice collection box; 41. Panel; 42. Bottom plate; 421. Drainage opening; 43. Back plate; 44. Side plate; 441. Groove; 442. Yield notch; 45. Guide plate. Detailed implementation manners

[0035] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer and more understandable, the following further describes the present application in detail with reference to the Figures 1-6 accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0036] The embodiment of the present application discloses an ice maker with a novel ice collection box. In this embodiment, words used to express positional relationships such as "upper" and "lower" are determined with reference to the placement and installation positions of the ice maker in its normal use state.

[0037] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the ice maker includes an outer shell 1, an inner shell 2, a water supply box 3 and an ice collection box 4. The outer shell 1 is for installing the inner shell 2 and other core components, and the water supply box 3 and the ice collection box 4 are installed side by side vertically on the inner shell 2. A display module 11 is provided on the outer shell 1, and the display module 11 in this embodiment can be used to display the internal state of the machine body.

[0038] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , a partition plate 21 is provided at the middle position of the inner shell 2. The partition plate 21 is fixedly connected to the inner shell 2. The partition plate 21 divides the inner shell 2 into two chambers. The water supply box 3 is installed below the partition plate 21, and the ice collection box 4 is installed above the partition plate 21.

[0039] A support plate 22 is provided above the partition plate 21. When the ice collection box 4 is installed on the inner shell 2, the ice collection box 4 abuts against the support plate 22. A U-shaped baffle 23 is provided between the support plate 22 and the partition plate 21. The U-shaped baffle 23 is perpendicular and fixedly connected to both the support plate 22 and the partition plate 21.

[0040] The partition plate 21 is provided with water passing openings 211. The number of the water passing openings 211 in this embodiment is several and they are arranged adjacent to each other. Each water passing opening 211 is arranged in a grid pattern on the partition plate 21.

[0041] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4, a clamping protrusion 24 for clamping and fixing the ice collection box 4 is arranged on the inner wall of the inner shell 2. A telescopic groove 25 is formed at an adjacent position of the clamping protrusion 24. When the clamping protrusion 24 is squeezed by the ice collection box 4, the telescopic groove 25 allows the clamping protrusion 24 to expand and contract on the inner shell 2, facilitating the placement of the ice collection box 4. The telescopic groove 25 is arranged in a U shape and is located at the edge position of the clamping protrusion 24. In this embodiment, the number of the clamping protrusions 24 is two, and the number of the telescopic grooves 25 correspondingly is two. The clamping protrusions 24 and the telescopic grooves 25 are symmetrically arranged on two opposite inner walls of the inner shell 2.

[0042] Sensors 26 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the inner shell 2. The sensors 26 penetrate through the side wall of the inner shell 2 to detect whether the ice collection box 4 is installed on the inner shell 2 and measure the internal temperature of the machine body. The display module 11 is electrically connected to the sensors 26 to visually display the detection information of the sensors 26.

[0043] Refer to Figure 5 And Figure 6 , the ice collection box 4 includes a panel 41, a bottom plate 42, a back plate 43 and two side plates 44 symmetrically arranged. The panel 41 and the bottom plate 42 are vertically and fixedly connected. The back plate 43 is arranged parallel to the panel 41. The two side plates 44 are vertically and fixedly connected to both sides of the panel 41 and the back plate 43.

[0044] Grooves 441 for the clamping protrusions 24 to be inserted into are symmetrically arranged on the two sides of the two side plates 44 facing away from each other. A guide plate 45 is further arranged between the back plate 43 and the bottom plate 42. The guide plate 45 is inclined from the bottom plate 42 to the side of the back plate 43 away from the panel 41.

[0045] Drainage openings 421 are formed on the bottom plate 42. The number of the drainage openings 421 in this embodiment is several, and the drainage openings 421 are arranged parallel to each other in a grid shape. The drainage openings 421 and the water passing openings 211 are arranged vertically corresponding to each other to allow the ice water in the ice collection box 4 to flow into the water supply box 3.

[0046] Yielding notches 442 for avoiding the sensors 26 are symmetrically arranged on the side plates 44 of the ice collection box 4.

[0047] The implementation principle of an ice maker with a new ice storage box in an embodiment of this application is as follows: The inner shell 2 and other core components are installed inside the outer shell 1. The ice storage box 4 and the water supply box 3 are installed side by side vertically on the inner shell 2. The guiding plate 45 on the ice storage box 4 buffers the ice cubes falling from the ice outlet and guides the ice cubes to slide to the bottom plate 42, preventing the ice cubes from being knocked and broken and accelerating melting. A drain hole 421 is provided on the bottom plate 42 of the ice storage box 4, and a water passing hole 211 is provided on the partition plate 21. When the ice cubes remaining in the ice storage box 4 melt, the ice water can flow into the water supply box 3 in time along the drain hole 421 on the ice storage box 4 and the water passing hole 211 on the partition plate, preventing the ice cubes from melting too fast due to the influence of accumulated water. The ice water is recycled to the water supply box 3 and used for ice making again, reducing the number of times of adding water to the water supply box 3 repeatedly. The sensor 26 can sense the placement state of the ice storage box 4, enabling the ice maker to identify whether the ice storage box 4 is installed in the machine body, so as to determine whether ice making operations can be started. At the same time, the sensor 26 can also sense the temperature inside the machine body, thereby detecting the ice making environment inside the machine body.

[0048] The above are all the preferred embodiments of this application. Without limiting the protection scope of this application accordingly, therefore: All equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape, and principle of this application shall be covered within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An ice maker with a novel ice collection box, characterized in that: It includes a housing (1), an inner housing (2), a water supply box (3) and an ice collection box (4). The ice outlet of the ice maker is aligned with the opening of the ice collection box (4). The water supply box (3) is arranged below the ice collection box (4). A drain port (421) for draining water into the water supply box (3) is provided on one side of the ice collection box (4) close to the water supply box (3).

2. The ice maker with a novel ice collection box according to claim 1, wherein: The ice collection box (4) includes a panel (41), a bottom plate (42), a back plate (43) and side plates (44). The drain port (421) is provided on the bottom plate (42). A guide plate (45) for guiding the sliding of ice cubes and water is fixedly connected between the back plate (43) and the bottom plate (42). The guide plate (45) is inclined from one side of the bottom plate (42) to one side of the back plate (43).

3. The ice maker with a novel ice collection box according to claim 2, wherein: A partition plate (21) is provided at the middle position of the inner housing (2). A water passing port (211) is provided on the partition plate (21). The water passing port (211) is located above the water supply box (3) and at the corresponding position of the drain port (421).

4. The ice maker with a novel ice collection box according to claim 3, characterized in that: A supporting plate (22) for supporting the ice collection box (4) is provided on the inner housing (2). The supporting plate (22) is fixedly connected to two opposite inner walls of the inner housing (2) and is located above the partition plate.

5. The ice maker with a novel ice collection box according to claim 4, wherein: A U-shaped baffle (23) is fixedly connected between the supporting plate (22) and the partition plate. The U-shaped baffle (23) is perpendicular to both the supporting plate (22) and the partition plate.

6. The ice maker with a new ice collection box according to claim 2, characterized in that: Clamping protrusions (24) for clamping and fixing the ice collection box (4) are provided on the inner wall of the inner housing (2). Grooves (441) for the clamping protrusions (24) to enter are provided at the corresponding positions of the side plates (44) of the ice collection box (4).

7. The ice maker with a novel ice storage box according to claim 6, characterized in that: A telescopic groove (25) for the telescopic movement of the clamping protrusions (24) is provided on the inner housing (2). The telescopic groove (25) is provided at a position adjacent to the clamping protrusions (24).

8. The ice maker with a novel ice storage box according to claim 2, wherein: A sensor (26) is provided on one side of the inner housing (2) close to the ice collection box (4). A relief notch (442) for avoiding the sensor (26) is provided on the side plate (44) of the ice collection box (4).

9. The ice maker with a novel ice collection box according to claim 8, characterized in that: A display module (11) for displaying the temperature is provided on the housing (1). The display module (11) is electrically connected to the sensor (26).

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