Ice maker capable of quantitatively discharging ice

Abstract

The utility model provides an ice maker capable of outputting ice quantitatively, which comprises an ice storage bucket, a bearing device and a control system, the ice storage bucket comprises an ice outlet, a guide table and a stirring component suitable for preventing ice blocks from caking, the bearing device comprises an objective table and a mass sensor arranged below the objective table, the objective table is arranged perpendicular to the gravity direction, and the control system is connected with the guide table. The control system comprises a controller and a bin door assembly, the control system is suitable for controlling the bin door assembly to be opened, the guide table guides ice blocks to slide to the ice outlet and fall into the container, the mass sensor is suitable for monitoring the mass of the ice blocks in the container and transmitting sufficient signals, and the controller controls the bin door assembly to be closed according to the sufficient signals so that quantitative ice discharging can be achieved. The controller is arranged to receive sufficient signals of the mass sensor to control the bin door assembly to be closed so as to achieve quantitative ice discharging, the objective table is arranged to be perpendicular to the gravity direction, it can be avoided that extra torque is introduced in the installation, calibration and measurement processes of the mass sensor, and the measurement accuracy can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of ice makers, and particularly relates to an ice maker with quantitative ice output. Background Art

[0002] With the development of society and the improvement of people's living standards, the requirements for the diversity and quality of food and beverages are getting higher and higher. In the beverage industry, ice cubes, as important auxiliary materials, play a key role in the taste and freshness preservation of beverages. In terms of ice output control, most devices still adopt simple timing or quantitative ice output methods, lacking flexibility and precision. In addition, in the existing ice makers during the ice output process, the ice cubes are prone to adhesion and difficult to separate, resulting in unsmooth ice output and affecting the use efficiency. Content of the Utility Model

[0003] Aiming at the defects of the above-mentioned existing technologies, the purpose of the utility model is to provide an ice maker with quantitative ice output to meet the needs of users.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the utility model provides an ice maker with quantitative ice output, including

[0005] An ice storage bucket, which is suitable for storing ice cubes, includes an ice outlet, a guiding platform suitable for guiding ice cubes to slide towards the ice outlet under the action of gravity, and a stirring assembly suitable for preventing ice cubes from caking and pushing the ice cubes towards the ice outlet.

[0006] A load-bearing device, which includes a loading platform suitable for placing a container and a mass sensor arranged below the loading platform. The loading platform is arranged perpendicular to the direction of gravity, and the mass sensor is suitable for monitoring the mass of ice cubes in the container and transmitting a sufficient signal.

[0007] A control system, which includes a controller and a door assembly. The door assembly is suitable for closing the ice outlet, and the controller is suitable for receiving the sufficient signal from the mass sensor and controlling the door assembly to close accordingly to achieve quantitative ice output.

[0008] Preferably: The controller presets several different ice output amounts, and / or, the controller is suitable for receiving other ice output amounts input by an electronic terminal, facilitating users to make adaptive adjustments.

[0009] Preferably: The loading platform includes a weighing pan arranged on its upper surface and an installation platform suitable for carrying the mass sensor. The installation platform includes an installation surface arranged parallel to the weighing pan. The mass is fixed on the installation surface to achieve horizontal setting, and the mass sensor is arranged corresponding to the central area of the weighing pan.

[0010] Preferably, the mass sensor includes an elastic element, a strain gauge, and a signal processing circuit. The elastic element deforms under the gravity of the ice cube. The strain gauge is adapted to convert the deformation amount of the elastic element into an electrical signal. The signal processing circuit is adapted to amplify and process the above electrical signal and then transmit it to the controller to meet the requirements for the measurement range and accuracy of the mass sensor.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic element can be at least one of a metal diaphragm, an elastic column, or an elastic cylinder. The elastic element is in contact with the lower surface of the weighing pan and is not pressed by the gravity of the weighing pan. Or, there is a safety gap between the elastic element and the weighing pan to prevent the mass sensor from being pressured when there is no load.

[0012] Preferably, the ice outlet is opened on the side wall of the ice storage bucket.

[0013] The door assembly includes

[0014] a bracket, which is relatively fixedly assembled on the side wall of the ice storage bucket.

[0015] a door, which includes a door seat and a door panel assembled on the door seat. The door panel is adapted to close the ice outlet. The door seat is hinged to the bracket through a rotating shaft.

[0016] a driving device, which is adapted to receive the instruction of the controller to drive the door to open and close.

[0017] a transmission column, one end of which is adapted to move up and down along the axial direction of the ice storage bucket under the drive of the driving device, and the other end of which is adapted to drive the door seat to flip so as to realize the opening and closing of the door panel.

[0018] Preferably, the door seat includes a transmission groove. The transmission groove includes a locking section and a movable section that communicate with each other. The transmission column includes a first pin shaft arranged parallel to the rotating shaft. The first pin shaft is adapted to pass through the transmission groove.

[0019] When the door closes the ice outlet, the first pin shaft is located in the locking section. The locking section is arranged parallel to the axial direction of the ice storage bucket. The first pin shaft and the locking section are limited and matched in the direction perpendicular to the ice outlet so that the door remains closed, thus realizing the self-locking of the door assembly. When the transmission column moves upward, the first pin shaft enters the movable section from the locking section. The movable section is perpendicular to the rotating shaft. The first pin shaft is adapted to drive the door to flip upward and open the ice outlet.

[0020] Preferably, the driving device is an electromagnet device fixedly assembled on the bracket. The electromagnet device includes a second guiding groove. The transmission column is a magnetic body. Under the action of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet device, one end of the transmission column reciprocally slides and cooperates with the second guiding groove. The electromagnet device includes an energized coil. The controller is adapted to control the magnetic field intensity by controlling the magnitude of the current passing through the energized coil, thereby realizing the control of the movement of the rotating shaft.

[0021] Preferably, the bracket includes a first back plate and two first wing plates that form a three-sided enclosing structure. The first wing plates are adapted to provide a first guiding groove and a first rotating groove for supporting the rotating shaft. The first guiding groove is arranged along the axial direction of the ice storage bucket. The first guiding groove slidably cooperates with the first pin shaft to define its movement direction. The two first guiding grooves are adapted to form a limit for the first pin shaft along its axial direction. The door seat includes a second back plate and two second wing plates that form a three-sided enclosing structure. The second wing plates include the transmission groove and a second rotating groove for supporting the rotating shaft.

[0022] Preferably, the door assembly includes a reset torsion spring adapted to drive the door to close. The reset torsion spring includes a spiral part sleeved on the rotating shaft, a first leg abutting against the first pin shaft, and a second leg abutting against the first back plate and / or the second back plate.

[0023] When the door is turned outwards, the first pin shaft synchronously drives the spiral part to tighten and accumulate potential energy through the first leg. When the spiral part expands and releases the potential energy, the first leg drives the door to close through the first pin shaft.

[0024] Preferably, the ice-dispensing ice maker further includes an ice-falling shell. A guiding plate is extended at the lower end of the ice outlet. The guiding plate is adapted to guide the ice cubes to slide into the ice-falling shell. The ice-falling shell is adapted to guide the ice cubes to fall into a container placed on the loading platform. The ice-falling shell includes a vertical guiding surface close to the ice storage bucket and an inclined guiding surface far from the ice storage bucket. And the cross-sectional dimension of the ice-falling shell gradually decreases along the gravity direction.

[0025] Preferably, the stirring assembly includes a motor, a stirring shaft, and a plurality of stirring units radially extending outwards. The motor is arranged below the ice storage bucket. The stirring units are arranged above the guiding platform. The guiding platform is a frustum structure. The guiding platform, the stirring shaft, and the ice storage bucket are coaxially arranged. The motor is adapted to drive the stirring units to rotate through the stirring shaft.

[0026] Preferably, at least one of the stirring units constitutes an upper-zone stirring unit extending upward, and the other stirring units are grouped in pairs to form a lower-zone stirring group symmetrically arranged about the axis of the stirrer and extending downward. The lower-zone stirring groups are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction and are staggered in the axial direction.

[0027] The beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows:

[0028] Ice discharging is achieved through the cooperation of the guiding platform and the stirring assembly. By setting a controller to receive a sufficient signal from the mass sensor to control the closing of the door assembly for quantitative ice discharging, it is possible to adaptively perform quantitative ice discharging according to different ice quantity requirements.

[0029] The setting of the load platform perpendicular to the direction of gravity can avoid introducing additional torques during the installation, calibration, and measurement of the mass sensor, providing a more ideal stress environment for the mass sensor, which is conducive to improving the measurement accuracy and thus achieving the accuracy of ice discharging.

[0030] By setting a locking section to be in limit cooperation with the first pin shaft, it is beneficial to prevent the door panel from losing its sealing performance due to the impact of ice cubes during ice stirring, and the sealing effect of the door is good. By setting a movable section perpendicular to the rotation axis, the effect of shortening the movement path can be achieved, thereby realizing the compact and lightweight design of the door assembly. Description of the Drawings

[0031] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a quantitative ice discharging ice maker provided by the present utility model.

[0032] Figure 2 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a quantitative ice discharging ice maker provided by the present utility model.

[0033] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the door assembly provided by the present utility model.

[0034] Figure 4 It is an exploded schematic view of the door assembly provided by the present utility model.

[0035] Figure 5 It is an exploded schematic view of the load platform provided by the present utility model.

[0036] In the figure, there are an ice storage bucket 101, a load platform 102, a weighing pan 103, a mounting platform 104, a mounting surface 105, a mass sensor 106, an ice outlet 107, a guiding platform 108, a bracket 109, a door seat 110, a door panel 111, a driving device 112, a transmission column 113, a first back plate 114, a first wing plate 115, a reset torsion spring 116, a second back plate 117, a second wing plate 118, a rotating shaft 119, a spiral part 120, a first support leg 121, a second support leg 122, a first pin shaft 123, a first guiding groove 124, a second guiding groove 125, a transmission groove 126, a locking section 127, a movable section 128, an ice falling shell 129, a guiding plate 130, an inclined guiding surface 131, a vertical guiding surface 132, a motor 133, a stirring shaft 134, an upper zone stirring unit 135, and a lower zone stirring group 136. Detailed implementation mode

[0037] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present utility model clearer, the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0038] Here, it should also be noted that in order to avoid obscuring the present utility model due to unnecessary details, only the structures and / or processing steps closely related to the solution of the present utility model are shown in the drawings, while other details less related to the present utility model are omitted.

[0039] In addition, it should also be noted that the term "comprising", "including" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or further includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device.

[0040] As Figures 1-5 described, a quantitative ice discharging ice maker includes an ice storage bucket 101, a load bearing device and a control system. The ice storage bucket 101 includes an ice outlet 107, a guiding platform 108 and a stirring assembly suitable for preventing ice blocks from caking, which are opened on its side wall. The load bearing device includes a load platform 102 suitable for placing a container and a mass sensor 106 arranged below the load platform 102. The load platform 102 is arranged perpendicular to the gravity direction. The control system includes a controller and a door assembly. The control system is suitable for controlling the door assembly to open. The guiding platform 108 guides the ice blocks to slide towards the ice outlet 107 and fall into the container under the action of gravity. The mass sensor 106 is suitable for monitoring the mass of the ice blocks in the container and transmitting a sufficient amount signal. The controller is suitable for receiving the sufficient amount signal of the mass sensor 106 and accordingly controlling the door assembly to close so as to achieve quantitative ice discharging. The controller presets several different ice discharging amounts, and the controller is also suitable for receiving other ice discharging amounts input by an electronic terminal to facilitate the user to make adaptive adjustments.

[0041] In this embodiment, the stage 102 includes a weighing pan 103 disposed on its upper surface and a mounting table 104 adapted to carry the mass sensor 106. The mounting table 104 includes a mounting surface 105 disposed parallel to the weighing pan 103. The mass sensor 106 is fixed to the mounting surface 105 to be horizontally disposed, and the mass sensor 106 is disposed corresponding to the central region of the weighing pan 103. The mass sensor 106 includes an elastic element, a strain gauge, and a signal processing circuit. The elastic element deforms under the gravitational force of the ice cube. The strain gauge is adapted to convert the deformation amount of the elastic element into an electrical signal. The signal processing circuit is adapted to amplify and process the above electrical signal and then transmit it to the controller to meet the requirements for the measurement range and accuracy of the mass sensor 106. Specifically, the elastic element is a metal diaphragm, and there is a safety gap between the elastic element and the weighing pan 103 to prevent the mass sensor 106 from being pressured when there is no load.

[0042] In this embodiment, the door assembly of the bin includes a bracket 109, a door, a driving device 112, and a transmission column 113. The bracket 109 includes a first back plate 114 and two first wing plates 115 that form a three-sided enclosure structure. The first wing plates 115 are relatively fixedly assembled to the side wall of the ice storage barrel 101. The door includes a door seat 110, a door panel 111 assembled to the door seat 110, and a return torsion spring 116 adapted to drive the door to close. The door panel 111 is adapted to close the ice outlet 107. The door seat 110 includes a second back plate 117 and two second wing plates 118 that form a three-sided enclosure structure. The door seat 110 is hinged to the first wing plate 115 through a rotating shaft 119. Specifically, the first wing plate 115 and the second wing plate 118 respectively include a first rotating groove and a second rotating groove adapted to support the rotating shaft 119. In the first rotating groove and the second rotating groove, one is relatively fixedly arranged with the rotating shaft 119, and the other is in rotational cooperation with the rotating shaft 119. The return torsion spring 116 includes a spiral portion 120 sleeved on the rotating shaft 119, a first leg 121 abutted against the first pin shaft 123, and a second leg 122 abutted against the first back plate 114 and / or the second back plate 117. The driving device 112 is an electromagnet device fixedly assembled to the bracket 109, and is adapted to receive an instruction from the controller to drive the door to open and close through the transmission column 113. Specifically, the electromagnet device includes an energized coil and a second guiding groove 125, and the second guiding groove 125 is arranged along the axial direction of the ice storage barrel 101. The transmission column 113 is a magnetic body. The controller is adapted to control the magnetic field intensity by controlling the magnitude of the current passing through the energized coil. Under the action of the magnetic field, one end of the transmission column 113 of the driving device 112 is in reciprocating sliding cooperation with the second guiding groove 125. The other end of the transmission column 113 includes a first pin shaft 123 arranged parallel to the rotating shaft 119. The second wing plate 118 includes a transmission groove 126, and the first wing plate 115 includes a first guiding groove 124 arranged along the axial direction of the ice storage barrel 101. The first pin shaft 123 of the transmission column 113 is adapted to pass through the transmission groove 126 and extend into the first guiding groove 124. The sliding cooperation between the first guiding groove 124 and the first pin shaft 123 is adapted to define its movement direction, and the two first guiding grooves 124 are adapted to form a limit for the first pin shaft 123 along its axial direction. The transmission groove 126 includes a locking section 127 and a movable section 128 that are interconnected.

[0043] In this embodiment, when the storage door closes the ice outlet 107, the first pin shaft 123 is located at the locking section 127. The locking section 127 is arranged parallel to the axial direction of the ice storage barrel 101. The first pin shaft 123 and the locking section 127 are in a limiting fit along the direction perpendicular to the ice outlet 107 to keep the storage door closed, thereby realizing the self-locking of the storage door assembly. When the driving device 112 drives the transmission column 113 to move upward, the first pin shaft 123 enters the movable section 128 from the locking section 127. The movable section 128 is arranged perpendicular to the rotating shaft 119. The first pin shaft 123 is adapted to drive the storage door to flip upward and open the ice outlet 107. The first pin shaft 123 synchronously drives the spiral part 120 to tighten and accumulate potential energy through the first support leg 121. When the driving device 112 receives the instruction from the controller to close the storage door, the transmission column 113 moves downward. When the spiral part 120 expands and releases potential energy, the first support leg 121 drives the storage door to close through the first pin shaft 123.

[0044] In this embodiment, the quantitative ice-making ice machine further includes an ice falling shell 129. A guide plate 130 is connected to the lower end of the ice outlet 107. The guide plate 130 is adapted to guide the ice cubes to slide into the ice falling shell 129. The ice falling shell 129 is adapted to guide the ice cubes to fall into a container placed on the loading platform 102. The ice falling shell 129 includes a vertical guide surface 132 close to the ice storage barrel 101 and an inclined guide surface 131 far from the ice storage barrel 101. And the cross-sectional dimension of the ice falling shell 129 gradually decreases along the gravity direction.

[0045] In this embodiment, the stirring assembly includes a motor 133, a stirring shaft 134 and a plurality of stirring units radially extending outward. The motor 133 is arranged below the ice storage barrel 101. The stirring units are arranged above the guide table 108. The guide table 108 is a frustum structure. The guide table 108, the stirring shaft 134 and the ice storage barrel 101 are coaxially arranged. The motor 133 is adapted to drive the stirring units to rotate through the stirring shaft 134. One of the stirring units constitutes an upper area stirring unit 135 extending upward. The other stirring units are grouped in pairs to form four lower area stirring groups 136 symmetrically arranged about the stirring shaft 134 and extending downward. The lower area stirring groups 136 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction and are staggered in the axial direction.

[0046] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention can be modified or equivalently replaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A quantitative ice-making ice machine, characterized in that, including an ice storage bucket adapted to store ice cubes, comprising an ice outlet, a guiding platform adapted to guide the ice cubes to slide towards the ice outlet under the action of gravity, and a stirring assembly adapted to prevent the ice cubes from caking and push the ice cubes towards the ice outlet a load-bearing device comprising a loading platform adapted to place a container and a mass sensor disposed below the loading platform, the loading platform being disposed perpendicular to the direction of gravity, and the mass sensor being adapted to monitor the mass of the ice cubes in the container and transmit a sufficient quantity signal a control system comprising a controller and a door assembly, the door assembly being adapted to close the ice outlet, and the controller being adapted to receive the sufficient quantity signal from the mass sensor and control the door assembly to close accordingly so as to achieve quantitative ice discharging 2. The ice maker with quantitative ice discharging according to claim 1, wherein the controller presets a plurality of different ice discharging amounts, and / or the controller is adapted to receive other ice discharging amounts input by an electronic terminal, facilitating the user to make adaptive adjustments the loading platform comprises a weighing plate disposed on its upper surface and a mounting platform adapted to carry the mass sensor, the mounting platform comprises a mounting surface disposed parallel to the weighing plate, the mass is fixed on the mounting surface to achieve horizontal setting, and the mass sensor is disposed corresponding to the central area of the weighing plate 3. The quantitative ice-making machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, the mass sensor comprises an elastic element, a strain gauge and a signal processing circuit, the elastic element deforms under the action of the gravity of the ice cubes, the strain gauge is adapted to convert the deformation amount of the elastic element into an electric signal, and the signal processing circuit is adapted to amplify and process the above electric signal and then transmit it to the controller to meet the requirements for the measurement range and accuracy of the mass sensor 4. A quantitative ice-making machine according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, the ice outlet is opened on the side wall of the ice storage bucket the door assembly comprises a bracket relatively fixedly assembled on the side wall of the ice storage bucket a door including a door seat and a door panel assembled on the door seat, the door panel being adapted to close the ice outlet, and the door seat being hinged to the bracket through a rotating shaft a driving device adapted to receive an instruction from the controller to drive the door to open and close a transmission column, one end of which is adapted to move up and down along the axial direction of the ice storage bucket under the drive of the driving device, and the other end of which is adapted to drive the door seat to flip so as to open and close the door panel 5. A quantitative ice-making machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, the door seat comprises a transmission groove, the transmission groove comprises a locking section and a movable section communicating with each other, the transmission column comprises a first pin shaft disposed parallel to the rotating shaft, and the first pin shaft is adapted to pass through the transmission groove when the door closes the ice outlet, the first pin shaft is located in the locking section, the locking section is disposed parallel to the axial direction of the ice storage bucket, and the first pin shaft and the locking section are limited and matched in a direction perpendicular to the ice outlet so that the door remains closed, thereby realizing self-locking of the door assembly when the transmission column moves upward, the first pin shaft enters the movable section from the locking section, the movable section is disposed perpendicular to the rotating shaft, and the first pin shaft is adapted to drive the door to flip upward and open the ice outlet 6. The quantitative ice-dispensing ice maker according to claim 5, wherein The driving device is an electromagnet device fixedly assembled on the bracket. The electromagnet device includes a second guiding groove. The transmission column is a magnetic body. Under the action of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet device, one end of the transmission column is in reciprocating sliding fit with the second guiding groove. The electromagnet device includes an energized coil. The controller is adapted to control the magnetic field strength by controlling the magnitude of the current passing through the energized coil, thereby realizing the control of the movement of the rotating shaft.

7. The quantitative ice-making machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, The bracket includes a first back plate and two first wing plates that form a three-sided enclosing structure. The first wing plates are adapted to provide a first guiding groove and a first rotating groove for supporting the rotating shaft. The first guiding groove is arranged along the axial direction of the ice storage barrel. The first guiding groove is in sliding fit with the first pin shaft to define its movement direction. The two first guiding grooves are adapted to form a limit for the first pin shaft along its axial direction. The door seat includes a second back plate and two second wing plates that form a three-sided enclosing structure. The second wing plates include the transmission groove and a second rotating groove for supporting the rotating shaft.

8. A quantitative ice-making machine according to claim 7, wherein, The door assembly includes a reset torsion spring adapted to drive the door to close. The reset torsion spring includes a spiral portion sleeved on the rotating shaft, a first leg abutting against the first pin shaft, and a second leg abutting against the first back plate and / or the second back plate. When the door is turned outwards, the first pin shaft synchronously drives the spiral portion to tighten and accumulate potential energy through the first leg. When the spiral portion expands and releases the potential energy, the first leg drives the door to close through the first pin shaft.

9. A quantitative ice-making machine according to claim 8, wherein, It includes an ice falling shell. A guiding plate is connected to the lower end of the ice outlet. The guiding plate is adapted to guide the ice cubes to slide into the ice falling shell. The ice falling shell is adapted to guide the ice cubes to fall into a container placed on the loading platform. The ice falling shell includes a vertical guiding surface close to the ice storage barrel and an inclined guiding surface far from the ice storage barrel. And the cross-sectional dimension of the ice falling shell gradually decreases along the gravity direction.

10. A quantitative ice-making machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, The stirring assembly includes a motor, a stirring shaft, and a plurality of stirring units radially extending outwards. The motor is arranged below the ice storage barrel. The stirring units are arranged above the guiding platform. The guiding platform is a frustum structure. The guiding platform, the stirring shaft, and the ice storage barrel are coaxially arranged. The motor is adapted to drive the stirring units to rotate through the stirring shaft. At least one of the stirring units constitutes an upper area stirring unit extending upwards, and the other stirring units are grouped in pairs to form a lower area stirring group symmetrically arranged about the stirring axis and extending downwards. The lower area stirring group is evenly distributed in the circumferential direction and staggered in the axial direction.

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