Ice maker

Abstract

The utility model provides an ice maker which comprises an ice-making box, a refrigerating device, an ice collecting basket and a driving mechanism, and the ice-making box is provided with an ice-making cavity and an ice-making opening exposed out of the ice-making cavity; the refrigerating device comprises an ice-making column at least partially extending into the ice-making cavity; the ice collecting basket is provided with an ice collecting cavity and an ice collecting opening exposing the ice collecting cavity; the driving mechanism is used for driving the ice collecting basket to rotate and move relative to the ice making box; the ice collecting basket is provided with an ice-making position matched with the ice-making column and an ice collecting position separated from the ice-making column, and when the ice-making position is in the ice-making position, the direction of the ice collecting opening is the same as that of the ice-making opening; after the ice collecting basket is driven by the driving mechanism, when the ice collecting basket is rotationally switched from the ice making position to the ice collecting position, the ice collecting basket can collect ice blocks in the ice making box and transfer the ice blocks out of the ice making box, so that ice collection can be realized without draining water from the ice making box, and the energy consumption of the ice maker is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of refrigeration devices, in particular to an ice maker. Background Art

[0002] In a traditional refrigerator with an ice maker, the ice maker is usually arranged in the freezer compartment and ice is made by means of air cooling or direct cooling. In this ice-making method, the ice freezes in a stepwise manner from the outside to the inside, and the air remaining in the air cannot be discharged. Therefore, there are bubbles in the generated ice cubes, and the quality of the ice cubes is poor and opaque. For this reason, it is proposed to extend the ice-making column into the ice-making box, and by cooling the ice-making column, the ice cubes are directly formed on the ice-making column. After the ice cubes are formed, they are directly detached from the ice-making column and stored, and so on.

[0003] However, after the ice-making of the ice maker in this way is completed, the water in the ice-making box needs to be drained completely before the ice collection operation can be carried out, and after the ice collection, the ice-making box needs to be refilled with water again before ice-making can be carried out. During the process of repeatedly pumping and injecting water into the ice-making box, the energy consumption of the ice maker is increased. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide an ice maker that saves energy consumption.

[0005] To achieve one of the above-mentioned utility model purposes, an embodiment of the utility model provides an ice maker, including:

[0006] An ice-making box, having an ice-making cavity and an ice-making opening exposing the ice-making cavity;

[0007] A refrigeration device, including an ice-making column at least partially extending into the ice-making cavity;

[0008] An ice collection basket, having an ice collection cavity and an ice collection opening exposing the ice collection cavity;

[0009] A driving mechanism, the driving mechanism is used to drive the ice collection basket to rotate and move relative to the ice-making box;

[0010] Wherein, the ice collection basket has an ice-making position cooperating with the ice-making column and an ice collection position disengaged from the ice-making column. In the ice-making position, the orientation of the ice collection opening is the same as that of the ice-making opening.

[0011] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the utility model, the ice maker further includes a storage box. The rotation axis of the ice collection basket is parallel to the horizontal direction. In the ice collection position, the orientation of the ice collection opening is opposite to that of the ice-making opening, and the storage box is located below the ice collection basket.

[0012] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the utility model, the ice-making column has a free end and a fixed end opposite to each other, and the free end is located at the top of the fixed end.

[0013] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the utility model, the ice collecting basket includes a bottom wall, a side wall connected to the periphery of the bottom wall, and a drainage hole arranged on the bottom wall and / or the side wall, and the drainage hole is connected to the ice collecting cavity.

[0014] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the utility model, the driving mechanism includes a rotating shaft connected to the ice collecting basket, and the drainage hole is arranged on the side wall and is located on a side of the ice collecting basket away from the rotating shaft along the radial direction of the rotating shaft.

[0015] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the utility model, the ice collecting basket also includes a clearance hole matching the ice-making column. When in the ice-making position, the ice-making column is inserted into the clearance hole, and the bottom wall is located at the bottom of the ice-making column.

[0016] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the utility model, the clearance hole is arranged on the bottom wall and the side wall, and is connected to the ice collecting cavity.

[0017] As a further improvement of an embodiment of the utility model, the ice maker also includes a movable part connected to the rotating shaft and a first limit part and a second limit part connected to the ice making box. When in the ice making position, the movable part abuts against the first limit part, and when in the ice collecting position, the movable part abuts against the second limit part.

[0018] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the utility model, the ice maker also includes a water storage component and a water supply pipe, the water storage component has a water storage chamber and an air inlet exposing the water storage chamber, and the water supply pipe connects the water storage chamber and the ice making chamber so that at least one liquid level in the water storage chamber is at the same level as the liquid level in the ice making chamber.

[0019] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the utility model, the refrigeration device includes a refrigerant pipe connected to the ice-making column, and the ice-making machine also includes a mounting seat and a heating element. The mounting seat has an installation cavity for accommodating the refrigerant pipe and the heating element, and a foaming layer is arranged in the installation cavity.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, in the embodiment of the utility model, after the ice collecting basket is driven by the driving mechanism, when it is rotated and switched from the ice making position to the ice collecting position, the ice collecting basket can collect the ice cubes in the ice box and transfer them outside the ice box, thereby achieving ice collection without draining the ice box, thereby saving energy consumption of the ice maker. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a part of the ice making machine in the utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Sectional view at AA;

[0023] Figure 3 is Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in

[0024] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a part of an ice maker in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, where the ice bin is in the ice-making position;

[0025] Figure 5 is Figure 4 the exploded view of

[0026] Figure 6 is Figure 4 The cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in

[0027] Figure 7 is Figure 4 a perspective view of another angle of the ice maker in , where the ice bin is in the ice-making position;

[0028] Figure 8 is Figure 7 The cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in . Specific Embodiments

[0029] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodical, or functional transformations made by those of ordinary skill in the art based on these embodiments are included within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0030] It should be understood that the spatially relative terms, such as "upper", "lower", "outer", "inner", etc., used herein are for the purpose of facilitating description to describe the relationship of one unit or feature to another unit or feature as shown in the drawings. The spatially relative terms may be intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation shown in the figures.

[0031] In the description of the present invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0032] Refer to Figures 1 to 8 As shown in , a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an ice maker, which is preferably used to make bullet ice.

[0033] With reference to Figure 1As shown, specifically, an ice maker includes a water storage member 10 and an ice making box 20. In this embodiment, the water storage member 10 is used to store the liquid required for ice making and supply it to the ice making box 20.

[0034] With reference to Figure 2 As shown, specifically, the water storage member 10 has a water storage cavity 11 and an air inlet 12 exposing the water storage cavity 11. In this embodiment, the water storage cavity 11 in the water storage member 11 communicates with the external environment of the ice maker through the air inlet 12, so that the air pressure in the water storage cavity 11 is the same as that of the external environment.

[0035] Specifically, the ice making box 20 has an ice making cavity 21 and an ice making port 22 exposing the ice making cavity 21. In this embodiment, the ice making cavity 21 in the ice making box 20 communicates with the external environment of the ice maker through the ice making port 22, so that the air pressure in the ice making cavity 21 is the same as that of the external environment.

[0036] Further, the ice maker further includes a water supply pipe 40. In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 40 can be selectively opened or closed, so as to selectively conduct the water storage cavity 11 and the ice making cavity 21, and realize the water supply from the water storage member 10 to the ice making box 20.

[0037] Further, the water supply pipe 40 conducts the water storage cavity 11 and the ice making cavity 21, so that at least one liquid level in the water storage cavity 11 is at the same horizontal level as the liquid level in the ice making cavity 21. In this embodiment, since both the water storage cavity 11 and the ice making cavity 21 are in the same external environment (i.e., having the same atmospheric pressure), a communicating vessel is formed between the water storage cavity 11 and the ice making cavity 21. When the water supply pipe 40 conducts the water storage cavity 11 and the ice making cavity 21, according to the principle of the communicating vessel, the liquid levels between the water storage cavity 11 and the ice making cavity 21 always remain the same height, and the water in the water storage cavity 11 can automatically flow into the ice making cavity 21, so that the ice making cavity 21 can automatically maintain the required ice making liquid level (for example, ensuring the liquid level at which the ice making column is sufficient to contact the liquid in the ice making box 20), simplifying the water injection process.

[0038] After controlling the water supply pipe 40 to conduct the water storage cavity 11 and the ice making cavity 21, pressure balance can be achieved between the water storage cavity 11 and the ice making cavity 21, so that at least one liquid level in the water storage cavity 11 is at the same horizontal level as the liquid level in the ice making cavity 21, thereby realizing that the liquid level in the ice making cavity 21 accurately reaches the ice making liquid level, without the ice maker having to judge the liquid level, and simplifying the ice making process.

[0039] With reference to Figure 3 As shown, specifically, the water storage cavity 11 has a mutually communicating water storage space 111 and an air inlet space 112, the water storage member 10 further has a water injection port 13 communicating with the water storage space 111, and the air inlet 12 exposes the air inlet space 112.

[0040] In this embodiment, after the intake space 112 is exposed through the intake port 12, the intake space 112 communicates with the external environment of the ice maker, that is, the air pressure in the intake space 112 is the same as that of the external environment. Similarly, when the water injection port 13 exposes the water storage space 111, the water storage space 111 communicates with the external environment of the ice maker, that is, the air pressure in the water storage space 111 is the same as that of the external environment.

[0041] Moreover, since the intake space 112 and the water storage space 111 are interconnected, when the water injection port 13 exposes the water storage space 111, a communicating vessel is formed between the intake space 112 and the water storage space 111, that is, the liquid levels in the intake space 112 and the water storage space 111 are always at the same height. Thus, when the water supply pipe 40 is closed (i.e., the water supply pipe 40 does not conduct the water storage chamber 11 and the ice making chamber 21), the water storage chamber 11 can be filled with water through the intake port 12 and / or the water injection port 13 to meet different water injection requirements.

[0042] Further, the water storage member 10 includes a plugging member 14, and the plugging member 14 is in sealing cooperation with the water injection port 13. In this embodiment, after the water storage chamber 11 is filled with water, the water injection port is closed by the plugging member 14, so that the water storage space 111 does not communicate with the external environment of the ice maker. At this time, the water storage chamber 11 is only connected to the external environment of the ice maker through the intake port 12, that is, the intake space 112 can maintain the same air pressure as the external environment, thereby maintaining the pressure balance between the water storage chamber 11 and the ice making chamber 21.

[0043] Compared with the scheme where the water injection port 13 exposes the water storage space 111 (i.e., the water injection port 13 is exposed to the external environment), setting the plugging member 14 can make full use of the water storage space 112 for water storage without being affected by the liquid level in the intake space 112.

[0044] When filling the water storage member 10 with water, first close the water supply pipe 40, remove the plugging member 14 on the water injection port 13, fill the water storage chamber 11 through the intake port 12 and / or the water injection port 13, and then install the plugging member 14 on the water injection port 13 after the filling is completed to keep the water storage space 111 closed.

[0045] Specifically, the radial dimensions of the plugging member 14 and the water injection port 13 are matched, and the sealing cooperation between the two is realized through the interference fit between the two or by using a sealing ring.

[0046] Specifically, the water storage member 10 includes a communication port 15 that communicates the water storage space 111 with the air intake space 112, and the horizontal height of the air intake port 12 is greater than the horizontal height of the communication port 15. In this embodiment, when the water storage member 10 is not provided with the plugging member 14, that is, when the water injection port 13 exposes the water storage space 111 after the water injection is completed, the horizontal height of the water injection port 13 is also greater than the horizontal height of the communication port 15, thereby forming a communicating vessel between the air intake space 112 and the water storage space 111.

[0047] When the water storage member 10 is provided with the plugging member 14, that is, when the water injection port 13 is plugged by the plugging member 14 after the water injection is completed, the horizontal height of the water injection port 13 can be greater than the horizontal height of the communication port 15, and the horizontal height of the water injection port 13 can be less than or equal to the horizontal height of the communication port 15. Preferably, the horizontal height of the water injection port 13 is also greater than the horizontal height of the communication port 15, so as to facilitate the water injection into the water storage member 14.

[0048] Further preferably, the horizontal heights of the water injection port 13 and the air intake port 12 are the same, which can make full use of the water storage space 111 and the air intake space 112 for water storage, that is, when the water storage chamber 11 reaches the maximum liquid level, both the water storage space 111 and the air intake space 112 are filled with water.

[0049] Furthermore, the water supply pipe 40 conducts the water storage chamber 11 and the ice making chamber 21, so that the liquid level in the air intake space 112 and the liquid level in the ice making chamber 21 are at the same horizontal plane and are flush with the top of the communication port 15.

[0050] In this embodiment, after the water storage chamber 11 is filled with water, the water supply pipe 40 is opened (that is, the water supply pipe 40 conducts the water storage chamber 11 and the ice making chamber 21). Since the air intake space 112 communicates with the external environment through the air intake port 12 and the ice making chamber 21 communicates with the external environment through the ice making port 22, a communicating vessel is formed between the air intake space 112 and the ice making chamber 21. At this time, the liquid in the air intake space 112 automatically flows into the ice making chamber 12 until the liquid level in the air intake space 112 reaches the top of the communication port 15 (for example, the upper edge of the communication port 15).

[0051] When the liquid level in the air intake space 112 reaches the top of the communication port 15, every time a drop of water is injected into the ice making chamber 21, the water storage member 10 will suck in a bubble from the air intake port 12. The bubble crosses the top of the communication port 15 and is supplemented into the sealed space at the top of the water storage space 111, maintaining the air pressure balance inside and outside the water storage member 10 until the liquid level in the ice making box 20 reaches the ice making liquid level and the water supply automatically stops.

[0052] If the ice making liquid level is reached in the above process, the liquid level in the air intake space 112 and the liquid level in the ice making chamber 21 are at the same horizontal plane, that is, flush with the top of the communication port 15 (for example, the upper edge of the communication port 15), and are lower than the liquid level in the water storage space 112.

[0053] Further, the water supply pipe 40 conducts the water storage cavity 11 and the ice making cavity 21, so that the liquid levels in the water storage space 111 and the ice making cavity 21 are at the same horizontal plane and lower than the top of the communication port 15.

[0054] In this embodiment, as the liquid level in the water storage space 111 continuously drops until it reaches the top of the communication port 15, at this time, the liquid levels in the water storage space 111 and the air intake space 112 are at the same height, that is, the two liquid levels in the water storage cavity 11 are at the same horizontal height, until the liquid in the water storage cavity 11 is emptied and a water shortage signal is sent. If the ice making level is reached in the ice making cavity 21 during this process, the liquid levels in the air intake space 112 and the air intake space 112 are at the same height and are both at the same horizontal plane as the liquid level in the ice making cavity 21, that is, lower than the top of the communication port 15.

[0055] Further, the water storage member 10 includes a water storage box 16 forming the water storage space 111 and an air intake box 17 forming the air intake space 112. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the water storage box 16 and the air intake box 17 are integrally formed, and the communication port 15 is formed between the two boxes during the integral forming process, saving manufacturing costs.

[0056] Further, the bottom surface of the water storage box 16, the bottom surface of the air intake box 17, and the bottom of the communication port 15 are at the same horizontal height. In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the water storage box 16, the bottom surface of the air intake box 17, and the bottom edge of the communication port 15 are flush with each other and are all parallel to the horizontal plane. Thus, when the water in one of the boxes of the water storage member 10 (such as the water storage box 16) is emptied, it is ensured that the other box (such as the air intake box 17) is also emptied, avoiding liquid residue in the water storage cavity 11.

[0057] Specifically, the water storage member 10 has a water outlet 18 for docking with the water supply pipe 40. In this embodiment, the liquid in the water storage cavity 11 flows out through the water outlet 18 and into the water supply pipe 40.

[0058] Further, the horizontal height of the water outlet 18 is not greater than the horizontal height of the bottom of the communication port 15. In this embodiment, the water outlet 18 of the water storage member 10 is not higher than the lower edge of the communication port 15 and is located at the bottom surface of the water storage cavity 11 (such as the bottom surface of the water storage space 111 and / or the air intake space 112, preferably the bottom surface of the water storage space 111), facilitating the emptying of the water storage space 111. When the liquid level in the ice making cavity 21 remains at the ice making level, the water in the water storage cavity 11 (the water storage space 111 and / or the air intake space 112) can all flow to the water outlet 18 and flow through the water supply pipe 40 to the ice making cavity 21.

[0059] Specifically, the ice-making box 20 has a water inlet 23 for docking with the water supply pipe 40. In this embodiment, the water in the water supply pipe 40 can flow into the ice-making cavity 21 through the water inlet 23.

[0060] Furthermore, the horizontal height of the water inlet 23 is not greater than the horizontal height of the bottom of the communication port 15. In this embodiment, when the water inlet 23 of the ice-making box 20 is lower than the horizontal height of the bottom of the communication port 15, that is, lower than the lowest liquid level of the water storage cavity 11, it ensures that all the liquid in the water storage member 11 can flow into the ice-making box 20 through the water inlet 23.

[0061] Preferably, the horizontal height of the water inlet 23 is equal to the horizontal height of the bottom of the communication port 15, that is, when the water storage member 10 is emptied, the ice-making box 20 is just at the lowest liquid level (for example, the minimum liquid level required by the ice maker, that is, the liquid in the ice-making box 20 just submerges the free end of the ice-making column), which also means that the lowest liquid level of the water storage member 10 is equal to the lowest liquid level of the ice-making box 20.

[0062] With reference to Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the ice maker further includes a refrigeration device 30, and the refrigeration device 30 includes an ice-making column 31 at least partially extending into the ice-making cavity 21. In this embodiment, the refrigeration device 30 is used to provide the cold quantity required for ice making. The ice-making column 31 extends into the ice-making cavity 21 and contacts the liquid in the ice-making cavity 21. After the cold quantity generated by the refrigeration device 30 is transferred to the ice-making column 31, the cold quantity is continuously transferred to the liquid in the ice-making cavity 21 through the ice-making column 31, so that the liquid in the ice-making box 20 is cooled and condensed into ice cubes, and finally condensed on the ice-making column 31. Since the ice-making column 31 is in a columnar structure, the ice cubes formed on the ice-making column 31 are in a bullet shape.

[0063] During specific operation, start refrigeration. The refrigerant flows through the ice-making column 31, and the liquid in contact with the ice-making column 31 starts to freeze until the ice making ends. After defrosting, the liquid level in the ice-making box 20 drops. At this time, open the water supply pipe 40, and the water in the water storage member 10 will flow through the water supply pipe 40 to the ice-making box for water replenishment. Correspondingly, an equal amount of air will enter the upper space of the water storage box 16 (that is, the upper part of the water storage space 111) from the communication port 15, always keeping the liquid level in the air inlet box 17 the same as the liquid level in the ice-making box 20 during the ice-making process. Thus, the ice-making box 20 is always at the optimal ice-making liquid level, that is, ensuring that the liquid level in the ice-making box 20 submerges the ice-making column 31, maintaining the ideal liquid level and continuously making ice. When the liquid in the ice-making box 20 increases or decreases, the liquid can be discharged to the water storage member 10 or sucked from the water storage member 10 through the water supply pipe 40 by the principle of communicating vessels to maintain the ideal liquid level.

[0064] Further, the refrigeration device 30 includes a refrigerant pipe 32 connected to the ice-making column 31. In this embodiment, the refrigerant pipe 32 communicates with the evaporator, the condenser, and the compressor to jointly form a refrigeration circuit. The refrigerant pipe 32 communicates with the ice-making column 31, so that the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit flows into the ice-making column 31 to cool the ice-making column 31. Since the ice-making columns 31 are evenly distributed in an array, it is preferably to set the refrigerant pipe 32 in a "U" shape.

[0065] Further, the ice maker further includes a heating element 50, and the heating element 50 is in contact with the refrigerant pipe 32. In this embodiment, after the ice making is completed, the refrigerant pipe 32 is heated by the heating element 50, so that the heat is transferred to the ice-making column 31, causing the ice on the ice-making column 31 to fall off, thereby realizing ice removal. The heating element 50 can be fixed to the side of the refrigerant pipe 32 facing away from the ice-making column 31 by bonding.

[0066] Further, the ice maker further includes a mounting seat 60 having a mounting cavity 61 for accommodating the heating element 50, and a foaming layer 62 is provided in the mounting cavity 61. In this embodiment, the heating element 50 is arranged in the mounting cavity 61, and the foaming layer 62 (i.e., the foaming material) in the mounting cavity 61 is used to block the heat exchange between the heating element 50 and the external environment, thereby reducing the heat loss of the heating element 50 when heating the ice-making column 31 and shortening the ice-making cycle of the ice maker.

[0067] Since the multiple ice-making columns 31 are evenly distributed in an array and the refrigerant pipe 32 connects the multiple ice-making columns in series, it is preferably to set the refrigerant pipe in a "U" shape, and the heating element 50 is attached to the "U"-shaped refrigerant pipe 32, preferably in a ring shape, to ensure the heating effect.

[0068] Specifically, the mounting seat 60 has a mounting hole 63 that matches the ice-making column 31. In this embodiment, the radial dimension of the ice-making column 31 matches the radial dimension of the mounting hole 63, and the number of ice-making columns 31 is the same as that of the mounting holes 63 and they correspond one by one.

[0069] Further, the refrigerant pipe 32 is located in the mounting cavity 61, and the ice-making column 31 passes through the mounting hole 63. In this embodiment, after the ice-making column 31 extends into the mounting hole 63, the refrigerant pipe 32 is located in the mounting cavity 61, which realizes positioning installation and restricts the generation of radial offset along the ice-making column 31 between the refrigeration device 30 and the mounting seat 60. Moreover, since the refrigerant pipe 32 is located in the mounting cavity 61, the heat exchange between the refrigerant pipe 32 and the external environment can also be blocked by the foaming layer 62 in the mounting cavity 61. In addition, the foaming layer 62 can also limit the loosening of the heating element 50 and the refrigerant pipe 32, simplifies the installation process of the heating element 50 and the refrigerant pipe 32, and improves the installation strength of the refrigerant pipe 32.

[0070] Further, the installation cavity 61 includes a glue filling space 611 and a foaming space 612 that communicate with each other. The refrigerant pipe 32 and the heating element 50 are both located in the glue filling space 611. A glue filling layer 64 is provided in the glue filling space 611, and the foaming layer 62 is provided in the foaming space 612.

[0071] In this embodiment, by locating both the refrigerant pipe 32 and the heating element 50 in the glue filling space 611 and performing a glue filling and encapsulation process on the glue filling space 611, that is, filling the glue filling layer 64 in the glue filling space 611, the installation strength of the ice-making column 32 and the heating element 50 is improved (for example, facilitating the peeling of ice cubes from the ice-making column 31 by the ice collection basket 70), and the sealing effect between the refrigeration device 30 and the mounting base 60 is improved. The glue filling space 611 and the foaming space 612 communicate with each other, enabling the glue filling layer 64 in the glue filling space 611 and the foaming layer 62 in the foaming space 612 to contact and squeeze each other, improving the sealing performance inside the installation cavity 61 and the cooperation strength between the foaming layer 62 and the glue filling layer 64, and preventing loosening.

[0072] Further, at least a part of the foaming layer 62 covers the side of the glue filling layer 64 facing away from the ice-making column 31. In this embodiment, the foaming layer 62 in the foaming space 612 covers the side of the glue filling space 611 facing away from the ice-making column 31, reducing the heat exchange between the refrigerant pipe 32 and the heating element 50 in the glue filling space 611 and the external environment, thereby ensuring that the heat of the heating element 50 is concentratedly supplied to the refrigerant pipe 32, and the cold of the refrigerant pipe 32 is concentratedly supplied to the ice-making column 31 and the ice-making box 20, avoiding the loss of cold from the refrigerant pipe 32 and the heat dissipation of the heating element 50 to the outside.

[0073] Further, the installation hole 63 communicates with the installation cavity 61. The mounting base 60 further includes a sealing ring 65 provided in the installation hole 63, and the sealing ring 65 is sleeved on the ice-making column 31. In this embodiment, the sealing ring 65 is sleeved on the ice-making column 31 and abuts against the inner wall of the installation hole 63, improving the sealing performance between the ice-making column and the installation hole 63 and ensuring normal ice-making. Moreover, it can also prevent leakage at the installation hole 63 during the glue filling and encapsulation or filling of the foaming material.

[0074] Further, the mounting base 60 includes a mounting shell 66 forming the installation cavity 61 and the installation hole 63. The mounting shell 66 is connected to the ice-making box 20, and the installation hole 63 communicates the ice-making cavity 21 with the installation cavity 61. In this embodiment, after the mounting shell 66 and the ice-making box 20 are fixed to each other, the distance between the installation cavity 61 and the ice-making cavity 21 is shortened, ensuring that the ice-making column 31 extends into the ice-making cavity 21 for ice-making and reducing the volume of the ice maker. Moreover, when the installation hole 63 communicates the installation cavity 61 and the ice-making cavity 21, the sealing ring 65 can also prevent leakage between the installation cavity 61 and the ice-making cavity 21.

[0075] Specifically, the mounting shell 66 includes a mounting plate 661 forming a mounting hole 63, and the mounting seat 60 also includes a partition 68 connected to the mounting plate 661 and located in the mounting cavity 61, and the glue injection space 611 is formed in the partition 68. In this embodiment, the glue injection space 611 is formed in the partition 68, so that the mounting hole 63 directly connects the ice-making cavity 21 and the glue injection space 611, shortening the distance between the glue injection space 611 and the ice-making cavity 21. Preferably, the mounting shell 66 and the ice-making box 20 are integrally formed, and in this case, the mounting shell 66 and the ice-making box 20 share a mounting plate 661, so that the integration degree of the ice-making machine is higher, and the size of the ice-making machine is further reduced.

[0076] Specifically, the partition 68 has an opening 681 exposed in the installation cavity 61. In this embodiment, the partition 68 is annular and simple in structure. By setting an opening on the installation shell 66, the foaming space 612 can be filled with foaming material, and the glue filling space 611 can be filled with glue through the opening 681.

[0077] Specifically, the foaming space 612 includes a first space 6121 and a second space 6122 surrounding the partition 68, and the opening 681 connects the glue pouring space 611 and the first space 6121. In this embodiment, the cross section of the foaming space 612 is in a "concave" shape, with one part (i.e., the first space 6121) located on the side of the glue pouring space 611 away from the mounting hole 63, and the other part (i.e., the second space 6122) surrounding the glue pouring space 611. Therefore, the foaming layer 62 in the foaming space 612 is used to effectively insulate the glue pouring space 611, thereby improving the insulation effect.

[0078] Mate Reference Figures 7 to 8 As shown, the ice maker further includes an ice collecting basket 70 and a driving mechanism 80. The ice collecting basket 70 includes a clearance hole 71 matching the ice-making column 31. The driving mechanism 80 is used to drive the ice collecting basket 70 to move relative to the ice-making column 31. In this embodiment, the driving mechanism 80 drives the ice collecting basket 70 to move relative to the ice-making column 31 to collect ice cubes formed on the ice-making column 31. The radial dimensions of the clearance hole 71 and the ice-making column 31 match each other. When the ice collecting basket 70 and the ice-making column 31 move relative to each other, the clearance hole 71 and the ice-making column 31 also move relative to each other, so that the ice cubes on the ice-making column 31 are detached and finally collected by the ice collecting basket 70.

[0079] Further, the ice collecting basket 70 has an ice making position that matches with the ice making column 31 and an ice collecting position that is disengaged from the ice making column 31. In the ice making position, the ice making column 31 is inserted into the clearance hole 71. In this embodiment, in the ice collecting position, the ice making column 31 is located outside the clearance hole 71, that is, the clearance hole 71 of the ice collecting basket 70 is separated from the ice making column 31.

[0080] The driving mechanism 80 is used to drive the ice collecting basket 70 to move relative to the ice making column 31, so that the ice collecting basket 70 can be switched between the ice making position and the ice collecting position. When the ice collecting basket 70 is switched from the ice making position to the ice collecting position, the clearance hole 71 can be used to move along the ice making column 31 to collect ice cubes, and the clearance hole 71 can be used to make the water in the ice collecting basket 70 flow into the ice making box 20, so as to separate the ice cubes from the water and complete the automatic collection of the ice cubes, thereby simplifying the ice making process.

[0081] Specifically, the ice column 31 has a free end 311 and a fixed end 312 opposite to each other. In this embodiment, the end of the ice column 31 connected to the refrigerant pipe 32 is the fixed end 312, and the end of the ice column 31 away from the refrigerant pipe 32 is the free end 311. Usually, the ice cubes formed by the liquid on the ice column 31 cover the free end 311 and are bullet-shaped. As for the arrangement of the ice column 31, it can be adjusted according to actual use needs, for example, the fixed end 312 is located at the top of the free end 311, or the free end 311 is located at the top of the fixed end 312, etc.

[0082] Furthermore, in the ice-making position, the clearance hole 71 is located on the side of the ice-making column 31 close to the fixed end 312. In this embodiment, when the ice collecting basket 70 moves from the ice-making position to the ice-collecting position, the clearance hole 71 moves from the fixed end 312 to the free end 311, that is, the clearance hole 71 is separated from the ice-making column 31 from the side of the ice-making column 31 close to the fixed end 312 to the free end 311. Therefore, when the ice collecting basket 70 moves, the ice cubes on the ice-making column 31 are peeled off by the clearance hole 71 when it leaves the ice-making column 31.

[0083] Specifically, the ice collecting basket 70 includes a bottom wall 72 and a side wall 73 connected to the periphery of the bottom wall 72. In this embodiment, the side wall 73 surrounds the bottom wall 72, so that the ice collecting basket 70 is a dish-shaped structure with an open top.

[0084] Specifically, the clearance hole 71 is provided on the bottom wall 72 or on the bottom wall 72 and the side wall 73. In this embodiment, in order to ensure that the ice collecting basket 70 is smoothly switched between the ice making position and the ice collecting position, the clearance hole 71 can be selectively provided on the bottom wall 72 or on the bottom wall 72 and the side wall 73, so as to avoid interference between the clearance hole 71 and the ice making column 31 during the movement process.

[0085] Further, the refrigeration device 30 is connected to the ice-making box 20, and the ice-collecting basket 70 rotates or moves parallel to the ice-making box 20. In this embodiment, the refrigeration device 30 is fixed to the ice-making box 20 through the mounting base 60. At this time, the ice-making column 31 and the ice-making box 20 always remain relatively stationary. Therefore, the relative movement between the ice-collecting basket 70 and the ice-making column 31 is the relative movement between the ice-collecting basket 70 and the ice-making box 20 (such as rotational movement or parallel movement). The driving mechanism 80 is used to drive the ice-collecting basket 70 to displace relative to the ice-making box 20 (such as rotational movement or parallel movement) to collect the ice cubes in the ice-making box 20, so that there is no need to drain the ice-making box 20, saving energy consumption.

[0086] Specifically, the driving mechanism 80 includes a driving member 81 provided on one of the ice-making box 20 and the ice-collecting basket 70 and a driven member 82 provided on the other of the ice-making box 20 and the ice-collecting basket 70. When in the ice-collecting position, the driving member 81 and the driven member 82 cooperate with each other.

[0087] In this embodiment, when in the ice-making position, the driving member 81 and the driven member 82 cooperate with each other. By using the cooperation (such as meshing) between the driving member 81 and the driven member 82, relative displacement between the ice-making box 20 and the ice-collecting basket 70 can be avoided when in the ice-making position and the ice-collecting position, ensuring the stability of the ice-collecting basket 70 during the ice-making process and the ice-collecting process.

[0088] Specifically, the bottom wall 72 and / or the side wall 73 are provided with drain holes 74. In this embodiment, the drain holes 74 communicate with the ice-collecting cavity inside the ice-collecting basket 70. When the ice-collecting basket 70 collects the ice cubes in the ice-making box 20, the liquid in the ice-collecting basket 70 can be discharged through the drain holes 74, reducing the resistance suffered by the ice-collecting basket 70 during movement and also ensuring that there is no liquid residue in the ice-collecting basket 70.

[0089] With reference to Figures 4 to 8 As shown, a ice-making machine provided by a preferred embodiment of the present utility model realizes the collection of ice cubes by rotating the ice-collecting basket 70 relative to the ice-making box 20.

[0090] Specifically, the ice-collecting basket 70 has an ice-collecting cavity 75 and an ice-collecting opening 76 exposing the ice-collecting cavity 75. In this embodiment, the ice-collecting basket 70 has an open dish-shaped structure.

[0091] Specifically, the driving mechanism 80 is used to drive the ice-collecting basket 70 to rotate relative to the ice-making box 20. In this embodiment, the ice-making box 20 remains stationary, and the ice-collecting basket 70 rotates relative to the ice-making box 20 for ice-collecting operation, so that there is no need to drain the ice-making box 20.

[0092] Further, the ice collecting basket 70 has an ice making position that cooperates with the ice making column 31 and an ice collecting position that is disengaged from the ice making column 31. When in the ice making position, the orientation of the ice collecting opening 76 is the same as the orientation of the ice making opening 22.

[0093] In this embodiment, the orientation of the ice collecting opening 76 refers to the specific orientation of the ice collecting opening 76 in the ice collecting cavity 75 (or the ice collecting basket 70). For example, when the ice collecting opening 76 is located at the top of the ice collecting cavity 75, the orientation of the ice collecting opening 76 is upward. Similarly, the orientation of the ice making opening 22 is the specific orientation of the ice making opening 22 in the ice making cavity 21 (or the ice making box 20).

[0094] Since there is liquid for making ice in the ice making box 20, the ice making opening 22 is usually located at the top of the ice making cavity 21, that is, the orientation of the ice making opening 22 is upward. As Figure 4 and Figure 6 , when in the ice making position, the orientation of the ice making opening 22 is upward, and the orientation of the ice collecting opening 76 is the same as the orientation of the ice making opening 22, that is, the orientation of the ice collecting opening 76 is upward. When the ice collecting basket 70 is switched from the ice making position to the ice collecting position, the ice collecting basket 70 collects ice cubes from the water surface upward, and smoothly collects the ice cubes that float to the water surface after deicing, so as to fully lift the ice cubes in the ice making box 20.

[0095] After being driven by the driving mechanism 80, when the ice collecting basket 70 rotates and switches from the ice making position to the ice collecting position, the ice collecting basket 70 can collect and transfer the ice cubes in the ice making box 20 outside the ice making box 20, so that ice collection can be realized without draining the ice making box 20, saving the energy consumption of the ice maker.

[0096] Specifically, the rotation axis of the ice collecting basket 70 is parallel to the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, since the rotation axis of the ice collecting basket 70 is parallel to the horizontal direction, the orientation of the ice collecting opening 76 changes when in the ice making position and the ice collecting position.

[0097] In other embodiments, the rotation axis of the ice collecting basket 70 can be parallel to the vertical direction, or the rotation axis of the ice collecting basket 70 forms a certain angle with the horizontal direction.

[0098] Specifically, the ice maker further includes an ice storage box 120. When in the ice collecting position, the orientation of the ice collecting opening 76 is opposite to the orientation of the ice making opening 22, and the ice storage box 120 is located below the ice collecting basket 70. In this embodiment, as Figure 7 and Figure 8In the ice collecting position, the direction of the ice collecting port 22 is opposite to the direction of the ice making port 76, that is, the direction of the ice collecting port 22 is downward, so that the ice cubes in the ice collecting chamber 75 can fall downward through the ice collecting port 22. At this time, the ice storage box 120 is located below the ice collecting basket 70, so that the ice cubes in the ice collecting basket 70 can accurately fall into the ice storage box 120 for storage. When the ice collecting port 22 switches from the ice making position to the ice collecting position, the direction of the ice collecting port 22 switches from upward to downward. At this time, the driving mechanism 80 only needs to drive the ice collecting basket 70 to rotate 180 degrees, which simplifies the design of the driving mechanism 80.

[0099] Furthermore, the ice-making column 31 has a free end 311 and a fixed end 312 opposite to each other, and the free end 311 is located on the top of the fixed end 312. In this embodiment, the free end 311 and the fixed end 312 of the ice-making column 31 are both below the liquid surface, and when the ice-making column 31 is heated to separate the ice cubes, the ice cubes are lifted to the liquid surface by the buoyancy, which is convenient for ice removal.

[0100] Specifically, the ice collecting basket 70 includes a bottom wall 72, a side wall 73 connected to the periphery of the bottom wall 72, and a drainage hole 74 provided on the bottom wall 72 and / or the side wall 73, and the drainage hole 74 is connected to the ice collecting chamber 75. In this embodiment, it is preferred to evenly provide a plurality of drainage holes 74 on any wall of the ice collecting basket 70, so that the ice collecting basket 70 has a hollow dish-like structure, which facilitates drainage of the ice collecting basket 70 when rotating in the liquid, thereby reducing the resistance encountered by the ice collecting basket 70 when rotating.

[0101] Specifically, the driving mechanism 80 includes a rotating shaft 83 connected to the ice collecting basket 70, and the drainage hole 74 is provided on the side wall 73 and is located on the side of the ice collecting basket 70 away from the rotating shaft 83 along the radial direction of the rotating shaft 83. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the drainage hole 74 is provided on the side of the ice collecting basket 70 away from the rotating shaft 83 along the radial direction of the rotating shaft 83, for example, on a surface of the side wall 73 away from the rotating shaft 83. The linear velocity of the ice collecting basket 70 at the side of the rotating shaft 83 away from the rotating shaft 83 along the radial direction of the rotating shaft 83 is the largest, and providing the drainage hole 74 at this location can minimize the resistance encountered during the rotation process.

[0102] The driving mechanism 80 includes a driving motor 84 connected to a rotating shaft 83. The driving motor 84 is fixed to the ice box 20. The rotating shaft 83 is fixed to the ice collecting basket 70 and rotates with the ice box 20. Therefore, after the driving motor 84 drives the rotating shaft 83 to rotate, the ice collecting basket 70 rotates with the rotating shaft 83 around the rotation axis of the rotating shaft 83. The rotation axis or axis of the rotating shaft 83 is parallel to the horizontal direction. The ice box 20 is fixed during the rotation of the ice collecting basket 70.

[0103] In addition, the driving mechanism 80 can not only drive the ice collecting basket 70 to move relative to the ice making box 20, but also use the active member and the driven member to limit the ice collecting basket 70 and the ice making box 20 from being separated from each other. The active member is a gear connected to the driving motor 84, and the driven member is a gear connected to the rotating shaft 83.

[0104] Furthermore, the ice collecting basket 70 further includes a clearance hole 71 matching the ice-making column 31. When in the ice-making position, the ice-making column 31 is inserted into the clearance hole 71, and the bottom wall 72 is located at the bottom of the ice-making column 31. In this embodiment, when in the ice-making position, the ice-making column 31 extends into the clearance hole 71, the clearance hole 71 is close to the side of the fixed end 312, and the bottom wall 72 is located in the middle and lower position of the ice-making column 31, so that the ice cubes formed on the ice-making column 31 are located in the ice collecting cavity 75. When in the ice collecting position, the ice-making column 31 exits the clearance hole 71. When switching from the ice-making position to the ice collecting position, the ice cubes are peeled off from the ice-making column 31 by using the clearance hole 71 whose radial size is smaller than that of the ice cubes.

[0105] Specifically, the clearance hole 71 is provided on the bottom wall 72 and the side wall 73, and is connected to the ice collecting chamber 75. In this embodiment, the clearance hole 71 is preferably provided on the bottom wall 72 and the side wall 73 to avoid interference of the clearance hole 71 with the ice-making column 31 during the rotation of the ice collecting basket 70, thereby improving the drainage capacity. By using the clearance hole on the bottom wall 72, the water in the ice collecting basket can be drained when in the ice collecting position.

[0106] Furthermore, the ice maker further comprises a movable member 90 connected to the rotating shaft 83 and a first stopper 100 and a second stopper 110 connected to the ice making box 20. When in the ice making position, the movable member 90 abuts against the first stopper 100, and when in the ice collecting position, the movable member 90 abuts against the second stopper 110. In this embodiment, by using the movable member 90 to trigger the corresponding stopper during the rotation of the rotating shaft 83, the driving motor 84 can be controlled to stop working to stop the rotation of the ice collecting basket 70, so that the ice collecting basket 70 can be rotated accurately to avoid excessive rotation.

[0107] It should be understood that although this specification is described according to implementation modes, not every implementation mode contains only one independent technical solution. This description of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each implementation mode may also be appropriately combined to form other implementation modes that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0108] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are only specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of the utility model. They are not intended to limit the protection scope of the utility model. Any equivalent implementation methods or changes that do not deviate from the technical spirit of the utility model should be included in the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. An ice maker, characterized in that, Comprising: An ice-making box (20), having an ice-making cavity (21) and an ice-making opening (22) exposing the ice-making cavity (21); A refrigeration device (30), including an ice-making column (31) at least partially extending into the ice-making cavity (21); An ice-collecting basket (70), having an ice-collecting cavity (75) and an ice-collecting opening (76) exposing the ice-collecting cavity (75); A driving mechanism (80), the driving mechanism (80) being configured to drive the ice-collecting basket (70) to rotate and move relative to the ice-making box (20); Wherein, the ice-collecting basket (70) has an ice-making position in cooperation with the ice-making column (31) and an ice-collecting position disengaged from the ice-making column (31). In the ice-making position, the orientation of the ice-collecting opening (76) is the same as that of the ice-making opening (22).

2. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice maker further includes an ice storage box (120). The rotation axis of the ice-collecting basket (70) is parallel to the horizontal direction. In the ice-collecting position, the orientation of the ice-collecting opening (76) is opposite to that of the ice-making opening (22), and the ice storage box (120) is located below the ice-collecting basket (70).

3. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice-making column (31) has opposite free ends (311) and a fixed end (312), and the free end (311) is located at the top of the fixed end (312).

4. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice-collecting basket (70) includes a bottom wall (72), a side wall (73) connected to the periphery of the bottom wall (72), and a drain hole (74) provided on the bottom wall (72) and / or the side wall (73), and the drain hole (74) communicates with the ice-collecting cavity (75).

5. The ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The driving mechanism (80) includes a rotating shaft (83) connecting the ice-collecting basket (70). The drain hole (74) is provided on the side wall (73) and is located on a side of the ice-collecting basket (70) radially away from the rotating shaft (83) along the rotating shaft (83).

6. The ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The ice-collecting basket (70) further includes a relief hole (71) matching the ice-making column (31). In the ice-making position, the ice-making column (31) passes through the relief hole (71), and the bottom wall (72) is located at the bottom of the ice-making column (31).

7. The ice maker according to claim 6, characterized in that, The relief hole (71) is provided on the bottom wall (72) and the side wall (73) and communicates with the ice-collecting cavity (75).

8. The ice maker according to claim 5, characterized in that, The ice maker further includes a movable member (90) connected to the rotating shaft (83), a first limiting member (100) and a second limiting member (110) connected to the ice-making box (20). In the ice-making position, the movable member (90) abuts against the first limiting member (100), and in the ice-collecting position, the movable member (90) abuts against the second limiting member (110).

9. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice maker further includes a water storage member (10) and a water supply pipe (40). The water storage member (10) has a water storage cavity (11) and an air inlet (12) exposing the water storage cavity (11). The water supply pipe (40) conducts the water storage cavity (11) and the ice-making cavity (21) so that at least one liquid level in the water storage cavity (11) is at the same horizontal level as the liquid level in the ice-making cavity (21).

10. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigeration device (30) includes a refrigerant pipe (32) connected to an ice-making column (31). The ice maker further includes a mounting base (60) and a heating element (50). The mounting base (60) has a mounting cavity (61) for accommodating the refrigerant pipe (32) and the heating element (50), and a foaming layer (62) is provided in the mounting cavity (61).

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