Ice making module and water dispenser

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of small household appliances, in particular to an ice making module and a water dispenser. The ice-making module comprises an ice-making groove used for containing ice water to be made into ice blocks, an ice-making element used for making the ice water in the ice-making groove into the ice blocks, a stirring piece used for stirring the ice water in the ice-making groove and a magnetic attraction assembly used for driving the stirring piece to swing. At least part of the structure of the shifting piece is located in the ice-making groove; the shifting sheet is hinged with the ice-making groove or the ice-making element; the magnetic attraction assembly is in transmission connection with the shifting piece. According to the ice making machine, the shifting piece is driven by the magnetic attraction assembly to shift ice water in the ice making groove, so that the ice water shakes, and the transparency of made ice blocks is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] To meet market demand, existing water dispensers, in addition to providing only hot and chilled water, now also offer carbonated water, purified water, and ice-making capabilities. The ice-making function is achieved by installing an ice-making module. However, the ice cubes produced by these modules on the market are generally whitish, with low transparency and a poor appearance. This is because when ice water freezes in a static state, dissolved gases (primarily air) form tiny bubbles between the ice crystals. These bubbles make the ice appear white and opaque. Light refracts and reflects when it encounters these bubbles, preventing it from passing directly through the ice, thus affecting its transparency. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention aims to provide an ice-making module that can improve the transparency of the ice cubes produced.

[0004] The above technical objectives of the present invention are achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] An ice-making module includes an ice-making trough for accommodating ice water to be made into ice cubes, an ice-making element for making ice cubes from the ice water in the ice-making trough, a paddle for moving the ice water in the ice-making trough, and a magnetic assembly for driving the paddle to swing; at least part of the paddle structure is located in the ice-making trough; the paddle is hinged to the ice-making trough or to the ice-making element; and the magnetic assembly is transmission-connected to the paddle.

[0006] Optionally, the magnetic attraction assembly includes an electromagnet and a mounting base; the core end of the electromagnet is hinged to the paddle, and the fixed end is fixedly connected to the mounting base; the mounting base is hinged to the ice making trough.

[0007] Optionally, the magnetic assembly includes a magnetic sheet and a coil winding that can movably adsorb the magnetic sheet; the magnetic sheet is embedded in the paddle, and the coil winding is fixedly arranged on the ice making groove.

[0008] Optionally, the paddle is provided with a plurality of drainage holes for reducing the resistance of ice water to prevent ice water from overflowing the ice making groove.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a water dispenser comprising the aforementioned ice-making module.

[0010] Optionally, it includes an ice water tank for storing ice water to be drunk, an ice storage trough for storing ice cubes fixedly arranged in the middle of the ice water tank; the ice making trough is hinged to the upper end of the ice water tank, and the ice making element is fixedly connected to the ice water tank and is located above the ice making trough; the ice water tank is provided with a micro water pump for transporting the ice water in the ice water tank to the ice making trough, the water inlet of the micro water pump is connected to the ice water tank, and the water outlet thereof is connected to the ice making trough.

[0011] Optionally, the ice water tank is provided with an ice turning motor for driving the ice making trough to rotate back and forth and thereby putting ice cubes into the ice storage trough.

[0012] In summary, the above embodiments of the present invention have the following beneficial effects: the magnetic component drives the paddle to paddle the ice water in the ice-making trough, causing the ice water to shake, and the gas dissolved in the ice water has a chance to escape; in this way, when making ice, since the gas content in the ice water is reduced, the bubbles in the formed ice cubes are also reduced, and light can pass through the ice cubes more smoothly, thereby improving the transparency of the ice cubes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the first embodiment of the ice-making module in the present utility model;

[0014] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the ice-making module of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the first embodiment of the ice-making module of the utility model;

[0016] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the ice-making module in the present invention;

[0017] Figure 5 It is a partial structural diagram of the water dispenser in the utility model;

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The first cutaway view of

[0019] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 Second cutaway view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention more readily apparent, the following detailed description of the present invention is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0021] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be a communication between the two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances. The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features.

[0022] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0023] The utility model provides an ice making module, such as Figure 1-7 As shown, it includes an ice making trough 1 for accommodating ice water to be made into ice cubes 5, an ice making element 2 for making ice cubes 5 from the ice water in the ice making trough 1, a paddle 3 for moving the ice water in the ice making trough 1, and a magnetic attraction component 4 for driving the paddle 3 to swing; at least part of the structure of the paddle 3 is located in the ice making trough 1; the paddle 3 is hinged to the ice making trough 1 or hinged to the ice making element 2; the magnetic attraction component 4 is transmission-connected to the paddle 3.

[0024] Specifically, the ice trough 1 is a pentahedron with an opening at the top, forming a trapezoidal shape with a thicker top and a narrower bottom. Its two longitudinal ends are attached to the upper end of the water dispenser's ice tank 6 via conventional hinged joints (e.g., a pin-and-hole arrangement). Driven by an ice-turning motor 8, it rotates a certain angle to pour ice cubes 5 into the ice storage trough 7. The bottom of the ice tank 6 contains purified, drinkable ice water. To increase cooling efficiency, the ice water in the ice tank 6 is pumped into the ice trough 1 via a micro-pump (not shown) and a water conduit. The ice-making element 2 is a conventional component in household water dispensers that converts ice water into ice cubes 5. Its detailed structure can be found in patent CN117597560A. The ice-making element 2 is fixed to the ice tank 6 and positioned above the ice trough 1 using conventional means such as screws and clips. The paddle 3 is mounted on the ice chute 1 or the ice-making element 2 using a conventional hinged structure, as is common in the mechanical field, and at least a portion of its structure is capable of extending into the ice chute 1 to move the ice water. The magnetic assembly 4 is fixedly mounted to the ice-making element 2, the ice-water tank 6, or the ice chute 1 using conventional means such as screws, gluing, or a tight fit. Generally speaking, the magnetic assembly 4 is relatively fixed to the ice-making element 2. The magnetic assembly 4 can also be mounted on the ice-water tank 6 or the ice chute 1 of the water dispenser using a conventional hinged structure (such as a pin-and-hole structure). However, when turning the ice, the magnetic assembly 4 swings with the ice chute 1 and is not always fixed to the ice-making element 2. The magnetic assembly 4 is driven by the paddle 3 using conventional transmission means that enable the paddle 3 to move the ice water. It should be noted that the number and mounting position of the paddle 3 can be set according to actual needs and can be one, two, three, or more. The magnetic assembly 4 can be mounted at either end, at either end, or in the middle of the ice chute 1. At the same time, the number and installation positions of the magnetic components 4 can be adaptively adjusted.

[0025] It can be seen from this that the utility model drives the paddle 3 to paddle the ice water in the ice making trough 1 through the magnetic component 4, causing the ice water to shake, and the gas dissolved in the ice water has a chance to escape; in this way, when making ice, since the gas content in the ice water is reduced, the bubbles in the formed ice cubes 5 are also reduced, and light can pass through the ice cubes more smoothly, thereby improving the transparency of the ice cubes.

[0026] Furthermore, the magnetic attraction assembly 4 includes an electromagnet and a mounting seat 42; the core end of the electromagnet is hinged to the paddle 3, and the fixed end is fixedly connected to the mounting seat 42; the mounting seat 42 is hinged to the ice making groove 1.

[0027] like Figure 1-2As shown, in one embodiment, the magnetic attraction assembly 4 consists of an electromagnet 41 and a mounting base 42 that is fixed to the bottom of the electromagnet 41; the electromagnet 41 is a conventional electromagnet with a retractable iron core, and the iron core of the electromagnet 41 is hinged to the swing arm 32 of the paddle 3. A pin hole (not shown in the drawings) is provided on the iron core of the electromagnet 41, and a swing arm 32 is integrally formed at the end of the paddle 3. The swing arm 32 also has a pin hole (not shown in the drawings). The pin hole on the iron core of the electromagnet 41 and the pin hole on the swing arm 32 of the paddle 3 are connected by a pin shaft to achieve hinged connection. The bottom of the mounting base 42 and the side wall of the ice making trough 1 are also provided with mutually compatible pin holes for hinged connection (not shown in the drawings), and are hinged by a pin shaft connection. When the electromagnet 41 switches between the power-on and power-off states, the paddle 3 can move the ice water back and forth.

[0028] Furthermore, the magnetic assembly 4 includes a magnetic sheet 44 and a coil winding 43 that can movably attract the magnetic sheet 44 ; the magnetic sheet 44 is embedded in the paddle 3 , and the coil winding 43 is fixedly arranged on the ice making groove 1 .

[0029] like Figure 3-4 As shown, in another embodiment, the magnetic assembly 4 is composed of a magnetic sheet 44 and a coil winding 43, which are installed separately and at a moderate installation distance to ensure that the coil winding 43 can absorb the magnetic sheet 44 after being energized. Specifically, the coil winding 43 is formed by winding a multi-winding coil, which can generate electromagnetic attraction when energized; the magnetic sheet 44 is made of materials that can be absorbed by magnets, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel. The coil winding 43 is fixedly installed on the mounting plate 21 of the ice-making element 2, or on the side wall of the ice-making trough 1, or on the ice water tank 1 by conventional means such as snapping of connectors and gluing. The specific position can be adjusted as needed. The magnetic sheet 44 is embedded in the swing arm 32 of the pick 3, and the swing arm 32 is integrally formed with the pick 3. Furthermore, a tension spring (not shown) can be added to assist in resetting the paddle. One end of the tension spring pulls on the swing arm 32, and the other end pulls on the ice trough 1 or ice water tank 1. When the coil winding 43 loses power, the tension spring stretches the paddle 3 and quickly resets it. This means that the coil winding 43 generates suction to rotate the paddle 3 counterclockwise, while the tension spring generates tension to rotate the paddle 3 clockwise. Compared to the electromagnet 41, the coil winding 43 is more waterproof and can be used in humid environments for a long time. Furthermore, the coil winding 43 can be mounted on the ice-making element 2, away from the ice trough 1, where it is less likely to come into contact with ice water and, therefore, less susceptible to damage.

[0030] Furthermore, a plurality of drainage holes 31 are formed on the paddle 3 to reduce the resistance of ice water and prevent the ice water from overflowing the ice making trough 1 .

[0031] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the hydrophobic hole 31 can reduce the resistance of the ice water to the paddle 3, so that the ice water is stably located in the ice making groove 1, avoiding overflow and affecting ice making.

[0032] Furthermore, two connecting buckles 22 are provided on the ice-making element 2 ; one end of the paddle 3 is hinged to one of the connecting buckles 22 , and the other end thereof is hinged to the other connecting buckle 22 .

[0033] like Figure 3-4 As shown, the left and right ends of the ice-making element 2 are fixed with connecting buckles 22 by screws, and a pin hole is provided at the bottom of the connecting buckle 22. Pin shafts that match the pin holes are provided at both ends of the paddle 3, so that the paddle 3 is installed on the ice-making element 2 in a hinged manner to form an integral component, which is convenient for disassembly and assembly of the ice-making module and the ice water tank 6.

[0034] The utility model also provides a water dispenser, which includes the aforementioned ice-making module for improving the transparency of ice cubes.

[0035] Furthermore, it includes an ice water tank 6 for storing ice water to be drunk, and an ice storage trough 7 for storing ice cubes 5 is fixedly arranged in the middle of the ice water tank 6; the ice making trough 1 is hinged to the upper end of the ice water tank 6, and the ice making element 2 is fixedly connected to the ice water tank 6 and is located above the ice making trough 1; a micro water pump (not shown in the drawings) is provided on the ice water tank 6 for transporting the ice water in the ice water tank 6 to the ice making trough 1, and the water inlet of the micro water pump is connected to the ice water tank 6, and its water outlet is connected to the ice making trough 1.

[0036] Furthermore, the ice water tank 6 is provided with an ice turning magnetic assembly 8 for driving the ice making trough 1 to rotate back and forth and thereby putting the ice cubes 5 into the ice storage trough 7 .

[0037] like Figure 5-7 As shown, the ice storage trough 7 is located in the center of the ice water tank 6. A spring is installed within it, which rotates under the drive of the magnetic assembly, thereby transporting ice cubes 5 to the ice outlet of the water dispenser. The ice water in the ice water tank 6 is produced by the cooperation of a compressor, evaporator, and condenser. This ice water is pumped into the ice making trough 1 by a micro-water pump, where it is further cooled by the ice-making element 2, forming ice cubes 5. After the ice cubes 5 fall off the ice-making element 2, the ice-turning magnetic assembly 8 drives the ice making trough 1 to flip a certain angle, allowing the ice cubes to fall into the ice storage trough 7. The ice-turning magnetic assembly 8 is fixed to the ice water tank 6 with screws and is connected to the rotating shaft of the ice making trough 1 via a conventional transmission method.

[0038] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. All technical solutions based on the concept of the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, certain improvements and modifications that do not depart from the principles of the present invention should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ice making module, characterized in that: The ice making device comprises an ice making trough for accommodating ice water to be made into ice cubes, an ice making element for making ice cubes from the ice water in the ice making trough, a paddle for moving the ice water in the ice making trough, and a magnetic assembly for driving the paddle to swing; at least part of the paddle structure is located in the ice making trough; the paddle is hinged to the ice making trough or to the ice making element; and the magnetic assembly is transmission-connected to the paddle.

2. The ice making module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnetic attraction component includes an electromagnet and a mounting base; the iron core end of the electromagnet is hinged to the paddle, and the fixed end is fixedly connected to the mounting base; the mounting base is hinged to the ice making trough.

3. The ice making module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnetic attraction component includes a magnetic attraction piece and a coil winding that can movably attract the magnetic attraction piece; the magnetic attraction piece is embedded in the pick, and the coil winding is fixedly arranged on the ice making groove.

4. The ice making module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The paddle is provided with a plurality of drainage holes for reducing the resistance of ice water to prevent ice water from overflowing the ice making groove.

5. A water dispenser, characterized in that: The ice-making module comprises the ice-making module according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The water dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that: The utility model comprises an ice water tank for storing ice water to be drunk, an ice storage trough for storing ice cubes fixedly provided in the middle of the ice water tank; an ice making trough is hinged to the upper end of the ice water tank, and an ice making element is fixedly connected to the ice water tank and is located above the ice making trough; a micro water pump for transporting the ice water in the ice water tank to the ice making trough is provided on the ice water tank, a water inlet of the micro water pump is connected to the ice water tank, and a water outlet thereof is connected to the ice making trough.

7. The water dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that: The ice water tank is provided with an ice turning motor for driving the ice making trough to rotate back and forth and then putting ice cubes into the ice storage trough.

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