Refrigerator

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model relates to the technical field of household appliances, in particular to a refrigerator. The refrigerator comprises a refrigerator body and an ice making device. A water supply device; the water supply device comprises a water tank; a pipeline assembly; a water pump; the pipeline assembly comprises a main pipeline; the water storage part is provided with a water storage cavity; the water storage valve is arranged between the water storage piece and the ice making device; when the water pump injects water into the pipeline assembly, the water storage valve is kept in a closed state, so that the water storage cavity contains water, and the main pipeline injects water into the ice making device; and after a preset time, the ice maker is opened to enable water in the water storage cavity to flow into the ice making device. According to the refrigerator, by means of multiple times of water injection, the water injected firstly is cooled, water is supplied to the water injected firstly before the upper surface is frozen, freezing of the upper surface of the ice block can be delayed, and the lower surface of the ice block is frozen firstly. Air dissolved in water injected into the ice making device firstly can be released into the atmosphere from the upper surface of the water, so that bubbles generated in the ice block forming process can be effectively reduced, and the transparency of ice blocks is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of home appliance technology, and more particularly to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] A refrigerator is a refrigeration device that maintains a constant low temperature; it is also a consumer product that keeps food or other items at a constant low temperature. Current refrigerators are equipped with ice-making devices to produce ice and meet users' needs for ice.

[0003] The ice-making device of a conventional refrigerator generally includes a water tank, a water pump, a water guiding mechanism, and an ice maker connected in sequence. The water tank and water pump are located in the refrigerator compartment, and the ice maker is located in the freezer compartment. The water guiding mechanism connects the water pump and the ice maker to transport water from the water tank to the ice maker. The water in the ice maker is frozen by the cold air in the freezer compartment to make ice blocks.

[0004] However, because the water supplied to the ice maker contains dissolved air, which cannot dissolve in ice, the air in the water forms bubbles when the water turns into ice, making the ice white and cloudy. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a refrigerator that can reduce air bubbles in ice, thereby making the ice cubes more transparent and improving the user experience.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a refrigerator, comprising:

[0007] The enclosure has a low-temperature storage compartment;

[0008] Ice-making equipment, located in a low-temperature storage room;

[0009] A water supply device, configured to inject water into the ice-making device;

[0010] The water supply system includes:

[0011] Water tank;

[0012] Piping components;

[0013] A water pump, located in a water tank, is configured to inject a first preset volume of water into a piping assembly;

[0014] Piping components include:

[0015] The main pipe is connected to the ice-making device and is configured to deliver a second preset volume of water to the ice-making device, the second preset volume being smaller than the first preset volume.

[0016] The water storage device has a water storage chamber. The water storage device is connected to the ice making device through a pipeline. The water storage chamber is configured to temporarily store a third preset volume of water, which is smaller than the second preset volume.

[0017] A water storage valve is located on the pipeline connecting the water storage device and the ice-making device.

[0018] The water storage valve is configured to remain closed when the water pump injects a first preset volume of water into the pipeline assembly, so that the main pipeline injects a second preset volume of water into the ice-making device and the water storage chamber contains a third preset volume of water; the water storage valve is also configured to open after a preset time period of closure, so that the third preset volume of water in the water storage chamber flows into the ice-making device.

[0019] In this way, when a water pump injects a first preset volume of water into the piping assembly between the water tank and the ice-making device, the main pipe of the piping assembly will deliver a second preset volume of water (smaller than the first preset volume) to the ice-making device. By closing the water storage valve, the water storage chamber will hold a third preset volume of water, allowing the second preset volume of water flowing into the ice-making device to cool first. After a preset time period following the closure of the water storage valve, the third preset volume of water in the water storage chamber will flow into the ice-making device, thus allowing different volumes of water to be injected into the ice-making device sequentially, with the first injection being larger. By injecting water into the ice-making device in multiple stages, the first injected water is cooled first. By supplying water to the surface of the first injected water before it freezes, the freezing of the ice block's surface can be delayed. Alternatively, by pouring water onto the surface of the first injected water, the thin layer of ice that has already formed on the surface of the first injected water is melted, similarly delaying the freezing of the ice block's surface, allowing the bottom surface of the ice block to freeze first. In ice-making devices, dissolved air in the water can be released into the atmosphere from the water's surface, effectively reducing air bubbles during ice formation and increasing the ice's transparency. Transparent ice is more visually appealing, enhancing the overall aesthetic and thus improving the user experience.

[0020] In some embodiments of this application, the main pipeline includes:

[0021] The water inlet pipe is connected to the water pump at one end and to the water storage chamber at the other end.

[0022] Side flow pipe: one end of the side flow pipe is connected to the water inlet pipe or water storage chamber, and the other end of the side flow pipe is connected to the ice making device.

[0023] In this way, the inlet pipe connects the water pump and the storage chamber, allowing water to be pumped from the pump to the storage chamber. One end of the side-flow pipe connects to the inlet pipe or the storage chamber, and the other end connects to the ice-making device, allowing excess water to be directly pumped into the ice-making device. This design allows the storage chamber to temporarily store a third preset volume of water, enabling the water storage valve to flexibly adjust the water flow under different operating conditions, achieving sequential water injection and thus reducing the formation of air bubbles in the ice.

[0024] In some embodiments of this application, the water storage device has an inlet end, an outlet end and a side flow end. The inlet end, the side flow end and the outlet end are respectively connected to the water storage cavity and are arranged in sequence from high to low along the height direction of the refrigerator. The other end of the water inlet pipe is connected to the water inlet end, one end of the side flow pipe is connected to the side flow end, and the outlet end is connected to the ice making device through a pipeline.

[0025] By placing the inlet at the highest point, water can naturally flow to the side flow and outlet under gravity. This design reduces reliance on the water pump for secondary water injection, lowers energy consumption, and improves water flow efficiency. This height difference design also helps prevent backflow and overflow. After entering the storage chamber, water flows sequentially to the side flow and outlet. During temporary storage, water above the side flow will be directly discharged through the side flow, ensuring the directionality and stability of the water flow. Simultaneously, while water is temporarily stored in the storage chamber, air bubbles and impurities are more easily lifted and discharged due to gravity, resulting in purer water re-injected into the ice-making device, thus improving the transparency and quality of the ice.

[0026] In some embodiments of this application, the piping assembly further includes a water outlet pipe, one end of which is connected to a water outlet and the other end of which is connected to an ice-making device, and a water storage valve is located on the water outlet pipe.

[0027] In this way, by installing a water storage valve on the outlet pipe, the amount of water flowing from the storage chamber to the ice-making device and the water flow time can be precisely controlled. Installing the water storage valve on the outlet pipe also reduces unnecessary pipes and connection points.

[0028] In some embodiments of this application, the other end of the side flow pipe is connected to the outlet pipe, and the connection point is located between the water storage valve and the ice-making device.

[0029] In this way, the side flow pipe and the outlet pipe share the same port for injecting water into the ice-making device. This allows water to flow directly into the ice-making device through the side flow pipe, and also ensures that the water injection position is uniform, avoiding uneven water injection.

[0030] In some embodiments of this application, the box body is provided with an inner liner, a low-temperature storage chamber is formed in the inner liner, and the piping assembly is located in the inner liner.

[0031] By integrating the piping components into the inner liner, the internal space of the refrigerator can be effectively utilized, reducing the complexity of external piping and making the refrigerator design more compact and aesthetically pleasing. Simultaneously, with the piping components located in the low-temperature storage compartment, they can more directly utilize the low-temperature environment of the storage compartment for cooling and insulation, reducing heat loss and improving overall cooling efficiency. The inner liner also provides an extra layer of protection for the piping components, preventing external physical damage or environmental influences (such as dust and moisture), thereby extending the lifespan of the components. The inner liner also provides some sound insulation, reducing noise generated by the water pump and water flow in the pipes, improving the user experience.

[0032] In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making apparatus includes:

[0033] Ice-making rack, installed on the wall of the low-temperature storage room;

[0034] Ice maker tray, which is detachably mounted on the ice maker stand.

[0035] This removable design of the ice tray allows users to easily remove it for cleaning and maintenance, ensuring the hygiene of the tray and the quality of the ice. Users can also replace the ice tray with different types or sizes to suit different ice-making needs.

[0036] In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making tray includes:

[0037] Ice tray support, which can be detachably installed on the ice-making support;

[0038] Ice trays are fixedly installed on ice tray supports.

[0039] This detachable design of the ice tray holder allows users to easily remove the entire ice tray for cleaning, ensuring hygiene and ice quality. The ice tray is securely installed within the holder, providing a stable structure and reducing the risk of slipping and tipping during ice making and removal, thus improving safety.

[0040] In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making tray further includes a driving component, which is fixedly installed on the ice-making bracket and connected to the ice tray. The driving component is used to drive the ice tray to rotate.

[0041] In this way, by tilting the ice trays with the drive mechanism, water can flow and fill each tray under the influence of gravity. Even with a small amount of water, this ensures that each tray receives enough. The evenly distributed water also ensures that all trays begin freezing simultaneously. During the tilting process, the water flow helps to remove air bubbles and impurities, further improving the transparency and purity of the ice. The drive mechanism automatically rotates the ice trays, making it easier for the ice to be released, reducing the hassle of manually removing ice and improving ease of use. The automatic rotation of the ice trays also allows for faster ice release, shortening the ice-making cycle and improving efficiency.

[0042] In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making device further includes a detector mounted on the ice-making support or ice-making tray, and the detector is used to detect the temperature of the ice-making tray.

[0043] In this way, the detector can monitor the freezing status of the water in real time, ensuring that the ice is only removed after it is completely frozen, thereby optimizing the ice-making cycle and improving ice-making efficiency. Simultaneously, the detector can also help the system stop refrigeration promptly after the ice is completely frozen, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and thus improving energy efficiency. The detector can also help detect abnormalities in the ice-making process (such as excessively long freezing times), thus promptly alerting users to check and maintain the system, preventing potential malfunctions. Attached Figure Description

[0044] To more clearly illustrate the implementation methods in the embodiments of this application or related technologies, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0045] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a refrigerator provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0046] Figure 2 This is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partially disassembled structural diagram of the refrigerator shown.

[0048] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The refrigerator shown is a cross-sectional view.

[0049] Figure 5 for Figure 3 The diagram shows the structural schematic of the piping assembly.

[0050] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Exploded view of the pipeline assembly shown;

[0051] Figure 7 for Figure 1 One of the schematic diagrams of the ice-making device in the refrigerator shown;

[0052] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the ice-making device shown.

[0053] Figure 9 for Figure 1 The second schematic diagram of the ice-making device in the refrigerator shown;

[0054] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the ice-making device shown.

[0055] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0056] 100-Refrigerator; 10-Ice maker; 11-Ice maker bracket; 12-Ice tray; 121-Ice tray bracket; 122-Ice tray; 123-Driver; 13-Ice probe rod; 20-Water supply device; 21-Pipeline assembly; 211-Main pipe; 212-Water storage device; 201-Water inlet; 202-Water outlet; 203-Side flow end; 204-Water storage chamber; 213-Water storage valve; 214-Water inlet pipe; 215-Side flow pipe; 216-Water outlet pipe; 30-Inner liner; 101-Cabinet; 102-Low temperature storage compartment. Detailed Implementation

[0057] To make the objectives, implementation methods and advantages of this application clearer, the exemplary implementation methods of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the exemplary embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described exemplary embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0058] It should be noted that the brief descriptions of terms in this application are only for the convenience of understanding the embodiments described below, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. Unless otherwise stated, these terms should be understood in their ordinary and common meaning.

[0059] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover but not exclusively include, for example, a product or device that includes a series of components is not necessarily limited to those that are explicitly listed, but may include other components that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such product or device.

[0060] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0061] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0062] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0063] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0064] A refrigerator is a refrigeration device that maintains a constant low temperature; it is also a consumer product that keeps food or other items at a constant low temperature. Current refrigerators are equipped with ice-making devices to produce ice and meet users' needs for ice.

[0065] The ice-making device of a conventional refrigerator generally includes a water tank, a water pump, a water guiding mechanism, and an ice maker connected in sequence. The water tank and water pump are located in the refrigerator compartment, and the ice maker is located in the freezer compartment. The water guiding mechanism connects the water pump and the ice maker to transport water from the water tank to the ice maker. The water in the ice maker is frozen by the cold air in the freezer compartment to make ice blocks.

[0066] However, because the water supplied to the ice maker contains dissolved air, which cannot dissolve in ice, the air in the water forms bubbles when the water turns into ice, making the ice white and cloudy.

[0067] After repeated consideration and verification, the inventors discovered that if water is poured into the ice cube tray multiple times, causing the water to freeze from the bottom and the upper surface to freeze more slowly than the other surfaces, the air dissolved in the other parts of the water in the ice-making device can be released into the atmosphere from the upper surface of the water. This can effectively reduce the generation of air bubbles during the ice formation process and improve the transparency of the ice.

[0068] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 This is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 for Figure 1 A partially disassembled structural diagram of the refrigerator shown.

[0069] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the refrigerator 100 provided in this embodiment includes a cabinet 101. The cabinet 101 has a low-temperature storage compartment 102. The low-temperature storage compartment 102 is used by the user to place food that needs to be refrigerated.

[0070] The refrigerator 100 provided in this embodiment further includes an ice-making device 10 and a water supply device 20. The ice-making device 10 is located in the low-temperature storage compartment 102. The ice-making device 10 is used to make ice cubes. The water supply device 20 is used to inject water into the ice-making device 10 so that the ice-making device 10 can freeze and form ice cubes.

[0071] The housing 101 is also equipped with a cold air passage. The cold air passage is used to provide cooling to the ice-making device 10, thereby facilitating the ice-making device 10 to make ice.

[0072] Please also refer to Figure 3 The water supply device 20 includes a water tank, a piping assembly 21, and a water pump. The water tank stores water for ice making. The piping assembly 21 connects the water tank to the ice-making device 10. The piping assembly 21 is used to direct water from the water tank into the ice-making device 10. The water pump is located in the water tank and is used to inject water into the piping assembly 21, thereby facilitating the flow of water through the piping assembly 21 into the ice-making device 10.

[0073] In some embodiments of this application, the low-temperature storage chamber 102 may include a refrigerator chamber, a fresh food storage chamber, and a freezer chamber. The refrigerator chamber keeps food in a refrigerated state, the fresh food storage chamber keeps leafy greens stored at a suitable temperature, and the freezer chamber keeps food in a frozen state. The refrigerator chamber may be formed above the fresh food storage chamber, and the fresh food storage chamber may be formed above the freezer chamber. An ice-making device 10 is located in the freezer chamber. The water tank of the water supply device 20 may be located in either the refrigerator chamber or the fresh food storage chamber.

[0074] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The image shows a cross-sectional view of the refrigerator. Figure 5 for Figure 3 The diagram shows the structure of the piping assembly. Figure 6 for Figure 5 The diagram shows the exploded structure of the pipeline assembly.

[0075] Please also refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The piping assembly 21 includes a main pipe 211, a water storage component 212, and a water storage valve 213. The main pipe 211 is connected to the ice-making device 10. The water storage component 212 is connected to the ice-making device 10 via a pipe. The water storage valve 213 is located on the pipe connecting the water storage component 212 and the ice-making device 10.

[0076] The main pipe 211 and the water storage device 212 are used to supply water from the water tank to the ice-making device 10. The water storage valve 213 is used to control the water storage device 212 to hold water from the water tank or to supply the held water to the ice-making device 10.

[0077] Specifically, the water pump is used to inject a first preset volume of water into the piping assembly 21. The main pipe 211 is used to transport a second preset volume of water to the ice-making device 10. The water storage unit 212 has a water storage chamber 204, which can hold a third preset volume of water for temporary storage.

[0078] The second preset volume is smaller than the first preset volume; the third preset volume is smaller than the second preset volume.

[0079] The water storage valve 213 is used to remain closed when the water pump injects a first preset volume of water into the pipeline assembly 21, so that the main pipeline 211 injects a second preset volume of water into the ice-making device 10 and the water storage chamber 204 contains a third preset volume of water; the water storage valve 213 is also used to open after a preset time period of closure, so that the third preset volume of water in the water storage chamber 204 flows into the ice-making device 10.

[0080] The water storage valve 213 can control the number of times it is opened and closed, so that the water in the water storage chamber 204, which contains a third preset volume, flows into the ice making device 10 once or multiple times.

[0081] Furthermore, by allowing water to accumulate in the water storage chamber 204 before flowing, the water flow velocity can be reduced more effectively, preventing air from being drawn into the water.

[0082] By connecting the water tank and the ice-making device 10 with a pipeline assembly 21, a water pump injects a first preset volume of water into the pipeline assembly 21. The main pipe 211 of the pipeline assembly 21 then delivers a second preset volume of water to the ice-making device 10. A water storage valve 213 controls the water storage chamber 204 to hold a third preset volume of water, allowing the second preset volume of water to flow into the ice-making device 10 first for cooling. After a preset time, the water storage valve 213 controls the third preset volume of water in the water storage chamber 204 to flow into the ice-making device 10. Water used for making ice can be injected into the ice-making device 10 in multiple injections. The water injected first is cooled first. By supplying water to the surface of the first injected water before it freezes, the freezing of the ice surface can be delayed. Alternatively, by pouring water onto the surface of the first injected water, the thin layer of ice that has already formed on the surface of the first injected water is melted, which also delays the freezing of the ice surface, allowing the bottom surface of the ice to freeze first.

[0083] Through the piping assembly 21, the air dissolved in the water injected first in the ice-making device 10 can be released into the atmosphere from the upper surface of the subsequently injected water. This effectively reduces the generation of air bubbles during ice formation and improves the transparency of the ice. Transparent ice is more visually appealing, enhancing the overall visual effect and thus improving the overall user experience.

[0084] In some embodiments of this application, the main pipe 211 includes an inlet pipe 214 and a side flow pipe 215. One end of the inlet pipe 214 is connected to a water pump, and the other end of the inlet pipe 214 is connected to a water storage chamber 204. One end of the side flow pipe 215 is connected to the inlet pipe 214 or the water storage chamber 204, and the other end of the side flow pipe 215 is connected to an ice-making device 10. The volume of the water storage chamber 204 is smaller than a first preset volume.

[0085] Thus, the inlet pipe 214 connects the water pump and the water storage chamber 204, allowing water to be pumped from the water pump to the water storage chamber 204. One end of the side flow pipe 215 is connected to the inlet pipe 214 or the water storage chamber 204, and the other end is connected to the ice-making device 10, allowing excess water to be directly pumped into the ice-making device 10. This design allows the water storage chamber 204 to temporarily store a third preset volume of water, enabling the water storage valve 213 to flexibly adjust the water flow under different operating conditions, achieving sequential water injection and thus reducing the formation of air bubbles in the ice.

[0086] Specifically, when the water pump injects a first preset volume of water into the pipeline assembly 21, the water storage valve 213 remains closed. Water flows into the water storage chamber 204 through the inlet pipe 214. Since the volume of the water storage chamber 204 is less than the first preset volume, water exceeding the volume of the water storage chamber 204 (i.e., the second preset volume of water) flows directly into the ice-making device 10 through the side flow pipe 215. At the same time, the water storage chamber 204 will contain a third preset volume of water. After the water storage valve 213 is opened, the third preset volume of water temporarily stored in the water storage chamber 204 can be injected into the ice-making device 10 in one or more injections.

[0087] In some embodiments of this application, the water storage device 212 has a water inlet end 201, a water outlet end 202, and a side flow end 203. The water inlet end 201, the side flow end 203, and the water outlet end 202 are respectively connected to the water storage chamber 204 and are arranged sequentially from high to low along the height direction of the refrigerator. The other end of the water inlet pipe 214 is connected to the water inlet end 201, and one end of the side flow pipe 215 is connected to the side flow end 203. The water outlet end 202 is connected to the ice maker 10 through a pipe.

[0088] In this way, by setting the inlet end 201 at the highest position, water can naturally flow to the side flow end 203 and the outlet end 202 under the action of gravity. This design reduces the dependence of the water pump on secondary water injection after the water storage valve 213 is opened, reduces energy consumption, and improves the efficiency of water flow. This height difference design also helps to prevent water backflow and overflow. After entering the water storage chamber 204, the water flows sequentially to the side flow end 203 and the outlet end 202. When temporarily stored, water above the side flow end 203 will be directly discharged through the side flow end 203, ensuring the directionality and stability of the water flow. At the same time, when the water is temporarily stored in the water storage chamber 204, due to the action of gravity, air bubbles and impurities are more likely to float to the surface and be discharged, thereby making the water injected back into the ice-making device 10 purer, thus improving the transparency and quality of the ice.

[0089] In some embodiments of this application, the pipeline assembly 21 further includes a water outlet pipe 216, one end of which is connected to the water outlet end 202, and the other end of which is connected to the ice-making device 10. A water storage valve 213 is provided on the water outlet pipe 216.

[0090] In this way, by installing a water storage valve 213 on the water outlet pipe 216, the amount of water flowing from the water storage chamber 204 to the ice-making device 10 and the water flow time can be precisely controlled. Installing the water storage valve 213 on the water outlet pipe 216 can also reduce unnecessary pipes and connection points.

[0091] In some embodiments of this application, the other end of the side flow pipe 215 is connected to the outlet pipe 216, and the connection position is located between the water storage valve 213 and the ice making device 10.

[0092] In this way, the side flow pipe 215 and the outlet pipe 216 share the same port for injecting water into the ice-making device 10, which not only allows water to flow directly into the ice-making device 10 through the side flow pipe 215, but also ensures that the water injection position is uniform, avoiding uneven water injection.

[0093] In some embodiments of this application, the housing 101 is provided with an inner liner 30, and a low-temperature storage chamber 102 is formed in the inner liner 30, and the pipeline assembly 21 is disposed in the inner liner 30.

[0094] By integrating the piping assembly 21 into the inner liner 30, the internal space of the refrigerator 100 can be effectively utilized, reducing the complexity of external piping and making the refrigerator 100 design more compact and aesthetically pleasing. Simultaneously, with the piping assembly 21 located within the low-temperature storage compartment 102, it can more directly utilize the low-temperature environment of the compartment for cooling and insulation, reducing heat loss and improving overall cooling efficiency. The inner liner 30 also provides an extra layer of protection for the piping assembly 21, preventing it from being damaged by external physical forces or environmental influences (such as dust and moisture), thereby extending the assembly's lifespan. The inner liner 30 also provides some sound insulation, reducing noise generated by the water pump and water flow in the pipes, improving the user experience.

[0095] Figure 7 for Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the ice-making device in the refrigerator shown. Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the ice-making device shown. Figure 9 for Figure 1 The second schematic diagram of the ice-making device in the refrigerator shown. Figure 10 for Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the ice-making device shown.

[0096] Please also refer to Figure 7 and Figure 9 In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making device 10 includes an ice-making support 11 and an ice-making tray 12. The ice-making support 11 is disposed on the wall of the low-temperature storage chamber 102, thereby fixing the ice-making device 10 in the low-temperature storage chamber 102. The ice-making tray 12 is detachably installed on the ice-making support 11.

[0097] This detachable design of the ice tray 12 allows users to easily remove it for cleaning and maintenance, ensuring the hygiene of the ice tray 12 and the quality of the ice. Users can also replace the ice tray 12 with different types or sizes as needed to adapt to different ice-making requirements.

[0098] The ice-making tray 12 has a tray cavity, and the upper surface of the ice-making tray 12 is provided with an opening for connecting the tray cavity and the pipe assembly 21. The opening is used for the pipe assembly 21 to inject water into the tray cavity of the ice-making tray 12, so that ice blocks are formed under the action of cold air.

[0099] In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making device 10 further includes an ice-detecting rod 13. The ice-detecting rod 13 is rotatably mounted on the ice-making bracket 11. The ice-detecting rod 13 is used to detect whether there is sufficient ice in the ice storage box.

[0100] like Figure 8 and Figure 10 As shown in some embodiments of this application, the ice tray 12 includes an ice tray support 121 and an ice tray 122. The ice tray support 121 is detachably mounted on the ice tray support 11. The ice tray 122 is fixedly mounted inside the ice tray support 121.

[0101] This detachable design of the ice tray holder 121 allows users to easily remove the entire ice tray 122 for cleaning, ensuring the hygiene of the ice tray 122 and the quality of the ice. The ice tray 122 is fixedly mounted on the ice tray holder 121, providing a stable structure and reducing the risk of slipping and tipping during ice making and removal, thus improving safety.

[0102] In some embodiments of this application, the ice tray support 121 can move back and forth within the ice-making support 11. If the user wants to remove the ice tray 122, the ice tray support 121 can be pulled forward to remove it from the ice-making support 11, making it convenient for the user to clean the ice tray 122. If the user wants to put the ice tray support 121 back, the ice tray support 121 can be pushed backward to install it in the ice-making support 11. After water is injected into the ice tray 122, it forms ice blocks under the action of the cold air in the cold air channel.

[0103] In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making tray 12 further includes a driving member 123, which is fixedly installed on the ice-making bracket 11 and connected to the ice grid 122. The driving member 123 is used to drive the ice grid 122 to rotate.

[0104] Because water is poured into ice cube tray 122 multiple times and frozen from the bottom, the water cannot be evenly distributed directly through the ice cube tray 122 each time it is poured. Therefore, it is necessary to tilt the ice cube tray 122 and shake it so that even when the amount of water is very small, the water can be evenly distributed in the ice cube tray 122.

[0105] The drive unit 123 first raises the water-filled side of the ice tray 122, and then tilts it to the other side. In order to distribute the water evenly, the tilt angle is initially set to an angle at which the water will not overflow when tilted, and then the tilt amount is gradually reduced.

[0106] In this way, by tilting the ice trays 122 via the drive unit 123, water can flow and fill each ice tray 122 under the action of gravity. Even with a small amount of water, this ensures that each ice tray 122 receives enough water, and the evenly distributed water also ensures that all ice trays 122 begin to freeze simultaneously. Furthermore, during the tilting and shaking process, the flow of water helps to remove air bubbles and impurities from the top surface of the water, further improving the transparency and purity of the ice.

[0107] The drive unit 123 is also used to drive the ice tray 122 to flip, so that the prepared ice cubes in the ice tray 122 fall into the ice storage box.

[0108] In this way, the ice tray 122 is automatically rotated by the drive component 123, making it easier for the ice cubes to fall out, reducing the hassle of manually removing ice and improving ease of use. The automatic rotation of the ice tray 122 also allows for quick release of ice cubes, shortening the ice-making cycle and improving ice-making efficiency.

[0109] In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making device 10 further includes a detector mounted on the ice-making support 11 or the ice-making tray 12. The detector is used to detect the temperature of the ice-making tray 12, thereby determining the freezing status of the water.

[0110] In this way, the detector can monitor the freezing status of the water in real time, ensuring that the ice is only removed after it is completely frozen, thereby optimizing the ice-making cycle and improving ice-making efficiency. Simultaneously, the detector can also help the system stop refrigeration promptly after the ice is completely frozen, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and thus improving energy efficiency. The detector can also help detect abnormalities in the ice-making process (such as excessively long freezing times), thus promptly alerting users to check and maintain the system, preventing potential malfunctions.

[0111] The refrigerator 100 provided in this application includes a cabinet 101, an ice-making device 10, and a water supply device 20. The cabinet 101 has a low-temperature storage compartment 102; the ice-making device 10 is disposed in the low-temperature storage compartment 102; the water supply device 20 is configured to inject water into the ice-making device 10; the water supply device 20 includes a water tank, a piping assembly 21, and a water pump; the water pump is disposed in the water tank and is configured to inject a first preset volume of water into the piping assembly 21; the piping assembly 21 includes: a main pipe 211, a water storage device 212, and a water storage valve 213; the main pipe 211 is connected to the ice-making device 10 and is configured to transport a second preset volume of water to the ice-making device 10, the second preset volume being smaller than the first preset volume; the water storage device... The 212 component has a water storage chamber 204, which is connected to the ice-making device 10 via a pipeline. The water storage chamber 204 is configured to temporarily store a third preset volume of water, which is smaller than a second preset volume. A water storage valve 213 is located on the pipeline connecting the water storage component 212 and the ice-making device 10. The water storage valve 213 is configured to remain closed when the water pump injects a first preset volume of water into the pipeline assembly 21, so that the main pipeline 211 injects a second preset volume of water into the ice-making device 10 and the water storage chamber 204 contains a third preset volume of water. The water storage valve 213 is also configured to open after a preset closed time period, so that the third preset volume of water in the water storage chamber 204 flows into the ice-making device 10.

[0112] Thus, a pipeline assembly 21 is connected between the water tank and the ice-making device 10. A water pump injects a first preset volume of water into the pipeline assembly 21, causing the main pipe 211 of the pipeline assembly 21 to transport a second preset volume of water to the ice-making device 10. A water storage valve 213 controls the water storage chamber 204 to hold a third preset volume of water, allowing the second preset volume of water to flow into the ice-making device 10 first for cooling. After a preset time, the water storage valve 213 controls the third preset volume of water in the water storage chamber 204 to flow into the ice-making device 10. Water used for making ice can be injected into the ice-making device 10 in multiple injections. The water injected first is cooled first. By supplying water to the upper surface of the first injected water before it freezes, the freezing of the upper surface of the ice can be delayed. Alternatively, by pouring water onto the upper surface of the first injected water, the thin ice that has already formed on the upper surface of the first injected water is melted, which also delays the freezing of the upper surface of the ice, allowing the lower surface of the ice to freeze first. In the ice-making device 10, dissolved air in the water injected first can be released into the atmosphere from the water's surface, effectively reducing the generation of air bubbles during ice formation and increasing the transparency of the ice. Transparent ice is more visually appealing, enhancing the overall visual effect and thus improving the overall user experience.

[0113] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0114] For ease of explanation, the above description has been provided in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, the above exemplary discussion is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed above. Various modifications and variations can be obtained based on the above teachings. The selection and description of the above embodiments are for the purpose of better explaining the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better utilize the embodiments and various different variations of embodiments suitable for specific application considerations.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, include: The enclosure (101) has a low-temperature storage chamber (102); An ice-making device (10) is provided in the low-temperature storage chamber (102); A water supply device (20) is configured to inject water into the ice-making device (10); The water supply device (20) includes: Water tank; Piping components (21); A water pump, located in the water tank, is configured to inject a first preset volume of water into the piping assembly (21); The piping assembly (21) includes: A main pipe (211) is connected to the ice-making device (10), and the main pipe (211) is configured to deliver a second preset volume of water to the ice-making device (10), the second preset volume being smaller than the first preset volume; The water storage device (212) has a water storage chamber (204). The water storage device (212) is connected to the ice making device (10) through a pipeline. The water storage chamber (204) is configured to temporarily store a third preset volume of water, which is smaller than the second preset volume. A water storage valve (213) is provided on the pipeline connecting the water storage component (212) and the ice-making device (10); The water storage valve (213) is configured to remain closed when the water pump injects the first preset volume of water into the pipeline assembly (21), so that the main pipeline (211) injects the second preset volume of water into the ice-making device (10) and the water storage chamber (204) contains the third preset volume of water; the water storage valve (213) is also configured to open after a preset time period of closure, so that the third preset volume of water in the water storage chamber (204) flows into the ice-making device (10).

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main pipeline (211) includes: Water inlet pipe (214), one end of which is connected to the water pump, and the other end of which is connected to the water storage chamber (204); Side flow pipe (215), one end of which is connected to the water inlet pipe (214) or the water storage chamber (204), and the other end of which is connected to the ice making device (10).

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water storage device (212) has an inlet end (201), an outlet end (202) and a side flow end (203). The inlet end (201), the side flow end (203) and the outlet end (202) are respectively connected to the water storage chamber (204) and are arranged sequentially from high to low along the height direction of the refrigerator. The other end of the water inlet pipe (214) is connected to the inlet end (201), one end of the side flow pipe (215) is connected to the side flow end (203), and the outlet end (202) is connected to the ice making device (10) through a pipeline.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pipeline assembly (21) also includes a water outlet pipe (216), one end of which is connected to the water outlet end (202), and the other end of which is connected to the ice-making device (10). The water storage valve (213) is located on the water outlet pipe (216).

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The other end of the side flow pipe (215) is connected to the water outlet pipe (216), and the connection position is located between the water storage valve (213) and the ice making device (10).

6. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The box (101) is provided with an inner liner (30), and the low temperature storage chamber (102) is formed in the inner liner (30). The pipeline assembly (21) is located in the inner liner (30).

7. The refrigerator according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The ice-making device (10) includes: An ice-making support (11) is provided on the wall of the low-temperature storage chamber (102); Ice-making tray (12), which is detachably mounted on the ice-making support (11).

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The ice-making tray (12) includes: Ice tray support (121), which is detachably installed on the ice making support (11); Ice tray (122), which is fixedly installed on the ice tray support (121).

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The ice-making tray (12) also includes a driving component (123), which is fixedly installed on the ice-making bracket (11) and connected to the ice grid (122). The driving component (123) is used to drive the ice grid (122) to rotate.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The ice-making device (10) also includes a detector, which is installed on the ice-making bracket (11) or the ice-making tray (12) and is used to detect the temperature of the ice-making tray (12).

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