Drainage structure and ice maker
By adopting a coaxial rotating arc groove design and a rotation linkage structure in the ice maker, the problem of low internal space utilization efficiency of the ice maker is solved, achieving efficient drainage without occupying too much space.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423202209.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-24
AI Technical Summary
In the existing ice maker's internal structure, the ice-making tank and drainage tank occupy a lot of internal space, resulting in low space utilization efficiency.
The design employs a first and second rotating arc groove arranged coaxially, and uses a rotation linkage structure to create a time difference in their rotation, achieving staggered rotation. This ensures that the plane on the drainage side of the ice-making chamber is lower than the top surface of the drainage chamber, preventing spillage.
While ensuring smooth drainage, the space occupied by the drainage chamber is reduced, thus improving space utilization efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN223550706U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice makers, and in particular to a drainage structure and an ice maker. Background Technology
[0002] An ice maker is a refrigeration machine that produces ice by cooling water through an evaporator with a refrigerant in a refrigeration system.
[0003] Ice makers typically have an ice-making rack, which comes in various structural forms. For example, when the ice-making rack is inverted, the internal structure of the ice maker is as follows: an ice-making trough is located below the ice-making rack to supply water, a drainage trough is located below the ice-making trough for drainage, and a storage refrigerator is located below the drainage trough. When the ice-making rack finishes making ice and enters the de-icing process, the water in the ice-making trough needs to be poured into the drainage trough for drainage. Simultaneously, the ice-making trough and drainage trough (or the ice-making rack alone) need to be moved so that the ice blocks on the ice-making rack can fall smoothly into the storage refrigerator. In this structure, because the ice-making trough and drainage trough need to be installed inside the ice maker, it occupies a significant amount of internal space. Utility Model Content
[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art.
[0005] This utility model provides a drainage structure, including a housing and a drainage device disposed inside the housing. The drainage device includes an arc groove assembly and a drive motor for driving the arc groove assembly to rotate. The arc groove assembly includes a first rotating arc groove and a second rotating arc groove coaxially arranged. The first rotating arc groove has an ice-making cavity inside, and the second rotating arc groove has a drainage cavity inside. The second rotating arc groove covers the outside of the first rotating arc groove. There is a gap between the inner wall of the second rotating arc groove and the surface of the first rotating arc groove. A rotational linkage structure is provided between the inner wall of the second rotating arc groove and the surface of the first rotating arc groove. The drive motor is drivenly connected to the first rotating arc groove. When the drive motor drives the first rotating arc groove to rotate, the first rotating arc groove rotates before the second rotating arc groove rotates in linkage with it.
[0006] Therefore, this utility model, by setting a drainage device inside the casing and using the design of the first and second rotating arc grooves being coaxially arranged, achieves the effect of compressing the installation space of the drainage chamber. Furthermore, by using a rotation linkage structure to create a rotation time difference between the first and second rotating arc grooves, the two are misaligned, so that the plane on the drainage side of the ice-making chamber is lower than the top surface of the drainage chamber, ensuring that the drainage device can drain water smoothly without leakage. Thus, while ensuring smooth drainage of the machine, the drainage chamber occupies less internal space.
[0007] In one embodiment, an elastic abutment structure is provided between the side of the second rotating arc groove and the inner wall of the housing, the elastic abutment structure restricting the rotation of the second rotating arc groove.
[0008] In one embodiment, the elastic abutment structure includes a positioning groove and a positioning ball for abutting against the positioning groove. One of the positioning groove and the positioning ball is disposed on the side of the second rotating arc groove, and the other of the positioning groove and the positioning ball is disposed on the inner wall of the housing.
[0009] In one embodiment, the rotation linkage structure includes a linkage guide groove and a guide post located inside the linkage guide groove. One of the linkage guide groove and the guide post is disposed on the surface of the first rotation arc groove, and the other of the linkage guide groove and the guide post is disposed on the inner wall of the second rotation arc groove.
[0010] In one embodiment, a central through hole is provided on one side of the second rotating arc groove, a first through hole is provided on the housing corresponding to the position of the central through hole, the drive motor is provided corresponding to the first through hole, and the drive shaft of the drive motor passes through the first through hole and the central through hole and is connected to the first rotating arc groove for transmission.
[0011] In one embodiment, a central water inlet pipe communicating with the ice-making chamber is provided on the side of the first rotating arc groove away from the drive motor, and a clearance groove is provided on the second rotating arc groove corresponding to the position of the central water inlet pipe. A second through hole is provided on the housing corresponding to the clearance groove, and the central water inlet pipe passes through the clearance groove and the second through hole.
[0012] In one embodiment, the end of the central water inlet pipe away from the housing extends downward to the bottom of the ice-making chamber.
[0013] In one embodiment, the top of the clearance groove is open to form an opening, and a pressure plate is provided on the second rotating arc groove to press against the opening.
[0014] In one embodiment, the surface of the second rotating arc groove is provided with a drain outlet that communicates with the drainage cavity. The drain outlet is arc-shaped and arranged circumferentially along the second rotating arc groove.
[0015] This utility model also provides an ice maker, including a base, on which a drainage structure as described above is provided.
[0016] Therefore, the ice maker with a drainage structure, by setting a drainage device inside the machine casing, and using the design of the first and second rotating arc grooves being coaxially arranged, achieves the effect of compressing the installation space of the drainage chamber. Then, by using a rotation linkage structure to make the first and second rotating arc grooves rotate at different times, the two are misaligned, so that the plane on the drainage side of the ice maker chamber is lower than the top surface of the drainage chamber, ensuring that the drainage device can drain water smoothly without leakage. Thus, while ensuring smooth drainage of the machine, the drainage chamber occupies less internal space.
[0017] The drainage structure provided by this utility model has at least the following beneficial effects: By setting a drainage device inside the machine casing, and utilizing the design of the first and second rotating arc grooves being coaxially arranged, the installation space of the drainage chamber is compressed. Furthermore, by using a rotation linkage structure to create a time difference in the rotation of the first and second rotating arc grooves, the two are misaligned, so that the plane of the drainage side of the ice-making chamber is lower than the top surface of the drainage chamber, ensuring that the drainage device can drain water smoothly without leakage. Thus, while ensuring smooth drainage of the machine, the drainage chamber occupies less internal space.
[0018] This utility model also provides an ice maker with a drainage structure. By setting a drainage device inside the machine casing and using a design where the first and second rotating arc grooves are coaxially arranged, the installation space of the drainage chamber is compressed. Furthermore, a rotation linkage structure is used to create a time difference in the rotation of the first and second rotating arc grooves, thereby causing them to rotate out of alignment. This makes the plane on the drainage side of the ice-making chamber lower than the top surface of the drainage chamber, ensuring that the drainage device can drain water smoothly without leakage. Thus, while ensuring smooth drainage of the machine, the drainage chamber occupies less internal space.
[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0020] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the drainage structure of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a first-angle internal structural diagram of the drainage structure of this utility model;
[0023] Figure 3 This is a second-angle internal structural diagram of the drainage structure of this utility model;
[0024] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the first rotating arc groove and the second rotating arc groove in the drainage structure of this utility model;
[0025] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the first rotating arc groove in the drainage structure of this utility model;
[0026] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the first angle of the second rotating arc groove in the drainage structure of this utility model;
[0027] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the second angle of the second rotating arc groove in the drainage structure of this utility model;
[0028] Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the casing (when ice blocks are provided) in the drainage structure of this utility model.
[0029] In the attached diagram: 100, housing; 200, drive motor; 3, first rotating arc groove; 31, ice-making chamber; 4, second rotating arc groove; 41, drain chamber; 6, positioning ball; 7, linkage guide groove; 8, guide post; 9, axial through hole; 10, first through hole; 12, central water inlet pipe; 13, clearance groove; 14, second through hole; 131, opening; 15, pressure plate; 16, drain outlet; 17, ice block. Detailed Implementation
[0030] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.
[0031] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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 utility model.
[0032] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.
[0033] The following is combined Figures 1 to 8 The embodiments of this utility model are described below.
[0034] This embodiment relates to a drainage structure, including a housing 100 and a drainage device.
[0035] Specifically, the drainage device is located inside the housing 100. The drainage device includes an arc groove assembly and a drive motor 200, which drives the arc groove assembly to rotate. Specifically, the drive motor 200 drives the arc groove assembly to rotate relative to the housing 100.
[0036] In addition, such as Figure 2-4 As shown, the arc groove assembly includes a first rotating arc groove 3 and a second rotating arc groove 4, which are coaxially arranged. The first rotating arc groove 3 has an ice-making cavity 31 inside, and the second rotating arc groove 4 has a drainage cavity 41 inside. The second rotating arc groove 4 covers the outside of the first rotating arc groove 3. There is a gap between the inner wall of the second rotating arc groove 4 and the surface of the first rotating arc groove 3 so that the second rotating arc groove 4 and the first rotating arc groove 3 can rotate relative to each other. Furthermore, a rotation linkage structure is provided between the inner wall of the second rotating arc groove 4 and the surface of the first rotating arc groove 3. The drive motor 200 is connected to the first rotating arc groove 3 for transmission.
[0037] Thus, when the drive motor 200 drives the first rotating arc groove 3 to rotate, the first rotating arc groove 3 rotates before the second rotating arc groove 4 rotates in conjunction with it.
[0038] The principle of this utility model is as follows: when the ice maker is making ice cubes 17, water needs to be delivered into the ice-making chamber 31. After the ice cubes 17 are made, the excess cold water in the ice-making chamber 31 needs to be drained. Specifically, the excess cold water in the ice-making chamber 31 needs to be drained into the drain chamber 41. The drain chamber 41 is used for drainage, so the drainage function of the drain chamber 41 is used to drain the cold water. Thus, when the ice maker performs a drainage operation, the first rotating arc groove 3 is driven to rotate by the drive motor 200. The first rotating arc groove 3 rotates before the second rotating arc groove 4, so that the plane of the drainage side of the ice-making cavity 31 is lower than the top surface of the drainage cavity 41, preventing the water in the ice-making cavity 31 from flowing over the drainage cavity 41 into the machine body during drainage. Then, the first rotating arc groove 3 is linked with the second rotating arc groove 4 to rotate to achieve the effect of tilting drainage. After the water is drained, the ice removal operation begins. The ice-making cavity 31 continues to rotate upward until the first rotating arc groove 3 and the second rotating arc groove 4 are reversed, so that the ice on the ice rack can fall smoothly into the refrigerator.
[0039] Therefore, this utility model, by setting a drainage device inside the housing 100 and using the design of the first rotating arc groove 3 and the second rotating arc groove 4 being coaxially arranged, achieves the effect of compressing the installation space of the drainage cavity 41. Furthermore, by using a rotation linkage structure to create a rotation time difference between the first rotating arc groove 3 and the second rotating arc groove 4, the two are misaligned, so that the plane of the drainage side of the ice-making cavity 31 is lower than the top surface of the drainage cavity 41, ensuring that the drainage device can drain water smoothly without leakage. Thus, while ensuring smooth drainage of the machine, the drainage cavity occupies less internal space.
[0040] Among them, an elastic abutment structure is provided between the side of the second rotating arc groove 4 and the inner wall of the housing 100. The elastic abutment structure restricts the rotation of the second rotating arc groove 4, so that the second rotating arc groove 4 can only rotate under the linkage of the first rotating arc groove 3. This prevents the first rotating arc groove 3 from driving the second rotating arc groove 4 to rotate at the beginning of its rotation, that is, it prevents the first rotating arc groove 3 and the second rotating arc groove 4 from rotating synchronously at the beginning. This ensures that the plane of the drainage side of the ice-making cavity 31 is lower than the top surface of the drainage cavity 41, thus ensuring the reliability of drainage.
[0041] Among them, such as Figure 4 and Figure 8As shown, the elastic abutment structure includes a positioning groove and a positioning ball 6. The positioning ball 6 is used to abut against the positioning groove. One of the positioning groove and the positioning ball 6 is disposed on the side of the second rotating arc groove 4, and the other of the positioning groove and the positioning ball 6 is disposed on the inner wall of the housing 100. In this embodiment, the positioning groove is disposed on the side of the second rotating arc groove 4, and the positioning ball 6 is disposed on the inner wall of the housing 100. Thus, when the first rotating arc groove 3 rotates to a certain angle, under the action of the rotation linkage structure, the positioning ball 6 is compressed and disengaged from the positioning groove, so that the second rotating arc groove 4 rotates with the first rotating arc groove 3.
[0042] Among them, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5-6 As shown, the rotary linkage structure includes a linkage guide groove 7 and a guide post 8 located inside the linkage guide groove 7. One of the linkage guide groove 7 and the guide post 8 is disposed on the surface of the first rotary arc groove 3, and the other of the linkage guide groove 7 and the guide post 8 is disposed on the inner wall of the second rotary arc groove 4. In this embodiment, the guide post 8 is disposed on the surface of the first rotary arc groove 3, and the linkage guide groove 7 is disposed on the inner wall of the second rotary arc groove 4. It should be noted that the guiding length of the linkage guide groove 7 needs to be greater than the diameter of the guide post 8 to ensure that there is a rotation time difference between the first rotary arc groove 3 and the second rotary arc groove 4, thereby allowing them to rotate out of alignment.
[0043] The second rotating arc groove 4 has a shaft through hole 9 on one side, and a first through hole 10 is provided on the housing 100 at the position corresponding to the shaft through hole 9. The drive motor 200 is provided corresponding to the first through hole 10. The drive shaft of the drive motor 200 passes through the first through hole 10 and the shaft through hole 9 and is connected to the first rotating arc groove 3 for transmission. This structure is conducive to achieving a shorter transmission distance, thereby improving transmission efficiency.
[0044] The first rotating arc groove 3 has a central water inlet pipe 12 connected to the ice-making chamber 31 on the side away from the drive motor 200. The second rotating arc groove 4 has a relief groove 13 corresponding to the position of the central water inlet pipe 12. The housing 100 has a second through hole 14 corresponding to the relief groove 13. The central water inlet pipe 12 passes through the relief groove 13 and the second through hole 14. By adopting this structure, it is ensured that the first rotating arc groove 3 and the second rotating arc groove 4 will not be interfered with by the rotation of the water inlet pipe when rotating.
[0045] The central water inlet pipe 12 extends downwards from the end away from the housing 100 to the bottom of the ice-making chamber 31, thereby supplying water to the ice-making chamber 31 from the bottom.
[0046] Among them, such as Figure 6-7As shown, the top of the clearance groove 13 is open to form an opening 131. A pressure plate 15 is provided on the second rotating arc groove 4, which is pressed against the opening 131. This facilitates the assembly of the first rotating arc groove 3 onto the second rotating arc groove 4. During the installation process, one side of the first rotating arc groove 3 is first assembled with the drive motor 200, and then one side of the central water inlet pipe 12 is assembled, thus successfully assembling the first rotating arc groove 3.
[0047] Among them, such as Figure 7 As shown, the surface of the second rotating arc groove 4 is provided with a drain outlet 16 that communicates with the drain cavity 41. The drain outlet 16 is arc-shaped and is arranged along the circumference of the second rotating arc groove 4. The arc shape can effectively extend the length of the drain outlet 16, so that the first rotating arc groove 3 can still drain smoothly when it is assembled into the second rotating arc groove 4 and rotates in a certain direction.
[0048] This utility model also provides an ice maker, including a base, on which a drainage structure as described above is provided.
[0049] Therefore, this utility model, by setting a drainage device inside the housing 100 and using the design of the first rotating arc groove 3 and the second rotating arc groove 4 being coaxially arranged, achieves the effect of compressing the installation space of the drainage cavity 41. Furthermore, by using a rotation linkage structure to create a rotation time difference between the first rotating arc groove 3 and the second rotating arc groove 4, the two are misaligned, so that the plane of the drainage side of the ice-making cavity 31 is lower than the top surface of the drainage cavity 41, ensuring that the drainage device can drain water smoothly without leakage. Thus, while ensuring smooth drainage of the machine, the drainage cavity occupies less internal space.
[0050] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such equivalent modifications or substitutions are included within the scope defined by the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A drainage structure, characterized in that: The device includes a housing and a drainage device disposed inside the housing. The drainage device includes an arc groove assembly and a drive motor for driving the arc groove assembly to rotate. The arc groove assembly includes a first rotating arc groove and a second rotating arc groove arranged coaxially. The first rotating arc groove has an ice-making cavity inside, and the second rotating arc groove has a drainage cavity inside. The second rotating arc groove covers the outside of the first rotating arc groove. There is a gap between the inner wall of the second rotating arc groove and the surface of the first rotating arc groove. A rotational linkage structure is provided between the inner wall of the second rotating arc groove and the surface of the first rotating arc groove. The drive motor is drivenly connected to the first rotating arc groove. When the drive motor drives the first rotating arc groove to rotate, the first rotating arc groove rotates before the second rotating arc groove rotates in linkage with it.
2. The drainage structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: An elastic abutment structure is provided between the side of the second rotating arc groove and the inner wall of the housing, and the elastic abutment structure restricts the rotation of the second rotating arc groove.
3. The drainage structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The elastic abutment structure includes a positioning groove and a positioning ball for abutting against the positioning groove. One of the positioning groove and the positioning ball is disposed on the side of the second rotating arc groove, and the other of the positioning groove and the positioning ball is disposed on the inner wall of the housing.
4. The drainage structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotation linkage structure includes a linkage guide groove and a guide post located inside the linkage guide groove. One of the linkage guide groove and the guide post is disposed on the surface of the first rotation arc groove, and the other of the linkage guide groove and the guide post is disposed on the inner wall of the second rotation arc groove.
5. The drainage structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A central through hole is provided on one side of the second rotating arc groove. A first through hole is provided on the housing corresponding to the position of the central through hole. The drive motor is provided corresponding to the first through hole. The drive shaft of the drive motor passes through the first through hole and the central through hole and is connected to the first rotating arc groove for transmission.
6. The drainage structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first rotating arc groove has a central water inlet pipe connected to the ice-making chamber on the side away from the drive motor. The second rotating arc groove has a clearance groove corresponding to the position of the central water inlet pipe. The housing has a second through hole corresponding to the clearance groove. The central water inlet pipe passes through the clearance groove and the second through hole.
7. The drainage structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The central water inlet pipe extends downwards from the end away from the housing to the bottom of the ice-making chamber.
8. The drainage structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The top of the clearance groove is open to form an opening, and a pressure plate is provided on the second rotating arc groove to press against the opening.
9. The drainage structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the second rotating arc groove is provided with a drain outlet that communicates with the drainage cavity. The drain outlet is arc-shaped and arranged along the circumference of the second rotating arc groove.
10. An ice maker, characterized in that: It includes a base, on which a drainage structure as described in any one of claims 1-9 is provided.