Flushing and cleaning structure of ice maker
By incorporating an axial through-hole and a sealing structure into the ice maker, efficient cleaning of the ice cylinder is achieved, solving the problem of difficult wastewater cleaning and improving cleaning efficiency and quality.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520413890.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-03-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing ice makers are difficult to clean, especially the wastewater from the ice drum, and the cleaning efficiency is low.
A flushing and cleaning structure including an ice-making cylinder, a stirring assembly, and a rotating shaft was designed. By setting an axial through hole and an output shaft on the ice-making cylinder, the output shaft and the rotating shaft are driven to rotate by a gearbox, so that sewage can flow out through the through hole, and a detachable sealing structure ensures airtightness.
It improves the cleaning efficiency of ice makers and simplifies the cleaning process. Wastewater can be discharged efficiently, and the sealed structure prevents leakage during normal operation, thus improving the cleaning quality.
Smart Images
Figure CN223840703U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice maker technology, specifically to a rinsing and cleaning structure for an ice maker. Background Technology
[0002] Ice makers, such as those for making smoothies or extruded ice, include an ice drum and a stirring assembly. The stirring assembly is fitted into the ice drum, which holds edible solutions such as water, milk, and juice. Therefore, the ice drum and stirring assembly need to be cleaned after use.
[0003] However, the wastewater generated during cleaning is inconvenient to clean, especially the wastewater generated when cleaning ice makers. In addition, the cleaning efficiency needs to be improved. Utility Model Content
[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to propose a rinsing and cleaning structure for an ice maker, which facilitates the cleaning of wastewater generated during the cleaning of the ice cylinder and improves cleaning efficiency.
[0005] The technical solution of this utility model is: a rinsing and cleaning structure for an ice maker, including an ice-making cylinder, a stirring assembly, and a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is fitted with the stirring assembly to form a first assembly. A gearbox is located on one side of the ice-making cylinder, and the other side of the first assembly is axially inserted into the ice-making cylinder. It also includes an output shaft, which is mounted on the gearbox. An output gear from the gearbox is mounted on the output shaft. The output shaft has an axial through hole, the upper end of which communicates with the lower end of the ice-making cylinder, while the lower end of the axial through hole is open to the outside. When the first assembly is axially inserted into the ice-making cylinder, the end of the rotating shaft located on the gearbox side is detachably connected to the axial through hole for transmission. The output gear drives the output shaft to rotate the rotating shaft, and the rotation of the rotating shaft drives the stirring assembly to rotate relative to the ice-making cylinder.
[0006] When cleaning is required, the ice-making cylinder is axially pulled out from the other side of the first component to clean it, and the wastewater generated during the cleaning of the ice-making cylinder can flow out from the axial through hole.
[0007] With the above structure, this utility model has the following advantages:
[0008] This disclosure, through improvements, solves the problem of the rotating operation of the stirring component and proposes a new cleaning solution. Specifically, when cleaning is required, the ice-making cylinder is axially pulled out from the other side of the first component. At this time, since the obstruction of the rotating shaft is removed, the ice-making cylinder and the axial through hole are vertically connected. Therefore, the wastewater generated during cleaning of the ice-making cylinder can flow out from the axial through hole. Furthermore, due to the setting of the axial through hole, the ice-making cylinder can be rinsed and cleaned by flushing. Rinsing and cleaning the ice-making cylinder can improve cleaning efficiency and simplify the cleaning operation, making it more convenient for users to clean.
[0009] In some embodiments, a sealing structure is also included, which is disposed on the clean flow channel formed by the ice maker and the axial through hole, and the clean flow channel is blocked by the sealing structure when the ice maker is axially inserted into the other side of the first component ice maker.
[0010] In some embodiments, a sealing ring is provided between the rotating shaft and the ice-making cylinder. When the ice-making cylinder is axially inserted into the other side of the first component, a seal is formed between the outer circumference of the rotating shaft, the inner circumference of the sealing ring, the outer circumference of the sealing ring, and the inner circumference of the lower end of the ice-making cylinder along the radial direction from the inside to the outside.
[0011] In some embodiments, the sealing ring is mounted on the rotating shaft and is pulled out / inserted into the ice maker along with the rotating shaft.
[0012] In some embodiments, the lower end of the ice maker is provided with an annular cavity, which guides the sealing ring and is detachably fitted with a sealing seal.
[0013] In some embodiments, a limiting portion is provided at the upper end of the rotating shaft to limit the sealing ring axially between the limiting portion and the bottom of the lower end of the ice-making cylinder.
[0014] In some embodiments, a liquid outlet pipe is further included, which is configured to communicate with an axial through hole. Attached Figure Description
[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an ice maker component.
[0016] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an ice maker component after the end cap has been removed.
[0017] Figure 3 This is a front view of an ice maker assembly after the first component has been removed.
[0018] Figure 4 This is a left view of an ice maker component.
[0019] Figure 5 This is a sectional view along axis AA.
[0020] Figure 6 This is a left view of an ice maker assembly after the end cap and first component have been removed (with the liquid outlet pipe connected).
[0021] Figure 7 This is a sectional view of BB (with the outlet pipe removed).
[0022] The following components are shown in the figure: 1-ice maker, 2-stirring assembly, 3-motor, 4-gearbox, 5-rotating shaft, 6-first assembly, 7-output gear, 8-output shaft, 9-end cap, 10-bearing, 11-axial through hole, 12-sealing ring, 13-annular cavity, 14-limiting part, 15-liquid outlet pipe. Detailed Implementation
[0023] To better understand this application, various aspects of this application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these detailed descriptions are merely descriptions of exemplary embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of this application in any way.
[0024] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, a cleaning structure for an ice maker is disclosed, including an ice-making cylinder 1, a stirring assembly 2, and a rotating shaft 5. The rotating shaft 5 is configured with the stirring assembly 2 to form a first assembly 6. A gearbox 4 is located on one side of the ice-making cylinder 1, and the other side of the first assembly 6 is axially inserted into the ice-making cylinder 1. The structure also includes an output shaft 8, which is mounted on the gearbox 4. An output gear 7 from the gearbox 4 is mounted on the output shaft 8. The output shaft 8 has an axial through hole 11, the upper end of which communicates with the lower end of the ice-making cylinder 1, while the lower end of the axial through hole 11 is open to the outside. When the first assembly 6 is axially inserted into the ice-making cylinder 1 on the other side, the end of the rotating shaft 5 located on the side of the gearbox 4 is detachably connected to the axial through hole 11 for transmission.
[0025] When cleaning is required, the other side of the self-made ice cylinder 1 of the first component 6 is axially pulled out for cleaning, and the wastewater generated from cleaning the ice cylinder 1 can flow out from the axial through hole 11.
[0026] like Figure 7 As shown, during rinsing, wastewater flows out of ice-making cylinder 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the washed-down material can be efficiently discharged.
[0027] The gearbox 4 is connected to a power source. In this example, a motor 3 is used. The motor 3 drives the gear set inside the gearbox 4 to rotate. The rotation of the gear set drives the output gear 7 to rotate. The output gear 7 drives the output shaft 8 to drive the rotating shaft 5 to rotate. The rotation of the rotating shaft 5 drives the stirring assembly 2 to rotate relative to the ice maker 1.
[0028] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, a sealing ring 12 is provided between the rotating shaft 5 and the ice-making cylinder 1. When the first component 6 is axially inserted into the other side of the self-made ice-making cylinder 1, a seal is formed between the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 5, the inner circumference of the sealing ring 12, the outer circumference of the sealing ring 12, and the inner circumference of the lower end of the ice-making cylinder 1 along the radial direction from the inside to the outside. In this way, the structure is relatively simple and convenient for production and assembly, thereby achieving the purpose of reducing or avoiding leakage of the cooled object in the ice-making cylinder 1 through gaps during normal operation. Such gaps are, for example, the detachable insertion transmission fit gap between the rotating shaft 5 and the axial through hole 11.
[0029] Of course, other sealing structures are also possible. For example, the fit between the rotating shaft 5 and the axial through hole 11 can be made more precise to achieve a certain degree of sealing. Alternatively, a sealing ring can be set between the rotating shaft 5 and the axial through hole 11 to achieve a sealing fit. In short, any sealing structure applicable to this disclosure can be applied to this disclosure.
[0030] Specifically, the sealing ring 12 is mounted on the rotating shaft 5 and is pulled out / inserted into the ice-making cylinder 1 along with the rotating shaft 5. For example... Figure 5 The image shows the state when the first component 6 is inserted into the ice-making container 1, as shown below. Figure 7 The image shows the state of the self-made ice cylinder 1 of the first component 6 when it is pulled out. It can be seen that the sealing ring 12 is taken away with the rotating shaft 5. The advantages of doing this are that, on the one hand, the ice cylinder 1 is emptied, and the clean flow channel formed by the ice cylinder 1 and the axial through hole 11 is unobstructed, which helps to improve cleaning efficiency and cleaning quality. On the other hand, the sealing ring 12 can be rinsed and cleaned with the rotating shaft 5, which prevents dirt and grime from accumulating in the sealing ring 12.
[0031] Furthermore, the sealing ring 12 can be further removed from the rotating shaft 5 for cleaning. For example, the sealing ring 12 is detachably connected to the rotating shaft 5. So when the sealing ring 12 is pulled out of the ice maker 1 along with the rotating shaft 5, it can be further removed from the rotating shaft 5 for cleaning, thereby cleaning more thoroughly and improving the cleaning quality.
[0032] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 , 7 As shown, the lower end of the ice-making cylinder 1 is provided with an annular cavity 13, which guides the sealing ring 12 and detachably fits it for sealing. In this way, the annular cavity 13 guides the sealing ring 12, which is convenient for the user to install the sealing ring 12. That is, the user can install the sealing ring 12 by inserting the first component 6 into the ice-making cylinder 1. At the same time, because the sealing ring 12 guides, the radial wobbling of the first component 6 is reduced, which also reduces the collision between the outer circumference of the stirring component 2 and the inner circumference of the ice-making cylinder 1. It can be said to have achieved two benefits at once.
[0033] like Figure 7As shown, the annular cavity 13 is preferably configured as a cylindrical section adapted to the sealing ring 12.
[0034] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the rotating shaft 5 has a limiting part 14 at the upper end of the sealing ring 12. This limiting part 14 axially limits the sealing ring 12 between the limiting part 14 and the bottom of the lower end of the ice-making cylinder 1, which in this example is between the limiting part 14 and the bottom of the annular cavity 13. In this way, when the first component 6 is inserted into the ice-making cylinder 1, the sealing ring 12 can be better installed in the correct position, while avoiding axial displacement. In particular, the sealing ring 12 provides an axial elastic force to provide axial cushioning when the first component 6 is inserted into the ice-making cylinder 1, thereby reducing noise, collisions, etc.
[0035] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, the sealing ring 12 is configured with upper and lower sections, and the diameter is reduced between the upper and lower sections to achieve better performance.
[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, it also includes a liquid outlet pipe 15, which is connected to the axial through hole 11. This allows for better guidance of sewage, which is beneficial for hygiene.
[0037] In order to achieve the connection between the liquid outlet pipe 15 and the axial through hole 11, for example, the liquid outlet pipe 15 and the output shaft 8 are rotatably connected by a rotatable joint of the prior art. In this case, the liquid outlet pipe 15 does not rotate with the output shaft 8, but can still be connected.
[0038] like Figure 3 , 5 As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the ice-making cylinder 1 is, for example, a cylindrical cylinder, the stirring assembly 2 is, for example, a spiral rotor, and the first assembly 6 is axially inserted into the other side of the self-made ice cylinder 1 so that the spiral rotor can rotate within the cylindrical cylinder.
[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , 5 As shown, the other side of the ice-making cylinder 1 is provided with a detachable end cap 9, which axially limits the first component 6. In this way, the first component 6 is axially limited.
[0040] In this example, the end cap 9 is threadedly connected to the other end of the ice maker 1.
[0041] like Figure 5 As shown, the output shaft 8 is connected to a bearing 10, which is used to rotatably support the output shaft 8. This provides better precision and rotatable support performance.
[0042] Furthermore, such as Figure 5As shown, bearings 10 are provided on both sides of the output shaft 8. The bearing 10 on the side closer to the first component 6 is located at the insertion and mating part of the rotating shaft 5 and the output shaft 8, that is, the bearing 10 on the side closer to the first component 6 is located at the overlapping part of the insertion and mating.
[0043] The above description is merely an illustrative embodiment of this utility model. Therefore, all equivalent changes or modifications made to the structure, features, and principles described in the scope of protection of this utility model are included within the scope of protection of this utility model.
Claims
1. A rinsing and cleaning structure for an ice maker, characterized in that: The assembly includes an ice-making cylinder (1), a stirring assembly (2), and a rotating shaft (5). The rotating shaft (5) is mounted on the stirring assembly (2) to form a first assembly (6). A gearbox (4) is located on one side of the ice-making cylinder (1), and the first assembly (6) is axially inserted into the ice-making cylinder (1) on the other side. The assembly also includes an output shaft (8), which is mounted on the gearbox (4). An output gear (7) of the gearbox (4) is mounted on the output shaft (8). The output shaft (8) has an axial through hole (11). The upper end of the hole (11) is connected to the lower end of the ice-making cylinder (1), and the lower end of the axial through hole (11) is used to open to the outside. When the ice-making cylinder (1) is inserted axially on the other side of the self-made ice cylinder (1) of the first component (6), the end of the rotating shaft (5) located on the side of the gearbox (4) is detachably connected to the axial through hole (11) for transmission. The output gear (7) drives the rotating shaft (5) to rotate by driving the output shaft (8). The rotation of the rotating shaft (5) drives the stirring component (2) to rotate relative to the ice-making cylinder (1). When cleaning is required, the first component (6) axially pulls out the ice-making cylinder (1) from the other side for cleaning, and the wastewater generated from cleaning the ice-making cylinder (1) can flow out from the axial through hole (11).
2. The rinsing and cleaning structure for an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a sealing structure, which is set on the clean flow channel formed by the ice-making cylinder (1) and the axial through hole (11). When the ice-making cylinder (1) is axially inserted into the other side of the first component (6) and the ice-making cylinder (1) is inserted, the clean flow channel is blocked by the sealing structure.
3. The rinsing and cleaning structure for an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing ring (12) is provided between the rotating shaft (5) and the ice-making cylinder (1). When the ice-making cylinder (1) is inserted axially on the other side of the self-made ice cylinder (1) of the first component (6), a seal is formed between the outer circumference of the rotating shaft (5), the inner circumference of the sealing ring (12), the outer circumference of the sealing ring (12), and the inner circumference of the lower end of the ice-making cylinder (1) along the radial direction of the ice-making cylinder (1) from the inside to the outside.
4. The rinsing and cleaning structure for an ice maker according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sealing ring (12) is installed on the rotating shaft (5) and is pulled out / inserted into the ice maker (1) together with the rotating shaft (5).
5. The rinsing and cleaning structure for an ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lower end of the ice maker (1) is provided with an annular cavity (13), which guides the sealing ring (12) and is detachably fitted for sealing.
6. The rinsing and cleaning structure for an ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sealing ring (12) is detachably sleeved with the rotating shaft (5).
7. A rinsing and cleaning structure for an ice maker according to claim 3, 4, 5, or 6, characterized in that: The rotating shaft (5) has a limiting part (14) at the upper end of the sealing ring (12), which limits the sealing ring (12) axially between the limiting part (14) and the bottom of the lower end of the ice-making cylinder (1).
8. The rinsing and cleaning structure for an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a liquid outlet pipe (15), which is connected to an axial through hole (11).