Ice making equipment

Abstract

The present application relates to an ice making apparatus. The ice making equipment comprises an inner container, a water containing box, a water pipe, a water pump, a water level detection piece and a liquid detection piece. The inner container comprises an ice-making installation part and a water storage part, and the water containing box is arranged on the ice-making installation part. The water pipe is provided with a water inlet end and a water outlet end, and an outlet of the water outlet end faces the water containing box. A water pumping opening of the water pump communicates with the interior of the water storage part, and a water outlet of the water pump communicates with the water inlet end and is used for conveying water to the water pipe through the water inlet end. The water level detection piece is arranged in the water storage part and used for detecting the water level height in the water storage part. The liquid detection part is arranged at the water outlet end and used for detecting water flowing through the water outlet end. The water level detection piece and the liquid detection piece of the ice-making equipment can detect the full water state and the water shortage state in the water storage part, so that the operation safety of the ice-making equipment is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of ice making, and particularly relates to an ice making device. BACKGROUND

[0002] The ice making device is a refrigeration mechanical device for generating ice blocks by cooling water in a container through a refrigeration system. The water tank of the ice making device is connected to an ice making mechanism through a water pipeline, and a water pump is used to pump water in the water tank to the ice making mechanism for ice making. During the water pumping process, if the water level in the water tank is too low, the water shortage in the water box of the ice making mechanism will affect ice making, and the continuous pumping of the water pump after the water tank is emptied will cause idling phenomenon and thus cause mechanical failure, reducing the use safety of the device. CONTENT OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0003] The present application provides an ice making device.

[0004] The present application provides an ice making device, which comprises an inner container, a water box, a water pipe, a water pump, a water level detection member and a liquid detection member. The inner container comprises an ice making mounting portion and a water storage portion, and the water box is arranged in the ice making mounting portion. The water pipe has a water inlet end and a water outlet end, and the outlet of the water outlet end faces the water box. The water pumping port of the water pump is communicated with the inside of the water storage portion, and the water outlet port of the water pump is communicated with the water inlet end and is used for pumping water to the water pipe through the water inlet end. The water level detection member is arranged in the water storage portion and is used for detecting the water level in the water storage portion. The liquid detection member is arranged in the water outlet end and is used for detecting the water flowing through the water outlet end.

[0005] In some optional examples, the water level detection member comprises a support rod, a float and a magnetic switch, the magnetic switch is arranged at the bottom of the water storage portion, the support rod is arranged in the water storage portion, the float is movably connected to the support rod, and a magnetic pole matched with the magnetic switch is arranged in the float; when the water level in the water storage portion decreases, the float approaches the magnetic switch to make the magnetic switch in an open state, and when the water level in the water storage portion rises, the float moves away from the magnetic switch to make the magnetic switch in a closed state.

[0006] In some optional examples, the water storage portion comprises a water storage bottom wall and a boss, the boss is connected to the water storage bottom wall and protrudes relative to the water storage bottom wall, the support rod is fixed to the boss, and when the water in the water storage portion is lower than the boss, the float is in contact with the boss.

[0007] In some optional examples, the water box is provided with an opening, the water pipe comprises a water conveying pipe and a water outlet pipeline, the water inlet end is located on one end of the water conveying pipe and is connected to the water pump, the other end of the water conveying pipe is connected to the water outlet pipeline, the water outlet pipeline is arranged in the ice making mounting portion, the water outlet end is located at one end of the water outlet pipeline away from the water conveying pipe, the water outlet end is located above the opening of the water box, and the liquid detection member is arranged in the water outlet pipeline.

[0008] In some optional examples, the ice-making device further comprises a circuit board arranged outside the inner container, the liquid detection member comprises a first probe electrically connected to the circuit board, the first probe is at least partially arranged in the water outlet pipe, and the circuit board is configured to detect water flowing through the water outlet pipe according to current change of a circuit in which the first probe is located.

[0009] In some optional examples, the first probe is a conductive column, the first probe is arranged in the circumferential wall of the water outlet pipe along the radial direction of the water outlet pipe, and one end of the first probe is located in the water outlet pipe.

[0010] In some optional examples, the liquid detection member further comprises a second probe electrically connected to the circuit board, one end of the second probe is connected to the ice-making mounting part, and the other end of the second probe is located at the outlet of the water outlet pipe; when water flows between the first probe and the second probe, a circuit in which the circuit board, the first probe and the second probe are located is turned on.

[0011] In some optional examples, the ice-making mounting part is provided with a guide plate, the guide plate has a guide hole, the axial direction of the guide hole is perpendicular to the axial direction of the water outlet pipe, and the second probe is arranged in the guide hole.

[0012] In some optional examples, the ice-making device further comprises a controller electrically connected to the water level detection member, the water pump and the liquid detection member, and the controller is configured to control the opening and closing of the water pump and the liquid detection member according to the signal detected by the water level detection member.

[0013] In some optional examples, the ice-making device further comprises an ice-making mechanism arranged in the ice-making mounting part; in the direction of gravity, the height of the ice-making mounting part is higher than that of the water storage part.

[0014] When the ice-making device provided in the present application is used, the water pump draws water from the water storage part and delivers the water to the water container through the water pipe. The water level detection member is located in the water storage part, and the water level detection member can detect the water level height in the water storage part. The user can control the opening of the water pump according to the detection result of the water level detection member, and the water pump is opened in the full water state to avoid the water pump from being rapidly emptied to cause empty pumping. The liquid detection member is arranged at the water outlet end of the water pipe, and the liquid detection member can determine whether water flows in the water outlet end, so as to determine whether the water storage part is short of water, thereby facilitating the user to timely supplement water to the water storage part. The water level detection member and the liquid detection member can detect the full water state and the short water state in the water storage part, thereby improving the operation safety of the ice-making device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, the drawings needed in the embodiments will be briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, the drawings in the following description only constitute some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on these drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an ice-making device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an inner container of the ice-making device shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] Figure 3 is Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of another view of the inner container shown in FIG. 1.

[0019] Figure 4 is Figure 3 is an enlarged structural schematic diagram of part A in FIG. 1.

[0020] Figure 5 is Figure 3 is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the inner container and the water level detection member shown in FIG. 1.

[0021] Figure 6 is Figure 3 is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the inner container and the liquid level detection member shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] Label explanation: 100, ice-making device; 103, outer shell; 110, machine shell; 1101, body; 1103, door body; 120, ice-making mechanism; 130, outer water tank; 140, controller; 10, inner container; 12, ice-making mounting portion; 121, mounting bottom wall; 123, mounting peripheral wall; 125, mounting cavity; 127, mounting frame; 1272, guide plate; 1273, guide hole; 14, water storage portion; 141, water storage bottom wall; 143, water storage peripheral wall; 145, water storage space; 147, boss; 30, water containing box; 32, opening; 50, water pipe; 52, water inlet end; 54, water outlet end; 56, water conveying pipe; 58, water outlet pipeline; 60, water pump; 70, water level detection member; 72, support rod; 74, float; 76, magnetic switch; 80, circuit board; 90, liquid level detection member; 92, first probe; 94, second probe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In the following, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the scope of the present application.

[0024] As some terms are used in the description and claims to refer to specific components, those skilled in the art should understand that hardware manufacturers can use different names to refer to the same components. The description and claims do not distinguish components by name difference, but by functional difference. As mentioned throughout the description and claims, "including" is an open term, which should be interpreted as "including but not limited to"; "approximately" means that those skilled in the art can solve technical problems within a certain error range and basically achieve technical effects.

[0025] Please refer to Figure 1 The embodiments of the present application provide an ice making device 100, which is used for ice making. The ice making device 100 can be arranged in a refrigerator, a freezer or the like, or can be used independently.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The present specification does not limit the specific structure of the ice making device 100. For example, the ice making device 100 can include a cabinet 110, an ice making mechanism 120 and a water supply mechanism. The cabinet 110 is placed on a water platform in the use scenario, the ice making mechanism 120 is arranged in the cabinet 110, and the water supply mechanism can include an internal water storage container arranged in the cabinet 110, or can include an external water storage container arranged outside the cabinet 110. The water supply mechanism is used for water supply to the ice making mechanism, and the ice making mechanism is used for ice making by cooling liquid water.

[0027] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4In the embodiment, the water supply mechanism of the ice making device 100 can include the inner container 10, the water storage box 30, the water pipe 50, the water pump 60, the water level detecting member 70 and the liquid detecting member 90. The inner container 10 can include the ice making installation part 12 and the water storage part 14, and the water storage box 30 is arranged on the ice making installation part 12. The water pipe 50 has a water inlet end 52 and a water outlet end 54, and the outlet of the water outlet end 54 faces the water storage box 30. The water pump 60 has a water suction port communicated with the inside of the water storage part 14, and a water outlet port communicated with the water inlet end 52 and used for supplying water to the water pipe 50 through the water inlet end 52. The water level detecting member 70 is arranged in the water storage part 14 and used for detecting the water level in the water storage part 14. The liquid detecting member 90 is arranged on the water outlet end 54 and used for detecting the water flowing through the water outlet end 54.

[0028] In use, the water pump 60 sucks water from the water storage part 14 and supplies the water to the water storage box 30 through the water pipe 50, and the water in the water storage box 30 is cooled by the ice making mechanism 120 to make ice. The water level detecting member 70 is arranged in the water storage part 14 and can detect the water level in the water storage part 14, so that the user can control the water pump 60 according to the detection result of the water level detecting member 70, i.e., the water pump 60 is started in the full water state to avoid the water pump 60 sucking water rapidly and causing empty pumping. The liquid detecting member 90 is arranged on the water outlet end 54 of the water pipe 50 and can determine whether there is water flowing through the water outlet end 54, so as to determine whether the water storage part 14 is short of water, thereby facilitating the user to supply water to the water storage part 14 in time. The water level detecting member 70 and the liquid detecting member 90 can detect the full water state and the short water state in the water storage part 14, thereby improving the operation safety of the ice making device 100. In other embodiments, the water pump 60 can have a control mainboard, and the water pump 60 is automatically started in the full water state.

[0029] In the present application, unless specifically defined otherwise or the context clearly dictates otherwise, the terms "mounting", "connected", "connecting", "fixed", and like terms should be construed broadly. For example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integral connection; it can be mechanical connection, or electrical connection; it can be direct connection, or indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or internal communication of two elements, or only surface contact. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3In the embodiment, the inner container 10 is arranged in the cabinet 110, the ice making mounting portion 12 of the inner container 10 is used for mounting the ice making mechanism 120, and the water storage portion 14 of the inner container 10 is used for storing water as an inner water tank of the ice making device 100. The water storage portion 14 can include a water storage bottom wall 141 and a water storage peripheral wall 143, the water storage peripheral wall 143 is arranged around and connected to a peripheral edge of the water storage bottom wall 141 to cooperatively define a water storage space 145 with the water storage bottom wall 141. The water storage portion 14 can be provided with a water inlet and a water outlet, both of which can be arranged at one end of the water storage peripheral wall 143 close to the water storage bottom wall 141. The water inlet can be connected to an external water conveying device, and the water outlet is used for communicating with the water suction port of the water pump 60, so that the water pump 60 can convey water in the water storage portion 14 to the water storage box 30. As an example, the ice making device 100 can further include an outer water tank 130 arranged outside the cabinet 110, which can be connected to the water inlet of the water storage portion 14 through a water conveying pipe to supply water to the water storage portion 14.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the water level detection member 70 is arranged in the water storage portion 14 for detecting the water level in the water storage portion 14. The water level detection member 70 can include a support rod 72, a float 74 and a magnetic switch 76, the magnetic switch 76 is arranged at the bottom of the water storage portion 14, the support rod 72 is arranged in the water storage portion 14, and the float 74 is movably connected to the support rod 72, and the float 74 is provided with a magnetic pole matched with the magnetic switch 76. When the water level in the water storage portion 14 decreases, the float 74 approaches the magnetic switch 76 to make the magnetic switch 76 in an open state, and when the water level in the water storage portion 14 increases, the float 74 moves away from the magnetic switch 76 to make the magnetic switch 76 in a closed state.

[0032] When water is injected from the outer water tank 130 to the water storage portion 14, the water level in the water storage portion 14 rises, driving the float 74 to rise to move away from the magnetic switch 76, and the magnetic pole in the float 74 moves away from the magnetic switch 76 to make the magnetic switch 76 in a closed state. When the user knows that the magnetic switch 76 is in a closed state, the water pump 60 can be started, or automatically opened under automatic control of the water pump 60. When the water in the water storage portion 14 is pumped away under the action of the water pump 60, the water level in the water storage portion 14 decreases, the float 74 decreases with the water level, the magnetic pole in the float 74 approaches the magnetic switch 76 to make the magnetic switch 76 in an open state. When the user knows that the magnetic switch 76 is in an open state, the water pump 60 is not started to avoid empty pumping, or waits under automatic control of the water pump 60. In some embodiments, the outer water tank 130 (such as Figure 1The water supply speed of the water supply device (not shown) is less than the water pumping speed of the water pump 60, so the water pump 60 needs to be started when the water storage portion 14 is close to full to avoid dry pumping. If the water pump 60 is started when there is only a small amount of water in the water storage portion 14, the water in the water storage portion 14 will be quickly pumped out, resulting in a large dry pumping noise and being unable to replenish the water in the water tank 30. The water level detection member 70 detects the water level in the water storage portion 14, and the water pump 60 is started when the magnetic switch 76 is switched to the off state, ensuring smooth water pumping.

[0033] In this embodiment, the water storage portion 14 can also include a boss 147 connected to the water storage bottom wall 141 and protruding relative to the water storage bottom wall 141. The support rod 72 is fixed to the boss 147, and when the water in the water storage portion 14 is lower than the boss 147, the float 74 is in contact with the boss 147. When the water level in the water storage portion 14 is low and the float 74 is not subjected to the buoyancy of the water, it is placed on the boss 147. The boss 147 raises the lowest position of the float 74, which is used to detect the water level when the water storage portion 14 is full, and at the same time reduces the possibility of extreme water shortage and protects the water pump 60.

[0034] The support rod 72 is provided through the boss 147, one end of the support rod 72 is connected to the boss 147, for example, can be fixed to the boss 147 by threaded connection. The other end of the support rod 72 protrudes relative to the upper surface of the boss 147, and the float 74 is slidably sleeved on the support rod 72 and located above the boss 147. The support rod 72 can also be provided with a limiting ring for limiting the float 74. The limiting ring can be provided at the end of the support rod 72 away from the boss 147, and the float 74 is located between the limiting ring and the boss 147, which avoids the float from being separated from the support rod 72. When the float 74 moves away from or close to the boss 147 due to changes in water level, the support rod 72 serves to guide and limit the float 74. The magnetic switch 76 can be provided in the support rod 76, and the specific structure of the magnetic switch 76 is not limited in this specification. For example, the magnetic switch 76 can be a dry reed, a Hall switch, a magnetoresistive switch, etc. In this embodiment, the magnetic switch 76 is a dry reed.

[0035] In some embodiments, in order to improve the sealing performance of the water storage portion 14, a sealing structure can be provided between the boss 147 and the support rod 72. For example, a compression ring can be provided on the peripheral wall of the support rod 72, and the inner cavity of the boss 147 for mounting the support rod 72 is also provided with a corresponding protrusion. A sealing ring is provided between the compression ring and the protrusion. When the support rod 72 is fixed to the boss 147, the compression ring and the protrusion extrude the sealing ring, achieving a sealing effect and preventing water in the water storage portion 14 from leaking out through the boss 147.

[0036] Please refer again to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3In the embodiment, the ice making installation part 12 is connected above the water storage part 14, and in the direction of gravity, the height of the ice making installation part 12 is higher than that of the water storage part 14. The ice making installation part 12 is higher than the water storage part 14, the water pump 60 transports water from the lower water storage part 14 to the higher ice making installation part 12, and the water level detection member 70 can avoid the phenomenon of empty pumping of the water pump 60, thereby improving the safety of the equipment. The ice making installation part 12 can include an installation peripheral wall 123 and an installation bottom wall 121, the installation peripheral wall 123 is arranged around and connected to the peripheral edge of the installation bottom wall 121 to jointly define an installation cavity 125 for installing the water containing box 30 with the installation bottom wall 121. The present specification does not limit the specific connection mode between the ice making installation part 12 and the water storage part 14, the ice making installation part 12 and the water storage part 14 can be two independent shells, which are jointly arranged in the cabinet 110 and are communicated through the water pump 60 and the water pipe 50. The ice making installation part 12 and the water storage part 14 can also be different parts of an integrally formed entire inner container 10. In the embodiment, the ice making installation part 12 and the water storage part 14 are integrally connected.

[0037] The cabinet 110 can include a body 1101 and a door body 1103, the door body 1103 is movably connected to the body 1101. The ice making installation part 12 is connected to the side of the water storage part 14 away from the door body 1103, and the installation bottom wall 121 is connected to the side of the water storage peripheral wall 143 away from the door body 1103. The side of the installation peripheral wall 123 close to the door body 1103 is open, and the top of the water storage part 14 is also provided with an opening to communicate the installation cavity 125 and the water storage space 145. In some embodiments, the ice making equipment 100 can further include an ice box (not shown in the figure), which is connected in the inner container 10 and above the water storage part 14, and the inner cavity of the ice box is communicated with the installation cavity 125. After the water containing box 30 in the installation cavity 125 finishes ice making, the ice cubes can be poured into the ice box, and the user can open the door body 1103 to take the ice from the ice box.

[0038] In the embodiment, the ice making equipment 100 can further include a heat preservation layer (not shown in the figure) and an outer shell 103, the outer shell 103 is sleeved outside the inner container 10 and is spaced apart from the outer wall of the inner container 10 to jointly define a heat preservation cavity (not shown in the figure). The shape of the outer shell 103 is consistent with that of the inner container 10, for example, the outer shell 103 can also include two part shells consistent with the shapes of the water storage part 14 and the ice making installation part 12, which respectively wrap the water storage part 14 and the ice making installation part 12. The heat preservation layer is arranged in the heat preservation cavity for heat preservation of the inner container 10, and the heat preservation layer can be heat preservation cotton, foamed heat preservation layer, etc., and in the embodiment, the heat preservation layer is a foamed filling body.

[0039] In the embodiment, the water container 30 is arranged in the installation cavity 125, and the water container 30 can be rotatably connected to the water storage peripheral wall 143. The water container 30 has an opening 32, when the water container 30 is waiting for water filling, the opening 32 is vertically upward, and the opening 32 is below the water outlet end 54 (as shown in Figure 4 The ice making mechanism 120 is arranged in the ice making installation part 12, and the specific structure of the ice making mechanism 120 is not limited in the specification, for example, the ice making mechanism 120 can include a cooling module for cooling the water container 30 to rapidly cool the water in the water container 30 to freeze. The cooling module can include a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a throttle valve and the like.

[0040] The water pump 60 is fixedly connected to the outside of the water storage peripheral wall 143, and the water pump 60 is located on the side of the water storage peripheral wall 143 close to the ice making installation part 12. The water pump 60 has a water suction port and a water outlet port, wherein the water suction port of the water pump 60 is communicated with the water outlet of the water storage part 14, and the water outlet port of the water pump 60 is communicated with the water inlet end 52 of the water pipe 50.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 , the water pipe 50 is connected between the water pump 60 and the water container 30, and the water pipe 50 can include a water conveying pipe 56 and a water outlet pipe 58, the water inlet end 52 is located on the water conveying pipe 56, the water inlet end 52 of the water conveying pipe 56 is connected to the water pump 60, and the other end is connected to the water outlet pipe 58. The water conveying pipe 56 can be a hose, which has higher installation freedom and is suitable for the installation environment in the cabinet 110 (as shown in Figure 1 The water outlet pipe 58 is arranged in the ice making installation part 12, and the water outlet end 54 is located on the end of the water outlet pipe 58 away from the water conveying pipe 56. The water outlet end 54 is located above the opening 32 of the water container 30. The water pump 60 pumps water from the water storage part 14, the water flows through the water conveying pipe 56 to the water outlet pipe 58, and flows out from the water outlet end 54 and falls into the water container 30 below.

[0042] In the embodiment, the ice making installation part 12 can also include a mounting bracket 127, the mounting bracket 127 is connected to the installation peripheral wall 123 and located between the water conveying pipe 56 and the water container 30. The water outlet pipe 58 is arranged in the mounting bracket 127 to communicate the water conveying pipe 56 and the water container 30, and the water outlet pipe 58 is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket 127, as an example, the water outlet pipe 58 can be integrally formed on the mounting bracket 127.

[0043] The mounting frame 127 can be integrally formed with the mounting peripheral wall 123, or can be detachably connected with the mounting peripheral wall 123. In the embodiment, the liquid detecting member 90 is arranged on the water outlet pipe 58 and the mounting frame 127. In order to facilitate the installation of the liquid detecting member 90, the mounting frame 127 is detachably connected with the mounting peripheral wall 123, for example, the mounting frame 127 can be clamped with the mounting peripheral wall 123, or connected through bolts or other fasteners.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the ice making device 100 further comprises a circuit board 80 arranged outside the inner container 10, the liquid detecting member 90 comprises a first probe 92 electrically connected with the circuit board 80, and the first probe 92 is at least partially arranged in the water outlet pipe 58. The circuit board 80 is used to detect the water flowing through the water outlet pipe 58 according to the current change of the circuit in which the first probe 92 is located. As an example, when the water flows through the water outlet pipe 58, the first probe 92 in contact with the part of the first probe 92 located in the water outlet pipe 58, the current of the circuit in which the first probe 92 is located will change. Therefore, the circuit board 80 can determine whether the water flows through the water outlet pipe 58 according to the current change of the circuit in which the first probe 92 is located.

[0045] In the embodiment, the first probe 92 is a conductive column, and the first probe 92 is arranged in the peripheral wall of the water outlet pipe 58 along the radial direction of the water outlet pipe 58, so that one end of the first probe 92 is located in the water outlet pipe 58. As an example, the first probe 92 can be a screw made of conductive material. When the first probe 92 is a screw, it can be threadedly connected with the peripheral wall of the water outlet pipe 58, thereby improving the installation convenience. In order to improve the connection stability, a connecting portion can be protrudingly arranged on the outer peripheral wall of the water outlet pipe 58 to increase the thread connection depth between the first probe 92 and the water outlet pipe 58. Therefore, the first probe 92 in the embodiment is a screw, the pointed end of the first probe 92 extends into the water outlet pipe 58, and the first probe 92 can be made of conductive materials such as stainless steel, carbon steel, and copper. The end of the first probe 92 located outside the water outlet pipe 58 can be electrically connected to the circuit board 80 through a wire. The circuit board 80 can be arranged on the outer wall of the inner container 10, for example, the circuit board 80 can be fixedly connected to the outer wall of the ice making mounting portion 12 on the side away from the water storage portion 14. The circuit board 80 can be the control main board of the entire ice making device 100, or can be the control board of the water pump 60. As an example, the circuit board 80 can also be electrically connected to the water pump 60 and the water level detecting member 70.

[0046] In some embodiments, the liquid detecting member 90 can further include a second probe 94 electrically connected to the circuit board 80, one end of the second probe 94 being connected to the ice making mounting portion 12 and the other end being located at the outlet of the water outlet pipe 58. When water flows between the first probe 92 and the second probe 94, the circuit in which the circuit board 80, the first probe 92 and the second probe 94 are located is turned on. As an example, when water flows out of the water outlet pipe 58, the water flows simultaneously contacts the first probe 92 and the second probe 94, the first probe 92 and the second probe 94 are turned on due to the conductivity of water, and then the circuit board 80 detects that there is water in the water outlet pipe 58. During the process of pumping water by the water pump 60, the first probe 92 and the second probe 94 are in the on state due to the continuous water outlet of the water outlet pipe 58, when the water pump 60 works for a certain time, the first probe 92 and the second probe 94 are not turned on, and the circuit board 80 or the user can control the water pump 60 to stop pumping water according to the information of not being turned on. The liquid detecting member 90 can detect whether the water storage portion 14 is in a water shortage state, detect the low water level state of the water storage portion 14, the liquid detecting member 90 is arranged in the ice making mounting portion 12, does not occupy the internal space of the water storage portion 14, and is convenient to disassemble and assemble.

[0047] The second probe 94 can be a conductive strip, one end of the second probe 94 can be fixedly connected to the mounting frame 127 by screws, bolts or other fasteners, and the second probe 94 can be bent to be arranged so that the other end is located at the outlet of the water outlet pipe 58. The mounting frame 127 can further be provided with a limiting guide structure, for example, the ice making mounting portion 12 can further include a guide plate 1272 connected to one side of the mounting frame 127 facing the water tank 30, the guide plate 1272 is provided with a guide hole 1273, the axial direction of the guide hole 1273 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the water outlet pipe 58, one end of the second probe 94 is fixed to the mounting frame 127, and the other end is arranged in the guide hole 1273. The second probe 94 can also be electrically connected to the circuit board 80 by a wire.

[0048] In the embodiment, the ice making device 100 can further include a controller 140 electrically connected to the water level detecting member 70, the water pump 60 and the liquid detecting member 90, and the controller 140 is used to control the opening and closing of the water pump 60 and the liquid detecting member 90 according to the signal detected by the water level detecting member 70. The controller 140 is electrically connected to the water level detecting member 70, if the water storage portion 14 is in a high water level state, the controller 140 controls the water pump 60 to be turned on, and at the same time, the circuit in which the liquid detecting member 90 is located is turned on. The controller 140 realizes the automation of water supply and water quantity detection, without the need for real-time monitoring by the user, and improves the user experience. The magnetic switch 76 of the water level detecting member 70 is electrically connected to the controller 140, and the liquid detecting member 90 can be electrically connected to the controller 140 through the circuit board 80.

[0049] As an example, in use, the controller 140 turns on the circuit in which the water level detector 70 is located, and the water level detector 70 starts detecting. If the magnetic switch 76 is in the closed state, the water level detector 70 detects that the water storage part 14 is in the high water level state, the controller 140 controls the water pump 60 to start pumping water, and at the same time, turns on the circuit in which the liquid detector 90 is located. If the first probe 92 and the second probe 94 are detected to be turned on within 3 seconds, the water pumping is normally performed, the water pump 60 continues to pump water, and the refrigeration mechanism 120 starts to refrigerate. If the first probe 92 and the second probe 94 are not turned on within 3 seconds, the controller 140 performs a water shortage prompt, and the ice making device 100 is in standby. After water is added, the water level in the water storage part 14 is detected again by the water level detector 70, and the above process is repeated. If the magnetic switch 76 is in the open state, the water storage part 14 is not in the high water level state, the controller 140 prompts that water is being added, and waits in the mode. Then, the monitoring is continued, and after two minutes, the detection is performed again. If the magnetic switch 76 is not detected to be closed, an alarm prompt of abnormal water addition is given, the controller 140 performs a water shortage prompt, and the ice making device 100 is in standby.

[0050] The water level detector 70 can detect the high water level in the water storage part 14, the liquid detector 90 can detect the low water level in the water storage part 14, and the controller 140 can realize the automatic process of water supply, water quantity detection, alarm, and automatic reset through the water level detector 70, the water pump 60, and the liquid detector 90.

[0051] In use of the ice making device 100 provided in the application, the water pump 60 pumps water from the water storage part 14 to the water tank 30 through the water pipe 50, and the water in the water tank 30 is cooled by the ice making mechanism 120 to make ice. The water level detector 70 is located in the water storage part 14, and the water level detector 70 can detect the water level height in the water storage part 14. The user can control the water pump 60 to be turned on according to the detection result of the water level detector 70, and the water pump 60 is turned on in the full water state to avoid the water pump 60 from being rapidly pumped dry to cause empty pumping. The liquid detector 90 is arranged at the water outlet end 54 of the water pipe 50, and the liquid detector 90 can determine whether water flows through the water outlet end 54, so as to determine whether the water storage part 14 is short of water, and the user can add water to the water storage part 14 in time. The water level detector 70 and the liquid detector 90 can detect the full water state and the water shortage state in the water storage part 14, and the running safety of the ice making device 100 is improved.

[0052] In the description of the specification, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "an example", "a specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the specification, the illustrative description of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, the person skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in the specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0053] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and not to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacement for part of the technical features. And these modifications or replacements do not drive the essence of the corresponding technical solutions out of the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An ice making apparatus, characterized by, The ice-making device comprises: an inner container comprising an ice-making mounting portion and a water storage portion; a water containing box arranged in the ice-making mounting portion; a water pipe having a water inlet end and a water outlet end, the outlet of the water outlet end facing the water containing box; a water pump, the water suction port of the water pump being communicated with the inside of the water storage portion, the water outlet port of the water pump being communicated with the water inlet end and being used for supplying water to the water pipe through the water inlet end; a water level detecting member arranged in the water storage portion and used for detecting the water level in the water storage portion; and a liquid detecting member arranged in the water outlet end and used for detecting the water flowing through the water outlet end.

2. The ice making apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The water level detecting member comprises a supporting rod, a float and a magnetic switch, the magnetic switch being arranged at the bottom of the water storage portion, the supporting rod being arranged in the water storage portion, the float being movably connected to the supporting rod, the float being provided with a magnetic pole matched with the magnetic switch; when the water level in the water storage portion decreases, the float approaches the magnetic switch to make the magnetic switch in an open state; when the water level in the water storage portion increases, the float moves away from the magnetic switch to make the magnetic switch in a closed state.

3. The ice making apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The water storage portion comprises a water storage bottom wall and a boss, the boss being connected to the water storage bottom wall and protruding relative to the water storage bottom wall, the supporting rod being fixed to the boss, the water in the water storage portion being lower than the boss, and the float being in contact with the boss.

4. The ice making apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The water containing box is provided with an opening, the water pipe comprises a water conveying pipe and a water outlet pipe, the water inlet end being arranged on one end of the water conveying pipe and being connected to the water pump, the other end of the water conveying pipe being connected to the water outlet pipe, the water outlet pipe being arranged in the ice-making mounting portion, the water outlet end being arranged at one end of the water outlet pipe away from the water conveying pipe, the water outlet end being arranged above the opening of the water containing box, and the liquid detecting member being arranged in the water outlet pipe.

5. The ice making apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein, The ice-making device further comprises a circuit board arranged outside the inner container, the liquid detecting member comprising a first probe electrically connected to the circuit board, the first probe being at least partially arranged in the water outlet pipe, and the circuit board being used for detecting the water flowing through the water outlet pipe according to the current change of the circuit in which the first probe is arranged.

6. The ice making apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The first probe is a conductive column, the first probe being arranged in the circumferential wall of the water outlet pipe along the radial direction of the water outlet pipe, and one end of the first probe being arranged in the water outlet pipe.

7. The ice making apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein, The liquid detecting member further comprises a second probe, the second probe being electrically connected to the circuit board, one end of the second probe being connected to the ice-making mounting portion and the other end of the second probe being arranged at the outlet of the water outlet pipe; when there is water flow between the first probe and the second probe, the circuit in which the circuit board, the first probe and the second probe are arranged is turned on.

8. The ice making apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein, The ice-making mounting portion can comprise a mounting frame and a guide plate, the guide plate being connected to the mounting frame, the guide plate having a guide hole, the axial direction of the guide hole being perpendicular to the axial direction of the water outlet pipe, one end of the second probe being fixed to the mounting frame and the other end of the second probe being arranged in the guide hole.

9. The ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein The ice-making device further comprises a controller electrically connected to the water level detecting member, the water pump and the liquid detecting member, and the controller is configured to control the water pump and the liquid detecting member according to the signal detected by the water level detecting member.

10. The ice-making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein The ice-making device further comprises an ice-making mechanism arranged in the ice-making mounting portion, and the height of the ice-making mounting portion is higher than that of the water storage portion in the direction of gravity.

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