Ice maker

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of ice making, and discloses an ice maker which comprises an inner container and an induction assembly. A water storage area is defined by the inner container; the sensing assembly comprises a first Hall sensor, a second Hall sensor and a magnet; the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are both arranged outside the inner container, and the second Hall sensor and the first Hall sensor are arranged in a spaced mode in the gravity direction. The magnet is located in the water storage area and can float in a height interval defined by the second Hall sensor and the first Hall sensor; and a controller of the ice maker is electrically connected with the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor respectively. By means of the mode, the magnet is arranged in the water storage area, the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are arranged outside the water storage area, the magnet, the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are installed in a non-contact mode, additional waterproof treatment is not needed, and therefore the manufacturing cost is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of ice-making technology, and in particular to an ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] Ice makers typically use a circulating pump to transport water from the storage area to the water tank for ice making. To achieve automatic water supply to the water tank, components for detecting water levels need to be installed in the storage area. There are two common methods for detecting water levels on the market. One method involves placing a probe inside the water tank that forms a conductive circuit with the water medium. The presence or absence of electricity in the circuit determines whether water needs to be added. This method has certain requirements regarding water quality; for example, purified water cannot be used. The other method involves installing reed switches at low and high water levels. At high water levels, where water level fluctuations are significant, the reed switches are installed upside down with the sealed part facing upwards to reduce interference from water flow on the reed switch's reed, ensuring it opens and closes correctly when the water level changes. However, both of these methods require additional waterproofing, resulting in higher costs. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide an ice maker that improves upon the high manufacturing cost of ice makers caused by waterproofing the components for detecting water levels in related technologies.

[0004] According to one aspect of this application, an ice maker is provided, comprising:

[0005] The inner liner defines the water storage area;

[0006] The sensing component includes a first Hall sensor, a second Hall sensor, and a magnet; both the first and second Hall sensors are located outside the inner tank and along the direction of gravity, with the second Hall sensor and the first Hall sensor spaced apart; the magnet is located within the water storage area and can float within the height range defined by the second Hall sensor and the first Hall sensor.

[0007] The controller of the ice maker is electrically connected to the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor, respectively.

[0008] In some embodiments, the inner liner defines an ice-making zone, and there is a height difference between the ice-making zone and the water storage zone;

[0009] The ice maker includes an ice-making and ice-removing mechanism and a water supply component; the ice-making and ice-removing mechanism includes a water container, which is rotatably located in the ice-making area; the water supply component includes a circulation pump and a circulation pipeline, the controller is electrically connected to the circulation pump, and the circulation pump connects the water storage area to the water container through the circulation pipeline.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ice maker includes an outer frame; an inner liner is fitted onto the outer frame and forms a heat insulation cavity between the inner liner and the outer frame; a portion of the sidewall of the outer frame is recessed into the heat insulation cavity to form a mounting groove;

[0011] The sensing component includes a circuit board; the circuit board is fixed in a mounting slot, and a first Hall sensor and a second Hall sensor are integrated on the circuit board. The first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are electrically connected to the controller through the circuit board.

[0012] In some embodiments, the thickness direction of the circuit board is perpendicular to the direction of gravity, and the length direction of the circuit board is parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0013] In some embodiments, the mounting groove is provided with a support plate, a first nut post and a second nut post, and the support plate, the first nut post and the second nut post are arranged at intervals in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity.

[0014] The first fastener is screwed to the first nut post, and the second fastener is screwed to the second nut post; the circuit board is limited by the support plate, the first nut post, the second nut post, the cap of the first fastener, and the cap of the second fastener.

[0015] In some embodiments, the circuit board integrates a wiring socket located between the first nut post and the second nut post.

[0016] In some embodiments, the ice maker includes a guiding component disposed within a water storage area and capable of guiding and correcting a magnet; the magnet is constrained by the guiding component and is movable relative to the guiding component.

[0017] In some embodiments, the bottom of the water storage area is provided with an interlocking groove, and the magnet is a ring magnet;

[0018] The guiding component includes an embedded part and a guide part; the embedded part is embedded in the groove, one end of the guide part passes through the annular magnet and is detachably connected to the embedded part, and the other end of the guide part is provided with a limiting part, the diameter of which is larger than the inner diameter of the annular magnet.

[0019] The annular magnet is constrained by the guide and can move along the extension direction of the guide.

[0020] In some embodiments, the embedded part is a stainless steel hexagonal nut;

[0021] The guide is a stainless steel screw with external threads, one end of which passes through an annular magnet and is screwed to a stainless steel hexagonal nut.

[0022] In some embodiments, the sensing component includes an annular float; an annular magnet is fitted around the outer periphery of the annular float, and the sum of the weights of the annular float and the annular magnet is less than the buoyancy of the liquid.

[0023] One end of the guide component passes through the annular float and is fixedly connected to the embedded part.

[0024] The ice maker disclosed in this application has a magnet arranged inside the water storage area, while a first Hall sensor and a second Hall sensor are arranged outside the water storage area. The magnet, the first Hall sensor, and the second Hall sensor are all installed without contact, eliminating the need for additional waterproofing and thus reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the magnet floats up and down with changes in the liquid level until it reaches the position corresponding to the Hall sensor, effectively preventing erroneous operation or false detection at a location between the first and second Hall sensors. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to actual scale.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an ice maker without a top protective shell, provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The image shown is a partial enlarged view of the ice maker without the side protective shell.

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shown is an exploded view of the ice maker without the top and side protective shells.

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shown is a cross-sectional view of the ice maker along line AA.

[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The ice maker shown is a structural perspective view omitting the top protective shell, side protective shell, front protective shell, and door assembly.

[0031] Figure 6 for Figure 1 The diagram shown is an exploded view of the inner liner and outer frame of an ice maker.

[0032] Figure label:

[0033] 1. Base;

[0034] 2. Protective shell; 21. Front protective shell;

[0035] 3. Inner liner; 31a. Ice-making area; 32a. Ice storage area; 33a. Water storage area; 3b. Opening;

[0036] 4. Door components;

[0037] 6. Ice-making and ice-removing mechanism; 61. Water container; 62. Ice-removing plate;

[0038] 10. Outer frame; 10a. Mounting slot; 101. Support plate; 102. First nut post; 103. Second nut post;

[0039] 121. First Hall sensor; 122. Second Hall sensor; 123. Circuit board; 124. Magnet; 125. Wiring socket; 126. Annular float;

[0040] 13. First fastener; 131. Brim of the first fastener;

[0041] 14. Second fastener; 141. Brim of the second fastener;

[0042] 15. Guiding component; 151. Embedded part; 152. Guide component. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0044] It should be noted that when a component / part is said to be "fixed to" another component / part, it can be directly on the other component / part or there may be an intermediate component / part. When a component / part is considered to be "connected to" another component / part, it can be directly connected to the other component / part or there may be an intermediate component / part present; also, when a component / part is considered to be "connected to" another component / part, it can be integrally formed or assembled with the other component / part. When a component / part is considered to be "set on" another component / part, it can be directly set on the other component / part or there may be an intermediate component / part present.

[0045] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or at least two of the associated listed items.

[0046] The technical features involved in the different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0047] Please see also Figures 1 to 6 One embodiment of this application provides an ice maker, including a base 1, multiple protective shells 2, an inner liner 3, a door assembly 4, an ice storage basket (not shown), an ice making and ice scraping mechanism 6, a water supply assembly (not shown), a refrigeration cycle assembly (not shown), and a controller (not shown).

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the inner liner 3 serves as a container for ice making and water storage, and it is fixed to the base 1. Multiple protective shells 2 correspond to different sides of the inner liner 3 to enclose it. The base 1, the inner liner 3, and the multiple protective shells 2 together form an installation space.

[0049] The inner liner 3 itself defines an inner cavity and an opening 3b that connects the inner cavity to the external environment. For example, the cross-section of the inner liner 3 is approximately inverted 7-shaped, and its inner cavity can be divided into an ice-making zone 31a, an ice-storage zone 32a, and a water-storage zone 33a according to different height ranges. For example, the ice-making zone 31a is located at the top rear side of the inner liner 3 and can accommodate the ice-making and ice-removing mechanism 6; the ice-storage zone 32a is located in the middle of the inner liner 3 and is directly connected to the aforementioned opening 3b, and can accommodate the stored ice basket; the water-storage zone 33a is located at the bottom of the inner liner 3 and is connected to the water outlet, which will be described in detail below, and can store water for ice making.

[0050] Optionally, the opening 3b is located on the front side of the inner cavity, and the plurality of protective shells 2 include a front protective shell 21, which is correspondingly installed and fixed on the front side of the inner liner 3 assembly and exposes the opening 3b.

[0051] Door assembly 4 is rotatably connected to the front protective shell 21 to open or close opening 3b. An ice storage basket is detachably connected to one side of door assembly 4 and reciprocates through opening 3b as door assembly 4 moves. Specifically, when door assembly 4 is flipped to open opening 3b, the ice storage basket is exposed to the outside environment through opening 3b, allowing the user to easily remove the prepared ice; when door assembly 4 is flipped to close opening 3b, the ice storage basket re-enters the inner cavity through opening 3b.

[0052] An ice-making and ice-shoveling mechanism 6 is located within the inner cavity and configured to flip towards the opening 3b to scoop out the produced ice blocks. Specifically, the ice-making and ice-shoveling mechanism 6 includes a water container 61 and an ice-shoveling plate 62. Both the water container 61 and the ice-shoveling plate 62 are located within the ice-making area 31a. The support shaft of the water container 61 is connected in sequence to a motor located outside the inner cavity via a drive shaft, a connecting rod, and an eccentric component. The motor is electrically or communicatively connected to a controller. The ice-shoveling plate 62 is hinged to the side of the water container 61 facing the opening 3b.

[0053] The water supply assembly includes a circulation pump and circulation piping. The circulation pump is located within the installation space and is electrically or communicatively connected to the controller. The circulation pump communicates with the inner cavity and is connected to the water container 61 via the circulation piping. Exemplarily, the inner liner 3 has a water outlet communicating with the inner cavity, through which the circulation pump communicates with the inner cavity.

[0054] The ice-making cycle assembly includes a compressor, condenser, dryer filter, evaporator, and return gas connection pipe. The compressor and condenser are located in the installation space and fixedly mounted on the base 1. The compressor is electrically or communicatively connected to the controller, and the condenser is connected to the compressor. The evaporator is fixedly connected to the protective shell 2 located at the top and above the water tank 61. Multiple ice-making tubes of the evaporator are inserted side-by-side into the water tank 61. The evaporator is connected to the condenser through the dryer filter and simultaneously connected to the compressor through the return gas connection pipe.

[0055] The controller is configured to operate the ice maker based on user input to the ice maker (such as its user interface), input from various sensors located within the ice maker, and / or other suitable input.

[0056] To facilitate readers' understanding of the ice-making principle of the ice maker involved in this application, the ice-making and ice-removal process of the ice maker is described below.

[0057] First, the circulating pump receives a command from the controller and turns on, continuously pumping the ice-making water in the ice storage area 32a into the water container 61 until it is full.

[0058] Simultaneously, or after the water in the water tank 61 overflows, the compressor receives a command from the controller to turn on. The refrigerant is output from the compressor's exhaust port and enters the condenser. The refrigerant is condensed in the condenser and then enters the dryer filter to be dried. The dried refrigerant enters the evaporator to cool the evaporator. The evaporator cools the water in the water tank 61 through multiple ice-making tubes. The water in the water tank 61 is gradually cooled and eventually freezes into ice over time and as the refrigeration cycle progresses.

[0059] In the above refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator returns to the compressor through the corresponding pipeline. After ice making is complete, the refrigerant stops working in the evaporator.

[0060] Secondly, the motor receives the instruction from the controller and is turned on. The motor drives the transmission shaft, connecting rod, and eccentric component to rotate the water box 61 toward the opening 3b. The ice scraper 62 descends as the water box 61 rotates. The water in the water box 61 is poured into the bottom of the ice storage chamber, which is convenient for subsequent circulation pump to use. The ice blocks are slightly heated and melted so that they fall onto the ice scraper 62 under the action of gravity.

[0061] Furthermore, as the motor reverses, the water container 61 flips back to its original position, and the ice scraper 62 lifts up to scrape out the ice blocks, which then roll down and collect in the ice storage basket.

[0062] Finally, the door assembly 4 is flipped open to reveal the opening 3b, and the ice storage basket is flipped open synchronously with the door assembly 4 to be exposed to the outside environment; the ice storage basket can be removed and the ice stored in the ice storage basket can be taken out.

[0063] like Figures 2 to 6 As shown in any of the accompanying drawings, in some embodiments, the ice maker includes an outer frame 10. An inner liner 3 is fitted onto the outer frame 10, forming a heat-insulating cavity between them. This heat-insulating cavity is filled with a foamed insulation layer, thereby reducing heat exchange with the external environment during the ice-making process and helping to maintain a stable temperature difference between the inner liner 3 and the external environment.

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, the outer frame 10 serves as the supporting structure for the entire machine and is fixedly mounted on the base 1. Multiple protective shells 2 are detachably connected to different sides of the outer frame 10, respectively, to enclose the combined structure of the outer frame 10 and the inner liner 3 within it. Exemplarily, the outer side wall of the outer frame 10 is provided with multiple threaded holes and / or multiple snap fasteners, allowing each protective shell 2 to be fixedly connected to each side wall of the outer frame 10 via, but not limited to, threads or snap fasteners.

[0065] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the ice maker includes a sensing component. The sensing component includes a first Hall sensor 121, a second Hall sensor 122, and a magnet 124. Both the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122 are located outside the inner tank 3, along the direction of gravity, and are spaced apart. The magnet 124 is located within the water storage area 33a and can float within the height range defined by the second Hall sensor 122 and the first Hall sensor 121. The first Hall sensor 121 senses the magnetic field signal of the magnet 124 to generate a first signal value, and the second Hall sensor 122 senses the magnetic field signal of the magnet 124 to generate a second signal value. The controller of the ice maker is electrically connected to both the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122, and the controller can determine whether water needs to be added based on the detected first or second signal value.

[0066] In practice, the first Hall sensor 121 can be positioned at or near the low water level of the water storage area 33a. This low water level is typically set to ensure the circulating pump can properly pump water into the water container 61. Since the second Hall sensor 122 is higher than the first Hall sensor 121 in the direction of gravity, its placement can be adjusted according to actual usage requirements. For example, the second Hall sensor 122 can be positioned at the high water level of the water storage area 33a. This high water level is typically set to the upper limit of the water level in the water storage area 33a to prevent water overflow.

[0067] The working principle of the aforementioned sensing components is as follows: When the first Hall sensor 121 senses the magnetic field signal of the magnet 124 and sends the first signal value to the controller, the controller sends a command to the solenoid valve that controls the on / off state of the external water source to supply water to the water storage area 33a. The magnet 124 floats upward as the water level in the water storage area 33a rises, and the controller records the actual water supply time. When the actual water supply time exceeds the preset water supply time, and the second Hall sensor 122 does not sense the magnetic field signal of the magnet 124, the controller determines that the water storage area 33a is in a water shortage state and issues a water shortage warning, and the ice maker enters standby mode. When the actual water supply time exceeds the preset water supply time, the second Hall sensor 122 senses the magnetic field signal of the magnet 124, the controller sends a stop water supply command to the solenoid valve that controls the on / off state of the external water source, and sends a conduction command to the circulation pump and compressor. The circulation pump adds water to the water box 61, and the compressor starts cooling, and ice is made normally in the water box 61.

[0068] like Figures 2 to 5 As shown in any of the accompanying drawings, in some embodiments, the sensing component includes a circuit board 123. The circuit board 123 is disposed outside the inner liner 3 and is mounted and fixed to the outer frame 10. Specifically, a portion of the sidewall of the outer frame 10 is recessed into the heat insulation cavity to form a mounting groove 10a, and the circuit board 123 is fixed within the mounting groove 10a. A first Hall sensor 121 and a second Hall sensor 122 are integrated onto the circuit board 123, and the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122 are electrically connected to the controller via the circuit board 123. In this technical solution, directly integrating the two Hall sensors onto the circuit board 123 not only reduces the cost of individually installing and connecting each electronic component, but also reduces the impact of external interference, vibration, or environmental factors on the performance of the Hall sensors.

[0069] Furthermore, the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122 are respectively positioned at opposite ends of the circuit board 123 in a direction opposite to the direction of gravity. This structural arrangement allows the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122 to detect the magnetic field at two different points as needed, thereby providing more accurate detection results and reducing noise interference from other electronic components on the circuit board 123.

[0070] Furthermore, the length direction of the circuit board 123 is parallel to the direction of gravity, and the thickness direction of the circuit board 123 is perpendicular to the direction of gravity; in other words, the circuit board 123 is arranged vertically. With this arrangement, the mounting groove 10a matching the circuit board 123 occupies a smaller area in the direction perpendicular to the cross-section of the foamed insulation layer. This means that the volume of the foamed insulation layer is reduced, minimizing the impact of reduced insulation performance caused by the volume of the foamed insulation layer being hollowed out. In addition, compared to a horizontal arrangement of the circuit board 123, this arrangement does not require additional increases in the width of the outer frame 10 or the thickness of the foamed insulation layer; the dimensions of the outer frame 10 and the foamed insulation layer can remain unchanged.

[0071] Please combine Figure 2 See also Figure 4 To achieve the installation and fixation of the circuit board 123, in some embodiments, a support plate 101, a first nut post 102, and a second nut post 103 are provided in the mounting groove 10a. The support plate 101, the first nut post 102, and the second nut post 103 are arranged sequentially at intervals along a direction opposite to the direction of gravity. The support plate 101 extends from the bottom wall of the mounting groove 10a to near the opening of the mounting groove 10a and is integrally connected to the opposite side walls of the mounting groove 10a; the first nut post 102 and the second nut post 103 both extend from the bottom wall of the mounting groove 10a to near the opening of the mounting groove 10a.

[0072] The first fastener 13 is screwed to the first nut post 102, and the second fastener 14 is screwed to the second nut post 103. The circuit board 123 is supported by the support plate 101 on one side along its length direction, and the edge of the circuit board 123 along its thickness direction is limited by the first nut post 102, the second nut post 103, the cap 131 of the first fastener, and the cap 141 of the second fastener.

[0073] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, to facilitate the electrical connection between the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122 and the controller, in some embodiments, the circuit board 123 integrates a wiring connector 125. The wiring connector 125 can be plugged into the other end of the wiring harness connected to the controller, thereby transmitting the first signal value generated by the first Hall sensor 121 to the controller via the wiring connector 125. Similarly, the second signal value generated by the second Hall sensor 122 is transmitted to the controller via the wiring connector 125. It is understood that the function of the wiring connector 125 is diverse, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit it, such as power connection, signal transmission, and data exchange functions.

[0074] Furthermore, in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity, the wiring socket 125 is located between the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122. Therefore, the arrangement of the electronic components on the circuit board 123 is more compact, which can reduce the size of the circuit board 123 and save on the manufacturing cost of the ice maker. Even further, in the direction opposite to the direction of gravity, the wiring socket 125 is located between the first nut post 102 and the second nut post 103, reserving wiring space for the wiring socket 125, facilitating the insertion of the other end of the aforementioned connecting wire harness into the wiring socket 125.

[0075] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, magnet 124 is a ring magnet. The sensing component includes a ring float 126. A ring magnet is fitted onto the outer circumference of the ring float 126. The sum of the weights of the ring float 126 and the ring magnet is less than the buoyancy of the liquid, thereby enabling magnet 124 to float with the movement of the liquid surface in the water storage area 33a. Furthermore, the ring magnet is located on the central outer ring of the ring float 126, closer to the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122, thus improving the sensing accuracy of the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122.

[0076] Furthermore, since the sensing accuracy of the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122 is affected by the magnetic field strength of the magnet 124, and the magnet 124 floats freely on the liquid surface due to the buoyancy of the annular float 126, causing the sensing of the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122 to remain unstable, the magnet 124 can be constrained. For example... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the ice maker includes a guide assembly 15. The guide assembly 15 is disposed within the water storage area 33a and adjacent to the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122. The guide assembly 15 is capable of guiding and correcting the magnet 124. The magnet 124 is constrained by the guide assembly 15 and is movable relative to the guide assembly 15 to ensure that the distance between the magnet 124 floating on the liquid surface and the Hall sensor remains stable.

[0077] Specifically, the guiding component 15 includes an embedded part 151 and a guide part 152. The embedded part 151 is embedded in the groove at the bottom of the water storage area 33a. One end of the guide part 152 is detachably connected to the embedded part 151 through a ring magnet, and the other end of the guide part 152 is provided with a limiting part, the diameter of which is larger than the inner diameter of the ring magnet. Both the ring magnet and the ring float 126 are constrained by the guide part 152 and can move along the extension direction of the guide part 152. This structural arrangement makes the guide part 152 detachable, and thus the ring float 126 and the magnet 124 can be disassembled and cleaned, reducing the impact of water pollution. For example, the embedded part 151 is a stainless steel hexagonal nut, the guide part 152 is a stainless steel screw with external threads, the limiting part is the head of the stainless steel screw, and one end of the stainless steel screw passes through the ring magnet and the ring float 126 and is screwed and fixed to the stainless steel hexagonal nut. Both the embedded part 151 and the guide part 152 are made of stainless steel, which can still have good antibacterial and cleaning performance when dealing with various water quality environments, thus ensuring the health and food safety of users.

[0078] The ice maker of this application has a magnet 124 arranged inside the water storage area 33a, and a first Hall sensor 121 and a second Hall sensor 122 arranged outside the water storage area 33a. The magnet 124, the first Hall sensor 121, and the second Hall sensor 122 are all installed without contact, requiring no additional waterproofing treatment, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the magnet 124 floats up and down with changes in the liquid level until it reaches the position corresponding to the Hall sensor before being sensed, effectively avoiding erroneous operation or false detection occurring at a certain position between the first Hall sensor 121 and the second Hall sensor 122.

[0079] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or at least two embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0080] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "at least two" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0081] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An ice maker characterized by, The ice maker comprises: a liner defining a water storage area; a sensing assembly comprising a first Hall sensor, a second Hall sensor and a magnet; the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are both arranged outside the liner along a gravity direction, and the second Hall sensor and the first Hall sensor are arranged at intervals; the magnet is located in the water storage area and can float within a height range defined by the second Hall sensor and the first Hall sensor; a controller of the ice maker is electrically connected with the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor respectively.

2. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein, The liner defines an ice making area, and there is a height difference between the ice making area and the water storage area; The ice maker comprises an ice making and ice shoveling mechanism and a water supply assembly; the ice making and ice shoveling mechanism comprises a water containing box which is reversibly arranged in the ice making area; the water supply assembly comprises a circulating pump and a circulating pipeline, and the controller is electrically connected with the circulating pump; the circulating pump communicates the water storage area with the water containing box through the circulating pipeline.

3. The ice maker of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The ice maker comprises an outer frame; the liner is sleeved on the outer frame and forms a heat insulation cavity with the outer frame; part of the side wall of the outer frame is recessed towards the heat insulation cavity to form a mounting groove; The sensing assembly comprises a circuit board; the circuit board is fixedly arranged in the mounting groove, and the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are integrated on the circuit board; the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor are electrically connected with the controller through the circuit board.

4. The ice maker of claim 3, wherein, The thickness direction of the circuit board is perpendicular to the gravity direction, and the length direction of the circuit board is parallel to the gravity direction.

5. The ice maker of claim 3, wherein, The mounting groove is provided with a support plate, a first nut column and a second nut column; the support plate, the first nut column and the second nut column are arranged at intervals in the direction opposite to the gravity direction; A first fastener is screw-fixed on the first nut column, and a second fastener is screw-fixed on the second nut column; the circuit board is limited by the support plate, the first nut column, the second nut column, the brim of the first fastener and the brim of the second fastener.

6. The ice maker of claim 5, wherein, The circuit board is integrated with a wiring socket, and the wiring socket is located between the first nut column and the second nut column.

7. The ice maker of claim 1 or 2, wherein The ice maker comprises a guide assembly which is arranged in the water storage area and can guide and correct the magnet; the magnet is constrained by the guide assembly and can move relative to the guide assembly.

8. The ice maker of claim 7, wherein, The bottom of the water storage area is provided with an embedded groove, and the magnet is a ring magnet; The guide assembly comprises a pre-embedded part and a guide part; the pre-embedded part is embedded in the embedded groove, one end of the guide part passes through the ring magnet and is detachably connected to the pre-embedded part, and the other end of the guide part is provided with a limiting part, and the diameter of the limiting part is greater than the inner diameter of the ring magnet; The ring magnet is constrained by the guide part and can move along the extension direction of the guide part.

9. The ice maker of claim 8, wherein, The pre-embedded part is a stainless steel hexagonal nut; The guide part is a stainless steel screw rod with external threads, and one end of the stainless steel screw rod is screw-fixed on the stainless steel hexagonal nut through the ring magnet.

10. The ice maker of claim 9, wherein, The sensing assembly comprises a ring-shaped floating ball, and the ring-shaped magnet is sleeved with the outer circumferential surface of the ring-shaped floating ball, and the sum of the gravity of the ring-shaped floating ball and the ring-shaped magnet is less than the liquid buoyancy. One end of the guide piece penetrates through the ring-shaped floating ball and is fixedly connected to the embedded part.

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