Ice storage box and ice maker
By designing a sliding, sealed ice storage box in the ice maker, the problem of melted water dripping is solved, enabling effective collection and discharge of melted water and improving the user experience.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520468446.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-03-17
AI Technical Summary
In existing ice makers, melted water in the ice basket can easily drip from the drain hole onto the table or floor, affecting the user experience.
Design an ice storage box comprising a box body and a sliding seal. The drain hole opens when the ice storage box is placed into the ice maker to drain melted water into the water tank. The hole is sealed when the box is removed to prevent water from dripping.
This effectively prevents melted water from dripping when dispensing ice, improving the user experience. Melted water is temporarily stored in the ice storage box until it is discharged when the ice is returned to the ice maker.
Smart Images
Figure CN223976265U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice maker technology, and in particular to an ice storage box and an ice maker. Background Technology
[0002] An ice maker, as the name suggests, is a device for making ice. With the improvement of people's living standards, the use of small household ice makers is becoming increasingly widespread. Ice makers typically have a built-in ice collection basket. Ice cubes extruded from the ice-making component slide into the basket for temporary storage before use. Due to storage conditions, the ice cubes may melt into water. Therefore, existing ice collection baskets usually have several drainage holes on the bottom, forming a mesh structure, allowing the water from the melted ice to drip naturally into a water tank below for recycling, thus reusing the melted water for ice making. However, when users need to remove the ice collection basket from the ice maker to use ice or for cleaning, melted water can easily drip through the holes onto the table or floor, affecting the user experience. Utility Model Content
[0003] Therefore, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an ice storage box and an ice maker.
[0004] An ice storage box, used in an ice maker, includes: a box body comprising a front, a back, a bottom, and two side surfaces; the front, back, and side surfaces are sequentially connected to form a frame, and the bottom surface is located on one side of the front, back, and side surfaces to form a cavity; the back surface has a drain hole communicating with the cavity and the outside; the bottom surface has an inclined plane that is inclined toward the drain hole; a sealing member capable of sliding within the drain hole and sealing it; when the ice storage box is placed in the ice maker, the sealing member is pushed, releasing the seal on the drain hole; when the ice storage box is removed from the ice maker, the sealing member seals the drain hole.
[0005] The ice storage box described in this utility model uses a sliding seal to seal the drain hole. When the ice storage box is inside the ice maker, the drain hole is open, and the melted ice water is discharged normally. When the ice storage box is removed from the ice maker, the drain hole is closed, and the melted ice water is temporarily stored in the ice storage box. This prevents the melted ice water from wetting the floor or table when the user takes out the ice, thus improving the user experience.
[0006] Furthermore, the sealing element includes a pushing part, a sealing part, and a pressing part; the pushing part passes through the drain hole and enters the cavity, and there is a gap between the pushing part and the inner wall of the drain hole; the sealing part is disposed at one end of the pushing part located in the cavity and can cover the drain hole; the pressing part is disposed at the other end of the pushing part; when the ice storage box is placed into the ice maker, the pressing part pushes the pushing part to move into the cavity, and the sealing part separates from the drain hole, releasing the seal; when the ice storage box is removed from the ice maker, the pushing part moves out of the cavity, and the sealing part covers the drain hole to form a seal.
[0007] Through the above technical solution, the pushing part maintains linear movement within the drain hole, causing the sealing part to move away from the drain hole and contact the seal, or cover the drain hole to form a seal.
[0008] Furthermore, a locking groove is provided on the bottom surface near the drain hole, and the width of the locking groove gradually decreases in the direction away from the drain hole when projected along the direction perpendicular to the bottom surface; the sealing part is a rubber part, and at least a part of it is located in the locking groove.
[0009] With the above technical solution, the sealing part is an elastic element. When the sealing part is subjected to external force and moves away from the drain hole in the locking groove, it is squeezed and stores elastic potential energy. When the external force disappears, the elastic potential energy is released and the sealing part is reset, covering the drain hole again to form a seal.
[0010] Furthermore, a water-passing groove is formed on the outer periphery of the pusher, and the water-passing groove extends axially along the drain hole.
[0011] By using the above technical solution, the gap between the pusher and the inner wall of the drain hole is increased, so that when the drain hole is opened, the melted water from the ice can be discharged more quickly.
[0012] Furthermore, the ice storage box also includes a handle, which includes a connecting part and a gripping part; the connecting part extends horizontally, with one end connected to the front and the other end connected to the gripping part, such that the gripping part is separated from the front.
[0013] With the above technical solution, it is convenient for users to pull the ice storage box outward to take out ice or to put the ice storage box back into the ice maker.
[0014] Furthermore, the angle of inclination of the inclined plane of the bottom surface relative to the horizontal plane is 5 to 10°.
[0015] The above technical solution allows the water from the melting ice to flow naturally into the drain hole and be discharged.
[0016] An ice maker includes an ice storage box, a housing, an ice-making component, and a water tank, as described above. The housing has an opening at one end and an internal installation space. A vertically extending partition plate protrudes from the bottom of the housing, dividing the installation space into a first space and a second space. The opening of the housing communicates with the first space. The ice-making component is disposed within the second space. A water outlet is also provided at the bottom of the housing, and the water tank communicates with the water outlet. The ice storage box is placed within the first space, and one end of a sealing element presses against the partition plate, causing the sealing element to separate from the drain hole, thus opening the drain hole.
[0017] Furthermore, the sealing element includes a pushing part, a sealing part, and a pressing part; the pushing part is inserted into the drain hole, with one end extending into the cavity and the other end located in the drain hole; the sealing part is connected to the end of the pushing part located in the cavity and fits against the drain hole for sealing; the pressing part is connected to the other end of the pushing part and is located in the drain hole; the partition plate has a top-opening post extending in the direction of the first space; when the ice storage box is placed in the first space, the top-opening post presses against the pressing part, causing the pushing part to move into the cavity, the sealing part to separate from the drain hole, and the drain hole to open.
[0018] With the above technical solution, when the ice storage box is placed into the ice maker, the pusher pushes the pusher into the cavity by pushing the pusher against the pressure part through the pusher, thereby separating the sealing part and the drain hole and opening the drain hole.
[0019] Furthermore, the sealing element includes a pushing part, a sealing part, and a pressing part; the pushing part is inserted into the drain hole, with one end extending into the cavity and the other end extending out of the drain hole; the sealing part is connected to the end of the pushing part located in the cavity and fits against the drain hole for sealing, and the pressing part is connected to the other end of the pushing part; when the ice storage box is placed in the first space, the pressing part presses against the surface of the partition plate, pushing the pushing part to move into the cavity, the sealing part separates from the drain hole, and the drain hole opens.
[0020] With the above technical solution, when the ice storage box is placed into the ice maker, the pressing part located outside the drain hole contacts the plate surface of the partition plate, thereby pushing the pushing part to move into the cavity, causing the sealing part and the drain hole to separate and open the drain hole.
[0021] Furthermore, the bottom of the housing is inclined, and the inclination direction is parallel to the inclination direction of the inclined plane. The water outlet is close to the lowest point of the bottom of the housing. The partition plate has several through holes on the side near the bottom of the housing, and the through holes are evenly distributed on both sides of the drain hole.
[0022] The above technical solution enables water in the first space to enter the second space through the through hole when the ice maker is working in an uneven environment, and then flow back to the water storage tank through the outlet. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the spatial structure of the ice storage box provided by this utility model;
[0024] Figure 2 A top view of the ice storage box provided by this utility model, projected along the axis of the drain hole.
[0025] Figure 3 Right view of the ice storage box provided by this utility model, projected along the axis of the drain hole;
[0026] Figure 4 A rear view of the ice storage box provided by this utility model, projected along the axis of the drain hole;
[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction;
[0028] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;
[0029] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the spatial structure of the piston provided by this utility model;
[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the spatial structure of the ice maker provided by this utility model;
[0031] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ice maker provided by this utility model;
[0032] Figure 10 for Figure 9 Enlarged view of point A in the middle. Detailed Implementation
[0033] To address the drawback of existing ice collection baskets where melted ice water easily drips directly from the bottom onto the floor or tabletop when removing ice from the ice maker for use or cleaning, affecting the user experience, the applicant provides an ice storage box and ice maker. By providing a drain hole on the back of the ice storage box and designing the bottom of the box as a sloping plane with a higher side near the front and a lower side near the back, melted ice water can naturally flow out from the drain hole. A sealing element is inserted at the drain hole to prevent melted water from flowing out when the ice storage box is removed from the ice maker. When the ice storage box is placed back into the ice maker, the sealing element is pushed inward, releasing the seal on the drain hole, allowing the melted water to flow out and back into the ice maker's water tank, thereby improving the user experience. The following is one embodiment of the ice storage box provided by this utility model:
[0034] Please refer to Figures 1 to 10 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the spatial structure of the ice storage box provided by this utility model; Figure 2 A top view of the ice storage box provided by this utility model, projected along the axis of the drain hole. Figure 3 Right view of the ice storage box provided by this utility model, projected along the axis of the drain hole; Figure 4 A rear view of the ice storage box provided by this utility model, projected along the axis of the drain hole;
[0035] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A cross-sectional view along the AA direction; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of point B in the middle; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the spatial structure of the piston provided by this utility model; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the spatial structure of the ice maker provided by this utility model; Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ice maker provided by this utility model; Figure 10 for Figure 9 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.
[0036] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 7 This utility model provides an ice storage box 100, including a box body 1, a piston 2 and a handle 3.
[0037] The box body 1 is barrel-shaped, including a front surface 11, a back surface 12, a bottom surface 13, and two side surfaces 14. The bottom surface 13, the front surface 11, the back surface 12, and the two side surfaces 14 surround to form a cavity 15 for storing ice produced by the ice maker. The top of the box body 1 has an opening 16, which communicates with the cavity 15, through which the ice produced by the ice maker enters the cavity 15. A guide post 121 protrudes from one end of the back surface 12 near the bottom surface 13, extending into the cavity 15. The guide post 121 has a drain hole 1211 that penetrates the guide post 121, allowing the cavity 15 to communicate with the outside. Preferably, the axis of the drain hole 1211 is perpendicular to the back surface 12. The bottom surface 13 has an inclined plane, the height of which is greater at the end near the front surface 11 than at the end near the back surface 12, allowing the water from the melting ice to flow along the bottom surface 13 to the drain hole 1211 for discharge. A locking groove 131 is formed on the bottom surface 13 near the drain hole 1211. Projected perpendicularly to the bottom surface 13, the width of the locking groove 131 gradually decreases in the direction away from the drain hole 1211, allowing an interference fit between the side of the locking groove 131 away from the drain hole 1211 and the piston 2, thus compressing the piston 2. In this embodiment, the inclination angle between the bottom surface 13 and the horizontal plane is 5–10°, allowing the water from the melting ice to flow naturally to the drain hole 1211.
[0038] The piston 2 is inserted into the drain hole 1211 of the guide post 121 and includes a pushing part 21, a sealing part 22, and a pressing part 23. The pushing part 21 is inserted into the drain hole 1211 and passes through the drain hole 1211 into the cavity 15, with one end extending into the cavity 15 and the other end located in the drain hole 1211. The piston 2 maintains linear movement within the drain hole 1211 to prevent deviation. There is a certain gap between the drain hole 1211 and the pushing part 21, allowing accumulated water to flow out normally from the drain hole 1211. The sealing part 22 is sleeved on the end of the pushing part 21 located in the cavity 15. The radius of the sealing part 22 is larger than that of the drain hole 1211, and it is tightly fitted to the drain hole 1211 to seal it and prevent water from melting ice from flowing out. The sealing part 22 is a rubber part and is located within the locking groove 131. The pressing part 23 is connected to the end of the pushing part 21 away from the cavity 15 and is located inside the drain hole 1211. The pressing part 23 is used to increase the force-bearing area, making it easier to push the piston 2 from the outside. The pressing part 23 is provided with a water passage hole, which allows the water from the melting ice to flow out naturally. In actual use, when the ice storage box 100 is placed in the ice maker, the pushing structure provided in the ice maker presses against the pressing part 23, thereby pushing the pushing part 21, causing the piston 2 to move into the cavity 15. The sealing part 22 leaves the drain hole 1211, and the drain hole 1211 is in the open state. At this time, the water produced by the melting ice in the cavity 15 can flow out along the inclined plane through the drain hole 1211 and then flow back to the water storage tank of the ice maker, preventing water from accumulating inside the cavity 15. Simultaneously, as the width of the slot 131 gradually decreases away from the back surface 12, the sealing part 22 is compressed and stores elastic potential energy within the slot 131 as the piston 2 moves into the cavity 15. When the ice storage box 100 is removed from the ice maker, the force exerted by the ice maker on the piston 2 disappears, and the sealing part 22 releases its elastic potential energy, pushing the piston 2 to move in the opposite direction, causing the sealing part 22 to press tightly against the drain hole 1211, and the drain hole 1211 returns to its closed state. At this time, even if the water generated by the melting ice in the cavity 15 reaches the position of the drain hole 1211 along the inclined plane, it will not flow out but will temporarily accumulate in the cavity 15. This prevents the water from melting ice from wetting the bottom or table surface when the user takes the ice storage box 100 out of the ice maker. The drain hole 1211 will reopen after the user puts the ice storage box 100 back into the ice maker, and the water accumulated in the cavity 15 can be drained through the drain hole 1211.
[0039] Preferably, a water-passing groove 211 is formed on the outer periphery of the pushing part 21. The water-passing groove 211 extends axially along the drain hole 1211 and is evenly distributed around the outer periphery of the pushing part 21. When the pushing structure inside the ice maker presses against the pressing part 23 and pushes the pushing part 21 towards the cavity 15, the water-passing groove 211 can increase the water-passing gap between the pushing part 21 and the drain hole 1211 when the sealing part 22 releases the seal on the drain hole 1211, allowing the water from the melting ice to flow out more quickly.
[0040] The handle 3 is located on the outer side of the front surface 11 of the ice storage box 100, and includes a connecting part 31 and a gripping part 32. The connecting part 31 extends horizontally, with one end connected to the front surface 11 and the other end connected to the gripping part 32. The extending direction of the gripping part 32 is perpendicular to the extending direction of the connecting part 31. In use, the front surface 11 faces the outside of the ice maker, and a certain distance is separated between the gripping part 32 and the front surface 11 to facilitate the user to pull the ice storage box 100 outward to take ice or to put the ice storage box 100 back into the ice maker. In this embodiment, the handle 3 and the front surface 11 are integrally connected to simplify the manufacturing process. In other embodiments, the handle 3 and the front surface 11 can be connected by screws or welding or other methods, and are not limited to these.
[0041] Please refer to the following: Figures 8 to 10 The present invention also provides an ice maker, including an ice storage box 100, a shell 400, an ice making component (not shown) and a water storage tank (not shown).
[0042] The housing 400 is an open-end, sealed box with an internal installation space (not shown). A vertically extending partition plate 410 protrudes from the bottom of the housing 400, dividing the installation space into a first space 420 and a second space 430 that are interconnected. The opening of the housing 400 is close to the first space 420, and the ice storage box 100 is disposed within the first space 420, with its front 11 located near the opening of the housing 400 and facing outwards from the installation space, allowing the ice storage box 100 to be pulled out or inserted from the opening of the housing 400. The ice-making assembly is installed in the second space 430 for making ice cubes. The bottom of the housing 400 is a plane sloping away from the opening, and a water outlet 440 is located at the lowest point of the bottom of the housing 400, within the second space 430. The outlet 440 is connected to the water storage tank via a pipe, allowing water in the installation space to flow back into the water storage tank through the outlet 440. The water storage tank is connected to the ice-making assembly via a pipe; during ice making, a water pump draws water from the water storage tank into the ice-making assembly. The partition plate 410 has a protruding top-opening column 411 extending into the first space 420, and the partition plate 410 has several through holes 412 at one end near the bottom of the housing 400, connecting the first space 420 and the second space 430. When the ice storage box 100 is placed into the first space 420, the top opening column 411 presses against the pressing part 23, causing the piston 2 to move into the cavity 15. The sealing part 22 releases the seal on the drain hole 1211, and the water from the melting ice in the ice storage box 100 can flow out from the drain hole 1211, enter the first space 420, and enter the second space 430 through the through hole 412, and then flow back to the water storage tank through the outlet 440.
[0043] Preferably, the through holes 412 are evenly distributed at both ends of the top opening column 411, so that when the ice maker is working in an uneven environment, the water in the first space 420 can still enter the second space 430 through the through holes 412, and then flow back to the water storage tank through the outlet 440.
[0044] Those skilled in the art should understand that in this embodiment, the pressing part 23 is located inside the drain hole 1211, and a top-opening post 411 extending towards the first space 420 protrudes from the partition plate 410. When the ice storage box 100 is placed into the ice maker, the top-opening post 411 presses against the pressing part 23, pushing the pushing part 21 into the cavity 15, thereby releasing the seal of the sealing part 22 on the drain hole 1211. In other embodiments, the pushing part 21 extends out of the drain hole 1211, and the pressing part 23 is connected to the outer end of the pushing part 21. When the ice storage box 100 is placed into the ice maker, the pressing part 23 presses against the partition plate 410, similarly pushing the pushing part 21 into the cavity 15, thereby releasing the seal of the sealing part 22 on the drain hole 1211. This embodiment is not limited to this. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing part 22 is a rubber component. When the pushing part 21 moves into the cavity 15, it is compressed and stores elastic potential energy in the locking groove 131. When the ice storage box 100 is removed, the sealing part 22 releases the elastic potential energy to reset. However, it is understood that, if necessary, a spring can also be provided on the piston 2. One end of the spring is connected to the abutment part 23, and the other end is connected to the end face of the drain hole 1211 located in the cavity 15. When the pushing part 21 moves into the cavity 15, the spring is compressed and stores elastic potential energy. When the ice storage box 100 is removed, the spring releases the elastic potential energy, which can also achieve the effect of resetting the sealing part 22.
[0045] The embodiments described above are merely examples of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.
Claims
1. A ice storage box applied in an ice maker, characterized in that, The application relates to a storage ice box. The storage ice box comprises a box body and a sealing element.
2. The storage ice box according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element comprises a pushing part, a sealing part and a pressing part.
3. The storage ice box according to claim 2, wherein the bottom surface is provided with a clamping groove near the drain hole, and the sealing part is located in the clamping groove.
4. The storage ice box according to claim 3, wherein the pushing part is provided with a water passing groove.
5. The storage ice box according to claim 4, wherein the bottom surface is provided with a handle.
6. The storage ice box according to claim 5, wherein the handle comprises a connecting part and a holding part.
7. The storage ice box according to claim 6, wherein the connecting part is connected to the front surface and the holding part.
8. The storage ice box according to claim 7, wherein the angle between the inclined plane of the bottom surface and the horizontal plane is 5-10 degrees.
9. The application relates to a storage ice box, a shell, an ice making assembly and a water storage tank.
4. The ice storage bin of claim 3, wherein:
10. The shell is provided with an opening at one end, and an installation space is formed in the shell.
5. The ice storage bin of claim 1, wherein:
11. The bottom of the shell is provided with a partition plate extending in the vertical direction.
6. The ice storage bin of claim 1, wherein:
12. The installation space is divided into a first space and a second space.
7. An ice maker characterized by, 13. The opening of the shell is communicated with the first space.
14. The ice making assembly is arranged in the second space.
15. The bottom of the shell is further provided with a water outlet.
16. The water storage tank is communicated with the water outlet.
17. The storage ice box is arranged in the first space.
18. One end of the sealing element is pressed against the partition plate.
19. The sealing element is separated from the drain hole.
20. The drain hole is opened.
8. The ice maker of claim 7, wherein: The sealing member comprises a pushing part, a sealing part and a pressing part; the pushing part is inserted into the drain hole, with one end extending into the cavity and the other end located in the drain hole; the sealing part is connected with the one end of the pushing part located in the cavity and is attached to the drain hole to seal; the pressing part is connected with the other end of the pushing part and is located in the drain hole; The partition plate is provided with a top opening column extending towards the first space; when the ice storage box is put into the first space, the top opening column presses the pressing part, so that the pushing part moves into the cavity, the sealing part is separated from the drain hole, and the drain hole is opened.
9. The ice maker of claim 7, wherein: The sealing member comprises a pushing part, a sealing part and a pressing part; the pushing part is inserted into the drain hole, with one end extending into the cavity and the other end extending out of the drain hole; the sealing part is connected with the one end of the pushing part located in the cavity and is attached to the drain hole to seal; the pressing part is connected with the other end of the pushing part; When the ice storage box is put into the first space, the pressing part presses the partition plate, so that the pushing part moves into the cavity, the sealing part is separated from the drain hole, and the drain hole is opened.
10. The ice maker of any of claims 7-9, wherein: The bottom of the shell is inclined, and the inclination direction is parallel to the inclination direction of the inclined plane; the water outlet is close to the lowest part of the bottom of the shell; the partition plate is provided with a plurality of through holes on one side close to the bottom of the shell, and the through holes are uniformly distributed on both sides of the drain hole.