Water tank structure and ice maker
By designing a detachable ice storage box and a multi-chamber structure in the ice maker, the problem of difficult water tank cleaning is solved, water recycling and intelligent management are realized, and the hygiene and resource utilization efficiency of the ice maker are improved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-24
AI Technical Summary
The water tank in existing ice makers is built into the machine, which makes cleaning difficult and easily leads to the accumulation of dirt and bacteria, affecting refrigeration efficiency and ice quality.
The water tank is designed with a pure water chamber, a melting water chamber, and a detachable ice storage box, separated by partitions. It is also equipped with multiple water outlets and detectors to achieve water recycling and intelligent management.
Easy to disassemble and clean, reducing the accumulation of dirt and bacteria, improving the hygiene and convenience of the ice maker, and reducing water waste and energy consumption.
Smart Images
Figure CN224034070U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The utility model relates to ice making field, especially a water tank structure and ice maker. BACKGROUND
[0002] The ice maker is a kind of refrigeration mechanical equipment that ice is generated after water is cooled by refrigeration system refrigerant through evaporator.
[0003] In the ice maker commonly seen in the market at present, water tank is usually built-in the internal structure of ice maker, such design saves space, but also brings a problem, that is, cleaning work becomes quite difficult.Because water tank is built-in machine interior, not easy to disassemble, therefore, in the long use process, dirt and bacteria are easily accumulated in water tank. The accumulation of these dirt and bacteria not only can affect the refrigeration efficiency of ice maker, but also can cause ice block to produce peculiar smell, affect the quality and use safety of ice block. UTILITY MODEL CONTENTS
[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to solve one or more technical problems existing in the prior art, and at least to provide a beneficial choice or to create conditions.
[0005] The solution to the technical problem of the utility model is a water tank structure, which comprises a water tank body, a partition plate and a detachable ice storage box arranged on the water tank body, an installation space is arranged in the water tank body, the partition plate is arranged in the installation space, so that the installation space is divided into a pure water cavity and a melted water cavity, the ice storage box is arranged above the partition plate, a first water outlet is arranged on the ice storage box, the first water outlet is connected with the ice storage box and the melted water cavity, a second water outlet connected with the pure water cavity is arranged on the water tank body, and the second water outlet is used to output water flow.
[0006] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the water tank body further comprises a third water outlet, the third water outlet is arranged on the partition plate, and the third water outlet is connected with the pure water cavity and the melted water cavity.
[0007] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, a supporting rib is further arranged on the water tank body, the top end of the supporting rib abuts against the bottom surface of the ice storage box to support the ice storage box.
[0008] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the water tank structure further comprises a filter device, the filter device is arranged in the pure water cavity, the filter device covers the second water outlet, and the filter device is used to filter water flow flowing from the pure water cavity to the second water outlet.
[0009] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the water tank structure further comprises a first detector, which is arranged on the ice storage box and used to detect the ice block stacking height in the ice storage box.
[0010] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the water tank structure further comprises a second detector, which is arranged in the pure water cavity and used to detect the water level in the pure water cavity.
[0011] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the water tank structure further comprises a third detector, which is arranged in the melted water cavity and used to detect the water level in the melted water cavity.
[0012] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the water tank structure further comprises an ice shovel, and a hook is arranged on the inner wall of the water tank body, and a lug matched with the hook is arranged on the ice shovel.
[0013] As a further improvement of the above technical solution, the water tank structure further comprises a handle, which is fixedly connected with the water tank body.
[0014] An ice maker comprising the water tank structure according to any one of the above technical solutions.
[0015] The ice storage box is detachably arranged on the water tank body and used to collect and store ice blocks produced by the ice making module, and the ice storage box is designed to be detachable so as to be cleaned, the ice blocks are replaced or maintained, when the ice blocks are melted in the ice storage box, the melted water can smoothly flow into the lower melted water cavity through the first water outlet, and the melted water cannot accumulate in the ice storage box, thereby avoiding possible bacterial breeding and odor generation, and the second water outlet is used to output pure water. The integration of the pure water cavity, the melted water cavity and the ice storage box is easy to detach and clean, the whole water tank structure is more compact and reasonable, the occupied space is reduced, the detachable design of the ice storage box enables the user to conveniently take down the ice storage box for cleaning or replacing the ice blocks, and the use convenience and hygiene are improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] Fig. 1 is a structure schematic view of a water tank structure according to an embodiment of the utility model;
[0017] Fig. 2 is a structure schematic view of a water tank structure according to an embodiment of the utility model;
[0018] Fig. 3 is a sectional structure schematic view of a water tank structure according to an embodiment of the utility model.
[0019] In the drawings: 100 - water tank body, 110 - pure water cavity, 111 - second water outlet, 120 - melted water cavity, 130 - third water outlet, 140 - support rib, 150 - partition plate, 200 - ice storage box, 210 - first water outlet, 300 - filtering device, 400 - first detector, 500 - second detector, 600 - third detector, 700 - ice shovel, 800 - handle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed in the above embodiment description are briefly described. Obviously, the described drawings are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other design schemes and drawings from these drawings without creative labor.
[0021] The concept, specific structure and technical effects of the present application will be described clearly and completely in combination with the embodiments and drawings, so as to fully understand the purpose, features and effects of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments, and other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative labor all belong to the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, all the coupling / connection relations mentioned in the text do not mean that the components are directly connected, but that a better coupling structure can be composed by adding or reducing coupling accessories according to the specific implementation situation. The various technical features in the present application can be combined interactively without mutual contradiction and conflict.
[0022] An ice maker is a refrigeration mechanical equipment that generates ice by cooling water through an evaporator by refrigeration system refrigerant.
[0023] In the common ice maker on the market at present, the water tank is usually built into the internal structure of the ice maker. Although such design saves space, it also brings a problem, that is, it makes the cleaning work quite difficult. Since the water tank is built into the machine, it is not easy to disassemble, so in the long process of use, dirt and bacteria are easy to accumulate inside the water tank. The accumulation of these dirt and bacteria not only affects the refrigeration efficiency of the ice maker, but also may cause the ice to produce odor, affecting the quality and safety of the ice.
[0024] Therefore, the present application provides a water tank structure, which refers to Figs. 1-3The water tank body 100 is provided with a pure water cavity 110, a melted water cavity 120 and a third water outlet 130, the ice storage box 200 is provided with a first water outlet 210, the first water outlet 210 is communicated with the ice storage box 200 and the melted water cavity 120, the pure water cavity 110 is provided with a second water outlet 111 communicated with the pure water cavity 110, the second water outlet 111 is used for outputting water flow to an evaporator, and the third water outlet 130 is communicated with the pure water cavity 110 and the melted water cavity 120.
[0025] The partition plate 150 divides the water tank body 100 into two independent spaces of the pure water cavity 110 and the melted water cavity 120, the ice storage box 200 is detachably arranged on the water tank body 100 and used for collecting and storing ice blocks produced by an ice making module, the ice storage box 200 is designed to be detachable so as to be cleaned, the ice blocks are replaced or maintained, when the ice blocks are melted in the ice storage box 200, the melted water can flow into the lower melted water cavity 120 through the first water outlet 210, and the melted water cannot accumulate in the ice storage box 200, thereby avoiding possible bacterial breeding and odor generation, and the second water outlet 111 is used for outputting pure water. The integration of the pure water cavity 110, the melted water cavity 120 and the ice storage box 200 is easy to detach and clean, the whole water tank structure is more compact and reasonable, the occupied space is reduced, the detachable design of the ice storage box 200 enables a user to conveniently take down the ice storage box 200 for cleaning or replacing ice blocks, and the use convenience and hygiene are improved.
[0026] After the ice maker is started, the ice making module begins to work, and the ice cubes produced fall into the ice storage box 200. At this time, the first detector 400 monitors the ice cube stacking height in the ice storage box 200 in real time. When the ice cube stacking height reaches the preset threshold, the first detector 400 sends a signal to the control system, and the control system instructs the ice making module to stop working to prevent the ice cubes from overflowing the ice storage box 200. When water is needed, the water in the pure water cavity 110 can be output through the second water outlet 111 to the evaporator. In daily use, the ice cubes in the ice storage box 200 will gradually melt, and the melted water flows into the melted water cavity 120 through the first water outlet 210. When the water level in the melted water cavity 120 rises to the preset threshold, the third detector 600 sends a signal to the control system, and the control system will decide whether to suspend the ice making module according to the situation to avoid excessive accumulation of melted water. When the water level in the melted water cavity 120 reaches a certain degree, the excess water will naturally flow back to the pure water cavity 110 through the third water outlet 130 at the top of the partition plate 150, realizing the recycling of water and reducing the frequency of adding water. In addition, the second detector 500 continuously monitors the water level in the pure water cavity 110. Once the water level decreases to the preset threshold, a signal will be immediately sent to the control system, instructing the water pumping module and the ice making module to stop working to avoid water waste and equipment failure due to lack of water. When the water tank needs to be cleaned or the ice cubes in the ice storage box 200 need to be replaced, etc., the user can conveniently detach the water tank from the ice maker through the handle 800, and then take the ice storage box 200 off the water tank body 100 to clean the components such as the water tank body 100, the ice storage box 200, and the filter device 300, etc.
[0027] In an embodiment, the water tank body 100 further comprises a third water outlet 130, which is arranged on the partition plate 150 and communicates the pure water cavity 110 and the melted water cavity 120. The melted water flows from the ice storage box 200 into the melted water cavity 120 through the first water outlet 210, and then when the water level in the melted water cavity 120 reaches a certain degree, the excess water flows back to the pure water cavity 110 through the third water outlet 130, reducing the frequency of adding water, improving the utilization rate of water, and realizing the conservation of resources and environmental protection.
[0028] Preferably, the third water outlet 130 is a drain port arranged at the top of the partition plate 150. The drain port arranged at the top of the partition plate 150 ensures that the melted water can immediately flow back to the pure water cavity 110 through the drain port after filling the melted water cavity 120. This avoids the risk of overflow due to high water level, and also reduces the energy loss caused by poor water flow. The water flow can naturally circulate through the drain port, reducing the complexity and cost of the system, and also making maintenance work more convenient and efficient.
[0029] The ice storage box 200 can slide or be damaged due to movement or vibration. Thus, in an embodiment, the water tank body 100 is further provided with a support rib 140, the top end of the support rib 140 abutting against the bottom surface of the ice storage box 200 to support the ice storage box 200. The drain port is provided at the top of the partition plate 150, ensuring that the melted water can immediately flow back to the pure water cavity 110 through the drain port after filling the melted water cavity 120. The support rib 140 supports the ice storage box 200, ensuring that the ice storage box 200 can be stably placed on the water tank; the top end of the support rib 140 abutting against the bottom surface of the ice storage box 200 ensures that the support rib 140 can effectively transmit the weight and keep the ice storage box 200 stable.
[0030] Preferably, the bottom surface of the ice storage box 200 is inclined from one end away from the first water outlet 210 to the first water outlet 210 to facilitate the sliding or guiding of ice cubes in the ice storage box 200. In order to adapt to this inclined design, the height of the support rib 140 is adjusted accordingly to ensure that it can perfectly fit the bottom surface of the ice storage box 200 and continue to provide stable support.
[0031] Foreign matter and impurities are easy to accumulate near the water outlet, and long-term accumulation can cause the water outlet to be blocked, affecting the normal flow of water and reducing the use efficiency of the system. Thus, in an embodiment, the water tank structure further includes a filter device 300, the filter device 300 being arranged in the pure water cavity 110, the filter device 300 covering the second water outlet 111, and the filter device 300 being used for filtering the water flow from the pure water cavity 110 to the second water outlet 111. The arrangement of the filter device 300 can effectively intercept the tiny foreign matter and impurities in the pure water cavity 110, thereby ensuring that the water flowing out of the second water outlet 111 reaches a higher standard of purity. The filter device 300 covering the second water outlet 111 can also play a protective role, preventing the water outlet from being blocked due to foreign matter, causing poor water outflow or damage to the water outlet, prolonging the service life of the second water outlet 111, and reducing the additional cost of maintenance or replacement of the water outlet.
[0032] Excessive ice cubes can cause the ice cubes in the ice storage box 200 to accumulate too high and eventually overflow the ice storage box 200. This not only wastes ice cubes but also can contaminate or damage the equipment. Thus, in an embodiment, the water tank structure further includes a first detector 400, the first detector 400 being arranged on the ice storage box 200, and the first detector 400 being used for detecting the stacking height of the ice cubes in the ice storage box 200. When the stacking height of the ice cubes reaches a preset threshold, the detector immediately sends a signal to the control system, indicating that the ice making module stops working, avoiding waste of energy and waste and overflow of ice cubes, and ensuring that the ice storage box 200 always has an appropriate amount of ice cubes.
[0033] Preferably, the second detector 500 is an infrared sensor arranged on the top of the ice storage box 200.
[0034] When the water level in the pure water cavity 110 decreases to a certain extent, it may cause the water pumping module to idle, not only wasting electricity, but also shortening its service life due to excessive wear. Therefore, in an embodiment, the water tank structure further comprises a second detector 500 arranged in the pure water cavity 110, the second detector 500 is used to detect the water level in the pure water cavity 110. When the water level decreases to a preset threshold, the detector immediately sends a signal to the control system, indicating that the water pumping module and the ice making module stop working. Avoiding the waste of water resources, ensuring that the water tank will not continue to run in the state of water shortage, preventing system failure by monitoring the water level in the pure water cavity 110 in real time, avoiding system failure or performance decline caused by water shortage.
[0035] Preferably, the second detector 500 is a low water level sensing float ball arranged at the bottom of the pure water cavity 110.
[0036] Excessive accumulation of melted water, even overflow of the melted water cavity 120, will cause waste of water resources and pollution of the surrounding environment. Therefore, in an embodiment, the water tank structure further comprises a third detector 600 arranged in the melted water cavity 120, the third detector 600 is used to detect the water level in the melted water cavity 120. When the water level in the melted water cavity 120 rises to a preset threshold, the detector immediately sends a signal to the control system, indicating that the ice making module stops working, avoiding the excessive accumulation of melted water, and also ensuring that the water tank will not continue to make ice when there is enough melted water, avoiding equipment damage or performance decline caused by high water level.
[0037] Preferably, the third detector 600 is a high water level sensing float ball arranged at the top of the melted water cavity 120.
[0038] When the user uses the water tank to take ice, it may cause the ice to be contaminated. Therefore, in an embodiment, the water tank structure further comprises an ice shovel 700, and the inner wall of the water tank body 100 is provided with a hook, and the ice shovel 700 is provided with a lug matched with the hook. The introduction of the ice shovel 700 makes the water tank not only have the functions of ice making, ice storage and melted water management, but also integrates the ice taking tool, realizes the diversification of functions. The user does not need to prepare an ice taking tool, and can easily take out the ice block from the ice storage box 200, meets the use demand in different scenes, and avoids the direct contact of the ice shovel 700 with the external environment, thereby reducing the risk of pollution, and ensuring the cleanliness and hygiene of the ice shovel 700.
[0039] In an embodiment, the water tank structure further comprises a handle 800 fixedly connected with the water tank body 100. The handle 800 enhances the ease of use of the water tank. When installing, disassembling or performing daily maintenance, the user can conveniently operate the water tank by means of the handle 800, so that the use of the water tank is more simple and intuitive, and the operation difficulty is reduced.
[0040] An ice maker comprising the water tank structure according to any one of the preceding items.
[0041] The water tank is divided into a pure water cavity 110 and a melted water cavity 120 by a partition plate 150, and a storage ice box 200 is detachably matched therewith. The overall structure is compact, the space occupation is reduced, the overall layout of the ice maker is more reasonable, and the space requirement in different use scenarios can be better adapted. The storage ice box 200 is detachable, so that the user can conveniently perform cleaning, ice replacement and other operations. The water in the melted water cavity 120 can flow back to the pure water cavity 110 through a third water outlet 130, so that the water is recycled, the water adding frequency is reduced, the waste of water resources and the energy consumption are effectively reduced by recycling and intelligently managing the water, the green and environmental protection concept of the modern society is met, and the ice maker can be more efficiently used in the running process, so that the stable ice making and related function operation are maintained.
[0042] The preferred embodiments of the utility model are specifically described above, but the utility model is not limited to the embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or replacements without departing from the spirit of the utility model, and these equivalent modifications or replacements are all included in the range defined by the claims of the present application.
Claims
1. A water tank structure characterized by comprising: The water tank structure comprises a water tank body (100), a partition plate (150) and an ice storage box (200) detachably arranged on the water tank body (100). The water tank body (100) is provided with a mounting space. The partition plate (150) is arranged in the mounting space so as to divide the mounting space into a pure water cavity (110) and a melted water cavity (120). The ice storage box (200) is arranged above the partition plate (150). The ice storage box (200) is provided with a first water outlet (210). The first water outlet (210) is connected between the ice storage box (200) and the melted water cavity (120). The water tank body (100) is provided with a second water outlet (111) connected to the pure water cavity (110). The second water outlet (111) is used for outputting water flow.
2. The water tank structure according to claim 1, wherein The water tank body (100) is further provided with a third water outlet (130). The third water outlet (130) is arranged on the partition plate (150). The third water outlet (130) is connected between the pure water cavity (110) and the melted water cavity (120).
3. The water tank structure according to claim 1, wherein The water tank body (100) is further provided with a support rib (140). The top end of the support rib (140) abuts against the bottom surface of the ice storage box (200) so as to support the ice storage box (200).
4. The water tank structure according to claim 1, wherein The water tank structure further comprises a filter device (300). The filter device (300) is arranged in the pure water cavity (110). The filter device (300) covers the second water outlet (111). The filter device (300) is used for filtering water flow from the pure water cavity (110) to the second water outlet (111).
5. The water tank structure according to claim 1, wherein The water tank structure further comprises a first detector (400). The first detector (400) is arranged on the ice storage box (200). The first detector (400) is used for detecting the stacking height of ice blocks in the ice storage box (200).
6. The water tank structure according to claim 1, wherein The water tank structure further comprises a second detector (500). The second detector (500) is arranged in the pure water cavity (110). The second detector (500) is used for detecting the water level in the pure water cavity (110).
7. The water tank structure according to claim 1, wherein The water tank structure further comprises a third detector (600). The third detector (600) is arranged in the melted water cavity (120). The third detector (600) is used for detecting the water level in the melted water cavity (120).
8. The water tank structure according to claim 2, wherein The water tank structure further comprises an ice shovel (700). The inner wall of the water tank body (100) is provided with a hook. The ice shovel (700) is provided with a hook ear matched with the hook.
9. The water tank structure according to claim 2, wherein The water tank structure further comprises a handle (800). The handle (800) is fixedly connected with the water tank body (100).
10. An ice maker characterized by, The water tank structure comprises the water tank structure according to any one of claims 1-9. The water tank structure comprises the water tank structure according to any one of claims 1-9.