Ice maker
By designing a water circulation system in the ice maker, the cleaning of the inner water tank, upper water tank, and ice-making device is automatically completed, solving the problem of low cleaning efficiency in existing ice makers and achieving fully automatic and efficient cleaning and improved user experience.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-31
AI Technical Summary
The existing ice maker requires manual operation for cleaning, which is inefficient and makes it difficult to guarantee the cleaning quality.
An ice maker was designed, comprising a shell, an outer water tank, an inner water tank, an upper water tank, an ice-making device, a water supply assembly, and a drainage assembly. Automatic cleaning is achieved through water circulation, with water flow rinsing the inner water tank, the upper water tank, and the ice-making device, thus automatically completing the cleaning process.
It achieves fully automatic and efficient cleaning of ice makers, eliminating the need for manual operation and improving cleaning efficiency and user experience.
Smart Images
Figure CN224065720U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of ice-making equipment technology, and in particular to an ice maker. Background Technology
[0002] Ice makers are very common household appliances that process liquid water into ice cubes for user consumption. Currently, cleaning ice makers on the market requires manual operation by the user, which is not only inefficient but also makes it difficult to guarantee the cleaning quality. Therefore, these problems urgently need to be solved. Utility Model Content
[0003] This application provides an ice maker, which includes a housing, an outer water tank, an inner water tank, an upper water tank, an ice-making device, a first water delivery assembly, a second water delivery assembly, a third water delivery assembly, and a first drainage assembly. The outer water tank is connected to the housing; the inner water tank is disposed inside the housing; the upper water tank is disposed inside the housing and communicates with the inner water tank; the ice-making device is disposed inside the housing and communicates with the inner water tank; the first water delivery assembly is disposed between the outer water tank and the inner water tank, and is used to transport water in the outer water tank to the inner water tank; the second water delivery assembly is disposed between the inner water tank and the upper water tank, and is used to transport water in the inner water tank to the upper water tank; the third water delivery assembly is disposed between the upper water tank and the ice-making device, and is used to transport water in the upper water tank to the ice-making device; the first drainage assembly is connected to the inner water tank, and is used to drain water from the inner water tank.
[0004] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first water delivery component includes a first water delivery pipe and a first solenoid valve, the first water delivery pipe being connected between the outer water tank and the inner water tank, and the first solenoid valve being connected in series on the first water delivery pipe.
[0005] Optionally, in some embodiments, the second water delivery assembly includes a second water delivery pipe and a water pump, the second water delivery pipe being connected between the inner water tank and the upper water tank, and the water pump being connected in series on the second water delivery pipe.
[0006] Optionally, in some embodiments, the third water delivery assembly includes a third water delivery pipe, a first connecting joint, and a fourth water delivery pipe, wherein the third water delivery pipe is connected between the upper water tank and the first connecting joint, and the fourth water delivery pipe is connected between the first connecting joint and the ice-making device.
[0007] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first drainage assembly includes a first drain pipe, a second connecting joint, a second drain pipe, a third connecting joint, a third drain pipe, and a second solenoid valve; the first drain pipe is connected between the inner water tank and the second connecting joint; the second drain pipe is connected between the second connecting joint and the third connecting joint; the second solenoid valve is connected in series on the second drain pipe; one end of the third drain pipe is connected to the third connecting joint, and the other end is located at the bottom of the outer side of the housing for drainage.
[0008] Optionally, in some embodiments, the ice maker further includes a second drainage component connected between the third water supply component and the first drainage component. The second drainage component is used to transport water from the upper water tank to the first drainage component and finally discharge it from the ice maker.
[0009] Optionally, in some embodiments, the second drainage assembly includes a fourth drain pipe, a fourth connecting joint, a fifth drain pipe, and a third solenoid valve; the fourth drain pipe is connected between the first connecting joint and the fourth connecting joint; the fifth drain pipe is connected between the fourth connecting joint and the third connecting joint; and the third solenoid valve is connected in series on the fifth drain pipe.
[0010] Optionally, in some embodiments, the ice maker further includes a third drainage assembly, which is connected to both the second drainage assembly and the inner water tank. The third drainage assembly is used to drain water from the upper water tank and water from the inner water tank into the ice maker.
[0011] Optionally, in some embodiments, the third drainage assembly includes a sixth drainage pipe, a fifth connecting joint, an intermediate connecting pipe, and a seventh drainage pipe; the sixth drainage pipe is connected between the fourth connecting joint and the fifth connecting joint; the intermediate connecting pipe is connected between the fifth connecting joint and the second connecting joint; one end of the seventh drainage pipe is connected to the fifth connecting joint, and the other end is located at the bottom of the outer side of the housing for drainage.
[0012] Optionally, in some embodiments, the ice maker further includes an end cap that is detachably connected to the end of the seventh drain pipe away from the fifth connecting joint.
[0013] The ice maker provided in this embodiment includes a first water supply component, a second water supply component, a third water supply component, and a first drainage component. The first water supply component transports water from the outer water tank to the inner water tank, the second water supply component transports water from the inner water tank to the upper water tank, the third water supply component transports water from the upper water tank to the ice-making device, and the first drainage component drains water from the inner water tank. Through this arrangement, water from the outer water tank sequentially passes through the inner water tank, the upper water tank, and the ice-making device. A portion of the water in the upper water tank can flow back to the inner water tank and be discharged through the first drainage component. Water from the ice-making device can also flow back to the inner water tank and be discharged through the first drainage component. Through this water circulation, the inner water tank, the upper water tank, and the ice-making device are all flushed by the water flow, achieving a cleaning effect on the ice maker. Furthermore, this process requires no manual operation, thus enabling fully automatic and efficient cleaning of the ice maker, facilitating user operation and improving the user experience. Attached Figure Description
[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the ice maker in some embodiments of this application.
[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the internal structure of an ice maker from another perspective.
[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of an ice maker viewed from below.
[0018] Figure 4 This is a simplified schematic diagram showing the connection relationship of some structures of the ice maker in some embodiments of this application.
[0019] Figure 5 This is a simplified schematic diagram showing the connection relationship of some structures of the ice maker in other embodiments of this application.
[0020] Figure 6 This is a simplified schematic diagram showing the connection relationship of some structures of the ice maker in other embodiments of this application.
[0021] Labeling Explanation: 100, Ice maker; 10, Housing; 11, Outer water tank; 12, Inner water tank; 13, Upper water tank; 14, Ice-making device; 15, First water supply assembly; 151, First water supply pipe; 152, First solenoid valve; 16, Second water supply assembly; 161, Second water supply pipe; 162, Water pump; 17, Third water supply assembly; 171, Third water supply pipe; 172, First connecting joint; 173, Fourth water supply pipe; 18, First drainage assembly; 181, First drain... Water pipe; 182, Second connecting joint; 183, Second drain pipe; 184, Third connecting joint; 185, Third drain pipe; 186, Second solenoid valve; 19, Second drain assembly; 191, Fourth drain pipe; 192, Fourth connecting joint; 193, Fifth drain pipe; 194, Third solenoid valve; 20, Third drain assembly; 201, Sixth drain pipe; 202, Fifth connecting joint; 203, Intermediate connecting pipe; 204, Seventh drain pipe; 21, End cap. Detailed Implementation
[0022] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.
[0023] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "middle," "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," and "longitudinal" indicate the orientation or state relationship based on the orientation or state relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated devices, elements, or components to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.
[0024] Furthermore, in addition to indicating location or state relationships, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in certain situations to indicate a dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0025] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are primarily used to distinguish different devices, elements, or components (the specific types and structures may be the same or different), and are not used to indicate or imply the relative importance or quantity of the indicated devices, elements, or components. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0026] Furthermore, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components or merely surface contact. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0027] If certain terms are used in the specification and claims to refer to specific components, those skilled in the art will understand that hardware manufacturers may use different names to refer to the same component. The specification and claims do not distinguish components based on differences in name, but rather on differences in function. For example, the term "comprising" used throughout the specification and claims is an open-ended term and should be interpreted as "including but not limited to"; "generally" means that those skilled in the art can solve the technical problem and basically achieve the technical effect within a certain margin of error.
[0028] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 This embodiment provides an ice maker 100, which is used to process liquid water into ice cubes for user use. The ice maker 100 includes a housing 10, an outer water tank 11, an inner water tank 12, an upper water tank 13, an ice-making device 14, a first water delivery assembly 15, a second water delivery assembly 16, a third water delivery assembly 17, and a first drainage assembly 18.
[0029] The housing 10 is the main outer shell structure of the ice maker 100, and its interior is provided with a receiving cavity. The housing 10 is used to accommodate and install other structures or components of the ice maker 100. As a specific example, in this embodiment, the housing 10 is generally rectangular. In other embodiments, the housing 10 may also be generally cubic, cylindrical, or any other shape, and there is no limitation thereto.
[0030] The outer water tank 11 is a container structure used to hold the liquid water needed to make ice. The outer water tank 11 is connected to the shell 10 and located outside the shell 10. As a specific example, in this embodiment, the outer water tank 11 is generally rectangular. In other embodiments, the outer water tank 11 can also be generally cubic, cylindrical, or any other arbitrary shape, and there is no limitation thereto.
[0031] The inner water tank 12 is a box structure located inside the shell 10 and used to hold the liquid water needed to make ice.
[0032] The upper water tank 13 is located inside the shell 10 and is connected to the inner water tank 12. The upper water tank 13 is used to temporarily store the liquid water needed to make ice.
[0033] The ice-making device 14 is the main structure used to make ice blocks. Specifically, the ice-making device 14 can be an ice extruder, an ice maker, etc. The ice-making device 14 is located inside the housing 10 and is connected to the inner water tank 12.
[0034] The first water delivery component 15 is disposed between the outer water tank 11 and the inner water tank 12. The first water delivery component 15 is used to transport water in the outer water tank 11 to the inner water tank 12.
[0035] The second water delivery component 16 is disposed between the inner water tank 12 and the upper water tank 13. The second water delivery component 16 is used to transport water in the inner water tank 12 to the upper water tank 13.
[0036] The third water delivery assembly 17 is located between the upper water tank 13 and the ice-making device 14. The third water delivery assembly 17 is used to transport water in the upper water tank 13 to the ice-making device 14.
[0037] The first drainage component 18 is connected to the inner water tank 12 and is used to drain the water in the inner water tank 12.
[0038] With the above configuration, when the ice maker 100 performs automatic cleaning, the first water delivery component 15 first transports water from the outer water tank 11 to the inner water tank 12, the second water delivery component 16 transports water from the inner water tank 12 to the upper water tank 13, and the third water delivery component 17 then transports a portion of the water from the upper water tank 13 to the ice-making device 14. The remaining water in the upper water tank 13 flows directly back to the inner water tank 12, and the water in the ice-making device 14 also flows back to the inner water tank 12. Finally, the water in the inner water tank 12 is discharged through the first drainage component 18. Through this water circulation, the inner water tank 12, the upper water tank 13, and the ice-making device 14 are all flushed by the water flow, achieving a cleaning effect on the ice maker 100. Furthermore, this process requires no manual operation, thus enabling fully automatic and efficient cleaning of the ice maker 100, facilitating user operation and improving the user experience.
[0039] Please see Figure 2 In some embodiments, the first water delivery assembly 15 includes a first water delivery pipe 151 and a first solenoid valve 152. The first water delivery pipe 151 is connected between the outer water tank 11 and the inner water tank 12, and the first solenoid valve 152 is connected in series with the first water delivery pipe 151. Specifically, one end of the first water delivery pipe 151 is connected to the outer water tank 11, and the other end is connected to the inner water tank 12. The heights of the outer water tank 11 and the inner water tank 12 are almost the same. The first water delivery pipe 151 can be any type of pipe structure, such as a silicone flexible tube or a plastic rigid pipe, and the specific type of the first water delivery pipe 151 is not limited. With the above configuration, when the first solenoid valve 152 is opened, according to the principle of communicating vessels, water in the outer water tank 11 can enter the inner water tank 12 through the first water delivery pipe 151, thereby achieving the technical effect of transporting water from the outer water tank 11 to the inner water tank 12. When the first solenoid valve 152 is closed, the first water supply pipe 151 is interrupted, and the water in the outer water tank 11 cannot enter the inner water tank 12.
[0040] Please see Figure 2In some embodiments, the second water delivery assembly 16 includes a second water delivery pipe 161 and a water pump 162. The second water delivery pipe 161 connects the inner water tank 12 and the upper water tank 13, and the water pump 162 is connected in series with the second water delivery pipe 161. Specifically, one end of the second water delivery pipe 161 is connected to the inner water tank 12, and the other end is connected to the upper water tank 13, with the height of the upper water tank 13 being higher than the height of the inner water tank 12. The second water delivery pipe 161 can be any type of pipe structure, such as a silicone flexible tube or a plastic rigid pipe, and the specific type of the second water delivery pipe 161 is not limited. With the above configuration, when the water pump 162 is turned on, the water in the inner water tank 12 can be drawn into the first water delivery pipe 151 by the water pump 162 and finally enter the upper water tank 13, thereby achieving the technical effect of transporting water from the inner water tank 12 to the upper water tank 13.
[0041] Please see Figure 2 In some embodiments, the third water delivery assembly 17 includes a third water delivery pipe 171, a first connecting connector 172, and a fourth water delivery pipe 173. The third water delivery pipe 171 connects the upper water tank 13 and the first connecting connector 172, and the fourth water delivery pipe 173 connects the first connecting connector 172 and the ice-making device 14. Specifically, one end of the third water delivery pipe 171 is connected to the upper water tank 13, and the other end is connected to the first connecting connector 172; one end of the fourth water delivery pipe 173 is connected to the first connecting connector 172, and the other end is connected to the ice-making device 14. The third water delivery assembly 17 is located below the upper water tank 13 and the ice-making device 14. In this embodiment, the first connecting connector 172 is a T-connector; the end of the third water delivery pipe 171 away from the upper water tank 13 is connected to any one of the connectors of the first connecting connector 172; and the end of the fourth water delivery pipe 173 away from the ice-making device 14 is connected to any other connector of the first connecting connector 172. The top of the upper water tank 13 has an opening that communicates with the inner water tank 12, thus enabling communication between the two tanks. The top of the ice-making device 14 also has an opening that communicates with the inner water tank 12, enabling communication between the two tanks, and the height of the top opening of the ice-making device 14 is the same as the height of the top opening of the upper water tank 13. The third water supply pipe 171 and the fourth water supply pipe 173 can be any type of pipe structure, such as silicone flexible tubing or rigid plastic tubing; the specific types of the third water supply pipe 171 and the fourth water supply pipe 173 are not limited.
[0042] With the above configuration, based on the principle of communicating vessels, the water entering the upper water tank 13 will sequentially pass through the third water supply pipe 171, the first connecting joint 172, and the fourth water supply pipe 173 before entering the ice-making device 14. When the upper water tank 13 is full, excess water will overflow from the top opening of the upper water tank 13 and flow into the inner water tank 12. Similarly, when the ice-making device 14 is full, excess water will also overflow from the top opening of the ice-making device 14 and flow back into the inner water tank 12. Through the above process, water can circulate among the inner water tank 12, the upper water tank 13, and the ice-making device 14, thereby achieving flushing and cleaning of the inner water tank 12, the upper water tank 13, and the ice-making device 14.
[0043] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the first drainage assembly 18 includes a first drain pipe 181, a second connecting joint 182, a second drain pipe 183, a third connecting joint 184, a third drain pipe 185, and a second solenoid valve 186. The first drain pipe 181 is connected between the inner water tank 12 and the second connecting joint 182. The second drain pipe 183 is connected between the second connecting joint 182 and the third connecting joint 184. The second solenoid valve 186 is connected in series with the second drain pipe 183 and is used to control the opening and closing of the second drain pipe 183. One end of the third drain pipe 185 is connected to the third connecting joint 184, and the other end is located at the bottom of the outer casing 10 for drainage. Specifically, one end of the first drain pipe 181 is connected to the inner water tank 12, and the other end is connected to the second connecting joint 182. One end of the second drain pipe 183 is connected to the second connecting joint 182, and the other end is connected to the third connecting joint 184. One end of the third drain pipe 185 is connected to the third connecting joint 184, and the other end extends to the bottom of the outer side of the housing 10. In this embodiment, both the second connecting joint 182 and the third connecting joint 184 are tee joints. The end of the first drain pipe 181 away from the inner water tank 12 is connected to one joint of the second connecting joint 182. One end of the second drain pipe 183 is connected to one joint of the second connecting joint 182, and the other end is connected to one joint of the third connecting joint 184. One end of the third drain pipe 185 is connected to one joint of the third connecting joint 184, and the other end extends to the bottom of the outer side of the housing 10 for drainage. The first drain pipe 181, the second drain pipe 183, and the third drain pipe 185 can be any type of pipe structure such as silicone hoses or plastic rigid pipes. The specific types of the first drain pipe 181, the second drain pipe 183, and the third drain pipe 185 are not limited.
[0044] With the above settings, the water in the inner water tank 12 can be discharged through the first drainage component 18. When draining, the second solenoid valve 186 is in the open state, and the water in the inner water tank 12 can be discharged to the outside through the first drainage pipe 181, the second connecting joint 182, the second drainage pipe 183, the third connecting joint 184, and the third drainage pipe 185 in sequence.
[0045] Based on the above, the automatic cleaning process of the ice maker 100 is as follows: the first solenoid valve 152 is opened and the second solenoid valve 186 is closed, allowing water in the outer water tank 11 to enter the inner water tank 12 through the first water supply pipe 151; the water pump 162 is started, drawing water from the inner water tank 12 into the second water supply pipe 161 and into the upper water tank 13; a portion of the water in the upper water tank 13 flows back into the inner water tank 12 through the opening at its top, and another portion of the water enters the ice-making device 14 through the third water supply pipe 171, the first connecting joint 172, and the fourth water supply pipe 173; after the ice-making device 14 is full, the overflowing water can pass through the top of the ice-making device 14. The water flows back into the inner water tank 12 through the opening. Since the second solenoid valve 186 remains closed during the above process, the water in the inner water tank 12 will not be discharged from the first drain assembly 18. This process repeats cyclically, allowing water to continuously flow back and forth between the inner water tank 12, the upper water tank 13, and the ice-making device 14, thereby achieving flushing and cleaning of these components. After a certain period, the second solenoid valve 186 is opened, and the water in the inner water tank 12 can then be discharged sequentially through the first drain pipe 181, the second connecting joint 182, the second drain pipe 183, the third connecting joint 184, and the third drain pipe 185. The above cleaning process for the ice maker 100 requires no manual intervention, achieving fully automatic cleaning of the ice maker 100. This is convenient, efficient, and provides excellent cleaning results, greatly improving the user experience.
[0046] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5In some embodiments, the ice maker 100 further includes a second drainage assembly 19, which is connected between the third water supply assembly 17 and the first drainage assembly 18. The second drainage assembly 19 is used to transport water in the upper water tank 13 to the first drainage assembly 18 and finally discharge it from the ice maker 100. The second drainage assembly 19 is located below the third water supply assembly 17. With the above arrangement, a portion of the water in the upper water tank 13 flows directly back to the inner water tank 12 through its top opening and is discharged through the first drainage assembly 18. Another portion of the water in the upper water tank 13 enters the ice-making device 14 through the third water supply assembly 17 and finally flows back to the inner water tank 12 and is discharged through the first drainage assembly 18. A further portion of the water in the upper water tank 13 is transported to the first drainage assembly 18 through the second drainage assembly 19 and discharged. In summary, the second drainage assembly 19 can improve the drainage efficiency of the water in the upper water tank 13, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency of the ice maker 100.
[0047] In some embodiments, the second drainage assembly 19 includes a fourth drain pipe 191, a fourth connecting joint 192, a fifth drain pipe 193, and a third solenoid valve 194. The fourth drain pipe 191 is connected between the first connecting joint 172 and the fourth connecting joint 192. The fifth drain pipe 193 is connected between the fourth connecting joint 192 and the third connecting joint 184. The third solenoid valve 194 is connected in series on the fifth drain pipe 193 and is used to control the opening and closing of the fifth drain pipe 193. Specifically, one end of the fourth drain pipe 191 is connected to the first connecting joint 172, and the other end is connected to the fourth connecting joint 192. One end of the fifth drain pipe 193 is connected to the fourth connecting joint 192, and the other end is connected to the third connecting joint 184. In this embodiment, the fourth connecting joint 192 is a tee connector; the end of the fourth drain pipe 191 away from the first connecting joint 172 is connected to a connector of the fourth connecting joint 192, and the end of the fifth drain pipe 193 away from the third connecting joint 184 is connected to a connector of the fourth connecting joint 192. The fourth drain pipe 191 and the fifth drain pipe 193 can be any type of pipe structure, such as silicone hose or plastic rigid pipe, and there is no limitation on the specific type of the fourth drain pipe 191 and the fifth drain pipe 193.
[0048] With the above configuration, when the ice maker 100 is in the cleaning stage, the third solenoid valve 194 and the second solenoid valve 186 are both closed. At this time, water circulates back and forth between the inner water tank 12, the upper water tank 13, and the ice-making device 14. When the ice maker 100 is in the draining stage, both the third solenoid valve 194 and the second solenoid valve 186 are open. At this time, the water in the inner water tank 12 can be discharged through the first drain assembly 18, and a portion of the water in the upper water tank 13 can be discharged sequentially through the third water supply pipe 171, the first connecting joint 172, the fourth drain pipe 191, the fourth connecting joint 192, the fifth drain pipe 193, the third connecting joint 184, and the third drain pipe 185. The above configuration can improve the drainage efficiency after the cleaning operation of the ice maker 100, thereby improving the working efficiency of the entire cleaning process of the ice maker 100.
[0049] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the ice maker 100 further includes a third drainage assembly 20, which is connected to both the second drainage assembly 19 and the inner water tank 12. The third drainage assembly 20 is used to drain water from the upper water tank 13 and water from the inner water tank 12. With this configuration, a portion of the water in the upper water tank 13 can either flow through the second drainage assembly 19 into the first drainage assembly 18 and ultimately be discharged from the ice maker 100, or it can enter the third drainage assembly 20 through the second drainage assembly 19 and ultimately be discharged from the ice maker 100. Similarly, water in the inner water tank 12 can either directly enter the first drainage assembly 18 and be discharged from the ice maker 100, or it can enter the third drainage assembly 20 and be discharged from the ice maker 100. In summary, the third drainage assembly 20 provides different drainage routes for the inner water tank 12 and the upper water tank 13, thereby meeting the drainage needs of the ice maker 100 under different operating conditions.
[0050] In some embodiments, the third drainage assembly 20 includes a sixth drain pipe 201, a fifth connecting joint 202, an intermediate connecting pipe 203, and a seventh drain pipe 204. The sixth drain pipe 201 is connected between the fourth connecting joint 192 and the fifth connecting joint 202. The intermediate connecting pipe 203 is connected between the fifth connecting joint 202 and the second connecting joint 182. One end of the seventh drain pipe 204 is connected to the fifth connecting joint 202, and the other end is located at the bottom of the housing 10 for drainage. Specifically, one end of the sixth drain pipe 201 is connected to the fourth connecting joint 192, and the other end is connected to the fifth connecting joint 202. One end of the intermediate connecting pipe 203 is connected to the first connecting joint 172, and the other end is connected to the fifth connecting joint 202. One end of the seventh drain pipe 204 is connected to the fifth connecting joint 202, and the other end is located at the bottom of the housing 10. In this embodiment, the fifth connecting joint 202 is a tee joint, and the end of the sixth drain pipe 201 furthest from the fourth connecting joint 192 is connected to a joint of the fifth connecting joint 202. One end of the intermediate connecting pipe 203 is connected to a joint of the first connecting joint 172, and the other end is connected to a joint of the fifth connecting joint 202. One end of the seventh drain pipe 204 is connected to a joint of the fifth connecting joint 202. The sixth drain pipe 201, the intermediate connecting pipe 203, and the seventh drain pipe 204 can be any type of pipe structure, such as silicone hoses or plastic rigid pipes, and the specific types of the sixth drain pipe 201, the intermediate connecting pipe 203, and the seventh drain pipe 204 are not limited.
[0051] With the above settings, when the ice maker 100 is in a power outage condition or when the electrical components of the ice maker 100 used to achieve the automatic cleaning function (such as the first solenoid valve 152, the second solenoid valve 186, the third solenoid valve 194, the water pump 162, etc.) malfunction, the user can perform semi-automatic cleaning of the ice maker 100. The specific operation is as follows: First, the seventh drain pipe 204 is blocked, and external water is continuously injected into the upper water tank 13. A portion of the water in the upper water tank 13 will enter the ice-making device 14 through the third water delivery component 17, and the upper water tank 13... As the water level in the ice-making device 14 continues to rise, when the upper water tank 13 and the ice-making device 14 are full, the overflowing water flows back into the inner water tank 12. At this time, because the second solenoid valve 186 is closed, the water in the inner water tank 12 cannot be discharged from the third drain pipe 185. Because the seventh drain pipe 204 is blocked, the water in the inner water tank 12 cannot be discharged from the seventh drain pipe 204. Because the third solenoid valve 194 is closed, the water in the upper water tank 13 cannot be discharged from the third drain pipe 185 or the seventh drain pipe 204. As external water is continuously injected into the upper water tank 13, the water continuously flushes the upper water tank 13, the ice-making device 14, and the inner water tank 12, thereby achieving the flushing and cleaning of the upper water tank 13, the ice-making device 14, and the inner water tank 12. After a certain period of time, the user can manually open the seventh drain pipe 204 and stop filling the upper water tank 13. At this time, the water in the inner water tank 12 will sequentially pass through the first drain pipe 181, the second connecting joint 182, the intermediate connecting pipe 203, the fifth connecting joint 202, and finally be discharged from the ice maker 100 through the seventh drain pipe 204. The water in the upper water tank 13 will sequentially pass through the third water supply pipe 171, the first connecting joint 172, the fourth drain pipe 191, the fourth connecting joint 192, the sixth drain pipe 201, the fifth connecting joint 202, the seventh drain pipe 204, and finally be discharged from the ice maker 100. In summary, through the above settings, the ice maker 100 can not only perform fully automatic cleaning, but also perform semi-automatic cleaning under special conditions such as power outages or electrical component failures, further meeting the diverse cleaning needs of users and improving the user experience.
[0052] Please see Figure 3 In some embodiments, the ice maker 100 further includes an end cap 21, which is detachably connected to the end of the seventh drain pipe 204 away from the fifth connecting joint 202. With this configuration, when the ice maker 100 is in fully automatic cleaning mode, the end cap 21 blocks the seventh drain pipe 204, and drainage from the ice maker 100 is completed through the third drain pipe 185. When the ice maker 100 is in semi-automatic cleaning mode, the user can remove the end cap 21 to allow the seventh drain pipe 204 to flow freely, and drainage from the ice maker 100 is completed through the seventh drain pipe 204.
[0053] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 6This application provides an ice maker 100 that can perform fully automatic and semi-automatic self-cleaning. When the ice maker 100 performs fully automatic self-cleaning: the user seals the seventh drain pipe 204 using the end cap 21. At this time, the first solenoid valve 152 opens and the second solenoid valve 186 closes, allowing water from the outer water tank 11 to enter the inner water tank 12 through the first water supply pipe 151; the water pump 162 starts, drawing water from the inner water tank 12 into the second water supply pipe 161 and into the upper water tank 13. A portion of the water in the upper water tank 13 flows back into the inner water tank 12 through its top opening, while another portion flows through the third water supply pipe 171, the first connecting connector 172, and the fourth water supply pipe 173 into the ice-making device 14; after the ice-making device 14 is full, the overflowing water can pass through the ice-making device 1... 4. The water flows back into the inner water tank 12 through the top opening. Since the second solenoid valve 186 remains closed during the above process, the water in the inner water tank 12 will not be discharged from the first drain assembly 18. The above process is repeated cyclically, which allows the water to flow back and forth between the inner water tank 12, the upper water tank 13, and the ice-making device 14, thereby achieving the flushing and cleaning of the inner water tank 12, the upper water tank 13, and the ice-making device 14. After a certain period of time, the second solenoid valve 186 is opened, and the water in the inner water tank 12 can be discharged in sequence through the first drain pipe 181, the second connecting joint 182, the second drain pipe 183, the third connecting joint 184, and the third drain pipe 185, and the entire cleaning process is completed.When the ice maker 100 performs semi-automatic cleaning: the user first blocks the seventh drain pipe 204 using the end cap 21, and then continuously injects external water into the upper water tank 13. A portion of the water in the upper water tank 13 enters the ice-making device 14 through the third water supply component 17, and the water levels in both the upper water tank 13 and the ice-making device 14 continuously rise. When both are full, the overflowing water flows back into the inner water tank 12. At this time, because the second solenoid valve 186 is closed, the water in the inner water tank 12 cannot be discharged from the third drain pipe 185. Because the seventh drain pipe 204 is blocked, the water in the inner water tank 12 also cannot be discharged from the seventh drain pipe 204. Because the third solenoid valve 194 is closed, the water in the upper water tank 13 cannot be discharged from either the third drain pipe 185 or the seventh drain pipe 204. With the external water... Water is continuously injected into the upper water tank 13, constantly flushing the upper water tank 13, the ice-making device 14, and the inner water tank 12, thereby achieving the flushing and cleaning of the upper water tank 13, the ice-making device 14, and the inner water tank 12. After a certain period of time, the user can remove the end cap 21 on the seventh drain pipe 204 and stop injecting water into the upper water tank 13. At this time, the water in the inner water tank 12 will pass through the first drain pipe 181, the second connecting joint 182, the intermediate connecting pipe 203, the fifth connecting joint 202 in sequence and finally be discharged from the ice maker 100 through the seventh drain pipe 204. The water in the upper water tank 13 will pass through the third water supply pipe 171, the first connecting joint 172, the fourth drain pipe 191, the fourth connecting joint 192, the sixth drain pipe 201, the fifth connecting joint 202, the seventh drain pipe 204 in sequence and finally be discharged from the ice maker 100, and the entire cleaning process is completed.
[0054] In summary, the embodiments of this application provide an ice maker 100 that can perform fully automatic or semi-automatic self-cleaning. It offers advantages such as high cleaning efficiency, good cleaning effect, user convenience, and improved user experience.
[0055] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are 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 any suitable manner in one or more 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.
[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not 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. These 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 shell; an outer water tank connected to the shell; an inner water tank arranged inside the shell; an upper water tank arranged inside the shell and in communication with the inner water tank; an ice making device arranged inside the shell and in communication with the inner water tank; a first water feeding assembly arranged between the outer water tank and the inner water tank, for transporting water in the outer water tank into the inner water tank; a second water feeding assembly arranged between the inner water tank and the upper water tank, for transporting water in the inner water tank into the upper water tank; a third water feeding assembly arranged between the upper water tank and the ice making device, for transporting water in the upper water tank into the ice making device; a first water draining assembly connected to the inner water tank, for draining water in the inner water tank.
2. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein, The first water feeding assembly comprises a first water feeding pipe connected between the outer water tank and the inner water tank, and a first electromagnetic valve arranged in series on the first water feeding pipe.
3. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein, The second water feeding assembly comprises a second water feeding pipe connected between the inner water tank and the upper water tank, and a water pump arranged in series on the second water feeding pipe.
4. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein, The third water feeding assembly comprises a third water feeding pipe connected between the upper water tank and a first communication joint, and a fourth water feeding pipe connected between the first communication joint and the ice making device.
5. The ice maker of claim 4, wherein, The first water draining assembly comprises a first water draining pipe connected between the inner water tank and a second communication joint, a second water draining pipe connected between the second communication joint and a third communication joint, a third water draining pipe, and a second electromagnetic valve arranged in series on the second water draining pipe; one end of the third water draining pipe is in communication with the third communication joint, and the other end is located at the bottom of the shell outside the shell for draining water.
6. The ice maker of claim 5, wherein, The ice maker further comprises a second water draining assembly connected between the third water feeding assembly and the first water draining assembly, for transporting water in the upper water tank into the first water draining assembly and finally draining the ice maker.
7. The ice maker of claim 6, wherein, The second water draining assembly comprises a fourth water draining pipe connected between the first communication joint and a fourth communication joint, a fifth water draining pipe connected between the fourth communication joint and the third communication joint, and a third electromagnetic valve arranged in series on the fifth water draining pipe.
8. The ice maker of claim 7, wherein, The ice maker further comprises a third water draining assembly connected to both the second water draining assembly and the inner water tank, for draining water in the upper water tank out of the ice maker and for draining water in the inner water tank out of the ice maker.
9. The ice maker of claim 8, wherein, The third drainage assembly includes a sixth drainage pipe, a fifth communication joint, an intermediate connecting pipe, and a seventh drainage pipe; the sixth drainage pipe is connected between the fourth communication joint and the fifth communication joint; the intermediate connecting pipe is connected between the fifth communication joint and the second communication joint; one end of the seventh drainage pipe is connected to the fifth communication joint, and the other end is located at a bottom end outside the shell for drainage.
10. The ice maker of claim 9, wherein, The ice maker further includes an end cover which is detachably connected to one end of the seventh drainage pipe away from the fifth communication joint.