Ice-making evaporator structure and ice maker

Abstract

The utility model provides an ice-making evaporator structure and an ice maker, the ice-making evaporator structure comprises a water receiving box and an evaporator, the evaporator comprises an evaporator main body and an ice-making column, the ice-making column is arranged on the bottom surface of the evaporator main body, the ice-making evaporator structure also comprises an evaporator support, a heat insulation groove is formed on the bottom surface of the evaporator support, and the heat insulation groove is communicated with the water receiving box. And the evaporator main body is arranged in the heat insulation groove. The evaporator main body is arranged in the heat insulation groove of the evaporator bracket, so that most area of the evaporator main body is wrapped by the heat insulation groove, the contact between the evaporator main body and outside air is reduced, and the energy loss of the evaporator during ice making is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice-making technology, and specifically to an ice-making evaporator structure and an ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] An ice maker is a refrigeration machine that produces ice by cooling water through an evaporator with a refrigerant in a refrigeration system. It uses a refrigeration system with water as the carrier, and produces ice by passing it through a device when powered on. For example, CN210532768U discloses an ice-making water dispenser, comprising: an inner tank with a cold water tank at its bottom; an ice-making assembly including a water receiving box and an ice-making heat exchanger corresponding to the water receiving box, the water receiving box being connected to the cold water tank via a pipe equipped with a circulation pump; the ice-making assembly being located at the top of the inner tank to allow water flowing out of the water receiving box to flow into the cold water tank; and an ice storage tray located above the cold water tank to store ice blocks that have detached from the water receiving box.

[0003] In the ice-making water dispenser described above, the upper surface of the ice-making heat exchanger easily exchanges heat with the outside air during ice making, resulting in a significant loss of energy.

[0004] Therefore, existing technologies still need to be improved and developed. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to address the defects and deficiencies of the existing technology by providing an ice-making evaporator structure and an ice maker.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0007] This utility model provides an ice-making evaporator structure, including a water receiving box and an evaporator. The evaporator includes an evaporator body and an ice-making column. The ice-making column is disposed on the bottom surface of the evaporator body. It also includes an evaporator support. The bottom surface of the evaporator support forms a heat insulation groove, and the evaporator body is disposed in the heat insulation groove.

[0008] By placing the evaporator body inside the heat insulation groove of the evaporator support, most of the area of ​​the evaporator body is covered by the heat insulation groove, reducing the contact between the evaporator body and the outside air, thereby effectively reducing the energy loss of the evaporator during ice making.

[0009] According to the above scheme, the evaporator bracket is connected to an extension, and the first end of the extension is connected to the evaporator bracket; the water receiving box has at least an ice-making position and an ice-removing position, and when the water receiving box is in the ice-making position, the second end of the extension and the ice-making column both extend into the water receiving box.

[0010] When the water collection box is in the ice-making position, the ice-making column extends into the water collection box and comes into contact with the water inside. Energy is transferred between the ice-making column and the water, causing the water in the collection box to freeze into ice and solidify on the ice-making column. When the water collection box is in the ice-making position, the extension extends into the water collection box, occupying space inside the box. This reduces the amount of water added to the box, thus reducing the energy required for ice making and improving ice-making efficiency.

[0011] According to the above scheme, both the evaporator support and the extension are made of heat-insulating material. This design reduces energy loss.

[0012] According to the above scheme, the ice-making columns are configured as multiple, and the multiple ice-making columns are evenly distributed on the bottom surface of the evaporator body.

[0013] According to the above scheme, the first end of the water receiving box is connected to the drive mechanism, and the drive mechanism can drive the water receiving box to switch between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position; the top of the second end of the water receiving box is provided with a water storage part, and the water storage part is provided with a groove communicating with the water receiving box; when the water receiving box is in the ice-removing position, the water in the water receiving box enters the groove.

[0014] When the drive mechanism moves the water receiving box to the de-icing position, the evaporator is located outside the water receiving box. The water in the water receiving box that has not condensed into ice is at a low temperature (i.e., low-temperature water). The low-temperature water will flow from the water receiving box into the groove so that it can be reused in the next ice making, thereby improving the ice making efficiency of the next ice making.

[0015] In some embodiments, a de-icing solenoid valve is also included, through which the evaporator is connected to the compressor.

[0016] When the water collection box is in the ice-making position, the de-icing solenoid valve is closed. The compressor runs and delivers refrigerant through the condenser to the evaporator, which cools the ice column to make ice. Then the de-icing solenoid valve is opened, and the compressor delivers high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas through the de-icing solenoid valve to the evaporator, which heats up to make the ice on the ice column fall off.

[0017] In some embodiments, a heating element is further included, which is disposed within the heat insulation groove and in contact with the upper surface of the evaporator body. By providing the heating element, when it is necessary to remove ice from the ice-making column (i.e., de-icing), the heating element is activated, allowing heat from the heating element to be transferred from the evaporator body to the ice-making column, thereby causing the ice to detach.

[0018] According to the above scheme, the heating element is an electric heating element. Using an electric heating element as the heating element helps to reduce its size.

[0019] This utility model also provides an ice maker, including a housing, an ice receiving cavity and an ice discharging channel inside the housing, the ice discharging channel being connected to the ice receiving cavity; the ice receiving cavity is provided with the aforementioned ice-making evaporator structure, and the housing is also provided with a refrigerant circulation refrigeration system, the refrigerant circulation refrigeration system being connected to the evaporator body of the ice-making evaporator structure through a capillary tube and a return gas pipe respectively.

[0020] According to the above scheme, the refrigerant circulation refrigeration system includes a compressor and a condenser connected in sequence; the capillary tube is connected to the condenser, and the return gas pipe is connected to the compressor.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0022] This invention features a heat insulation groove formed on the bottom surface of the evaporator support. The evaporator body is placed inside the heat insulation groove of the evaporator support, so that most of the area of ​​the evaporator body is covered by the heat insulation groove, reducing the contact between the evaporator body and the outside air, thereby effectively reducing the energy loss of the evaporator during ice making. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making evaporator structure described in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of the ice-making evaporator structure described in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the ice-making evaporator structure described in Embodiment 1 of this utility model in the ice-making state;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the ice maker described in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the ice maker in ice-making state according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the ice maker in the de-icing state according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the ice maker in the ice-discharging state according to Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0030] Figure 8 This is an exploded structural diagram of the ice-making evaporator structure described in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0031] In the diagram: 1. Water receiving box; 11. Water storage section; 111. Groove; 2. Evaporator; 21. Evaporator body; 22. Ice-making column; 3. Evaporator support; 31. Insulation groove; 32. Extension section; 4. Heating element; 5. Outer shell; 51. Ice receiving cavity; 52. Ice outlet channel; 6. Compressor; 61. De-icing solenoid valve; 62. Gas return pipe; 7. Condenser; 71. Capillary tube; 8. Water; 9. Ice block. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solution of this utility model will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] like Figure 1-3 As shown, this embodiment provides an ice-making evaporator structure, including a water receiving box 1 and an evaporator 2. The evaporator 2 includes an evaporator body 21 and an ice-making column 22. The ice-making column 22 is disposed on the bottom surface of the evaporator body 21. It also includes an evaporator support 3. The bottom surface of the evaporator support 3 forms a heat insulation groove 31, and the evaporator body 21 is disposed in the heat insulation groove 31.

[0035] By placing the evaporator body 21 inside the heat insulation groove 31 of the evaporator support 3, most of the area of ​​the evaporator body 21 is covered by the heat insulation groove 31, reducing the contact between the evaporator body 21 and the outside air, thereby effectively reducing the energy loss of the evaporator 2 during ice making.

[0036] Furthermore, the evaporator support 3 is connected to an extension 32, the first end of the extension 32 being connected to the evaporator support 3; the water receiving box 1 has at least an ice-making position and an ice-removing position, and when the water receiving box 1 is in the ice-making position, the second end of the extension 32 and the ice-making column 22 both extend into the water receiving box 1.

[0037] When the water receiving box 1 is in the ice-making position, the ice-making column 22 extends into the water receiving box 1 and comes into contact with the water inside. Energy is transferred between the ice-making column 22 and the water, causing the water in the water receiving box 1 to cool and freeze into ice, which then solidifies on the ice-making column 22. When the water receiving box 1 is in the ice-making position, the extension 32 extends into the water receiving box 1. The extension 32 occupies space inside the water receiving box 1, thereby reducing the amount of water added to the water receiving box 1, reducing the energy required for ice making, and improving ice-making efficiency.

[0038] Furthermore, both the evaporator support 3 and the extension 32 are made of heat-insulating material. This arrangement reduces energy loss.

[0039] Furthermore, the ice-making column 22 is configured as a plurality of ice-making columns 22, which are evenly distributed on the bottom surface of the evaporator body 21.

[0040] Furthermore, the first end of the water receiving box 1 is connected to the drive mechanism, which can drive the water receiving box 1 to switch between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position; the top of the second end of the water receiving box 1 is provided with a water storage part 11, and the water storage part 11 is provided with a groove 111 that communicates with the water receiving box 1; when the water receiving box 1 is in the ice-removing position, the water in the water receiving box 1 enters the groove 111.

[0041] When the drive mechanism moves the water receiving box 1 to the de-icing position, the evaporator 2 is located outside the water receiving box 1. The water in the water receiving box 1 that has not condensed into ice has a low temperature, i.e., low temperature water. The low temperature water will flow from the water receiving box 1 into the groove 111 so that it can be reused in the next ice making, thereby improving the ice making efficiency of the next ice making.

[0042] Furthermore, it also includes a de-icing solenoid valve 61, through which the evaporator 2 is connected to the compressor 6.

[0043] When the water collection box 1 is in the ice-making position, the de-icing solenoid valve 61 is closed, and the compressor 6 operates to deliver refrigerant through the condenser 7 to the evaporator 2, thereby cooling the ice column 22 to produce ice. Then, the de-icing solenoid valve 61 is opened, and the compressor 6 transmits high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas through the de-icing solenoid valve 61 to the evaporator 2, which heats up to cause the ice on the ice column 22 to fall off.

[0044] like Figure 4-6 As shown, this embodiment also provides an ice maker, including a housing 5. The housing 5 has an ice receiving cavity 51 and an ice discharging channel 52 inside, and the ice discharging channel 52 is connected to the ice receiving cavity 51. The ice receiving cavity 51 is provided with the above-mentioned ice-making evaporator structure. The housing 5 is also provided with a refrigerant circulation refrigeration system. The refrigerant circulation refrigeration system is connected to the evaporator body 21 of the ice-making evaporator structure through a capillary tube 71 and a return gas pipe 62, respectively. The refrigerant circulation refrigeration system includes a compressor 6 and a condenser 7 connected in sequence. The capillary tube 71 is connected to the condenser 7, and the return gas pipe 62 is connected to the compressor 6.

[0045] The ice maker described in this embodiment has three states during use: ice-making state, ice-removing state, and ice-discharging state. Correspondingly, the water collection box 1 has three positions: ice-making position, ice-removing position, and ice-discharging position. In the ice-making state, the drive mechanism moves the water collection box 1 to the ice-making position. Then, a measured amount of water 8 is added to the water collection box 1. The ice-making column 22 and the extension 32 extend into the water collection box 1 and come into contact with the water inside. The compressor 6 and condenser 7 are turned on, and the refrigerant flows into the evaporator body 21 through the compressor 6 and condenser 7, thereby cooling the ice-making column 22. This causes the water 9 in the water collection box 1 to condense into ice and solidify on the ice-making column 22. In the de-icing state, the drive mechanism moves the water receiving box 1 to the de-icing position. At this time, the evaporator 2 is located outside the water receiving box 1, and the water 8 in the water receiving box 1 enters the groove 111. The de-icing solenoid valve 61 is opened, and the compressor 6 delivers high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas to the evaporator body 21. The ice-making column 22 heats up, causing the ice blocks 9 solidified on the ice-making column 22 to fall off and into the ice receiving cavity 51. In the ice discharge state, the drive mechanism drives the water receiving box 1 to rotate, thereby pushing the ice blocks 9 located in the ice receiving cavity 51 to the ice discharge channel 52 for discharge.

[0046] Example 2

[0047] like Figure 8 As shown, this embodiment provides an ice-making evaporator structure, which is basically the same as that of embodiment 1, except that: no ice-removing solenoid valve 61 is provided, and a heating element 4 is also included. The heating element 4 is disposed in the heat insulation groove 31 and is in contact with the upper surface of the evaporator body 21. The heating element 4 is an electric heating element.

[0048] By incorporating a heating element 4, when ice needs to be removed from the ice-making column 22, the heating element 4 is activated, allowing heat from the evaporator body 21 to be transferred to the ice-making column 22, thus causing the ice to detach. Using an electric heating element 4 helps reduce its volume.

[0049] This embodiment also provides an ice maker, including a housing 5. The housing 5 has an ice receiving cavity 51 and an ice discharging channel 52 inside, and the ice discharging channel 52 is connected to the ice receiving cavity 51. The ice receiving cavity 51 is provided with the aforementioned ice-making evaporator structure. The housing 5 also has a refrigerant circulation refrigeration system. The refrigerant circulation refrigeration system is connected to the evaporator body 21 of the ice-making evaporator structure through a capillary tube 71 and a return gas pipe 62, respectively. The refrigerant circulation refrigeration system includes a compressor 6 and a condenser 7 connected in sequence. The capillary tube 71 is connected to the condenser 7, and the return gas pipe 62 is connected to the compressor 6.

[0050] The working process of the ice maker described in this embodiment is basically the same as that in embodiment 1, except that: in the de-icing state, the drive mechanism drives the water receiving box 1 to the de-icing position, at which time the evaporator 2 is located outside the water receiving box 1, and the water 8 in the water receiving box 1 enters the groove 111; the compressor 6 and condenser 7 are turned off, and the heating element 4 is turned on, so that the heating element 4 transfers heat to the ice making column 22 through the evaporator body 21, and the ice making column 22 heats up so that the ice block 9 solidified on the ice making column 22 falls off and falls into the ice receiving cavity 51.

[0051] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. Therefore, all equivalent changes or modifications made to the structure, features and principles described in the claims of the present utility model patent application are included in the scope of the present utility model patent application.

Claims

1. An ice-making evaporator structure, comprising a water receiving box (1) and an evaporator (2), wherein the evaporator (2) comprises an evaporator body (21) and an ice-making column (22), the ice-making column (22) being disposed on the bottom surface of the evaporator body (21), characterized in that, It also includes an evaporator support (3), the bottom surface of which is formed with a heat insulation groove (31), and the evaporator body (21) is disposed in the heat insulation groove (31).

2. The ice-making evaporator structure according to claim 1, characterized by, An extension (32) is connected to the evaporator bracket (3), and the first end of the extension (32) is connected to the evaporator bracket (3); The water receiving box (1) has at least an ice-making position and an ice-removing position. When the water receiving box (1) is in the ice-making position, the second end of the extension (32) and the ice-making column (22) both extend into the water receiving box (1).

3. The ice-making evaporator structure according to claim 2, characterized by, The evaporator support (3) and the extension (32) are both made of heat-insulating material.

4. The ice-making evaporator structure of claim 1, wherein, The ice-making columns (22) are configured in multiple ways, and the multiple ice-making columns (22) are evenly distributed on the bottom surface of the evaporator body (21).

5. The ice-making evaporator structure of claim 1, wherein, The first end of the water receiving box (1) is connected to the drive mechanism, which can drive the water receiving box (1) to switch between the ice-making position and the ice-removing position. The top of the second end of the water receiving box (1) is provided with a water storage part (11), and the water storage part (11) is provided with a groove (111) that communicates with the water receiving box (1); When the water receiving box (1) is in the de-icing position, the water in the water receiving box (1) enters the groove (111).

6. The ice-making evaporator structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It also includes a de-icing solenoid valve (61), through which the evaporator (2) is connected to the compressor (6).

7. The ice-making evaporator structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, It also includes a heating element (4), which is disposed in the heat insulation groove (31) and in contact with the upper surface of the evaporator body (21).

8. The ice-making evaporator structure according to claim 7, characterized by, The heating element (4) is an electric heating plate.

9. An ice maker, comprising a housing (5), wherein the housing (5) has an ice receiving cavity (51) and an ice discharging channel (52), the ice discharging channel (52) communicating with the ice receiving cavity (51), characterized in that, The ice receiving cavity (51) is provided with an ice-making evaporator structure as described in any one of claims 1-8, and the outer shell (5) is also provided with a refrigerant circulation refrigeration system. The refrigerant circulation refrigeration system is connected to the evaporator body (21) of the ice-making evaporator structure through a capillary tube (71) and a return gas pipe (62).

10. The ice maker of claim 9, wherein, The refrigerant circulation refrigeration system includes a compressor (6) and a condenser (7) connected in sequence; the capillary tube (71) is connected to the condenser (7), and the return gas pipe (62) is connected to the compressor (6).

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