Ice maker

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model relates to the technical field of ice making, and discloses an ice maker which comprises an ice maker body, a first adapter and an outer water pipe. The ice maker body comprises an inner container, a water storage area is arranged in the inner container, and a water injection hole for adding water into the water storage area is formed in the inner container; the first adapter is fixedly arranged on the ice maker body and is communicated with the water injection hole; the outer water pipe is located outside the ice maker body, one end of the outer water pipe is detachably communicated with the first adapter, and the other end of the outer water pipe is configured to be detachably communicated with an external water source. By means of the mode, the problem that in the related technology, when the outer water pipe is pulled by external force, the connecting position of the outer water pipe and the water storage area is prone to loosening and even disengaging, and follow-up maintenance is difficult can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] An ice maker is a refrigeration machine that cools water through an evaporator using a refrigeration system to produce ice. As consumers' demands for quality of life increase, ice makers with external water sources have appeared on the market. However, most of these external water sources are directly connected to the ice maker's water storage area via an external water pipe, which is fixed to the water inlet of the storage area using clamps and bolts. When the external water pipe is subjected to external force, the connection between the external water pipe and the storage area is prone to loosening or even detachment, leading to difficulties in subsequent repairs. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide an ice maker that improves the problem in related technologies where the connection between the external water pipe and the water storage area is prone to loosening or even detachment when the external water pipe is pulled by external force, leading to difficulties in subsequent maintenance.

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

[0005] The ice maker body includes an inner liner, the inner liner having a water storage area and a water injection hole for adding water to the water storage area;

[0006] The first adapter is fixed to the ice maker body and connected to the water inlet hole;

[0007] An external water pipe is located outside the ice maker body. One end of the external water pipe is detachably connected to the first adapter, and the other end of the external water pipe is configured to be detachably connected to an external water source.

[0008] In some embodiments, the ice maker body includes a base plate and multiple protective shells; the inner liner is fixed to the base plate, and the multiple protective shells are respectively disposed on different sides of the inner liner; the base plate, the inner liner, and the multiple protective shells together enclose an installation space.

[0009] The first adapter is fixed to the base plate and includes a first water inlet and a first water outlet that are interconnected; the first water inlet passes through a protective shell and extends out of the protective shell, and the first water outlet is located in the installation space and is connected to the water injection hole.

[0010] One end of the external water pipe is detachably connected to the portion of the first water inlet that extends out of the protective shell.

[0011] In some embodiments, the plurality of protective shells include a rear protective shell; the base plate includes a bottom wall and a baffle wall formed by bending and extending from the edge of the bottom wall, the baffle wall being spaced apart from and disposed opposite to the rear protective shell;

[0012] The rear protective shell has a first through hole, the baffle has a second through hole, and the first water inlet passes through the first through hole and the second through hole and extends out of the rear protective shell.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one rib is provided at one end of the first water outlet near the first water inlet, and at least one of the ribs is disposed on the outer wall of the first water outlet and abuts against the baffle wall.

[0014] In some embodiments, a first fixing part is provided on each of the opposite sides of the first water outlet;

[0015] The rear protective shell includes a shell body and a flange formed by bending and extending from the edge of the shell body. The shell body and the baffle are disposed opposite to each other, and the flange and part of the bottom wall overlap to form an overlapping portion.

[0016] After passing through the overlapping portion, the two first fasteners are screwed into the two first fixing parts one by one.

[0017] In some embodiments, the base plate includes a limiting buckle formed by bending and extending a portion of the bottom wall, the limiting buckle being spaced apart from and opposite to the baffle wall;

[0018] A limiting notch is provided between the first water outlet and the two first fixing parts, and the limiting buckle is received in the limiting notch to limit the first adapter.

[0019] In some embodiments, the ice maker body includes a support frame fixed to the base plate, a portion of the inner liner overlaps the support frame, and the support frame has a third through hole.

[0020] The ice maker includes an inner water pipe and a second adapter fixed to the support frame. The second adapter includes a second water inlet and a second water outlet that are interconnected. The two ends of the inner water pipe are respectively connected to the first water outlet and the second water inlet. The second water outlet passes through the third through hole and is inserted into the water injection hole to form a water inlet passage for the water storage area.

[0021] In some embodiments, a sealing ring is fitted onto the end of the second water outlet that is away from the second water inlet; the sealing ring abuts against the inner wall of the water injection hole and the outer wall of the second water outlet.

[0022] In some embodiments, the edge of the third through hole is provided with a surrounding wall protruding from the opposite two side surfaces of the support frame;

[0023] The outer wall of the second water outlet near the second water inlet extends radially outward to form a stepped protrusion, which is embedded in the inner wall surface of the surrounding wall.

[0024] In some embodiments, the second adapter includes a top plate surrounding the outer wall of the second water inlet, the top plate abutting against the end of the surrounding wall;

[0025] The top plate is provided with a second fixing part on each side, and two second fasteners pass through the two second fixing parts one by one and fix the second fasteners to the support frame.

[0026] The ice maker involved in this application has an external water pipe that is detachably connected to the water inlet passage inside the ice maker body via a first adapter, instead of being directly connected to the water storage area. This improves the problem of subsequent maintenance difficulties caused by the easy loosening or even detachment of the connection between the external water pipe and the water storage area when the external water pipe is pulled by external force. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0028] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the structure of an ice maker according to one embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a partial structure of an ice maker provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an ice maker provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 4 Another cross-sectional view of an ice maker provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the structure of the bottom plate and the first adapter of an ice maker according to one embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a support frame assembled into the inner liner of an ice maker, with the dashed lines indicating the specific structure of the inner liner.

[0034] Figure 7 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the second adapter in the ice maker assembled with the support frame.

[0035] Figure label:

[0036] 10. Ice maker body; 110. Protective shell; 1101. Front protective shell; 1102. Rear protective shell; 11021. Shell body; 110a. First through hole; 11022. Flanged edge; 120. Base plate; 1201. Bottom wall; 1202. Baffle wall; 120a. Second through hole; 1203. Limiting buckle; 130. Inner liner; 1301. Inner cavity; 1302. Opening; 130a. Water inlet hole; 140. Door assembly; 150. Ice storage basket; 160. Support frame; 160a. Third through hole; 1601. Surrounding wall;

[0037] 20. First adapter; 210. First water inlet; 220. First water outlet; 230. First fixing part; 201. Limiting notch;

[0038] 30. External water pipes;

[0039] 40. Internal water pipes;

[0040] 50. Second adapter; 510. Second water inlet; 520. Second water outlet; 5201. Stepped protrusion; 530. Top plate; 540. Second fixing part;

[0041] 200. Water supply tank. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0043] It should be noted that when a component / part is said to be "fixed to" another component / part, it can be directly on the other component / part or there may be an intermediate component / part. When a component / part is considered to be "connected to" another component / part, it can be directly connected to the other component / part or there may be an intermediate component / part present; also, when a component / part is considered to be "connected to" another component / part, it can be integrally formed or assembled with the other component / part. When a component / part is considered to be "set on" another component / part, it can be directly set on the other component / part or there may be an intermediate component / part present.

[0044] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0045] The technical features involved in the different embodiments of this application described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0046] Please see Figures 1 to 6 One embodiment of this application provides an ice maker including: an ice maker body 10, a first adapter 20, and an external water pipe 30. The first adapter 20 serves as a connecting component between the water inlet passage of the ice maker body 10 and the external water pipe 30, and is fixed to the ice maker body 10 and partially extends out of the ice maker body 10. One end of the external water pipe 30 is detachably connected to the first adapter 20, and the other end is configured to be detachably connected to an external water source.

[0047] To facilitate understanding, the following example uses water tank 200 as an external water source. Of course, the external water source can also be other water supply equipment besides water tank 200, such as water pumps and water supply pipelines, which will not be elaborated here.

[0048] like Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the water supply tank 200 is located outside and adjacent to the ice maker body 10, and the other end of the external water pipe is detachably connected to the water supply tank 200.

[0049] In some embodiments, the ice maker body 10 includes multiple protective shells 110, a base plate 120, an inner liner 130, a door assembly 140, an ice storage basket 150, an ice making and ice scraping mechanism, a water supply assembly, a refrigeration circulation assembly, and a controller.

[0050] Please combine Figure 6 See also Figure 2 The inner liner 130 serves as a container for making ice and storing water used for ice making, and it is fixedly mounted to the base plate 120. Multiple protective shells 110 correspond to different sides of the inner liner 130, and together with the base plate 120, they enclose the inner liner 130 within it. The base plate 120, the inner liner 130, and the multiple protective shells 110 together form an installation space. Exemplarily, the base plate 120 includes a bottom wall 1201, and the bottom wall 1201, the inner liner 130, and the multiple protective shells 110 together form the installation space.

[0051] The inner liner 130 itself defines an inner cavity 1301. The inner liner 130 also has an opening 1302 that connects the inner cavity 1301 to the external environment, a water inlet 130a for adding water to the inner cavity 1301, and a water outlet that communicates with the water supply component. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the inner liner 130 is approximately inverted 7-shaped. Its inner cavity 1301 can be divided into an ice-making zone (not shown), an ice storage zone (not shown), and a water storage zone (not shown) according to different height ranges. The opening 1302 is located on the front side of the inner cavity 1301, and the water outlet and water inlet 130a are both located on the rear side of the inner cavity 1301, and the water outlet and water inlet 130a are arranged side by side. For example, the ice-making area is located at the top rear side of the inner liner 130, which can accommodate the ice-making and ice-removing mechanism; the ice storage area is located in the middle of the inner liner 130 and is directly connected to the aforementioned opening 1302, which can accommodate the stored ice basket 150; the water storage area is located at the bottom of the inner liner 130 and is connected to the water inlet 130a and the water outlet, which can store water for ice making.

[0052] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, to prevent damage to the inner liner 130 from collisions or friction, in some embodiments, the ice maker body 10 also includes a support frame 160 fixed to the bottom wall 1201. The shape of the support frame 160 is adapted to the shape of the inner liner 130, and the support frame 160 is fitted over the inner liner 130, with part of the inner liner 130 overlapping the support frame 160. Multiple protective shells 110 correspond to different sides of the support frame 160, and together with the bottom wall 1201, they cover the support frame 160 within it. The bottom wall 1201, the support frame 160, and the multiple protective shells 110 together enclose an installation space (not shown in the figure).

[0053] Furthermore, there is a gap between the support frame 160 and the inner liner 130, and the gap is filled with a polyurethane foam layer for cold and heat insulation.

[0054] The plurality of protective shells 110 include a front protective shell 1101, which is correspondingly installed and fixed on the front side of the inner liner 130 and exposes an opening 1302. The door assembly 140 is rotatably connected to the front protective shell 1101 to open or close the opening 1302.

[0055] The ice storage basket 150 is detachably connected to one side of the door assembly 140 and reciprocates through the opening 1302 as the door assembly 140 moves. Specifically, when the door assembly 140 is flipped to open the opening 1302, the ice storage basket 150 is exposed to the outside environment through the opening 1302, allowing the user to easily remove the prepared ice; when the door assembly 140 is flipped to close the opening 1302, the ice storage basket 150 re-enters the inner cavity 1301 through the opening 1302.

[0056] An ice-making and ice-shoveling mechanism is located within the inner cavity 1301 and configured to flip towards the opening 1302 to scoop out the produced ice blocks. Specifically, the ice-making and ice-shoveling mechanism includes a water container and an ice-shoveling plate. Both the water container and the ice-shoveling plate are located within the ice-making area. The support shaft of the water container is connected in sequence to a motor located outside the inner cavity 1301 via a drive shaft, a connecting rod, and an eccentric component. The motor is electrically or communicatively connected to a controller. The ice-shoveling plate is hinged to the side of the water container facing the opening 1302.

[0057] The water supply assembly includes a circulation pump and circulation piping. The circulation pump is located within the installation space and is electrically or communicatively connected to the controller. The circulation pump communicates with the outlet and is connected to the water collection box via the circulation piping.

[0058] The ice-making cycle assembly includes a compressor, condenser, dryer filter, evaporator, and return gas connection pipe. The compressor and condenser are located in the installation space and fixed to the base plate. The compressor is electrically or communicatively connected to the controller, and the condenser is connected to the compressor. The evaporator is fixedly connected to a protective shell located at the top and above the water tank. Multiple ice-making tubes of the evaporator are inserted side-by-side into the water tank. The evaporator is connected to the condenser through the dryer filter and also to the compressor through the return gas connection pipe.

[0059] The controller is configured to operate the ice maker based on user input to the ice maker (such as its user interface), input from various sensors located within the ice maker, and / or other suitable input.

[0060] To facilitate readers' understanding of the ice-making principle of the ice maker involved in this application, the ice-making and ice-removal process of the ice maker is described below.

[0061] First, the circulation pump receives a command from the controller and turns on, continuously pumping the ice-making water in the ice storage area into the water container until it overflows.

[0062] Simultaneously, or after the water tank overflows, the compressor receives a command from the controller to activate, and the refrigerant is output from the compressor's exhaust port and enters the condenser. The refrigerant is condensed in the condenser and then enters the dryer filter to be dried. The dried refrigerant enters the evaporator to cool the evaporator, which in turn cools the water in the water tank through multiple ice-making tubes. As time progresses and the refrigeration cycle continues, the water in the water tank is gradually cooled and eventually freezes into ice.

[0063] In the above refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator returns to the compressor through the corresponding pipeline. After ice making is complete, the refrigerant stops working in the evaporator.

[0064] Secondly, the motor receives the instruction from the controller and is turned on. The motor drives the transmission shaft, connecting rod, and eccentric component to rotate the water box toward the opening 1302. The ice scraper plate descends as the water box rotates. The water in the water box is poured into the water storage area, which is convenient for subsequent circulation pump to use. The ice blocks are slightly heated and melted so that they fall onto the ice scraper plate under the action of gravity.

[0065] Furthermore, as the motor reverses, the water box flips back to its original position, the ice scraper lifts up to scrape out the ice, and the ice rolls down and collects in the ice storage basket 150.

[0066] Finally, the flip door assembly 140 opens the opening 1302, and the ice storage basket 150 flips synchronously with the door assembly 140 to be exposed to the outside environment; the ice storage basket 150 can be removed and the ice stored in the ice storage basket 150 can be taken out.

[0067] For the first adapter 20 and the external water pipe 30, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the first adapter 20 is fixed to the bottom wall 1201 and includes a first water inlet 210 and a first water outlet 220 that communicate with each other. The first water inlet 210 is generally straight, passes through a protective shell 110 and extends outside the protective shell 110. The first water outlet 220 is generally L-shaped, is located within the installation space and communicates with the water inlet 130a.

[0068] One end of the external water pipe 30 is detachably connected to the portion of the first water inlet 210 extending outside the protective shell 110, and the other end is detachably connected to the port of the water supply tank 200. Exemplarily, the external water pipe 30 is made of a soft material such as polyvinyl chloride or rubber. The diameters of the holes at opposite ends of the external water pipe 30 are slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first water inlet 210 and the diameter of the port of the water supply tank 200, respectively. Thus, one end of the external water pipe 30 is fitted onto the portion of the first water inlet 210 extending outside the ice maker body 10 and is press-fitted with the first adapter 20, while the other end of the external water pipe 30 is fitted onto the port of the water supply tank 200 and is press-fitted with the port of the water supply tank 200. This structural arrangement ensures that the external water pipe 30, the first adapter 20, and the port of the water tank can make tight contact after connection, eliminating gaps and improving the reliability of the connection between the ice maker body 10 and the external water source.

[0069] Of course, the detachable connection between the outer water pipe 30 and the first adapter 20 can be varied. For example, in some embodiments, the outer water pipe 30 is still made of soft material, the diameter of the outer water pipe 30 is larger than the outer diameter of the first water inlet 210, one end of the outer water pipe 30 is sleeved on the part of the first water inlet 210 that extends out of the ice maker body 10, and is fixed to the first water inlet 210 by means of clamps and bolts; for another example, in some embodiments, the outer water pipe 30 is made of hard material, the diameter of the outer water pipe 30 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first water inlet 210, and the outer periphery of the outer water pipe 30 is wrapped with flexible sealing materials such as water-stop tape and embedded in the first water inlet 210.

[0070] Furthermore, a limiting flange is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the first water inlet 210 away from the first water outlet 220. The limiting flange abuts against one end of the external water pipe 30, thereby restricting one end of the external water pipe 30 from detaching from the first water inlet 210.

[0071] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, in some embodiments, the plurality of protective shells 110 include a rear protective shell 1102, which includes a shell body 11021 with a first through hole 110a. The base plate 120 includes a baffle 1202 formed by bending and extending from the edge of the bottom wall 1201. The baffle 1202 is located within the installation space and is spaced apart from and opposite to the shell body 11021. A second through hole 120a is formed on the baffle 1202 at a position corresponding to the first through hole 110a. The first water inlet 210 passes through the first through hole 110a and the second through hole 120a and extends out of the rear protective shell 1102. In this technical solution, the rear protective shell 1102 is made of plastic, and the base plate 120 is made of metal. Due to the high structural strength of the base plate 120, the first adapter 20 can be restricted in its axial relative displacement by the baffle 1202, thereby improving the situation where the first adapter 20 becomes loose when the external water pipe 30 is subjected to axial external force.

[0072] Furthermore, the first water outlet 220 is provided with at least one protruding rib at one end near the first water inlet 210. The at least one protruding rib is disposed on the outer wall of the first water outlet 220 and abuts against the baffle 1202. This arrangement increases the structural strength of the first adapter 20 and, in conjunction with the baffle 1202, further restricts the axial relative displacement of the first adapter 20.

[0073] like Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, the first adapter 20 further includes two first fixing parts 230. The two first fixing parts 230 are integrally connected to opposite sides of the first water outlet 220. Exemplarily, the two first fixing parts 230 are symmetrically arranged along the axial direction of the first water inlet 210. The rear protective shell 1102 also includes a flange 11022 formed by bending and extending from the edge of the shell body 11021. The flange 11022 overlaps with a portion of the bottom wall 1201 to form an overlapping portion. Two first fasteners pass through the overlapping portion and are screwed onto the two first fixing parts 230 one-to-one. In this technical solution, the two first fasteners can lock and fix the rear protective shell 1102, the bottom plate 120, and the first adapter 20, improving the assembly efficiency of the ice maker and facilitating subsequent maintenance and replacement.

[0074] Furthermore, continue as Figure 5As shown, the base plate 120 includes a limiting buckle 1203 extending from a portion of the bottom wall 1201. The limiting buckle 1203 is spaced apart from and opposite to the baffle wall 1202. A limiting notch 201 is provided between the first water outlet 220 and the two first fixing parts 230. The limiting buckle 1203 is housed within the limiting notch 201 to limit the first adapter 20. In this technical solution, the presence of the limiting buckle 1203 can restrict the radial relative displacement of the first adapter 20, and can also cooperate with the baffle wall 1202 to disperse the impact force generated during the insertion and removal of the external water pipe 30, thereby reducing the probability of the first adapter 20 loosening during the insertion and removal of the external water pipe 30.

[0075] Please combine Figure 7 See also Figure 2 To form a water inlet passage for the water storage area, in some embodiments, the ice maker includes an inner water pipe 40 and a second adapter 50. The second adapter 50 includes a second water inlet 510 and a second water outlet 520 that are interconnected. The two ends of the inner water pipe 40 are respectively connected to a first water outlet 220 and a second water inlet 510. The second water inlet 510 is generally straight and is located within the installation space. The second water outlet 520 is also generally straight, extending through a third through hole 160a of the support frame 160 into the support frame 160 and being inserted into a water inlet hole 130a to form a water inlet passage for the water storage area.

[0076] For example, the inner water pipe 40 is made of a soft material such as polyvinyl chloride or rubber. The diameters of the holes at opposite ends of the inner water pipe 40 are larger than the outer diameters of the first water outlet 220 and the second water inlet 510, respectively. One end of the inner water pipe 40 is fitted onto the first water outlet 220 and tightened with a clamp to abut against it. The other end of the inner water pipe 40 is fitted onto the second water inlet 510 and tightened with a clamp to abut against it.

[0077] For example, the second adapter 50 includes a top plate 530 surrounding the outer wall of the second water inlet 510, and the top plate 530 abuts against the end of the surrounding wall 1601. The top plate 530 is provided with a second fixing part 540 on each side, and two second fasteners pass through the two second fixing parts 540 one by one and fix the second fasteners to the support frame 160.

[0078] Furthermore, such as Figure 4As shown, a sealing ring is fitted onto the end of the second water outlet 520 away from the second water inlet 510. The sealing ring abuts against the inner wall of the water injection hole 130a and the outer wall of the second water outlet 520. Exemplarily, the sealing ring is an O-ring rubber seal. A sealing groove is provided around the end of the second water outlet 520 away from the second water inlet 510, and the sealing ring is housed within the sealing groove and abuts against the inner wall of the water injection hole 130a. The O-ring rubber seal has a simple structure and is easy to install. It only needs to be manually pressed into the sealing groove and then inserted into the water injection hole 130a to achieve tight contact with the inner wall of the water injection hole 130a, forming a uniform sealing surface to ensure the sealing performance of the connection between the second adapter 50 and the water injection hole 130a.

[0079] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 or Figure 6 As shown, the edge of the third through hole 160a is provided with a surrounding wall 1601 protruding from the opposite side surfaces of the support frame 160. The outer wall of the second water outlet 520 near the second water inlet 510 extends radially outward to form a stepped protrusion 5201, which is embedded in the inner wall surface of the surrounding wall 1601. In this technical solution, the cooperation between the stepped protrusion 5201 and the surrounding wall 1601 reduces the gap between the second adapter 50 and the support frame 160, ensuring that the polyurethane foam liquid cannot overflow from the narrow gap during expansion. Furthermore, the diameter of the third through hole 160a is larger than the combined diameter of the sealing ring and the second water outlet 520, making it easy for the second adapter 50 to pass through the third through hole 160a and connect to the water injection hole 130a even when the sealing ring is fitted.

[0080] In summary, in the ice maker involved in this application, the external water pipe 30 is detachably connected to the water inlet passage inside the ice maker body 10 through the first adapter 20, instead of being directly connected to the water storage area. This improves the problem of subsequent maintenance difficulties caused by the easy loosening or even detachment of the connection between the external water pipe 30 and the water storage area when the external water pipe 30 is pulled by external force.

[0081] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or at least two embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0082] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "at least two" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0083] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An ice maker characterized by, include: The ice maker body includes an inner liner, the inner liner having a water storage area and a water injection hole for adding water to the water storage area; The first adapter is fixed to the ice maker body and connected to the water inlet hole; An external water pipe is located outside the ice maker body. One end of the external water pipe is detachably connected to the first adapter, and the other end of the external water pipe is configured to be detachably connected to an external water source.

2. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein, The ice maker body includes a base plate and multiple protective shells; the inner liner is fixed to the base plate, and the multiple protective shells are correspondingly disposed on different sides of the inner liner; the base plate, the inner liner, and the multiple protective shells together enclose an installation space. The first adapter is fixed to the base plate and includes a first water inlet and a first water outlet that are interconnected; the first water inlet passes through a protective shell and extends out of the protective shell, and the first water outlet is located in the installation space and is connected to the water injection hole. One end of the external water pipe is detachably connected to the portion of the first water inlet that extends out of the protective shell.

3. The ice maker of claim 2, wherein, The plurality of protective shells include a rear protective shell; the base plate includes a bottom wall and a baffle wall formed by bending and extending from the edge of the bottom wall, the baffle wall being spaced apart from and opposite to the rear protective shell; The rear protective shell has a first through hole, the baffle has a second through hole, and the first water inlet passes through the first through hole and the second through hole and extends out of the rear protective shell.

4. The ice maker of claim 3, wherein, The first water outlet is provided with at least one protruding rib at one end near the first water inlet. At least one of the protruding ribs is disposed on the outer wall of the first water outlet and abuts against the baffle wall.

5. The ice maker of claim 3, wherein, First fixing parts are respectively provided on both sides of the first water outlet; The rear protective shell includes a shell body and a flange formed by bending and extending from the edge of the shell body. The shell body and the baffle are disposed opposite to each other, and the flange and part of the bottom wall overlap to form an overlapping portion. After passing through the overlapping portion, the two first fasteners are screwed into the two first fixing parts one by one.

6. The ice maker of claim 5, wherein, The base plate includes a limiting buckle formed by bending and extending a portion of the bottom wall, and the limiting buckle is spaced apart from and opposite to the baffle wall; A limiting notch is provided between the first water outlet and the two first fixing parts, and the limiting buckle is received in the limiting notch to limit the first adapter.

7. The ice maker of any one of claims 2-6, wherein, The ice maker body includes a support frame fixed to the base plate, a portion of the inner liner overlaps the support frame, and the support frame has a third through hole; The ice maker includes an inner water pipe and a second adapter fixed to the support frame. The second adapter includes a second water inlet and a second water outlet that are interconnected. The two ends of the inner water pipe are respectively connected to the first water outlet and the second water inlet. The second water outlet passes through the third through hole and is inserted into the water injection hole to form a water inlet passage for the water storage area.

8. The ice maker of claim 7, wherein, A sealing ring is fitted onto the end of the second water outlet that is away from the second water inlet; the sealing ring abuts against the inner wall of the water injection hole and the outer wall of the second water outlet.

9. The ice maker of claim 7, wherein, The edge of the third through hole is provided with a surrounding wall that protrudes from the opposite two side surfaces of the support frame; The outer wall of the second water outlet near the second water inlet extends radially outward to form a stepped protrusion, which is embedded in the inner wall surface of the surrounding wall.

10. The ice maker of claim 9, wherein, The second adapter includes a top plate surrounding the outer wall of the second water inlet, the top plate abutting against the end of the surrounding wall; The top plate is provided with a second fixing part on each side, and two second fasteners pass through the two second fixing parts one by one and fix the second fasteners to the support frame.

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