Water circulation mechanism of ice maker

Abstract

The utility model discloses a water circulation mechanism of an ice maker, which relates to the technical field of water circulation of ice makers, and adopts the technical scheme that the water circulation mechanism comprises an ice maker, an ice storage cavity, an ice making cavity, a water storage cavity and a water storage cavity are sequentially formed in the ice maker, and communicated drain holes are formed between the water storage cavity and the water storage cavity, an opening and closing assembly for automatically supplementing a water source into the water storage cavity is arranged in the water storage cavity, and a prompting assembly for directly displaying the state of the water level in the water storage cavity to a user is arranged in the water storage cavity. Meanwhile, when the water quality of a water tank is poor or the surface of a probe scales after multiple times of ice making, the probe misjudges that the water level is normal, the water pump continuously operates in a water shortage state at the moment, and due to dry friction, a motor is overheated, an insulating layer is damaged, even a coil is short-circuited, and finally the water pump is burnt.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water circulation technology for ice makers, and more specifically, to a water circulation mechanism for an ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] An ice maker is a mechanical device that uses a refrigerant in an evaporator to cool water and generate ice through a refrigeration system. Its core principle is to circulate water to the surface of a low-temperature evaporator, causing the water to freeze into ice. The water that does not freeze then flows back to the storage tank to continue circulating until the ice blocks reach a set thickness, at which point they fall off and enter the ice storage stage. Depending on the shape of the ice blocks, the refrigeration method, and the application scenario, ice makers can be divided into various types, such as granular ice machines, flake ice machines, and plate ice machines, and are widely used in household, commercial, and industrial fields.

[0003] The water circulation mechanism of an ice maker refers to the systematic device inside the ice maker used to drive the continuous flow of water, promote heat exchange, and ensure efficient ice making. It uses components such as water pumps, pipelines, and water distribution devices to transport water from the water storage tank to the surface of the evaporator. After cooling and freezing, the unfrozen water flows back to the water tank and is recirculated, ultimately achieving continuous ice making.

[0004] Existing ice makers typically have water level sensors in their water tanks to monitor the water level. When the sensor malfunctions due to scale, impurities, or aging, it will fail to detect a lack of water in the tank, causing the water pump to run continuously without water. Additionally, after multiple ice-making cycles, if the water quality in the tank deteriorates or scale forms on the probe surface, the probe may misjudge the water level as normal. In this case, the water pump will continue to run in a water-deficient state, causing the motor to overheat due to dry friction, damaging the insulation layer, or even short-circuiting the coil, ultimately burning out the water pump.

[0005] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this application proposes a water circulation mechanism for an ice maker. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a water circulation mechanism for an ice maker.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a water circulation mechanism for an ice maker, comprising an ice maker, wherein an ice storage chamber, an ice making chamber, a water storage chamber and a water storage chamber are sequentially provided inside the ice maker, and a water flow hole is provided between the water storage chamber and the water storage chamber;

[0008] The water storage chamber is equipped with an opening and closing component that automatically replenishes water to the water storage chamber;

[0009] The water storage chamber is equipped with a prompting component to directly display the water level status inside the chamber to the user.

[0010] Preferably, an evaporator is installed inside the ice-making chamber, and an ice tray is installed below the evaporator inside the ice-making chamber. The lower end of the evaporator is located between the ice trays, and an ice scraper is connected to the side of the ice tray near the ice storage chamber to facilitate the production of ice blocks from the water source in the water storage chamber.

[0011] Preferably, the opening and closing assembly includes a rail, a support plate, a support rod, a float A, a connecting rod, and a baffle. Slide rails are provided on both sides of the water storage chamber, and support plates are slidably installed in the two slide rails respectively. The two support plates are connected to each other by a support rod. The lower end of the connecting rod is connected to the float A, and a connecting rod is connected to the side of the connecting rod near the water outlet. The end of the connecting rod near the water outlet is connected to a baffle. The baffle can move vertically back and forth against the side of the water outlet, and the size of the baffle is larger than the size of the water outlet, which facilitates automatic control of the water level in the water storage chamber.

[0012] Preferably, the prompting component includes a chute, a slide plate, a support frame, a float B, a support arm, a warning sign A, a warning sign B, a pointer, and a water inlet. Chute is provided on two corresponding sides of the water storage cavity. Slide plates are vertically and reciprocally mounted in each of the two chutes. The two slide plates are connected by the support frame. Float B is connected to the lower end of the support frame, and a support arm is connected to the upper end of the support frame. The end of the support arm away from the support frame extends out of the ice maker and can slide vertically and reciprocally on the support arm. Warning signs A and B are sequentially mounted from top to bottom on the end of the support arm away from the support frame. A pointer is installed on the upper end of the ice maker, at the position of the support arm, with the pointer pointing towards the side of the support arm used for warning signs A and B. A water inlet is provided on the upper end of the ice maker, at the corresponding position in the water storage cavity, to indicate whether water needs to be added to the water storage cavity.

[0013] Preferably, a circulation assembly is installed in the water storage chamber. The circulation assembly includes a water pump, a delivery pipe, and a return hole. The water pump is installed in the water storage chamber, and one end of the water pump is connected to the delivery pipe. The end of the delivery pipe away from the water pump extends into the ice-making chamber and is located above the ice tray. A return hole is provided between the ice-making chamber and the water storage chamber to facilitate the recycling of the water source in the water storage chamber.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] 1. In this utility model, through the opening and closing component set in the water storage chamber, when the water source in the water storage chamber is continuously supplying water to the ice plate, the water source in the water storage chamber will continuously decrease. When the water source in the water storage chamber decreases, the float A will slowly descend with the water source in the water storage chamber and move downward with the support rod. When the support rod moves downward, it will cause the baffle to move downward together until the baffle moves to the bottom of the water outlet and opens the water outlet. At this time, the water source in the water storage chamber will flow into the water storage chamber through the water outlet.

[0016] When water flows from the storage chamber into the reservoir through the outlet, the water level in the reservoir will slowly rise. Float A will then rise with the rising water, moving the support rod upwards. As the support rod moves upwards, the baffle will move upwards until it closes the outlet. At this point, the water level in the reservoir will meet the minimum requirements for pumping water. Simultaneously, water will no longer be supplied to the reservoir through the outlet. This solves the problem in the background technology where the sensor malfunctions due to scale, impurities, or aging, failing to detect water shortage and causing the pump to run continuously without water. Additionally, after repeated ice-making, poor water quality in the tank or scale buildup on the probe surface can cause the probe to misjudge the water level as normal. In such cases, the pump continues to run in a water-scarce state, leading to motor overheating due to dry friction, insulation damage, or even coil short circuits, ultimately burning out the pump.

[0017] 2. In this utility model, a prompting component is installed inside the water storage chamber. When water is supplied from the storage chamber to the reservoir, the water level in the storage chamber will continuously decrease, causing the float B to slowly descend along with the water level. As the float B descends, it also lowers the support frame, which in turn moves two sliding plates downwards within their respective grooves. Simultaneously, the support frame moves the support arm downwards, which in turn moves warning signs A and B downwards. The pointer will then point to either warning sign A or warning sign B. Warning sign A indicates that the water level in the storage chamber is low, while warning sign B indicates that the water level is sufficient and no additional water needs to be added. When the pointer points to warning sign A, the operator needs to add water to the storage chamber through the inlet. This system effectively and directly displays the water level without relying on complex instruments or electronic screens, allowing users to quickly identify the current water volume and reducing the risk of misjudgment. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the cross-sectional view of the ice maker in this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the water storage cavity in this utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the pointer structure in this utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the reflux hole in this utility model.

[0024] 1. Ice maker; 2. Ice storage chamber; 3. Ice making chamber; 301. Evaporator; 302. Ice tray; 303. Ice scraper; 4. Water storage chamber; 5. Water storage chamber; 6. Opening and closing assembly; 601. Slide rail; 602. Support plate; 603. Support rod; 604. Float A; 605. Connecting rod; 606. Baffle; 7. Indicator assembly; 701. Slide groove; 702. Slide plate; 703. Support frame; 704. Float B; 705. Support arm; 706. Warning sign A; 707. Warning sign B; 708. Pointer; 709. Water inlet; 8. Circulation assembly; 801. Water pump; 802. Delivery pipe; 803. Return hole; 9. Water outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0025] like Figure 1-5 As shown, this utility model provides a water circulation mechanism for an ice maker. The ice maker 1 is used to achieve stable operation of the whole. The ice maker 1 has an ice storage chamber 2, an ice making chamber 3, a water storage chamber 4 and a water storage chamber 5 arranged in sequence. A water flow hole 9 is provided between the water storage chamber 4 and the water storage chamber 5. The water flow hole 9 is used to allow water in the water storage chamber 5 to flow into the water storage chamber 4 when the water flow hole 9 is opened. When the water flow hole 9 is closed, the water in the water storage chamber 5 will no longer flow into the water storage chamber 4.

[0026] An evaporator 301 is installed inside the ice-making chamber 3, which is used to turn the water in the ice tray 302 into ice blocks. An ice tray 302 is installed below the evaporator 301 inside the ice-making chamber 3, which is used to store the water that needs to be made into ice. The lower end of the evaporator 301 is located between the ice trays 302. An ice scraper 303 is connected to the side of the ice tray 302 near the ice storage chamber 2, which is used to transport the made ice blocks into the ice storage chamber 2.

[0027] The water storage chamber 4 is equipped with an opening and closing component 6 that automatically replenishes water to the water storage chamber 4. This component is used to ensure that when the water in the water storage chamber 4 is continuously supplied to the ice plate 302, the water in the water storage chamber 4 will gradually decrease. When the water in the water storage chamber 4 decreases, the float A604 will slowly descend with the water in the water storage chamber 4 and move downward with the support rod 603. When the support rod 603 moves downward, it will cause the baffle 606 to move downward together until the baffle 606 moves below the water outlet and opens the water outlet. At this time, the water in the water storage chamber 5 will flow into the water storage chamber 4 through the water outlet.

[0028] When water from storage chamber 5 flows into storage chamber 4 through the outlet, the water level in storage chamber 4 will slowly rise. The float A604 will then rise with the rising water, moving the support rod 603 upwards. As the support rod 603 moves upwards, the baffle 606 will move upwards until it closes the outlet. At this point, the water level in storage chamber 4 will meet the minimum requirements for pumping water by pump 801. Simultaneously, water from storage chamber 5 will no longer be supplied to storage chamber 4 through the outlet, effectively achieving automatic and precise adjustment of the water level in storage chamber 4. When the water level falls below the minimum operating threshold of pump 801, water will be added to storage chamber 4 to prevent pump 801 from running dry and being damaged, and to prevent a decrease in ice-making efficiency due to excessively low water levels.

[0029] The opening and closing assembly 6 includes a rail, a support plate 602, a support rod 603, a float A604, a connecting rod 605, and a baffle 606. Slide rails 601 are provided on both sides of the water storage chamber 4 to ensure the vertical reciprocating sliding of the support plate 602. Support plates 602 are slidably installed in the two slide rails 601, and the two support plates 602 are connected by the support rod 603. The lower end of the connecting rod 605 is connected to the float A604, which is used to achieve vertical reciprocating sliding. The water level in the water storage chamber 4 moves up and down, and the support rod 603 can be adjusted up and down at the same time. The connecting rod 605 is connected to the side of the water outlet, which is used to realize the vertical reciprocating movement of the control baffle 606. The end of the connecting rod 605 near the water outlet is connected to the baffle 606, which is used to realize the opening and closing of the water outlet 9. The baffle 606 can move vertically and reciprocatingly against the side of the water outlet, and the size of the baffle 606 is larger than the size of the water outlet.

[0030] The water storage chamber 5 is equipped with a prompt component 7 for directly displaying the water level status inside the water storage chamber 5 to the user. This component is used to ensure that when water is transferred from the water storage chamber 5 to the water storage chamber 4, the water level in the water storage chamber 5 will decrease. The float B704 will then slowly descend along with the water level in the water storage chamber 5. As the float B704 descends, it will also lower the support frame 703. Simultaneously, as the support frame 703 descends, it will move the two sliding plates 702 downwards within their respective sliding grooves 701. Furthermore, the downward movement of the support frame 703 will also move the support arm 705 downwards. When the support arm 705 moves downwards, it will also move warning signs A706 and B707 downwards. At this time, the pointer 708 will point to either warning sign A706 or warning sign B707. Warning sign A706 is used to indicate to the user that the water source in the water storage chamber 5 is insufficient, and warning sign B707 is used to indicate that the water source in the water storage chamber 5 is sufficient and no water needs to be added. When the pointer 708 points to warning sign A706, the operator needs to add water to the water storage chamber 5 through the water inlet 709. This can effectively and directly display the water level status without relying on complex instruments or electronic screens. Users can quickly identify the current water volume and reduce the risk of misjudgment.

[0031] The warning component 7 includes a chute 701, a slide plate 702, a support frame 703, a float B704, a support arm 705, a warning sign A706, a warning sign B707, a pointer 708, and a water inlet 709. The water storage cavity 5 has corresponding chute 701s on two sides to ensure stable vertical reciprocating sliding of the slide plate 702. Slide plates 702 are vertically reciprocatingly installed in both chute 701s. The two slide plates 702 are connected by the support frame 703. A float B704 is connected to the lower end of the support frame 703, which moves up and down following the water level in the water storage cavity 5 and also drives the vertical movement of the support frame 703. A support arm 705 is connected to the upper end of the support frame 703, which holds the warning signs A706 and B707 and allows for vertical movement of the warning signs A706 and B707. An ice maker 1 extends from the end away from the support frame 703 and can slide vertically back and forth on the support arm 705. Warning signs A706 and B707 are installed sequentially from top to bottom on the end of the support arm 705 away from the support frame 703. Warning sign A706 indicates that water needs to be added to the water storage chamber 5, and warning sign B707 indicates that there is enough water in the water storage chamber 5. A pointer 708 is installed at the upper end of the ice maker 1 and at the position of the support arm 705. It is used to make it easy for the user to pass through the position of warning sign A or warning sign B707. The pointing end of the pointer 708 points to the side of the support arm 705 used for warning signs A706 and B707. A water inlet 709 is opened at the upper end of the ice maker 1 and at the corresponding position of the water storage chamber 5. It is used to make the user add water to the water storage chamber 5 through the water inlet 709 when the pointer 708 points to warning sign A706.

[0032] A circulation component 8 is installed inside the water storage chamber 4. It is used to draw water from the water storage chamber 4 through the water pump 801 and transport the water to the ice tray 302 through the delivery pipe 802. Finally, the water that overflows from the ice tray 302 will flow back into the water storage chamber 4 through the return hole 803. The circulation component 8 includes a water pump 801, a delivery pipe 802 and a return hole 803. The water pump 801 is installed inside the water storage chamber 4. It is used to draw water from the water storage chamber 4. One end of the water pump 801 is connected to the delivery pipe 802. It is used to transport the water from the water storage chamber 4 to the ice tray 302. The end of the delivery pipe 802 away from the water pump 801 extends into the ice making chamber 3 and is located above the ice tray 302. A return hole 803 is opened between the ice making chamber 3 and the water storage chamber 4. It is used to allow the water that overflows from the ice tray 302 to flow back into the water storage chamber 4 through the return hole 803.

[0033] Working principle: When the ice maker 1 needs to make ice, the water pump 801 will be started first. When the water pump 801 is started, it will draw water from the water storage chamber 4 and deliver the water to the delivery pipe 802. Then the water will be sent into the ice tray 302 through the delivery pipe 802. At the same time, the evaporator 301 will be started. At this time, the evaporator 301 will make ice from the water in the ice tray 302. Meanwhile, the water overflowing from the ice tray 302 will flow to the bottom of the ice making chamber 3 and flow back into the water storage chamber 4 through the return hole 803. After the ice is made, the ice scraper 303 will transport the made ice to the ice storage chamber 2.

[0034] As the water in the water storage chamber 4 continuously supplies water to the ice tray 302, the water in the water storage chamber 4 will gradually decrease. As the water in the water storage chamber 4 decreases, the float A604 will slowly descend along with the water in the water storage chamber 4. When the float A604 moves downward, it will move the support rod 603 downward. When the support rod 603 moves downward, it will move the two slide plates 702 downward in their respective slide rails 601. At the same time, when the support rod 603 moves downward, it will move the connecting rod 605 and the baffle 606 connected to the connecting rod 605 downward together. At this time, the baffle 606 will move downward along the surface of the water storage chamber 4 until the baffle 606 is moved below the water outlet. At this time, the water outlet will be opened, and the water in the water storage chamber 5 will flow into the water storage chamber 4 through the water outlet.

[0035] When the water in the water storage chamber 5 flows into the water storage chamber 4 through the water outlet, the water in the water storage chamber 4 will slowly rise. At this time, the float A604 will slowly rise with the rising water. When the float A604 moves upward, it will move the support rod 603 upward. When the support rod 603 moves upward, it will move the two support plates 602 upward in their respective slide rails 601. At the same time, it will move the connecting rod 605 and the baffle 606 connected to the connecting rod 605 upward. At this time, the baffle 606 will slowly move upward against the inner wall of the water storage chamber 4 until the water outlet is closed. At this time, the water in the water storage chamber 4 will meet the minimum requirements for the water pump 801 to pump water. At the same time, the water in the water storage chamber 5 will no longer supply water to the water storage chamber 4 through the water outlet.

[0036] When water is transferred from storage chamber 5 to storage chamber 4, the water level in storage chamber 5 will decrease. The float B704 will then slowly descend along with the water level in storage chamber 5. As float B704 descends, it will also pull support frame 703 down. Simultaneously, support frame 703 will move the two sliding plates 702 downwards within their respective grooves 701. Furthermore, as support frame 703 moves downwards, it will also pull support arm 705 down. Moving downwards, the support arm 705 will move warning signs A706 and B707 downwards as well. At this time, the pointer 708 will point to either warning sign A706 or warning sign B707. Warning sign A706 indicates to the user that the water supply in the water storage chamber 5 is insufficient, while warning sign B707 indicates that the water supply in the water storage chamber 5 is sufficient and no water needs to be added. When the pointer 708 points to warning sign A706, the operator needs to add water to the water storage chamber 5 through the water inlet 709.

[0037] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model in any way. Those skilled in the art can readily implement this utility model based on the accompanying drawings and the above description. However, any modifications, alterations, or equivalent variations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the utility model's technical solution, utilizing the disclosed technical content, are considered equivalent embodiments of this utility model. Furthermore, any equivalent changes, alterations, or variations made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of this utility model are still within the protection scope of this utility model's technical solution.

Claims

1. A water circulation mechanism for an ice maker, comprising an ice maker (1), wherein an ice storage chamber (2), an ice making chamber (3), a water storage chamber (4) and a water storage chamber (5) are sequentially provided in the ice maker (1), and a water flow hole (9) is provided between the water storage chamber (4) and the water storage chamber (5); in, The water storage chamber (4) is equipped with an opening and closing component (6) that automatically replenishes water to the water storage chamber (4); The water storage chamber (5) is equipped with a prompting component (7) for directly displaying the water level status inside the water storage chamber (5) to the user.

2. The water circulation mechanism of an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: An evaporator (301) is installed inside the ice-making chamber (3), and an ice tray (302) is installed at the lower end of the evaporator (301) inside the ice-making chamber (3). The lower end of the evaporator (301) is located between the ice trays (302), and an ice scraper (303) is connected to the side of the ice tray (302) near the ice storage chamber (2).

3. The water circulation mechanism of an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opening and closing assembly (6) includes a rail, a support plate (602), a support rod (603), a float A (604), a connecting rod (605), and a baffle (606). Slide rails (601) are provided on both sides of the water storage chamber (4). Support plates (602) are slidably installed in the two slide rails (601). The two support plates (602) are connected to each other by a support rod (603). The lower end of the connecting rod (605) is connected to the float A (604), and the side of the connecting rod (605) near the water outlet is connected to a connecting rod (605). The end of the connecting rod (605) near the water outlet is connected to a baffle (606). The baffle (606) can move vertically back and forth against the side of the water outlet, and the size of the baffle (606) is larger than the size of the water outlet.

4. The water circulation mechanism of an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The warning component (7) includes a chute (701), a slide plate (702), a support frame (703), a float B (704), a support arm (705), a warning sign A (706), a warning sign B (707), a pointer (708), and a water inlet (709). The water storage cavity (5) has chute (701) on two corresponding sides. Slide plates (702) are vertically and reciprocally installed in both chute (701). The two slide plates (702) are connected by a support frame (703). The lower end of the support frame (703) is connected to the float B (704), and the upper end of the support frame (703) is connected to the support arm (705). The support arm (705) extends from the end away from the support frame (703) to the ice maker (1) and can slide vertically back and forth on the support arm (705). Warning sign A (706) and warning sign B (707) are installed from top to bottom on the end of the support arm (705) away from the support frame (703). A pointer (708) is installed on the upper end of the ice maker (1) at the position of the support arm (705). The pointer (708) points to the side of the support arm (705) used for warning sign A (706) and warning sign B (707). A water inlet (709) is opened on the upper end of the ice maker (1) at the corresponding position of the water storage chamber (5).

5. The water circulation mechanism of an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: A circulation assembly (8) is installed in the water storage chamber (4). The circulation assembly (8) includes a water pump (801), a delivery pipe (802), and a return hole (803). The water pump (801) is installed in the water storage chamber (4). One end of the water pump (801) is connected to the delivery pipe (802). The end of the delivery pipe (802) away from the water pump (801) extends into the ice-making chamber (3) and is located above the ice tray (302). A return hole (803) is provided between the ice-making chamber (3) and the water storage chamber (4).

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