Ice cream machine with multi-stage evaporator

Abstract

The utility model discloses an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator, which comprises a support case, a raw material stirring component, a first refrigerating component and a conveying component, the raw material stirring component, the first refrigerating component and the conveying component are arranged in the support case, and a control valve component is arranged on the support case; the first refrigeration assembly comprises a compressor, a condenser connected to the compressor and an evaporator connected to the condenser, and the conveying assembly is used for conveying prepared ice cream from the preparation cavity to the control valve assembly; the evaporator is internally provided with at least two refrigerant conveying cavities which are communicated with each other, and the refrigerant conveying cavities form a multi-stage evaporator structure. According to the ice cream evaporator, the isolating rings are arranged in the evaporator, and the refrigerating fluid conveying cavity is isolated into a plurality of independent cavities by the isolating rings, so that a refrigerating fluid is fully filled in the cavities, the inner shell is uniformly and fully contacted with the refrigerating fluid, finally, raw materials are uniformly refrigerated, and the prepared ice cream is better in consistency, more uniform and better in taste.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of equipment for preparing ice cream, and in particular to an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator. Background Technology

[0002] Ice cream is a popular summer treat, and its production has evolved from traditional handmade methods to the more common machine-made methods. Machine-made ice cream has become the mainstream method due to its high efficiency, good taste, and consistent quality. Current ice cream making equipment primarily uses a refrigeration system consisting of a compressor, condenser, and evaporator to freeze well-mixed ingredients into ice. Therefore, the refrigeration efficiency and effect of the ice cream machine significantly impact the quality of the ice cream. Current technology generally uses a double-layered cylinder with refrigerant circulating inside for cooling. However, existing double-layered cylinder evaporators often suffer from insufficient refrigerant input within the internal cavity, leading to uneven heat conduction in the ice cream preparation chamber. This results in inconsistent ice cream consistency, affecting the taste. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator to solve the technical problem that uneven heat conduction inside the existing evaporator affects the taste of ice cream.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] An embodiment of this utility model provides an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator, comprising: a support frame, a raw material stirring assembly, a first refrigeration assembly, and a conveying assembly disposed within the support frame, and a control valve assembly provided on the support frame;

[0006] The raw material stirring assembly is used to mix and stir the ice cream raw materials. The first refrigeration assembly includes: a compressor, a condenser connected to the compressor, and an evaporator connected to the condenser. The evaporator has a preparation chamber for preparing ice cream. The control valve assembly is connected to one end opening of the preparation chamber. The conveying assembly is used to convey the prepared ice cream from the preparation chamber to the control valve assembly.

[0007] The evaporator has at least two interconnected refrigerant delivery chambers, which form a multi-stage evaporator structure.

[0008] The evaporator includes: an outer shell, an inner shell fitted inside the outer shell, and a sealing element sealingly connected to both ends of the outer shell and the inner shell; wherein an annular cavity is formed between the outer shell and the inner shell, and at least one isolation ring is provided in the annular cavity, the isolation ring dividing the annular cavity into at least two refrigerant delivery cavities, and the isolation ring is also provided with a through hole for refrigerant flow.

[0009] The annular cavity is divided into three refrigerant delivery chambers by two isolation rings, and the three refrigerant delivery chambers are connected in sequence. The refrigerant delivery chambers located at the front end and the rear end of the annular cavity are respectively connected to an input connector and an output connector, and the input connector and the output connector are respectively connected to the circulation pipeline of the first refrigeration component.

[0010] Both the outer shell and the inner shell are cylindrical tubes. The control valve assembly is connected to the front end of the inner shell, and the rear end of the inner shell is connected to a flow guide. The flow guide has a flow chamber that guides the mixed and stirred raw materials into the tube cavity of the inner shell.

[0011] The conveying assembly includes: a conveying motor, a coupling connected to the output shaft of the conveying motor, a drive shaft connected to the coupling, and a scraper connected to the drive shaft; wherein the drive shaft passes through the drain member, and the scraper is located inside the cavity of the inner shell.

[0012] The raw material mixing assembly includes a mixing tank and a mixing module. The mixing module includes a mixing motor, a mixing rod connected to the output shaft of the mixing motor, and mixing blades disposed on the outer wall of the mixing rod. The mixing blades are located inside the mixing tank.

[0013] The mixing tank is located near the bottom of the support housing, and the raw material mixing assembly also includes a raw material pumping unit, which is used to transport the mixed raw materials to the production chamber of the evaporator.

[0014] The bracket chassis is also equipped with a cooling fan, which is located on the outside of the compressor.

[0015] The mixing tank is also equipped with a second refrigeration component, which is used to cool and refrigerate the materials inside the mixing tank.

[0016] The condenser includes a condenser tube and a condenser fan disposed on top of the condenser tube, and the condenser is disposed on top of the bracket chassis.

[0017] This invention relates to an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator. By setting an isolation ring inside the evaporator, the refrigerant delivery chamber is divided into multiple independent chambers, thereby allowing the refrigerant to fill the chambers more fully. This ensures that the inner shell is in uniform and sufficient contact with the refrigerant, ultimately resulting in the raw materials being uniformly heated and cooled. The resulting ice cream has a better consistency, is more uniform, and has a better taste.

[0018] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this utility model. In order to better understand the technical means of this utility model, it can be implemented according to the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this utility model more obvious and easy to understand, the following are preferred embodiments, which are described in detail below. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 and Figure 2 These are schematic diagrams of the overall structure of an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator from different perspectives, representing embodiments of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator at different angles after removing the outer cover, according to an embodiment of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the evaporator of an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the evaporator section of an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is an axial sectional view of the evaporator portion of an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the conveying component of an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the condenser section of an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the stirring module of an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the mixing tank and pumping module of an ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0029] An ice cream machine 100 with a multi-stage evaporator, a support chassis 1, a control valve assembly 2, a compressor 3, a condenser 4, an evaporator 5, a production chamber 510, an outer shell 511, an inner shell 512, a refrigerant delivery chamber 513, an isolation ring 514, an isolation ring 515, a seal 501, a seal 502, a refrigerant delivery chamber 516, a refrigerant delivery chamber 517, a refrigerant delivery chamber 518, a through hole 5141, an input connector 52, an output connector 53, a drain component 54, a flange 55, a drain pipe 541, a cooling fan 31, a condenser pipe 41, a condenser fan 42, a conveyor motor 81, a coupling 82, a drive shaft 83, a stirring rod 71, stirring blades 72, a stirring motor 73, a stirring tank 61, a pumping module 62, a support 15, a protective plate 10, an upper ventilation hole 11, a side ventilation hole 12, a tray 13, a display screen 14, and a second refrigeration component 20. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0031] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0032] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0033] 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 one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0034] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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 communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0035] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0036] 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 the present invention. The illustrative expressions of the above terms in this specification should not be construed as necessarily referring 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.

[0037] Ice cream is a popular summer treat, and its production has evolved from traditional handmade methods to the more common machine-made methods. Machine-made ice cream has become the mainstream method due to its high efficiency, good taste, and consistent quality. Existing ice cream making equipment uses a refrigeration system consisting of a compressor, condenser, and evaporator to freeze well-mixed ingredients into ice. Therefore, the refrigeration efficiency and effect of the ice cream machine significantly affect the quality of the ice cream. Current technology generally uses a double-layered cylinder with refrigerant circulating inside for cooling. However, the existing double-layered cylinder evaporators suffer from insufficient refrigerant input in the internal cavity, leading to uneven heat conduction in the ice cream preparation chamber, resulting in inconsistent ice cream consistency and affecting the taste. Therefore, based on the above needs, this embodiment provides an ice cream machine 100 with a multi-stage evaporator.

[0038] Please see Figures 1 to 11This embodiment discloses an ice cream machine 100 with a multi-stage evaporator, which includes: a support housing 1, a raw material stirring assembly, a first refrigeration assembly and a conveying assembly 8 disposed in the support housing 1, and a control valve assembly 2 disposed on the support housing 1.

[0039] The raw material stirring assembly is used to mix and stir the ice cream raw materials. The first refrigeration assembly includes: a compressor 3, a condenser 4 connected to the compressor 3, and an evaporator 5 connected to the condenser 4. The evaporator 5 is provided with a preparation chamber 510 for preparing ice cream. The control valve assembly 2 is connected to one end opening of the preparation chamber 510. The conveying assembly 8 is used to convey the prepared ice cream from the preparation chamber 510 to the control valve assembly 2, and then the control valve assembly 2 outputs it to the user.

[0040] The evaporator 5 is provided with at least two interconnected refrigerant delivery chambers 513, which form a multi-stage evaporator structure.

[0041] In this embodiment, the evaporator 5 is used to prepare ice cream. A traditional evaporator (also called a refrigeration cylinder) has a direct refrigerant delivery channel inside. The refrigerant, after being output from the condenser 4, first enters the direct refrigerant delivery channel, then flows along the channel and exits from the other end, returning to the compressor 3 through a pipeline, thus forming a cyclical refrigeration process. Because the internal cavity of the direct refrigerant delivery channel is generally large, the refrigerant cannot quickly fill the entire cavity after entering, resulting in uneven distribution of the refrigerant within the channel. Consequently, the uniformity of heat absorption from the channel wall decreases, ultimately leading to uneven consistency and poor taste in the prepared ice cream. In view of this problem, the ice cream machine 100 with a multi-stage evaporator in this embodiment designs the refrigerant delivery chamber 513 of the internal evaporator 5 as at least two independent and interconnected small chambers. After the refrigerant enters the refrigerant delivery chamber 513, it fills each small chamber one by one. During the subsequent movement of the refrigerant, the refrigerant in the refrigerant delivery chamber 513 always remains uniform and full, which ultimately makes the prepared ice cream have a higher viscosity and better taste.

[0042] Please refer to it again. Figures 5 to 7The evaporator 5 includes: a cylinder 51, which includes an outer shell 511, an inner shell 512 fitted inside the outer shell 511, and sealing members 501 and 502 sealingly connected to both ends of the outer shell 511 and the inner shell 512. An annular cavity is formed between the outer shell 511 and the inner shell 512. At least one isolation ring 514 is provided within the annular cavity, dividing it into at least two refrigerant delivery chambers 516 and 517. The isolation ring 514 also has a through hole 5141 for refrigerant flow.

[0043] The ice cream machine 100 with a multi-stage evaporator in this embodiment has an evaporator 5, which is the core component for making ice cream. The refrigerant delivery chamber 513 inside is divided into at least two independent and connected refrigerant delivery chambers 516 and 517 by an isolation ring 514. If the refrigerant enters from the refrigerant delivery chamber 516 first, the refrigerant will fill the entire refrigerant delivery chamber 516 first. After the refrigerant delivery chamber 516 is filled, it will move again from the through hole 5141 to the refrigerant delivery chamber 517. After the refrigerant delivery chamber 517 is filled, it will continue to move backward. This process is repeated. Multiple smaller refrigerant delivery chambers form a larger refrigerant delivery chamber 513. Each small refrigerant delivery chamber 516 (517) is always filled with refrigerant so as to have a more stable and balanced cooling effect on the mixed raw materials located in the preparation chamber 510, and the final ice cream will have a better taste.

[0044] In this embodiment, two isolation rings 514 are provided, and the other isolation ring is as follows: Figure 7 The component referred to in part 515, the two isolation rings 514 and 515 divide the annular cavity into three refrigerant delivery chambers, namely refrigerant delivery chamber 516, refrigerant delivery chamber 517 and refrigerant delivery chamber 518, and the three refrigerant delivery chambers 516 (517, 518) are connected in sequence through through holes provided on themselves.

[0045] The refrigerant delivery chambers located at the foremost and rearmost ends of the annular cavity are respectively connected to an input connector 52 and an output connector 53, which are respectively connected to the circulation pipeline of the first refrigeration component. Specifically, the input connector 52 is connected to the refrigerant delivery chamber 516, and the output connector 53 is connected to the refrigerant delivery chamber 518. The input connector 52 is connected to the condenser 4 via a pipe, and the output connector 53 is connected to the compressor 3 via a pipe.

[0046] Specifically, such as Figure 5As shown, both the outer shell 511 and the inner shell 512 are cylindrical tubes. The two control valve assemblies are connected to the front end of the inner shell 513. The rear end of the inner shell 512 is also connected to a flow guide 54. The flow guide 54 has a flow chamber that guides the mixed and stirred raw materials into the tube cavity (i.e., the preparation chamber 510) of the inner shell 512. A flange 55 is also provided on the outside of the flow guide 54, which fixes the evaporator 5 to the bracket 15 inside the bracket housing 1.

[0047] The control valve assembly 2 is connected to the front end of the inner housing 512, and a seal 510 is provided at the connection point. When the conveying assembly 8 pushes the prepared ice cream forward to the control valve assembly 2, the control valve assembly 2 is opened to output the ice cream to the user. Similarly, the rear ends of the outer housing 511 and the inner housing 512 are both connected to the drain member 54, and the seal 502 is provided at the rear ends of the drain member 54 and the inner housing 512 and the outer housing 511.

[0048] The drainage component 54 is also provided with a drainage pipe 541 that connects to the drainage cavity, and the drainage pipe 541 is connected to the original pumping module 62.

[0049] Please refer to it again. Figure 6 and Figure 8 The conveying assembly 8 includes: a conveying motor 81, a coupling 82 connected to the output shaft of the conveying motor 81, a drive shaft 83 connected to the coupling 82, and a scraper (not shown) connected to the drive shaft 83; wherein, the drive shaft 83 passes through the drain member 54, and the scraper is located inside the cavity of the inner housing 512, that is, the scraper is located inside the preparation chamber 510. The scraper can be an existing spiral scraper, etc., which is used to push the ice cream towards the control valve assembly 2. The drive shaft 83 passes through the drain member 54, with one end extending to the scraper and the other end extending out of the drain member 54 and connected to the external coupling 82.

[0050] Please refer to it again. Figure 3 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 The raw material mixing assembly includes a container assembly 6 and a mixing module 7. The container assembly 6 includes a mixing tank 61 and a pumping module 62. The mixing module 7 includes a mixing motor 73, a mixing rod 71 connected to the output shaft of the mixing motor 73, and mixing blades 72 disposed on the outer wall of the mixing rod 71. The mixing blades 72 are located inside the mixing tank 61. The output port of the pumping module 62 is connected to the guide pipe 541 and is used to transport the mixed raw material to the preparation chamber 510 of the evaporator 5.

[0051] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the mixing tank 61 is located inside the support housing 1 near the bottom, while the evaporator 5 is located above the mixing tank 61. Therefore, the two need to be connected by a pumping module 62 to provide power for transport.

[0052] The bracket housing 1 is also equipped with a cooling fan 31, which is located on the outside of the compressor 3 and is used to dissipate heat from the compressor 3.

[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, a second refrigeration component 10 is also provided outside the mixing tank 61. The second refrigeration component 10 is used to cool and refrigerate the materials inside the mixing tank 61. The structure of the second refrigeration component 10 is the same as that of the first refrigeration component, the difference being that they have different cooling powers. The second refrigeration component has a smaller cooling power and is used to cool and insulate the mixed materials inside the mixing tank 61 to prevent high-temperature spoilage.

[0054] like Figure 9 As shown, the condenser 4 includes: a condenser tube 41 and a condenser fan 42 disposed on the top of the condenser tube 41, and the condenser 42 is disposed on the top of the bracket chassis 1.

[0055] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the bracket chassis 1 includes: a bracket 15 and a protective plate 10 connected to the bracket 15. The top of the protective plate 10 is provided with an upper ventilation hole 11, and its side wall is provided with a side ventilation hole 12. The control valve assembly 2 is also provided with a tray 13 below and a display screen 14 above it for displaying information such as the current working status.

[0056] It should be noted that the ice cream machine 100 with multi-stage evaporators in this embodiment also includes a controller. The controller stores a control program, receives input instructions according to the program logic, controls each unit to automatically make ice cream, and can also perform corresponding emergency handling based on information detected by different sensors.

[0057] The control valve assembly 2 is an existing mature module, such as the discharge valve structure disclosed in Chinese patent publication number CN204540634U.

[0058] The ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator in this embodiment separates the refrigerant delivery chamber into multiple independent chambers by setting an isolation ring inside the evaporator. This allows the refrigerant to fill the chambers more fully, so that the inner shell is in uniform and sufficient contact with the refrigerant. Ultimately, the raw materials are uniformly conducted and cooled, resulting in ice cream with better consistency, more uniform texture, and better taste.

[0059] The above examples are merely illustrative of the technical content of this utility model to facilitate reader understanding, but do not imply that the implementation of this utility model is limited to these embodiments. Any technical extensions or re-creations made based on this utility model are protected by this utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator, characterized in that, include: A support frame housing, comprising a raw material mixing assembly, a first refrigeration assembly, and a conveying assembly, wherein a control valve assembly is provided on the support frame housing; The raw material stirring assembly is used to mix and stir the ice cream raw materials. The first refrigeration assembly includes: a compressor, a condenser connected to the compressor, and an evaporator connected to the condenser. The evaporator has a preparation chamber for preparing ice cream. The control valve assembly is connected to one end opening of the preparation chamber. The conveying assembly is used to convey the prepared ice cream from the preparation chamber to the control valve assembly. The evaporator has at least two interconnected refrigerant delivery chambers, which form a multi-stage evaporator structure.

2. The ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The evaporator includes: an outer shell, an inner shell fitted inside the outer shell, and a sealing element sealingly connected to both ends of the outer shell and the inner shell; wherein, an annular cavity is formed between the outer shell and the inner shell, and at least one isolation ring is provided in the annular cavity, the isolation ring dividing the annular cavity into at least two refrigerant delivery cavities, and the isolation ring is also provided with a through hole for refrigerant flow.

3. The ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The isolation ring is provided in two parts, which divide the annular cavity into three refrigerant delivery chambers, which are connected in sequence. The refrigerant delivery chambers located at the front end and the rear end of the annular cavity are respectively connected to an input connector and an output connector, which are respectively connected to the circulation pipeline of the first refrigeration component.

4. The ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the outer shell and the inner shell are cylindrical tubes. The control valve assembly is connected to the front end of the outer shell, and the rear end of the outer shell is also connected to a flow guide. The flow guide has a flow chamber that guides the mixed and stirred raw materials into the tube cavity of the inner shell.

5. The ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The conveying assembly includes: a conveying motor, a coupling connected to the output shaft of the conveying motor, a drive shaft connected to the coupling, and a scraper connected to the drive shaft; wherein the drive shaft passes through the drain member, and the scraper is located inside the cavity of the inner housing.

6. The ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The raw material mixing assembly includes a mixing tank and a mixing module. The mixing module includes a mixing motor, a mixing rod connected to the output shaft of the mixing motor, and mixing blades disposed on the outer wall of the mixing rod. The mixing blades are located inside the mixing tank.

7. The ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The mixing tank is located near the bottom of the support chassis. The raw material mixing assembly also includes a raw material pumping unit, which is used to transport the mixed raw materials to the production chamber of the evaporator.

8. The ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The bracket chassis is also equipped with a cooling fan, which is located on the outside of the compressor.

9. The ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to claim 6, characterized in that, A second refrigeration unit is also provided outside the mixing tank, which is used to cool and refrigerate the materials inside the mixing tank.

10. The ice cream machine with a multi-stage evaporator according to claim 9, characterized in that, The condenser includes a condenser tube and a condenser fan disposed on top of the condenser tube, and the condenser is disposed on top of the bracket chassis.

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