Rapid ice maker

Abstract

The utility model discloses a rapid ice maker which comprises a machine shell, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and an ice storage bucket, the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator are arranged in the machine shell, and the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator are sequentially communicated through pipelines to form a circulating system of refrigerants; the evaporator comprises a refrigeration cylinder and a scraper arranged in the refrigeration cylinder of the rapid ice maker. The evaporator comprises the ice making cavity and the evaporation cavity which are arranged inside and outside, the rotating scraper is arranged in the ice making cavity, water input from the outside can quickly form ice blocks after entering the ice making cavity, the ice blocks are synchronously conveyed into the ice storage barrel by the rotating scraper, the ice making speed is high, and the requirement of a user for using a large amount of ice can be met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice maker technology, and in particular to a fast ice maker with higher ice-making efficiency. Background Technology

[0002] Ice makers utilize a refrigeration system to lower the temperature of water, causing it to freeze into ice. They are widely used in catering, medical, and chemical industries. Among household appliances, ice makers have increasingly become an important product. An ice maker is a refrigeration machine that cools water through an evaporator using a refrigeration system to produce ice. An ice maker mainly consists of an ice-making mechanism and a refrigeration system, which provides the necessary cooling energy to the ice-making mechanism.

[0003] To meet the demand for large-volume ice production, existing ice makers typically require the preparation of a large amount of ice blocks and their storage inside the machine. When needed, the ice is then output from the machine to the user. This method of ice making requires the machine to maintain a low temperature for an extended period, resulting in high energy consumption and an inability to meet the need for rapid ice production. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a rapid ice maker to solve the technical problem that existing ice makers cannot make ice quickly.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] An embodiment of this utility model provides a rapid ice maker, which includes: a housing, a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and an ice storage tank disposed within the housing, wherein the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator are sequentially connected by pipelines to form a refrigerant circulation system;

[0007] The evaporator includes: a refrigeration cylinder and a scraper disposed within the refrigeration cylinder. The refrigeration cylinder is provided with an evaporation chamber and an ice-making chamber. The evaporation chamber surrounds the outside of the ice-making chamber. The scraper is disposed within the ice-making chamber. The evaporation chamber is connected to the compressor and the condenser through a pipeline.

[0008] The ice storage tank is connected to the ice outlet of the ice-making chamber, and the scraper, when rotated in a controlled manner, transports the produced ice blocks into the ice storage tank.

[0009] The scraper includes a rotating shaft and a spiral protrusion on the surface of the rotating shaft. The ice outlet is also provided with a guide member, which has a plurality of radially extending guide grooves. The guide member is rotatably connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft.

[0010] The guide includes a tube body and a guide plate protruding from the outer wall of the tube body. The end of the guide plate near the ice-making cavity has a wedge-shaped structure, and the tube body is sleeved on the upper end of the rotating shaft.

[0011] The ice storage tank is also equipped with a stirring component, and the upper end of the rotating shaft extends into the ice storage tank. The stirring component is connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft.

[0012] The cooling cylinder is also fitted with an insulation cylinder.

[0013] The ice storage tank has an ice outlet near the bottom of its side wall, and an ice outlet control valve assembly is provided at the ice outlet. The ice outlet control valve assembly receives external commands to control the ice outlet to close or open.

[0014] The rapid ice maker also includes a drive assembly, which includes a drive motor and a transmission component connected to the drive motor. The transmission component is connected to the lower end of the rotating shaft.

[0015] The stirring component includes a shaft connection and a stirring rod extending in multiple directions from the outer wall of the shaft connection, wherein the shaft connection is fixedly connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft.

[0016] The compressor, evaporator, condenser, ice storage tank, and drive assembly are all connected to a bracket, which is located inside the housing. The condenser and compressor are arranged vertically, while the ice storage tank, evaporator, and drive assembly are arranged from top to bottom.

[0017] The support frame is also equipped with a buffer water tank and a liquid level detector installed inside the buffer water tank. The buffer water tank is connected to an external water source for supplying water to the evaporator.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the rapid ice maker of this utility model has the following technical advantages: the evaporator includes an ice-making chamber and an evaporation chamber arranged inside and outside. The ice-making chamber is equipped with a rotating scraper. After the water input from the outside enters the ice-making chamber, it can quickly form ice blocks and be simultaneously transported to the ice storage tank by the rotating scraper. Its ice-making speed is fast and can meet the user's demand for large amounts of ice.

[0019] 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

[0020] Figure 1 and Figure 2These are schematic diagrams of the rapid ice maker from different perspectives according to embodiments of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram shows the internal structure of the rapid ice maker according to an embodiment of this utility model, with the casing removed from different perspectives.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the evaporator, ice storage tank, and drive assembly of the rapid ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the drive assembly of the rapid ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the evaporator section of the rapid ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the ice storage tank of the rapid ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the ice storage tank portion of the rapid ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 10 This is an exploded view of the evaporator portion of the rapid ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the condenser, compressor, and support structure of the rapid ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 12 This is an enlarged structural diagram of the guide component of the rapid ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0031] Rapid ice maker 100, housing 1, compressor 2, evaporator 3, ice storage tank 4, condenser 5, buffer water tank 6, drive assembly 7, electrical control box 8, bracket 9, ice outlet channel 11, water collection box 12, first ventilation net 13, second ventilation net 14, drain pipe 15, support base 31, refrigeration cylinder 32, insulation cylinder 33, scraper 34, guide component 35, insulation tank body 41, ice outlet control valve assembly 42, top cover 43, stirring component 44, drive motor 71, transmission component 72, ice making chamber 321, ice outlet 322, rotating shaft 341, spiral protrusion 342, tube body 351, guide plate 352, wedge structure 353, guide groove 354, stirring rod 441, shaft connection 442. Detailed Implementation

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Ice makers utilize a refrigeration system to lower the temperature of water, causing it to freeze into ice. They are widely used in catering, medical, and chemical industries. Among household appliances, ice makers have increasingly become an important product. An ice maker is a refrigeration machine that cools water through an evaporator using a refrigeration system to produce ice. An ice maker mainly consists of an ice-making mechanism and a refrigeration system, which provides the necessary cooling energy to the ice-making mechanism. Existing ice makers, to meet the demand for large-volume ice production, generally require the pre-prepared ice blocks to be stored in the container. When needed, the ice is dispensed from the container to the user. This method requires the container to maintain a low temperature for an extended period, resulting in high energy consumption and failing to meet the need for rapid ice production. Therefore, based on the above requirements, this embodiment provides a rapid ice maker 100.

[0040] Please see Figures 1 to 12 This embodiment discloses a rapid ice maker 100, which includes: a housing 1, a compressor 2, a condenser 5, an evaporator 3 and an ice storage tank 4 disposed in the housing 1. The compressor 2, the condenser 5 and the evaporator 3 are connected in sequence through pipelines to form a refrigerant circulation system, that is, a circulating refrigeration system.

[0041] The evaporator 3 includes: a refrigeration cylinder 32 and a scraper 34 disposed in the refrigeration cylinder 32. The refrigeration cylinder 32 is provided with an evaporation chamber and an ice-making chamber 321. The evaporation chamber surrounds the outside of the ice-making chamber 321. The scraper 34 is disposed in the ice-making chamber 321. The evaporation chamber is connected to the compressor 2 and the condenser 5 through a pipeline.

[0042] The ice storage tank 4 is connected to the ice outlet 322 of the ice-making chamber 321. When the scraper 34 is rotated in a controlled manner, it transports the ice blocks it produces into the ice storage tank 4.

[0043] The evaporator 5 consists of an outer tank and an inner tank. The inner tank has a smaller radius and a longer axial length, while the outer tank has a larger radius and a shorter axial length. An annular cavity is formed between the inner and outer tanks, which is the evaporation chamber and serves as a refrigerant circulation channel. The ice-making chamber 321 is the cavity of the inner tank, and it is mainly the space for preparing ice.

[0044] In this embodiment, the evaporator 3 is the main ice-making unit. It employs a combination of a refrigeration cylinder 32 and a scraper 34, allowing water delivered to the ice-making chamber 321 to be quickly turned into ice cubes, which are then simultaneously ejected by the rotating scraper 34. Compared to existing methods that use ice trays or ice molds to store water and then vibrate the ice cubes out after they are made, the rapid ice maker 100 in this embodiment produces ice faster and more efficiently.

[0045] Please refer to it again. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The housing 1 is also provided with an ice outlet channel 11 and a water collection box 12 located below the outlet of the ice outlet channel 11. The water collection box 12 is used to hold ice-receiving containers and can also collect the ice water flowing out of the ice outlet channel 11 for centralized discharge. Since the compressor 2 and condenser 5 generate a lot of heat during operation, a first ventilation net 13 and a second ventilation net 14 are also provided at corresponding positions on the housing 1 to release heat into the environment.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the bottom of the housing 1 is also provided with a drain pipe 15, which is connected to the water collection box 12.

[0047] Please refer to it again. Figure 7 and Figure 10The scraper 34 includes a rotating shaft 341 and a spiral protrusion 342 disposed on the surface of the rotating shaft 341. A guide 35 is also provided inside the ice outlet 322, and the guide 35 has several radially extending guide grooves 354. The guide 35 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft 341. Specifically, the spiral protrusion 342 is only disposed in the middle position of the rotating shaft 341, with round rod portions at both ends. The guide 35 is rotatably connected to the upper round rod portions of the rotating shaft 341.

[0048] Please refer to it again. Figure 12 The guide member 35 includes a tube body 351 and a guide plate 352 protruding from the outer wall of the tube body. The end of the guide plate 352 near the ice-making cavity is a wedge-shaped structure 353. The tube body 351 is sleeved on the upper end of the rotating shaft 341. A guide groove 354 is formed between adjacent guide plates 352. The ice blocks output by the rotation of the spiral protrusion structure 342 of the scraper 34 are guided into the ice storage tank 4 for temporary storage through the guide groove 354 of the guide member 35. The guide groove 354 can also compress the output shape of the ice blocks.

[0049] Please refer to it again. Figure 9 The ice storage tank 4 is also equipped with a stirring component 44. The upper end of the rotating shaft 341 extends into the ice storage tank 4, and the stirring component 44 is connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft 341. The ice storage tank 4 includes: an insulated tank body 41, a top cover 43 that covers the top opening of the insulated tank body 41, and an ice discharge control valve assembly 42 connected to the side wall of the insulated tank body 41.

[0050] To reduce energy loss at the refrigeration cylinder 32, an insulation cylinder 33 is also fitted onto the outside of the refrigeration cylinder 32.

[0051] The bottom of the refrigeration cylinder 32 is also provided with a support base 31, which supports and connects the refrigeration cylinder 32 to the bracket 9. At the same time, the scraper 34 is connected to the external drive component 7 through the support base 31.

[0052] The ice storage tank 4 has an ice outlet near the bottom on its side wall, and an ice outlet control valve assembly 42 is installed at the ice outlet. The ice outlet control valve assembly 42 receives external commands to control the ice outlet to close or open. When dispensing ice, the stirring component 44 rotates synchronously, pushing the ice blocks in the ice storage tank 4 to the ice outlet for distribution to the user.

[0053] Please refer to it again. Figure 3 and Figure 6The rapid ice maker 100 also includes a drive assembly 7, which includes a drive motor 71 and a transmission component 72 connected to the drive motor 71. The transmission component 72 is connected to the lower end of the rotating shaft 341. To reduce the space required for the drive motor 71 and the scraper 34 transmission structure, the output power of the drive motor 71 is reversed through the transmission component 72 and then transmitted to the scraper 34, so that the drive motor 71 and the evaporator 3 are arranged approximately side by side, saving internal space in the ice maker.

[0054] like Figure 9 As shown, the stirring component 44 includes a shaft connection portion 442 and a stirring rod 441 extending in multiple directions from the outer wall of the shaft connection portion 442. The shaft connection portion 442 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft 341. In this embodiment, the rotational power of both the scraper 34 and the stirring component 44 comes from the drive motor 71, resulting in low energy consumption, a more compact internal structure, and a smaller footprint, which is beneficial for the miniaturization design of the ice maker.

[0055] Please refer to it again. Figure 11 The compressor 2, evaporator 3, condenser 5, ice storage tank 4, and drive assembly 7 are all connected to a bracket 9, which is located inside the housing 1. The condenser 5 and compressor 2 are arranged vertically, while the ice storage tank 4, evaporator 3, and drive assembly 7 are arranged from top to bottom. The condenser 5 and compressor 2 are assembled on the left side of the bracket 9, and the ice storage tank 4, evaporator 3, and drive assembly 7 are assembled on the right side of the bracket 9.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, the support 9 is also equipped with a buffer water tank 6 and a level detector (not shown in the figure) installed inside the buffer water tank 6. The buffer water tank 6 is connected to an external water source to supply water to the evaporator 3. External water is first transported to the buffer water tank 6 through a pipeline, and then transported from the buffer water tank 6 to the ice-making chamber 321 of the evaporator 3. Of course, the water temporarily stored in the buffer water tank 6 can also be directly transported to the ice outlet channel 11 through a pipeline to provide ice water according to user needs.

[0057] Please refer to it again. Figure 4 The bracket 9 is also equipped with an electrical control box 8, which is connected to the mains power and is used to provide power to the compressor 2, drive motor 71, evaporator 3, condenser 5 and control valves on the pipeline.

[0058] Compared with the prior art, the rapid ice maker of this utility model has the following technical advantages: the evaporator includes an ice-making chamber and an evaporation chamber arranged inside and outside. The ice-making chamber is equipped with a rotating scraper. After the water input from the outside enters the ice-making chamber, it can quickly form ice blocks and be simultaneously transported to the ice storage tank by the rotating scraper. Its ice-making speed is fast and can meet the user's demand for large amounts of ice.

[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. A rapid ice maker, characterized in that, include: The housing includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and an ice storage tank, all housed within the housing. The compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator are sequentially connected by pipelines to form a refrigerant circulation system. The evaporator includes: a refrigeration cylinder and a scraper disposed within the refrigeration cylinder. The refrigeration cylinder is provided with an evaporation chamber and an ice-making chamber. The evaporation chamber surrounds the outside of the ice-making chamber. The scraper is disposed within the ice-making chamber. The evaporation chamber is connected to the compressor and the condenser through a pipeline. The ice storage tank is connected to the ice outlet of the ice-making chamber, and the scraper, when rotated in a controlled manner, transports the produced ice blocks into the ice storage tank.

2. The rapid ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The scraper includes a rotating shaft and a spiral protrusion on the surface of the rotating shaft. The ice outlet is also provided with a guide member, which has a plurality of radially extending guide grooves. The guide member is rotatably connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft.

3. The rapid ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guide includes a tube body and a guide plate protruding from the outer wall of the tube body. The end of the guide plate near the ice-making cavity has a wedge-shaped structure, and the tube body is sleeved on the upper end of the rotating shaft.

4. The rapid ice maker according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ice storage tank is also equipped with a stirring component, and the upper end of the rotating shaft extends into the ice storage tank. The stirring component is connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft.

5. The rapid ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, An insulation cylinder is also fitted onto the outside of the refrigeration cylinder.

6. The rapid ice maker according to claim 5, characterized in that, The ice storage tank is provided with an ice outlet near the bottom of its side wall. An ice outlet control valve assembly is also provided at the ice outlet, which receives external commands to control the ice outlet to close or open.

7. The rapid ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rapid ice maker also includes a drive assembly, which includes a drive motor and a transmission component connected to the drive motor. The transmission component is connected to the lower end of the rotating shaft.

8. The rapid ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The stirring component includes: a shaft connection portion and a stirring rod extending in multiple directions from the outer wall of the shaft connection portion, wherein the shaft connection portion is fixedly connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft.

9. The rapid ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that, The compressor, evaporator, condenser, ice storage tank, and drive assembly are all connected to a bracket, which is located inside the housing. The condenser and compressor are arranged vertically, while the ice storage tank, evaporator, and drive assembly are arranged from top to bottom.

10. The rapid ice maker according to claim 9, characterized in that, The support is also equipped with a buffer water tank and a liquid level detector installed in the buffer water tank. The buffer water tank is connected to an external water source for supplying water to the evaporator.

Images