Ice maker with internal water circulation function

Abstract

The utility model discloses an ice maker with internal water circulation function, which comprises a cabinet, an ice making module, an ice storage bucket, an ice outlet box, a water storage bucket, a recycling bucket and a first water pump, the cabinet is provided with an ice outlet, the ice outlet box is arranged at the ice outlet, the ice storage bucket is arranged above the ice outlet box, the ice making module is connected with the ice storage bucket, and the recycling bucket is connected with the ice outlet box. The water outlet end of the water storage barrel is connected with the ice making module, the water inlet end of the water storage barrel is provided with a water supply pipe, the recycling barrel is arranged below the ice outlet box, the water inlet end of the recycling barrel is communicated with the interior of the ice outlet box and the interior of the ice storage barrel through hoses, the water outlet end of the recycling barrel is connected with the first water pump, and the output end of the first water pump is communicated with the water supply pipe. Compared with the prior art, the device has the advantages that melting water can be recycled, water resources are effectively saved, and the service life of a product is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice maker technology, specifically to an ice maker with an internal water circulation function. Background Technology

[0002] Ice makers use an evaporator for cooling. The refrigerant circulates and lowers the surface temperature of the evaporator. Water freezes upon contact with the evaporator. After ice making is complete, a heating device heats the evaporator. As the temperature rises, the adhesion between the ice and the evaporator decreases, allowing for rapid ice removal. In this way, people can quickly obtain the ice they need. Therefore, ice makers are convenient, efficient, and widely favored by people.

[0003] Traditional ice makers deliver some water along with the ice during the ice-making process. Over time, this water can drip from the outlet into the cabinet, damaging parts and soiling the work surface, requiring frequent cleaning. Furthermore, melted water can accumulate in the ice storage tank, affecting the ice's freezing process and thus the quality of the ice.

[0004] In view of this, the applicant conducted in-depth research on the above-mentioned issues, which led to this case. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main purpose of this invention is to provide an ice maker with an internal water circulation function, which can recycle and reuse melted water, effectively save water resources, and extend the product's service life.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the solution of this utility model is:

[0007] An ice maker with internal water circulation function includes a cabinet, an ice-making module, an ice storage tank, an ice dispensing box, a water storage tank, a recycling tank, and a first water pump. The cabinet has an ice dispensing port, the ice dispensing box is located at the ice dispensing port, the ice storage tank is located above the ice dispensing box, the ice-making module is connected to the ice storage tank, the water outlet of the water storage tank is connected to the ice-making module, the water inlet of the water storage tank is provided with a water supply pipe, the recycling tank is located below the ice dispensing box, the water inlet of the recycling tank is connected to the inside of the ice dispensing box and the inside of the ice storage tank through a flexible hose, the water outlet of the recycling tank is connected to the first water pump, and the output of the first water pump is connected to the water supply pipe.

[0008] Furthermore, the ice dispensing box is provided with an ice dispensing hole and a receiving groove, and the receiving groove is provided with a first water guide pipe, which is connected to the recycling bin.

[0009] Furthermore, a partition is provided between the ice outlet and the receiving groove.

[0010] Furthermore, the ice outlet end of the ice storage bucket is provided with a guide plate, which is located above and behind the partition.

[0011] Furthermore, the receiving groove includes a first groove and a second groove, and an inclined liquid guiding surface is provided between the first groove and the second groove.

[0012] Furthermore, the lower end of the ice storage bucket is provided with a second water guide pipe, which is connected to the recycling bucket.

[0013] Furthermore, a second water pump is provided between the water supply pipe and the water storage tank.

[0014] Furthermore, the recycling bin is equipped with a water level sensor, which is electrically connected to the first water pump.

[0015] Furthermore, the ice-making module includes an ice-making tube, a compressor, an evaporator, and a condensing mechanism. The ice-making tube is connected to the lower end of the ice storage tank, the liquid outlet of the water storage tank is connected to the inside of the ice-making tube, the evaporator is sleeved on the ice-making tube, and the condensing mechanism includes a condensing tube and a fan. The compressor, condensing tube, and evaporator are connected in sequence by copper pipes.

[0016] Compared to existing technologies, the advantages of this new invention lie in its inclusion of a recycling bin connected to the ice dispensing box and ice storage tank via a flexible hose. This allows ice water and smaller ice cubes to fall into the ice dispensing box when the ice maker dispenses ice. The water in the ice dispensing box and the ice storage tank then flows through the hose to the recycling bin for collection. A water level sensor detects the water level in the recycling bin. When the water level reaches a certain height, the sensor sends a signal to the first water pump, which then pumps water to the supply pipe, which in turn circulates the water back to the storage tank for reuse. This achieves the function of recycling melted water, effectively saving water resources, and preventing melted water from dripping into the cabinet, thus extending the product's lifespan. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 This is another internal structural diagram of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the guide plate and the ice dispenser.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the external structure of the ice box.

[0021] In the diagram: Cabinet 1, Ice outlet 11, Ice storage tank 2, Guide plate 21, Second water pipe 22, Ice box 3, Ice outlet 31, Receiving tank 32, First groove 321, Second groove 322, Inclined liquid guiding surface 323, First water pipe 33, Partition 34, Water storage tank 4, Water supply pipe 41, Recycling tank 5, First water pump 61, Second water pump 62, Ice making pipe 71, Compressor 72. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To further explain the technical solution of this utility model, the following detailed description is provided through specific embodiments.

[0023] like Figure 1-4 As shown, an ice maker with an internal water circulation function includes a cabinet 1, an ice-making module, an ice storage tank 2, an ice dispensing box 3, a water storage tank 4, a recycling tank 5, and a first water pump 61. The front side of the cabinet 1 has an ice outlet 11, and the ice dispensing box 3 is fixedly installed at the ice outlet 11. The ice storage tank 2 is located above the ice dispensing box 3. The ice-making module is connected to the ice storage tank 2, and the ice-making module transports the cooled and formed ice blocks into the ice storage tank 2 for storage. The water outlet of the water storage tank 4 is connected to the ice-making module to supply water to the ice-making module. The water inlet of the water storage tank 4 is equipped with a water supply pipe 41, and a second water pump 62 is installed on the water supply pipe 41, which transports water from the water tank to the water storage tank 4. The recycling bin 5 is located below the ice dispensing box 3. The water inlet of the recycling bin 5 is connected to the inside of the ice dispensing box 3 and the inside of the ice storage bin 2 via a hose. The water outlet of the recycling bin 5 is connected to the first water pump 61. The output of the first water pump 61 is connected to the water supply pipe 41. The first water pump 61 pumps the water in the recycling bin to the water supply pipe 41 or the water tank to achieve internal water circulation.

[0024] In this embodiment, the ice dispensing box 3 is provided with an ice dispensing hole 31 for ice blocks to fall and a receiving groove 32 for holding crushed ice and ice water. The receiving groove 32 is provided with a first water guide pipe 33, which is connected to the recycling bin 5. A partition 34 is provided between the ice dispensing hole 31 and the receiving groove 32. The partition 34 can prevent falling ice blocks from falling into the receiving groove 32, ensuring that the ice blocks can fall accurately into the ice dispensing hole 31. The ice dispensing end of the ice storage bin 2 is provided with a guide plate 21, which is located above and behind the partition 34. When normally formed ice blocks fall, they fall into the ice dispensing hole 31 by their own inertia, while small-volume crushed ice and ice water fall into the receiving groove 32. The crushed ice melts in the receiving groove 32 and is discharged into the recycling bin 5 through the first water guide pipe 33. Specifically, the receiving tank 32 includes a first groove 321 and a second groove 322. An inclined liquid guiding surface 323 is provided between the first groove 321 and the second groove 322. The groove of the second groove 322 is deeper than that of the first groove 321. In this way, when the ice fragments fall, they can first fall into the first groove 321 to melt, and then the melted ice water flows into the second groove 322 along the inclined liquid guiding surface 323.

[0025] In this embodiment, the lower end of the ice storage bucket 2 is provided with a second water guide pipe 22, which is connected to the inside of the ice storage bucket 2 and is connected to the recycling bucket 5. The ice water in the ice storage bucket 2 can be introduced into the recycling bucket 5 through the second water guide pipe 22.

[0026] Specifically, the recycling bin 5 is equipped with a water level sensor, which can be a commercially available product. The water level sensor is electrically connected to the first water pump 61. When the level of the ice water recycled in the recycling bin 5 is higher than a certain height, the water level sensor sends a signal to the first water pump 61, and the first water pump 61 transports the ice water recycled in the recycling bin 5 to the water supply pipe 41 or the water tank.

[0027] In this embodiment, the ice-making module includes an ice-making tube 71, a compressor 72, an evaporator, and a condensing mechanism. The ice-making tube 71 is connected to the lower end of the ice storage tank 2. The outlet of the second water pump 62 is connected to the water storage tank 4, and the outlet of the water storage tank 4 is connected to the inside of the ice-making tube 71. The evaporator is fitted onto the ice-making tube 71. The condensing mechanism includes a condenser tube and a fan. The compressor 72, the condenser tube, and the evaporator are connected in sequence by copper pipes, and an expansion valve is provided on the copper pipes. During ice making, water is delivered to the water storage tank 4 and the ice-making tube 71 by the second water pump 62. The compressor 72 compresses the refrigerant gas and delivers it to the condenser tube. The condenser tube cools and liquefies the compressed refrigerant gas by the airflow from the fan, and the expansion valve expands the liquefied refrigerant. The evaporator vaporizes the liquefied refrigerant that has expanded through the expansion valve and cools the ice-making tube 71, thereby achieving the effect of ice making. A screw can be installed inside the ice-making tube 71. The screw is driven to rotate by a motor, and the formed ice blocks are transported to the ice storage tank 2.

[0028] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this new invention are that it includes a recycling bin 5, which is connected to the ice dispensing box 3 and the ice storage tank 2 via a flexible hose. This allows ice water and smaller ice cubes to fall into the ice dispensing box 3 when the ice maker dispenses ice. The water in the ice dispensing box 3 and the ice storage tank 2 then flows through the hose to the recycling bin 5 for recycling. A water level sensor detects the water level in the recycling bin 5. When the water level reaches a certain height, the sensor sends a signal to the first water pump 61, which then pumps water to the water supply pipe 41. From there, the water is circulated back to the storage tank 4 for continued use. This achieves the function of recycling melted water, effectively saving water resources, and preventing melted water from dripping into the cabinet 1, thus extending the product's lifespan.

[0029] The above embodiments and figures are not intended to limit the product form and style of this utility model. Any appropriate changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art should be considered as not departing from the patent scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An ice maker with an internal water circulation function, characterized in that, The system includes a cabinet, an ice-making module, an ice storage tank, an ice dispensing box, a water storage tank, a recycling tank, and a first water pump. The cabinet has an ice outlet, the ice dispensing box is located at the ice outlet, the ice storage tank is located above the ice dispensing box, the ice-making module is connected to the ice storage tank, the water outlet of the water storage tank is connected to the ice-making module, the water inlet of the water storage tank is equipped with a water supply pipe, the recycling tank is located below the ice dispensing box, the water inlet of the recycling tank is connected to the inside of the ice dispensing box and the inside of the ice storage tank through a flexible hose, the water outlet of the recycling tank is connected to the first water pump, and the output of the first water pump is connected to the water supply pipe.

2. An ice maker with internal water circulation function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ice dispensing box is provided with an ice dispensing hole and a receiving groove. The receiving groove is provided with a first water guide pipe, which is connected to the recycling bin.

3. An ice maker with internal water circulation function as described in claim 2, characterized in that, A partition is provided between the ice outlet and the receiving groove.

4. An ice maker with internal water circulation function as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The ice storage tank has a guide plate at the ice outlet end, which is located above and behind the partition.

5. An ice maker with internal water circulation function as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The receiving groove includes a first groove and a second groove, and an inclined liquid guiding surface is provided between the first groove and the second groove.

6. An ice maker with internal water circulation function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ice storage bucket is equipped with a second water guide pipe at its lower end, which is connected to the recycling bucket.

7. An ice maker with internal water circulation function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A second water pump is installed between the water supply pipe and the water storage tank.

8. An ice maker with internal water circulation function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The recycling bin is equipped with a water level sensor, which is electrically connected to the first water pump.

9. An ice maker with internal water circulation function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ice-making module includes an ice-making tube, a compressor, an evaporator, and a condensing mechanism. The ice-making tube is connected to the lower end of the ice storage tank, and the liquid outlet of the water storage tank is connected to the inside of the ice-making tube. The evaporator is fitted onto the ice-making tube. The condensing mechanism includes a condensing tube and a fan. The compressor, condensing tube, and evaporator are connected in sequence by copper pipes.

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