Ice maker

Abstract

The utility model is suitable for ice making technical field discloses an ice maker, including casing part and ice making subassembly, casing part has accommodation space, and ice making subassembly is installed in accommodation space. Ice making subassembly includes ice storage container and cold insulation pipeline, and at least partial area of ice storage container outside is equipped with cold insulation pipeline, and cold insulation pipeline has refrigerant medium. The bottom of casing part is equipped with water collecting groove, and water collecting groove is used at least for collecting condensate water from ice storage container and cold insulation pipeline. The ice maker provided by the utility model sets up water collecting groove at the bottom of casing part, can collect condensate water from ice making subassembly, to avoid condensate water from flowing out from the ice maker. At least partial area of ice storage container outside is equipped with cold insulation pipeline, and cold insulation pipeline can play the cold insulation effect to ice storage container, to reduce the ice block melting in ice storage container, improve the ice storage effect of ice storage container.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] An ice maker is a refrigeration machine that converts water into ice based on a refrigeration cycle system. It is increasingly being used in various settings such as restaurants, hotels, and hospitals.

[0003] However, due to design limitations, ice makers in related technologies have the following defects: First, when ice cubes are temporarily stored in the ice storage container, the ice cubes will melt to varying degrees due to the poor insulation of the ice storage container, causing the ice granules to stick together into sheets or large chunks of ice, which will cause blockages when dispensing ice; Second, the condensate produced by the ice-making components during the ice-making process or when storing ice cubes can easily flow from the bottom of the ice maker onto the platform supporting the ice maker. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides an ice maker, which aims to solve the technical problems of poor cold preservation effect of the ice storage container and easy leakage of condensate from the ice maker in existing ice makers.

[0005] According to a first aspect of this application, one embodiment provides an ice maker, including a housing component and an ice-making assembly, the housing component having an accommodating space, and the ice-making assembly being installed within the accommodating space;

[0006] The ice-making assembly includes an ice storage container and a cold insulation pipeline. At least a portion of the outer side of the ice storage container is provided with the cold insulation pipeline, and the cold insulation pipeline contains a cold medium.

[0007] The bottom of the housing component is provided with a water collection tank, which is used at least to collect condensate from the ice storage container and the cold insulation pipeline.

[0008] In one embodiment, the ice maker further includes an ice water recovery container;

[0009] The ice water recovery container is installed in the accommodating space and located below the ice storage container. The ice water recovery container is connected to the ice storage container and is used to collect liquid water in the ice storage container.

[0010] The water collection tank is also used to collect condensate from the ice water recovery container.

[0011] In one embodiment, the water collection tank is located below the ice water recovery container, and the ice water recovery container is arranged corresponding to the water collection tank in the height direction of the ice maker.

[0012] In one embodiment, the ice maker further includes a support plate disposed on top of the ice water recovery container;

[0013] The support plate is provided with a water collection tank that is connected to the water collection tank. The water collection tank is used to collect condensate from the ice storage container and the insulation pipeline.

[0014] In one embodiment, the ice maker further includes a water supply pipeline connecting the water collection tank and the water gathering tank, for transporting water from the water collection tank to the water gathering tank; or,

[0015] The ice storage container is tilted above the support plate.

[0016] In one embodiment, the ice maker further includes a heating component;

[0017] The heating component is installed within the accommodating space, the support plate is located above the heating component, and at least a portion of the water collection tank is arranged corresponding to the heating component in the height direction of the ice maker.

[0018] In one embodiment, the water collection tank is inclined, and the lowest end of the water collection tank is positioned corresponding to the heating component in the height direction of the ice maker.

[0019] In one embodiment, the water collection tank is located below the heating component, and at least a portion of the heating component is arranged corresponding to the water collection tank in the height direction of the ice maker.

[0020] In one embodiment, the housing component includes a base and a housing, the housing being connected to the base and enclosing the base to form the accommodating space;

[0021] The water collection tank is formed on the base.

[0022] In one embodiment, the cold insulation piping is attached to the bottom and / or side wall of the ice storage container; or,

[0023] The cold insulation pipeline is connected to the bottom and / or side wall of the ice storage container via a heat-conducting material.

[0024] According to the ice maker of the above embodiment, a water collection tank is provided at the bottom of the housing component. The water collection tank is located at the bottom of the accommodating space, and can be located at or near the lowest point of the accommodating space. The water collection tank can collect condensate from the ice-making components, thereby preventing condensate from flowing out of the ice maker. By providing a cold-insulating pipe with a cold medium inside, the cold medium absorbs heat and performs heat exchange, giving the cold-insulating pipe a cooling function and achieving a better cold-insulating effect. A cold-insulating pipe is provided in at least a portion of the outer area of ​​the ice storage container, so that the cold-insulating pipe can insulate the ice storage container, thereby reducing the melting of ice in the ice storage container and improving the ice storage effect of the ice storage container. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ice maker provided in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice maker with part of its outer shell removed, provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the ice water recovery container, support plate, base and water supply pipeline provided in this embodiment of the utility model.

[0029] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0030] 100. Ice maker; 10. Shell components; 11. Base; 111. Water collection tank; 12. Outer shell; 13. Compartment space; 20. Ice-making assembly; 21. Ice-making body; 22. Ice storage container; 23. Cold insulation piping; 30. Ice water recovery container; 40. Support plate; 41. Water collection tank; 50. Water supply piping; 60. Heating assembly; 61. Compressor.

[0031] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0032] 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 of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0033] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in this utility model embodiment are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a certain specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.

[0034] It should also be noted that when a component is described as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intervening component present. When a component is described as "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component present.

[0035] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this utility model is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0036] Currently, ice makers are widely used in various fields. However, due to design limitations, ice makers sometimes experience melting of ice cubes to varying degrees when storing them, as the ice storage container's insulation effect is not ideal. Furthermore, condensation generated during the ice-making process or ice storage can easily flow from the bottom of the ice maker onto the platform supporting it.

[0037] In view of this, the present invention provides an ice maker to improve the cold preservation effect of the ice storage container and to prevent condensate from flowing out from the bottom of the ice maker.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the ice maker 100 provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes a housing component 10 and an ice-making assembly 20. The housing component 10 has an accommodating space 13, and the ice-making assembly 20 is installed in the accommodating space 13. A water collection tank 111 is provided at the bottom of the housing component 10, which is used to collect at least the condensate from the ice-making assembly 20.

[0039] During the ice-making process or when storing ice, the ice-making component 20 easily generates condensate. A water collection tank 111 is provided at the bottom of the housing component 10. The water collection tank 111 is located at the bottom of the accommodating space 13. In specific applications, the water collection tank 111 can be located at or near the lowest point of the accommodating space 13 to collect the condensate from the ice-making component 20, thereby preventing condensate from flowing out of the ice maker 100. The condensate from the ice-making component 20 can drip directly into the water collection tank 111, flow along components within the accommodating space 13 into the water collection tank 111, or flow through pipes into the water collection tank 111.

[0040] In one embodiment, the housing component 10 includes a base 11 and an outer shell 12. The outer shell 12 is connected to the base 11 and together with the base 11 forms an accommodating space 13. A water collection tank 111 is formed on the base 11. This allows the water collection tank 111 to be disposed at the bottom of the housing component 10, and the water collection tank 111 can be disposed using existing components, thus reducing costs. It is understood that in other embodiments, the housing component 10 may also include a partition disposed near the base 11, and the water collection tank 111 may be formed on the partition.

[0041] Please see Figure 2 The ice-making assembly 20 includes an ice-making body 21, an ice storage container 22, and a cold-insulating pipe 23. The ice-making body 21 is used to make ice cubes and transfer the made ice cubes into the ice storage container 22. The ice storage container 22 is used to store the made ice cubes. At least a portion of the outer side of the ice storage container 22 is provided with the cold-insulating pipe 23, which contains a cold medium. The water collection tank 111 is used to collect condensate from the ice-making body 21, the ice storage container 22, and the cold-insulating pipe 23.

[0042] By incorporating a cooling pipe 23 with an internal cooling medium, the cooling medium absorbs heat and facilitates heat exchange, giving the cooling pipe 23 a cooling function and achieving a cooling effect. The cooling pipe 23 is installed in at least a portion of the outer surface of the ice storage container 22 so that it can effectively keep the ice in the container 22 cool, thereby reducing ice melting and improving the ice storage efficiency of the container 22.

[0043] It is understood that in other embodiments, the cold insulation pipe 23 may not be located on the outside of the ice storage container 22. For example, the cold insulation pipe 23 may be located in the interlayer or inside the wall of the ice storage container 22.

[0044] In one embodiment, the cooling medium may be propane or isobutane, etc.

[0045] In one embodiment, the cold insulation pipe 23 is attached to the bottom and / or sidewall of the ice storage container 22. The cold insulation pipe 23 can also be connected to the bottom and / or sidewall of the ice storage container 22 via a thermally conductive material. Ice transferred into the ice storage container 22 typically accumulates first at the bottom of the inner cavity of the ice storage container 22. Attaching the cold insulation pipe 23 to the bottom of the ice storage container 22 can keep the ice at the bottom of the inner cavity of the ice storage container 22 cold. It is understood that in other embodiments, the cold insulation pipe 23 can also be attached to the entire outer surface of the ice storage container 22 or to the sidewall near the bottom of the ice storage container 22.

[0046] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The ice maker 100 also includes an ice water recovery container 30, which is installed within the accommodating space 13 and located below the ice storage container 22. The ice water recovery container 30 is connected to the ice storage container 22 and is used to collect liquid water from the ice storage container 22. The water collection tank 111 is also used to collect condensate from the ice water recovery container 30. In specific applications, the ice water recovery container 30 is installed on the base 11.

[0047] During the process of transferring ice blocks from the ice-making unit 21 to the ice storage container 22, some ice-making water is usually transferred into the ice storage container 22. By setting up an ice water recovery container 30, the ice-making water in the ice storage container 22 can be recovered for reuse in ice making. Since the ice-making water recovered in the ice water recovery container 30 is at a relatively low temperature, it is easy to form condensate when external gas comes into contact with the ice water recovery container 30. The water collection tank 111 can collect the condensate from the ice water recovery container 30, which can prevent this part of the condensate from flowing outside the ice maker 100.

[0048] In one embodiment, the water collection tank 111 is located below the ice water recovery container 30, and the ice water recovery container 30 is correspondingly positioned to the water collection tank 111 in the height direction of the ice maker 100. It should be noted that "correspondingly positioned" here means that the ice water recovery container 30 is directly opposite the water collection tank 111 in the height direction of the ice maker 100, that is, the ice water recovery container 30 is located directly above the water collection tank 111. In specific applications, the projection of the ice water recovery container 30 onto the base 11 falls into the water collection tank 111. This facilitates the dripping of condensate formed in the ice water recovery container 30 into the water collection tank 111, thereby enabling the water collection tank 111 to collect the condensate from the ice water recovery container 30.

[0049] Please see Figures 1 to 3 The ice maker 100 also includes a support plate 40, which is located on top of the ice water recovery container 30. The support plate 40 has a water collection tank 41 connected to the water collection tank 111. The water collection tank 41 is used to collect condensate from the ice storage container 22 and the cold insulation pipe 23. In specific applications, the condensate from the ice storage container 22 and the cold insulation pipe 23 is first collected in the water collection tank 41, and then transported from the water collection tank 41 to the water collection tank 111. Of course, it can be understood that in other embodiments, the ice maker 100 may not have the support plate 40 and the water collection tank 41. When this technical solution is adopted, the condensate from the ice storage container 22 and the cold insulation pipe 23 can drip or flow along the outer wall of the ice storage container 22 onto the ice water recovery container 30, and then flow along the ice water recovery container 30 into the water collection tank 111.

[0050] Please see Figures 1 to 3 The ice maker 100 also includes a water supply pipe 50, which connects a water collection tank 41 and a water collection tank 111, for transporting water from the water collection tank 41 to the water collection tank 111. This allows condensate from the water collection tank 41 to be transported to the water collection tank 41. Alternatively, in a specific application, the condensate in the water collection tank 41 can also flow along the outer wall of the ice water recovery container 30 into the water collection tank 111.

[0051] In one embodiment, the ice storage container 22 is inclined above the support plate 40. Inclining the ice storage container 22 allows condensate on its outer surface to collect along the inclined surface at the lowest point of the ice storage container 22 and then flow into the water collection tank 41, thus preventing condensate from dripping from various areas outside the ice storage container 22 into the water collection tank 41 and splashing.

[0052] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The ice maker 100 also includes a heating component 60, which is installed within the accommodating space 13. A support plate 40 is positioned above the heating component 60, and at least a portion of the water collection tank 41 is positioned corresponding to the heating component 60 in the height direction of the ice maker 100, meaning at least a portion of the water collection tank 41 is directly above the heating component 60. This allows the heat generated by the heating component 60 to evaporate the condensate in the water collection tank 41, thus preventing condensate buildup. Simultaneously, the condensate absorbs heat from the heating component 60, which helps cool the heating component 60. In specific applications, the heating component 60 is installed on the base 11. It is understood that in other embodiments, the water collection tank 41 may not be positioned corresponding to the heating component 60 in the height direction of the ice maker 100.

[0053] In one embodiment, the water collection tank 41 is inclined and located above the heating component 60. The lowest point of the water collection tank 41 is positioned corresponding to the heating component 60 in the height direction of the ice maker 100, that is, the lowest point of the water collection tank 41 is directly above the heating component 60. In this way, the water in the water collection tank 41 can be accumulated as much as possible above the heating component 60 to absorb the heat generated by the heating component 60.

[0054] In one embodiment, the water supply pipe 50 is connected to the lowest end of the water collection tank 41. This allows water in the water collection tank 41 to flow into the water supply pipe 50.

[0055] In one embodiment, a water collection tank 111 is located below the heating element 60, and at least a portion of the heating element 60 is positioned corresponding to the water collection tank 111 in the height direction of the ice maker 100, that is, at least a portion of the heating element 60 is located directly above the water collection tank 111. The heating element 60 generates heat during operation. By positioning at least a portion of the heating element 60 corresponding to the water collection tank 111 in the height direction of the ice maker 100, and ensuring a close distance between the water collection tank 111 and the heating element 60, the condensate in the water collection tank 111 can absorb the heat generated by the heating element 60, which is beneficial for cooling the heating element 60. The heating element 60 includes a compressor 61 and / or a condenser.

[0056] In one embodiment, the ice maker 100 further includes a return pipe (not shown) connected downstream of the insulation pipe 23, and a water collection tank 111 is used to collect condensate from the return pipe. This ensures that condensate formed in the return pipe is collected in the water collection tank 111. Specifically, the return pipe can be positioned above the water collection tank 111 and corresponding to it in the height direction of the ice maker 100, meaning the projection of the return pipe onto the base 11 falls into the water collection tank 111.

[0057] In specific applications, the ice-making body 21 includes an evaporator (not shown), the heating component 60 includes a compressor 61, and a cold insulation pipe 23 connects the evaporator and a return pipe. The end of the return pipe away from the cold insulation pipe 23 is connected to the compressor 61. After the refrigerant passes through the evaporator to generate a low-temperature, low-pressure gas, it flows into the compressor 61 sequentially through the cold insulation pipe 23 and the return pipe. In this technical solution, the cold medium in the cold insulation pipe 23 is the refrigerant. It should be noted that the downstream in this application refers to the flow path of the refrigerant.

[0058] It is understood that in other embodiments, the return line may also connect the evaporator and the compressor 61, and the cold insulation line 23 may be an independent refrigerant delivery line.

[0059] In this embodiment, the water collection tank 111 can collect condensate from the ice-making component 20, the ice water recovery container 30, and the return pipeline to prevent condensate from flowing to the outside of the ice maker 100 and improve the user experience.

[0060] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. All equivalent structural transformations made under the inventive concept of the present utility model using the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An ice maker, characterized in that, It includes a housing component and an ice-making assembly, the housing component having an accommodating space, and the ice-making assembly being installed within the accommodating space; The ice-making assembly includes an ice storage container and a cold insulation pipeline. At least a portion of the outer side of the ice storage container is provided with the cold insulation pipeline, and the cold insulation pipeline contains a cold medium. The bottom of the housing component is provided with a water collection tank, which is used at least to collect condensate from the ice storage container and the cold insulation pipeline.

2. The ice maker as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ice maker also includes an ice water recovery container; The ice water recovery container is installed in the accommodating space and located below the ice storage container. The ice water recovery container is connected to the ice storage container and is used to collect liquid water in the ice storage container. The water collection tank is also used to collect condensate from the ice water recovery container.

3. The ice maker as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The water collection tank is located below the ice water recovery container, and the ice water recovery container is arranged corresponding to the water collection tank in the height direction of the ice maker.

4. The ice maker as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The ice maker also includes a support plate, which is disposed on top of the ice water recovery container; The support plate is provided with a water collection tank that is connected to the water collection tank. The water collection tank is used to collect condensate from the ice storage container and the cold insulation pipeline.

5. The ice maker as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The ice maker also includes a water supply pipeline connecting the water collection tank and the water gathering tank, used to transport water from the water collection tank to the water gathering tank; or... The ice storage container is tilted above the support plate.

6. The ice maker as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The ice maker also includes a heating component; The heating component is installed within the accommodating space, the support plate is located above the heating component, and at least a portion of the water collection tank is arranged corresponding to the heating component in the height direction of the ice maker.

7. The ice maker as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The water collection tank is inclined, and the lowest end of the water collection tank is positioned in the height direction of the ice maker, corresponding to the heating component.

8. The ice maker as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The water collection tank is located below the heating component, and at least a portion of the heating component is arranged corresponding to the water collection tank in the height direction of the ice maker.

9. The ice maker as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The housing component includes a base and an outer shell, the outer shell being connected to the base and enclosing the base to form the accommodating space; The water collection tank is formed on the base.

10. The ice maker as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The cold insulation piping is attached to the bottom and / or side wall of the ice storage container; or, The cold insulation pipeline is connected to the bottom and / or side wall of the ice storage container via a heat-conducting material.

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