Ice making mechanism and ice making apparatus

Abstract

The utility model is suitable for ice making technical field discloses a kind of ice making mechanism and ice making equipment. Among them, ice making mechanism includes shell assembly, ice making component and cold air conveying component. Shell assembly has first cavity, and first cavity is used to store ice block. Ice making component is connected to shell assembly, for preparing ice block and forming cold air. Cold air conveying component is connected to shell assembly, for conveying the cold air formed by ice making component into first cavity. By setting cold air conveying component, the cold air formed by ice making component is conveyed into first cavity, the temperature in first cavity can be reduced, the ice block in first cavity can be effectively prevented from melting, and then the effect of storing ice block in first cavity is improved, that is, the effect of storing ice block by ice making mechanism is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Ice-making equipment is a type of refrigeration machinery 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] In some applications, ice blocks may not be used immediately after being made, requiring storage. Therefore, ice-making equipment typically includes an ice storage chamber. However, due to design limitations, the ice storage chambers in these technologies are not very effective at storing ice, leading to melting of the ice. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides an ice-making mechanism and ice-making equipment, aiming to solve the technical problem that existing ice-making equipment has poor ice storage effect and melts.

[0005] According to a first aspect of this application, one embodiment provides an ice-making mechanism, comprising:

[0006] A housing assembly having a first cavity for storing ice;

[0007] An ice-making assembly, connected to the housing assembly, is used to prepare ice and generate cold air;

[0008] A cold air delivery assembly is connected to the housing assembly and is used to deliver the cold air generated by the ice-making assembly to the first cavity.

[0009] In one embodiment, the housing assembly further includes a second cavity communicating with the first cavity, and the ice-making assembly is at least partially disposed in the second cavity, thereby forming cold air in the second cavity;

[0010] The cold air delivery assembly is used to deliver cold air from the second cavity to the first cavity.

[0011] In one embodiment, the cold air delivery assembly includes an airflow drive for driving cold air in the second cavity into the first cavity;

[0012] And / or, the cold air delivery assembly includes a cold air delivery pipe that connects the first cavity and the second cavity, for delivering cold air from the second cavity to the first cavity.

[0013] In one embodiment, the airflow drive is a fan.

[0014] In one embodiment, the housing assembly includes a first housing and a second housing connected to the first housing, a first cavity formed in the first housing, a second cavity formed in the second housing, a communication portion provided between the first housing and the second housing, and the first cavity and the second cavity communicating with each other through the communication portion;

[0015] The airflow drive includes an air inlet side and an air outlet side disposed opposite to each other; the airflow drive is disposed in the first housing, with the air inlet side facing the connecting portion; or, the airflow drive is disposed in the second housing, with the air outlet side facing the connecting portion; or, the airflow drive is disposed in the connecting portion, with the air inlet side facing the second cavity and the air outlet side facing the first cavity.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first cavity and the second cavity are arranged in a horizontal direction;

[0017] And / or, at least a portion of the first cavity is positioned below the second cavity.

[0018] In one embodiment, the ice-making mechanism further includes a cold-insulating pipe disposed in the housing assembly;

[0019] The cold insulation pipeline contains a cooling medium and is used to keep the ice in the first cavity cold.

[0020] In one embodiment, the cold insulation pipeline is located at the bottom and / or side of the first cavity.

[0021] In one embodiment, the ice-making assembly includes an evaporator and an ice-making water carrier container, the ice-making water carrier container being used to hold ice-making water, at least a portion of the evaporator extending into the ice-making water carrier container, the evaporator being used to condense the ice-making water into ice cubes;

[0022] The inlet of the cold insulation pipeline is connected to the outlet of the evaporator, and the cooling medium is a refrigerant.

[0023] According to a second aspect of this application, one embodiment provides an ice-making apparatus, including the ice-making mechanism described in the first aspect.

[0024] According to the ice-making mechanism and equipment of the above embodiments, since the ice-making component can generate cold air, a cold air delivery component is provided to deliver the cold air generated by the ice-making component to the first cavity, which can reduce the temperature inside the first cavity and effectively prevent the ice in the first cavity from melting, thereby improving the ice storage effect of the first cavity, that is, improving the ice storage effect of the ice-making mechanism. Therefore, the ice-making mechanism provided by this utility model can reduce the temperature inside the first cavity through the cold air delivery component, prevent the ice in the first cavity from melting, and improve the ice storage effect of the ice-making mechanism. 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 structural schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model from one perspective;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a top view of the ice-making equipment provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view along line AA;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making device provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model with part of the outer shell removed;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the housing assembly provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model from one perspective;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the housing assembly provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model from another perspective;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a left view of the airflow driving component provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a right view of the airflow driving component provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0034] Figure 9 This is a right-side view of the assembly of the housing component and the airflow drive component provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0035] Figure 10This is a left view of the assembly of the housing component and the airflow drive component provided in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0036] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the shell assembly and airflow drive component provided in Embodiment 3 of this utility model.

[0037] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0038] 100. Ice-making mechanism; 10. Housing assembly; 11. First housing; 111. First cavity; 12. Second housing; 121. Second cavity; 13. Connecting part; 20. Ice-making assembly; 21. Evaporator; 22. Ice-making water container; 30. Cold air delivery assembly; 31. Airflow drive component; 311. Air inlet side; 312. Air outlet side; 40. Cold insulation pipeline; 200. Outer shell; 201. Ice outlet.

[0039] 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

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] Currently, an increasing number of ice-making devices are equipped with ice storage chambers to store prepared ice. However, due to design limitations, the ice storage chambers in these devices are not very effective at storing ice, resulting in the ice melting.

[0045] In view of this, the present invention provides an ice-making mechanism and ice-making equipment to improve the ice storage effect of the ice-making equipment and reduce ice melting.

[0046] Example 1:

[0047] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the ice-making mechanism 100 provided in this embodiment of the present invention includes a housing assembly 10, an ice-making assembly 20, and a cold air conveying assembly 30. The housing assembly 10 has a first cavity 111 for storing ice cubes. The ice-making assembly 20 is connected to the housing assembly 10 and is used to prepare ice cubes and generate cold air. The cold air conveying assembly 30 is connected to the housing assembly 10 and is used to convey the cold air generated by the ice-making assembly 20 into the first cavity 111. In specific applications, the ice-making assembly 20 generates cold air during the process of making ice cubes.

[0048] Using the above technical solution, by setting up the ice-making component 20, ice cubes can be prepared, thereby enabling the ice-making mechanism 100 to prepare ice cubes. By setting up the housing component 10 with a first cavity 111 for storing ice cubes, the ice cubes prepared by the ice-making component 20 can be stored in the first cavity 111, that is, the ice-making mechanism 100 can store the prepared ice cubes for later use when needed by the user. Since ice cubes need to be prepared at a relatively low ambient temperature, the ice-making component 20 generates cold air, which is beneficial for ice cube preparation. Furthermore, the cold air generated during the ice-making process also helps to keep the prepared ice cubes cold. By setting up the cold air delivery component 30 to deliver the cold air generated by the ice-making component 20 to the first cavity 111, the temperature inside the first cavity 111 can be reduced, effectively preventing the ice cubes inside the first cavity 111 from melting, thereby improving the ice-storage efficiency of the first cavity 111, and thus improving the ice-storage efficiency of the ice-making mechanism 100. Therefore, the ice-making mechanism 100 provided in this embodiment can reduce the temperature inside the first cavity 111 through the cold air delivery component 30, prevent the ice inside the first cavity 111 from melting, and improve the ice storage effect of the ice-making mechanism 100.

[0049] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 5 The housing assembly 10 is further provided with a second cavity 121 that communicates with the first cavity 111. The ice-making assembly 20 is at least partially disposed in the second cavity 121 and forms cold air in the second cavity 121. The cold air delivery assembly 30 is used to deliver the cold air in the second cavity 121 to the first cavity 111.

[0050] In specific applications, the ice-making component 20 is at least partially disposed within the second cavity 121. The cold air generated by the ice-making component 20 can diffuse into the second cavity 121, allowing the second cavity 121 to collect the cold air, which facilitates its delivery to the first cavity 111. In this embodiment, the entire ice-making component 20 is disposed within the second cavity 121. Connecting the second cavity 121 to the first cavity 111 facilitates the delivery of cold air from the second cavity 121 to the first cavity 111. Of course, in other embodiments, the second cavity 121 and the first cavity 111 can be configured not to be connected.

[0051] In one embodiment, the cold air delivery assembly 30 includes an airflow drive 31 for driving cold air from the second cavity 121 into the first cavity 111. Alternatively, in specific applications, the cold air delivery assembly 30 may also include a cold air delivery conduit (not shown) connecting the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 121, for delivering cold air from the second cavity 121 into the first cavity 111. When using this technical solution, an airflow drive component (such as a fan) may be provided inside and / or at the end of the cold air delivery conduit to drive the cold air to flow within the conduit, and the cold air delivery conduit may be arranged along the sidewalls of the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 121.

[0052] In one embodiment, the airflow drive 31 is a fan. Of course, in other embodiments, the airflow drive 31 can also be other airflow drive devices.

[0053] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The housing assembly 10 includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12 connected to the first housing 11. A first cavity 111 is formed in the first housing 11, and a second cavity 121 is formed in the second housing 12. A connecting portion 13 is provided between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, and the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 121 are connected through the connecting portion 13. In specific applications, the connecting portion 13 can be a channel, a hole, a recess, etc. In this embodiment, a recess is provided at the connection between the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 to form the connecting portion 13.

[0054] In one embodiment, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are integrally formed. This facilitates faster assembly of the ice-making mechanism 100. It is understood that in other embodiments, the first housing 11 and the second housing 12 may also be manufactured separately.

[0055] Please refer to 5. Figures 7 to 9 The airflow drive component 31 includes an inlet side 311 and an outlet side 312 disposed opposite to each other. The airflow drive component 31 is disposed on the second housing 12, with the outlet side 312 facing the connecting portion 13. In specific applications, the airflow drive component 31 blows the cold air in the second cavity 121 toward the connecting portion 13, thereby allowing the cold air to enter the first cavity 111. Directly mounting the airflow drive component 31 onto the second housing 12 reduces the number of components compared to using a dedicated mounting component for mounting the airflow drive component 31. Of course, in other embodiments, a dedicated mounting component can also be provided for mounting the airflow drive component 31.

[0056] In one embodiment, the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 121 are arranged horizontally. Of course, in other embodiments, the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 121 may also be arranged vertically. It should be noted that the horizontal arrangement of the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 121 refers to the arrangement of the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 121 when the ice-making equipment is placed on the support platform, that is, when the ice-making equipment is in operation.

[0057] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the first cavity 111 is positioned lower than the second cavity 121. This facilitates the cold air delivery assembly 30 in delivering cold air from the second cavity 121 to the first cavity 111. Furthermore, since cold air is denser and tends to sink, positioning the first cavity 111 lower than the second cavity 121 also allows some of the cold air in the second cavity 121 to sink into the first cavity 111, increasing the efficiency of cold air movement from the second cavity 121 to the first cavity 111.

[0058] Please see Figures 3 to 5 The ice-making mechanism 100 also includes a cold-keeping pipe 40, which is located in the housing assembly 10 and contains a cooling medium. The cold-keeping pipe 40 is used to keep the ice in the first cavity 111 cold.

[0059] The cooling medium can absorb heat. By placing the cooling medium inside the cold insulation pipe 40, heat exchange occurs, allowing the cold insulation pipe 40 to cool its surrounding environment. Therefore, by placing the cold insulation pipe 40 to keep the ice in the first cavity 111 cool, the ice storage effect of the first cavity 111 can be improved.

[0060] In one embodiment, the cooling medium may be propane or isobutane, etc.

[0061] In one embodiment, the cold insulation pipe 40 is located at the bottom and / or side of the first cavity 111. Specifically, the cold insulation pipe 40 is located in the first housing 11, specifically at the bottom and / or side of the first cavity 111. By placing the cold insulation pipe 40 in the first housing 11, the cooling medium within the cold insulation pipe 40 absorbs heat from the surrounding area of ​​the first housing 11, thus cooling the first cavity 111 formed by the first housing 11. This helps to prevent the ice in the first cavity 111 from melting to a certain extent, improving the ice storage effect of the first cavity 111. Ice transferred to the first cavity 111 typically accumulates at the bottom of the first cavity 111 first. In this embodiment, placing the cold insulation pipe 40 at the bottom of the first cavity 111 helps to keep the ice at the bottom of the first cavity 111 cold. It is understood that in other embodiments, the cold insulation pipe 40 may also be provided on the side of the first cavity 111. In specific applications, the cold insulation pipe 40 may be provided on the side near the bottom of the first cavity 111; or, in another embodiment, the cold insulation pipe 40 may be provided on both the bottom and the side of the first cavity 111.

[0062] In one embodiment, the cold insulation pipe 40 is located on the side of the first housing 11 opposite to the first cavity 111, that is, the cold insulation pipe 40 is located on the outer surface of the first housing 11. This arrangement can improve the ice storage effect of the first cavity 111 through the cold insulation pipe 40, and facilitate the assembly of the cold insulation pipe 40 into the first housing 11, thereby improving the assembly efficiency of the ice-making mechanism 100.

[0063] It is understood that in other embodiments, the cold insulation pipe 40 may also be provided on the side of the first housing 11 facing the first cavity 111, that is, the cold insulation pipe 40 may be provided on the inner surface of the first housing 11; or, the cold insulation pipe 40 may also be provided on both the outer and inner surfaces of the ice storage container; or, the cold insulation pipe 40 may also be sandwiched between the outer and inner surfaces of the ice storage container.

[0064] In one embodiment, the cold insulation pipe 40 is attached to the first housing 11. This facilitates the absorption of heat from the first cavity 111 by the cooling medium within the cold insulation pipe 40, thereby improving the cold insulation effect of the cold insulation pipe 40 on the first cavity 111. It is understood that in other embodiments, the cold insulation pipe 40 may also be connected to the first housing 11 by means of a thermally conductive material.

[0065] Please see Figure 3 The ice-making assembly 20 includes an evaporator 21 and an ice-making water carrier 22. The ice-making water carrier 22 is used to hold ice-making water. At least part of the evaporator 21 extends into the ice-making water carrier 22. The evaporator 21 is used to condense the ice-making water into ice cubes.

[0066] In practical applications, ice-making equipment includes a refrigerant circulation system. The refrigerant flows within this system, changing between different states (gas and liquid). The evaporator 21 is a component of this system. As the refrigerant passes through the evaporator 21, it absorbs heat, transforming from a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant into a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant. By incorporating the evaporator 21 into the ice-making assembly 20 and partially extending it into the ice-making water container 22, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the container as it passes through, causing the ice-making water to condense into ice. Simultaneously, as the refrigerant absorbs heat through the evaporator 21, cold air is generated around it.

[0067] In one embodiment, the inlet of the cold insulation pipe 40 is connected to the outlet of the evaporator 21, and the cooling medium is refrigerant. With this configuration, the cold insulation pipe 40 is a component of the refrigerant circulation system. Low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant flows from the evaporator 21 into the cold insulation pipe 40, absorbing heat from the first cavity 111, thereby improving the ice storage effect of the first cavity 111. It is understood that in other embodiments, the cold insulation pipe 40 can also be an independent cooling medium delivery pipe, i.e., the cold insulation pipe 40 is not connected to the refrigerant circulation system.

[0068] Please see Figures 1 to 3 This utility model embodiment also provides an ice-making device, including the ice-making mechanism 100 described above. By employing the ice-making mechanism 100, the ice-making device can provide ice cubes instantly, and the ice cubes are not easily melted.

[0069] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 3 The ice-making equipment also includes a housing 200, and the ice-making mechanism 100 is located inside the housing 200. The housing 200 protects the ice-making mechanism 100. In specific applications, the housing 200 is provided with an ice outlet 201, which is connected to the first cavity 111 so that the ice in the first cavity 111 can be removed from the ice-making equipment through the ice outlet 201.

[0070] Example 2:

[0071] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figures 7 to 10 The main difference between this embodiment and the ice-making mechanism 100 and ice-making equipment provided in Embodiment 1 is that the airflow drive component 31 is located in a different position. Specifically, in Embodiment 1, the airflow drive component 31 is located in the second housing 12, with the air outlet side 312 facing the connecting part 13; while in this embodiment, the airflow drive component 31 is located in the first housing 11, with the air inlet side 311 facing the connecting part 13.

[0072] In a specific application, the airflow drive 31 draws the cold air in the second cavity 121 into the connecting part 13, thereby allowing the cold air to enter the first cavity 111.

[0073] Apart from the differences mentioned above, the ice-making mechanism 100, ice-making equipment and auxiliary components provided in this embodiment can all be designed with reference to Embodiment 1, and will not be described here again.

[0074] Example 3:

[0075] Please see Figure 3 , Figures 7 to 11 The main difference between this embodiment and the ice-making mechanism 100 and ice-making equipment provided in Embodiments 1 and 2 lies in the different placement of the airflow drive component 31. Specifically, in Embodiment 1, the airflow drive component 31 is located in the second housing 12, with the air outlet side 312 facing the connecting portion 13; in Embodiment 2, the airflow drive component 31 is located in the first housing 11, with the air inlet side 311 facing the connecting portion 13. In this embodiment, the airflow drive component 31 is located in the connecting portion 13, with the air inlet side 311 facing the second cavity 121 and the air outlet side 312 facing the first cavity 111.

[0076] In a specific application, the airflow drive 31 draws the cold air in the second cavity 121 into the connecting part 13 and then blows it toward the first cavity 111.

[0077] Apart from the differences mentioned above, the ice-making mechanism 100, ice-making equipment and auxiliary components provided in this embodiment can all be designed with reference to Embodiment 1, and will not be described here again.

[0078] 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-making mechanism, characterized in that, include: A housing assembly having a first cavity for storing ice; An ice-making assembly, connected to the housing assembly, is used to prepare ice and generate cold air; A cold air delivery assembly is connected to the housing assembly and is used to deliver the cold air generated by the ice-making assembly to the first cavity.

2. The ice-making mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing assembly also has a second cavity that communicates with the first cavity, and the ice-making component is at least partially disposed in the second cavity, thereby forming cold air in the second cavity; The cold air delivery assembly is used to deliver cold air from the second cavity to the first cavity.

3. The ice-making mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cold air delivery assembly includes an airflow drive component, which is used to drive the cold air in the second cavity into the first cavity; And / or, the cold air delivery assembly includes a cold air delivery pipe that connects the first cavity and the second cavity, for delivering cold air from the second cavity to the first cavity.

4. The ice-making mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The airflow driving component is a fan.

5. The ice-making mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing assembly includes a first housing and a second housing connected to the first housing. A first cavity is formed in the first housing, and a second cavity is formed in the second housing. A communication portion is provided between the first housing and the second housing, and the first cavity and the second cavity are connected through the communication portion. The airflow drive includes an air inlet side and an air outlet side disposed opposite to each other; the airflow drive is disposed in the first housing, with the air inlet side facing the connecting portion; or, the airflow drive is disposed in the second housing, with the air outlet side facing the connecting portion; or, the airflow drive is disposed in the connecting portion, with the air inlet side facing the second cavity and the air outlet side facing the first cavity.

6. The ice-making mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first cavity and the second cavity are arranged in a horizontal direction; And / or, at least a portion of the first cavity is positioned below the second cavity.

7. The ice-making mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The ice-making mechanism also includes a cold-insulating pipeline, which is located in the housing assembly; The cold insulation pipeline contains a cooling medium and is used to keep the ice in the first cavity cold.

8. The ice-making mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cold insulation pipeline is located at the bottom and / or side of the first cavity.

9. The ice-making mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The ice-making assembly includes an evaporator and an ice-making water container. The ice-making water container is used to hold ice-making water. At least a portion of the evaporator extends into the ice-making water container. The evaporator is used to condense the ice-making water into ice blocks. The inlet of the cold insulation pipeline is connected to the outlet of the evaporator, and the cooling medium is a refrigerant.

10. An ice-making device, characterized in that, The ice-making mechanism includes any one of claims 1 to 9.

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