An ice maker

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of ice making, and particularly to an ice maker, including a refrigeration system and a water system. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration unit, and the water system includes a refrigerator, a circulation pump, an ice storage box, and a water tank located below the ice storage box. The circulation pump delivers water from the water tank to the refrigerator for ice making. The ice storage box is equipped with a liquid discharge structure that discharges the water produced by melting ice into the water tank. This utility model, through the integrated water tank that combines the functions of circulating water storage and pure water storage, and the structure that cooperates with the ice storage box located above it, allows the melted ice water in the ice storage box to be discharged quickly, avoiding water accumulation in the ice storage box that could accelerate ice melting or even contaminate the ice storage box.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With technological advancements and the continuous improvement of people's living standards, ice makers, as fully automatic devices capable of producing ice, have gradually become commonplace in households. Ice makers use a refrigeration system to turn water into ice within an evaporator, thus producing ice cubes.

[0003] However, in current ice makers on the market, after the ice melts in the ice storage box, the ice water cannot be drained quickly, causing the ice to soak in water, which accelerates the melting process, changes the shape of the ice, and may even cause stains and bacterial growth after prolonged soaking, resulting in poor taste. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the system structure of ice makers to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] This utility model provides an ice maker, comprising:

[0006] A refrigeration system, which includes a refrigeration unit for cooling and ice making;

[0007] The water system includes a refrigerator, which is in contact with the refrigeration unit;

[0008] The water system includes a water tank, with an ice storage box located directly above the water tank; the ice storage box is located below the refrigerator and is used to hold the ice blocks falling from the refrigerator.

[0009] The ice storage box is equipped with a liquid discharge structure; the ice storage box is connected to the water storage tank through the liquid discharge structure.

[0010] The water inlet of the refrigerator is connected to the water storage tank through a first pipe; the water outlet of the refrigerator is connected to the water storage tank through a second pipe; a circulation pump is installed on the first or second pipe.

[0011] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the refrigeration system also includes:

[0012] The evaporator, the end of the evaporator that comes into contact with the refrigerator is the refrigeration end;

[0013] The compressor's input end is connected to the evaporator's output end;

[0014] The condenser has its input end connected to the compressor output end;

[0015] The capillary tube has its inlet end connected to the condenser outlet end and its outlet end connected to the evaporator inlet end.

[0016] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the refrigeration system also includes:

[0017] The filter has its inlet connected to the condenser and its outlet connected to the evaporator.

[0018] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the refrigeration system also includes:

[0019] The hot gas valve has its output end connected to the input end of the evaporator, and its input end connected to the output end of the compressor.

[0020] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, a first detector is provided at the lower part of the water storage tank cavity, which is used to detect the water level;

[0021] A second detector is installed at the top of the water storage tank cavity; the second detector is used to detect the water level.

[0022] An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that a third detector is further provided on the top of the ice storage box, the third detector being used to detect the height of the ice blocks inside the ice storage box.

[0023] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the water tank includes a first water tank and a second water tank. The first water tank and the second water tank are located below the ice storage box and are distributed laterally on both sides of the inner cavity of the water storage box. The second water tank is located directly below the liquid discharge structure and is connected to the ice storage box through the liquid discharge structure.

[0024] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the water system also includes a sterilization device, which is installed in the first pipeline or the second pipeline.

[0025] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the water system also includes a filtration device, which is used to filter and purify the water in the water storage tank. The filtration device is installed on the first pipeline or the second pipeline.

[0026] As a further improvement to the above technical solution, the water system also includes a filter pump and a filter device. The filter device is used to filter and purify the water in the water storage tank. The inlet of the filter device is connected to the water storage tank through a third pipe, and the outlet of the filter device is connected to the water storage tank through a fourth pipe.

[0027] The filter pump is installed on the third or fourth pipeline.

[0028] The ice maker provided by this utility model has at least the following beneficial effects: In this utility model, the refrigeration end of the refrigeration system is in contact with and supplies cooling to the refrigerator in the water system; when the ice blocks made by the refrigerator are stored in the ice storage box, the water that melts in the ice storage box can flow out to the water storage tank through the liquid discharge structure. At the same time, the water storage tank and the ice storage box are connected, so that the ice water that melts in the ice storage box is transported to the refrigerator through the first pipeline via the circulation pump, and the excess water is transported back to the water storage tank through the second pipeline. Thus, the ice maker provided by this utility model, through the structure of the integrated water storage tank that has both circulating water storage and pure water storage functions, and the ice storage box located above it, can quickly discharge the ice water that melts in the ice storage box, avoiding water accumulation in the ice storage box that would cause the ice blocks to melt faster or even contaminate the ice storage box.

[0029] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the first type of ice maker of this utility model;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second type of ice maker according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the third type of ice maker according to this utility model.

[0034] In the attached diagram: 100 Evaporator; 101 Compressor; 102 Condenser; 103 Hot gas valve; 104 Filter; 105 Capillary tube;

[0035] 201 Ice storage box; 202 First water tank; 203 Second water tank; 204 First sensor; 205 Second sensor; 206 Third sensor; 207 Circulation pump; 208 Filtration device; 209 Filtration pump; 210 Sterilization device. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0037] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional 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.

[0038] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0039] The following is combined Figures 1 to 3 The embodiments of this utility model are described below.

[0040] First, this utility model provides an ice maker, comprising:

[0041] A refrigeration system, which includes a refrigeration unit for cooling and ice making;

[0042] The water system includes a refrigerator, which is in contact with the refrigeration unit;

[0043] The water system includes a water storage tank, and an ice storage box 201 is located directly above the water storage tank;

[0044] The ice storage box 201 is equipped with a liquid discharge structure; the ice storage box 201 is connected to the water storage tank through the liquid discharge structure.

[0045] The water inlet of the refrigerator is connected to the water storage tank through the first pipe; the water outlet of the refrigerator is connected to the water storage tank through the second pipe; a circulation pump 207 is installed on the first or second pipe.

[0046] In this invention, the refrigeration end of the refrigeration system of the ice maker is in close contact with the refrigerator in the water system. The low temperature generated in the refrigeration system is transferred to the refrigerator through the contact surface between the refrigeration end and the refrigerator, thereby lowering the temperature of the refrigerator and thus making ice. The refrigerator also contains ice trays for making ice. In the water system, water from the water storage tank is transported to the refrigerator through the first pipeline by the circulating pump 207, filling the ice trays in the refrigerator. This allows the low temperature transferred from the refrigeration end of the refrigeration system to the refrigerator to freeze the water in the ice trays, forming ice. Excess water during the transportation process can be transported back to the pure water tank through the second pipeline to prevent water accumulation in the refrigerator from freezing the equipment.

[0047] Combined with appendix Figure 1-3In some specific implementations, the ice storage box 201 is located above the water storage tank and is used to hold the ice blocks produced by the refrigerator. The water storage tank is divided into two parts, consisting of a first water tank 202 and a second water tank 203. The first water tank 202 serves as a pure water tank, storing pure water for ice making. The second water tank 203 serves as a melting water tank, used to receive the liquid produced when the ice blocks conveyed by the ice storage box through the liquid discharge structure melt. The second water tank 203 is located directly below the liquid discharge structure of the ice storage box 201. When the ice in the ice storage box melts, the water produced by the melting flows into the second water tank 203 through this liquid discharge structure.

[0048] Combination Figure 3 In some specific implementations, the ice storage box 201 is located above the water storage tank, which is an integral unit, namely the first water tank 202. In this case, the first water tank 202 not only stores pure water for ice making, but also receives melted ice water flowing down from the ice storage box 201 through the liquid discharge structure.

[0049] In some specific implementations, the liquid discharge structure is one of a slit or a through hole, or a combination of both.

[0050] In some specific implementations, as a further improvement to the above technical solution, the refrigeration system also includes:

[0051] Evaporator 100, the end of evaporator 100 that is in contact with the refrigerator is the refrigeration end;

[0052] Compressor 101, the input end of compressor 101 is connected to the output end of evaporator 100;

[0053] Condenser 102, the input end of condenser 102 is connected to the output end of compressor 101;

[0054] The capillary tube 105 has its inlet end connected to the outlet end of the condenser 102 and its outlet end connected to the inlet end of the evaporator 100.

[0055] In some specific implementations, a steam refrigeration system is selected as the refrigeration system (in other specific implementations, an air refrigeration system or a thermoelectric refrigeration system can also be selected). In this specific implementation, the evaporator 100 serves as a heat exchange device in the steam refrigeration system, which is the refrigeration end in this specific implementation, and is used to provide the low-temperature environment required for ice making in the refrigerator.

[0056] For further improvement of the above technical solution, the refrigeration system also includes:

[0057] Filter 104 has its inlet connected to condenser 102 and its outlet connected to evaporator 100.

[0058] In some specific embodiments of this utility model, the circulating refrigerant of the refrigeration system is filtered by the filter 104, thereby preventing possible impurities from clogging the refrigeration system.

[0059] In some specific implementations, the refrigeration system also includes:

[0060] Hot gas valve 103, the output end of hot gas valve 103 is connected to the input end of evaporator 100, and the input end of hot gas valve 103 is connected to the output end of compressor 101.

[0061] In some specific embodiments of this utility model, a hot gas valve 103 is also provided as a bypass to regulate the system operating status and maintain the stable operation of the system under low load or special working conditions.

[0062] Combination Figure 1-3 In some specific implementations, a first detector 204 is provided at the lower part of the water storage tank cavity, and the first detector 204 is used to detect the water level;

[0063] A second detector 205 is installed on the upper part of the water storage tank cavity; the second detector 205 is used to detect the water level.

[0064] The first detector 204 is used to detect whether the water level in the first water tank 202 has dropped to the shutdown water level. When the water level drops to the shutdown water level, the first detector 204 sends a signal to stop the ice maker and prevent damage to the ice maker.

[0065] As attached Figure 1-2 As shown, in some specific embodiments, the second detector 205 is used to detect the liquid level of the second water tank 203. When the liquid level of the second water tank 203 reaches the overflow level, the second detector 205 sends a signal to make the ice maker issue an alarm to remind the user that the second water tank 203 is full and to pay attention to emptying the ice water in the second water tank 203.

[0066] Combination Figure 1-3 In some specific implementations, a third detector 206 is also provided on the top of the ice storage box 201. The third detector is used to detect the height of the ice blocks inside the ice storage box 201.

[0067] Since the ice storage box 201 is used to hold the ice blocks produced in the refrigerator, when the height of the ice blocks in the ice storage box reaches the height of the third detector 206 provided at the top of the ice storage box 201, it means that the ice storage box 201 is full. At this time, the third detector 206 sends a signal to stop the ice maker to prevent excessive ice blocks from accumulating.

[0068] Combination Figure 3 In some specific embodiments, the water system is also provided with a sterilization device 210, which is installed in the first pipeline or the second pipeline.

[0069] In some specific embodiments, the sterilization device 210 is an ultraviolet sterilization device used to sterilize the ice-making water flowing through the sterilization device 210 and maintain water quality.

[0070] Combined with appendix Figure 1-2 In some specific embodiments, the water system is also equipped with a filter device 208 for filtering and purifying the water in the water storage tank. The filter device 208 is installed on the first pipeline or the second pipeline.

[0071] In some specific embodiments, the filtration device 208 includes an activated carbon filter element. The filtration device 208 is installed on the first pipeline. When the circulating pump 207 delivers pure water for ice making from the pure water tank 202 to the refrigerator, the pure water for ice making will first flow through the filtration device 208 for filtration, thereby making the pure water for ice making cleaner and improving the quality of the ice cubes.

[0072] Combined with appendix Figure 3 In some specific embodiments, the water system is also equipped with a filter device 208 for filtering and purifying the water in the water storage tank. The inlet of the filter device 208 is connected to the water storage tank through a third pipe, and the outlet of the filter device is connected to the water storage tank through a fourth pipe.

[0073] The water system is also equipped with a filter pump 209, which is installed on the third or fourth pipeline.

[0074] In this specific embodiment, the filter pump 209 circulates the water in the first water tank 202 to the filter device 208 through a pipeline. The filter device 208 includes an activated carbon filter element. By circulating and filtering the water in the first water tank 202 using the activated carbon filter element, impurities in the first water tank 202 are reduced.

[0075] Combined with appendix Figure 1-3 In some specific implementations, the ice maker provided by this utility model operates as follows:

[0076] Combined with appendix Figure 1-2 When in use, add pure water for ice making to the first water tank 202, and start the ice making button to adjust the ice making time. The circulation pump 207 delivers the water in the first water tank 202 to the refrigerator that is in contact with the evaporator 100, and the water flows into the ice making grid inside the refrigerator to make ice. The first water tank 202 is equipped with a first sensor 204 to detect the water level in the first water tank 202. When the water level in the first water tank 202 is too low, the first sensor 204 is triggered and the circulation pump 207 stops. When there is too much water in the refrigerator, the excess water in the refrigerator flows downward to the refrigerator water storage area and flows back to the pure water tank through the drain outlet.

[0077] During the ice-making process, the compressor 101 starts, the fan of the condenser 102 starts, the hot gas valve 103 closes, and the refrigerant enters the evaporator 100 for heat exchange after passing through the compressor 101, condenser 102, filter 104 and capillary tube 105. The refrigerant cools the refrigerator by passing through the refrigeration end in contact with the refrigerator, thereby making ice.

[0078] Once the ice cubes are made in the refrigerator, they are de-iced. During this process, the condenser 102 fan is turned off, and the hot air valve 103 is opened. Hot air flows through the hot air valve to the evaporator 100, heating the evaporator 100. This heat is then transferred to the ice-making compartments of the refrigerator through the cooling end in contact with the ice cubes. The contact points of the ice cubes begin to melt, and the melted water slowly flows out, eventually causing the ice cubes to slide into the ice storage box 201. A third sensor 206 is located above the ice storage box 201 to detect whether the ice storage box 201 is full. When the ice storage box 206 is full, the third sensor 206 is triggered, stopping ice making.

[0079] The refrigerator is also equipped with an ice-removing baffle. When ice blocks slide down the ice-removing baffle, the magnet on the baffle disconnects from the proximity switch. The system receives the signal and restarts ice making after a delay.

[0080] When the ice in the ice storage box 201 melts, the melted ice water flows into the second water tank 203 through the liquid discharge structure at the bottom of the ice storage box. In this embodiment, the liquid discharge structure is a slit. The top of the second water tank 203 is equipped with a second sensor 205 for monitoring the liquid level in the second water tank 203. When the liquid level in the second water tank 203 is close to the top, the second sensor 205 is triggered to prompt the user that the second water tank is full.

[0081] Combined with appendix Figure 3 In some specific implementation scenarios, the filter pump 209 can be manually or periodically started as needed to filter the water in the first water tank 202 and improve the cleanliness of the water in the first water tank.

[0082] When the circulating pump 207 starts, the sterilization device 210 starts simultaneously to sterilize the water used for ice making in the pipeline; when the circulating pump 207 stops, the sterilization device 210 stops simultaneously, saving energy and increasing the service life of the sterilization device 210.

Claims

1. An ice maker, characterized in that, include: A refrigeration system, the refrigeration system including a refrigeration end for cooling and ice making; A water system, including a refrigerator, wherein the refrigerator is in contact with the refrigeration end; The water system includes a water storage tank, and an ice storage box (201) is provided directly above the water storage tank; the ice storage box (201) is located below the refrigerator and is used to hold ice blocks falling from the refrigerator; The ice storage box (201) is provided with a liquid discharge structure; the ice storage box (201) is connected to the water storage tank through the liquid discharge structure; The water inlet of the refrigerator is connected to the water storage tank through a first pipe; the water outlet of the refrigerator is connected to the water storage tank through a second pipe; a circulation pump (207) is provided on the first pipe or the second pipe.

2. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigeration system also includes: Evaporator (100), the end of the evaporator (100) that is in contact with the refrigerator is the refrigeration end; A compressor (101) is connected at its input end to the output end of the evaporator (100); A condenser (102) is provided, the input end of which is connected to the output end of the compressor (101); The capillary tube (105) is connected at its input end to the output end of the condenser (102) and at its output end to the input end of the evaporator (100).

3. An ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The refrigeration system also includes: A filter (104) is connected at its input end to the condenser (102) and at its output end to the evaporator (100).

4. An ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The refrigeration system also includes: A hot gas valve (103) is provided, the output end of which is connected to the input end of the evaporator (100), and the input end of the hot gas valve (103) is connected to the output end of the compressor (101).

5. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower part of the water storage tank cavity is provided with a first detector (204), which is used to detect the water level; The upper part of the water storage tank cavity is provided with a second detector (205); the second detector (205) is used to detect the water level.

6. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the ice storage box (201) is also provided with a third detector (206), which is used to detect the height of the ice blocks inside the ice storage box (201).

7. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water storage tank includes a first water tank (202) and a second water tank (203). The first water tank (202) and the second water tank (203) are located below the ice storage box (201) and are distributed laterally on both sides of the inner cavity of the water storage tank. The second water tank (203) is located directly below the liquid discharge structure and is connected to the ice storage box through the liquid discharge structure.

8. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water system also includes a sterilization device (210), which is installed in the first pipeline or the second pipeline.

9. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water system also includes a filter device (208) for filtering and purifying the water in the water storage tank. The filter device (208) is installed on the first pipeline or the second pipeline.

10. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water system also includes a filter pump (209) and a filter device (208). The filter device (208) is used to filter and purify the water in the water storage tank. The inlet of the filter device (208) is connected to the water storage tank through a third pipeline, and the outlet of the filter device is connected to the water storage tank through a fourth pipeline. The filter pump (209) is installed on the third pipeline or the fourth pipeline.

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