High efficiency spherical evaporator mold

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of ice-making device technology and discloses a high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold, including a first mold and a second mold. The first mold is hemispherical with a hollowed-out hemispherical ice-making space inside. The outer surface of the first mold is integrally machined with coolant channels distributed in a ring along the curved surface, allowing coolant to flow inside the coolant channels. The two ends of the coolant channels are connected to the evaporator. The side surface of the ice-making rack is provided with an opening and closing mechanism. The second mold is installed inside the opening and closing mechanism. The second mold is the same size as the first mold and has a hollowed-out ice-making space of the same specifications as the first mold. This utility model has the advantages of high-efficiency ice making and simple structure, and solves the problem of uneven heating and low ice-making efficiency in the production of round ice in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice-making device technology, specifically to a high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the rapid development of the high-end catering and bar industry, the demand for high-quality round ice cubes has increased significantly. Round ice cubes, due to their slow melting rate and aesthetically pleasing appearance, have become an ideal choice for upscale beverages. In the field of round ice makers, traditional evaporators typically employ a flat or shell-and-tube structure, which is combined with the mold through welding or assembly to achieve refrigerant flow and heat exchange. For example, common ice maker evaporators consist of copper or aluminum tubes coiled around the surface of a metal mold. The refrigerant absorbs heat through evaporation within the tubes, cooling the mold to freeze the ice cubes.

[0003] However, this structure suffers from low heat transfer efficiency and uneven temperature distribution. Furthermore, since the pipes and molds are usually connected by mechanical fixing or welding, contact thermal resistance is easily generated, affecting refrigeration efficiency. In addition, traditional round ice molds are mostly curved, split structures, which easily lead to uneven heat distribution, making it difficult to demold the ice after it is formed, and making it difficult to achieve uniform freezing of spherical or semi-circular ice blocks. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold, which has the advantages of high-efficiency ice making and simple structure. It solves the problem that uneven heating is common in existing technologies when making round ice, resulting in low ice-making efficiency.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution

[0007] To achieve the aforementioned goals of efficient ice making and simple structure, this utility model provides the following technical solution: A high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold, used inside an ice maker to make spherical ice blocks. This device is installed inside an ice-making rack and includes a first mold and a second mold. The first mold is hemispherical, with an internally hollowed-out ice-making space that is also hemispherical. The outer surface of the first mold is integrally machined with coolant channels distributed in a ring along a curved surface, allowing coolant to flow inside. Both ends of the coolant channels are connected to the evaporator. An air outlet pipe is provided on the outer surface of the first mold, connecting the ice-making space to the outside. An opening and closing mechanism is provided on the side surface of the ice-making rack. The second mold is installed inside the opening and closing mechanism, and its interior has an ice-making space of the same size as the first mold. A water inlet pipe is connected inside the opening and closing mechanism, with one end connected to the outside of the mechanism and the other end connected to the inside of the second mold.

[0008] The opening and closing mechanism is connected to the ice-making rack via a rotating component. When the ice maker is in the ice-making state, the opening and closing mechanism is closed, and the upper surface of the opening and closing mechanism coincides with the lower surface of the ice-making rack. The first mold and the second mold are installed opposite to each other and are combined to form a spherical shape.

[0009] Preferably, a positioning ring is provided around the spherical edge surface of the first mold and the second mold.

[0010] Preferably, the number of the first mold is two or more; two adjacent first molds are connected by a connecting water pipe, which runs through the coolant channel inside the two first molds; the number of second molds is the same as that of the first molds.

[0011] Preferably, the connecting water pipe is made of a rigid material.

[0012] Preferably, the opening and closing mechanism is connected to the ice maker frame via a rotating shaft, and a motor is connected to the end of the rotating shaft. The motor is connected to the ice maker control system.

[0013] Preferably, the outer surface of the first mold is flat and smooth, and the coolant channel is located inside the first mold.

[0014] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] 1. This high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold combines the evaporator and the mold into a single structure through welding or processing. Compared with existing technologies, this allows the coolant flow path to perfectly fit the outer surface of the spherical mold, greatly improving cooling efficiency. It also avoids the heat loss caused by fixing components that connect the coolant delivery channel of the evaporator to the mold in existing technologies. Furthermore, because the coolant in this invention is evenly distributed by spiraling along the outer surface of the mold, it also avoids uneven heating that is easily caused by the curved surface of the mold during ice making, resulting in ice cubes that are more transparent and more beautiful.

[0017] 2. This high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold adopts a split-structure design, comprising two hemispherical components: Mold 1 and Mold 2. The mold opening and closing operation is achieved through the coordinated action of the ice-making rack and the opening and closing mechanism. During ice making, a motor-driven shaft rotates the opening and closing mechanism, causing Mold 1 and Mold 2 to precisely close and form a complete spherical cavity. The ice-making liquid is injected into the sealed spherical cavity through the water inlet pipe for freezing and shaping. After ice making is complete, the opening and closing mechanism rotates in the opposite direction to separate the molds. Simultaneously, the evaporator heats the outer surface of Mold 1, enabling rapid demolding of the ice. This design significantly improves ice-making efficiency and demolding convenience. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the combined ice-making rack and opening / closing mechanism of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a front view of the complete structure of this utility model in its combined state;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the interior of the opening and closing mechanism of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lower structure of the combined No. 1 and No. 2 molds of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a front view structural diagram of the combined No. 1 and No. 2 molds of this utility model.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Ice-making rack; 2. Mold No. 1; 21. Water inlet pipe; 22. Air outlet pipe; 3. Mold No. 2; 4. Ice-making space; 5. Coolant channel; 6. Evaporator; 7. Opening and closing mechanism; 71. Rotating shaft; 72. Motor; 8. Positioning ring; 9. Connecting water pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0024] 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.

[0025] Please see Figures 1-5A high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold is used inside an ice maker to produce spherical ice cubes. The device is installed inside an ice-making rack 1 and includes a first mold 2 and a second mold 3. The first mold 2 is hemispherical, with a hemispherical ice-making space 4 hollowed out inside. Coolant channels 5 are integrally formed or welded onto the outer surface of the first mold 2, arranged in a ring along the curved surface. Coolant channels 5 allow coolant flow. In this invention, the coolant channels 5 are directly and fixedly connected to the outer surface of the first mold 2 by welding or other methods. Compared with existing technologies, this allows the coolant flow path to perfectly fit the outer surface of the spherical mold, greatly improving cooling efficiency. Furthermore, it avoids the heat loss caused by the fixing components when the coolant delivery channels of the evaporator 6 are connected to the mold using fixing components in existing technologies. Furthermore, the coolant channel 5 in this invention is evenly spiraled around the outer surface of the first mold 2, ensuring uniform heating of the ice-making space 4 inside the first mold 2. This effectively avoids the uneven heating problem that is easily caused by the curved surface of the mold during ice making, making the ice produced by this ice maker more transparent and more beautiful. The two ends of the coolant channel 5 are connected to the evaporator 6. The specific wiring is designed according to actual use and is not shown in detail in the attached drawings. The evaporator 6 delivers the compressed and cooled coolant to the coolant channel 5. The side surface of the ice-making rack 1 is provided with an opening and closing mechanism 7. The opening and closing mechanism 7 is provided with a water inlet pipe 21. One end of the water inlet pipe 21 is connected to the water tank inside the ice maker. The second mold 3 is installed inside the opening and closing mechanism 7. The second mold 3 is the same size as the ice-making space 4 inside the first mold 2.

[0026] When the ice maker is in ice-making mode, the opening and closing mechanism 7 is closed, and the upper surface of the opening and closing mechanism 7 coincides with the lower surface of the ice-making rack 1. The No. 1 mold 2 and the No. 2 mold 3 are positioned correspondingly and installed opposite each other. The ice-making spaces 4 of the two are spliced ​​together to form a complete sphere. Refrigerant flows inside the coolant channel 5 to cool the water inside the ice-making space 4. The outer surface of the No. 1 mold 2 is provided with an air outlet pipe 22, and the interior of the No. 2 mold 3 is connected to the other end of the water inlet pipe 21. When the No. 1 mold 2 and the No. 2 mold 3 are combined, water is injected into the mold through the water inlet pipe 21 at the lower end of the No. 2 mold 21. The air outlet pipe 22 is used to balance the air pressure and prevent the air pressure inside the mold from being too high.

[0027] Please see Figure 4 A positioning ring 8 is provided around the spherical edge surface of mold 2 and mold 3. The positioning ring 8 extends circumferentially along the periphery of mold 2 and mold 3 to increase the contact area when mold 2 and mold 3 are aligned, so as to facilitate their cooperation and seal the connection between them.

[0028] Please see Figures 1-5The number of No. 1 molds 2 is two or more, which can make multiple spherical ice blocks at the same time, greatly improving efficiency. The air outlet pipes 22 are respectively set on the outer surface of each No. 1 mold 2. The coolant channels 5 on the outer surfaces of the two No. 1 molds 2 are connected by connecting water pipes 9, so that the coolant can flow through the interior of each ice-making mold. The connecting water pipes 9 are made of rigid materials to avoid thermal expansion and contraction caused by the internal coolant flowing through, which would cause the adjacent two molds to move relative to each other and affect positioning. The number of No. 2 molds 3 is the same as the number of No. 1 molds 2. Each No. 2 mold 3 is connected to a water inlet pipe 21 to ensure that the interior of each synthesized ice-making mold is evenly filled with liquid.

[0029] Please see Figures 2-3 The opening and closing mechanism 7 is connected to the ice-making rack 1 via a rotating shaft 71. A motor 72 is connected to the end of the rotating shaft 71. The motor 72 is connected to the ice-making machine control system. When the ice-making machine is in the ice-making state, the motor 72 closes the opening and closing mechanism 7 and the ice-making rack 1 via the rotating shaft 71. When the ice-making machine needs to remove ice, the motor 72 controls the rotating shaft 71 to separate the opening and closing mechanism 7 from the ice-making rack 1.

[0030] Please see Figure 1 The outer surface of mold 2 is flat and smooth. The coolant channel 5 is located inside mold 2. While improving the aesthetics, the coolant channel 5 is insulated to enhance the ice-making efficiency.

[0031] Working principle: During the ice-making process, the motor 72 drives the rotating shaft 71 to rotate the opening and closing mechanism 7, so that the first mold 2 and the second mold 3 are precisely closed to form a complete spherical cavity; the ice-making liquid is injected into the sealed spherical cavity through the water inlet pipe 21, and the coolant is cooled through the coolant channel 5 to cool the ice-making space 4 inside the first mold 2 and the second mold 3, so that the liquid inside forms a complete, evenly heated and transparent spherical ice block.

[0032] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0033] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold, used inside an ice maker to make spherical ice cubes, the device being installed inside an ice-making rack (1), comprising a first mold (2) and a second mold (3), wherein the first mold (2) is hemispherical and has an internally hollowed-out ice-making space (4) that is also hemispherical, characterized in that: The outer surface of the first mold (2) is integrally machined with coolant channels (5) distributed in a ring along the curved surface. Coolant channels (5) allow coolant to flow inside. Both ends of the coolant channels (5) are connected to the evaporator (6). The outer surface of the first mold (2) is provided with an air outlet pipe (22) that connects the ice-making space (4) to the outside. The side surface of the ice rack (1) is provided with an opening and closing mechanism (7). The second mold (3) is installed inside the opening and closing mechanism (7). The second mold (3) is provided with an ice-making space (4) of the same size as the first mold (2). The opening and closing mechanism (7) is connected with a water inlet pipe (21). One end of the water inlet pipe (21) is connected to the outside of the opening and closing mechanism, and the other end is connected to the inside of the second mold (3). The opening and closing mechanism (7) is connected to the ice-making rack (1) through a rotating component. When the ice maker is in the ice-making state, the opening and closing mechanism (7) is closed, and the upper surface of the opening and closing mechanism (7) coincides with the lower surface of the ice-making rack (1). The first mold (2) and the second mold (3) are installed opposite to each other and are combined to form a spherical shape.

2. The high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: Positioning rings (8) are provided around the spherical edge surfaces of the first mold (2) and the second mold (3).

3. The high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the No. 1 mold (2) is two or more; two adjacent No. 1 molds (2) are connected by a connecting water pipe (9), and the connecting water pipe (9) runs through the two No. 1 molds (2). The internal coolant channels (5); the number of the second mold (3) is the same as that of the first mold (2).

4. The high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connecting water pipe (9) is made of rigid material.

5. The high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The opening and closing mechanism (7) is connected to the ice maker (1) via a rotating shaft (71). A motor (72) is connected to the end of the rotating shaft (71), and the motor (72) is connected to the ice maker control system signal.

6. The high-efficiency spherical evaporator mold according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that: The outer surface of the first mold (2) is flat and smooth, and the coolant channel (5) is located inside the first mold (2).

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