Ice making structure and ice maker

Abstract

The application relates to an ice making structure and an ice maker, the ice making structure comprising: a compressor; a condenser in communication with the compressor; a first evaporator in communication with the compressor and the condenser respectively, and the outer surface of the first evaporator being cylindrical; a second evaporator in communication with the compressor and the condenser respectively, and the outer surface of the second evaporator being provided with ice cells; a water tank; and a water outlet assembly in communication with the water tank and used for outputting water flow passing through the outer surfaces of the first evaporator and the second evaporator. The first evaporator and the second evaporator enable the ice making structure to form ice blocks in the shapes of bullets and cubes, thereby meeting the needs of users for ice blocks in various shapes.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] An ice maker is an ice-forming device used in daily life. It is a mechanical device that cools water through a refrigeration system to produce ice cubes. It uses a refrigeration system, with water as the carrier, to freeze the water into ice.

[0003] With the development of the times, chilled drinks have gradually become popular among consumers, especially in hot weather. Adding ice to beverages or alcoholic drinks can enhance the taste and give people a refreshing experience, greatly satisfying people's pursuit of a better life.

[0004] As consumers' aesthetic demands increase, simply placing one shape of ice cubes, such as square ones, in wine or beverage glasses is no longer sufficient. Using different shapes of ice cubes in glasses can create diverse visual appeal for drinks; for example, placing square, cylindrical, and bullet-shaped ice cubes simultaneously enhances the overall visual appeal of the beverage. However, current ice makers can only produce ice cubes of one shape, failing to meet the demand for multiple shapes. Utility Model Content

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an ice-making structure and ice maker that addresses the problem that current ice makers can only produce ice cubes of one shape and cannot meet the demand for ice cubes of various shapes.

[0006] An ice-making structure, the ice-making structure comprising:

[0007] compressor;

[0008] The condenser is connected to the compressor;

[0009] The first evaporator is connected to both the compressor and the condenser, and the outer surface of the first evaporator is cylindrical.

[0010] The second evaporator is connected to both the compressor and the condenser, and an ice grid is provided on the outer surface of the second evaporator.

[0011] The water tank is located below the first evaporator and the second evaporator during use;

[0012] The water outlet assembly is connected to the water tank and is used to output water flowing through the outer surfaces of the first evaporator and the second evaporator.

[0013] In one embodiment, the ice-making structure includes a first condensing pipe and a second condensing pipe, the first condensing pipe connecting the first evaporator and the condenser, and the second condensing pipe connecting the second evaporator and the condenser;

[0014] The first condensing pipe is equipped with a first solenoid valve for controlling its own on / off state, and the second condensing pipe is equipped with a second solenoid valve for controlling its own on / off state.

[0015] In one embodiment, the water outlet assembly includes a first water outlet and a second water outlet, both of which are connected to the water tank. The first water outlet is used to output water to the first evaporator, and the second water outlet is used to output water to the second evaporator.

[0016] The first water outlet is communicatively connected to the first solenoid valve, and when the first solenoid valve is closed, the first water outlet is closed, and when the first solenoid valve is open, the first water outlet is open.

[0017] The second water outlet is communicatively connected to the second solenoid valve, and when the second solenoid valve is closed, the second water outlet is closed, and when the second solenoid valve is open, the second water outlet is open.

[0018] In one embodiment, the ice-making structure further includes a heat exchange pipeline that connects the condenser and the compressor. The heat exchange pipeline passes through the interior of the water tank and is located inside the water tank, enabling it to exchange heat with the water in the water tank.

[0019] In one embodiment, the heat exchange pipes located inside the water tank extend in a tortuous manner.

[0020] In one embodiment, a temperature sensor is provided inside the water tank for detecting the water temperature inside the tank;

[0021] The heat exchange pipeline is equipped with a heat exchange solenoid valve for controlling its own on / off state. When the water temperature T in the water tank is ≥1℃, the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are closed, and the heat exchange solenoid valve is opened.

[0022] When the water temperature T in the water tank is less than 1°C, at least one of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve opens, and the heat exchange solenoid valve closes.

[0023] In one embodiment, a temperature sensor is provided inside the water tank for detecting the water temperature inside the tank;

[0024] When the water temperature T in the water tank is ≥1℃, one of the first solenoid valves is opened.

[0025] When the water temperature T in the water tank is less than 1°C, both the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are fully open.

[0026] In one embodiment, the ice-making structure further includes an insulation element that covers the outer surface of the water tank.

[0027] In one embodiment, the ice-making structure further includes a disinfection component disposed inside the water tank and used to sterilize and disinfect the water in the water tank.

[0028] In one embodiment, the ice-making structure further includes a first ice box and a second ice box, wherein the first ice box is used to receive ice blocks formed by the first evaporator and the second ice box is used to receive ice blocks formed by the second evaporator.

[0029] An ice maker, comprising the ice-making structure as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0030] In the aforementioned ice-making structure, after the compressor starts operating, the refrigerant enters the condenser from the compressor. The refrigerant condenses in the condenser and is then fed into the first and second evaporators. At this time, the water outlet assembly draws water from the water tank and creates a water flow that passes through the first and second evaporators. Because the outer surface of the first evaporator is cylindrical, it can form bullet-shaped ice blocks. The outer surface of the second evaporator is equipped with ice grids, which allow it to form cube-shaped ice blocks. Thus, the ice-making structure can form both bullet-shaped and cube-shaped ice blocks, satisfying users' needs for ice blocks of various shapes. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making structure in some embodiments of this application.

[0032] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ice-making structure in the embodiment.

[0033] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the ice-making structure in the embodiment from another perspective.

[0034] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the ice-making structure in the embodiment from another perspective.

[0035] Figure 5 The following are schematic diagrams of the ice structure in some embodiments of this application.

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0037] Compressor 10; Condenser 11; First evaporator 12; Second evaporator 13; Water tank 14; Water outlet assembly 15; First water outlet component 16; Second water outlet component 17; Ice tray 18;

[0038] First condensing pipe 20; Second condensing pipe 21; First solenoid valve 22; Second solenoid valve 23;

[0039] Heat exchange piping 30;

[0040] Temperature sensor 40; insulation component 41; disinfection component 42; first ice box 43; second ice box 44; pull-out component 45; partition 46. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0042] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0043] Furthermore, where the terms "first" and "second" appear, these terms are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, where the term "multiple" appears, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0044] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0045] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the use of descriptions such as "above" or "below" the second feature indicates that the first and second features are in direct contact or indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0046] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. If so, the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0047] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 An embodiment of this application provides an ice-making structure including a compressor 10, a condenser 11, a first evaporator 12, a second evaporator 13, a water tank 14, and a water outlet assembly 15.

[0048] The condenser 11 is connected to the compressor 10, the first evaporator 12 is connected to both the compressor 10 and the condenser 11, and the second evaporator 13 is connected to both the compressor 10 and the condenser 11. In actual use, refrigerant circulates between the condenser 11, the compressor 10, the second evaporator 13, and the first evaporator 12. After the refrigerant is input from the compressor 10 to the condenser 11, the refrigerant output from the condenser 11 enters the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, and the refrigerant output from the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 returns to the compressor 10, thus completing the cycle.

[0049] The compressor 10 draws in the low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, and converts the refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas through mechanical compression. The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant is then fed into the condenser 11, and the condenser 11, through a fan mounted on the condenser 11, converts the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, allowing the refrigerant to release heat to the external environment through the condenser 11.

[0050] Furthermore, an expansion valve is installed downstream of the condenser 11, that is, upstream of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the condenser 11 flows into the expansion valve, causing the high-pressure liquid refrigerant to be throttled and depressurized, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant. Finally, the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant enters the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, and absorbs heat in the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, causing the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant to vaporize in the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, finally forming a low-temperature, low-pressure gaseous refrigerant, which is then input into the compressor 10, and so on in a continuous cycle.

[0051] The water tank 14 contains drinking water and is located below the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 during use. The water outlet assembly 15 is connected to the water tank 14 and is used to output the water flowing over the outer surfaces of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13. Because the water tank 14 is located below the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, the water flowing over the surfaces of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 can return to the water tank 14. The water flowing over the surfaces of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 exchanges heat with the refrigerant inside the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, causing the water to release heat and its temperature to drop until the temperature of the water drops below the freezing point, forming ice on the surfaces of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13.

[0052] The water that does not form ice will return to the water tank 14 and be drawn back by the water outlet assembly 15, flowing again over the surfaces of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 until the ice on the surfaces of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 reaches a certain thickness. At this point, the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 can be introduced into the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, causing the surface temperature of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 to rise. The contact parts between the ice and the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 will melt, causing the ice to separate from the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, and thus the ice will fall off the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 for the user to use.

[0053] It should be noted that the ice cubes can also be removed manually from the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, or heating elements can be installed inside the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 to melt the ice cubes and achieve the effect of demolding the ice cubes.

[0054] The outer surface of the first evaporator 12 is cylindrical. When water flows over the outer surface of the first evaporator 12, the water will freeze on the outer surface of the first evaporator 12 to form ice. Since the outer surface of the first evaporator 12 is cylindrical, the ice formed on the outer surface of the first evaporator 12 is also cylindrical, thus making the ice formed by the first evaporator 12 bullet-shaped.

[0055] An ice grid 18 is formed on the outer surface of the second evaporator 13. The ice grid 18 refers to a plurality of square holes formed on the outer surface of the second evaporator 13. When water flows through the ice grid 18, it will form ice blocks on the inner wall of the ice grid 18. Since the holes inside the ice grid 18 are square, the ice blocks formed inside the ice grid 18 can be cubes, that is, the ice blocks formed by the second evaporator 13 are cubes.

[0056] In the aforementioned ice-making structure, after the compressor 10 starts operating, the refrigerant enters the condenser 11 from the compressor 10. The refrigerant condenses in the condenser 11 and is then fed into the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13. At this time, the water outlet assembly 15 draws water from the water tank 14 and forms a water flow that passes through the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13. Since the outer surface of the first evaporator 12 is cylindrical, it can form bullet-shaped ice cubes. The outer surface of the second evaporator 13 is provided with an ice grid 18, which allows it to form cube-shaped ice cubes. Thus, the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 enable the ice-making structure to form both bullet-shaped and cube-shaped ice cubes, thereby meeting the user's need for ice cubes of various shapes.

[0057] In some embodiments of this application, see [reference] Figure 3 The ice-making structure includes a first condensing pipe 20 and a second condensing pipe 21. The first condensing pipe 20 connects the first evaporator 12 and the condenser 11, and the second condensing pipe 21 connects the second evaporator 13 and the condenser 11. In actual use, the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant output from the expansion valve is diverted into the first condensing pipe 20 and the second condensing pipe 21 via a three-way connector, ultimately allowing the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant to enter the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 respectively.

[0058] The first condensing pipe 20 is equipped with a first solenoid valve 22 that controls its own on / off state, and the second condensing pipe 21 is equipped with a second solenoid valve 23 that controls its own on / off state. In actual use, when the first solenoid valve 22 is open and the second solenoid valve 23 is closed, all the refrigerant output from the condenser 11 will enter the first condensing pipe 20, that is, all of it will enter the first evaporator 12. This will accelerate the heat absorption rate of the first evaporator 12, thereby accelerating the condensation rate of ice on the evaporator. Finally, the first evaporator 12 can achieve the effect of quickly producing ice to meet the user's need for bullet-shaped ice cubes as soon as possible.

[0059] Conversely, when the first solenoid valve 22 is closed and the second solenoid valve 23 is opened, all the refrigerant output from the condenser 11 will enter the second condensing pipe 21, thereby increasing the condensation rate of the ice in the second evaporator 13, thus meeting the user's need for cube-shaped ice as soon as possible.

[0060] When both the first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23 are open, the refrigerant output from the condenser 11 will be divided into two streams, which will enter the first condensing pipe 20 and the second condensing pipe 21 respectively. This will allow refrigerant to flow through both the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, so that the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 can make ice at the same time to meet the user's needs for different types of ice.

[0061] In some embodiments, see Figure 4 The water outlet assembly 15 includes a first water outlet 16 and a second water outlet 17. Both the first water outlet 16 and the second water outlet 17 are connected to the water tank 14. The first water outlet 16 is used to output water to the first evaporator 12, and the second water outlet 17 is used to output water to the second evaporator 13. Optionally, both the first water outlet 16 and the second water outlet 17 are water pumps.

[0062] The first water outlet 16 is communicatively connected to the first solenoid valve 22. When the first solenoid valve 22 is closed, the first water outlet 16 is closed; when the first solenoid valve 22 is open, the first water outlet 16 is open. The second water outlet 17 is communicatively connected to the second solenoid valve 23. When the second solenoid valve 23 is closed, the second water outlet 17 is closed; when the second solenoid valve 23 is open, the second water outlet 17 is open.

[0063] Thus, when the first solenoid valve 22 is closed, the first evaporator 12 cannot form ice. At this time, only the second water outlet 17 needs to output water to the second evaporator 13. Closing the first water outlet 16 at this time can save electricity for the ice-making structure. Conversely, when the first solenoid valve 22 is open and the second solenoid valve 23 is closed, the second water outlet 17 can be closed to save electricity. Finally, when both the first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23 are open, both the first water outlet 16 and the second water outlet 17 are open, outputting water to the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, so that the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 can make ice simultaneously.

[0064] In actual use, the initial temperature of the water in the water tank 14 usually determines the ice-making efficiency of the first ice-making structure and the second ice-making structure. That is, the lower the water temperature in the water tank 14, the lower the temperature of the water flowing through the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, and the easier it is for the water to condense on the surface of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 to form ice.

[0065] Although the water temperature drops slightly after exchanging heat with the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 and then flowing back to the water tank 14, the heat transfer efficiency is not high enough to cause the water temperature in the water tank 14 to drop rapidly. Therefore, in some embodiments of this application, see [reference needed]. Figure 5 The ice-making structure also includes a heat exchange pipe 30, which connects the condenser 11 and the compressor 10. The heat exchange pipe 30 passes through the inside of the water tank 14, and the heat exchange pipe 30 located inside the water tank 14 can exchange heat with the water in the water tank 14.

[0066] In this way, after the refrigerant enters the heat exchange pipe 30 from the condenser 11, it can directly exchange heat with the water in the water tank 14, so that the water in the water tank 14 can drop rapidly. This helps to reduce the temperature of the water flowing over the surface of the first evaporator 12 or the second evaporator 13, which is beneficial for users to increase the speed of ice production when a large amount of ice is needed.

[0067] Furthermore, the heat exchange pipe 30 located inside the water tank 14 is positioned near the bottom of the water tank 14, and the heat exchange pipe 30 extends in a tortuous manner, thereby increasing the heat exchange area between the heat exchange pipe 30 and the water flow inside the water tank 14, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency between the heat exchange pipe 30 and the water inside the water tank 14, and achieving the effect of rapidly reducing the temperature of the water inside the water tank 14.

[0068] In actual use, although the lower the temperature of the water in the water tank 14, the better the ice-making effect, if the water temperature in the water tank 14 is below 0°, the water in the water tank 14 will begin to condense before entering the surface of the first evaporator 12 or the second evaporator 13, thus forming ice sand in the water tank 14. The ice sand will block the first water outlet 16 and the second water outlet 17, causing the first water outlet 16 and the second water outlet 17 to be unable to pump water normally.

[0069] Therefore, the temperature inside the water tank 14 is maintained between 0℃ and 1℃, which can ensure the efficient ice production of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, and also prevent the formation of ice sand inside the water tank 14, which would cause the first water outlet 16 and the second water outlet 17 to malfunction.

[0070] Based on this, in some embodiments of this application, see [reference]. Figure 2 A temperature sensor 40 is installed inside the water tank 14. The temperature sensor 40 is used to detect the temperature of the water in the water tank 14. The first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23 control their own opening and closing based on the detection data of the temperature sensor 40.

[0071] The temperature of the water detected by the temperature sensor 40 in the water tank 14 is defined as T. A heat exchange solenoid valve is installed on the heat exchange pipeline 30 to control its own on / off state. When the water temperature T in the water tank 14 is ≥ 1℃, the first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23 are closed, and the heat exchange solenoid valve is open. When the water temperature T in the water tank 14 is < 1℃, at least one of the first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23 is open, and the heat exchange solenoid valve is closed.

[0072] Thus, when the water temperature in the water tank 14 is high, the heat exchange solenoid valve is opened and the first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23 are closed, so that all the refrigerant passes through the heat exchange pipeline 30, thereby allowing all the refrigerant to be used to exchange heat with the water in the water tank 14, thereby quickly reducing the temperature of the water in the water tank 14 to below 1°C.

[0073] When the water temperature in water tank 14 drops below 1°C, continuing to open heat exchange pipe 30 will cause the water temperature in water tank 14 to drop below 0°C, resulting in ice and sand clogging the first water outlet 16 and the second water outlet 17. At this time, the heat exchange solenoid valve can be closed, and one or both of the first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23 can be opened to allow refrigerant to enter one or both of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 to start ice making. Since the water temperature in water tank 14 is between 0°C and 1°C, the ice making speed can be effectively increased to meet the user's demand for large quantities of ice.

[0074] In other embodiments, if the ice-making structure does not have a heat exchange pipe 30, please refer to... Figure 2Alternatively, the water temperature in the water tank 14 can be reduced by having the water flow back into the water tank 14 after passing through the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13.

[0075] Based on this, when T≥1℃, one of the first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23 is open, and the other is closed. That is, at this time, only one of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 is activated. Since the water flows back to the water tank 14 after exchanging heat with the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, the cooling capacity generated by the compressor 10 is concentrated on one of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 through the refrigerant. This allows the cooling capacity carried by the refrigerant to be transferred as much as possible to the water flow on the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, thereby allowing the water temperature to drop rapidly.

[0076] When T < 1℃, both the first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23 are open. At this time, when the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 operate simultaneously, they share the cooling capacity generated by the compressor 10. However, due to differences in pipe resistance and valve opening, the distribution of cooling capacity between the two evaporators 12 and 13 will differ. Furthermore, these pipes, valves, and control components introduce additional energy losses. Therefore, when both evaporators 12 and 13 operate simultaneously, the overall cooling efficiency of the system will be affected. The refrigerant needs to flow between the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, which increases pressure drop and flow resistance.

[0077] Therefore, compared to opening only one of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, while opening both evaporators 12 and 13 simultaneously can also lower the water temperature in the water tank 14, the rate of decrease is slower. Thus, when the water temperature is high, opening only one of the first solenoid valve 22 and the second solenoid valve 23, and using only one of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 for ice making, can accelerate the decrease in water temperature in the water tank 14.

[0078] In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making structure further includes a heat-insulating member 41, which wraps around the outer surface of the water tank 14 to insulate the water tank 14. As can be seen, when the water temperature in the water tank 14 is between 0℃ and 1℃, the ice-making speed of the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 can be increased. Therefore, by reducing the heat exchange between the water temperature inside the water tank 14 and the external environment through the heat-insulating member 41, the water in the water tank 14 can be maintained between 0℃ and 1℃ for a long time, effectively improving the overall ice-making efficiency of the ice-making structure.

[0079] In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making structure further includes a disinfection component 42, which is disposed inside the water tank 14 and is used to sterilize the water in the water tank 14, thereby reducing the problem of bacterial growth caused by prolonged storage of water in the water tank 14 and preventing users from experiencing physical discomfort after consuming ice. Optionally, the disinfection component 42 is an ultraviolet lamp.

[0080] In some embodiments of this application, the ice-making structure further includes a first ice box 43 and a second ice box 44. The first ice box 43 is used to receive ice blocks formed by the first evaporator 12, and the second ice box 44 is used to receive ice blocks formed by the second evaporator 13. In actual use, the first ice box 43 is located below the first evaporator 12, and the second ice box 44 is located below the second evaporator 13. Both the first ice box 43 and the second ice box 44 are hollow, and both are located above the water tank 14.

[0081] When ice is needed, the first water outlet 16 pumps water from the water tank 14 to the top of the first evaporator 12. The water flows down from the top of the first evaporator 12, some of which condenses into ice blocks, and the rest flows back to the water tank 14 through the perforated first ice box 43. After the first evaporator 12 finishes making ice, the detached ice blocks fall into the first ice box 43 under the action of gravity for the user to take.

[0082] The ice-making process of the second evaporator 13 is the same as that of the first evaporator 12, and will not be described in detail here. However, by placing the ice blocks produced by the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13 into the first ice box 43 and the second ice box 44 respectively, users can conveniently select ice blocks of different shapes in the first ice box 43 and the second ice box 44 according to their actual needs.

[0083] Among them, see Figure 5 The ice-making structure also includes a pull-out component 45, which has a partition 46 inside. The partition 46 divides the pull-out component 45 into a first ice box 43 and a second ice box 44. The pull-out component 45 is pullable and mounted on the water tank 14 so that when the user needs to take ice, he / she can pull out the pull-out component 45 to take ice from the first ice box 43 and the second ice box 44.

[0084] This application also provides an ice maker, including the ice-making structure as described in any of the above embodiments. Since the ice maker includes all the technical features of the ice-making structure, it possesses all the technical effects of the ice-making structure, which will not be repeated here.

[0085] The above-mentioned ice-making structure has at least the following advantages:

[0086] After the compressor 10 starts operating, the refrigerant enters the condenser 11 from the compressor 10. The refrigerant condenses in the condenser 11 and is then fed into the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13. At this time, the water outlet assembly 15 draws water from the water tank 14 and forms a water flow that passes through the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13. Since the outer surface of the first evaporator 12 is cylindrical, it can form bullet-shaped ice cubes. The outer surface of the second evaporator 13 is provided with an ice grid 18, which allows it to form cube-shaped ice cubes. In this way, the ice-making structure can form both bullet-shaped and cube-shaped ice cubes through the first evaporator 12 and the second evaporator 13, thereby meeting the user's need for ice cubes of various shapes.

[0087] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0088] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ice making structure, characterized by, The ice-making structure includes: Compressor (10); The condenser (11) is connected to the compressor (10); The first evaporator (12) is connected to the compressor (10) and the condenser (11) respectively, and the outer surface of the first evaporator (12) is cylindrical; The second evaporator (13) is connected to the compressor (10) and the condenser (11) respectively, and the outer surface of the second evaporator (13) is provided with an ice grid (18); The water tank (14) is located below the first evaporator (12) and the second evaporator (13) during use; The water outlet assembly (15) is connected to the water tank (14) and is used to output water flowing through the outer surfaces of the first evaporator (12) and the second evaporator (13).

2. The ice-making structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice-making structure includes a first condensing pipe (20) and a second condensing pipe (21). The first condensing pipe (20) connects the first evaporator (12) and the condenser (11), and the second condensing pipe (21) connects the second evaporator (13) and the condenser (11). The first condensing pipe (20) is provided with a first solenoid valve (22) for controlling its own on / off state, and the second condensing pipe (21) is provided with a second solenoid valve (23) for controlling its own on / off state.

3. The ice-making structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water outlet assembly (15) includes a first water outlet (16) and a second water outlet (17). Both the first water outlet (16) and the second water outlet (17) are connected to the water tank (14). The first water outlet (16) is used to output water to the first evaporator (12), and the second water outlet (17) is used to output water to the second evaporator (13). The first water outlet (16) is communicatively connected to the first solenoid valve (22), and when the first solenoid valve (22) is closed, the first water outlet (16) is closed, and when the first solenoid valve (22) is open, the first water outlet (16) is open. The second water outlet (17) is communicatively connected to the second solenoid valve (23), and when the second solenoid valve (23) is closed, the second water outlet (17) is closed, and when the second solenoid valve (23) is open, the second water outlet (17) is open.

4. The ice-making structure according to claim 2, wherein, The ice-making structure also includes a heat exchange pipe (30), which connects the condenser (11) and the compressor (10). The heat exchange pipe (30) passes through the interior of the water tank (14), and the heat exchange pipe (30) located inside the water tank (14) can exchange heat with the water in the water tank (14).

5. The ice-making structure according to claim 4, wherein, The heat exchange pipes (30) located inside the water tank (14) extend in a tortuous manner.

6. The ice-making structure according to claim 4, wherein, A temperature sensor (40) is installed inside the water tank (14), and the temperature sensor (40) is used to detect the water temperature inside the water tank (14); The heat exchange pipeline (30) is equipped with a heat exchange solenoid valve for controlling its own on / off state. When the water temperature T in the water tank (14) is ≥1℃, the first solenoid valve (22) and the second solenoid valve (23) are closed, and the heat exchange solenoid valve is opened. When the water temperature T in the water tank (14) is less than 1°C, at least one of the first solenoid valve (22) and the second solenoid valve (23) is opened, and the heat exchange solenoid valve is closed.

7. The ice-making structure according to claim 2, wherein, A temperature sensor (40) is installed inside the water tank (14), and the temperature sensor (40) is used to detect the water temperature inside the water tank (14); When the water temperature T in the water tank (14) is greater than or equal to 1°C, one of the first solenoid valve (22) and the first solenoid valve (22) is opened; When the water temperature T in the water tank (14) is less than 1℃, the first solenoid valve (22) and the second solenoid valve (23) are both opened.

8. The ice-making structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice-making structure also includes a heat insulation component (41) that wraps around the outer surface of the water tank (14).

9. The ice-making structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice-making structure also includes a disinfection component (42), which is located inside the water tank (14) and is used to sterilize and disinfect the water in the water tank (14).

10. The ice-making structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice-making structure also includes a first ice box (43) and a second ice box (44), wherein the first ice box (43) is used to receive the ice blocks formed by the first evaporator (12) and the second ice box (44) is used to receive the ice blocks formed by the second evaporator (13).

11. An ice maker, characterized in that, Includes the ice-making structure as described in any one of claims 1-10.

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