An ice maker
By using a rotating connection between the ice tank and the ice chamber, and in conjunction with a centrifugal pump, the problem of long waiting times in existing ice makers has been solved, resulting in shorter ice-making times and immediate ice availability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JIANGLAN ELECTRIC APPLIANCE MFG (JIANGSU) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing ice makers have long waiting times due to large temperature differences during ice making.
The ice tank and ice container are connected by a rotating mechanism. Combined with a centrifugal pump and a micro-motion limit switch, ice is formed by heat exchange between the water in the ice tank and the evaporator. The ice is then poured into the ice box by the rotation of the motor. The water temperature in the ice container is lower, which reduces the temperature difference and shortens the ice-making time.
It achieves a shorter ice-making waiting time, and when a small amount of ice is needed, the ice in the ice box can be used directly without waiting.
Smart Images
Figure CN224434772U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice-making technology, specifically to an ice maker. Background Technology
[0002] An ice maker is a device that turns water into ice through heat exchange. Existing ice makers heat room temperature water until ice is formed. Due to the large temperature difference, the ice-making time is relatively long. Utility Model Content
[0003] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides an ice maker to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.
[0004] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:
[0005] An ice maker includes an ice chamber and a top cover mounted on the ice chamber. An evaporator is disposed inside the ice chamber and located at the top of the ice chamber. An ice trough and an ice box are disposed inside the ice chamber. The ice trough is located above the ice box. The bottom end of the evaporator is located inside the ice trough, and its top end is higher than the top end of the ice trough. An ice-dispensing port is provided on the ice chamber corresponding to the position of the ice box. The top end of the evaporator extends from one side of the ice trough to the outside of the ice trough and connects to the ice chamber. The ice trough is rotatably connected to the ice chamber, with the connection point near the top of the ice trough. A motor for rotating the ice trough is installed on the ice chamber. A hole communicating with the interior of the ice chamber is provided on the ice trough. A water pump for pumping water from the ice chamber into the ice box is installed on the ice chamber.
[0006] Preferably, a low water level sensor is provided at the bottom of the ice chamber, and a high water level sensor is provided on the ice chamber near the bottom of the ice box.
[0007] Preferably, an ice full sensor is provided on the ice bladder at the position corresponding to the position of the ice box.
[0008] Preferably, the ice chamber is provided with a first micro-limit switch for limiting the forward rotation angle of the motor and a second micro-limit switch for limiting the reverse rotation angle of the motor.
[0009] Preferably, the water pump is a centrifugal water pump.
[0010] The working principle of the ice maker provided by this utility model is as follows:
[0011] The working principle of the ice maker described above is as follows:
[0012] In its initial state, the ice tank's opening faces upwards. Water filtered by the water purifier enters the ice chamber, and the centrifugal pump operates, drawing water from the ice chamber into the ice tank. When the water level in the ice tank reaches the height of the orifice, water flows into the ice chamber. During this process, the water in the ice tank exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the evaporator, lowering its temperature. The cooled water then flows into the ice chamber through the orifice, further lowering the temperature of the water in the ice chamber. Once ice forms in the ice tank, the water in the ice chamber reaches a lower temperature. After ice formation, the control motor rotates the ice tank away from the side connected to the evaporator and ice chamber, gradually lowering the opening of the ice tank and pouring the ice into the ice box for storage. Then, the control motor reverses the rotation to return to the original state, and the centrifugal pump restarts, drawing water from the ice chamber into the ice tank to continue ice making until the ice stored in the ice box reaches the required level. During the ice-making process, because the water temperature stored in the ice chamber is lower, the temperature difference between it and the water temperature in the ice box is smaller, resulting in a relatively short ice-making time. In addition, since the ice box contains ice, you can use the ice directly when you need a small amount of ice, without having to wait. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 One of the three-dimensional structural schematic diagrams of the ice maker in the embodiment is shown;
[0014] Figure 2 A second three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the ice maker in the embodiment is shown;
[0015] Figure 3 One of the side structural schematic diagrams of the ice maker in the embodiment is shown;
[0016] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 AA section view;
[0017] Marked in the attached diagram:
[0018] 1. Top cover, 2. Ice chamber, 3. Ice tank, 4. Motor, 5. Water pump, 6. First micro limit switch, 7. Second micro limit switch, 8. Low water level sensor, 9. High water level sensor, 10. Ice full sensor, 11. Evaporator, 12. Ice box, 13. Ice outlet. Detailed Implementation
[0019] 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.
[0020] For examples, please refer to Figures 1-4This application provides an ice maker, including an ice chamber 2 and an upper cover 1 disposed on the ice chamber. An evaporator 11 is disposed inside the ice chamber and is located at the top of the ice chamber. An ice trough 3 and an ice box 12 are disposed inside the ice chamber. The ice trough is located above the ice box. The bottom end of the evaporator is located inside the ice trough, and the top end is higher than the top end of the ice trough. An ice outlet 13 is disposed on the ice chamber corresponding to the position of the ice box. In actual production, a door can be installed at the ice outlet to achieve a heat preservation effect. The top end of the evaporator extends from one side of the ice trough to the outside of the ice trough and connects to the ice chamber. The ice trough is rotatably connected to the ice chamber, and the connection position is close to the top of the ice trough. A motor 4 for driving the ice trough to rotate is installed on the ice chamber. A hole communicating with the inside of the ice chamber is provided on the ice trough. A water pump 5 for pumping water from the ice chamber into the ice box is installed on the ice chamber. In this embodiment, a centrifugal water pump is preferably used.
[0021] The working principle of the ice maker described above is as follows:
[0022] In its initial state, the ice tank's opening faces upwards. Water filtered by the water purifier enters the ice chamber, and the centrifugal pump operates, drawing water from the ice chamber into the ice tank. When the water level in the ice tank reaches the height of the orifice, water flows into the ice chamber. During this process, the water in the ice tank exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the evaporator, lowering its temperature. The cooled water then flows into the ice chamber through the orifice, further lowering the temperature of the water in the ice chamber. Once ice forms in the ice tank, the water in the ice chamber reaches a lower temperature. After ice formation, the control motor rotates the ice tank away from the side connected to the evaporator and ice chamber, gradually lowering the opening of the ice tank and pouring the ice into the ice box for storage. Then, the control motor reverses the rotation to return to the original state, and the centrifugal pump restarts, drawing water from the ice chamber into the ice tank to continue ice making until the ice stored in the ice box reaches the required level. During the ice-making process, because the water temperature stored in the ice chamber is lower, the temperature difference between it and the water temperature in the ice box is smaller, resulting in a relatively short ice-making time. In addition, since the ice box contains ice, you can use the ice directly when you need a small amount of ice, without having to wait.
[0023] In actual production, to precisely control the water inlet, a low water level sensor 8 can be installed at the bottom of the ice chamber, and a high water level sensor 9 can be installed on the ice chamber near the bottom of the ice box to control the water level inside the ice chamber. The low and high water level sensors can be processor-equipped and directly connected to the water pump supplying water to the ice chamber to control the water volume, or they can be connected separately to the processor, which in turn connects to the water pump supplying water to the ice chamber to control the water volume. This is well known to those skilled in the art and is not specifically limited here.
[0024] To facilitate control of the ice production volume, an ice full sensor 10 is installed on the ice chamber corresponding to the position of the ice box. When the ice box is full, the ice making operation stops. Of course, in actual production, the ice chamber of the ice maker can also be equipped with an outer shell, and a compressor and condenser are installed inside the outer shell. The compressor outlet is connected to the condenser inlet, the condenser outlet is connected to the evaporator inlet, the evaporator outlet is connected to the compressor inlet, and the ice full sensor is connected to the compressor. This is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.
[0025] In order to precisely limit the rotation angle of the motor, the ice chamber is provided with a first micro-limit switch 6 for limiting the forward rotation angle of the motor and a second micro-limit switch 7 for limiting the reverse rotation angle of the motor. The setting of the micro-limit switches is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.
[0026] It should be noted that the terms "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., mentioned in the specification indicate that the described embodiment may include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not, is within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art.
[0027] It should be readily understood that “on,” “above,” and “on top of” in this disclosure should be interpreted in the broadest manner, such that “on” means not only “directly on something” but also “on something” with an intermediate feature or layer therebetween, and that “above” or “on top of” means not only “on something” but also “on something” without an intermediate feature or layer therebetween (i.e., directly on something).
[0028] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, spatially relative terms such as "below," "below," "under," "above," and "above" may be used to describe the relationship of one element or feature relative to other elements or features as shown in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation other than those shown in the figures. The device may have other orientations (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptive terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.
[0029] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely 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.
[0030] 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. An ice maker, comprising an ice chamber (2) and an upper cover (1) disposed on the ice chamber, wherein an evaporator (11) is disposed inside the ice chamber, characterized in that, The evaporator is located at the top of the ice chamber. The ice chamber contains an ice trough (3) and an ice box (12). The ice trough is located above the ice box. The bottom of the evaporator is located inside the ice trough, and the top of the evaporator is higher than the top of the ice trough. An ice outlet (13) is provided on the ice chamber at the position corresponding to the position of the ice box. The top of the evaporator extends from one side of the ice tank to the outside of the ice tank and connects with the ice chamber. The ice trough is rotatably connected to the ice chamber, with the connection position close to the top of the ice trough. The ice chamber is equipped with a motor (4) for driving the ice trough to rotate. The ice trough is provided with a hole that communicates with the inside of the ice chamber; The ice chamber is equipped with a water pump (5) for drawing water from the ice chamber into the ice box.
2. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, A low water level sensor (8) is installed at the bottom of the ice chamber, and a high water level sensor (9) is installed on the ice chamber near the bottom of the ice box.
3. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, An ice full sensor (10) is provided on the ice bladder at the position corresponding to the position of the ice box.
4. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice chamber is equipped with a first micro-limit switch (6) for limiting the forward rotation angle of the motor and a second micro-limit switch (7) for limiting the reverse rotation angle of the motor.
5. An ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water pump is a centrifugal water pump.