Under-counter ice and water machine

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of under-table ice water machine, belong to cooling equipment technical field.It solves the problem of low cooling efficiency of ice water machine in prior art.The under-table ice water machine, including the shell with installation chamber, cold water tank and refrigeration device being set in shell, the shell has water inlet and water outlet, the cold water tank has at least two and is arranged in installation chamber and is arranged along same straight line parallelly, the refrigeration device is used to simultaneously refrigerate each cold water tank, adjacent two cold water tanks are connected by connecting pipe and are communicated, the water inlet pipe on the water inlet of shell and the water outlet pipe on water outlet are connected with any two cold water tanks respectively.The utility model has the advantages of improving the cooling efficiency of ice water machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of cooling equipment technology and relates to an under-counter chiller. Background Technology

[0002] Household water purifiers are mainly used to purify tap water in the home so that it can be drunk directly. Among them, under-sink water purifiers are increasingly used by families because they can be directly connected to the tap water pipe. However, existing under-sink water purifiers are mainly used to provide room temperature drinking water. When users want to drink ice water, they can only put the room temperature drinking water in the refrigerator to cool it down, which is inconvenient.

[0003] To address the aforementioned shortcomings, Chinese patent literature discloses an under-sink air purifier (application number: 201610854424.3), comprising a water purification component and an ice tank. The water purification component has an inlet, a room temperature water end, and a cold water end. The inlet of the water purification component is connected to a tap water pipe. The ice tank has an inlet, an outlet, and a one-way valve. The inlet is connected to the cold water end via the one-way valve, which is located at the inlet of the ice tank. The outlet is equipped with a water valve. The components of this under-sink air purifier, such as the accommodating cavity, ice tank, pressurizing device, and water storage device, are connected by pipes and are loosely arranged, resulting in a large overall size of the under-sink air purifier and a large installation space required.

[0004] The above-mentioned under-sink air purifier has the following shortcomings during use: the under-sink air purifier is only equipped with one ice tank. In order to ensure sufficient cold water volume, the ice tank has a large volume. In addition, the ice tank obtains cold water by heat conduction, that is, by the cooling end of the semiconductor being attached to the outer wall of the ice tank to cool the pure water inside the ice tank, resulting in a slow cooling speed of the ice tank. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned problems in existing technologies by proposing an under-counter chiller. The technical problem this invention aims to solve is how to provide a universal chiller with high cooling efficiency.

[0006] The objective of this utility model can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] An under-counter chiller includes a housing with an installation chamber, chilled water tanks disposed within the housing, and a refrigeration device. The housing has an inlet and an outlet. The chilled water tanks are characterized by having at least two tanks, each disposed within the installation chamber and arranged side-by-side along the same straight line. The refrigeration device simultaneously refrigerates each of the chilled water tanks. Adjacent chilled water tanks are connected by connecting pipes. The inlet pipe on the inlet port and the outlet pipe on the outlet port of the housing are respectively connected to any two of the chilled water tanks.

[0008] This under-mounted chiller divides the cold water tank for storing drinking water into at least two parts, reducing the overall volume to smaller units. The refrigeration unit can simultaneously cool each of these tanks. Adjacent tanks within the installation chamber are connected by connecting pipes. The inlet pipe on the inlet port and the outlet pipe on the outlet port of the casing are connected to any two of the tanks. This allows for the simultaneous storage and supply of a sufficient quantity of cold water for the user's immediate consumption. It also provides ample time for the refrigeration unit to cool newly filled tanks of room-temperature drinking water. While maintaining the overall cold water storage capacity of the under-mounted chiller, the volume of each individual tank is reduced. Smaller tanks require less refrigeration and significantly shorter cooling time, enabling faster achievement and maintenance of lower temperatures. This results in higher cooling efficiency, ensuring a constant supply of cold water at a preset temperature range, thus providing a high-efficiency, universal chiller.

[0009] Furthermore, this under-seat chiller has at least two chilled water tanks, both located within the installation chamber and arranged side-by-side along the same straight line. This not only results in a flat overall shape and a small overall size, but also minimizes the installation space required. In the aforementioned under-seat chiller, the casing is rectangular and flat, and the chilled water tanks are cylindrical or square, with both tanks arranged horizontally or vertically within the installation chamber. This further contributes to the flat overall shape, small overall size, and minimal installation space required.

[0010] In the aforementioned undermount chiller, an insulation shell is further provided within the mounting chamber of the housing. The chilled water tanks are all housed within this insulation shell, and the inlet pipe on the housing's inlet interface and the outlet pipe on the outlet interface both pass through the insulation shell. The insulation shell serves two purposes: firstly, it insulates the chilled water tanks located within the insulation shell; secondly, it isolates the chilled water tanks from the mounting chamber, minimizing or preventing condensation caused by temperature differences, thereby extending the service life of the chilled water tanks and the undermount chiller itself.

[0011] In the aforementioned under-counter chiller, the refrigeration device includes multiple refrigeration pipes, each corresponding to a cold water tank. Adjacent refrigeration pipes are connected by cooling pipes. The inlet and outlet ports are located adjacent to each other on the same side wall of the housing, with the inlet pipe at the inlet port and the outlet pipe at the outlet port both adjacent to the cooling pipes. The cooling pipes and multiple refrigeration pipes can be manufactured as a single piece, or they can be manufactured separately through welding or other methods. By aligning the inlet pipe at the inlet port and the outlet pipe at the outlet port with the cooling pipes, the portion of the water path exposed above the insulation shell—the inlet pipe at the inlet port and the outlet pipe at the outlet port—can still be cooled. This allows room-temperature drinking water to be pre-cooled before entering the cold water tank, facilitating subsequent refrigeration within the tank. Furthermore, it prevents the cold water from warming up due to the significant temperature difference between the inside and outside of the tank after flowing out and before being collected by the user, thus avoiding any impact on the drinking taste.

[0012] In the aforementioned undercounter chiller, the refrigeration pipe is located inside the cold water tank. This improves refrigeration efficiency and effect through direct contact between the refrigeration pipe and the drinking water, and also facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the cold water tank and the refrigeration pipe.

[0013] In the aforementioned undercounter chiller, the refrigeration pipe includes a vertical section and a spiral section connected in sequence. The spiral section spirals upwards along the length of the vertical section and coils around the adjacent side of the vertical section. The spiral and vertical sections of two adjacent refrigeration pipes are connected by the cooling pipe. This increases the refrigeration area of ​​the refrigeration pipe, improving refrigeration efficiency and effect.

[0014] In the aforementioned undercounter chiller, the refrigeration pipes are coiled around the outer wall of the cold water tank. Coiling the refrigeration pipes around the outer wall of the cold water tank increases the contact area between the pipes and the tank, resulting in better cooling performance. Furthermore, it prevents direct contact between the condenser coils and the drinking water, making it safer to use.

[0015] In the aforementioned under-counter chiller, the inlets of two adjacent chilled water tanks are located on the same side or opposite side of the housing, and the outlets of two adjacent chilled water tanks are also located on the same side or opposite side of the housing. This allows for greater flexibility in the placement of the connecting pipes between the two adjacent chilled water tanks.

[0016] In the aforementioned undercounter chiller, the refrigeration tube is wound in a spiral manner to form a double-layered spiral tube structure. This maximizes the refrigeration area of ​​the refrigeration tube itself.

[0017] In the aforementioned undercounter chiller, the cold water tank has a vertically arranged partition tube. This partition tube is cylindrical and divides the cold water tank into an inner cooling chamber with an inlet and an outer cooling chamber with an outlet. One end of the partition tube is connected to the inner wall of one side of the cold water tank, and the other end of the partition tube is spaced apart from the inner wall of the other side of the cold water tank. The inner spiral tube of the refrigeration pipe is located within the inner cooling chamber, and the outer spiral tube is located within the outer cooling chamber. By setting the partition tube, the cold water tank forms a double-layered cooling chamber with internal and external connections only at one end of the partition tube. Simultaneously, the refrigeration pipe within the cold water tank has a double-layered spiral tube structure that matches the tank's structure, significantly increasing the refrigeration area of ​​the refrigeration pipe. This allows the inner spiral tube to cool the ambient temperature drinking water in the inner cooling chamber, while the outer spiral tube cools the ambient temperature drinking water in the outer cooling chamber. This effectively breaks down a large cold water tank into smaller, synchronized cooling zones, thereby improving the chiller's refrigeration efficiency.

[0018] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this under-mounted chilled water machine are as follows: Firstly, by dividing the cold water tank for storing drinking water into at least two parts, the chilled water machine is divided into smaller units. Simultaneously, the refrigeration unit can cool each tank at the same time. This ensures that the overall cold water storage capacity of the under-mounted chilled water machine is not reduced, while the volume of each individual tank is smaller, yet the cooling efficiency of each tank is higher. Secondly, it can store and provide a sufficient quantity of cold water for the user's immediate consumption, while also providing ample time for the refrigeration unit to cool newly filled cold water tanks at room temperature. This ensures that the under-mounted chilled water machine always has a sufficient quantity of cold water at a preset temperature, thus providing a high-cooling-efficiency universal chilled water machine. Furthermore, the under-mounted chilled water machine has a flat overall shape, a small size, and requires minimal installation space. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the chiller unit in Embodiment 1.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the chiller unit after a portion of its casing has been removed in Example 1.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chiller in Example 1 after the insulation shell and part of the shell have been removed.

[0022] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the chilled water tank, refrigeration pipes, and temperature control probe of the chiller unit in Example 1.

[0023] Figure 5This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the chilled water tank, refrigeration pipes, and temperature control probe of the chiller in Embodiment 2.

[0024] Figure 6 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the chiller in Embodiment 3.

[0025] Figure 7 This is the second schematic diagram of the chilled water machine in Embodiment 3.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the adjacent chilled water tanks of the chiller in Embodiment 4.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the chilled water tank of the chiller in Embodiment Six.

[0028] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the chilled water tank of the chiller in Embodiment 7.

[0029] In the diagram, 1. Shell; 1a. Mounting chamber; 1b. Water inlet; 1b1. Water inlet pipe; 1c. Water outlet; 1c1. Water outlet pipe; 1d. Heat dissipation holes; 2. Cold water tank; 2a. Water inlet; 2b. Water outlet; 2c. Separator; 2d. Inner cooling chamber; 2e. Outer cooling chamber; 3. Refrigeration unit; 3a. Refrigeration pipe; 3a1. Vertical section; 3a2. Spiral section; 3a3. Inner spiral tube; 3a4. Outer spiral tube; 3b. Compressor; 3c. Condenser; 3c1. Fan; 3d. Compressor controller; 4. Connecting pipe; 5. Insulation shell; 6. Cooling pipe; 7. Temperature control box; 8. Temperature control probe; 9. Separator; 10. Elevating block. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, which are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] An under-counter chilled water machine, as shown in the following figure Figure 1-4 The system includes a housing 1 with an installation chamber 1a, a cold water tank 2 disposed within the housing 1, and a refrigeration device 3. The housing 1 has a water inlet 1b and a water outlet 1c. There are at least two cold water tanks 2, both disposed within the installation chamber 1a and arranged side by side along the same straight line. In this embodiment, two cold water tanks 2 are preferably arranged side by side along the same straight line within the installation chamber 1a. The refrigeration device 3 is used to refrigerate each of the cold water tanks 2 simultaneously. Adjacent cold water tanks 2 are connected by a connecting pipe 4. The water inlet pipe 1b1 on the water inlet 1b and the water outlet pipe 1c1 on the water outlet 1c of the housing 1 are respectively connected to any two of the cold water tanks 2.

[0033] Specifically, refer to Figure 1-4 The shell 1 is rectangular and flat, and the cold water tank 2 is cylindrical or square. The cold water tank 2 is arranged horizontally or vertically in the installation chamber 1a.

[0034] Furthermore, referring to Figure 1-4 The installation chamber 1a of the housing 1 is also provided with an insulation shell 5. The cold water tanks 2 are all installed in the insulation shell 5. The water inlet pipe 1b1 on the water inlet interface 1b of the housing 1 and the water outlet pipe 1c1 on the water outlet interface 1c are both inserted through the insulation shell 5.

[0035] Specifically, refer to Figure 1-4 The refrigeration device 3 includes a refrigeration pipe 3a, which is provided in multiple ways and is respectively arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the cold water tank 2. Adjacent refrigeration pipes 3a are connected by a cooling pipe 6. The water inlet 1b and the water outlet 1c are arranged adjacent to each other on the same side wall of the housing 1, and the water inlet pipe 1b1 on the water inlet 1b and the water outlet pipe 1c1 on the water outlet 1c are both arranged adjacent to the cooling pipe 6.

[0036] More specifically, refer to Figure 1-4 The refrigeration pipe 3a is disposed inside the cold water tank 2; the refrigeration pipe 3a includes a vertical section 3a1 and a spiral section 3a2 connected in sequence, and the spiral section 3a2 spirals upward along the length direction of the vertical section 3a1 and coils around the adjacent side of the vertical section 3a1, and the spiral section 3a2 and the vertical section 3a1 of two adjacent refrigeration pipes 3a are connected by the cooling pipe 6.

[0037] To be more specific, refer to Figure 1-4 The refrigeration device 3 includes a compressor 3b disposed in and connected to the installation chamber 1a, and a fan 3c. The condenser 3c of the housing 1 is connected in series with each refrigeration pipe 3a via the cooling pipe 6. The inlet and outlet of the condenser 3c are connected to the last refrigeration pipe 3a and the first refrigeration pipe 3a, respectively. A partition 9 is vertically connected to the bottom of the installation chamber 1a. The condenser 3c and compressor 3b are located on one side of the partition 9, and the cold water tank 2 is located on the other side of the partition 9. The bottom of the housing 1 has several raised blocks 10, and the bottom and side walls of the housing 1 have several heat dissipation holes 1d. The partition 9 can isolate the compressor 3b and condenser 3c from the cold water tank 2. At the same time, the setting of the fan 3c1, several raised blocks 10 and several heat dissipation holes 1d can dissipate the heat generated by the compressor 3b and condenser 3c from the housing 1 in a timely manner, so as not to affect the cold water tank 2 located on the other side of the partition 9, thereby better keeping the cold water in the cold water tank 2 warm.

[0038] A compressor controller 3d is installed on the partition 9, and a temperature control box 7 is installed on the housing 1. The temperature control box 7, compressor controller 3d, and compressor 3b are arranged sequentially, one above the other. The condenser 3c is arranged adjacent to the compressor controller 3d, and the fan 3c 1 is located between the condenser 3c and the compressor controller 3d. A temperature control probe 8 is inserted into one of the cold water tanks 2 and is electrically connected to the temperature control box 7. The partition 9 serves two purposes. First, it can be used to install components such as the compressor controller 3d. The temperature control box 7, compressor controller 3d, and compressor 3b are arranged vertically, with the condenser 3c adjacent to the compressor controller 3d. The fan 3c1 is located between the condenser 3c and the compressor controller 3d, making the chiller unit flat, compact, and small in size, requiring little installation space. Second, the partition 9 can isolate the compressor 3b and condenser 3c from the chilled water tank 2, allowing for better insulation of the chilled water in the tank 2. The temperature control probe 8 can monitor the water temperature in the tank 2 in real time. Through the cooperation of the temperature control box 7, compressor controller 3d, compressor 3b, condenser 3c, fan 3c1, and refrigeration pipe 3a, the water temperature in the tank 2 can be maintained within a preset range.

[0039] The working principle of this chilled water machine is explained below:

[0040] When in use, install this underfloor chiller in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. Connect the water inlet 1 on the casing 1 of this underfloor chiller to the household water purifier, which is also located in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. Connect the water outlet 1c on the casing 1 to the cold water faucet. The room temperature drinking water provided by the household water purifier is stored in two cold water tanks 2 located in the installation chamber. The room temperature drinking water in the cold water tanks 2 is cooled by the refrigeration device 3 to obtain cold water at a suitable temperature and is stored in the cold water tanks 2. The insulation shell 5 keeps the cold water in the cold water tanks 2 warm.

[0041] When a user needs to drink cold water, the user only needs to turn on the cold water tap, and the cold water in the cold water tank 2 will flow into the user's drinking cup through the cold water tap. The cold water in the two cold water tanks 2 can be used by a family for drinking at one time.

[0042] When the user stops drawing cold water, some of the cold water in cold water tank 2 is consumed. The household water purifier will continue to supply room temperature drinking water to both cold water tanks 2. At this time, the temperature control probe detects that the water temperature in the two cold water tanks 2 has risen. Then, the compressor controller 3d controls the compressor 3b to work, the condenser 3c and the fan 3c1 start. Finally, the cooling pipe 3a cools the newly added room temperature drinking water in cold water tank 2 to obtain cold water at a suitable temperature, which continues to be stored in cold water tank 2. When the temperature control probe detects that the water temperature in the two cold water tanks 2 has reached the preset temperature... When the compressor 3b, condenser 3c, and fan 3c1 stop working, the insulation shell 5 keeps the cold water in the cold water tank 2 warm for the user's next use. This cycle continues, which not only allows for the storage and provision of a sufficient amount of cold water for the user's current drinking, but also provides sufficient time for the refrigeration unit 3 to cool the room temperature drinking water newly filled into the cold water tank 2. This ensures that the chiller always has a sufficient amount of cold water with the temperature maintained within the preset range, thus providing a compact, high-cooling-efficiency general-purpose chiller.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment one in structure and principle, except that: (Refer to...) Figure 5 The refrigeration pipe 3a is coiled around the outer wall of the cold water tank 2.

[0045] Example 3

[0046] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment one in structure and principle, except that: (Refer to...) Figure 6 and Figure 7 The water inlet 1b and water outlet 1c are respectively located on different side walls of the housing 1. This makes the connection between this chilled water machine and household water purifiers and cold water faucets more flexible and convenient, and improves its versatility.

[0047] Example 4

[0048] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment one in structure and principle, except that: (Refer to...) Figure 8 The inlets of two adjacent cold water tanks are located on opposite sides of the housing, and the outlets of two adjacent cold water tanks are located on opposite sides of the housing.

[0049] Example 5

[0050] This embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment in terms of structure and principle. The difference is that the multiple refrigeration pipes 3a that are arranged one-to-one with the cold water tank 2 and the cooling pipes 6 that connect the adjacent refrigeration pipes 3a are manufactured in one piece.

[0051] Example 6

[0052] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment one in structure and principle, except that: (Refer to...) Figure 9 The refrigeration tube 3a is wound in a spiral manner to form a double-layered spiral tube structure. In this embodiment, the inner spiral tube 3a3 and the outer spiral tube 3a4 of the refrigeration tube 3a are preferably coaxial and arranged side by side. This maximizes the refrigeration area of ​​the refrigeration tube and facilitates its installation and removal within the cold water tank, enabling synchronized cooling in different zones. Furthermore, the inner spiral tube 3a3 and the outer spiral tube 3a4 of the refrigeration tube 3a have opposite spiral directions, and both ends of the refrigeration tube 3a are located on the same side of the cold water tank 2. This facilitates the manufacturing of the refrigeration tube and allows the refrigerant to flow within the refrigeration tube for a period of time under the influence of gravity, minimizing flow resistance.

[0053] Example 7

[0054] This embodiment is basically the same as embodiment six in structure and principle, except that: (Refer to...) Figure 10 The cold water tank 2 has a vertically arranged baffle 2c. The baffle 2c is cylindrical and divides the cold water tank 2 into an inner cooling chamber 2d with the water inlet 2a and an outer cooling chamber 2e with the water outlet 2b. One end of the baffle 2c is connected to the inner wall of one side of the cold water tank 2, and the other end of the baffle 2c is spaced from the inner wall of the other side of the cold water tank 2. The inner spiral tube 3a3 of the refrigeration tube 3a is located in the inner cooling chamber 2d, and the outer spiral tube 3a4 of the refrigeration tube 3a is located in the outer cooling chamber 2e.

[0055] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative examples illustrating the spirit of this utility model. Those skilled in the art to which this utility model pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of this utility model or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An under-counter chilled water machine, comprising a housing (1) having an installation chamber (1a), a chilled water tank (2) disposed within the housing (1), and a refrigeration device (3), wherein the housing (1) has a water inlet (1b) and a water outlet (1c), characterized in that, The cold water tank (2) has at least two and is arranged in the same straight line in the installation chamber (1a). The refrigeration device (3) is used to refrigerate each of the cold water tanks (2) at the same time. The two adjacent cold water tanks (2) are connected by a connecting pipe (4). The water inlet (1b) and water outlet (1c) on the shell (1) are respectively connected to any two of the cold water tanks (2).

2. The under-counter chiller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shell (1) is rectangular and flat, and the cold water tank (2) is cylindrical or square. The cold water tank (2) is arranged horizontally or vertically in the installation chamber (1a).

3. The under-counter chiller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The installation chamber (1a) of the housing (1) is also provided with a heat insulation shell (5), and the cold water tank (2) is provided in the heat insulation shell (5). The water inlet pipe (1b1) on the water inlet interface (1b) of the housing (1) and the water outlet pipe (1c1) on the water outlet interface (1c) are both passed through the heat insulation shell (5).

4. An under-counter chilled water machine according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The refrigeration device (3) includes a refrigeration pipe (3a), which has multiple refrigeration pipes (3a) and is respectively arranged in correspondence with the cold water tank (2). Adjacent refrigeration pipes (3a) are connected by a cooling pipe (6). The water inlet (1b) and the water outlet (1c) are arranged adjacent to each other on the same side wall of the housing (1). The water inlet pipe (1b1) on the water inlet (1b) and the water outlet pipe (1c1) on the water outlet (1c) are both arranged adjacent to the cooling pipe (6).

5. An under-counter chilled water machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The refrigeration pipe (3a) is located inside the cold water tank (2).

6. An under-counter chiller according to claim 5, characterized in that, The refrigeration pipe (3a) includes a vertical section (3a1) and a spiral section (3a2) connected in sequence. The spiral section (3a2) spirals upward along the length of the vertical section (3a1) and coils around the adjacent side of the vertical section (3a1). The spiral section (3a2) and the vertical section (3a1) of two adjacent refrigeration pipes (3a) are connected by the cooling pipe (6).

7. An under-counter chiller according to claim 4, characterized in that, The refrigeration pipe (3a) is coiled around the outer wall of the cold water tank (2).

8. An under-counter chilled water machine according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The inlets (2a) of two adjacent cold water tanks (2) are located on the same side or opposite side of the shell (1), and the outlets (2b) of two adjacent cold water tanks (2) are located on the same side or opposite side of the shell (1).

9. An under-counter chiller according to claim 4, characterized in that, The refrigeration tube (3a) is wound in a spiral manner to form a double-layered spiral tube structure.

10. An under-counter chiller according to claim 9, characterized in that, The cold water tank (2) has a vertically arranged baffle (2c). The baffle (2c) is cylindrical and divides the cold water tank (2) into an inner cooling chamber (2d) with an inlet (2a) and an outer cooling chamber (2e) with an outlet (2b). One end of the baffle (2c) is connected to the inner wall of one side of the cold water tank (2), and the other end of the baffle (2c) is spaced from the inner wall of the other side of the cold water tank (2). The inner spiral tube (3a3) of the refrigeration pipe (3a) is located in the inner cooling chamber (2d), and the outer spiral tube (3a4) of the refrigeration pipe (3a) is located in the outer cooling chamber (2e).

Images