Ice maker with four-way valve for ice release

Abstract

The utility model discloses an ice maker is taken off ice with four -way valve, including compressor, the exhaust of compressor is connected to the first interface of four -way valve, the second interface of four -way valve is connected to the entrance of condenser, the export of condenser is connected to the entrance of ice tray through heat exchange pipeline in proper order series connection drying filter, first check valve, expansion valve back, the export of ice tray is connected to the third interface and bypass branch entrance of four -way valve simultaneously, and bypass branch is connected to the entrance of condenser by filter, second check valve, flow limiting element in proper order series connection ice tray export back, make compressor high -temperature high -pressure gas direct access ice tray heating when taking off ice through adopting four -way valve switching refrigerant flow, has solved the problem that ice tray and ice block temperature difference is not enough, temperature is too low when heat conduction efficiency declines in traditional solenoid valve ice -off mode low -temperature environment ice -off slow, effectively avoid ice -off difficult, also can improve ice -off efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of ice maker technology, specifically relating to an ice maker that uses a four-way valve to remove ice. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, ice removal in ice makers involves connecting a solenoid valve in series between the compressor's exhaust pipe and the ice tray's inlet in the refrigeration system. When the ice maker removes ice, the solenoid valve opens, allowing the high-temperature, high-pressure gas from the compressor's exhaust pipe to quickly flow into the ice tray, melting the ice and causing it to detach from the tray.

[0003] This method can lead to insufficient temperature difference between the ice tray and ice blocks when ice removal is slow in low-temperature environments, and reduced heat transfer efficiency of the ice tray when the temperature is too low, both of which can cause difficulties in ice removal and severely limit the operating temperature range of the ice maker. In addition, since high-pressure gas is directly injected into the evaporator, the suction pressure of the compressor is very high during ice removal, requiring the ice maker to use only medium- and high-pressure compressors, which will result in high energy consumption and high cost of the ice maker. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the existing defects and provide an ice maker that uses a four-way valve for ice removal, thereby solving the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: an ice maker using a four-way valve for de-icing, comprising a compressor, wherein the exhaust port of the compressor is connected to the first port of the four-way valve, the second port of the four-way valve is connected to the inlet of the condenser, the outlet of the condenser is connected to the inlet of the ice tray via a heat exchange pipeline in series with a first one-way valve and an expansion valve, the outlet of the ice tray is simultaneously connected to the third port of the four-way valve and the inlet of a bypass branch, the bypass branch is connected to the inlet of the condenser via a filter, a second one-way valve and a flow limiting element in series with the outlet of the ice tray, and the fourth port of the four-way valve is connected to the suction port of the compressor in series with a pressure limiting element and a solenoid valve.

[0006] Preferably, the outlet of the condenser is connected in series with a dryer filter through a heat exchange pipeline. The first one-way valve is open in the direction of refrigerant flowing from the dryer filter to the ice tray, and the second one-way valve is open in the direction of refrigerant flowing from the ice tray to the condenser.

[0007] Preferably, the pressure limiting element is installed between the fourth port of the four-way valve and the solenoid valve.

[0008] Preferably, the flow limiting element is a throttle valve, and it is installed between the outlet of the second one-way valve and the inlet of the condenser.

[0009] Preferably, the solenoid valve is located on the pipeline between the pressure limiting element and the compressor intake port.

[0010] Preferably, the expansion valve is installed between the outlet of the first one-way valve and the inlet of the ice tray.

[0011] Preferably, a high-pressure protector is provided between the compressor and the four-way valve.

[0012] Compared with existing technologies, this utility model provides an ice maker with a four-way valve for de-icing, which has the following advantages: By using a four-way valve to switch the refrigerant flow direction, the high-temperature and high-pressure gas from the compressor can directly enter the ice plate for heating during de-icing. This solves the problems of slow de-icing in low-temperature environments, insufficient temperature difference between the ice plate and ice, and decreased heat transfer efficiency when the temperature is too low, which is a problem in traditional solenoid valve de-icing methods. This effectively avoids de-icing difficulties and improves de-icing efficiency. At the same time, by setting a bypass branch, the refrigerant flows back to the condenser after passing through the ice plate, filter, second one-way valve, and flow limiting element, instead of directly entering the compressor suction port. With the help of the pressure limiting element, the compressor suction pressure is reduced, eliminating the need for a medium- or high-pressure compressor, thereby reducing the energy consumption and cost of the ice maker. The first and second one-way valves ensure the correct flow direction of the refrigerant in the refrigeration and de-icing cycles, and the addition of a high-pressure protector further improves the safety and stability of the equipment operation. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the refrigeration system proposed in this utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Compressor; 2. Four-way valve; 3. Condenser; 4. Dryer filter; 5. Check valve one; 6. Expansion valve; 7. Ice tray; 8. Pressure limiting element; 9. Solenoid valve; 10. Filter; 11. Check valve two; 12. Flow limiting element; 13. High pressure protector; 14. Heat exchange pipeline. Detailed Implementation

[0021] 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.

[0022] Please see Figure 1-6 This utility model provides a technical solution: an ice maker using a four-way valve for de-icing, including a compressor 1. The exhaust port of the compressor 1 is connected to the first port of the four-way valve 2, which switches between refrigeration and de-icing modes. The second port of the four-way valve 2 is connected to the inlet of a condenser 3. The condenser effectively reduces the refrigerant temperature and improves refrigeration efficiency. The outlet of the condenser 3 is connected in series with a first one-way valve 5 via a heat exchange pipe 14 to prevent refrigerant backflow and ensure one-way flow. An expansion valve 6 reduces refrigerant pressure through throttling, promoting evaporation and heat absorption. Finally, it is connected to the inlet of an ice tray 7, where the ice tray directly contacts the refrigerant to achieve efficient refrigeration. The outlet of plate 7 is connected to both the third port of the four-way valve 2 and the inlet of the bypass branch. The dual-path system serves both cooling and de-icing functions. The bypass branch is connected in series with filter 10 at the outlet of ice plate 7 to filter impurities and protect the flow limiting element. During de-icing, the second one-way valve 11 guides the refrigerant to flow in a specific direction. The flow limiting element 12 controls the refrigerant flow during de-icing to prevent sudden pressure changes. Then, it is connected to the inlet of condenser 3. The condenser helps stabilize the system pressure during de-icing. The fourth port of the four-way valve 2 is connected in series with pressure limiting element 8 to prevent the compressor suction pressure from being too high. The solenoid valve 9 controls the on / off state to ensure the safety of mode switching. Finally, it is connected to the suction port of compressor 1 to form a closed-loop cycle.

[0023] In this invention, preferably, the outlet of the condenser 3 is connected in series with a dryer filter 4 via a heat exchange pipeline 14. The first one-way valve 5 is directed to allow refrigerant to flow from the dryer filter 4 to the ice tray 7, ensuring unidirectional refrigerant flow during the refrigeration stage and preventing cold loss from the ice tray. The second one-way valve 11 is directed to allow refrigerant to flow from the ice tray 7 to the condenser 3, guiding the high-temperature refrigerant into the condenser during the de-icing stage, thus improving heat exchange efficiency. The pressure limiting element 8 is installed between the fourth port of the four-way valve 2 and the solenoid valve 9 to precisely regulate the compressor return gas pressure and extend equipment life. The flow limiting element 12 is a throttle valve and is installed between the outlet of the second one-way valve 11 and the inlet of the condenser 3 to balance the system pressure during de-icing and prevent condenser overload. The solenoid valve 9 is located on the pipeline between the pressure limiting element 8 and the suction port of the compressor 1, providing double protection for the compressor suction side pressure. The expansion valve 6 is installed between the outlet of the first one-way valve 5 and the inlet of the ice tray 7. A high-pressure protector 13 is installed between the compressor 1 and the four-way valve 2 to prevent abnormal exhaust pressure and improve system reliability.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] An ice maker using a four-way valve for de-icing includes a compressor 1. The exhaust port of the compressor 1 is connected to the first port of the four-way valve 2. The second port of the four-way valve 2 is connected to the inlet of the condenser 3. The outlet of the condenser 3 is connected to the inlet of the ice tray 7 via a heat exchange pipeline 14, which is connected in series with a bidirectional dryer filter and a bidirectional expansion valve. The outlet of the ice tray 7 is also connected to the third port of the four-way valve 2. The fourth port of the four-way valve 2 is connected to the suction port of the compressor 1 via a pressure limiting element 8 and a solenoid valve 9, which are connected in series with the four-way valve 2.

[0026] Example 2

[0027] An ice maker using a four-way valve for de-icing includes a compressor 1. The exhaust port of the compressor 1 is connected to the first port of the four-way valve 2. The second port of the four-way valve 2 is connected to the inlet of the condenser 3. The outlet of the condenser 3 is connected to the inlet of the ice tray 7 via a heat exchange pipeline 14, which is connected in series with a bidirectional dryer filter and a bidirectional expansion valve. The outlet of the ice tray 7 is also connected to the third port of the four-way valve 2. The fourth port of the four-way valve 2 is connected in series with a pressure limiting element 8 and then connected to the suction port of the compressor 1.

[0028] Example 3

[0029] An ice maker using a four-way valve for de-icing includes a compressor 1. The exhaust port of the compressor 1 is connected to the first port of the four-way valve 2. The second port of the four-way valve 2 is connected to the inlet of the condenser 3. The outlet of the condenser 3 is connected to the inlet of the ice tray 7 via a heat exchange pipeline 14, which connects in series with a dryer filter 4, a first one-way valve 5, and an expansion valve 6. The outlet of the ice tray 7 is simultaneously connected to the third port of the four-way valve 2 and the inlet of a bypass branch. The bypass branch connects to the inlet of the condenser 3 via a filter 10, a second one-way valve 11, and a flow-limiting element 12 via series from the outlet of the ice tray 7. The fourth port of the four-way valve 2 is connected to the suction port of the compressor 1.

[0030] Example 4

[0031] An ice maker using a four-way valve for de-icing includes a compressor 1. The exhaust port of the compressor 1 is connected to the first port of the four-way valve 2. The second port of the four-way valve 2 is connected to the inlet of the condenser 3. The outlet of the condenser 3 is connected to the inlet of the ice tray 7 via a heat exchange pipeline 14, which is connected in series with a bidirectional dryer filter and a bidirectional expansion valve. The heat exchange pipeline 14 is located between the second and fourth ports of the four-way valve 2. The outlet of the ice tray 7 is also connected to the third port of the four-way valve 2. The fourth port of the four-way valve 2 is connected in series with a pressure limiting element 8 and a solenoid valve 9, which is connected to the suction port of the compressor 1.

[0032] Example 5

[0033] An ice maker using a four-way valve for de-icing includes a compressor 1. The exhaust port of the compressor 1 is connected to the first port of the four-way valve 2. The second port of the four-way valve 2 is connected to the inlet of the condenser 3. The outlet of the condenser 3 is connected to the inlet of the ice tray 7 via a heat exchange pipeline 14, which is connected in series with a bidirectional dryer filter and a bidirectional expansion valve. The heat exchange pipeline 14 is located between the second and fourth ports of the four-way valve 2. The outlet of the ice tray 7 is also connected to the third port of the four-way valve 2. The fourth port of the four-way valve 2 is connected in series with a pressure limiting element 8 and then connected to the suction port of the compressor 1.

[0034] Working principle and usage process of this utility model:

[0035] During the refrigeration process of the ice maker, the high-pressure, high-temperature gas from compressor 1 flows through the first port of four-way valve 2 and then through the second port of four-way valve 2 into condenser 3. When it passes through the outlet of condenser 3, the refrigerant becomes a high-pressure, low-temperature liquid. After flowing through dryer filter 4, it enters one-way valve 5 through heat exchange pipeline 14. After being throttled by expansion valve 6, the refrigerant evaporates and cools on ice plate 7. The refrigerant becomes a low-pressure, low-temperature gas that flows into the third port of four-way valve 2 and then out through the fourth port of four-way valve 2. It then flows back to compressor 1 through solenoid valve 9, completing the refrigeration cycle.

[0036] When the ice maker is de-icing, the coil of the four-way valve 2 is energized, the solenoid valve 9 is de-energized, and the high-temperature and high-pressure gas from the compressor 1 flows through the first port of the four-way valve 2 and then through the third port of the four-way valve 2, entering the ice tray 7 to heat the ice tray 7. The refrigerant then flows out of the ice tray 7, passes through the filter 10, flows through the one-way valve 11, and then through the flow limiting element 12 to throttle it, entering the condenser 3. It then flows through the condenser 3 to the second port of the four-way valve 2, and then through the fourth port of the four-way valve 2. After the pressure is limited by the pressure limiting element 8, the refrigerant flows back to the compressor 1. When the temperature on the ice tray 7 is high enough to melt the ice and cause it to fall off, the de-icing process ends, and the ice-making process resumes.

[0037] 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 using a four-way valve for de-icing, comprising a compressor (1), characterized in that: The exhaust port of the compressor (1) is connected to the first port of the four-way valve (2), the second port of the four-way valve (2) is connected to the inlet of the condenser (3), the outlet of the condenser (3) is connected to the inlet of the ice tray (7) via the heat exchange pipeline (14) in series with the first check valve (5) and the expansion valve (6), the outlet of the ice tray (7) is connected to the third port of the four-way valve (2) and the inlet of the bypass branch, the bypass branch is connected to the inlet of the condenser (3) via the outlet of the ice tray (7) in series with the filter (10), the second check valve (11) and the flow limiting element (12), the fourth port of the four-way valve (2) is connected to the suction port of the compressor (1) in series with the pressure limiting element (8) and the solenoid valve (9).

2. An ice maker using a four-way valve for de-icing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outlet of the condenser (3) is connected in series with a dryer filter (4) through a heat exchange pipeline (14). The first one-way valve (5) is open in the direction of refrigerant flowing from the dryer filter (4) to the ice tray (7), and the second one-way valve (11) is open in the direction of refrigerant flowing from the ice tray (7) to the condenser (3).

3. An ice maker using a four-way valve for ice removal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure limiting element (8) is installed between the fourth port of the four-way valve (2) and the solenoid valve (9).

4. An ice maker using a four-way valve for de-icing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow limiting element (12) is a throttle valve and is installed between the outlet of the second check valve (11) and the inlet of the condenser (3).

5. An ice maker using a four-way valve for de-icing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solenoid valve (9) is located on the pipeline between the pressure limiting element (8) and the suction port of the compressor (1).

6. An ice maker using a four-way valve for ice removal according to claim 1, characterized in that: The expansion valve (6) is installed between the outlet of the first check valve (5) and the inlet of the ice tray (7).

7. An ice maker using a four-way valve for de-icing according to claim 1, characterized in that: A high-pressure protector (13) is provided between the compressor (1) and the four-way valve (2).

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