An evaporator and ice maker for easy replacement of ice molds
By combining a drawer-type ice mold made of die-cast aluminum alloy with heat insulation material, the problems of difficult disassembly and limited ice-making methods in household ice makers are solved, enabling convenient cleaning, multiple ice types to choose from, and efficient ice making.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZHUHAI SAMYOU ENVIRONMENTAL TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
The ice trays in existing household ice makers are fixedly connected to the ice maker, which is troublesome to disassemble, inconvenient to clean and maintain, and the ice making method is limited, and it is impossible to change the ice molds to make different ice shapes.
The evaporator body and ice mold are made of die-cast aluminum alloy in one piece. The ice mold has a drawer-type insert structure, combined with a partition cover and rear shell made of heat insulation material, which allows for easy disassembly and replacement of the ice mold. The S-shaped curved channel improves the cooling efficiency.
It facilitates user cleaning and maintenance, extends the lifespan of the ice maker, reduces equipment costs, enables switching between various ice types, and improves ice-making efficiency and ice quality.
Smart Images
Figure CN224580486U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice-making technology, and in particular to an evaporator and ice maker that facilitates the replacement of ice molds. Background Technology
[0002] A household ice maker is a refrigeration device that cools water through an evaporator assembly and then cools it through a compressor's refrigeration system to produce ice. In existing household ice makers, circulating water generated by a water distribution device or spray device continuously condenses into ice in the ice tray during ice making. Therefore, the ice tray, which is integrated with the evaporator assembly, is a key component in the ice making process.
[0003] In existing technologies, ice trays and ice makers are generally fixedly connected, which is troublesome and inconvenient to disassemble, and makes it difficult for users to perform regular cleaning and maintenance. Moreover, existing household ice makers offer only one type of ice making, and each model can generally only produce one type of ice, making it inconvenient to change ice molds to produce different types of ice cubes.
[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve the evaporator body and ice grid structure of existing ice makers in order to enable the switching between various ice shapes and give users more choices. Utility Model Content
[0005] This invention provides an evaporator and ice maker that facilitates the replacement of ice molds, making it easy for users to clean, maintain, and disassemble and replace ice molds, and allowing users to select the ideal ice shape according to their needs.
[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is: An evaporator for easy replacement of ice molds includes an evaporation body and an ice mold, wherein the evaporation copper tube on the evaporation body is connected to an ice-making refrigeration system. The evaporation copper tube and the evaporation body are integrally formed by die casting of aluminum alloy. The ice mold slides along the side and is fixed to the lower side of the evaporation body in a drawer-like insert. The two sides of the evaporation body are provided with corresponding slide rail grooves for supporting the two edges of the ice mold and sliding cooperation with each other. The lower side of the ice mold is recessed and has multiple arrayed ice-forming cavities.
[0007] Preferably, the outer side of the ice mold is also fitted with a partition cover made of silicone or plastic material that is integrally molded to prevent the ice-making water from directly contacting each ice-forming cavity and being frozen into ice by the ice-forming cavity, thus preventing the ice blocks from sticking together. The partition cover is provided with an ice outlet corresponding to each ice-forming cavity on the ice mold. The two sides of the partition cover are integrally fitted with the two sides of the ice mold and are simultaneously slidably supported in the slide rail grooves on both sides of the evaporation body.
[0008] Preferably, the lower track surface of each of the slide rail grooves is an inclined surface that gradually rises from the inlet to the inner end, allowing the ice mold and the partition cover to be slowly lifted, and the top surface of the ice mold to be in close contact with the inner wall of the evaporation body.
[0009] Preferably, each of the two sides of the partition cover is provided with at least one elastic protruding edge that is interference-fitted with the inclined lower track surface and is used to support the ice mold to rise and further fit against the inner wall of the evaporator body to improve refrigeration efficiency.
[0010] Preferably, the outer side of the evaporator body is also sealed with a back cover made of silicone or plastic material that is integrally molded to insulate heat conduction, and which is connected to the partition cover to form a closed cavity to enclose the entire evaporator body and the ice mold cooling source and prevent the cooling source energy from dissipating.
[0011] Preferably, a pair of closed cavities are also provided on the top side of the rear housing for external heat insulation protection.
[0012] Preferably, the upper side of the inlet for lateral insertion of the ice mold on the evaporation body is provided with at least one limiting bead that automatically extends and retracts by an elastic self-tensioning spring to position and lock the ice mold in place, and the upper edge of the corresponding end of the ice mold is provided with an arc-shaped groove that cooperates with the limiting bead.
[0013] Preferably, the ice mold is an integrally formed structure of die-cast aluminum alloy; the evaporation copper tube is bent sequentially relative to each ice block forming cavity in the ice mold to form a row or double row of S-shaped curved channels that exchange cold energy with each ice block forming cavity in the ice mold and are sequentially cyclically bent and connected. The upper side of the evaporation body is provided with an S-shaped protrusion that protrudes along the extension direction of the evaporation copper tube, corresponds to the inner cavity of each ice block forming cavity in the ice mold, and is embedded and installed when the evaporation copper tube is integrally die-cast with the evaporation body.
[0014] Preferably, the bottom of the inner cavity of each ice block forming cavity on the ice mold is provided with a negative pressure demolding hole for quick demolding of the ice block in the cavity and to prevent negative pressure adsorption at the bottom of the inner cavity. The corresponding evaporation body is provided with a demolding through hole that communicates with each negative pressure demolding hole.
[0015] Preferably, the outer surface of the ice mold is also coated with a food-grade Teflon protective layer.
[0016] An ice maker includes a housing, wherein an evaporator, as described above, is installed at the ice-making section of the housing for easy replacement of ice molds.
[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: To address the problem that existing ice makers offer only one type of ice, with each model typically producing only one type, and the inconvenience of changing ice molds to produce different ice shapes, this invention employs a drawer-style, insert-and-fixed ice mold mounted on the underside of the evaporator body. This allows for easy disassembly of the ice mold, which has multiple ice-forming cavities. This not only facilitates daily cleaning and maintenance of the ice maker, extending its lifespan, but also allows users to change the ice mold to produce different ice shapes according to their needs, reducing equipment operating costs.
[0018] Furthermore, the die-cast integrated evaporator body allows for 100% cooling and heat transfer of the evaporator copper tubes, effectively improving the heat transfer efficiency of the evaporator body. Combined with a one-piece molded partition cover and rear shell made of heat-insulating silicone or plastic, this forms a closed cavity that encloses the entire evaporator body and ice mold cooling source, preventing energy loss and effectively improving the ice-making efficiency of the evaporator body. The partition cover, which is also made of heat-insulating silicone or plastic and fastened to the outer side of the ice mold, prevents the ice-making water from directly contacting the ice mold and being frozen by the mold, thus avoiding ice block clumping and effectively improving the quality of the ice produced.
[0019] In addition, it is difficult for ice molds made of copper plated to meet food-grade protection requirements. In this invention, the outer surface of the ice mold is coated with a food-grade Teflon protective layer, which effectively improves the food safety level of the ice cubes.
[0020] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is an exploded structural diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the evaporation body in this utility model; Figure 3 This is a front-view three-dimensional structural diagram of the ice mold and the partition cover after assembly in this utility model; Figure 4 This is a bottom-view three-dimensional structural diagram of the ice mold and the partition cover after assembly in this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ice mold after it has been positioned and locked in this utility model. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the ice mold and separator cover inserted into the evaporator body from the side in this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0022] 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.
[0023] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. Terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0024] Furthermore, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installing," and "connecting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be reasonably determined in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.
[0025] An evaporator that facilitates the replacement of ice molds is installed on the upper side of the ice maker housing, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the device includes an evaporator body 1 and an ice mold 2. The evaporator copper tube 3 on the evaporator body 1 is connected to the ice-making refrigeration system. The evaporator copper tube 3 and the evaporator body 1 are integrally formed by die-casting aluminum alloy. The ice mold 2 slides along the side and is fixed to the lower side of the evaporator body 1 in a drawer-like insert. The two sides of the evaporator body 1 are provided with corresponding slide rail grooves 4 for supporting the two sides of the ice mold 2 and slidingly engaging with each other. The lower side of the ice mold 2 is recessed with multiple arrayed ice-forming cavities 20. A partition cover 5 made of silicone or plastic material that is integrally formed to insulate heat conduction is also installed on the lower outer side of the ice mold 2 to prevent the ice-making water from directly contacting each ice-forming cavity 20 and being frozen into ice by the ice-forming cavity 20, thus preventing ice blocks from sticking together. The partition cover 5 is provided with an ice outlet 50 corresponding to each ice-forming cavity 20 on the ice mold 2. The two sides of the partition cover 5 are integrally fitted with the two sides of the ice mold 2 and are synchronously slidably supported in the slide rail grooves 4 on both sides of the evaporator body 1.
[0026] Continue as Figure 1 As shown, a rear shell 6, made of silicone or plastic material that is integrally molded to insulate heat conduction, is also sealed on the outside of the evaporator body 1. This rear shell 6, which is connected to the partition cover 5 to form a closed cavity, encloses the entire evaporator body 1 and the ice mold 2's cooling source, preventing the cooling energy from dissipating. A pair of insulation layers 7, providing external heat insulation protection, are also tightly attached to the top side of the rear shell 6. The partition cover 5, made of silicone or plastic material that insulates heat conduction, is integrally molded to prevent the ice-making water from directly contacting the ice mold 2 and being frozen by the ice mold 2, thus avoiding ice block formation and effectively improving the quality of the ice produced.
[0027] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the lower track surface of each slide rail groove 4 is an inclined surface 40 that gradually rises from the inlet to the inner end, used for slowly lifting the ice mold 2 and the partition cover 5, and for the top surface of the ice mold 2 to be in close contact with the inner wall surface of the evaporator body 1; on both sides of the partition cover 5, three evenly distributed elastic protruding edges 51 are provided that are in interference fit with the inclined lower track surface, used to support the ice mold 2 to be lifted and further in close contact with the inner wall surface of the evaporator body 1 to improve the refrigeration efficiency; on the upper side of the inlet for the lateral insertion of the ice mold 2 on the evaporator body 1, there are two limiting beads 9 that are automatically extended and retracted by elastic self-tensioning springs 8, used to position and lock the ice mold 2 in place, and the corresponding upper edge of the end of the ice mold 2 is recessed with an arc-shaped groove 10 that cooperates with the limiting beads 9.
[0028] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the ice mold 2 is a one-piece die-cast structure made of aluminum alloy. The outer surface of the ice mold 2 is also coated with a Teflon protective layer to effectively improve the food safety level of the ice cubes. The evaporation copper tube 3 is bent sequentially relative to each ice cube forming cavity 20 in the ice mold 2 to form a row of S-shaped curved channels that exchange cold energy with each ice cube forming cavity 20 in the ice mold 2 and are sequentially cyclically bent and connected. The upper side of the evaporation body 1 is provided with an S-shaped protrusion 11 that protrudes along the extension direction of the evaporation copper tube 3 and corresponds to the inner cavity of each ice cube forming cavity 20 in the ice mold 2. The evaporation copper tube 3 is embedded and installed when the evaporation body 1 is integrally die-cast. The bottom of the inner cavity of each ice cube forming cavity 20 in the ice mold 2 is also provided with a negative pressure demolding hole 12 for quick demolding of the ice cubes in the cavity and to prevent negative pressure adsorption at the bottom of the inner cavity. The corresponding demolding through hole 13 is provided on the evaporation body 1, which is connected to each negative pressure demolding hole 12.
[0029] In this embodiment, the ice mold 2 is fixed to the lower side of the evaporator body 1 in a drawer-like insert. This not only facilitates daily disassembly, cleaning, and maintenance of the ice maker, but also allows users to replace the ice mold 2 to produce different ice shapes, reducing the user's equipment operating costs. The die-cast integrated evaporator body 1 can achieve 100% cooling and heat transfer of the evaporation copper tube 3, effectively improving the heat transfer efficiency of the evaporator body 1. Combined with the partition cover 5 and the rear shell 6, which are integrally molded from silicone or plastic material to isolate heat conduction, a closed cavity is formed that surrounds the entire evaporator body 1 and the ice mold 2 cooling source to prevent the loss of cold source energy, effectively improving the ice-making efficiency of the evaporator body 1.
[0030] In use, the ice mold 2 and the partition cover 5 are fixed together by clips and plastic rivets 14, and are assembled into the evaporator body 1 as a component. The negative pressure demolding hole 12 is used for de-icing air intake, and the drainage holes set on the side edge of the partition cover 5 can drain the condensate in the ice mold 2 in time to prevent water accumulation; and the use of plastic rivets solves the problem of rusting when fixing with metal screws, which can also be replaced with plastic screws. In this embodiment, the ice forming cavity 20 of the ice mold 2 can be square, or it can be replaced with various forms such as round, polygonal, and heart-shaped as needed.
[0031] During assembly, the ice mold 2 and the partition cover 5 are integrated into a single component and pushed into the slide rail grooves 4 on both sides of the evaporator body 1. The lower inclined surface of the slide rail groove 4 matches the lower inclined surface of the two sides of the partition cover 5. At the same time, the elastic protruding edge 51 on the partition cover 5 is interference-fitted with the slide rail groove 4 of the evaporator body 1, supporting the ice mold 2 upwards, so that the ice mold 2 fits better with the evaporator body 1, thereby improving the heat conduction efficiency. After the ice mold 2 is installed in place, the limiting bead 9 is locked in the arc-shaped groove 10 of the ice mold 2 to prevent the ice mold 2 from moving. This fixing method has a simple structure, is quick to install, and facilitates the replacement of the ice mold 2.
[0032] The above-described embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of implementation of this utility model. All equivalent changes made in accordance with the shape, structure and principle of this utility model should be covered within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. An evaporator that facilitates the replacement of ice molds, characterized in that, It includes an evaporator body and an ice mold, wherein the evaporation copper tube on the evaporator body is connected to the ice-making refrigeration system; The evaporation copper tube and the evaporation body are integrally formed by die casting of aluminum alloy. The ice mold slides along the side and is fixed to the lower side of the evaporation body in a drawer-like insert. The two sides of the evaporation body are provided with corresponding slide rail grooves for supporting the two edges of the ice mold and sliding cooperation with each other. The lower side of the ice mold is recessed and has multiple arrayed ice-forming cavities.
2. The evaporator for convenient ice mold replacement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side of the ice mold is also fitted with a partition cover made of silicone or plastic material that is integrally molded to prevent the ice-making water from directly contacting each ice-forming cavity and being frozen into ice by the ice-forming cavity, thus preventing the ice blocks from sticking together. The partition cover is provided with an ice outlet corresponding to each ice-forming cavity on the ice mold. The two sides of the partition cover are integrally fitted with the two sides of the ice mold and are simultaneously slidably supported in the slide rail grooves on both sides of the evaporation body.
3. An evaporator for convenient ice mold replacement according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lower track surface of each of the slide rails is an inclined surface that gradually rises from the inlet to the inner end, allowing the ice mold and the partition cover to be slowly raised, and the top surface of the ice mold to be in close contact with the inner wall of the evaporator body.
4. An evaporator for convenient ice mold replacement according to claim 3, characterized in that: The two sides of the partition cover are also provided with at least one elastic protruding edge that is interference-fitted with the inclined lower track surface, and is used to support the ice mold to rise and further fit with the inner wall of the evaporator body to improve the refrigeration efficiency.
5. An evaporator for convenient ice mold replacement according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer side of the evaporator body is also sealed with a back cover made of silicone or plastic material that is integrally molded to insulate heat conduction. This back cover is connected to the partition cover to form a closed cavity to enclose the entire evaporator body and the ice mold cooling source, preventing the cooling energy from dissipating.
6. An evaporator for convenient ice mold replacement according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rear housing is also fitted with a pair of enclosed cavities for external heat insulation protection.
7. An evaporator for convenient ice mold replacement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper side of the inlet for lateral insertion of the ice mold on the evaporation body is also provided with at least one limiting bead that automatically extends and retracts by an elastic self-tensioning spring to position and lock the ice mold in place. The upper edge of the corresponding end of the ice mold is recessed with an arc-shaped groove that cooperates with the limiting bead.
8. An evaporator for convenient ice mold replacement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ice mold is a one-piece die-cast structure made of aluminum alloy; the evaporation copper tube is bent sequentially relative to each ice block forming cavity in the ice mold to form one or two rows of S-shaped curved channels that exchange cold energy with each ice block forming cavity in the ice mold and are sequentially cyclically bent and connected. The upper side of the evaporation body is provided with an S-shaped protrusion that protrudes along the extension direction of the evaporation copper tube and corresponds to the inner cavity of each ice block forming cavity in the ice mold. The evaporation copper tube is embedded and installed when the evaporation body is integrally die-cast.
9. An evaporator for convenient ice mold replacement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the inner cavity of each ice block forming cavity on the ice mold is also provided with a negative pressure demolding hole for quick demolding of the ice block inside the cavity and to prevent negative pressure adsorption at the bottom of the inner cavity. Correspondingly, the evaporation body is provided with a demolding through hole that communicates with each negative pressure demolding hole.
10. An evaporator for convenient ice mold replacement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer surface of the ice mold is also coated with a food-grade Teflon protective layer.
11. An ice maker, comprising a housing, characterized in that, The ice-making section of the housing is equipped with an evaporator as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, which facilitates the replacement of ice molds.