Ice maker with steam sterilization

Abstract

This utility model relates to an ice maker with steam sterilization. It has a main body divided into a power compartment and an ice-making compartment by a partition. The main body has a door. A steam generator is located in the power compartment, and an evaporator is located in the ice-making compartment, fixedly mounted on the partition. An ice container is located in the ice-making compartment. An air pump and a sterilization assembly are located in the ice-making compartment. The sterilization assembly includes a drive motor, a sterilization hood, a connector, and multiple steam nozzles. The connector is fixedly mounted in the ice-making compartment via an air pipe and is positioned relative to the inner wall of the ice-making compartment. The connector has a main air inlet pipe and air inlet branch pipes arranged parallel to the main air inlet pipe. One end of the main air inlet pipe is connected to an air pipe, and one end of each air inlet branch pipe is connected to the main air inlet pipe. The other end of each air inlet branch pipe is connected to a corresponding steam nozzle. The sterilization hood has opposing upper and lower guide slopes. This utility model has an ingenious structure and is convenient and practical.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice makers with steam sterilization, and particularly to ice makers with steam sterilization. Background Technology

[0002] A fully automatic ice maker is a device that automatically completes a series of processes, including water intake, ice making, ice removal, ice storage, and ice dispensing. It is widely used in the catering industry (such as hotels, restaurants, and bars), food processing, medical research, and retail (such as convenience stores and supermarkets), providing users with a convenient and continuous supply of ice. The ice storage cylinder inside the fully automatic ice dispenser is used to temporarily store the ice produced by the machine and to facilitate automatic ice conveying and dispensing.

[0003] When a fully automatic ice maker makes ice, the refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat in the evaporator, causing the surface temperature of the evaporator to drop sharply, and water condenses on its surface to form ice. Therefore, the cleanliness of the evaporator surface is crucial to the cleanliness of the ice produced. Thus, it is necessary to develop an ice maker that can sterilize the evaporator surface in a timely manner. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ice maker with steam sterilization, which has a clever structure and can comprehensively and efficiently sterilize the surface of the evaporator, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the evaporator surface, and is efficient and convenient.

[0005] The technical solution to achieve the purpose of this utility model is as follows: This utility model has a body of an ice maker, which is divided into a power compartment and an ice-making compartment by a partition. The body is equipped with a door hinged to it. The power compartment contains a steam generator for producing steam, and the ice-making compartment contains an evaporator for making ice. The evaporator is fixedly mounted on the partition. The ice-making compartment contains an ice container for collecting the produced ice. One end of the steam generator is connected to an external water source via a pipe, and the other end of the steam generator extends into the ice-making compartment after passing through the partition. The ice-making compartment contains an air pump and a sterilization component for steam sterilizing the evaporator. One end of the steam generator extending into the ice-making compartment is connected to one end of the air pump, and the other end of the air pump is connected to the sterilization component. The sterilization component includes a drive motor fixed to the body, and components that rotate under the drive of the drive motor. The device includes a sterilization hood, a connector rotatably connected to the sterilization hood, and multiple steam nozzles mounted on the connector that can spray steam. An air pipe located between the air pump and the connector is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the ice-making chamber. The connector is fixedly mounted inside the ice-making chamber relative to the inner wall of the ice-making chamber via the air pipe. The connector has a main air inlet pipe and air inlet branch pipes arranged parallel to the main air inlet pipe. One end of the main air inlet pipe is connected to the air pipe, and one end of each air inlet branch pipe is connected to the main air inlet pipe. The other end of each air inlet branch pipe is connected to the corresponding steam nozzle. The spray direction of each steam nozzle is perpendicular to the evaporator. The sterilization hood has an upper guide slope and a lower guide slope arranged opposite to each other. Each steam nozzle performs comprehensive steam sterilization of the evaporator through the drive of the sterilization hood by the drive motor, the rotatable connection between the sterilization hood and the connector, and the guidance of the upper and lower guide slopes.

[0006] Furthermore, the connector has side pivots on both sides, and the inner wall of the sterilization cover has side pivot holes that are adapted to each side pivot. The connector is rotatably connected to the sterilization cover through the cooperation of the side pivots and side pivot holes. The sterilization cover has connecting pivots on both sides, and the inner wall of the ice-making chamber has connecting pivot holes corresponding to each side pivot. The drive motor is located on the outside of the machine body, and the output end of the drive motor extends into the ice-making chamber and is fixedly connected to the connecting pivot. The sterilization cover is rotatably installed in the ice-making chamber through the drive of the drive motor and the cooperation of the connecting pivots and connecting pivot holes.

[0007] Furthermore, the aforementioned partition is equipped with a quick connector, which is located between the air pump and the steam generator. The steam generator is connected to one end of the quick connector via an air pipe, and the other end of the quick connector is connected to the air pump via an air pipe.

[0008] Furthermore, a guide plate is provided below the evaporator to guide the produced ice cubes into an ice box. One end of the guide plate is fixedly mounted on the partition, and the other end of the guide plate is positioned above the ice box. The end of the guide plate on the partition is higher than the end of the guide plate above the ice box. A filter screen is provided on the guide plate, and a water box is provided below the guide plate. The ice cubes produced on the evaporator are guided into the ice box through the guide plate, and excess water on the evaporator falls into the water box through the filter screen.

[0009] Furthermore, the aforementioned body is provided with an ice outlet that communicates with the ice-making chamber. The chamber door is located on the ice outlet, and the chamber door is provided with multiple hinges. One end of each hinge is connected to the chamber door, and the other end of each hinge is connected to the body. A handle is fixedly provided on the chamber door.

[0010] This utility model has positive effects: (1) By setting a sterilization component in the ice-making chamber, the drive motor drives the sterilization hood to rotate, and each steam nozzle sprays out the vaporized steam through the drive of the air pump. During the steam injection process, the evaporator is thoroughly and efficiently sterilized by the rotation of the sterilization hood and the reversal of the upper guide slope and the lower guide slope. This effectively solves the problem of the cleanliness of the outer surface of the evaporator in the prior art and ensures the cleanliness of the ice blocks produced. The structure is ingenious, convenient and practical.

[0011] (2) This utility model provides side rotating shafts on both sides of the connector and connecting rotating holes on the inner wall of the sterilization cover, thereby avoiding the sterilization cover from driving the connector to rotate. Through the cooperation of the connecting rotating shafts and connecting rotating holes, the smooth rotation of the sterilization cover is effectively guaranteed, which is convenient and practical.

[0012] (3) By setting a quick connector on the partition, this utility model avoids the occurrence of bending and jamming of the gas pipe during the connection process, or even the occurrence of air blockage, thus ensuring the smooth flow of steam.

[0013] (4) This utility model sets a guide plate below the evaporator to guide the ice blocks made by the guide plate, and filters the residual water on the evaporator by the filter screen on the guide plate and pours the water into the water box. This effectively prevents residual water from entering the ice box and accelerating the integration of ice blocks, effectively ensuring the ice making quality and efficiency, and is convenient and practical.

[0014] (5) This utility model sets an ice outlet on the machine body and a compartment door on the ice outlet. When taking ice, the ice is taken out by rotating the compartment door. After taking ice, the compartment door rotates by its own weight, which further ensures the cleanliness of the machine body and is efficient and convenient. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To make the content of this utility model easier to understand, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, wherein...

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the ice maker with steam sterilization in this utility model.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the sterilization component in this utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the connector in this utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the overall structure of the connector in this utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the sterilization cover in this utility model;

[0021] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0022] 1. Main body, 11. Ice making chamber, 12. Power chamber, 13. Ice outlet, 14. Hinge, 15. Door, 16. Handle, 17. Ice container, 18. Guide plate, 181. Filter screen, 19. Water container, 2. Partition, 21. Quick connector, 3. Steam generator, 4. Air pump, 5. Sterilization component, 51. Drive motor, 52. Sterilization cover, 52. Connecting shaft, 521. Side rotating hole, 522. Connector, 53. Side rotating shaft, 531. Main air inlet pipe, 532. Branch air inlet pipe, 533. Steam nozzle, 54. Upper guide slope, 55. Lower guide slope, 56. Evaporator, 6. Detailed Implementation

[0023] See Figures 1 to 5This utility model includes a body 1 for an ice maker. The body 1 is divided into a power compartment 12 and an ice-making compartment 11 by a partition 2. The body 1 has a hinged door 15. The power compartment 12 contains a steam generator 3 for producing steam. The ice-making compartment 11 contains an evaporator 6 for making ice, which is fixedly mounted on the partition 2. The ice-making compartment 11 also contains an ice container 17 for receiving the produced ice. One end of the steam generator 3 is connected to an external water source via a pipe. Next, the other end of the steam generator 3 passes through the partition 2 and extends into the ice-making chamber 11; the ice-making chamber 11 is equipped with an air pump 4 and a sterilization component 5 for steam sterilization of the evaporator 6. One end of the steam generator 3 extending into the ice-making chamber 11 is connected to one end of the air pump 4, and the other end of the air pump 4 is connected to the sterilization component 5. The sterilization component 5 includes a drive motor 51 fixed on the body 1, a sterilization hood 52 rotatably disposed in the body 1 under the drive of the drive motor 51, and a component rotatably connected to the sterilization hood 52. A connector 53 and multiple steam nozzles 54 disposed on the connector 53 and capable of ejecting steam are provided. An air pipe located between the air pump 4 and the connector 53 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the ice-making chamber 11. The connector 53 is fixedly disposed in the ice-making chamber 11 relative to the inner wall of the ice-making chamber 11 via the air pipe. The connector 53 is provided with an air inlet main pipe 532 and air inlet branch pipes 533 arranged parallel to the air inlet main pipe 532. One end of the air inlet main pipe 532 is connected to the air pipe, and one end of each air inlet branch pipe 533 is connected to the air pipe. The air intake manifold 532 is connected to the main air intake pipe 532. The other end of each air intake branch pipe 533 is connected to the corresponding steam nozzle 54. The spray direction of each steam nozzle 54 is set perpendicular to the evaporator 6. The sterilization hood 52 is provided with an upper guide slope 55 and a lower guide slope 56 arranged opposite to each other. Each steam nozzle 54 performs comprehensive steam sterilization on the evaporator 6 through the drive motor 51 driving the sterilization hood 52, the rotational connection between the sterilization hood 52 and the connector 53, and the guidance of the upper guide slope 55 and the lower guide slope 56.

[0024] The connector 53 has side pivots 531 on both sides. The inner wall of the sterilization cover 52 has side pivot holes 522 that are adapted to each side pivot 531. The connector 53 is rotatably connected to the sterilization cover 52 through the cooperation of the side pivots 531 and the side pivot holes 522. The sterilization cover 52 has connecting pivots 521 on both sides. The inner wall of the ice chamber 11 has connecting pivot holes corresponding to each side pivot 531. The drive motor 51 is located on the outside of the body 1. The output end of the drive motor 51 extends into the ice chamber 11 and is fixedly connected to the connecting pivot 521. The sterilization cover 52 is rotatably installed in the ice chamber 11 through the drive of the drive motor 51 and the cooperation of the connecting pivots 521 and the connecting pivot holes.

[0025] The partition 2 is provided with a quick connector 21, which is located between the air pump 4 and the steam generator 3. The steam generator 3 is connected to one end of the quick connector 21 through an air pipe, and the other end of the quick connector 21 is connected to the air pump 4 through an air pipe.

[0026] Below the evaporator 6 is a guide plate 18 that guides the produced ice cubes to the ice container 17. One end of the guide plate 18 is fixedly mounted on the partition 2, and the other end of the guide plate 18 is positioned above the ice container 17. The end of the guide plate 18 on the partition 2 is higher than the end of the guide plate 18 above the ice container 17. A filter screen 181 is provided on the guide plate 18, and a water container 19 is provided below the guide plate 18. The ice cubes produced on the evaporator 6 are guided into the ice container 17 through the guide plate 18, and excess water on the evaporator 6 falls into the water container 19 through the filter screen 181.

[0027] The body 1 is provided with an ice outlet 13 that communicates with the ice chamber 11. The chamber door 15 is provided on the ice outlet 13. The chamber door 15 is provided with multiple hinges 14. One end of each hinge 14 is connected to the chamber door 15, and the other end of the hinge 14 is connected to the body 1. A handle 16 is fixedly provided on the chamber door 15.

[0028] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: During use, before ice making, the steam generator 3 introduces purified water from an external water source, vaporizing the water into steam. The steam enters the connector 53 via the quick connector 21 and the air pump 4. Upon entering the connector 53, the steam enters each air intake pipe through the main air intake pipe 532 and is ejected through each air intake branch pipe 533 and the steam nozzles 54 on the air intake branch pipes 533. Simultaneously, the drive motor 51 starts to rotate the sterilization hood 52. During the rotation of the sterilization hood 52, steam is released... The steam injection direction is reversed by the upper guide slope 55 and the lower guide slope 56, thereby achieving comprehensive steam sterilization of the evaporator 6. After sterilization, the evaporator 6 starts to make ice. The ice blocks made on the evaporator 6 are guided into the ice box 17 through the guide plate 18. Excess water on the evaporator 6 falls into the water box 19 through the filter screen 181. When the user takes out ice, he / she opens the door 15 by the handle 16 to take out the ice. The ice box 17 and the water box 19 can also be taken out for cleaning, which greatly ensures the cleanliness of the inside of the machine body 1. The structure is ingenious, convenient and practical.

[0029] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this utility model. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An ice maker with steam sterilization, comprising an ice maker body, the body being divided into a power compartment and an ice-making compartment by a partition; a door hinged to the body is provided on the body; a steam generator for producing steam is provided in the power compartment; an evaporator for making ice is provided in the ice-making compartment; the evaporator is fixedly mounted on the partition; an ice container for receiving the produced ice cubes is provided in the ice-making compartment; one end of the steam generator is connected to an external water source via a pipe; the other end of the steam generator extends into the ice-making compartment after passing through the partition; characterized in that: The ice-making chamber is equipped with an air pump and a sterilization component for steam sterilization of the evaporator. One end of the steam generator extending into the ice-making chamber is connected to one end of the air pump, and the other end of the air pump is connected to the sterilization component. The sterilization component includes a drive motor fixed to the machine body, a sterilization hood rotatably mounted inside the machine body under the drive of the drive motor, a connector rotatably connected to the sterilization hood, and multiple steam nozzles mounted on the connector that can spray steam. An air pipe located between the air pump and the connector is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the ice-making chamber, and the connector is relatively fixed to the inner wall of the ice-making chamber through the air pipe. Placed inside the ice-making chamber, the connector is equipped with a main air inlet pipe and air inlet branch pipes arranged parallel to the main air inlet pipe. One end of the main air inlet pipe is connected to the air pipe, and one end of each air inlet branch pipe is connected to the main air inlet pipe. The other end of each air inlet branch pipe is connected to the corresponding steam nozzle. The spray direction of each steam nozzle is perpendicular to the evaporator. The sterilization hood is equipped with an upper guide slope and a lower guide slope arranged opposite to each other. Each steam nozzle performs comprehensive steam sterilization of the evaporator through the drive motor driving the sterilization hood, the rotational connection between the sterilization hood and the connector, and the guidance of the upper guide slope and the lower guide slope.

2. The steam sterilization ice maker of claim 1, wherein: The connector has side pivots on both sides, and the inner wall of the sterilization hood has side pivot holes that are adapted to each side pivot. The connector is rotatably connected to the sterilization hood through the cooperation of the side pivots and side pivot holes. The sterilization hood has connecting pivots on both sides, and the inner wall of the ice-making chamber has connecting pivot holes corresponding to each side pivot. The drive motor is located on the outside of the machine body, and the output end of the drive motor extends into the ice-making chamber and is fixedly connected to the connecting pivot. The sterilization hood is rotatably installed in the ice-making chamber through the drive of the drive motor and the cooperation of the connecting pivots and connecting pivot holes.

3. The steam-assisted sterilization ice maker of claim 2, wherein: The partition is equipped with a quick connector, which is located between the air pump and the steam generator. The steam generator is connected to one end of the quick connector via an air pipe, and the other end of the quick connector is connected to the air pump via an air pipe.

4. The steam-assisted sterilization ice maker of claim 3, wherein: Below the evaporator is a guide plate that directs the produced ice cubes to an ice box. One end of the guide plate is fixedly mounted on a partition, and the other end of the guide plate is positioned above the ice box. The end of the guide plate on the partition is higher than the end of the guide plate above the ice box. A filter screen is provided on the guide plate, and a water box is located below the guide plate. The ice cubes produced on the evaporator are guided into the ice box through the guide plate, and excess water on the evaporator falls into the water box through the filter screen.

5. The steam-assisted sterilization ice maker of claim 4, wherein: The machine body is provided with an ice outlet that communicates with the ice-making chamber. The chamber door is located on the ice outlet. The chamber door is provided with multiple hinges. One end of each hinge is connected to the chamber door, and the other end of each hinge is connected to the machine body. A handle is fixedly provided on the chamber door.

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