Small volume ice maker
By optimizing the structural layout of the ice maker, the cooling zone, ice-making zone, water storage zone, and ice storage zone are integrated into the ice-making container and fixedly connected by a reinforcing base and connecting components. This solves the problems of large size, high vibration, and short lifespan of existing ice makers, and achieves miniaturization and reliable connection.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZHONGSHAN DONLIM WEILI ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing ice makers have a non-compact structure and unreliable connections, resulting in excessive vibration and a short service life.
The ice-making device is designed to include a cooling zone, an ice-making zone, a water storage zone, and an ice storage zone. The ice container is fixedly connected to the base via a reinforcing base and connecting components. The end of the condenser closest to the ice container is fixed to the base. The equipment layout is optimized to shorten the length and increase support.
This technology enables the miniaturization and compact structure of ice makers, ensures reliable connections, reduces vibration, and extends the service life of ice containers and ice makers.
Smart Images
Figure CN224593497U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice making, and in particular to a small-volume ice maker. Background Technology
[0002] An ice maker is a device used to make ice. Its working principle is as follows: water is pumped into an ice-making tank. When the tank is full, the compressor is activated, causing the temperature around the evaporator to drop rapidly. Because part of the evaporator extends into the ice-making tank, ice quickly condenses around it. The de-icing system is then activated, switching the evaporator to a heating function, causing the ice to detach from the evaporator, thus obtaining ice.
[0003] Existing ice makers, including compressors, evaporators, condensers, and ice-making water tanks, suffer from an unreasonable layout. For example, the ice-making water tank, compressor, and condenser are arranged in a straight line, resulting in a long overall length and large size. In particular, the internal space on both sides of the ice maker is not fully utilized, leading to a loose and uncompacted structure. The components are not interconnected and lack effective support, resulting in significant vibration during operation. The ice-making water tank, in particular, is heavy due to its weight. Typically, one end of the ice-making water tank is fixed to the base, but the screws are of a certain length, creating a gap between the bottom of the water tank and the base. The other end of the water tank is suspended, lacking effective support, and its weight increases with the amount of ice. Because one end of the water tank is not securely connected to the base, and the other end is also heavy, long-term use will affect the lifespan of the ice-making water tank. All of these issues stem from the ice maker's loose internal structure and unreliable connections. Utility Model Content
[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a small-volume ice maker with a compact structure and reliable connection.
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a small-volume ice maker, including an ice-making device. The ice-making device is provided with a cooling zone, an ice-making zone, a water storage zone, and an ice storage zone. The ice storage zone is located on one side of the ice-making zone, the water storage zone is located below the ice storage zone, and the cooling zone is located below the ice-making zone.
[0006] The ice-making device includes a base and an ice-making container and a refrigeration mechanism mounted on the base. The ice-making area, water storage area, and ice storage area are all located inside the ice-making container. One end of the ice-making container is fitted with a reinforcing seat, which passes through the reinforcing seat and is fixedly connected to the base. The refrigeration mechanism includes a compression mechanism and a condenser. The condenser is located on one side of the compression mechanism and close to one end of the ice-making container. The other end of the ice-making container, the condenser, and the base are fixedly connected.
[0007] As an improvement to the above solution, the other end of the ice-making container, the condenser, and the base are fixedly connected by a connecting assembly;
[0008] The connecting assembly includes a first connecting strip, which is fixedly connected to the other end of the ice-making container, the condenser, and the base, respectively.
[0009] As an improvement to the above solution, the connecting assembly further includes a second connecting strip, which is fixedly connected to the other end of the ice-making container and the base, respectively.
[0010] As an improvement to the above solution, the other end of the ice-making container is provided with a fixed seat, one side of the condenser is provided with a connecting block, and the base is provided with a fixed block. The fixed seat, connecting block and fixed block are respectively fixedly connected to the first connecting strip.
[0011] As an improvement to the above solution, a support block is provided on the other side of the condenser, and the ice-making container is provided with a condensation rack, with the support block mounted on the condensation rack.
[0012] As an improvement to the above solution, a connecting post is provided at the bottom of one end of the ice-making container. The connecting post passes through the reinforcing base and is fixedly connected to the base.
[0013] The ice-making container, the reinforcing base, and the base are connected in sequence.
[0014] As an improvement to the above solution, the inner wall of the reinforcing base is provided with a positioning groove, and the outer wall of the ice-making container is provided with a positioning block. The positioning block is placed in the positioning groove and can move along the positioning groove.
[0015] As an improvement to the above solution, the reinforcing base is provided with a pump groove for accommodating the pump body.
[0016] As an improvement to the above solution, the ice-making device is further provided with an electronic control area, which is located on the other side of the ice-making area; the ice-making device includes an electronic control mechanism located in the electronic control area, and the electronic control mechanism is fixedly connected to the other end of the ice-making container.
[0017] As an improvement to the above solution, the ice maker also includes a housing, with a pipe gap between the housing and the ice container for placing the pipe body.
[0018] The following are the beneficial effects of implementing this utility model:
[0019] This utility model relates to a small-volume ice maker, which includes an ice-making device. The ice-making device comprises a cooling zone, an ice-making zone, a water storage zone, and an ice storage zone. The ice storage zone is located on one side of the ice-making zone, the water storage zone is located below the ice storage zone, and the cooling zone is located below the ice-making zone. Its structure is compact and its layout is reasonable, making full use of the space inside the ice maker and resulting in a small overall size.
[0020] The ice-making device includes a base and an ice-making container and a refrigeration mechanism mounted on the base. The ice-making area, water storage area, and ice storage area are all located inside the ice-making container. Ice making, water storage, and ice storage are all achieved within the ice-making container, resulting in a compact structure that reduces space occupation and component placement, making the machine smaller and saving costs. One end of the ice-making container is fitted with a reinforcing seat, which passes through and is fixedly connected to the base. The reinforcing seat is positioned between the ice-making container and the base, clamping the reinforcing seat and filling the gap between them. This reinforces and stabilizes the ice-making container, ensuring a secure and reliable connection between the ice-making container and the base, and enhancing the reliability of the ice-making container installation.
[0021] Furthermore, the condenser is located on one side of the compression mechanism and close to one end of the ice-making container. Compared with the existing structure in which the ice-making water tank, compressor and condenser are arranged in a straight line, the length of the ice maker is shortened, the structure is compact and the overall size of the ice maker is small.
[0022] Finally, the other end of the ice-making container, the condenser, and the base are fixedly connected, ensuring that the positions of the ice-making container, condenser, and base are relatively fixed. This connection is reliable and compact, avoiding a loose or disjointed structure where the equipment is not connected and lacks effective support, resulting in excessive vibration during operation. One end of the ice-making container is reinforced by a reinforcing base, while the other end is effectively fixed by the condenser and the base, ensuring that both ends of the ice-making container receive effective support. Even if the weight of the water and ice inside the ice-making container increases, it will not affect the installation and connection of the ice-making container, extending the service life of the ice-making container and thus extending the service life of the ice maker. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the small-volume ice maker of this utility model;
[0024] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded view;
[0025] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Front view of the ice-making device;
[0026] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Sectional view along line AA;
[0027] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of point B;
[0028] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of point C;
[0029] Figure 7yes Figure 3 A three-dimensional image;
[0030] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the reinforcement base. Detailed Implementation
[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the following will describe this utility model in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is hereby declared that the terms "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," "back," "inner," and "outer," etc., appearing or about to appear in this document, are based solely on the accompanying drawings and are not intended to specifically limit this utility model.
[0032] See Figure 1-8 This utility model discloses a small-volume ice maker, including an ice-making device 10. The ice-making device 10 is provided with a cooling zone 20, an ice-making zone 30, a water storage zone 40 and an ice storage zone 50. The ice storage zone 50 is located on one side of the ice-making zone 30, the water storage zone 40 is located below the ice storage zone 50, and the cooling zone 20 is located below the ice-making zone 30.
[0033] The ice-making device 10 includes a base 1, an ice-making container 2 and a refrigeration mechanism mounted on the base 1. The ice-making area 30, the water storage area 40 and the ice storage area 50 are all located inside the ice-making container 2. One end of the ice-making container 2 is fitted with a reinforcing seat 3, which passes through the reinforcing seat 3 and is fixedly connected to the base 1. The refrigeration mechanism includes a compression mechanism 4 and a condenser 5. The condenser 5 is located on one side of the compression mechanism 4 and close to one end of the ice-making container 2. The compression mechanism 4 is fixedly connected to the base 1. The other end of the ice-making container 2, the condenser 5 and the base 1 are fixedly connected.
[0034] This utility model relates to a small-volume ice maker, which includes an ice-making device. The ice-making device comprises a cooling zone, an ice-making zone, a water storage zone, and an ice storage zone. The ice storage zone is located on one side of the ice-making zone, the water storage zone is located below the ice storage zone, and the cooling zone is located below the ice-making zone. Its structure is compact and its layout is reasonable, making full use of the space inside the ice maker and resulting in a small overall size.
[0035] The ice-making device includes a base and an ice-making container and a refrigeration mechanism mounted on the base. The ice-making area, water storage area, and ice storage area are all located inside the ice-making container. Ice making, water storage, and ice storage are all achieved within the ice-making container, resulting in a compact structure that reduces space occupation and component placement, making the machine smaller and saving costs. One end of the ice-making container is fitted with a reinforcing seat, which passes through and is fixedly connected to the base. The reinforcing seat is positioned between the ice-making container and the base, clamping the reinforcing seat and filling the gap between them. This reinforces and stabilizes the ice-making container, ensuring a secure and reliable connection between the ice-making container and the base, and enhancing the reliability of the ice-making container installation.
[0036] Furthermore, the condenser is located on one side of the compression mechanism and close to one end of the ice-making container. Compared with the existing structure in which the ice-making water tank, compressor and condenser are arranged in a straight line, the length of the ice maker is shortened, the structure is compact and the overall size of the ice maker is small.
[0037] Finally, the other end of the ice-making container, the condenser, and the base are fixedly connected, ensuring that the positions of the ice-making container, condenser, and base are relatively fixed. This connection is reliable and compact, avoiding a loose or disjointed structure where the equipment is not connected and lacks effective support, resulting in excessive vibration during operation. One end of the ice-making container is reinforced by a reinforcing base, while the other end is effectively fixed by the condenser and the base, ensuring that both ends of the ice-making container receive effective support. Even if the weight of the water and ice inside the ice-making container increases, it will not affect the installation and connection of the ice-making container, extending the service life of the ice-making container and thus extending the service life of the ice maker.
[0038] Specifically, the other end of the ice-making container 2, the condenser 5, and the base 1 are fixedly connected by a connecting assembly. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the connecting assembly includes a first connecting strip 6, which is fixedly connected to the other end of the ice-making container 2, the condenser 5, and the base 1. This invention uses the first connecting strip to fix the relative positions of the ice-making container, the condenser, and the base, ensuring that the other end of the ice-making container and the condenser are stably and firmly mounted on the base, while also providing reliable support for the other end of the ice-making container. Moreover, the first connecting strip is sufficient to fix all three components, resulting in a compact, simple, reliable structure with few parts and low cost.
[0039] The ice-making container 2 has a fixed base 21 at one end, the condenser 5 has a connecting block 51 on one side, and the base 1 has a fixed block 11. The fixed base 21, connecting block 51, and fixed block 11 are respectively fixedly connected to the first connecting strip 6. The fixed base and the first connecting strip are fixedly connected by fasteners, the connecting block and the first connecting strip are fixedly connected by fasteners, and the fixed block and the first connecting strip are fixedly connected by fasteners. Screws are preferred, but not limited to. The fixed base, connecting block, and fixed block are designed to better cooperate with the first connecting strip for installation and connection. Preferably, there are two connecting blocks, located at the upper and lower ends on the same side of the condenser, making the condenser and the first connecting strip more stable and reliable.
[0040] Preferably, such as Figure 7 As shown, the connecting assembly also includes a second connecting strip 7, which is fixedly connected to the other end of the ice-making container 2 and the base 1, respectively. The first connecting strip 6 and the second connecting strip 7 are arranged parallel to each other. The second connecting strip further strengthens the connection between the other end of the ice-making container and the base, thereby strengthening the support for the other end of the ice-making container.
[0041] Similarly, the other end of the ice-making container 2 is provided with a fixing seat 21, and the base 1 is provided with a fixing block 11. The fixing seat and the second connecting strip are fixedly connected by fasteners, and the fixing block and the second connecting strip are also fixedly connected by fasteners. Screws are preferred as fasteners, but not limited to them. The fixing seat and the fixing block are designed to better cooperate with the second connecting strip for installation and connection.
[0042] Preferably, such as Figure 6 As shown, a support block 52 is provided on the other side of the condenser 5, and the ice-making container 2 is provided with a condenser rack 22. The support block 52 is mounted on the condenser rack 22. The cooperation between the condenser rack and the support block provides fixed support for the other side of the condenser. Its cooperation with the connecting block suspends the condenser above the base, preventing direct contact with the base, allowing other components to be placed below the condenser. This fully utilizes the space inside the ice maker and results in a compact structure and small size. It should be noted that a cooling fan for accelerating heat dissipation is also fixedly installed on the outer wall of the condenser.
[0043] Preferably, such as Figure 5As shown, the ice-making container 2 has a connecting post 23 at one end of its bottom. The connecting post 23 passes through the reinforcing base 3 and is fixedly connected to the base 1. The ice-making container 2, the reinforcing base 3, and the base 1 are connected sequentially. The connecting post has a connecting hole and passes through the bottom of the reinforcing base, extending to the base. Fasteners are used to fix the base and the connecting post together. The fasteners are preferably threaded, but not limited to this. Simultaneously, the reinforcing base is clamped between the ice-making container and the base, eliminating any gaps between them and making the connection between the ice-making container and the base more stable and reliable. Therefore, the reinforcing base serves to stabilize and reinforce one end of the ice-making container.
[0044] Preferably, such as Figure 8 As shown, the inner wall of the reinforcing base 3 is provided with a positioning groove 31, and the outer wall of the ice-making container 2 is provided with a positioning block (not shown in the figure). The positioning block is placed in the positioning groove 31 and can move along the positioning groove 31. The top of the positioning groove is open, and the positioning block is inserted into the positioning groove through this opening and can move along the positioning groove. With the cooperation of the positioning groove and the positioning block, the ice-making container is inserted into the reinforcing base from top to bottom, which not only serves as a guide but also ensures that the ice-making container does not shift within the reinforcing base, ensuring that other components and their positions are correspondingly matched, making installation more reliable and convenient.
[0045] Preferably, such as Figure 8 As shown, the reinforcing base 3 is provided with a pump slot 32 for accommodating the pump body. The ice maker has two pump bodies: a water supply pump body and a circulation pump body. The pump slot design reduces the number of components needed to support the pump bodies, making the overall structure more compact and reducing space occupation. Accordingly, the pump slot includes a first pump slot and a second pump slot, with the water supply pump body placed in the first pump slot and the circulation pump body placed in the second pump slot.
[0046] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 , 7 As shown, the ice-making device 10 also includes an electrical control area 60, located on the other side of the ice-making area 30. The ice-making device 10 includes an electrical control mechanism 8 located within the electrical control area 60, which is fixedly connected to the other end of the ice-making container 2. The electrical control mechanism 8 is electrically connected to a refrigeration mechanism, such as a compressor 4 and a condenser 5. Specifically, the electrical control mechanism 8 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the other end of the ice-making container 2. The electrical control area 60's location on the other side of the ice-making area 30 makes the structure compact. It also shortens the distance between the electrical control mechanism and the refrigeration mechanism, reducing the number of wires and other components.
[0047] Furthermore, such as Figure 1-2As shown, the ice maker also includes a housing 70, with a pipe gap (not shown) between the housing 70 and the ice-making container 2. This pipe gap is used to house the pipe body 9. Specifically, a water supply pump is located in the water storage area and is connected to the ice-making area via a pipe body to pump water from the storage area into the ice-making area for ice making. The pipe body extends from the water storage area through the pipe gap between the housing and the ice-making container into the ice-making area.
[0048] In summary, this utility model provides a small-volume ice maker with a compact structure and reliable connection.
[0049] The above description is the preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A small footprint ice maker characterized by, The device includes an ice-making apparatus, which has a cooling zone, an ice-making zone, a water storage zone, and an ice storage zone. The ice storage zone is located on one side of the ice-making zone, the water storage zone is located below the ice storage zone, and the cooling zone is located below the ice-making zone. The ice-making device includes a base and an ice-making container and a refrigeration mechanism mounted on the base. The ice-making area, water storage area, and ice storage area are all located inside the ice-making container. One end of the ice-making container is fitted with a reinforcing seat, which passes through the reinforcing seat and is fixedly connected to the base. The refrigeration mechanism includes a compression mechanism and a condenser. The condenser is located on one side of the compression mechanism and close to one end of the ice-making container. The other end of the ice-making container, the condenser, and the base are fixedly connected.
2. The small footprint ice maker of claim 1, wherein, The other end of the ice-making container, the condenser, and the base are fixedly connected by a connecting assembly; The connecting assembly includes a first connecting strip, which is fixedly connected to the other end of the ice-making container, the condenser, and the base, respectively.
3. The small footprint ice maker of claim 2, wherein, The connecting assembly also includes a second connecting strip, which is fixedly connected to the other end of the ice-making container and the base, respectively.
4. The small footprint ice maker of claim 2, wherein, The ice-making container is provided with a fixed base at the other end, the condenser is provided with a connecting block on one side, and the base is provided with a fixed block. The fixed base, the connecting block and the fixed block are respectively fixedly connected to the first connecting strip.
5. The small footprint ice maker of claim 4, wherein, A support block is provided on the other side of the condenser, and the ice-making container is provided with a condensation rack, with the support block mounted on the condensation rack.
6. The small footprint ice maker of claim 1, wherein, The ice-making container has a connecting post at one end of its bottom. The connecting post passes through the reinforcing base and is fixedly connected to the base. The ice-making container, the reinforcing base, and the base are connected in sequence.
7. The small-volume ice maker as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the reinforcing base is provided with a positioning groove, and the outer wall of the ice-making container is provided with a positioning block. The positioning block is placed in the positioning groove and can move along the positioning groove.
8. The small footprint ice maker of claim 1, wherein, The reinforcing base is provided with a pump groove for accommodating the pump body.
9. The small footprint ice maker of claim 1, wherein, The ice-making device also includes an electrical control area, which is located on the other side of the ice-making area; the ice-making device includes an electrical control mechanism located in the electrical control area, and the electrical control mechanism is fixedly connected to the other end of the ice-making container.
10. The small footprint ice maker of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The ice maker also includes a housing, with a pipe gap between the housing and the ice container for placing the pipe body.