Full-automatic low-energy consumption small-size aluminum tank type ice maker
By installing graphene heating elements and a microcontroller at the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank, combined with a gear motor and push rod structure, the problems of high power consumption and large size of existing small ice makers are solved, realizing a low-energy and miniaturized ice maker design, and reducing the overall cost and energy consumption of the refrigerator.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ANHUI FLURIDA MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing small ice makers in refrigerators consume a lot of electricity and are bulky when pushing ice blocks. Furthermore, their integration with the refrigerator's control system increases the refrigerator's cost and energy consumption.
The system uses graphene heating elements at the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank for uniform heating. Combined with microcontroller control, the ice maker and refrigerator control system are separated. The motor size and power are optimized using gear motors and reduction gears. The push rod and push arm structure design enables automatic ice ejection.
It reduces the power consumption and operating costs of the ice maker, while expanding the range of refrigerator types to which the ice maker is applicable and optimizing the motor size and power requirements.
Smart Images
Figure CN224593502U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice maker technology, specifically to a fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker. Background Technology
[0002] The small-sized ice maker located inside the refrigerator is a convenient ice-making device designed for home or small settings. Its core features are its compact size, which allows it to be embedded or placed inside the refrigerator (such as the refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment; some models require specific space). It can make ice quickly on demand, solving the problems of slow ice making and limited capacity of traditional refrigerators. The ice maker can be filled with water manually or connected to a water source inside the refrigerator (requires refrigerator support). After ice making, it automatically drops into the ice storage box.
[0003] Automatic mechanical ice makers, used in conjunction with refrigerators, have been around for decades. Their control circuitry is typically integrated into the refrigerator's control system, which significantly increases the refrigerator's cost. When the ice maker pushes the frozen ice, there is an adhesive force between the ice and the ice maker's tray, requiring considerable force to move it. Manually pushing the ice is laborious and inconvenient, while using a motor places demands on the motor, increasing its size and power consumption, thus raising operating costs. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker to address the aforementioned shortcomings in the prior art.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker, comprising: a rear cover and a control box. The rear cover is detachably mounted on the side of the control box. An aluminum ice trough is fixedly connected to the side of the control box away from the rear cover. A push rod is rotatably arranged inside the aluminum ice trough. One end of the push rod, which extends into the control box, is connected to a gear motor via a reduction assembly. A peeler is fixedly connected to the side of the aluminum ice trough. A graphene heating sheet is laid at the bottom of the aluminum ice trough, and the graphene heating sheet is pressed against the bottom of the aluminum ice trough by a heating sheet protection plate.
[0006] Furthermore, a first PCB control board is installed inside the control box. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the side of the first PCB control board. The first PCB control board is electrically connected to the gear motor, and the microcontroller is electrically connected to a power supply cable.
[0007] Furthermore, the aluminum ice-making tank has multiple partitions arranged at equal intervals, with a partition groove between adjacent partitions.
[0008] Furthermore, multiple push arms are equidistantly arranged on the push rod, the push arms are directly opposite the partition groove, and the bottom of the push arms moves close to the inner groove surface of the partition.
[0009] Furthermore, a second rotating shaft is fixedly sleeved on the outer side of one end of the push rod extending into the control box. A cam is fixedly sleeved on the outer side of the second rotating shaft, and a control rod abuts against the cam. A third rotating shaft is rotatably arranged inside the control box. An ice-detecting rod is fixedly connected to one end of the third rotating shaft extending out of the control box, and the control rod is fixedly connected to the third rotating shaft.
[0010] Furthermore, a control torsion spring is provided on the outer sleeve of the third rotating shaft. One end of the control torsion spring is locked onto the control rod, and the other end of the control torsion spring abuts against the inner wall of the control box. A stop block is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the control box, and the stop block is located on one side of the ice probe rod.
[0011] Furthermore, a second PCB control board electrically connected to the first PCB control board is installed inside the control box. A Hall element is provided on the side of the second PCB control board near the control rod, and a magnet is fixedly connected to the side of the control rod near the Hall element.
[0012] Furthermore, the reduction assembly includes a second large gear, which is fixedly sleeved on a second rotating shaft. The second rotating shaft meshes with a second small gear. The second small gear is coaxially arranged with a first large gear. The first large gear meshes with a first small gear, and the first small gear is fixedly connected to the output end of the gear motor.
[0013] Furthermore, a gear bracket is fixedly connected inside the control box, and a first rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the gear bracket. The second small gear and the first large gear are both fixedly sleeved on the first rotating shaft.
[0014] The fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0015] 1. This utility model achieves uniform heating of the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank by setting a graphene heating plate at the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank, thereby melting the surface of the ice block in contact with the inner surface of the aluminum ice-making tank. As a result, only a small force is needed to push the ice block out of the ice-making tank. This optimizes the size and power of the drive motor, reduces the power consumption of the ice maker during use, and lowers the operating cost of the ice maker.
[0016] 2. By installing a microcontroller inside the ice maker, the control system of the ice maker is separated from that of the refrigerator. This not only reduces the production cost and energy consumption of the refrigerator, but also expands the range of refrigerator types that the ice maker can be used with.
[0017] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure.
[0018] This application provides an overview of various implementations or examples of the technology described in this disclosure, and is not a full disclosure of the entire scope or all features of the disclosed technology. Attached Figure Description
[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.
[0020] Figure 1 A first-view structural schematic diagram provided for an embodiment of this utility model;
[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second-view structure provided for an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0022] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the control box provided in an embodiment of this utility model from a first-view perspective;
[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the control box from a second perspective, provided in an embodiment of the present utility model.
[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ice-making tank provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure provided for an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0026] Figure 7 Provided for the embodiments of this utility model Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;
[0027] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the control box provided in an embodiment of this utility model from a third-view perspective.
[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0029] 1. Back cover; 2. Control box; 3. Gear bracket; 4. Gear motor; 41. First pinion; 5. First large gear; 51. First shaft; 52. Second pinion; 6. Second PCB control board; 61. Hall element; 7. Magnet; 8. Second large gear; 81. Cam; 82. Second shaft; 9. First PCB control board; 10. Temperature sensor; 11. Peeler; 111. Passage slot; 13. Push rod; 131. Push arm; 14. Aluminum ice-making tank; 141. Partition; 142. Divider slot; 15. Graphene heating element; 16. Heating element protective pressure plate; 17. Control rod; 18. Control torsion spring; 19. Ice probe rod; 191. Stop; 192. Third shaft; 20. Power connection cable; 21. Water inlet pipe mounting slot. Detailed Implementation
[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.
[0031] Please see Figures 1-8 A fully automatic, low-energy, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker includes: a rear cover 1 and a control box 2. The rear cover 1 is detachably installed on the side of the control box 2. An aluminum ice trough 14 is fixedly connected to the side of the control box 2 away from the rear cover 1. A push rod 13 is rotatably installed inside the aluminum ice trough 14. One end of the push rod 13, which extends into the control box 2, is connected to a gear motor 4 through a reduction assembly. A peeler 11 is fixedly connected to the side of the aluminum ice trough 14. A graphene heating sheet 15 is laid at the bottom of the aluminum ice trough 14. The graphene heating sheet 15 is pressed against the bottom of the aluminum ice trough 14 by a heating sheet protection plate 16.
[0032] Specifically, this invention achieves uniform heating of the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank 14 by setting a graphene heating plate 15 at the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank 14, thereby melting the surface of the ice block in contact with the inner surface of the aluminum ice-making tank 14. As a result, only a small force is needed to push the ice block out of the ice-making tank, which optimizes the size and power of the drive motor, reduces the power consumption of the ice maker during use, and reduces the operating cost of the ice maker.
[0033] Furthermore, a first PCB control board 9 is installed inside the control box 2. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the side of the first PCB control board 9. The first PCB control board 9 is electrically connected to the gear motor 4. The microcontroller is electrically connected to a power connection cable 20.
[0034] Specifically, by installing a microcontroller inside the ice maker, the control system of the ice maker is separated from that of the refrigerator. This not only reduces the production cost and energy consumption of the refrigerator, but also expands the range of refrigerator types that the ice maker can be used with.
[0035] Furthermore, multiple partitions 141 are equidistantly arranged inside the aluminum ice-making tank 14, and a partition groove 142 is formed between adjacent partitions 141. Multiple push arms 131 are equidistantly arranged on the push rod 13, with the push arms 131 facing the partition groove 142 and the bottom of the push arms 131 moving close to the inner surface of the partition 141.
[0036] Specifically, a temperature sensor 10 is installed on the side of the aluminum ice-making tank 14. The temperature sensor 10 is located inside the control box 2. The temperature sensor 10 monitors the temperature at the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank 14. The graphene heating element 15 serves as a graphene heating plate, increasing the uniformity of heating at the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank 14. Combined with the temperature sensor 10, this maximizes the control of temperature changes at the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank 14, enabling the ice cubes to detach synchronously within the aluminum ice-making tank 14 with minimal temperature difference. (Reference) Figure 1 The push rod 13 drives the push arm 131 to rotate. The push arm 131 passes through the passage slot 111 opened on the peeler 11 and moves close to the inner surface of the aluminum ice tank 14. Then it pushes the ice block to move along the inner surface of the aluminum ice tank 14, so that the ice block flips over and falls onto the surface of the peeler 11, and slides along the peeler 11 into the ice storage box set below the aluminum ice tank 14.
[0037] Furthermore, a second rotating shaft 82 is fixedly sleeved on the outer side of one end of the push rod 13 extending into the control box 2. A cam 81 is fixedly sleeved on the outer side of the second rotating shaft 82, and a control rod 17 abuts against the cam 81. A third rotating shaft 192 is rotatably arranged inside the control box 2. An ice-detecting rod 19 is fixedly connected to one end of the third rotating shaft 192 extending out of the control box 2. The control rod 17 is fixedly connected to the third rotating shaft 192. A control torsion spring 18 is sleeved on the third rotating shaft 192. One end of the control torsion spring 18 is stuck on the control rod 17, and the other end of the control torsion spring 18 abuts against the inner wall of the control box 2. A stop block 191 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the control box 2. The stop block 191 is located on one side of the ice-detecting rod 19. A second PCB control board 6 electrically connected to the first PCB control board 9 is installed inside the control box 2. A Hall element 61 is arranged on the side of the second PCB control board 6 near the control rod 17. A magnet 7 is fixedly connected to the side of the control rod 17 near the Hall element 61.
[0038] Specifically, the ice probe 19 extends into the ice storage box located below the aluminum ice-making tank 14. As the push rod 13 rotates, it drives the cam 81 to rotate, and the control rod 17, which abuts against the cam 81, will be pushed outward. The control rod 17 is tilted, and it will drive the third rotating shaft 192 to rotate against the torque force of the control torsion spring 18, causing the ice probe 19 to swing upward. The magnet 7 will move away from the Hall element 61. As the distance between the magnet 7 and the Hall element 61 changes, the Hall element 61 receives a change in the magnetic field from the magnet 7, and then outputs different electrical signals. After the push rod 13 rotates one revolution, the control rod 17 returns to its original position. If the ice probe 19 is subjected to... The ice blocks inside the ice storage box cannot be reset under the torque force of the control torsion spring 18. The control lever 17 cannot contact the flat section on the cam 81. As the number of ice blocks in the ice storage box increases, the swing amplitude of the ice probe 19 becomes smaller and smaller. The distance between the control lever 17 and the flat section of the cam 81 becomes farther and farther. The distance between the Hall element 61 and the magnet 7 becomes farther and farther. As a result, the electrical signal output by the Hall element 61 becomes weaker and weaker. When the electrical signal strength is lower than the preset judgment signal value, the second PCB control board 6 feeds the data back to the first PCB control board 9, showing that the ice storage capacity in the ice storage box has reached the upper limit. Then, the microcontroller issues a command to stop ice making.
[0039] Furthermore, the reduction assembly includes a second large gear 8, which is fixedly sleeved on a second rotating shaft 82. The second rotating shaft 82 meshes with a second small gear 52. The second small gear 52 is coaxially arranged with a first large gear 5. The first large gear 5 meshes with a first small gear 41. The first small gear 41 is fixedly connected to the output end of the gear motor 4. A gear bracket 3 is fixedly connected inside the control box 2. The first rotating shaft 51 is fixedly connected to the gear bracket 3. The second small gear 52 and the first large gear 5 are both fixedly sleeved on the first rotating shaft 51.
[0040] Specifically, the gear ratio between the first small gear 41 and the first large gear 5 is 1:5, the gear ratio between the second small gear 52 and the second large gear 8 is 1:5, and the gear ratio between the first large gear 5 and the second small gear 52 is 1:5. The first small gear 41 transmits power to the push rod 13, causing the push rod 13 to rotate. The microcontroller controls the push rod 13 to rotate once each time, pushing the ice block away from the aluminum ice-making tank 14.
[0041] In this utility model, reference Figures 1 to 8First, the microcontroller controls the water valve installed on the water pipe at the water inlet mounting slot 21 to open, injecting a certain amount of water into the aluminum ice-making tank 14. Under the freezing environment inside the refrigerator, the water in the aluminum ice-making tank 14 freezes into ice. The microcontroller is equipped with a fixed-duration start gear motor 4 and a graphene heating element 15. The graphene heating element 15 heats the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank 14, causing the bottom of the ice to detach from the inner wall of the partition groove 142. This process is set to take 5 seconds. After 5 seconds, the gear motor 4 drives the push rod 13 to rotate through the reduction assembly. The push rod 13 drives the push arm 13. 1. Push the ice block away from the aluminum ice-making tank 14, causing the ice block to flip and fall onto the surface of the peeler 11. The ice block slides along the peeler 11 into the ice storage box. During the rotation of the push rod 13, the ice probe rod 19 swings accordingly. When the ice block reaches the maximum capacity of the ice storage box, there is a large gap between the control rod 17 and the plane section of the cam 81. The electrical signal strength output by the Hall element 61 is lower than the judgment signal value. Then, the second PCB control board 6 feeds back the data to the first PCB control board 9, showing that the ice block storage capacity in the ice storage box has reached the upper limit. Then, the microcontroller issues a command to stop ice making.
[0042] The foregoing description only illustrates certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. A fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker, comprising: The back cover (1) and the control box (2) are characterized in that: the back cover (1) is detachably installed on the side of the control box (2), and an aluminum ice-making tank (14) is fixedly connected to the side of the control box (2) away from the back cover (1). A push rod (13) is rotatably arranged inside the aluminum ice-making tank (14). One end of the push rod (13) extending into the control box (2) is connected to a gear motor (4) through a reduction assembly. A peeler (11) is fixedly connected to the side of the aluminum ice-making tank (14). A graphene heating sheet (15) is laid at the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank (14). The graphene heating sheet (15) is pressed to the bottom of the aluminum ice-making tank (14) by a heating sheet protection pressure plate (16).
2. The fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control box (2) is equipped with a first PCB control board (9), and a microcontroller is electrically connected to the side of the first PCB control board (9). The first PCB control board (9) is electrically connected to the gear motor (4), and the microcontroller is electrically connected to a power supply connection line (20).
3. The fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aluminum ice-making tank (14) has multiple partitions (141) arranged at equal intervals, and there is a partition groove (142) between adjacent partitions (141).
4. The fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker according to claim 3, characterized in that, The push rod (13) has multiple push arms (131) arranged at equal intervals. The push arms (131) are directly opposite the partition groove (142), and the bottom of the push arms (131) moves close to the inner groove surface of the partition plate (141).
5. A fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The push rod (13) extends into the control box (2) and a second rotating shaft (82) is fixedly sleeved on the outer side of one end. A cam (81) is fixedly sleeved on the outer side of the second rotating shaft (82). A control rod (17) abuts against the cam (81). A third rotating shaft (192) is rotatably arranged inside the control box (2). An ice probe rod (19) is fixedly connected to one end of the third rotating shaft (192) that extends out of the control box (2). The control rod (17) is fixedly connected to the third rotating shaft (192).
6. The fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker according to claim 5, characterized in that, The third rotating shaft (192) is fitted with a control torsion spring (18). One end of the control torsion spring (18) is locked on the control rod (17), and the other end of the control torsion spring (18) abuts against the inner wall of the control box (2). A stop block (191) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the control box (2). The stop block (191) is located on one side of the ice probe rod (19).
7. A fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control box (2) is equipped with a second PCB control board (6) that is electrically connected to the first PCB control board (9). The second PCB control board (6) has a Hall element (61) on the side near the control rod (17). The control rod (17) has a magnet (7) fixedly connected on the side near the Hall element (61).
8. The fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deceleration assembly includes a second large gear (8), which is fixedly sleeved on a second rotating shaft (82). The second rotating shaft (82) is meshed with a second small gear (52). The second small gear (52) is coaxially provided with a first large gear (5). The first large gear (5) is meshed with a first small gear (41). The first small gear (41) is fixedly connected to the output end of the gear motor (4).
9. A fully automatic, low-energy-consumption, small-volume aluminum trough ice maker according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control box (2) is fixedly connected to a gear bracket (3), and a first rotating shaft (51) is fixedly connected to the gear bracket (3). The second small gear (52) and the first large gear (5) are both fixedly sleeved on the first rotating shaft (51).