Ice making equipment and refrigeration equipment

Abstract

This application discloses an ice-making apparatus and a refrigeration device. The ice-making apparatus includes an ice-making shell and an air guide. The ice-making shell has an ice-making cavity, and the air guide is connected to the ice-making shell and has an air guide channel communicating with the ice-making cavity. The air guide is adapted to wrap around the air outlet of the refrigeration duct of the refrigeration device through the air guide channel. The ice-making apparatus provided by this application directly exchanges heat between the cold air in the refrigeration duct and the water in the refrigeration cavity, and has the advantage of high ice-making efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigeration equipment technology, specifically to an ice-making device and refrigeration equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, refrigerators with ice-making functions typically have the ice-making device located in the freezer compartment. Cold air from inside the freezer freezes the water in the ice-making chamber of the device into ice blocks. However, this method suffers from low heat exchange efficiency between the cold air and the water in the ice-making chamber, resulting in low ice-making efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application aims to at least partially address one of the technical problems in the related art.

[0004] Therefore, embodiments of this application propose an ice-making device that directly exchanges heat between the cold air in the freezing duct and the water in the refrigeration chamber, thus having the advantage of high ice-making efficiency.

[0005] An embodiment of this application also proposes a refrigeration device.

[0006] The ice-making device of this application embodiment includes an ice-making shell and an air guide. The ice-making shell has an ice-making cavity. The air guide is connected to the ice-making shell and has an air guide channel communicating with the ice-making cavity. The air guide is adapted to wrap the air outlet of the refrigeration duct of the refrigeration equipment through the air guide channel.

[0007] Optionally, the ice-making cavity is provided with an ice grid, the air guide channel has an air inlet and an air outlet, the air outlet extends from the air inlet into the air guide channel, and the air outlet communicates with the ice-making cavity and faces the ice grid.

[0008] Optionally, the air guide includes a first wall panel and a second wall panel that are opposite each other in the vertical direction. The first wall panel includes a first plate segment that is opposite to the air inlet along the direction of the air inlet. The first plate segment is at an angle to the direction of the air inlet but not at a right angle, and is used to guide the cold air at the air inlet to the air outlet.

[0009] Optionally, at least a portion of the second wall panel is angled but not at a right angle to the orientation of the air inlet, for guiding the cold air at the air inlet to the air outlet.

[0010] Optionally, the air guide is detachably connected to the ice-making shell.

[0011] Optionally, one of the air guide and the ice-making shell is provided with a guide groove, and the other of the air guide and the ice-making shell is provided with a guide rib, which is inserted into the guide groove.

[0012] Optionally, the guide groove includes at least two T-shaped grooves provided on the air guide, and the guide rib includes at least two T-shaped ribs provided on the ice-making shell.

[0013] Optionally, one of the air guide and the ice-making shell is provided with a buckle, and the other of the air guide and the ice-making shell is provided with a groove. The depth direction of the groove is at an angle to the extension direction of the guide groove, and a portion of the buckle is engaged in the groove.

[0014] Optionally, at least two buckles are provided on the air guide, and at least two slots are provided on the ice-making shell.

[0015] Optionally, the ice-making shell includes a bracket forming the top surface of the ice-making cavity, and the air guide is snapped into or connected to the bracket via a threaded connection.

[0016] Optionally, the ice-making device further includes a filter element disposed within the air guide channel.

[0017] The refrigeration device according to an embodiment of this application includes a body and an ice-making device. The body has a freezing chamber and a freezing air duct. A portion of the freezing air duct is located in the freezing chamber and has an air outlet. The ice-making device is an ice-making device as described in any of the above embodiments. The ice-making device is located in the freezing chamber, and the portion of the freezing air duct located in the freezing chamber is located in the air guide channel.

[0018] According to the ice-making apparatus of this application embodiment, the ice-making shell and the air guide are both located in the freezer chamber of the refrigeration equipment. The air guide wraps around the air outlet of the freezer air duct through the air guide channel. Thus, the cold air in the freezer air duct first enters the ice-making chamber through the air guide channel and then enters the freezer chamber of the refrigeration equipment. At this time, the water in the ice-making chamber directly exchanges heat with the cold air with the lowest temperature, and the heat exchange efficiency between the two is higher, so the ice-making efficiency of the ice-making apparatus is higher.

[0019] The technical advantages of the refrigeration equipment in this application are the same as those of the ice-making device in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a refrigeration device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a section of the ice-making device.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of an ice-making apparatus and a refrigeration duct according to an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the hanger, air guide, and ice grid in an ice-making device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the hanging bracket in an ice-making device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 7 This is another schematic diagram of the hanger in the ice-making device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the air guide component in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the air guide component in an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of this application.

[0029] Figure label:

[0030] 10. Ice-making device; 20. Body; 30. Door; 1. Ice-making shell; 11. Hanging rack; 111. Guide rib; 112. Slot; 12. Ice-making cavity; 2. Ice grid; 3. Air guide; 31. First wall panel; 311. First plate segment; 32. Second wall panel; 33. Air guide channel; 34. Guide groove; 35. Buckle; 4. Freezer compartment; 5. Freezer air duct; 51. Air outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below, with examples of these embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0032] like Figures 1-9 As shown, the ice-making device 10 of this application embodiment includes an ice-making shell 1 and an air guide 3. The ice-making shell 1 has an ice-making cavity 12. The air guide 3 is connected to the ice-making shell 1 and has an air guide channel 33 communicating with the ice-making cavity 12. The air guide 3 is adapted to wrap the air outlet 51 of the refrigeration air duct 5 of the refrigeration equipment through the air guide channel 33.

[0033] According to the ice-making device 10 of this application embodiment, the ice-making shell 1 and the air guide 3 are both located in the freezer chamber 4 of the refrigeration equipment. The air guide 3 wraps around the air outlet 51 of the freezer air duct 5 through the air guide channel 33. Thus, the cold air in the freezer air duct 5 first enters the ice-making chamber 12 through the air guide channel 33, and then enters the freezer chamber 4 of the refrigeration equipment. At this time, the water in the ice-making chamber 12 directly exchanges heat with the cold air with the lowest temperature, and the heat exchange efficiency between the two is higher, so the ice-making efficiency of the ice-making device 10 is higher.

[0034] It should be noted that the ice-making device 10 in this embodiment includes a water storage component, an ice-making component, and an ice storage component, all of which are located in the freezer chamber 4 of the refrigeration equipment. The ice-making component includes the ice-making shell 1 and the air guide 3.

[0035] In some embodiments, the ice-making cavity 12 is provided with an ice grid 2, the air guide channel 33 has an air inlet and an air outlet, the air outlet 51 extends from the air inlet into the air guide channel 33, and the air outlet communicates with the ice-making cavity 12 and faces the ice grid 2.

[0036] Guided by the air duct 33, the cold air in the freezing duct 5 blows directly onto the water on the ice grid 2, thereby further increasing the freezing speed of the water and making the ice-making device 10 more efficient.

[0037] For example, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the refrigeration air duct 5 is located on the rear side of the ice-making chamber 12, and the direction of its air outlet 51 is consistent with the front-rear direction of the body 20. At this time, the direction of the air inlet of the air guide duct 33 is opposite to the direction of the air outlet 51, and the air outlet is higher than the ice-making grid 2 and obliquely towards the ice-making grid 2.

[0038] In some embodiments, the air guide 3 includes a first wall panel 31 and a second wall panel 32 that are opposite each other in the vertical direction. The first wall panel 31 includes a first plate segment 311 that is opposite to the air inlet along the direction of the air inlet. The first plate segment 311 is at an angle to the direction of the air inlet and is not a right angle, and is used to guide the cold air at the air inlet to the air outlet.

[0039] Therefore, after the cold air enters the air guide channel 33 through the air inlet, it will flow to the air outlet under the guidance of the first plate section 311, effectively reducing the wind power loss caused by the eddy in the air guide channel 33, ensuring sufficient cold air volume in the ice making chamber 12, and further improving the ice making efficiency of the ice making device 10.

[0040] For example, such as Figure 2 and Figure 9 As shown, the first wall panel 31 is located above the second wall panel 32. The first wall panel 31 includes a second panel segment, a first panel segment 311 and a third panel segment connected sequentially from bottom to top. The second panel segment is perpendicular to the vertical direction and is higher than the upper edge of the air outlet 51. The third panel segment is perpendicular to the front and back direction.

[0041] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second wall panel 32 is angled but not perpendicular to the orientation of the air inlet, for guiding the cold air at the air inlet to the air outlet.

[0042] After being guided by the first plate section 311, the cold air in the air guide channel 33 will be further guided after contacting the second wall plate 32, effectively reducing the probability of the cold air generating eddies at the second wall plate 32, further ensuring the air volume of the cold air in the ice-making cavity 12, and making the ice-making device 10 more efficient.

[0043] For example, such as Figure 2 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the second wall panel 32 is an inclined plate that forms an angle with the front-back direction of the body 20. The two wall panels of the air guide 3, which are opposite each other in the left-right direction of the body 20, are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0044] In some embodiments, the air guide 3 is detachably connected to the ice-making shell 1.

[0045] This effectively reduces the design and manufacturing difficulty of the ice maker shell 1, making its production simple and cost-effective. Furthermore, the ice maker shell 1 can be connected to air guide components 3 of different sizes for different refrigerator models and dimensions. This ensures that after the ice maker 10 is installed in the freezer compartment 4, the air guide component 3 always covers the air outlet 51 of the freezer air duct 5, eliminating the need to change the size of the ice maker shell 1 and further reducing the cost of the ice maker 10.

[0046] For example, the air guide 3 is snap-fitted, bonded, and / or connected to the ice-making shell 1 via a threaded connection.

[0047] In some embodiments, one of the air guide 3 and the ice-making shell 1 is provided with a guide groove 34, and the other of the air guide 3 and the ice-making shell 1 is provided with a guide rib 111, which is inserted into the guide groove 34.

[0048] The cooperation between the guide rib 111 and the guide groove 34 effectively ensures the relative fixation of the air guide 3 and the ice shell 1 in any direction other than the extension direction of the guide groove 34, and also realizes the pre-positioning of the air guide 3 on the ice shell 1. The connection between the air guide 3 and the ice shell 1 is easier and the connection between the two is more reliable.

[0049] For example, such as Figures 6-9 As shown, the guide groove 34 extends along the front-back direction of the ice-making shell 1. The air guide 3 moves relative to the ice-making shell 1 in the front-back direction, so that the guide rib 111 can be inserted into the guide groove 34. At this time, even if the connection between the air guide 3 and the ice-making shell 1 fails, the air guide 3 will not easily detach from the ice-making shell 1.

[0050] In some embodiments, the guide groove 34 includes at least two T-shaped grooves provided on the air guide member 3, and the guide rib 111 includes at least two T-shaped ribs provided on the ice shell 1.

[0051] The T-shaped ribs not only increase the contact area between the air guide 3 and the ice-making shell 1, but also prevent the end from detaching too far from the ice-making shell 1 and being damaged by external environmental interference. This results in a stronger connection between the two and higher positioning reliability of the air guide 3 relative to the ice-making shell 1. Furthermore, the inclusion of at least two T-slots and T-shaped ribs increases the number of positioning points between the air guide 3 and the ice-making shell 1, making the air guide 3 less prone to wobbling relative to the ice-making shell 1, thereby further improving the positioning reliability of the air guide 3 relative to the ice-making shell 1.

[0052] For example, such as Figures 6-9 As shown, there are two T-shaped channels arranged at intervals along the left and right direction, and both T-shaped channels are located on the first wall panel 31 of the air guide 3. There are two T-shaped ribs arranged on the bracket 11 of the ice shell 1.

[0053] In some embodiments, one of the air guide 3 and the ice-making shell 1 is provided with a buckle 35, and the other of the air guide 3 and the ice-making shell 1 is provided with a groove 112. The depth direction of the groove 112 is at an angle to the extension direction of the guide groove 34, and a portion of the buckle 35 is engaged in the groove 112.

[0054] As the guide rib 111 is inserted into the guide groove 34, a portion of the buckle 35 is automatically engaged in the groove 112, thereby achieving a fixed connection between the air guide 3 and the ice-making shell 1. The connection between the two is convenient and reliable.

[0055] For example, the buckle 35 includes an elastic part and a snap-fit ​​part connected sequentially along the extension direction of the guide groove 34. The end of the elastic part away from the snap-fit ​​part is connected to the air guide 3 and can be elastically bent relative to the air guide 3 in the up and down direction. During the process of inserting the guide rib 111 into the guide groove 34, the snap-fit ​​part first slides into contact with the bracket 11 so that the elastic part bends relative to the air guide 3 until the guide rib 111 is inserted into place. The snap-fit ​​part is opposite to the slot 112 and is engaged in the slot 112 under the rebound force of the elastic part.

[0056] In some embodiments, at least two buckles 35 are provided on the air guide 3, and at least two slots 112 are provided on the ice-making shell 1.

[0057] This results in at least two connection points between the air guide 3 and the ice-making shell 1, which not only increases the connection strength between the two, but also makes the air guide 3 less likely to wobble back and forth relative to the ice-making shell 1, making the connection between the two sheets tighter and more reliable.

[0058] For example, such as Figures 6-8 As shown, there are three buckles 35 arranged in a triangle on the first wall panel 31 of the air guide 3, and three slots 112 are respectively set on the hanger 11 of the ice shell 1.

[0059] In some embodiments, the ice-making shell 1 includes a bracket 11 forming the top surface of the ice-making cavity 12, and the air guide 3 is snapped into or connected to the bracket 11 via a threaded connection.

[0060] That is, the air guide 3 is set on the top of the ice shell 1. Combined with the orientation of the air outlet of the air guide channel 33 toward the ice grid 2, it ensures that the cold air in the air guide channel 33 blows directly into the water stored in the ice grid 2, which further improves the ice-making efficiency of the ice-making device 10.

[0061] For example, such as Figures 2-4 As shown, the air guide 3 is snapped into the bracket 11 and the air inlet on it is set to face rearward.

[0062] In some embodiments, the ice-making device 10 further includes a filter disposed in the air duct 33.

[0063] The filter element can filter impurities in the cold air entering the ice-making chamber 12, and can also sterilize and deodorize this part of the cold air, thereby effectively preventing this part of the cold air from blowing directly into the ice-making tray 2 and polluting the water quality, and effectively ensuring the forming quality and food safety of the ice cubes.

[0064] For example, the filter element includes an interference fit or a foam or filter element that is snapped into the air duct 33.

[0065] In some examples, the filter may include a sterilization and deodorization module (such as activated carbon), which can effectively kill bacteria, viruses and other germs in the cold air and remove odors, improving the safety of ice for consumption and the user experience.

[0066] The refrigeration device according to the embodiments of this application includes a body 20 and an ice-making device 10. The body 20 has a freezing chamber 4 and a freezing air duct 5. A portion of the freezing air duct 5 is located in the freezing chamber 4 and is provided with an air outlet 51. The ice-making device 10 is an ice-making device 10 as described in any of the above embodiments. The ice-making device 10 is located in the freezing chamber 4, and the portion of the freezing air duct 5 located in the freezing chamber 4 is located in the air guide channel 33.

[0067] The technical advantages of the refrigeration equipment in this application are the same as those of the ice-making device 10 in the above-described embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0068] It should be noted that the refrigeration equipment also includes a door 30, which is connected to the main body 20 and used to seal the freezer compartment 4. The refrigeration equipment may be a refrigerator, which also has at least one of a refrigerator compartment and a crisper compartment.

[0069] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0070] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0071] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between components; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0072] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0073] In this application, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0074] Although the above embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present application. Any changes, modifications, substitutions and variations made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art are within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An ice making device, characterized by, include: An ice-making shell (1) having an ice-making cavity (12); The air guide (3) is connected to the ice-making shell (1) and has an air guide channel (33) communicating with the ice-making cavity (12). The air guide (3) is adapted to wrap the air outlet (51) of the refrigeration air duct (5) of the refrigeration equipment through the air guide channel (33).

2. The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein, The ice-making cavity (12) is provided with an ice grid (2), the air guide channel (33) has an air inlet and an air outlet, the air outlet (51) extends from the air inlet into the air guide channel (33), and the air outlet is connected to the ice-making cavity (12) and faces the ice grid (2).

3. The ice making device according to claim 2, wherein, The air guide (3) includes a first wall panel (31) and a second wall panel (32) that are opposite each other in the vertical direction. The first wall panel (31) includes a first plate segment (311) that is opposite to the air inlet along the direction of the air inlet. The first plate segment (311) is at an angle to the direction of the air inlet but not at a right angle, and is used to guide the cold air at the air inlet to the air outlet.

4. The ice making device according to claim 3, wherein, At least a portion of the second wall panel (32) is angled but not at a right angle to the orientation of the air inlet, and is used to guide the cold air at the air inlet to the air outlet.

5. The ice making device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The air guide (3) is detachably connected to the ice-making shell (1).

6. The ice making device according to claim 5, wherein, One of the air guide (3) and the ice-making shell (1) is provided with a guide groove (34), and the other of the air guide (3) and the ice-making shell (1) is provided with a guide rib (111), which is inserted into the guide groove (34).

7. The ice making device according to claim 6, wherein The guide groove (34) includes at least two T-shaped grooves provided on the air guide (3), and the guide rib (111) includes at least two T-shaped ribs provided on the ice shell (1).

8. The ice making device of claim 6, wherein, One of the air guide (3) and the ice-making shell (1) is provided with a buckle (35), and the other of the air guide (3) and the ice-making shell (1) is provided with a groove (112). The depth direction of the groove (112) is at an angle to the extension direction of the guide groove (34), and a part of the buckle (35) is engaged in the groove (112).

9. The ice making device of claim 8, wherein, At least two buckles (35) are provided on the air guide (3), and at least two slots (112) are provided on the ice-making shell (1).

10. The ice making device according to claim 5, wherein The ice-making shell (1) includes a bracket (11) forming the top surface of the ice-making cavity (12), and the air guide (3) is snapped into the bracket (11) or connected by a threaded component.

11. The ice making device of claim 1, wherein, The ice-making device also includes a filter element disposed in the air guide channel (33).

12. A refrigeration appliance characterized in that, The device includes a body (20) and an ice-making device. The body (20) has a freezing chamber (4) and a freezing air duct (5). A portion of the freezing air duct (5) is located in the freezing chamber (4) and has an air outlet (51). The ice-making device is an ice-making device according to any one of claims 1-11. The ice-making device is located in the freezing chamber (4). The portion of the freezing air duct (5) located in the freezing chamber (4) is located in the air guide channel (33).

Images