An ice-making device and ice maker

Abstract

This invention provides an ice-making device and an ice maker. The ice-making device includes an ice bucket, a flow guide, a temperature regulating component, and a control component. The ice bucket includes an inner bucket and an outer bucket, with a cavity formed between them. An ice outlet is formed at the top of the inner bucket. The flow guide is located within the cavity and guides the refrigerant within the cavity to flow from bottom to top around the outer wall of the inner bucket. The temperature regulating component includes a heating component and a temperature sensing component. The temperature sensing component generates temperature information corresponding to the environment in which the ice-making device is located. The control component receives the temperature information and controls the heating component to turn on when the temperature information reaches a first preset threshold, thereby increasing the temperature at the ice outlet. This structure prevents ice from freezing at the ice outlet. As the ice at the ice outlet is cooled by the heating component, it can be smoothly discharged from the ice bucket through the ice outlet, effectively ensuring smooth ice dispensing and improving ice dispensing efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice-making technology, and in particular to an ice-making device and an ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, freezing noise is a major problem in the ice maker industry. Freezing noise refers to the noise generated when the machine is running. As the ice in the ice bucket cools and forms solid ice, a screw rod rotates the ice upwards. When the amount of crystals increases, they accumulate on the top of the ice bucket. With increased crystal accumulation, the resistance to ice discharge increases, and over time, the outlet can become blocked, causing a jam. At this point, the screw rod spins freely inside the ice bucket, rubbing against the ice and producing a harsh noise. For example, Chinese patent CN106802041A discloses an ice maker including a water injector, ice trays, a rotating rod, and a rotating shaft rotatably connected to the water injector. The water injector includes a water storage chamber and a water outlet connected to the storage chamber. It is evident that this ice maker suffers from freezing noise; when the amount of crystals increases and the resistance to ice discharge increases, the screw rod spins freely inside the ice bucket, rubbing against the ice and producing a harsh noise. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems in the existing technology, this utility model provides an ice-making device and ice maker that prevents ice from freezing at the ice outlet. As the ice at the ice outlet is cooled by the heating element, the ice can be smoothly discharged from the ice outlet into the ice bucket, effectively ensuring smooth ice discharge and improving ice discharge efficiency.

[0004] This application provides an ice-making apparatus, including:

[0005] An ice-making bucket includes an inner bucket and an outer bucket fitted over the inner bucket. A cavity for containing refrigerant is formed between the outer bucket and the inner bucket. An ice outlet is formed at the top of the inner bucket.

[0006] A flow guide, disposed within the cavity, is used to guide the refrigerant within the cavity to flow from bottom to top around the outer wall of the inner barrel;

[0007] A temperature control component includes a heating component and a temperature sensing component. The heating component is disposed on the ice bucket and arranged around the ice outlet. The temperature sensing component is used to generate temperature information corresponding to the environment in which the ice making device is located.

[0008] A control component, electrically connected to both the heating component and the temperature sensing component, receives the temperature information and controls the heating component to activate when the temperature reaches a first preset threshold, thereby increasing the temperature at the ice outlet. This structure prevents ice from freezing at the outlet. As the heating component cools the ice at the outlet, it is smoothly discharged into the ice-making bucket, effectively ensuring smooth ice dispensing and improving efficiency.

[0009] In some embodiments, the flow guide is configured as a spiral flow guide structure, which is arranged around the outer wall of the inner barrel. In this way, the spiral flow guide structure allows the refrigerant to cover as much of the outer wall of the inner barrel as possible, increasing the contact area between the refrigerant and the inner barrel, thereby increasing the cooling efficiency.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ice-making apparatus further includes a refrigeration device. The outer barrel has an inlet and an outlet communicating with the cavity. The outlet on the outer barrel is connected to the air inlet of the refrigeration device, and the inlet on the outer barrel is connected to the liquid outlet of the refrigeration device. The inlet is located below the flow guide, and the outlet is located above the flow guide. In this way, refrigerant can be continuously supplied to the cavity through the refrigeration device, ensuring the continuity and effectiveness of refrigeration.

[0011] In some embodiments, the ice bucket has an annular groove at the ice outlet, and the heating element is embedded in the annular groove. This allows for stable mounting of the heating element through the annular groove, increasing the installation stability of the heating element.

[0012] In some embodiments, the heating element includes a linear heating element wound in a circular manner around the outer wall of the ice-making bucket. This ensures effective heating by stably winding the linear heating element around the outer wall of the ice-making bucket.

[0013] In some embodiments, the ice-making bucket is equipped with an ice scraper, and the ice-making device further includes a drive motor for driving the ice scraper to rotate. The drive motor is electrically connected to the control component, which is also used to receive the rotational speed information of the drive motor and control the heating component to turn on when the temperature information is at a first preset threshold or when the rotational speed information is lower than a preset speed. Thus, the need to control the heating component to turn on can be determined by combining the rotational speed of the drive motor with the temperature of the environment where the ice-making bucket is located, ensuring the accuracy of the heating component's activation and avoiding the problem of ice melting due to incorrect activation of the heating component.

[0014] In some embodiments, the refrigeration device includes a compressor and a condenser connected together, wherein the return port of the compressor is configured as the inlet of the refrigeration device, and the drain port of the condenser is configured as the outlet of the refrigeration device. Thus, the compressor and condenser of the refrigeration device can continuously supply refrigerant to the cavity, ensuring the continuity and effectiveness of refrigeration.

[0015] In some embodiments, the control component is further configured to receive the temperature information and control the heating component to shut down when the temperature information is at a second preset threshold; wherein the second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold. This allows the heating component to be shut down promptly when the temperature information is at the second preset threshold, preventing excessively high temperatures at the ice outlet of the ice maker from affecting the ice-making effect.

[0016] In some embodiments, the inlet of the outer barrel is connected to a first pipe, and the outlet of the outer barrel is connected to a second pipe. The first pipe is used to convert the liquid refrigerant provided by the liquid outlet of the refrigeration equipment into gaseous refrigerant and allow the gaseous refrigerant to enter the cavity. The second pipe is used to discharge the gaseous refrigerant in the cavity to the air inlet of the refrigeration equipment. In this way, the refrigerant can be stably transported through the first and second pipes.

[0017] This application also provides an ice maker, including the ice-making device described in any of the above embodiments. The above structure prevents ice from freezing at the ice outlet. As the heating element cools the ice at the outlet, it allows the ice to be smoothly discharged from the ice-making bucket, effectively ensuring smooth ice discharge and improving ice-making efficiency.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model embodiment are as follows: This utility model, by using a heating component disposed on the ice bucket and arranged around the ice outlet, can increase the temperature at the ice outlet by controlling the heating component to turn on when the temperature information of the environment where the ice-making device is located, detected by the temperature sensing component, is at a first preset threshold. This prevents the ice from freezing at the ice outlet, and as the ice at the ice outlet cools down, the ice can be smoothly discharged from the ice bucket through the ice outlet, effectively ensuring smooth ice discharge and improving ice discharge efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] In drawings that are not necessarily drawn to scale, the same reference numerals may describe similar parts in different views. The drawings generally illustrate various embodiments by way of example rather than limitation and are used, together with the description and claims, to illustrate the disclosed embodiments. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used in all drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. Such embodiments are illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive embodiments of the apparatus or method.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the refrigerant flow direction of the ice-making apparatus according to an embodiment of this application.

[0024] The components indicated by the reference numerals in the figure:

[0025] 1. Ice bucket; 11. Inner bucket; 12. Outer bucket; 13. Cavity; 14. Ice outlet; 15. Inlet; 16. Outlet; 17. Annular groove; 18. Ice extruder; 19. Ice scraper; 2. Flow guide; 3. Heating element; 4. Mounting clip; 5. Compressor; 6. Condenser; 7. First pipe; 8. Second pipe; 9. Water inlet. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] This application provides an ice-making apparatus. For example... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the ice-making device includes an ice bucket 1, a flow guide 2, a temperature regulating component, and a control component (not shown in the figure). The ice bucket 1 includes an inner bucket 11 and an outer bucket 12 fitted outside the inner bucket 11. A cavity 13 for containing refrigerant is formed between the outer bucket 12 and the inner bucket 11. An ice outlet 14 is formed at the upper part of the inner bucket 11. The flow guide 2 is disposed in the cavity 13 and is used to guide the refrigerant in the cavity 13 to flow from bottom to top around the outer wall of the inner bucket 11. The temperature regulating component includes a heating component 3 and a temperature sensing component (not shown in the figure). The heating component 3 is disposed on the ice bucket 1 and is arranged around the ice outlet 14. The temperature sensing component is used to generate temperature information corresponding to the environment in which the ice bucket 1 is located. The control component is electrically connected to the heating component 3 and the temperature sensing component respectively. The control component is used to receive the temperature information and control the heating component 3 to turn on when the temperature information is at a first preset threshold, so as to increase the temperature at the ice outlet 14.

[0028] The aforementioned temperature sensing component can be directly mounted on the control component, which can be located beside the ice maker 1 to detect the temperature information of the environment in which the ice maker 1 is located. Alternatively, the temperature sensing component can be directly mounted on the ice maker 1 to directly detect the temperature information of the ice maker 1, thereby enabling the detection of the temperature of the environment in which the ice maker 1 is located.

[0029] The aforementioned heating element 3 can be attached to the outer wall of the inner barrel 11 by adhesive bonding.

[0030] The above temperature information being at the first preset threshold indicates that the temperature of the environment where the ice bucket 1 is located is too low. At this time, the ice is very likely to be blocked at the ice outlet 14. By controlling the heating component 3 to turn on, the temperature at the ice outlet 14 can be increased, thereby reducing the temperature of the ice and allowing the ice outlet 14 to discharge ice smoothly.

[0031] The temperature control assembly also includes a mounting buckle 4, which is sleeved on the outside of the heating element 3 and is used to install the heating element 3 on the outer wall of the ice bucket 1.

[0032] An ice extruder 18 is provided at the ice outlet 14 at the top of the inner barrel 11. It can compress the ice discharged from the ice-making barrel 1 into ice blocks, thereby producing complete ice blocks.

[0033] The lower part of the inner barrel 11 has a water inlet 9 that communicates with the interior of the inner barrel 11. The water inlet 9 is used to supply water to the interior of the inner barrel 11.

[0034] This invention utilizes a heating element 3 installed on the ice bucket 1 and surrounding the ice outlet 14. When the temperature of the environment where the ice-making device is located, as detected by the temperature sensing element, is at a first preset threshold, the heating element 3 is activated to increase the temperature at the ice outlet 14. This prevents the ice from freezing at the ice outlet 14. As the ice at the ice outlet 14 cools down, it can be smoothly discharged from the ice bucket 1 through the ice outlet 14, effectively ensuring smooth ice discharge and improving ice discharge efficiency.

[0035] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the flow guide 2 is constructed as a spiral flow guide structure, which is arranged around the outer wall of the inner barrel 11.

[0036] In this way, the refrigerant can cover more of the outer wall of the inner barrel 11 through the spiral flow guiding structure, thereby increasing the contact area between the refrigerant and the inner barrel 11 and thus increasing the refrigeration efficiency.

[0037] The outer wall of the spiral flow guiding structure is connected to the inner wall of the outer barrel 12, and the inner wall of the spiral flow guiding structure is connected to the outer wall of the inner barrel 11, so as to guide the refrigerant to flow from bottom to top in a spiral shape.

[0038] The aforementioned spiral flow guiding structure can be made of elastic material, and this application does not specifically limit the material used for the spiral flow guiding structure.

[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 4As shown, the ice-making device also includes a refrigeration device. An inlet 15 and an outlet 16 are formed on the outer barrel 12, which are connected to the cavity 13. The outlet 16 on the outer barrel 12 is connected to the air inlet of the refrigeration device, and the inlet 15 on the outer barrel 12 is connected to the liquid outlet of the refrigeration device. The inlet 15 is located below the guide member 2, and the outlet 16 is located above the guide member 2.

[0040] In this way, refrigerant can be continuously supplied to cavity 13 through refrigeration equipment to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of refrigeration.

[0041] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, an annular groove 17 is provided at the ice outlet 14 of the ice bucket 1, and the heating element 3 is embedded in the annular groove 17.

[0042] In this way, the heating element 3 can be stably installed through the annular groove 17, increasing the installation stability of the heating element 3.

[0043] The aforementioned heating component 3 can be constructed in a ring shape, which is integrally embedded in the annular groove 17 to conduct heat to the ice outlet 14 of the ice bucket 1.

[0044] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the heating element 3 includes a linear heating element, which is wound in a circular manner around the outer wall of the ice-making bucket 1. This ensures effective heating by stably winding the linear heating element around the outer wall of the ice-making bucket 1.

[0045] The aforementioned heating component 3 may be a heating wire, heating lead wire, or other structure, and this application does not specifically limit it.

[0046] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the ice bucket 1 is equipped with an ice scraper 19. The ice making device also includes a drive motor for driving the ice scraper 19 to rotate. The drive motor is electrically connected to the control component. The control component is also used to receive the speed information of the drive motor and control the heating component 3 to turn on when the temperature information is at a first preset threshold and the speed information is lower than the preset speed.

[0047] In this way, the speed of the drive motor and the temperature of the environment where the ice bucket 1 is located can be combined to determine whether the heating component 3 needs to be turned on, ensuring the accuracy of the heating component 3's activation and avoiding the problem of ice melting due to incorrect activation of the heating component 3.

[0048] As the amount of crystals inside the ice bucket 1 increases, the resistance to ice dispensing increases. The ice scraper 19 will then spin freely inside the ice bucket 1, rubbing against the ice and producing a harsh noise. At this time, the rotation speed of the ice scraper 19 will differ from its normal operating speed. Therefore, the rotation speed of the ice scraper 19 can be used to determine whether there is a large accumulation of ice at the ice outlet 14, preventing ice from dispensing. A rotation speed lower than the preset speed indicates that the rotation speed of the ice scraper 19 is too low, meaning there is a large accumulation of ice at the ice outlet 14, preventing ice from dispensing. Therefore, by controlling the heating element 3 to turn on and increase the temperature at the ice outlet 14, the accumulated ice at the ice outlet 14 can be removed, restoring the rotation speed of the ice scraper 19 to its normal operating speed.

[0049] The rotational speed of the ice scraper 19 can be characterized by the current of the drive motor. For example, when the current current of the drive motor is greater than the normal operating current of the drive motor, it can be indicated that the ice scraper 19 is malfunctioning, its rotational speed is reduced, and there is a problem that a lot of ice accumulates at the ice outlet 14, making it impossible to scrape ice.

[0050] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the refrigeration equipment includes a compressor 5 and a condenser 6 connected to each other. The return port of the compressor 5 is configured as the air inlet of the refrigeration equipment, and the drain port of the condenser 6 is configured as the liquid outlet of the refrigeration equipment.

[0051] In this way, the compressor 5 and condenser 6 of the refrigeration equipment can continuously supply refrigerant to the cavity 13, ensuring the continuity and effectiveness of refrigeration.

[0052] Figure 4 The arrows shown indicate the direction of refrigerant flow. After the compressor 5 starts, it delivers liquid refrigerant to the condenser 6. The drain port of the condenser 6 supplies gaseous refrigerant to the cavity 13 through the inlet 15 on the outer barrel 12. The gaseous refrigerant flows from bottom to top along the guide 2 and then flows to the outlet 16 on the outer barrel 12, thus returning to the return port of the compressor 5 through the outlet 16 of the outer barrel 12. The compressor 5 compresses the gaseous refrigerant to convert it into liquid refrigerant and allows the liquid refrigerant to re-enter the condenser 6, thus forming a refrigeration cycle.

[0053] In some embodiments, the control component is further configured to receive temperature information and control the heating component 3 to turn off when the temperature information is at a second preset threshold; wherein the second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.

[0054] In this way, the heating component 3 can be shut off in time when the temperature information is at the second preset threshold, so as to avoid the temperature at the ice outlet 14 of the ice bucket 1 being too high and affecting the ice making effect.

[0055] The above temperature information being at the second preset threshold indicates that the temperature of the environment where the ice bucket 1 is located is too high. At this time, if the heating component 3 continues to heat, the ice may melt. Therefore, by controlling the heating component 3 to turn off, it is possible to prevent further heating at the ice outlet 14 and ensure that the obtained ice is a complete and effective ice, rather than a melted and incomplete ice.

[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the inlet 15 of the outer barrel 12 is connected to a first pipe 7, and the outlet 16 of the outer barrel 12 is connected to a second pipe 8. The first pipe 7 is used to convert the liquid refrigerant provided by the liquid outlet of the refrigeration equipment into gaseous refrigerant and allow the gaseous refrigerant to enter the cavity 13. The second pipe 8 is used to discharge the gaseous refrigerant in the cavity 13 to the air inlet of the refrigeration equipment.

[0057] In this way, the refrigerant can be transported stably through the first pipe 7 and the second pipe 8.

[0058] The pipe connected to the drain port of condenser 6 is larger than the size of the first pipe 7, so that the liquid refrigerant can be instantly converted into gaseous refrigerant by reducing the size of the pipe, so that the gaseous refrigerant can enter the cavity 13.

[0059] This application also provides an ice maker, including the ice-making device of any of the above embodiments. The ice maker using the above-described ice-making device, by using a heating element 3 disposed on the ice bucket 1 and surrounding the ice outlet 14, can increase the temperature at the ice outlet 14 by controlling the heating element 3 to turn on when the temperature information of the environment where the ice-making device is located, detected by the temperature sensing element, is at a first preset threshold. This prevents ice from freezing at the ice outlet 14, and as the ice at the ice outlet 14 cools down, it can be smoothly discharged from the ice bucket 1 through the ice outlet 14, effectively ensuring smooth ice dispensing and improving ice dispensing efficiency.

[0060] The above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to this utility model within its substance and protection scope, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions should also be considered to fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An ice making device, characterized by, include: An ice bucket (1) includes an inner bucket (11) and an outer bucket (12) fitted outside the inner bucket (11). A cavity (13) for containing refrigerant is formed between the outer bucket (12) and the inner bucket (11). An ice outlet (14) is formed at the upper part of the inner bucket (11). A flow guide (2) is provided inside the cavity (13) to guide the refrigerant in the cavity (13) to flow from bottom to top around the outer wall of the inner barrel (11); The temperature control component includes a heating component (3) and a temperature sensing component. The heating component (3) is disposed on the ice bucket (1) and arranged around the ice outlet (14). The temperature sensing component is used to generate temperature information corresponding to the environment in which the ice bucket (1) is located. A control component is electrically connected to the heating component (3) and the temperature sensing component respectively. The control component is used to receive the temperature information and control the heating component (3) to turn on when the temperature information is at a first preset threshold, so as to increase the temperature at the ice outlet (14).

2. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow guide (2) is constructed as a spiral flow guide structure, which is arranged around the outer wall of the inner barrel (11).

3. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The ice-making device also includes a refrigeration device. The outer barrel (12) has an inlet (15) and an outlet (16) that communicate with the cavity (13). The outlet (16) on the outer barrel (12) is connected to the air inlet of the refrigeration device. The inlet (15) on the outer barrel (12) is connected to the liquid outlet of the refrigeration device. The inlet (15) is located below the guide member (2), and the outlet (16) is located above the guide member (2).

4. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice bucket (1) has an annular groove (17) at the ice outlet (14), and the heating component (3) is embedded in the annular groove (17).

5. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The heating component (3) includes a linear heating element, which is wound around the outer wall of the ice bucket (1) in a circular manner.

6. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice bucket (1) is provided with an ice scraper (19). The ice making device also includes a drive motor for driving the ice scraper (19) to rotate. The drive motor is electrically connected to the control component. The control component is also used to receive the rotation speed information of the drive motor and control the heating component (3) to turn on when the temperature information is at a first preset threshold and the rotation speed information is lower than a preset speed.

7. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The refrigeration equipment includes a compressor (5) and a condenser (6) connected to each other. The return port of the compressor (5) is configured as the air inlet of the refrigeration equipment, and the drain port of the condenser (6) is configured as the liquid outlet of the refrigeration equipment.

8. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control component is also used to receive the temperature information and control the heating component (3) to turn off when the temperature information is at a second preset threshold; wherein the second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.

9. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inlet (15) of the outer barrel (12) is connected to a first pipe (7), and the outlet (16) of the outer barrel (12) is connected to a second pipe (8). The first pipe (7) is used to convert the liquid refrigerant provided by the liquid outlet of the refrigeration equipment into gaseous refrigerant and allow the gaseous refrigerant to enter the cavity (13). The second pipe (8) is used to discharge the gaseous refrigerant in the cavity (13) to the air inlet of the refrigeration equipment.

10. An ice maker, characterized in that, Includes the ice-making apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images