Transparent ice maker

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of ice makers, in particular to a transparent ice maker which comprises an ice maker shell, an ice making box arranged in the ice maker shell and a circulating water tank arranged below the ice making box and used for receiving overflow water of the ice making box, the ice making box is communicated with the circulating water tank through a circulating water pipe and a circulating water pump. The application has the effects of improving the problem that air is easily trapped in ice blocks, leading to loose ice block structure, improving ice block transparency and structural compactness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of ice makers, and in particular to a transparent ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] An ice maker is a modern household or commercial refrigeration device used to produce edible ice cubes, widely used in beverage preparation, food preservation, and medical refrigeration. With the continued growth in market demand for ice makers, ice-making efficiency and ice quality have become core performance indicators and key areas of focus in product design.

[0003] In related technologies, the core structure of a bullet ice maker involves a cylindrical evaporator inside the ice-making chamber. A refrigeration system rapidly cools the evaporator surface to below 0°C, immersing it in water within a storage chamber. During ice making, water continuously condenses on the low-temperature evaporator surface, growing along the cylindrical surface to form approximately cylindrical ice blocks, i.e., bullet ice. Compared to traditional grid ice makers, it has a lower cooling temperature and higher heat exchange efficiency, completing one ice-making cycle in 7-8 minutes, shortening user waiting time and gaining popularity among consumers due to its convenience.

[0004] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, the bullet ice-making process relies on the ultra-low temperature (below -20℃) of the evaporator to achieve a rapid phase change. Water cools drastically upon contact with the evaporator, and air molecules dissolved in the water, unable to escape the liquid phase, are simultaneously trapped within the ice crystal structure formed by the water molecules. Once the ice has completely solidified, these trapped air bubbles diffuse throughout the ice as tiny air bubbles, resulting in an opaque, white, misty appearance. Simultaneously, the presence of these bubbles disrupts the continuity of the ice crystal structure, weakening the internal binding force and resulting in a loose texture, low compressive strength, and susceptibility to breakage during use or storage. Furthermore, the loose structure reduces the ice's cold storage capacity; its melting rate at room temperature is significantly faster than that of dense, transparent ice, making it unsuitable for long-term cold storage of beverages and extended preservation of food. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to improve the problem that air is easily trapped inside the ice, resulting in a loose ice structure, and to increase the transparency and density of the ice, this application provides a transparent ice maker.

[0006] The transparent ice maker provided in this application adopts the following technical solution: A transparent ice maker includes an ice maker housing, an ice-making box disposed within the ice maker housing, and a circulating water tank located below the ice-making box for receiving overflow water from the ice-making box. The ice-making box is connected to the circulating water tank via a circulating water pipe and a circulating water pump.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, a continuously flowing water circulation system is constructed using circulating water pipes and pumps. During the ice-making process, the water flow constantly flushes the water inside the ice-making container, causing dissolved air molecules to be expelled with the overflow water. Forced convection is used to reduce the density of air bubbles inside the ice crystals, forming a dense ice structure with high light transmittance. The circulating water tank collects and recycles the overflow water from the ice-making container, working in conjunction with the pump to achieve water recycling. The circulating water tank is physically isolated from the ice-making container to prevent meltwater from contaminating the already made ice. The water flow driven by the pump achieves automated circulation, reducing the need for manual intervention.

[0008] Furthermore, the ice maker housing also includes an inner shell, an evaporator, and a condenser. The ice box is located inside the inner shell. The lower part of the inner shell and the inner wall of the ice maker housing together form an installation chamber for installing the evaporator and the condenser. The ice box is installed inside the ice maker housing, and the evaporator is connected to an ice-making column that extends into the ice box. The circulating water pipe is located in the installation chamber. One end of the circulating water pipe passes through the side wall of the inner shell and extends into the ice maker. The installation chamber is equipped with a water replenishment pump and a circulating water pump that communicate with the inner shell. The water replenishment pump is connected to the end of the circulating water pipe away from the ice maker, and the circulating water pump is connected to the middle section of the circulating water pipe.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, a dynamic water circulation system is constructed using circulating water pipes and pumps. During the ice-making process, the water body is continuously flushed, allowing dissolved air molecules to escape with the water flow, significantly reducing the density of air bubbles inside the ice crystals and forming a dense ice body with high light transmittance. Forced water convection promotes the slow, layered crystallization of water molecules, building a continuous and complete ice crystal structure, improving the ice's compressive strength and crack resistance. Simultaneously, the circulating water system removes residual impurities from the evaporator surface, achieving a dual degassing mechanism in conjunction with the low-temperature environment, ensuring the transparency and purity of the ice.

[0010] Furthermore, the inner shell includes an integrally connected source water tank, circulating water tank, and ice-making shell. The circulating water tank is located between the source water tank and the ice-making shell, and the top surfaces of the three are flush with each other. The height of the circulating water tank and the ice-making shell is less than the height of the source water tank, thereby forming the installation chamber on the lower side. The water replenishment pump is located on the side of the source water tank near the evaporator, and the circulating water pump is located on the lower side of the circulating water tank.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the inner shell is integrated into a single structure comprising the source water tank, circulating water tank, and ice-making shell. The top surfaces of the source water tank and circulating water tank are flush, balancing water storage capacity and water circulation efficiency. The circulating water pump works in conjunction with the circulating water tank to ensure a continuous and stable water output from the circulating water pipes, ensuring that the water flow is always in a dynamic circulation state during the ice-making process. This promotes the migration and discharge of dissolved air with the water flow, preventing air bubbles from accumulating inside the ice crystals. The replenishment water pump works in conjunction with the source water tank to add an appropriate amount of water to the ice-making box after ice making, maintaining a stable water supply for subsequent ice making and preventing ice-making interruptions or uneven ice size due to water shortage. The closed-loop water circulation system, through the tiered water supply and circulation of the source water tank, circulating water tank, and ice-making box, ensures the continuity and uniformity of the ice-making process, while continuously optimizing the ice crystal growth environment through dynamic water flow, improving ice transparency and structural density, simplifying the manual water replenishment operation, and reducing the complexity of equipment use.

[0012] Furthermore, the end of the circulating water pipe is located at the middle position of each of the ice-making columns.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the circulating water pipe continuously pumps water into the ice-making box. When the ice-making box is full, the excess water overflows back into the circulating water tank, forming a closed water circulation path. The end of the circulating water pipe extends downward into the ice-making box. Utilizing the impact force of the water flow, the water in the ice-making box spreads evenly outward from the circulating water pipe as the center, driving the water around the ice-making columns to circulate rapidly. Through continuous dynamic flow, the air that escapes during the freezing process is continuously flushed away from the surface of the ice crystals, preventing it from being trapped inside the ice body. This ensures uniform cooling around each ice-making column. At the same time, the shearing action of the flowing water disrupts the conditions for air bubble adhesion. Ultimately, while ensuring ice-making efficiency, the transparency and structural density of the ice are significantly improved, achieving the efficient preparation of transparent ice.

[0014] Furthermore, an ice receiving box for cooperating with the ice making box is snapped into the upper part of the inside of the source water tank, and an ice scraper plate for scooping ice blocks from the ice making box into the ice receiving box is hinged to one side of the ice making box, and the ice scraper plate is located on the upper side of the circulating water tank.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the coordinated structure of the ice receiving box and the ice scraper plate enables efficient and automated ice collection and transfer. The ice receiving box is snapped onto the top of the source water tank. When the ice making box is flipped over to pour out the ice, the ice scraper plate guides the ice blocks into the ice receiving box along a preset trajectory. The ice scraper plate is located on the upper side of the circulating water tank, which creates a spatial isolation between it and the water circulation system, preventing meltwater from contaminating the ice blocks. At the same time, the low-temperature environment of the circulating water tank can maintain the storage quality of the ice blocks.

[0016] Furthermore, the circulating water tank is provided with an ice-shoveling guide component on its upper side for cooperating with the ice-shoveling plate. The ice-shoveling guide component includes an installation plate for connecting with the circulating water tank and an arc-shaped guide plate integrally connected to the installation plate on the side near the ice-making shell. The arc of the arc-shaped guide plate matches the movement angle of the ice-shoveling plate, and the arc-shaped guide plate has a grid for connecting the circulating water tank.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the curved guide plate matches the movement trajectory of the ice-shoveling plate, forming a continuous and low-resistance sliding path. This reduces mechanical friction and the risk of ice block jamming during the ice-shoveling plate's rotation. Simultaneously, the grid structure forms a water flow filtration and return channel, preventing ice debris from clogging the circulating water path. Gravity allows meltwater to automatically flow back to the circulating water tank. The connection between the mounting plate and the circulating water tank ensures the positional accuracy of the guide components, preventing structural displacement due to vibration during ice shoveling. The guide curved surface and the ice-shoveling plate allow ice blocks to slide precisely along a preset trajectory into the ice-receiving box, significantly improving ice transfer efficiency and reducing ice-breaking losses.

[0018] Furthermore, the mounting plate has a connecting part for connecting with the arc-shaped guide plate and a plug-in part for engaging with the inner wall of the circulating water tank, and the inner wall of the circulating water tank is provided with a U-shaped slot for inserting the plug-in part.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the self-locking snap-fit ​​between the plug part of the mounting plate and the U-shaped slot of the circulating water tank can achieve the stability of the arc-shaped guide plate under the impact of ice and melt water, ensuring that the movement trajectory of the guide component and the ice-shoveling plate is accurately matched during the ice-shoveling process, and avoiding problems such as ice block transfer jamming or trajectory deviation caused by structural offset.

[0020] Furthermore, the connecting part and the arc-shaped guide plate are integrally connected with a number of spaced reinforcing ribs.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the spaced arrangement of reinforcing ribs forms a distributed support system, which effectively disperses the stress concentration generated when the ice shovel moves, prevents the arc-shaped guide plate from deforming or fatigue cracking under the impact of ice, and enhances the overall rigidity of the mounting plate and guide components, ensuring that the guide path is not disturbed by external forces during the impact of water flow in the circulating water tank and the sliding of ice, and avoiding the problem of ice block jamming caused by structural displacement.

[0022] Furthermore, the ice receiving box has several drainage holes at the bottom for connecting to the source water tank.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the drain hole forms a gravity-driven drainage path, allowing melted ice water to flow into the source water tank through the hole, avoiding bacterial growth or odor problems caused by water accumulation at the bottom of the ice collection box. Simultaneously, the drain hole also constitutes a closed-loop water circuit for the ice-making system; the recovered ice water is circulated back to the source water tank for ice making, reducing the overall water consumption of the equipment. The drain hole not only ensures drainage but also intercepts ice debris to prevent pipe blockage.

[0024] Furthermore, the ice receiving box is equipped with an ice shovel for scooping out finished ice blocks, and the ice receiving box has a hook on its inner side wall for hanging the ice shovel. The ice shovel has a spoon part and an integrally connected handle part, and the handle part has a through hole that cooperates with the hook.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, the integrated layout of the ice shovel and ice collection box allows the ice shovel to be stored inside the ice collection box, eliminating the need to search for additional ice-retrieving tools when ice is needed. Hooks are embedded in the side wall of the ice collection box to create an independent hanging space, allowing the ice shovel to be suspended above the inner wall of the ice collection box through the through-hole in the handle, preventing the ice shovel from directly contacting the ice and meltwater inside the ice-making box and reducing secondary contamination. The support provided by the hooks ensures the ice shovel is stably suspended, saving internal storage space in the ice collection box and allowing users to directly access the ice shovel without having to search for additional tools, thus improving the convenience and hygienic reliability of the ice-making system.

[0026] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. A dynamic water circulation system is constructed by circulating water pipes, water supply pumps, and circulating water pumps. During the ice-making process, the water flow continuously flushes the water body, causing dissolved air molecules to escape with the water flow, reducing the density of air bubbles in the ice crystals. At the same time, the forced convection of the water flow causes water molecules to crystallize slowly in layers, forming a continuous and complete ice crystal structure, which not only improves the light transmittance of the ice block, but also enhances its pressure resistance and crack resistance. 2. The inner shell adopts an integrated structure of source water tank, circulating water tank and ice-making shell. With the help of water replenishment pump and circulating water pump, it realizes tiered water supply and closed-loop circulation. The water replenishment pump replenishes water from the source water tank to avoid water shortage causing ice-making interruption or uneven ice size. The circulating water pump ensures continuous dynamic circulation of water flow, maintains a stable ice crystal growth environment, and ensures ice-making efficiency and uniformity. 3. The ice collection box and ice scraper work together to achieve automated ice collection. The ice scraper guide component reduces jamming and loss during ice transfer. The drainage hole at the bottom of the ice collection box recovers meltwater to the source water tank, forming a closed-loop water circuit to reduce water consumption. At the same time, the integrated design of the ice scraper and ice collection box improves ease of use and hygiene, simplifying operation and improving the system's practicality. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a transparent ice maker according to an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a transparent ice maker with the ice maker housing removed, according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 .

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a transparent ice maker with the ice maker housing removed, according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 .

[0030] Figure 4 This is a partial structural diagram of the ice-making box, ice-making column, and circulating water pipe in the embodiments of this application.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of a transparent ice maker with the shell removed, according to an embodiment of this application.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the ice-shoveling guide component in the embodiments of this application.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Ice maker housing; 11. Installation chamber; 2. Inner liner housing; 21. Source water tank; 211. Make-up water pump; 22. Circulating water tank; 221. Circulating water pump; 222. U-shaped slot; 23. Ice maker housing; 3. Evaporator; 31. Ice maker column; 4. Condenser; 5. Ice maker box; 51. Ice scraper plate; 6. Circulating water pipe; 7. Ice receiving box; 71. Drain hole; 72. Ice scraper; 721. Spoon part; 722. Handle part; 723. Through hole; 73. Hook; 8. Ice scraper guide component; 81. Mounting plate; 811. Connecting part; 812. Insertion part; 813. Reinforcing rib; 82. Curved guide plate; 821. Grille. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the purpose, technical solution, and advantages of this application clearer, the following description is provided in conjunction with the appendix. Figure 1-6 The present application will be further described in detail with reference to the embodiments.

[0035] This application discloses a transparent ice maker. (See also...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The transparent ice maker includes an ice maker housing 1, an inner liner housing 2 located within the ice maker housing 1, an evaporator 3, a condenser 4, and an ice-making box 5 located within the inner liner housing 2. The inner liner housing 2, together with the inner wall of the ice maker housing 1, forms an installation chamber 11 for mounting the evaporator 3 and the condenser 4. The ice-making box 5 is installed within the ice maker housing 23. The evaporator 3 is connected to an ice-making column 31 that extends into the ice-making box 5.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3The inner shell 2 includes an integrally connected source water tank 21, a circulating water tank 22, and an ice-making shell 23. The circulating water tank 22 is located between the source water tank 21 and the ice-making shell 23, and the top surfaces of the three are flush with each other. The height of the circulating water tank 22 and the ice-making water tank is less than the height of the source water tank 21, thus forming an installation chamber 11 on the lower side.

[0037] The installation chamber 11 is equipped with a circulating water pipe 6, one end of which passes through the side wall of the ice-making shell 23 and extends into the ice-making box 5. The installation chamber 11 is also equipped with a water replenishment pump 211 and a circulating water pump 221, both connected to the inner shell 2. The water replenishment pump 211 is connected to the end of the circulating water pipe 6 furthest from the ice-making shell 23, and the circulating water pump 221 is connected to the middle section of the circulating water pipe 6. The water replenishment pump 211 is located on the side of the source water tank 21 closest to the evaporator 3, and the circulating water pump 221 is located below the circulating water tank 22.

[0038] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The end of the circulating water pipe 6 is located in the middle of each ice-making column 31. An ice-receiving box 7, for cooperating with the ice-making box 5, is snapped into the upper part of the source water tank 21. The ice-receiving box 7 has several drainage holes 71 at its bottom for connecting to the source water tank 21. An ice shovel 72 for scooping out finished ice blocks is provided inside the ice-receiving box 7. A hook 73 for hanging the ice shovel 72 is integrally connected to the inner wall of the ice-receiving box 7. The ice shovel 72 has a scoop portion 721 and an integrally connected handle portion 722. The handle portion 722 has a through hole 723 for cooperating with the hook 73.

[0039] An ice-scraping plate 51 is hinged to one side of the ice-making container 5 for scooping ice from the ice-making container 5 into the ice-receiving container 7. The ice-scraping plate 51 is located on the upper side of the circulating water tank 22. The circulating water tank 22 is provided on its upper side with an ice-scraping guide component 8 for cooperating with the ice-scraping plate 51. (Refer to...) Figure 6 The ice-removing guide component 8 includes a mounting plate 81 for connecting to the circulating water tank 22 and an arc-shaped guide plate 82 integrally connected to the mounting plate 81 on the side near the ice-making housing 23. The curvature of the arc-shaped guide plate 82 matches the movement angle of the ice-removing plate 51, and the arc-shaped guide plate 82 has a grille 821 for connecting to the circulating water tank 22.

[0040] The mounting plate 81 has a connecting part 811 for connecting to the curved guide plate 82 and a plug-in part 812 for engaging with the inner wall of the circulating water tank 22. The inner wall of the circulating water tank 22 is provided with a U-shaped slot 222 for inserting the plug-in part 812. A number of spaced reinforcing ribs 813 are integrally connected between the connecting part 811 and the curved guide plate 82.

[0041] The implementation principle of a transparent ice maker according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: Evaporator 3 extends into ice-making container 5 via connected ice-making columns 31. The evaporator 3's cooling effect lowers the temperature of the ice-making columns 31, providing conditions for freezing the water in the ice-making container 5. A circulating water pipe 6 circulates water through a water pump 211 connected to the source water tank 21 and a circulating water pump 221 connected to the circulating water tank 22. The water pump 211 replenishes water from the source water tank 21 to the circulating water pipe 6, and the circulating water pump 221 drives the water flow within the circulating water pipe 6. The end of the circulating water pipe 6 is located in the middle of each ice-making column 31, ensuring that the water flow evenly covers the area around the ice-making columns 31. Continuous water circulation reduces the retention of air bubbles and impurities in the water, resulting in a more uniform ice layer and ultimately transparent ice. After ice making is complete, the ice-making container 5 is flipped over, and the ice scraper 51 hinged to one side of the ice-making container 5 rotates, scraping the ice blocks from the ice-making container 5 towards the ice-receiving container 7. The ice-shoveling guide component 8 on the upper side of the circulating water tank 22 assists in the transfer of ice blocks. The curvature of the arc-shaped guide plate 82 matches the movement angle of the ice-shoveling plate 51, guiding the ice blocks smoothly to the ice-receiving box 7. The grid 821 on the arc-shaped guide plate 82 allows the water melted during the ice-shoveling process to flow into the circulating water tank 22 through the grid 821, realizing water recycling. The ice-receiving box 7 is snapped onto the top of the source water tank 21, and the drain hole 71 at its bottom allows the water melted by the ice blocks to flow back to the source water tank 21, realizing initial water circulation. The melted water collected in the circulating water tank 22 and the water in the source water tank 21 are reinjected into the circulating water pipe 6 through the circulating water pump 221 and the makeup water pump 211, participating in the ice-making process again to form a complete water circulation system.

[0042] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A transparent ice maker, characterized in that, It includes an ice maker housing (1), an ice maker box (5) disposed inside the ice maker housing (1), and a circulating water tank (22) located below the ice maker box (5) for receiving the overflow water from the ice maker box (5). The ice maker box (5) is connected to the circulating water tank (22) through a circulating water pipe (6) and a circulating water pump (221).

2. The transparent ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ice maker housing (1) is further provided with an inner shell (2), an evaporator (3) and a condenser (4). The ice box (5) is located inside the inner shell (2). The lower part of the inner shell (2) and the inner wall of the ice maker housing (1) together form an installation chamber (11) for installing the evaporator (3) and the condenser (4). The ice box (5) is installed inside the ice maker housing (23). The evaporator (3) is connected to an ice-making column (31) for extending into the ice box (5). The circulating water pipe (6) is located in the installation chamber (11). One end of the circulating water pipe (6) passes through the side wall of the inner shell (2) and extends into the ice box (5). The installation chamber (11) is equipped with a water replenishment pump (211) and a circulating water pump (221) that communicate with the inner shell (2). The water replenishment pump (211) is connected to the end of the circulating water pipe (6) away from the ice box (23), and the circulating water pump (221) is connected to the middle section of the circulating water pipe (6).

3. A transparent ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner shell (2) includes an integrally connected source water tank (21), circulating water tank (22) and ice-making shell (23). The circulating water tank (22) is located between the source water tank (21) and the ice-making shell (23), and the top surfaces of the three are flush with each other. The height of the circulating water tank (22) and the ice-making shell (23) is less than the height of the source water tank (21), thus forming the installation chamber (11) on the lower side. The water replenishment pump (211) is located on the side of the source water tank (21) near the evaporator (3), and the circulating water pump (221) is located on the lower side of the circulating water tank (22).

4. A transparent ice maker according to claim 3, characterized in that: The end of the circulating water pipe (6) is located at the middle position of each of the ice-making columns (31).

5. A transparent ice maker according to claim 3, characterized in that: Inside the source water tank (21), at the upper position, is an ice receiving box (7) for cooperating with the ice making box (5). The ice making box (5) is hinged on one side with an ice scraper (51) for scraping ice blocks from the ice making box (5) into the ice receiving box (7). The ice scraper (51) is located on the upper side of the circulating water tank (22).

6. A transparent ice maker according to claim 5, characterized in that: The circulating water tank (22) is provided with an ice-shoveling guide component (8) on its upper side for cooperating with the ice-shoveling plate (51). The ice-shoveling guide component (8) includes a mounting plate (81) for connecting with the circulating water tank (22) and an arc-shaped guide plate (82) integrally connected to the mounting plate (81) on the side near the ice-making shell (23). The curvature of the arc-shaped guide plate (82) matches the movement angle of the ice-shoveling plate (51). The arc-shaped guide plate (82) has a grid (821) for communicating with the circulating water tank (22).

7. A transparent ice maker according to claim 6, characterized in that: The mounting plate (81) has a connecting part (811) for connecting with the arc-shaped guide plate (82) and a plug-in part (812) for engaging with the inner wall of the circulating water tank (22). The inner wall of the circulating water tank (22) is provided with a U-shaped slot (222) for inserting the plug-in part (812).

8. A transparent ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connecting part (811) and the arc-shaped guide plate (82) are integrally connected by a number of spaced reinforcing ribs (813).

9. A transparent ice maker according to claim 5, characterized in that: The ice receiving box (7) has several drainage holes (71) at the bottom for connecting to the source water tank (21).

10. A transparent ice maker according to claim 5, characterized in that: The ice receiving box (7) is provided with an ice shovel (72) for scooping out finished ice blocks. The ice receiving box (7) has a hook (73) on its inner side wall for hanging the ice shovel (72). The ice shovel (72) has a spoon part (721) and an integrally connected handle part (722). The handle part (722) has a through hole (723) that cooperates with the hook (73).

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