Ice making assembly

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of ice making assembly, it includes: ice making evaporator, it includes: substrate, ice grid being arranged in the one side of the substrate, and the refrigerant pipe being arranged in the other side of the substrate or embedded in the substrate;Water supply device, which provides water for ice making to the ice grid;And water box, which provides water to the water supply device through water supply pipeline, and recycles the water flowing out from the ice grid through backwater pipeline, forms water circulation between the ice making evaporator, the water supply device and the water box, the water supply device provides water to the ice making evaporator in multiple times, and ice is made in the ice making evaporator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an ice-making assembly, and more particularly to an ice-making assembly including an ice-making evaporator. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional refrigerator ice-making units typically use a horizontally positioned ice tray that collects water to make ice. Once ice is made, a tilting mechanism is needed to remove it. Furthermore, the refrigerant pipes supplying the ice tray often have a circular cross-section, resulting in limited contact area with the substrate and low thermal conductivity.

[0003] However, the slow water circulation in a horizontal ice tray prolongs freezing time, resulting in low ice-making efficiency. Furthermore, ice removal relies on a motor-driven tilting mechanism, increasing the number of parts and the risk of malfunction. Additionally, the extra tilting mechanism occupies valuable space within the refrigerator.

[0004] To improve ice-making efficiency, some solutions have attempted to optimize the refrigerant pipe layout or use high thermal conductivity materials, but these have failed to solve the fundamental problem of ice removal relying on mechanical flipping, and have further increased structural complexity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an ice-making component that combines rapid ice making with structural simplification, completely eliminating the flipping mechanism while improving efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0005] Technical problem to be solved by the utility model

[0006] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems. Its purpose is to provide an ice-making component that can achieve rapid ice making using water circulation with a simple structure.

[0007] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0008] One aspect of this utility model provides an ice-making assembly, comprising: an ice-making evaporator, including: a substrate, an ice tray disposed on one side of the substrate, and a refrigerant pipe disposed on the other side of the substrate or embedded in the substrate; a water supply device that supplies water to the ice tray for ice making; and a water tank that supplies water to the water supply device through a water supply pipe and recovers water flowing out of the ice tray through a water return pipe, forming a water circulation between the ice-making evaporator, the water supply device, and the water tank, wherein the water supply device makes ice in the ice-making evaporator by repeatedly supplying water to the ice-making evaporator.

[0009] In one aspect of the ice-making assembly according to the present invention, optionally, the substrate of the ice-making evaporator extends along the vertical direction of the refrigerator.

[0010] In an ice-making assembly according to one aspect of the present invention, optionally, the water supply device is a water spraying device, which is disposed above the ice evaporator and sprays water onto the ice tray located below.

[0011] In an ice-making assembly according to one aspect of the present invention, the ice grid is optionally composed of multiple intersecting grids, with slots for interlocking provided on the edges of the grids away from the base plate and at the positions where the grids intersect, and notches for allowing water to flow through provided on the edges of the grids near the base plate.

[0012] Because the ice-making evaporator in the ice-making assembly according to one aspect of this utility model is designed vertically, only a water supply device needs to be installed above the ice-making evaporator, which reduces the number of components in the ice-making assembly. Furthermore, in the ice-making cycle, the water used for ice making can circulate more quickly, and in the de-icing cycle, the ice cubes can be directly detached without the need for an additional flipping mechanism. Therefore, the ice-making assembly according to one aspect of this utility model can achieve rapid ice making with a simple structure.

[0013] In one aspect of the ice-making assembly according to the present invention, optionally, the base plate of the ice-making evaporator extends along the horizontal direction of the refrigerator, and the base plate side of the ice-making evaporator faces upward in the vertical direction of the refrigerator.

[0014] In an ice-making assembly according to one aspect of the present invention, optionally, the water supply device is a water spraying device, which is disposed below the ice-making evaporator and sprays water onto the ice grid located above.

[0015] In an ice-making assembly according to one aspect of the present invention, the ice tray is optionally composed of multiple intersecting grids, and at the edges of the grids away from the base plate, at the positions where the grids intersect, there are slots for interlocking.

[0016] Optionally, an ice-making assembly according to one aspect of the present invention may further include: a moving mechanism capable of moving at least one of the ice tray or the water supply device, the water supply device being an immersion device disposed below the ice-making evaporator, wherein the moving mechanism immerses the ice tray into the immersion device.

[0017] In one aspect of the ice-making assembly according to the present invention, the ice grid is optionally composed of a plurality of columnar components.

[0018] In an ice-making assembly according to one aspect of the present invention, the columnar member may optionally be a hollow column.

[0019] Because the ice-making evaporator in the ice-making assembly according to another aspect of the present invention is designed as a horizontal inverted type, the ice cubes can be directly slid off during the de-icing cycle without the need for an additional flipping mechanism. Therefore, the ice-making assembly according to another aspect of the present invention can achieve rapid ice making with a simple structure.

[0020] In an ice-making assembly according to one aspect of the present invention, optionally, when viewed along the extension direction perpendicular to the refrigerant pipe, the cross-sectional shape of the refrigerant pipe is elliptical, and its major axis is parallel to the substrate.

[0021] In an ice-making assembly according to one aspect of the present invention, optionally, at least one of the substrate, the ice tray, or the refrigerant pipe is made of at least one of copper, aluminum, carbon steel, or stainless steel.

[0022] Because the long axis of the refrigerant pipe in the ice-making assembly according to one aspect of this invention is parallel to the extending direction of the substrate, the contact area between the refrigerant pipe and the substrate is increased. Furthermore, the ice-making evaporator is made of a metal with good thermal conductivity. In the ice-making cycle, cold air is more effectively transferred to the ice-making evaporator, enabling rapid ice production. And in the de-icing cycle, heat is rapidly released within the ice-making evaporator, accelerating the detachment of ice from its surface.

[0023] Effects of the utility model

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, an ice-making component can achieve rapid ice making with a simple structure and by utilizing water circulation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this utility model will become clearer from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view showing the overall structure of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram showing the ice-making system 100 of the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram showing the ice-making assembly 200A of the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram showing the grid 221 of the ice-making evaporator 104A according to the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the refrigerant pipes 213 of the ice-making evaporator 104A according to the first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerant pipe 213 as viewed along its extension direction.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram showing the ice-making assembly 200B according to the second embodiment.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram showing the grid 222 of the ice-making evaporator 104B according to the second embodiment.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram showing the ice-making assembly 200C according to the third embodiment.

[0035] Figure 10 This is a structural diagram showing the columnar member 223 of the ice-making evaporator 104C according to the third embodiment.

[0036] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and present slightly simplified representations of various features illustrating the basic principles of the present invention. Specific design features of the present invention contained herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the application and environment of use of the particular design.

[0037] In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals are used throughout the various drawings to refer to the same or equivalent parts.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0039] 1…Refrigerator; 11…Refrigerator compartment; 12…Variable temperature compartment; 13…Freezer compartment; 14…Ice maker compartment; 100…Ice making system; 101…Compressor; 102…Condenser; 103…Dryer tube; 104, 104A, 104B, 104C…Ice evaporator; 105…Refrigerator evaporator; 106…Freezing evaporator; 110…Capillary tube; 111…First capillary tube; 112…Second capillary tube; 113…Third capillary tube; 121…Three-way valve; 122…Four-way valve; 200A, 200B, 200C ...Ice-making assembly; 201...Water supply device; 201A...Water spray device; 201B...Water spray device; 201C...Water immersion device; 201a, 201b...Water outlet; 202...Water tray; 203...Water box; 204...Water supply pipe; 205...Water return pipe; 204a, 205a...Water pump; 206...Moving mechanism; 211...Ice tray; 212...Base plate; 213...Refrigerant pipe; 221, 222...Grate; 221a, 222a...Insert; 221b...Notch; 223...Columnar member. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The refrigerator according to this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0041] In this specification, it should be understood that terms such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and “comprising” mean the presence of the stated features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0042] In the attached diagram, for ease of understanding, the vertical direction of the refrigerator is defined as the up-down direction, the direction of the refrigerator near the door is defined as the front side, and the direction of the refrigerator near the rear wall is defined as the rear side.

[0043] <First Implementation Method>

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view showing the overall structure of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator compartment 11, a variable temperature compartment 12, and a freezer compartment 13. Additionally, refrigerator 1 may also include an ice-making compartment 14 equipped with an ice-making evaporator 104. Figure 1 In this refrigerator, the ice-making compartment 14 is installed in the refrigerator compartment 11. However, the ice-making compartment 14 may also be located in either the refrigerator compartment 11 or the freezer compartment 13, or may be located separately in another compartment that is separate from the refrigerator compartment 11 or the freezer compartment 13.

[0046] The ice evaporator 104, mounted in the ice-making chamber 14, can perform both ice-making and ice-removing functions. After ice-making is completed in the ice-making chamber 14, the ice blocks produced by the ice evaporator 104 can also be transferred to an ice storage compartment (not shown) in any of the refrigerator compartment 11, the variable temperature compartment 12, or the freezer compartment 13 for storage via an ice-transfer mechanism (not shown).

[0047] Next, the structure and ice-making principle of the ice-making system 100 of the first embodiment will be explained.

[0048] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram showing the ice-making system 100 of the first embodiment.

[0049] like Figure 2As shown, the ice-making system 100 of the first embodiment includes: a compressor 101, a three-way valve 121, a condenser 102, a dryer 103, a four-way valve 122, a capillary tube 110, a refrigeration evaporator 105, a freezing evaporator 106, an ice-making evaporator 104, and a control unit. The compressor 101 provides power for refrigerant circulation. The three-way valve 121 is disposed between the condenser 102 and the ice-making evaporator 104, and is used to control the flow of refrigerant to either the condenser 102 or the ice-making evaporator 104. The condenser 102 is used for heat dissipation and condensation of the refrigerant. The dryer 103 is used to filter moisture and impurities from the refrigerant. The four-way valve 122 is disposed between the dryer 103 and the refrigeration evaporator 105, the freezing evaporator 106, and the ice-making evaporator 104, and is used to switch the flow of refrigerant to either the refrigeration evaporator 105, the freezing evaporator 106, or the ice-making evaporator 104. Between the four-way valve 122 and the refrigeration evaporator 105, the freezing evaporator 106, and the ice-making evaporator 104, a first capillary tube 111, a second capillary tube 112, and a third capillary tube 113 are respectively provided for throttling and pressure reduction. The capillary tube 110 can be replaced with an expansion valve or an energy-saving device depending on cost and efficiency. The refrigeration evaporator 105 is used to cool the refrigerator compartment 11. The ice-making evaporator 104 is used to cool the ice-making compartment 14. The freezing evaporator 106 is used to cool the freezer compartment 13. The control unit sends electrical signals to the three-way valve 121 and the four-way valve 122 to control the opening and closing of the three-way valve 121 and the four-way valve 122.

[0050] exist Figure 2 In this configuration, the refrigeration evaporator 105 and the freezing evaporator 106 are connected in series and parallel, and then connected in parallel with the ice-making evaporator 104. The series-parallel structure of the refrigeration evaporator 105 and the freezing evaporator 106 includes both series and series-parallel configurations. In the series configuration, the four-way valve 122 opens the side channel of the refrigeration evaporator 105 and closes the side channel of the freezing evaporator 106. The refrigerant flowing from the four-way valve 122 can flow sequentially through the refrigeration evaporator 105 and the freezing evaporator 106. This allows residual refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration evaporator 105 to flow into the freezing evaporator 106, thereby improving refrigerant utilization. In the series-parallel configuration, the four-way valve 122 simultaneously opens the side channels of the refrigeration evaporator 105 and the freezing evaporator 106. The freezing evaporator 106 receives both the refrigerant flowing directly from the four-way valve 122 and the residual refrigerant flowing from the refrigeration evaporator 105. Furthermore, by opening or closing the side channel of the ice-making evaporator 104 through the four-way valve 122, the ice-making function of the ice-making evaporator 104, which is connected in parallel with the series-parallel structure of the refrigeration evaporator 105 and the freezing evaporator, is turned on or off.

[0051] In the ice-making cycle, the control unit opens the condenser 102 side passage of the three-way valve 121 and closes the ice-making evaporator 104 side passage. The refrigerant flows sequentially through the three-way valve 121, condenser 102, and dryer tube 103 before reaching the four-way valve 122. Next, the control unit opens the ice-making evaporator 104 side passage of the four-way valve 122 and closes the refrigeration evaporator 105 and freezing evaporator 106 side passages. After flowing through the four-way valve 122, the refrigerant passes through the first capillary tube 111 and the ice-making evaporator 104 before returning to the compressor 101. Thus, as the refrigerant flows through the ice-making evaporator 104, a gas-liquid phase change occurs, absorbing heat, thereby cooling the water in the ice-making evaporator 104 and forming ice.

[0052] In the de-icing cycle, the control unit closes the condenser 102 side passage with the three-way valve 121 and opens the ice-making evaporator 104 side passage. The refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 101 into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, which enters the ice-making evaporator 104 through the three-way valve 121. By releasing heat, the ice formed in the ice-making cycle is heated and detached from the surface of the ice-making evaporator 104, thus achieving the de-icing action.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, only the structure of the refrigeration evaporator 105 and the freezing evaporator 106 being connected in series and parallel and then connected in parallel with the ice-making evaporator 104 is shown. However, it is also possible for the ice-making evaporator 104, the refrigeration evaporator 105, and the freezing evaporator 106 to be connected in parallel with each other. In addition, a one-way valve can also be provided in the parallel outflow circuit of the freezing evaporator 106 to prevent refrigerant from flowing back to the freezing evaporator 106. Furthermore, in this embodiment, only the structure of the three-way valve 121 being provided between the condenser 102 and the ice-making evaporator 104 to control the flow of refrigerant to the condenser 102 or the ice-making evaporator 104 is shown. However, it is also possible for the three-way valve 121 to be replaced by two one-way valves, with the two one-way valves respectively provided on the condenser 102 side channel and the ice-making evaporator 104 side channel to control the flow of refrigerant to the condenser 102 or the ice-making evaporator 104.

[0054] Therefore, through the four-way valve 122, each evaporator can be controlled individually, thereby achieving independent control of the temperature regulation of the refrigerator compartment 11 and the freezer compartment 13, as well as the ice-making or de-icing function of the ice-making compartment 14, so as to meet the purpose of high-efficiency ice making in the refrigerator.

[0055] Next, the structure and ice-making principle of the ice-making component 200A of the first embodiment will be explained.

[0056] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram showing the ice-making assembly 200A of the first embodiment.

[0057] The ice-making assembly 200A includes an ice-making evaporator 104A, a water supply device 201, a drip tray 202, a water box 203, a water supply pipe 204, a return water pipe 205, and water pumps 204a and 205a. The water supply pipe 204 connects the water box 203 to the water supply device 201. The return water pipe 205 connects the drip tray 202 to the water box 203. Water pumps 204a and 205a are respectively installed on the water supply pipe 204 and the return water pipe 205. Water in the water box 203 is transferred to the water supply device 201 through the water supply pipe 204. The water supply device 201 supplies water to the ice-making evaporator 104A. The water forms ice in the ice-making evaporator 104A. The drip tray 202 is located below the ice-making evaporator 104A to collect water dripping from it. Water box 203 recovers water flowing out of ice evaporator 104A through return water pipe 205. Thus, a water circulation is formed between ice evaporator 104A, water supply device 201 and water box 203. Water supply device 201 makes ice in ice evaporator 104A by supplying water to ice evaporator 104A multiple times.

[0058] The ice-making evaporator 104A consists of an ice tray 211, a substrate 212, and a refrigerant pipe 213. The ice tray 211 is disposed on one side of the substrate 212. The refrigerant pipe 213 is disposed on the other side of the substrate 212, or disposed in the substrate 212.

[0059] In the ice-making evaporator 104A of this embodiment, the ice tray 211 is rectangular. Inside the ice tray 211, multiple intersecting grids 221 divide the internal space into several smaller ice trays corresponding to the size of the ice cubes to be made. Figure 3 The diagram schematically shows ice cube tray 211 divided into 3 rows and 5 columns of small ice cubes, but the actual division of ice cube tray 211 is not limited to this. Regarding the material of the grid 221, it can be made of copper, for example. Utilizing the high thermal conductivity of copper, rapid ice making can be achieved. However, the grid 221 is not limited to copper; it can also be made of other metals, such as aluminum, carbon steel, or stainless steel, or a combination thereof. Figure 4 This is a structural diagram showing the grid 221 of the ice-making evaporator 104A according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 As shown, at the intersections of the grilles 221, there are interlocking slots 221a for engaging with each other. These slots 221a are located on the edges of the grilles 221 away from the base plate 212. At the intersections of the grilles 221, there are also notches 221b for allowing water to flow through. These notches 221b are located on the edges of the grilles 221 near the base plate 212, corresponding one-to-one with the slots 221a.

[0060] The notch 221b is designed to prevent the formation of empty ice within the ice tray 211 during ice making. This is because water flowing through the grid 221 will first form ice on the surface of the grid 221, where the temperature is lower (e.g., -30°C to -40°C) inside the small ice tray. Without the notch 221b, water cannot flow into the interior of the small ice tray, resulting in empty ice. By providing the notch 221b at the edge of the grid 221 near the substrate 212, water flow can be directed towards the side near the substrate 212 first, allowing the ice to gradually form from the side near the substrate 212 to the side away from the substrate 212, thus preventing the formation of empty ice.

[0061] Figure 4 The example shows a semi-circular notch 221b, but the notch 221b is not limited to a semi-circle; it can also be rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, etc. Furthermore, Figure 4 The illustration shows the notches 221b positioned at the intersections of the grids 221, but the notches 221b are not limited to this position. They can be positioned at any point on the edge of the grids 221 near the substrate 212, for example, at the center of the grids 221 corresponding to the small ice cube trays. The requirement is that water can flow through the notches 221b to each small ice cube tray 211, and that excess water flowing out of the ice cube trays 211 drips through the notches 221b into the drip tray 202.

[0062] The substrate 212 is made of, for example, copper. Utilizing the high thermal conductivity of copper, rapid ice-making can be achieved. However, the substrate 212 is not limited to copper; it can also be made of other metals, such as aluminum, carbon steel, or stainless steel, or a combination thereof.

[0063] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the refrigerant pipes 213 of the ice-making evaporator 104A according to the first embodiment. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerant pipe 213 as viewed along its extension direction. (See attached image.) Figure 5 As shown in (a), the refrigerant pipes 213 are arranged in a U-shape on the substrate 212, but are not limited to this, and can also be arranged as follows: Figure 5 As shown in (b), they are arranged in a serpentine, meandering pattern. Figure 6 As shown, when viewed along the extension direction of refrigerant pipe 213, the refrigerant pipe 213 along... Figure 5 (a) A-A' line or along Figure 5The cross-section of line A-A' in (b) is elliptical, preferably with its major axis parallel to the extension direction of substrate 212. For example, before fixing refrigerant pipe 213 to substrate 212, the circular pipe is flattened. This increases the contact area between refrigerant pipe 213 and substrate 212. In the ice-making cycle, cold air is transferred more effectively to ice-making evaporator 104A, enabling ice-making evaporator 104A to make ice quickly. In the de-icing cycle, heat is released quickly in ice-making evaporator 104A, accelerating the detachment of ice from the surface of ice-making evaporator 104A. However, the cross-section of refrigerant pipe 213 is not limited to elliptical; it can also be circular, square, etc., as long as it increases the contact area with substrate 212 and improves thermal conductivity, and is not limited to any shape. Furthermore, refrigerant pipe 213 is, for example, made of copper. Utilizing the high thermal conductivity of copper, rapid ice making can be achieved. However, the refrigerant pipe 213 is not limited to being made of copper; it can also be made of other metals, such as at least one of aluminum, carbon steel, or stainless steel.

[0064] It should be noted that the ice-making evaporator 104A in this embodiment is a vertical design. That is, the surface of the substrate 212 extends along the vertical direction of the refrigerator 1. With this design, the water used for ice making can circulate more quickly in the ice-making cycle, allowing the ice-making evaporator 104A to make ice rapidly. Furthermore, with this design, in the de-icing cycle, the ice cubes can be directly slid off without the need for an additional flipping mechanism.

[0065] Furthermore, by providing a notch 221b on the edge of the grid 221 near the substrate 212, ice can be formed gradually from the side near the substrate 212 to the side away from the substrate 212 during the ice-forming process, thus avoiding empty ice.

[0066] like Figure 3 As shown, in the ice-making assembly 200A of this embodiment, the water supply device 201 is a water spraying device 201A. The water spraying device 201A is disposed above the ice-making evaporator 104A and sprays water onto the ice trays 211 of the ice-making evaporator 104A. The water spraying device 201A has multiple water outlets 201a, and the number of water outlets 201a preferably corresponds to the number of rows of the small ice trays, for example, in... Figure 3 There are 5 in total. Furthermore, since the ice-making evaporator 104A is a vertical design, the number of water spray devices 201A does not need to correspond to the number of rows of small ice trays; only one is required. This reduces the number of component points in the ice-making assembly 200A.

[0067] Water is supplied to the water spraying device 201A via water pumps 204a and 205a installed in the water supply pipe 204. Water flows from the water spraying device 201A to the ice tray 211 of the ice-making evaporator 104A, where it is heated by the cold air transferred from the refrigerant flowing through the condenser tube to the base plate 212, thus forming ice. Water flows from top to bottom into the ice tray 211 of the ice-making evaporator 104A through the notch 221b on the grille 221. Excess water flowing out of the ice tray 211 drips into the drip tray 202. Water is circulated to the water box 203 via water pumps 204a and 205a installed in the return water pipe 205. This circulation continues until ice making is complete.

[0068] Therefore, the ice-making assembly 200A according to this embodiment can achieve rapid ice making with a simple structure and water circulation.

[0069] <Second Implementation Method>

[0070] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram showing the ice-making assembly 200B according to the second embodiment.

[0071] like Figure 7 As shown, the ice-making assembly 200B of the second embodiment differs from the ice-making assembly 200 of the first embodiment in that the ice-making evaporator 104B is a horizontal inverted design, and the water supply device 201 is a water spray device 201B. Other basic structures are the same as those of the ice-making assembly 200A of the first embodiment; therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0072] In the ice-making assembly 200B of this embodiment, the ice-making evaporator 104B is a horizontally inverted design. That is, the base plate 212 extends along the horizontal direction of the refrigerator 1, and the base plate 212 is positioned upwards in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 1. Figure 7 The diagram illustrates that ice cube tray 211 is divided into 2 rows and 5 columns of small ice cubes, but the actual way ice cube tray 211 is divided is not limited to this.

[0073] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram showing the grid 222 of the ice-making evaporator 104B according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 As shown, at the intersections of the grilles 222, there are insertion slots 222a for interlocking. These insertion slots 222a are located on the edge of the grille 222 away from the substrate 212. However, unlike the grille 221 of the ice-making evaporator 104A in the first embodiment, the grille 222 does not have a notch 221b.

[0074] Because the ice-making evaporator 104B in this embodiment is a horizontal inverted design, the ice blocks can be directly detached during the de-icing cycle without the need for an additional flipping mechanism.

[0075] like Figure 7 As shown, in the ice-making assembly 200B of this embodiment, the water supply device 201 is a water spraying device 201B. The water spraying device 201B is located below the ice-making evaporator 104B and sprays water onto the ice trays 211 of the ice-making evaporator 104B. The water spraying device 201B has multiple water outlets 201b, and the number of water outlets 201b preferably corresponds to the number of rows of the small ice trays, for example, in... Figure 3 There are 5 in the middle. The number of water spray devices 201B preferably corresponds to the number of rows in the aforementioned small ice cube trays, for example, in... Figure 7 There are 2 in the middle.

[0076] Water is supplied to the spray device 201B via a water supply pump 204a located in the water supply pipe 204. Water is sprayed from the spray device 201B into the ice tray 211 of the ice-making evaporator 104B, where it is heated by the cold air transferred from the refrigerant flowing through the condenser tube to the base plate 212, thus forming ice. Excess water flowing from the ice tray 211 drips into the drip tray 202. Water is then circulated back to the water box 203 via a water supply pump 205a located in the return water pipe 205. This circulation continues until ice making is complete.

[0077] Therefore, the ice-making assembly 200B according to this embodiment can achieve rapid ice making with a simple structure and water circulation.

[0078] <Third Implementation Method>

[0079] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram showing the ice-making assembly 200C according to the third embodiment.

[0080] like Figure 9 As shown, the ice-making assembly 200C of the third embodiment differs from the ice-making assembly 200B of the second embodiment in that the ice grid 211 of the ice-making evaporator 104C is not composed of a grid 222, but is composed of a columnar member 223, and the water supply device 201 is a water-immersing device 201C, without a water receiving tray 202. Other basic structures are the same as those of the ice-making assembly 200B of the second embodiment; therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0081] In the ice-making evaporator 104C of this embodiment, the ice tray 211 is composed of a plurality of columnar members 223. Regarding the material of the columnar members 223, copper is used as an example. Utilizing the high thermal conductivity of copper, rapid ice making can be achieved. However, the columnar members 223 are not limited to copper; they can also be made of other metals, such as at least one of aluminum, carbon steel, or stainless steel. Figure 10 This is a structural diagram showing the columnar member 223 of the ice-making evaporator 104C according to the third embodiment. From the viewpoint of increasing the contact area between the columnar member 223 and water, it is preferable that the columnar member 223 is a hollow column. Figure 9 As shown, multiple columnar members 223 are arranged on the underside of the substrate 212. Since the contact area between the columnar members 223 (especially hollow columns) and water is larger than that of the ice grid 211 composed of grids 221 and 222, the ice-making speed can be accelerated and the ice-making efficiency can be improved.

[0082] In the ice-making assembly 200C of this embodiment, the ice-making evaporator 104C is a horizontally inverted design. That is, the base plate 212 extends along the horizontal direction of the refrigerator 1, and the base plate 212 is positioned upwards in the vertical direction of the refrigerator 1. Because the ice-making evaporator 104C of this embodiment is a horizontally inverted design, the ice cubes can be directly detached during the de-icing cycle without the need for an additional flipping mechanism.

[0083] like Figure 9 As shown, in the ice-making assembly 200C of this embodiment, the water supply device 201 is a water immersion device 201C. The water immersion device 201C is located below the ice-making evaporator 104C. The position of the ice-making evaporator 104C is lowered by the moving mechanism 206, so that the columnar member 223 of the ice-making evaporator 104C is immersed in the water immersion device 201C for a certain period of time. After ice making is completed, the position of the ice-making evaporator 104C is raised by the moving mechanism 206. Alternatively, by moving the moving mechanism 206 up and down, the columnar member 223 of the ice-making evaporator 104C is immersed in the water supply device 201 multiple times to make multi-layered ice. In addition, the moving mechanism 206 may not be connected to the ice-making evaporator 104C, but connected to the water immersion device 201C. The moving mechanism 206 controls the up and down movement of the water immersion device 201C, so that the columnar member 223 of the ice-making evaporator 104C is immersed in the water immersion device 201C.

[0084] Since the water supply device 201 is a immersion device 201C, it can directly catch dripping water, eliminating the need for a drip tray 202. Furthermore, the immersion device 201C is designed to accommodate the columnar member 223 of the ice-making evaporator 104C, without requiring a one-to-one correspondence between the number of columnar members 223 and the design of the columnar member 223 of the ice-making evaporator 104C. Therefore, even if the design of the columnar member 223 of the ice-making evaporator 104C changes, the immersion device 201C does not need to be modified, allowing it to adapt to different refrigerator models. Thus, ice making can be achieved with a simple structure.

[0085] Water is supplied to the immersion device 201C via a water pump 204a installed in the water supply pipe 204. The columnar member 223 of the ice-making evaporator 104C is immersed in the water supply device 201 by the up-and-down movement of the moving mechanism 206, and ice is made in the ice-making evaporator 104C. Excess water flowing from the ice tray 211 drips into the immersion device 201C. After ice making is complete, water is circulated to the water box 203 via a water pump 205a installed in the return water pipe 205.

[0086] Therefore, the ice-making assembly 200C according to this embodiment can achieve rapid ice making with a simple structure and water circulation.

[0087] Although the present invention has been specifically described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, it is to be understood that the above description does not limit the present invention in any way. Those skilled in the art can make modifications and variations to the present invention as needed without departing from the essential spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ice-making component, characterized in that, It is installed in the refrigerator and includes: An ice-making evaporator includes: a substrate, an ice tray disposed on one side of the substrate, and a refrigerant pipe disposed on the other side of the substrate or embedded in the substrate; A water supply device that provides water for ice making to the ice tray; and The water tank supplies water to the water supply device via a water supply pipe and recovers the water flowing out of the ice tray via a return water pipe. A water circulation is formed between the ice-making evaporator, the water supply device, and the water box. The water supply device supplies water to the ice-making evaporator multiple times to make ice within the ice-making evaporator.

2. The ice-making assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The substrate of the ice-making evaporator extends along the vertical direction of the refrigerator.

3. The ice-making assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The water supply device is a water spraying device, which is located above the ice evaporator and sprays water onto the ice tray located below.

4. The ice-making assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base plate of the ice evaporator extends horizontally along the refrigerator, and the base plate side of the ice evaporator faces upward in the vertical direction of the refrigerator.

5. The ice-making assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The water supply device is a water spraying device, which is located below the ice evaporator and sprays water onto the ice tray located above.

6. The ice-making assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes: a moving mechanism capable of moving at least one of the ice trays or the water supply device. The water supply device is an immersion device, which is located below the ice evaporator. The ice tray is immersed in the immersion device by the moving mechanism.

7. The ice-making assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The ice grid is composed of multiple intersecting grids. On the edge of the grille away from the substrate, at the locations where the grilles intersect, there are interlocking slots for mutual engagement. A notch is provided on the edge of the grille near the substrate side to allow water to flow through.

8. The ice-making assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The ice grid is composed of multiple intersecting grids. On the edge of the grille away from the substrate, at the position where the grilles intersect, there are slots for interlocking.

9. The ice-making assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The ice grid is composed of multiple columnar components.

10. The ice-making assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that, The columnar component is a hollow column.

11. The ice-making assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Viewed along the extension direction perpendicular to the refrigerant pipe, the cross-sectional shape of the refrigerant pipe is elliptical, and its major axis is parallel to the substrate.

12. The ice-making assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, At least one of the substrate, the ice tray, or the refrigerant pipe is made of at least one of copper, aluminum, carbon steel, or stainless steel.

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