Ice making device and water treatment apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses an ice making device and a water treatment equipment. The ice making device comprises a frame structure, an ice making structure, an ice storage bin, a conveying bin and a drainage structure. The frame structure comprises a shell. A water storage cavity is arranged in the shell. The ice making structure is arranged in the shell. The ice making structure is suitable for manufacturing ice blocks. The ice storage bin is suitable for storing the ice blocks manufactured by the ice making structure. A through hole suitable for draining water is arranged at the bottom of the ice storage bin. The conveying bin is suitable for containing and conveying the ice blocks of the ice storage bin. The conveying bin is provided with a water draining hole. The water draining hole is communicated with the water storage cavity. The drainage structure is provided with a drainage cavity and a drainage hole. The drainage cavity is isolated from the conveying bin. The drainage hole is communicated with the water storage cavity and the drainage cavity. In the height direction of the frame structure, the drainage structure is located below the ice storage bin. The drainage cavity is suitable for containing the water flow drained from the through hole. The problem that the ice blocks are easily bonded and melt quickly due to the mixing of ice and water in the prior art is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of ice-making technology, and more particularly to an ice-making apparatus and a water treatment device. Background Technology

[0002] An ice-making device is a refrigeration machine that produces ice by cooling water through an evaporator with a refrigerant in a refrigeration system. Ice-making devices are widely used in household, commercial, and industrial fields. For example, ice-making devices can be used in water treatment equipment, combining the functions of ice making and drinking water, providing ice cubes to users who need ice water, and increasing the functionality of the water treatment equipment.

[0003] The ice-making device includes an ice storage structure, a transport chamber, and an ice-making structure. The ice-making structure is used to make ice blocks. The made ice blocks can be stored in the ice storage structure, and the ice blocks in the ice storage structure can be transferred to the transport chamber for output to the external environment.

[0004] However, the ice in the ice storage structure and transport compartment is prone to water accumulation after melting, leading to a mixture of ice and water. This, in turn, increases the melting rate of the ice in the ice storage structure and transport compartment, and makes it easy for the ice blocks to stick together. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, this application provides an ice-making apparatus and a water treatment device to solve the problem in the prior art that ice blocks are prone to sticking together and melting quickly due to the mixing of ice and water.

[0006] To achieve one or more of the above objectives or other objectives, the first aspect of this application provides an ice-making apparatus, which includes a frame structure, an ice-making structure, an ice storage chamber, a transport chamber, and a drainage structure. The frame structure includes a shell with a water storage cavity inside. The ice-making structure is disposed in the shell and is suitable for making ice blocks. The ice storage chamber is suitable for storing the ice blocks made by the ice-making structure. The bottom of the ice storage chamber is provided with a through hole suitable for drainage. The transport chamber is suitable for receiving and transporting the ice blocks in the ice storage chamber and is provided with a drain hole connected to the water storage cavity. The drainage structure is provided with a drainage cavity and a drain hole. The drainage cavity and the transport chamber are isolated from each other. The drain hole is connected to the water storage cavity and the drainage cavity. Along the height direction of the frame structure, the drainage structure is located below the ice storage chamber. The drainage cavity is suitable for receiving water flow discharged from the through hole, and the water flow can be discharged to the water storage cavity through the drain hole.

[0007] Preferably, the drainage structure and the transport compartment are set separately. The drainage structure includes a diversion plate and multiple side plates. The multiple side plates are connected end to end on the same side of the diversion plate, and the multiple side plates and the diversion plate surround to form a drainage cavity.

[0008] Preferably, the drainage structure includes a diversion plate, multiple side plates, and an isolation plate. The diversion plate is integrally formed in the transport compartment, the multiple side plates and the diversion plate surround to form a drainage cavity, and the isolation plate is disposed between the drainage cavity and the transport compartment, which is suitable for isolating the drainage cavity and the transport compartment.

[0009] Preferably, the diversion plate is inclined, and along the height direction of the frame structure, the height of one end of the diversion plate is lower than the height of the other ends. The drain hole is opened at the lower end of the diversion plate, and the water storage cavity is located below the drain hole.

[0010] Preferably, the transport compartment includes a transport trough and a transport bottom wall. The transport bottom wall forms the bottom surface of the transport trough. The transport bottom wall extends along a height direction perpendicular to the frame structure. In the height direction of the frame structure, the height of one end of the transport bottom wall extending in the direction of the frame structure is lower than the height of the other end. Drainage holes are provided at the lower end of the transport bottom wall.

[0011] Preferably, the transport compartment further includes multiple side walls connected to the transport bottom wall, the multiple side walls forming an opening of the transport trough, a diversion plate integrally formed on the side wall away from the transport bottom wall, and an isolation plate connected to the connection between the diversion plate and the side wall.

[0012] Preferably, the ice storage bin includes an ice storage tank suitable for storing ice blocks, and the ice storage bin also includes a bottom plate that forms the bottom wall of the ice storage tank. The bottom plate is a flat plate or a curved plate.

[0013] Preferably, the ice-making structure includes a first ice-making rack, a heat exchanger, and a second ice-making rack. The first ice-making rack is provided with an ice-making trough. In the height direction of the frame structure, the ice storage chamber is located directly below the ice-making trough. The heat exchanger is provided on the first ice-making rack. The first ice-making rack and the second ice-making rack are movably arranged relative to each other. When the first ice-making rack and the second ice-making rack are movably arranged relative to each other, the ice-making trough can be opened or closed. The second ice-making rack is provided with a water supply component. When the first ice-making rack and the second ice-making rack are movably arranged relative to each other to close the ice-making trough, the water supply component injects water into the ice-making trough. The heat exchanger is adapted to make ice blocks from the water in the ice-making trough.

[0014] Preferably, it also includes an ice-moving component connected to the second ice-making rack. When the second ice-making rack moves relative to the first ice-making rack to close the ice-making tank, the ice-moving component can drive the ice blocks in the ice storage tank into the transport compartment.

[0015] Preferably, it also includes an ice-discharging structure connected to the shell. The ice-discharging structure has an ice-discharging channel, one end of which is connected to the transport compartment and the other end is connected to the external environment. Ice blocks in the transport compartment can be discharged to the external environment through the ice-discharging channel.

[0016] Preferably, the ice-exiting structure includes an ice gate and a first driving member. The ice gate is located inside the ice-exiting channel and is rotatably configured. The first driving member is adapted to drive the ice gate to rotate between a first position and a second position.

[0017] The second aspect of this application provides a water treatment device, including a housing, a refrigeration unit, and the ice-making device described above, both of which are installed in the housing.

[0018] Implementing the embodiments of this application will have the following beneficial effects: The ice-making apparatus of this application has through holes and drainage holes in the ice storage compartment and the transport compartment, respectively. Both compartments drain water through these holes to prevent the mixing of ice and water, thus preventing ice blocks from sticking together. Furthermore, the transport compartment drains water through its own drainage holes, while water from the ice storage compartment flows through the through holes to the drainage chamber of the drainage structure, and then through the drainage holes to the water storage chamber. The drainage chamber is isolated from the transport compartment, thus enabling independent drainage for the ice storage compartment and the transport compartment. Water from the ice storage compartment is less likely to flow into the transport compartment, preventing ice blocks from sticking together due to the mixing of ice and water in the transport compartment. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] in: Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a water treatment device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 An exploded view of an ice-making apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of an ice-making apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of another ice-making apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of another ice-making apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the ice-making structure of the second ice-making rack in the ice-making position, as provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making structure of the second ice-making rack in the release position, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100. Ice-making device; 10. Frame structure; 11. Shell; 111. Water storage chamber; 112. Opening; 114. Receiving cavity; 12. Cover; 20. Ice outlet structure; 21. First ice outlet shell; 22. Second ice outlet shell; 24. Ice outlet channel; 25. Ice door; 26. First driving component; 30. Ice-making structure; 31. First ice-making rack; 311. Ice-making tank; 32. Second ice-making rack; 33. Heat exchanger; 34. Water conveying component; 341. Jet section; 35. Second driving component ; 40. Ice storage bin; 41. Ice storage trough; 42. Bottom plate; 43. Through hole; 50. Ice transfer component; 51. Rotary wheel; 60. Transport bin; 61. Transport trough; 62. Transport bottom wall; 63. Drain hole; 64. Side wall; 70. Transport structure; 71. Transport component; 72. Third drive component; 80. Drainage structure; 81. Side plate; 82. Drainage plate; 82. Drainage hole; 83. Isolation plate; 84. Drainage cavity; 200. Box body; 300. Refrigeration unit; 400. Water storage tank. Detailed Implementation

[0022] As can be seen from the background technology above, ice-making devices have wide applications in many fields. For example, they can be used in water treatment equipment to cool water and make ice. The water treatment equipment in this application is a water dispenser or an ice maker, without specific limitation. Existing water treatment equipment includes an ice-making structure, a water storage tank, and a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system includes a compressor and a condenser connected by refrigerant pipelines. The water storage tank is used to supply the water required for ice making to the ice-making structure. The ice-making structure includes a heat exchanger and an ice-making tank. The ice-making tank is used to hold the ice-making water, and the heat exchanger is used to cool the water to a predetermined temperature and freeze it into ice.

[0023] Understandably, the ice-making process within an ice-making device involves the ice-making structure producing ice blocks, which are then stored in an ice storage structure. When ice is needed, it is transferred to a transport chamber, and then transported to the external environment via a transport structure. It's important to note that ice-making devices often leave residual water that doesn't freeze. When the ice blocks are transported to the ice storage structure, this water enters the storage structure along with the ice. Furthermore, the ice blocks tend to melt easily within the storage structure over a longer period, leading to a mixture of ice and water within the storage structure. Similarly, when ice blocks are transferred from the storage structure to the transport chamber, water is also transferred along with them. Additionally, melting ice blocks in the transport chamber can generate water flow, further contributing to the mixing of ice and water within the transport chamber. This can cause the ice blocks in the storage structure and transport chamber to stick together, increasing the melting rate of the ice.

[0024] Based on this, the ice-making device of this application, through improvements to traditional ice-making devices, can be equipped with drainage holes in the transport compartment to discharge water from the transport compartment. Through holes are provided in the ice storage compartment to discharge water from the ice storage compartment, and in conjunction with the drainage structure, the water flow in the ice storage compartment and the water flow in the transport compartment are separated.

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this application provides an ice-making device 100 and a water treatment device using the ice-making device 100. The water treatment device of this application can produce ice blocks inside the water treatment device by incorporating the ice-making device 100, and then transport the produced ice blocks out of the water treatment device via a transport structure 70 to meet ice-addition needs. It is understood that the water treatment device of this application, based on improvements to the ice-making device 100, also possesses the effects brought about by these improvements, as detailed in the following description of the ice-making device 100.

[0027] The water treatment equipment of this application mainly includes a housing 200, a water storage tank 400, a refrigeration device 300, and an ice-making device 100. The water storage tank 400 is suitable for containing room temperature water or cold water, and the refrigeration device 300 is suitable for providing a cooling temperature for the ice-making device 100. The housing 200 serves as the frame structure 10 of the water treatment equipment, acting as a mounting carrier for other structures within the equipment and protecting them. One end of the housing 200 has a water outlet (not shown in the figure). The water storage tank 400 can be connected to the water outlet via a room temperature water pipe, allowing drinking water from the tank to flow directly out at room temperature for user consumption. It should be noted that the water treatment equipment of this application may also include a heating structure (not shown in the figure). One end of the heating structure can be connected to the water storage tank 400 via a water pipe, and the other end can be connected to the water outlet via a water pipe, allowing drinking water from the tank to be heated by the heating structure and then flow out at the water outlet to provide hot water for user consumption.

[0028] It is worth mentioning that the water storage tank 400 can be directly connected to the ice-making device 100 via a water pipe to transport room temperature water to the ice-making device 100. The refrigeration device 300 is connected to the ice-making device 100 and is suitable for providing the conditions required for ice making, that is, cooling the ice-making device 100 during ice making. In this way, the water in the water storage tank 400 can be made into ice cubes.

[0029] In addition, a cold water tank can be installed in the water treatment equipment. Specifically, one end of the cold water tank is connected to the water storage tank 400 through a water pipe, and the other end of the cold water tank is connected to the water outlet through a water pipe. The refrigeration device 300 is connected to the cold water tank to cool the water in the cold water tank. In this way, the drinking water in the water storage tank 400 is cooled by the refrigeration device 300 and flows out from the water outlet to provide cold water for users to drink.

[0030] Furthermore, the ice-making device 100 can also be directly connected to a cold water tank and a refrigeration unit 300. This allows the cold water tank to provide a cold water source for the ice-making device 100, while the refrigeration unit 300 provides energy, enabling the ice-making device 100 to turn the water from the cold water tank into ice cubes. By including a cold water tank, a pre-cooling structure can be added, providing pre-cooled water for the ice-making device 100 and accelerating its ice-making efficiency. As can be seen from the above, this water treatment equipment can provide three water output modes: ambient temperature water, hot water, and cold water, and can also provide ice cubes, allowing users to choose the water they need for drinking.

[0031] It should be noted that the cold water tank can be a stand-alone tank 200 structure, or it can be integrated with the ice-making device 100, with part of the structure of the ice-making device 100 forming the tank 200 for storing cold water. In this embodiment, the cold water tank is integrated with the ice-making device 100 as an example for illustration.

[0032] See Figures 2 to 5 As shown, in some feasible embodiments, the ice-making apparatus 100 of this application, as an ice-making device for water treatment equipment, includes a frame structure 10, an ice-making structure 30, an ice storage chamber 40, a transport chamber 60, and a drainage structure 80. The frame structure 10 is the main structure of the ice-making apparatus 100, which can serve as the mounting carrier for the other structures of the ice-making apparatus 100, supporting and protecting the other structures of the ice-making apparatus 100. The frame structure 10 includes a shell 11, and a water storage chamber 111 is provided inside the shell 11. The water storage chamber 111 is used to form a storage space for storing cold water, that is, by storing cold water in the water storage chamber 111 inside the shell 11, the shell 11 forms a cold water tank.

[0033] The housing 11 of this application also includes a receiving cavity 114. In the height direction of the ice-making device 100, the receiving cavity 114 is located above the water storage cavity 111. The ice-making structure 30 and the transport chamber 60 are both located in the receiving cavity 114.

[0034] The frame structure 10 also includes a cover 12. The top of the housing 11 has an opening communicating with the receiving cavity 114. The cover 12 is placed on the top of the housing 11 and is adapted to cover the opening. The cover 12 of this application is detachably connected to the housing 11, for example, by means of a snap-fit ​​structure, a fastening structure or screws, etc., without any special limitation.

[0035] An ice-making structure 30 is disposed on the shell 11 and is suitable for making ice blocks. An ice storage chamber 40 is suitable for storing the ice blocks made by the ice-making structure 30. The ice blocks in the water storage chamber can be transferred to the transport chamber 60, and the ice blocks can be transported out of the shell 11 through the transport chamber 60. In the height direction of the ice-making device 100, the transport chamber 60 is located above the water storage chamber 111, and the ice storage chamber 40 is located above the transport chamber 60. The bottom of the ice storage chamber 40 is provided with a through hole 43 suitable for drainage, and the transport chamber 60 is provided with a drain hole 63, which connects to the water storage chamber 111.

[0036] Along the height direction of the frame structure 10, the drainage structure 80 is located below the ice storage chamber 40. The drainage structure 80 is provided with a drainage cavity 84 and a drainage hole 821. The drainage cavity 84 is isolated from the transport chamber 60. The drainage hole 821 is connected to the water storage chamber 111. The drainage cavity 84 is suitable for receiving water flow discharged from the through hole 43, and the water flow can be discharged to the water storage chamber 111 through the drainage hole 821.

[0037] It is worth mentioning that, for ease of explanation, this application introduces a three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system, in which the X-axis is parallel to the height direction of the ice-making device 100. It can be understood that when the ice-making device 100 is in static use, its height direction is parallel to the direction of gravity; the Y-axis is parallel to the thickness direction of the ice-making device 100, in which the frame structure 10 has two opposite ends, and the ice-discharging structure 20 mentioned below is connected to one of the ends of the frame structure 10 in the Y direction; the Z-axis is parallel to the width direction of the ice-making device 100, which can be understood as being perpendicular to both the height and thickness directions.

[0038] As can be seen from the above, the ice-making device 100 can cool and freeze water, and the ice blocks produced can be transported to the ice storage chamber 40 for storage. When it is necessary to take out the ice blocks, the ice blocks in the ice storage chamber 40 can be transported to the transport chamber 60, and the ice blocks can be taken out through the transport chamber 60.

[0039] The ice-making apparatus 100 of this application has a through hole 43 and a drain hole 63 in its ice storage chamber 40 and transport chamber 60, respectively. Both chambers drain water through the through hole 43 and the drain hole 63 to prevent ice and water from mixing within the ice storage chamber 40 and transport chamber 60, thus preventing ice blocks from sticking together. Furthermore, the transport chamber 60 drains water through its own drain hole 63, while the water from the ice storage chamber 40 flows through the through hole 43 to the drain cavity 84 of the drainage structure 80, and then through the drain hole 821 to the water storage cavity 111. The drain cavity 84 is isolated from the transport chamber 60. In this way, the ice storage chamber 40 and the transport chamber 60 achieve independent drainage, making it difficult for water from the ice storage chamber 40 to flow into the transport chamber 60, thus preventing ice blocks from sticking together in the transport chamber 60 due to ice-water mixing.

[0040] In some embodiments, to ensure independent drainage of the ice storage compartment 40 and the transport compartment 60, the drainage structure 80 and the transport compartment 60 can be separately arranged, with the drainage structure 80 and the transport compartment 60 spaced apart. In this way, the ice storage compartment 40 drains through the drainage structure 80, while the transport compartment 60 drains independently, and the drainage of the two does not affect each other. The drainage structure 80 of this application includes a diversion plate 82 and a plurality of side plates 81. The plurality of side plates 81 are connected end to end on the same side of the diversion plate 82, and the plurality of side plates 81 and the diversion plate 82 surround to form a drainage cavity 84.

[0041] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the drainage structure 80 can be integrally formed with the transport chamber 60. Integrating the drainage structure 80 and the transport chamber 60 allows for simultaneous manufacturing of both, reducing process steps and improving processing efficiency. When the drainage structure 80 and the transport chamber 60 are integrally formed, the drainage structure 80 may specifically include a diversion plate 82, a side plate 81, and an isolation plate 83. The diversion plate 82 and the ice storage chamber 40 are spaced apart in the X-axis direction. The side plate 81 and the isolation plate 83 are both connected to the side of the diversion plate 82 facing the ice storage chamber 40, and are spaced apart, extending towards the ice storage chamber 40. Thus, the side plate 81, the diversion plate 82, and the isolation plate 83 enclose a drainage cavity 84. To prevent the enclosed drainage cavity 84 from communicating with the transport chamber 60, the isolation plate 83 is placed between the drainage cavity 84 and the transport chamber 60 to isolate them.

[0042] It should be noted that both the drainage structure 80 and the transport chamber 60 are located below the ice storage chamber 40. The drainage structure 80 and the transport chamber 60 are arranged along the Z-axis direction, and the side plate 81 and the partition plate 83 are spaced apart along the Z-axis direction. The partition plate 83 is located between the drainage chamber 84 and the transport chamber 60. The transport chamber 60 of this application includes a transport trough 61, which is opened at the end of the transport chamber 60 facing the ice storage chamber 40. The transport trough 61 is opened towards the ice storage chamber 40 to receive ice blocks from the ice storage chamber 40. The drainage structure 80 and the transport chamber 60 of this application are integrally formed. Specifically, the guide plate 82 of the drainage structure 80 extends outward from the opening of the transport trough 61 of the transport chamber 60. In the Z-axis direction, the side plate 81 is located at the end of the guide plate 82 away from the transport chamber 60, and the partition plate 83 is located at the end of the guide plate 82 close to the transport chamber 60. In this way, the partition plate 83 can be used to separate the drainage chamber 84 and the transport tank 61, ensuring that the water in the drainage chamber 84 does not flow into the transport tank 61.

[0043] In some embodiments, to ensure that the water in the drainage chamber 84 can be completely drained, a diversion plate 82 can be provided. For example, the diversion plate 82 can be inclined, with one end of the diversion plate 82 lower than the other ends along the height direction of the frame structure 10, and a drain hole 821 is opened at the lower end of the diversion plate 82. In this way, the water in the drainage chamber 84 can flow along the diversion plate 82 towards the lower position and be discharged through the drain hole 821.

[0044] In some embodiments, the transport chamber 60 is further provided with a transport bottom wall 62, which forms the bottom surface of the transport trough 61. When ice blocks are located in the transport trough 61, they abut against the transport bottom wall 62. The transport bottom wall 62 extends in a direction perpendicular to the height of the frame structure 10, specifically along the Y-axis. In the height direction of the frame structure 10, the height of one end of the transport bottom wall 62 is lower than the height of the other end, and a drain hole 63 is provided at the lower end of the transport bottom wall 62. In this way, the bottom wall of the transport trough 61 can form an inclined slope, allowing water in the transport trough 61 to flow from a higher position to a lower position and drain out of the transport chamber 60 through the drain hole 63 at the lower position.

[0045] It should be noted that the transport chamber 60 also includes multiple side walls 64, which are connected to the transport bottom wall 62, and the multiple side walls 64 enclose the opening of the transport trough 61. When the drainage structure 80 and the transport chamber 60 are integrally formed, the diversion plate 82 is integrally formed on the end of the side wall 64 away from the transport bottom wall 62, and the isolation plate 83 is connected to the connection between the diversion plate 82 and the side wall 64. That is to say, the diversion plate 82 can be an extension of the side wall 64, and the end of the side wall 64 away from the transport bottom wall 62 can be extended along the Z-axis direction away from the side wall 64 to form the diversion plate 82.

[0046] In some embodiments, the ice storage chamber 40 includes an ice storage tank 41 adapted to store ice blocks. The ice storage chamber 40 also includes a bottom plate 42, which forms the bottom wall of the ice storage tank 41, and a through hole 43 is formed on the bottom plate 42. When storing ice blocks in the ice storage tank 41, the ice blocks abut against the bottom plate 42, at which time the bottom plate 42 is used to support the ice blocks.

[0047] The base plate 42 of this application can be a flat plate or a curved plate. When the base plate 42 is a curved plate, the end face of the base plate 42 facing the ice storage tank 41 can be a curved surface that curves upward or downward along the X-axis direction. In this case, the through hole 43 is opened at the end of the curved surface of the base plate 42 with a lower height, so that the water in the ice storage tank 41 can flow out through the through hole 43. When the end face of the base plate 42 facing the ice storage tank 41 is a flat plate, the flat plate can be inclined in the X-axis direction, and the through hole 43 is located at the lower end of the inclined flat plate.

[0048] See Figures 2 to 5 As shown, in some feasible embodiments, the ice-making device 100 further includes an ice-discharging structure 20 connected to the frame structure 10. The ice-discharging structure 20 is adapted to discharge ice blocks from the transport chamber 60. The ice-discharging structure 20 includes an ice door 25, which is movably configured to have a first position and a second position. When the ice door 25 is moved to the first position, it can block the ice-discharging structure 20 to prevent the discharge of ice blocks from the transport chamber 60. When the ice door 25 is moved to the second position, it can open the ice-discharging structure 20, allowing the ice blocks from the transport chamber 60 to be smoothly discharged from the ice-discharging structure 20 to the external environment.

[0049] In some embodiments, the ice discharge structure 20 has an ice discharge channel 24 disposed inside the ice discharge structure 20 and extending through the ice discharge structure 20. One end of the ice discharge channel 24 is connected to the transport chamber 60, and the other end is connected to the external environment, so that the ice blocks in the transport chamber 60 can be discharged to the external environment through the ice discharge channel 24.

[0050] It should be noted that the frame structure 10 is also provided with an opening 112 at the location corresponding to the transport compartment 60. The opening 112 penetrates the frame structure 10 and connects to the transport trough 61. The ice discharge structure 20 is connected to the location of the opening 112 in the frame structure 10. The ice discharge channel 24 of the ice discharge structure 20 is connected to the opening 112, so that the ice discharge channel 24 can be connected to the transport trough 61 of the transport compartment 60, so that the ice blocks in the transport trough 61 can be discharged to the external environment through the ice discharge channel 24.

[0051] It is worth mentioning that the transport trough 61 extends from the end of the transport chamber 60 away from the ice-discharging structure 20 toward the ice-discharging structure 20, and in the direction of gravity, the height of the end of the transport trough 61 closer to the ice-discharging structure 20 is higher than the height of the end of the transport trough 61 away from the ice-discharging structure 20. In this way, the ice blocks located in the transport trough 61 can accumulate in the direction away from the ice-discharging structure 20, avoiding the accumulation of ice blocks at the location of the ice-discharging structure 20, keeping the ice blocks away from the external environment, and preventing the ice blocks from being affected by the external temperature and melting more quickly.

[0052] In some embodiments, the ice-discharging structure 20 includes a first ice-discharging shell 21 and a second ice-discharging shell 22 connected to each other. The first ice-discharging shell 21 and the second ice-discharging shell 22 are detachably connected and can be fixed together by a snap-fit ​​structure, a fastening structure, or a screw structure. The first ice-discharging shell 21 and the second ice-discharging shell 22 form an ice-discharging channel 24, and an ice gate 25 is located within the ice-discharging channel 24. The ice gate 25 is rotatably connected to the first ice-discharging shell 21.

[0053] Specifically, the ice gate 25 is configured as a plate-like structure. The larger end face of the ice gate 25 is parallel to the Z-axis direction, and the pivot of the ice gate 25 is also parallel to the Z-axis direction. The ice gate 25 is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the first ice outlet shell 21 along the Z-axis direction via the pivot. Thus, when the ice gate 25 rotates to the first position, the larger end face of the ice gate 25 can block the ice outlet channel 24, hindering ice discharge. When the ice gate 25 rotates to the second position, the ice outlet channel 24 opens, and ice blocks can be output from the ice outlet channel 24.

[0054] The ice-exiting structure 20 also includes a first driving member 26, which is a drive motor. The first driving member 26 is connected to the outer wall of the first ice-exit shell 21. The output shaft of the first driving member 26 is coaxially connected to the rotating shaft of the ice gate 25. In this way, the first driving member 26 can drive the ice gate 25 to rotate between the first position and the second position.

[0055] It should be noted that the ice-discharging structure 20 of this application can be an independently set structure. After the first ice-discharging shell 21 and the second ice-discharging shell 22 are connected, the ice-discharging structure 20 can be connected to the frame structure 10 by screws or other detachable structures. Alternatively, the first ice-discharging shell 21 of the ice-discharging structure 20 of this application can also be integrally formed with the shell 11, and the second ice-discharging shell 22 can be integrally formed with the cover 12. The first ice-discharging shell 21 is located at the opening 112 on the shell 11. When the cover 12 and the shell 11 are connected, the first ice-discharging shell 21 and the second ice-discharging shell 22 are joined together to form the ice-discharging structure 20.

[0056] See Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, in some possible implementations, the ice-making structure 30 includes a first ice-making rack 31, a heat exchanger 33, and a second ice-making rack 32, with the first ice-making rack 31 connected to the housing 11. The first ice-making rack 31 and the second ice-making rack 32 are movably arranged relative to each other. Specifically, along the Z-axis, one end of the first ice-making rack 31 and one end of the second ice-making rack 32 are correspondingly arranged, and the corresponding ends are rotatably connected. The axis of rotation connecting the two is parallel to the Y-axis. When the second ice-making rack 32 rotates about the axis of rotation, the second ice-making rack 32 has an ice-making position suitable for making ice cubes and a release position suitable for releasing the made ice cubes relative to the first ice-making rack 31. When the second ice-making rack 32 rotates to the ice-making position, the second ice-making rack 32 and the first ice-making rack 31 are stacked along the direction of gravity, with the first ice-making rack 31 located directly above the second ice-making rack 32. The first ice-making rack 31 is provided with an ice-making groove 311. The ice-making groove 311 is located at the downward end of the first ice-making rack 31 in the X-axis direction. One or more ice-making grooves 311 can be provided. When the second ice-making rack 32 is in the ice-making position, the top of the second ice-making rack 32 is directly opposite the ice-making groove 311. At this time, the second ice-making rack 32 can close the ice-making groove 311.

[0057] The second ice-making rack 32 is equipped with a water conveying component 34, which includes a spray section 341. The water conveying component 34 can be a water pipe, and it is connected to a water storage tank 400 and / or a water storage cavity 111. The water conveying component 34 is adapted to deliver water from the water storage tank 400 and the water storage cavity 111 to the spray section 341, whereby the water is sprayed out. When the second ice-making rack 32 is in the ice-making position, the spray section 341 is positioned directly opposite the ice-making tank 311, allowing it to spray water into the ice-making tank 311. A heat exchanger 33 is disposed on the first ice-making rack 31 and connected to a refrigeration device 300. The refrigeration device 300 provides the heat exchanger 33 with a refrigerant for cooling, enabling it to cool the ice-making tank 311 and turn the water in the tank into ice.

[0058] Understandably, once the ice blocks in the ice-making tank 311 are produced, the second ice-making rack 32 can be rotated to the release position. At this time, the ice-making tank 311 is opened, and the ice blocks in the ice-making tank 311 fall freely into the transport trough 61 of the transport chamber 60 under the action of gravity.

[0059] It should be noted that the ice-making structure 30 of this application also includes a second driving member 35, which is a drive motor. The second driving member 35 is connected to the housing 11, and the output shaft of the second driving member 35 is connected to the rotating shaft of the second ice-making rack 32. The second driving member 35 is adapted to drive the second ice-making rack 32 to rotate, so that the second ice-making rack 32 changes its position from the ice-making position to the release position.

[0060] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the ice-making device 100 further includes an ice-transferring component 50, which can be used to transfer ice blocks in the ice storage tank 41 to the transport tank 61. The ice-transferring component 50 is connected to the second ice-making rack 32, specifically to the end of the second ice-making rack 32 away from the rotating axis. When the second ice-making rack 32 rotates relative to the first ice-making rack 31, the ice-transferring component 50 can rotate with the second ice-making rack 32. In particular, when the second ice-making rack 32 rotates to the release position, the ice-transferring component 50 can move with the second ice-making rack 32 into the ice storage tank 41. At this time, the ice-transferring component 50 is located at one end of the ice storage tank 41 along the Z-axis, while the ice blocks in the ice-making tank 311 fall to the other end of the ice storage tank 41 along the Z-axis. When the second ice-making rack 32 rotates toward the ice-making position, it drives the ice-moving rack to move toward the ice blocks, and the ice-moving component 50 can push the ice blocks along the way toward the edge of the ice storage tank 41, so as to push the ice blocks out of the ice storage tank 41 and make the ice blocks fall into the transport tank 61.

[0061] It should be noted that the ice transfer component 50 is rotatably connected to the second ice-making rack 32. The rotation axis of the ice transfer component 50 is parallel to that of the second ice-making rack 32. A torsion spring is fitted on the rotation axis between the ice transfer component 50 and the second ice-making rack 32. One end of the torsion spring abuts against the ice transfer component 50, and the other end abuts against the second ice-making rack 32. The torsion spring provides torsional force to the ice transfer component 50, so that when the ice transfer component 50 is located in the ice storage tank 41, the end of the ice transfer component 50 away from the second ice-making rack 32 can abut against the bottom wall of the ice storage tank 41. This helps to prevent ice from remaining in the ice storage tank 41.

[0062] It is worth mentioning that the end of the ice-moving component 50 that is adapted to abut against the bottom wall of the ice storage tank 41 is also rotatably connected to a rotating wheel 51. When the ice-moving component 50 is located in the ice storage tank 41, the rotating wheel 51 abuts against the bottom wall of the ice storage tank 41. In this way, when the moving component rotates with the second ice-making rack 32, the ice-moving rack and the bottom wall of the ice storage tank 41 achieve rotational friction through the rotating wheel 51.

[0063] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some feasible methods, the ice blocks located in the transport trough 61 can be manually transported to the ice outlet channel 24 or automatically transported to the ice outlet channel 24. This application will illustrate the automatic transport of ice blocks in the transport trough 61 to the ice outlet channel 24 as an example. Specifically, the ice-making device 100 of this application also includes a transport structure 70, which includes a transport component 71 and a third drive component 72. The transport component 71 is rotatably connected to the transport chamber 60, is located in the transport trough 61, and extends along the extension direction of the transport trough 61. The third drive component 72 is connected to the second ice outlet shell 22 or the first ice outlet shell 21, and is a drive motor suitable for driving the transport component 71 to rotate.

[0064] The transport component 71 of this application is configured as a spiral structure, for example, it can be configured as a spiral structure similar to a compression spring, or it can include a rotating shaft and spiral blades, with the spiral blades spirally arranged around the outer wall of the rotating shaft. The transport component 71 is driven to rotate by the third drive component 72, which can transport the ice blocks in the transport trough 61 toward the ice discharge structure 20 and into the ice discharge channel 24.

[0065] The above-disclosed embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of this application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. Therefore, any equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of this application shall still fall within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. An ice-making device, characterized in that, include: A frame structure, the frame structure including a shell, the shell being provided with a water storage cavity; An ice-making structure is disposed in the shell and is adapted to make ice blocks; An ice storage chamber, which is suitable for storing ice blocks manufactured by an ice-making structure, has a through hole at the bottom suitable for drainage; A transport compartment adapted to contain and transport ice blocks from the ice storage compartment, the transport compartment being provided with a drain hole that connects to the water storage cavity; as well as The drainage structure includes a drainage cavity and a drainage hole. The drainage cavity is isolated from the transport compartment. The drainage hole connects the water storage cavity and the drainage cavity. Along the height direction of the frame structure, the drainage structure is located below the ice storage compartment. The drainage cavity is adapted to contain the water flow discharged from the through hole.

2. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The drainage structure and the transport compartment are separately arranged. The drainage structure includes a diversion plate and multiple side plates. The multiple side plates are connected end to end on the same side of the diversion plate. The multiple side plates and the diversion plate surround to form the drainage cavity.

3. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The drainage structure includes a diversion plate, multiple side plates, and an isolation plate. The diversion plate is integrally formed in the transport compartment. The multiple side plates and the diversion plate surround the drainage cavity. The isolation plate is disposed between the drainage cavity and the transport compartment, and is suitable for isolating the drainage cavity and the transport compartment.

4. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The diversion plate is inclined, and along the height direction of the frame structure, the height of one end of the diversion plate is lower than the height of the other ends. The drain hole is opened at the lower end of the diversion plate, and the water storage cavity is located below the drain hole.

5. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The transport compartment includes a transport trough and a transport bottom wall. The transport bottom wall forms the bottom surface of the transport trough. The transport bottom wall extends along a height direction perpendicular to the frame structure. In the height direction of the frame structure, the height of one end of the transport bottom wall extending in the direction of the frame structure is lower than the height of the other end. The drainage hole is provided at the lower end of the transport bottom wall.

6. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The transport compartment also includes multiple side walls connected to the transport bottom wall, which enclose the opening of the transport trough. The diversion plate is integrally formed on the side wall at the end away from the transport bottom wall, and the isolation plate is connected to the connection between the diversion plate and the side wall.

7. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The ice storage chamber includes an ice storage tank suitable for storing ice blocks. The ice storage chamber also includes a bottom plate that forms the bottom wall of the ice storage tank. The bottom plate is a flat plate or a curved plate.

8. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The ice-making structure includes a first ice-making frame, a heat exchanger, and a second ice-making frame. The first ice-making frame is provided with an ice-making trough. In the height direction of the frame structure, the ice storage chamber is located directly below the ice-making trough. The heat exchanger is provided on the first ice-making frame. The first ice-making frame and the second ice-making frame are movably arranged relative to each other, and the ice-making trough can be opened or closed when the first ice-making frame and the second ice-making frame are movably arranged relative to each other. A water supply component is provided on the second ice-making frame. When the first ice-making frame and the second ice-making frame are movably arranged relative to each other to close the ice-making trough, the water supply component injects water into the ice-making trough. The heat exchanger is adapted to make ice blocks from the water in the ice-making trough.

9. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an ice-discharging structure connected to the shell. The ice-discharging structure has an ice-discharging channel, one end of which is connected to the transport compartment and the other end is connected to the external environment. Ice blocks in the transport compartment can be discharged to the external environment through the ice-discharging channel.

10. A water treatment device, characterized in that: It includes a housing, a refrigeration device, and an ice-making device as described in any one of claims 1-9, wherein the refrigeration device and the ice-making device are both installed in the housing.

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