Ice making device and water treatment apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses an ice making device and a water treatment equipment. The ice making device comprises a frame body and an ice making structure. The frame body comprises a shell. An ice storage cavity is arranged in the shell. An ice outlet is arranged at one end of the shell. An ice outlet channel is arranged in the ice outlet and is communicated with the ice storage cavity. The ice making structure is arranged in the shell. The ice making structure is suitable for making ice blocks and transporting the ice blocks into the ice storage cavity. A drainage groove and a backflow hole are further arranged in the shell. The drainage groove is communicated with the ice storage cavity. The drainage groove is arranged from one end close to the ice outlet in a direction away from the ice outlet. In the height direction of the frame body, the backflow hole is communicated with the other end of the drainage groove away from the ice outlet. The backflow hole is suitable for communicating with the outside of the shell. The ice making device is used to solve the problem that the ice blocks are easy to stick and melt quickly when stored in the prior art.

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 chamber, an ice-making structure, and a transport structure. The ice-making structure is used to make ice blocks, which can be stored in the ice storage chamber. The transport structure is responsible for transporting the finished ice blocks from the ice storage chamber to the ice outlet, where the ice blocks are output. Users can catch the ice blocks at the ice outlet for use.

[0004] In related technologies, water tends to accumulate in the ice storage chamber of ice-making devices after the ice melts, resulting in a mixture of ice and water inside the ice storage chamber. This leads to an increased melting rate of the ice in the ice storage chamber and makes it easier 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 problems in the prior art where ice blocks tend to stick together and melt quickly during storage.

[0006] To achieve one or more of the above objectives or other objectives, the first aspect of this application provides an ice-making device, including a frame body and an ice-making structure. The frame body includes a shell, an ice storage cavity is provided inside the shell, an ice outlet is provided at one end of the shell, and an ice outlet channel is provided in the ice outlet to the ice storage cavity. The ice-making structure is provided in the shell and is adapted to make ice blocks and transport the ice blocks to the ice storage cavity. The shell also provides a diversion channel and a return hole. The diversion channel is connected to the ice storage cavity and is opened from the end near the ice outlet in a direction away from the ice outlet. In the height direction of the frame body, the height of the end of the diversion channel near the ice outlet is higher than the height of the end away from the ice outlet. The return hole is connected to the end of the diversion channel away from the ice outlet and is adapted to connect to the outside of the shell.

[0007] Preferably, the shell has a first end and a second end that are arranged opposite to each other along its thickness direction. A cavity bottom wall is also provided inside the shell. The cavity bottom wall is suitable for supporting ice blocks in the ice storage cavity. The cavity bottom wall extends from the first end toward the second end. In the height direction of the frame body, the height of the end of the cavity bottom wall near the first end is higher than the height of the cavity bottom wall near the second end. The drainage groove and the return hole are both opened in the cavity bottom wall.

[0008] Preferably, the shell is further provided with at least one support rib, which is located in the drainage channel. One end of the support rib is connected to the bottom of the drainage channel, and the other end protrudes along the bottom of the channel opposite to the drainage channel. The support rib extends along the opening path of the drainage channel.

[0009] Preferably, a draining component is provided inside the reflux hole. The draining component includes a draining ring and multiple connecting ribs. The draining ring has a ring structure, and the multiple connecting ribs are spaced apart on the outer ring wall of the draining ring. The end of the connecting rib away from the draining ring is connected to the hole wall of the reflux hole. The spacing between two adjacent connecting ribs and the inner ring size of the draining ring are both smaller than the size of the ice block.

[0010] Preferably, a reflux chamber is also provided inside the shell. Along the height direction of the frame body, the reflux chamber is located below the ice-making structure, and the reflux chamber is suitable for collecting the water flowing out of the ice-making structure.

[0011] Preferably, a barrier is provided inside the housing, the barrier being located between the ice storage chamber and the reflux chamber, and the barrier is adapted to separate the ice storage chamber and the reflux chamber into two independent cavities.

[0012] Preferably, the ice-making structure includes an ice-making component and an ice-making chamber. The ice-making chamber has a receiving tank suitable for holding ice-making water. The ice-making component includes a heat exchanger and an ice-making head connected to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is suitable for connecting to an external refrigeration device to reduce the temperature of the ice-making head. The ice-making head is suitable for being inserted into the ice-making water in the receiving tank to make the ice-making water freeze.

[0013] Preferably, it also includes a transfer chamber, which is provided with a transfer trough. One end of the transfer trough is connected to the ice storage cavity. The ice-making chamber is located above the transfer chamber. A second driving member is provided on the shell. One end of the ice-making chamber is rotatably connected to the shell, and the other end is connected to the output end of the second driving member. An ice-moving member is also provided at the end of the ice-making chamber facing the transfer chamber. The second driving member is adapted to drive the ice-making chamber to rotate back and forth so as to flip the ice blocks inside into the transfer trough. The ice blocks are transferred from the position where the transfer trough and the ice storage cavity are connected to the ice storage cavity through the ice-moving member. A drain trough is provided at the bottom of the transfer chamber. The drain trough is connected to the transfer trough and the return cavity.

[0014] Preferably, it also includes a transport structure disposed inside the ice storage cavity. The transport structure is adapted to drive the ice blocks inside the ice storage cavity toward the ice outlet channel and transport them to the outside of the shell through the ice outlet channel. The transport structure includes a spiral assembly and a first driving member. The spiral assembly includes a screw and blades spirally wound on the screw. One end of the screw is connected to the output end of the first driving member, and the other end is rotatably connected to the shell. The first driving member is adapted to drive the screw to rotate.

[0015] The second aspect of this application provides a water treatment device, including a housing, a water storage tank, a cold water tank, a refrigeration device, and an ice-making device as described above. The water storage tank, the cold water tank, the refrigeration device, and the ice-making device are all installed in the housing. The outlet of the water storage tank is connected to the cold water tank and the ice-making device respectively through pipelines. The outlet of the cold water tank is connected to the refrigeration device, and the refrigeration device is connected to the ice-making device. The refrigeration device is adapted to provide a cooling temperature for the ice-making device.

[0016] Implementing the embodiments of this application will have the following beneficial effects: The ice-making device of this application, by setting a diversion channel in the ice storage cavity, allows the water formed by the melting of ice in the ice storage cavity to flow into the diversion channel. The diversion channel is inclined in the ice storage cavity, and the water in the diversion channel can flow from the higher end to the lower end of the diversion channel. The return hole is set at the lower end of the diversion channel, so that the water in the diversion channel can be diverted to the outside of the ice storage cavity, avoiding the mixing of ice and water in the ice storage cavity. This can prevent the ice in the ice storage cavity from sticking together and reduce the melting rate of the ice in the ice storage cavity. Attached Figure Description

[0017] 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.

[0018] in: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure 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 a first ice-making apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a second ice-making apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a third ice-making apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a fourth ice-making apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100. Ice-making device; 10. Frame body; 11. Shell; 111. Ice storage cavity; 112. Cavity bottom wall; 1121. Drainage channel; 1122. Support rib; 1123. Return hole; 113. Drainage component; 1131. Drainage ring; 1132. Connecting rib; 114. First end; 115. Second end; 116. Return cavity; 117. Return channel; 118. Opening; 12. Ice outlet; 121. Ice outlet channel; 122. Ice outlet door; 123. Ice outlet shell; 124. Cover plate; 125. Third drive component; 13. End cover; 14. 15. Barrier component; 16. Limiting component; 20. Connecting component; 21. Ice-making structure; 21. Ice-making assembly; 211. Heat exchanger; 212. Ice-making head; 22. Ice-making chamber; 221. Receiving trough; 23. Ice-transferring component; 24. Second driving component; 30. Transfer chamber; 31. Chamber body; 311. Transfer trough; 312. Drainage trough; 32. Support part; 40. Transport structure; 41. Spiral assembly; 411. Screw; 412. Blade; 50. First driving component; 200. Box body; 300. Water storage tank; 400. Cold water tank; 500. Refrigeration device. Detailed Implementation

[0020] 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, which is not specifically limited here. 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 an evaporator and an ice-making chamber. The ice-making chamber is used to hold the ice-making water, and the evaporator is used to cool the water to a predetermined temperature and freeze it into ice. The ice-making device also includes a transportation structure. The ice blocks made by the ice-making structure are stored in a cavity. When the ice blocks are needed, the stored ice blocks are transported to the outside through the transportation structure.

[0021] Understandably, the ice-making process within an ice-making device involves the ice-making structure creating ice blocks, storing the ice blocks in an ice storage chamber, and then transporting the ice blocks to the external environment via a transport structure. It should be noted that ice blocks tend to melt easily if they remain in the ice storage chamber for an extended period. The water produced after melting is also stored in the ice storage chamber, causing a mixture of ice and water. This makes the ice blocks within the ice storage chamber prone to sticking together, and also increases the melting rate of the ice within the ice storage chamber.

[0022] The ice-making device of this application, through improvements to the traditional structure, can drain the water flow generated by the melting of ice in the ice storage chamber. This ensures that ice and water do not mix in the ice storage chamber, making it less likely for the ice blocks to stick together and reducing the melting rate of the ice.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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 through an internal structure 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.

[0025] The water treatment equipment of this application mainly includes a tank 200, a water storage tank 300, a refrigeration unit 500, and an ice-making unit 100. The water storage tank 300 is suitable for providing room temperature water to the cold water tank 400, and the refrigeration unit 500 is suitable for providing a cooling temperature to the ice-making unit 100. The tank 200 serves as the frame structure of the water treatment equipment, acting as a mounting carrier for other structures within the equipment and protecting them. One end of the tank 200 has a water outlet (not shown in the figure). The water storage tank 300 can be connected to the water outlet via a room temperature water pipe, allowing drinking water from the tank 300 to flow directly out from the outlet to provide room temperature water for users. 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 300 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 300 to be heated by the heating structure and then flow out from the outlet to provide hot water for users.

[0026] It is worth mentioning that the water storage tank 300 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 500 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 300 can be made into ice cubes.

[0027] In addition, a cold water tank 400 can be installed in the water treatment equipment. Specifically, one end of the cold water tank 400 is connected to the water storage tank 300 through a water pipe, and the other end of the cold water tank 400 is connected to the water outlet through a water pipe. A refrigeration device 500 is connected to the cold water tank 400 to cool the water in the cold water tank 400. In this way, the drinking water in the water storage tank 300 is cooled by the refrigeration device 500 and flows out from the water outlet to provide cold water for users to drink.

[0028] Furthermore, the ice-making structure 20 can be directly connected to the cold water tank 400 and the refrigeration unit 500. This allows the cold water tank 400 to provide cold water to the ice-making structure 20, and the refrigeration unit 500 to provide energy, enabling the ice-making structure 20 to turn the water from the cold water tank 400 into ice cubes. By including the cold water tank 400, a pre-cooling structure can be added, providing pre-cooled water to the ice-making unit 100, which helps to accelerate the ice-making efficiency of the ice-making unit 100. As can be seen from the above, this water treatment equipment can provide three water output modes: room temperature water, hot water, and cold water, and can also provide ice cubes, allowing users to obtain drinking water according to their actual needs.

[0029] For example, the refrigeration device 500 of this application may include an internal refrigeration pipe, a condenser, a compressor pump, and a cooling fan. The internal refrigeration pipe is installed inside the cold water tank 400. One end of the internal refrigeration pipe is connected to the condenser through a pipe, the condenser is connected to the compressor pump through a pipe, and the compressor pump is connected to the other end of the internal refrigeration pipe through a pipe. The internal refrigeration pipe contains a condensing medium. Specifically, the condensing medium circulates between the internal refrigeration pipe, the pipe, and the compressor pump. The condensing medium processed by the compressor pump flows back to the internal refrigeration pipe inside the cold water tank 400 to ensure that the cold water tank 400 can continuously maintain a low temperature.

[0030] See Figures 2 to 4As shown, in some feasible embodiments, the ice-making apparatus 100 of this application, serving as an ice-making device for water treatment equipment, includes a frame body 10, an ice-making structure 20, and a transport structure 40. The frame body 10 is the main structure of the ice-making apparatus 100, serving as a mounting carrier for the remaining structures of the ice-making apparatus 100, supporting and protecting them. The frame body 10 includes a shell 11 and an ice outlet 12. The shell 11 is suitable for manufacturing and storing ice blocks; for example, the shell 11 of this application has an ice storage cavity 111 for storing the manufactured ice blocks. The ice outlet 12 is connected to one end of the shell 11. An ice outlet channel 121 is provided inside the ice outlet 12. One end of the ice outlet channel 121 is connected to the ice storage cavity 111, and the other end is connected to the external environment. In this way, the ice storage cavity 111 and the outside of the shell 11 can be connected through the ice outlet channel 121, and the ice in the ice storage cavity 111 can be discharged to the external environment through the ice outlet channel 121.

[0031] The frame body 10 of this application also includes an end cap 13. An opening is formed at the top of the housing 11. The end cap 13 can be detachably connected to the top of the housing 11 by means of a snap-fit ​​structure, a fastening structure or screws to cover the opening of the ice storage cavity 111.

[0032] An ice-making structure 20 is disposed on the shell 11. The ice-making structure 20 is suitable for making ice blocks. The ice blocks made by the ice-making structure 20 can be transferred to the ice storage chamber 111 for storage.

[0033] The transport structure 40 is disposed in the ice storage cavity 111. The transport structure 40 is adapted to transport the ice blocks in the ice storage cavity 111 to the ice outlet channel 121 and output them to the outside of the shell 11 through the ice outlet channel 121.

[0034] It is worth mentioning that the shell 11 of this application is also provided with a diversion channel 1121 and a return hole 1123. The diversion channel 1121 is located in the ice storage cavity 111 and is connected to the ice storage cavity 111. The diversion channel 1121 is opened from the end near the ice outlet 12 in the direction away from the ice outlet 12. In the height direction of the frame body 10, the height of the end of the diversion channel 1121 near the ice outlet 12 is higher than the height of the end away from the ice outlet 12. The return hole 1123 is connected to the end of the diversion channel 1121 away from the ice outlet 12 and is suitable for connecting to the outside of the shell 11. In this application, the diversion channel 1121 and the return hole 1123 are suitable for recycling the water generated after the ice melts. Therefore, the return hole 1123 of this application is connected to the cold water tank 400 mentioned above.

[0035] For ease of explanation, this application introduces a rectangular coordinate system, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 2As shown, the X-axis is parallel to the width direction of the ice-making device 100, the Y-axis is parallel to the direction of the ice-making device 100 from the end near the ice outlet 12 to the end away from the ice outlet 12, and the Z-axis is parallel to the height direction of the ice-making device 100. The ice-making structure 20 and the ice storage cavity 111 of this application are spaced apart in the X-direction.

[0036] This application provides a drainage channel 1121 inside the ice storage cavity 111. When the ice in the ice storage cavity 111 melts, the water formed by the melting can flow into the drainage channel 1121. The drainage channel 1121 is inclined inside the ice storage cavity 111, and the water in the drainage channel 1121 can flow from the higher end to the lower end. The return hole 1123 is provided at the lower end of the drainage channel 1121. In this way, the water in the drainage channel 1121 can be led out to the outside of the ice storage cavity 111, avoiding the mixing of ice and water in the ice storage cavity 111. This can prevent the ice in the ice storage cavity 111 from sticking together and reduce the melting rate of the ice in the ice storage cavity 111.

[0037] See Figures 2 to 4 As shown, in some possible implementations, the housing 11 is defined along the Y direction as its thickness direction, and the housing 11 has a first end 114 and a second end 115 disposed opposite to each other along its thickness direction. An ice outlet 12 is disposed at the first end 114 of the housing 11, a flow channel 1121 extends from the first end 114 toward the second end 115 in the ice storage cavity 111, and a return hole 1123 is disposed at the position of the housing 11 near the second end 115.

[0038] It should be noted that a cavity bottom wall 112 is also provided inside the shell 11. The cavity bottom wall 112 forms the bottom of the ice storage cavity 111, that is, the cavity bottom wall 112 is suitable for supporting the ice blocks in the ice storage cavity 111. The cavity bottom wall 112 is set as a curved wall, specifically, the cross section of the cavity bottom wall 112 in the Y direction is a curved wall that protrudes away from the end cap 13. The cavity bottom wall 112 extends from the first end 114 toward the second end 115. In the height direction of the frame body 10, the height of the end of the cavity bottom wall 112 near the first end 114 is higher than the height of the cavity bottom wall 112 near the second end 115. The drainage groove 1121 and the return hole 1123 are both opened in the cavity bottom wall 112. By setting the bottom wall 112 to support the ice blocks located in the ice storage cavity 111, the bottom wall 112 is inclined from the first end 114 to the second end 115, so that the water formed after the ice blocks melt can flow from the first end 114 to the second end 115, thus preventing water from flowing out from the ice outlet 12.

[0039] It is worth mentioning that the drainage channel 1121 and the return hole 1123 of this application are both located at the lowest end of the cavity bottom wall 112, which is the end of the cavity bottom wall 112 away from the end cap 13. Since the cavity bottom wall 112 is a curved wall, the water formed by the melting of ice in the ice storage cavity 111 will gather at the lowest end of the cavity bottom wall 112. In this way, the water flow can gather in the drainage channel 1121, and the water flow along the path of the drainage channel 1121 to the return hole 1123, so as to flow out of the ice storage cavity 111 from the return hole 1123.

[0040] In some embodiments, to enhance the drainage effect, the width of the drainage channel 1121 can be increased. The width of the drainage channel 1121 is the dimension of the drainage channel 1121 perpendicular to its extension direction, that is, the dimension of the drainage channel 1121 in the X direction. After increasing this dimension, the water flow rate collected increases. However, when this dimension increases, ice cubes are also more likely to get stuck in the drainage channel 1121. This not only easily causes the ice cubes to become stuck, but also causes the ice cubes to come into contact with the water in the drainage channel 1121, resulting in the ice cubes sticking together. It can also cause the ice cubes to stick to the bottom wall 112 of the cavity. Therefore, in this embodiment, at least one support rib 1122 is also provided on the housing 11. The support rib 1122 is disposed in the drainage channel 1121. One end of the support rib 1122 is connected to the bottom of the drainage channel 1121, and the other end protrudes along the channel away from the bottom of the drainage channel 1121. The support rib 1122 extends along the opening path of the drainage channel 1121. It should be noted that a certain distance is provided between the support rib 1122 and the side wall of the drainage channel 1121. The support rib 1122 is used to divide the opening of the drainage channel 1121 perpendicular to its extension direction into multiple sub-opening spaces, and the size of the multiple sub-opening spaces is smaller than the size of the ice block. In this way, by setting the support rib 1122 in the drainage channel 1121, the support rib 1122 can support the ice block and prevent the ice block from directly abutting the bottom of the drainage channel 1121, thus preventing the ice block from sticking to the bottom of the drainage channel 1121. In addition, the support rib 1122 can also prevent the ice block from getting stuck in the drainage channel 1121.

[0041] It should be noted that the number of support ribs 1122 is not limited and can be determined according to the actual situation. For example, only one support rib 1122 can be set, or multiple support ribs 1122 can be set. When multiple support ribs 1122 are set, the extension directions of the multiple support ribs 1122 are parallel, and the multiple support ribs 1122 are arranged at equal intervals along the X direction.

[0042] In some embodiments, a draining component 113 is provided inside the reflux hole 1123. The draining component 113 includes a draining ring 1131 and a plurality of connecting ribs 1132. The draining ring 1131 has an annular structure, and the plurality of connecting ribs 1132 are spaced apart on the outer ring wall of the draining ring 1131. The end of the connecting rib 1132 away from the draining ring 1131 is connected to the hole wall of the reflux hole 1123. The spacing between two adjacent connecting ribs 1132 and the inner ring size of the draining ring 1131 are both smaller than the size of the ice block. By providing the draining component 113, the reflux hole 1123 can be divided into a plurality of sub-reflux spaces. When a small ice block enters the reflux hole 1123, the draining component 113 can be used to prevent the ice block from passing through the reflux hole 1123. In addition, the water in the drainage channel 1121 can still flow out of the ice storage cavity 111 through the sub-reflux spaces divided by the draining component 113.

[0043] In some implementations, a reflux chamber 116 is also provided inside the housing 11. Along the height direction of the frame body 10, the reflux chamber 116 is located below the ice-making structure 20. The reflux chamber 116 is suitable for collecting the water flowing out of the ice-making structure 20. The water collected by the reflux chamber 116 includes not only the water formed after the ice blocks made by the ice-making structure 20 melt, but also the water that was not used up during the ice-making process.

[0044] Specifically, in some embodiments, the ice-making structure 20 includes an ice-making component 21 and an ice-making chamber 22. One end of the ice-making chamber 22 has a receiving groove 221, which is suitable for holding ice-making water. The ice-making component 21 includes a heat exchanger 211 and an ice-making head 212 connected to the heat exchanger 211. The heat exchanger 211 is adapted to be connected to an external refrigeration device 500 via pipes to reduce the temperature of the ice-making head 212. The heat exchanger 211 in this application can be an evaporator or a condenser. When the heat exchanger 211 is an evaporator or a condenser, it only refers to one commonly used heat exchange state and does not mean that it can only cool or heat. For a more specific description of the ice-making structure 20, please refer to the description of the ice-making structure 20 in existing ice makers, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0045] It should be noted that, due to structural design, the ice produced by the ice-making structure 20 of this application does not directly enter the ice storage cavity 111 for storage. Therefore, the ice-making device 100 of this application is also provided with a transfer chamber 30. The transfer chamber 30 includes a chamber body 31, which is located below the ice-making structure 20. The ice produced by the ice-making structure 20 can be first transferred to the transfer chamber 30, and then transported from the transfer chamber 30 to the ice storage cavity 111. A transfer trough 311 is provided at the top of the chamber body 31. One end of the transfer trough 311 is connected to the ice storage cavity 111. The ice produced by the ice-making structure 20 can be contained in the transfer trough 311 and transported to the ice storage cavity 111 through the transfer trough 311.

[0046] It is worth mentioning that the bottom of the chamber 31 in this application is located inside the reflux cavity 116. The end of the chamber 31 facing the reflux cavity 116 can be connected to the bottom of the reflux cavity 116. For example, a connector 16 is provided on the bottom of the reflux cavity 116. The connector 16 can be detachably connected to the chamber 31. The connector 16 can be a snap-fit ​​structure, a fastening structure, or a connecting post with a screw hole, etc. This application takes the connector 16 as a connecting post with a screw hole as an example. The bottom end of the chamber 31 is provided with a connecting hole. The connecting hole can be aligned with the screw hole of the connector 16. After the screw or threaded rod 411 passes through the connecting hole, it is threaded to the screw hole on the connector 16, so that the chamber 31 can be fixedly connected to the connector 16 to fix the chamber 31 relative to the reflux cavity 116. To ensure the stability of the position of the hopper 31 relative to the reflux cavity 116, a support part 32 is provided at the end of the hopper 31 facing the reflux cavity 116. The support part 32 can be a rib structure protruding from the hopper 31. The end of the support part 32 facing away from the hopper 31 abuts against the bottom of the reflux cavity 116 to ensure the stability of the position of the hopper 31.

[0047] A drain trough 312 is provided at the bottom of the chamber 31, which connects to the transfer trough 311 and the outside of the chamber 31. The drain trough 312 also connects to the transfer trough 311 and the return chamber 116. A return channel 117 is also provided at the bottom of the return chamber 116. One end of the return channel 117 connects to the return chamber 116, and the other end is adapted to connect to the cold water tank 400, so that the water in the return chamber 116 can enter the cold water tank 400 through the return channel 117. It is worth mentioning that the bottom of the return chamber 116 can be inclined, so that the bottom of the chamber has a higher end and a lower end in the Z direction. The return channel 117 is located at the lower end of the return chamber 116, which ensures that the water entering the return chamber 116 flows towards the return channel 117, which helps to prevent water from accumulating in the return chamber 116.

[0048] When ice blocks produced by the ice-making structure 20 are transferred to the transfer trough 311 of the transfer chamber 30, there may be residual water in the ice-making structure 20 used to make ice blocks. This water may also be transferred to the transfer trough 311 along with the ice blocks. Alternatively, the ice blocks in the transfer trough 311 may melt due to the temperature inside the shell 11. Regardless of the reason, water may easily appear in the transfer trough 311. By setting a drain trough 312 at the bottom of the transfer chamber 30, the water accumulated in the transfer chamber 30 can flow out of the transfer trough 311 through the drain trough 312, thereby draining the water into the return cavity 116. This can minimize the mixing of ice and water in the transfer chamber 30, prevent the ice blocks from melting too quickly, and prevent adjacent ice blocks from sticking together.

[0049] In some embodiments, after the ice-making assembly 21 produces ice cubes in the ice-making chamber 22, the ice cubes are located in the receiving slot 221. To transfer the ice cubes in the receiving slot 221 to the transfer slot 311, the ice-making device 100 of this application further includes a second driving member 24, which is a drive motor. The second driving member 24 is connected to the outer wall of the housing 11. One end of the ice-making chamber 22 is rotatably connected to the housing 11, and the rotation axis of the ice-making chamber 22 is parallel to the Y direction. The other end of the ice-making chamber 22 is connected to the output shaft of the second driving member 24. It can be understood that the second driving member 24 can drive the ice-making chamber 22 to rotate. It should be noted that in the free state, the opening of the receiving slot 221 of the ice-making chamber 22 faces upward, that is, it is set away from the transfer chamber 30. When the second driving member 24 drives the ice-making chamber 22 to rotate, the opening of the receiving slot 221 can be rotated to face the transfer slot 311 of the transfer chamber 30, so that the ice generated in the receiving slot 221 can be poured into the transfer slot 311.

[0050] It should also be noted that, in order to ensure that the ice blocks in the transfer trough 311 can be transported to the ice storage cavity 111, an ice-moving component 23 is also provided at the bottom of the ice-making chamber 22 facing away from the receiving trough 221. In the free state, the bottom of the ice-making chamber 22 faces the transfer trough 311, and the ice-moving component 23 is located inside the transfer trough 311. The end of the ice-moving component 23 away from the ice-making chamber 22 can be attached to the bottom wall of the chamber. The second driving component 24 is adapted to drive the ice-making chamber 22 to rotate back and forth, so as to flip the ice blocks inside it into the transfer chamber 30, and transfer the ice blocks from the position where the transfer trough 311 and the ice storage cavity 111 are connected to the ice storage cavity 111 through the ice-moving component 23. Specifically, during the process of the second driving member 24 driving the ice-making chamber 22 to rotate to the position where its receiving slot 221 faces the transfer slot 311, the ice-moving member 23 is adapted to follow the ice-making chamber 22 to move in the transfer slot 311 in a direction away from the position where the ice storage cavity 111 and the transfer slot 311 are connected. At this time, the ice blocks in the receiving slot 221 are poured into the transfer slot 311. The second driving member 24 can also drive the ice-making chamber 22 to rotate in the opposite direction. At this time, the ice-moving member 23 returns to its original position in the opposite direction with the ice-making chamber 22. That is, the ice-moving member 23 moves in the direction where the ice storage cavity 111 and the transfer slot 311 are connected. During the process of the ice-moving member 23 returning to its original position, it can push the ice blocks in the transfer slot 311 in the path to the position where the transfer slot 311 and the ice storage cavity 111 are connected, and can push the ice blocks into the ice storage cavity 111 to realize the storage of ice blocks.

[0051] For example, a limiting member 15 is also provided on the housing 11. The limiting member 15 extends toward the heat exchanger 211, and at least a portion of the structure of the limiting member 15 can overlap the heat exchanger 211, thereby limiting the movement of the heat exchanger 211 and making the position of the heat exchanger 211 relatively stable. In addition, the limiting member 15 is also located on the rotation path of the ice-making chamber 22, specifically on the path when the ice-making chamber 22 drives the ice-moving member 23 to rotate away from the ice storage cavity 111. Thus, when the ice-making chamber 22 rotates to the point where its receiving groove 221 faces the transfer groove 311, the side wall of the ice-making chamber 22 can abut against the limiting member, thereby limiting the continued rotation of the ice-making chamber 22 by the limiting member.

[0052] In some embodiments, the housing 11 is provided with both an ice storage cavity 111 and a return cavity 116. In order to prevent water from flowing into the ice storage cavity 111 from the return cavity 116, the return cavity 116 and the ice storage cavity 111 are separated. Specifically, a barrier 14 is provided in the housing 11. The barrier 14 is located between the ice storage cavity 111 and the return cavity 116. The barrier 14 is adapted to separate the ice storage cavity 111 and the return cavity 116 into two independent cavities. This can prevent the water flowing back from the return cavity 116 from entering the ice storage cavity 111, avoid the mixing of ice and water in the ice storage cavity 111, and prevent the ice blocks in the ice storage cavity 111 from sticking together.

[0053] See Figures 3 to 6 As shown, in some possible implementations, the transport structure 40 includes a spiral assembly 41 and a first drive member 50. The first drive member 50 is adapted to drive the spiral assembly 41 to rotate, and when the spiral assembly 41 rotates, it can move the ice block toward the ice outlet 12. Specifically, the spiral assembly 41 includes a screw 411 and blades 412 spirally wound on the screw 411. One end of the screw 411 is connected to the output end of the first drive member 50, and the other end extends away from the first drive member 50 and is rotatably connected to the housing 11. It should be noted that in order to smoothly transport the ice block in the ice storage cavity 111 to the ice outlet channel 121 through the opening 118, one end of the screw 411 in this application passes through the opening 118, and the blades 412 are wound on that end. In this way, when the screw 411 rotates, it can smoothly transport the ice block to the position of the opening 118. More specifically, the first driving member 50 of this application is connected to the outer wall of the ice outlet section 12. The first driving member 50 can be a drive motor, whose output shaft extends through the outer wall of the ice outlet section 12 into the ice outlet channel 121, and is adapted to be coaxially connected with the end of the screw 411 that passes through the through-hole 118, so that the first driving member 50 drives the screw 411 to rotate. At this time, the end of the screw 411 away from its connection with the first driving member 50 extends in the direction away from the ice outlet section 12. That is, with the cooperation of the spiral assembly 41 and the first driving member 50, the ice blocks in the ice storage cavity 111 can be moved in the direction toward the ice outlet section 12.

[0054] In some embodiments, the ice outlet 12 can be integrally formed with the housing 11 or separately formed from the housing 11; this application does not impose any special limitations. In this application, the ice outlet 12 includes an ice outlet shell 123 and a cover plate 124. The ice outlet shell 123 is connected to the housing 11 and has a channel penetrating its interior. Both ends of the channel are open in the extending direction, and the top of the ice outlet shell 123 has an opening that connects to the channel. The cover plate 124 is connected to the ice outlet shell 123 by screws and covers the opening of the ice outlet shell 123. When the cover plate 124 is connected to the ice outlet shell 123, it can cover the opening at the top of the ice outlet shell 123 and together with the ice outlet shell 123, form an ice outlet channel 121. A first driving member 50 is connected to the outer wall of the cover plate 124, and the output shaft of the first driving member 50 passes through the cover plate 124 and extends into the ice outlet channel 121.

[0055] In some embodiments, the ice outlet section 12 further includes an ice outlet door 122, which is used to close the ice outlet channel 121, thereby sealing the connection between the ice storage chamber 111 and the external environment. The ice outlet door 122 can prevent hot air from the external environment from entering the ice storage chamber 111, and can also prevent ice from the ice storage chamber 111 from overflowing from the ice outlet channel 121 into the external environment of the ice outlet section 12. In this application, the ice outlet door 122 is rotatably disposed in the ice outlet section 12 and located within the ice outlet channel 121. The ice outlet door 122 is configured to have a first position suitable for blocking the ice outlet channel 121 and a second position suitable for opening the ice outlet channel 121. The ice outlet section 12 is also equipped with a third driving component 125, which is a motor. The output shaft of the motor is coaxially fixedly connected to the ice outlet gate 122. The rotation shaft of the ice outlet gate 122 is perpendicular to the rotation shaft of the screw 411. In the free state, the ice outlet gate 122 is in the first position. At this time, the ice outlet gate 122 closes the ice outlet channel 121, making it difficult for the ice in the ice storage chamber 111 to overflow from the ice outlet channel 121 into the external environment. When the ice outlet gate 122 is driven to rotate to the second position by the third driving component 125, the ice outlet channel 121 can be opened, and the ice can be transported from the ice outlet channel 121 to the external environment.

[0056] 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: The frame body includes a shell, an ice storage cavity is provided inside the shell, an ice outlet is provided at one end of the shell, and an ice outlet is provided in the ice outlet through an ice outlet channel communicating with the ice storage cavity. An ice-making structure is disposed in the housing and is adapted to make ice blocks and transport the ice blocks to the ice storage cavity; The housing is also provided with a flow channel and a return hole. The flow channel is connected to the ice storage cavity. The flow channel is opened from one end near the ice outlet in a direction away from the ice outlet. In the height direction of the frame body, the height of the end of the flow channel near the ice outlet is higher than the height of the end away from the ice outlet. The return hole is connected to the end of the flow channel away from the ice outlet and is adapted to connect to the outside of the housing.

2. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The housing has a first end and a second end that are disposed opposite to each other along its thickness direction. A cavity bottom wall is also provided inside the housing. The cavity bottom wall is adapted to support the ice blocks in the ice storage cavity. The cavity bottom wall extends from the first end toward the second end. In the height direction of the frame body, the height of the end of the cavity bottom wall near the first end is higher than the height of the cavity bottom wall near the second end. The drainage groove and the return hole are both opened on the cavity bottom wall.

3. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The housing is also provided with at least one support rib, which is located in the drainage channel. One end of the support rib is connected to the bottom of the drainage channel, and the other end protrudes along the channel bottom away from the drainage channel. The support rib extends along the opening path of the drainage channel.

4. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A draining component is provided inside the return hole. The draining component includes a draining ring and multiple connecting ribs. The draining ring is a ring structure. The multiple connecting ribs are spaced apart on the outer ring wall of the draining ring, and the end of the connecting rib away from the draining ring is connected to the hole wall of the return hole. The distance between two adjacent connecting ribs and the inner ring size of the draining ring are both smaller than the size of the ice block.

5. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The housing is also provided with a reflux cavity, which is located below the ice-making structure along the height direction of the frame body. The reflux cavity is adapted to collect the water flowing out of the ice-making structure.

6. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The housing is provided with a barrier, which is located between the ice storage cavity and the reflux cavity. The barrier is adapted to separate the ice storage cavity and the reflux cavity into two independent cavities.

7. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The ice-making structure includes an ice-making component and an ice-making chamber. The ice-making chamber has a receiving tank suitable for holding ice-making water. The ice-making component includes a heat exchanger and an ice-making head connected to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is suitable for connecting to an external refrigeration device to reduce the temperature of the ice-making head. The ice-making head is suitable for being inserted into the ice-making water in the receiving tank to make the ice-making water freeze.

8. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 7, characterized in that: It also includes a transfer compartment, which is provided with a transfer trough. One end of the transfer trough is connected to the ice storage cavity. The ice-making compartment is located above the transfer compartment. A second driving member is provided on the housing. One end of the ice-making compartment is rotatably connected to the housing, and the other end is connected to the output end of the second driving member. An ice-moving member is also provided at the end of the ice-making compartment facing the transfer compartment. The second driving member is adapted to drive the ice-making compartment to rotate back and forth so as to flip the ice blocks inside into the transfer trough. The ice blocks are transferred from the position where the transfer trough and the ice storage cavity are connected to the ice storage cavity through the ice-moving member. A drain trough is provided at the bottom of the transfer compartment. The drain trough is connected to the transfer trough and the return cavity.

9. The ice-making apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a transport structure disposed within the ice storage cavity. The transport structure is adapted to drive the ice blocks in the ice storage cavity toward the ice outlet channel and transport them to the outside of the housing through the ice outlet channel. The transport structure includes a spiral assembly and a first driving member. The spiral assembly includes a screw and blades spirally wound on the screw. One end of the screw is connected to the output end of the first driving member, and the other end is rotatably connected to the housing. The first driving member is adapted to drive the screw to rotate.

10. A water treatment device, characterized in that: The device includes a housing, a water tank, a cold water tank, a refrigeration device, and an ice-making device as described in any one of claims 1-9. The water tank, the cold water tank, the refrigeration device, and the ice-making device are all installed in the housing. The outlet of the water tank is connected to the cold water tank and the ice-making device respectively via pipes. The outlet of the cold water tank is connected to the refrigeration device. The refrigeration device is connected to the ice-making device. The refrigeration device is adapted to provide a cooling temperature for the ice-making device.

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