An ice storage device for an ice maker

Abstract

The utility model discloses an ice storage device of ice maker, include: ice storage bucket, the rear side of upper end is equipped with the ice inlet, the ice storage bucket is installed at the lower extreme of ice maker, and the ice outlet of ice maker is linked together with ice inlet, the ice storage bucket front side upper end is equipped with the ice outlet, and is equipped with the heat preservation cover of openable in ice outlet department, the ice block that falls into is along the ice guide plate from front to back and falls into the ice storage bucket in ice inlet department, makes the ice block in the ice storage bucket form gradually increasing high slope face from front to back, full ice detection mechanism, install in the lower extreme of ice guide plate and with ice maker electricity is connected, full ice detection mechanism is configured to send signal to ice maker when being triggered by ice block, and ice maker receives signal and stops ice making. Avoid the misjudgment problem of traditional full ice detection because of the problem such as water mist.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of ice storage technology, and more specifically to an ice storage device for an ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] Ice makers are commonly used in both commercial and residential settings, and accurate ice quantity detection, orderly ice storage, and low-energy operation are core technological requirements. With the increasing automation of ice makers, specialized technical solutions for ice quantity detection have emerged in the industry. Among these, infrared sensors are the most widely used method for detecting ice fullness. These sensors consist of an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, installed opposite each other on opposite sides of the inner wall of the ice storage box. Their working principle is as follows: the infrared transmitter continuously emits an infrared beam towards the corresponding receiver. When ice accumulates to a preset height, the beam is blocked by the ice, and the receiver, unable to receive the signal, determines that the ice is full, thus controlling the ice maker to stop making ice. When a user removes ice, causing the ice level to drop, the beam becomes unobstructed and is received normally by the receiver, and the ice maker immediately restarts the ice-making process, forming a preliminary automated ice quantity control. However, the aforementioned infrared sensing detection scheme relies on signal transmission through the light-transmitting window. The ice storage tank is constantly exposed to low temperatures and high humidity, making it prone to water vapor and condensation. Dust also easily adheres to the surface of the light-transmitting window during daily use. These impurities prevent light from penetrating properly, causing the receiver to remain in a no-signal state. The ice maker may then misjudge the tank as full, resulting in it stopping ice production even when the actual ice level is insufficient, thus affecting normal operation. Utility Model Content

[0003] This utility model aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this utility model proposes: An ice storage device for an ice maker, comprising: An ice storage bucket has an ice inlet on the rear side of its upper end. The ice storage bucket is installed at the lower end of an ice maker. The ice outlet of the ice maker is connected to the ice inlet. An ice dispensing port is provided at the upper front side of the ice storage bucket, and an openable and closable heat-insulating cover is provided at the ice dispensing port. An ice guide plate is vertically installed inside the ice storage tank. Its upper end is distributed on the front side of the ice inlet and connected to the ice storage tank, and its lower end extends backward at an angle. Ice blocks falling from the ice inlet fall into the ice storage tank from front to back along the ice guide plate, so that the ice blocks in the ice storage tank form a slope that gradually increases from front to back. An ice full detection mechanism is installed at the lower end of the ice guide plate and electrically connected to the ice maker. The ice full detection mechanism is configured to send a signal to the ice maker when triggered by ice, and the ice maker receives the signal and stops making ice.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by one embodiment of this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows: the full ice detection mechanism includes a strip plate and a detection element. The strip plate is hinged to the lower end of the ice guide plate, and the strip plate is connected to the ice guide plate through an elastic element. The detection element is installed on the ice guide plate and electrically connected to the ice maker. The strip plate can rotate forward under the action of ice blocks, causing the elastic element to undergo elastic deformation until the detection element is triggered. The detection element sends a signal to the ice maker, and the ice maker receives the signal and stops making ice.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by one embodiment of this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows: the strip plate is arranged vertically, the rear side of its upper end is hinged to the ice guide plate, there is a gap between the upper end of the strip plate and the front side of the lower end of the ice guide plate, and the detection element is installed on the front side of the lower end of the ice guide plate, which is used to detect the pressure applied by the strip plate to the detection element.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by one embodiment of this utility model to solve its technical problem is: the detection element is a pressure sensor.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by one embodiment of this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows: the ice guide plate includes a first section and a second section arranged vertically. The upper end of the first section is located in front of the ice inlet, and its lower end is inclined backward. The second section is installed at the lower end of the first section, and the lower end of the second section extends downward. The full ice detection mechanism is installed at the lower end of the second section.

[0008] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the ice guide plate guides the ice blocks to form a "low in front and high in back" slope. Based on the triggering logic of slope accumulation, the full ice detection mechanism only maintains the trigger state when the ice blocks continuously apply force. After the ice blocks are removed, the force disappears, and the full ice detection mechanism can automatically return to the initial detection state without additional driving components, ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of signal response and avoiding the misjudgment problem caused by water mist and other issues in traditional full ice detection. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the ice storage device described in this embodiment; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the ice storage device described in this embodiment; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the ice storage device described in this embodiment; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ice storage bucket when it is not full of ice, as described in this embodiment; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view at point B in the middle; Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the ice storage bucket described in this embodiment when it is full of ice; Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged view of section B in the middle. Detailed Implementation

[0010] This section will describe in detail the specific embodiments of the present utility model. The preferred embodiments of the present utility model are shown in the accompanying drawings. The purpose of the drawings is to supplement the textual description with graphics, so that people can intuitively and vividly understand each technical feature and the overall technical solution of the present utility model, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0011] In the description of this utility model, "multiple" means two or more; "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number; "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features or their sequential relationship.

[0012] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0013] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms "setting," "installing," and "connecting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral molding; they can refer to a mechanical connection; they can refer to the internal connection of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0014] Reference Figure 1-8 The present application proposes an embodiment in which the ice storage device of the ice maker 10 includes: An ice storage bucket 20 has an ice inlet 21 on the rear side of its upper end. The ice storage bucket 20 is installed at the lower end of the ice maker 10. The ice outlet of the ice maker 10 is connected to the ice inlet 21. An ice outlet 22 is provided at the upper front side of the ice storage bucket 20, and an openable and closable heat preservation cover 30 is provided at the ice outlet 22. An ice guide plate 40 is vertically installed inside the ice storage tank 20. Its upper end is distributed on the front side of the ice inlet 21 and connected to the ice storage tank 20. Its lower end extends backward at an angle. Ice blocks falling from the ice inlet 21 fall into the ice storage tank 20 from front to back along the ice guide plate 40, so that the ice blocks in the ice storage tank 20 form a slope that gradually increases from front to back. An ice full detection mechanism 50 is installed at the lower end of the ice guide plate 40 and electrically connected to the ice maker 10. The ice full detection mechanism 50 is configured to send a signal to the ice maker 10 when triggered by ice, and the ice maker 10 receives the signal and stops making ice.

[0015] Ice blocks produced by the ice maker 10 are discharged from the ice outlet and fall into the ice storage tank 20 through the ice inlet 21. The ice blocks first contact the upper surface of the guide plate 40. Due to the inclined setting of the guide plate 40, the ice blocks slide down and backward along the surface of the guide plate 40 under the action of gravity, gradually forming a slope that is lower in the front and higher in the back in the ice storage tank 20.

[0016] As ice continues to accumulate, the slope height gradually rises to the lower end of the ice guide plate 40. At this time, the ice produced by the ice maker 10 continues to fall into the ice storage tank 20 from the ice inlet 21. The ice will accumulate in front of the ice guide plate 40 under its action. The ice accumulated in front of the ice guide plate 40 comes into contact with the full ice detection mechanism 50, thereby triggering the full ice detection mechanism 50. The full ice detection mechanism 50 sends a signal to the ice maker 10, and the ice maker 10 receives the signal and stops making ice.

[0017] When a user opens the insulated cover 30 of the ice dispensing port 22 to take ice, the ice blocks on the sloping surface of the ice storage tank 20, which is lower in the front and higher in the back, are replenished towards the ice dispensing port 22 under the action of gravity, and the slope height gradually decreases. As the amount of ice decreases, the ice blocks that were originally in contact with the full ice detection mechanism 50 gradually detach, and the trigger state of the full ice detection mechanism 50 is released. After detecting that the trigger has been released, the full ice detection mechanism 50 immediately sends a reset signal to the ice maker 10. The ice maker 10 receives the signal and determines that the amount of ice in the ice storage tank 20 has not reached saturation, and then controls the ice making system to restart ice making.

[0018] The newly produced ice blocks fall back into the ice storage tank 20 through the ice outlet of the ice maker 10 and the ice inlet 21 of the ice storage tank 20. They slide down and backward along the ice guide plate 40, continuing to accumulate on the basis of the existing ice blocks, reconstructing a continuous slope with a "lower front and higher back" until the ice volume reaches saturation again and triggers the detection mechanism, at which point the ice maker 10 stops again.

[0019] The ice guide plate 40 guides the ice blocks to form a "lower in front and higher in back" slope. Based on the triggering logic of slope accumulation, the full ice detection mechanism 50 only remains in the trigger state when the ice blocks continuously apply force. After the ice blocks are removed, the force disappears, and the full ice detection mechanism 50 can automatically return to the initial detection state without additional driving components, ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of signal response and avoiding the misjudgment problem caused by water mist and other issues in traditional full ice detection.

[0020] In another embodiment, the full ice detection mechanism 50 may be a sensor directly installed at the lower end of the ice guide plate 40, such as a pressure sensor.

[0021] In this embodiment, the full ice detection mechanism 50 includes a strip plate 51 and a detection element 52. The strip plate 51 is hinged to the lower end of the ice guide plate 40, and the strip plate 51 is connected to the ice guide plate 40 through an elastic element 53. The detection element 52 is installed on the ice guide plate 40 and electrically connected to the ice maker 10. The strip plate 51 can rotate forward under the action of ice, causing the elastic element 53 to undergo elastic deformation until the detection element 52 is triggered. The detection element 52 sends a signal to the ice maker 10, and the ice maker 10 receives the signal and stops making ice.

[0022] The elastic element 53 is a torsion spring. The strip plate 51 and the ice guide plate 40 are hinged through the pivot 511. The elastic element 53 is fitted on the pivot 511. One end of the torsion spring is engaged with the inner side of the ice guide plate 40, and the other end is engaged with the inner side of the strip plate 51.

[0023] The strip plate 51 is set vertically, and its horizontal width is adapted to the internal width of the ice storage tank 20. Both ends extend to the opposite side walls of the ice storage tank 20.

[0024] As ice continues to accumulate, the slope height gradually increases. When the ice volume reaches a preset saturation value, regardless of whether the ice first accumulates to the detection height on the left, right, or middle position of the rear of the ice guide plate 40, it can contact the rear side of the strip plate 51 at the lower end of the ice guide plate 40 and push the corresponding area of ​​the strip plate 51 to rotate forward around the hinge point. Since the strip plate 51 is rigidly connected as a whole and the preload of the elastic element 53 is uniform, local force can drive the strip plate 51 to rotate synchronously as a whole and compress the elastic element 53 until the strip plate 51 triggers the detection element 52. When the ice is removed, the ice is released from contact with the strip plate 51, and the strip plate 51 returns to its initial state under the restoring force of the elastic element 53.

[0025] The width design of the strip plate 51 allows the strip plate 51 to be triggered by any ice block that has accumulated to the detection height at any position within the ice storage tank 20, avoiding missed triggers due to deviations in the position of the ice block accumulation, and further improving the comprehensiveness and reliability of ice quantity detection. In this embodiment, the strip plate 51 is vertically arranged, with its upper rear side hinged to the ice guide plate 40. A gap exists between the upper end of the strip plate 51 and the lower front side of the ice guide plate 40. The detection element 52 is installed on the lower front side of the ice guide plate 40 and is used to detect the pressure applied by the strip plate 51 to the detection element 52. The pressure from the ice block pushes the corresponding area of ​​the strip plate 51 to rotate forward around the hinge point until the strip plate 51 contacts the detection element 52. In this embodiment, the detection element 52 is a pressure sensor. If the detection element 52 detects that the pressure applied by the strip plate 51 reaches a preset value and remains for a preset duration, the pressure sensor sends a trigger signal to the ice maker 10. Setting a preset pressure duration avoids false triggering caused by the ice block briefly touching the detection element 52 during its descent, thus improving detection accuracy.

[0026] In this embodiment, the ice guide plate 40 restricts the rotation angle of the strip plate 51.

[0027] Preferably, the ice guide plate 40 includes a vertically arranged first section 41 and a second section 42. The upper end of the first section 41 is located in front of the ice inlet 21, and its lower end is inclined backward. The second section 42 is installed at the lower end of the first section 41, and the lower end of the second section 42 extends downward. The full ice detection mechanism 50 is installed at the lower end of the second section 42. When ice blocks fall into the ice storage tank 20, the ice blocks fall along the first section 41 and accumulate inside the ice storage tank 20. When the ice storage tank 20 is full of ice, the full ice detection mechanism 50 is triggered.

[0028] Of course, this utility model is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of this utility model. All such equivalent modifications and substitutions are included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An ice storage device for an ice maker, characterized in that, include: An ice storage bucket (20) has an ice inlet (21) on the rear side of its upper end. The ice storage bucket (20) is installed at the lower end of the ice maker (10). The ice outlet of the ice maker (10) is connected to the ice inlet (21). An ice take-out port (22) is provided at the upper front side of the ice storage bucket (20), and an openable and closable heat preservation cover (30) is provided at the ice take-out port (22). An ice guide plate (40) is vertically installed inside the ice storage tank (20). Its upper end is distributed on the front side of the ice inlet (21) and connected to the ice storage tank (20). Its lower end extends backward at an angle. Ice blocks falling from the ice inlet (21) fall into the ice storage tank (20) from front to back along the ice guide plate (40), so that the ice blocks in the ice storage tank (20) form a slope that gradually increases from front to back. An ice full detection mechanism (50) is installed at the lower end of the ice guide plate (40) and electrically connected to the ice maker (10). The ice full detection mechanism (50) is configured to send a signal to the ice maker (10) when triggered by ice blocks, and the ice maker (10) receives the signal and stops making ice.

2. The ice storage device of the ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The full ice detection mechanism (50) includes a strip plate (51) and a detection element (52). The strip plate (51) is hinged to the lower end of the ice guide plate (40), and the strip plate (51) is connected to the ice guide plate (40) through an elastic element (53). The detection element (52) is installed on the ice guide plate (40) and electrically connected to the ice maker (10). The strip plate (51) can rotate forward under the action of the ice block, causing the elastic element (53) to undergo elastic deformation until the detection element (52) is triggered. The detection element (52) sends a signal to the ice maker (10), and the ice maker (10) receives the signal and stops making ice.

3. The ice storage device of the ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The strip plate (51) is vertically arranged, and its upper rear side is hinged to the ice guide plate (40). There is a gap between the upper end of the strip plate (51) and the lower front side of the ice guide plate (40). The detection element (52) is installed on the lower front side of the ice guide plate (40) and is used to detect the pressure applied by the strip plate (51) to the detection element (52).

4. The ice storage device of the ice maker according to claim 3, characterized in that, The detection element (52) is a pressure sensor.

5. The ice storage device of the ice maker according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The ice guide plate (40) includes a first section (41) and a second section (42) arranged vertically. The upper end of the first section (41) is located in front of the ice inlet (21), and its lower end is inclined backward. The second section (42) is installed at the lower end of the first section (41), and the lower end of the second section (42) extends downward. The full ice detection mechanism (50) is installed at the lower end of the second section (42).

Images