An ice maker capable of making square ice

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of ice block production, propose a kind of ice maker of making square ice, including body and inner container, the evaporator assembly for ice making is equipped in the inner container, water tank for storing ice-making liquid is equipped in body, water tank and evaporator assembly are parallelly distributed in the upper space of body, and water tank and evaporator assembly are respectively transversely arranged along the length direction of body. Evaporator assembly is arranged in inner container, water tank is close to evaporator assembly and both left and right side by side distribution in the upper space of body, can make full use of the transverse space of body upper portion, avoid evaporator assembly and water tank upper and lower stacking to occupy too much longitudinal space of body, effectively solve the layout challenge brought by evaporator assembly volume increase in background art, realize the compact design of body internal structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of ice making, specifically to an ice maker capable of making cube ice. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most common household ice makers that can make cube ice produce bullet ice, flowing ice, or extruded ice. These types of ice cubes are usually small in size and melt quickly when placed directly into cold drinks.

[0003] Larger square ice blocks melt at a significantly slower rate; however, manufacturing larger ice blocks requires a correspondingly larger ice-making chamber. Since the ice-making chamber is located on the evaporator assembly, this leads to an increase in the size of the evaporator assembly, posing a design challenge for the internal space of the machine.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design an ice maker with a reasonable structure and compact layout that can produce cube ice. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention proposes an ice maker capable of making cube ice. The evaporator assembly is placed inside the inner tank, and the water tank is close to the evaporator assembly and the two are arranged side by side in the upper space of the machine body. This can make full use of the horizontal space in the upper part of the machine body and avoid the evaporator assembly and water tank being stacked vertically and occupying too much vertical space of the machine body. This lays the foundation for the vertical installation of the condenser and compressor.

[0006] An ice maker designed for this purpose includes a body and an inner liner. The inner liner is equipped with an evaporator assembly for making ice. The body is equipped with a water tank for storing ice-making liquid. The water tank and the evaporator assembly are arranged side by side in the upper space of the body, and the water tank and the evaporator assembly are arranged laterally along the length of the body.

[0007] The evaporator assembly includes an evaporator and a flipping module. The evaporator has an ice-making chamber. The flipping module is hinged to the evaporator and opens and closes the ice-making chamber by rotating it to switch the ice-making mode and the ice-removing mode of the evaporator assembly. The inner liner is equipped with a detection component for detecting the working mode of the evaporator assembly, and the detection component is located below the flip module.

[0008] The detection component includes a rocker and a micro switch for detecting the working position of the rocker; During ice making, the rocker is in its initial position and catches the liquid overflowing from the ice-making chamber; When removing ice, the ice blocks slide onto the rocker, and the rocker switches to the ice-dropping position.

[0009] A liquid delivery component for outputting liquid from the water tank is provided between the evaporator assembly and the water tank. An installation cavity is provided inside the machine body. The inner liner and the installation cavity are arranged in a front-to-back arrangement inside the machine body. The liquid delivery component is located inside the installation cavity. A motor for driving the rotation of the evaporator is provided between the evaporator and the flipping module.

[0010] The liquid delivery assembly includes a water pump and a water valve, and the flipping module is equipped with a spray pipe for spraying liquid toward the ice-making cavity; The water tank outlet is connected to the water valve inlet, the water valve outlet is connected to the water pump input, and the water pump output is connected to the spray pipe inlet. The on / off state of the liquid delivery component is switched by opening and closing the water valve.

[0011] The inner liner is provided with a receiving cavity for receiving liquid overflowing from the ice-making cavity in conjunction with the rocker. The receiving cavity has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the outlet of the water valve. The input end of the water pump is connected to the outlet. A filter screen is provided between the receiving cavity and the outlet, as well as between the outlet and the outlet. The inner liner is equipped with a water level switch for detecting the liquid level in the receiving cavity, and a temperature sensor is located near the outlet in the receiving cavity.

[0012] The mounting cavity is equipped with a condenser and a compressor, which are arranged vertically within the machine body. The condenser is equipped with a cooling fan, and the body is equipped with an exhaust port and an air inlet that connect the mounting cavity to the outside of the body; the air inlet is set to correspond to the compressor, and the exhaust port is set to correspond to the air outlet of the cooling fan.

[0013] The inner liner is provided with a receiving cavity and an ice basket. The receiving cavity is used to receive the liquid overflowing from the evaporator assembly during the ice-making mode, and the ice basket is used to receive the ice blocks that are removed from the evaporator assembly during the de-icing mode. The ice basket and the receiving cavity are arranged vertically at intervals, and a rotating rocker is provided above the ice basket. The rocker switches between the initial position and the ice-falling position by rotating, and the rocker returns to the initial position by its own weight or elasticity. A drainage channel connecting the outer side of the ice basket and the inner side of the inner liner is provided. The liquid collected by the rocker in the initial position slides down the drainage channel into the receiving cavity.

[0014] The inner liner is provided with an outer liner, and thermal insulation foam is provided between the inner liner and the outer liner.

[0015] The body is provided with a front panel assembly at the front end of the inner liner. The front panel assembly includes a front panel and a foam board fixed to the front panel.

[0016] The beneficial technical effects of this utility model are as follows: By placing the evaporator assembly inside the inner tank and placing the water tank close to the evaporator assembly with both arranged side by side in the upper part of the unit, the horizontal space in the upper part of the unit can be fully utilized, avoiding the evaporator assembly and water tank being stacked vertically and occupying too much vertical space in the unit. This effectively solves the layout challenges caused by the increased size of the evaporator assembly in the background technology and achieves a compact design of the internal structure of the unit. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an ice maker capable of producing cube ice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional structural diagram of an ice maker capable of producing cube ice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, showing the condenser and compressor arranged vertically.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an ice maker capable of producing cube ice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the lower space of the inner liner in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the inner liner from another position in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the front panel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the planar cross-sectional structure of an ice maker capable of producing cube ice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of an evaporator assembly in ice-making mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of an evaporator assembly in ice-discharging mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the ice-making principle of an ice maker that can produce cubes, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 12 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a water tank connected to a water valve via a pipe, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 13This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the detection component according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present application more apparent and understandable, many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0031] See Figures 1-13 An ice maker capable of making cube ice includes a body 1 and an inner liner 2. The inner liner 2 is provided with an evaporator assembly 3 for making ice. The body 1 is provided with a water tank 4 for storing ice-making liquid. The water tank 4 and the evaporator assembly 3 are arranged side by side in the upper space of the body 1, and the water tank 4 and the evaporator assembly 3 are arranged laterally along the length of the body 1.

[0032] By placing the evaporator assembly 3 inside the inner tank 2, and the water tank 4 close to the evaporator assembly 3 and the two arranged side by side in the upper space of the body 1, the horizontal space of the upper part of the body 1 can be fully utilized, and the evaporator assembly 3 and the water tank 4 can be stacked vertically to avoid occupying too much vertical space of the body 1. This effectively solves the layout challenge caused by the increased volume of the evaporator assembly in the background art and achieves a compact design of the internal structure of the body 1.

[0033] The evaporator assembly 3 includes an evaporator 302 and a flip module 303. The evaporator 302 has an ice-making chamber 301. The flip module 303 is hinged to the evaporator 302 and opens and closes the ice-making chamber 301 by rotating it to switch the ice-making mode and the ice-removing mode of the evaporator assembly 3. The ice-making chamber 301 is cuboid in shape and is used to make larger blocks of ice.

[0034] The inner liner 2 is provided with a detection component 5 for detecting the working mode of the evaporator assembly 3, and the detection component 5 is located below the flip module 303.

[0035] The detection component 5 includes a rocker 501 and a micro switch 502 for detecting the working position of the rocker 501. During ice making, the rocker 501 is in its initial position and receives the liquid overflowing from the ice making chamber 301; When the ice is removed, the ice block 8 slides onto the rocker 501, the rocker 501 switches to the ice-falling position and triggers the micro switch 502.

[0036] One end of the rocker 501 is provided with a lever for triggering the micro switch 502.

[0037] The evaporator assembly 3 opens and closes the ice-making chamber 301 by hinged rotation between the evaporator 302 and the flip module 303. A simple flipping action is all that's needed to switch between ice-making and de-icing modes. The structure is simple and easy to operate, avoiding the need for complex de-icing mechanisms and making efficient use of the vertical space at the bottom of the main body 1. The detection assembly 5 is located below the flip module 303. When the flip module 303 is open, ice cubes 8 fall onto the rocker arm 501, triggering its rotation. The rocker arm 501 cushions the fall of the ice cubes 8.

[0038] A liquid delivery component for outputting liquid from the water tank 4 is provided between the evaporator assembly 3 and the water tank 4. An installation cavity 101 is provided inside the body 1. The inner liner 2 and the installation cavity 101 are arranged in a front-to-back arrangement inside the body 1. The liquid delivery component is located inside the installation cavity 101. The compressor 20 and the condenser 6 are installed by making reasonable use of the internal space of the body 1 at the rear of the evaporator assembly 3 and the water tank 4.

[0039] A motor 18 for driving the rotation of the rotation module 303 is provided between the evaporator 302 and the rotation module 303.

[0040] A connecting rod is provided between the evaporator 302 and the flipping module 303. Rotating shafts are provided on both sides of the evaporator 302. One end of the connecting rod is connected to the rotating shaft, and the other end of the connecting rod is connected to the flipping module 303.

[0041] The evaporator 302 includes an outer shell and an ice-making inner shell. The ice-making chamber 301 is disposed inside the ice-making inner shell, and a heat exchange tube for refrigerant flow is provided between the outer shell and the ice-making inner shell.

[0042] The flipping module 303 includes a base and an upper cover plate, with a spray pipe 304 between the base and the upper cover plate. The base is provided with a water receiving plate for receiving liquid overflowing during the ice-making process. One end of the water receiving plate has an opening, which is located above the rocker plate 501. When the spray pipe 304 sprays liquid into the ice-making chamber 301, some of the liquid falls onto the water receiving plate due to gravity, and then falls onto the rocker plate 501.

[0043] The liquid delivery assembly includes a water pump 7 and a water valve 9, and the flipping module 303 is provided with a spray pipe 304 for spraying liquid toward the ice-making cavity 301. The outlet of the water tank 4 is connected to the inlet of the water valve 9, the outlet of the water valve 9 is connected to the input of the water pump 7, and the output of the water pump 7 is connected to the inlet of the spray pipe 304. The on / off state of the liquid delivery component is switched by opening and closing the water valve 9.

[0044] The inner liner 2 is provided with a receiving cavity 201 for receiving the liquid overflowing from the ice-making cavity 301 in conjunction with the rocker 501. The receiving cavity 201 is provided with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the outlet of the water valve 9. The input end of the water pump 7 is connected to the outlet. A filter screen 15 is provided between the receiving cavity 201 and the outlet, and between the outlet and the outlet. The inner liner 2 has a receiving cavity 201 equipped with a water level switch 17 for detecting the liquid level and height, and a temperature sensor 16 is provided in the receiving cavity 201 near the outlet.

[0045] The water level switch 17 can detect the liquid level in the receiving chamber 201 in real time, preventing insufficient liquid from causing the water pump 7 to run dry or excessive liquid from overflowing the receiving chamber 201. The temperature sensor 16 can monitor the liquid temperature before the water pump 7 delivers the liquid.

[0046] After the liquid in the water tank 4 is opened through the water valve 9, it enters the receiving chamber 201 of the inner liner 2 along the pipeline. After the water pump 7 is turned on, it draws the liquid from the receiving chamber 201 and delivers it to the spray pipe 304.

[0047] The receiving chamber 201 receives the liquid that overflows during the ice-making process. This liquid will also flow into the outlet through the filter screen 15. The filter screen 15 can prevent larger particles from entering the water pump 7.

[0048] The mounting cavity 101 is equipped with a condenser 6 and a compressor 20, which are arranged vertically within the body 1. The condenser 6 is equipped with a cooling fan 10, and the body 1 is equipped with an exhaust port 102 and an air inlet 103 that connect the mounting cavity 101 to the outside of the body 1; the air inlet 103 is correspondingly set with the compressor 20, and the exhaust port 102 is correspondingly set with the air outlet of the cooling fan 10.

[0049] The condenser 6 and compressor 20 are arranged vertically within the mounting cavity 101, making full use of the longitudinal space of the mounting cavity 101 and avoiding excessive area occupation by their lateral arrangement, further optimizing the compactness of the internal layout of the unit 1. The air inlet 103 corresponds to the compressor 20, and the air outlet 102 corresponds to the cooling fan 10, which can form a directional cooling airflow. After the cold air cools the compressor 20 through the air inlet 103, it is then driven by the cooling fan 10 to flow through the condenser 6 and be discharged from the air outlet 102, improving the heat dissipation efficiency.

[0050] The inner liner 2 is provided with a receiving cavity 201 and an ice basket 19. The receiving cavity 201 is used to receive the liquid overflowing from the evaporator assembly 3 in the ice-making mode, and the ice basket 19 is used to receive the ice blocks 8 that are removed from the evaporator assembly 3 in the de-icing mode. The ice basket 19 and the receiving cavity 201 are arranged vertically at intervals, and a rotating rocker 501 is provided above the ice basket 19. The rocker 501 switches between the initial position and the ice-falling position by rotating, and the rocker 501 returns to the initial position by its own weight or elasticity. A drainage channel 13 is provided between the outer side of the ice basket 19 and the inner side of the inner liner 2, which connects to the receiving cavity 201. The liquid received by the rocker 501 in the initial position slides down the drainage channel 13 into the receiving cavity 201.

[0051] The axis of rocker 501 divides the area into two regions with different weights. When rocker 501 is in its initial position, rocker 501 moves as follows: Figure 9 As shown, the rocker plate is tilted upwards. When the liquid overflowing during the ice-making process drips onto the rocker plate 501, the liquid slides down the rocker plate 501 and the water channel 13 into the receiving cavity 201. One end of the rocker plate 501 extends along the ice basket 19 to prevent the liquid overflowing during the ice-making process from dripping into the ice basket 19 and to prevent the ice blocks 8 in the ice basket 19 from melting due to water accumulation.

[0052] Alternatively, a torsion spring is provided on the rotating shaft of the rocker 501, so that the rocker 501 can be elastically rotated inside the inner liner 2.

[0053] The rocker 501 resets by its own weight or elasticity, eliminating the need for additional drive components and simplifying the structure.

[0054] The inner liner 2 is provided with an inner liner 14 on the outside, and thermal insulation foam is provided between the inner liner 2 and the inner liner 14.

[0055] The insulating foam between the inner liner 2 and the outer liner 14 can effectively block the heat exchange between the inner liner 2 and the outside, reducing the loss of cold air inside the inner liner 2.

[0056] The front shell of the main body 1 has an opening corresponding to the ice basket 19, allowing the ice basket 19 to be pulled out or installed inside the inner liner 2 of the main body 1. The ice basket 19 has a sloped section below the rocker arm 501 and a flat section connected to the sloped section. The flat section has a perforation that connects to the receiving cavity 201. When the ice 8 melts, its liquid can drip into the receiving cavity 201 through the perforation, preventing water from accumulating inside the ice basket 19 and thus accelerating the melting of the ice 8. In addition, even if there is liquid in the ice basket 19, the liquid can flow along the sloped section to the perforation in the flat section.

[0057] The body 1 is provided with a front panel assembly at the front end of the inner liner 2. The front panel assembly includes a front panel 11 and a foam board 12 fixed on the front panel 11.

[0058] The foam board 12 in the front panel assembly has good thermal insulation properties, which can reduce the leakage of cold air from the front end of the inner liner 2. Together with the thermal insulation structure of the inner liner 2, it forms all-round thermal insulation protection, further improving the overall thermal insulation effect of the ice maker that can make cube ice. The foam board 12 is fixed to the front panel 11 with screws.

[0059] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model shall be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An ice maker capable of making cube ice, comprising a body (1) and an inner liner (2), characterized in that: The inner liner (2) is provided with an evaporator assembly (3) for making ice, and the body (1) is provided with a water tank (4) for storing ice-making liquid. The water tank (4) and the evaporator assembly (3) are arranged side by side in the upper space of the body (1), and the water tank (4) and the evaporator assembly (3) are arranged laterally along the length of the body (1).

2. The ice maker capable of making cube ice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The evaporator assembly (3) includes an evaporator (302) and a flip module (303). The evaporator (302) has an ice-making chamber (301). The flip module (303) is hinged to the evaporator (302) and opens and closes the ice-making chamber (301) by rotating it to switch the ice-making mode and the ice-removing mode of the evaporator assembly (3). The inner liner (2) is provided with a detection component (5) for detecting the working mode of the evaporator assembly (3), and the detection component (5) is located below the flip module (303).

3. The ice maker capable of making cube ice according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detection component (5) includes a rocker (501) and a micro switch (502) for detecting the working position of the rocker (501). During ice making, the rocker (501) is in its initial position and receives the liquid overflowing from the ice making chamber (301); When the ice is removed, the ice block (8) slides down to the rocker (501), and the rocker (501) switches to the ice-dropping position.

4. The ice maker capable of making cube ice according to claim 2, characterized in that: A liquid delivery assembly for outputting liquid from the water tank (4) is provided between the evaporator assembly (3) and the water tank (4). An installation cavity (101) is provided inside the body (1). The inner liner (2) and the installation cavity (101) are arranged in a front-to-back arrangement inside the body (1). The liquid delivery assembly is located inside the installation cavity (101). A motor (18) for driving the rotation of the evaporator (302) is provided between the evaporator (302) and the flipping module (303).

5. The ice maker capable of making cube ice according to claim 4, characterized in that: The liquid delivery assembly includes a water pump (7) and a water valve (9), and the flipping module (303) is provided with a spray pipe (304) for spraying liquid toward the ice-making cavity (301). The outlet of the water tank (4) is connected to the inlet of the water valve (9), the outlet of the water valve (9) is connected to the input of the water pump (7), and the output of the water pump (7) is connected to the inlet of the spray pipe (304). The on / off state of the liquid delivery component is switched by opening and closing the water valve (9).

6. The ice maker capable of making cube ice according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner liner (2) is provided with a receiving cavity (201) for receiving the overflow liquid from the ice-making cavity (301) in conjunction with the rocker (501). The receiving cavity (201) is provided with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the outlet of the water valve (9). The input end of the water pump (7) is connected to the outlet. A filter screen (15) is provided between the receiving cavity (201) and the outlet, and between the outlet and the water outlet. The inner liner (2) is provided with a water level switch (17) for detecting the liquid level in the receiving cavity (201), and a temperature sensor (16) is provided in the receiving cavity (201) near the outlet.

7. The ice maker capable of making cube ice according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mounting cavity (101) is equipped with a condenser (6) and a compressor (20), which are arranged vertically inside the body (1). The condenser (6) is provided with a cooling fan (10), and the body (1) is provided with an exhaust port (102) and an air inlet (103) that connect the mounting cavity (101) to the outside of the body (1); the air inlet (103) is correspondingly set with the compressor (20), and the exhaust port (102) is correspondingly set with the air outlet of the cooling fan (10).

8. The ice maker capable of making cube ice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner liner (2) is provided with a receiving cavity (201) and an ice basket (19). The receiving cavity (201) is used to receive the liquid overflowing from the ice-making mode of the evaporator assembly (3), and the ice basket (19) is used to receive the ice blocks (8) that are removed from the ice-removing mode of the evaporator assembly (3). The ice basket (19) and the receiving cavity (201) are arranged vertically at intervals, and a rotating rocker (501) is provided above the ice basket (19). The rocker (501) switches between the initial position and the ice-falling position by rotating, and the rocker (501) returns to the initial position by its own weight or elasticity. A drainage channel (13) connecting the outer side of the ice basket (19) and the inner side of the inner liner (2) is provided, which connects to the receiving cavity (201). The liquid received by the rocker (501) in the initial position slides down the drainage channel (13) into the receiving cavity (201).

9. The ice maker capable of making cube ice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner liner (2) is provided with an inner liner lining (14) on the outside, and heat-insulating foam is provided between the inner liner (2) and the inner liner lining (14).

10. The ice maker capable of making cube ice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The body (1) is provided with a front panel assembly at the front end of the inner liner (2). The front panel assembly includes a front panel (11) and a foam board (12) fixed on the front panel (11).

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