Drum evaporator and ice making apparatus

Abstract

The application relates to the ice making technical field, in particular to a roller evaporator and ice making equipment. The roller evaporator comprises an evaporation cylinder, a supporting shaft, a rotating shaft device and a refrigerant pipeline. The evaporation cylinder has an inner cavity, the supporting shaft and the rotating shaft device are arranged at opposite ends of the evaporation cylinder respectively, and the rotating shaft device comprises a central shaft which is rotatably arranged at one end of the evaporation cylinder. The refrigerant pipeline comprises a gas return pipe which is arranged on the central shaft and communicates with the inner cavity, the outer wall of the gas return pipe is spaced from the inner wall of the central shaft to form an air inlet channel, the central shaft is provided with an exhaust hole, and the air inlet channel communicates with the inner cavity through the exhaust hole. The air inlet part of the roller evaporator shares the same port with the gas return pipe, the processing difficulty is reduced, the assembly is reduced, and the cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of ice-making technology, and in particular to a drum evaporator and ice-making equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Ice-making equipment, as a device for quickly producing ice, can be used in industrial settings as well as in homes, small shops, offices, and other places to bring convenience to users. Shaved ice making equipment, in particular, is often used in the production of desserts or cold drinks and is especially popular.

[0003] In related technologies, shaved ice making equipment typically uses a drum evaporator with blades to produce shaved ice. For example, when ice forms on the surface of the drum evaporator, it rotates, causing the ice to rotate as well. A portion of the ice is scraped off by the blades, thus producing shaved ice. The drum evaporator is usually hollow and rotatably mounted inside the ice-making equipment via a shaft. Because refrigerant needs to pass through the inside of the drum evaporator, refrigerant pipes must be installed inside. Generally, the air inlet of the drum evaporator needs to have two welded joints for the installation of the inlet and outlet pipes, increasing cost and manufacturing complexity. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a drum evaporator and an ice-making device to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a drum evaporator, including an evaporating cylinder, a support shaft, a rotating shaft assembly, and refrigerant pipes. The evaporating cylinder has an inner cavity, and the support shaft and rotating shaft assembly are respectively disposed at opposite ends of the evaporating cylinder. The rotating shaft assembly includes a central shaft, which is rotatably inserted through one end of the evaporating cylinder. The refrigerant pipe includes a return pipe, which passes through the central shaft and communicates with the inner cavity. The outer wall of the return pipe is spaced from the inner wall of the central shaft to form an air inlet channel. The central shaft is provided with an exhaust port, and the air inlet channel communicates with the inner cavity through the exhaust port.

[0006] In some optional examples, the central shaft has a first end and a second end facing away from each other. The first end is located inside the evaporator, and the second end is provided with an installation port that connects to the air intake channel. The return pipe passes through the installation port and is inserted into the central shaft. The end of the return pipe inside the evaporator is interference-fitted with the first end.

[0007] In some optional examples, the drum evaporator also includes a mounting component embedded in the mounting port and welded to the central shaft, a return gas pipe passing through the mounting component and welded to the mounting component, and an air inlet passage surrounding the return gas pipe.

[0008] In some optional examples, the refrigerant piping also includes an intake pipe, which passes through and is welded to the mounting component, and the intake pipe connects to the intake channel.

[0009] In some optional examples, the rotating shaft device further includes a bushing, an oil seal, and a sealing ring assembly. The bushing is rotatably fitted around the outer periphery of the central shaft. The oil seal is fitted around the central shaft and located between the central shaft and the bushing. The sealing ring assembly is fitted around the central shaft and located between the central shaft and the bushing. The sealing ring assembly and the oil seal are arranged side by side along the axial direction of the central shaft. The sealing ring assembly abuts against the inner wall of the bushing and the outer wall of the central shaft, respectively.

[0010] In some optional examples, the central shaft is provided with a first annular groove and a second annular groove, which are arranged side by side and spaced apart along the axial direction of the central shaft; the sealing ring assembly includes a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring, with the first sealing ring embedded in the first annular groove and the second sealing ring embedded in the second annular groove.

[0011] In some optional examples, the bushing includes a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion connected in sequence. The inner diameter of the first sleeve portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the second sleeve portion, so that a first stepped surface is formed between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion. A sealing ring assembly is disposed in the first sleeve portion, and an oil seal is disposed in the second sleeve portion, with one end of the oil seal overlapping the first stepped surface.

[0012] In some optional examples, the rotating shaft device further includes a first limiting member, and the inner wall of the second sleeve is provided with a first retaining ring groove. The inner diameter of the first retaining ring groove is larger than the inner diameter of the second sleeve. The first limiting member is accommodated in the first retaining ring groove and abuts against the end face of the oil seal away from the first step surface.

[0013] In some optional examples, the rotating shaft device further includes a bearing disposed between the central shaft and the bushing, and arranged in parallel with the oil seal; the bushing includes a first sleeve portion, a second sleeve portion, and a third sleeve portion connected in sequence, a sealing ring assembly disposed in the first sleeve portion, and an oil seal disposed in the second sleeve portion; the inner diameter of the second sleeve portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the third sleeve portion, forming a second stepped surface between the second sleeve portion and the third sleeve portion, and the bearing is disposed in the third sleeve portion with one end stacked on the second stepped surface.

[0014] In some optional examples, the rotating shaft device further includes a second limiting member, and the inner wall of the third sleeve is provided with a second retaining ring groove. The inner diameter of the second retaining ring groove is larger than the inner diameter of the third sleeve. The second limiting member is accommodated in the second retaining ring groove and abuts against the end face of the bearing away from the second step surface.

[0015] In some optional examples, the evaporator includes a peripheral wall, a first end cap, and a second end cap. The peripheral wall is arranged around the evaporator to define the inner cavity of the evaporator. The second end cap closes one end of the inner cavity. A support shaft is connected to the second end cap. The first end cap is located on the end of the peripheral wall away from the second end cap. The first end cap has a connecting hole that communicates with the inner cavity. A rotating shaft device is connected to the first end cap and is coaxially arranged with the connecting hole.

[0016] In some optional examples, the peripheral wall is provided with an augmenting structure, which is a continuous or discontinuous protrusion and / or groove, and the augmenting structure covers the entire peripheral wall surface.

[0017] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide an ice-making device, including a refrigeration system and a drum evaporator as described above, wherein the refrigeration system is connected to the evaporation drum.

[0018] Compared to existing technologies, the ice-making equipment provided in this application embodiment has a return air pipe that passes through the central shaft and communicates with the inner cavity. The outer wall of the return air pipe is spaced apart from the inner wall of the central shaft to form an air intake channel. The central shaft has an exhaust hole, and the air intake channel communicates with the inner cavity through the exhaust hole. The return air pipe passes inside the central shaft, and a certain distance is maintained between the outer wall surface of the return air pipe and the inner wall surface of the central shaft, thereby forming an air intake channel. By machining a through hole for mounting the central shaft in one go, the installation and fixation of the return air pipe and the formation of the air intake channel are simultaneously achieved. The air intake part and the return air pipe share the same port. This integrated design not only simplifies the overall structure but also significantly reduces the complexity of the processing technology. This innovative structural arrangement reduces the number of parts, simplifies the assembly process, thereby effectively reducing production costs and improving the economy and reliability of the product.

[0019] Furthermore, the rotating shaft device provided in this application embodiment is configured with a bushing and a central shaft to achieve a rotational fit. The rotating shaft device and the support shaft respectively realize rotatable support structures at both ends of the evaporating cylinder. For example, the bushing and the evaporating cylinder are relatively statically fixedly connected (for example, the bushing and the evaporating cylinder can be welded or glued together). During assembly or processing, it is only necessary to ensure the hole-shaft fit relationship between the bushing and the central shaft, without the need to additionally process assembly holes on the evaporating cylinder to adapt to the central shaft. The difficulty of processing and assembly is greatly reduced, which can effectively reduce the overall manufacturing cost of ice-making equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments 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 from these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an ice-making device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the ice-making equipment with the outer casing omitted.

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the ice-making equipment shown.

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the ice-making equipment shown.

[0025] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An enlarged schematic diagram of a partial structure of the ice-making equipment shown in cross-section.

[0026] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of the central axis and return gas pipe of the drum evaporator shown. Detailed Implementation

[0027] 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.

[0028] It should be noted that when a component / part is said to be "fixed to" another component / part, it can be directly on the other component / part or there may be an intermediate component / part. When a component / part is considered to be "connected to" another component / part, it can be directly connected to the other component / part or there may be an intermediate component / part present; also, when a component / part is considered to be "connected to" another component / part, it can be integrally formed or assembled with the other component / part. When a component / part is considered to be "set on" another component / part, it can be directly set on the other component / part or there may be an intermediate component / part present.

[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0030] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This application provides a rotating shaft device 100 and a drum evaporator 200 equipped with the rotating shaft device 100. The drum evaporator 200 can be applied to ice makers such as ice-making equipment.

[0031] This application also provides an ice-making device 1000 equipped with the aforementioned rotating shaft device 100 and drum evaporator 200. The ice-making device 1000 is used to rapidly cool liquid water to form products such as ice cubes, shaved ice, or shaved ice. The ice-making device 1000 can be used as industrial equipment in production operations, or as food processing equipment to produce food ice cubes, shaved ice, or shaved ice. The ice-making device 1000 can also be applied in fields such as medical treatment, cold chain transportation, and entertainment (e.g., as a snow machine). This embodiment does not impose specific limitations in these areas. As an example, the ice-making device 1000 can be used as a household appliance, installed in offices, kitchens, restaurants, etc., to produce food shaved ice. When used for ice making, the ice-making device 1000 can be installed inside refrigerators, freezers, or other similar equipment, or it can be used independently.

[0032] Please see Figure 2 In one embodiment provided in this application, the ice-making device 1000 includes a refrigeration system (not shown in the figure) and a drum evaporator 200. The refrigeration system is connected to the drum evaporator 200 and is used to supply refrigerant to the drum evaporator 200 for cooling. This specification does not limit the specific structure of the refrigeration system. As an example, the refrigeration system may include a compressor, a condenser, and a refrigerant delivery pipe. The compressor, condenser, and drum evaporator are connected in series to form a refrigeration circuit. The refrigerant delivery pipe supplies refrigerant into the drum evaporator 200 for cooling liquid water to form solid water.

[0033] Please see Figure 3 The drum evaporator 200 includes an evaporating cylinder 201, a support shaft 203, and the aforementioned rotating shaft device 100. The support shaft 203 and the rotating shaft device 100 are respectively disposed at opposite ends of the evaporating cylinder 201. The support shaft 203 and the rotating shaft device 100 can be substantially coaxially arranged and rotatably disposed inside the ice-making equipment 1000 to support the rotation of the evaporating cylinder 201. The interior of the evaporating cylinder 201 is connected to the refrigerant delivery pipe of the refrigeration system. When the refrigerant delivery pipe delivers refrigerant into the evaporating cylinder 201, the temperature of the evaporating cylinder 201 can be lowered, thereby causing the liquid water adhering to the outer surface of the evaporating cylinder 201 to freeze into ice.

[0034] Please see Figure 4The rotating shaft assembly 100 includes a central shaft 10, a bushing 20, an oil seal 30, and a sealing ring assembly 40. The central shaft 10 has an axial direction O and is fixedly installed inside the ice-making device 1000. The bushing 20 is fitted around the outer periphery of the central shaft 10. The oil seal 30 is fitted around the central shaft 10 and located between the central shaft 10 and the bushing 20. The sealing ring assembly 40 may include at least one sealing ring 41, and is fitted around the central shaft 10 and located between the central shaft 10 and the bushing 20. The sealing ring assembly 40 and the oil seal 30 are arranged side-by-side along the axial direction O of the central shaft 10. The sealing ring assembly 40 abuts against the inner wall of the bushing 20 and the outer wall of the central shaft 10, respectively. Therefore, the sealing ring assembly 40 can achieve a reliable seal between the two ends of the central shaft 10. For example, gas or liquid located at one end of the central shaft 10 cannot escape to the other end of the central shaft 10 through the gap between the central shaft 10 and the bushing 20. Furthermore, the oil seal 30, arranged parallel to the sealing ring assembly 40, improves the reliability of the seal between the central shaft 10 and the bushing 20. While providing a sealing oil ring seal, the oil seal 30 utilizes the properties of lubricating oil to further enhance the seal, resulting in a better sealing effect compared to traditional threaded fits between bore and shaft. Therefore, with at least two sealing structures along the axial direction O of the central shaft 10, leakage of liquid or gas from the end of the central shaft 10 through the axial installation gap is effectively prevented, improving the operational reliability of the product.

[0035] In specific application scenarios, when the rotating shaft device 100 is connected to the evaporator 201, it can be connected through the bushing 20 or through the central shaft 10.

[0036] As an example, one end of the bushing 20 is fixedly connected to one end face of the evaporator cylinder 201, and the support shaft 203 is fixedly connected to the other end face of the evaporator cylinder 201. The central shaft 10 is rotatably inserted through the bushing 20, allowing relative rotation between the central shaft 10 and the bushing 20. Simultaneously, the central shaft 10 is fixedly installed inside the ice-making equipment 1000, and the support shaft 203 is rotatably installed inside the ice-making equipment 1000. This allows the evaporator cylinder 201 to rotate based on the central shaft 10, the bushing 20, and the support shaft 203. Specifically, the bushing 20 or the support shaft 203 is connected to a rotary drive mechanism. Driven by the rotary drive mechanism, the bushing 20 or the support shaft 203 rotates, thereby causing the evaporator cylinder 201 to rotate, while the central shaft 10 remains stationary. In this example, the refrigerant delivery pipe can deliver refrigerant into the evaporator cylinder 201 through channels within the central shaft 10 or the support shaft 203, or it can deliver refrigerant through channels opened on the evaporator cylinder 201 itself.

[0037] As another example, the central shaft 10 is fixedly connected to one end face of the evaporator cylinder 201, and the support shaft 203 is fixedly connected to the other end face of the evaporator cylinder 201. A bushing 20 is rotatably fitted around the outer periphery of the central shaft 10, allowing relative rotation between the central shaft 10 and the bushing 20. Simultaneously, the bushing 20 is fixedly installed inside the ice-making equipment 1000, and the support shaft 203 is rotatably installed inside the ice-making equipment 1000. This allows the evaporator cylinder 201 to rotate based on the central shaft 10, the bushing 20, and the support shaft 203. Specifically, the central shaft 10 or the support shaft 203 is connected to a rotary drive mechanism. Driven by the rotary drive mechanism, the central shaft 10 or the support shaft 203 rotates, thereby driving the evaporator cylinder 201 to rotate, while the bushing 20 remains stationary. In this example, the refrigerant delivery pipe can deliver refrigerant into the evaporator cylinder 201 through channels within the bushing 20 or the support shaft 203, or it can deliver refrigerant through channels opened on the evaporator cylinder 201 itself.

[0038] Therefore, the rotating shaft device 100 provided in this application embodiment is configured with a bushing 20 and a central shaft 10 to achieve a rotational fit. The rotating shaft device 100 and the support shaft 203 respectively provide rotatable support structures at both ends of the evaporating cylinder 201. For example, the bushing 20 and the evaporating cylinder 201 are relatively statically fixedly connected (for example, the bushing 20 and the evaporating cylinder 201 can be welded or glued). During assembly or processing, it is only necessary to ensure the hole-shaft fit relationship between the bushing 20 and the central shaft 10, without the need to additionally process assembly holes on the evaporating cylinder 201 to fit the central shaft 10. The difficulty of processing and assembly is greatly reduced, which can effectively reduce the overall manufacturing cost of the ice-making equipment 1000.

[0039] The following sections will introduce each component of the ice-making equipment 1000, the drum evaporator 200, and the rotating shaft device 100, as well as the specific structure of each component.

[0040] Please refer to it again. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment of the application, the ice-making device 1000 may further include a housing assembly 1030, which is used to install components such as a refrigeration system (not shown in the figure) and a drum evaporator 200.

[0041] The housing assembly 1030 includes a housing 1031, which is used to mount and protect components. The housing 1031 also supports the ice-making equipment 1000 in its place of use, such as on the ground, a table, or other support platform. Specifically, the housing 1031 is generally rectangular; in other embodiments, it can be any shape, such as a cube, cylinder, or even an irregular shape. The housing 1031 has an internal space (not shown in the figure) for mounting and placing components. These components may include the aforementioned rotating shaft device 100 and refrigeration system, facilitating the modular integration of the ice-making equipment 1000. For example, when the ice-making equipment 1000 is used in large freezers or beverage machines, the modular structure allows for direct embedding into these large freezers or beverage machines, making assembly easier.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an ice-making device 1000 according to an embodiment of this application, omitting the outer casing 1031. In this embodiment, the casing assembly 1030 further includes an inner casing 1033 and a mounting plate 1035. The mounting plate 1035 is disposed inside the outer casing 1031. Normally (e.g., in the operating state of the ice-making device 1000), the mounting plate 1035 is placed horizontally and is used to mount the electrical components of the ice-making device 1000, such as circuit boards, some components of the aforementioned drum evaporator 200, etc. The inner casing 1033 is disposed inside the outer casing 1031 and is fixedly mounted on the mounting plate 1035. The inner casing 1033 has a bottom wall and can be a generally semi-enclosed structure for holding ice-making raw materials such as liquid water.

[0043] In this embodiment, a drum evaporator 200 is disposed within an inner shell 1033 to convert liquid water in the inner shell 1033 into ice. Specifically, the inner shell 1033 has two opposing side walls (not shown in the figure), and the rotating shaft device 100 and the support shaft 203 of the drum evaporator 200 are respectively mounted on the two side walls, so that the evaporator cylinder 201 is located between the two side walls and can contact the liquid water contained in the inner shell 1033. When refrigerant is introduced into the evaporator cylinder 201, the overall temperature of the evaporator cylinder 201 drops, causing the water on its surface to freeze into ice; furthermore, when the evaporator cylinder 201 rotates, the ice layer on its surface continuously adheres to liquid water, and the liquid water continues to freeze into ice.

[0044] Please see Figure 3To transport the ice formed on the evaporator cylinder 201 to the outside, the ice-making equipment 1000 may further include a scraper 1039. The scraper 1039 is disposed in the inner shell 1033 and located on one side of the drum evaporator 200. The blade of the scraper 1039 faces the evaporator cylinder 201 and there is a certain gap between it and the evaporator cylinder 201. When the thickness of the ice layer on the evaporator cylinder 201 is greater than the width of the gap, the evaporator cylinder 201 continues to rotate, causing the ice layer to scrape against the blade of the scraper 1039, thereby becoming a shaved ice or shaved ice product.

[0045] Please see Figure 4 In this embodiment, the evaporator 201 includes a peripheral wall 2011, a first end cap 2013, and a second end cap 2015. The peripheral wall 2011 surrounds and defines the inner cavity 2012 of the evaporator 201, and the peripheral wall 2011 can be generally cylindrical. The first end cap 2013 and the second end cap 2015 are respectively disposed at both ends of the peripheral wall 2011, wherein the second end cap 2015 closes one end of the inner cavity 2012 to prevent refrigerant leakage in the inner cavity 2012. The joint between the second end cap 2015 and the peripheral wall 2011 is welded to ensure reliable airtightness. A support shaft 203 is connected to the second end cap 2015 and integrally mounts the evaporator 201 onto one side wall of the inner shell 1033. A positioning groove (not shown in the figure) can be provided on the side of the second end cap 2015 facing away from the inner cavity 2012, and the end of the support shaft 203 is embedded in the positioning groove to facilitate assembly positioning. In this embodiment, one end of the support shaft 203 is fixedly connected to the second end cover 2015, and the other end is rotatably mounted on the side wall of the inner shell 1033. The joint between the second end cover 2015 and the support shaft 203 can be welded to ensure that the structure is firm and reliable.

[0046] To effectively improve refrigeration efficiency, in this embodiment, the peripheral wall 2011 may also be provided with a surface-enhancing structure 2010. The surface-enhancing structure 2010 is a continuous or intermittent protrusion and / or groove, covering the entire surface of the peripheral wall 2011. The surface-enhancing structure 2010 can increase the contact area between the refrigerant and the evaporator cylinder 201, thereby effectively improving refrigeration efficiency. This specification does not limit the specific structure of the surface-enhancing structure 2010. For example, the surface-enhancing structure 2010 can be a threaded structure, an annular groove structure, a spiral groove structure, a corrugated surface structure, a convex dot matrix structure, etc., formed on the surface of the peripheral wall 2011. In this embodiment, the surface-enhancing structure 2010 is a threaded structure formed on the peripheral wall 2011.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to drive the evaporator cylinder 201 to rotate, the ice-making equipment 1000 may also include a drive device 300. The drive device 300 is installed in the inner shell 1033 and is connected to the support shaft 203 for driving the support shaft 203 to rotate. Specifically, the drive device 300 may include a rotary motor and a reducer, with the reducer connected between the support shaft 203 and the rotary motor.

[0048] Please see Figure 5 A first end cap 2013 is disposed on the end of the peripheral wall 2011 away from the second end cap 2015. The first end cap 2013 has a connecting hole 2014 that connects to the inner cavity 2012. The connecting hole 2014 is arranged along the axial direction O and is used to allow refrigerant from the refrigeration system (not shown in the figure) to flow into the inner cavity 2012. The joint between the first end cap 2013 and the peripheral wall 2011 is welded to ensure airtightness. A rotating shaft device 100 is connected to the first end cap 2013 and is coaxially arranged with the connecting hole 2014. In this embodiment, the bushing 20 of the rotating shaft device 100 is fixedly connected to the first end cap 2013, and the central shaft 10 is rotatably engaged with the bushing 20 and fixedly installed in the inner shell 1033 (e.g., ...). Figure 2 The sidewall (as shown) allows the bushing 20 and the evaporator cylinder 201 to rotate and stop synchronously. Furthermore, a limiting groove can be provided on the side of the first end cap 2013 facing away from the inner cavity 2012, and the end of the bushing 20 is embedded in the limiting groove to facilitate assembly and positioning. In this embodiment, the limiting groove can surround the outer periphery of the connecting hole 2014. After installation, the bushing 20 also surrounds the outer periphery of the connecting hole 2014. The bushing 20 is welded to the first end cap 2013 to ensure a reliable airtight seal at the joint of the first end cap 2013, thereby preventing refrigerant from escaping through the connecting hole 2014. Welding the bushing 20 to the evaporator cylinder 201 before machining the inner hole effectively ensures the product's precision and coaxiality.

[0049] In this embodiment, the bushing 20 is generally cylindrical and hollow, used to mount components such as the central shaft 10, oil seal 30, and sealing ring assembly 40. The central shaft 10 is rotatably mounted on the bushing 20 and aligned with the communicating hole 2014 on the first end cover 2013. In this embodiment, to support the rotational fit between the central shaft 10 and the bushing 20, the rotating shaft device 100 may further include a bearing 60, which is sleeved outside the central shaft 10 and located between the central shaft 10 and the bushing 20, allowing the bushing 20 to rotate relative to the central shaft 10 based on the bearing 60.

[0050] The bushing 20 is a one-piece molded structure, for example, it can be formed by a single casting. The bushing 20 includes a first sleeve portion 22, a second sleeve portion 24, and a third sleeve portion 26 that are sequentially connected and coaxial. One end of the first sleeve portion 22 is connected to the first end cap 2013, and the second sleeve portion 24 is connected between the first sleeve portion 22 and the third sleeve portion 26. The first sleeve portion 22 is used to install the sealing ring assembly 40, the second sleeve portion 24 is used to install the oil seal 30, and the third sleeve portion 26 is used to install the bearing 60. Therefore, the bearing 60, the oil seal 30, and the sealing ring assembly 40 form a parallel structural relationship in the axial direction O.

[0051] The sealing ring assembly 40 is located at the end of the entire rotating shaft device 100 facing the evaporator cylinder 201. When the rotating shaft device 100 is installed on the evaporator cylinder 201, the central shaft 10 and the connecting hole 2014 are coaxial, and the sealing ring assembly 40 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the central shaft 10 and surrounds the connecting hole 2014. Therefore, if gas or liquid escapes from the inner cavity 2012 of the evaporator cylinder 201 through the connecting hole 2014, it will be blocked by the sealing ring assembly 40. If gas or liquid breaks through the sealing structure of the sealing ring assembly 40 under high pressure, it will also be blocked by the oil seal 30. After being blocked by the sealing ring assembly 40, the pressure of the relatively high-pressure gas or liquid is greatly reduced, and the pressure when it reaches the oil seal 30 is basically difficult to break through the sealing structure of the oil seal 30, so it can basically not escape outward. Therefore, in this embodiment, two sealing structures are provided in the axial direction O, making the sealing effect of the rotating shaft device 100 more reliable.

[0052] The sealing ring assembly 40 may include a first sealing ring 42 and a second sealing ring 44. The first sealing ring 42 and the second sealing ring 44 are arranged side-by-side within the first sleeve portion 22. Both the first sealing ring 42 and the second sealing ring 44 are made of an elastic material, such as a rubber ring or a silicone ring. A first annular groove 101 and a second annular groove 102 may be provided on the peripheral wall of the central shaft 10. The first annular groove 101 and the second annular groove 102 are arranged side-by-side at intervals along the axial direction O of the central shaft 10. The first sealing ring 42 is embedded in the first annular groove 101 and abuts against the first sleeve portion 22, and the second sealing ring 44 is embedded in the second annular groove 102 and abuts against the first sleeve portion 22. The first annular groove 101 limits the position of the first sealing ring 42, and the second annular groove 102 limits the position of the second sealing ring 44, thus achieving a reliable seal between the central shaft 10 and the bushing 20. To ensure a good sealing effect, the number of sealing rings 41 can be one or more, for example, two or more. Multiple sealing rings 41 can be arranged side-by-side along the axial direction O, with each sealing ring 41 clamped between the central shaft 10 and the bushing 20. Correspondingly, the number of first annular grooves 101 (or second annular grooves 102) can also be one or more, for example, two or more, with multiple first annular grooves 101 and multiple sealing rings 41 arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0053] An oil seal 30 is disposed within the second sleeve portion 24. The inner diameter of the first sleeve portion 22 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second sleeve portion 24, thereby forming a first stepped surface 23 between the first sleeve portion 22 and the second sleeve portion 24. One end of the oil seal 30 is stacked on the first stepped surface 23, which serves to form a limiting structure for the oil seal 30.

[0054] In this embodiment, to form a limiting structure for the other end of the oil seal 30, the rotating shaft device 100 may further include a first limiting member 70. The first limiting member 70 is disposed between the second sleeve portion 24 and the central shaft 10, and is located on the side of the oil seal 30 opposite to the first stepped surface 23. In this embodiment, the first limiting member 70 abuts against the oil seal 30. Therefore, the first limiting member 70 and the first stepped surface 23 respectively form axial limiting on both ends of the oil seal 30, making the installation structure of the oil seal 30 more stable and preventing axial movement during rotation.

[0055] To facilitate the installation of the first limiting member 70, the inner wall of the second sleeve portion 24 is provided with a first retaining ring groove 241. The inner diameter of the first retaining ring groove 241 is larger than the inner diameter of the second sleeve portion 24, and the first limiting member 70 is accommodated within the first retaining ring groove 241. This specification does not limit the specific structure of the first limiting member 70. For example, the first limiting member 70 can be a limiting ring or a limiting spring. In this embodiment, the first limiting member 70 adopts a C-type retaining ring. The C-type retaining ring is actually an open metal ring with an opening. Its ring structure does not extend completely on the same plane. The two ends of the opening of the C-type retaining ring are not completely aligned but staggered when not under force. During installation, the first limiting member 70 is clamped and contracted using retaining ring pliers, placed into the pre-machined first retaining ring groove 241, and then released. The first limiting member 70 will open outward due to its own elasticity and engage within the first retaining ring groove 241.

[0056] The specific type is not limited; for example, the oil seal 30 can be a skeleton oil seal or a polytetrafluoroethylene oil seal. In this embodiment, the oil seal 30 is a skeleton oil seal.

[0057] In this embodiment, the bearing 60 is disposed within the third sleeve portion 26, and the inner diameter of the second sleeve portion 24 is smaller than the inner diameter of the third sleeve portion 26, forming a second stepped surface 25 between the second sleeve portion 24 and the third sleeve portion 26. One end of the bearing 60 is stacked on the second stepped surface 25, which serves to form a limiting structure for the bearing 60. Specifically, the end of the outer ring of the bearing 60 near the oil seal 30 is stacked on the second stepped surface 25. To limit the other end of the outer ring of the bearing 60, in this embodiment, the rotating shaft device 100 may further include a second limiting member 80. The second limiting member 80 is disposed between the third sleeve portion 26 and the central shaft 10, and is located on the side of the bearing 60 facing away from the second stepped surface 25. In this embodiment, the second limiting member 80 abuts against the outer ring of the bearing 60; therefore, the second limiting member 80 and the second stepped surface 25 respectively form axial limits on both ends of the outer ring of the bearing 60.

[0058] The inner wall of the third sleeve portion 26 may be provided with a second retaining ring groove 261. The inner diameter of the second retaining ring groove 261 is larger than the inner diameter of the third sleeve portion 26, and the second limiting member 80 is accommodated in the second retaining ring groove 261. This specification does not limit the specific structure of the second limiting member 80. For example, the second limiting member 80 can be a limiting ring or a limiting spring. In this embodiment, the second limiting member 80 adopts a C-type retaining ring. The C-type retaining ring is actually an open metal ring with an opening. Its ring structure does not extend completely on the same plane. The two ends of the opening of the C-type retaining ring are not completely aligned but are staggered when not under force. During installation, the second limiting member 80 is clamped and contracted using retaining ring pliers, placed into the pre-machined second retaining ring groove 261, and then released. The second limiting member 80 will open outward due to its own elasticity and engage in the second retaining ring groove 261.

[0059] To axially limit the inner ring of the bearing 60, in this embodiment, the outer wall of the central shaft 10 may be provided with a third stepped surface 103, which abuts against one end of the inner ring of the bearing 60. Specifically, the third stepped surface 103 abuts against the end of the inner ring of the bearing 60 away from the oil seal 30. The rotating shaft device 100 may also include a third limiting member 90, which is sleeved on the central shaft 10 and located on the side of the bearing 60 away from the third stepped surface 103. In this embodiment, the third limiting member 90 abuts against the end of the inner ring of the bearing 60 away from the third stepped surface 103, thus, the third limiting member 90 and the third stepped surface 103 respectively form axial limits on both ends of the inner ring of the bearing 60. To facilitate the installation of the third limiting member 90, the outer wall of the central shaft 10 is provided with a third retaining ring groove 104, in which the third limiting member 90 is accommodated and abuts against the inner ring of the bearing 60. This specification does not limit the specific structure of the third limiting member 90. For example, the third limiting member 90 can be a limiting ring or a limiting spring. In this embodiment, the third limiting member 90 is a retaining ring. A retaining ring is an elastic metal ring with an opening. The groove diameter of the third retaining ring groove 104 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the third limiting member 90 to ensure that the third limiting member 90 can be securely accommodated in the third retaining ring groove 104 after being engaged.

[0060] Therefore, the second limiting member 80 and the second step surface 25 respectively form axial limiting at both ends of the outer ring of the bearing 60, and the third limiting member 90 and the third step surface 103 respectively form axial limiting at both ends of the inner ring of the bearing 60, making the installation structure of the bearing 60 more stable and preventing axial movement during rotation.

[0061] To allow refrigerant to be introduced into the evaporator 201, the central shaft 10 may be provided with a mounting through-hole 14, which communicates with the inner cavity 2012 of the evaporator 201. The mounting through-hole 14 can serve as a channel for refrigerant transfer; for example, it can be directly connected to the refrigerant delivery pipe of the refrigeration system, allowing refrigerant in the delivery pipe to be introduced into the inner cavity 2012 via the mounting through-hole 14. Alternatively, the mounting through-hole 14 can be used to install other pipes, enabling these pipes to communicate with the inner cavity 2012 for refrigerant delivery.

[0062] Please also refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6In this embodiment, the mounting through hole 14 extends along the axial direction O of the central shaft 10 and passes through both ends of the central shaft 10, thereby communicating with the inner cavity 2012 of the evaporator cylinder 201. Further, the drum evaporator 200 also includes a refrigerant pipe 205, which passes through the mounting through hole 14 and communicates with the internal space (i.e., the inner cavity 2012) of the evaporator cylinder 201. The refrigerant pipe 205 is sealed to the central shaft 10 to prevent refrigerant leakage. Since the refrigerant pipe 205 and the central shaft 10 are relatively stationary, the seal between them is a static seal. This sealing connection can be achieved through a sealing ring, or through a connection structure such as adhesive bonding or welding, all of which can ensure a good sealing effect.

[0063] In some embodiments, the refrigerant pipe 205 includes an inlet pipe 207 and a return pipe 209. The inlet pipe 207 is connected to both the inner cavity 2012 and the inlet portion of the refrigerant delivery pipe. Refrigerant supplied from the condenser is input into the inner cavity 2012 via the inlet portion and the inlet pipe 207. The return pipe 209 is connected to both the inner cavity 2012 and the return portion of the refrigerant delivery pipe. After the refrigerant evaporates into a gaseous state in the evaporator 201, the gaseous refrigerant returns to the compressor via the return pipe 209, the return portion, and the refrigerant delivery pipe to begin a new refrigeration cycle.

[0064] The return air pipe 209 passes through the central shaft 10 and communicates with the inner cavity 2012. The outer wall of the return air pipe 209 is spaced from the inner wall of the central shaft 10 (i.e., the inner wall of the mounting through hole 14) to form an air intake channel 141. The central shaft 10 is provided with an exhaust hole 12, and the air intake channel 141 communicates with the inner cavity 2012 through the exhaust hole 12. The return air pipe 209 passes through the mounting through hole 14 along the axial direction O of the central shaft 10, and a certain distance is maintained between the outer wall surface of the return air pipe 209 and the inner wall surface of the mounting through hole 14, thereby forming the air intake channel 141. By machining the mounting through hole 14 on the central shaft 10 in one go, the installation and fixation of the return air pipe 209 and the formation of the air intake channel 141 are achieved simultaneously. The air intake part and the return air pipe 209 share the same port. This integrated design not only simplifies the overall structure but also significantly reduces the complexity of the manufacturing process. This innovative structural layout reduces the number of parts and simplifies the assembly process, thereby effectively reducing production costs and improving the product's economy and reliability.

[0065] As a specific example, the central shaft 10 has a first end 105 and a second end 106 facing away from each other. A mounting through hole 14 extends along the axial direction O through both the first end 105 and the second end 106. The first end 105 is located inside the evaporator cylinder 201, and the second end 106 has a mounting port 1061 connecting to the air inlet channel 141. A return pipe 209 passes through the mounting port 1061 and is inserted into the central shaft 10. One end of the return pipe 209 inside the evaporator cylinder 201 is press-fitted with the first end 105. The outer diameter of the end of the return pipe 209 inside the evaporator cylinder 201 is larger to achieve a tight fit with the inner wall of the first end 105. This specification does not limit the specific shape of the central shaft 10; for example, for ease of installation, the outer diameter of the first end 105 may be smaller than the outer diameter of the second end 106. The inner diameter of the mounting port 1061 at the second end 106 is larger than the inner diameter of the air inlet channel 141. To fix the end of the return pipe 2092 away from the first end 105, the drum evaporator 200 may also include a mounting member 206. The mounting member 206 is embedded in the mounting port 1061, and the return pipe 209 passes through the mounting member 206 and is fixedly connected to the mounting member 206. One end of the return pipe 209 is fixed to the second end 106 by the mounting member 206, and the other end of the return pipe 209 is interference-fitted to the first end 105, so that the return pipe 209 is installed in the mounting channel 14, forming an annular air inlet channel 141 with the inner wall of the mounting channel 14. The air inlet channel 141 surrounds the return pipe 209.

[0066] Exhaust vents 12 are formed on the central axis 10 and penetrate the peripheral wall of the central axis 10 to connect the intake channel 141 and the inner cavity 2012. The intake channel 141 surrounds the return pipe 209. Multiple exhaust vents 12 can be provided. As an example, multiple sets of exhaust vents 12 can be provided, with multiple sets of exhaust vents 12 arranged at intervals along the axial direction O of the central axis 10. Each set of exhaust vents 12 can include multiple exhaust vents 12, and the multiple exhaust vents 12 in each set of exhaust vents 12 are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the central axis 10. Multiple exhaust vents 12 can distribute liquid refrigerant more evenly to each part of the evaporator 201, making full use of its heat exchange area, avoiding some areas being overcooled and some areas being overheated, and further improving refrigeration efficiency.

[0067] In this embodiment, the mounting component 206 is a mounting cover plate. This specification does not limit the specific shape of the mounting cover plate; it can be adapted to the shape of the mounting port 1061. For example, when the mounting port 1061 is circular, the mounting cover plate is circular; when the mounting port 1061 is rectangular, the mounting cover plate is rectangular. In this embodiment, the mounting port 1061 is circular, and the mounting cover plate is circular. The mounting component 206 is embedded within the mounting port 1061 and welded to the central shaft 10 to achieve a seal. For example, the gap between the outer peripheral wall of the mounting component 206 and the inner peripheral wall of the mounting port 1061 is filled with solder. The solder melts and connects the surface materials of the mounting component 206 and the surface materials of the central shaft 10, ensuring both the stability of the connection and airtightness, effectively preventing refrigerant leakage from the inner cavity 2012.

[0068] The return pipe 209 passes through the mounting component 206, and the outer peripheral wall of the return pipe 209 is welded to the mounting component 206 to achieve a seal. For example, the gap between the outer peripheral wall of the return pipe 209 and the mounting component 206 is filled with solder, which melts and connects the surface materials of the return pipe 209 and the mounting component 206, ensuring both the stability of the connection and the airtightness, effectively preventing refrigerant leakage from the return pipe 209.

[0069] The intake pipe 207 is also mounted on the mounting member 206. As an example, the intake pipe 207 passes through the mounting member 206 and is welded to it. The intake pipe 206 connects to the intake passage 141. For example, the gap between the outer peripheral wall of the intake pipe 207 and the mounting member 206 is filled with solder. The solder melts and connects the surface materials of the intake pipe 207 and the mounting member 206, ensuring both the stability of the connection and airtightness, effectively preventing refrigerant leakage from the return pipe 209. The dimension of the intake pipe 207 in the axial direction O is much smaller than that of the return pipe 209.

[0070] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0071] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0072] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A drum evaporator, characterized in that, include: Evaporation cylinder, the evaporation cylinder having an inner cavity; A support shaft and a rotating shaft assembly are respectively disposed at opposite ends of the evaporation cylinder. The rotating shaft assembly includes a central shaft that is rotatably inserted through one end of the evaporation cylinder. The refrigerant pipeline includes a return pipe, which passes through the central shaft and communicates with the inner cavity. The outer wall of the return pipe is spaced from the inner wall of the central shaft to form an air intake channel. The central shaft is provided with an exhaust hole, and the air intake channel communicates with the inner cavity through the exhaust hole.

2. The drum evaporator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The central shaft has a first end and a second end facing away from each other. The first end is located inside the evaporator, and the second end is provided with an installation port that connects to the air inlet channel. The return pipe passes through the installation port and is installed on the central shaft. The end of the return pipe located inside the evaporator is press-fitted with the first end.

3. The drum evaporator as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The drum evaporator also includes a mounting component, which is embedded in the mounting port and welded to the central shaft. The return gas pipe passes through the mounting component and is welded to it. The air inlet channel surrounds the return gas pipe.

4. The drum evaporator as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The refrigerant pipeline also includes an air inlet pipe, which passes through the mounting component and is welded to the mounting component, and the air inlet pipe is connected to the air inlet channel.

5. The drum evaporator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating shaft device further includes a bushing, an oil seal, and a sealing ring assembly. The bushing is rotatably fitted around the outer periphery of the central shaft. The oil seal is fitted around the central shaft and located between the central shaft and the bushing. The sealing ring assembly is fitted around the central shaft and located between the central shaft and the bushing. The sealing ring assembly and the oil seal are arranged side by side along the axial direction of the central shaft. The sealing ring assembly abuts against the inner wall of the bushing and the outer wall of the central shaft, respectively.

6. The drum evaporator as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The central shaft is provided with a first annular groove and a second annular groove, which are arranged side by side and spaced apart along the axial direction of the central shaft; the sealing ring assembly includes a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring, with the first sealing ring embedded in the first annular groove and the second sealing ring embedded in the second annular groove.

7. The drum evaporator as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The bushing includes a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion connected in sequence. The inner diameter of the first sleeve portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the second sleeve portion, so that a first step surface is formed between the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion. The sealing ring assembly is disposed in the first sleeve portion, and the oil seal is disposed in the second sleeve portion. One end of the oil seal is stacked on the first step surface.

8. The drum evaporator as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The rotating shaft device further includes a first limiting member, and the inner wall of the second sleeve is provided with a first retaining ring groove. The inner diameter of the first retaining ring groove is larger than the inner diameter of the second sleeve. The first limiting member is accommodated in the first retaining ring groove and abuts against the end face of the oil seal away from the first stepped surface.

9. The drum evaporator as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The rotating shaft device further includes a bearing, which is disposed between the central shaft and the bushing and is arranged in parallel with the oil seal; the bushing includes a first sleeve portion, a second sleeve portion and a third sleeve portion connected in sequence, the sealing ring assembly is disposed in the first sleeve portion and the oil seal is disposed in the second sleeve portion; the inner diameter of the second sleeve portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the third sleeve portion, so that a second stepped surface is formed between the second sleeve portion and the third sleeve portion, and the bearing is disposed in the third sleeve portion with one end overlapping the second stepped surface.

10. The drum evaporator as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The rotating shaft device further includes a second limiting member. The inner wall of the third sleeve is provided with a second retaining ring groove. The inner diameter of the second retaining ring groove is larger than the inner diameter of the third sleeve. The second limiting member is accommodated in the second retaining ring groove and abuts against the end face of the bearing away from the second step surface.

11. The drum evaporator as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The evaporator includes a peripheral wall, a first end cap, and a second end cap. The peripheral wall is arranged around the evaporator to define the inner cavity of the evaporator. The second end cap closes one end of the inner cavity. The support shaft is connected to the second end cap. The first end cap is disposed on the end of the peripheral wall away from the second end cap. The first end cap has a communicating hole that communicates with the inner cavity. The rotating shaft device is connected to the first end cap and is coaxially arranged with the communicating hole.

12. The drum evaporator as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, The peripheral wall is provided with an augmenting structure, which is a continuous or intermittent protrusion and / or groove, and the augmenting structure covers the entire peripheral wall surface.

13. An ice-making device, characterized in that, include: Refrigeration system, and The drum evaporator according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the refrigeration system is connected to the evaporation drum.

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