Ice maker

Abstract

The present invention provides an ice maker including an ice-making box, a cooling device, and a water supply unit. The ice-making box has an ice-making chamber and an ice-making opening that exposes the ice-making chamber; the cooling device includes an ice-making column, at least a portion of which extends into the ice-making chamber; and the water supply unit includes a water supply pipe that communicates with the ice-making chamber. The water supply pipe has a jet section located inside the ice-making chamber and facing the ice-making opening. The jet section has a plurality of jet openings that communicate with the ice-making chamber, and these jet openings are uniformly distributed inside the ice-making chamber. The plurality of jet openings on the jet section form a water jet inside the ice-making box, and the water at different locations inside the ice-making box maintains a constant transparency of the ice formed on the ice-making column, thereby improving the ice-making effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of refrigeration devices, and particularly to ice makers.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional refrigerator with an ice maker, usually, the ice maker is installed in the refrigerating chamber, and ice is made in an air-cooled or direct-cooled manner. In this ice-making method, ice freezes step by step from the outside to the inside, and the air remaining in the air is not discharged, so the generated ice contains air bubbles, the quality of the ice is inferior, and the transparency is low. To solve this problem, a method of circulating the water in the ice-making box has been proposed. This method installs a circulation pump in the ice-making box to make the water flow, but since the water flow rate in each part of the ice-making box is not constant, there is a difference in the transparency of the ice on the ice-making columns at different positions in the ice-making box, and there is a problem that the ice-making effect of the ice maker is not sufficient.

[0003] The prior art mentioned in the specification does not confirm or suggest that it constitutes a part of common general knowledge in any jurisdiction, nor is it understood by those skilled in the art, regarded as relevant, and / or reasonably expected to be combined with other prior arts.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker with excellent ice-making effect.

[0005] To achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention is an ice maker including an ice-making box, a cooling device, and a water supply part, wherein the ice-making box has an ice-making chamber and an ice-making opening for exposing the ice-making chamber, the cooling device includes an ice-making column at least a part of which extends into the ice-making chamber, the water supply part includes a water supply pipe communicating with the ice-making chamber, The water supply pipe is located inside the ice-making chamber and has a jet section facing the ice-making opening. The jet section has a plurality of jet nozzles that communicate with the ice-making chamber, The present invention provides an ice maker in which the plurality of jet nozzles are uniformly distributed within the ice-making chamber.

[0006] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of jet nozzles are uniformly distributed in the jet section, and the centerlines of the jet nozzles extend along the vertical direction.

[0007] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device includes a plurality of ice-making columns equal to the number of jet nozzles, and each jet nozzle is provided facing the corresponding ice-making column.

[0008] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the ice-making box has a bottom wall and a side wall connected to the periphery of the bottom wall and surrounding the ice-making opening, and the jet section is fixed to the bottom wall.

[0009] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the ice-making box further has a positioning groove provided in the bottom wall and conforming to the jet section, and the ice maker further includes a fixing member connected to the ice-making box, the jet section being positioned in the positioning groove and in contact with the fixing member.

[0010] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker further includes a water tank, the water tank having a mounting space and a water chamber communicating with the mounting space, the ice making box being positioned above the water chamber, and the ice making opening being exposed within the mounting space.

[0011] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the water supply unit further includes a water supply pump connected to the water supply pipe, the water supply pump providing electrical connection between the water storage tank and the ice making box.

[0012] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the ice-making box is pivotally connected to the water tank so as to be switchable between an ice-making position and a discharge position, the discharge position having a drainage state and a de-ice state depending on the orientation of the ice-making opening, the ice maker further includes an ice storage tank connected to the water tank, the ice storage tank has an ice storage opening exposed in the mounting space, and in the de-ice state, the ice-making column is exposed in the mounting space and located directly above the ice storage opening.

[0013] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker further includes a water-blocking member connected to the ice-making box, the water-blocking member having a water-blocking plate and connecting plates connected to both sides of the water-blocking plate, the water-blocking member switching between a water-guiding state and a retracted state based on the rotation of the ice-making box, and in the water-guiding state, the water-blocking plate is located between the ice-making box and the ice storage tank and blocks at least a portion of the ice storage opening above.

[0014] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker further includes a first stopper and a second stopper connected to the ice making box and cooperating with the water-blocking member, wherein in the ice making position the connecting plate abuts against the first stopper and in the discharge position the connecting plate abuts against the second stopper.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, the ice maker further includes a pressing member connected to the water tank and cooperating with the water-blocking member, wherein in the water-conducting state, the pressing member contacts the water-blocking member, and in the retracted state, the pressing member disengages from contact with the water-blocking member.

[0016] Compared to conventional technology, the ice maker in the embodiment of the present invention, when supplying water to the ice-making box using a water supply pipe, forms a water jet inside the ice-making box by multiple jet nozzles on the jet section, and since the multiple jet nozzles are uniformly distributed within the ice-making chamber, the transparency of the ice formed on the ice-making column is kept constant by the water at different locations within the ice-making box, thereby improving the ice-making effect.

[0017] As used herein, the term "comprise" and its variants "comprises", "comprised", "comprising", "including", "containing" do not exclude other features, components, elements or steps, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice maker in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the ice maker shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the A-A cross-section of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the B-B cross-section of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the B-B cross-section of FIG. 1, where FIG. 5a shows the ice-making position, FIG. 5b shows the drainage state, and FIG. 5c shows the defrosting state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view showing the cooperation structure between the ice-making box and the water-blocking member in FIG. 1, where the water storage tank is omitted, and FIG. 6a shows the ice-making position, FIG. 6b shows the drainage state, and FIG. 6c shows the defrosting state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the C part of FIG. 3.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the specific embodiments shown in the drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and all structural, method, or functional changes made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are included in the protection scope of the present invention.

[0020] As used herein, terms representing spatial relative positions such as "upper", "lower", "outer", "inner", etc. are used to facilitate the description of the relationship between one unit or feature shown in the drawings and other units or features. These terms representing spatial relative positions are intended to include various directions during the use or operation of the device other than the directions shown in the drawings.

[0021] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined or limited, terms such as "mounting", "interconnecting", "connecting", etc. should be construed in a broad sense. For example, they may be fixed connections, detachable connections, integral connections, mechanical connections, electrical connections, direct connections, or indirect connections through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of these terms in the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, an ice maker according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is suitable for producing transparent bullet ice.

[0023] Specifically, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ice maker includes an ice-making box 20, a cooling device 30, and a water supply unit 40. In this embodiment, the ice maker receives water supply from an external water source, supplies it to the ice-making box 20 through the water supply unit 40, and the cooling device 30 provides the cold heat required for ice making.

[0024] Specifically, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the ice-making box 10 has an ice-making chamber 21 and an ice-making opening 22 for exposing the ice-making chamber 21. In this embodiment, the ice-making box 20 is in an open shape, and the ice-making chamber 21 accommodates water for ice making.

[0025] Specifically, the cooling device 30 includes an ice-making column 31, at least a portion of which extends into the ice-making chamber 21. In this embodiment, the ice-making column 31 extends into the ice-making chamber 21 and comes into contact with the water inside the ice-making chamber 21. The cold generated by the cooling device 30 is transferred to the ice-making column 31 and continuously transferred to the water inside the ice-making chamber 21 via the ice-making column 31, cooling the water inside the ice-making box 20 to form ice, which finally condenses on the ice-making column 31. Because the ice-making column 31 has a columnar structure, the ice formed on the ice-making column 31 is bullet-shaped.

[0026] Specifically, the water supply unit 40 includes a water supply pipe 41 that communicates with the ice-making chamber 21. In this embodiment, the water supply unit 40 connects an external water source and the ice-making box 20 using the water supply pipe 41, and supplies water from the external water source to the ice-making box 20 for use in ice making.

[0027] Furthermore, the water supply pipe 41 has a jet section 41a located inside the ice-making chamber 21. In this embodiment, the jet section 41a is fixed to the ice-making box 20 and located inside the ice-making chamber 21.

[0028] Furthermore, the jet section 41a has a plurality of jet ports 41b that communicate with the ice-making chamber 21. In this embodiment, water in the jet section 41a continuously flows into the ice-making chamber 21 through the jet ports 41b, and the continuous jets from the jet ports 41b agitate the water in the ice-making chamber 21, forming a water jet inside the ice-making chamber 21, promoting the discharge of air bubbles in the water, and resulting in ice formed on the ice-making column 31 that does not contain air bubbles and is more transparent.

[0029] Furthermore, the jet section 41a is positioned opposite the ice-making port 22. In this embodiment, the jet section 41b forms a water jet around the jet section 41a, agitating the water around the jet section 41a and promoting the discharge of air bubbles in the water around the jet section 41a. Because the jet section 41a faces the ice-making port 22, air bubbles discharged from the water around the jet section 41a are discharged directly from the ice-making port 22, promoting the discharge of air bubbles in the ice-making chamber 21, reducing the amount of air bubbles in the ice that is formed, and making the ice more transparent.

[0030] Furthermore, the multiple jet nozzles 41b are uniformly distributed within the ice-making chamber 21. In this embodiment, the water flow in the jet section 41a flows into the ice-making chamber 21 through the multiple jet nozzles 41b, accelerating the water supply speed into the ice-making chamber 21 and accelerating the water flow speed within the ice-making chamber 21.

[0031] Furthermore, since the multiple jet nozzles 41 are uniformly distributed throughout the ice-making chamber 21, the water flow is stirred in each part of the ice-making chamber 21, and air bubbles are discharged from the water in each part of the ice-making box 20.

[0032] When the ice maker supplies water to the ice-making box 20 using the water supply pipe 41, a water jet is formed inside the ice-making box 20 by multiple jet nozzles 41b on the jet section 41a, and since the multiple jet nozzles 41b are uniformly distributed inside the ice-making chamber 21, the transparency of the ice formed on the ice-making column 31 by water at different locations inside the ice-making box 20 is kept constant, improving the ice-making effect.

[0033] Specifically, multiple jet nozzles 41b are provided uniformly (at equal intervals) in the jet section 41a. In this embodiment, since multiple jet nozzles 41b are provided uniformly in the jet section 41a, the discharge speed at each jet nozzle 41b becomes the same, the size of the water jets in each part of the ice-making chamber becomes the same, and the mutual influence between the jets in each part of the ice-making chamber 21 is reduced.

[0034] Specifically, the centerline of the jet nozzle 41b extends along the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the jet nozzle 41b ejects water vertically upward, promoting the discharge of air bubbles from the water to the water surface.

[0035] Furthermore, each jet nozzle 41b is positioned to open toward the ice-making port 22. In this embodiment, since all jet nozzles 41b direct the jets toward the ice-making port 22, air bubbles in the water jets are more easily discharged from the ice-making port 22, and the energy loss of the water jets is reduced.

[0036] Furthermore, the cooling device 30 includes a plurality of ice-making columns 31, the same number as the number of jet nozzles 41b. In this embodiment, since the number of jet nozzles 41b and the number of ice-making columns 31 are equal, all air bubbles in the water inside the ice-making box 20 can be discharged when the plurality of ice-making columns 31 are making ice simultaneously. The axes of each ice-making column 31 are parallel to each other.

[0037] Furthermore, each jet nozzle 41b is positioned opposite the corresponding ice-making column 31. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, each jet nozzle 41b is positioned opposite each ice-making column 31, meaning that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the jet nozzle 41b and the ice-making column 31, and each jet nozzle 41b faces directly opposite each ice-making column 31. Therefore, the water flow discharged from each jet nozzle 41b is directed toward each ice-making column 31, agitating the water around each ice-making column 31, promoting the discharge of air bubbles in the water around the ice-making column 31, and resulting in ice formed on the ice-making column 31 that is free of air bubbles and more transparent.

[0038] Specifically, the ice-making box 20 has a bottom wall 23 and a side wall 24 connected to the periphery of the bottom wall 23 and surrounding the ice-making opening 22, and the jet section 41a is fixed to the bottom wall 23. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the bottom wall 23 is located at the bottom of the ice-making box 20, the ice-making opening 22 is located at the top of the ice-making box 20, and the jet section 41a is fixed to the bottom wall 23, so the ice-making opening 22 and the jet section 41a are facing each other vertically. Therefore, in the process of the water supply pipe 41 supplying water to the ice-making box 20 via the jet section 41a, the water flow is injected from the bottom of the ice-making box 20, and after the entire ice-making chamber 21 is gradually filled, the water flow overflows from the ice-making opening 22 at the top of the ice-making box 20, forming flowing water inside the ice-making box 20, which in turn makes the ice produced more transparent and free of air bubbles.

[0039] Furthermore, because the jet section 41a and the ice-making port 22 are perpendicular to each other, the water inlet and outlet of the ice-making box 20 are also perpendicular to each other. As a result, the flowing water inside the ice-making box 20 penetrates the entire ice-making chamber 21 in a vertical direction, the area of ​​flowing water covers the entire ice-making chamber 21, promoting the discharge of air bubbles inside the ice-making box 20, and resulting in ice that is free of air bubbles and more transparent.

[0040] Specifically, referring to Figure 4, the ice-making box 20 further has a positioning groove 25 provided in the bottom wall 23 and conforming to the jet section 41a. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the cooling device 30 further includes a refrigerant pipe 32 connected to the ice-making column 31, and the refrigerant pipe 32 communicates with the evaporator, condenser, and compressor to constitute a cooling circuit. The refrigerant pipe 32 communicates with the ice-making column 31, thereby allowing the refrigerant in the cooling circuit to flow into the ice-making column 31 and cool the ice-making column 31. Since the ice-making columns 31 are uniformly distributed in an array, it is preferable to make the refrigerant pipe 32 "U" shaped. Since the jet nozzle 41b faces the ice-making column 31, it is preferable to make the jet section 41a "U" shaped to conform to the refrigerant pipe 32, and to make the positioning groove 25 "U" shaped to conform to the jet section 41a.

[0041] By adopting a "U" shaped structure for the jet section 41a, the jet section 41a spreads across the entire bottom of the ice-making chamber 21, and multiple jet nozzles 41b are provided on the jet section 41a at uniform intervals along the water flow path within the jet section 41a, so that the jet water flow generated by the jet nozzles 41b is uniformly distributed to all parts of the ice-making chamber 21.

[0042] Furthermore, the ice maker further includes a fixing member 50 connected to the ice making box 20. In this embodiment, the fixing member 50 is fixed to the ice making box 20 and is located on the edge of the positioning groove 25.

[0043] Specifically, the jet section 41a is positioned within the positioning groove 25 and in contact with the fixing member 50. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, after at least a portion of the jet section 41a is inserted into the positioning groove 25, the horizontal displacement of the jet section 41a is restricted, and the fixing member 50 contacts the top of the jet section 41a, thereby restricting the vertical displacement of the jet section 41a, which makes installation and removal easier.

[0044] Furthermore, the ice maker further includes a water storage tank 10. In this embodiment, the water storage tank 10 stores the water necessary for ice making, and the water supply unit 40 connects the water storage tank 10 and the ice making box 20 using a water supply pipe 41, supplying water from the water storage tank 10 to the ice making box 20. Compared to a water supply method from an external water source, the water injected into the ice making box 20 can be pre-cooled.

[0045] Specifically, the water storage tank 10 has a mounting space 11 and a water storage chamber 12 that communicates with the mounting space 11. In this embodiment, the mounting space 11 and the water storage chamber 12 are arranged vertically and penetrate each other.

[0046] Specifically, the ice-making box 20 is positioned above the water storage chamber 12, and the ice-making opening 22 is exposed within the mounting space 11. In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 41 continuously draws water from the water storage chamber 12 and supplies it to the ice-making chamber 21, and the liquid in the ice-making box 20 overflows from the ice-making opening 22. Because the ice-making opening 22 is exposed within the mounting space 11, the liquid overflowing from the ice-making box 20 flows into the mounting space 11 and eventually falls into the water storage chamber 12 below the ice-making box 20, allowing the water supply pipe 41 to continuously draw water, thereby achieving water circulation between the ice-making chamber 21 and the water storage chamber 12.

[0047] Furthermore, the water supply unit 40 further includes a water supply pump 42 connected to the water supply pipe 41, and the water supply pump 42 provides electrical connection between the water storage tank 10 and the ice making box 20. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the water supply pump 42 draws water from the water storage chamber 12 into the ice making chamber 21, achieving one-way electrical connection between the water storage tank 10 and the ice making box 20, and satisfying the water demand for ice making.

[0048] In some embodiments, the water supply pump 42 can also simultaneously draw water from the ice-making compartment 21 into the water storage compartment 12, facilitating drainage of the ice-making compartment 21. That is, the water supply pump 42 can draw water from the water storage compartment 12 into the ice-making compartment 21, and can also draw water from the ice-making compartment 21 into the water storage compartment 12, thereby achieving bidirectional electrical communication between the water storage tank 10 and the ice-making box 20.

[0049] Specifically, the ice-making box 20 is pivotally connected to the water tank 10 so as to switch between an ice-making position and a discharge position. In this embodiment, the ice-making box 20 is pivotally connected to the water tank 10 by axial projections at both ends, thereby allowing the box body portion of the ice-making box 20 to rotate within the mounting space 11. The water supply pipe 41 further includes a connection portion that connects the water supply pump 42 to the jet portion 41a, the connection portion being preferably a hose, which facilitates the rotation of the jet portion 41a together with the ice-making box 20.

[0050] Specifically, referring to Figures 5 and 6, the discharge position has a drainage state and a de-ice state depending on the orientation of the ice-making port 22. In this embodiment, the ice-making box 20 is in different positions during the process of rotating relative to the water tank 10. Of these, the ice-making box 20 shown in Figures 5a and 6a is in the ice-making position, and the ice-making box 20 shown in Figures 5b, 5c, 6b, and 6c is in the discharge position. When the ice-making box 20 is in the discharge position, the ice-making box 20 is in different states depending on the orientation of the ice-making port 22. Of these, the ice-making box 20 shown in Figures 5b and 6b is in the drainage state, and the ice-making box 20 shown in Figures 5c and 6c is in the de-ice state.

[0051] Furthermore, the ice maker further includes an ice storage tank 60 connected to the water storage tank 10, and the ice storage tank 60 has an ice storage opening 61 exposed within the mounting space 11. In this embodiment, referring to Figures 1 and 4, the ice storage tank 60 is open with its top open, and the ice storage tank 60 is slidably connected to the water storage tank 10 and is configured to be movable on the water storage tank 10 by pushing and pulling, making it easy for the user to take out ice.

[0052] Specifically, referring to Figure 5, in the de-icing state, the ice-making column 31 is exposed within the mounting space 11 and is located directly above the ice storage opening 61. In this embodiment, when the ice-making box 20 is in the de-icing state, heating the ice-making column 31 causes the ice formed on the ice-making column 31 to fall into the ice storage tank 60 below, making it available for use by the user.

[0053] Specifically, the ice maker further includes a first heating member 140 located on the opposite side of the refrigerant pipe 32 from the ice-making column 31, and a second heating member 150 located within the water storage chamber 12 and below the ice storage tank 60. The cooling device 30 is fixed to the water storage tank 10, and the ice-making column 31 is located within the mounting space 11. When the ice-making box 20 is in the ice-making position, the ice-making column 31 is exposed within the ice-making chamber 21. After ice making is complete, the ice-making box 20 is rotated to the de-ice-making position, exposing the ice-making column 31 within the mounting space 11. At this time, the first heating member 140 heats the ice-making column 31, causing the ice on the ice-making column 31 to fall off and drop directly into the ice storage tank 60. During the ice-making process of the ice maker, the second heating member 150 heats the water in the water storage chamber 12 to prevent the water in the water storage chamber 12 from freezing and to ensure normal water intake and supply by the water supply pump 42.

[0054] In some embodiments, semiconductor cooling can replace the refrigerant pipe 32 or the entire cooling device 30, thereby eliminating the need for the first heating element 140.

[0055] Furthermore, the ice maker further includes a water-blocking member 70 connected to the ice-making box 20. In this embodiment, the installation of the water-blocking member 70 prevents liquid from being discharged from the ice-making port 22 when the ice-making box 20 is in the ice-making position or drainage state, thereby preventing the liquid from flowing into the ice storage tank 60.

[0056] Specifically, the water-blocking member 70 has a water-blocking plate 71 and connecting plates 72 connected to both sides of the water-blocking plate 71. In this embodiment, when Figures 2 and 3 are combined, the water-blocking plate 71 has a flat plate structure, and the water-blocking member 70 is pivotally connected to the axial projections at both ends of the ice-making box 20 by the connecting plates 72, thereby enabling relative rotation or joint rotation between the water-blocking plate 70 and the ice-making box 20.

[0057] Specifically, the water-blocking member 70 switches between a water-guiding state and a retracted state based on the rotation of the ice-making box 20. In this embodiment, when the water-blocking member 70 is rotated during the rotation of the ice-making box 20, the water-blocking member 70 is in different states. Of these, the water-blocking member 70 shown in Figures 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b is in the water-guiding state, while the water-blocking member 70 shown in Figures 5c and 6c is in the retracted state.

[0058] Specifically, in the water intake state, the water-blocking plate 72 is positioned between the ice-making box 20 and the ice storage tank 60, and blocks at least a portion of the ice storage opening 61 above. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5a and 5b, when the water-blocking member 70 is in the water intake state, the ice-making box 20 is in the ice-making position or drainage state, and after the water in the ice-making box 20 flows out from the ice-making opening 22, it falls onto the water-blocking plate 71, is guided by the water-blocking plate 71 and falls into the water storage chamber 12, preventing the liquid from falling directly into the ice storage tank 60 and ensuring the normal storage of ice in the ice storage tank 60. As shown in Figure 5c, when the water-blocking member 70 is in the retracted state, the ice-making box 20 is in the de-ice-making state, the ice-making column 31 is directly exposed above the ice storage opening 61, and after heating, the ice separates from the ice-making column 31 and falls into the ice storage tank 60, and in this process the water-blocking member 70 does not interfere with the falling ice.

[0059] Furthermore, an overflow nozzle 26 is provided on the ice-making box 20, and in the water-guiding state, the overflow nozzle 26 is positioned directly above the water-blocking plate 71. In this embodiment, the installation of the overflow nozzle 26 ensures that when the ice-making box 20 is in the ice-making position, the water inside the ice-making box 20 overflows from the overflow nozzle 26, and the water flow falling from the ice-making box 20 onto the water-blocking plate 71 is stable and uniform, reducing water splashing on the water-blocking plate 71 and preventing the overflowing water from the ice-making box 20 from falling into the ice storage tank 60.

[0060] Preferably, the ice-making box 20 is provided with one overflow nozzle 26, which is located in the middle of the ice-making box. The overflow nozzle 26 has a flat overflow plate, which is recessed into the edge of the ice-making opening 22. When the ice-making box 20 is in the ice-making position, the overflow plate 26 and the water-blocking plate 71 are tilted to the same side, allowing the overflow from the ice-making box 20 to be smoothly and quickly guided to the water storage chamber 12, thereby accelerating the speed of water circulation between the ice-making chamber 21 and the water storage chamber 12.

[0061] Specifically, referring to Figures 2 and 6, the ice maker further includes a first stopper 80 and a second stopper 90 connected to the ice-making box 20 and cooperating with the water-blocking member 70. In this embodiment, the connecting plate 72 is located between the first stopper 80 and the second stopper 90, and as the ice-making box 20 rotates, the first stopper 80 and the second stopper 90 rotate, and when the first stopper 80 or the second stopper 90 is in contact with the connecting plate 72, the water-blocking member 70 rotates together with the ice-making box 20. Taking Figure 6 as an example, when the ice-making box 20 rotates counterclockwise, the first stopper 80 contacts the connecting plate 72, and then the water-blocking member 70 rotates in the same direction as the ice-making box 20, i.e., counterclockwise. When the ice-making box 20 rotates clockwise, the second stopper 90 contacts the connecting plate 72, and then the water-blocking member 70 rotates in the same direction as the ice-making box 20, i.e., clockwise.

[0062] Specifically, at the ice-making position, the connecting plate 72 abuts against the first stopper 80. In this embodiment, the ice-making box 20 is rotationally driven by a drive motor, so after the rotation of the ice-making box 20 stops, the ice-making box 20 can maintain a stationary state due to the self-locking function of the drive motor. Therefore, when the ice-making box 20 is in the ice-making position, the water-blocking member 70 is in a water-conducting state, the ice-making box 20 abuts against the side edge of the connecting plate 72 by the first stopper 80, and as the ice-making box 20 maintains a stationary state, the water-blocking member 70 also maintains a stationary state, preventing the water-blocking member 70 from being deflected by the impact of the water flow.

[0063] Specifically, at the discharge position, the connecting plate 72 abuts against the second stopper 90. In this embodiment, when the ice-making box 20 is in the discharge position, the ice-making box 20 abuts against the connecting plate 72 by the second stopper 90, and together rotates the water-blocking member 70, thereby switching the ice-making box 20 from a draining state to a de-ice state, and smoothly de-ices the ice-making column 31.

[0064] Similarly, when the ice-making box 20 is in the de-icing state, the water-blocking member 70 is in a retracted state, and the ice-making box 20 abuts against the side edge of the connecting plate 72 by the second stopper 90. As the ice-making box 20 remains stationary, the water-blocking member 70 also remains stationary, preventing the water-blocking member 70 from interfering with the de-icing of the ice-making column 31.

[0065] Furthermore, referring to Figures 3 and 6, the ice maker further includes a pressing member 100 connected to the water tank 10 and cooperating with the water-blocking member 70. In the water-conducting state, the pressing member 100 contacts the water-blocking member 70, and in the retracted state, the pressing member 100 disengages from contact with the water-blocking member 70. In this embodiment, the pressing member 100 is fixed to the water tank 10, and when the water-blocking member 70 is in the water-conducting state, the pressing member 100 provides a constant positioning force to the water-blocking member 70, preventing deflection due to the impact of the water flow. In the process of the water-blocking member 70 switching from the water-conducting state to the retracted state, the ice-making box 20 can disengage the water-blocking member 70 from contact with the pressing member 100, and in this process, the pressing member 100 does not hinder the rotation of the water-blocking member 70 relative to the ice-making box 20.

[0066] Specifically, referring to Figures 3 and 7, the pressing member 100 includes a pressing ball 101 and an elastic member 102 that contacts the pressing ball 101. When the water-blocking member 70 is in a water-conducting state, the elastic member 102 contacts the side of the pressing ball 101 that is away from the water-blocking member 70, thereby providing a constant elastic force to the pressing ball 101, causing the pressing ball 101 to elastically press against the water-blocking member 70, providing a positioning force to the water-blocking member 70, while simultaneously not hindering the rotation of the water-blocking member 70 relative to the ice-making box 20.

[0067] Specifically, a mounting groove 13 is provided in the water tank 10 to accommodate the elastic member 102 and at least some of the pressing balls 101, and the inner diameter of the opening end of the mounting groove 13 is made smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the pressing balls 101 to prevent the pressing balls 101 from detaching from the mounting groove 13. Here, the mounting groove 13 may be integrally molded with the water tank 10, or a separate mounting member 170 may be provided to form the mounting groove 13. When a separate mounting member 170 is used to form the mounting groove 13, the mounting member 170 needs to be fixed to the water tank 10, and this method facilitates the attachment and removal of the pressing member 100.

[0068] Furthermore, referring to Figures 3 and 6, the ice maker further includes a pressing groove 160 provided on the watertight member 70 and fitted to the pressing ball 101. The pressing groove 160 restricts the range of movement of the pressing ball 101, allowing the pressing member 100 to provide a more stable positioning force to the watertight member 70, while simultaneously facilitating contact and separation between the watertight member 70 and the pressing member 100 by rotation.

[0069] Furthermore, referring to Figures 2 and 6, the ice maker further includes a movable member 110 connected to the ice-making box 20, and a first positioning member 120 and a second positioning member 130 connected to the water tank 10 and cooperating with the movable member 110. In this embodiment, by providing an internal spline on the movable member 110 and an external spline on the axial projection at the end of the ice-making box, a power transmission connection is achieved between the movable member 110 and the ice-making box 20, that is, the movable member 110 can rotate together with the ice-making box 20.

[0070] The first positioning member 120 and the second positioning member 130 are fixed to the water tank 10, and the movable member 110 is positioned between the first positioning member 120 and the second positioning member 130. Using Figure 6 as an example, as the ice-making box 20 rotates counterclockwise, the movable member 110 rotates counterclockwise together with the ice-making box 20, and when the movable member 110 is in contact with the first positioning member 120, the first positioning member 120 can control the stopping of the drive motor, and at this time the ice-making box 20 also stops rotating. Similarly, as the ice-making box 20 rotates clockwise, the movable member 110 rotates clockwise together with the ice-making box 20, and when the movable member 110 is in contact with the second positioning member 130, the second positioning member 130 can control the stopping of the drive motor, and at this time the ice-making box 20 also stops rotating.

[0071] Therefore, by installing the movable member 110, the first positioning member 120, and the second positioning member 130, excessive rotation of the ice-making box 20 is prevented during the process in which the drive motor rotates the ice-making box 20, thereby preventing interference between the ice-making box 20 and the cooling device 30, and further preventing interference between the water-blocking member 70 and the water storage tank 10.

[0072] Specifically, in the ice-making position, the movable member 110 abuts against the first positioning member 120, and in the de-ice-making state, the movable member 110 abuts against the second positioning member 130. In this embodiment, the installation of the first positioning member 120 and the second positioning member 130 limits the rotation range of the ice-making box 20, that is, the ice-making box 20 can only rotate between the ice-making position and the de-ice-making state.

[0073] Furthermore, at the ice-making position, the startup time of the cooling device 30 is not earlier than the liquid output time of the jet nozzle 41b. In this embodiment, the startup time of the cooling device 30 is later than or equal to the liquid output time of the jet nozzle 41b. The startup time of the cooling device 30 refers to the startup time of the compressor, and the liquid output time of the jet nozzle 41b refers to the time it takes for the jet nozzle 41b to supply water to the ice-making chamber 21.

[0074] In an ice-making method where the startup time of the cooling device 30 is equal to the liquid output time of the jet nozzle 41b, when the liquid in the water supply pipe 41 enters the ice-making chamber 21 through the jet nozzle 41b, or when the jet nozzle 41b sprays onto the ice-making column 31, the cooling device 30 is started synchronously to begin cooling. The water flow formed by the jet nozzle 41b continues to spray within the ice-making chamber 21 until the ice-making chamber 21 is filled with water and overflows to the outside, agitating the water around the ice-making column 31 and promoting the expulsion of air bubbles in the water. As a result, the ice formed on the ice-making column 31 does not contain air bubbles and becomes clearer. This ice-making method shortens the time required for ice making and saves the user waiting time to retrieve ice.

[0075] In an ice-making method where the startup time of the cooling device 30 is slower than the liquid output time of the jet nozzle 41b, after the liquid in the water supply pipe 41 has been supplied to the ice-making chamber 21 through the jet nozzle 41b for a certain period of time, the cooling device 30 is started to begin cooling. When the ice-making chamber 21 is filled with water and overflows to the outside, the water flow formed by the jet nozzle 41b continuously jets within the ice-making chamber 21, agitating the water around the ice-making column 31 and promoting the discharge of air bubbles in the water. As a result, the ice formed on the ice-making column 31 does not contain air bubbles and becomes clearer. This ice-making method ensures that the ice formed on the ice-making column 31 is smoother and meets the requirements, guaranteeing the ice-making effect.

[0076] Specifically, at the ice-making position, the cooling device 30 is activated when the ice-making chamber 21 is filled with liquid. In this embodiment, in an ice-making method where the activation time of the cooling device 30 is later than the liquid output time of the jet nozzle 41b, it is preferable to activate the cooling device 30 and start cooling when the ice-making chamber 21 is filled with water and begins to overflow to the outside. That is, after the liquid in the water supply pipe 41 enters the ice-making chamber 21 through the jet nozzle 41b, when the ice-making chamber 21 is filled with water and begins to overflow to the outside, the cooling device 30 is immediately activated and cooling begins.

[0077] Taking Figures 5 and 6 as examples, when the ice maker starts making ice, first the drive motor controls the ice-making box 20 to the ice-making position, and the water supply pump 42 draws water from the water storage chamber 12 through the water supply pipe 41 and continuously supplies it into the ice-making chamber 21. At this time, the ice-making column 31 is located inside the ice-making chamber 21, and after the ice-making column 31 comes into contact with the water inside the ice-making chamber 21, ice gradually forms on the ice-making column 31. After the ice-making chamber 21 is filled with water, the water supply pump 42 continuously supplies water to the ice-making chamber 21, and the water inside the ice-making chamber 21 flows through the overflow nozzle 26 above the ice-making opening 22 to the water-blocking plate 71 below, is guided by the water-blocking plate 71 and falls into the water storage chamber 12, and is continuously supplied into the ice-making chamber 21 by the water supply pump 42, thus creating a water circulation between the ice-making chamber 21 and the water storage chamber 12.

[0078] After the ice-making process is complete, the water supply pump 42 is stopped, and the drive motor rotates the ice-making box 20 clockwise, switching the ice-making box 20 from the ice-making position to the drainage position. During this process, water in the ice-making chamber 21 continuously flows from the ice-making opening 22 or the overflow nozzle 26 to the lower water-blocking plate 71, and is guided by the water-blocking plate 71 to fall into the water storage chamber 12. During this process, the water-blocking member 70 is in contact with the pressing member 100, so the water-blocking member 70 does not deflect during the water guidance process.

[0079] After the ice-making box 20 has finished draining, the drive motor continues to rotate the ice-making box 20. At this time, the second stopper 90 on the ice-making box 20 rotates the water-blocking member 70 clockwise, disengaging the water-blocking member 70 from contact with the pressing member 100. During this process, the drive motor switches the ice-making box 20 from a draining state to a de-ice state, and the ice-making box 20 switches the water-blocking member 70 from a water-conducting state to a retracted state. When the ice-making box 20 is in the de-ice state, the water-blocking member 70 is in the retracted state, and at this time the movable member 110 comes into contact with the second positioning member 130, and the second positioning member 130 stops the rotation of the drive motor. At this time, the first heating member 140 starts operating, causing the ice on the ice-making column 31 to fall into the ice storage tank 60.

[0080] After the ice maker has finished de-icing, the drive motor rotates the ice-making box 20 counterclockwise, switching the ice-making box 20 from the de-icing state to the ice-making state. During this process, the first stopper 80 comes into contact with the water-blocking member 70, and then the first stopper 80 rotates the water-blocking member 70 counterclockwise, causing the water-blocking member 70 to come into contact with the pressing member 100. During the rotation of the ice-making box 20 by the drive motor, the first positioning member 120 stops the rotation of the drive motor until the movable member 110 comes into contact with the first positioning member 120. At this point, the ice-making box 20 returns to the ice-making position, the pressing member 100 also comes into contact with the water-blocking member 70, and the next round of ice making begins. This process is repeated.

[0081] Although this specification is described according to embodiments, each embodiment does not necessarily consist solely of independent technical solutions. This style of description is for clarity, and those skilled in the art should understand that they can view the specification as a whole and appropriately combine the technical solutions of each embodiment to form other embodiments that are understandable to those skilled in the art.

[0082] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of possible embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent embodiments or modifications that do not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. Ice maker box, Cooling device, An ice maker including a water supply unit, The ice-making box has an ice-making chamber and an ice-making opening that exposes the ice-making chamber. The cooling device includes an ice-making column that extends at least a portion into the ice-making chamber. The water supply section includes a water supply pipe that communicates with the ice-making chamber. The water supply pipe is located inside the ice-making chamber and has a jet section facing the ice-making opening. The jet section has a plurality of jet nozzles that communicate with the ice-making chamber, An ice maker characterized in that the plurality of jet nozzles are uniformly distributed within the ice-making chamber.

2. The plurality of jet nozzles are uniformly provided in the jet section. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that the center line of the jet nozzle extends along the vertical direction.

3. The cooling device includes a number of ice-making columns equal to the number of jet nozzles, The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that each jet nozzle is provided opposite to the corresponding ice-making column.

4. The ice-making box has a bottom wall and side walls connected to the periphery of the bottom wall that surround the ice-making opening. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that the jet section is fixed to the bottom wall.

5. The ice-making box further has a positioning groove provided in the bottom wall that is compatible with the jet section, The ice maker further includes a fixing member connected to the ice box, The ice maker according to claim 4, characterized in that the jet portion is positioned within the positioning groove and in contact with the fixing member.

6. The ice maker further includes a water tank, The water storage tank has an installation space and a water storage chamber that communicates with the installation space. The ice-making box is located above the water storage chamber. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that the ice-making opening is exposed within the mounting space.

7. The water supply unit further includes a water supply pump connected to the water supply pipe, The ice maker according to claim 2, 3, 4, or 6, characterized in that the water supply pump provides electrical connectivity between the water storage tank and the ice making box.

8. The ice-making box is pivotally connected to the water tank so as to switch between an ice-making position and an ice-discharging position. The aforementioned discharge position has a drainage state and a de-ice state depending on the orientation of the ice-making port. The ice maker further includes an ice storage tank connected to the water storage tank, The ice storage tank has an ice storage opening exposed within the mounting space, The ice maker according to claim 2, 3, 4, or 6, characterized in that, in the de-icing state, the ice-making column is exposed within the mounting space and is located directly above the ice storage opening.

9. The ice maker further includes a watertight member connected to the ice box, The aforementioned water-blocking member has a water-blocking plate and connecting plates connected to both sides of the water-blocking plate. The water-blocking member switches between a water-conducting state and a retracted state based on the rotation of the ice-making box. The ice maker according to claim 8, characterized in that, in the water supply state, the water-blocking plate is located between the ice-making box and the ice storage tank and blocks at least a portion of the ice storage opening above it.

10. The ice maker further includes a first stopper and a second stopper connected to the ice box and cooperating with the watertight member, At the ice-making position, the connecting plate abuts against the first stopper. The ice maker according to claim 9, characterized in that the connecting plate abuts against the second stopper at the discharge position.

11. The ice maker further includes a pressing member connected to the water tank and cooperating with the water-blocking member, In the water-conducting state, the pressing member comes into contact with the water-blocking member. The ice maker according to claim 9, characterized in that, in the retracted state, the pressing member disengages from contact with the water-blocking member.

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