Ice cream machine

Abstract

An ice cream machine, comprising a body, a refrigeration container, and a stirring assembly arranged in the refrigeration container, wherein the stirring assembly comprises a rotating shaft driven to rotate and a stirring blade fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft being configured to be capable of driving the stirring blade to rotate in the refrigeration container to create in the direction of height a stirring zone for stirring ice cream; the stirring blade is fixedly connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft by means of a coupling device, and the top surface of the coupling device is arranged within the stirring zone, thus allowing a user to easily scoop the ice cream from the refrigeration container; and the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the bottom wall of the refrigeration container by means of a positioning device, a sealing member being provided between the positioning device and each of the bottom wall and the rotating shaft. The machine enables the space occupied by the rotating shaft in the refrigeration container to be reduced, allowing a user to easily scoop ice cream from the refrigeration container.

Description

An ice cream machine Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of ice cream machines, and in particular to an ice cream machine. Background Art

[0002] With the upgrading of consumption, the types of ice cream have become more abundant and diversified, and its taste has also become richer. Now many consumers like to buy ice cream made on site for reasons such as fresh taste and clear and visible hygiene. The ice cream machine used for on-site ice cream making is also called a front-desk ice cream machine. Consumers can watch the ice cream making process while buying and waiting.

[0003] In related art, ice cream machines feature a holding cylinder, which houses a stirring shaft equipped with several stirring blades. Once ingredients are placed in the cylinder, a drive mechanism rotates the stirring shaft to evenly mix the ingredients. This, combined with a condensing device located outside the cylinder, allows the ice cream to be quickly produced. However, if the seal between the stirring shaft and the cylinder is poor, liquid inside the cylinder can leak out and flow into electrical components such as the motor, potentially damaging the machine.

[0004] In order to solve this technical problem, a Chinese utility model patent with publication number CN219502503U discloses a stirring device for an ice cream machine, including a stirrer, a containing barrel and a driving device for driving the stirrer to rotate, and the stirrer is rotatably connected to the containing barrel; the driving device includes a motor and a drive shaft, the drive shaft extends into the containing barrel, and the stirrer is sleeved on the drive shaft; a mounting column is provided in the containing barrel, and the mounting column is located between the drive shaft and the stirrer; a waterproof sleeve is provided between the mounting column and the drive shaft; the mounting column is used to seal the gap between the stirring shaft and the containing barrel, which helps prevent ice cream leakage.

[0005] However, in the above patent, due to the arrangement of the mounting post and the waterproof sleeve, the length of the drive shaft is relatively long, and the drive shaft occupies a relatively large space in the refrigeration container, which affects the taking out of the ice cream in the refrigeration container.

[0006] Utility Model Content

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, the present application provides an ice cream maker that reduces the space occupied by the drive shaft in the refrigeration container, thereby avoiding affecting the user's ability to take the ice cream in the refrigeration container.

[0008] The present application provides an ice cream machine, comprising a machine body, a refrigeration container, and a stirring assembly disposed in the refrigeration container, wherein the stirring assembly comprises a rotating shaft driven to rotate and a stirring paddle fixed to the rotating shaft, wherein the rotating shaft is configured to drive the stirring paddle to rotate in the refrigeration container to form a stirring range for stirring the ice cream in a height direction;

[0009] The stirring paddle is fixedly connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft by a coupling device, and the top surface of the coupling device is arranged within the stirring range to facilitate the user to take ice cream from the refrigerated container;

[0010] The coupling device includes a connecting sleeve, which is arranged between the stirring paddle and the rotating shaft to fix the stirring paddle to the upper end of the rotating shaft;

[0011] The rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the bottom wall of the refrigeration container via a positioning device, and sealing members are provided between the positioning device, the bottom wall and the rotating shaft.

[0012] Several optional methods are also provided below, but they are not intended to be additional limitations on the above-mentioned overall solution. They are merely further supplements or optimizations. Under the premise that there are no technical or logical contradictions, each optional method can be combined separately for the above-mentioned overall solution, or multiple optional methods can be combined.

[0013] Optionally, the height of the top surface of the coupling device is lower than the height of the stirring paddle.

[0014] Optionally, the top of the stirring range is flush with the top of the stirring paddle.

[0015] Optionally, the height of the top surface of the coupling device is H1, the height of the refrigeration container is H2, and they satisfy H1:H2=(0.2-0.5):1.

[0016] Optionally, the stirring paddle is fixed to the connecting sleeve;

[0017] The connecting sleeve is sleeved on the outer side of the rotating shaft.

[0018] Optionally, the connecting sleeve has a stop hole, and the rotating shaft can be located in the stop hole and fixed to the circumference of the connecting sleeve.

[0019] Optionally, the coupling device includes:

[0020] A pin, which is arranged on the top of the rotating shaft;

[0021] A pin hole is configured in the connecting sleeve, and the pin hole cooperates with the pin shaft to fix the stirring paddle to the rotating shaft.

[0022] Optionally, the coupling device further includes a mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is fixedly connected to the top of the rotating shaft;

[0023] There are two pins, which are located on both sides of the mounting portion.

[0024] Optionally, the positioning device includes:

[0025] a fixed sleeve, which is fixed to the refrigeration container and sleeved on the outer side of the rotating shaft;

[0026] a locking member, which is configured on the fixing sleeve;

[0027] Wherein, a first sealing member is arranged between the fixing sleeve and the rotating shaft, and the locking member is configured to fix the first sealing member between the locking member and the fixing sleeve.

[0028] Optionally, the locking member has a shaft hole for the rotating shaft to pass through;

[0029] At least one second sealing member is disposed between the locking member and the rotating shaft.

[0030] Optionally, the locking member includes:

[0031] a first portion having an axial hole, wherein the first sealing member is located between the first portion and the fixing sleeve; and

[0032] The second part is sleeved on the outer side of the fixing sleeve and is threadedly connected with the fixing sleeve.

[0033] Optionally, the stirring assembly further includes:

[0034] a support seat, which is arranged outside the refrigeration container and fixedly connected to the fixing sleeve;

[0035] Wherein, the support seat has a drainage surface, and the drainage surface is used to drain the condensed water outside the rotating shaft.

[0036] The present application provides an ice cream machine, wherein the top surface of the coupling device is arranged within the stirring range, so as to reduce the space occupied by the rotating shaft in the refrigeration container, making it easier for the user to take ice cream from the refrigeration container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an ice cream machine according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of the container in FIG1 ;

[0039] FIG3 is another perspective of the container in FIG2 ;

[0040] FIG4 is a cross-sectional view AA in FIG3;

[0041] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure in FIG4 ;

[0042] FIG6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment AA in FIG3;

[0043] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure in FIG6;

[0044] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of FIG7 in which the refrigeration container is omitted;

[0045] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of FIG8 omitting the stirring paddle;

[0046] FIG10 is a cross-sectional view of a partial structure of an ice cream machine according to another embodiment;

[0047] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of FIG10 in which the refrigeration container is omitted;

[0048] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure in FIG11 .

[0049] The reference numerals in the figure are explained as follows: 100, body; 10, refrigeration container; 11, accommodating chamber; 12, bottom wall; 13, side wall; 14, mounting hole; 20, stirring assembly; 21, stirring paddle; 22, rotating shaft; 23, power source; 231, motor; 30, positioning device; 31, fixing sleeve; 311, mounting groove; 312, through hole; 313, limiting portion; 32, locking member; 321, shaft hole; 322, first part; 323, second part; 33, first sealing member; 34, second sealing member; 35, third sealing member; 36, fourth sealing member; 37, supporting seat; 371, drainage surface; 40, coupling device; 401, connecting sleeve; 41, pin shaft; 42, mounting portion; 43, pin hole; 44, guide groove; 45, anti-rotation hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0051] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component. When a component is referred to as being "disposed on" another component, it may be directly disposed on the other component or there may be an intermediate component.

[0052] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0053] As shown in Figures 1 to 12, the present application provides an ice cream machine, including a machine body 100, a refrigeration container 10, and a stirring assembly 20 disposed in the refrigeration container 10. The stirring assembly 20 includes a rotating shaft 22 that is driven to rotate and a stirring paddle 21 fixed to the rotating shaft 22. The rotating shaft 22 is configured to drive the stirring paddle 21 to rotate in the refrigeration container 10 to form a stirring range in the height direction for stirring the ice cream; the stirring paddle 21 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft 22 by a coupling device 40, and the top surface of the coupling device 40 is configured within the stirring range to facilitate the user to scoop ice cream from the refrigeration container 10; the coupling device 40 includes a connecting sleeve 401, which is configured between the stirring paddle 21 and the rotating shaft 22 to fix the stirring paddle 21 to the upper end of the rotating shaft 22; the rotating shaft 22 is rotatably connected to the bottom wall 12 of the refrigeration container 10 by a positioning device 30, and a seal is provided between the positioning device 30 and the bottom wall 12 and the rotating shaft 22.

[0054] The rotating shaft 22 is driven to rotate so as to drive the stirring paddle 21 to rotate, and the stirring paddle 21 can stir the ice cream in the refrigeration container 10. The top surface of the coupling device 40 is configured within the stirring range to reduce the space occupied by the rotating shaft 22 in the refrigeration container 10 and to avoid interference with the scoop when taking the ice cream. The stirring range of the ice cream can be understood as follows: the stirring range is determined by the height of the ice cream in the refrigeration container 11; if the ice cream in the refrigeration container 11 is too high, the stirring paddle 21 may overflow the refrigeration container 11 when stirring the ice cream; if the ice cream in the refrigeration container 11 is too low, the stirring paddle 21 may not stir the ice cream. For example, the top of the stirring range is set flush with the top of the stirring paddle 21.

[0055] Specific configuration of the refrigeration container 10; Referring to one embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, 6, and 10, the refrigeration container 10 has an open accommodating chamber 11; a stirring paddle 21 is located in the accommodating chamber 11 and stirs the ice cream in the accommodating chamber 11. The refrigeration container 10 includes a bottom wall 12 and a side wall 13; the bottom wall 12 and the side wall 13 enclose the accommodating chamber 11; wherein the bottom wall 12 is generally plate-shaped; the side wall 13 is cylindrical in structure, with one end of the side wall 13 along its own axis being open to form an opening, and the other end being connected to the bottom wall 12. The bottom wall 12 has a mounting hole 14, through which the rotating shaft 22 extends into the accommodating chamber 11.

[0056] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, 6, and 10, the height of the top surface of the coupling device 40 is H1, and the height of the refrigeration container 10 is H2, with H1:H2 = (0.2-0.5):1. If the top surface of the coupling device 40 is too high, it will increase the space occupied by the coupling device 40 within the refrigeration container 10; preferably, H1:H2 = 0.3:1. The top surface of the coupling device 40 is lower than the height of the stirring paddle 21 to ensure that the top surface of the coupling device 40 is positioned within the stirring range.

[0057] Specific configuration of the rotating shaft 22; Referring to one embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 to 12, a portion of the rotating shaft 22 is located inside the refrigeration container 10 and connected to the stirring paddle 21, while the other portion is located outside the refrigeration container 10 and connected to the power source 23. The power source 23 is a motor 231, which is located outside the refrigeration container 10. The motor 231 can be connected to the rotating shaft 22 via a speed reducer or other means to enable the motor 231 to drive the rotating shaft 22 to rotate.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 12 , the connecting sleeve 401 is generally tubular. The stirring paddle 21 is fixed to the connecting sleeve 401; the stirring paddle 21 is secured to the outside of the connecting sleeve 401 by welding or screws. The connecting sleeve 401 is sleeved onto the outside of the rotating shaft 22 to facilitate connection between the connecting sleeve 401 and the rotating shaft 22.

[0059] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 9, the coupling device 4 also includes a pin 41 and a pin hole 43. The pin 41 is arranged at the top of the rotating shaft 22; the pin hole 43 is arranged in the connecting sleeve 401, and the pin hole 43 cooperates with the pin 41 to fix the stirring paddle 21 to the rotating shaft 22. The coupling device 40 also includes a mounting portion 42, which is fixed to the top of the rotating shaft 22; there are two pins 41, and the two pins 41 are respectively located on both sides of the mounting portion 42. The mounting portion 42 is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 22 by welding, bonding, threading or screws, and the pin 41 is fixed to the outside of the mounting portion 42 by welding, bonding, threading or screws. The connecting sleeve 401 also has a guide groove 44 connected to the pin hole 43. The pin 41 can enter and exit the pin hole 43 through the guide groove 44 to facilitate the disassembly and assembly of the stirring paddle 21 and the rotating shaft 22. Among them, the guide groove 44 is open at the bottom of the connecting sleeve 401. When the connecting sleeve 401 is installed on the mounting portion 42, the pin 41 enters from the bottom of the guide groove 44; after the connecting sleeve 401 and the mounting portion 42 are installed in place, the pin 41 enters into the pin hole 43.

[0060] Of course, in other embodiments, as shown in Figures 10 to 12 , the connecting sleeve 401 has a stop hole 45 , and the rotating shaft 22 can be positioned within the stop hole 45 and circumferentially fixed to the connecting sleeve 401 ; when the connecting sleeve 401 is sleeved on the outside of the rotating shaft 22 , the rotating shaft 22 extends into the stop hole 45 , thereby facilitating the connection between the connecting sleeve 401 and the rotating shaft 22 . The stop hole 45 is a non-circular structure; the cross-section of the portion of the rotating shaft 22 that engages the stop hole 45 is substantially the same shape as the stop hole 45 . For example, the stop hole 45 is a square hole; the cross-section of the portion of the rotating shaft 22 that engages the stop hole 45 is square.

[0061] Specific configuration of the positioning device 30; Referring to one embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 10, the positioning device 30 includes a fixing sleeve 31 and a locking member 32. The fixing sleeve 31 is fixed to the refrigeration container 10 and is mounted on the outside of the rotating shaft 22. The locking member 32 is disposed on the fixing sleeve 31. A first sealing member 33 is disposed between the fixing sleeve 31 and the rotating shaft. The locking member 32 is configured to secure the first sealing member 33 between the locking member 32 and the fixing sleeve 31. The first sealing member 33 can prevent liquid from leaking out of the refrigeration container 10, causing damage to the motor 231 and affecting the operation of the ice cream machine. The sealing member includes the first sealing member 33.

[0062] Specific configuration of the fixing sleeve 31: Referring to one embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 7, the fixing sleeve 31 is inserted into the mounting hole 14 and fixedly connected to the refrigeration container 10. The fixing sleeve 31 is generally cylindrical in structure and has a through hole 312 for the rotating shaft 22 to pass through. The rotating shaft 22 is arranged to fit closely with the wall of the through hole 312 with a gap. To ensure the fixing sleeve 31 is fixedly connected to the refrigeration container 10, in some embodiments, the outer wall 13 of the fixing sleeve 31 is provided with a limit portion 313. The portion of the fixing sleeve 31 located inside the refrigeration container 10 abuts against the inner wall of the refrigeration container 10 through the limit portion 313, while the portion located outside the refrigeration container 10 is fixedly connected to the support seat 37 by means of threads, adhesive bonding, welding, or bolts, thereby securing the fixing sleeve 31 to the refrigeration container 10. A third sealing member 35 is provided between the limit portion 313 and the refrigeration container 10 to strengthen the seal between the fixing sleeve 31 and the refrigeration container 10. The sealing member includes the third sealing member 35.

[0063] Specific arrangement of the locking member 32; Referring to one embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 7, the locking member 32 has a shaft hole 321 for the rotating shaft 22 to pass through; at least one second sealing member 34 is arranged between the locking member 32 and the rotating shaft 22 to strengthen the seal between the locking member 32 and the rotating shaft 22. The rotating shaft 22 and the wall of the shaft hole 321 are fitted or clearance-fitted; the shaft hole 321 can support the rotating shaft 22. The gap between the rotating shaft 22 and the wall of the shaft hole 321 is smaller than the gap between the rotating shaft 22 and the through hole 312. Preferably, two second sealing members 34 are arranged between the locking member 32 and the rotating shaft 22; the two second sealing members 34 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 22. The sealing member includes a second sealing member 34.

[0064] Specifically, the locking member 32 has a generally cylindrical structure and includes a first portion 322 and a second portion 323. The first portion 322 has an axial hole 321, and a first sealing member 33 is positioned between the first portion 322 and the fixing sleeve 31. The second portion 323 is sleeved onto the outside of the fixing sleeve 31 and threadedly connected to the fixing sleeve 31. The first portion 322 and the fixing sleeve 31 are axially arranged along the rotating shaft 22, with the first sealing member 33 positioned between the first portion 322 and the fixing sleeve 31. A fourth sealing member 36 is positioned between the second portion 323 and the refrigeration container 10. In other embodiments, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a mounting groove 311 is formed between the fixing sleeve 31 and the rotating shaft 22. At least a portion of the locking member 32 is positioned within the mounting groove 311 and threadedly connected to the fixing sleeve 31. The sealing member is positioned between the bottom wall 12 of the mounting groove 311 and the locking member 32. The sealing member includes a fourth sealing member 36.

[0065] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 to 7, the stirring assembly 20 further includes a support base 37, which is disposed outside the refrigeration container 10 and is fixedly connected to the fixed sleeve 31. When the ice cream machine is in use, the temperature of the rotating shaft 22 is affected by the cooling system of the ice cream machine and the ice cream in the refrigeration container 10, resulting in a lower temperature of the rotating shaft 22. This causes moisture in the air to condense on the outside of the rotating shaft 22. The condensed water condensed on the outside of the rotating shaft 22 will flow into the motor 231, causing damage to the motor 231. To solve this technical problem, referring to one embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 to 7, the support base 37 has a drainage surface 371, which is used to drain the condensed water on the outside of the rotating shaft 22. The drainage surface 371 is a conical surface; the drainage surface 371 is continuously arranged around the rotating shaft 22.

[0066] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined in any manner. To simplify the description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there are no conflicts in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification. When technical features in different embodiments are reflected in the same figure, it can be regarded as that figure also discloses the combination examples of the various embodiments involved.

[0067] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art could make numerous variations and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. An ice cream machine, comprising a machine body, a refrigeration container, and a stirring assembly disposed in the refrigeration container. The stirring assembly includes a rotating shaft driven to rotate and stirring paddles fixed to the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is configured to drive the stirring paddles to rotate in the refrigeration container to form a stirring range for stirring ice cream in the height direction; characterized in that: The stirring paddles are fixedly connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft by a coupling device, and the top surface of the coupling device is disposed within the stirring range, so as to facilitate a user to scoop ice cream from the refrigeration container; The coupling device includes a connecting sleeve, and the connecting sleeve is disposed between the stirring paddle and the rotating shaft, so that the stirring paddle is fixedly connected to the upper end of the rotating shaft; The rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the bottom wall of the refrigeration container by a positioning device, and seals are provided between the positioning device and the bottom wall and the rotating shaft respectively.

2. An ice cream machine according to claim 1, wherein, The height of the top surface of the coupling device is lower than the height of the stirring paddle.

3. An ice cream machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top of the stirring range is flush with the top of the stirring paddle.

4. An ice cream machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The height of the top surface of the coupling device is H1, and the height of the refrigeration container is H2, and H1:H2 = (0.2 - 0.5):1 is satisfied.

5. An ice cream machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The stirring paddle is fixedly connected to the connecting sleeve; The connecting sleeve is sleeved outside the rotating shaft.

6. An ice cream machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connecting sleeve has an anti-rotation hole, and the rotating shaft can be located in the anti-rotation hole and is circumferentially fixed to the connecting sleeve.

7. An ice cream machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The coupling device includes: A pin shaft, which is disposed at the top of the rotating shaft; A pin hole, which is disposed in the connecting sleeve, and the pin hole cooperates with the pin shaft to fix the stirring paddle to the rotating shaft.

8. An ice cream machine according to claim 7, wherein, The coupling device further includes a mounting portion, and the mounting portion is fixedly connected to the top of the rotating shaft; The number of the pin shafts is two, and the two pin shafts are respectively located on both sides of the mounting portion.

9. An ice cream machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The positioning device includes: A fixed sleeve, which is fixedly connected to the refrigeration container and sleeved outside the rotating shaft; A locking member, which is disposed in the fixed sleeve; Wherein, a first seal is provided between the fixed sleeve and the rotating shaft, and the locking member is configured to fix the first seal between the locking member and the fixed sleeve.

10. An ice cream machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, The locking member has a shaft hole for the rotating shaft to pass through; At least one second seal is provided between the locking member and the rotating shaft; The locking member includes: A first part, which has a shaft hole, and the first seal is located between the first part and the fixed sleeve; and A second part, which is sleeved outside the fixed sleeve and is threadedly connected to the fixed sleeve; The stirring assembly further includes: A support base, which is disposed outside the refrigeration container and fixedly connected to the fixed sleeve; Wherein, the support base has a drainage surface for draining the condensed water outside the rotating shaft.

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