EP3717845B1 - Icemaker - Google Patents
Icemaker Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3717845B1 EP3717845B1 EP18816141.8A EP18816141A EP3717845B1 EP 3717845 B1 EP3717845 B1 EP 3717845B1 EP 18816141 A EP18816141 A EP 18816141A EP 3717845 B1 EP3717845 B1 EP 3717845B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- icemaker
- sprayer
- water
- cells
- ice
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 47
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000003134 recirculating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003638 chemical reducing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/22—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/12—Producing ice by freezing water on cooled surfaces, e.g. to form slabs
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/04—Producing ice by using stationary moulds
- F25C1/045—Producing ice by using stationary moulds with the open end pointing downwards
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/22—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
- F25C1/25—Filling devices for moulds
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/18—Storing ice
- F25C5/182—Ice bins therefor
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2500/00—Problems to be solved
- F25C2500/06—Spillage or flooding of water
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an icemaker, particularly for making ice in the form of cubes, small cylinders or the like.
- An icemaker of this type comprises an evaporator equipped with a plurality of open cells for forming ice cubes that are hit by the jet of water drops dispensed by one or more spray nozzles.
- the cells release the ice cubes onto an underlying conveying baffle that is in turn inclined downwards so as to convey the ice cubes by the force of gravity to a collector that is accessible from the exterior.
- US 2004/093878 A1 discloses an icemaker of the prior art in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.
- An icemaker of this type has various drawbacks.
- the water and consequently the formed ice are exposed to the risk of contamination from liquid and solid particles that may become detached from consumable components of the icemaker, for example the recirculation pump.
- the technical task of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an icemaker which obviates the drawbacks of the prior art.
- one aim of the invention is to make an icemaker that produces ice elements that are homogeneous in shape, dimensions and consistency.
- Another aim of the invention is to make an icemaker that permits simple access to the parts thereof for inspection, cleaning and maintenance.
- Not the least important aim of the invention is to make an icemaker that is configured to protect the water from contamination that is intended for the formation of ice elements.
- an icemaker comprising an evaporator equipped with a plurality of open cells for the formation of ice elements, a sprayer for spraying water into the cells, a tank for collecting the water not transformed into ice in the cells, characterised in that said sprayer has an element for occluding said cells equipped with a plurality of calibrated holes, each for access to a corresponding cell and a plurality of nozzles each engaged in a corresponding access hole for the injection of water into a corresponding cell, said sprayer being supported by a support in a movable way between an opening position and a closing position of said cells by means of said occlusion element, a kinematic mechanism for moving said support also being provided externally to said tank.
- each injection nozzle and the corresponding hole there is a gap for the outlet of the water not transformed into ice.
- said support has guides for extracting and introducing said sprayer.
- said sprayer has a drainage channel for draining the water not transformed into ice towards the inside said tank.
- said drainage channel is provided on an internal wall of said sprayer where also said nozzles are provided.
- said access holes are provided on a first external wall of said sprayer that is structurally independent and separated from said internal wall.
- each injection nozzle is positioned coaxially with the corresponding hole.
- each injection nozzle is oriented along a central axis of the corresponding cell.
- each cell has a corresponding hole for the passage of air which is offset from the direction along which the corresponding nozzle is oriented in said closing position.
- each nozzle has a tip in an intermediate position between the ends of the corresponding hole.
- said sprayer has a water collector.
- said water collector is delimited by said internal wall and by a second external wall of said sprayer that is structurally independent and separated from said internal wall.
- said internal wall has connecting means that is releasable with said first and second external wall.
- said support is configured as an oscillating rocker that has a first lever arm that supports said sprayer and a second lever arm for starting the movement from said kinematic mechanism.
- said kinematic mechanism comprises a first motorised rod constrained in translation and a second rod having a first end constrained to said first rod and a second end constrained to said second lever arm.
- a water recirculation circuit for the water collected in the tank that has a recirculation pump positioned outside said collecting tank.
- the icemaker 1 comprises an evaporator 2 inserted into a refrigerating circuit and equipped with a plurality of open cells 3 for the formation of ice elements, for example but not necessarily ice cubes 13.
- the icemaker 1 further comprises a sprayer 4 for spraying water into the cells 3, a tank 5 for collecting the water not transformed into ice in the cells 3, and a water recirculation circuit for recirculating the water not transformed into ice.
- the evaporator 2 is fixed above the sprayer 4 and comprises a coil 6 in which the coolant of the refrigerating circuit circulates and a flat wall 7 having cells 3 with the open end thereof exposed to the jet of the underlying sprayer 4.
- the collecting tank 5 is positioned inside a large collecting tank 12 for collecting the ice cubes 13 and has on the front side 17 a window 14 provided with a curtain 15 releasing the ice cubes 13 to the large collecting tank 12.
- the large collecting tank 12 for collecting the ice cubes 13 is accessible through an opening 16 of the front side 18 of the outer casing of the icemaker 1.
- the sprayer 4 has an element 8 for occluding the cells 3 equipped with a plurality of calibrated holes 9, each of which gives access to a corresponding cell 3.
- the sprayer 4 also has a plurality of nozzles 10, each of which is engaged in a corresponding access hole 9 for injecting water into a corresponding cell 3.
- Each injection nozzle 10 is positioned coaxially with the corresponding hole 9.
- each injection nozzle 10 is in an intermediate position between the ends of the corresponding hole 9.
- the sprayer 4 also has a drainage channel 21 for draining the water not transformed into ice towards the inside the collecting tank 5.
- the sprayer 4 has a water collector 24.
- the sprayer 4 has a detachable structure that is made for example in at least three parts that are assembled structurally independent and separate from one another.
- the drainage channel 21 is provided on an internal wall 22 of the sprayer 4 where the nozzles 10 are also provided.
- the occlusion element 8 and the access holes 9 are provided on a first external wall 23 of the sprayer 4 that is structurally independent and separated from the internal wall 22.
- the water collector 24 is limited by the internal wall 22 and by a second external wall 25 of the sprayer 4 that is structurally independent and separated from the internal wall 22.
- the first external wall 23 is on the side of the internal wall 22 facing the evaporator 2 whereas the second external wall 25 of the sprayer 4 is on the opposite side of the internal wall 22.
- the first external wall 23 is a longitudinal flat plate facing the evaporator 2 and provided with an orderly distribution of circular through holes 9.
- the first external wall 23 is made of a slippery material, for example of plastics with low roughness and high thermal insulation to ensure that the ice cubes 13 slide without melting.
- the internal wall 22 is a longitudinal flat plate with an outline matching the first external wall 23.
- the internal wall 22 has orthogonal longitudinal baffles 26 that delineate channels 27 parallel to the channel 21, and an orderly distribution of orthogonal cylindrical nozzles 10 positioned along the channels 27.
- the nozzles 10 have a height that is greater than the height of the baffles 26 and the internal channel of the nozzles 10 continues until it passes through the thickness of the internal wall 22.
- the internal wall 22 has along the two long perimeter edges two lateral walls 28, 29 that extend from the side facing the first external wall 23, whereas the two short perimeter edges on the side facing the first external wall 23 are free to permit the outflow of the water from the channel 21.
- the sprayer 4 has connecting means that is releasable between the internal wall 22 and the external walls 23, 25.
- the first external wall 23 is maintained in position resting on the baffles 26 of the internal wall 22 through the combined action of an elastically yielding hook 34 provided on a lateral wall 28 and grooved couplings 35 provided on the other lateral wall 29.
- the internal wall 22 has on the side facing the second external wall 25 a perimeter frame 30 mating with a perimeter counter frame 31 that extends along the perimeter from the second external wall 25.
- the second external wall 25 is a longitudinal flat plate with an outline matching the first external wall 23.
- the three walls 22, 23, 25 are stacked with a lie parallel to a suitable distance from one another.
- the water collector 24 is delimited in the gap comprised between the internal wall 22 and the second external wall 25 and has at the second external wall 25 an inlet mouth 36.
- the sprayer 4 is supported by a support 11 controlled by a relevant kinematic mechanism to move between an open position and a closed position of the cells 3 that are controlled by the occlusion element 8.
- the support 11 has guides 19 for extracting and introducing the sprayer 4.
- the guides 19 are configured to extract and introduce the sprayer 4 from the window 14 of the front side 17 of the tank 5 for collecting the water.
- the support 11 comprises a tray 38 equipped with two C-shaped side profiles 42 that extend behind the tray 38, a hinging pin 39 on which the rear prolongations 40 of the two C-shaped side profiles 42 are hinged, and a bar 41 that connects the rear ends of the two C-shaped side profiles 42.
- the hinging pin 39 is fixed to the frame of the icemaker 1.
- the two C-shaped side profiles 42 act as sliding guides 19.
- the support 11 is more in general configured as an oscillating rocker that has a first lever arm that supports the sprayer 4 and a second lever arm for starting the movement from the kinematic mechanism.
- the rotation axis of the rocker is horizontal and, with reference to the anteroposterior direction of the icemaker 1, the first lever arm of the rocker is positioned in front of the rotation axis of the rocker and the second lever arm of the rocker is positioned behind the rotation axis of the rocker.
- the tray 38 and the portion of the two C-shaped side profiles 42 in front of the pin 39 define the first lever arm of the rocker
- the pin 39 defines the rotation axis of the rocker
- the portion of the two C-shaped side profiles 42 behind the pin 39 and the bar 41 define the second lever arm of the rocker.
- the kinematic mechanism of the support 11 is outside the collecting tank 5.
- the kinematic mechanism of the support 11 is positioned behind the collecting tank 5 and comprises a first threaded vertical rod 43 constrained in vertical translation and a second rod 44 having an end hinged on the upper end of the first rod 43 and a second end hooked to the bar 41.
- a gear reducer 45 is provided that controls a nut screw 46 engaging the thread of the first rod 43.
- the water recirculation circuit has a recirculation pump 47 that is also advantageously positioned outside the collecting tank 5.
- the recirculation pump 47 is in particular positioned behind the collecting tank 5 and is provided with a flexible tube 48 connecting the inlet mouth 36 and a flexible tube 49 connecting an outlet mouth 50 of the collecting tank 5.
- the icemaker 1 operates in the following manner.
- the sprayer 4 is initially in the position in which the occlusion element 8 engages the evaporator 2 so as to close the cells 3.
- the occlusion element 8 comes to rest against the perimeter edge of the open side of the cells 3, so as to prevent water dripping from one cell 3 to the other, which could cause ice burrs to form along the edges of the ice cubes 13.
- the evaporator is activated by switching on the compressor of the relative refrigerating circuit, and the recirculation pump 47 is activated.
- the nozzles 10 start to inject water into the closed cells 3.
- Each injection nozzle 10 is oriented along a central axis of the corresponding cell 3.
- the flow of water that has not been transformed into ice exits the cell 3 through the gap 20 without interfering with the flow of water injected by the nozzle 10 and thus without causing uncontrollable distortions of the flow of water.
- the ice cubes 13 that are thus produced are accordingly homogeneous in terms of shape, dimensions and consistency.
- the kinematic mechanism is activated so as to move the sprayer 4 to a position in which the occlusion element 8 opens the cells 3 and moves from a horizontal position to a position inclined downwards to promote sliding of the ice cubes to the large collecting tank 12.
- the detachment of the ice cubes 13 from the cells 3 can be promoted by momentaneous reversal of the refrigerating cycle.
- the detachment of the ice cubes 13 from the cells 3 is also assisted by the provision in each cell 3 of a corresponding hole 37 for the passage of air that places the space in communication with the atmospheric air, the space opening between the walls of the cell 3 and the upper surface of the ice cube 13 during the descent of the ice cube 13.
- the hole 37 for the passage of air is offset from the injection direction of the water in the cell 3.
- the icemaker 1 can be dismantled extremely simply to access all the main components thereof for inspection and cleaning operations.
- the sprayer 4 when it is in the position of disengagement from the evaporator 2, can be removed frontally from its sliding guides 19 by the user, who accesses the sprayer 4 with his or her hands from the window 14 on the front side 17 of the collecting tank 5 for collecting the water.
- the collecting tank 5 is extractable through the opening 16 of the front side 18 of the outer casing of the icemaker 1 and for this purpose reciprocally coupled fixed and movable sliding guides are provided, in particular fixed guides 52 supported internally by the large collecting tank 12 and oriented in an anteroposterior direction of the icemaker 1 and movable guides 53 supported outside by the collecting tank 53.
- the evaporator 2 can be removed from the top by preliminary removal of the cap of the outer casing of the icemaker 1.
- the evaporator 2 has quick couplings 51 for connecting to the refrigerating circuit.
- the quick couplings 51 of the evaporator 2 are oriented upwards because the evaporator 2 is disconnected by a vertical movement.
- the quick couplings 51 of the evaporator 2 can be oriented horizontally in an anteroposterior direction of the icemaker 1 to a disconnection of the evaporator 2 by a horizontal movement that is consistent with the movement of extraction of the collecting tank 5.
- the rear portions 40 of the two C-shaped side profiles 42 can be covered by a shroud.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
- Special Spraying Apparatus (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
- Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to an icemaker, particularly for making ice in the form of cubes, small cylinders or the like.
- An icemaker of this type comprises an evaporator equipped with a plurality of open cells for forming ice cubes that are hit by the jet of water drops dispensed by one or more spray nozzles. The cells release the ice cubes onto an underlying conveying baffle that is in turn inclined downwards so as to convey the ice cubes by the force of gravity to a collector that is accessible from the exterior.
- The open side of the cells faces an underlying tank for collecting the water not transformed into ice that contains a recirculation pump.
US 2004/093878 A1 discloses an icemaker of the prior art in accordance with the preamble ofclaim 1. - An icemaker of this type has various drawbacks.
- Firstly, it is not possible to ensure that the nozzles distribute the drops of water correctly to the cells, which may fill discontinuously and partially with the result that the cubes may have shape and/or dimension and/or consistency defects.
- Secondly, not all the parts of the icemaker exposed to contact with the water are easy to inspect and reach for cleaning and maintenance.
- Thirdly, the water and consequently the formed ice are exposed to the risk of contamination from liquid and solid particles that may become detached from consumable components of the icemaker, for example the recirculation pump.
- The technical task of the present invention is, therefore, to provide an icemaker which obviates the drawbacks of the prior art.
- In the context of this technical task, one aim of the invention is to make an icemaker that produces ice elements that are homogeneous in shape, dimensions and consistency.
- Another aim of the invention is to make an icemaker that permits simple access to the parts thereof for inspection, cleaning and maintenance.
- Not the least important aim of the invention is to make an icemaker that is configured to protect the water from contamination that is intended for the formation of ice elements.
- The technical task, as well as these and other objects according to the present invention, are achieved by creating an icemaker comprising an evaporator equipped with a plurality of open cells for the formation of ice elements, a sprayer for spraying water into the cells, a tank for collecting the water not transformed into ice in the cells, characterised in that said sprayer has an element for occluding said cells equipped with a plurality of calibrated holes, each for access to a corresponding cell and a plurality of nozzles each engaged in a corresponding access hole for the injection of water into a corresponding cell, said sprayer being supported by a support in a movable way between an opening position and a closing position of said cells by means of said occlusion element, a kinematic mechanism for moving said support also being provided externally to said tank.
- Advantageously, between each injection nozzle and the corresponding hole, there is a gap for the outlet of the water not transformed into ice.
- Advantageously, said support has guides for extracting and introducing said sprayer. Advantageously, said sprayer has a drainage channel for draining the water not transformed into ice towards the inside said tank.
- Advantageously, said drainage channel is provided on an internal wall of said sprayer where also said nozzles are provided.
- Advantageously, said access holes are provided on a first external wall of said sprayer that is structurally independent and separated from said internal wall.
- Preferably, each injection nozzle is positioned coaxially with the corresponding hole. Preferably, in said closed position each injection nozzle is oriented along a central axis of the corresponding cell.
- Preferably, each cell has a corresponding hole for the passage of air which is offset from the direction along which the corresponding nozzle is oriented in said closing position.
- Preferably, each nozzle has a tip in an intermediate position between the ends of the corresponding hole.
- Advantageously, said sprayer has a water collector.
- Advantageously, said water collector is delimited by said internal wall and by a second external wall of said sprayer that is structurally independent and separated from said internal wall. Advantageously, said internal wall has connecting means that is releasable with said first and second external wall.
- Preferably, said support is configured as an oscillating rocker that has a first lever arm that supports said sprayer and a second lever arm for starting the movement from said kinematic mechanism.
- Preferably, said kinematic mechanism comprises a first motorised rod constrained in translation and a second rod having a first end constrained to said first rod and a second end constrained to said second lever arm.
- Advantageously, a water recirculation circuit is provided for the water collected in the tank that has a recirculation pump positioned outside said collecting tank.
- Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will more fully emerge from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the icemaker according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the appended drawings, wherein:
-
figure 1 shows a perspective view of the icemaker; -
figure 2 shows a perspective view of the icemaker with the collecting tank removed for better understanding; -
figure 3 shows a perspective view of the sprayer in a position that is partially extracted from the corresponding support; -
figure 4 shows a perspective view of the dismantled sprayer; -
figure 5 shows a perspective view of the sprayer in a position that is sectioned longitudinally in the direction of the thickness thereof; -
figure 6 shows a perspective view of a detail of the icemaker comprising the evaporator, the sprayer with the support thereof in the closed position and the kinematic mechanism of the support; -
figure 7 shows a perspective view of a detail of the icemaker comprising the evaporator, the sprayer with the support thereof in the open position and the kinematic mechanism of the support; -
figure 8 shows a perspective view of the rear of the collecting tank with the quick couplings of the evaporator highlighted; -
figure 9 shows a perspective view of the rear of the collecting tank separated from the assembly comprising the evaporator and the sprayer support; -
figure 10a shows a lateral perspective view in vertical section of the icemaker with the support in the closed position; -
figure 10b shows a front view of the frame of the icemaker with the support in the closed position; -
figure 11a shows a lateral perspective view in vertical section of the icemaker with the support in the open position; and -
figure 11b shows a front view of the frame of the icemaker with the support in the open position. With reference to the figures cited, an icemaker is shown and indicated in its entirety byreference number 1. - The
icemaker 1 comprises anevaporator 2 inserted into a refrigerating circuit and equipped with a plurality ofopen cells 3 for the formation of ice elements, for example but not necessarilyice cubes 13. - The
icemaker 1 further comprises asprayer 4 for spraying water into thecells 3, atank 5 for collecting the water not transformed into ice in thecells 3, and a water recirculation circuit for recirculating the water not transformed into ice. - The
evaporator 2 is fixed above thesprayer 4 and comprises acoil 6 in which the coolant of the refrigerating circuit circulates and aflat wall 7 havingcells 3 with the open end thereof exposed to the jet of theunderlying sprayer 4. - The
collecting tank 5 is positioned inside alarge collecting tank 12 for collecting theice cubes 13 and has on the front side 17 awindow 14 provided with acurtain 15 releasing theice cubes 13 to the largecollecting tank 12. - The
large collecting tank 12 for collecting theice cubes 13 is accessible through an opening 16 of thefront side 18 of the outer casing of theicemaker 1. - From the
same opening 16 of thefront side 18 of the outer casing of theicemaker 1, it is possible to access thewindow 14 on thefront side 17 of thetank 5 for collecting the water. - The
sprayer 4 has an element 8 for occluding thecells 3 equipped with a plurality of calibratedholes 9, each of which gives access to acorresponding cell 3. - The
sprayer 4 also has a plurality ofnozzles 10, each of which is engaged in acorresponding access hole 9 for injecting water into acorresponding cell 3. - Between each
injection nozzle 10 and thecorresponding hole 9, there is agap 20 for the outlet from thecell 3 of the water not transformed into ice. - Each
injection nozzle 10 is positioned coaxially with thecorresponding hole 9. - The tip of each
injection nozzle 10 is in an intermediate position between the ends of thecorresponding hole 9. - The
sprayer 4 also has adrainage channel 21 for draining the water not transformed into ice towards the inside thecollecting tank 5. - Lastly, the
sprayer 4 has awater collector 24. - The
sprayer 4 has a detachable structure that is made for example in at least three parts that are assembled structurally independent and separate from one another. - The
drainage channel 21 is provided on aninternal wall 22 of thesprayer 4 where thenozzles 10 are also provided. - The occlusion element 8 and the
access holes 9 are provided on a firstexternal wall 23 of thesprayer 4 that is structurally independent and separated from theinternal wall 22. - The
water collector 24 is limited by theinternal wall 22 and by a secondexternal wall 25 of thesprayer 4 that is structurally independent and separated from theinternal wall 22. - The first
external wall 23 is on the side of theinternal wall 22 facing theevaporator 2 whereas the secondexternal wall 25 of thesprayer 4 is on the opposite side of theinternal wall 22. - More precisely, the first
external wall 23 is a longitudinal flat plate facing theevaporator 2 and provided with an orderly distribution of circular throughholes 9. - The first
external wall 23 is made of a slippery material, for example of plastics with low roughness and high thermal insulation to ensure that the ice cubes 13 slide without melting. - The
internal wall 22 is a longitudinal flat plate with an outline matching the firstexternal wall 23. - The
internal wall 22 has orthogonallongitudinal baffles 26 that delineatechannels 27 parallel to thechannel 21, and an orderly distribution of orthogonalcylindrical nozzles 10 positioned along thechannels 27. - The
nozzles 10 have a height that is greater than the height of thebaffles 26 and the internal channel of thenozzles 10 continues until it passes through the thickness of theinternal wall 22. Theinternal wall 22 has along the two long perimeter edges twolateral walls external wall 23, whereas the two short perimeter edges on the side facing the firstexternal wall 23 are free to permit the outflow of the water from thechannel 21. Thesprayer 4 has connecting means that is releasable between theinternal wall 22 and theexternal walls - In particular, the first
external wall 23 is maintained in position resting on thebaffles 26 of theinternal wall 22 through the combined action of an elastically yieldinghook 34 provided on alateral wall 28 andgrooved couplings 35 provided on the otherlateral wall 29. - Further, the
internal wall 22 has on the side facing the second external wall 25 aperimeter frame 30 mating with aperimeter counter frame 31 that extends along the perimeter from the secondexternal wall 25. - Between the
frame 30 and the counter frame 31 agasket 33 is positioned to ensure a seal joint. The secondexternal wall 25 is a longitudinal flat plate with an outline matching the firstexternal wall 23. - The three
walls water collector 24 is delimited in the gap comprised between theinternal wall 22 and the secondexternal wall 25 and has at the secondexternal wall 25 aninlet mouth 36. - The
sprayer 4 is supported by asupport 11 controlled by a relevant kinematic mechanism to move between an open position and a closed position of thecells 3 that are controlled by the occlusion element 8. - The
support 11 hasguides 19 for extracting and introducing thesprayer 4. - The
guides 19 are configured to extract and introduce thesprayer 4 from thewindow 14 of thefront side 17 of thetank 5 for collecting the water. - From the constructional point of view, the
support 11 comprises atray 38 equipped with two C-shaped side profiles 42 that extend behind thetray 38, ahinging pin 39 on which therear prolongations 40 of the two C-shaped side profiles 42 are hinged, and abar 41 that connects the rear ends of the two C-shaped side profiles 42. - The
hinging pin 39 is fixed to the frame of theicemaker 1. - The two C-shaped side profiles 42 act as sliding guides 19.
- The
support 11 is more in general configured as an oscillating rocker that has a first lever arm that supports thesprayer 4 and a second lever arm for starting the movement from the kinematic mechanism. - The rotation axis of the rocker is horizontal and, with reference to the anteroposterior direction of the
icemaker 1, the first lever arm of the rocker is positioned in front of the rotation axis of the rocker and the second lever arm of the rocker is positioned behind the rotation axis of the rocker. In thesupport structure 11 illustrated above by way of example, thetray 38 and the portion of the two C-shaped side profiles 42 in front of thepin 39 define the first lever arm of the rocker, thepin 39 defines the rotation axis of the rocker, and the portion of the two C-shaped side profiles 42 behind thepin 39 and thebar 41 define the second lever arm of the rocker. - The kinematic mechanism of the
support 11 is outside the collectingtank 5. - In particular, the kinematic mechanism of the
support 11 is positioned behind the collectingtank 5 and comprises a first threadedvertical rod 43 constrained in vertical translation and asecond rod 44 having an end hinged on the upper end of thefirst rod 43 and a second end hooked to thebar 41. - In order to drive the kinematic mechanism, a
gear reducer 45 is provided that controls anut screw 46 engaging the thread of thefirst rod 43. - The water recirculation circuit has a
recirculation pump 47 that is also advantageously positioned outside the collectingtank 5. - The
recirculation pump 47 is in particular positioned behind the collectingtank 5 and is provided with aflexible tube 48 connecting theinlet mouth 36 and a flexible tube 49 connecting anoutlet mouth 50 of thecollecting tank 5. - The
icemaker 1 operates in the following manner. - The
sprayer 4 is initially in the position in which the occlusion element 8 engages theevaporator 2 so as to close thecells 3. - The occlusion element 8 comes to rest against the perimeter edge of the open side of the
cells 3, so as to prevent water dripping from onecell 3 to the other, which could cause ice burrs to form along the edges of theice cubes 13. - The evaporator is activated by switching on the compressor of the relative refrigerating circuit, and the
recirculation pump 47 is activated. - The
nozzles 10 start to inject water into theclosed cells 3. - Each
injection nozzle 10 is oriented along a central axis of thecorresponding cell 3. - Owing to the specific position of the
nozzle 10 in thehole 9 and to the orientation of thenozzle 10, the flow of water that has not been transformed into ice exits thecell 3 through thegap 20 without interfering with the flow of water injected by thenozzle 10 and thus without causing uncontrollable distortions of the flow of water. - The
ice cubes 13 that are thus produced are accordingly homogeneous in terms of shape, dimensions and consistency. - The flow of water not transformed into ice exits the
gap 20 and flows into thechannels 27, from which it exits, flowing in turn into the collectingtank 5. - For the release of the
ice cubes 13, at the end of the production cycle the kinematic mechanism is activated so as to move thesprayer 4 to a position in which the occlusion element 8 opens thecells 3 and moves from a horizontal position to a position inclined downwards to promote sliding of the ice cubes to thelarge collecting tank 12. - The detachment of the
ice cubes 13 from thecells 3 can be promoted by momentaneous reversal of the refrigerating cycle. - The detachment of the
ice cubes 13 from thecells 3 is also assisted by the provision in eachcell 3 of a correspondinghole 37 for the passage of air that places the space in communication with the atmospheric air, the space opening between the walls of thecell 3 and the upper surface of theice cube 13 during the descent of theice cube 13. - In order to avoid the exit of water from the
hole 37 for the passage of air during the production of theice cube 13, thehole 37 for the passage of air is offset from the injection direction of the water in thecell 3. - Advantageously, the
icemaker 1 can be dismantled extremely simply to access all the main components thereof for inspection and cleaning operations. - The
sprayer 4, when it is in the position of disengagement from theevaporator 2, can be removed frontally from its slidingguides 19 by the user, who accesses thesprayer 4 with his or her hands from thewindow 14 on thefront side 17 of thecollecting tank 5 for collecting the water. - The collecting
tank 5 is extractable through theopening 16 of thefront side 18 of the outer casing of theicemaker 1 and for this purpose reciprocally coupled fixed and movable sliding guides are provided, in particular fixed guides 52 supported internally by thelarge collecting tank 12 and oriented in an anteroposterior direction of theicemaker 1 andmovable guides 53 supported outside by the collectingtank 53. - The
evaporator 2 can be removed from the top by preliminary removal of the cap of the outer casing of theicemaker 1. - In particular, the
evaporator 2 hasquick couplings 51 for connecting to the refrigerating circuit. In the illustrated case, thequick couplings 51 of theevaporator 2 are oriented upwards because theevaporator 2 is disconnected by a vertical movement. - Alternatively, the
quick couplings 51 of theevaporator 2 can be oriented horizontally in an anteroposterior direction of theicemaker 1 to a disconnection of theevaporator 2 by a horizontal movement that is consistent with the movement of extraction of thecollecting tank 5. - The protection from contamination of the water intended for the formation of the cubes has been obtained by positioning the
recirculation pump 47 and the kinematic mechanism of thesprayer 4 outside the collectingtank 5. - For even more complete protection, also the
rear portions 40 of the two C-shaped side profiles 42 can be covered by a shroud. - The icemaker as conceived herein is susceptible to many modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the invented concept as claimed.
- In practice the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to the needs and the state of the art.
Claims (16)
- An icemaker (1) comprising an evaporator (2) equipped with a plurality of open cells (3) for the formation of ice elements (13), a sprayer (4) for spraying water into the cells (3), a tank (5) for collecting the water not converted into ice in the cells (3), wherein said sprayer (4) has an element (8) for occluding said cells (3) equipped with a plurality of calibrated holes (9) each for access to a corresponding cell (3) and a plurality of nozzles (10) each engaged in a corresponding access hole (9) for the injection of water into a corresponding cell (3), said sprayer (4) being supported below said evaporator (2) by a support (11) in a movable way between an opening position and a closing position of said cells (3) by means of said occlusion element (8) and a kinematic mechanism for moving said support (11) also being provided externally to said collecting tank (5), characterized in that said sprayer (4) is removable from a window (14) on a front side (17) of said collecting tank (5).
- The icemaker (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said support (11) has guides (19) for extracting and introducing said sprayer (4).
- The icemaker according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that between each injection nozzle (10) and the corresponding hole (9) there is a gap (20) for the outlet of the water not transformed into ice.
- The icemaker (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said sprayer (4) has a drainage channel (21) for draining the water not transformed into ice towards the inside of said collection tank (5).
- The icemaker (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said drainage channel (21) is provided on an internal wall (22) of said sprayer (4) where said nozzles (10) are also provided.
- The icemaker (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said access holes (9) are provided on a first external wall (23) of said sprayer (4) structurally independent and separated from said internal wall (22).
- The icemaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each injection nozzle (10) is positioned coaxially to the corresponding hole (9).
- The icemaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in said closing position each injection nozzle (10) is oriented along a central axis of the corresponding cell (3).
- The icemaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each cell (3) has a corresponding hole (37) for the passage of air which is offset from the direction along which the corresponding nozzle (10) is oriented in said closing position.
- The icemaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each nozzle (10) has a tip in an intermediate position between the ends of the corresponding access hole (9).
- The icemaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said sprayer (4) has a water collector (24).
- The icemaker (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said water collector (24) is delimited by said internal wall (22) and by a second external wall (25) of said sprayer (4) structurally independent and separated from said internal wall (22).
- The icemaker (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said internal wall (22) has a releasable connection means with said first and second external wall (23, 25).
- The icemaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said support (11) is configured as an oscillating rocker that has a first lever arm that supports said sprayer (4) and a second lever arm for starting the movement from said kinematic mechanism.
- The icemaker (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said kinematic mechanism comprises a first motorised rod (43) constrained in translation and a second rod (44) having a first end constrained to said first rod (43) and a second end constrained to said second lever arm.
- The icemaker (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a recirculation circuit for recirculating the water collected in said collection tank (5) having a recirculation pump (47) positioned outside said collection tank (5).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT201800002500A IT201800002500A1 (en) | 2018-02-08 | 2018-02-08 | ICE MAKER |
PCT/EP2018/085572 WO2019154548A1 (en) | 2018-02-08 | 2018-12-18 | Icemaker |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3717845A1 EP3717845A1 (en) | 2020-10-07 |
EP3717845B1 true EP3717845B1 (en) | 2021-07-21 |
Family
ID=62089970
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP18816141.8A Active EP3717845B1 (en) | 2018-02-08 | 2018-12-18 | Icemaker |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20200400358A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3717845B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN111587351A (en) |
ES (1) | ES2889174T3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT201800002500A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019154548A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR20200072122A (en) * | 2018-12-12 | 2020-06-22 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Ice machine |
US11802727B2 (en) | 2020-01-18 | 2023-10-31 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker |
US11255589B2 (en) | 2020-01-18 | 2022-02-22 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker |
US11913699B2 (en) | 2020-01-18 | 2024-02-27 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker |
US11602059B2 (en) | 2020-01-18 | 2023-03-07 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Refrigeration appliance with detachable electronics module |
US11391500B2 (en) | 2020-01-18 | 2022-07-19 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker |
US11656017B2 (en) | 2020-01-18 | 2023-05-23 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker |
US11578905B2 (en) | 2020-01-18 | 2023-02-14 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker, ice dispensing assembly, and method of deploying ice maker |
US11519652B2 (en) | 2020-03-18 | 2022-12-06 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker |
US11674731B2 (en) | 2021-01-13 | 2023-06-13 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker |
US11686519B2 (en) | 2021-07-19 | 2023-06-27 | True Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Ice maker with pulsed fill routine |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2831497B2 (en) * | 1990-11-28 | 1998-12-02 | ホシザキ電機株式会社 | Fountain type automatic ice machine |
JP2623027B2 (en) * | 1991-03-11 | 1997-06-25 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Ice machine water tray |
JP3145255B2 (en) * | 1994-11-02 | 2001-03-12 | ホシザキ電機株式会社 | Vertical ice machine |
DE19538026A1 (en) * | 1995-10-12 | 1997-04-17 | Josef Hobelsberger | Device for producing pieces of ice |
JP2002333244A (en) * | 2001-05-11 | 2002-11-22 | Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd | Fixing structure of water tray and ice-making water storage tank in ice maker |
US6860111B2 (en) * | 2002-11-13 | 2005-03-01 | Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Automatic ice maker and its operating method |
JP2009180474A (en) * | 2008-01-31 | 2009-08-13 | Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd | Ice making part for injection type ice-making machine |
KR101327448B1 (en) * | 2012-02-20 | 2013-11-08 | 주식회사 교원 | Ice-maker and water purifier having the same |
US9644879B2 (en) * | 2013-01-29 | 2017-05-09 | True Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Apparatus and method for sensing ice thickness and detecting failure modes of an ice maker |
-
2018
- 2018-02-08 IT IT201800002500A patent/IT201800002500A1/en unknown
- 2018-12-18 ES ES18816141T patent/ES2889174T3/en active Active
- 2018-12-18 WO PCT/EP2018/085572 patent/WO2019154548A1/en unknown
- 2018-12-18 US US16/968,407 patent/US20200400358A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-12-18 CN CN201880086102.6A patent/CN111587351A/en active Pending
- 2018-12-18 EP EP18816141.8A patent/EP3717845B1/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IT201800002500A1 (en) | 2019-08-08 |
ES2889174T3 (en) | 2022-01-11 |
CN111587351A (en) | 2020-08-25 |
US20200400358A1 (en) | 2020-12-24 |
EP3717845A1 (en) | 2020-10-07 |
WO2019154548A1 (en) | 2019-08-15 |
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