EP4276389A1 - Ice-making assembly and refrigerator - Google Patents

Ice-making assembly and refrigerator Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4276389A1
EP4276389A1 EP22736515.2A EP22736515A EP4276389A1 EP 4276389 A1 EP4276389 A1 EP 4276389A1 EP 22736515 A EP22736515 A EP 22736515A EP 4276389 A1 EP4276389 A1 EP 4276389A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ice
mold
ice mold
making assembly
heat conduction
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP22736515.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4276389B1 (en
EP4276389A4 (en
Inventor
Zhenyu Zhao
Yanqing Zhang
Bintang ZHAO
Xiangpeng SONG
Fangyou ZHANG
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd
Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd
Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd, Haier Smart Home Co Ltd filed Critical Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd
Publication of EP4276389A1 publication Critical patent/EP4276389A1/en
Publication of EP4276389A4 publication Critical patent/EP4276389A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4276389B1 publication Critical patent/EP4276389B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25CPRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00Producing ice
    • F25C1/04Producing ice by using stationary moulds
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25CPRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00Producing ice
    • F25C1/22Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
    • F25C1/24Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds for refrigerators, e.g. freezing trays
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D11/00Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • F25D11/02Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D21/00Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/04Preventing the formation of frost or condensate
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00General constructional features
    • F25D23/02Doors; Covers
    • F25D23/04Doors; Covers with special compartments, e.g. butter conditioners
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25CPRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2305/00Special arrangements or features for working or handling ice
    • F25C2305/024Rotating rake
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25CPRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2400/00Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
    • F25C2400/10Refrigerator units
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/06Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
    • F25D2317/061Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation through special compartments
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/06Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
    • F25D2317/063Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation with air guides

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of refrigeration appliances, and more particularly, to an ice-making assembly and a refrigerator.
  • An ice-maker typically arranged in a freezing chamber of a refrigerator to make ice by means of cold air in the freezing chamber.
  • a refrigerator with a refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber distributed vertically a user has to bend down to open a door body of the freezing chamber when taking ice.
  • the refrigerating chambers or door bodies of the refrigerating chambers are provided with independent ice-making chambers, ice makers are arranged in the ice-making chambers, and distributors related to the ice makers are arranged on the outer sides of the door bodies.
  • Cold air in the freezing chamber or an evaporator chamber is guided into the ice-making chamber through an air passage to provide cold energy for the ice maker.
  • This ice-making method is also called air-cooled ice-making.
  • the ice-making efficiency of the air-cooled ice-making is low, and the air passage occupies a large space, resulting in an increase in the volume of the door body and also occupying the storage space of the refrigerator itself. Therefore, there is a way to make ice through the direct contact between a refrigerating pipeline and an ice maker, also referred to as direct-cooling ice-making which has the advantages of fast ice-making, small space occupation, and the like.
  • direct-cooling ice-making which has the advantages of fast ice-making, small space occupation, and the like.
  • intermittent refrigeration is typically performed to prevent an air return pipe wearing a door body hinge from condensation, frost and other phenomena. Therefore, how to use the ice-making cold energy more efficiently within a fixed time to achieve rapid ice-making is particularly important.
  • the problem to be solved by the present invention is how to increase a utilization rate of cold energy in an ice-making assembly using a door body direct-cooling ice-making method, so as to achieve rapid ice-making and avoid the problems of condensation and frost of an air return pipe in the ice-making assembly.
  • the technical of present invention provides an ice-making assembly, comprising an ice mold and a refrigerant pipe, wherein the ice mold has a plurality of ice trays for containing ice-making water, and the refrigerant pipe is located at the bottom of the ice mold; the ice-making assembly further comprising: a heat conduction member and a bottom cover surrounding the heat conduction member, wherein the heat conduction member is arranged between the ice mold and the bottom cover, and the refrigerant pipe is located between the ice mold and the heat conduction member, wherein the heat conduction member comprises a top wall adjacent to the ice mold; the bottom cover comprises a bottom wall and two opposite side walls connected to the bottom wall; the bottom wall is opposite to the top wall; an airflow cavity is defined by the bottom wall, the top wall and the two opposite side walls in a surrounding manner, and the airflow cavity is arranged to run through in a direction from one end of the ice mold to the other end of
  • the wind baffle is rotatably connected to the ice mold.
  • ice turning bar is rotatably connected to the ice mold and located between the ice trays and the wind baffle
  • the cam is connected to the ice turning bar
  • the ice turning bar rotates around the ice mold to drive the cam to push against the wind baffle to rotate in a direction away from the ice mold.
  • the heat conduction member further comprises a plurality of heat dissipation ribs which is spaced apart, the plurality of heat dissipation ribs extends from the top wall towards the bottom wall and is located in the airflow cavity, a guide channel is formed between any adjacent heat dissipation ribs, and the guide channel is arranged to run through in a direction from one end of the ice mold to the other end of the ice mold.
  • a groove is formed in a side, facing the ice mold, of the top wall, and the refrigerant pipe is contained in the groove.
  • a water guide member located in the airflow cavity, wherein the water guide member is located between the heat conduction member and the bottom cover; the water guide member comprises a bottom plate, and the bottom plate is provided with a water outlet and is close to the bottom wall; and the bottom plate comprises flanges arranged to face each other, and the flanges are in clamped connection with bumps on the side walls.
  • the present invention further provides a refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet body, the cabinet body defining a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber; a door body, movably connected to the cabinet body and used to open and close the refrigerating chamber; an ice-making chamber, arranged in the door body; and a refrigeration system, comprising a compressor and a condenser connected to an outlet side of the compressor, wherein the ice-making assembly according to any of technical solutions above is arranged in the ice-making chamber, and a refrigerant pipe is connected to the refrigeration system.
  • the present invention provides an ice-making assembly and a refrigerator, wherein a wind baffle is arranged above an ice mold of the ice-making assembly, and the wind baffle guides cold energy in an airflow cavity below the ice mold to flow towards ice trays of the ice mold, so as to make full use of cold energy generated by a refrigerant pipe below the ice mold, while avoiding the problems of condensation and frost from an air return pipe arranged at a door body hinge assembly.
  • orientation or position relations indicated via terms “central”, “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “vertical” “horizontal”, “in”, “out”, and the like are based on orientation or position relations shown in the drawings only to describe the present invention conveniently and simplify, but not indicate or imply that referred devices or elements must have particular orientations or be constructed and operated with the particular orientation, so that they cannot be construed as limiting of the present invention.
  • an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an ice-making assembly 100.
  • the ice-making assembly 100 includes an ice mold 10, a refrigerant pipe 13, a heat conduction member 15, a bottom cover 50 and a wind baffle 30.
  • the ice mold 10 has a plurality of ice trays 11 for containing ice-making water.
  • the refrigerant pipe 13 extends from one end of the ice mold 10 to the other end of the ice mold 10, and is located at the bottom of the ice mold 10.
  • the bottom cover 50 surrounds the heat conduction member 15.
  • the heat conduction member 15 is arranged between the ice mold 10 and the bottom cover 50, and the refrigerant pipe 13 is located between the ice mold 10 and the heat conduction member 15.
  • the heat conduction member 15 supports at least part of the refrigerant pipe 13, so that at least part of the refrigerant pipe 13 is in direct contact with the ice mold 10 to transfer cold energy to the ice mold 10.
  • the heat conduction member 15 includes a top wall 151 adjacent to the ice mold 10.
  • the bottom cover 50 includes a bottom wall 51 and two opposite side walls 50 connected to the bottom wall 51.
  • the bottom wall 51 is opposite to the top wall 151.
  • An airflow cavity 200 is defined by the bottom wall 51, the top wall and the two side walls 52 in a surrounding manner, and the airflow cavity 200 is provided to run through in a direction from one end of the ice mold 10 to the other end of the ice mold 10.
  • the wind baffle 30 covers a side of the ice mold 10 away from the refrigerant pipe 13 and guides cold energy in the airflow cavity 200 to flow towards the plurality of ice trays 11.
  • an airflow inlet 201 of the airflow cavity 200 is communicated with an air outlet of an air passage of a refrigerator (not shown), so that an airflow blown from the air outlet of the air passage circulates from the airflow inlet 201 towards an airflow outlet 202 of the airflow cavity 200.
  • the refrigerant pipe 13 and the heat conduction member 15 are both located in the airflow cavity 200, and at least part of the refrigeration pipe 13 is in contact with the heat conduction member 15, the cold energy in the refrigerant pipe 13 may be conducted through the heat conduction member 15 to air in the airflow cavity 200, forming cold air.
  • the cold air is driven by an airflow blown from the air outlet of the air passage to flow toward the ice trays 11 at the airflow outlet 201.
  • the wind baffle 30 covers the side of the ice mold 10 away from the refrigerant pipe 12, the wind baffle 30 blocks the flow of cold air from flowing in a direction away from the ice mold 10, and guides the cold air into a space between the wind baffle 30 and the ice trays 11.
  • the cold air sinks into the ice trays 11 to cool the upper part of the ice-making water in the ice trays 11.
  • the wind baffle 30 guides cold energy in the airflow cavity 200 to flow between the air shield 30 and the ice trays 11, so that the cold energy in the cold air is transferred from top to bottom towards the ice trays 11. Therefore, the cold energy generated in the refrigerant pipe 13 can be used to the greatest extent to achieve rapid ice-making and shorten the ice-making time, so that the circulation time of a refrigerant in an air return pipe at a hinge is shortened, thereby avoiding the problems such as condensation and frost of the air return pipe.
  • the wind baffle 30 is, for example, a C-shaped cover body.
  • One side of the C-type cover body is pivotally connected to the ice mold 10, and the other side of the C-type cover body covers a side of the ice mold 10 away from the refrigerant pipe 13, so that a cold air circulation space is formed between the C-type cover body and the ice mold 10.
  • the wind baffle 30 is rotatably arranged above the ice mold 10.
  • a rotating shaft 31 is arranged on the wind baffle 30, a side bracket of the ice mold 10 is provided with a rotating shaft hole 103, and the rotating shaft 31 is inserted into the rotating shaft hole 103, so that the wind baffle 30 is rotatably arranged above the ice mold 10.
  • the wind baffle 30 may be rotatably arranged above the ice mold 10. When ice in the ice trays 11 is turned over and removed, the wind baffle 30 can be moved away from the ice trays 11 to avoid abnormal ice turning and removal caused by the wind baffle 30.
  • the ice-making assembly 100 further includes an ice turning bar 12 and a cam 121.
  • Two opposite ends of the ice turning bar 12 are rotatably connected to the side bracket of the ice mold 10.
  • the ice turning bar 12 is located between the ice mold 10 and the wind baffle 30.
  • the cam 121 is connected to the ice turning bar 12.
  • the ice turning bar 12 rotates around the side bracket of the ice mold 10 to drive the cam 121 to rotate, so that the cam 121 pushes against the wind baffle 30 to rotate in a direction away from the ice mold 10.
  • the wind baffle 30 flips up and opens, exposing the ice trays 11.
  • the ice turning bar 12 is provided with a plurality of ice turning teeth, wherein the plurality of ice turning teeth is in one-to-one correspondence to the plurality of ice trays 11, so that corresponding ice cubes in the corresponding ice trays 11 are removed to an ice storage box (not shown). Therefore, a user can take the ice cubes out conveniently from the door body side through a distributor.
  • one end of the ice turning bar 12 is connected to a driving device 70.
  • the cam 121 is arranged close to the driving device 70.
  • the cam 121 is arranged close to the driving device 70 and is located at the end of the ice turning bar 12, without occupying any ice-making space of the ice trays 11.
  • the driving device 70 is, for example, an electric motor, and is contained inside a housing 60.
  • the cam 121 and the ice turning bar 12 are integrally formed.
  • the cam 121 is a flaky protrusion, wherein one end of the flaky protrusion protrudes towards the airflow outlet 202 of the airflow cavity 200.
  • a bending wall 32 of the wind baffle 30 protrudes towards the airflow outlet 201, and shields at least part of the airflow outlet 202.
  • the bending wall 32 is located at the upper part of the airflow outlet 202.
  • the bending wall 32 includes an extension 321, a shape of which is adapted with a shape of the cam 121 each other.
  • the extension 321 is an arc-shaped recess
  • an edge of the cam 121 is an arc-shaped protrusion
  • the arc-shaped protrusion is assembled in the arc-shaped recess.
  • the ice turning bar 12 rotates and drives the cam 121 to rotate, and the arc-shaped protrusion pushes against the arc-shaped recess, so that the wind baffle 30 rotates in a direction away from the ice mold 10.
  • the cam and the extension may also be in other shapes. That is, the cam only needs to contact and push against the extension during rotation, driving the wind baffle away from the ice mold.
  • the ice-making assembly 100 further includes an ice baffle 20.
  • the ice baffle 20 includes a body 23 and a plurality of plates that is spaced apart and extends from one side of the body 23 toward the ice mold 10.
  • the plurality of spaced-apart plates 21 is located between the wind baffle 30 and the ice trays 11.
  • An air passage hole 22 is formed between any adjacent plates 21, and one air passage hole 22 corresponds to one ice tray 11.
  • Each air passage hole 22 is substantially stacked above the ice tray 11, and is connected to each other.
  • the air passage holes 22 makes the cold air enter more directionally into the ice trays 11. Therefore, the cold energy generated by the refrigerant pipe 13 may be used more effectively.
  • the plate 21 and the body 23 are arranged at an angle of, for example, 90 degrees.
  • the body 23 is arranged on the outside of the ice mold 10, and a lower edge of the body 23 is abutted to a step 521 at the upper edge of one of the two side walls 52 of the bottom cover 50.
  • a clamping rib 231 is arranged on the inner side (a side facing the ice mold 10) of the body 23.
  • the clamping rib 231 is clamped with an edge protrusion 101 of the ice mold 10, so that the ice baffle 20 is assembled on the ice mold 10, thereby simplifying the assembly operation of the ice baffle 20 and the ice mold 10.
  • the plurality of ice turning teeth on the ice turning bar 12 is in one-to-one correspondence to the plurality of air passage holes 22. That is, the ice turning teeth fall within the air passage holes 22. As the ice turning bar 12 rotates to turn ice, the ice turning teeth can rotate from the air passage holes 22 for ice turning.
  • the heat conduction member 15 further includes a plurality of heat dissipation ribs 154 which is spaced apart.
  • the plurality of spaced-apart heat dissipation ribs 154 is located in the airflow cavity 200, and extends from the top wall 151 towards the bottom wall 51 of the bottom cover 50.
  • a guide channel 155 is formed between any adjacent heat dissipation ribs 154. The guide channel 155 is arranged to run through in a direction from one end of the ice mold 10 to the other end of the ice mold 10.
  • the plurality of guide channels 155 located among the plurality of heat dissipation ribs 154 may be used to guide the cold air in the airflow cavity 200 to circulate as far as possible towards the airflow outlet 202 of the airflow cavity 200, which improves the circulation efficiency of the cold air, and may also assist in increasing the utilization rate of the cold energy generated by the refrigerant pipe 13.
  • each guide channel 155 is a straight bar channel, but is not limited to this.
  • the guide channel may also be a L-shaped channel, a wave-shaped channel, or the like.
  • a groove 152 is formed in a side, facing the ice mold 10, of the top wall 151 of the heat conduction member 15.
  • the refrigerant pipe 13 is contained in the groove 152, so that the top wall 151 supports at least part of the wall of the refrigerant pipe 13.
  • a water guide member 40 is arranged between the bottom cover 50 and the heat conduction member 15, and is located in the airflow cavity 200.
  • a first convex edge 54 which protrudes upward is arranged at each of the two ends of the bottom wall 51.
  • a second convex edge 44 that protrudes upward is arranged at each of the two ends of the bottom plate 41. The second convex edge 44 is clamped on the inner side of each of the two first convex edges 54, so that the displacement of the water guide member 40 is limited in a first direction.
  • a flange 43 which protrudes upward is arranged at each of the two opposite sides of the bottom plate 41.
  • a side wall 52 which protrudes upward is arranged at each of the two opposite sides of the bottom wall 51.
  • a bump 53 is arranged on the inner side (a side facing the ice mold 10) of each side wall 52. An upper edge of the flange 43 is clamped in a side of the bump 53 close to the bottom wall 51, so that the displacements of the water guide member 40 in a second direction and a third direction are limited.
  • the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the third direction.
  • the first direction is a left-right direction
  • the second direction is a vertical direction
  • the third direction is a front-rear direction.
  • the two side walls 52 of the bottom cover 50 and the two first convex edges 54 achieve the accurate positioning of the heat conduction member 40 relative to the bottom cover 50 in the three directions, so that the heat conduction member 40 is positioned more reliably.
  • the water guide member 40 further includes a water outlet 42.
  • the water outlet 42 is formed in one end of the bottom plate 41 away from the driving mechanism 70, and is located at the rear end of the water guide member 40, i.e., the lowest position of the bottom plate 41 to enable defrosting water to be adequately discharged.
  • the ice-making assembly 100 further includes a heat conduction wire 14, and the heat conduction wire 14 is arranged between the ice mold 10 and the water guide member 40.
  • the bottom plate 41 is provided with a supporting member 45 near the flange 43, and the heat conduction wire 14 is arranged between the top of the supporting member 45 and the ice mold 10. At least part of the heat conduction wire 14 is supported by the top of the supporting member 45, and at least part of the heat conduction wire 14 directly contacts the ice mold 10, so that the heat generated by the heat conduction wire 14 can be transferred to the ice mold 10.
  • the refrigerant pipe 13 is wrapped by the ice mold 10 and the heat conduction member 15.
  • the heat conduction member 15 will produce frost on the surface inside the airflow cavity 200.
  • the heat conduction member 15 may also simultaneously absorb heat for defrosting.
  • the defrosting water may flow directly along the surface in the airflow cavity 200 to the bottom plate 41, and is discharged through the water outlet 42.
  • the bottom plate 41 may be arranged to tilt downward along a direction from one end of the ice mold 10 close to the driving mechanism 70 to the other end of the ice mold 10 at a tilt angle from about 0.5 degree to 2.5 degrees.
  • the bottom plate 41 is tilted downward from front to back at a tilt angle from about 3 degrees to 5 degrees.
  • a second edge 44 at one end of the bottom plate 41 away from the driving mechanism 60 may be regarded as a water retaining edge which can prevent defrosting water (if excessive) from overflowing.
  • the present invention further provides a refrigerator (not shown).
  • the refrigerator includes a cabinet body, a door body movably connected to the cabinet body, and a refrigeration system.
  • the cabinet body defines a refrigeration compartment.
  • a fan which is used to guide cold air into the refrigeration compartment is also arranged inside the cabinet body.
  • the refrigeration compartment includes a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber which are arranged vertically.
  • the door body is used to open and close the refrigerating chamber.
  • the refrigerating chamber or the door body is provided with an ice-making chamber in which the above-mentioned ice-making assembly 100 is arranged.
  • An ice storage box is arranged below the ice-making assembly 100.
  • a distributor which is selectively communicated with the ice-making chamber is arranged on the door body. Ice cubes made by the above-mentioned ice-making assembly fall within the ice storage box for storage, and can be discharged from the distributor.
  • the ice-making chamber is preferably arranged on the door body of the refrigerating chamber.
  • the refrigeration compartment includes the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber.
  • the refrigeration compartment may also include more compartments, such as a variable-temperature chamber.
  • the refrigeration system includes a compressor and a condenser connected to an outlet side of the compressor.
  • the refrigerant pipe 13 of the ice-making assembly 100 is connected to the refrigeration system.
  • the compressor is arranged at the bottom of the cabinet body.
  • An evaporator used to supply cold energy to the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber is arranged behind the freezing chamber.
  • the evaporator may be connected in series with the refrigerant pipe 13 for supply cold energy for ice-making, or connected in parallel to two sides of the compressor and the condenser. Since the ice-making assembly 100 itself is mounted more conveniently, the overall assembly of the refrigerator is also more convenient, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator.
  • the present invention provides the ice-making assembly and the refrigerator, wherein the wind baffle is arranged above the ice mold of the ice-making assembly, and the wind baffle guides cold energy in the airflow cavity below the ice mold to flow towards the ice trays of the ice mold, so as to make full use of cold energy generated by the refrigerant pipe below the ice mold, while avoiding the problems of condensation and frost of an air return pipe arranged at a door body hinge assembly.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention provides an ice-making assembly and a refrigerator. The ice-making assembly includes an ice mold and a refrigerant pipe, wherein the refrigerant pipe is located at the bottom of the ice mold, and at least part of the refrigerant pipe is in direct contact with the ice mold so as to transfer cold energy to the ice mold; as well as a heat conduction member and a bottom cover surrounding the heat conduction member, wherein the heat conduction member is arranged between the ice mold and the bottom cover, and the refrigerant pipe is located between the ice mold and the heat conduction member; the heat conduction member includes a top wall adjacent to the ice mold; the bottom cover includes a bottom wall and two opposite side walls connected to the bottom wall; the bottom wall is opposite to the top wall; an airflow cavity is defined by the bottom wall, the top wall and the two opposite side walls in a surrounding manner, and the airflow cavity is arranged to run through in a direction from one end of the ice mold to the other end of the ice mold; and the ice making assembly further includes a wind baffle, wherein the wind baffle covers a side of the ice mold away from the refrigerant pipe and guides cold air in the airflow cavity to flow towards a plurality of ice trays.

Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD
  • The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration appliances, and more particularly, to an ice-making assembly and a refrigerator.
  • BACKGROUND ART
  • An ice-maker typically arranged in a freezing chamber of a refrigerator to make ice by means of cold air in the freezing chamber. However, for a refrigerator with a refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber distributed vertically, a user has to bend down to open a door body of the freezing chamber when taking ice. In order to make it convenient for the user to take ice, in some existing refrigerators, the refrigerating chambers or door bodies of the refrigerating chambers are provided with independent ice-making chambers, ice makers are arranged in the ice-making chambers, and distributors related to the ice makers are arranged on the outer sides of the door bodies. Cold air in the freezing chamber or an evaporator chamber is guided into the ice-making chamber through an air passage to provide cold energy for the ice maker. This ice-making method is also called air-cooled ice-making.
  • However, the ice-making efficiency of the air-cooled ice-making is low, and the air passage occupies a large space, resulting in an increase in the volume of the door body and also occupying the storage space of the refrigerator itself. Therefore, there is a way to make ice through the direct contact between a refrigerating pipeline and an ice maker, also referred to as direct-cooling ice-making which has the advantages of fast ice-making, small space occupation, and the like. However, in the existing door body direct-cooling ice-making method, intermittent refrigeration is typically performed to prevent an air return pipe wearing a door body hinge from condensation, frost and other phenomena. Therefore, how to use the ice-making cold energy more efficiently within a fixed time to achieve rapid ice-making is particularly important.
  • In view of this, the existing door body direct-cooling ice-making technology is required to be improved.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The problem to be solved by the present invention is how to increase a utilization rate of cold energy in an ice-making assembly using a door body direct-cooling ice-making method, so as to achieve rapid ice-making and avoid the problems of condensation and frost of an air return pipe in the ice-making assembly.
  • In order to solve the above-mentioned objects, the technical of present invention provides an ice-making assembly, comprising an ice mold and a refrigerant pipe, wherein the ice mold has a plurality of ice trays for containing ice-making water, and the refrigerant pipe is located at the bottom of the ice mold; the ice-making assembly further comprising: a heat conduction member and a bottom cover surrounding the heat conduction member, wherein the heat conduction member is arranged between the ice mold and the bottom cover, and the refrigerant pipe is located between the ice mold and the heat conduction member, wherein the heat conduction member comprises a top wall adjacent to the ice mold; the bottom cover comprises a bottom wall and two opposite side walls connected to the bottom wall; the bottom wall is opposite to the top wall; an airflow cavity is defined by the bottom wall, the top wall and the two opposite side walls in a surrounding manner, and the airflow cavity is arranged to run through in a direction from one end of the ice mold to the other end of the ice mold; and the ice making assembly further comprises a wind baffle, wherein the wind baffle covers a side of the ice mold away from the refrigerant pipe and guides cold air in the airflow cavity to flow towards the plurality of ice trays.
  • As an optional technical solution, wherein the wind baffle is rotatably connected to the ice mold.
  • As an optional technical solution, further comprising an ice turning bar and a cam, wherein the ice turning bar is rotatably connected to the ice mold and located between the ice trays and the wind baffle, the cam is connected to the ice turning bar, and the ice turning bar rotates around the ice mold to drive the cam to push against the wind baffle to rotate in a direction away from the ice mold.
  • As an optional technical solution, further comprising a driving device connected to one end of the ice turning bar, wherein the cam is arranged close to the driving device.
  • As an optional technical solution, wherein the cam and the ice turning bar are integrally formed.
  • As an optional technical solution, further comprising an ice baffle, and a plurality of plates which is spaced apart on the ice baffle, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart plates is located between the wind baffle and the ice trays, an air passage hole is formed between any adjacent plates, and one air passage hole corresponds to one ice tray.
  • As an optional technical solution, wherein the heat conduction member further comprises a plurality of heat dissipation ribs which is spaced apart, the plurality of heat dissipation ribs extends from the top wall towards the bottom wall and is located in the airflow cavity, a guide channel is formed between any adjacent heat dissipation ribs, and the guide channel is arranged to run through in a direction from one end of the ice mold to the other end of the ice mold.
  • As an optional technical solution, wherein a groove is formed in a side, facing the ice mold, of the top wall, and the refrigerant pipe is contained in the groove.
  • As an optional technical solution, further comprising a water guide member located in the airflow cavity, wherein the water guide member is located between the heat conduction member and the bottom cover; the water guide member comprises a bottom plate, and the bottom plate is provided with a water outlet and is close to the bottom wall; and the bottom plate comprises flanges arranged to face each other, and the flanges are in clamped connection with bumps on the side walls.
  • The present invention further provides a refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet body, the cabinet body defining a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber; a door body, movably connected to the cabinet body and used to open and close the refrigerating chamber; an ice-making chamber, arranged in the door body; and a refrigeration system, comprising a compressor and a condenser connected to an outlet side of the compressor, wherein the ice-making assembly according to any of technical solutions above is arranged in the ice-making chamber, and a refrigerant pipe is connected to the refrigeration system.
  • Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides an ice-making assembly and a refrigerator, wherein a wind baffle is arranged above an ice mold of the ice-making assembly, and the wind baffle guides cold energy in an airflow cavity below the ice mold to flow towards ice trays of the ice mold, so as to make full use of cold energy generated by a refrigerant pipe below the ice mold, while avoiding the problems of condensation and frost from an air return pipe arranged at a door body hinge assembly.
  • The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, which are not intended as a limitation of the present invention.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
  • To describe the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art more clearly, the following briefly introduces the accompanying drawings required for describing the specific embodiments or the descriptions in the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments of the present invention, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.
    • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ice-making assembly in an embodiment of the present invention;
    • FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded view of the ice-making assembly in FIG. 1;
    • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a heat conduction member in FIG. 2;
    • FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the ice-making assembly in FIG. 1 from one perspective;
    • FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of the ice-making assembly in FIG. 1 from another perspective; and
    • FIG. 6 shows a schematic enlarged view at a dotted line in FIG. 5.
    DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following will describe the present invention in detail in conjunction with embodiments and accompany drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here are only used to explain the present invention, but not used to limit the present invention.
  • In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or position relations indicated via terms "central", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical" "horizontal", "in", "out", and the like are based on orientation or position relations shown in the drawings only to describe the present invention conveniently and simplify, but not indicate or imply that referred devices or elements must have particular orientations or be constructed and operated with the particular orientation, so that they cannot be construed as limiting of the present invention.
  • As shown in FIGs. 1 to 6, an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an ice-making assembly 100. The ice-making assembly 100 includes an ice mold 10, a refrigerant pipe 13, a heat conduction member 15, a bottom cover 50 and a wind baffle 30. The ice mold 10 has a plurality of ice trays 11 for containing ice-making water. The refrigerant pipe 13 extends from one end of the ice mold 10 to the other end of the ice mold 10, and is located at the bottom of the ice mold 10. The bottom cover 50 surrounds the heat conduction member 15. The heat conduction member 15 is arranged between the ice mold 10 and the bottom cover 50, and the refrigerant pipe 13 is located between the ice mold 10 and the heat conduction member 15. The heat conduction member 15 supports at least part of the refrigerant pipe 13, so that at least part of the refrigerant pipe 13 is in direct contact with the ice mold 10 to transfer cold energy to the ice mold 10. The heat conduction member 15 includes a top wall 151 adjacent to the ice mold 10. The bottom cover 50 includes a bottom wall 51 and two opposite side walls 50 connected to the bottom wall 51. The bottom wall 51 is opposite to the top wall 151. An airflow cavity 200 is defined by the bottom wall 51, the top wall and the two side walls 52 in a surrounding manner, and the airflow cavity 200 is provided to run through in a direction from one end of the ice mold 10 to the other end of the ice mold 10. The wind baffle 30 covers a side of the ice mold 10 away from the refrigerant pipe 13 and guides cold energy in the airflow cavity 200 to flow towards the plurality of ice trays 11.
  • In the present embodiment, an airflow inlet 201 of the airflow cavity 200 is communicated with an air outlet of an air passage of a refrigerator (not shown), so that an airflow blown from the air outlet of the air passage circulates from the airflow inlet 201 towards an airflow outlet 202 of the airflow cavity 200. Since the refrigerant pipe 13 and the heat conduction member 15 are both located in the airflow cavity 200, and at least part of the refrigeration pipe 13 is in contact with the heat conduction member 15, the cold energy in the refrigerant pipe 13 may be conducted through the heat conduction member 15 to air in the airflow cavity 200, forming cold air. The cold air is driven by an airflow blown from the air outlet of the air passage to flow toward the ice trays 11 at the airflow outlet 201. Because the wind baffle 30 covers the side of the ice mold 10 away from the refrigerant pipe 12, the wind baffle 30 blocks the flow of cold air from flowing in a direction away from the ice mold 10, and guides the cold air into a space between the wind baffle 30 and the ice trays 11. The cold air sinks into the ice trays 11 to cool the upper part of the ice-making water in the ice trays 11.
  • In other words, the wind baffle 30 guides cold energy in the airflow cavity 200 to flow between the air shield 30 and the ice trays 11, so that the cold energy in the cold air is transferred from top to bottom towards the ice trays 11. Therefore, the cold energy generated in the refrigerant pipe 13 can be used to the greatest extent to achieve rapid ice-making and shorten the ice-making time, so that the circulation time of a refrigerant in an air return pipe at a hinge is shortened, thereby avoiding the problems such as condensation and frost of the air return pipe.
  • In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wind baffle 30 is, for example, a C-shaped cover body. One side of the C-type cover body is pivotally connected to the ice mold 10, and the other side of the C-type cover body covers a side of the ice mold 10 away from the refrigerant pipe 13, so that a cold air circulation space is formed between the C-type cover body and the ice mold 10.
  • In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wind baffle 30 is rotatably arranged above the ice mold 10. For example, a rotating shaft 31 is arranged on the wind baffle 30, a side bracket of the ice mold 10 is provided with a rotating shaft hole 103, and the rotating shaft 31 is inserted into the rotating shaft hole 103, so that the wind baffle 30 is rotatably arranged above the ice mold 10. The wind baffle 30 may be rotatably arranged above the ice mold 10. When ice in the ice trays 11 is turned over and removed, the wind baffle 30 can be moved away from the ice trays 11 to avoid abnormal ice turning and removal caused by the wind baffle 30.
  • Specifically, the ice-making assembly 100 further includes an ice turning bar 12 and a cam 121. Two opposite ends of the ice turning bar 12 are rotatably connected to the side bracket of the ice mold 10. The ice turning bar 12 is located between the ice mold 10 and the wind baffle 30. The cam 121 is connected to the ice turning bar 12. The ice turning bar 12 rotates around the side bracket of the ice mold 10 to drive the cam 121 to rotate, so that the cam 121 pushes against the wind baffle 30 to rotate in a direction away from the ice mold 10. Preferably, the wind baffle 30 flips up and opens, exposing the ice trays 11.
  • In a preferred embodiment, the ice turning bar 12 is provided with a plurality of ice turning teeth, wherein the plurality of ice turning teeth is in one-to-one correspondence to the plurality of ice trays 11, so that corresponding ice cubes in the corresponding ice trays 11 are removed to an ice storage box (not shown). Therefore, a user can take the ice cubes out conveniently from the door body side through a distributor.
  • As shown in FIGs. 5 and 6, one end of the ice turning bar 12 is connected to a driving device 70. The cam 121 is arranged close to the driving device 70. In the present embodiment, the cam 121 is arranged close to the driving device 70 and is located at the end of the ice turning bar 12, without occupying any ice-making space of the ice trays 11.
  • In a preferred embodiment, the driving device 70 is, for example, an electric motor, and is contained inside a housing 60.
  • In a preferred embodiment, the cam 121 and the ice turning bar 12 are integrally formed.
  • As shown in FIGs. 2 and 6, the cam 121 is a flaky protrusion, wherein one end of the flaky protrusion protrudes towards the airflow outlet 202 of the airflow cavity 200. A bending wall 32 of the wind baffle 30 protrudes towards the airflow outlet 201, and shields at least part of the airflow outlet 202. Preferably, the bending wall 32 is located at the upper part of the airflow outlet 202. The bending wall 32 includes an extension 321, a shape of which is adapted with a shape of the cam 121 each other. For example, the extension 321 is an arc-shaped recess, an edge of the cam 121 is an arc-shaped protrusion, and the arc-shaped protrusion is assembled in the arc-shaped recess. The ice turning bar 12 rotates and drives the cam 121 to rotate, and the arc-shaped protrusion pushes against the arc-shaped recess, so that the wind baffle 30 rotates in a direction away from the ice mold 10.
  • In other embodiments of the present invention, the cam and the extension may also be in other shapes. That is, the cam only needs to contact and push against the extension during rotation, driving the wind baffle away from the ice mold.
  • As shown in FIGs. 2 and 4, the ice-making assembly 100 further includes an ice baffle 20. The ice baffle 20 includes a body 23 and a plurality of plates that is spaced apart and extends from one side of the body 23 toward the ice mold 10. The plurality of spaced-apart plates 21 is located between the wind baffle 30 and the ice trays 11. An air passage hole 22 is formed between any adjacent plates 21, and one air passage hole 22 corresponds to one ice tray 11.
  • Each air passage hole 22 is substantially stacked above the ice tray 11, and is connected to each other. When the cold air in the airflow cavity 200 enters a space between the wind baffle 30 and the ice trays 11 from the airflow outlet 202, the air passage holes 22 makes the cold air enter more directionally into the ice trays 11. Therefore, the cold energy generated by the refrigerant pipe 13 may be used more effectively.
  • In the present embodiment, the plate 21 and the body 23 are arranged at an angle of, for example, 90 degrees. The body 23 is arranged on the outside of the ice mold 10, and a lower edge of the body 23 is abutted to a step 521 at the upper edge of one of the two side walls 52 of the bottom cover 50.
  • Further, a clamping rib 231 is arranged on the inner side (a side facing the ice mold 10) of the body 23. The clamping rib 231 is clamped with an edge protrusion 101 of the ice mold 10, so that the ice baffle 20 is assembled on the ice mold 10, thereby simplifying the assembly operation of the ice baffle 20 and the ice mold 10.
  • As shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of ice turning teeth on the ice turning bar 12 is in one-to-one correspondence to the plurality of air passage holes 22. That is, the ice turning teeth fall within the air passage holes 22. As the ice turning bar 12 rotates to turn ice, the ice turning teeth can rotate from the air passage holes 22 for ice turning.
  • As shown in FIGs. 2 to 4, the heat conduction member 15 further includes a plurality of heat dissipation ribs 154 which is spaced apart. The plurality of spaced-apart heat dissipation ribs 154 is located in the airflow cavity 200, and extends from the top wall 151 towards the bottom wall 51 of the bottom cover 50. A guide channel 155 is formed between any adjacent heat dissipation ribs 154. The guide channel 155 is arranged to run through in a direction from one end of the ice mold 10 to the other end of the ice mold 10.
  • The plurality of guide channels 155 located among the plurality of heat dissipation ribs 154 may be used to guide the cold air in the airflow cavity 200 to circulate as far as possible towards the airflow outlet 202 of the airflow cavity 200, which improves the circulation efficiency of the cold air, and may also assist in increasing the utilization rate of the cold energy generated by the refrigerant pipe 13.
  • In a preferred embodiment, each guide channel 155 is a straight bar channel, but is not limited to this. In other embodiments of the present invention, depending on different arrangement positions of the heat dissipation ribs, the guide channel may also be a L-shaped channel, a wave-shaped channel, or the like.
  • As shown in FIGs. 3 and 4, a groove 152 is formed in a side, facing the ice mold 10, of the top wall 151 of the heat conduction member 15. The refrigerant pipe 13 is contained in the groove 152, so that the top wall 151 supports at least part of the wall of the refrigerant pipe 13.
  • As shown in FIGs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, a water guide member 40 is arranged between the bottom cover 50 and the heat conduction member 15, and is located in the airflow cavity 200.
  • In a direction of the bottom cover 50 from one end to the other end of the ice mold 10, a first convex edge 54 which protrudes upward is arranged at each of the two ends of the bottom wall 51. In a direction of the water guide member 40 from one end to the other end of the ice mold 10, a second convex edge 44 that protrudes upward is arranged at each of the two ends of the bottom plate 41. The second convex edge 44 is clamped on the inner side of each of the two first convex edges 54, so that the displacement of the water guide member 40 is limited in a first direction.
  • Moreover, in a direction of the bottom plate 41 from one end to the other end of the ice mold 10, a flange 43 which protrudes upward is arranged at each of the two opposite sides of the bottom plate 41. In a direction of the bottom cover 50 from one end to the other end of the ice mold 10, a side wall 52 which protrudes upward is arranged at each of the two opposite sides of the bottom wall 51. A bump 53 is arranged on the inner side (a side facing the ice mold 10) of each side wall 52. An upper edge of the flange 43 is clamped in a side of the bump 53 close to the bottom wall 51, so that the displacements of the water guide member 40 in a second direction and a third direction are limited. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the third direction. Preferably, the first direction is a left-right direction, the second direction is a vertical direction, and the third direction is a front-rear direction.
  • That is, the two side walls 52 of the bottom cover 50 and the two first convex edges 54 achieve the accurate positioning of the heat conduction member 40 relative to the bottom cover 50 in the three directions, so that the heat conduction member 40 is positioned more reliably.
  • The water guide member 40 further includes a water outlet 42. The water outlet 42 is formed in one end of the bottom plate 41 away from the driving mechanism 70, and is located at the rear end of the water guide member 40, i.e., the lowest position of the bottom plate 41 to enable defrosting water to be adequately discharged.
  • Specifically, the ice-making assembly 100 further includes a heat conduction wire 14, and the heat conduction wire 14 is arranged between the ice mold 10 and the water guide member 40. The bottom plate 41 is provided with a supporting member 45 near the flange 43, and the heat conduction wire 14 is arranged between the top of the supporting member 45 and the ice mold 10. At least part of the heat conduction wire 14 is supported by the top of the supporting member 45, and at least part of the heat conduction wire 14 directly contacts the ice mold 10, so that the heat generated by the heat conduction wire 14 can be transferred to the ice mold 10.
  • The refrigerant pipe 13 is wrapped by the ice mold 10 and the heat conduction member 15. The heat conduction member 15 will produce frost on the surface inside the airflow cavity 200. As a heating element 14 is started for de-icing, the heat conduction member 15 may also simultaneously absorb heat for defrosting. The defrosting water may flow directly along the surface in the airflow cavity 200 to the bottom plate 41, and is discharged through the water outlet 42. In order to speed up drainage, the bottom plate 41 may be arranged to tilt downward along a direction from one end of the ice mold 10 close to the driving mechanism 70 to the other end of the ice mold 10 at a tilt angle from about 0.5 degree to 2.5 degrees. In addition, the bottom plate 41 is tilted downward from front to back at a tilt angle from about 3 degrees to 5 degrees. Moreover, a second edge 44 at one end of the bottom plate 41 away from the driving mechanism 60 may be regarded as a water retaining edge which can prevent defrosting water (if excessive) from overflowing.
  • The present invention further provides a refrigerator (not shown). The refrigerator includes a cabinet body, a door body movably connected to the cabinet body, and a refrigeration system. The cabinet body defines a refrigeration compartment. A fan which is used to guide cold air into the refrigeration compartment is also arranged inside the cabinet body. The refrigeration compartment includes a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber which are arranged vertically. The door body is used to open and close the refrigerating chamber. The refrigerating chamber or the door body is provided with an ice-making chamber in which the above-mentioned ice-making assembly 100 is arranged. An ice storage box is arranged below the ice-making assembly 100. A distributor which is selectively communicated with the ice-making chamber is arranged on the door body. Ice cubes made by the above-mentioned ice-making assembly fall within the ice storage box for storage, and can be discharged from the distributor.
  • In the present embodiment, the ice-making chamber is preferably arranged on the door body of the refrigerating chamber. The refrigeration compartment includes the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber. Of course, the refrigeration compartment may also include more compartments, such as a variable-temperature chamber.
  • The refrigeration system includes a compressor and a condenser connected to an outlet side of the compressor. The refrigerant pipe 13 of the ice-making assembly 100 is connected to the refrigeration system. The compressor is arranged at the bottom of the cabinet body. An evaporator used to supply cold energy to the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber is arranged behind the freezing chamber. The evaporator may be connected in series with the refrigerant pipe 13 for supply cold energy for ice-making, or connected in parallel to two sides of the compressor and the condenser. Since the ice-making assembly 100 itself is mounted more conveniently, the overall assembly of the refrigerator is also more convenient, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the refrigerator.
  • In summary, the present invention provides the ice-making assembly and the refrigerator, wherein the wind baffle is arranged above the ice mold of the ice-making assembly, and the wind baffle guides cold energy in the airflow cavity below the ice mold to flow towards the ice trays of the ice mold, so as to make full use of cold energy generated by the refrigerant pipe below the ice mold, while avoiding the problems of condensation and frost of an air return pipe arranged at a door body hinge assembly.
  • The present invention has been described by the above related embodiments; however, the above embodiments are only examples for the implementation of the present invention. Further, the technical features involved in different embodiments of the present invention described above may be combined with each other as long as they do not constitute a conflict with each other. It must be noted that the present invention may have a variety of other embodiments. Without deviating from the spirit of the present invention and its essence, a person skilled in the art may make various corresponding changes and deformations according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and deformations shall fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of the present invention.

Claims (10)

  1. An ice-making assembly, comprising an ice mold and a refrigerant pipe, wherein the ice mold has a plurality of ice trays for containing ice-making water, and the refrigerant pipe is located at the bottom of the ice mold; the ice-making assembly further comprising:
    a heat conduction member and a bottom cover surrounding the heat conduction member, wherein the heat conduction member is arranged between the ice mold and the bottom cover, and the refrigerant pipe is located between the ice mold and the heat conduction member, wherein
    the heat conduction member comprises a top wall adjacent to the ice mold; the bottom cover comprises a bottom wall and two opposite side walls connected to the bottom wall; the bottom wall is opposite to the top wall; an airflow cavity is defined by the bottom wall, the top wall and the two opposite side walls in a surrounding manner, and the airflow cavity is arranged to run through in a direction from one end of the ice mold to the other end of the ice mold; and
    the ice making assembly further comprises a wind baffle, wherein the wind baffle covers a side of the ice mold away from the refrigerant pipe and guides cold air in the airflow cavity to flow towards the plurality of ice trays.
  2. The ice-making assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wind baffle is rotatably connected to the ice mold.
  3. The ice-making assembly according to claim 2, further comprising an ice turning bar and a cam, wherein the ice turning bar is rotatably connected to the ice mold and located between the ice trays and the wind baffle, the cam is connected to the ice turning bar, and the ice turning bar rotates around the ice mold to drive the cam to push against the wind baffle to rotate in a direction away from the ice mold.
  4. The ice-making assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a driving device connected to one end of the ice turning bar, wherein the cam is arranged close to the driving device.
  5. The ice-making assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cam and the ice turning bar are integrally formed.
  6. The ice-making assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an ice baffle, and a plurality of plates which is spaced apart on the ice baffle, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart plates is located between the wind baffle and the ice trays, an air passage hole is formed between any adjacent plates, and one air passage hole corresponds to one ice tray.
  7. The ice-making assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heat conduction member further comprises a plurality of heat dissipation ribs which is spaced apart, the plurality of heat dissipation ribs extends from the top wall towards the bottom wall and is located in the airflow cavity, a guide channel is formed between any adjacent heat dissipation ribs, and the guide channel is arranged to run through in a direction from one end of the ice mold to the other end of the ice mold.
  8. The ice-making assembly according to claim 1, wherein a groove is formed in a side, facing the ice mold, of the top wall, and the refrigerant pipe is contained in the groove.
  9. The ice-making assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a water guide member located in the airflow cavity, wherein the water guide member is located between the heat conduction member and the bottom cover; the water guide member comprises a bottom plate, and the bottom plate is provided with a water outlet and is close to the bottom wall; and the bottom plate comprises flanges arranged to face each other, and the flanges are in clamped connection with bumps on the side walls.
  10. A refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet body, the cabinet body defining a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber; a door body, movably connected to the cabinet body and used to open and close the refrigerating chamber; an ice-making chamber, arranged in the door body; and a refrigeration system, comprising a compressor and a condenser connected to an outlet side of the compressor, wherein the ice-making assembly according to any of claims 1 to 9 is arranged in the ice-making chamber, and a refrigerant pipe is connected to the refrigeration system.
EP22736515.2A 2021-01-05 2022-01-05 Ice-making assembly and refrigerator with it Active EP4276389B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202110007573.7A CN114719480B (en) 2021-01-05 2021-01-05 Ice making assembly and refrigerator
PCT/CN2022/070191 WO2022148353A1 (en) 2021-01-05 2022-01-05 Ice-making assembly and refrigerator

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4276389A1 true EP4276389A1 (en) 2023-11-15
EP4276389A4 EP4276389A4 (en) 2024-05-29
EP4276389B1 EP4276389B1 (en) 2026-03-18

Family

ID=82234298

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22736515.2A Active EP4276389B1 (en) 2021-01-05 2022-01-05 Ice-making assembly and refrigerator with it

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4276389B1 (en)
CN (1) CN114719480B (en)
AU (1) AU2022206215B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2022148353A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115031457B (en) * 2022-08-12 2023-07-14 合肥美的电冰箱有限公司 An ice maker and refrigeration equipment
CN119554815B (en) * 2025-01-27 2025-06-06 深圳智岩科技股份有限公司 Ice machine

Family Cites Families (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5142835B2 (en) * 2008-06-06 2013-02-13 日立アプライアンス株式会社 Ice making device and refrigerator provided with the ice making device
KR101613415B1 (en) * 2010-01-04 2016-04-20 삼성전자 주식회사 Ice maker and refrigerator having the same
CN202393118U (en) * 2011-11-23 2012-08-22 合肥美的荣事达电冰箱有限公司 Ice machine and refrigerator having the same
CN105423689B (en) * 2015-12-14 2018-05-11 合肥华凌股份有限公司 A kind of ice machine and refrigerator
KR101813648B1 (en) * 2016-04-04 2017-12-29 주식회사 에스앤아이 Insulating cover of ice making machine
CN107166838B (en) * 2017-05-31 2019-12-06 青岛海尔股份有限公司 Side air inlet structure of ice maker
US11079152B2 (en) * 2017-07-07 2021-08-03 Bsh Home Appliances Corporation Control logic for compact ice making system
US10712069B2 (en) * 2017-07-07 2020-07-14 Bsh Home Appliances Corporation Compact ice making system having two part ice tray portion
CN107300280A (en) * 2017-07-26 2017-10-27 合肥华凌股份有限公司 Ice machine and refrigerator
KR102405330B1 (en) * 2017-09-28 2022-06-07 엘지전자 주식회사 refrigerator
KR102426182B1 (en) * 2017-11-10 2022-07-29 엘지전자 주식회사 Refrigerator
US10739053B2 (en) * 2017-11-13 2020-08-11 Whirlpool Corporation Ice-making appliance
CN108131872A (en) * 2017-11-20 2018-06-08 青岛海尔股份有限公司 Ice machine and refrigerator
KR102742577B1 (en) * 2019-03-20 2024-12-13 주식회사 대창 Ice maker and refrigerator incuding the same
CN110440504B (en) * 2019-09-03 2024-04-19 海信容声(广东)冰箱有限公司 Refrigerator with a refrigerator body

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP4276389B1 (en) 2026-03-18
WO2022148353A1 (en) 2022-07-14
AU2022206215B2 (en) 2024-11-21
AU2022206215A1 (en) 2023-07-20
EP4276389A4 (en) 2024-05-29
CN114719480A (en) 2022-07-08
CN114719480B (en) 2023-03-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US12410959B2 (en) Refrigerator
CN103185431B (en) Refrigerator
ES2637646T3 (en) Fridge
KR20160021570A (en) Refrigerator
EP4276389A1 (en) Ice-making assembly and refrigerator
ES2638002T3 (en) Fridge
CN112460877B (en) Horizontal transparent ice machine
EP4273472A1 (en) Ice making assembly and refrigerator
KR101645731B1 (en) Refrigerator
US11428454B2 (en) Refrigerator
EP4273473A1 (en) Ice making assembly and refrigerator
CN218410364U (en) Ice maker and refrigeration equipment
CN218410369U (en) Ice maker and refrigeration equipment
CN214537002U (en) Ice-making components and refrigerators
CN217464676U (en) Air conditioner
KR100380845B1 (en) A storage chamber with peltier element
KR20080065088A (en) Heat dissipation structure of the refrigerator condenser
CN115031457A (en) Ice maker and refrigeration equipment
WO2022222887A1 (en) Refrigeration and freezing apparatus
KR20110085597A (en) Refrigerator
CN219841692U (en) Refrigerating apparatus
GB2154722A (en) Refrigerator
KR101079433B1 (en) Refrigerator
CN120991533A (en) refrigerator
CN120991531A (en) refrigerator

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20230801

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R079

Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: F25C0001000000

Ipc: F25C0001040000

Ref document number: 602022032585

Country of ref document: DE

A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20240502

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: F25D 23/04 20060101ALI20240426BHEP

Ipc: F25D 21/04 20060101ALI20240426BHEP

Ipc: F25D 17/06 20060101ALI20240426BHEP

Ipc: F25C 1/24 20180101ALI20240426BHEP

Ipc: F25C 1/04 20180101AFI20240426BHEP

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20251022

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: F10

Free format text: ST27 STATUS EVENT CODE: U-0-0-F10-F00 (AS PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL OFFICE)

Effective date: 20260318

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602022032585

Country of ref document: DE