KR102578095B1 - Evaporation pipe for ice maker with non-welding coupling structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an evaporation tube for an ice maker having a weldless joint structure. More specifically, in manufacturing an evaporation tube used in an ice maker, problems caused by poor welding are prevented in advance by combining each component without welding. It was made so that it could be done.
In particular, in the present invention, when combining the upper cover and lower plate that constitute the refrigerant pipe, they are combined by curling processing using sealing, and the finger cap and guide plate, which are immersed members, are connected by a pressure support method. By doing so, the manufacturing cost is lower than the welding method and uniform quality can be secured.
In addition, the present invention can be manufactured by simply combining the upper cover and lower plate that constitute the refrigerant pipe, rather than welding each component, so the product can be manufactured easily and quickly even if the shape of each component changes, and various types of production can be achieved. Therefore, it can be easily applied and utilized to various types of home appliances and ice makers.
Therefore, reliability and competitiveness can be improved not only in the field of ice makers and evaporation pipes for ice makers, but also in the field of home appliances with an ice making function and similar or related fields.

Description

Evaporation pipe for ice maker with non-welding coupling structure}

The present invention relates to an evaporation tube for an ice maker having a weld-free joint structure. More specifically, in manufacturing an evaporation tube used in an ice maker, problems caused by poor welding are prevented in advance by combining each component without welding. It was made so that it could be done.

In particular, in the present invention, when combining the upper cover and lower plate that constitute the refrigerant pipe, they are combined by curling processing using sealing, and the finger cap and guide plate, which are immersed members, are connected by a pressure support method. By doing so, it relates to an evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welding joint structure that can ensure uniform quality while lowering the manufacturing cost compared to the welding method.

An ice maker refers to a device that cools purified water to the freezing point of 0℃ or lower to make ice and supplies it to the user. It is mainly installed and used in refrigerators and ice water purifiers that require ice.

These ice makers are immersed ice makers that create ice on the immersed member by submerging the immersed member through which the refrigerant flows, or spray water onto an ice-making frame equipped with a cooling unit such as an evaporator through which the refrigerant flows. There is a spray-type ice maker that creates ice in the ice-making frame, and a flow-type ice maker that creates ice in the ice-making frame by allowing water to flow through an ice-making frame equipped with a cooling unit such as an evaporator through which the refrigerant flows.

Among these, in an immersion ice maker, a part of the immersion member through which the refrigerant flows is immersed in purified water, and when cold refrigerant below the freezing point flows in this state, the immersion member is also cooled below the freezing point, creating ice around the immersion member. do.

In this way, when ice of a predetermined size is formed in the immersion member, hot refrigerant above the freezing point is allowed to flow in the ice-making evaporator, or a heater provided in the ice-making evaporator is driven to separate the ice formed in the immersion member from the immersion member.

An example of such an immersion ice maker includes the following prior art document, Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1859953, 'Ice Manufacturing Device' (hereinafter referred to as 'prior art').

Meanwhile, in the case of the prior art, each component is joined by welding. Specifically, as shown in the prior art, the finger cap is joined to the metal refrigerant pipe by welding or soldering, and in addition, a guide is used to partition the inside of the finger cap. Plates are also joined by welding or soldering.

However, the joint structure of this welding method can frequently cause welding defects due to the operating temperature of the ice maker, and in particular, when welding the guide plate, work difficulties may occur due to the internal structure, resulting in a decrease in product productivity and quality. There is a problem.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1859953 ‘Ice manufacturing device’

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a non-welding joint that can prevent problems due to poor welding by combining each component without welding in manufacturing an evaporation tube used in an ice maker. The purpose is to provide an evaporation tube for an ice maker having a structure.

In particular, in the present invention, when combining the upper cover and lower plate that constitute the refrigerant pipe, they are combined by curling processing using sealing, and the finger cap and guide plate, which are immersed members, are connected by a pressure support method. By doing so, the purpose is to provide an evaporation tube for an ice maker with a non-welding joint structure that can secure uniform quality while being cheaper to manufacture than the welding method.

In addition, the present invention not only provides a variety of coupling methods depending on the material of the refrigerant pipe, but also provides a variety of guide plate structures, so that various types of evaporators can be manufactured, and through this, it can be easily applied to various types of ice makers. The purpose is to provide an evaporation tube for an ice maker with a non-welding joint structure that can be widely used in various home appliances of which such an ice maker is made.

In order to achieve the above object, an evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welded joint structure according to the present invention includes a refrigerant pipe forming a main flow path through which the refrigerant moves; At least one finger cap coupled to the lower part of the refrigerant pipe and spatially connected to the refrigerant pipe; And a guide plate that extends from the inside of the refrigerant pipe to the inside of the finger cap and guides the refrigerant moving in the refrigerant pipe to move through the end portion of the finger cap. The refrigerant pipe, the finger cap, and the guide plate include: It is joined using an interference fit method.

In addition, the refrigerant pipe includes an upper cover in close contact with the inner surface of the guide plate; and a lower plate to which the finger cap is coupled. When the upper cover and the lower plate are made of metal, at least some of the edges on both sides where the upper cover and the lower plate are joined may be joined by curling.

In addition, the refrigerant pipe includes an upper cover in close contact with the inner surface of the guide plate; and a lower plate to which the finger cap is coupled. When the upper cover and the lower plate are made of synthetic resin, at least some of the edges on both sides where the upper cover and the lower plate are joined may be joined by ultrasonic fusion.

In addition, the refrigerant pipe may have at least one support groove formed along the longitudinal direction on the inside, and the guide plate may be formed with a support wing that is inserted into and supported by the support groove.

In addition, when the finger cap is coupled to the lower part of the refrigerant pipe, at least a portion of the upper part of the finger cap may be supported by the support wings of the guide plate.

In addition, the refrigerant pipe includes an upper cover in close contact with the inner surface of the guide plate; and a lower plate to which the finger cap is coupled. After the finger cap and the guide plate are sequentially disposed on the lower plate, the upper cover presses and supports the finger cap and the guide plate in the process of being coupled to the lower plate. can do.

In addition, at least one cap coupling hole is formed in the lower plate, the finger cap is seated in the cap coupling hole so as to be exposed from the inside of the lower plate to the outside, and the guide plate is positioned at the top of the finger cap. Supporting wings are formed, and the upper cover can press the upper part of the supporting wings in the process of being coupled to the lower plate.

In addition, a stepped portion is formed along the edge of the cap coupling hole on the lower plate, and the finger cap has a bent portion corresponding to the stepped portion along an upper edge, and a cap seal is provided between the stepped portion and the bent portion. This can be configured.

In addition, the guide plate may be configured such that metal support plates are disposed on both sides, a synthetic resin sealing pad is disposed between the support plates, and the edge of the sealing pad protrudes beyond the edge of the support plate.

Additionally, the guide plate may be spot welded while the support plate is pressed so that the edge of the sealing pad protrudes.

In addition, the guide plate includes a support plate made of metal; and a sealing cap coupled along an edge of the support plate.

In addition, the guide plate includes a metal support plate with a sealing groove formed along the edge; and a sealing line fitted into the sealing groove.

By using the above solution, the present invention has the advantage of being able to prevent problems due to poor welding by combining each component without welding when manufacturing an evaporation tube used in an ice maker.

In other words, the present invention can minimize welding defects that occur in existing welding methods, resulting in a decrease in sealability and freezing efficiency, a decrease in product performance, as well as a decrease in productivity and quality of the product itself.

In particular, the present invention combines the upper cover and lower plate that constitute the refrigerant pipe by curling using sealing when the material of each component is metal, thereby providing sealing and coupling properties at the same time. There are advantages that can be improved.

In addition, the present invention has the advantage of providing an optimal joining method according to the material of each component by joining the upper cover and lower plate by fusion when the material of the refrigerant pipe is synthetic resin.

In addition, the present invention combines the finger cap and guide plate, which are immersed members, in a pressure support method using the coupling force generated when combining the upper cover and lower plate, thereby simplifying the coupling process of each component and providing a structurally stable coupling state. There is an advantage in being able to maintain .

Through this, the present invention has the effect of ensuring uniform quality while lowering the manufacturing cost compared to the welding method.

In addition, the present invention not only provides a variety of coupling methods depending on the material of the refrigerant pipe, but also provides a variety of guide plate structures, so that various types of evaporators can be manufactured, and through this, it can be easily applied to various types of ice makers. , this ice maker has the advantage of being widely used in various home appliances.

In addition, the present invention can be manufactured by simply combining the upper cover and lower plate that constitute the refrigerant pipe, rather than welding each component, so there is an advantage in that the product can be manufactured easily and quickly even if the shape of each component changes.

As a result, the present invention has the advantage of being able to be easily applied to various types of home appliances and ice makers because it can be produced in a wide variety of products.

Therefore, reliability and competitiveness can be improved not only in the field of ice makers and evaporation pipes for ice makers, but also in the field of home appliances with an ice making function and similar or related fields.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welded joint structure according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating methods for combining the refrigerant pipes shown in FIG. 1.
Figure 4 is a partially cut-away front view of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a perspective view explaining the guide plate shown in Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a partial cutaway view explaining the function of Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a partially enlarged cutaway view showing the connection relationship of the main components shown in Figure 2.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing other embodiments of FIG. 5.
Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of Figure 1.

Examples of the evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welded joint structure according to the present invention can be applied in various ways, and the most preferred embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welded joint structure according to the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 1, and Figure 3 explains methods of coupling the refrigerant pipe shown in Figure 1. This is a drawing.

Referring to FIG. 1, an evaporation pipe (A) for an ice maker having a non-welded joint structure includes a refrigerant pipe (100), at least one finger cap (200), and a guide plate (300).

The refrigerant pipe 100 forms the main flow path through which the refrigerant moves, and may be formed in a 'U' shape as shown in FIG. 1 to circulate the refrigerant.

The finger cap 200 is coupled to the lower part of the refrigerant pipe 100 and is configured to be spatially connected to the refrigerant pipe 100 from the inside.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide plate 300 is disposed extending from the inside of the refrigerant pipe 100 to the inside of the finger cap 200. As shown in FIG. 6, the refrigerant moving through the refrigerant pipe 100 moves through the finger. It is guided to move through the terminal end (lower part in FIG. 1) of the cap 200.

The refrigerant pipe 100, finger cap 200, and guide plate 300 are joined by an interference fit method, not a welding method.

Meanwhile, the refrigerant pipe 100 may be composed of an upper cover 110 and a lower plate 120 as shown in FIG. 2.

The upper cover 110 is one in which the upper part of the guide plate 300 is in close contact with the inner surface, and may be formed with a hemispherical cross-section to facilitate the movement of the refrigerant.

The lower plate 120 may be configured so that the finger cap 200 is coupled to the cap coupling hole 121 that is open and protrudes downward.

When the upper cover 110 and lower plate 120 configured as described above are made of metal, at least some of the edges on both sides where the upper cover 110 and lower plate 120 are joined are subjected to curling processing as shown in FIG. 3. can be combined.

In Figure 3 (a), the curling portion 130 is formed by combining the upper cover 110 and the lower plate 120 to surround the entire edge, and in Figure 3 (b), the upper cover 110 and the lower plate 120 are combined to surround the entire edge. It is combined to partially surround the plate 120 using curling pieces 131 formed on some of the edges.

Figure 3 (a) shows a structure with relatively strengthened bonding force, and Figure 3 (b) shows a structure with relatively improved ease and productivity of the process, and shows an ice maker to which the evaporation tube (A) for an ice maker of the present invention is applied. It can be selected and used depending on the type or structure of home appliances, etc., and the needs of those skilled in the art.

Figure 4 is a partially cut-away front view of Figure 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, the finger cap 200 is coupled to the lower part of the lower plate 120 of the refrigerant pipe 100, and as shown in the enlarged portion, at least a portion of the upper part of the finger cap 200 is a guide plate ( It can be supported by the support wings 311 of 300).

Looking at this in detail, as shown in Figure 2, the finger cap 200 and the guide plate 300 are sequentially placed on the lower plate 120, and then the upper cover 110 is coupled to the lower plate 120. In, the upper cover 110 may press and support the finger cap 200 and the guide plate 300 by the coupling force of the lower plate 120.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, at least one cap coupling hole 121 may be formed in the lower plate 120.

Additionally, the finger cap 200 may be seated in the cap coupling hole 121 so as to be coupled to the inside of the lower plate 120 and exposed to the outside.

Additionally, the guide plate 300 may be formed with support wings 311 that support the upper part of the finger cap 300, as shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 4.

Accordingly, the upper cover 110 presses the upper part of the support wing 311 in the process of being coupled to the lower plate 120, and the support wing 311 can pressurize and support the finger cap 300.

In addition, a stepped portion 123 may be formed along the edge of the cap coupling hole 121 in the lower plate 120, and the finger cap 300 may have a bent portion corresponding to the stepped portion 123 along the upper edge. 210 may be formed, and a cap seal 420 may be formed between the stepped portion 123 and the bent portion 210.

In addition, a pipe seal 410 may be configured in the curling portion 130 where the upper cover 110 and the lower plate 120 are coupled.

Figure 5 is a perspective view explaining the guide plate shown in Figure 2.

Referring to FIG. 5, the guide plate 300 may have support plates 310 made of metal on both sides, and a sealing pad 320 made of synthetic resin may be placed between the two support plates 310.

At this time, the edge of the sealing pad 320 may be configured to protrude beyond the edge of the support plate 310, as shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 5.

In addition, the two support plates 310 are connected to each other as shown in the enlarged portion of FIG. 5, and one support plate 310 can be bent to form both sides to face each other. Of course, it goes without saying that two different pads can be configured on both sides of the sealing pad 320.

In this way, when the sealing pad 320 is formed between the two support plates 310, the two support plates 310 can be joined by spot welding.

At this time, after manufacturing the support plate 310 and the sealing pad 320 in the same shape, the edges of the sealing pad 320 can be made to protrude by pressing the two support plates 310 during the spot welding process. there is.

If the sealing pad 320 is pressed by the two support plates 310, the structural stability between the two support plates 310 and the sealing pad 320 can be improved.

Figure 6 is a partial cutaway view explaining the function of Figure 1.

Referring to FIG. 6, the refrigerant flowing into one side of the refrigerant pipe 100 may be guided to move through the lower part of the finger cap 200 by the guide plate 300.

Accordingly, when at least a portion of the lower part of the finger cap 200 is submerged in water, through heat exchange between the refrigerant and water, the water in contact with the finger cap 200 undergoes a phase transition, forming ice at the end of the finger cap 200. This can be formed.

Figure 7 is a partially enlarged cutaway view showing the connection relationship of the main components shown in Figure 2.

Referring to 7, at least one support groove 111 may be formed along the longitudinal direction on the inside of the refrigerant pipe 100, preferably on opposite sides.

For example, the support groove 111 may be formed by the edges of the lower plate 120 and the upper cover 110, as well as the bent portion 210 of the finger cap 200, as shown in the enlarged portion of Figure 4. You can.

Accordingly, the support wings 310 formed on the guide plate 300 may be supported by being inserted into the support groove 111.

In addition, the support wings 310 may support the upper part of the finger cap 200.

Therefore, the finger cap 200 and the guide plate 300 can be stably supported even without separate welding.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing other embodiments of FIG. 5.

Referring to (a) of FIG. 8, the guide plate 300 may include a sealing pad 320 between two support plates 310 arranged to face each other.

Additionally, both sides of the two support plates 310 may be bent to form support wings 311.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 8, the guide plate 300 may be attached to both sides of the metal support plate 310, and a sealing cap 321 may be coupled along the edge of the support plate 310.

Additionally, both sides of one support plate 310 may be bent in opposite directions to form support wings (not shown).

Referring to (c) of FIG. 8, the guide plate 300 may include a support plate 310 made of metal with a sealing groove (unmarked) formed along the edge, and a sealing line 321 fitted into the sealing groove. You can.

At this time, the sealing groove can be formed by bending both sides of the support plate 310, and a portion of it can be bent to form the support wings 311 as shown in (a) of FIG. 8.

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of Figure 1.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the upper cover 110 and lower plate 120 constituting the refrigerant pipe 100 are made of synthetic resin, at least some of the edges on both sides where the upper cover 110 and lower plate 120 are joined are Can be joined by ultrasonic fusion.

At this time, since the edges of the upper cover 110 and the lower plate 120 are joined by fusion, sufficient airtightness can be ensured even without the pipe seal 410 as shown in FIG. 2.

As such, the present invention can provide various joining methods other than welding, depending on the materials of the upper cover 110 and lower plate 120 that make up the refrigerant pipe 100.

Above, the evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welded joint structure according to the present invention has been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical configuration of the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

A: Evaporation tube for ice maker
100: Refrigerant pipe
110: upper cover 111: support groove
120: lower plate 121: cap coupling hole
122: device coupling portion 123: step portion
130: Curling section 131: Curling section
200: Finger cap 210: Bend portion
300: Guide plate
310: support plate 311: support wing
320: Ceiling pad
410: Pipe sealing 420: Cap sealing

Claims (12)

A refrigerant pipe forming the main flow path through which the refrigerant moves;
At least one finger cap coupled to the lower part of the refrigerant pipe and spatially connected to the refrigerant pipe; and
It includes a guide plate that extends from the inside of the refrigerant pipe to the inside of the finger cap and guides the refrigerant moving in the refrigerant pipe to move through the end portion of the finger cap,
The refrigerant pipe, finger cap, and guide plate are combined in an interference fit manner,
The refrigerant pipe is,
an upper cover where the upper part of the guide plate is in close contact with the inner surface; and
It includes a lower plate to which the finger cap is coupled,
At least one support groove is formed along the longitudinal direction on the inside of the refrigerant pipe,
When the upper cover and lower plate are made of metal, at least some of the edges on both sides where the upper cover and lower plate are joined are joined through a curling portion through curling processing,
In the curling part, there is a pipe seal between the upper cover and the lower plate,
After the finger cap and guide plate are sequentially disposed on the lower plate, the finger cap and guide plate are pressed and supported during the process of coupling the upper cover with the lower plate,
In the lower plate,
At least one cap coupling hole is formed,
The finger cap is,
It is seated in the cap coupling hole so that it is exposed from the inside of the lower plate to the outside,
The guide plate is,
A support wing is formed to support the upper part of the finger cap while being supported by being inserted into the support groove,
The upper cover is,
In the process of combining with the lower plate, the upper part of the support wing is pressed,
In the lower plate,
A stepped portion is formed along the edge of the cap coupling hole,
The finger cap is,
A bent portion corresponding to the step portion is formed along the edge of the upper portion,
An evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welding joint structure, characterized in that a cap seal is formed between the stepped portion and the bent portion.
delete delete delete According to clause 1,
The finger cap is,
An evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welding joint structure, wherein in a state coupled to the lower part of the refrigerant pipe, at least a portion of the upper part of the finger cap is supported by the support wings of the guide plate.
delete delete delete According to clause 1,
The guide plate is,
Metal support plates are placed on both sides,
A sealing pad made of synthetic resin is disposed between the support plates,
An evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welding joint structure, characterized in that the edge of the sealing pad is configured to protrude beyond the edge of the support plate.
According to clause 9,
The guide plate is,
An evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welding joint structure, characterized in that the edge of the sealing pad is made to protrude by spot welding the support plate while pressing it.
According to clause 1,
The guide plate is,
A support plate made of metal; and
An evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welded joint structure, comprising: a sealing cap coupled along an edge of the support plate.
According to clause 1,
The guide plate is,
A support plate made of metal with a sealing groove formed along the edge; and
An evaporation tube for an ice maker having a non-welded joint structure, comprising a sealing line inserted into the sealing groove.

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