WO2023232344A1 - Maker of ice in particles with electric pump - Google Patents

Maker of ice in particles with electric pump Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023232344A1
WO2023232344A1 PCT/EP2023/060305 EP2023060305W WO2023232344A1 WO 2023232344 A1 WO2023232344 A1 WO 2023232344A1 EP 2023060305 W EP2023060305 W EP 2023060305W WO 2023232344 A1 WO2023232344 A1 WO 2023232344A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ice
maker
impeller
pump
liquid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2023/060305
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Claudio LAVEZZARI
Stefano Stocco
Original Assignee
Scotsman Ice S.R.L.
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 Scotsman Ice S.R.L. filed Critical Scotsman Ice S.R.L.
Publication of WO2023232344A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023232344A1/en

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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
    • F25C1/22Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
    • F25C1/25Filling devices for moulds

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a maker of ice in particles with an electric pump.
  • the makers of ice in particles comprise - among other things - a supply circuit of liquid-phase water to a sprayer which suitably sprays the water in the alternately cooled and heated cells in which the ice in particles is formed,
  • the supply of the water to the circuit occurs by means of a pump, generally electric, the impeller of which is positioned in a suitably shaped collection tank inside a technical ice making compartment, positioned in the machine body of the ice maker.
  • Part of the known art is the configuration of the collection tank provided with an openable lower access door, which allows the operator to access the impeller and the pump body, and to remove it for maintenance work.
  • an object of the invention is to make a maker of ice in particles which comprises an electric pump which is easy to assemble and disassemble in the machine body.
  • Another object of the invention is to make a maker of ice in particles comprising an electric pump and an impeller of easy mutual assembly and disassembly.
  • a last but not least object of the invention is to make a maker of ice in particles comprising an impeller which is easy to assemble and disassemble with respect to the drive shaft of the electric pump.
  • a maker of ice in particles comprising a compartment provided with an access door, a collection tank for collecting ice in particles positioned in said compartment, at least one evaporator having forming cells for forming the ice in particles, at least one sprayer of water in the cells, a supply circuit for supplying liquid water to said sprayer including a liquid water collection tank positioned in said compartment, at least one pump for circulating said liquid water positioned in said liquid water collection tank, a support structure for supporting said pump, an electric motor for driving the pump, and a support frame for supporting said electric motor, wherein said circulation pump includes a pump body supported by said support structure, an impeller positioned in the pump body and a pipe by means of which the pressurised liquid-phase water is sent to the sprayer, and wherein said electric motor has a drive shaft for driving the impeller, characterised in that quick assembly and disassembly means of said pump body, and quick coupling and release means between said impeller
  • quick coupling and release means is provided between said support structure and said frame.
  • quick coupling and release means is provided between said pump body and said support structure.
  • figure 1 shows a section of overall assembly of an ice maker of known type
  • figure 2 shows a perspective view of the electric pump and support unit
  • figure 3 shows an exploded view of the electric pump unit
  • figure 4 shows a detail view of the mutual attachment elements of the pump shaft to the impeller
  • figure 5 shows a vertical section of the electric pump.
  • the maker 1 of ice in particles comprises at least one compartment 2 provided with an access door 3, and at least one collection tank 4 for collecting ice in particles positioned inside the compartment 2.
  • the maker 1 of ice in particles then comprises at least one evaporator 5 having a plurality of forming cells 6 for forming the ice in particles, onto which a water sprayer 7 sprays liquid-phase water supplied by a supply circuit.
  • the supply circuit in turn comprises a liquid-phase water collection tank 8 positioned inside the compartment 2, at least one electric pump 9 for circulating liquid-phase water positioned in the collection tank 8, a support structure 10 for supporting the pump 9, an electric motor 11 for driving the pump 9 and a support frame 12 for supporting the electric motor 11.
  • the circulation pump 9 includes a pump body 13 and an impeller 14 positioned inside the pump body 13 driven by means of a drive shaft 15 by the electric motor 11.
  • the circulation pump 9 is connected to a pipe 9 A by means of which the pressurised liquidphase water is sent to the sprayer 7.
  • quick assembly and disassembly means of the pump body 13 is provided: such quick assembly and disassembly means includes snap coupling and release teeth 21 between a first piece 22 and a second piece 23 of the pump body 13 integral with the support structure 10.
  • the first piece 22 includes a filtering wall 24 for the entry of liquid water into the pump body 13, and the second piece 23 shaped for the introduction and extraction of a terminal 18 rigidly but removably connected to the shaft 15 in/from the pump body 13.
  • a radial diffuser 14 A is inserted which concentrates the liquid-phase water being sucked towards the axis X of the pump body 13.
  • quick coupling and release means is provided inside the pump body 13 between the impeller 14 and the drive shaft 15.
  • the quick coupling and release means between the impeller 14 and the drive shaft 15 is interacting magnetic elements, including a magnetic element 16 fully incorporated in the impeller 14 and a magnetic element 17 fully incorporated in the terminal 18 of the shaft 15.
  • Both magnetic elements 16, 17 are permanent magnets.
  • the quick coupling and release means between the impeller 14 and the drive shaft 15 is snap or bayonet mechanical means.
  • the impeller 14 and the terminal 18 of the shaft 15 rotate solidly by engaging projections 19 on the impeller 14 in recesses 20 of matching shape on the terminal 18.
  • the pump body 13 is made in a single piece with the support structure 10.
  • the liquid-phase water collection tank 8 is fixed inside the compartment 2 in an integrally removable manner, typically by means of a rotational-translational movement thereof.
  • the support structure 10 integral with the pump 9 is thus released and disengaged.
  • the operator can directly access the impeller 14 and the filter 24, removing them for the planned cleaning and/or maintenance operations.
  • a maker of ice in particles with an electric pump according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it comprises an electric pump which is easy to assemble and disassemble in the machine body.
  • Another advantage of the invention is that of making a maker of ice in particles comprising an electric pump and an impeller of easy mutual assembly and disassembly.
  • a further advantage of the invention is to make a maker of ice in particles comprising an impeller which is easy to assemble and disassemble with respect to the drive shaft of the electric pump.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

Maker (1) of ice in particles, comprising at least one compartment (2) provided with an access door (3), at least one collection tank (4) for collecting ice in particles positioned in the compartment (2), at least one evaporator (5) having a plurality of forming cells (6) for forming the ice in particles, a sprayer (7) of liquid-phase water in the cells (6), a supply circuit for supplying liquid-phase water to the sprayer (7) including a liquid-phase water collection tank (8) positioned in the compartment (2), at least one pump (9) for circulating the liquid water positioned in the liquid water collection tank (8), a support structure (10) for supporting the pump (9), an electric motor (11) for driving the pump (9), and a support frame (12) for supporting the electric motor (11), wherein the circulation pump (9) includes a pump body (13), an impeller (14) positioned in the pump body (13) and a pipe (9 A) by means of which the pressurised liquid-phase water is sent to the sprayer (7), and wherein the electric motor (11) has a drive shaft (15) for driving the impeller (14), where quick assembly and disassembly means of the pump body (13), and quick coupling and release means between the impeller (14) and the drive shaft (15) are included.

Description

MAKER OF ICE IN PARTICLES WITH ELECTRIC PUMP
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a maker of ice in particles with an electric pump.
It is known that the makers of ice in particles comprise - among other things - a supply circuit of liquid-phase water to a sprayer which suitably sprays the water in the alternately cooled and heated cells in which the ice in particles is formed,
As is known, the supply of the water to the circuit occurs by means of a pump, generally electric, the impeller of which is positioned in a suitably shaped collection tank inside a technical ice making compartment, positioned in the machine body of the ice maker.
It is also known that maintenance and/or cleaning interventions are often necessary on the pump and in particular on the impeller, substantially the only moving member in the ice maker, but of fundamental importance for the productivity and production quality of the ice particles.
Part of the known art is the configuration of the collection tank provided with an openable lower access door, which allows the operator to access the impeller and the pump body, and to remove it for maintenance work.
However, such access is particularly complex for the operator and penalises the production of the ice maker, especially for rapid interventions which do not affect the activity of the machine.
There is therefore a need to improve the structure of a maker of ice in particles of known type, and in particular of the structure of the electric pump for supplying the liquid-phase water circuit. The technical task of the present invention is therefore to make a maker of ice in particles which allows to eliminate the decried technical drawbacks of the prior art.
As part of this technical task, an object of the invention is to make a maker of ice in particles which comprises an electric pump which is easy to assemble and disassemble in the machine body. Another object of the invention is to make a maker of ice in particles comprising an electric pump and an impeller of easy mutual assembly and disassembly.
A last but not least object of the invention is to make a maker of ice in particles comprising an impeller which is easy to assemble and disassemble with respect to the drive shaft of the electric pump.
The technical task, as well as this and other objects, according to the present invention are reached by making a maker of ice in particles, comprising a compartment provided with an access door, a collection tank for collecting ice in particles positioned in said compartment, at least one evaporator having forming cells for forming the ice in particles, at least one sprayer of water in the cells, a supply circuit for supplying liquid water to said sprayer including a liquid water collection tank positioned in said compartment, at least one pump for circulating said liquid water positioned in said liquid water collection tank, a support structure for supporting said pump, an electric motor for driving the pump, and a support frame for supporting said electric motor, wherein said circulation pump includes a pump body supported by said support structure, an impeller positioned in the pump body and a pipe by means of which the pressurised liquid-phase water is sent to the sprayer, and wherein said electric motor has a drive shaft for driving the impeller, characterised in that quick assembly and disassembly means of said pump body, and quick coupling and release means between said impeller and said shaft are included.
In an embodiment, quick coupling and release means is provided between said support structure and said frame.
In a preferred embodiment, quick coupling and release means is provided between said pump body and said support structure.
Other features of the present invention are defined, moreover, in the subsequent claims.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a maker of ice in particles according to the invention, illustrated by way of indicative and non-limiting example in the appended drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a section of overall assembly of an ice maker of known type; figure 2 shows a perspective view of the electric pump and support unit; figure 3 shows an exploded view of the electric pump unit; figure 4 shows a detail view of the mutual attachment elements of the pump shaft to the impeller; figure 5 shows a vertical section of the electric pump.
The following detailed description makes reference to the appended drawings, which form a part thereof.
In the drawings, similar reference numbers typically identify similar components, unless the context indicates otherwise.
The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description and in the drawings are not to be understood as limiting.
Other embodiments may be used, and other modifications may be introduced without deviating from the spirit or scope of the subject matter represented here.
The aspects of the present description, as generally described in the present context and illustrated in the figures, may be arranged, replaced, combined, and designed in a wide variety of configurations, which are all explicitly envisaged and part of this description.
With reference to the figures mentioned, a maker of ice in particles is shown indicated overall with the reference number 1.
The maker 1 of ice in particles comprises at least one compartment 2 provided with an access door 3, and at least one collection tank 4 for collecting ice in particles positioned inside the compartment 2. The maker 1 of ice in particles then comprises at least one evaporator 5 having a plurality of forming cells 6 for forming the ice in particles, onto which a water sprayer 7 sprays liquid-phase water supplied by a supply circuit.
The supply circuit in turn comprises a liquid-phase water collection tank 8 positioned inside the compartment 2, at least one electric pump 9 for circulating liquid-phase water positioned in the collection tank 8, a support structure 10 for supporting the pump 9, an electric motor 11 for driving the pump 9 and a support frame 12 for supporting the electric motor 11.
In turn, the circulation pump 9 includes a pump body 13 and an impeller 14 positioned inside the pump body 13 driven by means of a drive shaft 15 by the electric motor 11.
The circulation pump 9 is connected to a pipe 9 A by means of which the pressurised liquidphase water is sent to the sprayer 7.
Innovatively and advantageously, according to the present invention, quick assembly and disassembly means of the pump body 13 is provided: such quick assembly and disassembly means includes snap coupling and release teeth 21 between a first piece 22 and a second piece 23 of the pump body 13 integral with the support structure 10.
The first piece 22 includes a filtering wall 24 for the entry of liquid water into the pump body 13, and the second piece 23 shaped for the introduction and extraction of a terminal 18 rigidly but removably connected to the shaft 15 in/from the pump body 13.
Suitably, between the first piece 22 and the impeller 14, a radial diffuser 14 A is inserted which concentrates the liquid-phase water being sucked towards the axis X of the pump body 13.
Advantageously, quick coupling and release means is provided inside the pump body 13 between the impeller 14 and the drive shaft 15.
In a first embodiment, the quick coupling and release means between the impeller 14 and the drive shaft 15 is interacting magnetic elements, including a magnetic element 16 fully incorporated in the impeller 14 and a magnetic element 17 fully incorporated in the terminal 18 of the shaft 15.
Both magnetic elements 16, 17 are permanent magnets.
In a second embodiment, the quick coupling and release means between the impeller 14 and the drive shaft 15 is snap or bayonet mechanical means.
Operatively, the impeller 14 and the terminal 18 of the shaft 15 rotate solidly by engaging projections 19 on the impeller 14 in recesses 20 of matching shape on the terminal 18.
Innovatively and advantageously, the pump body 13 is made in a single piece with the support structure 10.
Innovatively and advantageously, mechanical quick coupling and release, typically snap, means is also provided between the support structure 10 of the pump 9 and the support frame 12 of the electric motor 11.
Advantageously, moreover, according to the present invention, the liquid-phase water collection tank 8 is fixed inside the compartment 2 in an integrally removable manner, typically by means of a rotational-translational movement thereof.
The operation of a maker of ice in particles with electric pump according to the invention appears clear from the description and illustration and, in particular, is substantially as follows. For cleaning and maintenance operations, the operator accesses inside the compartment 2 of the (deactivated) machine through the door 3, and removes the collection tray 8 with a rotational- translational movement, thus being able to access the electric pump 9.
He releases the pipe 9 A from the engagement with the electric pump 9.
By activating a first quick release, he releases the support structure 10 of the pump 9 from the support frame 12 of the electric motor 11.
With a subsequent quick release, he disengages the attachment between the impeller 14 and the drive shaft 15, typically in a first embodiment between the magnetic element 16 incorporated in the impeller 14 and the magnetic element 17 incorporated in the terminal 18 of the shaft 15.
The support structure 10 integral with the pump 9 is thus released and disengaged.
By activating the quick release of the snap coupling and release teeth 21 between the first piece 22 and the second piece 23 of the pump body 13 integral with the support structure 10, the operator can directly access the impeller 14 and the filter 24, removing them for the planned cleaning and/or maintenance operations.
In practice, it has been found that a maker of ice in particles with an electric pump according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it comprises an electric pump which is easy to assemble and disassemble in the machine body.
Another advantage of the invention is that of making a maker of ice in particles comprising an electric pump and an impeller of easy mutual assembly and disassembly.
A further advantage of the invention is to make a maker of ice in particles comprising an impeller which is easy to assemble and disassemble with respect to the drive shaft of the electric pump.
A maker of ice in particles as conceived herein is susceptible to many modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept as defined by the claims; furthermore, all the details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements.
The materials used, as well as the dimensions, may in practice be any whatsoever according to needs and the state of the art.

Claims

CLAIMS A maker (1) of ice in particles, comprising at least one compartment (2) provided with an access door (3), at least one collection tank (4) for collecting ice in particles positioned in said compartment (2), at least one evaporator (5) having a plurality of forming cells (6) for forming the ice in particles, a sprayer (7) of liquid-phase water in said cells (6), a supply circuit for supplying liquid-phase water to said sprayer (7) including a liquid-phase water collection tank (8) positioned in said compartment (2), at least one pump (9) for circulating said liquid water positioned in said liquid water collection tank (8), a support structure (10) for supporting said pump (9), an electric motor (11) for driving said pump (9), and a support frame (12) for supporting said electric motor (11), wherein said circulation pump (9) includes a pump body (13), an impeller (14) positioned in said pump body (13) and a pipe (9 A) by means of which the pressurised liquid-phase water is sent to said sprayer (7), and wherein said electric motor (11) has a drive shaft (15) for driving said impeller (14), characterised in that quick assembly and disassembly means of said pump body (13), and quick coupling and release means between said impeller (14) and said drive shaft (15) are included. The maker (1) of ice in particles according to claim 1, characterised in that said pump body (13) is made in a single piece with a support structure (10) of said circulation pump (9). The maker (1) of ice in particles according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that quick coupling and release means is included between said support structure (10) and said frame (12). The maker (1) of ice in particles according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said quick coupling and release means between said impeller (14) and said drive shaft (15) is interacting magnetic elements. The maker (1) of ice in particles according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said magnetic elements include a magnetic element (16) completely incorporated in said impeller (14) and a magnetic element (17) completely incorporated in a terminal (18) which is rigidly but removably connected to said drive shaft (15). The maker (1) of ice in particles according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said impeller (14) and said terminal (18) rotate solidly by engaging projections (19) on the impeller (14) in recesses (20) of matching shape on the terminal (18). The maker (1) of ice in particles according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that both said magnetic elements (16, 17) are formed by permanent magnets. The maker (1) of ice in particles according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said quick coupling and release means between said impeller (14) and said drive shaft (15) is snap or bayonet mechanical means. The maker (1) of ice in particles according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterised in that said quick assembly and disassembly means of said pump body (13) includes snap coupling and release teeth (21) between a first piece (22) and a second piece (23) of said pump body (13) integral with said support structure (10). The maker (1) of ice in particles according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said first piece (22) includes a filtering wall (24) for the entry of liquid-phase water into said pump body (13) and said second piece (23) is shaped for the introduction and extraction of said terminal (18) in/from said pump body (13). The maker (1) of ice in particles according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterised in that said quick coupling and release means between said support structure (10) and said frame (12) is snap mechanical means. The maker (1) of ice in particles according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said liquid-phase water collection tank (8) is removably fixed in said compartment
(2) by a roto-translational movement.
PCT/EP2023/060305 2022-05-31 2023-04-20 Maker of ice in particles with electric pump WO2023232344A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102022000011540 2022-05-31
IT102022000011540A IT202200011540A1 (en) 2022-05-31 2022-05-31 PARTICLE ICE MAKER WITH ELECTRIC PUMP

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023232344A1 true WO2023232344A1 (en) 2023-12-07

Family

ID=82943267

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2023/060305 WO2023232344A1 (en) 2022-05-31 2023-04-20 Maker of ice in particles with electric pump

Country Status (2)

Country Link
IT (1) IT202200011540A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2023232344A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6109055A (en) * 1997-10-21 2000-08-29 Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Down-flow-type ice-making machine
US6109043A (en) * 1998-05-15 2000-08-29 Imi Cornelius Inc. Low profile ice maker
CN2727659Y (en) * 2004-09-16 2005-09-21 马尼托瓦(中国)制冷有限公司 An ice-making machine having readily detachable water pump and movable water collecting tank
EP3851770A1 (en) * 2020-01-18 2021-07-21 True Manufacturing Co., Inc. Ice maker

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6109055A (en) * 1997-10-21 2000-08-29 Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Down-flow-type ice-making machine
US6109043A (en) * 1998-05-15 2000-08-29 Imi Cornelius Inc. Low profile ice maker
CN2727659Y (en) * 2004-09-16 2005-09-21 马尼托瓦(中国)制冷有限公司 An ice-making machine having readily detachable water pump and movable water collecting tank
EP3851770A1 (en) * 2020-01-18 2021-07-21 True Manufacturing Co., Inc. Ice maker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT202200011540A1 (en) 2023-12-01

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