ICE-MAKING APPARATUS AND REFRIGERATOR
An ice-making apparatus and a refrigerator are provided. The ice-making apparatus includes an ice-making tray, a temperature sensor, a controller, and a vibration apparatus. The temperature sensor is disposed on the ice-making tray and is coupled to the controller. The temperature sensor is adapted to detect a temperature on the ice-making tray and output a temperature signal to the controller. The controller is coupled to the temperature sensor and the vibration apparatus, and is adapted to receive the temperature signal to obtain the temperature on the ice-making tray and generate a start instruction and send the start instruction to the vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus is connected to the ice-making tray and is adapted to start vibrating when receiving the start instruction to drive the ice-making tray to vibrate. The foregoing solution can reduce bubbles in water in the ice-making tray and reduce broken ice cubes.
This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Chinese patent application CN 201611240384.X, filed Dec. 29, 2016; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to the field of refrigeration, and in particular, to an ice-making apparatus and a refrigerator.
With the improvement of living standards, refrigerators have entered thousands of households. An ice-making machine is usually disposed in a refrigerator. Water flows into an ice-making tray through a water inlet. By using cold air provided by refrigeration and air duct systems in the refrigerator, the water in the ice-making tray is frozen into an ice cube. Finally, the ice-making tray is twisted by turnover of a turnover motor, so that the ice cube is removed out from the ice-making tray.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making apparatus of which ice making efficiency and/or quality can be improved.
Hence, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ice-making apparatus, containing an ice-making tray, a controller, and a vibration apparatus. The ice-making tray is adapted to carry water used for making ice. The controller is coupled to the vibration apparatus, and is adapted to generate a start instruction and send the start instruction to the vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus is connected to the ice-making tray and is adapted to start vibration when receiving the start instruction to drive the ice-making tray to vibrate.
Optionally, the vibration apparatus may be disposed under the ice-making tray.
Optionally, the vibration apparatus may be in contact with a bottom surface of the ice-making tray.
Optionally, in a vertical direction, a center of gravity of the ice-making tray may be projected to the vibration apparatus.
Optionally, the vibration apparatus may be connected to a side wall of the ice-making tray.
Optionally, there may be at least two vibration apparatuses, where at least one is disposed under the ice-making tray, and other vibration apparatuses are connected to a side wall of the ice-making tray.
Optionally, the vibration apparatus may include any one of the following: an eccentric motor, an electromagnetic vibrator, an infrared vibrator, or a piston impact type vibrator.
Optionally, the ice-making tray may comprise a plurality of cavities for carrying water the vibration apparatus is disposed between neighboring cavities.
Optionally, the ice making apparatus may comprise a temperature sensor disposed coupled to the controller, for detecting temperature on the ice-making tray and outputting a temperature signal to the controller, the controller is configured to receive the temperature signal to obtain the temperature on the ice making tray to generate the start instruction.
Optionally, the controller is adapted to determine the temperature on the ice-making tray according to the temperature signal, and generate the start instruction and send the start instruction to the vibration apparatus when determining that the temperature on the ice-making tray is a preset first temperature value.
Optionally, the controller is further adapted to send a stop instruction to the vibration apparatus when determining, according to the input temperature signal, that the temperature on the ice-making tray reaches a second temperature value and the vibration apparatus is further adapted to stop vibration when receiving the stop instruction, where the first temperature value is greater than the second temperature value.
Optionally, the ice-making apparatus further includes a turnover motor, coupled to the controller and the ice-making tray. The controller is adapted to send a turnover instruction to the turnover motor when determining, according to the input temperature signal, that the temperature on the ice-making tray reaches a third temperature value. The turnover motor is coupled to the ice-making tray and is adapted to rotate to drive the ice-making tray to turn over when receiving the turnover instruction, where the second temperature value is greater than the third temperature value.
Optionally, a motor rotor of the turnover motor is connected to an outer surface of a side wall of the ice-making tray.
Optionally, the controller is further adapted to send a stop instruction to the vibration apparatus after a preset duration after sending the start instruction to the vibration apparatus, and the vibration apparatus is further adapted to stop vibration when receiving the stop instruction.
An embodiment of the present invention further provides a refrigerator, including any one of the ice-making apparatuses described above, where the ice-making apparatus is disposed in a freezing compartment of the refrigerator or on an inner wall of a door of the refrigerator.
Compared with the prior art, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention have the following described beneficial effects: We found that water is mingled with air to form bubbles in a process in which the water flows into the ice-making tray through the water inlet. In a process of freezing the water in the ice-making tray, an outer surface first gets in contact with cold air and is first frozen, bubbles inside the water are sealed in the ice to form vacuoles, affecting transparency of the ice. In addition, in a process of twisting the ice-making tray by using the turnover motor, to pour out the ice cube, the ice cube mingled with bubbles easily breaks into pieces.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vibration apparatus is connected to the ice-making tray and starts vibration when receiving a start instruction from the controller to drive the ice-making tray to vibrate. When the water in the ice-making tray vibrates, bubbles melted therein are released from the water, thereby reducing bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray and reducing broken ice cubes. Moreover, the water in the ice-making tray has flowability, which may accelerate a cooling speed of the water, thereby accelerating an icing speed of the water in the ice-making tray and reducing an icing time.
Further, the stop instruction is sent to the vibration apparatus after the preset duration after the start instruction is sent to the vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus stops vibration when receiving the stop instruction to reduce power consumption of the ice-making apparatus.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a ice-making apparatus and a refrigerator, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
In an existing ice-making machine of a refrigerator, water flows into an ice-making tray through a water inlet. By using cold air provided by refrigeration and an air duct systems in the refrigerator, the water in the ice-making tray is frozen into an ice cube. Finally, the ice-making tray is twisted by turnover of a turnover motor, so that the ice cube is released from the ice-making tray. Inevitably, water is mingled with air to form bubbles in a process in which the water flows into the ice-making tray through the water inlet. In a process of freezing the water in the ice-making tray, an outer surface first gets in contact with cold air and is first frozen, bubbles inside the water are sealed in the ice to form vacuoles, affecting transparency of the ice. In addition, in a process of twisting the ice-making tray by using the turnover motor, to pour out the ice cube, the ice cube mingled with bubbles easily breaks into pieces.
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to
In this embodiment of the present invention, a controller generates a start instruction and sends the start instruction to a vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus is connected to the ice-making tray and starts vibration when receiving the start instruction to drive the ice-making tray to vibrate. When the water in the ice-making tray vibrates, bubbles melted therein are released from the water, thereby reducing bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray and reducing broken ice cubes. Moreover, the water in the ice-making tray has flow ability, which may accelerate a cooling speed of the water, thereby accelerating an icing speed of the water in the ice-making tray and reducing an icing time.
To make the objectives, features, and beneficial effects of the present invention more comprehensible, the following describes in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
When the ice-making apparatus performs ice making, the ice-making tray 11 carries water for making ice. The ice-making tray 11 may include a plurality of cavity portions 13 for carrying water. The water can be supplied to the ice-making tray 11 by a water inlet controlled by a valve 21. The valve 21 can be coupled to the controller 16.
During actual application, the ice-making apparatus 100 may be an ice-making machine in a refrigerator. When there is a need for making ice, the water may be supplied into the ice-making tray 11 through a water inlet. Cold air is provided by refrigeration and air duct systems in the refrigerator during ice making. The water in the ice-making tray 11 freezes under the effect of the cold air and is finally frozen into an ice cube.
The ice-making apparatus 100 includes a mounting frame 17 for supporting the ice-making tray 11. The mounting frame 17 can be fixed to a compartment or a door of a refrigerator.
The ice-making apparatus 100 includes a turnover motor 19 for turning over the ice-making tray 11 such that ice on the ice-making tray 11 can be removed from the ice-making tray 11.
The turnover motor 19 is coupled to an end of the ice-making tray 11. A motor housing 18 in which the turnover motor 19 is accommodated is disposed adjacent to the end of the ice-making tray 11.
The ice-making apparatus may include a temperature sensor 12 for detecting temperature on the ice-making tray 11.
The temperature sensor 12 may be attached to the ice-making tray 11 to obtain temperature on the ice-making tray 11.
The temperature sensor 12 may be disposed under the ice-making tray 11. The temperature sensor 12 can be arranged along at least one cavity portion 13. For example, the temperature sensor 12 may be attached onto a side wall of the cavity portion 13. The temperature sensor 12 may alternatively be disposed along a bottom wall of the cavity portion 13.
The ice-making tray 11 can be made of a material with thermal conductivity. For example, the material of the ice-making tray 11 is plastic. Therefore, temperature obtained by the temperature sensor 12 may be very close to the temperature in the ice-making tray 11 even when the temperature sensor 12 is attached onto an exterior side of the cavity portion 13.
In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 12 may detect the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 in real time, and generates a temperature signal and outputs the temperature signal to the controller 16 in real time. The controller may learn the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 in real time after receiving the temperature signal.
In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 12 may be coupled to the controller 16, so as to communicate with the controller 16. For example, the temperature sensor 12 is electrically connected to the controller 16 by using a communications cable, so as to communicate with the controller 16. For another example, the temperature sensor 12 includes a wireless communications unit. Correspondingly, the controller 16 includes a matched wireless communications unit. The temperature sensor 12 is coupled to the controller 16 by using a wireless network and the temperature sensor 12 communicates with the controller 16 by using the wireless communications unit.
When the temperature sensor 12 is coupled to the controller 16 by using the wireless network, the wireless communications unit in the temperature sensor 12 may be a Bluetooth communications unit. Correspondingly, the controller 16 includes a matched Bluetooth communications unit. The temperature sensor 12 communicates with the controller 16 by using a Bluetooth network. The wireless communications unit in the temperature sensor 12 may alternatively be a WIFI communications unit. Correspondingly, the controller 16 includes a matched WIFI communications unit. The temperature sensor 12 communicates with the controller 16 by using a WIFI network.
It may be understood that, the temperature sensor 12 may alternatively be coupled to the controller 16 by other coupling methods, as long as the temperature sensor 12 can communicate with the controller 16. Specific coupling methods are not described herein.
The controller 16 is coupled to the vibration apparatus 14. The controller 16 may obtain the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 according to the received temperature signal after receiving the temperature signal output by the temperature sensor 12. The controller 16 may generate a start instruction and send the start instruction to the vibration apparatus 14 according to the temperature on the ice-making tray 11.
In an alternative embodiment, the start instruction can be generated based on a signal from the valve 21 for controlling a water inlet. If after a predetermined time period is lapsed since the valve 21 opens a water inlet to supply water to the ice-making tray 11, the controller 16 generates the start instruction such that the vibration apparatus 14 is activated.
During specific implementation, there may be one or more temperature sensors 12, and the number of the temperature sensors 12 may be set according to an actual application scenario. When there is one temperature sensor 12, a temperature value corresponding to the temperature signal obtained by the controller 16 is the temperature on the ice-making tray 11. When there is a plurality of temperature sensors 12, the controller 16 may average temperature values respectively corresponding to the obtained plurality of temperature signals, and use an average temperature as the temperature on the ice-making tray 11.
The vibration apparatus 14 may be electrically connected to the controller 16 by using a communications cable, so as to communicate with the controller 16. The vibration apparatus 14 may alternatively be coupled to the controller 16 by using a wireless network. For example, the vibration apparatus 14 includes a wireless communications unit, and the controller 16 includes a matched wireless communications unit. Then, the vibration apparatus 14 is coupled to the controller 16 by using a wireless communications network.
When the vibration apparatus 14 is coupled to the controller 16 by using the wireless network, the wireless communications unit in the vibration apparatus 14 may be a Bluetooth communications unit. Correspondingly, the controller 16 includes a matched Bluetooth communications unit. The vibration apparatus 14 communicates with the controller 16 by using a Bluetooth network. The wireless communications unit in the vibration apparatus 14 may alternatively be a WIFI communications unit. Correspondingly, the controller 16 includes a matched WIFI communications unit. The vibration apparatus 14 communicates with the controller 16 by using a WIFI network.
It may be understood that, during actual application, the vibration apparatus 14 may be alternatively coupled to the controller 16 by other coupling methods, as long as the vibration apparatus 14 can communicate with the controller 16. Specific coupling methods are not described herein.
During specific implementation, the vibration apparatus 14 is connected to the ice-making tray 11. The vibration apparatus 14 starts vibration when receiving the start instruction. The vibration apparatus 14 is connected to the ice-making tray 11. Therefore, when the vibration apparatus 14 vibrates, the vibration apparatus 14 drives the ice-making tray 11 to correspondingly vibrate. When the ice-making tray 11 vibrates, the water in the ice-making tray 11 correspondingly vibrates. When the water in the ice-making tray 11 vibrates, bubbles melted in the water are released and discharged, thereby reducing bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray. In an ice-making process, the bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray 11 are released and discharged, so that the content of the bubbles in an ice cube frozen by the water in the ice-making tray 11 is greatly reduced, thereby reducing broken ice cubes.
In addition, when the vibration apparatus 14 drives the ice-making tray 11 to vibrate, the water in the ice-making tray has flow ability. At the moment, in a process of vibration, thermal conductivity of the water in the ice-making tray 11 increases, so as to accelerate a cooling speed of the water, thereby accelerating an icing speed of the water in the ice-making tray 11 and reducing an icing time.
During specific implementation, there may be one or more vibration apparatuses 14, and the number of the vibration apparatuses 14 may be set according to the actual application scenario and user needs.
When there is one vibration apparatus 14, the vibration apparatus 14 may be disposed below the ice-making tray 11 and gets in contact with an outer surface of a bottom surface of the ice-making tray 11. The vibration apparatus 14 may alternatively be disposed on an outer surface of a side wall of the ice-making tray 11 and gets in contact with the outer surface of the side wall of the ice-making tray 11. The vibration apparatus 14 and the ice-making tray 11 may have other location relationships as long as the vibration apparatus 14 can drive the ice-making tray 11 to vibrate in the process of vibration.
During actual application, it can be learned that that the ice-making tray 11 may include a plurality of ice cube trays. When the vibration apparatus 14 is disposed below the ice-making tray 11, to balance vibration forces applied to the ice cube trays in the ice-making tray 11, the vibration apparatus 14 may be disposed at a projection place of a center of gravity of the ice-making tray 11, that is, in a vertical direction, the center of gravity of the ice-making tray 11 is projected to the vibration apparatus 14.
In
When there is a plurality of vibration apparatuses 14, at least one of the plurality of vibration apparatuses 14 may be disposed below the ice-making tray 11 and gets in contact with the outer surface of the bottom surface of the ice-making tray 11. Other vibration apparatuses 14 may be disposed on the outer surface of the side wall of the ice-making tray 11.
During specific implementation, the vibration apparatus 14 may be an eccentric motor. The eccentric motor starts to rotate when receiving the start instruction. The eccentric motor vibrates in a process of rotation to drive the ice-making try 11 to vibrate, so that the water in the ice-making tray 11 vibrates, releasing bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray 11.
During specific implementation, the vibration apparatus 14 may alternatively be an electromagnetic vibrator, an infrared vibrator, or a piston impact type vibrator. It may be understood that the vibration apparatus 14 may alternatively be an apparatus of another type, as long as the vibration apparatus 14 can drive the ice-making tray 11 to vibrate when receiving the start instruction.
The following describes a working principle and a flow of the ice-making apparatus provided in the foregoing embodiments of the present invention.
During specific implementation, the controller 16 receives the temperature signal output by the temperature sensor 12 to obtain the temperature on the ice-making tray 11. The controller 16 may determine whether the obtained temperature on the ice-making tray 11 reaches a first temperature value after obtaining the temperature on the ice-making tray 11. The controller 16 may generate the start instruction and send the start instruction to the vibration apparatus 14 when the obtained temperature on the ice-making tray 11 reaches the first temperature value.
The first temperature value may be preset according to the actual application scenario. In an embodiment of the present invention, a value range of the first temperature value is set to 2° C. to −5° C.
It may be understood that when the controller 16 sends the start instruction to the vibration apparatus 14, an ice layer has not been formed on a surface of the water in the ice-making tray 11. If the vibration apparatus 14 does not start vibration until an ice layer is formed on the surface of the water in the ice-making tray 11, at the moment, bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray 11 may not be released due to obstruction of the ice layer. Therefore, when the first temperature value is selected, the first temperature value may be selected as approximately 0° C.
For example, the first temperature value is set to 1° C. In an ice-making process, with an increase in a duration for which refrigeration and air duct systems provide cold air, the temperature of the water in the ice-making tray 11 gradually decreases. The controller 16 obtains, in real time, the temperature signal output by the temperature sensor 12. When detecting that the temperature value corresponding to the temperature signal is 1° C., the controller 16 generates the start instruction and sends the start instruction to the vibration apparatus 14. The vibration apparatus 14 starts vibration after receiving the start instruction to drive the ice-making tray 11 to vibrate, so that the water in the ice-making tray 11 vibrates to release and discharge bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray 11 in the process of vibration. During specific implementation, after sending the start instruction to the vibration apparatus 14, the controller 16 may further continue to obtain, in real time, the temperature signal output by the temperature sensor 12 and determine whether the obtained temperature on the ice-making tray 11 reaches a second temperature value. The controller 16 may generate a stop instruction and send the stop instruction to the vibration apparatus 14 when the obtained temperature on the ice-making tray 11 reaches the second temperature value. The vibration apparatus 14 stops vibration after receiving the stop instruction. After the vibration apparatus 14 stops vibration, the ice-making tray 11 stops vibration, and correspondingly the water in the ice-making tray 11 gradually stops vibration.
During actual application, it can be learned that in an ice-making process, with a gradual increase in a duration for which the refrigeration and air duct systems provide cold air, the temperature of the water in the ice-making tray 11 gradually decreases.
Therefore, during specific implementation, when the second temperature value is set, the second temperature value may be set to be less than the first temperature value. A value range of the second temperature value may alternatively be set according to the actual application scenario. In an embodiment of the present invention, the value range of the second temperature value is set to 2° C. to −5° C., that is, a temperature value is selected from 2° C. to −5° C. as the second temperature value, and the selected second temperature value is less than the first temperature value.
For example, the first temperature value is set to 1° C. and the second temperature value is set to −2° C.
When the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 decreases from the first temperature value to the second temperature value, the vibration apparatus 14 has vibrated for a duration. Within the duration, bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray 11 have almost been completely released and discharged. Therefore, out of a need of saving energy, the controller 16 may generate the stop instruction and send the stop instruction to the vibration apparatus 14 to control the vibration apparatus 14 to stop vibration. During actual application, after setting of the first temperature value and the second temperature value is completed, a range of time needed for decrease of the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 from the first temperature value to the second temperature value may be obtained. A preset duration may be set according to the range of time needed for the decrease of the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 from the first temperature value to the second temperature value. The controller 16 sends the stop instruction to the vibration apparatus 14 after the preset duration after sending the start instruction to the vibration apparatus 14.
The preset duration may be set according to the range of time that is obtained by means of actual measurement and is needed for the decrease of the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 from the first temperature value to the second temperature value. For example, the first temperature value is 1° C. and the second temperature value is −2° C., and the duration that is obtained by means of actual measurement and is needed for the decrease of the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 from the 1° C. to −2° C. is 40 minutes. Then, the preset duration is set to 40 minutes. After 40 minutes after sending the start instruction, the controller 16 sends the stop instruction to the vibration apparatus 14.
When the vibration apparatus 14 stops vibrating the water in the ice-making tray 11 may not be completely frozen. Therefore, after the vibration apparatus 14 stops vibrating, the refrigeration and air duct systems may continue to provide the cold air to completely freeze the water in the ice-making tray 11. During specific implementation, it may be set that when the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 reaches a third temperature value, the water in the ice-making tray 11 is determined as completely frozen.
In an embodiment, the ice-making apparatus may further include a turnover motor 19. The turnover motor 19 is electrically connected to the controller 16 and is mechanically connected to the ice-making tray 11. The controller 16 may obtain the temperature in the ice-making tray 11 according to the received temperature signal output by the temperature sensor 12. When detecting that the temperature on the ice-making tray 11 reaches the third temperature value, the controller 16 may send a turnover instruction to the turnover motor 19. After receiving the turnover instruction, the turnover motor 19 drives the ice-making tray 11 to turn over, so that the ice cube in the ice-making tray 11 is poured out.
During specific implementation, when the third temperature value is set, the third temperature value may be set to be less than the second temperature value. That is, after a duration after the controller 16 controls the vibration apparatus 14 to stop vibration, the controller 16 controls the turnover motor 19 to turn over, so that the ice cube in the ice-making tray 11 is poured out.
For example, the second temperature value is set to −2° C. and the third temperature value is set to −4° C.
During specific implementation, the turnover motor 19 may include a motor rotor 20. The motor rotor 20 may be connected to an outer surface of a side wall of the ice-making tray 11. The motor rotor 20 of the turnover motor 19 rotates when the turnover motor 19 receives the turnover instruction. The motor 20 rotor rotates to drive the ice-making tray 11 to turn over.
The following describes a working flow of the ice-making apparatus provided in the foregoing embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to
Step S301: Obtain temperature on the ice-making tray.
During specific implementation, when the ice-making apparatus starts working, a temperature sensor may detect the temperature on the ice-making tray in real time, and outputs a temperature signal to a controller 16 in real time. The controller 16 may obtain the temperature on the ice-making tray in real time after receiving the temperature signal.
Step S302: Determine whether the temperature on the ice-making tray reaches a first temperature value.
During specific implementation, when the controller 16 detects that the temperature on the ice-making tray reaches the first temperature value, step S303 is performed; when the controller 16 detects that the temperature on the ice-making tray does not reach the first temperature value, step S301 continues to be performed.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first temperature value is set to 1° C.
Step S303: Send a start instruction to a vibration apparatus.
During specific implementation, when the controller 16 detects that the temperature on the ice-making tray reaches the first temperature value, the controller 16 generates a start instruction and sends the start instruction to the vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus starts vibration after receiving the start instruction to drive the ice-making tray to vibrate, so that the water in the ice-making tray vibrates, to release and discharge bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray.
Step S304: Determine whether the temperature in the ice-making tray reaches a second temperature value.
During specific implementation, when the controller 16 detects that the temperature on the ice-making tray reaches the second temperature value, step S305 is performed; otherwise, when the controller 16 detects that the temperature in the ice-making tray does not reach the second temperature value, step S304 continues to be performed.
Step S305: Send a stop instruction to the vibration apparatus.
During specific implementation, when the controller 16 detects that the temperature on the ice-making tray reaches the second temperature value, the controller 16 generates a stop instruction and sends the stop instruction to the vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus stops vibration after receiving the stop instruction.
In this embodiment of the present invention, the second temperature value is less than the first temperature value. In an embodiment of the present invention, the second temperature value is set to −2° C.
Step S306: Determine whether the temperature on the ice-making tray reaches a third temperature value.
During specific implementation, when the controller 16 detects that the temperature on the ice-making tray reaches the third temperature value, step S307 is performed; when the controller 16 detects that the temperature in the ice-making tray does not reach the third temperature value, step S306 continues to be performed.
In this embodiment of the present invention, the third temperature value is set to be less than the second temperature value. In an embodiment of the present invention, the third temperature value is set to −4° C.
Step S307: Send a turnover instruction to a turnover motor.
In an embodiment, when the controller 16 detects that the temperature on the ice-making tray reaches the third temperature value, the controller 16 may generate a turnover instruction and send the turnover instruction to the turnover motor. When the turnover motor 19 receives the turnover instruction, a motor rotor of the turnover motor 19 rotates to drive the ice-making tray to turn over, so that an ice cube in the ice-making tray is removed.
During specific implementation, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments and the ice-making apparatus shown in
In the embodiment as illustrated in
Therefore, the controller 16 generates the start instruction and sends to the vibration apparatus. The vibration apparatus which is connected to the ice-making tray and starts vibration when receiving the start instruction to drive the ice-making tray to vibrate. When the water in the ice-making tray vibrates, bubbles melted therein are released from the water, thereby reducing bubbles in the water in the ice-making tray and reducing broken ice cubes. Moreover, the water in the ice-making tray has flow ability, which may accelerate a cooling speed of the water, thereby accelerating an icing speed of the water in the ice-making tray and reducing an icing time.
During specific implementation, an embodiment of the present invention further provide a refrigerator. The ice-making apparatus provided in the foregoing embodiments of the present invention is disposed in the refrigerator. The ice-making apparatus may be disposed in a freezing compartment of the refrigerator or on an inner wall of a door of the refrigerator. The ice-making apparatus may alternatively be disposed at another location of the refrigerator.
As disclosed above, the present invention is not limited herein. Any person of ordinary skill in the art may make any variation and modification without departing from the spirit and principle of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall fall within the limited scope of claims.
Claims
1. An ice-making apparatus, comprising:
- an ice-making tray adapted for carrying water for making ice;
- a controller;
- a vibration apparatus;
- said controller being coupled to said vibration apparatus, said controller generating a start instruction and sends the start instruction to said vibration apparatus; and
- said vibration apparatus is connected to said ice-making tray and is adapted to start vibrating after receiving the start instruction to drive said ice-making tray to vibrate.
2. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vibration apparatus is disposed under said ice-making tray.
3. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said vibration apparatus is in contact with a bottom surface of said ice-making tray.
4. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in a vertical direction, a center of gravity of said ice-making tray is projected to said vibration apparatus.
5. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vibration apparatus is connected to a side wall of said ice-making tray.
6. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vibration apparatus is one of at least two vibration apparatuses, wherein a first of said vibration apparatuses is disposed below said ice-making tray, and a second of said vibration apparatuses is connected to a side wall of said ice-making tray.
7. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ice-making tray has a plurality of cavities formed therein for carrying the water, said vibration apparatus is disposed between neighboring ones of said cavities.
8. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vibration apparatus contains at least one of the following: an eccentric motor, an electromagnetic vibrator, an infrared vibrator, or a piston impact type vibrator.
9. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to said controller for detecting a temperature on said ice-making tray and outputting a temperature signal to said controller, said controller is configured to receive the temperature signal to obtain the temperature of said ice-making tray and to generate the start instruction.
10. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said controller determines the temperature on said ice-making tray according to the temperature signal, and generates the start instruction and sends the start instruction to said vibration apparatus when determining that the temperature on said ice-making tray is a preset first temperature value.
11. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:
- said controller sends a stop instruction to said vibration apparatus when determining, according to the temperature signal, that the temperature on said ice-making tray reaches a second temperature value;
- said vibration apparatus stops vibrating when receiving the stop instruction; and
- the preset first temperature value is greater than the second temperature value.
12. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a turnover motor coupled to said controller and said ice-making tray, said controller is adapted to send a turnover instruction to said turnover motor when determining, according to the temperature signal, that the temperature on said ice-making tray reaches a third temperature value, said turnover motor is coupled to said ice-making tray and rotates to drive said ice-making tray to turn over when receiving the turnover instruction, wherein the second temperature value is greater than the third temperature value.
13. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said turnover motor has a motor rotor connected to a side wall of said ice-making tray.
14. The ice-making apparatus according to claim 11, wherein:
- said controller sends the stop instruction to said vibration apparatus after a preset duration after sending the start instruction to said vibration apparatus; and
- said vibration apparatus stops vibrating upon receiving the stop instruction.
15. A refrigerator, comprising:
- a freezer compartment;
- a door having an inner wall; and
- an ice-making apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ice-making apparatus is disposed in said freezing compartment on said inner wall of said door.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 28, 2017
Publication Date: Jul 5, 2018
Inventors: Yongyan Shen (Chuzhow), Xianzhong Wang (Nanjing), Ruoquan Xu (Su Zhou), Yong Zhang (Nanjing)
Application Number: 15/856,294
