Refrigeration Device

The present application is a continuation application of the international patent application No. PCT/CN2023/103924, filed on Jun. 29, 2023, which claims the priority of the Chinese patent application No. 202211741742.0, filed on Dec. 29, 2022, contents of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of refrigeration devices, and more specifically, to a refrigeration device.

To take ice out of an ice box, the ice may be taken manually, or the ice may be automatically taken at a location below the ice box based on the gravity. To improve convenience, the ice may be taken at an appropriate height. For some refrigerators, the ice may be taken at a refrigerator door which is located at an upper part of the refrigerator. In order to take the ice at the refrigerator door, two ice machines may be arranged. Especially, one ice machine may be arranged in a freezer room. Making the ice and storing the ice in the freezer room has high energy consumption, and a large space is needed for heat preservation.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a refrigeration device, including: a device body; a first refrigeration compartment, arranged in the device body, wherein the first refrigeration compartment comprises a first door; a second refrigeration compartment, arranged in the device body and disposed above the first refrigeration compartment, wherein the second refrigeration compartment comprises a second door; an ice preparing assembly, arranged in the first refrigeration compartment; an ice extraction assembly, arranged in the second door; and an ice transfer component, including an ice transfer channel, an ice transfer portion and an ice transfer assembly. The ice transfer portion is arranged in the first door; the ice transfer channel comprises a first sub-channel and a second sub-channel that are communicated to each other sequentially; the first sub-channel is defined in the first door, the second sub-channel is defined in the second door; the second sub-channel is communicated to the ice extraction assembly; the first sub-channel is further communicated to an ice transfer outlet of the ice transfer portion; the ice preparing assembly is communicated to an ice transfer inlet of the ice transfer portion; the ice transfer assembly is arranged in the ice transfer portion to drive ice blocks to move out from the ice transfer portion to the ice transfer channel.

According to the present disclosure, a refrigeration device is provided. The refrigeration device may be arranged in a first refrigeration compartment, an ice extraction assembly may be arranged in a second door body, and an ice transfer portion may be arranged in a first door body. An ice transfer assembly may drive ice blocks to move from the ice transfer portion to an ice transfer channel. The ice blocks may pass through a first sub-channel and a second sub-channel sequentially, and then enter the ice extraction assembly. In this way, the ice blocks may be prepared in a freezer room and may be extracted in a refrigeration room, preventing occupying any space of a second refrigeration compartment for preparing and storing the ice. By arranging the second sub-channel in the second door body and arranging the ice transfer portion and the first sub-channel in the first door body, an internal space of the first refrigeration compartment and the second refrigeration compartment may not be occupied, further improving a volume ratio of the refrigeration device.

Technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described by referring to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of, not all of, the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments, which are obtained by any ordinary skilled person in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative work, shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Reference to “embodiment” in the present disclosure means that specific features, structures, or characteristics described in some embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The term used in various sections in the specification does not necessarily refer to one same embodiment nor an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Any ordinary skilled person in the art shall explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described in the present disclosure can be combined with other embodiments.

In the present disclosure, terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only and shall not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features. Therefore, a feature defined by the “first” or the “second” may expressly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the present disclosure, “a plurality of” means two or more, unless otherwise expressly and specifically limited.

The present disclosure provides an ice transfer component. As shown in,is an overall structural schematic view of the ice transfer component according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The ice transfer componentmay include an ice transfer portion, an ice transfer channel, and a master rotation member. The ice transfer portiondefines an ice transfer inlet, an ice transfer cavity, and an ice transfer outletthat are communicated with each other. The ice transfer channelmay be communicated with the ice transfer cavitythrough the ice transfer outlet. The ice transfer channelmay further be communicated with an ice extraction assembly(shown in). The master rotation membermay be rotatably arranged inside the ice transfer cavity. The ice transfer inletand the ice transfer outletmay be disposed at an outer periphery of the master rotation member. The master rotation membermay be rotatable in a first direction X and drive ice blocks, which enter the ice transfer cavityfrom the ice transfer inlet, to be ejected out, through the ice transfer outlet, towards the ice transfer channel.

The ice transfer portionof the ice transfer componentin the present disclosure may be arranged in a first refrigeration compartment(shown in), an ice extraction assemblymay be arranged in a second refrigeration compartment(shown in) that is located above the first refrigeration compartment. The ice transfer channelmay extend from the first refrigeration compartmentto the second refrigeration compartment. The first refrigeration compartmentmay be a chilling compartment, and the second refrigeration compartmentmay be a freezer compartment. The ice transfer inletmay be communicated to the ice preparing assembly(shown in), and the ice blocks may enter the ice transfer cavityfrom the ice transfer inlet. The master rotation membermay rotate the ice blocks in the first direction X and eject the ice blocks toward the ice transfer outlet. The ice blocks may have a certain initial speed and move from the ice transfer outlettowards the ice transfer channel; and eventually the ice blocks may move along the ice transfer channelto reach the ice extraction assembly(shown in). Since the master rotation membermay constantly rotate at a certain speed, the ice blocks originated from the ice preparing assemblymay be continuously and quickly ejected to the ice extraction assembly, the ice blocks may move quickly, an ice extraction efficiency may be high, such that fast and continuous ice extraction may be achieved. A user may not need to wait for a long time to take the ice blocks, and the ice blocks may not be easily melted. The ice blocks may be in high quality, and the ice blocks may not be stick to each other due to melting.

According to the ice transfer componentthe refrigeration deviceof the present disclosure, the ice preparing assemblymay be disposed in the first refrigeration compartment, and the ice extraction assemblymay be disposed in the second refrigeration compartment. The ice transfer componentmay transfer the ice blocks from the first refrigeration compartmentrapidly one by one to the ice extraction assemblyof the second refrigeration compartment. Since the ice transfer devicetransfers the ice blocks to the ice extraction assemblyof the second refrigeration compartmentabove the first refrigeration compartment, the user may take the ice blocks easily, improving the user experience. Furthermore, since the ice preparing assemblyis arranged in the first refrigeration compartment, the ice preparing assemblyand the first refrigeration compartmentmay share one cold source, a case of arranging the independent evaporator for preparing the ice blocks, caused by the ice preparing assemblybeing arranged in the second refrigeration compartment, may be avoided. In this way, component costs and energy consumption costs may be saved, a space of the second refrigeration compartmentmay not be occupied, such that a volume ratio of the second refrigeration compartmentmay be improved. Since the master rotation memberrotates to drive the ice blocks to obtain the initial speed, the ice blocks may move quickly to the ice extraction assemblyand may move directly from the first refrigeration compartmentto the ice extraction assemblyof the second refrigeration compartment. The ice blocks may move at a high speed, such that a high ice extraction efficiency may be achieved, and the evaporator for keeping coldness for the ice blocks may not be arranged in the second refrigeration compartment, further improving the volume ratio of the second refrigeration compartment.

By arranging the ice transfer componentof the present disclosure, the ice extraction efficiency may be improved, inconvenient ice taking by the user and space occupation of the second refrigeration compartmentmay be solved.

In some embodiments, as shown in, the ice transfer componentmay further include a conveying channel. The conveying channelmay be communicated to the ice transfer cavityvia the ice transfer inlet. The conveying channelmay be communicated to an ice outlet end of the ice preparing assemblyto convey the ice blocks to the ice transfer cavity. An ice inlet end of the conveying channelmay be positioned higher than the ice transfer inlet. The ice blocks may move, under the gravity, along the conveying channelinto the ice transfer portion. Alternatively, the ice inlet end of the conveying channelmay be positioned at the same height as or positioned lower than the ice transfer inlet. The ice blocks may be driven by a power mechanism to move along the conveying channelinto the ice transfer cavity. Therefore, the ice transfer inletmay be located at an upper portion, a lower portion, or any other location of the ice transfer cavity, and the ice blocks may enter the ice transfer cavityand may be snapped into the master rotation memberbased on the gravity or the power mechanism.

In some embodiments, as shown in, the ice transfer channelmay include an ice transfer sectionand a guiding section. The ice transfer sectionmay be communicated to the ice transfer cavitythrough the ice transfer outlet. The guiding sectionmay be communicated to the ice transfer sectionand may be curved towards one side, so as to guide to the ice extraction assembly. The ice transfer sectionmay be communicated to the ice transfer cavity. When the ice blocks are moving through the ice transfer section, the ice blocks may rise for a sufficient distance along the ice transfer section. The guiding sectionmay be turned to be connect to the ice extraction assembly. When the ice blocks move to reach the guiding section, the ice blocks have risen sufficiently far, and the guiding sectionmay change a moving direction of the ice blocks towards the ice extraction assembly. A smooth transition is formed between the ice transfer sectionand the guiding section.

Specifically, the ice transfer sectionmay be extending along a vertical direction to shorten the distance that the ice blocks rise along the ice transfer section. Of course, the ice transfer sectionmay alternatively be extending along a direction having a smaller angle with respect to the vertical direction. Alternatively, the ice transfer channelmay be curved in overall. The ice transfer channelmay extend from the ice transfer outletto the ice extraction assembly, ensuring that the ice blocks can be stably ascended and simply communicated to the ice extraction assembly.

Specifically, at an intersection between the guiding sectionand the ice transfer section, an angle between an extension direction of the guiding sectionand an extension direction of the ice transfer sectionmay be greater than 90° and less than 180°, preventing the ice blocks from falling back into the ice transfer sectiondue to turning from the ice transfer sectionto the guiding sectionbeing excessively sharp, and ensuring the ice blocks to move smoothly through the ice transfer channel to the ice extraction assembly.

In some embodiments, as shown in,is a structural schematic view of a portion of the ice transfer component according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The master rotation membermay include a master shaftand a flexible memberdisposed around a periphery of the master shaft. The flexible membermay enable the ice blocks to be snapped therein easily and carry the ice blocks to rotate. The master shaftmay be made of a rigid material. The flexible membermay be fixed to the master shaftand rotate synchronously with the master shaft. Specifically, the master rotation membermay be a roller brush, and the flexible membermay be a flexible bristle. Alternatively, the master rotation membermay be an impeller, and the flexible membermay be flexible blades. The ice transfer componentmay further include a drive member (not shown in the drawings), the driver member may be arranged at an outside of the ice transfer cavity. An output end of the drive member may pass through a side wall of the ice transfer portionto be coaxially fixed with the master shaft. The driver member may control rotation of the master rotation member. Specifically, the drive member may control the master rotation memberto start or stop rotating; control a rotation direction of the master rotation member; and control a rotation speed of the master rotation member.

Since the ice blocks may be in the form of blocks, when the master rotation memberrotates at a high speed, the ice blocks may not be brought in by the master rotation member, such that ice blockage may be caused at the ice transfer inlet, and the present disclosure provides various solutions to solve the above problem.

In some embodiments, as shown in, a plurality of notches, which may be spaced apart from each other, may be formed around an outer periphery of the flexible member. A size of each of the plurality of notchesmay be 1-3 times, such as 1 time, 1.5 times, 2 times, 2.5 times, or 3 times, of a size of each ice block. By forming the notches, which are spaced apart from each other, at the outer periphery of the flexible member, as the master rotation memberrotates, the ice blocks may be easily brought into the plurality of notchesduring entering the ice transfer cavitythrough the ice transfer inlet. In this way, an ice transfer efficiency of the ice transfer componentmay be improved, preventing the ice blocks from being blocked at the ice transfer inlet.

In some embodiments, as shown in,is a structural schematic view of a portion of the ice transfer component according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The flexible membermay include a first flexible memberand a second flexible memberthat are spaced apart from each other and are arranged along the outer periphery of the master shaft. A rigidity of the second flexible membermay be lower than that of the first flexible member. Since the rigidity of the second flexible memberis lower than that of the first flexible member, as the master rotation memberrotates, the ice blocks, during entering the ice transfer cavitythrough the ice transfer inlet, may squeeze the first flexible memberto make the first flexible memberdeformed, such that the ice blocks may be easily brought into the master rotation member. The second flexible memberhaving the larger rigidity may carry the ice blocks to rotate to enhance the ice transfer efficiency of the ice transfer component, preventing the ice blocks from blocking the ice transfer inlet.

In some embodiments, a structure of the flexible membermay be optimized, enabling the ice blocks to be snapped into the master rotation membereasily. In some other embodiments, an auxiliary structure may be arranged to cooperate with the master rotation memberto facilitate the ice blocks to be snapped into the master rotation member, preventing the ice blocks from blocking the ice transfer inlet.

In some embodiments, as shown in,is a structural schematic view of a portion of the ice transfer component according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The ice transfer portionmay further include a pressure plate. The pressure platemay be arranged inside the ice transfer portion. The pressure platemay be disposed between the ice transfer inletand the ice transfer outlet. A shortest distance between an end portion of the pressure platefacing towards the master rotation memberand a central axis of the master rotation membermay be less than a radius of the master rotation member. During rotation of the master rotation member, the flexible membermay contact the pressure plateand may be deformed to form an openingat the ice transfer inlet. By pressing part of the flexible memberby the pressure plate, as the master rotation memberrotates, the ice blocks, during entering the ice transfer cavitythrough the ice transfer inlet, may be easily brought into the master rotation memberat the opening. In this way, the ice transfer efficiency of the ice transfer componentmay be improved, and the ice blocks may be prevented from blocking the ice transfer inlet.

In some embodiments, as shown in,is a structural schematic view of a portion of the ice transfer component according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The ice transfer portionmay further include a guide cavityand a secondary rotation member. The guide cavitymay be communicated with the ice transfer cavity. The ice transfer inletmay be disposed between the guide cavityand the ice transfer cavity. The secondary rotation membermay be rotatably disposed in the guide cavity. The secondary rotation membermay rotate in a second direction Y. The second direction Y may be opposite to the first direction X. A shortest distance between the secondary rotation memberand the master rotation membermay be less than the size of the ice block. Since the rotation direction of the secondary rotation memberis opposite to the rotation direction of the master rotation member, and the ice transfer inletis disposed between the master rotation memberand the secondary rotation member, the ice blocks may be easily brought into the master rotation memberdue to reverse movements of the two rotation members. In this way, the ice transfer efficiency of the ice transfer componentmay be improved, and the ice blocks may be prevented from blocking the ice transfer inlet. A radius of the secondary rotation membermay be less than the radius of the master rotation member, reducing a size the ice transfer componentand enabling the ice blocks to be snapped into the master rotation membermore easily. An outer wall of the secondary rotation membermay extend along with a cavity wall of the guide cavity, and a rigidity of the secondary rotation membermay be higher than that of the flexible member, driving the ice blocks to be snapped into the master rotation member. The secondary rotation membermay be configured as a rotation structure, such as a roller brush or an impeller.

In some embodiments, as shown in,is a structural schematic view of a portion of the ice transfer component according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The ice transfer componentmay further include a transmission rotation member, the transmission rotation membermay be rotatably disposed in the conveying channel. A rotation speed of the transmission rotation membermay be lower than the rotation speed of the master rotation member. Therefore, the ice blocks may obtain a certain speed after being driven by the transmission rotation memberin the conveying channel, and the ice blocks having the certain speed may be snapped into the master rotation memberrotating at the high rotation speed, such that the ice blocks may be prevented from blocking the ice transfer inlet.

It is to be noted that, in order to improve the ice transfer efficiency of the ice transfer componentand prevent the ice blocks from blocking the ice transfer inlet, the above-described structural optimization of the flexible membermay be applied, or the secondary structure for cooperating with the master rotation membermay be arranged, or combination of the above technical features may be applied, such that the ice blocks may be prevented from blocking the ice transfer inlet

The ice transfer componentof the present disclosure may be arranged. The size of the ice block may be within a predetermined size range. The master rotation membermay rotate at a predetermined speed in the first direction X. Generally, the ice blocks may be carried smoothly from the ice transfer outletto enter the ice transfer channel, and the ice blocks may eventually move smoothly along the ice transfer channelto reach the ice extraction assembly. However, in some cases, for example, sizes of the ice blocks vary greatly, or the ice blocks and the master rotation memberdisplace with respect to each other during the master rotation memberrotating and carrying the ice blocks, the ice blocks, when being ejected towards the ice transfer channel, do not obtain a desired initial speed from the master rotation member. In these cases, the ice blocks may not move smoothly along the ice transfer channelto reach the ice extraction assembly. The ice blocks that do not reach the ice extraction assemblymay fall back into the ice transfer portionalong the ice transfer channel. Therefore, in order to prevent the ice transfer efficiency of the ice transfer componentfrom being affected due to the ice blocks blocking the ice transfer inlet, in some embodiments, as shown in,is an overall structural schematic view of the ice transfer component according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The ice transfer cavitymay further include an ice transfer return port, and the ice transfer componentmay further include an ice return channel. The ice return channelmay be communicated to the ice transfer return port. An ice outlet end of the ice return channelmay be lower than the ice outlet end of the ice transfer channel. The master rotation membermay rotate in the second direction Y and drive the ice blocks disposed in the ice transfer cavityto move out from the ice transfer return portto the ice return channel. The second direction Y may be opposite to the first direction X. By arranging the ice return channel, when the ice blocks which do not reach the ice extraction assemblyfall back along the ice transfer channelto block the ice transfer portion, feeding of the ice blocks into the ice transfer portionthrough the ice transfer inletmay be stopped. The master rotation membermay rotate along the second direction Y to eject the ice blocks toward the ice return channel. Since the ice outlet end of the ice return channelis lower than the ice outlet end of the ice transfer channel, the ice blocks may be discharged through the ice return channelat a relatively low speed. The ice blocks are prevented from accumulating and blocking the ice transfer portion, ensuring the ice transfer componentto operate properly.

An ice inlet end of the conveying channelmay be communicated to the ice preparing assembly, and an ice outlet end of a conveying assembly may be communicated to the ice transfer portion. The ice blocks at the ice preparing assemblymay move to the ice transfer portionthrough the conveying channel. The ice outlet end of the ice return channelmay be communicated to the conveying channel. The master rotation membermay rotate in the second direction Y to return the ice blocks that block the ice transfer portionto the conveying channel, enabling the ice blocks to fall to the ice transfer portionagain. Alternatively, the ice outlet end of the ice return channelmay be communicated to the ice preparing assembly, and the master rotation membermay rotate in the second direction Y to move the ice blocks that block inside the ice transfer portionback to the ice preparing assembly. Specifically, the ice return channelmay be communicated to an ice storage box of the ice preparing assembly.

In some embodiments, as shown in, the ice transfer portionmay include an accumulating region. An inner wall of the accumulating regionmay surround the outer periphery of the master rotation member. The master rotation membermay rotate in the first direction X to drive the ice blocks to move sequentially through the ice transfer inlet, the accumulating region, and the ice transfer outletto eventually enter the ice transfer channel. After the ice blocks enter the ice transfer inlet, since the inner wall of the accumulating regionsurrounds the outer periphery of the master rotation member, the master rotation membermay grasp the ice blocks securely and carry the ice blocks to rotate along the first direction X by a sufficient angle. In this way, the ice blocks may be sufficiently accelerated. When the ice blocks continue rotating out of the accumulating regionand reaching a position corresponding to the ice transfer outlet, the ice blocks may lose constraints applied from an outer peripheral of the ice blocks and may have a sufficient speed to move toward the ice transfer channel. The ice blocks may move along the ice transfer channelto the ice extraction assembly. By arranging the accumulating region, the ice blocks may be accelerated sufficiently to obtain the sufficient initial speed, such that the ice blocks may move to pass through the ice transfer channel. It should be noted that the initial speed obtained by the ice blocks after passing through the accumulating regioncan be changed by adjusting a range of the accumulating regionand the size and the rotation speed of the master rotation member. The ice block may pass through the ice transfer channelat a suitable speed by adjusting various parameters, ensuring that the ice blocks may have the certain speed to move through the ice transfer channelinto the ice extraction assemblyand that the moving speed of the ice blocks may not be excessively large to cause collision noise. Similarly, when the ice blocks that do not reach the ice extraction assemblyfall back into the ice transfer portionalong the ice transfer channel, the master rotation membermay rotate in the second direction Y to drive the ice blocks to move from the accumulating regionthrough the ice transfer return portto enter the ice return channel. By arranging the accumulating region, when the master rotation memberis rotating in the second direction Y, the ice blocks may obtain the certain initial speed to move through the ice transfer return porttoward the ice return channel.

The ice transfer inlet, the ice transfer return port, and the ice transfer outletare all located at the outer periphery of the master rotation member. Therefore, in order to enable the master rotation memberto rotate to eject the ice blocks toward the ice transfer outlet, instead of along the ice transfer return port, during the master rotation memberrotating in the first direction X; and in order to in order to enable the master rotation memberto rotate to eject the ice blocks toward the ice transfer return port, instead of along the ice transfer inlet, during the master rotation memberrotating in the second direction Y, in some embodiments, a vertical plane in which a rotation axis of the master rotation memberis located is a first plane Z, the ice transfer outletmay be located on a side of the first plane Z, the ice transfer return portmay be located on the other side of the first plane Z, the ice transfer inletmay be located between the first plane Z and the ice transfer return portor between the first plane Z and the ice transfer outlet. The ice transfer outletand the ice transfer return portare respectively located on two sides of the first plane Z. Therefore, when the master rotation memberrotates in the first direction X, the master rotation membermay rotate to eject the ice blocks to the ice transfer outletafter the ice blocks obtaining the certain speed. When the master rotation memberrotates in the second direction Y, the master rotation membermay rotate to eject the ice blocks to the ice transfer return portafter the ice blocks obtaining the certain speed.

It should be noted that, during the master rotation membercarrying the ice blocks to rotate in the first direction X, the ice blocks entering the ice transfer cavityfrom the ice transfer inletmay firstly pass through the ice transfer return port. However, at this moment, the ice blocks may rotate at a small angle as the master rotation memberrotate and may obtain a low speed, and therefore, the ice blocks may not be detached from the master rotation memberto be ejected toward the ice transfer return port. When the ice blocks continue rotating with the master rotation memberto correspond to the ice transfer outlet, the ice blocks may obtain the sufficient speed to be detached from the master rotation memberto be ejected toward the ice transfer outlet. Similarly, during the master rotation membercarrying the ice blocks to rotate in the second direction Y, the ice blocks may firstly pass through the ice transfer inlet. However, at this moment, the ice blocks may rotate at a small angle as the master rotation memberrotate and may obtain a low speed, and therefore, the ice blocks may not be detached from the master rotation memberto be ejected toward the ice transfer inlet. When the ice blocks continue rotating with the master rotation memberto correspond to the ice transfer outlet, the ice blocks may obtain the sufficient speed to be detached from the master rotation memberto be ejected toward the ice transfer outlet.

In order to enable the ice blocks to pass through the ice transfer channelsmoothly and to improve a rate of successfully transferring the ice blocks, in some embodiments, when the master rotation memberrotates in the first direction X, the outer periphery of the master rotation membermay be configured to define a first trajectory of the ice blocks. A tangent direction of an intersection between the accumulating regionand the ice transfer outletcorresponding to the first trajectory may be located inside the ice transfer channel. Therefore, when the master rotation membercarrying the ice blocks rotates to the intersection between the accumulating regionand the ice transfer outlet, the ice blocks may be about to move out of the accumulating regionto move towards the ice transfer outlet. At this moment, a movement direction of the ice blocks may be located inside the ice transfer channel, and the ice blocks may smoothly move to the ice transfer channeland smoothly move to the ice extraction assemblythrough the ice transfer channel. In this way, the rate of successfully transferring the ice blocks may be high. Specifically, the tangent direction of the intersection between the accumulating regionand the ice transfer outletcorresponding to the first trajectory may coincide with an extension direction of the ice transfer sectionof the ice transfer channel. The ice blocks may be subjected to a reduced movement resistance when moving along the ice transfer section, and the master rotation membermay need to provide a reduced power to drive the ice blocks to pass through the ice transfer channel.

In order to enable the ice blocks to smoothly pass through the ice return channeland to enhance the rate of successfully transferring the ice blocks, in some embodiments, when the master rotation memberrotates along the second direction Y, the outer periphery of the master rotation membermay be configured to define a second trajectory of the ice blocks. A tangent direction of an intersection between the accumulating regionand the ice transfer return portcorresponding to the second trajectory may be located inside the ice return channel. Therefore, when the master rotation membercarrying the ice blocks rotates to the intersection between the accumulating regionand the ice transfer return port, the ice blocks may be about to move out of the accumulating regionto move towards the ice transfer return port. At this moment, a movement direction of the ice blocks may be located inside the ice return channel, and the ice blocks may smoothly move to the ice return channeland smoothly move to the ice preparing assemblythrough the ice return channel. In this way, the ice transfer portionmay not be blocked. Specifically, the tangent direction of the intersection between the accumulating regionand the ice transfer return portcorresponding to the second trajectory may coincide with an extension direction of the ice return channel. The ice blocks may be subjected to a reduced movement resistance when moving along the ice return channel, and the master rotation membermay need to provide a reduced power to drive the ice blocks to pass through the ice return channel.

In some embodiments, the ice transfer componentmay further include a first sensing memberand a second sensing member. The first sensing membermay be disposed at the ice transfer inletor the conveying channel. The first sensing membermay be configured to sense the ice blocks passing by, indicating that the ice blocks are entering the ice transfer cavity. The second sensing membermay be disposed at the ice outlet end of the ice transfer channel. The second sensing membermay be configured to sense the ice blocks passing by, indicating that the ice blocks are moving smoothly through the ice transfer channelto the ice extraction assembly.

In some embodiments, as shown in,is a structural schematic view of a portion of the ice transfer component according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The ice transfer portionmay further include a linking regionand a third sensing member. An inner wall of the linking regionmay surround the outer periphery of the master rotation member. The linking regionmay be connected to a side of the ice transfer inletand the ice transfer outletaway from the accumulating region. The third sensing membermay be disposed in the linking region. The third sensing membermay be configured to sense the ice blocks passing by. When the third sensing membersenses that the ice blocks are passing by, it is indicated that the master rotation memberdoes not eject the ice blocks towards the ice transfer outlet, and the ice blocks have to pass through the linking region. In this case, blocking may occur. When the third sensing membersenses that the ice blocks are passing by, the third sensing membermay control the ice preparing assemblyto stop feeding ice and at the same time control the master rotation memberto rotate in the second direction Y so as to eject the ice blocks trapped in the ice transfer cavitytoward the ice return channel, preventing the blocking.

Since the ice blocks are moving at a high speed when being thrown, friction and collision may occur. Therefore, broken ice may be generated in the cavity and may not be ejected easily. As the broken ice accumulates, rotation of the master rotation membermay be affected. In some embodiments, as shown in,is a cross-sectional view of the ice transfer portion of the ice transfer component according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. A bottom of the ice transfer portiondefines a via holecommunicating with the ice transfer cavity. The ice transfer componentmay include a collection memberdisposed below the ice transfer portion. The via holemay allow the broken ice to pass through and may not allow any unbroken ice block to pass through. The collection membermay receive the broken ice falling through the via hole. The collection memberand the ice transfer portionmay be located in the first refrigeration compartment, and the user can remove and clean the collection memberby opening the first refrigeration compartment.

As shown inand,is an overall structural schematic view of the refrigeration device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; andis another overall structural schematic view of the refrigeration device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure further provides a refrigeration device, including a device body, the first refrigeration compartment, the second refrigeration compartment, the ice preparing assembly, the ice extraction assembly, and the ice transfer component. The first refrigeration compartmentmay be disposed in the device body, and the first refrigeration compartmentmay include a first door. The second refrigeration compartmentmay be disposed in the device body, and the second refrigeration compartmentmay be located above the first refrigeration compartment. The second refrigeration compartmentmay include a second doorrotatably arranged in the device body. The ice preparing assemblymay be disposed in the first refrigeration compartment. The ice extraction assemblymay be disposed on the second door. The ice transfer componentmay include the ice transfer channel, the ice transfer portion, and the ice transfer assembly. The ice transfer portionmay be disposed in the first refrigeration compartment. The ice transfer channelmay extend from the first refrigeration compartmentto the second refrigeration compartment. The ice transfer portionmay be communicated with the ice preparing assembly, and the ice transfer assemblymay be disposed in the ice transfer portionto drive the ice blocks to be transferred from the ice transfer portiontowards the ice transfer channel. The first refrigeration compartmentmay be a freezer room, and the second refrigeration compartmentmay be a chilling room. The ice transfer componentmay transfer the ice blocks from the first refrigeration compartmentto the ice extraction assemblyof the second refrigeration compartmentlocated above the first refrigeration compartment. In this way, the user may easily take the ice blocks, improving the user experience. Since the ice preparing assemblyis arranged in the first refrigeration compartment, the ice preparing assemblyand the first refrigeration compartmentmay share one cold source, a case of arranging the independent evaporator for preparing the ice blocks, caused by the ice preparing assemblybeing arranged in the second refrigeration compartment, may be avoided. In this way, costs may be saved, a space of the second refrigeration compartmentmay not be occupied, such that a volume ratio of the second refrigeration compartmentmay be improved. The refrigeration deviceof some embodiments may have an improved ice extraction efficiency, and space occupation of the second refrigeration compartmentmay be avoided.

The ice transfer componentmay be configured as the ice transfer componentin some embodiments, and an ice transfer assemblymay include the master rotation memberin any of the above embodiments or any other driver member that enables ice ejecting.

Docking between various mechanisms of the ice transfer componentmay all be configured in a form of flared ports. An inner diameter of the ice transfer channelmay be larger than the size of the ice block, such that the ice blocks may be prevented from being stuck during being transferred.

The first doorand the second doormay be rotatably, slidably or the like, arranged with the device bodyaccording to actual needs.

The ice transfer channelin the refrigeration deviceof the present disclosure may be disposed inside the first refrigeration compartmentand/or the second refrigeration compartment, or disposed on a side wall of the first refrigeration compartmentand/or a side wall of the second refrigeration compartment, or disposed on the door of the first refrigeration compartmentand/or the door of the second refrigeration compartment, or disposed on a rotation shaft of the first refrigeration compartmentand/or a rotation shaft of the second refrigeration compartment, or disposed at any other location in which the ice transfer channelmay be arranged. Various technical solutions showing a location of the refrigeration deviceat which the ice transfer channelmay be arranged will be described in detail below.

As shown inand,is a structural schematic view of the refrigeration device according to a first technical solution of some embodiments of the present disclosure; andis another structural schematic view of the refrigeration device according to the first technical solution of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

The second doormay be rotatably arranged with the device body. The ice transfer channelmay include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portionthat are connected with each other sequentially. The second portionmay be rotatably connected to the first portionand/or the third portion. The first portionmay be disposed in the first refrigeration compartmentor the first door. The first portionmay be communicated to the ice transfer outletof the ice transfer portion. The second portionmay be disposed between the first doorand the second door. The third portionmay be disposed in the second door. The third portionmay be communicated to the ice extraction assembly. A rotation axis of the second doormay be disposed inside the second portion. The ice transfer assemblymay drive the ice blocks to move out from the ice transfer portiontowards the ice transfer channel, and the ice blocks may pass through the first portion, the second portion, and the third portionsequentially and then enter the ice extraction assembly.

The second portionis disposed between the first doorand the second door, and the rotation axis of the second dooris located inside the second portion. Therefore, during the second doorrotating to be opened and closed with respect to the device body, the third portionand the second portionmay remain docked to each other at all times, and sealing performance of the third portionand the second portionmay be proper, such that condensation due to poor docking may be avoided.

It is to be noted that the rotation axis of the second doormay coincide with a central axis of the second portion, ensuring that the third portionalways maintains proper docking with the second portionduring the second doorrotating. In practice, due to a cross sectional shape of pipes and any manufacturing and installation deviation, the rotation axis of the second doormay be deviated from the central axis of the second portion, however, the rotation axis of the second dooronly needs to be located inside the second portion, and it is only required that rotation of the second doordoes not affect the docking between the second portionand the third portionand does not affect the ice blocks passing through the second portion.

In some embodiments, as shown in, the first refrigeration compartmentmay include a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a first side walland a second side wallthat connect the top wallwith the bottom wall. The first side wallmay be disposed near the second portion. The ice transfer portionmay be disposed in the top wallor the first side wallof the first refrigeration compartment. Specifically, the top walland the first side wallof the first refrigeration compartmentmay enclose to form a receiving space. The ice transfer portionmay be received in the receiving space and may be fixedly disposed on the top wallor the first side wall. Similarly, the ice preparing assemblymay be received in the receiving space and may be fixedly disposed on the top wallor the first side wall. By disposing the ice preparing assemblynear the top wall, the ice preparing assembly may be closer to the second refrigeration compartment, such that a height at which the ice blocks need to rise along the ice transfer channelmay be shortened, a power needs to be provided by the ice transfer assemblymay be reduced, improving the rate of successively transfer the ice blocks.

The first portionneeds to extend to be connected with the second portion, and the second portionis disposed between the first doorand the second door. Therefore, when the ice transfer portionis disposed in the first refrigeration compartment, the first doordefines an avoidance groove matching the first portion, providing space to allow the first portionto extend outwardly from an inside of the first refrigeration compartmentto be connected with the second portion. At this moment, the ice transfer portionmay be fixed to the first refrigeration compartment, the first portionmay be communicated to the ice transfer portionand the second portion. A position of the first portionmay be kept fixed. The first portionmay be relatively independent of the first door. The first doormay be rotatably arranged with the device body. Alternatively, the first refrigeration compartmentmay further include a first drawer, and the first doormay be arranged with the first drawer, the first drawer may be pushable and pullable with respect to the device body.

Of course, as shown in, the ice transfer portionmay alternatively be arranged in the first door. When the first dooris rotatably arranged with the device body, a rotation axis of the first doormay be disposed inside the second portion. The second portionis disposed between the first doorand the second door, and the rotation axis of the first dooris disposed inside the second portion. Therefore, during the first doorrotating to be opened and closed with respect to the device body, the first portionand the second portionmay also remain docked to each other at all times. Sealing performance of the pipes of the first portionand the second portionmay be proper, and condensation due to poor docking or poor sealing may be avoided. It should be noted that at this moment, the ice transfer inletof the ice transfer portionmay be detached from the ice preparing assemblyas the first doorbeing opened. After the first dooris closed, the ice transfer inletand the ice outlet of the ice preparing assemblymay be communicated and docked to each other. Therefore, the ice preparing assemblysmoothly transferring the ice blocks to the ice transfer portionmay not be affected. The ice outlet of the ice preparing assemblymay include an ice outlet of the ice storage box of the ice preparing assemblyor the ice outlet of the conveying channel.

In order to realize relative rotation of the second doorand the device bodyand achieve docking of various portions of the ice transfer channel, in some embodiments, the second refrigeration compartmentmay include a first rotation shaft member (not shown in the drawings) and a second rotation shaft member that are coaxially arranged to each other. A side of the second dooraway from the first doormay be rotatably connected to the device bodyvia the first rotation shaft member. The second rotation shaft member may be disposed on a side of the second doornear the first door. The second rotation shaft member may be the second portion. The first portionand the second portionmay be fixedly connected or integrally formed with each other. The second portionand the third portionmay be rotatably connected to each other. In this way, the first portionand the second portionalways remain docked to each other. The second doormay rotate to drive the third portionand the second portionto synchronously rotate. Alternatively, the first portionand the second portionmay be rotatably connected to each other. The second portionand the third portionmay be fixedly connected or integrally formed with each other. In this way, the first portionand the second portionalways remain docked to each other. The second doormay rotate to drive the third portionto rotate.

In some embodiments, the second refrigeration compartmentmay include the first rotation shaft member and the second rotation shaft member that are coaxially arranged with each other. The side of the second dooraway from the first doormay be rotatably connected to the device bodyvia the first rotation shaft member. The second rotation shaft member may be disposed on the side of the second doornear the first door. The second rotation shaft member may be the second portion. Two ends of the second portionmay respectively sleeve outside of or may be inserted into the third portionand the first portion. Since the two ends of the second portionmay be rotatable with respect to the first portionand the third portionrespectively, the second portionmay be stably docked with the first portionand the third portion. Furthermore, by arranging the two ends of the second portionto sleeve the outside of or to be inserted inside the third portionand the first portionrespectively, it is ensured that the ice blocks can move smoothly through the first portion, the second portion, and the third portionsequentially and then reach the ice extraction assembly. Specifically, the second portionmay be fixed with the device body, or the second portionmay be rotatably connected with the device body, which will not be limited herein.