CONTAINER AND ICE MAKER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 2024208071023, filed on Apr. 17, 2024, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of electrical equipment, and in particular, to a container and an ice maker.

BACKGROUND

A commonly used container generally has a fixed internal volume. When there are few objects required to be contained, the space (external volume) occupied by the container constitutes a waste of space. If a container with a smaller internal volume is configured to save space, greater storage needs cannot be met, and therefore, the container finds difficulty in adapting to changes in the objects to be contained during application, with a poor flexibility. For example, when the container is applied to an ice maker, in the related technologies, ice-storage containers and water-storage tanks are provided inside some ice makers, and the container is placed above the water tank. After the ice maker makes the water in the water tank into ice through an ice making system, the ice is held in the container. When the container is full of ice, the ice maker can continue to make ice after opening the lid of the ice maker, taking out and emptying the container. When the water in the water tank runs out, the water tank also needs to be refilled. Problems that the container needs to be emptied frequently or the water needs to be added frequently are present during use, this is because increasing the internal volume of the container to reduce the frequency of needing to empty the container in a case that the internal space of the ice maker remains unchanged will lead to the reduction of the space used for the water storage, resulting in the problem that the frequent water adding is required. Conversely, increasing the space for the water storage will lead to the reduction of the internal volume of the container, and frequent container emptying is required. Therefore, the use effect is not ideal.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present disclosure is to alleviate at least one of the technical problems existing in the existing technology. To this end, a container with a variable internal volume is proposed, and in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an ice maker having the container is further provided.

In accordance with an embodiment in a first aspect of the present disclosure, a container includes a first housing, a second housing and an elastic member, where

• • the first housing includes a first side wall;
  • the second housing includes a bottom wall and a second side wall; the second side wall is in sleeve connection with the first side wall, and the first side wall and the second side wall are movable relative to each other along a sleeve direction, such that the bottom wall moves between a first position and a second position; and the bottom wall, the second side wall and the first side wall enclose to form an accommodating cavity; and
  • a dynamic adjustment assembly is connected between the first housing and the second housing; the dynamic adjustment assembly is configured to dynamically adjust a movement of the bottom wall between the first position and the second position according to the weight of the object contained in the accommodating cavity, to adjust the volume of the accommodating cavity.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the container has at least the following beneficial effects: when the container is in use, the first side wall and the second side wall can be in sleeve connection along an up-down direction. The dynamic adjustment assembly adjusts a movement of the bottom wall between the first position and the second position along the up-down direction, which can change the effective volume of the accommodating cavity. For example, the bottom wall moves downward to expand the effective volume of the accommodating cavity; the bottom wall moves upward to reduce the volume of the accommodating cavity, and at the same time the occupation of the space below is reduced, thereby achieving the container with a variable internal volume. The container with a variable internal volume improves applicability. When the container is used, the position of the bottom wall can be adjusted according to the weight change of the object contained in the accommodating cavity, such that the effective volume of the accommodating cavity can dynamically change with the weight of the object. When used in an ice maker, the container can be configured to hold ice cubes. As more ice cubes are made, the liquid level in the water storage cavity of the ice maker declines due to water consumption, creating space, through which the bottom wall can decline, below the bottom wall of the container. The container with a variable internal volume can effectively utilize the available space due to the decline in the liquid level to expand the effective volume of the accommodating cavity. After the amount of ice decreases or the container is emptied, the bottom wall moves upward to reduce the volume occupation of the water storage cavity, thereby expanding the effective volume of the water storage cavity. Thus, the frequency of needing to empty the container can be reduced in a case of meeting a relatively large water storage capacity.

In accordance with the containers of some embodiments of the present disclosure, the dynamic adjustment assembly includes an elastic member. The elastic member is configured to provide elastic force along the sleeve direction such that the bottom wall is positioned in the first position; and the bottom wall, driven by the gravity of the object contained in the accommodating cavity, is able to move between the first position and the second position.

In accordance with the containers of some embodiments of the present disclosure, the elastic member is a spring extending along the sleeve direction; one of the first side wall and the second side wall is provided with a first mounting seat while the other one of the first side wall and the second side wall is provided with a second mounting seat. The spring is connected between the first mounting seat and the second mounting seat. The deformation amount of the spring gradually increases in a process that the bottom wall moves from the first position to the second position.

In accordance with the containers of some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first mounting seat includes a first connecting portion and a first mounting groove extending along the sleeve direction. The second mounting seat includes a second connecting portion. The spring is disposed in the first mounting groove. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected to both ends of the spring, respectively. The second connecting portion is slidable along the first mounting groove.

In accordance with the containers of some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second mounting seat further includes a second mounting groove extending along the sleeve direction. The first mounting seat is in sleeve connection with the second mounting seat. The first mounting groove and the second mounting groove form a mounting cavity. The spring is disposed in the mounting cavity. The first connecting portion is slidable along the second mounting groove.

In accordance with the containers of some embodiments of the present disclosure, the container further includes a limiting member. The limiting member is connected to the first side wall or the second side wall. The limiting member is at least partially positioned in the first mounting groove. In a state that the bottom wall is positioned in the first position, the limiting member and the second connecting portion are abutted against each other along the sleeve direction, to limit a movement of the bottom wall in the direction away from the second position.

In accordance with the containers of some embodiments of the present disclosure, one of the first side wall and the second side wall is provided with a guide groove while the other one of the first side wall and the second side wall is provided with a guide portion. The guide groove extends along the sleeve direction, the guide portion is positioned in the guide groove, and the guide portion is movable along the guide groove.

In accordance with the containers of some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first side wall is provided with a first limiting portion, and the second side wall is provided with a second limiting portion. In a state that the bottom wall is positioned in the first position, the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are abutted against each other along the sleeve direction, to limit the movement of the bottom wall in the direction away from the second position.

In accordance with the container of some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second side wall is in sleeve connection with an outer wall of the first side wall, and the bottom wall is configured to be positioned below a bottom of the first side wall when in the second position.

Alternatively, the second side wall is in sleeve connection with an inner wall of the first side wall, the first side wall encloses to form a first cavity; the second side wall and the bottom wall are positioned in the first cavity; the second side wall is in sleeve connection with the inner wall of the first side wall; and the bottom wall is configured to be flush with the bottom of the first side wall or higher than the bottom of the first side wall when in the second position.

In accordance with an embodiment in a second aspect of the present disclosure, an ice maker includes: a machine body and a container in any one of the embodiments of the first aspect described above. A cavity is provided inside the machine body; the container is disposed in the cavity to form the container for storing ice. The first side wall and the second side wall are in sleeve connection along an up-down direction. The first side wall is connected to or abuts against the machine body. The bottom wall is positioned above the bottom of the cavity. In the cavity, the space positioned below the bottom wall forms a water storage cavity for storing water, and the bottom wall moves between the first position and the second position to adjust a volume ratio of the accommodating cavity to the water storage cavity.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ice maker has at least the following beneficial effects: the ice maker adopts the container of the above-mentioned embodiment to achieve the dynamic volume change of the accommodating cavity. During ice making, as the ice cubes increase, the liquid level of the water in the water storage cavity will decline due to water consumption, and space can be reserved below the bottom wall. The dynamic adjustment assembly causes the bottom wall of the second housing to move downward, and the space formed due to the decline in the liquid level of the water storage cavity can be effectively utilized, thereby achieving the expansion of the effective volume of the accommodating cavity and increasing the amount of ice that can be held. After taking out some ice cubes or emptying the container, the bottom wall of the second housing moves upward under the action of the dynamic adjustment assembly, making room for adding water and increasing the effective volume of the water storage cavity. Thus, the volume ratio of the accommodating cavity to the water storage cavity is dynamically adjusted, and the frequency of needing to empty the container can be reduced in a case of meeting a relatively large water storage capacity.

Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be given in part in the description below, and in part will become apparent from the description below, or will be learned through the practice of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a container where a bottom wall is in a first position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a container in another state shown in FIG. 1, where a bottom wall is in a second position;

FIG. 3 is a structural exploded view of a container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a container shown in FIG. 2 along a longitudinal cross-section;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a container shown in FIG. 2 in another perspective;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a container according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a structural exploded view of a container shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a container shown in FIG. 6 along a longitudinal cross-section, where a bottom wall is in a first position;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a container shown in FIG. 6 along a longitudinal cross-section, where a bottom wall is in a second position; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a container shown in FIG. 9 in another perspective.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

Container 10; and accommodating cavity 11;

• • first housing 100; first side wall 110; guide portion 111; first limiting portion 112; first cavity 113; gap 114; bottom 115; first mounting seat 120; first connecting portion 121; and first mounting groove 122;
  • second housing 200; second side wall 210; guide groove 211; second limiting portion 212; opening 213; bottom wall 220; second mounting seat 230; second connecting portion 231; and second mounting groove 232; and
  • elastic member 300.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The concepts and the generated technical effects of the present disclosure are clearly and completely described below in combination with embodiments to fully understand the objectives, features and effects of the present disclosure. It is apparent that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure but not all. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all the other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art on the premise of not contributing creative effort should belong to the protection scope of the present disclosure.

In the description of the embodiment of the present disclosure, if involving in orientation descriptions, orientation or position relationships indicated by terms such as “up”, “down”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, and “right”, and the like are based on the orientation or position relationships as shown in the accompanying drawings, for ease of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description only, rather than indicating or implying that the mentioned apparatus or device necessarily has a particular orientation and must be constructed and operated in the particular orientation. Therefore, these terms should not be understood as limitations to the present disclosure.

In the description of the embodiment of the present disclosure, if a certain feature is regarded as “dispose”, “fix”, “connect” or “mount” on another feature, this feature may be directly disposed, fixed or connected to the another feature, or may also be indirectly disposed, fixed, connected or mounted on the other feature. In the description of the embodiment of the present disclosure, if involving in “several”, the meaning of “several” is one or more; if involving in “a plurality of”, the meaning of “a plurality of” is above two, and the involved terms such as “greater than”, “less than”, “exceeding”, and the like are understood as excluding the specified number, and the involved words such as “above”, “below”, and “within” are understood as including the specified number. The described words such as “first” and “second” should be understood as distinguishing technical features, instead of being understood as indicating or implying relative importance or impliedly indicating the quantity of the showed technical features or impliedly indicating the precedence relationship of the showed technical features.

A container with a variable internal volume and an ice maker having the container are proposed according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The effective volume of the accommodating cavity of the container can dynamically change with the weight change of the object stored in the accommodating cavity, thereby flexibly adjusting the internal volume and improving the applicability. The ice maker having the container can hold the made ice cubes in the container and change the volume of the accommodating cavity according to the change of the amount of ice, thereby dynamically adjusting the internal volume ratio of the accommodating cavity to the water storage cavity. The frequency of needing to empty the container can be reduced in a case of meeting a relatively large water storage capacity. The embodiments of the present disclosure are introduced below in combination with the drawings of the specification.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, an embodiment in a first aspect of the present disclosure provides a container 10, which includes a first housing 100, a second housing 200, and a dynamic adjustment assembly.

The first housing 100 includes a first side wall 110. The second housing 200 includes a bottom wall 220 and a second side wall 210, and the second side wall 210 is in sleeve connection with the first side wall 110. In an example, the first side wall 110 is sleeved outside the second side wall 210. Alternatively, the second side wall 210 is sleeved outside the first side wall 110.

The first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210 can move relative to each other along the sleeve direction such that the bottom wall 220 moves between a first position and a second position. In a process that the bottom wall 220 moves between the first position and the second position, the bottom wall 220, the second side wall 210 and at least a part of the first side wall 110 enclose to form an accommodating cavity 11 for receiving objects. The movement of the bottom wall 220 causes the volume of the accommodating cavity 11 to change. The volume of the accommodating cavity 11 when the bottom wall 220 is in the second position is greater than that of the accommodating cavity 11 when the bottom wall 220 is in the first position.

The dynamic adjustment assembly is connected between the first housing 100 and the second housing 200. The dynamic adjustment assembly is configured to dynamically adjust a movement of the bottom wall 220 between the first position and the second position according to the weight of the object contained in the accommodating cavity 11, to adjust the volume of the accommodating cavity 11.

When the container 10 is applied, the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210 can be sleeved in the up-down direction. With the weight change of the object contained in the accommodating cavity 11, the bottom wall 220 can move to the first position or the second position or any position between the first position and the second position along the up-down direction under the action of the dynamic adjustment assembly, thus changing the effective volume of the accommodating cavity. In an example, the bottom wall 220 moves downward, the space enclosed by the first side wall 110 above the second side wall 210 and the space enclosed by the second side wall 210 and the bottom wall 220 constitute the accommodating cavity 11, and the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 is expanded to hold more objects. In another example, the bottom wall 220 moves upward, to reduce the volume of the accommodating cavity and at the same time reduce the occupation of the lower space, thus achieving the container 10 with a variable internal volume. When the container 10 of the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied in the ice maker, as more ice cubes are made, the liquid level in the water storage cavity of the ice maker declines due to water consumption, and the space in which the bottom wall 220 can decline is created below the bottom wall 220. The container with a variable internal volume 10 can effectively use the available space due to the decline of the liquid level to expand the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11. After the amount of ice is reduced or the container is emptied, the bottom wall 220 moves upward to reduce the volume occupation of the water storage cavity, thereby expanding the effective volume of the water storage cavity. Thus, the frequency of needing to empty the container 10 can be reduced in a case of meeting a relatively large water storage capacity.

An embodiment in a second aspect of the present disclosure provides an ice maker, which includes a machine body and the container 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. A cavity is defined inside the machine body, and the container 10 is disposed in the cavity.

It is understood that in the ice makers of some technologies, in order to reduce the frequency of opening the lid to empty the container, a container with a larger internal volume is configured. The expansion of the container internal volume will lead to an increase in the container external volume, thereby occupying the space of the water tank inside the ice maker, resulting in a decrease in the volume of the water storage cavity in the water tank, and a decrease in the amount of water that can be stored at a single time, so the frequency of needing to add water during use increases. However, if the water storage amount at a single time is increased in order to reduce the frequency of adding water, the container external volume needs to be reduced to prevent the bottom from being immersed in water, resulting in a decrease in external volume, thus the amount of ice that can be stored at a single time decreases, and then the frequency of needing to empty the container increases.

The ice maker of the embodiment of the present disclosure uses the container 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment to achieve the dynamic change of the volume of the accommodating cavity 11, in which the first side wall 110 is in sleeve connection with the second side wall 210 in the up-down direction. During ice making, as the ice cubes increase, the liquid level of the water in the water storage cavity will decline due to water consumption, and space can be reserved under the bottom wall 220. Under the action of the dynamic adjustment assembly, the bottom wall 220 of the second housing 200 moves downward, and the space formed due to the decline of the liquid level in the water storage cavity can be effectively utilized, thereby achieving the expansion of the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 and increasing the amount of ice that can be held. After taking out some ice cubes or emptying the container 10, the bottom wall 220 of the second housing 200 moves upward under the action of the dynamic adjustment assembly, making room for adding water, thereby increasing the effective volume of the water storage cavity. Thus, the volume ratio of the accommodating cavity 11 to the water storage cavity is dynamically adjusted. The frequency of needing to empty the container can be reduced in a case of meeting a relatively large water storage capacity, which effectively solves the problem of frequent emptying of ice cubes and frequent addition of water in the ice maker.

The container 10 of the embodiment of the present disclosure can also be applied to various other devices. The volume of the accommodating cavity 11 is changed according to the weight of the stored object, which can not only adjust the storage capacity of the container 10 flexibly, but also improve the space utilization rate. A further description is made below with the example that the container 10 of the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied in the ice maker.

In some embodiments, the dynamic adjustment assembly includes an elastic member 300.

The elastic member 300 is connected between the first housing 100 and the second housing 200, and is configured to provide elastic force along the sleeve direction such that the bottom wall 220 is positioned in the first position. Driven by the gravity of the object contained in the accommodating cavity 11, the bottom wall 220 can move between the first position and the second position.

During use, the elastic force of the elastic member 300 causes the bottom wall 220 to be kept in the first position when the accommodating cavity 11 is in an empty state without ice cubes. After ice cubes are held in the accommodating cavity 11, the bottom wall 220 is supported below the ice. As the ice cubes increases, the weight of the ice cubes and the second housing 200 increases. Driven by gravity, the bottom wall 220 with the second side wall 210 can move downward against the elastic force of the elastic member 300, thereby expanding the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 and allowing more objects to be held. After the amount of ice in the accommodating cavity 11 is reduced or the accommodating cavity 11 is emptied, the bottom wall 220 moves upward toward the first position under the elastic force of the elastic member 300. The effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 is reduced, and at the same time the occupation of the space below is reduced, such that the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 can change dynamically with the amount of ice storage.

The container 10 is placed in the cavity of the ice maker. The first side wall 110 is connected to or abuts against the machine body, and the bottom wall 220 is positioned above the bottom of the cavity. In the cavity, the space below the bottom wall 220 forms the water storage cavity for storing water. The bottom wall 220 moves between the first position and the second position to achieve the adjustment of the volume ratio.

During ice making of the ice maker, as the ice cubes increase, the liquid level of the water in the water storage cavity will decline due to water consumption, and space can be reserved below the bottom wall 220. The bottom wall 220 of the second housing 200 moves downward under the force of gravity, and the space formed due to the decline of the liquid level in the water storage cavity can be effectively utilized, thereby achieving the expansion of the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 and increasing the amount of ice that can be held. After taking out some ice cubes or emptying the container 10, the bottom wall 220 of the second housing 200 moves upward under the elastic force of the elastic member 300, making room for adding water and increasing the effective volume of the water storage cavity. Thus, the volume ratio of the accommodating cavity 11 to the water storage cavity can be adjusted, thereby reducing the frequency of needing to empty the container 10 in a case of meeting a relatively large water storage capacity.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the elastic member 300 may be a spring extending along the sleeve direction. The elastic member 300 can be connected between the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210. One of the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210 is provided with a first mounting seat 120 while the other one of the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210 is provided with a second mounting seat 230, and the spring is connected between the first mounting seat 120 and the second mounting seat 230. One elastic member 300 can be disposed on left and right sides, respectively; and the quantities and positions of the corresponding first mounting seat 120 and the second mounting seat 230 also increase accordingly. In an embodiment, the elastic member 300 as well as the corresponding first mounting seat 120 and second mounting seat 230 may also be disposed on the front and rear sides.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the first side wall 110 is sleeved on the outer wall of the second side wall 210. A first mounting seat 120 is disposed on an inner side of the first side wall 110, and a second mounting seat 230 is disposed on an outer side of the second side wall 210 at a position corresponding to the first mounting seat 120. Alternatively, the positions of the first mounting seat 120 and the second mounting seat 230 are interchangeable. The first mounting seat 120 can be disposed on the outer side of the second side wall 210, and the second mounting seat 230 can be disposed on the inner side of the first side wall 110. Alternatively, in a case where the first side wall 110 is sleeved inside the second side wall 210, the first mounting seat 120 is disposed on the outer side of the first side wall 110, and the second mounting seat 230 is disposed on the inner side of the second side wall 210. The positions of the first mounting seat 120 and the second mounting seat 230 can be interchangeable.

The first mounting seat 120 and the second mounting seat 230 form a mounting structure for mounting the spring between the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210, thereby achieving stable mounting of the spring. In a process that the bottom wall 220 moves from the first position to the second position, the deformation amount of the compression spring gradually increases, thereby providing gradually increasing elastic force. Therefore, as the amount of ice in the accommodating cavity 11 increases, the bottom wall 220 moves towards the second position, causing an increase in the deformation amount of the spring, and an increase in the elastic force provided by the spring accordingly, thereby effectively balancing the increased weight and achieving the effective support for the second side wall 210.

In an example, the elastic member 300 can be a compression spring extending along the sleeve direction, and the compression spring abuts between the first mounting seat 120 and the second mounting seat 230. In a process that the bottom wall 220 moves from the first position to the second position, the compression amount of the compression spring gradually increases, thereby providing gradually increasing elastic force. In this way, as the amount of ice in the accommodating cavity 11 increases, the bottom wall 220 moves toward the second position, causing an increase in the compression amount of the compression spring, and an increase in the elastic force provided by the compression spring accordingly, thereby effectively balancing the increased weight and achieving the effective support for the second housing 200. Alternatively, the elastic member 300 can also be a tension spring extending along the sleeve direction, and the tension spring is connected between the first mounting seat 120 and the second mounting seat 230. In a process that the bottom wall 220 moves from the first position to the second position, the tension amount of the tension spring gradually increases, thus providing gradually increasing elastic force. Therefore, as the amount of ice in the accommodating cavity 11 increases, the bottom wall 220 moves towards the second position, causing an increase in the elongation of the tension spring, and the elastic force provided by the tension spring, thus effectively balancing the increased weight and achieving the effective support for the second housing 200. Alternatively, the elastic member 300 may be a coil spring. The first end of the coil spring is fixed to the first mounting seat 120, and the second end of coil spring is fixed to the second mounting seat 230. The first end can be one of a coiled end and a free end of the coil spring, and the second end can be the other of the coiled end and the free end of the coil spring. In a process that the bottom wall 220 moves from the first position to the second position, the tension amount of the coil spring gradually increases, thereby providing gradually increasing elastic force. Therefore, as the amount of ice in the accommodating cavity 11 increases, the bottom wall 220 moves toward the second position, causing an increase in the elongation of the coil spring, and the elastic force provided by the coil spring accordingly, thereby effectively balancing the increased weight and achieving the effective support for the second housing 200.

In some embodiments, the elastic member 300 can also be disposed at the bottom of the bottom wall 220. The compression spring is selected as the elastic member 300. When applied to the ice maker, the elastic member 300 abuts against the bottom wall 220 and the bottom of the water storage cavity of the ice maker, thus achieving the effective support for the second housing 200. Alternatively, the first housing 100 further includes a mounting part. The mounting part is positioned below the bottom wall 220. The mounting part can be a protrusion structure protruding from the inner wall of the first side wall 110, or a bottom plate structure arranged at the bottom of the first side wall 110. The elastic member 300 abuts between the bottom wall 220 and the mounting part. The compression spring is selected as the elastic member 300, thereby achieving the effective support for the second housing 200. When the accommodating cavity 11 is in an empty state without ice cubes, the elastic member 300 is supported at the bottom of the bottom wall 220, and the bottom wall 220 remains in the first position under the action of the elastic force. After the ice cubes are held in the accommodating cavity 11, the bottom wall 220 can move downward against the elastic force of the elastic member 300 under the drive of the gravity, and the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 increases. After the amount of ice in the accommodating cavity 11 is reduced or the accommodating cavity 11 is emptied, the bottom wall 220 moves upward toward the first position under the elastic force of the elastic member 300, and the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 is reduced. Thus, the dynamical change of the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 with the amount of ice storage is achieved.

In an embodiment, by properly configuring the elastic member 300, the bottom wall 220 and the second side wall 210 can start to move after the amount of ice in the accommodating cavity 11 reaches a set amount. In an example, in an initial state (there is no ice in the accommodating cavity 11), the gravity of the second housing 200 is G1, the bottom wall 220 is in the first position, and under the premise of ignoring the friction force, the initial elastic force of the elastic member 300 is configured as F1, F1>G1, the weight of the ice cubes held in the accommodating cavity 11 is g, and g increases with the increase of the amount of ice. When a certain amount of ice is reached (for example, the accommodating cavity 11 is filled with ice or only a part of the accommodating cavity 11 is filled), the water level gradually decreases. When G1+g>F1, the water level declines by a certain height, leaving a certain space under the bottom wall 220. The bottom wall 220 and the second side wall 210 start to move downward while preventing the bottom wall 220 from being immersed in water.

It is understood that the setting of the required initial elastic force F1 can be achieved through the parameter configuration and/or the mounting state of the elastic member 300. In an example, when a spring is selected as the elastic member 300, the setting of the elastic force F1 can be achieved through material selection as well as the configurations for geometric dimensions such as the diameter and the effective number of turns of the wire diameter. Alternatively, the initial elastic force F1 can be set by the mounting state. In an example, when a compression spring is adopted, the required initial elastic force can be obtained by setting the compression amount of the spring after installation in the initial state. When a tension spring is adopted, the required initial elastic force can be obtained by setting the tension amount of the spring after installation in the initial state. The specific parameter configuration and design method can be easily known by those skilled in the art based on mechanical principles and will not be elaborated here.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the first mounting seat 120 includes a first connecting portion 121 and a first mounting groove 122 extending along the sleeve direction. The second mounting seat 230 includes a second connecting portion 231. The elastic member 300 is disposed in the first mounting groove 122; and the first connecting portion 121 and the second connecting portion 231 are connected to both ends of the elastic member 300, respectively. In an example, in a case where the elastic member 300 is a compression spring, the first connecting portion 121 and the second connecting portion 231 abut against both ends of the compression spring, respectively, to achieve the fixation of the compression spring. In a case where the elastic member 300 is a tension spring, the first connecting portion 121 and the second connecting portion 231 are fixedly connected to both ends of the tension spring, respectively, to achieve the fixation of the tension spring. The second connecting portion 231 can slide along the first mounting groove 122, and the first mounting groove 122 has a notch for the second connecting portion 231 to move. Therefore, in a process that the bottom wall 220 moves as the amount of ice changes, the second connecting portion 231 slides in the first mounting groove 122 to change the deformation amount of the compression spring, and the elastic force also changes accordingly, thereby effectively balancing the weight change of ice in the accommodating cavity 11 during use, and achieving the effective support for the second side wall 210 and the bottom wall 220.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, and FIGS. 7 to 9, in some embodiments, the second mounting seat 230 further includes a second mounting groove 232 extending along the sleeve direction. The first mounting seat 120 is in sleeve connection with the second mounting seat 230. In an example, the first mounting seat 120 is sleeved in the second mounting groove 232, or the second mounting seat 230 is sleeved in the first mounting groove 122. Thus, in a process that the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210 move relative to each other, the guiding for the sleeved first mounting seat 120 and the second mounting seat 230 along the sleeve direction can be achieved, thereby improving the stability of the movement of the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210. The groove walls of the first mounting groove 122 and the second mounting groove 232 enclose to form a mounting cavity, and the elastic member 300 is disposed in the mounting cavity. The mounting cavity can restrict circumferentially the elastic member 300 to prevent the elastic member 300 from bending and deforming. The first connecting portion 121 can slide along the second mounting groove 232, thereby changing the deformation amount of the elastic member 300 together with the second connecting portion 231.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in some embodiments, the container 10 further includes a limiting member. The limiting member is connected to the first side wall 110 or the second side wall 210. The limiting member is at least partially positioned in the first mounting groove 122. When the bottom wall 220 is in a state of the first position, the limiting member and the second connecting portion 231 abut against each other along the sleeve direction under the elastic force of the elastic member 300, to limit a movement of the bottom wall 220 in the direction away from the second position. The limiting effect of the limiting member enables the elastic member 300 to have a certain initial elastic force F1 after being mounted. For example, the compression spring may have a certain amount of compression amount after being mounted, and the tension spring may have a certain tension amount after being mounted, thus obtaining an initial elastic force F1, to avoid the problem of the second housing 200 upwardly separating from the first housing 100 due to the elastic force.

The limiting member may be detachably connected to the first side wall 110 or the second side wall 210, which can facilitate assembly and disassembly of the first housing 100 and the second housing 200. In an example, the limiting member can be a screw. By providing a threaded hole on the first side wall 110 at a position corresponding to the first mounting groove 122, the detachable mounting of the limiting member is achieved. The abutment limiting can be released in a form of disassembling the limiting member, thereby facilitating the disassembly of the first housing 100 and the second housing 200. During assembly, the bottom wall 220 is enabled to be in the first position after the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210 are sleeved, and then the limiting member is mounted to achieve abutment limiting, thus preventing the second container 10 from upwardly separating from the first container 10. The detachably connected limiting member makes the disassembly and assembly between the first housing 100 and the second housing 200 relatively simple and easy to clean.

In some embodiments, the dynamic adjustment assembly can also use an active adjustment method to adjust the position of the bottom wall 220. In an example, the dynamic adjustment assembly can include a power element, a lead screw pair and a sensor. The power element is connected to the second housing 200 through the lead screw pair, specifically can be connected to the second side wall 210 or to the bottom wall 220. The power element drives the second housing 200 to move through the lead screw pair, to adjust a movement of the bottom wall 220 between the first position and the second position, thereby adjusting the volume of the accommodating cavity 11.

The sensor may be a gravity sensor for detecting the weight of ice in the accommodating cavity 11. When the weight is detected to increase to a preset value, the power element acts, to allow the bottom wall 220 to move downward by a set displacement, thereby increasing the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 accordingly. When the weight is detected to decrease to a preset value, the power element acts, to allow the bottom wall to move upward by a set displacement, thereby reducing the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 accordingly, and leaving the space required to increase water storage below the bottom wall 220.

Alternatively, the sensor can also be a liquid level sensor for detecting the liquid level height below the bottom wall 220. When the liquid level height is detected to decline to a preset value, the power element acts, to allow the bottom wall 220 to move downward by a set displacement, thereby increasing the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 accordingly. When the liquid level height is detected to rise a preset value, the power element acts, to allow the bottom wall 220 to move upward by a set displacement, thereby reducing the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 accordingly, and leaving the space required to increase water storage below the bottom wall 220.

Alternatively, the sensor can also be a distance sensor for detecting the distance between the bottom wall 220 and the liquid surface below the bottom wall 220. When the distance between the bottom wall 220 and the liquid surface is detected to increase to a preset value, the power element acts, to allow the bottom wall 220 to move downward by a set displacement, thereby increasing the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 accordingly. When the distance between the bottom wall 220 and the liquid surface is detected to decline to a preset value, the power element acts, to allow the bottom wall 220 to move upward by a set displacement, thereby reducing the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 accordingly, and leaving the space required to increase water storage below the bottom wall 220.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, in some embodiments, one of the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210 is provided with a guide groove 211 while the other one of the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210 is provided with a guide portion 111. The guide groove 211 extends along the sleeve direction, the guide portion 111 is positioned in the guide groove 211, and the guide portion 111 can move along the guide groove 211. In an example, the guide groove 211 is provided on the second side wall 210, and the guide portion 111 is provided on the first side wall 110. In a specific embodiment, the positions of the two can be swapped. The guide groove 211 can be a groove structure formed on the first side wall 110 or the second side wall 210, and the guide portion 111 can be a protrusion structure formed on the other side wall.

The number of the guide groove 211 can be one, two or more, and the numbers of the guide portion 111 and the guide groove 211 are equal, with corresponding positions. The relative movement of the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210 can be guided along the sleeve direction through the cooperation of the guide groove 211 and the guide portion 111, to avoid movement jamming, such that the bottom wall 220 can move smoothly to ensure the dynamical volume change of the accommodating cavity 11.

Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the first side wall 110 is provided with a first limiting portion 112, and the second side wall 210 is provided with a second limiting portion 212. In the first position, the first limiting portion 112 and the second limiting portion 212 abut against each other along the sleeve direction, to limit the movement of the bottom wall 220 in the direction away from the second position, thereby preventing the second side wall 210 from upwardly separating from the first side wall 110.

In an example, in a case where the first side wall 110 is sleeved outside the second side wall 210, a raised first limiting portion 112 is disposed on the inner wall of the first side wall 110, and a raised second limiting portion 212 is disposed on the outer wall of the second side wall 210. In an initial state, the bottom wall 220 is positioned in the first position. Under the elastic force of the elastic member 300, the first limiting portion 112 abuts downward against the second limiting portion 212, and similarly, the second limiting portion 212 abuts upward against the first limiting portion 112, thereby achieving a limiting effect on the second side wall 210 and preventing the second side wall 210 from upwardly separating from the first side wall 110. A notch 114 can be provided on the first side wall 110 at a position corresponding to the lower part of the first limiting portion 112. By inserting a tool into the notch 114, the first limiting portion 112 and/or the second limiting portion 212 can be pushed open to release the abutment between the two, and the second housing 200 is pulled out of the first housing 100 from bottom to top. During assembly, the second side wall 210 can be sleeved into the inner side of the first side wall 110 from the top of the first side wall 110, such that the second side wall 210 moves downward until the first limiting portion 112 and the second limiting portion 212 are mutually engaged, to achieve abutment limiting, with relatively simple disassembly and assembly, and easy cleaning.

The limiting effect of the first limiting portion 112 and the second limiting portion 212 enables the elastic member 300 to have a certain initial elastic force F1 after being mounted. For example, the compression spring may have a certain amount of compression after being mounted, and the tension spring may have a certain amount of tension after being mounted, thereby obtaining the initial elastic force F1, to avoid the problem of the second housing 200 upwardly separating from the first housing 100 due to the elastic force.

In some embodiments, the second side wall 210 is in sleeve connection with the inner wall or the outer wall of the first side wall 110, and the bottom wall 220 in the second position is positioned below the bottom 115 of the first side wall 110. In some examples, referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the second side wall 210 is in sleeve connection with the inner wall of the first side wall 110. Along the sleeve direction, the length of the first side wall 110 is less than the sum of the length of the second side wall 210 and the stroke of the bottom wall 220 between the first position and the second position, which can reduce the material consumption of the first side wall 110.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 10, in some embodiments, the first side wall 110 encloses to form a first cavity 113, the second side wall 210 and the bottom wall 220 are positioned in the first cavity 113, the second side wall 210 is in sleeve connection with the inner wall of the first side wall 110, and the bottom wall 220 in the second position is flush with or higher than the bottom 115 of the first side wall 110. Therefore, in a process that the bottom wall 220 moves between the first position and the second position, the bottom wall 220 and the second side wall 210 remain being positioned in the first cavity 113. That is to say, along the sleeve direction, the length of the first side wall 110 is greater than or equal to the sum of the length of the second side wall 210 and the stroke of the bottom wall 220 between the first position and the second position. During use, after the accommodating cavity 11 is filled with ice cubes and when the container 10 is taken out and placed, the bottom 115 of the first side wall 110 can be supported on the placement surface together with the bottom wall 220, to prevent the ice cubes from overflowing due to the downward movement of the first side wall 110. When the container 10 is placed into the cavity of the ice maker after being emptied, the bottom 115 of the first side wall 110 can also be supported on the bottom of the cavity, and the fixing structure for the first side wall 110 and the machine body of the ice maker can be omitted.

The second side wall 210 and the bottom wall 220 remain being positioned in the first cavity 113, the first side wall 110, the second side wall 210 and the bottom wall 220 enclose to form the accommodating cavity 11. Therefore, in this scheme, a part of the wall body of the second side wall 210 can be omitted. In an example, in the second housing 200 shown in FIG. 7, an opening 213 can be provided on the front side of the second side wall 210, thereby eliminating a part of the wall body and saving the material.

The container 10 and the ice maker having the container 10 in the embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve the dynamic volume change of the accommodating cavity 11. The frequency of needing to empty the container 10 can be reduced in a case of meeting a relatively large water storage capacity, which helps to improve the using experience. Moreover, the first housing 100 and the second housing 200 achieve a change in the effective volume of the accommodating cavity 11 through the sleeve and relative movement of the first side wall 110 and the second side wall 210. Compared with a complex electrical control scheme, the structure is simpler, with better stability and reliability.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above in combination with the drawings, and however the present disclosure is not limited the above embodiments. Under the premise of not departing from the gist of the present disclosure, various changes can also be made within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art. In addition, embodiments in the present disclosure and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.