Ice maker

Abstract

The invention relates to an ice maker, in particular for a household appliance, comprising at least one moulding element which is suitable and intended for moulding an ice piece, wherein the at least one moulding element is fluidically connected to a liquid supply device, wherein at least one cooling supply device is provided, which supplies a cooled fluid to the at least one moulding element in such a way that it impinges on an upper area of the at least one moulding element along the height axis, wherein the liquid supply device comprises at least one liquid reservoir which is arranged along the height axis below the at least one moulding element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ice maker, in particular for a household appliance, comprising:
 at least one moulding element, which is suitable and intended for moulding an ice piece, wherein the at least one moulding element is fluidically connected to a liquid supply device, wherein at least one cooling supply device is provided, which supplies a cooled fluid to the at least one moulding element in such a way that it impinges on an upper area of the at least one moulding element along the height axis (Z), wherein the liquid supply device comprises at least one liquid reservoir, which is arranged along the height axis (Z) under the at least one moulding element.   
     
     
         2 . The ice maker according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one moulding element is arranged in a holding device, wherein the cooling supply device is integrated into the holding device.   
     
     
         3 . The ice maker according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one moulding element comprises an upper opening along the height axis (Z) and a lower inlet opening, wherein the liquid enters the at least one moulding element through the lower inlet opening, wherein a connecting element is arranged between the at least one liquid reservoir and the at least one moulding element, wherein the upper opening is designed such that the ice piece can be removed from the at least one moulding element, wherein the upper opening and the lower inlet opening are diametrically opposed.   
     
     
         4 . The ice maker according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a first heating device is provided, which heats the liquid intended to enter the at least one moulding element, wherein the first heating device is arranged at least partially in the at least one liquid reservoir or on a wall of the liquid reservoir.   
     
     
         5 . The ice maker according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein at least one sensor device is provided, by means of which the temperature of the liquid can be determined, at least one control device being provided, which is connected to the sensor device in terms of signalling, and controls or regulates the first heating device in such a way that the liquid entering the at least one moulding element has a temperature greater than 0° C.   
     
     
         6 . The ice maker according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the sensor device is arranged between the at least one liquid reservoir and the at least one moulding element, the sensor device being arranged at least partially in the connecting element.   
     
     
         7 . The ice maker according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the liquid supply device comprises a pre-reservoir which is fluidically connected to the at least one liquid reservoir, wherein the pre-reservoir comprises a filling level measuring device.   
     
     
         8 . The ice maker according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one moulding element consists of an elastic material, wherein at least one holding element is provided, which is arranged on the at least one moulding element or is formed by a wall element of the at least one moulding element, wherein the at least one holding element is connected to at least one counter holding element of the holding device in a non-positive and/or positive manner.   
     
     
         9 . The ice maker according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein at least one second heating device is provided, by means of which the at least one moulding element can be heated.   
     
     
         10 . The ice maker according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the holding device comprises two sections movable relative to each other, wherein a first section is arranged along the height axis below a second section, wherein a movement of the second section towards the first section deforms the at least one moulding element, whereby the at least one ice piece is ejected from the at least one moulding element.   
     
     
         11 . A household appliance comprising an ice maker according to  claim 1 .