Through-type water tank for ice maker

A water tank for an ice maker, wherein:

• the water tank is mounted on a slide rail arranged within a body of the ice maker and is slidable outward from the front side of the body;
• a communication pipe and a liner are arranged at a rear side of the water tank, wherein the water tank is in fluid communication with the liner via the communication pipe;
• and
• a piston is disposed at a connection between the water tank and the communication pipe, wherein the piston expands in response to the water tank being pulled outward, and in response to the water tank being pushed inward, the communication pipe is inserted into the piston, compressing the piston and establishing fluid communication with the water tank.

A method for making ice using an ice maker, comprising:

• cooling an evaporator using a refrigeration system, wherein the ice maker comprises a body, a water tank, a basket, the evaporator, and the refrigeration system;
• spraying, from the water tank, water onto the evaporator for condensation to form ice;
• and
• detaching the ice from the evaporator to the basket,
• wherein a slide rail is arranged within the body, wherein the water tank is mounted on the slide rail and is slidable outward from the front side of the body;
• wherein a communication pipe and a liner are arranged at a rear side of the water tank, wherein the water tank is in fluid communication with the liner via the communication pipe;
• and
• wherein a piston is disposed at a connection between the water tank and the communication pipe, wherein the piston expands in response to the water tank being pulled outward, and in response to the water tank being pushed inward, the communication pipe is inserted into the piston, compressing the piston and establishing fluid communication with the water tank.