JP4201618B2

JP4201618B2 - Ice machine

Info

Publication number: JP4201618B2
Application number: JP2003047485A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 朗陶山; 幸正竹田; 浩司土川
Original assignee: Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-25
Filing date: 2003-02-25
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-25
Also published as: JP2004257626A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、製氷機における冷却能力の調整に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来から、製氷機は、製氷水を冷凍回路にて冷却して氷の生成を行う製氷部と、製氷部へ製氷水を供給する給水部とを備えている（特許文献１）。図５（ａ）に示すように、給水部においては、製氷水を貯留しておく給水タンク１が備えられ、給水タンク１に製氷水を供給する給水パイプ２が設置されている。給水パイプ２には製氷水の流通を制御する給水弁３が取り付けられると共に、給水パイプ２の外周面に給水パイプ２の内部を流れる製氷水の温度を測定するためのサーミスタ４が取り付けられている。これは、サーミスタ４を直接製氷水に入れて温度を測定することが衛生上できないため、このようにサーミスタ４を給水パイプ２の外周面に取り付けて間接的に測定するようにしている。また、給水タンク１の内部に製氷水の水位を検知するためのフロート５が配設され、フロート５にて検知された水位に基づいて給水弁３の開閉が行われる。
【０００３】
図６を参照しながらこのような給水部の動作について説明する。ステップＳ１にて、フロート５が給水の位置（図５（ｂ）の水位Ｘ）まで低下していることを検知した場合、ステップＳ２に進んで給水弁３を開き、給水パイプ２から給水タンク１へ製氷水を供給する。これによりフロート５の位置が上昇する。ステップＳ３にてフロート５が満水の位置（図５（ａ）の水位Ｙ）に到達すると、ステップＳ４に進んで給水弁３を閉じ、給水パイプ２から給水タンク１への製氷水の供給が停止される。給水弁３は、給水タンク１内の製氷水が製氷部に供給されることにより減少し、フロート５が再び給水の位置へ低下するまで閉じられる。
【０００４】
図５（ａ）は給水弁３を開いて給水タンク１へ製氷水を供給している状態を示し、図５（ｂ）は製氷水が供給された後に給水弁３を閉じて給水タンク１への製氷水の供給を停止している状態を示している。図５（ａ）に示されるように給水弁３が開いている場合には、サーミスタ４は製氷水本来の水温を検知する。一方、図５（ｂ）に示されるように給水弁３が閉じている場合には、製氷水が給水パイプ２内に停滞している間に機械内の熱により暖められ、給水パイプ２の直径が細いため暖められ易いこともあって、サーミスタ４が検知する温度は製氷水本来の水温より高くなる。
【０００５】
サーミスタ４にて検知した製氷水の温度変化を図５（ｃ）に示す。図５（ａ）に示すように給水弁３を開いて製氷水を供給しているａの時点においてはサーミスタ４により検知される温度は製氷水本来の水温になるが、図５（ｂ）に示すように給水終了後に給水弁３を閉じ、製氷水の供給を停止した後のｂの時点ではサーミスタ４により検知される温度は機械内の温度まで上昇する。
【０００６】
【特許文献１】
特開平９−４９５０号公報
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、このサーミスタ４で検知した製氷水の温度に基づいて製氷部における冷凍回路の冷却能力を調整するような制御を行う場合、給水弁３の開弁による給水最中の製氷水の温度は低くなると共に給水が一旦中断し次の給水直前の製氷水の温度は高くなるので、短時間内で検知される製氷水の温度が変化し、その影響を受けて制御動作が頻繁に切り替わって安定しないという問題点があった。
【０００８】
本発明は以上のような問題点を解決するためになされたもので、給水時と給水直前との製氷水の温度に違いがあっても冷却能力の制御を安定させることのできる製氷機及びその冷却能力調整方法を提供することを目的とする。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上述の目的を達成するために、本発明に係る製氷機は、所定の給水サイクルで供給される給水部の製氷水を用い、製氷部で氷の製造を行う製氷機において、給水部の製氷水温度を測る検温手段と、検温手段で検知された製氷水温度が、給水サイクルより長い所定の設定時間、連続して基準温度を超えたか否かにより、製氷部の冷却能力を調整する冷却能力調整部とを備えるものである。
また、製氷部は、ファンを有する凝縮器を含んだ冷凍回路を備え、冷却能力調整部により、製氷水温度が基準温度を設定時間、連続して超えた場合にファンを本来の稼動率で駆動させると共に、製氷水温度が基準温度を設定時間、連続して超えない場合に、該ファンを本来の稼動率より低い稼動率で稼動させるようにしてもよい。
本発明に係る製氷機の冷却能力調整方法は、所定の給水サイクルで供給される給水部の製氷水を用い、製氷部で氷の製造を行う製氷機の冷却能力調整方法において、検温手段にて給水部の製氷水温度を検知し、検温手段にて検知された製氷水温度が、給水サイクルより長い所定の設定時間、連続して基準温度を超えたか否かにより、製氷部の冷却能力を調整するものである。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に係る実施の形態を添付図面に基づいて説明する。
実施の形態に係るオーガ式製氷機の構成を図１に示す。製氷機は主に、製氷水から氷を製造する製氷部６、製氷部６に対して製氷水を供給する給水部７及び製氷部６にて製造された氷を蓄える貯氷部８から構成される。給水部７には製氷水を貯留する給水タンク９が備えられ、水道等の水源と接管して給水タンク９へ製氷水を供給する給水パイプ１０が、給水タンク９に接続されている。給水パイプ１０には製氷水の流通を制御する給水弁１１が取り付けられ、給水弁１１の上流側で且つ給水パイプ１０の外周面に、給水パイプ１０の内部を流れる製氷水の温度を間接的に測定する検温手段としてのサーミスタ１２が取り付けられている。また、給水タンク９の内部に製氷水の水位を検知するためのフロート１３が配設され、フロート１３にて検知された水位に基づいて給水弁１１の開閉を行う給水用コントローラ１４が設けられている。
【００１１】
製氷部６は、給水タンク９から配管１５にて連結され且つ給水タンク９から製氷水が供給される製氷筒１６を備えている。製氷筒１６の外周面には製氷筒１６内の製氷水を冷却する蒸発パイプ１７が螺旋状に巻き付けられ、蒸発パイプ１７は断熱材１８にて覆われている。蒸発パイプ１７は圧縮機１９、凝縮器２０及び膨張弁２１と共に冷凍回路を形成している。凝縮器２０には凝縮器２０の冷却に用いられるファン２２がファンモータ２２ａによって駆動されるように設けられている。また、製氷筒１６の内部には、駆動モータ２３にて回転駆動されるオーガ２４が設置され、製氷筒１６の内周面に生成した氷を削り取って製氷筒１６の上部へ搬送する螺旋刃２５がオーガ２４の外周面に取り付けられている。製氷筒１６の上部には、螺旋刃２５にて搬送された氷を押し固める氷押し出しヘッド２６が設けられている。
【００１２】
貯氷部８は製氷部６にて製造された氷を貯氷する貯氷槽２７を備えている。貯氷槽２７内においてオーガ２４の上端部には、カッター２８が取り付けられている。カッター２８は、氷押し出しヘッド２６から貯氷槽２７の内部に押し出された氷をチップ状に分断する。また、カッター２８の上方には、貯氷槽２７の内部に貯留されている氷を攪拌するアジテータ２９が取り付けられている。貯氷槽２７の上部には、貯氷槽２７内の氷が満杯か否かを検知するアイスレベル検知板３０が取り付けられ、貯氷槽２７内が氷で満杯になった場合に冷凍回路の運転を停止する。また、貯氷槽２７には氷放出口３２が形成され、氷放出口３２には開閉機構部３３によって開閉される開閉扉３４が設置されている。
【００１３】
また、この製氷機には、給水部７のサーミスタ１２により検出される製氷水の温度を基に、ファン２２の回転数を制御して冷凍回路の冷却能力の調整を行う冷却能力調整部３５が設けられている。冷却能力調整部３５には、設定時間βを計測するためのタイマ３６と、サーミスタ１２にて検出された製氷水の温度が入力される温度判断部３７と、温度判断部３７の判断に基づく比例制御によってファンモータ２２ａへの通電率を１００％以下に可変調整し、ファン２２の回転数を調整するファンスピードコントロール基板（以下、ＦＳＣ）３８とが設けられている。温度判断部３７においては、基準温度αが設定されると共に、サーミスタ１２から入力される製氷水の温度が、設定時間βだけ連続して基準温度αを超えたか否かの判断がなされる。
【００１４】
次に、本実施の形態に係るオーガ式製氷機の動作の概要について説明する。給水弁１１を開くことにより、給水パイプ１０から給水タンク９に製氷水が供給される。給水タンク９に貯留された製氷水は配管１５を介して製氷筒１６内に供給される。圧縮機１９を作動させることにより冷凍回路が作動し、蒸発パイプ１７内の低温冷媒によって製氷筒１６が冷却され、製氷筒１６の内部の製氷水が冷却されて製氷筒１６の内周面に氷が生成される。これらの氷は駆動モータ２３にて回転するオーガ２４の螺旋刃２５にて製氷筒１６の内周面から削り取られて氷押し出しヘッド２６に押し込まれる。これにより、氷は圧縮されて柱状に固まった状態で、氷押し出しヘッド２６の上部から貯氷槽２７の内部へ送り込まれ、カッター２８でチップ状に分断されて貯氷槽２７の内部に蓄えられる。そして、アイスレベル検知板３０を介して貯氷槽２７内が氷で満杯になったことが検知されると、冷凍回路の運転が停止されて製氷が停止する。また、開閉機構部３３によって開閉扉３４が開けられるとチップ状の氷が氷放出口３２から外部へ放出される。
【００１５】
給水部７においては、給水タンク９への製氷水の供給が給水弁１１の開閉を行う給水用コントローラ１４によって制御されている。即ち、このコントローラ１４がフロート１３を介して給水タンク９の製氷水の水位が給水位置まで下降したことを検知した場合に給水弁１１を開いて製氷水の供給を行い、この供給によりフロート１３が満水位置に上昇したら給水弁１１を閉じて製氷水の供給を停止する。製氷部６において、所定量の氷を製造するために必要な時間及び製氷水量は一定であるため、所定の時間に給水タンク９から製氷筒１６へ供給される製氷水の量も一定になる。このため、例えば、貯氷槽２７内に氷がない運転開始の直後、即ち製氷が停止されずに連続して氷の製造が行われる場合、給水タンク９のフロート１３が一定の周期で上下動し、給水パイプ１０から給水タンク９へ製氷水の供給が一定の給水サイクルで行われる。給水サイクルは、給水タンク９への製氷水の供給開始時点から始まり、供給の停止を経て次の供給開始時点にて終わり、１サイクル当たり時間Ｔかかる。
【００１６】
図２に示されるように、一般に給水サイクルの時間Ｔの間に給水部７のサーミスタ１２にて検知される製氷水の温度は変化する。すなわち、製氷水が給水されている時に検知される製氷水の温度は低いが、給水が停止された後の製氷水の温度は次第に上昇し、高くなる。そして、再び給水が開始されると低下する。このように、給水の停止後から次の給水の直前にかけて、製氷水の温度が高くなるのは、給水弁１１が閉じることにより給水パイプ１０内に停滞した製氷水が製氷機の駆動、例えば圧縮機１９や駆動モータ２３の駆動により発生する熱により加熱されるためであり、給水中に製氷水の温度が下がるのは製氷機の発熱にて加熱されていない状態の製氷水本来の水温が検出されるためである。
【００１７】
ここで、図３（ａ）に示される温度と時間の関係を表すグラフ及び図４に示されるフローチャートを用い、この実施の形態に係る製氷機に用いられている冷却能力調整部３５の動作を説明する。図３（ａ）に示される温度は給水部７のサーミスタ１２にて検知され、温度判断部３７に入力される製氷水の温度である。図示されるように、給水サイクルの時間Ｔ内の温度変化に加えて、図３（ｄ）に示されるように製氷機の連続運転による製氷機内の温度上昇や周囲の気温の変化等により、製氷水本来の水温も製氷機の駆動開始後から時間の経過と共に変化（図３（ａ）では上昇していく場合を例示している）していく。時刻Ｔａにおいて給水パイプ１０から給水タンク９へ製氷水の供給が開始されるので、サーミスタ１２にて検知される製氷水の温度は製氷水本来の水温に一時的に低下する。給水タンク９内のフロート１３が満水位置まで上昇すると供給は停止し、製氷水の温度は時刻Ｔａから時間の経過と共に上昇していく。
【００１８】
図３（ｂ）に示されるように時刻Ｔａにて冷却能力調整部３５への通電が開始され、冷却能力調整部３５の温度判断部３７にてサーミスタ１２から入力される製氷水の温度が基準温度αを超えたか否かの判断が行われる。即ち、温度判断部３７では、図４のフローチャートに示されるように、ステップＳ１１にてタイマ３６の計測を開始させると共に、ステップＳ１２にてサーミスタ１２で検知された製氷水の温度と基準温度αとを比較して、製氷水の温度が基準温度αを超えたか否かを判断する。
【００１９】
時刻Ｔａにおいては、図３（ａ）に示されるように製氷水の温度は基準温度αを超えていないので、ステップＳ１２からステップＳ１３に進み、タイマ３６の計測を停止してタイマ３６の計測値をクリアする。そして、ステップＳ１４にて製氷水の温度が基準温度α以下であることをＦＳＣ３８へ出力し、再びステップＳ１１に戻る。ＦＳＣ３８では製氷水の温度が基準温度α以下であることが入力されると、冷却能力を調整する一態様としてファン２２の稼動率を低下させるよう、ファンモータ２２ａへの通電率を１００％未満に減少させ、ファン２２を低速で回転させることにより製氷部６における冷凍回路の冷却能力を抑制する。
【００２０】
時刻Ｔｂにて製氷水の温度が基準温度αを超えると、温度判断部３７では、ステップＳ１１からステップＳ１２に進んだ後、ステップＳ１５に進む。ステップＳ１５では、設定時間βが経過するまでステップＳ１２に戻りながら、その度毎にステップＳ１２でサーミスタ１２にて入力される製氷水の温度と基準温度αとを比較し、製氷水の温度が基準温度αを超えているか否かを判断する。設定時間βは給水サイクルの時間Ｔより長く且つ給水サイクルの時間Ｔの２倍より短い時間に設定されている。このため、時刻Ｔｂから設定時間βが経過しない時刻Ｔｃにおいて、次の給水サイクルが開始されて製氷水の給水が始まるので、サーミスタ１２にて検知される製氷水の温度は低下して基準温度α以下になる。これにより、設定時間βの時間経過が実現しないため、ステップＳ１２からステップＳ１３に進み、タイマ３６の計測値をクリアすると共に、ステップＳ１４で製氷水の温度が基準温度α以下であることをＦＳＣ３８に出力し、図３（ｃ）に示されるようにＦＳＣ３８にて時刻Ｔａから継続されているファンモータ２２ａへの通電率を低下させ、冷却能力を抑制する制御を継続させる。
【００２１】
ステップＳ１４からステップＳ１１に再び戻り、ステップＳ１２にて製氷水の温度の検知を行う。時刻Ｔｃから時刻Ｔｄまで、製氷水の温度は基準温度α以下であるため、ステップＳ１１からステップＳ１４までの処理が繰り返され、冷却能力を抑制する制御が継続される。時刻Ｔｄでは再びステップＳ１２からステップＳ１５に進む。給水が開始されて製氷水の温度が基準温度α以下に下がる時刻Ｔｅは、時刻Ｔｄから設定時間βが経過する前なので、製氷水の温度が基準温度α以下とＦＳＣ３８に出力されて時刻Ｔａから継続されている冷却能力を抑制する制御が継続される。
【００２２】
時刻Ｔｆにて製氷水の温度が基準温度αを超えると、ステップＳ１１からステップＳ１２を介してステップＳ１５へ進む。時刻Ｔｇにおいて製氷水の供給がなされるためにサーミスタ１２で検知される製氷水の温度が低下するが、製氷水本来の水温の上昇によって基準温度α以下までは低下しない。従って、時刻Ｔｆから設定時間βが経過した時刻Ｔｈにおいて、ステップＳ１５からステップＳ１６に進み、製氷水の温度が基準温度αより高いことがＦＳＣ３８に出力される。これにより、ＦＳＣ３８は、図３（ｃ）に示されるように、ファンモータ２２ａに対する通電率を１００％とし、時刻Ｔａから時刻Ｔｈまで継続されていた冷却能力を低下させる制御から本来の冷却能力を発揮させる制御に変更する。
【００２３】
このように、１日の気温の変化や製氷機の連続運転によって製氷水の温度が変化するため、製氷水の温度に対して基準温度αを設定し、製氷水の温度が基準温度αより高い場合には本来の冷却能力を発揮させると共に、基準温度α以下の場合には本来の冷却能力を抑制する制御を行って、製氷水を過冷却すること防ぎつつ効率よく製氷が行える。
【００２４】
また、このような制御を行う際には、製氷水本来の水温が上昇して基準温度α付近まで到達した場合、給水サイクルの時間Ｔ内にサーミスタ１２で検知される製氷水の温度が基準温度αに対して頻繁に上下するような状態が起こるが、検出される製氷水の温度が基準温度αより高い状態がタイマ３６の設定時間βまで続かなければ、温度判断部３７にて製氷水の温度が基準温度αより高いと判断されないために、短時間内にファン２２の回転数を切り替えることなく、安定した回転を実施させることができる。すなわち、ハンチングの発生を防止し、確実に製氷水の温度の変化に対応した動作に切り替えることができる。
【００２５】
なお、図１に示される実施の形態の製氷機において、冷却能力調整部３５に、製氷機の外部の気温を測定するサーミスタ３９及び、凝縮器２０の中央を通過している冷媒の温度を測定するサーミスタ４０をそれぞれ接続し、給水パイプ１０に設けられたサーミスタ１２と共にそれぞれの温度を検出することにより、冷却能力調整部３５にて、より好適な冷却能力を実施することが可能な回転数をファン２２に対して与えることができる。
例えば、冬期には供給される製氷水の温度が低いために製氷筒１６内部における氷の生成が過剰となる場合があり、氷を削り取る螺旋刃２５が設けられたオーガ２４の駆動モータ２３に過負荷がかかると共に異音が発生する虞がるが、サーミスタ１２、３９、４０にて製氷水の温度、気温、冷媒の温度が低いことが検知される等の条件で、冷却能力調整部３５においてファン２２の回転数を下げることにより冷凍回路の冷却能力を抑制することもできるので、駆動モータ２３に過負荷がかかることを阻止でき且つ異音の発生を阻止できる。
【００２６】
なお、本実施の形態では、冷却能力の調整態様として、ファンの稼動率を調整する方法を採用しているが、冷凍回路の冷却能力を調整する方法はこれに限定されるものではなく、例えば、冷凍回路を構成している圧縮機の稼動率を調整する方法や、蒸発パイプにヒータ等を取り付けて加熱することで蒸発パイプ内の冷媒の温度が低下しすぎることを防ぐ方法など、他の方法でも良い。さらに、本実施の形態では、ファンの稼動率はファン回転数で定義していたが、本発明はこれに限定されず、例えばファンの回転時間などでもよい。なお、圧縮機の稼動率やヒータによる加熱態様も同様に、回転数、回転時間、加熱温度、加熱時間など利用する方法を適宜選択することが可能である。
また、本実施の形態に係る製氷機はオーガ式であったが、流下式製氷機等の他の形態の製氷機においても、本実施の形態で用いられている制御方法、すなわち、給水部にて検知された製氷水の温度が基準温度αより高い状態が設定時間β続いた場合にのみ製氷水の温度が基準温度αより高いと判断して冷凍回路の冷却能力を向上させる制御を適用することができる。
【００２７】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、給水部にて検知される製氷水の温度が、設定時間、連続して基準温度を超過した場合にのみ製氷水の温度が基準温度より高いと判断して本来の冷却能力を冷凍回路に発揮させる制御を行う一方、設定時間、連続して基準温度を超えない場合は製氷水の温度が基準温度以下と判断して本来の冷却能力を低下させる制御を冷凍回路に行うようにしたので、給水部において給水直前の温度が基準温度より高く且つ給水時の温度が基準温度以下の場合であっても、短時間内で冷却能力が切り替わることなく、安定した動作を冷凍回路に実施させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態に係るオーガ式製氷機の全体構成を示した図である。
【図２】本実施の形態のオーガ式製氷機の給水サイクル内における製氷水の温度変化を示す図である。
【図３】本実施の形態のオーガ式製氷機に関し、（ａ）は製氷水の温度変化を示す図であり、（ｂ）は冷却能力調整部への通電を示すタイミングチャートであり、（ｃ）はＦＳＣの制御を示す図であり、（ｄ）は製氷機内の温度の変化を示す図である。
【図４】本実施の形態のオーガ式製氷機における冷却能力調整部の動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図５】従来の製氷機の給水部に関し、（ａ）は製氷水の供給がなされている状態を示す図であり、（ｂ）は製氷水の供給が停止された状態を示す図であり、（ｃ）は製氷水の供給から停止後までの製氷水の温度変化を示す図である。
【図６】従来の製氷機の給水部の動作を示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
６…製氷部、７…給水部、９…給水タンク、１０…給水パイプ、１１…給水弁、１２…サーミスタ、１６…製氷筒、１７…蒸発パイプ、１９…圧縮機、２０…凝縮器、２１…膨張弁、２２…ファン、３５…冷却能力調整部、３６…タイマ、３７…温度判断部、３８…ファンスピードコントロール基板（ＦＳＣ）、Ｔ…給水サイクルの時間、α…基準温度、β…設定時間。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to adjustment of cooling capacity in an ice making machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an ice making machine includes an ice making unit that generates ice by cooling ice making water in a refrigeration circuit, and a water supply unit that supplies ice making water to the ice making unit (Patent Document 1). As shown in FIG. 5A, the water supply unit is provided with a water supply tank 1 that stores ice-making water, and a water supply pipe 2 that supplies ice-making water to the water supply tank 1 is installed. A water supply valve 3 for controlling the flow of ice making water is attached to the water supply pipe 2, and a thermistor 4 for measuring the temperature of ice making water flowing inside the water supply pipe 2 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe 2. . This is because the thermistor 4 cannot be directly put into ice-making water and the temperature can not be measured for hygiene purposes. Therefore, the thermistor 4 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe 2 and measured indirectly. A float 5 for detecting the water level of the ice making water is disposed inside the water supply tank 1, and the water supply valve 3 is opened and closed based on the water level detected by the float 5.
[0003]
The operation of such a water supply unit will be described with reference to FIG. When it is detected in step S1 that the float 5 has been lowered to the water supply position (water level X in FIG. 5B), the process proceeds to step S2 where the water supply valve 3 is opened and the water supply tank 1 is opened from the water supply pipe 2. Supply ice making water. As a result, the position of the float 5 rises. When the float 5 reaches the full water position (the water level Y in FIG. 5A) in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4, the water supply valve 3 is closed, and the supply of ice-making water from the water supply pipe 2 to the water supply tank 1 is stopped. Is done. The water supply valve 3 decreases when the ice making water in the water supply tank 1 is supplied to the ice making unit, and is closed until the float 5 is lowered to the water supply position again.
[0004]
5A shows a state where the water supply valve 3 is opened and ice making water is supplied to the water supply tank 1, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the water supply valve 3 is closed after the ice making water is supplied to the water supply tank 1. The supply of ice water is stopped. When the water supply valve 3 is opened as shown in FIG. 5A, the thermistor 4 detects the original water temperature of the ice making water. On the other hand, when the water supply valve 3 is closed as shown in FIG. 5B, the ice making water is warmed by the heat in the machine while it is stagnating in the water supply pipe 2, and the diameter of the water supply pipe 2 is increased. Therefore, the temperature detected by the thermistor 4 is higher than the original water temperature of ice making water.
[0005]
The temperature change of the ice making water detected by the thermistor 4 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the temperature detected by the thermistor 4 is the original water temperature of the ice making water at the time point a where the water supply valve 3 is opened and ice making water is supplied. As shown, the temperature detected by the thermistor 4 rises to the temperature in the machine at time b after the water supply valve 3 is closed and the supply of ice-making water is stopped after the water supply is completed.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-4950
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when control is performed to adjust the cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit in the ice making unit based on the temperature of the ice making water detected by the thermistor 4, the temperature of the ice making water during the water supply by opening the water supply valve 3 is low. At the same time, the water supply is interrupted and the temperature of the ice-making water immediately before the next water supply rises, so the temperature of the ice-making water detected within a short period of time changes, and the control action switches frequently and is not stable. There was a problem.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an ice making machine capable of stabilizing the control of cooling capacity even if there is a difference in the temperature of ice making water at the time of water supply and immediately before water supply, and its It aims at providing the cooling capacity adjustment method.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, an ice making machine according to the present invention uses ice making water in a water supply unit supplied in a predetermined water supply cycle, and in an ice making machine that manufactures ice in the ice making unit, ice making water in the water supply unit Temperature measurement means that measures temperature, and cooling capacity adjustment that adjusts the cooling capacity of the ice making part depending on whether or not the ice-making water temperature detected by the temperature detection means has continuously exceeded the reference temperature for a preset time longer than the water supply cycle Part.
In addition, the ice making unit has a refrigeration circuit including a condenser with a fan, and the cooling capacity adjustment unit drives the fan at its original operating rate when the ice making water temperature exceeds the reference temperature for a set time continuously. In addition, when the ice making water temperature does not continuously exceed the reference temperature for a set time, the fan may be operated at an operation rate lower than the original operation rate.
The method for adjusting the cooling capacity of an ice making machine according to the present invention is the method for adjusting the cooling capacity of an ice making machine that uses the ice making water of the water supply section supplied in a predetermined water supply cycle to produce ice in the ice making section. The ice making water temperature in the water supply section is detected, and the cooling capacity of the ice making section is adjusted according to whether the ice making water temperature detected by the temperature detection means has continuously exceeded the reference temperature for a predetermined set time longer than the water supply cycle. To do.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The configuration of an auger type ice making machine according to the embodiment is shown in FIG. The ice making machine mainly includes an ice making unit 6 that produces ice from ice making water, a water supply unit 7 that supplies ice making water to the ice making unit 6, and an ice storage unit 8 that stores the ice produced by the ice making unit 6. . The water supply unit 7 includes a water supply tank 9 that stores ice-making water. A water supply pipe 10 that is connected to a water source such as a water supply and supplies the ice-making water to the water supply tank 9 is connected to the water supply tank 9. A water supply valve 11 for controlling the flow of ice-making water is attached to the water supply pipe 10, and the temperature of the ice-making water flowing inside the water supply pipe 10 is indirectly measured on the upstream side of the water supply valve 11 and on the outer peripheral surface of the water supply pipe 10. A thermistor 12 is attached as a temperature measuring means for measurement. Further, a float 13 for detecting the water level of the ice making water is disposed inside the water supply tank 9, and a water supply controller 14 for opening and closing the water supply valve 11 based on the water level detected by the float 13 is provided. Yes.
[0011]
The ice making unit 6 includes an ice making cylinder 16 connected from the water supply tank 9 by a pipe 15 and supplied with ice making water from the water supply tank 9. An evaporation pipe 17 that cools the ice making water in the ice making cylinder 16 is spirally wound around the outer peripheral surface of the ice making cylinder 16, and the evaporation pipe 17 is covered with a heat insulating material 18. The evaporation pipe 17 forms a refrigeration circuit together with the compressor 19, the condenser 20 and the expansion valve 21. The condenser 20 is provided with a fan 22 used for cooling the condenser 20 so as to be driven by a fan motor 22a. An auger 24 that is rotationally driven by a drive motor 23 is installed inside the ice making cylinder 16, and the spiral blade 25 that scrapes off the ice generated on the inner peripheral surface of the ice making cylinder 16 and conveys it to the upper part of the ice making cylinder 16. Is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the auger 24. An ice extrusion head 26 that presses and hardens the ice conveyed by the spiral blade 25 is provided above the ice making cylinder 16.
[0012]
The ice storage unit 8 includes an ice storage tank 27 that stores the ice produced by the ice making unit 6. A cutter 28 is attached to the upper end of the auger 24 in the ice storage tank 27. The cutter 28 divides the ice extruded from the ice extrusion head 26 into the ice storage tank 27 into chips. Further, an agitator 29 for agitating the ice stored in the ice storage tank 27 is attached above the cutter 28. An ice level detection plate 30 for detecting whether or not the ice in the ice storage tank 27 is full is attached to the upper part of the ice storage tank 27, and the operation of the refrigeration circuit is stopped when the ice storage tank 27 becomes full of ice. To do. In addition, an ice discharge port 32 is formed in the ice storage tank 27, and an open / close door 34 that is opened and closed by an opening / closing mechanism 33 is installed in the ice discharge port 32.
[0013]
In addition, the ice making machine includes a cooling capacity adjustment unit 35 that controls the rotation speed of the fan 22 and adjusts the cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit based on the temperature of the ice making water detected by the thermistor 12 of the water supply unit 7. Is provided. The cooling capacity adjustment unit 35 is proportional to the timer 36 for measuring the set time β, the temperature determination unit 37 to which the temperature of the ice making water detected by the thermistor 12 is input, and the determination of the temperature determination unit 37. A fan speed control board (hereinafter referred to as “FSC”) 38 is provided that variably adjusts the energization rate to the fan motor 22a to 100% or less by control and adjusts the rotation speed of the fan 22. In the temperature determination unit 37, a reference temperature α is set, and it is determined whether the temperature of the ice making water input from the thermistor 12 has continuously exceeded the reference temperature α for the set time β.
[0014]
Next, an outline of the operation of the auger type ice making machine according to the present embodiment will be described. By opening the water supply valve 11, ice-making water is supplied from the water supply pipe 10 to the water supply tank 9. The ice making water stored in the water supply tank 9 is supplied into the ice making cylinder 16 through the pipe 15. By operating the compressor 19, the refrigeration circuit is operated, the ice making cylinder 16 is cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant in the evaporation pipe 17, the ice making water inside the ice making cylinder 16 is cooled, and ice is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ice making cylinder 16. Is generated. These ices are scraped from the inner peripheral surface of the ice making cylinder 16 by the spiral blade 25 of the auger 24 rotated by the drive motor 23 and pushed into the ice pushing head 26. As a result, the ice is compressed and solidified in a columnar shape, and is fed into the ice storage tank 27 from the top of the ice extrusion head 26, divided into chips by the cutter 28, and stored in the ice storage tank 27. When it is detected via the ice level detection plate 30 that the ice storage tank 27 is full of ice, the operation of the refrigeration circuit is stopped and ice making stops. When the opening / closing door 34 is opened by the opening / closing mechanism 33, chip-shaped ice is discharged from the ice discharge port 32 to the outside.
[0015]
In the water supply unit 7, the supply of ice-making water to the water supply tank 9 is controlled by a water supply controller 14 that opens and closes the water supply valve 11. That is, when the controller 14 detects that the water level of the ice making water in the water supply tank 9 has dropped to the water supply position via the float 13, the water supply valve 11 is opened to supply ice making water. When it rises to the full water position, the water supply valve 11 is closed and the supply of ice making water is stopped. In the ice making unit 6, the time required for producing a predetermined amount of ice and the amount of ice-making water are constant, so that the amount of ice-making water supplied from the water supply tank 9 to the ice-making cylinder 16 at a predetermined time is also constant. For this reason, for example, immediately after the start of operation when there is no ice in the ice storage tank 27, that is, when ice production is continuously performed without stopping the ice making, the float 13 of the water supply tank 9 moves up and down at a constant cycle. The ice making water is supplied from the water supply pipe 10 to the water supply tank 9 in a constant water supply cycle. The water supply cycle starts from the supply start time of ice-making water to the water supply tank 9, ends after supply stop, and ends at the next supply start time, and takes time T per cycle.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 2, generally, the temperature of the ice making water detected by the thermistor 12 of the water supply unit 7 changes during the time T of the water supply cycle. That is, the temperature of the ice making water detected when the ice making water is supplied is low, but the temperature of the ice making water after the water supply is stopped gradually increases and becomes high. And it falls when water supply is started again. As described above, the temperature of the ice making water increases immediately after the stop of the water supply until immediately before the next water supply. The ice making water stagnated in the water supply pipe 10 due to the closing of the water supply valve 11 drives the ice making machine, for example, compression. This is because it is heated by the heat generated by the drive of the machine 19 and the drive motor 23, and the temperature of the ice making water is lowered during the water supply. The original water temperature of the ice making water that is not heated by the heat generated by the ice making machine is detected. It is to be done.
[0017]
Here, using the graph showing the relationship between temperature and time shown in FIG. 3A and the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the operation of the cooling capacity adjustment unit 35 used in the ice making machine according to this embodiment is described. explain. The temperature shown in FIG. 3A is the temperature of the ice making water detected by the thermistor 12 of the water supply unit 7 and input to the temperature determination unit 37. As shown in the figure, in addition to the temperature change within the time T of the water supply cycle, as shown in FIG. 3 (d), due to the temperature rise in the ice maker due to the continuous operation of the ice maker, the change in ambient temperature, etc. The original water temperature also changes with the passage of time after the start of driving the ice making machine (FIG. 3A illustrates the case of rising). Since supply of ice making water from the water supply pipe 10 to the water supply tank 9 is started at time Ta, the temperature of the ice making water detected by the thermistor 12 temporarily decreases to the original water temperature of the ice making water. When the float 13 in the water supply tank 9 rises to the full position, the supply stops, and the temperature of the ice making water rises with time from the time Ta.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 3B, energization to the cooling capacity adjustment unit 35 is started at time Ta, and the temperature of the ice making water input from the thermistor 12 at the temperature determination unit 37 of the cooling capacity adjustment unit 35 is a reference. A determination is made whether the temperature α has been exceeded. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the temperature determination unit 37 starts the measurement of the timer 36 in step S11, and the temperature of the ice making water detected by the thermistor 12 in step S12 and the reference temperature α. To determine whether or not the temperature of the ice making water has exceeded the reference temperature α.
[0019]
At time Ta, since the temperature of the ice making water does not exceed the reference temperature α as shown in FIG. 3A, the process proceeds from step S12 to step S13, the measurement of the timer 36 is stopped, and the measured value of the timer 36 is measured. To clear. In step S14, the fact that the temperature of the ice making water is equal to or lower than the reference temperature α is output to the FSC 38, and the process returns to step S11 again. When the fact that the temperature of the ice making water is below the reference temperature α is inputted to the FSC 38, the energization rate to the fan motor 22a is made less than 100% so as to reduce the operating rate of the fan 22 as one aspect of adjusting the cooling capacity. The cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit in the ice making unit 6 is suppressed by decreasing and rotating the fan 22 at a low speed.
[0020]
When the temperature of the ice making water exceeds the reference temperature α at time Tb, the temperature determination unit 37 proceeds from step S11 to step S12, and then proceeds to step S15. In step S15, while returning to step S12 until the set time β elapses, the temperature of the ice making water input by the thermistor 12 in step S12 and the reference temperature α are compared each time, and the temperature of the ice making water is the reference. It is determined whether or not the temperature α is exceeded. The set time β is set to be longer than the water supply cycle time T and shorter than twice the water supply cycle time T. For this reason, at the time Tc at which the set time β does not elapse from the time Tb, the next water supply cycle is started and the water supply of the ice making water is started. Therefore, the temperature of the ice making water detected by the thermistor 12 is lowered to the reference temperature α. It becomes the following. As a result, since the elapsed time of the set time β is not realized, the process proceeds from step S12 to step S13, the measured value of the timer 36 is cleared, and in step S14, it is determined to the FSC 38 that the temperature of the ice making water is equal to or lower than the reference temperature α. As shown in FIG. 3 (c), the energization rate to the fan motor 22a continued from the time Ta is reduced in the FSC 38, and the control for suppressing the cooling capacity is continued.
[0021]
The process returns from step S14 to step S11 again, and the temperature of the ice making water is detected in step S12. From time Tc to time Td, the temperature of the ice making water is equal to or lower than the reference temperature α. Therefore, the processing from step S11 to step S14 is repeated, and the control for suppressing the cooling capacity is continued. At time Td, the process again proceeds from step S12 to step S15. Since the time Te at which the temperature of the ice making water is lowered to the reference temperature α or less after the water supply is started is before the set time β has elapsed from the time Td, the temperature of the ice making water is output to the FSC 38 when the temperature is below the reference temperature α and from the time Ta. Control for suppressing the continued cooling capacity is continued.
[0022]
When the temperature of the ice making water exceeds the reference temperature α at time Tf, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S15 via step S12. Since the ice making water is supplied at time Tg, the temperature of the ice making water detected by the thermistor 12 decreases, but does not drop below the reference temperature α due to the increase in the original water temperature of the ice making water. Accordingly, at time Th when the set time β has elapsed from time Tf, the process proceeds from step S15 to step S16, and the fact that the temperature of the ice making water is higher than the reference temperature α is output to the FSC 38. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3C, the FSC 38 sets the energization rate for the fan motor 22a to 100% and reduces the cooling capacity that has been maintained from the time Ta to the time Th from the original cooling capacity. Change the control to show it.
[0023]
Thus, since the temperature of the ice making water changes due to a change in the temperature of the day or the continuous operation of the ice making machine, the reference temperature α is set for the temperature of the ice making water, and the temperature of the ice making water is higher than the reference temperature α. In this case, the original cooling ability is exhibited, and when the temperature is equal to or lower than the reference temperature α, control for suppressing the original cooling ability is performed, so that ice making can be performed efficiently while preventing the ice making water from being overcooled.
[0024]
When such control is performed, when the original water temperature of the ice making water rises and reaches the vicinity of the reference temperature α, the temperature of the ice making water detected by the thermistor 12 within the time T of the water supply cycle is the reference temperature. Although a state in which the temperature of the ice making water is frequently raised and lowered with respect to α occurs, if the temperature of the detected ice making water is higher than the reference temperature α does not continue until the set time β of the timer 36, the temperature determination unit 37 performs the ice making water. Since it is not determined that the temperature is higher than the reference temperature α, stable rotation can be performed without switching the rotation speed of the fan 22 within a short time. That is, the occurrence of hunting can be prevented and the operation corresponding to the change in the temperature of the ice making water can be surely switched.
[0025]
In the ice maker according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cooling capacity adjustment unit 35 measures the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the center of the condenser 20 and the thermistor 39 that measures the temperature outside the ice maker. The thermistors 40 are connected to each other, and by detecting the respective temperatures together with the thermistors 12 provided in the water supply pipe 10, the cooling capacity adjustment unit 35 can change the number of rotations at which a more suitable cooling capacity can be implemented. It can be given to the fan 22.
For example, in winter, the temperature of the ice making water supplied is low, so that ice may be generated excessively in the ice making cylinder 16, and the drive motor 23 of the auger 24 provided with the spiral blade 25 for scraping ice is excessive. Although there is a possibility that abnormal noise may be generated when a load is applied, the cooling capacity adjusting unit 35 may detect that the thermistors 12, 39, and 40 detect that the temperature of the ice making water, the temperature, and the temperature of the refrigerant are low. Since the cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit can be suppressed by lowering the rotation speed of the fan 22, it is possible to prevent the drive motor 23 from being overloaded and to prevent the generation of abnormal noise.
[0026]
In this embodiment, a method of adjusting the operating rate of the fan is adopted as an adjustment mode of the cooling capacity, but the method of adjusting the cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit is not limited to this, for example, Other methods, such as adjusting the operating rate of the compressor that constitutes the refrigeration circuit, and preventing the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporation pipe from excessively decreasing by attaching a heater to the evaporation pipe and heating it, etc. The method is fine. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the fan operating rate is defined by the number of fan rotations, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, the fan rotation time. Similarly, the operating rate of the compressor and the heating mode by the heater can be appropriately selected from methods such as the number of rotations, rotation time, heating temperature, and heating time.
Further, although the ice making machine according to the present embodiment is an auger type, the control method used in the present embodiment, that is, the water supply unit is also used in other forms of ice making machines such as a flow down type ice making machine. Only when the detected temperature of the ice-making water is higher than the reference temperature α continues for a set time β, the control to determine that the temperature of the ice-making water is higher than the reference temperature α and to improve the cooling capacity of the refrigeration circuit is applied. be able to.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is determined that the temperature of the ice making water is higher than the reference temperature only when the temperature of the ice making water detected by the water supply unit continuously exceeds the reference temperature for a set time. Control to demonstrate the original cooling capacity to the refrigeration circuit, and if the temperature does not exceed the reference temperature continuously for a set time, control the ice making water temperature to be below the reference temperature and lower the original cooling capacity Since the refrigeration circuit is used, even if the temperature immediately before water supply is higher than the reference temperature in the water supply section and the temperature at the time of water supply is below the reference temperature, the cooling capacity is stable without switching within a short time. The refrigeration circuit can perform the above operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an auger type ice making machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a temperature change of ice making water in a water supply cycle of the auger type ice making machine of the present embodiment.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an auger type ice making machine according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a temperature change of ice making water, and FIG. 3B is a timing chart showing energization to a cooling capacity adjustment unit; ) Is a diagram showing the control of the FSC, and (d) is a diagram showing a change in temperature in the ice making machine.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of a cooling capacity adjustment unit in the auger type ice making machine of the present embodiment.
5A is a view showing a state where ice making water is supplied, and FIG. 5B is a view showing a state where supply of ice making water is stopped, regarding a water supply unit of a conventional ice making machine. (C) is a figure which shows the temperature change of the ice making water from the supply of ice making water to after a stop.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of a water supply unit of a conventional ice making machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 6 ... Ice making part, 7 ... Water supply part, 9 ... Water supply tank, 10 ... Water supply pipe, 11 ... Water supply valve, 12 ... Thermistor, 16 ... Ice-making cylinder, 17 ... Evaporation pipe, 19 ... Compressor, 20 ... Condenser, 21 ... Expansion valve, 22 ... Fan, 35 ... Cooling capacity adjustment unit, 36 ... Timer, 37 ... Temperature judgment unit, 38 ... Fan speed control board (FSC), T ... Water supply cycle time, α ... Reference temperature, β ... Setting time.

Claims

In an ice making machine that manufactures ice in an ice making unit using ice making water in a water supplying unit supplied in a predetermined water supply cycle,
Temperature measuring means for measuring the ice-making water temperature of the water supply unit;
A cooling capacity adjusting section that adjusts the cooling capacity of the ice making section according to whether or not the ice making water temperature detected by the temperature detecting means has continuously exceeded a reference temperature for a predetermined set time longer than the water supply cycle. An ice machine characterized by that.

The ice making unit includes a refrigeration circuit including a condenser having a fan, and the cooling capacity adjusting unit drives the fan at an original operation rate when the ice making water temperature continuously exceeds the reference temperature for a set time. The ice making machine according to claim 1, wherein the fan is driven at an operation rate lower than an original operation rate when the ice making water temperature does not continuously exceed the reference temperature for a set time.

In the method for adjusting the cooling capacity of an ice making machine that uses the ice making water of the water supply unit supplied in a predetermined water supply cycle to produce ice in the ice making unit,
The temperature measuring means detects the ice-making water temperature of the water supply section,
The ice making water temperature is adjusted by the ice making water temperature detected by the temperature detecting means, depending on whether or not the ice making water temperature continuously exceeds a reference temperature for a predetermined set time longer than the water supply cycle. Method of adjusting the cooling capacity of the machine.