CN114867975A

CN114867975A - Ice supply device and ice making system

Info

Publication number: CN114867975A
Application number: CN202080089740.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 东矢俊介; 植野武夫
Original assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Daikin Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-27
Filing date: 2020-12-25
Publication date: 2022-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-25
Also published as: WO2021132570A1; CN114867975B; US20220325933A1; EP4083542A1; EP4083542B1; EP4083542A4

Abstract

The ice supplying device (C) includes: an ice storage container (T) storing sherbet ice; a supply passage (31), the supply passage (31) taking out the sherbet-shaped ice from the ice storage container (T); and a water flow passage (80), wherein the water flow passage (80) is combined with the supply passage (31) and water flows.

Description

Ice supply device and ice making system

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an ice supplying device and an ice making system.

Background

In some cases, sherbet (sherbet) -like ice produced from brine such as seawater is used for refrigerating marine fish and the like. The sherbet-like ice generated by the ice making device is stored in an ice storage container and supplied to a user by a pump at any time.

It is known that when sea fish are refrigerated using sherbet ice, the temperature suitable for cold insulation varies depending on the type and size of fish. When the marine fish to be kept cold is kept cold at a low temperature lower than the temperature suitable for the marine fish to be kept cold, the body of the marine fish may freeze, and the commercial value thereof may be greatly impaired.

Therefore, there has been proposed a technique for adjusting the salt concentration of the sherbet ice produced by the ice making device when the sherbet ice is supplied to a place of use (for example, see patent document 1). In addition, there is a correlation between the temperature of the sherbet-like ice and the salt concentration, and the temperature can be indirectly adjusted by adjusting the salt concentration.

In the apparatus for producing brine-mixed sherbet-like ice described in patent document 1, fresh water is poured into an ice storage container to adjust the salt concentration of the brine-mixed sherbet-like ice in the ice storage container, and the adjusted sherbet-like ice is taken out from the ice storage container.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2008-281293.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

However, in the manufacturing apparatus described in patent document 1, since the salinity of the fruit-juice-like ice is adjusted by injecting fresh water into an ice storage container storing the produced fruit-juice-like ice, only fruit-juice-like ice having a certain specific salinity can be obtained. Therefore, when the marine fish of different species is to be refrigerated, it is difficult to adjust the salt concentration of the sherbet ice to a salt concentration suitable for the marine fish.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an ice supplying device and an ice making system capable of adjusting a salinity of dewy ice to be supplied to a user.

Technical scheme for solving technical problem

(1) The ice supplying apparatus of the present disclosure includes:

an ice storage container storing sherbet ice; a supply passage that takes out the sherbet-like ice from the ice storage container; and a water flow passage merging with the supply passage and through which the supply water flows.

In the ice supplying device of the present disclosure, a water flow path through which water flows is merged with a supply path through which the sherbet-like ice is taken out from the ice storage container. This enables adjustment of the salinity of the sherbet-like ice supplied to the user.

(2) In the ice supplying device according to the above (1), it is preferable that the ice supplying device further includes a pump disposed downstream of a junction where the water flow path and the supply path join in a flow direction of the sherbet-like ice. By arranging the pump on the downstream side of the merging portion in the flow direction of the sherbet ice, the sherbet ice and the water can be made to flow by one pump.

(3) In the ice supplying device according to the above (1) or (2), it is preferable that the ice supplying device further includes a flow rate regulating valve provided in the water flow path, and a control unit that controls the flow rate regulating valve so that a salinity of the merged dewy ice reaches a target value. The control unit controls a flow rate adjustment valve provided in the water flow passage, thereby adjusting the salinity of the merged sherbet-like ice.

(4) In the ice supplying device according to the above (3), it is preferable that the ice supplying device further includes a first temperature sensor or a first concentration sensor at a position downstream of the merging portion in the flow direction of the dewy ice, the first temperature sensor detects the temperature of the dewy ice, the first concentration sensor detects the salt concentration of the dewy ice,

the control unit controls the flow rate adjustment valve such that the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor or the concentration detected by the first concentration sensor reaches a target value. By controlling the flow rate adjustment valve using the temperature or concentration detected by the first temperature sensor or the first concentration sensor, the salinity of the merged dewy ice can be adjusted.

(5) In the ice supplying device according to the above (3), it is preferable that a first temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the dewy ice is further provided on a downstream side of the merging portion in a flow direction of the dewy ice,

the control unit calculates a salinity concentration based on the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, and controls the flow rate control valve such that the calculated salinity concentration reaches a target value. Since there is a correlation between the salinity of the sherbet ice and the temperature, the salinity can be calculated from the detected temperature by detecting the temperature of the sherbet ice using the first temperature sensor. The control unit may control the flow rate control valve to control the flow rate of the water merged in the supply passage so that the calculated salinity reaches a target value, thereby adjusting the salinity of the condensed sherbet-like ice.

(6) In the ice supplying device according to any one of (3) to (5), preferably, the controller controls the opening degree and/or the opening time of the flow rate adjustment valve. The control unit can adjust the flow rate of the water merged in the supply passage by controlling the opening degree and/or the opening time of the flow rate adjustment valve.

(7) The ice supplying device according to any one of (3) to (6) above, preferably further comprising a second concentration sensor for detecting a salt concentration of the dewy ice in the ice storage container,

the control unit prohibits the operation of taking out the sherbet-like ice in the ice storage container when the salinity concentration detected by the second concentration sensor is not within a predetermined range. When the detected salt concentration is not within the predetermined range, the extraction operation of the dew ice in the ice storage container is prohibited, and thus the supply of the insufficient dew ice to the user can be suppressed.

(8) In addition to the ice supplying apparatus according to the above (1) to (7), it is preferable that the ice supplying apparatus further includes: a second temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the dewy ice within the ice storage container; and

and a salinity calculation unit that calculates the salinity of the dewy ice, based on the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor of the medium to be cooled supplied to the ice storage container before the ice making device is operated and the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor of the dewy ice stored in the ice storage container after the ice making device is started to operate. The salinity of the dewy ice can be calculated by the salinity calculation unit based on the temperature of the cooling medium before the operation detected by the second sensor and the temperature of the dewy ice after the operation is started.

(9) In addition to the ice supplying devices of (1) to (8), the ice supplying device preferably further includes an input unit that receives a salt concentration and an amount of the sherbet-like ice taken out from the ice storage container. By inputting the salt concentration and the amount of the sherbet ice through the input unit by the user, the desired amount of the sherbet ice having the desired salt concentration can be taken out.

(10) In the ice supplying device according to any one of (1) to (9), it is preferable that the supply passage has an outlet port disposed in the ice storage container for taking out the sherbet-like ice in the ice storage container,

the take-out port is disposed below a liquid level of the sherbet-like ice in the ice storage container by a predetermined distance. The fruit-dew ice having a high IPF (ice content: representing the ratio of the weight of ice to the total weight (ice weight/(ice weight + water weight))) can be supplied to a user by taking out the fruit-dew ice near the liquid surface through an outlet disposed below the liquid surface of the fruit-dew ice in an ice storage container at a predetermined distance.

(11) In the ice supplying device according to any one of (1) to (10), preferably, the water flow passage is configured to flow cooled water. By merging the cooled water in the supply passage, the melting of the sherbet ice can be suppressed, and the high IPF sherbet ice can be supplied to the user.

(12) The ice supply device according to the above (11) preferably further includes a cooling device for cooling the water flowing through the water flow passage.

(13) The ice making system of the present disclosure includes: a refrigerant circuit that generates the sherbet ice; and the ice supplying apparatus of (1) to (12).

In the ice making system of the present disclosure, the sherbet-like ice generated in the refrigerant circuit is stored in the ice storage container, and the water flow passage through which the water flows is merged with the supply passage through which the sherbet-like ice is taken out from the ice storage container. This enables adjustment of the salinity of the sherbet-like ice supplied to the user.

(14) In addition to the ice making system of (13), it is preferable that,

the refrigerant circuit includes:

a compressor;

a first heat exchanger that discharges heat from the refrigerant compressed in the compressor; and

and a second heat exchanger for cooling a cooling target medium, which is a raw material of the dewy ice, by exchanging heat between the refrigerant, which has radiated heat in the first heat exchanger, and the cooling target medium.

According to the above configuration, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit can cool the medium to be cooled, and thereby can generate the sherbet-like ice.

(15) In the ice making system (14), it is desirable that,

the refrigerant circuit further includes a third heat exchanger,

the third heat exchanger cools water flowing through the water flow passage by exchanging heat between the refrigerant that has radiated heat in the first heat exchanger and the water.

According to the above configuration, the water flowing through the water flow passage can be cooled by the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit that generates the sherbet ice.

(16) Preferably, the ice making system of (15) further comprises a water container storing water cooled by the third heat exchanger.

According to the above configuration, the cooled water can be stably supplied to the supply passage.

(17) Preferably, the ice making system (16) includes:

a third temperature sensor that detects a temperature of water within the water container;

a control valve that controls a flow of refrigerant in the third heat exchanger; and

a second control unit that controls an operation of the control valve based on a temperature detected by the third temperature sensor.

According to the above configuration, the temperature of the water in the water tank can be appropriately controlled.

(18) In the ice making system according to the above (17), it is preferable that the third temperature sensor is disposed on a lower side in the water tank.

According to this configuration, the lower temperature of the water stored in the water tank can be detected by the third temperature sensor, and the operation of the control valve is controlled in accordance with the detected temperature, whereby the water in the water tank can be suppressed from being excessively cooled (frozen).

(19) The ice making system of the present disclosure includes:

an ice making device; and

the ice supplying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (12).

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an ice making system of a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an ice maker of the ice making system shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an explanatory view of an ice supplying device including an ice storage container in the ice making system shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a control device of the ice supplying device shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top explanatory view within the ice storage container.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart of an example of control for adjusting the salinity of the seawater in the ice storage container.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an ice making system of a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a control device of the ice making system shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the water temperature control in the water tank.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the proportional control valve.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the ice supplying device and the ice making system of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is shown in the form of claims, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all changes within the scope thereof.

[ first embodiment ]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory view of an ice making system S of a first embodiment of the present disclosure, fig. 2 is an explanatory view of an ice maker 1 of the ice making system S shown in fig. 1, and fig. 3 is an explanatory view of an ice supplying device C including an ice storage container T in the ice making system S shown in fig. 1.

The ice making system S includes an ice making device I and an ice supplying device C. The ice making device I is connected to an ice storage container T, which is a component of the ice supplying device C, by a pipe.

[ Ice-making device I ]

The ice making device I generates sherbet-like ice from the medium to be cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant. In the present embodiment, seawater is used as the medium to be cooled, and the ice making device I produces fine ice using seawater as a raw material, and returns the fruit-dew-like ice produced by mixing the produced fine ice with seawater to the ice storage container T. Sherbet ice is also known as slush ice, ice slush, slush ice, crushed ice, liquid ice. In addition, as the medium to be cooled, for example, brine containing salt in water can be used in addition to seawater. The term "water" as used herein includes industrial water, tap water and fresh water which are substantially free of salt.

The ice making device I includes, in addition to the ice making machine 1 constituting the use-side heat exchanger (second heat exchanger), a compressor 2, a heat source-side heat exchanger 3 (first heat exchanger), a four-way selector valve 4, a use-side expansion valve 5, a heat source-side expansion valve 6, an internal heat exchanger 7, and a receiver 8. These devices are connected by a refrigerant pipe 96 to constitute a refrigerant circuit 95.

As shown in fig. 1 to 2, the ice maker 1 includes an evaporator 13 (second heat exchanger) and an ice scraping section 14, wherein the evaporator 13 (second heat exchanger) is constituted by an inner tube 11 and an outer tube 12. The ice maker 1 is a horizontal double-tube type ice maker in which the respective axes of the inner tube 11 and the outer tube 12 are arranged horizontally. The evaporator 13 provides for liquid refrigerant to pass through a substantial portion of the annular space 24 between the inner tube 11 and the outer tube 12.

The inner pipe 11 is an element through which seawater, which is a cooling medium, flows, and is made of a metal material such as stainless steel or iron. The inner tube 11 is cylindrical and is disposed in the outer tube 12. Both ends of the inner tube 11 are closed. An ice scraping portion 14 is disposed inside the inner tube 11, and the ice scraping portion 14 scrapes ice generated on the inner circumferential surface of the inner tube 11 and disperses the ice in the sea water in the inner tube 11. A seawater pipe 15 is connected to one end side in the axial direction of the inner pipe 11, and the seawater pipe 15 supplies seawater in the ice storage tank T into the inner pipe 11. Further, a fruit dew tube 16 is connected to the other end side in the axial direction of the inner tube 11, and the fruit dew tube 16 returns the seawater from the inner tube 11 to the ice storage container T.

The outer tube 12 is cylindrical and made of a metal material such as stainless steel or iron, as in the inner tube 11. A plurality of (three in the example of the drawing) refrigerant inlet pipes 17 branched at the downstream side of the usage-side expansion valve 5 are connected to a lower portion of the outer pipe 12. Further, a refrigerant outlet pipe 18 reaching the inner heat exchanger 7 is connected to an upper portion of the outer pipe 12. In the present embodiment, three refrigerant inlet pipes 17 are provided, but the number of refrigerant inlet pipes 17 may be two or less, or four or more. The number of refrigerant outlet pipes 18 is one, but two or more may be used.

The ice scraping part 14 comprises a rotating shaft 19, a supporting rod 20, a blade 21 and a motor 22. The other end of the shaft 19 in the axial direction is provided to extend outward from a flange 23 provided at the other end of the inner tube 11 in the axial direction, and is connected to a motor 22 that drives the shaft 19. Support rods 20 are erected on the circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 19 at predetermined intervals, and blades 21 are attached to the tips of the support rods 20. The vane 21 is formed of a strip-shaped member made of, for example, synthetic resin, and the side edge on the front side in the rotational direction thereof is tapered.

During the normal ice making operation, the four-way selector valve 4 is maintained in the state shown by the solid line in fig. 1. The high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 3 functioning as a condenser through the four-way selector valve 4, and is condensed and liquefied by exchanging heat with air by the operation of the blower fan 10. The liquefied refrigerant flows into the usage-side expansion valve 5 via the heat-source-side expansion valve 6, the accumulator 8, and the internal heat exchanger 7 in a fully open state. The refrigerant is decompressed to a predetermined low pressure by the usage-side expansion valve 5, and is supplied from the refrigerant inlet pipe 17 into the annular space 24 between the inner pipe 12 and the outer pipe 11 constituting the evaporator 13.

The refrigerant discharged into the annular space 24 exchanges heat with the seawater supplied into the inner pipe 11 and evaporates. Seawater containing fine ice cooled by the evaporation of the refrigerant to generate energy of the pipes flows out of the dew condensation pipe 16 and returns to the ice storage container T. The refrigerant evaporated and gasified in the ice maker 1 is sucked into the compressor 2. At this time, if the refrigerant in a liquid state, which is not completely evaporated in the ice maker 1, enters the compressor 2, a rapid increase in the internal pressure of the compressor cylinder (liquid compression) and a decrease in the viscosity of the refrigerating machine oil cause a failure of the compressor 2. For this reason, in order to protect the compressor 2, the low-pressure refrigerant leaving the ice maker 1 is heated by heat exchange with the high-pressure refrigerant passing through the accumulator 8 in the internal heat exchanger 7, and then returned to the compressor 2. The inner heat exchanger 7 is a double-tube heat exchanger, and the low-pressure refrigerant leaving the ice maker 1 is heated by exchanging heat with the high-pressure refrigerant while passing through a space between the inner tube and the outer tube of the inner heat exchanger 7, and then returns to the compressor 2.

Further, if the flow of seawater in the inner pipe 11 of the ice maker 1 is stopped and ice is accumulated (accumulated ice) in the inner pipe 11, the ice maker 1 cannot be operated. In this case, a defrosting operation (heating operation) is performed to melt the ice in the inner tube 11. At this time, the four-way selector valve 4 is held in the state shown by the broken line in fig. 1. The high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant discharged from the compressor 2 flows into an annular space between the inner tube 11 and the outer tube 12 of the ice maker 1 via the four-way selector valve 4 and the internal heat exchanger 7, exchanges heat with seawater containing ice in the inner tube 11, and is condensed and liquefied. The liquefied refrigerant flows into the heat-source-side expansion valve 6 through the fully-opened usage-side expansion valve 5, the internal heat exchanger 7, and the accumulator 8, is reduced in pressure to a predetermined low pressure by the heat-source-side expansion valve 6, and flows into the heat-source-side heat exchanger 3 functioning as an evaporator. During the defrosting operation, the refrigerant flowing into the heat source side heat exchanger 3 functioning as an evaporator is gasified by heat exchange with air by the operation of the blower fan 10, and is sucked into the compressor 2.

[ Ice supplying device C ]

As shown in fig. 3, the ice supplying device C is a device that supplies the sherbet-like ice generated by the ice making device I to a user. The ice supplying device C includes an ice storage container T in which dew-like ice is stored, a supply passage 31, and a water flow passage 80 merging with the supply passage 31 and through which water flows. The supply passage 31 has an opening and closing valve. By opening the opening and closing valve, the sherbet-like ice is supplied to the user. In the present embodiment, the on-off valve is the solenoid valve 37, but may be a valve or the like that is manually opened by a user. Further, the ice supplying device C includes a control unit, i.e., a control device 25. As shown in fig. 4, the control device 25 includes a CPU25a, a memory 25b such as a RAM or a ROM, and an information transmitting/receiving unit 25c that transmits and receives information to and from external devices, sensors, and the like. The CPU25a executes the computer program stored in the memory 25b, whereby the control device 25 realizes various controls relating to the operation of the ice making system S, including the operation control of the ice supply device C. The controller 25 controls driving of actuators and driving units such as the

electromagnetic valves

37, 73, and 91, the proportional control valve 83, and the

pumps

32 and 38, which will be described later. The control device 25 receives detection signals from the temperature sensors 84 and 92 and the water level sensor 33 via the information transmitting/receiving unit 25 c. The control device 25 is communicably connected to a control unit 27 of the ice making device I, controls the operation of the ice making device I via the control unit 27, and receives signals from sensors and the like of the ice making device I via the control unit 27. In addition, a main control unit of the ice making system S may be provided on the ice making device I side.

The ice storage container T is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, iron, etc. The ice storage container T has a square cylindrical shape with a rectangular horizontal section. The ice storage container T is a sealed container having a lid, and the lid is not shown in fig. 1 and 3 for easy understanding of the structure of the upper portion in the ice storage container T.

A pump 32 is disposed near the bottom of the ice storage container T, and the pump 32 transfers seawater in the ice storage container T to the inner pipe 11 of the ice maker 1 through the seawater pipe 15. The seawater in the ice storage container T is transferred into the inner tube 11 of the ice maker 1 by driving the pump 32 disposed near the bottom surface, and fluidity can be imparted to the dewy ice in the ice storage container T.

A water level sensor 33 is disposed in the ice storage container T. The seawater is replenished and discharged, which will be described later, based on the detection signal from the water level sensor 33. The water level sensor 33 can detect a plurality of water levels within the ice storage container T, and is disposed to detect positions 90%, 70%, 45%, 30%, and 25% from a lower portion of the height of the ice storage container T, for example. The water level sensor 33 can use a known sensor. Further, a discharge passage 90 for discharging seawater in the ice storage container T is connected to the vicinity of the bottom of the ice storage container T. The discharge passage 90 has a solenoid valve 91.

The supply passage 31 is a flow path or a passage for supplying the sherbet-like ice generated by the ice making device I and stored in the ice storage container T to a user. The supply path 31 has a supply port 39 at a downstream end portion for discharging the dewy ice taken out from the ice storage container T. As the supply passage 31, a pipe, a hose, or a combination of these can be used. The supply passage 31 is provided with a pump 38, and by driving the pump 38, the dewy ice in the ice storage container T can be sucked and taken out to the outside.

The floater 40 is a member separated from the inside 30 of the ice storage container T and floating inside the ice storage container T. The float 40 in the present embodiment is a hollow body and can be made of synthetic resin such as vinyl chloride resin (PVC). The float 40 has a square shape in plan view and a substantially rhombic shape in side view. More specifically, the upper surface 40a of the float 40 has an upper inclined surface that is inclined from the outer edge toward the center of the float 40 so as to be away from the liquid surface. Similarly, the bottom surface 40b of the float 40 has a downward inclined surface that is inclined away from the liquid surface from the outer edge toward the center of the float 40. The shape of the float 40 is not particularly limited in the present disclosure, and may be a circular shape, a triangular shape, or a polygonal shape of at least a pentagon in a plan view. The upper surface and/or the bottom surface of the float 40 may be a flat surface instead of an inclined surface.

The size of the float 40 is not particularly limited in the present disclosure, but when the float 40 having a square shape in a plan view is floated in the ice storage container T having a rectangular inner wall in a plan view, the length of one side of the square float 40 (the length of the short side) can be set to 0.3 to 0.5W, for example, by setting the length of one side of the ice storage container T to W. In addition, when the float 40 having a circular shape in a plan view is floated in the ice storage container T having a circular shape in a plan view, the outer diameter of the circular float 40 can be set to 0.3 to 0.5D, for example, if the inner diameter of the ice storage container T is set to D.

An opening 41 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the center (center in plan view) of the float 40. The opening 41 has a circular shape in plan view. In the present embodiment, the distal end portion 34a of the hose 34 constituting a part of the supply passage 31 is inserted into the opening 41 and fixed to the float 40. The hose 34 has a bellows portion 34b on the root side of the tip portion 34 a. The bellows portion 34b is freely extendable and retractable in the longitudinal direction or axial direction of the hose 34 by a predetermined distance. The end of the bellows portion 34b opposite to the distal end portion 34a is connected to an enlarged diameter portion 35a of the end of the pipe 35 constituting the supply passage 31. The position of the pipe 35 is fixed by a fixing member not shown.

One end of the chain 36 is fixed to each of four corners of the square-shaped float 40. The other end of the chain 36 is latched with the inside 30 of the ice storage container T. The length of each chain 36 is set to a length that allows the float 40 to move up and down and horizontally within a certain range. Due to the bellows 34b, the float 40 can move up and down within a certain range. In addition, the horizontal movement of the float 40 beyond a certain range is limited due to the presence of the chain 36.

In the present embodiment, the supply passage 31 is configured by the pipe 35, the hose 34, and the opening 41. The leading end of the supply passage 31, i.e., the leading end (opening edge) of the opening 41 of the float 40, functions as a discharge port 42, and the discharge port 42 sucks and discharges the dew-like ice stored in the ice storage container T. The removal port 42 is located on the bottom surface 40b of the float 40. In other words, the outlet 42 is located below the surface of the sherbet ice stored in the container main body. The vertical position of the outlet 42 is not particularly limited in the present disclosure, and the size, shape, weight, and the like of the float 40 may be selected so as to be located below the liquid level L of the sherbet-like ice by about 10 to 40cm, for example.

Since the ice has a lower specific gravity than that of the seawater and moves upward by buoyancy, the sherbet-like ice near the liquid surface has a higher IPF than the sherbet-like ice near the bottom surface in the ice storage container T. In the present embodiment, the outlet 42 at the front end of the supply passage 31 is disposed at the upper portion, not the lower portion or the central portion, in the vertical direction of the ice storage container T, and therefore, can supply the ice in the form of an ice-cream with a high IPF to the user. At this time, since the outlet 42 at the front end of the supply passage 31 is disposed below the liquid surface of the dew-like ice, it is possible to suppress the suction of air from the outlet 42 when the dew-like ice is sucked from the outlet 42. Further, it is possible to suppress breakage of the pump 38 due to the sucked air.

Further, since the bottom surface 40b of the float 40 has a downward inclined surface inclined so as to be away from the liquid surface from the outer edge of the float 40 toward the outlet 42, air in the liquid around the outlet 42 can be allowed to escape upward along the inclined surface. This can further suppress the intake of air from the outlet 42 at the front end of the supply passage 31.

The ice supplying device C of the present embodiment has a return passage 50, and the return passage 50 is branched from the supply passage 31 at a downstream side of the pump 38 disposed in the supply passage 31, and the dew-like ice is returned to the ice storage container T. The return passage 50 is connected to a fruit dew pipe 16, and the fruit dew pipe 16 returns seawater containing ice generated by the ice maker 1 to the ice storage tank T. Further, the return passage 50 is provided with a relief valve 51. The relief valve 51 opens when the pressure in the return passage 50 increases beyond a predetermined pressure. Further, the relief valve 51 also functions as follows: when the pump 38 is still being driven even if the electromagnetic valve 37 provided in the supply passage 31 fails and the dew ice cannot be supplied from the supply port 39 any more, and the pressure in the return passage 50 branched from the supply passage 31 exceeds a predetermined pressure and increases, the safety valve 51 opens to return the dew ice to the ice storage container T. The sherbet ice falls from a discharge port of a discharge pipe described later disposed above the liquid level L of the sherbet ice stored in the ice storage container T, and therefore, the sherbet ice in the vicinity of the liquid level can be disturbed. In addition, the freezing of the sherbet ice can be suppressed. Further, since the relief valve 51 is opened to reduce the pressure of the dewy ice in the flow path, it is possible to avoid the pump 38 from being broken down by an excessive pressure.

In addition, a solenoid valve that can be controlled to open and close may be used instead of the relief valve 51. In this case, by the CPU25a of the control device 25, the electromagnetic valve is controlled to be closed when the supply of the dew-like ice to the user is performed via the supply port 39 of the supply passage 31, and is controlled to be opened when the supply of the dew-like ice from the supply port 39 of the supply passage 31 is not performed. When the supply of the sherbet ice is not performed, the sherbet ice can be returned to the ice storage container T by controlling the pump 38 to be operated and the electromagnetic valve to be opened. This can impart fluidity to the sherbet ice stored in the ice storage container T, and can suppress freezing of the sherbet ice.

The pump 38 disposed in the supply passage 31 can function as a pump for supplying the fruit-dew ice in the ice storage container T to the user through the supply port 39, and can also function as a pump for returning the fruit-dew ice taken out of the ice storage container T via the return passage 50 branched from the supply passage 31 to the ice storage container T. The supply pump and the return pump for the dewy ice can be shared.

Since the CPU25a of the control device 25 operates the pump 38 in conjunction with the open/close control of the electromagnetic valve that can be controlled to open/close, the freezing of the dew-like ice in the ice storage container T can be suppressed. Specifically, by driving the pump 38 constantly or periodically while the ice making device I is operating, the dew-like ice in the ice storage container T can be constantly or periodically circulated by flowing the dew-like ice to the return passage, and thus the freezing of the dew-like ice near the liquid surface can be suppressed during the ice making process. The opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve is controlled by the CPU25a of the control device 25 so as to be interlocked with the driving of the pump 38. Further, when the ice making device I is not operated, the dew-like ice in the ice storage container T can be constantly or periodically circulated by flowing the dew-like ice to the return passage, and freezing of the dew-like ice in the ice storage container T can be suppressed.

As shown in fig. 5, the downstream end of the fruit exposure tube 16 is branched into four branch tubes 60. A discharge pipe 61 is attached to the downstream end of each branch pipe 60. The lower surface of the release pipe 61 is formed with a plurality of (six in the example shown in fig. 5) release ports 62. The branch pipe 60 and the release pipe 61 are disposed above the liquid level L of the sherbet-like ice stored in the ice storage container T. By dropping the sherbet ice from the discharge port 62 located above the liquid level L of the sherbet ice, fluidity can be imparted to the sherbet ice near the liquid level. This can suppress freezing of the sherbet ice near the liquid surface.

In the present embodiment, a downstream end of the seawater supply pipe 70 for supplying seawater to the ice storage container T is connected to the sherbet pipe 16. Seawater sucked from the seawater intake port by a pump not shown is merged in the fruit juice supply pipe 16 via the sterilizing and filtering device 72 and the electromagnetic valve 73, and supplied from the discharge port 62 of the discharge pipe 61 to the ice storage container T. The sterilizing filter device 72 is a device for removing foreign matters contained in the sea water and killing bacteria contained in the sea water. The seawater can be replenished into the ice storage container T using the seawater replenishment pipe 70 according to the detection signal of the aforementioned water level sensor 33.

Further, the ice supplying device C of the present embodiment has a water flow path 80, and the water flow path 80 is merged with the supply path 31 for taking the sherbet-like ice out of the ice storage container T and the supplied water flows. The water flow path 80 joins the supply path 31 on the upstream side in the flow direction of the sherbet ice from the pump 38 for sucking and taking out the sherbet ice from the ice storage container T. This reduces the number of pumps to one, which would otherwise require two pumps. In addition, brine having a salt in water may be used instead of water.

In the present embodiment, an input unit 26 (see fig. 4) connected to the control device 25 so as to be able to communicate with the control device is provided. The user can take out a desired amount of the dewy ice having a desired salinity from the supply port 39 by inputting the salinity and the amount of the dewy ice to be taken out from the ice storage container T.

In the present embodiment, the water stored in the water tank 81 is sucked by the pump 38 and is merged in the supply passage 31 via the proportional control valve 83 which is a flow rate adjustment valve. A temperature sensor 84, which is a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the sherbet-like ice, is provided downstream of the junction of the water flow passage 80 and the supply passage 31 and downstream of the pump 38. Since there is a correlation between the salinity of the sherbet ice and the temperature, the salinity can be calculated from the detected temperature by detecting the temperature of the sherbet ice by the temperature sensor 84. This calculation can be performed by the CPU25a of the control device 25. Then, the CPU25a of the control device 25 adjusts the opening degree and/or opening time of the proportional control valve 83 so that the salt concentration reaches a target value, based on the calculated salt concentration, and thereby it is possible to obtain the sherbet-like ice having a desired salt concentration. For example, when the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 is fully opened, the flow rate of the sherbet-like ice flowing through the supply passage 31 is substantially equal to the flow rate flowing through the water flow passage 80. Thus, the concentration of the dewed ice taken out of the electromagnetic valve 37 can be set to a concentration of about half of the concentration of the dewed ice stored in the ice storage container T. For example, when the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 is set to 50%, the ratio of the flow rate of the sherbet-like ice flowing through the supply passage 31 to the flow rate flowing through the water flow passage 80 becomes 2 to 1. Thereby, the concentration of the dewy ice taken out of the electromagnetic valve 37 can be set to about two thirds of the concentration of the dewy ice stored in the ice storage container T. When the time for which the proportional control valve 83 is fully opened is set to about half the time for which the pump 38 is operated, the concentration of the sherbet-like ice taken out of the electromagnetic valve 37 can be set to about two thirds of the concentration of the sherbet-like ice stored in the ice storage container T. In addition, a concentration sensor 84 (first concentration sensor) that detects the concentration of salt may be used instead of the temperature sensor 84. In this case, the opening degree and/or the opening time of the proportional control valve 83 can be adjusted according to the detected salt concentration by the control device 25 in such a manner that the salt concentration reaches the target value.

In the present embodiment, a temperature sensor 92, which is a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the dewy ice in the ice storage container T, is disposed in the ice storage container T. The salinity of the dewy ice can be determined by the CPU25a of the control device 25 based on the seawater temperature before the operation detected by the temperature sensor 92 and the temperature of the dewy ice after the start of the operation. Next, the CPU25a of the control device 25 adjusts the flow rate of the water merged from the water flow path 80 into the supply path 31 by changing the opening degree and/or opening time of the proportional control valve 83 in accordance with the salinity. This enables adjustment of the salinity of the sherbet-like ice supplied to the user. In addition, instead of the temperature sensor 92 that is the second temperature sensor, the concentration sensor 92 that is the second concentration sensor may be used. In this case, the CPU25a of the control device 25 can obtain the concentration of the dewy ice in the ice storage container T through the concentration sensor 92.

Since there is a correlation between the salinity of the sherbet ice and the temperature, the temperature of the sherbet ice is detected by the temperature sensor 92, and the salinity can be calculated by the CPU25a of the control device 25 based on the detected temperature. Next, when the calculated salinity is not within the predetermined range, the CPU25a of the control device 25 prohibits the operation of taking out the sherbet-like ice in the ice storage container T. If the salinity of the sherbet ice in the ice storage container T is too low, the IPF of the sherbet ice is also low, and the ice is not sufficiently utilized as the sherbet ice. When the detected salt concentration is not within the predetermined range, the extraction operation of the dew ice in the ice storage container is prohibited, and thus the supply of the insufficient dew ice to the user can be suppressed. In addition, in the case where the concentration sensor 92, which is the second concentration sensor, is employed instead of the temperature sensor 92, the CPU25a of the control device 25 prohibits the operation of taking out the fruit-dew-like ice in the ice storage container T when the salt concentration of the fruit-dew-like ice detected by the concentration sensor 92 is not in the predetermined range.

In the present embodiment, when determining that the salinity concentration calculated from the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 92 exceeds the predetermined value, the CPU25a of the control device 25 controls the electromagnetic valve 91 and the electromagnetic valve 73. Specifically, the CPU25a of the control device 25 opens the electromagnetic valve 91 when the calculated salinity has exceeded a predetermined value. Thereby, the seawater in the ice storage container T is discharged to the outside through the discharge passage 90. Further, when the first prescribed condition is satisfied, the CPU25a closes the electromagnetic valve 91, then opens the electromagnetic valve 73, and supplies the seawater to the ice storage container T. Further, when the second prescribed condition is satisfied, the CPU25a closes the electromagnetic valve 73. In this way, by discharging the seawater in the ice storage container T and supplying the seawater to the ice storage container T according to the salt concentration of the seawater in the ice storage container T, the salt concentration of the seawater in the ice storage container T can be reduced to less than a predetermined value, and as a result, the ice making device I can be continuously operated. Thereby, the ice making efficiency of the ice making system S can be improved. In addition, a salinity sensor may be used as a means for detecting the seawater concentration in the ice storage container T.

The "predetermined value" is not particularly limited in the present disclosure, and may be, for example, 7%. If the salinity of the dewy ice in the ice storage container T exceeds 7%, ice making in the ice maker 1 may become difficult and ice making efficiency may be reduced. The predetermined value can be set as appropriate by an input unit of the control device 525 not shown. The set predetermined value is stored in the memory 25 b. The "first predetermined condition" and the "second predetermined condition" may be, for example, when the water level, which is a boundary between water and ice, falls to a certain level. Under the first prescribed condition, the CPU25a of the control device 25 detects the drop of the water level to the first position by the water level sensor 33. As the first position, for example, a position of 45% of the plurality of water levels detected by the water level sensor 33 from the lower part of the container height can be selected. Since the pump may be damaged only by handling ice, the pump is configured to stop the water discharge and start the water supply when the water level is lowered to the first position. Under the second predetermined condition, the CPU25a of the control device 25 detects the water level rising to the second position by the water level sensor 33. As the second position, for example, a position 90% of the plurality of water levels detected by the water level sensor 33 from the lower part of the container height can be selected. The first position and the second position can be set as appropriate by an input unit of the control device 25, not shown. The set first position and second position are stored in the memory 25 b. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the following control flow is executed. The CPU25a of the control device 25 detects the salt concentration of the dewy ice in the ice storage container T by the temperature sensor 92 disposed in the ice storage container T (step S1). The CPU25a of the controller 25 determines whether or not the salt concentration exceeds 7% (step S2), and if it is determined that the salt concentration exceeds 7%, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, the CPU25a sends an instruction to the control section 27 of the ice making device I to stop the operation of the ice making device I. The CPU25a opens the solenoid valve 91 provided in the discharge passage 90 connected to the ice storage container T (step S4). Thereby, the seawater near the bottom surface of the ice storage container T is discharged. In addition, the discharged seawater may contain little sherbet ice.

Next, in step S5, the CPU25a determines whether the water level detected by the water level sensor 33 has dropped to a water level lower than the first predetermined condition. When it is determined in step S5 that the water level has dropped to a water level lower than the first prescribed condition, the CPU25a advances the process to step S6, and closes the electromagnetic valve 91 in this step S6. Next, the CPU25a opens the solenoid valve 73 (step S7). Thereby, seawater (having a salt concentration of about 3.5%) is supplied into the ice storage container T. Next, in step S8, the CPU25a determines whether the water level detected by the water level sensor 33 has risen to a water level higher than a second predetermined condition. When it is determined in step S8 that the water level has risen to a water level higher than the second predetermined condition, the CPU25a advances the process to step S9, and closes the electromagnetic valve 73 in this step S9. Then, in step S10, the CPU25a transmits an instruction to start the operation of the ice making device I to the control section of the ice making device I. After executing step S10, the CPU25a of the control device 25 returns to step S1, and detects the salt concentration of the sherbet-like ice in the ice storage container T by the temperature sensor 92 disposed in the ice storage container T. By repeating the above steps S1 to S10, the ice-making device I can be continuously operated. The target salt concentration in the ice storage container T may be, for example, 3.5 to 7%. By performing such control, the ice making device I can be continuously operated.

When the salt concentration of the seawater in the ice storage container T detected by the temperature sensor 92 exceeds a predetermined value, the CPU25a of the control device 25 may control the electromagnetic valve 91 of the discharge passage 90 and the electromagnetic valve 73 of the seawater replenishment pipe 70 so that the salt concentration of the seawater in the ice storage container T reaches a target salt concentration. As the control in the above case, the control can be performed as follows. The CPU25a of the control device 25 recognizes the salinity of the seawater supplied through the seawater supply line 70. When the salt concentration of the seawater in the ice storage container T reaches a predetermined value, the CPU25a of the control device 25 can control the solenoid valve 91 and the solenoid valve 73 so that the salt concentration when brine of different concentrations is mixed in the ice storage container T reaches a target salt concentration by calculating the amount of seawater discharged from the ice storage container T and the amount of seawater supplied from the seawater supply line 70. In this case, the first predetermined condition may be an amount of seawater discharged from the ice storage container T, and the second predetermined condition may be an amount of seawater supplied from the seawater replenishment pipe 70.

Water is supplied to the water container 81 via the control valve 86. A float switch 87 is disposed in the water tank 81, and the opening and closing of the control valve 86 is controlled based on a detection signal from the float switch 87, thereby performing a start operation and a stop operation of supplying water to the water tank 81.

[ Effect of the first embodiment ]

In the aforementioned first embodiment (embodiment of the ice supplying device), the water flow path 80 through which the water flows is merged with the supply path 31 through which the sherbet-like ice is taken out from the ice storage container T. Thereby, by adjusting the flow rate of the water merged at the supply passage 31, the salinity of the sherbet-like ice to be supplied to the user can be easily adjusted. After a predetermined amount of sherbet ice is supplied to the user, for example, even when sherbet ice for keeping cold of different kinds of marine fishes is required, the salinity of the sherbet ice can be adjusted only by adjusting the flow rate of water from the water flow path 80 merged at the supply path 31, and therefore, the ice supply device C is easier to use.

In the first embodiment, the pump 38 is disposed on the downstream side in the flow direction of the sherbet-like ice than the junction where the water flow passage 80 and the supply passage 31 join. By arranging the pump 38 on the downstream side of the merging portion in the flow direction of the sherbet ice, the sherbet ice and the water can be flowed by one pump.

In the first embodiment, the proportional control valve 83 is disposed in the water flow path 80, and the CPU25a of the control device 25 controls the opening degree and/or opening time of the proportional control valve 83 so that the salinity of the merged dewy ice reaches a target value. The salinity of the merged sherbet-like ice can be adjusted by merely controlling the opening degree and/or opening time of the proportional control valve 83 provided in the water flow path 80.

In the first embodiment, the temperature sensor 84 for detecting the temperature of the sherbet-like ice is provided on the downstream side in the flow direction of the sherbet-like ice with respect to the junction of the supply passage 31 and the water flow passage 80, and the CPU25a of the control device 25 controls the opening degree and/or the opening time of the proportional control valve 83 so that the detected temperature reaches the target value. By controlling the proportional control valve 83 with the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 84, the salinity of the merged sherbet-like ice can be adjusted. In this case, since the salinity of the sherbet ice has a correlation with the temperature, the salinity of the sherbet ice can be calculated from the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 84.

In the first embodiment, the temperature sensor 92 is disposed in the ice storage container T, and the CPU25a of the control device 25 calculates the salinity of the dewy ice based on the seawater temperature before the operation detected by the temperature sensor 92 and the temperature of the dewy ice after the start of the operation. Then, the flow rate of the water merged from the water flow path 80 to the supply path 31 is adjusted based on the calculated salt concentration, whereby the salt concentration of the sherbet-like ice to be supplied to the user can be adjusted.

In the first embodiment, the temperature of the dewed ice is detected by the temperature sensor 92, and the salt concentration is calculated by the CPU25a of the control device 25 based on the detected temperature. Next, when the calculated salinity is not within the predetermined range, the CPU25a of the control device 25 prohibits the operation of taking out the sherbet-like ice in the ice storage container T. If the salt concentration of the sherbet ice in the ice storage container T is too low, the IPF of the sherbet ice is also low, and the use of the sherbet ice is insufficient. When the detected salt concentration is not within the predetermined range, the extraction operation of the dew ice in the ice storage container is prohibited, and thus the supply of the insufficient dew ice to the user can be suppressed.

In the first embodiment, the input unit 26 communicably connected to the control device 25 is provided, and by inputting the salinity and the amount of the dewy ice to be taken out from the ice storage container T by the user, a desired amount of the dewy ice having a desired salinity can be taken out from the supply port 39.

In the first embodiment, the supply passage 31 has the outlet 42, the outlet 42 is used for taking out the dew-like ice in the ice storage container T, and the outlet 42 is disposed below the liquid level L of the dew-like ice in the ice storage container T by a predetermined distance. Since the fine ice constituting the sherbet ice has a lower specific gravity than that of the sea water and moves upward by buoyancy, the sherbet ice in the vicinity of the liquid surface has a higher IPF than the sherbet ice in the vicinity of the bottom surface in the ice storage container T. The extraction port 42 disposed below the liquid level L of the sherbet-like ice in the ice storage container T by a predetermined distance can extract the sherbet-like ice near the liquid level, and the user can be supplied with the sherbet-like ice having a high IPF.

Further, in the aforementioned first embodiment (embodiment of the ice making system), the water flow passage 80 through which the water flows is merged with the supply passage 31 through which the sherbet-like ice is taken out from the ice storage container T. Thereby, by adjusting the flow rate of the water merged at the supply passage 31, the salinity of the sherbet-like ice to be supplied to the user can be easily adjusted. After a predetermined amount of sherbet ice is supplied to the user, for example, even when sherbet ice for keeping cold of different kinds of marine fishes is required, the salinity of the sherbet ice can be easily adjusted only by adjusting the flow rate of water from the water flow path 80 merged at the supply path 31, and therefore, the ice making system S is easier to use.

[ second embodiment ]

Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an ice making system of a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a control device of the ice making system shown in fig. 7.

The ice making system S of the present embodiment includes an ice making device I and an ice supplying device C, as in the first embodiment. Further, the ice making system S of the present embodiment includes a cooling device 100 and a temperature sensor (third temperature sensor) 103. The cooling device 100 cools the water flowing through the water flow path 80. The third temperature sensor 103 detects the temperature of the water cooled by the cooling device 100.

The cooling device 100 and the third temperature sensor 103 of the present embodiment are disposed in the water tank 81, which is a constituent element of the ice supplying device C. The cooling device 100 is constituted by a heat exchanger (third heat exchanger). Hereinafter, the heat exchanger constituting the cooling device 100 is also referred to as a cooling heat exchanger 100. The cooling heat exchanger 100 is inserted into the water tank 81 and exchanges heat with water in the water tank 81. The cooling heat exchanger 100 may have a structure in which a heat transfer pipe through which a refrigerant flows is wound into a coil shape, for example.

The refrigerant used in the ice making device I is supplied to the cooling heat exchanger 100 of the present embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the ice making device I includes an ice maker 1 constituting a usage-side heat exchanger (second heat exchanger), a compressor 2, a heat source-side heat exchanger (first heat exchanger) 3, a four-way selector valve 4, a usage-side expansion valve 5, a heat source-side expansion valve 6, an internal heat exchanger 7, and a receiver 8. These devices are connected by a refrigerant pipe 96 to constitute a refrigerant circuit 95.

A first branch pipe 97 branches from a refrigerant pipe 96a between the outflow portion 3a of the liquid refrigerant in the heat source side heat exchanger 3 and the usage side expansion valve 5, more specifically, from the refrigerant pipe 96a between the accumulator 8 and the internal heat exchanger 7. A second branch pipe 98 branches from a refrigerant pipe 96b between the outflow portion 1a of the gas refrigerant of the ice maker 1 and the suction portion 2a of the gas refrigerant of the compressor 2, more specifically, from the refrigerant pipe 96b between the internal heat exchanger 7 and the four-way selector valve 4. The first branch pipe 97 is connected to a refrigerant inlet 100a of the cooling heat exchanger 100. The second branch pipe 98 is connected to a refrigerant outlet 100b of the cooling heat exchanger 100.

The refrigerant that has radiated heat in the heat source side heat exchanger 3 passes through the heat source side expansion valve 6 and the accumulator 8, branches off from the refrigerant pipe 96a to the first branch pipe 97, and flows into the cooling heat exchanger 100. The refrigerant passing through the cooling heat exchanger 100 passes through the second branch pipe 98 to be merged in the refrigerant pipe 96b, and passes through the four-way selector valve 4 to be sucked into the compressor 2. The cooling heat exchanger 100 and the ice maker 1 are provided in parallel in the refrigerant circuit 95.

The first branch pipe 97 is provided with a cooling expansion valve 101 for decompressing the refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant flowing through the first branch pipe 97 is decompressed by the cooling expansion valve 101 to become a low-temperature and low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, and is supplied to the cooling heat exchanger 100. In the cooling heat exchanger 100, heat is exchanged between the water in the water tank 81 and the refrigerant. In this heat exchange, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the water in water tank 81 and evaporates, and the water in water tank 81 is cooled.

The refrigerant is supplied to the cooling heat exchanger 100 by opening the cooling expansion valve 101, and the refrigerant is stopped from being supplied to the cooling heat exchanger 100 by closing the cooling expansion valve 101. Therefore, the cooling expansion valve 101 functions as a control valve that controls the flow of the refrigerant to the cooling heat exchanger 100. The cooling expansion valve 101 opens and closes in accordance with the temperature detected by the third temperature sensor 103. Specifically, when the temperature detected by the third temperature sensor 103 exceeds a predetermined upper limit temperature T _th1 At this time, the cooling expansion valve 101 is opened, and the water in the water tank 81 is cooled. When the temperature of the water detected by the third temperature sensor 103 is less than the prescribed lower limit temperature T _th2 At this time, the cooling expansion valve 101 is closed, and the cooling of the water in the water tank 81 is stopped. Upper limit temperature T _th1 The dew ice merged with water in the supply passage 31 can be set to a temperature at which the dew ice does not excessively melt. For example, the upper limit temperature T _th1 Can be set to 5 ℃. Lower limit temperature T _th2 The water in the water tank 81 can be set to a temperature at which the water does not freeze. For example, the lower limit temperature T _th2 Can be set to 2 ℃. By setting the lower limit temperature T _th2 The temperature at which the water does not freeze is set,it becomes impossible to suppress the merging of the sherbet-like ice with the water.

The third temperature sensor 103 is disposed on the lower side of the water tank 81 (on the lower side than the center of the water tank 81 in the vertical direction). Therefore, the lower temperature of the water in the water container 81 can be detected. The third temperature sensor 103 is preferably disposed below the cooling heat exchanger 100. The third temperature sensor 103 is more preferably disposed near the bottom surface of the water tank 81.

A fifth temperature sensor 105 is provided in the second branch pipe 98. The fifth temperature sensor 105 detects the temperature of the refrigerant after passing through the cooling heat exchanger 100. When the cooling expansion valve 101 is opened, the opening degree of the cooling expansion valve 101 is adjusted so that the degree of superheat of the refrigerant obtained from the detection result of the fifth temperature sensor 105 reaches a predetermined set value.

The opening and closing operation of the cooling expansion valve 101 is controlled by a control unit (second control unit) 27 of the ice making device I. Like the control device 25 of the ice supplying device C, the control unit 27 includes a CPU27a, a memory 27b such as a RAM or a ROM, and an information transmitting/receiving unit 27C that transmits and receives information to and from external devices, sensors, and the like. The CPU27a executes the computer program stored in the memory 27b, whereby the control device 27 realizes various controls relating to the operation of the ice making system S, including the control of the operation of the ice making device I. The controller 27 controls driving of the compressor 2, the four-way selector valve 4, the expansion valves 5, 6, and 101, and the like. The control unit 27 receives detection signals of the fifth temperature sensor 105 and the like through the information transmitting and receiving unit 27 c. The control unit 27 is communicably connected to the control device 25 of the ice supply device C, and acquires the detection results of the

temperature sensors

103 and 104 and the like received by the control device 25.

The water flow path 80 is provided with a fourth temperature sensor 104. The fourth temperature sensor 104 detects the temperature of the water immediately before the supply passages 31 join together. When the temperature of the water merged in the supply passage 31 is high, the merged sherbet ice is easily melted, and the salt concentration of the sherbet ice may decrease and the temperature may rapidly increase. Therefore, the temperature of the water before the confluence is detected by the fourth temperature sensor 104, and the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 is adjusted according to the detection result. As in the first embodiment, the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 is adjusted by the control device 25.

(Water temperature control in Water Container)

The control unit 27 cools the water in the water tank 81 in accordance with the procedure shown in fig. 9 to maintain the water temperature within a predetermined range. First, the control unit 27 receives a detection signal from the third temperature sensor 103 in the water container 81 to acquire the water temperature T (step S11).

Next, the controller 27 determines whether or not the water temperature T exceeds a predetermined upper limit temperature T _th1 A judgment is made (step S12). The upper limit temperature T _th1 The temperature can be set to 5 ℃ as described above. If the determination in step S12 is affirmative (yes), control unit 27 executes control to open cooling expansion valve 101 to cool the water in water tank 81 (step S13).

If the determination at step S12 is negative (no), the control unit 27 further determines whether the water temperature T is less than the predetermined lower limit temperature T _th2 A judgment is made (step S14). The lower limit temperature T _th2 The temperature can be set to 2 ℃ as described above. If the determination at step S14 is affirmative (yes), the controller 27 performs control to close the cooling expansion valve 101 (step S15). Specifically, the control unit 27 closes the cooling expansion valve 101 when the cooling expansion valve 101 is open, and maintains the closed state when the cooling expansion valve 101 is closed. This stops cooling of the water in the water tank 81.

If the determination at step S14 is negative (no), the controller 27 maintains the open/closed state of the cooling expansion valve 101 (step S16). Specifically, the controller 27 maintains the opened state when the cooling expansion valve 101 is opened, and maintains the closed state when the cooling expansion valve 101 is closed.

The control unit 27 can maintain the temperature of the water in the water tank 81 at a predetermined level by repeating the above stepsRange T of _th1 ～T _th2 And (4) the following steps.

(control of proportional control valve)

The controller 25 of the present embodiment adjusts the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 in accordance with the temperature of the water flowing through the water flow passage 80. Specifically, the controller 25 determines the amount of water to be mixed with the sherbet ice in the ice storage container T based on the temperature (salinity) of the sherbet ice in the ice storage container T, the temperature (salinity) of the sherbet ice to be taken out by the user, and the temperature of the water to be mixed with the sherbet ice, and adjusts the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83.

For example, when the sherbet ice in the ice storage container T is-3 ℃ and the sherbet ice having a temperature of-1.5 ℃ which is the set temperature is to be taken out, the control device 25 makes the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 in the case where the temperature of the water flowing in the water flow path 80 is 2 ℃ different from the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 in the case where the temperature of the water flowing in the water flow path 80 is 5 ℃. Specifically, when the temperature of the water is 5 ℃, the controller 25 sets the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 to be smaller than that of the case of 2 ℃.

Assuming that the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 when the temperature of water is 2 ℃ is the same as the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 when the temperature of water is 5 ℃, the IPF of the sherbet-like ice changes greatly and reaches the set temperature earlier when the water at 5 ℃ is merged than when the water at 2 ℃. Therefore, the temperature of the sherbet-like ice is also highly likely to exceed the set temperature.

The controller 25 of the present embodiment reduces the change in IPF and extends the time to reach the set temperature by setting the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 to be smaller when the temperature of water is 5 ℃ than when the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 is 2 ℃. This can prevent the temperature of the sherbet-like ice from exceeding the set temperature.

In the present embodiment, the water temperature in the water tank 81 is controlled to 2 to 5 ℃, and therefore the controller 25 sets the lowest 2 ℃ as the "reference temperature" and the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 at this time as the "reference opening degree". In the case where the water temperature exceeds the reference temperature, the control device 25 operates the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 from the reference opening degree to the closing direction. The controller 25 is configured to operate the opening degree of the proportional control valve 93 in the closing direction to a greater degree as the temperature of the water exceeding the reference temperature is higher.

The control device 25 controls the opening degree of the proportional control valve according to the procedure shown in fig. 10, and adjusts the temperature of the sherbet ice to a set temperature. First, the controller 25 receives a detection signal from the fourth temperature sensor 104 provided in the water flow path 80 and acquires the water temperature (step S21).

Subsequently, the controller 25 calculates a difference between the water temperature and a reference temperature (for example, 2 ℃) (step S22). Next, the controller 25 calculates the operation amount (closing amount) of the proportional control valve 83 from the reference opening degree using the difference (step S23).

Next, the control device 25 operates the proportional control valve 83 based on the calculated operation amount to join the water from the water flow path 80 to the supply path 31 (step S24).

[ Effect of the second embodiment ]

The ice supplying device C and the ice making system S according to the second embodiment exhibit the following operational advantages in addition to the operational advantages of the first embodiment.

In the ice supplying device C according to the second embodiment, the cooled water flows through the water flow path 80. Therefore, the dew-like ice can be prevented from melting by the merged water, and the high IPF dew-like ice can be supplied to the user.

In the aforementioned second embodiment, the ice supplying device C includes the cooling device 100 that cools the water flowing through the water flow path 80. Therefore, the dew-like ice can be prevented from melting by the merged water, and the high IPF dew-like ice can be supplied to the user.

The ice making system S of the foregoing second embodiment includes the refrigerant circuit 95 that generates sherbet ice and the ice supplying device C. Therefore, the sherbet-like ice generated in the refrigerant circuit 95 can be stored in the ice storage container T, and the water can be joined to the supply passage 31 through which the sherbet-like ice is taken out from the ice storage container T. This enables adjustment of the salinity of the sherbet-like ice supplied to the user.

In the second embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 95 includes the compressor 2, the heat source side heat exchanger (first heat exchanger) 3 that radiates heat from the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 2, and the ice maker 1 that is a utilization side heat exchanger (second heat exchanger) that cools a cooling medium constituting a raw material of the dewy ice by exchanging heat between the refrigerant that radiates heat in the heat source side heat exchanger 3 and the cooling medium. Therefore, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit 95 can cool the medium to be cooled, and thereby can generate sherbet-like ice.

In the second embodiment, the refrigerant circuit 95 further includes a cooling heat exchanger (third heat exchanger) 100, and the cooling heat exchanger (third heat exchanger) 100 cools the water flowing through the water flow path 80 by exchanging heat between the refrigerant that has radiated heat in the heat source side heat exchanger 3 and the water. Therefore, the water flowing through the water flow passage 80 can be cooled by the refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit 95 that generates the sherbet ice.

In the foregoing second embodiment, a water container 81 is further included, and the water container 81 stores the water cooled by the cooling heat exchanger 100. Therefore, the cooled water can be stably supplied to the supply passage 31.

The second embodiment includes a third temperature sensor 103 that detects the temperature of water in the water tank 81, a cooling expansion valve (control valve) 101 that controls the flow of the refrigerant in the cooling heat exchanger 100, and a control unit (second control unit) 27 that controls the operation of the cooling expansion valve 101 based on the temperature detected by the third temperature sensor 103. Therefore, the temperature of the water in the water tank 81 can be appropriately controlled.

In the second embodiment, the third temperature sensor 103 is disposed on the lower side in the water tank 81. Therefore, the lowest possible temperature of the water stored in the water tank 81 can be detected, and the operation of the cooling expansion valve 101 can be controlled based on the detected temperature, whereby the water in the water tank 81 can be prevented from being cooled too much (frozen).

[ other modifications ]

The present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the foregoing embodiment, the ice storage container has a square cylindrical shape having a rectangular horizontal cross section, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The ice storage container may be a cylindrical container having a circular horizontal cross section or a polygonal horizontal cross section.

Further, for example, an evaporator of a type in which a refrigerant is discharged through a nozzle in an annular space between an inner tube and an outer tube may be used instead of the evaporator of the foregoing embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the horizontal double-tube ice maker disposed so that the respective axes of the inner tube and the outer tube are horizontal is exemplified as the ice maker, but the ice maker is not particularly limited in its structure in the present disclosure, and ice makers having various shapes and structures such as the vertical double-tube ice maker disposed so that the respective axes of the inner tube and the outer tube are vertical may be used.

In the above embodiment, the adjustment of the salinity and the amount of the sherbet ice to be supplied to the user, which is input to the input unit 26, is not illustrated, but the salinity of the sherbet ice may be adjusted by controlling the opening degree of the proportional control valve 83 so that the value detected by the first temperature sensor 84 reaches the temperature corresponding to the target salinity, for example. Further, a sensor (not shown) capable of measuring the flow rate is provided near the electromagnetic valve 37, and the supply amount of the dew-like ice can be adjusted by opening the electromagnetic valve 37 for a time until the target amount of dew-like ice is supplied.

In the second embodiment, the cooling heat exchanger as the cooling device may be disposed outside the water tank. In this case, a water circuit for drawing and circulating water from the water tank by a pump may be provided, and a cooling heat exchanger may be provided in the water circuit.

In the second embodiment, the cooling heat exchanger as the cooling device may be provided in a refrigerant circuit separate from the refrigerant circuit of the ice making device. The cooling device may also be free of refrigerant.

In the second embodiment, the water temperature is detected by the temperature sensor provided in the water flow passage in order to control the proportional control valve, but the water temperature may be detected by the temperature sensor in the water tank. However, by detecting the water temperature immediately before the supply passages merge with each other by a temperature sensor provided in the water flow passage, more accurate control of the proportional control valve can be performed.

In the second embodiment, the control of the proportional control valve may be feedback control based on the temperature or the salt concentration of the dewy ice mixed with water.

In the second embodiment, the temperature sensor may be provided not only on the lower side but also on the upper side in the water tank.

In the second embodiment, the temperature range of the water in the water tank, i.e., 2 to 5 ℃ is exemplified, and a temperature range different from this may be used.

Description of the symbols

1: ice machine (second heat exchanger)

2: a compressor;

3: heat source side heat exchanger (first heat exchanger)

4: a four-way reversing valve;

5: a side expansion valve is used;

6: a heat source side expansion valve;

7: an internal heat exchanger;

8: a storage tank;

10: an air supply fan;

11: an inner tube;

12: an outer tube;

13: an evaporator;

14: an ice scraping part;

15: seawater piping;

16: a fruit juice pipe;

17: a refrigerant inlet pipe;

18: a refrigerant outlet pipe;

19: a rotating shaft;

20: a support rod;

21: a blade;

22: a motor;

23: a flange;

24: an annular space;

25: a control device;

26: an input section;

27: a control unit;

30: an inner wall;

31: a supply passage;

32: a pump;

33: a water level sensor;

34: a hose;

34 a: a front end portion;

34 b: a corrugated portion;

35: piping;

36: a chain;

37: an electromagnetic valve;

38: a pump;

40: a float;

40 a: an upper surface;

40 b: a bottom surface;

41: an opening;

42: a take-out port;

50: a return path;

51: a safety valve;

60: a branch pipe;

61: a release tube;

62: a release port;

70: a seawater supply pipe;

72: a sterilizing and filtering device;

73: an electromagnetic valve;

80: a water flow path;

81: a water container;

83: a proportional control valve;

84: a first temperature (concentration) sensor;

86: a control valve;

87: a float switch;

90: a discharge passage;

91: an electromagnetic valve;

92: a second temperature (concentration) sensor;

95: a refrigerant circuit;

96: a refrigerant pipe;

97: a first branch pipe;

98: a second branch pipe;

100: a cooling heat exchanger (third heat exchanger, cooling device);

101: an expansion valve (control valve) for cooling;

103: a third temperature sensor;

104: a fourth temperature sensor;

105: a fifth temperature sensor;

c: an ice supply device;

i: an ice making device;

l: a liquid level;

s: an ice making system;

t: an ice storage container.

Claims

1. An ice supplying device (C), characterized by comprising:

an ice storage container (T) storing sherbet ice;

a supply passage (31), the supply passage (31) taking out the sherbet-shaped ice from the ice storage container (T); and

a water flow passage (80), wherein the water flow passage (80) is merged with the supply passage (31) and water flows.

2. The ice delivery device (C) according to claim 1,

the ice maker further comprises a pump (38), wherein the pump (38) is arranged at a position which is closer to the downstream side of the flow direction of the sherbet-like ice than a junction part where the water flow passage (80) and the supply passage (31) are merged.

3. The ice delivery device (C) according to claim 1 or 2,

still include flow control valve (83) and control division (25), flow control valve (83) set up in rivers passageway (80), control division (25) control flow control valve (83) are so that the salt concentration of the fruit dew form ice after the messenger converges reaches the target value.

4. The ice supplying apparatus (C) according to claim 3,

a first temperature sensor (84) or a first concentration sensor (84) is further provided on the downstream side of the junction in the flow direction of the sherbet ice, the first temperature sensor (84) detects the temperature of the sherbet ice, the first concentration sensor (84) detects the salt concentration of the sherbet ice,

the control unit (25) controls the flow rate adjustment valve (83) so that the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor (84) or the concentration detected by the first concentration sensor (84) reaches a target value.

5. The ice supplying apparatus (C) according to claim 3,

a first temperature sensor (84) is further provided on the downstream side of the junction in the flow direction of the sherbet ice, the first temperature sensor (84) detects the temperature of the sherbet ice,

the control unit (25) calculates a salt concentration from the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor (84), and controls the flow rate adjustment valve (83) so that the calculated salt concentration reaches a target value.

6. Ice supplying device (C) according to any of the claims 3 to 5,

the control unit (25) controls the opening degree and/or the opening time of the flow rate adjustment valve (83).

7. Ice feeding device (C) according to any of the claims from 3 to 6,

further comprising a second concentration sensor (92), the second concentration sensor (92) detecting a salinity of the dewy ice within the ice storage container (T),

when the salinity detected by the second concentration sensor 92 is not within a predetermined range, the control unit 25 prohibits the operation of taking out the dewy ice in the ice storage container T.

8. The ice delivery device (C) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:

a second temperature sensor (92), the second temperature sensor (92) detecting a temperature of the dewy ice within the ice storage container (T); and

and a salinity calculation unit (25a), wherein the salinity calculation unit (25a) calculates the salinity of the fruit juice-like ice stored in the ice storage container (T) after the ice making device (I) starts to operate according to the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor (92) of the cooled medium supplied to the ice storage container (T) before the ice making device operates and the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor (92) of the fruit juice-like ice.

9. Ice feeding device (C) according to any of the claims 1 to 8,

the ice storage device further comprises an input part (26), wherein the input part (26) receives the salinity and the amount of the sherbet-like ice taken out of the ice storage container (T).

10. The ice delivery device (C) according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the supply passage (31) has a take-out port (42), the take-out port (42) is disposed in the ice storage container (T) and is used for taking out the fruit dew ice in the ice storage container (T),

the outlet (42) is disposed below the liquid level (L) of the dew-like ice in the ice storage container (T) by a predetermined distance.

11. The ice delivery device (C) according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

the water flow path (80) is used for flowing the cooled water.

12. The ice supplying device (C) according to claim 11,

comprises a cooling device (100), wherein the cooling device (100) cools the water flowing in the water flow passage (80).

13. An ice making system (S), characterized in that it comprises:

a refrigerant circuit that generates the sherbet ice; and

the ice supplying device (C) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. An ice making system (S) as claimed in claim 13,

the refrigerant circuit includes:

a compressor (2);

a first heat exchanger (3), the first heat exchanger (3) releasing heat of the refrigerant compressed in the compressor (2); and

and a second heat exchanger (1) for cooling a cooling target medium, which is a raw material of the dewy ice, by exchanging heat between the refrigerant, which has radiated heat in the first heat exchanger (3), and the cooling target medium in the second heat exchanger (1).

15. An ice making system (S) as claimed in claim 14,

the refrigerant circuit further includes a third heat exchanger (100), and the third heat exchanger (100) cools the water flowing through the water flow path (80) by exchanging heat between the refrigerant, which has dissipated heat in the first heat exchanger (3), and the water.

16. An ice making system (S) as claimed in claim 15,

further comprising a water container (81), the water container (81) storing water cooled by the third heat exchanger (100).

17. An ice making system (S) as claimed in claim 16, comprising:

a third temperature sensor (103), the third temperature sensor (103) detecting a temperature of water within the water container (81);

a control valve (101), the control valve (101) controlling a flow of refrigerant in the third heat exchanger (100); and

a second control unit (27), wherein the second control unit (27) controls the operation of the control valve (101) according to the temperature detected by the third temperature sensor (103).

18. An ice making system (S) as claimed in claim 17,

the third temperature sensor (103) is disposed on the lower side in the water container (81).

19. An ice making system (S), characterized in that it comprises:

an ice making device (I); and

the ice supplying device (C) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.