CN115023576A

CN115023576A - Ice making machine

Info

Publication number: CN115023576A
Application number: CN202180008132.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 嘉户修治; 水谷保起; 山冈清史; 荒井伸幸; 田代秀行; 大谷辉彦; 芝田悠月; 中田大贵; 山口徹也
Original assignee: Hoshizaki Corp
Current assignee: Hoshizaki Corp
Priority date: 2020-01-08
Filing date: 2021-01-07
Publication date: 2022-09-06
Also published as: WO2021141070A1

Abstract

The disclosed device is provided with: an ice making unit (20) that freezes water to produce ice; and a UV sterilization device (90) which is provided in the water flow path (50, 51, 60) through which water flows toward the ice making unit (20) and which sterilizes the water flowing through the water flow path (50, 51, 60) by irradiation with ultraviolet light, wherein the UV sterilization device (90) is configured to irradiate ultraviolet light onto a portion (65) in the water flow path (50, 51, 60) where the flow of water is slower than other portions.

Description

Ice making machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to ice making machines.

Background

Patent document 1 below describes an ice maker including: an evaporator having an evaporator pan; a dispenser for dispensing dispenser water to the evaporator pan for the formation of ice; a reservoir receiving the dispenser water and source water from a source; a pump directing water from the water reservoir to the dispenser, the ice maker characterized by a microbiological control selected from the group consisting of membrane filtration, silver ions, antimicrobial agents, ozone, and any combination thereof, in order to prevent microorganisms from entering a food zone containing the water reservoir, the dispenser, and the evaporator plate.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-6376

(problems to be solved by the invention)

The ice maker described in patent document 1 is configured to cope with invasion of microorganisms. However, even when the ice maker described in patent document 1 is used, it is difficult to say that invasion of microorganisms can be prevented. That is, in the ice maker, sterilization in the ice maker is also indispensable, and particularly, it is considered that safety of the generated ice can be improved by sterilizing the ice making water used for generating the ice.

Disclosure of Invention

Summary of the invention

The technology described in the present specification is an invention made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an ice maker capable of efficiently and reliably performing sterilization of ice making water.

(means for solving the problems)

In order to solve the above problem, an ice maker according to the technology described in the present specification includes:

an ice making section that generates ice by freezing water; and

a UV sterilization device which is provided in a water flow path through which water flows toward the ice making unit and sterilizes the water flowing through the water flow path by irradiating the water with ultraviolet rays,

the UV sterilizer is configured to irradiate a portion where the flow of water in the water flow path is slower than other portions with ultraviolet rays.

The ice maker having this configuration can sterilize water used for making ice by the UV sterilization device. In addition, since the UV sterilization device can sterilize water flowing at a slower flow rate than other parts by irradiating ultraviolet rays to a part where the water flows slowly, the ice maker with this configuration can effectively sterilize ice making water. The ice maker having this configuration is of a type that supplies at least ice making water to the ice making unit, and various types of ice makers such as a flow type ice maker, an auger type ice maker, a unit type ice maker, a drum type ice maker, and a water storage type ice maker can be used. The "water flow path" in this configuration is not limited to a supply path connected to the ice making unit to supply water to the ice making unit, and for example, an ice making machine having a configuration in which unfrozen water in water supplied to the ice making unit is collected in a tank or the like, that is, a type of ice making machine (a unit type or a flow type) in which ice making water is circulated, includes a flow path for collecting water. Therefore, the ice maker of this configuration may be of a type that does not require water circulation, or of a type that circulates ice making water. In particular, in the case of an ice maker of a type requiring water circulation, such as a unit type or a flow-down type ice maker, the ice maker of the present configuration is preferable because sterilization of ice making water is effective.

In the above configuration, the ice maker may include: a tank capable of storing water for supply to the ice making part; a supply path connecting the tank with the ice making unit, for supplying water of the tank to the ice making unit; and a collection passage provided separately from the supply passage, connecting the tank to the ice making unit, and collecting water in the ice making unit to the tank, wherein the water flow passage is configured to circulate water in the ice making unit through the tank, the supply passage, and the collection passage, and is configured to circulate water in the ice making unit and sterilize the water by the UV sterilization device.

The ice maker of this configuration sterilizes water used for ice making while circulating the water, and therefore can more reliably sterilize ice making water and can produce ice with high safety.

In the above-described configuration, the ice making unit may have a water storage unit that stores water supplied from the tank through the supply passage, the ice making unit may be configured to freeze the water stored in the water storage unit and generate ice, the ice making unit may include a pump device that is disposed in the recovery passage and that transports the water in the water storage unit to the tank, and the ice making unit may be configured to recover the water in the water storage unit to the tank by an operation of the pump device.

The ice maker of this configuration is configured to make ice while storing water, and for example, in an auger type, a drum type, a water storage type ice maker, or the like, water in the water storage portion can be circulated. In general, an auger type, drum type, or water storage type ice making machine does not require water circulation, and when ice making operation is resumed after ice making is stopped, water stored in a water storage unit is discharged. In contrast, in the ice maker having this configuration, the water in the water storage portion can be circulated, and the water storage portion can be cleaned, so that the ice making water can be prevented from being wasted. In addition, the ice maker having this configuration can circulate water and sterilize the water by the UV sterilizer before starting the ice making operation, for example, and thus can produce ice with high safety.

In the above-described configuration, the ice making unit may include an ice making plate having a function of freezing water flowing down to generate ice, the tank may be disposed below the ice making plate to enable recovery of unfrozen water in the water supplied to the ice making unit, the ice making unit may include a separating member disposed between the ice making plate and the tank to form a part of the recovery passage, the separating member may include a plurality of openings that allow water to pass therethrough and do not allow ice generated by the ice making plate to pass therethrough, and the UV sterilizer may be configured to irradiate the separating member.

The ice maker having this structure is a flow-type ice maker, and has a location where the flow of water is slow. In the ice maker having this configuration, the ice making water circulating during the ice making process is transferred to the tank by the separation member disposed below the ice making plate, and the ice falling from the ice making plate after the ice making is completed is transferred to the tank for ice making. Some of the water flowing down from the ice making plate during the ice making process directly falls down toward the tank from the plurality of openings of the separating member, but the remaining part falls down toward the tank along the separating member formed relatively slowly to slide the ice. The ice maker of this structure can sterilize the water irradiation UV along the separating member. The separating member may have a structure in which a plurality of holes are formed as a plurality of openings, or a structure in which a plurality of grooves are formed as a plurality of openings.

In addition, in the above-described structure, it is possible that,

the ice maker is provided with a tank capable of storing water for supplying to the ice making unit,

the tank has: a tank body part for storing water; a water injection port disposed above the tank main body for injecting water; and a water receiving portion disposed between the tank main body portion and the water filling port, the water receiving portion receiving water injected from the water filling port on an upper surface thereof and allowing the water to flow into the tank main body portion, wherein the UV sterilizer is configured to irradiate at least the water receiving portion in the tank.

The ice maker of this structure embodies a portion where the flow of water becomes slow. The ice maker having this structure is configured such that water poured into the tank flows into the tank main body along the water receiving portion, and is sterilized by the UV sterilizer while following the water receiving portion. According to the ice maker having this configuration, sterilization can be performed before the ice maker flows into the tank main body, and the quality of the ice making water stored in the tank main body can be improved.

In the above configuration, the water receiving portion may be formed to protrude outward from an upper end of the tank main body portion, and the upper surface may be formed in an inclined shape that descends toward the tank main body portion.

In the ice maker having this configuration, since the entire water surface of the water stored in the tank main body is horizontally offset from the upper surface of the water receiving portion, in other words, the water receiving portion is not overlapped above the tank main body, UV is irradiated from above by the UV sterilization device, and thus not only the water flowing to the upper surface of the water receiving portion but also the water stored in the tank main body can be irradiated with UV, and the ice making water can be sterilized more efficiently and more reliably.

In the above configuration, the tank may have a lid portion covering an upper portion, and the UV sterilizer may be fixed to a center of the lid portion.

The ice maker having this configuration can irradiate the entire tank including the water receiving portion with UV by the UV sterilizer, and is particularly effective for an ice maker having a configuration in which the entire water surface of the water stored in the tank main body portion and the upper surface of the water receiving portion are horizontally offset.

In the above configuration, the ice maker may include a distance sensor that is disposed above the water stored in the tank and that is capable of measuring the distance to the water surface by irradiating ultrasonic waves toward the water surface of the water stored in the tank.

The ice maker having this configuration can detect the water level in the tank based on the distance to the water surface measured by the distance sensor. For example, in the case of a configuration in which the water level in the tank is detected using a float switch, when UV is irradiated by a UV sterilization device, the float turns into a shadow and there is a portion in the tank that is not sterilized. However, in the ice maker having this configuration, the distance sensor does not form a shadow in the tank, and sterilization in the tank can be performed more efficiently.

In the above configuration, the UV sterilizer may irradiate ultraviolet rays having a wavelength in a range of 207nm to 285 nm.

The ice maker having this structure embodies a wavelength band of UV irradiated by the UV sterilization device. UV passing through this wavelength band can effectively sterilize.

In the above configuration, the ice maker may include: a tank capable of storing water for supply to the ice making part; a supply path connecting the tank with the ice making unit, for supplying water of the tank to the ice making unit; and a recovery passage provided separately from the supply passage, connecting the tank to the ice making unit, and recovering water in the ice making unit to the tank, wherein the water flow passage includes the tank, the supply passage, the recovery passage, and the ice making unit on a passage and is configured to be capable of circulating, and the ice making unit further includes: pump means for circulating water in the flow path; a control unit that determines an abnormality of the pump device based on a detection result of a water level at a predetermined portion in the water flow path; and a notification unit configured to notify the user of the abnormality.

The ice maker of this structure can wash the running water path by circulation of water, or can sterilize the running water path by circulation of sterilized water. Further, it is possible to determine an abnormality of the pump device for circulating the water and notify the user of the abnormality.

In the above configuration, the controller may determine an abnormality of the pump device based on a result of detection of the water level before the pump device is operated and a result of detection of the water level after the pump device is operated.

The ice maker having this configuration can determine an abnormality of the pump device based on the detection result of the water level at a predetermined portion in the water flow path before and after the operation of the pump device. When the pump device is normally operated, water circulates in the flow path and pressure loss occurs, and thus the water level in a predetermined portion of the flow path fluctuates. Therefore, based on the detection result of the water level, it is possible to determine abnormality of the pump device.

In the above-described configuration, the ice maker may include a water level sensor that detects a water level of the water in the tank, and the controller may determine an abnormality of the pump device based on a detection result of the water level sensor.

Since the ice maker having this configuration determines the abnormality of the pump device based on the detection result of the water level sensor for detecting the water level in the tank, it is not necessary to provide an additional component for detecting the abnormality of the pump device.

In the above configuration, the water level sensor may be a distance sensor that detects a distance to a water surface of the water in the tank using ultrasonic waves.

The ice maker of this structure embodies the kind of the water level sensor as a distance sensor. According to the distance sensor, the change in the water level can be continuously detected, and therefore, the abnormality of the pump device can be easily determined based on the detected water level.

In the above configuration, the control unit may compare a water level detected by the water level sensor before the pump device is operated with a water level change of the water level detected by the water level sensor after the pump device is operated with a predetermined threshold value, and determine that the pump device is abnormal when the water level change is smaller than the threshold value.

The ice maker having this configuration can determine an abnormality of the pump device by comparing a water level change of a detection water level of the distance sensor before and after the operation of the pump device with a threshold value, and therefore the determination process can be performed without being complicated.

In the above configuration, the water level sensor may be a float switch including a float that is displaced by buoyancy in accordance with the water level in the tank, and the float switch may detect the different signal depending on whether or not the water level in the tank is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value.

The ice maker of this structure embodies the kind of the water level sensor as a float switch. According to the float switch, cost can be reduced, and versatility can be improved.

In the above configuration, the control unit may determine that the pump device is normal when a detection signal of the water level sensor before the pump device is operated is different from a detection signal of the water level sensor after the pump device is operated.

The ice maker having this configuration can determine that the pump device is normal by the detection signal of the water level sensor before and after the operation of the pump device, and therefore, it is preferable to use the float switch as the water level sensor.

In the above configuration, the ice maker may include: a water supply valve capable of adjusting supply of water to the tank; and a drain valve capable of adjusting discharge of water in the tank, wherein the control unit controls at least one of the water supply valve and the drain valve to adjust a water level of the water in the tank before the pump unit operates so that the water level sensor detects a first detection signal, and then controls at least one of the water supply valve and the drain valve to adjust the water level of the water in the tank until the water level sensor detects a second detection signal different from the first detection signal.

In the ice maker having this configuration, before the pump device is operated, the water level of the water in the tank is adjusted by the drain valve or the water supply valve before the detection signal of the water level sensor is changed from the first detection signal to the second detection signal. In this way, when the pump device is normal, the detection signal of the water level sensor is reliably changed to the first detection signal after the pump device is operated. As a result, the normality of the pump device can be reliably determined based on the detection signal of the water level sensor before and after the operation of the pump device.

In the above configuration, the control unit may intermittently open and close at least one of the water supply valve and the drain valve when the water level in the tank is adjusted so that the water level sensor detects the second detection signal before the pump device is operated.

The ice maker having this configuration can slow the rate of change of the water level of the water in the tank by intermittently opening and closing the drain valve or the water supply valve. This makes it possible to stabilize and change the water level in the tank.

In addition, in the above structure, the ice making unit may have: a cylinder constituting a water storage portion for storing water supplied from the tank through the supply passage and having an inner surface to which ice adheres; and an auger rotatably disposed inside the cylinder, and having an ice shaving blade configured to shave ice adhered to the inner surface.

The ice maker of this structure is embodied in its kind as an auger type ice maker. In the auger type ice maker, the pump device is used to circulate water through the water flow path, and is not necessarily required at the time of ice making, so that it is difficult for a user to find an abnormality of the pump device in reality. According to the ice maker of this configuration, even in the auger type ice maker, it is possible to detect an abnormality of the pump device and notify the user of the abnormality.

(effect of the invention)

According to the technology described in the present specification, an ice maker capable of efficiently and reliably sterilizing ice making water can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of an ice maker according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the ice making part shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the flow path and the refrigeration circuit shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the water storage tank shown in fig. 3, showing a state in which water from the recovery passage is filled into the water storage tank.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the water storage tank shown in fig. 3, showing a state in which water from the recovery passage is discharged.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view (a-a section in fig. 4) of the water storage tank shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing a drainage path of the ice maker according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a view schematically showing an ice maker according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a recovery passage in the ice maker shown in fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of an ice maker according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic view of the flow path and the refrigeration circuit shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart of a washing operation in the ice maker of the third embodiment.

Fig. 13 shows a schematic view of a flow path and a refrigeration circuit in an ice maker according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 14A is a flowchart of a washing operation in the ice maker of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 14B is a flowchart following fig. 14A.

Fig. 14C is a flowchart following fig. 14B.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart of a washing operation in the ice maker of the fifth embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, several embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as a mode for carrying out the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the following examples, and can be implemented in various forms in which various modifications and improvements are made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

< example 1>

The ice maker 10 of the first embodiment is an auger type ice maker, and the block diagram of fig. 1 shows a schematic configuration. The ice maker 10 includes an ice making unit 20, a refrigeration circuit 40, a water storage tank 60, an ice storage tank 70, and a control unit 80. The ice making unit 20 has a water storage unit S for storing ice making water supplied from the water storage tank 60, and ice is produced by freezing the ice making water stored in the water storage unit S by the refrigeration circuit 40. The resulting ice is then sent to an ice storage tank 70. The water storage unit S of the ice making unit 20 is connected to the water storage tank 60 through a supply passage 30, receives the supply of ice making water through the supply passage 30, and is also connected to a recovery passage 31 provided separately from the supply passage 30, so that ice making water that has not been made can be recovered from the water storage unit S through the recovery passage 31, which will be described in detail later. A pump device 32 using a motor as a drive source is provided in the recovery passage 31, and the ice-making water in the water storage portion S is sent to the water storage tank 60 by the operation of the pump device 32. The control unit 80 is mainly configured by a computer having a CPU, RAM, ROM, and the like, and the control unit 80 controls the ice making unit 20, the refrigeration circuit 40, the pump device 32, and the like.

The ice making portion 20 includes: an ice making mechanism 20A that generates a main body for generating ice; a drive unit 20B for driving the ice making mechanism 20A; and a coupling portion 20C that mechanically couples the ice making mechanism 20A and the drive portion 20B to transmit the driving force of the drive portion 20B to the ice making mechanism 20A. As shown in fig. 3, the ice making mechanism 20A includes a cylinder (ice making cylinder, cooling cylinder) 21, an auger 22, a forming member (stationary blade, compression head) 23, a heat insulating material 24, a cutter 25, an ice discharge pipe 26, and a seal portion (mechanical seal) 27. The cylinder 21 is made of metal (e.g., stainless steel) and has a cylindrical shape, and an evaporation tube 44 constituting the refrigeration circuit 40 is wound around an outer peripheral surface thereof. In the cylinder 21, a water supply port 21A and a drain port 21B are provided in a side wall below the evaporation pipe 44. The ice making water is supplied into the cylinder 21 from the water supply port 21A. The ice making water in the cylinder 21 is discharged from the water discharge port 21B to the outside of the cylinder 21. The insulation material 24 covers the outer surface of the evaporation tube 44 to enhance the cooling effect.

Here, the refrigeration circuit 40 will be described with reference to fig. 3. The refrigeration circuit 40 includes a compressor 41, a condenser 42, an expansion valve 43, and an evaporation pipe 44, which are connected by a refrigerant pipe 45. The compressor 41 compresses a refrigerant gas. The condenser 42 cools and liquefies the compressed refrigerant gas by blowing air from the fan 46. The expansion valve 43 expands the liquefied refrigerant. The evaporation pipe 44 is wound around the outer surface of the cylinder 21. The evaporation pipe 144 vaporizes the liquefied refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 43, and cools the cylinder 21. That is, the refrigeration circuit 40 is configured to adhere ice to the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder 21 constituting the ice making mechanism 20A. The refrigeration circuit 40 further includes a fan 46, a dryer 47, and a temperature sensor 48. The dryer 47 removes moisture mixed in the refrigeration circuit 40. The temperature sensor 48 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 45 between the outlet portion of the evaporation pipe 44 and the condenser 42 and the dryer 47, and detects the temperature of the refrigerant.

As shown in fig. 2, the auger 22 constituting the ice making mechanism 20A has a long and narrow bar shape as a whole, and is inserted vertically into the internal space of the cylinder 21 so that the extending direction of the long and narrow auger extends along the central axis of the cylinder 21. The auger 22 includes a spiral ice shaver 22A in a portion overlapping the evaporation tube 144 in a side view. The ice shaving blade 22A protrudes from the rod-like body of the auger 22 toward the inner surface 21F of the cylinder 21 to a length slightly shorter than the inner surface 21F of the cylinder 21. The ice shaver 22A shaves ice attached to the inner surface 21F of the cylinder 21 by rotating.

As shown in fig. 2, the forming member 23 is fixed to the upper side of the inside of the cylinder 21. The forming member 23 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and an upper portion 22B of the auger 22 is inserted therein to rotatably hold the auger 22. The forming member 23 is a member having a gear-shaped cross section and formed with a plurality of grooves extending in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and forms an ice passage 23A vertically penetrating with the inner surface 21F of the cylinder 21. The ice conveyed upward by auger 22 is pressed into ice passage 23A and compressed into a columnar shape.

As shown in fig. 2, the cutter 25 is disposed above the forming member 23. The cutter 25 cuts the ice compressed and formed by the forming member 23 into a predetermined length. The ice discharge pipe 26 is disposed so that one end thereof covers the cutter 25 and extends outward from the ice making mechanism 20A, and the ice cut by the cutter 25 is sent to the ice bank 70 through the ice discharge pipe 26.

As shown in fig. 2, the seal portion 27 is disposed inside the cylinder 21, and includes a seal member 27A and a fixing tool 27B. The sealing body 27A is made of ceramic or hard resin, and fills a gap between the cylindrical main body of the auger 22 and a housing 20C2 described later to stop water inside. The fixture 27B is disposed above the sealing body 27A, and presses and fixes the sealing body 27A to the outer surface of the body of the auger 22. Thus, a space surrounded by the outer peripheral surface of the body of the auger 22, the sealing body 27A, the upper portion of the housing 20C2, and the inner surface 21F of the cylinder 21 constitutes a water storage portion S capable of storing ice making water. The water supply port 21A and the drain port 21B provided in the cylinder 21 are provided at positions overlapping the sealing body 27A in a side view on the bottom side (lower side) of the water storage portion S. The seal portion 27 rotates together with the auger 22, and at this time, the seal body 27A slides with respect to the upper portion of the housing 20C 2.

As shown in fig. 2, the driving portion 20B is disposed below the ice making mechanism 20A. The drive unit 20B includes a motor, a gear system, and an output shaft 20B 1. When the motor is rotationally driven, power is transmitted through the gear system and the output shaft 20B1 rotates.

As shown in fig. 2, the coupling portion 20C includes a coupling (shaft joint) 20C1 and a housing 20C 2. The coupling 20C1 is cylindrical, and a lower end of the auger 22 and an upper end of the output shaft 20B1 that are spline-engaged are fixed to the inside thereof. Through coupling 20C1, as output shaft 20B1 rotates, auger 22 rotates as a unit.

Next, the flow of water in the present ice maker 10 will be described in detail. The water storage tank 60 has a substantially box shape, stores ice making water therein, and the water storage tank 60 and the ice making unit 20 are disposed in the present ice making machine 10 such that the water storage tank 60 is at a height position as shown in fig. 3 with respect to the water storage unit S of the ice making unit 20. The water storage tank 60 and the water storage section S of the ice making section 20 can be filled with water through the water pipe 50 constituting the supply passage 30. Specifically, the water storage tank 60 is provided with a water passage port 60A on the bottom surface, and the water passage port 60A is connected to the water supply port 21A of the cylinder 21 by the water passage pipe 50, whereby the water storage tank 60 and the water storage portion S are in a water permeable state. With this configuration, water storage section S stores water until water level is equal to water level of water storage tank 60.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 1, the water storage portion S and the water storage tank 60 are also connected by a recovery passage 31 different from the supply passage 30. Specifically, the recovery passage 31 is composed of a pump device 32 connected to the drain port 21B of the cylinder 21, and a water supply pipe 51 connecting the pump device 32 to the water storage tank 60. The pump device 32 is mainly composed of a pump motor 32A, and sends water in the water storage portion S sucked from a port 32B on the suction side connected to the drain port 21B to a water supply pipe 51 connected to a port 32C on the discharge side. The other end of the water supply pipe 51 is connected to the water storage tank 60, and water in the water storage portion S can be collected into the water storage tank 60. According to the above-described configuration, in the present ice maker 10, as shown in fig. 1, the water storage tank 60, the supply passage 30, and the recovery passage 31 form a water flow path 52 through which water (ice making water) flowing toward the ice making unit 20 (more specifically, the water storage unit S) flows, and the water flow path 52 is configured to be able to circulate the water in the ice making unit 20.

Next, the water storage tank 60 will be described in detail. As shown in fig. 4 to 6, the water storage tank includes a tank body 61 having a substantially box shape as a portion for storing water, a drain 62 disposed outside the tank body 61, and a lid (lid) 63 covering the upper portions of the tank body 61 and the drain 62. The drain 62 has an upper end opening into the water storage tank 60 and extends downward. That is, the water drain portion 62 is a portion for raising the water level inside the tank main body portion 61 and discharging the water that has passed the upper end of itself from the water storage tank 60. In other words, the water drain portion 62 sets the upper limit water level of the tank body portion 61 to the height of the upper end thereof.

The lid 63 is provided with two

water injection ports

63A and 63B. The first water filling port 63A is connected to a water supply pipe 53 communicating with a water passage pipe, and fills tap water into the water storage tank 60. The water supply pipe 51 constituting the recovery passage 31 described above is connected to the second water filling port 63B, and water recovered from the water storage portion S of the ice making unit 20 is filled into the water storage tank 60. The water supply pipe 53 is provided with a water supply valve 54.

The lid 63 is provided with a water injection position changing mechanism 64 capable of changing the position of the second water injection port 63B. The water filling position changing mechanism 64 includes a water supply pipe holder 64A for holding the end of the water supply pipe 51 on the side of the reservoir tank 60 in a state of opening downward, and a motor (stepping motor) 64B for rotating the water supply pipe holder 64A in a horizontal plane, and the position of the water supply pipe holder 64A is selectively switched between the position shown in fig. 4 and the position shown in fig. 5.

When the water supply pipe holder 64A is at the position shown in fig. 4, the water injected from the second water injection port 63B (reference numerals 63B-P1 in fig. 4) is returned to the tank main body 61. However, in this case, the second water filling port 63B is located outside the tank main body 61 (on the left side of the tank main body 61 in fig. 4) at a position offset from the drain 62 (on the lower side of the drain 62 in fig. 4). The water storage tank 60 has a water receiving portion 65 at this position, which receives the water injected from the second water injection port 63B at the upper surface thereof. As shown in fig. 6, the water receiving portion 65 is formed so as to extend outward from the upper end of the tank main body portion 61, is formed in an inclined shape that descends toward the tank main body portion 61, and receives water flowing down from the second water injection port 63B and flows into the tank main body portion 61 along the upper surface thereof.

On the other hand, when the water supply pipe holding body 64A is at the position shown in fig. 5, the second water filling port 63B (reference numerals 63B to P2 in fig. 5) is positioned above the drain portion 62. That is, in this case, the water sent from the water supply pipe 51 is discharged from the drain 62 to the outside of the present ice maker 10, and will be described in detail later. For example, the present invention is used when water in the water storage section S of the ice making unit 20 and water in the tank main body 61 of the water storage tank 60 are discharged, specifically, when old water is discharged after a set time has elapsed from the water stored in the water storage section S and when washing water is discharged from the present ice making unit 10.

Here, drainage of the present ice maker 10 is explained. First, the first drain pipe 56 is connected to the lower end of the drain portion 62 of the water storage tank 60. As shown in fig. 7, a second drain pipe 57 for discharging water generated by melting ice stored in the ice storage tank 70 is connected to a bottom surface of the ice storage tank (ice bin) 70. The first drain pipe 56 and the second drain pipe 57 are merged in the present ice maker 10, and discharged to the outside of the machine through the main drain pipe 58. The main drain pipe 58 is provided with the check valve backwater inlet 59, so that the backflow of the drain water to the water storage tank 60 and the ice storage tank 70 can be prevented, and the backflow of air can be blocked even when the

drain pipes

56, 57, and 58 are in a drain state, thereby preventing the inflow of foreign odor, bacteria, and the like from the outside.

As described above, the present ice maker 10 can collect water stored in the water storage portion S of the ice making unit 20 into the water storage tank 60, and more specifically, can circulate ice making water through the water flow path 52 formed by the water storage portion S, the water storage tank 60, the supply passage 30, and the collection passage 31. For example, a case may be considered in which the ice making operation is once ended and the ice making operation is restarted after a certain amount of time has elapsed. In the conventional ice maker, water cannot be circulated in the water flow path and water is discharged from the water storage unit S. According to the ice maker 10, the amount of ice making water discharged in a whitish manner can be reduced, and ice making can be performed efficiently (an increase in the amount of ice making with respect to the amount of water supplied). However, since the ice maker 10 is configured to circulate ice making water, sterilization of ice making water is important. In view of this, the present ice maker 10 is configured to be able to efficiently and reliably sterilize ice-making water. This structure will be described in detail below.

Ice maker 10 includes UV sterilizer 90. The UV sterilizer 90 is an ultraviolet lamp or a deep ultraviolet LED lamp (hereinafter, may be referred to as "UV lamp 90") and can irradiate ultraviolet rays (UV) having a wavelength of 253nm to 285nm, which have a high sterilizing effect on water. The UV lamp 90 is mounted to the water storage tank 60 described above. Specifically, as shown in fig. 4 to 6, the UV irradiation is performed inside the water storage tank 60 by being fixed to the substantially center of the lid 63. The UV lamp 90 can irradiate UV light to the upper side of the side wall of the water storage tank 60 in the range indicated by the two-dot chain line in fig. 6. Specifically, the UV lamp 90 can perform UV irradiation in a range up to a height including the water receiving portion 65 provided in the water storage tank 60.

In the present ice maker 10, when the ice making operation is restarted after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the ice making operation has once ended, the water storage unit S (cylinder 21) and the supply passage 30 (water passage pipe 50) are cleaned while the ice making water is circulated for a certain period of time in the water flow path 52. During the circulation of the ice making water, the ice making water is sterilized by UV irradiation by the UV lamp 90. When the ice making water is returned to the water storage tank 60 during the circulation of the ice making water, the water flows down to the water receiving portion 65 without being directly supplied to the tank body portion 61, and flows into the tank body portion 61 along the water receiving portion 65. Further, UV irradiation by the UV lamp 90 is also performed on the water receiving unit 65. That is, in the present ice maker 10, not only the ice making water stored in the tank main body portion 61 but also the ice making water flowing on the water receiving portion 65 having a gentle slope, in other words, the ice making water flowing at a relatively slow flow rate can be sterilized by UV irradiation, and therefore, the ice making water can be sterilized efficiently and reliably.

The ice maker 10 measures the water level in the water storage tank 60 (specifically, in the tank main body 61), and performs an ice making operation based on the measurement result. Therefore, a water level sensor 91 for measuring the water level is provided in the water storage tank 60. More specifically, the water level sensor 91 is fixed to the lid 63, functions as a distance sensor that measures the distance to the water surface by irradiating ultrasonic waves toward the water surface of the water stored in the tank body 61, and measures the water level based on the distance to the measured water surface. More specifically, the water level sensor 91 includes an irradiation unit that irradiates ultrasonic waves and a reception unit that receives ultrasonic waves reflected by the water surface of the water in the water storage tank 60, and the distance from the water level sensor 91 to the water surface can be measured based on the time for which the ultrasonic waves irradiated from the irradiation unit return to the reception unit by reflection. The water level sensor 91 using the ultrasonic wave needs to float the float on the water surface like a float switch, or float the reflecting material on the water surface like a sensor using an infrared laser, and does not form a shadow in the water storage tank 60, so that the ice making water in the water storage tank 60 can be reliably UV-irradiated, and sterilization can be performed more efficiently.

In ice making machine 10, as shown in fig. 7, ice storage tank 70 is also provided with UV sterilizer 92 similar to UV sterilizer 90. The UV sterilizer 92 is fixed to the vicinity of the center of the lid 70A of the ice bank 70 and constantly performs UV irradiation toward the lower side. That is, the UV sterilizer 92 sterilizes the inner wall of the ice storage tank 70, the ice discharge opening of the ice discharge pipe 26 on the ice storage tank 70 side, and the ice after ice making all the time. The ice storage tank 70 is also provided with an ultrasonic sensor similar to the water level sensor 91, that is, an ice storage height sensor 93 for estimating the amount of ice stored. In many conventional ice makers, a sensor for measuring the amount of ice is not provided, and the ice storage tank is opened to check the amount of ice. In contrast, since the ice maker 10 displays the ice storage height, the number of times the ice storage tank 70 is opened is reduced, and contamination of bacteria into the ice storage tank 70 can be suppressed, which is excellent in hygiene.

As described above, according to the present ice maker 10, ice making water is excellent in safety (hygiene) and ice making water with reliably secured hygiene can be provided by efficiently and reliably sterilizing ice making water.

< example 2>

Although the ice maker 10 of the first embodiment is an auger-type ice maker, as shown in fig. 8, the ice maker 100 of the second embodiment is a flow-down type ice maker. As shown in fig. 1, an ice maker 100 includes: a plurality of ice making portions 111 for making ice by freezing water; a cooling device 140 that cools the ice making unit 111 (more specifically, each ice making plate 112 provided in the ice making unit 111); a water storage tank 113 capable of storing water supplied to the ice making unit 111; an ice storage tank 114 capable of storing ice made by the ice making portion 111; and a pump device 115 capable of supplying water in the water storage tank 113 to the ice making unit 111.

The ice maker 100 further includes: a pipe 118 connecting the ice making unit 111 and the pump device 115; a drain pipe 120 for discharging water in the water storage tank 113 to the outside by being drawn out from an intermediate portion 119 of the pipe 118; a drain valve 121 that opens and closes the drain pipe 120; a water level sensor 122 disposed above the water stored in the water storage tank 113 and capable of measuring a distance to a water surface of the water stored in the water storage tank 113; and an ice storage height sensor 123 disposed above the ice stored in the ice storage tank 114 and capable of measuring a distance to an upper surface of the ice stored in the ice storage tank 114.

The ice making unit 111 includes a plurality of ice making plates 112, a water spray pipe 124, and a water spray guide 125. The ice making plate 112 is disposed in a vertical posture. In the plurality of ice making plates 112, a serpentine evaporation pipe 144 (a part of the cooling device 140) is provided between a pair of

ice making plates

112 and 112 disposed to face each other. As shown in fig. 2, the ice making plate 112 has a plurality of ice making surfaces 112A extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of protruding portions 112B extending in the vertical direction. The plurality of ice making surfaces 112A are arranged in the horizontal direction, and the adjacent ice making surfaces 112A are partitioned by the protruding strip portions 112B. The ice making surface 112A is formed by a surface of the ice making plate 112 opposite to the evaporation tube 144. The sprinkler pipes 124 (sprinklers) are provided one each in the pair of

ice making plates

112, 112. The ice making water sent from the pump device 115 to the water spray pipe 124 is sprayed to the ice making surfaces 112A by the water spray pipe 124. The ice making water sprinkled from the sprinkler pipe 124 is guided to the ice making surfaces 112A by the water sprinkling guide 125 and then flows down the ice making surfaces 112A.

As shown in fig. 1, the cooling device 140 includes a compressor 141, a condenser 142, an expansion valve 143, an evaporation pipe 144, and a fan 146. The compressor 141, the condenser 142, the expansion valve 143, and the evaporation pipe 144 are connected by a refrigerant pipe 145 in which a refrigerant is sealed. The compressor 141 compresses a refrigerant gas. The condenser 142 cools and liquefies the compressed refrigerant gas by the air blown by the fan 146. The expansion valve 143 expands the liquefied refrigerant. The evaporation pipe 144 (evaporator) vaporizes the liquefied refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 143, and cools the ice making plate 112. Thus, the compressor 141, the condenser 142, the expansion valve 143, the evaporation pipe 144, and the refrigerant pipe 145 constitute a circulation loop (refrigeration circuit) of the refrigerant for cooling the ice making plate 112. The cooling device 140 further includes a dryer 147 for removing moisture mixed in the refrigeration circuit.

Further, the cooling device 140 includes: a bypass line 149 for supplying the refrigerant gas (hot gas) compressed by the compressor 141 to the evaporation line 144; and a hot gas valve 150 as an electromagnetic valve provided in the bypass pipe 149. By opening the hot gas valve 150, the refrigerant gas (hot gas) can be supplied from the compressor 141 to the evaporation pipe 144, and the evaporation pipe 144 can be heated. That is, the cooling device 140 functions as a heating device that heats the evaporation pipe 144.

As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the water storage tank 113 includes a box-shaped tank body 126 that opens upward, and a lid 127 that covers the opening of the tank body 126. Ice making water for making ice is stored in the inner space of the tank body 126. The tank main body portion 126 is expanded to below the ice making portion 111, but the cover 127 does not cover a portion of the tank main body portion 126 located directly below the ice making portion 111. Above this portion, in other words, between the tank main body portion 126 and the ice making unit 111, a curtain-like cube guide 160, which will be described in detail later, is arranged. Water flowing down from ice making unit 111 passes through the gap of cube guide 160 and is stored in water storage tank 113 by cube guide 160.

Further, a water supply pipe 152 (a water supply-side sprinkler pipe) is provided between the pair of

ice making plates

112, 112. The water supply pipe 152 is connected to the water passage pipe 131 via the water supply pipe 129 and the water supply valve 130. Thus, by opening water supply valve 130, tap water flows down the back surface (surface opposite to ice making surface 112A) of ice making plate 112 and is then supplied to water storage tank 113. Further, the water tank 113 is configured to store unfrozen water of the ice making water flowing down from the ice making surface 112A. That is, the water storage tank 113 is configured such that unfrozen water of the ice making water supplied to the ice making unit 111 is stored in the water storage tank 113. Thus, by operating the pump device 115, the ice making water can be circulated between the water storage tank 113 and the ice making unit 111.

The pump device 115 has a pump motor 133 whose rotation speed can be changed, and can supply water in the water storage tank 113 to the ice making unit 111 as the pump motor 133 is driven. The pump motor 133 is a DC motor (DC brushless motor) capable of changing the rotation speed. Thus, by increasing or decreasing the rotation speed of the pump motor 133, the amount of water supplied to the ice making unit 111 (and thus the amount of water circulating between the water storage tank 113 and the ice making unit 111) can be increased or decreased.

Ice making unit 111 is disposed at a position higher than pump device 115, and pipe 118 extends upward from pump device 115. A drain pipe 120 for discharging water in the reservoir tank 113 to the outside is provided in the intermediate portion 119 of the pipe 118, and a drain valve 121 for opening and closing the drain pipe 120 is provided in the drain pipe 120. Thus, when the pump unit 115 is operated with the drain valve 121 opened, the water in the water storage tank 113 can be drained through the drain pipe 120. When the pump device 115 is operated in a state where clean water or detergent is put into the water storage tank 113, the ice making surface 112A side of the ice making unit 111 can be cleaned. A water pipe 134 and a water valve 135 are provided between the water supply pipe 129 and the pipe 118. With this configuration, when the water supply valve 130 and the drain valve 121 are closed and the water passage valve 135 is opened to operate the pump unit 115, water in the water storage tank 113 can be supplied to the rear surface of the ice making panel 112 through the water supply pipe 152, and the rear surface of the ice making panel 112 can be cleaned.

The water level sensor 122 is an ultrasonic sensor that is disposed above the water stored in the water storage tank 113 and that can measure the distance to the water surface of the water stored in the water storage tank 113 by irradiating ultrasonic waves to the water surface of the water in the water storage tank 113. More specifically, the water level sensor 122 includes an irradiation unit that irradiates ultrasonic waves and a reception unit that receives ultrasonic waves reflected by the water surface of the water in the water storage tank 113, and the distance from the water level sensor 122 to the water surface can be measured based on the time until the ultrasonic waves irradiated from the irradiation unit return to the reception unit by reflection. Since the distance from the water level sensor 122 to the water surface is linked to the water level of the water storage tank 113, the water level sensor 122 can be used as a water level sensor capable of measuring the water level of the water stored in the water storage tank 113. By using the water level sensor 122 as a water level sensor, the water level can be linearly detected.

The ice bank 114 stores ice produced by the ice making unit 111, and as shown in fig. 1, is disposed below the ice making unit 111 and communicates with the ice making unit 111 via an ice discharge pipe 151. The user takes the manufactured ice out of the ice storage tank 114 for use. The ice bank height sensor 123 is an ultrasonic sensor provided on the upper wall portion 114B constituting the ice bank 114, and is configured to be able to measure the distance to the upper surface of the ice stored in the ice bank 114 by irradiating the upper surface of the ice with ultrasonic waves.

As shown in fig. 9, the cube guide 160 is a curtain-like member having a plurality of openings (grooves, long holes) 160A formed therein, and is disposed in a posture inclined downward toward the ice inlet 114A of the ice bank 114. This causes ice falling onto cube guide 160 to slide down toward inlet 114A of ice bin 114 without passing through opening 160A. That is, the cube guide 160 functions as a separating member that allows the passage of water but does not allow the passage of ice generated by the ice making plate 112. As shown in fig. 1, between cube guide 160 and ice making unit 111, specifically, a deflector 161 is disposed above a portion of cube guide 160 on the ice bank 114 side (lower end side). The deflector 161 is disposed symmetrically to the cube guide 160 in a posture inclined downward in a direction away from the ice inlet 114A, and guides water flowing down from the ice making plate 112 on the ice storage tank 114 side to the base end side (upper end side) of the cube guide 160, for example, so as not to flow down to the ice storage tank 114. The ice produced on the ice making plate 112 on the ice bank 114 side also falls onto the deflector 161, is transferred to the cube guide 160, and is sent from the cube guide 160 to the ice bank 114.

As described above, in the ice maker 100 according to the second embodiment, the pipe 118 connects the water storage tank 113 to the ice making unit 111 and functions as a supply passage for supplying water in the water storage tank 113 to the ice making unit 111, and the cube guide 160 and the deflector 161 function as a recovery passage for recovering water in the ice making unit 111 to the water storage tank 113. That is, the ice maker 100 of the second embodiment has a water flow path configured to circulate water in the ice making unit 111 by the supply path, the recovery path, and the water storage tank 113, and sterilization of ice making water is important, as in the ice maker 10 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the ice maker 100 of the second embodiment can also efficiently and reliably sterilize the ice-making water.

The ice maker 100 includes

UV sterilizers

162, 163, and 164. The

UV sterilizers

162, 163, and 164 are ultraviolet lamps or deep ultraviolet LED lamps (hereinafter, referred to as "

UV lamps

162, 163, and 164" in some cases) as in the

UV sterilizers

90 and 92 included in the ice maker 10 of the first embodiment, and can emit ultraviolet rays (UV) having a wavelength of 253nm to 285nm, which have a high sterilization effect on water.

The first UV lamp 162 and the second UV lamp 163 are fixed to an inner wall surface of the case 170 covering the ice making plate 112. Specifically, the first UV lamp 162 is fixed above the base end of the cube guide 160 (the mounting portion to the housing 170), and the second UV lamp 163 is fixed above the base end of the deflector 161 (the mounting portion to the housing 170). The first UV lamp 162 can irradiate at least the cube guide 160 with UV, and the second UV lamp 163 can irradiate at least the guide 161 with UV. The third UV lamp 164 is fixed to the lid 127 of the water storage tank 113, and can perform UV irradiation on the water stored in the water storage tank 113.

In the ice maker 100 of the second embodiment, in the ice making process, that is, during circulation of the ice making water, UV irradiation is performed by the

UV lamps

162, 163, and 164 to sterilize the ice making water. During this circulation of ice making water, although there is ice making water flowing down from the ice making unit 111 directly into the water storage tank 113 from the opening 160A of the cube guide 160, a part of the ice making water flows down toward the water storage tank 113 along the cube guide 160. Further, the other ice making water flows down to the deflector 161 toward the cube guide 160. The inclination of the cubic guide 160 and the deflector 161 is relatively gentle, and the ice making water flowing along the cubic guide 160 and the ice making water flowing on the deflector 161 flow at relatively slow flow rates. The ice maker 100 according to the second embodiment can sterilize the ice making water flowing at a relatively slow flow rate by the first UV lamp 162 and the second UV lamp 163, and thus can efficiently and reliably sterilize the ice making water.

< modification 1>

Although the

UV lamps

90 and 92 are configured to irradiate UV having a wavelength of 253nm to 285nm, which is particularly high in the sterilization effect of water, in the auger-type ice maker 10 according to the first embodiment, the UV lamps 290 and 292 are configured to irradiate UV having a wavelength of 207nm to 285nm, which has the sterilization effect, in the auger-type ice maker 200 according to the first modification. The first modification has the same configuration and effects as those of the first embodiment except for the above.

< modification 2>

Although the flow-down ice maker 100 of the second embodiment described above is configured such that the

UV lamps

162, 163, and 164 can emit UV having a wavelength of 253nm to 285nm, which is particularly high in the sterilization effect of water, in the flow-down ice maker 300 of the second modification, the UV lamps 362, 363, and 364 can emit UV having a wavelength of 207nm to 285nm, which has the sterilization effect. The second modification has the same structure and effects as the second embodiment except for the above.

When the UV lamps 362, 363, 364 irradiate UV of a short wavelength (e.g., 207nm), the UV is absorbed by oxygen in the air existing in the irradiation range, and the oxygen is changed into ozone. The ozone flows in the running water path, and thereby bacteria generated in the ice storage tank 114, the running water path, or the like can be deactivated (weakened or destroyed) by the ozone.

< example 3>

Although the ice maker 10 of the first embodiment and the ice maker 200 of the first modification described above are auger ice makers capable of circularly cleaning the water storage portion S (ice making portion 20) and the like in the circulating water passage 52 while the ice making water is circulated for a certain period of time in the circulating water passage 52, the ice maker 400 of the third embodiment further has a function of detecting an abnormality of the pump device 32 as a power source for circulation and notifying a user of the abnormality. The third embodiment will be described below with reference to fig. 10 to 12, but the description of the same configuration, operation, and effects as those of the first embodiment and the first modification will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 10, the ice maker 400 includes a display unit 75 as an example of a notification unit for notifying a user of an abnormality of the pump device 32. The notification unit is not limited to the display unit 75 as long as it has a function of notifying the user, and may be, for example, a buzzer, a blinking lamp, or a combination thereof. The controller 80 determines an abnormality of the pump device 32 based on a detection result of the water level sensor 91 provided in the water storage tank 60. The water level sensor 91 is a distance sensor as described above, and measures the distance to the water surface by irradiating ultrasonic waves toward the water surface of the water stored in the tank body 61. As will be described in detail later, the ice maker 400 is controlled by the control unit 80 so that an error message is displayed on the display unit 75 when an abnormality of the pump device 32 is determined (detected).

As shown in fig. 10, the control unit 80 executes a control program recorded in a storage unit 81 (specifically, a ROM, a RAM, or the like) included in a part thereof, thereby controlling each device based on the operation of the user and the detection result of each sensor. The storage unit 81 also stores various setting values related to the operation of the ice maker 400, and the cumulative number of times N1 of cleaning operations and the cumulative number of times E1 of pump abnormality detections, which will be described later, are stored so as to be able to maintain the storage even when the power is turned off. The control unit 80 further includes a timer unit 82 for counting time. The control unit 80 executes a process of determining and notifying an abnormality of the pump device 32 (hereinafter, referred to as a pump abnormality notification process) when executing a control program of the cleaning operation for performing the circulation cleaning of the running water path 52. The washing operation is automatically performed, for example, when the ice making operation is restarted after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the ice making operation is temporarily finished, or is forcibly performed by an operation based on a user.

Unlike the ice maker 10 of the first embodiment, the ice maker 400 includes a drain valve 94 and a third drain pipe 95 in a drain path for ice making water, as shown in fig. 11. Unlike the ice maker 10 of the first embodiment, the ice maker 400 is not provided with the stepping motor 66, and the water passage port 63B of the lid 63 of the water storage tank 60 is fixed to an upper position 63B-P1 (fig. 4) of the tank main body 61. The third drain pipe 95 branches from a part of the water supply pipe 51 and is connected to the first drain pipe 56. The drain valve 94 is provided on the third drain pipe 95. Thus, when the drain valve 94 is opened, the ice making water in the tank body 61 of the water storage tank 60 and the ice making water in the water storage portion S of the ice making unit 20 are sequentially discharged to the first drain pipe 56 through the water supply pipe 51 and the third drain pipe 95. On the other hand, when the drain valve 94 is closed, the water storage portion S, the pump device 32, the water supply pipe 51, the tank main body portion 61, the water passage pipe 50, and the water storage portion S are connected to form a water flow path 52 through which water can circulate.

Next, a control flow of the cleaning operation including the pump abnormality notification process will be described with reference to fig. 12. When the washing operation is started, the drain valve 94 is first opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) (S10) and if residual water is present in the water flow path 52 (specifically, in the water storage portion S and the tank main body portion 61), water is drained. The drain valve 94 is closed after a predetermined time has elapsed (after the timer count based on the predetermined time of the timer unit 82). Then, the water supply valve 54 is opened (S12), and water for circulation and washing is accumulated in the tank main body 61 and the water storage portion S. This water supply is performed until the water level of the tank main body 61 reaches a predetermined water level set in advance. More specifically, the water level of the tank main body 61 is detected by the water level sensor 91 (S14), and the water supply valve 54 is closed (S17) when the detected water level (an example of the detection result) of the water level sensor 91 reaches a predetermined water level (yes in S16). The water level of the tank body 61 in the state before the pump device 32 is operated is set to the first water level LV1 as shown in fig. 11. As described above, the water level of the water storage portion S in this state is the same as the water level of the tank main body 61.

Next, in order to perform circulation cleaning of the inside of the water flow path 52 using the accumulated water, as shown in fig. 12, the pump device 32 is operated (S19). When the pump device 32 is normally operated, water circulates through the flow path 52 and pressure loss occurs, so that the water level of the tank body 61 rises as shown by the arrow in fig. 11, and the water level of the water storage portion S falls. The water level change is stabilized after a predetermined time from the operation of the pump device 32, and the water level sensor 91 measures the water level of the tank main body 61 after the predetermined time (S23) by waiting for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) from the operation of the pump device 32 (S21). The water level of the tank body 61 after the operation of the pump device 32 in this state is set to a second water level LV2 as shown in fig. 11. The controller 80 calculates a water level difference Δ LV between the first water level LV1 and the second water level LV2, and determines that the pump device 32 is normal when the water level difference Δ LV is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter, referred to as a water level change threshold) (yes in S25) (S27).

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 12, when the water level change Δ LV is smaller than the water level change threshold value (no in S25), it is determined that the pump device 32 is abnormal (failed) (S29), and an error message is displayed on the display unit 75 to notify the user (S31). The predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) required for the duty cycle cleaning of the pump device 32 is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed (yes at S32, S34). Then, in the same manner as in step S10, when the drain valve 94 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) (S36), the remaining water in the water flow path 52 is discharged, and the washing operation is ended.

The water level change threshold is set in advance in accordance with the water level change Δ LV during the normal operation of the pump device 32. The water level change Δ LV during normal operation is set to a range of, for example, about 3mm to 20mm, but if the water level change Δ LV is set to 10mm and the water level change threshold is set to 5mm which is far smaller than the water level change threshold, the water level change Δ LV reliably exceeds the water level change threshold when the pump device 32 is normal, and erroneous determination can be avoided. On the other hand, when the water level change Δ LV during the normal operation is too small to be detected by the water level sensor 91, measures to increase the pressure loss can be taken by reducing the inner diameter of the water passage pipe 50 or providing an orifice in the water passage pipe 50. In this way, the water level change Δ LV during normal operation can be increased without increasing the discharge flow rate of the pump device 32, and detection by the water level sensor 91 can be facilitated.

According to the control flow of the cleaning operation described above, when the pump device 32 is operated for the cleaning operation, the pump abnormality notification process can be performed, and the maintenance time of the pump device 32 does not need to be separately provided. In the control flow, the processing from step S10 to step S19 and the processing from step S32 to step S36 are processing for performing the circulation washing, and the processing from step S21 to step S31 is pump abnormality notification processing. When the pump device 32 fails, the cleaning effect of the flow path 52 by the circulation of water and the sterilization effect of the flow path 52 by the circulation of sterilized water cannot be exhibited. As described above, in the auger type ice maker, since the pump device 32 is not necessarily required for making ice unlike the flow type ice maker, it is difficult for a user to find an abnormality of the pump device 32. Therefore, if the pump device 32 is continuously used in a state where the user is not notified of the failure, it is not preferable in terms of hygiene. In contrast, according to the ice maker 400 of the present embodiment, it is possible to detect an abnormality of the pump device 32 and notify the user of the abnormality. The abnormality of the pump device 32 can be detected by providing the pump device 32 itself with a rotation detection mechanism, or by providing the flow rate sensor or the water pressure sensor in the water flow path 52, for example, in which case additional components for abnormality detection are required. According to the present embodiment, the pump abnormality notification processing can be performed without providing an additional component, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

The ice maker 400 is configured differently from the ice maker 10 of the first embodiment in the drainage path for making ice water, but may be configured similarly to the first embodiment of fig. 3 in such a manner that the drainage valve 94 is provided between the discharge port 21B of the cylinder 21 and the port 32B on the suction side of the pump device 32 in fig. 2 or provided in the water supply pipe 51 in fig. 3.

< example 4>

In the ice maker 400 of the third embodiment described above, the water level sensor 91 is a distance sensor using ultrasonic waves, but the water level sensor 591 of the fourth embodiment is a float switch including a float 591A. The ice maker 500 of the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the ice maker 400 of the third embodiment except for the above. The fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to fig. 13 to 14C, but the same configurations, operations, and effects as those of the first embodiment, the first modification, and the third embodiment will not be described.

As shown in fig. 13, the water level sensor 591 is a normal float switch and includes a float (float 591A). When the float 591A is displaced up and down in accordance with the water level of the tank main body 61 by buoyancy, the reed switch included in the main body of the water level sensor 591 is opened and closed due to the displacement. Thus, the water level sensor 591 detects and outputs detection signals (another example of detection results) corresponding to each case, depending on whether or not the water level of the tank main body 61 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter, referred to as a water level threshold LVTH). More specifically, the water level sensor 591 detects a signal indicating a high water level state (an example of a high detection signal) when the water level of the tank body 61 is equal to or higher than the water level threshold LVTH, and detects a signal indicating a low water level state (another example of a low detection signal) when the water level is lower than the water level threshold LVTH. Therefore, unlike the water level sensor 91 (distance sensor) of the third embodiment, the float switch cannot continuously detect the change in the water level of the tank main body 61. Therefore, in the third embodiment, as shown in step S25 of fig. 12, by comparing the water level change Δ LV of the tank main body portion 61 accompanying the operation of the pump device 32 with the water level change threshold value, it is difficult to determine an abnormality of the pump device 32.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cleaning operation including the pump abnormality notification process is performed by the control flow shown in fig. 14A, 14B, and 14C. When the washing operation is started, as shown in fig. 14A, the drain valve 94 is opened for a predetermined time (S10), and then the water supply valve 54 is opened to accumulate water used for circulation washing (S12). Then, the water level of the tank main body 61 is detected by the water level sensor 591 (S114), and when the detected water level (detection signal) of the water level sensor 591 becomes high (an example of the first detection signal) (yes in S116), the water supply valve 54 is closed (S17). Next, the drain valve 94 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) (118), and the water in the tank body 61 is drained. Then, a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) is waited for to stabilize the water level (S120), and after the predetermined time elapses, the water level of the tank main body 61 is measured by the water level sensor 591 (S122).

The above-described drainage processing in steps S118 to S122 is repeated until the detected water level of the water level sensor 591 becomes low (an example of the second detection signal) (no in S124). In this way, the drain valve 94 is intermittently opened and closed at a predetermined cycle, and the water discharge gradually progresses, whereby the lowering speed of the water level in the tank main body 61 can be slowed down. As a result, the water level of the tank body 61 is easily stabilized after the valve of the drain valve 94 is closed. When the water level detected by the water level sensor 591 is low (yes in S124), the water required for circulation of the washing water is accumulated, and the pump device 32 is in a state before operation. The water level of the tank body 61 in this state is set to a first water level LV10 as shown in fig. 13. The first water level LV10 is preferably smaller than the water level threshold LVTH of the water level sensor 591, and the difference from the water level threshold LVTH (LVTH-LV10) is as small as possible. In this way, when the pump device 32 is normally operated as described later and the water level of the tank body 61 is raised to the second water level LV20, the second water level LV20 is reliably equal to or higher than the water level threshold value LVTH (the detected water level of the water level sensor 591 is reliably high). As a result, the pump device 32 can be reliably determined to be normal based on the change (low to high) in the detection signal of the water level sensor 591 before and after the operation of the pump device 32.

Next, in order to perform circulation cleaning of the inside of the running water path 52 using the accumulated water, the pump device 32 is operated as shown in fig. 14B (S19), and the water level is detected by the water level sensor 591 (S126). When the pump device 32 is normally operated, as described above, water circulates through the water flow path 52 and pressure loss occurs, and therefore the water level of the tank main body 61 rises as indicated by the arrow in fig. 13. The water level of the tank body 61 in the state after the pump device 32 is operated is set to the second water level LV 20. When the second water level LV20 is equal to or higher than the water level threshold value LVTH and the detected water level of the water level sensor 591 is high (yes in S128), the control unit 80 determines that the pump device 32 is normal (S27). In the present embodiment, the cumulative number of pump abnormality detections (hereinafter referred to as the cumulative number of abnormality detections) E1 for the cleaning operation is stored in the storage unit 81, and when it is determined that the pump device 32 is normal, the cumulative number of abnormality detections E1 is reset to the same initial value of 0 as that at factory shipment (S130).

As shown in fig. 14B and 14C, the predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) required for the operation cycle cleaning of the pump device 32 is stopped after the predetermined time has elapsed (yes at S32, S34). Then, the control unit 80 determines whether or not the normality determination of step S27 is made at least once during the operation of the pump device 32 (within a predetermined time (1 minute) during which the pump device 32 operates) (S132), and if "no", increases the cumulative abnormality detection count E1 by 1 time to E1 — E1+1 (S134). If the cumulative number of abnormality detections E1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (e.g., 10 times) (yes in S136), the control unit 80 determines that an abnormality (failure) has occurred in the pump device 32 (S29), and displays an error message on the display unit 75 to notify the user (S31). After the user is notified (S31), if yes in step S132 and if no in step 136, the drain valve 94 is opened for a predetermined time (e.g., 1 minute) (S36) to drain the residual water in the water flow path 52, and the washing operation is ended.

By performing the abnormality determination based on the accumulated abnormality detection count E1 and notifying the user of the abnormality determination in this way, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection even when the float switch is used as the water level sensor 591. The float switch is generally susceptible to fluctuation of the water surface of the tank main body portion 61 and dirt (scale and the like) adhering to the float 591A. Therefore, even when the water level detected by the water level sensor 591 is low (no in S128), this is simply a false detection by the water level sensor 591, and the pump device 32 may operate normally. Therefore, by counting the number of times of abnormality detection in an integrated manner and determining that an abnormality has occurred when the integrated number of times of abnormality detection E1 reaches a predetermined number of times, it is possible to avoid a situation of erroneous detection or erroneous notification.

According to the control flow of the above-described washing operation, the float switch which is low in cost and excellent in versatility is used as the water level sensor 591, and the pump abnormality notification process can be performed simultaneously when the pump device 32 is operated for the washing operation.

The circulation direction of the ice making water when the flow path 52 is cleaned by circulation may be reversed by appropriately changing the driving direction of the pump device 32, the shape of the water storage tank 60, and the like (that is, the ice making water circulates through the flow path 52 in the order of the water storage portion S, the water passage pipe 50, the tank body 61, the water supply pipe 51, the pump device 32, and the water storage portion S). In this case, when the pump device 32 is normally operated, water circulates through the water flow path 52 to cause pressure loss, the water level of the tank body 61 is lowered, and the water level of the water storage portion S is raised. Therefore, when the circulation direction of the ice making water is the opposite direction, the water supply process (fig. 14A) in steps S12 to S17 is not performed, and the water discharge process (fig. 14B) in steps S118 to S122 is performed as the water supply process based on the intermittent opening and closing of the water supply valve 54, and the water supply process may be repeated until the detection signal of the water level sensor 591 becomes high. Since the water level of the tank main body 61 is lowered when the pump device 32 is operating normally, the pump device 32 may be determined to be normal only when the detection signal of the water level sensor 591 is low in step S128.

< example 5>

When performing the washing operation, the ice maker 600 of the fifth embodiment automatically selects whether to perform the washing operation including the pump abnormality notification processing or the washing operation not including the pump abnormality notification processing. In the fifth embodiment, the description of the same configurations, operations, and effects as those of the first embodiment, the first modification, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment is omitted.

As shown in fig. 15, the cleaning operation of the present embodiment proceeds to step S17 at the start, as in the fourth embodiment. Next, whether to perform the cleaning operation including the pump abnormality notification processing (yes in S117) or to perform the cleaning operation not including the pump abnormality notification processing (no in S117) is automatically selected according to the number of the cumulative number of execution times N1 of the cleaning operation. In the present embodiment, the number of execution times of the cleaning operation is counted up and stored in the storage unit 81 as the cumulative number of execution times N1 (initial value 0 at factory shipment), and whether or not to perform the pump abnormality notification process is selected in accordance with the number of the cumulative number of execution times N1 (S117). More specifically, in step S117, when the cleaning operation in progress (the cumulative number of times of execution N1) reaches the predetermined number of times (the nth time, for example, N is 1, 11, or 21 …) from the time of factory shipment (yes in S117), the cleaning operation including the pump abnormality notification processing is performed in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment. On the other hand, if the cumulative number of execution times N1 is not the nth time (no in S117), a cleaning operation (normal cleaning operation) is performed without including the pump abnormality notification processing. Specifically, in the normal washing operation, the pump device 32 is operated (S19), and after a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) has elapsed, the operation is stopped (yes in S32, S34), the drain valve 94 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) (S36), the residual water in the water flow path 52 is discharged, and the washing operation is ended.

In this way, the pump abnormality detection process is not performed every time the cleaning operation is performed, and the pump abnormality detection process can be performed at a rate of 1 time for a predetermined number of times. In the fourth embodiment, the number of times the discharge valve 94 is opened and closed is increased in order to perform the pump abnormality detection process, but according to the present embodiment, the increase in the number of times the discharge valve 94 is opened and closed can be suppressed to the minimum necessary. As a result, the life of the drain valve 94 can be suppressed from decreasing.

< other embodiment >

(1) The ice making machines of the above-described embodiments and modifications are configured such that the water flow path can circulate water in the ice making unit, but the ice making machine is not limited to such a configuration. That is, an ice maker having a water storage tank and a supply passage for a water flow path may be used. The water flow path may include a flow path for directly supplying ice making water from a water source to the ice making unit, and the ice making unit described in the present specification may be configured to irradiate UV to a portion of the flow path where the flow of water is slower than other portions. The technology described in the present specification is not limited to the auger type ice making machine and the flow type ice making machine described above, and various types of ice making machines such as a unit type, a drum type, and a water storage type can be used.

(2) In the third to fifth embodiments, the ice maker has a function of detecting abnormality of the pump device and notifying the user of the abnormality, and is configured to perform UV irradiation on the water circulated by the pump device. The water circulated by the pump device may be an aqueous medium (a liquid substance containing water as a main component) that performs a cleaning action and a sterilization action by circulation, such as tap water alone, water mixed with a detergent, and ozone water. The techniques described in the third to fifth embodiments can be widely applied to pump devices that circulate such an aqueous medium.

Description of the reference symbols

10. 200, 400, 500, 600 … auger type ice making machine, 20 … ice making section, 20a … ice making mechanism, S … water storage section, 21 … cylinder, 22 … auger, 22a … ice shaving blade, 23 … forming member, 30 … supply passage, 31 … recovery passage, 32 … pump device, 32a … pump motor, 40 … refrigeration circuit, 50 … water pipe, 51 … water supply pipe, 52 … water flow path, 54 … water supply valve, 60 … water storage tank [ tank ], 61 … tank main body section, 62 … water drain section, 63 … cover [ cover section ], 63B … second water filling port [ water filling port ], 65 … water storage section, 70 … water storage tank, 75 … display section (notification section), 80 … control section, 90, 290 … UV sterilization device, 91 … distance sensor [ distance sensor ], 3694 water level …, 100, 300 water drain valve, …, 75 … water flow down type ice making tank, … tank [ … ], … water storage tank [ … ], … water making plate … [ … ] water drain section, … [ … ] water drain valve, 114 … ice storage tank, 115 … pump device, 118 … piping [ supply path ], 122 … water level sensor [ distance sensor ], 126 … tank body, 127 … cover, 133 … pump motor, 140 … cooling device, 151 … ice discharge pipe, 160 … cube guide [ separation member ], 160a … opening, 161 … deflector, 162, 163, 362, 363 … UV sterilization device, 591 … … water level sensor [ float switch ], 591a … float, Δ LV … water level change.

Claims

1. An ice maker, comprising:

an ice making part that generates ice by freezing water; and

the UV sterilizer is configured to irradiate a portion of the water flow path where the flow of water is slower than other portions with ultraviolet rays.

2. The ice maker of claim 1,

the ice maker is provided with:

a tank capable of storing water for supply to the ice making part;

a supply path connecting the tank with the ice making unit, for supplying water of the tank to the ice making unit; and

a recovery passage provided separately from the supply passage, connecting the tank to the ice making unit, and recovering water in the ice making unit to the tank,

the water flow path is configured to circulate water in the ice making unit through the tank, the supply path, and the collection path, and is configured to circulate water in the ice making unit and sterilize the water by the UV sterilization device.

3. The ice maker of claim 2,

the ice making unit has a water storage unit that stores water supplied from the tank through the supply passage, and is configured to freeze the water stored in the water storage unit and generate ice,

the ice maker is provided with a pump device which is arranged in the recovery passage and conveys water in the water storage portion to the tank, and is configured to recover the water in the water storage portion to the tank by the operation of the pump device.

4. The ice maker of claim 2,

the ice making unit has an ice making plate for freezing water flowing down to produce ice,

the tank is arranged below the ice making plate and can recover unfrozen water in the water supplied to the ice making part,

the ice maker includes a separation member disposed between the ice making plate and the tank to constitute a part of the recovery passage, the separation member having a plurality of openings formed therein, the plurality of openings allowing water to pass therethrough and preventing ice generated by the ice making plate from passing therethrough,

the UV sterilizer is configured to irradiate the separation member.

5. The ice maker as in any of claims 1-4,

the ice maker includes a tank capable of storing water to be supplied to the ice making unit,

the tank has: a tank body part for storing water; a water injection port disposed above the tank main body for injecting water; and a water receiving portion disposed between the tank main body portion and the water filling port, the water receiving portion receiving water injected from the water filling port on an upper surface thereof and flowing into the tank main body portion,

the UV sterilizer is configured to irradiate at least the water receiving portion in the tank.

6. The ice maker of claim 5,

the water receiving portion is formed to protrude outward from an upper end of the tank main body portion, and the upper surface is formed in an inclined shape that descends toward the tank main body portion.

7. The ice maker of claim 5 or 6,

the can has a cover portion covering the upper portion,

the UV sterilization device is fixed at the center of the cover part.

8. The ice maker as in any one of claims 5-7,

the ice maker is provided with a distance sensor which is arranged above the water stored in the tank and which can measure the distance to the water surface by irradiating ultrasonic waves to the water surface of the water stored in the tank.

9. The ice maker as in any of claims 1-8,

the UV sterilization device irradiates ultraviolet rays with the wavelength ranging from 207nm to 285 nm.

10. The ice maker of claim 1,

the ice maker is provided with:

a tank capable of storing water for supply to the ice making part;

the water flow path is configured to include the tank, the supply path, the recovery path, and the ice making unit in a circulating manner,

the ice maker further includes:

pump means for circulating water in the flow path;

a control unit that determines an abnormality of the pump device based on a detection result of a water level at a predetermined portion in the water flow path; and

a notification section for notifying the user of the abnormality.

11. The ice maker of claim 10,

the control unit determines an abnormality of the pump device based on a detection result of the water level before the pump device is operated and a detection result of the water level after the pump device is operated.

12. The ice maker of claim 10 or 11,

the ice maker is provided with a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the water in the tank,

the control unit determines an abnormality of the pump device based on a detection result of the water level sensor.

13. The ice maker of claim 12,

the water level sensor is a distance sensor that detects a distance to a water surface of water in the tank using ultrasonic waves.

14. The ice-making machine of claim 13,

the control unit compares a water level detected by the water level sensor before the pump unit is operated with a water level change of the water level detected by the water level sensor after the pump unit is operated with a predetermined threshold value,

and determining that the pump device is abnormal when the water level change is smaller than the threshold value.

15. The ice-making machine of claim 12,

the water level sensor is a float switch that has a float that displaces in a buoyant manner in accordance with the water level in the tank, and detects different signals depending on whether or not the water level in the tank is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value.

16. The ice-making machine of claim 15,

the control unit determines that the pump device is normal when a detection signal of the water level sensor before the pump device operates is different from a detection signal of the water level sensor after the pump device operates.

17. The ice maker according to claim 16,

the ice maker is provided with:

a water supply valve capable of adjusting supply of water to the tank; and

a drain valve capable of adjusting the discharge of water in the tank,

the control unit controls at least one of the water supply valve and the water discharge valve to adjust the water level of the water in the tank before the pump unit is operated so that the water level sensor detects a first detection signal, and then controls at least one of the water supply valve and the water discharge valve to adjust the water level of the water in the tank until the water level sensor detects a second detection signal different from the first detection signal.

18. The ice-making machine of claim 17,

the control unit may intermittently open and close at least one of the water supply valve and the water discharge valve when the water level in the tank is adjusted so that the water level sensor detects the second detection signal before the pump unit is operated.

19. The ice maker as in any of claims 10-18,

the ice making portion has:

a cylinder constituting a water storage portion for storing water supplied from the tank through the supply passage and having an inner surface to which ice adheres; and

and an auger rotatably disposed inside the cylinder, and including an ice shaving blade configured to shave ice adhered to the inner surface.