JP2002022321A - Automated ice making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ice making unit of an ice making machine which produces sherbet-like ice continuously and makes block-shaped square ice in a short time. SOLUTION: A refrigerant circuit 6 is provided with a supercooling heat exchanger 13, and after water of a water supply circuit 15 is cooled down to be in a supercooled state, the sherbet-like ice is produced. According to this constitution, the automated ice making machine that makes the flexible and flowable ice continuously and instantaneously and makes the block-shaped square ice in a short time can be provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ice making machine for automatically producing ice and storing a large amount of ice in an ice storage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an automatic ice maker of this kind, there has been one described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-304317. FIG. 11 shows a conventional automatic ice maker described in the above publication.

In FIG. 11, 1 is a compressor, 2 is a condenser, 3 is a decompression means, 4 is an evaporator, 5 is an ice tray for storing water in a small chamber divided into a number of blocks, and 6 is a compressor. 1, a refrigerant circuit for sequentially connecting the condenser 2, the decompression means 3, and the evaporator 4, a molten refrigerant circuit 7 for guiding a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the evaporator 4, and a refrigerant circuit 8 for opening and closing the circuit of the molten refrigerant circuit 7 Means 9 is a block-shaped ice cube B made in ice tray 5
An ice storage tank for storing the amount of ice stored in the ice storage tank 9; a water supply circuit 11 for supplying water to the ice tray 5; Is a water supply circuit opening / closing means for opening / closing the water supply circuit 11 for supplying water, and the evaporator 4 and the ice tray 5 have a structure in which they are closely attached to each other.

The operation of the conventional automatic ice maker configured as described above will be described below. By the operation of the compressor 1, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is condensed and liquefied by the condenser 2, and then decompressed when passing through the decompression means 3 to become low-temperature and low-pressure. The ice tray 5 that is in close contact is cooled. The refrigerant vaporized in the evaporator 4 is sucked into the compressor 1. By operating such an automatic ice maker, the water stored in the small compartment of the ice tray 5 divided into blocks can be turned into block ice cubes B.

Thereafter, when the molten refrigerant circuit 7 is opened by the refrigerant circuit opening / closing means 8 and the high-temperature refrigerant is guided from the compressor 1 to the evaporator 4, the ice cubes in the ice tray 5 are partially melted by the high-temperature refrigerant. However, ice cubes can be easily released from the many compartments of the ice tray 5. The ice cube B released from the ice tray 5 is dropped toward the ice storage tank 9 and stored. When ice is required, an appropriate amount of ice is taken out of the ice storage tank 9 with a cup or a shovel. The amount of ice stored in the ice storage tank 9 is detected by the first ice storage amount detecting means 10, and the above operation is performed until a predetermined amount of ice cube B is stored in the ice storage tank 9. The water supply circuit 11 is directly connected to a water pipe, and water is supplied to the ice tray 5 using the water pressure of the water pipe. Although not shown, a water tank for storing water may be provided, and water may be supplied to the water supply circuit 11 therefrom.

[0006]

However, the conventional automatic ice making machine has a problem in that the amount of ice that can be made in an ice tray is limited, and it takes time to make ice. Therefore, when the demand for ice is large in summer or the like, the supply of ice cannot be made in time, and the automatic ice making machine is inconvenient to use.

Also, block-shaped ice cubes produced by a conventional automatic ice maker have a problem that they are bulky and difficult to handle because they are bulky, and further damage the object to be cooled.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and generates sherbet-like ice having flexibility and fluidity continuously and instantaneously, and makes block-shaped ice cubes in a short time. An object is to provide an automatic ice maker.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a heat pump circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing means, and an evaporator are sequentially connected by a refrigerant circuit, and a plurality of partitioned small chambers. An ice making tray provided with an evaporator, a water supply circuit for supplying water to the ice making tray, and an ice storage tank for storing ice made in the ice making tray, in an automatic ice making machine that automatically stores ice in the ice storage tank. A supercooling heat exchanger that is provided at the outlet of the decompression means and exchanges water in the water supply circuit with the refrigerant in the heat pump circuit to cool to a supercooled state, and a supercooled water circuit that flows the water cooled to the supercooled state. It was an automatic ice maker equipped with it.

[0010] This makes it possible to continuously produce supercooled water, and to produce flexible and fluid sherbet-like ice from the water.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 is a heat pump circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, a decompression means, and an evaporator are connected in order by a refrigerant circuit, and an evaporator is arranged in a number of partitioned small chambers. An ice making tray, a water supply circuit for supplying water to the ice making tray, and an ice storage tank for storing ice made by the ice making tray,
In an automatic ice making machine that automatically stores ice in an ice storage tank, a supercooling heat exchanger that is provided at an outlet of a decompression means and exchanges water in a water supply circuit with a refrigerant in a heat pump circuit to cool to a supercooled state; By using an automatic ice maker equipped with a supercooling water circuit that flows water cooled to a cooling state, instantaneous flexibility and fluidity can be obtained from supercooled water generated continuously in the supercooling heat exchanger. Since certain sherbet-like ice can be generated, an automatic ice making machine that makes ice continuously and instantaneously can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since an automatic ice making machine having an ice storage tank for storing water in a supercooling water circuit is used, a large amount of ice is supplied since sherbet-like ice is stored in the ice storage tank. It can be an automatic ice machine.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ice maker according to the second aspect, further comprising a drainage circuit connecting an ice storage tank for storing water in a supercooling water circuit and a water supply circuit. Since water is separated from sherbet-like ice generated from water, it is possible to store sherbet-like water with a large cooling and heat capacity. It can be an ice machine.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply cooling heat exchanger provided in the water supply circuit for exchanging heat between water in an ice storage tank for storing water in the supercooling water circuit and water in the water supply circuit. By using the automatic ice maker described above, the water supply is cooled with water separated from the sherbet-like ice, so that an automatic ice maker with improved operation efficiency can be provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the automatic ice making machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a supercooled water circuit for supplying water cooled to a supercooled state to the ice tray. Thereby, the sherbet-like ice is poured into the ice tray, so that an automatic ice maker for making ice cubes in a short time can be provided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water storage tank for storing water, and a water circulation circuit provided for circulating the water between the water storage tank and the supercooling heat exchanger. By using the automatic ice making machine according to any one of the above, when the ice making operation is stopped, water for use in the next ice making is pre-cooled, so that a large amount of sherbet-like ice is continuously and instantaneously. And an automatic ice making machine for making ice in a block in a short time.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ice maker according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the water supply circuit is provided with a water purification means, whereby supercooling heat exchange is performed. Removes scale and impurities from the water supplied to the heat exchanger, and stabilizes the supercooled water for many years without freezing in the flow path of the heat exchanger or the supercooled water discharge circuit. Since it can be produced, a highly durable automatic ice maker can be obtained.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the supercooling heat exchanger, a plurality of refrigerant plates having slit holes, a plurality of water plates having slit holes, the plurality of refrigerant plates and water 8. The heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a stacked heat exchanger in which a coolant flow path and a water flow path are formed from a plurality of partition plates provided between the plates and forming a partition wall between the refrigerant and the water. The automatic ice maker according to item 1 produces stable supercooled water, and the supercool heat exchanger becomes compact, so that it has high durability and a compact automatic ice maker. be able to.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic ice making apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the supercooling heat exchanger and the ice storage tank are housed in an automatic ice making machine body. Since the supercooling heat exchanger and the like are housed in the body of the automatic ice maker by using the apparatus, a low-cost and compact automatic ice maker can be provided.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration diagram of an automatic ice making machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 13 denotes a supercooling heat exchanger that cools the water in the water supply circuit 11 by exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 6, and 14 is installed in the water supply circuit 11 and sends the water to an ice tray or supercools. A water supply circuit switching means 15 for selectively switching whether to send to the heat exchanger 13 is connected to the water supply circuit switching means 14, and a water supply circuit for guiding water in the water supply circuit 11 to the supercooling heat exchanger 13, 16
Is a supercooling water circuit for discharging water cooled by the supercooling heat exchanger to the outside of the automatic ice making machine, 17 is a water amount control means for controlling the amount of water in the water supply circuit 15, and 18 is water flowing in the supercooling water circuit 16. A temperature sensor 19 for detecting the temperature of the water supply circuit switching means and a water amount control means based on a signal received from the temperature sensor 18 so that the temperature of the water flowing through the supercooling water circuit 16 becomes a predetermined temperature T1. Water supply circuit 15 via 17
Control means for controlling the amount of water. Reference numeral 20 denotes operation means for operating with a push button or the like whether or not to discharge water from the supercooling water circuit 16, and is connected to the control means 19. As the supercooling heat exchanger 13, a heat exchanger such as a plate heat exchanger or a double tube heat exchanger was used. Although the temperature sensor 18 is a thermistor, a thermocouple or a resistance temperature detector can also be used. The supercooling heat exchanger 13 was installed in a refrigerant circuit between the pressure reducing means 3 and the evaporator 4 as shown in FIG.

The operation and operation of the automatic ice maker constructed as described above will be described below. The ice making in the ice tray 5 shown in FIG. 1 is performed in the same manner as the conventional one, and the block-shaped ice cubes B can be accumulated in the ice storage tank 9. here,
When water is requested from the supercooling water circuit 16 by the operation of the operation means 20, the water supply circuit switching means 14 is operated to supply the water flowing through the water supply circuit 11 to the supercooling heat exchanger 13 through the water supply circuit 15. I do. Water is supercooled heat exchanger 1
After being cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 6 in 3, it can be discharged to the outside from the supercooled water circuit 16 and can be received in a container or the like.

At this time, the predetermined temperature T1 is set to a temperature below the freezing point (for example, −3 ° C.), and the control means 19 controls the water amount control means 1 so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 18 becomes T1.
When the amount of water is controlled via 7, the water flowing out of the subcooling heat exchanger 13 becomes supercooled water that is a liquid phase even at a temperature below the freezing point. Even if the water is cooled to a temperature below the freezing point, when there is no ice nucleus, when there is no disturbance in the flow, or when the water is not shocked, the water becomes supercooled water that cannot be changed into ice.

However, when ice nuclei are generated in the supercooled water, the flow is disturbed, or when impact is applied, the phase instantaneously changes to ice, and the supercooled temperature increases. Even a slight turbulence changes into ice. Therefore, the water in the supercooled state flowing through the supercooled water circuit 16 can be instantaneously changed to ice due to a change in flow when discharged to the outside or an impact when received in a container or the like.

The ice produced at this time has a sherbet shape having flexibility and fluidity. The water continuously supplied from the water supply circuit 11 through the water supply circuit 15 is supplied to the subcooling heat exchanger 1.
After cooling to a supercooled state by 3 and then discharging the supercooled water circuit 16 to the outside, sherbet-like ice can be continuously generated. Further, the compressor 1 of the automatic ice maker repeatedly starts and stops operation for stopping the ice making of the ice tray 5 and the cooling operation of the ice storage tank 9. When the compressor 1 is operating, the supercooling heat exchanger is used. When water is passed through 13, supercooled water can be instantaneously generated.

As described above, in this embodiment, the subcooling heat exchanger 13, the water supply circuit switching means 14, the water supply circuit 1
5. Install the supercooling water circuit 16, water amount control means 17, temperature sensor 18, control means 19, operation means 20, etc., and supercool the water continuously supplied from the water supply circuit 15 by the supercooling heat exchanger 13. After cooling to the state,
Because it was configured to release ice more outside and generate ice,
An automatic ice maker that generates sherbet-like ice continuously and instantaneously with ice cube ice making. Also,
The generated sherbet-like ice has fluidity and is easy to handle, and also has flexibility so that it can be cooled without damaging the object to be cooled.

Further, in this embodiment, the water supply circuit 15 is installed so as to be branched from the water supply circuit 11. However, if an independent water supply circuit is installed without branching, the water supply circuit switching means 14 becomes unnecessary, and furthermore, the ice making is performed. Even when water is supplied to the plate 11, water can be stably sent to the subcooling heat exchanger 13 without being affected by the water.

In this embodiment, the subcooling heat exchanger 13
Is installed at the inlet of the refrigerant circuit of the evaporator 4, but if the refrigerant circuit 6 is in a portion where the low-pressure refrigerant flows, even if it is installed in the refrigerant circuit between the evaporator 4 and the compressor 1, it is in a supercooled state. Of water can be produced.

In the present embodiment, the predetermined temperature T1 is set to-
Although the temperature was set to 3 ° C., if T1 was set too low, the supercooled water phase changed to ice in the supercooling heat exchanger 13 and the supercooling water circuit 16 before being discharged from the supercooling water circuit 16 to the outside. And block the flow path, making it impossible to supply ice.
> Set in the range of -7 ° C.

In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 18 is installed in the supercooling water circuit 16. However, when the characteristics of the cooling capacity of the compressor 1 and the condenser 2 can be grasped, the temperature sensor 18 is used.
Is installed in the water supply circuit 15, the amount of water is calculated from the detected temperature and the cooling capacity characteristic, and the water amount control means 17 is controlled so as to have the calculated amount of water, the same effect can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the amount of water supplied from the water supply circuit 15 can be adjusted by installing a water pump in the water supply circuit 15 in addition to controlling the water amount control means 17. The same effect can be obtained by providing an inverter circuit in the compressor 1 and controlling the output of the compressor 1 so that the temperature of the water to be cooled becomes a predetermined temperature T1.

In this embodiment, when the compressor 1 is stopped, it is not possible to instantaneously generate supercooled water. Is installed, and control is performed to start the compressor 1 based on the detection signal, whereby an automatic ice maker that instantaneously generates supercooled water can be provided.

Further, in this embodiment, the predetermined temperature T1 is set to be lower than the freezing point. However, it is also possible to set the temperature to a temperature higher than the freezing point by the operation means 20, and in this case, the temperature is set by the supercooling water circuit 16. An automatic ice making machine in which the water of T1 flows continuously and instantaneously can be provided.

The refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant is circulated by using the compressor 1 of the present embodiment is constituted by an absorption cycle in which the refrigerant is absorbed by an absorbent in an absorber and the refrigerant is generated in a regenerator. The same effect can be obtained.

The supercooling heat exchanger 13 of this embodiment is
Although the refrigerant circuit 6 and the water supply circuit 15 are connected so as to have a counterflow, a similar effect can be obtained as a heat exchanger configured to have a crossflow or a parallel flow.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of an automatic ice maker according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes an ice storage tank for storing supercooled water flowing out of the subcooling heat exchanger 13, 22 denotes second ice storage amount detecting means for detecting the amount of ice stored in the ice storage tank 21, and 23 denotes supercooled water. The supercooling water circuit switching means 24 installed in the circuit 16 is connected to the supercooling water circuit switching means 23 and guides the water in the supercooling water circuit 16 to the ice storage tank 21. In addition, the control unit has a function of controlling the water supply circuit switching unit 14 and the supercooled water circuit switching unit 23 based on the detection signals of the first ice storage amount detection unit 10 and the second ice storage amount detection unit 22. . Reference numeral 20a denotes operating means for operating with a push button or the like whether or not to discharge water from the supercooling water circuit 16 or whether or not to make ice into the ice storage tank 21, and is connected to the control means 25.

The operation and operation of the automatic ice maker constructed as described above will be described below. The ice making operation of the block-shaped ice cube B in the automatic ice making machine of FIG. 2 can be performed by the same method as the conventional method. Operation means 20
When water is requested from the subcooling water circuit 16 by the operation of a, the water supply circuit switching means 14 is operated to supply water from the water supply circuit 11 through the water supply circuit 15 to the subcooling heat exchanger 13.
Supply to The water is cooled by exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 6 in the supercooling heat exchanger 13 and then cooled by the supercooling water circuit switching means 2.
The water is discharged outside from the supercooling water circuit 16 through 3. As described in the first embodiment, when the predetermined temperature T1 is set to a temperature lower than the freezing point and the control unit 19 controls the water amount via the water amount control unit 17 so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 18 becomes T1, The water flowing out of the cooling heat exchanger 13 becomes a supercooled water which is a liquid phase even at a temperature below the freezing point, and changes instantaneously due to a change in flow when discharged to the outside or an impact when received in a container or the like. It turns into sherbet-like ice, which is very flexible and fluid.

Here, by operating the operation means 20a,
If the ice storage tank 21 is requested to make ice, the supercooled water generated by the subcooling heat exchanger 13 is supplied to the subcooling water circuit 2.
The supercooled water circuit switching means 23 is switched so as to flow to the ice storage tank 21 through 4. Therefore, the supercooled water is supplied to the ice storage tank 21, and the supercooled water is instantaneously turned into flexible and fluid sherbet-like ice by an impact received when the ice storage tank 21 lands. Since it changes, sherbet-like ice S can be accumulated in the ice storage tank 21.
The ice storage tank 21 is provided with second ice storage amount detecting means 22 for detecting the amount of stored ice, and performs an ice making operation until a predetermined amount of sherbet-like ice S is stored.

As described above, in this embodiment, the ice storage tank 21, the supercooled water circuit switching means 23, and the supercooled water circuit 24
After the water supplied from the water supply circuit 15 is cooled to a supercooled state by the supercooling heat exchanger 13, the sherbet-like ice S is accumulated in the ice storage tank 21.
An automatic ice maker capable of supplying a required amount of sherbet-shaped ice together with ice cube ice making can be provided. Further, by operating the supercooled water circuit switching means 23 to switch the circuit in which the supercooled water flows, the generation of the sherbet-like ice is controlled by the supercooled water circuit 16 or the ice storage tank 21.
It is possible to select which one to perform, and a user-friendly automatic ice maker can be provided.

Further, in this embodiment, the ice storage tank 9 is provided with first ice storage amount detecting means 10, and the first ice storage amount detection means that a predetermined amount of ice cubes B is accumulated in the ice storage tank 9. Means 1
In response to the signal from 0, the supercooling heat exchanger 13 generates water in a supercooled state and supplies the water to the ice storage tank 21 via the control means 25 and the water supply circuit switching means and the supercooled water circuit switching means 23. , The sherbet-shaped ice S can be automatically accumulated in the ice storage tank 21 as well. The reverse operation is also possible, and a predetermined amount of sherbet-like ice S is stored in the ice storage tank 2.
After the second ice storage amount detecting means detects that the ice cubes have been accumulated in the ice cube 1, the ice cubes B can be automatically accumulated in the ice storage tank 9 by making ice cubes in a block shape.

Further, in this embodiment, the supercooling water circuit 24 is provided by branching from the supercooling water circuit 16 so that a place where sherbet-like ice is generated can be selected. Is limited to the ice storage tank 21, the supercooling water circuit 16 is simplified and the supercooling water circuit switching means 23 is omitted, so that the cost of the automatic ice maker can be reduced.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 schematically shows a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 26 denotes a drainage circuit that discharges water from the ice storage tank 21 and supplies the water to the water supply circuit 11, and 27 denotes a water pump installed in the drainage circuit 26. Water pump 2 installed in drain circuit 26
By the operation of 7, the water in the ice storage tank 21 can be sent to the water supply circuit 11 through the drain circuit 26. Reference numeral 28 denotes control means having a function of controlling the water pump 27 in addition to the control means 25.

The operation and operation of the automatic ice maker constructed as described above will be described below. In the automatic ice maker of FIG. 3, the accumulation of ice cubes B in the ice storage tank 9 and the ice storage tank 2
The accumulation of the sherbet-like ice S on the storage unit 1 can be performed by the same method as that described in the second embodiment. Ice storage tank 2
The sherbet-like ice stored in 1 contains moisture and causes the sherbet-like ice in the ice storage tank 21 to be melted at an early stage. Then, when the water pump 27 is operated by the control means 28, the water stored in the ice storage tank 21 can be discharged. The sherbet-like ice generates buoyancy due to a difference in density with water and stays in the upper layer of the ice storage tank 21, so that only the water can be easily discharged from the lower part of the ice storage tank 21.

Therefore, the sherbet-like ice remaining in the ice storage tank 21 can be made to be hard to melt and to have a large cooling heat capacity. Further, since the drained water is returned to the water supply circuit 11, it is again supplied to the ice making tray 11 or the supercooling heat exchanger 13 to become ice cube B or sherbet-like ice S. Further, since the temperature of the drained water is low, the ice tray 1
When supplied to 1, ice cubes are made in a short time,
When the water is supplied to the subcooling heat exchanger 13, the amount of generated water in the supercooled state increases.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the drainage circuit 26 and the water pump 27 are provided and the water in the ice storage tank 21 is supplied to the water supply circuit 11, the sherbet which is hard to melt and has a large cooling / heating capacity is provided. An automatic ice maker that produces ice in the shape of a circle can be provided. In addition, the time for making ice cubes B is reduced, and the amount of supercooled water that is generated can be increased. Further, since all the water to be used is ice, the automatic ice maker can be used without wasting water.

In this embodiment, the drainage circuit 26 is installed so as to be connected to the water supply circuit 11.
Even if it is configured to be connected to 5, it is possible to provide an automatic ice making machine that generates sherbet-shaped ice that is hard to melt and has a large cooling heat capacity and that increases the amount of sherbet-shaped ice that is generated.

In this embodiment, the water in the ice storage tank 21 is returned to the water supply circuit 11 through the drainage circuit 26. However, even if the water is drained to the outside as it is, the sherbet-like ice having a large cooling and heat capacity is hardly melted. It can be an automatic ice maker for storing.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 schematically shows a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 29 denotes a feed water cooling heat exchanger installed in the water supply circuit 11, reference numeral 30 denotes a drain circuit for draining water from the ice storage tank 21,
The water supply cooling heat exchanger 29 is installed so as to exchange heat with water in a water supply circuit and then discharge the water to the outside.

The operation and operation of the automatic ice maker constructed as described above will be described below. In the automatic ice maker shown in FIG. 4, accumulation of ice cubes B in the ice storage tank 9 and ice storage tank 2
The accumulation of the sherbet-like ice S in 1 is performed by the same method as that described in the second embodiment. When the water in the ice storage tank 21 is drained to the outside through the drainage circuit 30 by operating the water pump 27, sherbet-like ice that is hard to melt and has a large cooling / heating capacity can be generated. Since the temperature of the water drained from the ice storage tank is low, the water is sent to the feed water cooling heat exchanger 29 and heat-exchanges with the water in the water supply circuit 11, whereby the water in the water supply circuit 11 can be cooled. When the temperature of the water sent from the water supply circuit 11 to the ice tray 5 or the supercooling heat exchanger 13 becomes low, the amount of heat required to turn the water into ice can be reduced. Ice cubes are made in a short time,
Further, when the water is supplied to the supercooling heat exchanger 13, the amount of the generated supercooled water increases.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the feed water cooling heat exchanger 29 and the drain circuit 30 are installed, and the water feed circuit 1
Since the first water is cooled by the water in the ice storage tank 21, it is possible to provide an automatic ice maker that generates sherbet-shaped ice that is difficult to melt and has a large cooling heat capacity. Ice cube B
The time required to make ice is reduced, and the amount of supercooled water generated can be increased.

In this embodiment, even if dirt such as dust and dust is present in the ice storage tank 21, only the heat of the water in the ice storage tank 21 is reused, and the water mixed with the dirt is discharged to the outside. Therefore, the ice cubes B and sherbet-like ice S to be generated or the ice storage tank 21 are constantly clean, and an automatic ice making machine that does not require cleaning of the ice storage tank can be provided.

Further, in the present embodiment, the feed water cooling heat exchanger 29 is operated so that the water in the drain circuit 30 exchanges heat with the feed water circuit 11.
However, even if a feed water cooling heat exchanger is installed so as to exchange heat with the feed water circuit 15, sherbet-like ice that is hard to melt and has a large cooling heat capacity is generated, and the amount of sherbet-like ice to be generated is reduced. An increased automatic ice machine can be provided.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 5 schematically shows a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 31 denotes a supercooling water circuit switching unit provided in the supercooling water circuit 24, and 32 denotes an ice making device that connects to the supercooling water circuit switching unit 31 and generates supercooled water generated by the supercooling heat exchanger 13. A supercooling water circuit 33 leading to the plate 5 is a control means having a function of controlling the supercooling water circuit switching means 31 in addition to the control means 28. The switching operation of the supercooled water circuit switching means 31 causes the supercooled water to be stored in the ice storage tank 21 or the ice tray 5.
To which of the two is supplied.

The operation and operation of the automatic ice maker constructed as described above will be described below. In the automatic ice maker of FIG. 5, the accumulation of ice cubes B in the ice storage tank 9 and the ice storage tank 2
The accumulation of the sherbet-like ice S in 1 is performed by the same method as that described in the second embodiment. Here, the control means 33
The supercooled water circuit switching means 31 is controlled by this to discharge the supercooled water generated by the supercooled heat exchanger 13 to the ice tray 5 through the supercooled water circuit 32. The supercooled water discharged into the ice tray 5 is shocked at the moment when it comes into contact with the ice tray 5, and is changed into fluid sherbet-like ice by the impact.

Accordingly, the small compartments of the ice tray 5 divided into a number of blocks are filled with sherbet-like ice, and the ice tray 5 is cooled by the evaporator 4 as it is, so that block ice cubes are made. can do. In the case of making ice in a conventional automatic ice maker as shown in FIG. 11, water is stored in an ice tray 5 and cooled by the evaporator 4, but if there is no ice nucleus in the water of the ice tray 5, water is removed. Even if it is cooled below the freezing point, it will be in a supercooled state, which is a liquid phase, and ice will not be produced unless water is cooled to about -7 ° C.

Therefore, it takes a long time to perform ice making, and the efficiency of the automatic ice making machine is reduced. However, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the ice tray 5 is filled with sherbet-shaped ice, and the sherbet-shaped ice itself serves as an ice nucleus for ice making. Can be generated. Further, since it is not necessary to lower the temperature of the water in the ice tray 5 to about -7 ° C., the efficiency of the heat pump cycle can be improved.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the supercooled water circuit switching means 31 and the supercooled water circuit 32 are installed, and the supercooled water is discharged to the ice tray 5 and the sherbet-like ice is used. Since the filled ice tray 5 is configured to be cooled, a block-shaped ice cube can be made in a short time, and an automatic ice making machine with further improved operation efficiency can be provided. Therefore, even when the demand for ice in summer is large, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use automatic ice maker that makes ice in a short time.

Further, in this embodiment, the supercooling water circuit 32 is branched off from the supercooling water circuit 24 so that the location where the sherbet-like ice is generated can be selected. Is limited to the ice tray 5, the supercooling water circuit 16 and the supercooling water circuit 24 are simplified, the supercooling water circuit switching means 23 and the supercooling water circuit switching means 31 are omitted, and the automatic ice making machine is omitted. Cost reduction can be realized.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 6 schematically shows a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 34 denotes a water storage tank for storing water cooled by the supercooling heat exchanger 13, 35 denotes a supercooling water circuit switching means provided in the supercooling water circuit 16, and 36 denotes a supercooling water circuit switching means 35. A water circulation circuit for sending water in the supercooling water circuit 16 to the water storage tank 34 by operation, a water circulation circuit 37 for guiding the water stored in the water storage tank 34 to the water supply circuit 11, and a water circulation circuit 38 for installing the water circulation circuit 37 in the water supply circuit 11. The water supply circuit switching means 39 for flowing the water to the water supply circuit 11 is a control means having a function of controlling the supercooled water circuit switching means 35 and the water supply circuit switching means 38 in addition to the control means 20a.

The operation and operation of the automatic ice maker constructed as described above will be described below. In the automatic ice maker of FIG. 8, the ice making operation for the ice storage tank 9 and the ice storage tank 21 can be performed by the conventional method and the same method as that described in the second embodiment. Here, the water flowing through the supercooling water circuit 16 by the control means 39 is passed through the water circulation circuit 36 to the water tank 3.
When the supercooled water circuit switching means 35 is controlled so as to flow into the water 4, supercooled water can be stored in the water storage tank 12. The supercooled water stored in the water storage tank 12 can be supplied to the ice tray 5 or the ice storage tank 21 by controlling the water supply circuit switching means 38 and sending the water to the water supply circuit 11. Since the water supplied to the ice tray 5 and the ice storage tank 21 is cooled to a supercooled state, it is possible to make ice cubes in a short time in a short time and instantaneously produce sherbet-like ice.

Therefore, when a predetermined amount of ice cubes B and sherbet-shaped ice S are accumulated in both the ice storage tank 9 and the ice storage tank 21, supercooled water is stored in the water storage tank. , Ice cube B in each ice storage tank and sherbet-like ice S
Even when used in large quantities, ice cubes and sherbet-like ice can be instantly replenished to their respective ice storage tanks. When supercooled water is discharged from the supercooled water circuit 16 to the outside, the amount of sherbet-shaped ice to be generated can be increased.

As described above, in this embodiment, the water storage tank 34, the supercooled water circuit switching means 35, the water circulation circuit 36,
37, water supply circuit switching means 38, etc.
4 stores supercooled water, so even if a large amount of ice in the ice storage tanks 9 and 21 is used, block ice cubes and sherbet ice are instantly supplied to the respective ice storage tanks. can do. Therefore, even when the demand for ice in summer is large, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use automatic ice maker without a shortage of ice.

In this embodiment, supercooled water is stored in the water storage tank 34. However, if the predetermined temperature T1 set by the control means 39 is set to a temperature higher than the freezing point, the subcooling heat exchanger 13 The water cooled to the temperature T1 is stored in the water storage tank. At this time, the amount of cooling heat required to turn this water into ice is reduced, so that it is possible to make the block-shaped ice cube B in a short time and instantly generate the sherbet-shaped ice S. .

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 7 schematically shows a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 40 denotes a water purification means which is installed in the water supply circuit 11 and purifies water supplied to the supercooling heat exchanger 13 or the ice tray 11. The water purification means 40 is constituted by a cartridge type filter and has a replaceable structure. Further, a water purifying means having a self-purifying function can be used.

The operation and operation of the automatic ice maker constructed as described above will be described below. The ice making operation of the ice storage tank 9 and the ice storage tank 21 in the automatic ice making machine of FIG. 7 can be performed by the conventional method and the same method as that described in the second embodiment. Subcooling heat exchanger 13 from water supply circuit 11
If impurities such as scale components are mixed in the water supplied to the water, the impurities such as scale components become ice nuclei and the supercooled water is instantaneously changed to ice, and the supercooling heat exchanger 13, Alternatively, ice blocks the flow path of the supercooled water circuit 16.
If the supercooling heat exchanger 13 or the supercooling water circuit 16 is clogged with ice, the operation of the compressor 1 must be stopped. In addition to not being able to operate the ice making machine, the compressor 1
The durability is reduced. Therefore, if the water purification means 40 is provided in the water supply circuit 11, impurities that become ice nuclei contained in the water can be removed, and the generated supercooled water is supplied to the supercooling heat exchanger 13 or the supercooling water circuit. It is possible to prevent a change to ice in 16.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the water purification means 40 for purifying water is installed in the water supply circuit 11, the substance which becomes ice nuclei existing in the water is removed, thereby stabilizing the water for a long time. To produce supercooled water. Therefore, the durability of the automatic ice maker is improved. Further, the sherbet-like ice that is generated is made from purified water, so that it can be used for eating and drinking.

Further, in this embodiment, the water purification means 40 is installed in the water supply circuit 11, but even if it is installed in the water supply circuit 15, the impurities serving as ice nuclei can be removed, thereby improving the durability of the apparatus. Can be done.

(Embodiment 8) FIG. 8 schematically shows a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 41 denotes a stacked heat exchanger, which is replaced with the supercooling heat exchanger 13. FIG. 9 shows the laminated heat exchanger 4
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, in which a laminated heat exchanger 41 includes a refrigerant plate 43, a water plate 45, these plates 43, 4
5 are formed by sequentially stacking partition plates 44 to be inserted between them. The coolant plate 43 has a coolant passage slit 43a and a water passage slit 43b, which are slit-shaped holes. The water plate 45 has a coolant passage slit 45a and a water passage slit 45b, which are slit-shaped holes. The partition plate 44 has a coolant passage slit 44a and a water passage slit 44b, which are slit-shaped holes. The coolant passage slit 43a forms a coolant passage by being sandwiched between the top plate 42 and the partition plate 44, or between the partition plates 44 on both surfaces.

The water passage slit 45a forms a water passage by being sandwiched between the partition plates 44 on both sides. Water passage slit 43b of refrigerant plate 43, refrigerant passage slit 44a and water passage slit 44b of partition plate 44, and refrigerant passage slit 45 of water plate 45
a is an inflow passage 4 that forms a penetrating space by being sequentially laminated, and sends refrigerant and water to the flow path of each plate.
Outflow passages 47b and 48b for joining refrigerants or water that have exchanged heat in the respective flow paths and flowing out of the stacked heat exchanger 41 are provided. A top plate 42 is disposed on the uppermost surface of the plates laminated in order, and an end plate 46 is disposed on the lowermost surface, and each slit is used as a closed space.

The height of the refrigerant flow path of the stacked heat exchanger 41 and the height of the water flow path are the thicknesses of the refrigerant plate 43 and the water plate 45, and the width of the flow path is the refrigerant flow path. The width of the slit 43a is equal to the width of the water passage slit 45a. In this embodiment, the thickness of the water plate 45 is set to 0.1 to
The thickness of the plate 45, the width of the slit 45a, and the number of plates to be laminated were designed so that the flow rate of the water in the water flow path was laminar (the Reynolds number was 1000 or less). The flow of water flowing through the water channel becomes laminar,
Generally, the heat transfer of the laminar flow is considered to be low. However, when the flow path height is in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 mm as in the present invention, the temperature boundary layer is thinned and the heat transfer is promoted. be able to.

The operation and operation of the automatic ice maker constructed as described above will be described below. The supercooled water generated by the supercooling heat exchanger 13 has a characteristic of changing from a liquid phase to ice when subjected to even a slight impact. Even turbulence changes to ice. When the supercooling heat exchanger 13 is constituted by a plate heat exchanger in which the heat transfer of water is turbulent or a double tube heat exchanger, the supercooled water is cooled to a certain temperature below the freezing point. Then, under the influence of the turbulence of the flow and the like, the phase may be changed to ice and the flow path may be blocked, and it is necessary to stop the operation of the apparatus. If the apparatus is stopped frequently, the durability of the compressor 1 of the heat pump circuit decreases.

Therefore, when the supercooling heat exchanger 13 is constituted by the laminated heat exchanger 41 as in the present embodiment, the flow of water in the water flow path is laminar and does not involve turbulence. The supercooled water can pass through the flow path without changing phase to ice. The supercooled water is
The impact from the supercooled water circuit 16 when it is discharged to the outside, the ice storage tank 21, or the ice tray 5 changes the liquid phase to fluid sherbet-like ice.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the supercooling heat exchanger for cooling the water to the supercooling state is the laminated heat exchanger 41, the generated water in the supercooling state is used. The water can be discharged to the outside, to the ice storage tank 21, or to the ice tray 5 without phase change to ice in the water flow path of the heat exchanger. Therefore, water in a supercooled state can be continuously generated without stopping the operation of the automatic ice maker, and an automatic ice maker with improved efficiency and durability can be provided.

Further, since the height of the flow path of the laminated heat exchanger 41 is smaller than that of the plate heat exchanger or the double tube heat exchanger, the internal volume is reduced even if the heat transfer area is the same. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the amount of refrigerant to be charged into the automatic ice maker can be reduced, and the size and cost of the automatic ice maker can be reduced.

(Embodiment 9) FIG. 10 shows Embodiment 9 of the present invention.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration diagram of an automatic ice making machine. Figure 1
In 0, 49 is an automatic ice making machine main body, and the supercooling heat exchanger 13, the water supply circuit 15, the supercooling water circuit 16, and the ice storage tank 21 are housed in the automatic ice making machine main body 49.

The operation and operation of the automatic ice maker constructed as described above will be described below. The supercooling heat exchanger 13 is housed in the main body 58 of the automatic ice maker, and furthermore, the supercooling heat exchanger 13 is constituted by a laminated heat exchanger 41 which is significantly more compact than a plate heat exchanger. In such a case, the supercooling heat exchanger can be installed in a slightly vacant space around the compressor 1 of the automatic ice making machine body 49 or in a heat insulating material that insulates the automatic ice making machine body 49.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the supercooling heat exchanger 13 is housed in the main body 49 of the automatic ice maker, the automatic ice maker having a good appearance can be obtained. Further, the supercooling heat exchanger 13 is connected to the laminated heat exchanger 4.
When it is set to 1, supercooled water can be generated with the size of a conventional automatic ice maker, and a low-cost and compact automatic ice maker can be obtained.

[0079]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic ice maker that generates sherbet-like ice continuously and instantaneously. Further, the sherbet-like ice produced has flexibility and fluidity, so that it can be easily handled and can be cooled without damaging the object to be cooled.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), an automatic ice maker capable of providing a large amount of sherbet-like ice can be provided.

According to the invention described in claim 3, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the inventions described in (1) to (2), an automatic ice making machine that generates sherbet-shaped ice that is difficult to melt and has a large cooling heat capacity, has no waste of water to be used, and has improved operation efficiency can be obtained.

According to the invention set forth in claim 4, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the inventions described in (1) to (2), it is possible to produce an automatic ice making machine having improved operating efficiency by generating sherbet-shaped ice that is hard to melt and has a large cooling heat capacity.

According to the invention set forth in claim 5, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the inventions described in (1) to (4), an automatic ice making machine capable of making ice cubes in a block in a short time can be provided.
Even when the demand for ice in summer is high, ice cubes can be constantly supplied, so that a user-friendly automatic ice maker can be provided.

According to the invention set forth in claim 6, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the inventions described in (1) to (5), an automatic ice making machine that can generate block-shaped ice cubes and a large amount of sherbet-shaped ice in a short time can be provided.

According to the invention of claim 7, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the inventions described in (1) to (6), supercooled water can be generated stably for a long period of time, so that an automatic ice maker having improved durability of the apparatus can be provided.

According to the invention of claim 8, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the inventions described in (1) to (7), the size and weight of the supercooling heat exchanger can be reduced, and the amount of the refrigerant required for the refrigerant circuit can be reduced.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In addition to the effects of the inventions described in Nos. 1 to 8, since the supercooling heat exchanger and the like are housed in the body of the automatic ice maker, a low-cost and compact automatic ice maker can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the laminated heat exchanger of the automatic ice making machine.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an automatic ice maker according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a conventional automatic ice maker.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressor 2 Condenser 3 Decompression means 4 Evaporator 5 Ice tray 6 Refrigerant circuit 9, 21 Ice storage tank 11 Water supply circuit 13 Supercooling heat exchanger 16, 24, 32 Supercooling water circuit 25 Drainage circuit 28 Feedwater cooling heat exchanger 37 water circulation circuit 40 water purification means 41 stacked heat exchanger 43 refrigerant plate 43a refrigerant passage slit 43b water passage slit 44 partition plate 44a refrigerant passage slit 44b water passage slit 45 water plate 45a refrigerant passage slit 45b water passage slit 49 automatic ice maker Body

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A heat pump circuit in which a compressor, a condenser, a decompression means, and an evaporator are sequentially connected by a refrigerant circuit, an ice tray in which an evaporator is arranged in a plurality of partitioned small chambers, and water in the ice tray. A water supply circuit for supplying water, and an ice storage tank for storing ice made in the ice tray, in an automatic ice maker for automatically storing ice in the ice storage tank, provided at the outlet of the decompression means,
A supercooling heat exchanger that exchanges water in the water supply circuit with a refrigerant in the heat pump circuit to cool to a supercooled state, and a supercooled water circuit that flows water cooled to the supercooled state. Automatic ice machine. 2. The automatic ice making machine according to claim 1, further comprising an ice storage tank for storing water in the supercooling water circuit. 3. The automatic ice making machine according to claim 2, further comprising a drainage circuit connecting the water supply circuit with an ice storage tank for storing water in the supercooling water circuit. 4. The water supply circuit according to claim 2, further comprising a water supply cooling heat exchanger for exchanging heat between water in an ice storage tank for storing water in the supercooling water circuit and water in the water supply circuit. Automatic ice machine. 5. A supercooling water circuit for supplying water cooled to a supercooled state to an ice tray.
The automatic ice maker according to any one of claims 4 to 4. 6. A water storage tank for storing water, and a water circulation circuit for circulating the water between the water storage tank and the supercooling heat exchanger. Automatic ice machine. 7. The automatic ice making machine according to claim 1, further comprising a water purification means in the water supply circuit. 8. The subcooling heat exchanger is provided with a plurality of refrigerant plates having slit-shaped holes, a plurality of water plates having slit-shaped holes, and between the plurality of refrigerant plates and the water plate. The automatic ice making device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heat exchanger is a stacked heat exchanger in which a coolant channel and a water channel are formed from a plurality of partition plates forming a partition between a refrigerant and water. Machine. 9. The automatic cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the subcooling heat exchanger and the ice storage tank for storing water in the supercooling water circuit are contained in an automatic ice making machine body. Ice machine.