JP2002267302A - Ice making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ice making machine which can store the history of a current operating state or an operating history upon generation of an abnormality and perform a maintenance upon failure in accordance with the operating history. SOLUTION: In the ice making machine, a controller (41) monitors and controls an ice making operation by sensors (26, 27, 29, 31a, 37). In the ice making machine, a non-volatile memory (47) capable of rewriting is provided. In the non-volatile memory, operating history storage areas (57a, 57b, 57c, 57d) are ensured. The controller is provided with a means for storing sampled sensor data, input and output data and data including sampling time of the data in time series in the operating history storage areas.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ice making machine in which a control device monitors and controls an ice making operation with a sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional ice maker such as a cell type ice maker can store the result of an operation abnormality such as a failure that has occurred in the past. For example, it stores that the cooler temperature does not decrease while the compressor is operating, and that the outside air temperature has become higher than the outside air temperature upper limit set temperature.
However, there was nothing to memorize the circumstances that led to the driving abnormality. Further, the operation data cannot be output to the outside.

[0003]

By the way, only the result of an abnormal operation can be used to determine where a failure has occurred during maintenance in the event of a failure, but it is not clear what caused the failure. There are many. For this reason, it was difficult to take fundamental measures against the failure.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and stores a history of the current operation status and an operation history at the time of occurrence of an abnormality, and performs maintenance in the event of a failure based on the operation history. It is intended to provide an ice machine that can be used for such purposes.

[0005]

According to the ice making machine of the present invention, the control device (41) controls the ice making operation by sensors (26, 27, 29, 29).
31a, 37). In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the ice maker is provided with a rewritable nonvolatile memory (47), and the nonvolatile memory has an operation history storage area (57a, 57b, 57c, 5).
7d) is secured, and the control device stores the sampled sensor data, input / output data, and data of the sampling time of the data in the operation history storage area.
There is provided a means for storing in chronological order.

Further, the control unit stores the sampled sensor data, input / output data, and data of the sampling time of the data in the operation history storage area in a time-series manner, and abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the ice making operation. When the abnormality detecting means detects an abnormality in the ice making operation, there may be provided a means for storing at least the immediately preceding data in the operation history storage area.

Further, there may be a case where a plurality of the operation history storage areas are provided. The control device includes means for changing the operation history storage area for storing the data each time the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality, and storing data of the operation history when a plurality of abnormalities occur. May be. Further, the control device shifts the data in the operation history storage area to another operation history storage area each time the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality, and stores the data of the operation history when a plurality of abnormalities occur. In some cases.

In some cases, the control device includes means for changing the sampling time interval in accordance with an operation mode. Further, when the control device includes means for changing the sampling time interval between the start of operation and thereafter, to make the sampling time interval at the start of operation shorter than the subsequent sampling time intervals. There is.

Further, the control device may include an external output means (48) for externally outputting data stored in the operation history storage area.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of an ice making machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a front view of an ice making section of an ice making machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the ice making unit with the water tray open. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a main part of a refrigeration circuit of the refrigerator. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a control device of the ice making machine. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the control device of the ice making machine to which the external terminal device is connected. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation history storage area secured in an EPROM. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of storage of the operation history. FIG. 8 is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, an ice making chamber 1 of an inverted cell type ice maker is made of a metal having good heat conductivity, such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. The interior is partitioned by a partition wall. On the upper surface of the top wall of the ice making chamber 1, a cooling pipe 2 is arranged and fixed in a meandering manner. A coolant flows through the cooling pipe 2 and can cool the ice making chamber 1. A cooler 3 is constituted by the ice making chamber 1 and the cooling pipe 2, and is attached and fixed to a frame 4 of a cell type ice maker. In addition, a water tray 7 that opens and closes the lower surface opening of the ice making chamber 1 is attached to the frame 4 in a tiltable manner. Further, a lever 8 is rotatably attached to the frame 4, and is oscillated by a gear motor 9 (see FIG. 4) which is a water tray tilting device. The lever 8 has a first arm 8a and a second arm 8b opposite to the first arm 8a, and the end of the first arm 8a of the lever 8 and the tip of the water tray 7 Between them, a coil spring 11 serving as an urging means is attached.

During the ice making process, as shown in FIG.
The lever 8 pivots to the closing operation position, the tip of the first arm 8a of the lever 8 is located above, and the water tray 7 is substantially horizontal and is in the closed position. When the lever 8 rotates counterclockwise from the ice making state of FIG. 1 and the lever 8 rotates to the open operation position and the tip of the first arm 8a is downward, as shown in FIG. Then, the water tray 7 is tilted clockwise to the open position, and is in a de-icing state. In this state, the ice separated from the ice making chamber 1 falls into an ice storage (not shown). Conversely, when the lever 8 rotates clockwise from the ice-free state in FIG. 2, the water tray 7 rotates counterclockwise and returns to the horizontal closed position in FIG. The rotation position of the lever 8 is detected by the actuator switch 10. When the lever 8 rotates from the open operation position to the close operation position and the first arm 8a comes upward,
The first arm 8a presses the actuator switch 10 to the right, and the actuator switch 10 outputs an ON signal that is a close position signal. On the other hand, when the lever 8 rotates from the closed operation position to the open operation position and the second arm 8b moves upward, the second arm 8b presses the actuator switch 10 to the left, and the actuator switch 10 It outputs a certain OFF signal.

The ice storage is provided with a full ice detection switch 1.
2 (see FIG. 4), when the ice storage is full, the full ice detection switch 12 is turned on and outputs an ON signal which is a full ice detection signal. When the ice storage is not full ice, the full ice detection switch 12 is turned off and outputs an OFF signal which is a non-full ice signal.

Further, a water storage tank 16 that moves integrally with the water tray 7 is provided below the water tray 7, and the water stored in the water storage tank 16 is driven by a circulation pump 17. It is supplied to the water tray 7 and fountains into the ice making chamber 1. The water that has fallen from the ice making chamber 1 to the water tray 7 returns to the water storage tank 16, and the water is circulating. And in frame 4,
A water supply pipe 21 for supplying water to the water storage tank 16 is attached, and the water supply pipe 21 is provided with an electromagnetic water supply valve 22. The cooler 3 has a cooler temperature sensor 26 for detecting the cooler temperature, the water storage tank 16 has a water tank temperature sensor 27 for detecting the temperature of the water in the water tank 16, and a float for detecting the water level. A water level switch 28 which is a switch is provided. Water level switch 2
Numeral 8 turns ON when the water storage tank 16 is full, and outputs an ON signal which is a full water signal. Further, an outside air temperature sensor 29 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the outside air temperature is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerating cycle of the cell type ice maker includes a pressure reducing device such as the aforementioned cooler 3, compressor 31, hot gas switching valve 32, condenser 33, and expansion valve 34. And constitute a refrigerator. Then, the cooler 3, the compressor 31, the hot gas switching valve 32,
A circuit in which the condenser 33 and the expansion valve 34 are sequentially connected by piping and returns to the cooler 3 is a cooling circuit. A hot gas circuit 36 is connected to a pipe between the hot gas switching valve 32 and the expansion valve 34 and the cooler 3. The hot gas switching valve 32 switches the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 31 so as to flow to the hot gas circuit 36 or to flow to the condenser 33 side, that is, the cooling circuit side. Further, a condenser temperature sensor 37 for detecting the temperature of the condenser 33
Is provided. The condenser 33 is air-cooled by a blower 38. The current supplied to the compressor 31 is detected by an ammeter 31a.

When the compressor 31 operates with the hot gas switching valve 32 switched to the cooling circuit side, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 31 and discharged to the condenser 33 through the hot gas switching valve 32. Then, the heat is radiated by the condenser 33, passes through a decompression device such as an expansion valve 34, evaporates to a low temperature by the cooler 3, and cools the water fountain in the ice making chamber 1. Generates ice on the inside. Next, the refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 3 returns to the compressor 31. On the other hand, when the compressor 31 operates in a state where the hot gas switching valve 32 is switched to the hot gas circuit 36 side, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 31 to become hot gas which is a high-temperature refrigerant,
The ice is discharged to the cooler 3 through the hot gas switching valve 32 and the hot gas circuit 36, and melts the surface of the ice in the ice making chamber 1 to separate the ice from the ice making chamber 1. Next, the refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 3 returns to the compressor 31. During the hot gas operation, the refrigerant flows from the compressor 31 directly to the cooler 3 bypassing the condenser 33 and the expansion valve 34.

In FIG. 4, the control device 41 of the cell type ice maker includes a microcomputer 42, an input / output circuit 43, a sensor input circuit 44, a display output circuit 45, a switch input circuit 46,
It is composed of an EEPROM (electrically erasable and rewritable ROM) 47 which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory and an external communication circuit 48 as an external output means. The microcomputer 42 includes a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a timer 54, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 55, and the like, and is connected to the EEPROM 47 described above. The microcomputer 42 includes a ROM 52 and an EE as a storage unit.
Various programs and various setting values are stored in the PROM 47, and the CPU 55 executes the programs. In particular, an operation history storage area is secured in the EEPROM 47 as shown in FIG. The four operation history storage areas are a first operation history storage area 57a, a second operation history storage area 57b, a third operation history storage area 57c, and a fourth operation history storage area 57d. In each of the operation history storage areas 57a, 57b, 57c, and 57d, temperature data, which is sensor data sampled by the control device 41, data of the current flowing through the compressor 31, and the control device 41
And the data at the sampling time when this data was sampled are rewritably written and stored in chronological order.

Various electrical components are connected to the microcomputer 42 of the control device 41. The electrical components related to the present invention include the gear motor 9 and the circulation pump 17 via the input / output circuit 43 described above. , Water supply valve 22, compressor 3
1. The hot gas switching valve 32, the blower 38, and the alarm device 58 are also connected via the sensor input circuit 44 to the cooler temperature sensor 26, the storage tank temperature sensor 27, the outside air temperature sensor 29, the ammeter 31a, and the condenser temperature sensor. 37 is
Further, a display device 59 such as a liquid crystal display device is provided via a display output circuit 45, and the actuator switch 10 and the full ice detection switch 12 are provided via a switch input circuit 46.
And a water level switch 28 are connected. An external terminal device 61 is detachably connected to the microcomputer 42 of the control device 41 via an external communication circuit 48.

The external terminal device 61 is composed of a personal computer, a portable terminal, or the like, and includes means for connecting to an external communication circuit 48, a central processing unit (CPU), a storage unit such as a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk (HDD), a CRT, And a display such as a liquid crystal display, and an input device such as a numeric keypad, a mouse, and a keyboard. Various programs and various data are stored in the storage unit, and the programs are executed by the CPU.

When the power of the cell type ice maker is turned on, an ice making operation cycle starts. The ice making operation cycle generally includes an initial washing step, a drain step, and an ice making step after the drain step. And the ice release process is repeated, and the ice storage is full and the full ice detection switch 12 is turned off.
It consists of an ice storage process after N. Hereinafter, an outline of a typical example of the ice making operation cycle will be described.

In the initial cleaning step, as an initial condition, the lever 8 is rotated to the closing operation position, and the water tray 7 is closed to the horizontal position. Further, the compressor 31 is stopped. Then, the initial cleaning step is performed in the following procedure. (1) The control device 41 outputs an open signal to the water supply valve 22, opens the water supply valve 22, and injects water into the water storage tank 16. (2) The control device 41 checks whether the water level switch 28 is ON or OFF. When the water level switch 28 is ON, the control device 41 determines that the water storage tank 16 is full, and the water supply valve 22
To output a close signal to close the water supply valve 22. (3) Next, the control device 41 outputs an operation signal to the circulation pump 17, activates the circulation pump 17, and sprays water into the ice making chamber 1 by the circulation pump 17. (4) The control device 41 measures the elapsed time from the start of the fountain, and when the elapsed time reaches the cleaning set time previously set in the storage unit, outputs a stop signal, that is, an OFF signal to the circulation pump 17, The circulation pump 17 is stopped.

After the initial cleaning step, a drainage step is performed. This drainage process is performed in the following procedure. (1) The control device 41 outputs a drive signal to the gear motor 9 and
Is rotated to the open operation position. Then, the second arm 8b of the lever 8 presses the actuator switch 10 to the left,
Turn off. When the OFF signal is input from the actuator switch 10, the control device 41 outputs a stop signal to the gear motor 9 to stop the gear motor 9. Also,
When the actuator switch 10 is turned off, the rotation direction of the gear motor 9 is switched. Then, when the lever 8 rotates to the open operation position, the water tray 7 is opened and displaced to the open position. When the water tray 7 is displaced to the open position, the water in the water storage tank 16 is drained out of the water storage tank 16. (2) Next, the control device 41 measures an elapsed time from when the actuator switch 10 is turned off, and when the elapsed time reaches a drainage set time preset in the storage unit, the control device 41 drives the gear motor 9. A signal is output, and the lever 8 is rotated to the closing operation position. Then, the first arm 8a of the lever 8 presses the actuator switch 10 to the right, turning it on. When an ON signal is input from the actuator switch 10, the control device 41 outputs a stop signal to the gear motor 9 to stop the gear motor 9. Further, when the actuator switch 10 is turned ON, the rotation direction of the gear motor 9 is switched. Then, when the lever 8 is rotated to the closing operation position, the water tray 7 is closed and displaced to the closed position.

After the draining step, an ice making step is performed.
This ice making process is performed in the following procedure. (1) The control device 41 outputs an open signal to the water supply valve 22, opens the water supply valve 22, and injects water into the water storage tank 16. (2) The control device 41
Check whether the water level switch 28 is ON or OFF and turn it ON.
Then, it is determined that the water storage tank 16 is full, and a close signal is output to the water supply valve 22 to close the water supply valve 22.
(3) Next, the control device 41 outputs an operation signal to the circulation pump 17, activates the circulation pump 17, and sprays water into the ice making chamber 1 by the circulation pump 17. (4) At substantially the same time as (3), the control device 41 outputs an operation signal to the compressor 31 to operate the refrigerator. At this time, the hot gas switching valve 32 is switched to the cooling circuit side. (5)
The control device 41 obtains the water storage tank temperature detected by the water storage tank temperature sensor 27 and determines whether or not this water storage tank temperature has become equal to or lower than the ice making start temperature (approximately 0 ° C.) preset in the storage unit. I do. (6) When the water storage tank temperature reaches the ice making start temperature, the control device 41 determines the elapsed time from when the water storage tank temperature has reached the ice making start temperature by the timer 54.
To determine whether or not the ice-making completion set time preset in the storage unit has been reached. When the elapsed time reaches the ice making completion set time, it is determined that complete ice has been generated in the ice making chamber 1. (7) Next, the control device 41 outputs a stop signal, that is, an OFF signal, to the circulation pump 17 to stop the circulation pump 17 and end the ice making process.

After the ice making step, a de-icing step is performed.
This deicing step is performed in the following procedure. (1) The control device 41 outputs a switching signal to the hot gas switching valve 32, and switches the hot gas switching valve 32 to the hot gas circuit 36 side. Note that the compressor 31 maintains its operation. (2) The control device 41 outputs a drive signal to the gear motor 9 to rotate the lever 8 to the open operation position. Then, the second arm 8b of the lever 8 presses the actuator switch 10 to the left, turning it off. When the OFF signal is input from the actuator switch 10, the control device 41 outputs a stop signal to the gear motor 9 to stop the gear motor 9. When the actuator switch 10 is turned off, the rotation direction of the gear motor 9 is switched. Then, when the lever 8 rotates to the open operation position, the water tray 7 is opened and displaced to the open position. When the water tray 7 is displaced to the open position, the ice separated from the ice making chamber 1 by the hot gas falls into the ice storage. The water in the water storage tank 16 is drained out of the water storage tank 16. (3) Then, the control device 4
1 measures the elapsed time from when the actuator switch 10 is turned OFF, and when the elapsed time reaches a set ice setting time previously set in the storage unit, outputs a drive signal to the gear motor 9 and switches the lever. 8 is rotated to the closing operation position. Then, the first arm 8a of the lever 8 presses the actuator switch 10 to the right, turning it on. When an ON signal is input from the actuator switch 10, the control device 41 outputs a stop signal to the gear motor 9 to stop the gear motor 9. Further, when the actuator switch 10 is turned ON, the rotation direction of the gear motor 9 is switched. Then, when the lever 8 is rotated to the closing operation position, the water tray 7 is closed and displaced to the closed position. Further, the control device 41 outputs a stop signal, that is, an OFF signal, to the compressor 31 to stop the compressor 31. Next, the ice making process and the ice removing process are repeated until the ice storage is full, that is, until the full ice detection switch 12 is turned on.

When the full ice detection switch 12 is turned on, an ice storage process is started, and the ice making operation cycle is temporarily stopped. This ice storage process is performed until the ice detection switch 12 is turned off using ice from an ice storage (not shown). When the full ice detection switch 12 is turned off, the ice making process is restarted.

As described above, the ice making operation cycle is being executed, and the control device 41 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in this ice making operation cycle by the sensors 26, 27, and 2.
9, 31a, 37 and the like. There are various cases where the control device 41 detects an abnormality in the ice making operation cycle. Representative examples are shown below. (1) The case where the temperature detected by the cooler temperature sensor 26 does not decrease while the compressor 31 is operating while the hot gas switching valve 32 is switched to the cooling circuit side. (2) The case where the water level switch 28 is not turned on even after the water cutoff detection set time preset in the storage unit has elapsed since the output of the open signal to the water supply valve 22. The control device 41 determines that the water supply is cut off. (3) When the current supplied to the compressor 31 detected by the ammeter 31a exceeds an overload set value preset in the storage unit. The control device 41 determines that the compressor 31 is overloaded. (4) When the temperature detected by the condenser temperature sensor 37 exceeds the condenser upper limit set temperature preset in the storage unit. (5) The case where the temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor 29 exceeds an outside air temperature upper limit set value previously set in the storage unit. (6) When three sensors are provided and one becomes an error.

When the control device 41 detects the above-mentioned abnormality, it takes a countermeasure against the abnormality. There are various cases of the countermeasure. Representative examples are shown below. When the control device 41 detects the abnormality (1) or the like, the control device 41 outputs an alarm signal to the alarm device 58 to issue an alarm.
Stop the ice making operation cycle. When detecting an abnormality (2) to (5) or the like, the control device 41 outputs an alarm signal to the alarm device 58 to issue an alarm.
The ice making operation cycle is temporarily stopped, and after the stop, when a pause set time previously set in the storage unit elapses, the ice making operation cycle is restarted. Further, when the control device 41 detects the abnormality (6) or the like, the control device 41 outputs a warning signal to the warning device 58 to issue a warning and continue the ice making operation cycle.

Next, the flow of storing the operation history of the ice making operation cycle will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, in step 1, the ice making operation cycle starts, and the procedure goes to step 2. In step 2, the control device 41 determines a sampling time interval of data to be stored in the operation history storage area. The sampling time interval is changed depending on the operation mode and the operation timing of the ice making operation cycle. In other words, the operation mode includes an initial cleaning step, a drainage step, an ice making step, a de-icing step, and an ice storage step. However, the sampling time interval in the operation mode in which the water tray 7 is moving, the water tray 7 is stationary. It is shorter than the sampling time interval in the operation mode. In particular, the sampling time interval in the ice removing step is shorter than the sampling time interval in the ice making step. Regarding the operation timing, the sampling time interval at the start of the operation is set shorter than the subsequent sampling time intervals.

The specific method of determining the sampling time interval changed according to the operation mode is as follows.
The control unit 41 reads the sampling time interval corresponding to the operation mode at that time from the storage unit when the sampling time interval for each operation mode is set and stored in advance in the storage unit. Further, a specific method of determining the sampling time interval to be changed according to the operation timing includes the number of samplings or elapsed time at which the sampling time interval is changed, the first sampling time interval at the start of operation, and the second sampling time thereafter.
The sampling time interval is set in advance in the storage unit of the control device 41, and the control device 41 measures the number of times of sampling or elapsed time from the start of the ice making operation cycle, and the measured number of times of sampling or elapsed time is set. When it is determined that the number of times of sampling or the elapsed time has reached, the sampling time interval is changed from the first sampling time interval set in the storage unit to the second sampling time interval set in the storage unit. .

Next, in step 3, the control device 4
In step 1, the elapsed time is measured by the timer 54, and the process goes to step 4. In step 4, the control device 41 determines whether or not the elapsed time has reached the sampling time interval. If not, the control device 41 goes to step 3 and waits for the elapsed time to reach the sampling time interval. In step 4, when the elapsed time reaches the sampling time interval, the process goes to step 5, resets the timer 54, and sets the elapsed time to zero. Then, in step 6, the control device 4
1 samples data such as sensor data and input / output data stored in the operation history storage area, and stores the sensor data and input / output data in the first operation history storage area 57 a of the EEPROM 47 together with the sampling time in step 7. I do. Then, in step 8, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the ice making operation cycle. If no abnormality is detected, the process returns to step 2 and step 2
The storage of the operation history is repeated by repeating Step 8 from Step 8. Thus, the first operation history storage area 57a
The data is sequentially stored in time series. For example, in FIG. 6, the data is sequentially written from the upper side to the lower side of the first operation history storage area 57a, and when it reaches the lower end, it returns to the upper end and is again written sequentially from the upper side to the lower side. Therefore, it is always rewritten to the latest operation history.

On the other hand, in step 8, the control device 41
Goes to step 9 if an error is detected. In step 9, the control device 41 determines a sampling time interval of data to be stored in the operation history storage area. This sampling time interval is the interval at the start of abnormal processing,
It is shorter than the subsequent intervals.

Next, at step 10, the control device 41 measures the elapsed time by the timer 54,
go to. In step 11, the control device 41 determines whether or not the elapsed time has reached the sampling time interval, and if not, goes to step 10 and waits for the elapsed time to reach the sampling time interval. On the other hand, when the elapsed time reaches the sampling time interval in step 11, the process goes to step 12, resets the timer 54, and sets the elapsed time to zero. And step 13
In, the control device 41 samples data such as sensor data and input / output data stored in the operation history storage area.
It is stored in the first operation history storage area 57a of the OM 47. Next, at step 15, the control device 41 determines whether or not the abnormality processing has been completed. If not, the control device 41 returns to step 9 and repeats steps 9 to 15 to repeatedly store the operation history. In this way, the data under abnormal processing is sequentially and chronologically stored in the first operation history storage area 57a. At this time, the data before abnormality detection stored in the first operation history storage area 57a is rewritten, but the operation history storage areas 57a, 57
For b, 57c, and 57d, a capacity for writing a large number of data is secured, and at least data immediately before abnormality detection is not rewritten. Therefore, data before and after the abnormality detection can be stored. Various methods may be used to determine the end of the abnormal processing.
In the case of detecting an abnormality in the ice making operation, this is performed by terminating the stop processing of the ice making operation cycle. Also, (2)-
In the case of the detection of the abnormality of (5) or the like, the detection is performed when the pause setting time elapses after the ice making operation cycle is stopped. Further, when the abnormality of (6) or the like is detected, the detection is performed when the abnormality history storage set time preset in the storage unit elapses after the abnormality is detected.

On the other hand, in step 15, the control device 4
If it is determined that the abnormal processing has ended, the process proceeds to step 16. In step 16, the control device 41
The operation history storage area for storing data is changed. For example, the first operation history storage area 57a is changed to the second operation history storage area 57b. In this way, the control device 41
Changes the operation history storage area to be stored from the first operation history storage area 57a to the fourth operation history storage area 57d every time an abnormality is detected, and then changes the operation history storage area from the fourth operation history storage area 57d to the first operation history. The process returns to the history storage area 57a. Therefore, the latest four operation histories are always stored. Then, the process returns from step 16 to step 1.

By the way, in step 16, the operation history storage area in which data is written is sequentially changed. However, the data written in the operation history storage area can be sequentially shifted. That is, the control device 41 always writes the data in the first operation history storage area 57a.
The data in the operation history storage area 57c is shifted to the fourth operation history storage area 57d, then the data in the second operation history storage area 57b is shifted to the third operation history storage area 57c, and then the first operation history storage area It is also possible to shift the data of 57a to the second operation history storage area 57b and always store the latest four operation histories.

In this case, the latest data is stored in the first operation history storage area 57a, the next new data is stored in the second operation history storage area 57b, and the next new data is stored in the third operation history storage area 57c. And the oldest data is the fourth
This is stored in the operation history storage area 57d. Therefore, when accessing the operation history storage area of the EEPROM 47, each of the operation history storage areas 57a, 57b, 57
The order of the storage timings of c and 57d becomes clear at a glance.

As described above, the operation history at the time of detecting an abnormality is stored in the operation history storage areas 57a, 57b, 57c, 57d of the EEPROM 47. This driving history is
The external terminal device 61 can be accessed by connecting the external terminal device 61 to the external communication circuit 48 of the control device 41. Then, the external terminal device 61 can display or print the accessed driving history on the display.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Within the gist of the present invention described in the claims,
Various changes can be made. Modification examples of the present invention are exemplified below. (1) In the above embodiment, the ice maker is a cell type ice maker, but other types of ice maker can be used. For example, an auger type ice machine is also possible.

(2) The ice making operation cycle of the cell type ice maker includes an initial washing step, a draining step, a repetition of an ice making step and a de-icing step after this draining step, and ice storage after the ice storage becomes full. Although it is composed of steps, the specific flow of each step can be changed as appropriate. The ice making step is a step of generating ice in the ice making chamber 1 with the water tray 7 in the closed position, and the ice removing step is to move the water tray 7 from the closed position to the open position, and then to close the ice tray. In this step, ice is released from the ice making chamber 1 by reciprocating to the position. (3) Operation history storage areas 57a, 57b, 57c, 57
The number of d can be appropriately selected. However, it is preferable that there be a plurality.

[0039]

According to the present invention, since the sampled sensor data, input / output data, and data of the sampling time of this data are stored in the operation history storage area in a time-series manner, Based on the operation history composed of the arranged data, it can be used for maintenance at the time of failure.

Further, when the abnormality detecting means detects an abnormality in the ice making operation, at least the immediately preceding data is stored in the operation history storage area. It can be carried out.

Further, when a plurality of operation history storage areas are provided, a plurality of abnormalities can be easily found by viewing the plurality of operation history storage areas even when there are a plurality of abnormal locations. . The control device may include a unit that changes the operation history storage area for storing data each time the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality, and stores data of the operation history when a plurality of abnormalities occur. is there. In such a case, the operation history data at the time of a plurality of abnormalities can be stored without deleting the latest data. Further, the control device includes means for shifting the data in the operation history storage area to another operation history storage area each time the abnormality detection means detects an abnormality, and storing data of the operation history when a plurality of abnormalities occur. You may have. In such a case, the latest data can always be stored in the same operation history storage area, so that the latest data can be easily found.

In some cases, the control device includes means for changing the sampling time interval according to the operation mode. In such a case, more detailed operation data can be obtained only for a necessary part. In particular, since the occurrence probability of a failure differs depending on the operation mode, it is important to obtain a detailed operation data by shortening the sampling time interval in the operation mode having a high failure probability. Also,
The control device may include means for changing the sampling time interval between when the operation is started and thereafter, so that the sampling time interval at the start of operation is shorter than the subsequent sampling time intervals. In such a case, more detailed operation data can be obtained only for a necessary part. In particular, at the start of operation, since the probability of occurrence of a failure is higher than thereafter, it is important to shorten the sampling time interval and obtain detailed operation data.

Further, the control device may include external output means for externally outputting data stored in the operation history storage area. In such a case, the data can be output to the outside, and the cause of the occurrence of an abnormality can be analyzed by an external terminal device or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an ice making section of an ice making machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the ice making unit with a water tray opened.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a main part of a refrigeration circuit of the refrigerator.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a control device of the ice making machine.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a control device of the ice making machine to which an external terminal device is connected.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation history storage area secured in an EEPROM.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of storage of an operation history.

FIG. 8 is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

26 cooler temperature sensor 27 water storage tank temperature sensor 29 outside air temperature sensor 31 compressor 31a compressor ammeter 37 condenser temperature sensor 41 controller 47 EEPROM (non-volatile memory) 48 external communication circuit (external output means) 57a, 57b , 57c, 57d Operation history storage area

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Katsumi Maekawa 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Kazuya Imamura 2--5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka No. 5 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3L110 AA07 AB01 AB02 AC01 AC04 BA01 BA03 BA10

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An ice making machine in which a control device monitors and controls an ice making operation by using a sensor, a rewritable nonvolatile memory is provided, and an operation history storage area is secured in the nonvolatile memory. An ice maker, wherein the control device includes means for storing the sampled sensor data, input / output data, and data of the sampling time of the data in a time-series manner in the operation history storage area. 2. An ice maker in which a control device monitors and controls an ice making operation by using a sensor, wherein a rewritable nonvolatile memory is provided, and an operation history storage area is secured in the nonvolatile memory. The control device, in the operation history storage area, means for storing the sampled sensor data, input and output data and data of the sampling time of this data in a time series, abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the ice making operation, and An ice making machine comprising: a means for storing at least the immediately preceding data in the operation history storage area when the abnormality detecting means detects an abnormality in the ice making operation. 3. The ice making machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the operation history storage areas are provided. 4. The control device changes an operation history storage area for storing the data each time the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality, and stores a plurality of operation history data when an abnormality occurs. The ice making machine according to claim 3, comprising: 5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein each time the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality, the control unit shifts the data in the operation history storage area to another operation history storage area to store a plurality of operation histories when an abnormality occurs. 4. The ice making machine according to claim 3, further comprising means for storing data. 6. The ice making machine according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes means for changing a time interval of the sampling according to an operation mode. 7. The control device includes means for changing the time interval of the sampling between the time of starting operation and the time after that, so that the sampling time interval at the time of starting operation is shorter than the subsequent sampling time interval. The ice making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: 8. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device includes an external output unit that externally outputs data stored in the operation history storage area. Ice machine.