JP2007113905A - Ice making machine and solution ice manufactured by the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ice making machine used for freezing a solution such as salt water, capable of preventing solution ice of salt water formed on an ice making surface of an ice making plate in an initial stage of an ice making operation from being easily separated, and of preventing the ice making plate and a passage for injecting the solution from being easily corroded. <P>SOLUTION: This ice making machine forms pure water ice by running down ice making water of pure water in a first water feed tank 42 on an ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 in starting an ice making operation. Thereafter, ice making water of salt water in a second water feed tank 43 is frozen by running it down on the pure water ice formed on the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20, and thereby grown as salt water ice on the pure water ice. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ice making machine, and more particularly to an ice making machine for freezing a solution in which a solute such as salt water is dissolved.

  Conventionally, this type of ice making machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. In such an ice making machine, a refrigerant passage (evaporator) of the refrigeration device is formed by meandering in a horizontal direction on a plurality of ice making plates arranged vertically, and is circulated and supplied from the refrigeration device to the refrigerant passage during ice making operation. The salt water sprayed (sprayed) on both sides of the ice making plate is frozen to a predetermined thickness by the low-temperature refrigerant, and the ice making plate is heated by circulating and supplying high-temperature refrigerant (hot gas) to the refrigerant passage during deicing operation. The ice making plate and the frozen surface of the salt water ice formed on the surface thereof are melted to peel off the salt water ice.

During the ice making operation of the ice making machine described above, the refrigerant is sent from the lower side to the upper side of the refrigerant passage (evaporator) of the ice making plate, and the salt water gradually flows down from the upper side to the lower side of the ice making surface. It is cooled to freeze. As a result, the ice formed on the ice making surface of the ice making plate at the beginning of the ice making operation gradually grows from the lower part to the upper part.
JP 2004-085054 A

  By the way, in the above ice making machine, as described above, the ice formed on the ice making surface of the ice making plate in the early stage of the ice making operation gradually grows with the ice making surface of the ice making plate from the lower part to the upper part. . At this time, the salt water ice formed on the ice making surface of the ice making plate is gradually grown upward from the bottom of the ice making surface until it is formed on the entire ice making surface. The upper end of the plate is always subjected to a peeling force by the salt water flowing down the ice making surface. In addition, salt water ice is weaker than fresh water ice, and weak in contact with the ice making surface of the ice making plate. Therefore, at the beginning of the ice making operation, salt water ice that grows on the ice making surface of the ice making plate may fall off from the ice making plate, and as a result, an efficient operation may not be possible.

  In addition, since salt water ice has a weaker strength than fresh water ice, it sometimes breaks down in an ice storage for storing salt water ice and generates scrap ice.

  Furthermore, since the ice making surface of the ice making plate and the route for injecting salt water are in contact with salt water, the ice making surface and the route for injecting salt water may be corroded by salt water. It was necessary to clean the ice making surface of the ice making plate and the route for injecting salt water, and an efficient ice making operation could not be performed.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an ice making machine for freezing a solution of salt water or the like, in which the solution ice such as salt water formed on the ice making surface of the ice making plate at the initial stage of ice making operation is difficult to peel off and the ice making plate and the solution are poured. An object of the present invention is to provide an ice making machine that is not easily corroded by a solution.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an ice making unit that is cooled by a freezing unit to freeze ice-making water, a water-injecting unit that injects ice-making water onto an ice-making surface of the ice-making unit, and a water-supplying unit that supplies ice-making water to the water-injecting unit At the time of ice making operation, the ice making water is poured onto the ice making surface of the ice making unit by means of water injection, and the injected ice making water is frozen on the ice making surface of the ice making unit to form ice. First, fresh water ice making water is poured onto the ice making surface of the ice making unit to form fresh water ice covering the surface of the ice making surface, and then the ice making water of the solution in which the solute is dissolved is poured onto the fresh water ice surface to form solution ice. The present invention provides an ice making machine characterized by the above.

  In the ice making machine configured as described above, the solution ice is formed by injecting ice water of the solution into fresh water ice covering the surface of the ice making surface at the start of the ice making operation and freezing it. The solution ice is frozen to increase the thickness by injecting the ice-making water of the solution onto the fresh water ice surface, which has a strong adhesion force to the ice-making surface of the ice-making plate, and it becomes difficult to peel off from the ice-making surface of the ice making plate. As a result, the ice making machine can operate efficiently. In addition, since the ice-making water of the solution is frozen by being poured into fresh water ice that covers the surface of the ice-making surface, it does not come into direct contact with the ice-making surface, and the ice-making surface of the ice-making part is less likely to be corroded by the solution and is washed. There is no need to do this.

  Further, in the above ice making machine, the water supply means includes a water tank for storing ice making water, and during ice making operation, the ice making water in the water tank is poured onto the ice making surface of the ice making unit by the water pouring means, and the injected ice making water is supplied. Even if the ice making water is frozen on the ice making surface of the ice making part in the process of refluxing into the water supply tank, the same effect as described above can be obtained. In addition, the ice-making water of the solution may be prepared by adding a concentrated solution of ice-making water of the solution to fresh ice-making water that is poured into the ice-making surface of the ice-making unit at the start of ice-making operation and remains in the water tank. In this case, the temperature of the ice-making water in the solution does not change abruptly from the temperature of the fresh ice-making water that is poured into the ice-making surface of the ice-making unit at the start of ice making operation and remains in the water tank. By pouring water, it becomes difficult to melt fresh water ice covering the surface of the ice making surface, and an efficient ice making operation can be performed.

  Further, in the above ice making machine, the water supply tank includes a solution water tank for storing the ice water of the solution and a fresh water tank that is connected to the solution water tank through a communication path and stores fresh ice water. Fresh water ice making water in the fresh water tank is poured onto the ice making surface of the ice making part to form fresh water ice that covers the surface of the ice making surface, and the fresh water ice making water in the fresh water tank is frozen on the ice making surface of the ice making part, so that it is less than the predetermined amount of water In this case, the solution ice in the solution tank is supplied to the fresh water tank through the communication path according to the amount of water reduced in the fresh water tank, and the solution is poured from the fresh water tank onto the ice making surface of the ice making unit. Well, in this way, when switching from fresh ice-making water to solution ice-making water, the solution ice-making water should be supplied to the fresh water tank through the communication path according to the amount of water that the fresh water tank decreases. Water from the fresh water tank to the ice making surface of the ice making unit Since the temperature of the ice-making water of the solution injection is suddenly no longer changes as compared to the fresh water of the ice making water, the ice formed on the ice making surface of the ice making portion is less likely to be melted ice making surfaces of the ice making unit. Furthermore, the ice making machine can supply the ice making water of the solution without interrupting the ice making operation to freeze the ice making water of the solution from the fresh ice making water.

  In the ice making machine, when ice making operation is started, fresh water ice water in the fresh water tank is first poured onto the ice making surface of the ice making unit to form fresh water ice that covers the surface of the ice making surface, and fresh water ice making in the fresh water tank is made. The solution from the fresh water tank is supplied so that the ice water of the solution in the solution water tank is supplied to the fresh water tank through the communication path according to the amount of water that decreases in the fresh water tank when a predetermined time has elapsed since water was poured into the ice making surface of the ice making unit. The ice making water may be poured onto the ice making surface of the ice making part, and the same effects as described above can be obtained even in this case.

  Further, in the above ice making machine, a valve means may be provided in the communication path, and a check valve for passing the ice water of the solution from the solution water tank to the fresh water tank may be adopted as the valve means. By doing so, it is possible to supply the solution in the solution tank to the fresh water tank without causing the fresh water in the fresh water tank to flow into the solution tank and lowering the concentration of the solution in the solution tank. Further, as the valve means, a valve that is opened when the fresh ice-making water in the fresh water tank becomes a predetermined amount of water or less may be employed. be able to.

  In the above ice making machine, the ice making surface of the ice making unit is poured into the fresh water ice surface to form solution ice, and then fresh water ice making water is poured onto the solution ice surface to form fresh water ice. In this case, the solution ice can be made stronger by being sandwiched between fresh water ice.

  Further, in the above ice making machine, fresh water ice water and solution ice making water may be alternately injected on the ice making surface of the ice making unit to form fresh water ice and solution ice alternately. Then, the solution ice can be made stronger by fresh water ice.

  Further, in the above ice making machine, it is preferable that the water supply means supplies fresh ice-making water and solution ice-making water through the same route, and in this way, the ice-making water is supplied by the water supply means and the water supply means. The supplied water injection means can obtain the same effect as that obtained by washing with fresh water, and is less likely to be corroded by the solution, thus eliminating the need for washing.

  In addition, it is preferable that the solution ice produced by the above ice making machine is formed so that fresh water ice covers the surroundings, and such solution ice is less likely to be deformed and generates scrap ice. It becomes difficult. Furthermore, it is preferable that the solution ice is formed so as to be covered with fresh water ice over the entire circumference, and such solution ice can be made stronger.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
1 to 4 show a first embodiment of an ice making machine according to the present invention, and this ice making machine is a flow-down type ice making machine. As shown in FIG. A plurality of ice making plates 20, a water sprinkler 30 for sprinkling ice making water on the ice making plate 20, a water supply means 40 for sending ice making water to the water sprinkler 30, and a refrigeration apparatus 50 for cooling and heating the ice making plate 20. It has.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 includes a housing-like housing main body 11 and a chute 12 for discharging ice from the housing main body 11 to the outside. An opening 11 a is provided at the lower part of the housing body 11. The chute 12 extends downwardly from the opening 11 a and discharges ice to an ice storage (not shown) outside the housing 10.

  The ice making plate 20 causes ice making water to flow down on both ice making surfaces to form ice, and as shown in FIG. 1, it is accommodated and supported so as to stand in parallel in the housing body 11. . Each ice making plate 20 is formed with a single refrigerant flow path that meanders from the lower edge to the upper edge of the ice making board 20, and this refrigerant flow path constitutes an evaporator of the refrigeration apparatus 50 described later to form each ice making plate. Both surfaces of the plate 20 are ice making surfaces. The ice making plate 20 is provided with an ice making plate temperature sensor 20 a that detects the temperature of the ice making plate 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the water sprinkler (water injection means) 30 is provided immediately above the plurality of ice making plates 20, and the ice making water is sprinkled (water injected) from the water spray nozzles 31 of the water sprinkler 30. Flow down along the ice making surface.

  The water supply means 40 supplies ice making water to the ice making plate 20 through the sprinkler 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply tank 41 for storing ice making water and the ice making water in the water supply tank 41 are sprinkled. And a water supply path 46 to be sent to 30.

  The water supply tank 41 stores fresh ice making water and salt water (solution) ice making water below the ice making plate 20, and includes a first water supply tank (fresh water tank) 42 and a second water supply tank (solution water tank) 43. I have. The first water tank 42 is for storing fresh ice-making water for forming ice by fresh water on the ice-making surface of the ice making plate 20 at the start of the ice making operation. The second water tank 43 is for storing ice-making water of salt water for forming ice by salt water after ice making by fresh water in the first water tank 42. The first water tank 42 is connected to the second water tank 43 by a communication pipe (communication path) 44 at the bottom, and the salt water ice-making water in the second water tank 43 is supplied to the communication pipe 44 for the first supply. A check valve (valve) 45 that passes through the water tank 42 is provided.

  A water level sensor 42 a and a water level sensor 43 a are accommodated in the first water tank 42 and the second water tank 43, respectively, and these water level sensors 42 a and 43 a are in the first water tank 42 and the second water tank 43. It is detected that the water level of the ice making water is equal to or higher than a predetermined upper limit water level and lower than a predetermined lower limit water level. The first water tank 42 is connected to a fresh water supply source (not shown) such as a water supply, and the second water supply tank 43 is supplied with a salt water supply source (not shown) (for example, adjusted in advance). Connected (such as salt water or sea water).

  The water supply path 46 is used to send the ice making water in the first water tank 42 to the sprinkler 30, and the water supply pipe 47 that sends the ice making water in the first water tank 42 to the water sprinkler 30, and the water supply pipe 47. The water supply pump 48 is provided. The ice making water in the first water tank 42 is sent to the sprinkler 30 through the water supply pipe 47 by driving the water supply pump 48.

  Further, in the ice making machine, as shown in FIG. 1, a plate-shaped slope 13 that receives ice-making water and ice flowing down the ice-making surface of the ice-making plate 20 is directed to the opening 11 a of the housing body 11. It is provided so as to incline downward. The slope 13 is provided with a discharge passage 13 a for returning the ice making water flowing down from the ice making plate 20 to the first water supply tank 42 at the lower end of the slope 13. A crusher 14 for breaking ice sliding down the slope 13 is rotatably provided above the lower portion of the slope 13.

  The refrigeration apparatus (refrigeration means) 50 includes a compressor 51. The compressor 51 sucks and compresses the refrigerant from the evaporator of the ice making plate 20, and discharges it to the condenser 52 as a high-temperature and high-pressure compressed refrigerant. . The condenser 52 condenses the compressed refrigerant from the compressor 51 and sends it to the receiver 53 as condensed refrigerant. The liquid receiver 53 gas-liquid separates the condensed refrigerant from the condenser 52 and sends the liquid refrigerant to the normally closed line electromagnetic valve 54. The line electromagnetic valve 54 causes the liquid phase refrigerant from the liquid receiver 53 to flow into the expansion valve 55 by opening the valve. Further, the line electromagnetic valve 54 shuts off the inflow of the liquid refrigerant into the expansion valve 55 by closing the valve. The expansion valve 55 converts the liquid-phase refrigerant from the line electromagnetic valve 54 into a low-temperature and low-pressure circulating refrigerant according to the heating degree of the refrigerant in the vicinity of the outflow end of the evaporator, and the evaporator of each ice making plate 20. Send to.

  The evaporator cools each ice making plate 20 based on the circulating refrigerant from the expansion valve 55 and returns the circulating refrigerant to the compressor 51. Further, the evaporator warms each ice making plate 20 based on hot gas from a normally closed hot gas valve 56 (described later) and recirculates the hot gas to the compressor 51.

  The hot gas valve 56 is interposed in an intermediate portion of a pipe that branches from between the compressor 51 and the condenser 52 and joins between the expansion valve 55 and the evaporator. By opening the valve, the compressed refrigerant from the compressor 51 flows into the evaporator as hot gas. The hot gas valve 56 shuts off the flow of hot gas into the evaporator by closing the valve.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ice making machine includes an electric control circuit E connected to the various sensors 20 a, 42 a, 43 a, various valves 54, 56, the crusher 14, the water supply pump 48, and the compressor 51. The electric control circuit E includes a microcomputer 60 and executes a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 to open and close various valves 54 and 56, and to operate the crusher 14, the feed water pump 48, and the compressor 51. Control. The microcomputer 60 is connected to an operation switch 61 for starting and stopping the operation of the ice making machine.

  The operation of the embodiment of the ice making machine configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. When the operation of the ice making machine is started by the operation switch 61, the electric control circuit E starts executing the program. First, in step 101 shown in FIG. 3, supply of fresh water and salted ice water to the first water tank 42 and the second water tank 43 is started. At this time, when fresh water and brine ice-making water are supplied to the first water tank 42 and the second water tank 43 to a predetermined upper limit water level, the microcomputer 60 is accommodated in the first water tank 42 and the second water tank 43. Based on the detection of the water level sensors 42a and 43a, it is determined that the water has been supplied up to a predetermined upper limit water level, and the supply of each ice making water is stopped. At this time, the fresh water level in the first water tank 42 is supplied to be higher than the salt water level in the second water tank 43.

  After the processing in step 101, in step 102, the ice making operation is started. When the ice making operation is started, in the refrigeration apparatus 50, the line electromagnetic valve 54 is opened and the hot gas valve 56 is closed. Thereafter, the driving process of the compressor 51 is performed, and the compressor 51 compresses the circulating refrigerant returning from the evaporator and sends it to the condenser 52 as a high-pressure and high-temperature compressed refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant sent is condensed by the condenser 52 and then gas-liquid separated by the liquid receiver 53. When the liquid phase refrigerant flows from the liquid receiver 53 into the expansion valve 55 via the line electromagnetic valve 54, the liquid phase refrigerant is converted into a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant by the expansion valve 55, and enters the evaporator of the ice making plate 20 as a circulating refrigerant. Sent from below. The evaporator cools each ice making plate 20 with this circulating refrigerant, and causes the circulating refrigerant to recirculate to the compressor 51.

  In the water supply means 40, when the water supply pump 48 is driven, fresh ice-making water in the first water supply tank 42 is pumped to the sprinkler 30 through the water supply pipe 47. The sent fresh water ice water is sprinkled on the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20 by each water spray nozzle 31 of the water sprinkler 30. The fresh ice water sprinkled on the ice making surfaces of the ice making plates 20 flows down along the ice making surfaces of the ice making plates 20, and the flowing fresh water returns to the first water tank 42 from the slope 13 through the discharge passage 13a. To do.

  Fresh water ice making water flowing down the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 is gradually cooled by flowing down the ice making surface of the cooled ice making plate 20. When the fresh ice-making water in the first water tank 42 is cooled to a degree of freezing, the fresh ice-making water grows from the lower part to the upper part of the ice-making surface of the ice making plate 20 as fresh water ice. The fresh ice-making water in one water tank 42 is gradually reduced.

  When fresh water ice is formed on the surface of the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20, the fresh water ice making water in the first water supply tank 42 is reduced to substantially the same level as the salt water ice making water level in the second water supply tank 43. To do. When the fresh ice-making water in the first water tank 42 has a lower level than the salt-water ice-making water in the second water tank 43, the salt water ice-making water in the second water tank 43 is stored in the first water tank 42. It flows into the first water tank 42 through the communication pipe 44 so as to have the same water level as the ice making water. As a result, the fresh ice-making water in the first water supply tank 42 gradually increases in salt concentration due to the salt-water ice-making water flowing from the second water supply tank 43 as shown in FIG. The ice making water in the first water tank 42 in which the salt concentration gradually increases flows down on the fresh water ice formed on the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20, and on the fresh water ice on the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20. Freeze to grow as salt water ice. At this time, the ice making water in the first water tank 42 flows from the second water tank 43 in accordance with the amount of ice making water that is frozen by the ice making plate 20, and therefore the ice making water in the first water tank 42 is As shown in FIG. 4B, the water temperature does not rise rapidly due to the brine ice making water flowing from the second water supply tank 43, and becomes constant at a temperature near 0 ° C. As a result, even if the salt water ice making water flows from the first water supply tank 42 to the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20, the fresh water ice and the salt water ice formed on the ice making surface are not melted by the flowing ice making water.

  When the ice making water level in the first water tank 42 drops below the predetermined lower limit water level by the ice making operation, it is determined YES in step 103 based on the detected water level of the water level sensor 42a, and the ice making operation is ended.

  If YES is determined in step 103, the feed water pump 48 is stopped in step 104 and the refrigeration apparatus 50 starts the deicing operation in step 104. At this time, when the water supply pump 48 is stopped driving, the ice making water in the first water supply tank 42 is stopped from being fed to the sprinkler 30. In the deicing operation of the refrigeration apparatus 50, the hot gas valve 56 is opened and the line electromagnetic valve 54 is closed. Thereby, in the refrigeration apparatus 50, the compressed refrigerant discharged from the compressor 51 is blocked from flowing into the ice making plate 20 by the closing of the line electromagnetic valve 54, and passes through the hot gas valve 56 as hot gas to each ice making plate. It flows into 20 refrigerant passages (evaporator). Ice grown on the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 is melted by hot gas flowing into the evaporator, falls from each ice making surface to the slope 13, and the ice sliding down the slope 13 is crushed by the crusher 14, and the chute 12. Is sent to an ice storage (not shown).

  When ice falls from the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 by the deicing operation and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined deicing completion temperature, in step 105, based on the detected temperature of the ice making plate temperature sensor 20a. It is determined as YES. Based on the determination of YES in step 105, in step 106, the deicing operation of the refrigeration apparatus 50 is stopped, and the ice making machine ends the ice making operation and the deicing operation.

  In the ice making machine of the above embodiment, when the ice making operation is started, the fresh water ice that covers the surface of the ice making surface is formed by flowing fresh water in the first water tank 42 onto the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20. At this time, fresh water ice that grows from the lower part to the upper part on the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 is subjected to a peeling force due to the flow of fresh water flowing down the ice making surface from the upper part of the ice making plate 20. Since the strength is strong and the force of adhering to the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 is also strong, it is difficult to peel off due to the flowing water of fresh water. The salt water ice is formed by allowing salt water to flow down on the fresh water ice surface previously formed on the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 and freezing the fresh water ice to increase its thickness. Therefore, according to the ice making machine of this embodiment, salt water ice becomes difficult to peel from the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20, and the ice making machine can perform an efficient ice making operation.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the ice making machine includes the second water tank 43 that stores the salt water ice-making water, and the first water tank 42 that is connected to the second water tank 43 through the communication pipe 44 and stores fresh water. I have. When the fresh water in the first water supply tank 42 flows down to the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 and freezes and decreases to a level lower than the ice making water in the second water supply tank 43, the second water supply tank 43. The salt water ice-making water is supplied to the first water tank 42 through the check valve 45 and the communication pipe 44 in accordance with the amount of the ice-making water in the first water tank 42 decreasing. As a result, the temperature of the ice making water flowing down the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 is not suddenly increased by the salt water ice making water supplied from the second water supply tank 43. Therefore, the ice growing on the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 is not easily melted by the ice making water flowing down, and the ice making machine can operate efficiently.

  Further, in the above embodiment, since fresh water ice is formed on the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 at the start of the ice making operation, salt water ice making water is allowed to flow down on the surface of the fresh water ice. , It will not be in direct contact with salt water ice making water, and will not be corroded by salt water, thus eliminating the need for cleaning.

Furthermore, in the above ice making machine, since the water sprinkler 30 and the water supply means 40 are adapted to allow fresh ice making water to pass at the start of the ice making operation, when the ice making and deicing operation cycles are operated continuously, In the water sprinkler 30 and the water supply means 40, the brine ice making water remaining in the path is made to flow by the fresh ice making water. Therefore, the water sprinkler 30 and the water supply means 40 are less likely to be corroded by salt water, and not only the ice making plate 20 but also the water sprinkler 30 and the water supply means 40 need not be washed, and an efficient ice making operation can be performed.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a main part of the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is adopted instead of the flowchart (shown in FIG. 3) described in the first embodiment. The communication pipe 44 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 45A instead of the check valve 45, and the electromagnetic valve 45A is connected to the electric control circuit E. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, when the ice making operation of the ice making machine is performed in the same manner as described in the first embodiment, in step 102, the refrigeration apparatus 50 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Each ice making plate 20 is cooled.

  In the water supply means 40, when the water supply pump 48 is driven, fresh ice-making water in the first water supply tank 42 is pumped to the sprinkler 30 through the water supply pipe 47. The sent fresh water ice water is sprinkled on the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20 by each water spray nozzle 31 of the water sprinkler 30. The fresh ice water sprinkled on the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20 flows down along the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20, and the flowing fresh water ice making water flows from the slope 13 through the discharge passage 13a to the first water tank. Reflux to 42.

  Fresh water ice making water flowing down the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 is gradually cooled by flowing down the ice making surface of the cooled ice making plate 20. When the fresh ice-making water in the first water tank 42 is cooled to a degree of freezing, the fresh ice-making water grows from the lower part to the upper part of the ice-making surface of the ice making plate 20 as fresh water ice. The fresh ice-making water in one water tank 42 is gradually reduced.

  When fresh water ice is formed on the surface of the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20, the fresh water ice making water in the first water supply tank 42 is reduced to substantially the same level as the salt water ice making water level in the second water supply tank 43. To do. When the ice making water in the first water tank 42 becomes the same water level (first predetermined water level) as the ice making water in the second water tank 43, YES is determined based on the detected water level of the first water tank 42 in Step 103A. In step 103B, the electromagnetic valve 45A is opened. When the fresh ice-making water in the first water tank 42 has a lower level than the salt-water ice-making water in the second water tank 43, the salt water ice-making water in the second water tank 43 is stored in the first water tank 42. It flows into the first water tank 42 through the communication pipe 44 so as to have the same water level as the ice making water. As a result, the fresh ice-making water in the first water supply tank 42 gradually increases in salt concentration due to the salt-water ice-making water flowing from the second water supply tank 43 as shown in FIG. The ice making water in the first water tank 42 in which the salt concentration gradually increases flows down on the fresh water ice formed on the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20, and the salt concentration gradually increases in the first water tank. The ice making water to be frozen grows as salt water ice on the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20 on fresh water ice. At this time, the ice making water in the first water tank 42 flows from the second water tank 43 in accordance with the amount of ice making water that is frozen by the ice making plate 20, and therefore the ice making water in the first water tank 42 is As shown in FIG. 4B, the water temperature does not rise rapidly due to the brine ice making water flowing from the second water supply tank 43, and becomes constant at a temperature near 0 ° C. As a result, the fresh water ice and salt water ice formed on the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 are not easily melted by the flowing ice making water.

  When the ice making water level in the first water tank 42 is lowered to the predetermined water level (second predetermined water level) by the ice making operation, it is determined YES in step 103C based on the detected water level of the water level sensor 42a, and the ice making operation is ended. . Other operations and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the above embodiment, when the fresh ice-making water in the first water tank 42 becomes the same water level (first predetermined water level) as the salt-water ice-making water in the second water tank 43, it is based on the detected water level of the water level sensor 42a. The electromagnetic valve 45A is opened so that the salt water ice-making water in the second water supply tank 43 is supplied into the first water supply tank 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The fresh water ice-making water in the water tank 42 flows down to the ice-making surface of the ice-making plate 20, and then the electromagnetic valve 45A is opened after a predetermined time as the time for forming fresh water ice on the ice-making surface of the ice-making plate 20. The salt water ice-making water in the water tank 43 may be supplied into the first water tank 42. Note that the time during which fresh water ice is formed on the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 changes according to the outside air temperature around the ice making machine, so that the predetermined time is changed according to the outside air temperature around the ice making machine. Is set to
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows a main part of the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a water tank 41A shown in FIG. 6 is employed instead of the water tank 41 (shown in FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The water tank 41A includes a first water tank 42 that stores fresh ice-making water, a second water tank 43A1 that stores salt-water ice-making water, and a third water tank 43A2 that stores fresh ice-making water. The first water tank 42 is for storing fresh ice-making water for forming ice by fresh water on the ice-making surface of the ice making plate 20 at the start of the ice making operation. The second water tank 43A1 is for storing salt water ice-making water for forming ice by salt water after ice making by fresh water in the first water tank 42. The bottom surface of the second water tank 43A1 is the first water tank 43A1. It is provided at a position higher than the bottom surfaces of the water tank 42 and the third water tank 43A2. The third water tank 43A2 is for storing fresh water ice making water for forming fresh water ice after making salt water in the second water tank 43A1, and the bottom surface of the third water tank 43A2 is the first water tank 43A2. The water tank 42 is provided at substantially the same height as the bottom surface. The first water tank 42 is connected to the second water tank 43A1 at the bottom by a first communication pipe (communication path) 44A1, and the first communication pipe 44A1 has salt water ice-making water in the second water tank 43A1. Is provided with a first check valve 45A1. The first water tank 42 is connected to the third water tank 43A2 at the bottom by a second communication pipe (communication path) 44A2, and the second communication pipe 44A2 includes fresh water in the third water tank 43A2. A second check valve 45 </ b> A <b> 2 that allows ice-making water to pass through the first water tank 42 is provided.

  Water level sensors 42a, 43A1a and 43A2a are accommodated in the first water tank 42, the second water tank 43A1 and the third water tank 43A2, respectively. The water level sensors 42a, 43A1a and 43A2a are respectively connected to the first water tank 42. Then, it is detected that the water level of the ice making water in the second water tank 43A1 and the third water tank 43A2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined upper limit water level and lower than a predetermined lower limit water level. A supply source of fresh water (not shown) (such as water supply) is connected to the first water supply tank 42 and the third water supply tank 43A2, and supply of salt water (not shown) is connected to the second water supply tank 43A1. A source (such as preconditioned salt water or sea water) is connected.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, when the ice making operation is started as described in the first embodiment, in step 101 shown in FIG. 3, the first water tank 42 and the third water tank 43A2 are Supply of fresh ice water is started, and supply of salt water ice water is started in the second water tank 43A1. The microcomputer 60 determines whether the water level sensors 42a, 43A1a, and 43A2a accommodated in the first water tank 42, the second water tank 43A1, and the third water tank 43A2 have been supplied to a predetermined upper limit water level, and the first water tank 42. When fresh water and brine ice-making water are supplied to the second water tank 43A1 and the third water tank 43A2 up to a predetermined upper limit water level, the supply of each ice-making water is stopped. At this time, the fresh water level in the first water tank 42 is supplied to a position higher than the salt water level in the second water tank 43A1. The fresh water level in the third water tank 43A2 is supplied to a water level that is substantially the same height as the bottom surface of the second water tank 43A1.

  After step 101, in step 102, the refrigeration apparatus 50 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment to cool each ice making plate 20. In the water supply means 40, when the water supply pump 48 is driven, fresh ice-making water in the first water supply tank 42 is pumped to the sprinkler 30 through the water supply pipe 47. The sent fresh water ice water is sprinkled on the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20 by each water spray nozzle 31 of the water sprinkler 30. The fresh ice water sprinkled on the ice making surfaces of the ice making plates 20 flows down along the ice making surfaces of the ice making plates 20, and the flowing fresh water returns to the first water tank 42 from the slope 13 through the discharge passage 13a. To do.

  Fresh water ice making water flowing down the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 is gradually cooled by flowing down the ice making surface of the cooled ice making plate 20. When the fresh ice-making water in the first water tank 42 is cooled to a degree of freezing, the fresh ice-making water grows from the lower part to the upper part of the ice-making surface of the ice making plate 20 as fresh water ice. The fresh ice-making water in one water tank 42 is gradually reduced.

  When fresh water ice is formed on the surface of the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20, the fresh water ice making water in the first water supply tank 42 decreases to the same level as the salt water ice making water level in the second water supply tank 43A1. To do. When the ice making water in the first water tank 42 has the same water level as the ice making water in the second water tank 43A1, the ice making water in the second water tank 43A1 is the same as the ice making water in the first water tank 42. It flows into the 1st water tank 42 through 1st communicating pipe 44A1 so that it may become a water level. Thereby, the salt concentration of fresh ice-making water in the first water tank 42 is gradually increased by the salt-water ice-making water flowing from the second water tank 43A1. The ice-making water in the first water tank 42 in which the salt concentration gradually increases flows down on the fresh water ice formed on the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20, and on the fresh water ice on the ice making surface of each ice making plate 20. Freezes and grows as salt water ice.

  When the salt water ice making water in the second water tank 43A1 disappears by flowing into the first water tank 42, the water level of the ice making water in the first water tank 42 becomes the ice making water in the third water tank 43A2. Decrease to the same level as the water level. When the ice making water in the first water tank 42 is lower than the ice making water in the third water tank 43A2, the fresh ice water in the third water tank 43A2 is the same as the ice making water in the first water tank 42. It flows into the 1st water supply tank 42 through 2nd communicating pipe 44A2 so that it may become a water level. Thereby, the salt concentration of the saltwater ice making water in the first water supply tank 42 is gradually lowered by the fresh ice making water flowing from the third water supply tank 43A2. The ice-making water in the first water tank 42 in which the salt concentration gradually decreases flows down on the salt-water ice formed on each ice-making plate 20 and freezes on the salt-water ice on the ice-making surface of each ice-making plate 20. Grows as fresh water ice.

  At this time, the ice making water in the first water tank 42 flows from the second water tank 43A1 and the third water tank 43A2 in accordance with the amount of ice making water that is frozen by the ice making plate 20, and thus the inside of the first water tank 42 The ice temperature of the ice water does not rise rapidly due to the salt water and fresh ice making water flowing from the second water tank 43A1 and the third water tank 43A2, and becomes constant at a temperature of about 0 ° C. As a result, even if salt water and fresh ice making water flow down from the first water tank 42 to the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20, the fresh water ice and salt water ice formed on the ice making surface are not melted by the flowing ice making water.

When the ice making water level in the first water tank 42 falls below a predetermined lower limit water level by the ice making operation, it is determined YES in step 103 based on the detected water level of the water level sensor 42a of the first water tank 42, and the ice making operation is performed. finish. Other actions and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.
In the ice making machine of the above embodiment, salt water is caused to flow down to the fresh water ice surface on the ice making surface of the ice making plate 20 to form salt water ice, and then fresh water is allowed to flow down to the salt water ice surface to freeze the fresh water. Therefore, salt water ice can be made strong by being sandwiched between fresh water ice.

  Furthermore, in the ice making machine of the above embodiment, fresh ice making water is passed through the sprinkler 30 and the water supply means 40 before the ice making operation is finished, so that salt ice making water does not remain. Therefore, the water supply means 40 and the water sprinkler 30 are less likely to be corroded by salt water passing through the path, and the ice making machine does not need to clean the water supply means 40 and the water sprinkler 30 as well as the ice making plate 20 and is efficient. You can drive.

  In the ice making machine of the above-described embodiment, the first water supply tank 42 is provided with the first check valve 45A1 and the second check valve 45A2 in the first communication pipe 44A1 and the second communication pipe 44A2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an electromagnetic valve is provided instead of a check valve, and the valve is opened according to the water levels of the first water tank 42 and the second water tank 43A1. You may make it do.

  Further, in the ice making machine of the above embodiment, the water tank 41A is constituted by three tanks including the first water tank 42, the second water tank 43A1 and the third water tank 43A2 communicating with the first water tank 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, salt water and fresh water may be alternately stored by providing one or more water tanks. The salt water ice that is formed in this way is formed alternately with fresh water ice to make it stronger.

(Fourth embodiment)
7 to 10 show a fourth embodiment of an ice making machine according to the present invention. This ice making machine is an open cell type ice making machine, and as shown in FIG. The ice making unit 20B provided in the housing 10B, the water sprinkler 30B for injecting ice making water into the ice making unit 20B, the water supply means 40B for sending the ice making water to the water sprinkler 30B, and the freezing for cooling and heating the ice making unit 20B. Device 50B.

  The housing 10B includes a housing-like housing main body 11B having an opening for discharging ice at the front middle portion, and a shutter 12B for opening and closing the opening of the housing main body 11B. The shutter 12B is supported on the front side of the opening of the housing main body 11B so that the lower end of the shutter 12B can tilt upward. By opening the shutter 12B, the ice in the housing main body 11B is sent to an ice storage (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the ice making unit 20B has an ice making cell 22B fixed by welding so that a rectangular metal pipe cut short on the lower surface of the flat ice making substrate 21B is opened downward at the top of the housing body 11B. In the ice making section 20B, a total of 12 ice making cells 22B are arranged in three rows and four columns on the lower surface of the ice making substrate 21B (not shown). On the upper side of the ice making substrate 21B, a single evaporator 52B (described later) is meanderingly fixed so as to pass through the center of each ice making cell 22B, and this evaporator 52B is supplied with refrigerant from the refrigerating apparatus 50B. Is circulated and supplied. The ice making part 20B is provided with an ice making part temperature sensor 20Ba for detecting the temperature of the ice making part 20B.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the water sprinkler 30B is provided vertically at a position directly below the water sprinkling passage formed by connecting three flat tubes arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions to each other and the ice making cell 22B above the sprinkling passage. And watering nozzle 31B. The water sprinkler 30B ejects (pours out) ice making water passing through the water sprinkling passage from the water sprinkling nozzle 31B toward the ice making cell 22B.

  The water supply means 40B supplies ice making water to the ice making unit 20B via the sprinkler 30B. As shown in FIG. 7, the water supply tank 41B for storing ice making water and the ice making water in the water supply tank 41B are sprinkled. And a water supply path 46B to be sent to 30B.

  The water tank 41B stores fresh ice-making water and salt water ice-making water below the sprinkler 30B, and includes a first water tank (fresh water tank) 42B and a second water tank (solution water tank) 43B. . The first water tank 42B is for storing fresh ice-making water for forming ice with fresh water on the ice-making surface of the ice-making cell 22B at the start of the ice-making operation. The 2nd water supply tank 43B is for storing the salt water ice-making water for forming the ice by salt water after the ice making by the fresh water in the 1st water tank 42B. The first water tank 42B is connected to the second water tank 43B by a communication pipe (communication path) 44B at the bottom, and the salt water ice-making water in the second water tank 43B is supplied to the communication pipe 44B for the first time. A check valve (valve) 45B is provided to pass to the water tank 42B.

  A water level sensor 42Ba and a water level sensor 43Ba are accommodated in the first water tank 42B and the second water tank 43B, respectively. These water level sensors 42Ba and 43Ba are in the first water tank 42B and the second water tank 43B. It is detected that the water level of the ice making water is equal to or higher than a predetermined upper limit water level and lower than a predetermined lower limit water level. Note that a fresh water supply source (not shown) such as a water supply is connected to the first water supply tank 42B, and a salt water supply source (not shown) (for example, adjusted in advance) is connected to the second water supply tank 43B. Connected (such as salt water or sea water).

  The water supply path 46B is used to send the ice making water in the first water tank 42B to the sprinkler 30B. The water supply pipe 47B sends the ice making water in the first water tank 42B to the water sprinkler 30B and the water supply pipe 47B. And the water supply pump 48B. The ice making water in the first water tank 42B is sent to the sprinkler 30B through the water supply pipe 47B by driving the water supply pump 48B.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the ice making machine is provided with a scissors-shaped slope 13B that is inclined downwardly toward the opening of the housing main body 11B between the ice making unit 20B and the sprinkler 30B. The ice falling from the ice making cell 22B falls on the slope 13B and slides down toward the opening. In addition, the slope 13B is configured so that the sprinkle-shaped opening portion of the sprinkler 30B is positioned below the sprinkler nozzle 31B of the sprinkler 30B. 22B is ejected. Below the sprinkler 30B, there is provided a discharge path 14B that collects ice-making water falling from the spear-shaped opening of the slope 13B and returns it to the first water tank 42B.

  The refrigeration apparatus (refrigeration means) 50B includes a compressor 51B. The compressor 51B sucks and compresses the refrigerant from the evaporator 52B provided on the ice making substrate 21B, and condenses it as a high-temperature and high-pressure compressed refrigerant. Discharge to 53B. The condenser 53B condenses the compressed refrigerant from the compressor 51B and sends it as a condensed refrigerant to the liquid receiver 54B. The liquid receiver 54B gas-liquid separates the condensed refrigerant from the condenser 53B and sends the liquid refrigerant to the normally closed line electromagnetic valve 55B. The line electromagnetic valve 55B causes the liquid phase refrigerant from the liquid receiver 54B to flow into the expansion valve 56B by opening the valve. Further, the line electromagnetic valve 55B shuts off the inflow of the liquid-phase refrigerant into the expansion valve 56B by closing the valve. The expansion valve 56B converts the liquid-phase refrigerant from the line electromagnetic valve 55B into a low-temperature and low-pressure circulation refrigerant and sends it to the evaporator 52B in accordance with the degree of heating of the refrigerant in the vicinity of the outflow end of the evaporator.

  The evaporator 52B cools the ice making unit 20B based on the circulating refrigerant from the expansion valve 56B and recirculates the circulating refrigerant to the compressor 51B. Further, the evaporator 52B warms the ice making unit 20B based on hot gas from a normally closed hot gas valve 57B (described later) and recirculates the hot gas to the compressor 51B.

  The hot gas valve 57B is interposed at an intermediate portion of a pipe that branches from between the compressor 51B and the condenser 53B and joins between the expansion valve 56B and the evaporator 52B. By opening the valve, the compressed refrigerant from the compressor 51B flows into the evaporator 52B as hot gas. The hot gas valve 57B closes the flow of hot gas to the evaporator 52B by closing the valve.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the ice making machine includes an electric control circuit EB connected to the various sensors 20Ba, 42Ba, 43Ba, various valves 55B, 57B, a water supply pump 48B, and a compressor 51B. The electric control circuit EB includes a microcomputer 60B, and executes a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 to control the opening / closing of the various valves 55B and 57B, the operation of the water supply pump 48B, and the compressor 51B. The microcomputer 60B is connected to an operation switch 61B for starting and stopping the operation of the ice making machine.

  The operation of the embodiment of the ice making machine configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. When the operation of the ice making machine is started by the operation switch 61B, the electric control circuit EB starts executing the program. First, in step 201 shown in FIG. 9, supply of fresh water and brine ice-making water is started in the first water tank 42B and the second water tank 43B, respectively. At this time, when fresh water and salt-making ice water are supplied to the first water tank 42B and the second water tank 43B to a predetermined upper limit water level, the microcomputer 60B is accommodated in the first water tank 42B and the second water tank 43B. Based on the detection of the water level sensors 42Ba and 43Ba, it is determined that the water has been supplied up to a predetermined upper limit water level, and the supply of each ice making water is stopped. At this time, the fresh water level in the first water tank 42B is supplied to be higher than the salt water level in the second water tank 43B.

  After the process of step 201, in step 202, the ice making operation starts. When the ice making operation is started, in the refrigeration apparatus 50B, the line electromagnetic valve 55B is opened and the hot gas valve 57B is closed. Thereafter, the driving process of the compressor 51B is performed, and the compressor 51B compresses the circulating refrigerant returning from the evaporator 52B and sends it to the condenser 53B as a high-pressure and high-temperature compressed refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant sent is condensed by the condenser 53B and then gas-liquid separated by the liquid receiver 54B. When the liquid-phase refrigerant flows from the liquid receiver 54B into the expansion valve 56B via the line electromagnetic valve 55B, the liquid-phase refrigerant is converted into a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant from the expansion valve 56B and is sent into the evaporator 52B as a circulating refrigerant. Thus, the evaporator 52B cools the ice making unit 20B with the circulating refrigerant and recirculates the circulating refrigerant to the compressor 51B.

  In the water supply means 40B, when the water supply pump 48B is driven, fresh ice-making water in the first water supply tank 42B is pumped to the sprinkler 30B through the water supply pipe 47B. The sent fresh water ice making water is ejected to the ice making cell 22B of the ice making part 20B by each water spray nozzle 31B of the water sprinkler 30B.

  Fresh ice making water jetted to the ice making cell 22B is gradually cooled by heat exchange in the cooled ice making cell 22B. When the fresh ice-making water in the first water tank 42B is cooled to the extent that it freezes, the fresh ice-making water grows as fresh water ice on the ice making surface of the ice-making cell 22B, and the fresh water ice-making water in the first water tank 42B Fresh water ice making water gradually decreases.

  When fresh water ice is formed on the surface of the ice making surface of the ice making cell 22B, the fresh water ice making water in the first water supply tank 42B decreases to almost the same level as the salt water ice making water in the second water supply tank 43B. . When the fresh ice-making water in the first water tank 42B has a lower level than the salt-water ice-making water in the second water tank 43B, the salt-water ice-making water in the second water tank 43B is in the first water tank 42B. It flows into the 1st water tank 42B through the communicating pipe 44B so that it may become the same water level as ice making water. Thereby, the salt concentration of fresh ice-making water in the first water supply tank 42B is gradually increased by the salt-water ice-making water flowing from the second water supply tank 43B. The ice making water in the first water tank 42B, whose salt concentration gradually increases, is jetted onto the surface of fresh water ice formed on the ice making surface of the ice making cell 22B, and is frozen to the surface of the fresh water ice in the ice making cell 22B. Grows as ice. At this time, the ice making water in the first water tank 42B flows from the second water tank 43B in accordance with the amount of ice making water that freezes in the ice making cell 22B, so the ice making water in the first water tank 42B is The water temperature does not rapidly increase due to the salt water ice making water flowing from the second water supply tank 43B, and becomes constant at a temperature of approximately 0 ° C. As a result, even if the salt water ice making water is ejected from the first water supply tank 42B into the ice making cell 22B, the fresh water ice and the salt water ice formed in the ice making cell 22B are not melted by the flowing ice making water.

  When the ice making water level in the first water tank 42B is lowered below the predetermined lower limit water level by the ice making operation, it is determined YES in step 203 based on the detected water level of the water level sensor 42Ba, and the ice making operation is ended.

  If YES is determined in step 203, the feed water pump 48B is stopped in step 204, and the refrigeration apparatus 50B starts the deicing operation. At this time, when the water supply pump 48B is stopped driving, the ice making water in the first water supply tank 42B is stopped from being fed to the sprinkler 30B. In the deicing operation of the refrigeration apparatus 50B, the hot gas valve 57B is opened and the line electromagnetic valve 55B is closed. Thus, in the refrigeration apparatus 50B, the compressed refrigerant discharged from the compressor 51B is blocked from flowing into the evaporator 52B by closing the line electromagnetic valve 55B, and passes through the hot gas valve 57B as the hot gas to the evaporator 52B. Flow into. The ice grown in the ice making cell 22B is melted at the boundary with the ice making cell 22B by hot gas flowing into the evaporator 52B, falls from the ice making cell 22B to the slope 13B, and the ice sliding down the slope 13 is not shown. Sent to the ice storage.

  If ice falls from the ice making cell 22B by the deicing operation and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing out from the evaporator 52B becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined deicing completion temperature, YES is determined based on the detected temperature of the ice making part temperature sensor 20Ba in step 205. Determined. Based on the determination of YES in step 205, in step 206, the deicing operation of the refrigeration apparatus 50B is stopped, and the ice making machine ends the ice making operation and the deicing operation.

  In the ice making machine of the above-described embodiment, as in the operation and effect of the first embodiment, the salt water ice is produced by jetting salt water onto the fresh water ice surface previously formed on the ice making surface of the ice making cell 22B. It is formed by freezing to increase the thickness. Therefore, according to the ice making machine of this embodiment, salt water ice becomes difficult to peel from the ice making cell 22B of the ice making part 20B, and the ice making machine can perform an efficient ice making operation.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the salt water ice is covered with hard fresh water ice except for the lower part, so that it is difficult to break in the ice storage. As a result, the salt water ice does not easily lose shape and does not easily generate scrap ice.

  In the above embodiment, salt water ice is formed as the solution ice. However, when a colored solution such as orange juice is frozen as the solution ice, the solution ice is in the form of a glass ball. And looks better. Furthermore, when the orange juice solution ice formed as in the present embodiment is cooled by placing it in orange juice, the orange juice is less likely to become thin and can have almost the same taste until the end.

  In addition, when lemon juice solution ice is formed with a solution such as lemon juice and this lemon juice solution ice is put into ice tea, the ice lemon lemon ice solution ice begins to melt at first. Tea can be used to provide a new beverage.

  In the above embodiment, since fresh water ice is formed in the ice making cell 22B of the ice making unit 20B at the start of the ice making operation, salt water ice making water is ejected (injected) onto the surface of the fresh water ice. The ice making cell 22B does not come into direct contact with the salt water ice making water, is hardly corroded by the salt water, and does not need to be cleaned.

  Further, in the above ice making machine, fresh water ice making water passes through the water sprinkler 30B and the water supply means 40B at the start of the ice making operation. Since the solution remaining in the means 40B and the sprinkler 30B is made to flow with fresh water, the water supply means 40B and the sprinkler 30B are not easily corroded by the solution. As a result, not only the ice making unit 20B but also the water supply means 40B and the sprinkler 30B need not be cleaned, and an efficient ice making operation can be performed.

  In the ice making machine of the above embodiment, fresh water ice making water is ejected at the start of ice making operation to form fresh water ice, and then salt water ice making water is ejected to the surface of the fresh water ice to form salt water ice. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is preferable to form fresh water ice by forming fresh water ice water after forming salt water ice as in the ice making machine in the third embodiment. Then, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the salt water ice is covered with fresh water ice over almost the entire circumference, and the salt water ice can be made stronger.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIGS. 11 to 15 show a fifth embodiment of an ice making machine according to the present invention. This ice making machine is an open cell type ice making machine, and as shown in FIG. The ice making unit 20C provided in the housing 10C, the water sprinkler 30C for injecting ice making water into the ice making unit 20C, the water supply means 40C for sending ice making water to the water sprinkler 30C, and the freezing for cooling and heating the ice making unit 20C Device 50C.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the ice making section 20C has an ice making chamber 22C defined in a grid pattern so as to be opened downward by a plurality of partition plates on the lower surface of the flat ice making substrate 21C at the top of the housing 10C. In the ice making section 20C, a total of 36 ice making chambers 22C are arranged on the lower surface of the ice making substrate 21C in 6 rows and 6 columns (not shown). On the upper side of the ice making substrate 21C, an evaporator 52C (described later) is meandered and fixed so as to pass through the center of each ice making chamber 22C. The evaporator 52C receives a refrigerant from the freezer 50C. It is designed to be circulated. The ice making unit 20C is provided with an ice making unit temperature sensor 20Ca that detects the temperature of the ice making unit 20C.

  A water tray 11C is provided directly below the ice making unit 20C, and the water tray 11C is pivotally supported by a support shaft 12C so as to be tiltable. As shown in FIG. 11, the water dish 11C is positioned horizontally and held in parallel with the ice making unit 20C as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in the figure, the water pan 11C is maintained at a position tilted downward by a drive mechanism (not shown) around the support shaft 12C as shown in the figure, so that ice falling from the ice making unit 20C is stored in the ice storage below. It fulfills the function of the slope sent to the box 13C.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the water sprinkler (water injection means) 30C ejects (pours) ice-making water into each ice-making chamber 22C of the ice-making unit 20C, and from a pressure chamber 31C provided on the lower surface of the water tray 11C. The ice making water is pumped to the distribution pipe 32C provided on the lower surface of the water tray 11C, and the ice making water sent to the distribution pipe 32C is directly sent from the sprinkling holes 11Ca provided in the water dish 11C directly under each ice making chamber 22C. The ice making chamber 22C is ejected. The water dish 11C is provided with a return hole 11Cb that allows ice-making water to flow downward at a position lateral to the watering hole 11Ca.

  The water supply means 40C supplies ice making water to the water sprinkler 30C. As shown in FIG. 11, a water supply tank 41C for storing ice making water below the water tray 11C and the ice making water in the water supply tank 41C are sprinklers. And a water supply path 44C for feeding to 30C.

  The water supply tank 41C stores ice-making water, and is integrally attached to the water tray 11C below the sprinkler 30C. A water level sensor 41Ca is housed in the water supply tank 41C, and the water level sensor 41Ca detects that the water level of the ice making water in the water supply tank 41C is equal to or higher than a predetermined upper limit water level and lower than a predetermined lower limit water level.

  A fresh water ice making water supply source 42C and a concentrated fruit juice (solution ice making water concentrate) 43C are connected to the water supply tank 41C. Ice making water sent from each of the supply sources 42C and 43C and its concentration The liquid is sent from each supply path 42Ca, 43Ca from the upper surface of the water dish 11C to the water tank 41C through the return hole 11Cb. The supply source 42C of fresh water is connected to the water supply as an example. In addition, the concentrated fruit juice supply source 43C is supplied by pumping the concentrated fruit juice in the concentrated fruit juice tank T by a gas cylinder G provided outside the main body of the ice making machine. The supply path 43Ca is provided with a flow regulator 43Cb and an electromagnetic valve 43Cc. The concentrated juice fed from the concentrated juice tank T is regulated to a predetermined pressure by the flow regulator 43Cb, and the flow rate thereof is adjusted. Supply and stop of the valve 43Cc are controlled by opening and closing the valve 43Cc. The concentrated fruit juice supply source 43C is supplied with the concentrated fruit juice in the concentrated fruit tank T pumped by the gas cylinder G, but is not limited thereto, and is concentrated via a gas pump driven by the gas pressure from the gas cylinder G. The concentrated juice in the fruit juice tank T may be sent.

  The water supply path 44C is used to send the ice making water in the water supply tank 41C to the sprinkler 30C, the water supply pipe 45C for sending the ice making water in the water supply tank 41C to the water sprinkler 30C, and the water supply pump interposed in the water supply pipe 45C. 46C. The ice making water in the water supply tank 41C is sent to the sprinkler 30C through the water supply pipe 45C by driving the water supply pump 46C. Since the refrigeration apparatus (refrigeration means) 50C has the same configuration as that of the above embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the ice making machine includes an electric control circuit EC connected to the various sensors 20Ca, 41Ca, various valves 43Cc, 55C, 57C, a water supply pump 46C, and a compressor 51C. The electric control circuit EC includes a microcomputer 60C, and executes a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 to control the opening and closing of the various valves 43Cc, 55C, and 57C, and the operation of the water supply pump 46C and the compressor 51C. To do. The microcomputer 60C is connected to an operation switch 61C and a timer 62C for starting and stopping the operation of the ice making machine.

  The operation of the embodiment of the ice making machine configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. When the operation of the ice making machine is started by the operation switch 61C, the electric control circuit EC starts execution of the program. First, in step 301 shown in FIG. 15, supply of fresh ice-making water to the water tank 41C is started. At this time, when fresh ice-making water is supplied to the water supply tank 41C up to the predetermined upper limit water level, the microcomputer 60C determines that the water level sensor 41Ca accommodated in the water supply tank 41C has been supplied to the predetermined upper limit water level, Stop supplying fresh water.

  After the processing in step 301, in step 302, the ice making operation is started. When the ice making operation is started, in the refrigeration apparatus 50C, the line electromagnetic valve 55C is opened and the hot gas valve 57C is closed. Thereafter, the driving process of the compressor 51C is performed, and the compressor 51C compresses the circulating refrigerant returning from the evaporator 52C and sends it to the condenser 53C as a high-pressure and high-temperature compressed refrigerant. The compressed refrigerant sent is condensed by the condenser 53C and then gas-liquid separated by the liquid receiver 54C. When the liquid-phase refrigerant flows from the liquid receiver 54C into the expansion valve 56C via the line electromagnetic valve 55C, the liquid-phase refrigerant is converted into a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant from the expansion valve 56C and is sent into the evaporator 52C as a circulating refrigerant. As a result, the evaporator 52C cools the ice making unit 20C with the circulating refrigerant and recirculates the circulating refrigerant to the compressor 51C.

  In the water supply means 40C, when the water supply pump 46C is driven, fresh ice-making water in the water supply tank 41C is pumped to the sprinkler 30C through the water supply pipe 45C. The fresh ice making water sent out is ejected from each sprinkling hole 11Ca of the water sprinkler 30C to the ice making compartment 22C of the ice making section 20C.

  Fresh water ice making water is gradually cooled by being jetted into the cooled ice making chamber 22C and heat exchanged. When the fresh ice-making water in the water tank 41C is cooled to the extent of freezing, the fresh ice-making water grows as fresh water ice on the ice making surface of the ice making chamber 22C, and the fresh water ice-making water in the water tank 41C. Gradually decreases.

  If fresh water ice having a predetermined thickness is formed on the ice making surface of each ice making chamber 22C after a predetermined time has elapsed since the ice making operation, it is determined YES in step 303 and the process proceeds to step 304. In step 304, the electromagnetic valve 43Cc is opened for a predetermined time, a predetermined amount of the concentrated fruit juice in the concentrated fruit tank T is supplied into the water supply tank 41C, and the ice making water in the water supply tank 41C is iced water of fruit juice (solution). It becomes. At this time, the concentrated fruit juice in the concentrated fruit tank T supplied into the water supply tank 41C is diluted with fresh ice-making water remaining in the water supply tank 41C and supplied in a predetermined concentration. Thereby, the ice making water of the fruit juice in the water supply tank 41C does not rise significantly from the temperature of the fresh water ice making water, and the fresh water ice formed in the ice making chamber 22C is melted by the ice making water of the ejected fruit juice. There is nothing.

  When the ice making unit 20C falls below a predetermined ice making temperature by the ice making operation, it is determined as YES in Step 305, the ice making operation is finished, and the process proceeds to Step 306. In step 306, the water supply pump 46C is stopped driving and the water tray 11C is tilted downward to drain the ice-making water in the water supply tank 41C. In the refrigeration apparatus 50C, the hot gas valve 57C is opened and the line electromagnetic valve 55C is closed, and the deicing operation is started. Thereby, in the refrigeration apparatus 50C, the compressed refrigerant discharged from the compressor 51C is blocked from flowing into the evaporator 52C by closing the line electromagnetic valve 55C, and passes through the hot gas valve 57C as hot gas to the evaporator 52C. Inflow. Ice grown in the ice making chamber 22C is melted at the boundary with the ice making chamber 22C by hot gas flowing into the evaporator 52C, falls from the ice making chamber 22C to the water tray 11C, and the ice sliding down the water tray 11C is below Sent to the ice box at.

  If ice falls from the ice making chamber 22C by the above deicing operation and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator 52C becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined deicing completion temperature, YES is determined based on the detected temperature of the ice making unit temperature sensor 20Ca in step 307. And the process proceeds to Step 308. In step 308, the deicing operation of the refrigeration apparatus 50C is stopped and the water pan 11C is returned to the horizontal position, and the ice making machine ends the ice making operation and the deicing operation.

  In the ice making machine of the above-described embodiment, as in the operation and effect of each of the above-described embodiments, the ice of fruit juice is produced by jetting ice-making water of fruit juice onto the fresh water ice surface previously formed on the surface of the ice making surface of the ice making chamber 22C. It is formed by freezing fresh water ice to increase its thickness. Therefore, according to the ice making machine of the present embodiment, it becomes difficult for the ice of fruit juice to peel from the ice making chamber 22C of the ice making unit 20C, and the ice making machine can perform an efficient ice making operation.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the ice making water for the fruit juice is prepared by adding concentrated fruit juice to the remaining water of the fresh ice making water remaining in the water supply tank 41C, so that the fresh water ice making cooled during the ice making operation is made. The temperature does not rise significantly from the water. Thereby, the ice of fruit juice formed in the ice making chamber 22C grows with increasing thickness without melting the fresh water ice formed on the ice making surface of the ice making chamber 22C. Other operational effects are the same as those in the above-described embodiments, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In each of the above embodiments, the solution is a solution obtained by diluting salt water or concentrated fruit juice obtained by dissolving salt (solute) in water, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other solutes are used. Similar effects can be obtained by using a solution such as a solution in a solvent, a fruit juice, or a concentrated solution thereof.

  In each of the above embodiments, fresh water is stored in the first water tank 42, and salt water is stored in the water tank 41 such as the second water tank 43, but is not limited thereto. May be supplied directly from a source such as tap water, and salt water may be supplied directly from the sea, such as sea water.

  In each of the above embodiments, a check valve or a solenoid valve is interposed in each communication pipe connected to the first water tank 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each valve is Even if it is not interposed, the same effect can be obtained by supplying salt water or fresh water based on the water level of each water tank.

It is the schematic seen from the side which shows 1st Embodiment of the ice making machine which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram of the electric control circuit of a 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the action | operation of 1st Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the water temperature and salt concentration in the 1st water supply tank of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the action | operation of 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic seen from the side which shows 3rd Embodiment of the ice making machine which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic seen from the side which shows 4th Embodiment of the ice making machine which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram of the electric control circuit of 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the action | operation of 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the shape where solution ice was covered with fresh water ice. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows 5th Embodiment of the ice making machine which concerns on this invention. It is a partial expanded sectional view of the ice making part and water tray of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state which the water tray of FIG. 11 tilted and opened the ice making chamber. It is a block diagram of the electric control circuit of 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the action | operation of 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  20, 20B, 20C ... Ice making part (ice making plate), 30, 30B, 30C ... Water injection means (sprinkler), 40, 40B, 40C ... Water supply means, 41, 41B, 41C ... Water supply tank, 42, 42B ... True Water tank (first water tank), 43, 43B ... Solution water tank (second water tank), 44, 44B ... Communication path (communication pipe), 45, 45B ... Valve (check valve).

Claims (14)

An ice making unit that is cooled by freezing means and freezes the ice making water;
Water injection means for injecting the ice making water onto the ice making surface of the ice making unit;
Water supply means for supplying the ice making water to the water injection means,
In an ice making machine for forming the ice by freezing the ice making water in the ice making surface of the ice making unit by pouring the ice making water on the ice making surface of the ice making unit by the water injection means during the ice making operation,
At the start of ice making operation, fresh water ice making water is first poured onto the ice making surface of the ice making section to form fresh water ice covering the surface of the ice making surface, and then the ice making water of the solution in which the solute is dissolved is poured onto the fresh water ice surface. An ice making machine characterized in that the solution ice is formed. The water supply means includes a water tank for storing the ice making water,
During ice making operation, ice making water in the water supply tank is poured onto the ice making surface of the ice making part by the water injection means, and the ice making water is recirculated into the water supplying tank in the process of recirculating the ice making water into the ice making part in the ice making part. The ice making machine according to claim 1, wherein ice is formed by freezing the surface.   The ice-making water of the solution is prepared by adding a concentrated solution of the ice-making water of the solution to fresh ice-making water poured into the ice making surface of the ice making unit at the start of ice making operation and remaining in the water tank. The ice making machine according to claim 2.   3. The ice making apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the water supply tank includes a solution water tank that stores the ice-making water of the solution and a fresh water tank that is connected to the solution water tank through a communication path and stores the fresh ice-making water. Machine. At the start of the ice making operation, fresh water ice is first poured into the ice making surface of the ice making unit to form fresh water ice covering the surface of the ice making surface,
When the fresh water ice-making water in the fresh water tank is frozen on the ice-making surface of the ice-making unit and falls below a predetermined amount of water, the communication path is configured to change the ice-making water of the solution in the solution water tank according to the amount of water reduced in the fresh water tank. The ice maker according to claim 4, wherein the solution is supplied from the fresh water tank to the ice making surface of the ice making unit by supplying the fresh water tank to the fresh water tank. At the start of the ice making operation, fresh water ice is first poured into the ice making surface of the ice making unit to form fresh water ice covering the surface of the ice making surface,
The ice making water of the solution in the solution water tank when the predetermined time has elapsed after pouring fresh ice making water in the fresh water tank onto the ice making surface of the ice making unit according to the amount of water reduced in the fresh water tank through the communication path. The ice making machine according to claim 4, wherein the ice making water of the solution is poured from the fresh water tank onto the ice making surface of the ice making unit so as to be supplied to the fresh water tank.   The ice making machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a valve means is provided in the communication path.   The ice making machine according to claim 7, wherein the valve means is a check valve that allows ice-making water of the solution to flow from the solution water tank toward the fresh water tank.   8. The ice making machine according to claim 7, wherein the valve means is a valve that is opened when fresh ice making water in the fresh water tank becomes a predetermined amount or less.   The ice making surface of the ice making unit is poured into the fresh water ice surface to form solution ice, and then the fresh water ice making water is poured onto the solution ice surface to form fresh water ice. The ice making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the ice making machine is characterized.   11. The fresh water ice and the solution ice are alternately formed on the ice making surface of the ice making unit to alternately form fresh water ice and solution ice. The ice maker according to any one of the above.   The ice making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the water supply means supplies the fresh ice-making water and the ice-making water of the solution through the same path.   The solution ice produced by the ice making machine according to claim 1 is formed so that the fresh water ice covers the periphery thereof.   14. The solution ice according to claim 13, wherein the solution ice is formed so that the fresh water ice covers the entire circumference.

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