JP2008249250A - Inverted cell-type ice making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inverted cell-type ice making machine capable of effectively suppressing dew condensation generated on a drain valve, and preventing failure of the drain valve. <P>SOLUTION: This inverted cell-type ice making machine comprises a cooler 1 having a number of ice making chambers 2 opened downward, a water pan 4 comprising spiracles on positions opposed to the ice making chambers, a water tank 8 receiving and storing the water from a top face of the water pan, a circulation pump 10 sucking the water in the water tank and jetting the water from the spiracles, and a sprinkler for sprinkling the water to a top face of the water pan. A control device C executing an ice making process for cooling the cooler in a state that the drain valve 25 for discharging the water in the water tank, and the water pan are placed at a horizontal closing position, and operating the circulation pump, and executing an ice separation process for opening the ice making chambers of the cooler in a state that the water pan is placed at an inclined open position, and heating the cooler, distributes electric power to the drain valve even in an ice storing process for opening the drain valve by distributing electric power thereto to discharge the water in the water tank, and stopping the ice making process and the ice separation process. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a cooler having a plurality of ice making chambers opened downward, and a water tray that is disposed so as to be tiltable so as to close the cooler from below and has a fountain hole at a position facing each ice making chamber. The present invention relates to a so-called reverse cell type ice making machine that performs ice making by fountaining into each ice making chamber from a fountain hole.

  Conventionally, this type of reverse cell type ice making machine is provided with a cooler having a plurality of ice making chambers opened downward and supported in a tiltable manner so as to close the ice making chamber from below at a horizontal closing position. And a water tank that is provided integrally with the water tray and stores water from the upper surface of the water tray through a return hole.

  In such an ice making machine, in the ice making process, water in the water tank is sucked up by a circulation pump provided in the water tank and is ejected from a fountain hole formed at a position corresponding to the ice making chamber of the water tray and cooled to a predetermined temperature. Grow ice in each ice chamber. Thereafter, in the deicing step, the ice making chamber is heated by circulating a high-temperature refrigerant gas through the cooler, and the ice surface in the ice making chamber is melted, and the water pan is opened to the inclined position. And As a result, the ice separated from the ice making chamber falls on the water tray, then drops downward along the water tray, and is stored in an ice storage section formed below the water tray.

  The ice storage unit is provided with a full ice sensor, and the ice making process and the ice removing process are alternately and repeatedly executed. When the sensor detects full ice, the ice storage process proceeds to the ice storage process. Thereby, a certain amount of ice is stored in the ice storage unit.

  Here, the water used in the ice making process is supplied into the water tank from the outside by a sprinkler, and the water in the water tank is ejected from the fountain hole to each ice making chamber by a circulation pump. Is done. Water that has fallen without forming ice in the ice making chamber is collected in the water tank through a return hole formed in the water tray, and is again ejected toward the ice making chamber by a circulation pump.

  Then, in the deicing process, the water dish is set to the inclined open position, so that the water in the water tank is received by the drain pan disposed below the water dish through the drain port formed at the lower end. Later, it was drained to the outside (see Patent Document 1).

However, in such a configuration, water remaining in the water tank after the completion of the ice making process is discharged to the outside, so that the discharge amount is increased and water saving is desired. In view of this, a structure has been proposed in which water remains inside at the inclined open position of the water tray in order to reuse the water remaining in the water tank.
JP 11-94416 A

  However, in the above configuration, the residual water is repeatedly used, so that impurities such as chalk and minerals contained in the water are concentrated and cause scale precipitation. The structure which drains the water remaining in the said water tray to the exterior was taken. In such a configuration, a drain hole is formed in the bottom surface of the water dish, and drainage from the drain hole is controlled by a drain valve.

  Here, the drain valve is generally constituted by an electromagnetic valve, but the drain valve is provided on the ice storage side, and the ambient temperature of the drain valve is set to the ice storage temperature, for example, + 10 ° C. Yes. On the other hand, the temperature of the water drained through the drain valve is about 0 ° C. because it has been used for ice making so far. Therefore, immediately after the residual water in the water tank is drained, the drain valve itself is also low in temperature, and there is a problem that condensation occurs due to a difference from the temperature around the drain valve. The occurrence of the condensation causes a failure of the drain valve.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problem, and it is possible to effectively suppress the dew condensation generated in the drain valve and to avoid the malfunction of the drain valve. A cell ice machine is provided.

  The reverse cell type ice making machine of the present invention is provided with a cooler having a large number of ice making chambers opened downward and tiltable so as to close the ice making chamber of the cooler from below at a horizontally closed position. A water tray provided with a fountain hole at a position facing the chamber, a water tank that is provided integrally with the water tray and receives and stores water from the top surface of the water tray, and sucks up water in the water tank. A circulation pump for spraying from the fountain hole and a water sprayer for spraying water on the upper surface of the water tray, a drain valve for discharging water in the water tank, and a cooler with the water tray as a horizontally closed position And a control means for executing an ice making process for operating the circulation pump, opening the ice making chamber of the cooler with the water dish as an inclined open position, and executing an ice removing process for heating the cooler. The control means opens the drain valve by energizing it and drains the water in the water tank. Together, characterized in that it also energizes the drain valve in the ice storage step of stopping the ice making process and ice removal step.

  In the reverse cell type ice making machine of the invention of claim 2, in the above invention, the control means lengthens the total energization time to the drain valve at the start of the ice storage process, and shortens the total energization time with the progress of the ice storage process. It is characterized by that.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reverse cell type ice making machine according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the control means includes a detection means for detecting the temperature of the drain valve or the environment around the drain valve, and the output of the detection means. Based on the above, it is characterized by controlling the energization to the drain valve.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, each ice making chamber is provided with a cooler having a large number of ice making chambers opened downward and tiltable so as to close the ice making chamber of the cooler from below at the horizontal closing position. A water dish provided with a fountain hole at a position facing the water dish, a water tank provided integrally with the water dish and receiving water from the upper surface of the water dish, and a fountain by sucking up water in the water tank In a reverse-cell ice maker equipped with a circulation pump that spouts from the hole and a sprinkler that sprays water on the top surface of the water tray, a drain valve for discharging water in the water tank, and cooling the water tray as a horizontally closed position And a control means for performing an ice making process for cooling the cooler and operating the circulation pump, opening the ice making chamber of the cooler with the water dish as an inclined open position, and performing an ice removing process for heating the cooler, The control means opens the drain valve by energizing the water in the water tank. In addition to discharging the water, the drain valve is energized also in the ice storage process where the ice making process and the ice detaching process are stopped. However, although the condensation tends to occur due to the difference from the ambient temperature of the drain valve, the drain valve self-heats when energized, so that the occurrence of the condensation can be suppressed.

  Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a failure of the drain valve due to the occurrence of condensation, to extend the life of the drain valve, and to simplify the maintenance work.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in the above invention, the control means increases the total energization time to the drain valve at the start of the ice storage process, and shortens the total energization time as the ice storage process progresses, thereby causing condensation. In the condition where the drainage valve is likely to occur, the energization time of the drain valve can be lengthened, and the occurrence of condensation can be effectively suppressed. By shortening the energization time of the drain valve, it becomes possible to reduce the power consumption.

  As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of condensation on the drain valve while realizing a reduction in running cost.

  According to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 1, the control means comprises a detection means for detecting the temperature of the drain valve or the environment around the drain valve, and based on the output of the detection means, By controlling the energization of the drain valve, it is possible to detect the specific temperature of the drain valve and the environment around the drain valve, judge the dew generation conditions in the drain valve, and control the energization of the drain valve Become. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of condensation on the drain valve and to control the drain valve not to be energized more than necessary, so that it is possible to reduce the power consumption.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an ice making machine IM to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inverted cell type ice making unit IU, and FIG. 3 is an ice making unit of the ice making unit IU in a state where the water tray 4 is in a horizontally closed position. 4 is a side view of the ice making unit of the ice making unit IU in a state where the water tray 4 is in the inclined open position, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the ice making unit IU in which the water tray 4 is enlarged, and FIG. Similarly, cross-sectional views of the ice making unit IU in which the portion of the water dish 4 is enlarged are shown.

  The ice making machine IM in this embodiment is an ice making machine provided with a so-called reverse cell type ice making unit IU, and a main body 29 constituted by a heat insulating box 30 and a reverse cell built in the upper part of the heat insulating box 30. It consists of a mold ice making unit IU. Inside the heat insulating box 30, an ice storage 32 is formed which is located below the ice making unit IU and has an opening on the upper surface.

  The ice storage 32 stores ice produced by the ice making unit IU, and an opening is formed on the front surface. A heat insulating door 33 pivotably supported forward is attached to the front opening so as to be freely opened and closed. In addition, a full ice switch BSW that closes a contact when a predetermined full ice amount (full ice level) in the ice storage 32 is detected is attached to the inner wall of the ice storage 32.

  Next, the ice making unit IU will be described. The ice making unit IU has a large number of ice making chambers 2 opened downward, the cooler 1 provided with the evaporation pipe 3 of the cooling device R on the outer surface of the upper wall, and each ice making unit at a predetermined horizontal blockage position as shown in FIG. The chamber 2 is closed with a margin from below, and a water tray 4 having a fountain hole and a return hole 7 (not shown) corresponding to each ice making chamber 2 are formed on the upper surface, and the water tray 4 is provided integrally. A water tank 8 communicating with the hole 7, a water pump 8 that sucks water into the water tank 8, circulates through the water guide pipe 11, the distribution pipe 5, and is ejected from the fountain hole into each ice making chamber 2, and water A drive unit 15 having a high-speed gear ratio reduction motor 16 capable of rotating forward and reverse to tilt and return the plate 4 and a water sprinkler 13 that sprinkles water on the upper surface of the water plate 4 when the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 shown in FIG. 7 is opened. Etc.

  Further, a float type water level switch WLSW for detecting the full water level of the supplied ice making water is mounted in the water tank 8. Similarly, a temperature sensor 9 for detecting the temperature of ice making water stored in the water tank 8 is provided in the water tank 8.

  The reduction motor 16 is fixed to the support beam 22 via the mounting plate 23. Connected to the output shaft of the reduction motor 16 is a drive cam 17 having arms 17A extending in opposite directions in the radial direction of the output shaft. One end of a coil spring 18 is attached to the end of the arm 17 </ b> A of the drive cam 17, and the other end of the coil spring 18 is connected to the side surface of the other end of the water dish 4. Thus, one end of the water dish 4 is pivotally supported by the support beam 22 via the rotation shaft 14.

  3 and 4, ASW is a water pan position detection switch composed of a normal self-returning button switch for detecting the horizontal closing position of the water pan 4 by opening and closing the contact. The water pan position detection switch ASW is in a positional relationship with which the arm 17A of the drive cam 17 abuts. When the drive cam 17 rotates clockwise (returns) from the state shown in FIG. When the dish 4 reaches the horizontal closing position, the arm 17A contacts the water dish position detection switch ASW as shown in FIG. 3, thereby closing the contact point of the water dish position detection switch ASW. When the water pan position detection switch ASW is closed, the reverse rotation of the reduction motor 16 is stopped.

  When the drive cam 17 rotates (tilts) counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 3 due to normal rotation of the reduction motor 16, the contact of the water pan position detection switch ASW is self-reset and opens. The water dish 4 is stopped at a stage where it is rotated forward for a predetermined time and tilted to the tilt opening position.

  On the other hand, the water tank 8 has a structure in which water remains in an inclined open position where the water tray 4 opens the ice making chamber 2 of the cooler 1 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. That is, the water tank 8 has a bottom surface 8A that is horizontal at the inclined open position, and an end of the bottom surface 8A that is opposite to the side pivotally supported by the rotation shaft 14 forms a predetermined angle with the bottom surface 8A. And a standing portion 8B that rises at a predetermined height, and a drain port 27 is formed at the upper edge of the standing portion 8B.

  As a result, at the inclined open position where the water tray 4 opens the ice making chamber 2 of the cooler 1, the water in the bottom of the water tank 8 is blocked by the upright portion 8 </ b> B and does not flow out from the drain outlet 27. It is configured to remain in.

  In addition, on the outer surface side of the drain port 27, that is, on the front side opposite to the inside of the water tank 8, a drain guide for guiding water in the water tank 8 discharged from the drain port 27 to the lower rear. A plate 19 is provided. Therefore, the water discharged from the water tank 8 does not flow into the ice storage 32 provided on the lower front side from the drain port 27, and is all disposed directly below the water tank 8 by the drain guide plate 19. It is led into the drain pan 26.

  Further, a drain hole 8C is formed in the bottom surface 8A of the water tank 8, and a drain pipe 24 for discharging water in the water tank 8 is connected to the drain hole 8C through a drain valve 25. Has been. In the present embodiment, the drain valve 25 is constituted by an electromagnetic opening / closing valve, and opens the valve when energized and closes the valve when de-energized. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the drain valve 25 is provided outside the water tank 8, that is, on the ice storage 32 side. In the figure, reference numeral 28 denotes a drain valve cover for preventing condensation water or the like dripping from above from being directly applied to the drain valve 25. In addition, the drain pipe 20 is connected to the inner bottom portion of the drain pan 26, and all the water that has flowed into the drain pan 26 is discharged from the drain pipe 20 to the outside.

  On the other hand, a machine room 36 is formed in the lower part of the main body 29 so as to be positioned below the ice storage 32. In the machine room 36, a compressor 37, a condenser 38, a condenser blower 39, and an electrical box 40 that accommodates the control device C therein are disposed.

  Next, the control device C of the ice making machine IM of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The control device C in the present embodiment is constituted by a general-purpose microcomputer and incorporates a timer 41 as a time limit means. On the input side of the control device C, a full ice switch BSW of the ice storage 32, a water level switch WLSW of the water tank 8, a temperature sensor 9, a water pan position detection switch ASW, and a cooler for detecting the temperature of the side surface of the cooler 1. A temperature sensor 43 and the like are connected. On the other hand, on the output side, the compressor 37 constituting the cooling device R, the condenser blower 39, the hot gas electromagnetic valve 42, the reduction motor 16 provided in the water tray 4, the circulation pump 10, the water supply electromagnetic valve 12, and A drain valve 25 and the like are connected. The hot gas electromagnetic valve 42 is an electromagnetic valve provided in a hot gas pipe (not shown) that allows the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 37 to directly flow into the cooler 1.

  With the above configuration, the operation of the ice making machine IM of this embodiment will be described. First, when the power of the ice making machine IM is turned on, the water tray 4 is initialized to the horizontal closing position. In such a state, the control device C opens the water supply electromagnetic valve 12, whereby ice making water is supplied to the water sprinkler 13, sprinkled from the water sprinkler 13 onto the upper surface of the water tray 4, and mainly through the return hole 7. The water is supplied into the water tank 8 through the water.

  When the water tank 8 is full and the water level switch WLSW closes the contact, the control device C closes the water supply electromagnetic valve 12. Next, the control device C detects the temperature of ice-making water in a temperature sensor 9 provided in the water tank 8. Then, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the ice making water has decreased to, for example, + 3 ° C. (set temperature) or less.

  Here, in the ice making process, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 37 of the cooling device R is condensed and liquefied by the condenser 38, throttled by an expansion valve (not shown), and then supplied to the evaporation pipe 3, where it evaporates. Then, the cooler 1 is cooled. Further, the control device C operates the condenser blower 39 and also operates the circulation pump 10 to circulate the ice making water in the water tank 8 into each ice making chamber 2 from the fountain hole.

  Thereby, the ice making water supplied to each ice making chamber 2 of the cooler 1 is cooled, and ice is gradually generated. On the other hand, of the water for ice making ejected from the fountain hole, the water that has flowed downward without becoming ice is collected in the water tank 8 from the return hole 7.

  Then, the temperature of the ice making water in the water tank 8 decreases, and when the temperature decreases to + 3 ° C. or less, the control device C starts counting by the timer 41 until the predetermined ice making time elapses. Continue control.

  As a result, ice is gradually generated in each ice making chamber 2 of the cooler 1. When the predetermined ice making time has elapsed and the timer 41 has finished counting, the controller C ends the ice making process and stops the condenser blower 39 and the circulation pump 10.

  Thereafter, the control device C shifts to the deicing process, rotates the reduction motor 16 in the forward direction, and shifts the water tray 4 from the current horizontal closed position to the inclined open position. As a result, the contact is opened (OFF) when the arm 17A moves away from the water pan position detection switch ASW. Along with the movement of the water tray 4, the control device C opens the hot gas electromagnetic valve 42 and circulates the high-temperature gas refrigerant (hot gas) discharged from the compressor 37 through the evaporation pipe 3. Then, the control device C opens the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 and sprays ice-making water from the sprinkler 13 onto the upper surface of the water tray 4. This watering is continued until the water tray 4 is in the inclined open position.

  Thereby, the ice adhering to the upper surface of the water tray 4 is washed away by watering from the water sprinkler 13. Then, the wash water that has washed away the water dish 4 falls into the water tank 8. A part of the water in the water tank 8 is drained from the drain port 27 through the drain guide plate 19 onto the drain pan 26 by opening the water tray 4.

  Here, the water tank 8 in the present embodiment has a structure in which water remains in the inclined open position where the water tray 4 opens the ice making chamber 2 of the cooler 1, so that the water tray 4 is inclined. Even when reaching the open position, the ice making water in the water tank 8 does not go all out of the drain outlet 27, but at least a part of the water tank 8 by the upright portion 8B formed at the tip of the bottom surface 8A. Water is blocked and remains inside (state shown in FIG. 5).

  On the other hand, when the tilting of the water tray 4 is started, the cooler 1 is heated by the high-temperature gas refrigerant, and the ice frozen in each ice making chamber 2 is detached. Then, the control device C determines whether or not a predetermined water pan opening time has elapsed from the start of forward rotation of the speed reduction motor 16, and when it has elapsed, the control device C stops the speed reduction motor 16 and stops the tilting of the water tray 4. Let At this time, the water tray 4 is tilted to a predetermined tilt opening position as shown in FIG.

  By executing this deicing process, the ice in each ice making chamber 2 falls onto the water tray 4, and further falls into the ice storage 32 from the front of the water tray 4 to enter the ice storage 32. Stored.

  At this time, the control device C determines whether or not the ice removal is completed based on the temperature detected by the cooler temperature sensor 43 provided on the side surface of the cooler 1. That is, the control device C determines whether or not the temperature detected by the cooler temperature sensor 43 has reached a preset deicing completion temperature. When it is determined that the deicing has been completed, the control device C closes the hot gas electromagnetic valve 42 and reverses the speed reduction motor 16.

  Thereby, the water tray 4 is tilted upward. After that, when the water pan 4 returns to a predetermined horizontal closing position as shown in FIG. 3, the arm 17A of the drive cam 17 contacts the water pan position detection switch ASW and closes the contact (ON). The hot gas solenoid valve 42 is closed and the speed reduction motor 16 is stopped to stop the return movement of the water tray 4.

  After that, the control device C determines whether or not the inside of the ice storage 32 has reached the full ice level by the full ice switch BSW when the ice removing process is completed. If the full ice level has not been reached, the process proceeds again to the ice making process as described above. When the ice making process and the ice removing process are repeatedly executed, and the ice full storage switch BSW determines that the ice storage 32 has reached the full ice level, the control device C shifts to the ice storing process.

  Next, the energization control of the drain valve 25 in the ice storage process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the ice making process as described above is completed and the control device C is at the full ice level based on the detection of the full ice switch BSW, the control device C proceeds to the ice storage process. In this ice storage process, first, in Step S1, the control device C energizes the drain valve 25 for a predetermined time (t minutes) and opens it to discharge all the ice-making water remaining in the water tray 4.

  Thereby, in the present embodiment, in the ice removing process, when the water tray 4 is in the inclined open position for opening the ice making chamber 2 of the cooler 1, the structure in which ice making water remains inside is adopted. Thus, it is possible to discharge all ice-making water remaining in the water dish 4 when the ice storage process is started. Therefore, the water remaining in the water dish 4 is repeatedly used, so that impurities such as chalk and minerals are concentrated, and it is possible to suppress inconvenience that causes scale deposition.

  Thereafter, in step S1, the control device C energizes the drain valve 25 for time t, and then closes the drain valve 25 as non-energized. The control device C determines whether or not T1 minutes have elapsed since the deenergization is performed, based on the count by the built-in timer 41. If T1 time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the drain valve 25 is energized again for time t, the drain valve 25 is opened, and the drain valve 25 itself is heated by self-heating due to the energization. Further, in step S2, the control device C energizes the drain valve 25 for t time, and then closes the drain valve 25 as non-energized. Similarly, after that, the control device C determines whether or not T2 minutes have elapsed since the deenergization by counting by the built-in timer 41, and when T2 time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S3. As with step S2, the drain valve 25 is energized. Thereafter, similarly, the control is repeated until a predetermined time, for example, 1 hour elapses after the ice storage process is started (steps S2 to SX). That is, the drain valve 25 is energized again after T3 minutes have elapsed since the stop of energization to the drain valve 25 in step S2. In this case, T1 to T3 which are energization intervals to the drain valve 25 are the shortest T1 immediately after the end of energization to the drain valve 25 at the start of the ice storage process, and may be longer as T2 and T3 are reached. Shall.

  When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the ice storage process, in this embodiment, 1 hour has elapsed, the control device C proceeds to step S4 regardless of the elapsed time of T4 in FIG. Run the operation. In this pump condensation prevention operation, the water supply solenoid valve 12 is opened for a predetermined time and the circulation pump 10 is operated. After operating the circulation pump 10 for a predetermined time, the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 is closed, the circulation pump 10 is stopped, the drain valve 25 is energized again for a predetermined time, and then opened, whereby the water in the water tray 4 is opened. Discharge. Thereby, dew condensation occurs in the circulation pump 10 provided in the water tank 8 for a long time, and it is possible to avoid a disadvantage that causes a failure.

  After that, the control device C determines whether or not T5 minutes have passed since the non-energization by counting by the timer 41 after completing the pump dew condensation prevention operation. The process proceeds to S5.

  In step S5, the drain valve 25 is energized again for t time, the drain valve 25 is opened, and the drain valve 25 itself is heated by self-heating due to the energization. Further, in step S5, the control device C energizes the drain valve 25 for time t, and then closes the drain valve 25 as de-energized.

  Similarly, after that, the control device C determines whether or not T6 minutes have passed since the deenergization by counting by the timer 41, and when T6 time has passed, the process proceeds to step S6, and step S5 In the same manner as described above, the drain valve 25 is energized. Thereafter, similarly, the control is repeated until a predetermined time, for example, 1 hour elapses after the previous pump condensation prevention operation is executed (steps S5 to S6). When one hour, which is a predetermined time, has elapsed since the previous pump condensation prevention operation, the process proceeds to step S4 again, and the above-described control is repeated.

  In this case, T5 to T6, which are energization intervals to the drain valve 25, may be longer than T1, T2, and T3 immediately after energization to the drain valve 25 at the start of the ice storage process as described above. And

  When the ice storage process in which the drain valve 25 is energized and controlled is performed, the ice in the ice storage 32 is consumed, and the ice storage 32 is determined to have fallen below the full ice level by the full ice switch BSW. In the meantime, the control device C again moves to the ice making process.

  With such a configuration, the drain valve 25 is provided on the ice storage 32 side, and the water in the vicinity of about 0 ° C. is circulated by the discharge of the water in the water tank 8 so that the drain valve 25 has a low temperature. Condensation is likely to occur due to a difference from the ambient temperature (approximately the temperature in the ice storage 32, usually about + 10 ° C.). In this way, the drain valve 25 opened by energization is also energized in the ice storage process. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation by self-heating.

  Therefore, failure of the drain valve 25 due to the occurrence of condensation can be avoided, the life of the drain valve 25 can be extended, and maintenance work can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, the controller C shortens the energization interval to the drain valve 25 at the start of the ice storage process, and lengthens the energization interval with the progress of the ice storage process. The drain valve 25 can be energized frequently to effectively suppress the occurrence of condensation, and when the conditions for which condensation does not easily occur with the progress of the ice storage process, By increasing the energization interval, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

  As a result, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of condensation on the drain valve while realizing a reduction in running cost.

  In this embodiment, the time for energizing the drain valve 25 at a time is constant, and each energization interval is changed with the progress of the ice storage process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By changing the total energization time to the valve 25, that is, shortening the total energization time to the drain valve 25 at the start of the ice storage process and increasing the total energization time with the progress of the ice storage process, dew condensation occurs. Under the conditions that are likely to occur, the drain valve 25 can be energized frequently to effectively suppress the occurrence of condensation, and with the progress of the ice storage process, it becomes difficult for condensation to occur. The amount of power consumption may be reduced by lengthening the total energization time to the drain valve 25.

  Further, the energization control to the drain valve 25 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the electric block diagram of FIG. 7, the temperature of the drain valve 25 or the environment around the drain valve 25. As a detecting means for detecting the temperature, the drain valve temperature sensor 45 for detecting the temperature of the drain valve 25 itself, the ice storage temperature sensor 46 for detecting the temperature in the ice storage 32, or the ice storage for detecting the humidity in the ice storage 32 The storage humidity sensor 47 is connected to the input side of the control device C, and based on the output from these sensors, the specific temperature of the drain valve 25 and the environment around the drain valve 25 are detected, and the dew generation condition in the drain valve 25 is detected. And the energization of the drain valve 25 may be controlled.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of dew condensation on the drain valve 25, and to realize control that does not energize the drain valve 25 more than necessary, so that the power consumption can be reduced. Is possible.

It is a partial notch perspective view of the ice making machine to which this invention is applied. It is a perspective view of a reverse cell type ice making unit. It is a side view of the ice making part of the ice making unit in a state where the water tray is in the horizontal closing position. It is a side view of the ice-making part part of the ice-making unit in the state which has a water tray in the inclination open position. It is sectional drawing of the ice making unit which shows the state in which water remained in the water tank. It is sectional drawing of the ice making unit which shows the state by which the water in the water tank of FIG. 5 was discharged | emitted. It is a block diagram of a control apparatus. It is a flowchart of the drain valve control in an ice storage process.

Explanation of symbols

IM Ice Maker IU Reverse Cell Ice Unit (Reverse Cell Ice Maker)
BSW Full ice switch WLSW Water level switch R Cooling device C Control device 1 Cooler 2 Ice making chamber 3 Evaporating pipe 4 Water tray 5 Distribution pipe 7 Return hole 8 Water tank 8A Bottom surface 9 Temperature sensor 10 Circulation pump 11 Water guide pipe 12 Water supply solenoid valve 13 Sprinkler 14 Rotating shaft 15 Drive device 16 Deceleration motor 20, 24 Drain pipe 25 Drain valve 26 Drain pan 27 Drain port 28 Drain valve cover 41 Timer (time limit means)
42 Hot gas solenoid valve 43 Cooler temperature sensor 45 Drain valve temperature sensor 46 Ice storage temperature sensor 47 Ice storage humidity sensor

Claims (3)

A cooler having a large number of ice making chambers opened downward, and a fountain hole at a position facing the ice making chambers, which is disposed so as to be able to tilt backward so as to close the ice making chambers of the cooler from below in a horizontally closed position. A water tank that is provided integrally with the water dish and receives and stores water from the upper surface of the water dish, and a circulation pump that sucks up the water in the water tank and ejects it from the fountain hole And a reverse cell type ice making machine comprising a sprinkler for sprinkling water on the upper surface of the water dish,
A drain valve for discharging water in the water tank;
Cooling the cooler with the water pan as the horizontal closed position, and performing an ice making process for operating the circulation pump, opening the ice making chamber of the cooler with the water pan as an inclined open position, A control means for performing a de-icing process for heating,
The control means energizes and opens the drain valve, discharges water in the water tank, and energizes the drain valve even in an ice storage process in which the ice making process and the deicing process are stopped. Reverse cell type ice making machine.   The reverse cell type according to claim 1, wherein the control means lengthens the total energization time to the drain valve at the start of the ice storage process and shortens the total energization time with the progress of the ice storage process. Ice machine.   The control means includes a detection means for detecting a temperature of the drain valve or an environment around the drain valve, and controls energization to the drain valve based on an output of the detection means. Item 2. The reverse cell type ice making machine according to item 1.

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