JP2012229864A - Operation method of ice making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent operation stop due to malfunction of a refrigerant detecting section.SOLUTION: A control means C confirms whether a detection signal from a refrigerant detecting sensor S has been received or not when a waiting time WT has elapsed after the start of receiving the detection signal from the refrigerant detecting sensor S. When the detection signal from the refrigerant detecting sensor S has been received even if the waiting time WT has elapsed after the start of receiving the detection signal from the refrigerant detecting sensor S, the control means C determines that the refrigerant is leaking from a freezing mechanism E, and controls a cooling fan 34 for forcibly cooling a condenser 31 to operate continuously.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ice making machine including a refrigeration mechanism that performs ice making operation and deicing operation of an ice making mechanism by circulating a refrigerant made of combustible gas, and a refrigerant detection means that can detect the refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration mechanism. It is related with the driving method.

  FIG. 13 is a side sectional view schematically showing an injection type ice making machine M that continuously generates block-shaped ice blocks. The ice making machine M is configured such that the interior of a substantially box-shaped housing 10 is vertically divided into an ice storage chamber 11 on the upper side and a machine chamber 12 on the lower side. An ice making mechanism D having an ice making unit 20 to be generated is disposed, and a refrigeration mechanism E and the like are disposed in the machine room 12. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the ice making unit 20 of the ice making mechanism D is cooled by the refrigeration mechanism E to generate ice blocks I in the ice making unit 20, and the ice making unit 20 is heated by the refrigeration mechanism E. The generated ice block is dropped and stored in the ice storage chamber 11. As schematically shown in FIG. 14, the ice making mechanism D includes the ice making unit 20 having a large number of ice making chambers 20A opened downward, a water tray 21 capable of opening and closing each ice making chamber 20A, An ice making water tank 22 disposed in the lower part, and a water dish opening / closing mechanism 23 for tilting the water dish 21 and the ice making water tank 22 integrally are formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the refrigeration mechanism E includes a compressor 31, a condenser 31 that is forcibly air-cooled by a cooling fan 34, an expansion valve 32, and an evaporator 33 connected to a connecting pipe 35 (first connecting pipe 35 </ b> A, The refrigerant is circulated in the closed circuit connected by the second connecting pipe 35B, the third connecting pipe 35C, and the fourth connecting pipe 35D). The compressor 30, the condenser 31, and the expansion valve 32 are provided in the machine chamber 12. The evaporator 33 is arranged in a meandering manner on the upper surface of the ice making unit 20 in the ice storage chamber 11. Such a refrigeration mechanism E uses the compressor 30 to convert the refrigerant into a high-pressure gas, the condenser 31 to cool the refrigerant into a high-pressure liquid, and the expansion valve 32 to adiabatically expand the liquid into an evaporator. The refrigerant is vaporized at 33 and the evaporator 33 is cooled by heat of vaporization. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the refrigeration mechanism E includes a fifth connection pipe 35E in which the compressor 30 and the evaporator 33 are connected to each other and a hot gas valve 36 is disposed, and the hot gas valve 36 is opened. Thus, the refrigerant (hot gas) heated at a high temperature and high pressure from the compressor 30 can be supplied to the evaporator 33 so that the evaporator 33 can be heated. That is, the refrigeration mechanism E can cool and heat the evaporator 33. The ice making mechanism D can be operated by cooling the evaporator 33, and the ice making mechanism 33 can be made by heating the evaporator 33. The mechanism D can be deiced.

  The refrigeration mechanism E employs a flammable gas such as propane or butane as the refrigerant. This combustible gas may leak into the ice making machine M from appropriate portions of the compressor 30, the condenser 31, the expansion valve 32, the evaporator 33 and the connecting pipe 35 of the refrigeration mechanism E. For this reason, in the ice making machine M shown in FIG. 13, one refrigerant detection sensor S is provided in each of the partitioned machine chamber 12 and ice storage chamber 11, and refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration mechanism E is detected as refrigerant. The sensor S can be detected. In addition, the refrigerator provided with the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor is disclosed by patent document 1. FIG.

JP-A-2005-90925

  In a kitchen or the like in which the ice making machine M is installed, pests are likely to collect in a waste heat place such as the machine room 12 of the ice making machine M. Therefore, spray-type insecticides may be sprayed to control the pests. . However, since the refrigerant detection sensor S reacts to the components of the insecticide, the detection signal is transmitted even though the refrigerant is not actually leaking. Moreover, in the conventional ice making machine M, when the refrigerant detection sensor S transmits a detection signal, the operation of the refrigeration mechanism E is immediately stopped to stop the ice making operation and the deicing operation of the ice making mechanism D. The For this reason, the conventional ice making machine M has a problem that it stops when spraying a spray-type insecticide, and the ice making efficiency is lowered to hinder the supply of the ice lump I.

  Accordingly, in the present invention, in view of the problems inherent in the above-described conventional technology, an ice making that has been proposed to suitably solve this problem and that prevents operation stop due to malfunction of the refrigerant detection means. It aims at providing the operation method of a machine.

In order to solve the problem and achieve the intended purpose, the invention according to claim 1
A refrigerant of flammable gas is circulated through a circuit having a condenser that is forced to be air-cooled by a cooling fan, and the cooling fan is operated to perform an ice making operation of the ice making mechanism, and the cooling fan is stopped to remove the ice making mechanism. An operation method of an ice making machine having a refrigeration mechanism for performing ice operation,
While detecting the refrigerant, using a refrigerant detection means that transmits a detection signal to the control means,
The control means continuously operates the cooling fan when a detection signal is received from the refrigerant detection means even after a standby time has elapsed from the start of reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection means. The gist of the control is as follows.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the control means does not receive the detection signal from the refrigerant detection means at the time when the standby time has elapsed from the start of reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection means, When it can be determined that the refrigerant detection means has detected a gas other than the refrigerant, and the control means has received a detection signal from the refrigerant detection means at the time when the standby time has elapsed, the refrigerant detection means is a refrigeration mechanism. It can be determined that the refrigerant leaked from the refrigerant has been detected, and the presence or absence of refrigerant leakage from the refrigeration mechanism can be reliably and appropriately recognized.

The invention described in claim 2
A refrigerant of flammable gas is circulated through a circuit having a condenser that is forced to be air-cooled by a cooling fan, and the cooling fan is operated to perform an ice making operation of the ice making mechanism, and the cooling fan is stopped to remove the ice making mechanism. An operation method of an ice making machine having a refrigeration mechanism for performing ice operation,
While detecting the refrigerant, using a refrigerant detection means that transmits a detection signal to the control means,
The control means operates the cooling fan for a predetermined operation time at the time when reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection means is started,
The control means controls to continuously operate the cooling fan when the detection signal is received from the refrigerant detection means before the determination time has elapsed from the time when the operation time has elapsed and the cooling fan has stopped. The gist is to do.

  Therefore, according to the second aspect of the invention, when reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection means is started, the determination time elapses after the gas or the refrigerant is once diffused by the cooling fan over the operation time. If the control means has not received the detection signal from the refrigerant detection means by the time, it can be determined that the refrigerant detection means has detected a gas other than the refrigerant, and before the determination time elapses, When the detection signal is received by the control means, it can be determined that the refrigerant detection means has detected the refrigerant leaked from the refrigeration mechanism, and the presence or absence of leakage of the refrigerant from the refrigeration mechanism can be recognized reliably and appropriately. it can.

  According to the operation method of the ice making machine according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the operation stop due to the malfunction of the refrigerant detection means, and to prevent the ice making efficiency from being lowered.

It is a flowchart which shows roughly the operating method of the ice making machine of 1st Example. It is a timing chart of the normal mode in the operating method of the ice making machine of 1st Example. It is a timing chart when the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor detects gas other than a refrigerant | coolant in the operating method of the ice making machine of 1st Example. It is a timing chart which shows the state which transfers to safe hold mode from normal mode because the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor detected the refrigerant | coolant in the operating method of the ice making machine of 1st Example. (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the detection signal when a refrigerant | coolant detection sensor detects gas other than a refrigerant | coolant, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the detection signal when a refrigerant | coolant detection sensor detects a refrigerant | coolant. . It is a flowchart which shows roughly the operating method of the ice making machine of 2nd Example. It is a timing chart when the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor detects gas other than a refrigerant | coolant in the operating method of the ice making machine of 2nd Example. It is a timing chart which shows the state which transfers to safe hold mode from normal mode because a refrigerant | coolant detection sensor detected the refrigerant | coolant in the operating method of the ice making machine of 2nd Example. (a) is explanatory drawing which shows the detection signal when a refrigerant | coolant detection sensor detects gas other than a refrigerant | coolant, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the detection signal when a refrigerant | coolant detection sensor detects a refrigerant | coolant. . It is a block diagram of the control system in the ice making machine of an Example. It is a sectional side view which shows roughly the structure of the ice making machine with which the driving | running method of an Example is implemented. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice making machine shown in FIG. 11 with a part thereof broken and a part of members removed. It is a sectional side view which shows roughly the structure of the conventional ice making machine which produces | generates a block-shaped ice block continuously. It is a schematic block diagram of the ice making mechanism and freezing mechanism in an ice making machine.

  Next, the operation method of the ice making machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving a preferred embodiment. Each example illustrates an ice making machine in which the basic configuration of the casing and the configuration of the refrigeration mechanism E and the ice making mechanism D are the same as those of the conventional ice making machine M shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Therefore, the same members and parts as those already described in FIGS. 13 and 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and FIG. In the embodiment, the side (left side in FIG. 11) on which the door 18 is disposed is the front side of the ice making machine M, the left-right direction viewed from the front side is the left-right direction of the ice making machine M, and the up-down direction is the up-down direction of the ice making machine M. The direction.

  First, an ice making machine M in which an operation method of each embodiment described later is performed will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12 and FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the ice making machine M has an approximately box-shaped housing 10 that is partitioned into upper and lower parts, and an ice storage chamber 11 having a heat insulating structure is defined upward, and the ice storage unit A machine room 12 is defined below the room 11. The ice storage chamber 11 can be opened and closed by the attitude displacement of the open / close door 18 disposed on the front side of the housing 10, and the ice making mechanism D and the evaporator 33 of the refrigeration mechanism E are disposed above the inside. In the machine room 12, a compressor 30, a condenser 31, an expansion valve 32, and the like that constitute the refrigeration mechanism E, and other various devices and parts are disposed. A refrigerant detection sensor S as a refrigerant detection means is disposed at the bottom of the machine room 12. Further, an ice storage switch 19 for detecting that the generated ice block I has reached a predetermined ice storage amount is disposed on the wall portion of the ice storage chamber 11 (see FIGS. 10 and 14).

  As shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 14, the ice making mechanism D includes the ice making unit 20 having a large number of ice making chambers 20 </ b> A opened downward, and the ice making chambers 20 </ b> A of the ice making unit 20 from below. A water tray 21 that opens and closes, an ice-making water tank 22 disposed in the lower part of the water tray 21, a water-plate opening / closing mechanism 23 that tilts the water tray 21 and the ice-making water tank 22 together, and the like. The ice making mechanism D is arranged in a state of being suspended on an attachment member 13 installed on the housing 10 so as to be horizontal in the left-right direction at the upper part of the ice making unit 20 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). The ice making unit 20 is fixed to the mounting member 13 in a horizontal state with the ice making chambers 20A facing downward. A support arm 24 attached to the left end portion of the water tray 21 is pivotally supported on the bracket 14 of the attachment member 13 via a support shaft 15, and the vicinity of the right end portion of the water tray 21 is A coil arm 26 is connected to a cam arm 25 constituting a water tray opening / closing mechanism 23 disposed on the attachment member 13. Accordingly, the water tray 21 is rotated forward and backward by the open / close motor 27 to move the cam arm 25 forward and close to the ice making unit 20 to become a horizontal ice making position (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 14), The posture can be shifted to a deicing position (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 14) that descends to open the ice making unit 20 and tilts to the lower right. The ice making mechanism D includes a first water tray detection switch 40 that detects that the water tray 21 has reached the ice making position, and a second water tray detection switch 41 that detects that the water tray 21 has reached the deicing position. (See FIG. 10). Further, the ice making mechanism D includes an ice making part temperature sensor 42 for detecting the temperature of the ice making part 20 at a required position of the ice making part 20 (see FIGS. 10 and 14), and the ice making part temperature sensor during the ice making operation. When the preset ice making temperature is detected, the ice making operation is switched to the deicing operation. When the ice making unit temperature sensor 42 detects the preset deicing completion temperature during the deicing operation, the ice making operation is switched to the ice making operation. It is controlled to switch to driving.

  As shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 14, the ice making water tank 22 is a bucket-shaped member that opens upward, and is fixed to the water tray 21 with an appropriate fixing member. It is comprised so that it may incline with a tilting displacement. When the water tray 21 faces the closed position, the ice making water tank 22 can store a predetermined amount of ice-making water supplied from an external water source by opening the water supply valve 29, and the water tray 21 is in the open position. In this case, the stored ice making water is discharged to the drain pan 16. Further, on the left front wall, which is the deepest part of the ice making water tank 22, ice making water stored in the ice making water tank 22 is supplied to each ice making chamber of the ice making unit 20 through the injection holes provided in the water tray 21. An ice making water pump 28 is provided for injecting and supplying to 20A.

  As shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 14, the refrigeration mechanism E includes a compressor 30 disposed in the machine room 12, a condenser 31 equipped with a cooling fan 34 and forced air cooling, and expansion. A valve 32 and an evaporator 33 disposed in a meandering manner on the upper surface of the ice making unit 20 of the ice making mechanism D in the ice storage chamber 11, and these compressor 30, condenser 31, expansion valve 32 and evaporator 33 are provided. A refrigeration circuit connected in series by a connecting pipe 35 circulates a refrigerant made of combustible gas. That is, the outlet part of the compressor 30 and the inlet part of the condenser 31 are connected by the first connecting pipe 35A, and the outlet part of the condenser 31 and the inlet part of the expansion valve 32 are connected by the second connecting pipe 35B. The outlet part of the expansion valve 32 and the inlet part of the evaporator 33 are connected by a third connecting pipe 35C, and the outlet part of the evaporator 33 and the inlet part of the compressor 30 are connected by a fourth connecting pipe 35D. . Further, a fifth connecting pipe 35E connected in the middle of the first connecting pipe 35A and in the middle of the third connecting pipe 35C is provided, and the hot gas disposed in the middle of the fifth connecting pipe 35E. By controlling the valve 36 to be open, the heated refrigerant (hot gas) compressed by the compressor 30 can be directly supplied to the evaporator 33 via the fifth connecting pipe 35E. .

  The refrigerant is an HC (hydrocarbon) refrigerant that is widely used in refrigerators and ice makers, and is made of a combustible gas such as propane (R290) or isobutane (R600a). This refrigerant has a specific gravity greater than that of air, and by any chance, the compressor 30, the condenser 31, the expansion valve 32, the evaporator 33, and the connecting pipe 35 (first connecting pipe 35A to fifth connecting pipe) constituting the refrigeration mechanism E. When leaking from the pipe 35E) or a connecting portion between each of these devices and the connecting pipe 35, the pipe moves to the machine room 12 positioned below the ice making machine M. Note that description of various physical properties of the refrigerant is omitted.

  A third connecting pipe 35C for connecting the expansion valve 32 provided in the machine chamber 12 and the evaporator 33 provided in the ice storage chamber 11, and the evaporator 33 and the machine chamber 12 are provided. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the fourth connecting pipe 35 </ b> D for connecting the compressor 30 is disposed along a pipe space (communication space) 45 defined on the back surface of the housing 10. Has been. As shown in FIG. 12, the pipe space 45 is attached to the back surface of the housing 10 by attaching a semi-cylindrical cover member 46 that is vertically long and opened to the housing 10 side to the back surface of the housing 10. It is defined vertically. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the piping space 45 is in spatial communication with the inside of the ice storage chamber 11 via a first communication portion 47 formed in the upper portion of the housing 10 (the upper portion of the rear wall of the ice storage chamber 11). In addition, the inside of the machine room 12 is spatially communicated via a second insertion portion 48 formed downward from the center in the vertical direction of the housing 10. The first communication portion 47, the piping space 45, and the second insertion portion 48 are allowed to circulate refrigerant between the third connecting pipe 35C and the heat insulating material 37 wound around the fourth connecting pipe 35D. The gap G is defined in a shape and size.

  The first communication portion 47 is provided on the upper rear wall of the ice storage chamber 11 for the following reason. As the reason 1, as shown in FIG. 14, when the ice block I generated by the ice making mechanism D is fully stored in the ice storage chamber 11, the first communication portion 47 is provided at the bottom of the ice storage chamber 11. In some cases, the ice block I may block the first communication portion 47 and prevent the refrigerant from being discharged properly. Reason 2 is that melt water is always generated in the ice storage chamber 11, and therefore, when the first communication portion 47 is provided at the bottom of the ice storage chamber 11, the melt water may flow into the first communication portion 47. There is. Reason 3 is that the refrigeration mechanism E disposed in the ice making machine M has a larger amount of refrigerant than the home refrigerator or air conditioner, and the internal volume of the ice storage chamber 11 is a home refrigerator or air conditioner. Since the internal volume of the ice storage chamber 11 is small compared to the above, the leaked refrigerant fills the entire interior of the ice storage chamber 11 in a relatively short time, and the leaked refrigerant is provided at the upper part of the rear wall of the ice storage chamber 11. Further, it can be sufficiently discharged also from the first communication portion 47. Further, since the upper part of the rear wall of the ice storage chamber 11 is close to the evaporator 33, the refrigerant leaked from the evaporator 33 easily flows into the first communication part 47 provided on the upper part of the rear wall.

  That is, the ice making machine M, for example, when a crack or hole is formed in the middle of the third connection pipe 35C or the fourth connection pipe 35D and the refrigerant leaks from the crack or hole, the refrigerant passes through the pipe space 45. It is configured to move downward and move into the machine room 12 via the second insertion portion 48. Further, the ice making machine M of the embodiment has a case where a crack or hole is formed in the middle of the evaporator 33 and the refrigerant leaks into the ice storage chamber 11 from the crack or hole, or between the evaporator 33 and the third connecting pipe 35C. When the refrigerant leaks into the ice storage chamber 11 from the connection portion or the connection portion between the evaporator 33 and the fourth connection pipe 35D, the refrigerant is supplied to the first communication portion 47, the piping space 45, and the second insertion portion 48. It is comprised so that it can move in in the machine room 12 via.

As described above, the ice making machine M has a configuration in which the ice storage chamber 11 and the machine chamber 12 are communicated with each other by the piping space 45, so that, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. Only one refrigerant detection sensor S capable of detecting the refrigerant is disposed almost directly below the two insertion portions 48. This refrigerant detection sensor S is, for example, a tin oxide semiconductor type in which a heater coil and an electrode lead wire are embedded in a material mainly composed of stannic oxide (SnO ₂ ) as a gas sensitive element, and is a refrigerant made of propane or isobutane. Can be detected appropriately. And the refrigerant | coolant detection sensor S is electrically connected to the control means C (refer FIG. 10) which controls the said ice maker M, and continues transmitting a detection signal to this control means C, while detecting the refrigerant | coolant. It has become. Therefore, the refrigerant detection sensor S can appropriately detect the refrigerant leaked directly into the machine chamber 12 from the compressor 30, the condenser 31, the expansion valve 32, the first connection pipe 35A, and the second connection pipe 35B. As described above, the refrigerant that has leaked from the condenser 31, the third connecting pipe 35C, and the fourth connecting pipe 35D and moved to the machine chamber 12 can be detected appropriately. The refrigerant detection sensor S transmits a detection signal when the refrigerant concentration becomes 0.15% or more, for example, and cancels the transmission of the detection signal when the refrigerant concentration becomes less than 0.15%.

  The refrigerant detection sensor S has a self-diagnosis function so that it can always perform its own failure determination. For example, when a failure occurs during use due to deterioration or damage due to long-term use, A failure signal is transmitted to the control means C. Therefore, the control means C of the ice making machine M can immediately recognize the failure of the refrigerant detection sensor S even during the ice making operation or the deicing operation of the ice making mechanism D. In addition, each refrigerant | coolant detection sensor S can be automatically stopped when a failure is temporarily returned to normal, and can automatically stop transmission of the failure signal to the control means C.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the control means C comprehensively controls the ice making machine M. When the detection signal or failure signal is input from the refrigerant detection sensor S, the ice making part temperature sensor 42, the first Detection signals are input from the water tray detection switch 40, the second water tray detection switch 41, the ice storage switch 19, and the like, and detection signals, detection signals, and the like are input from various measurement means, detection means, and the like (not shown). Further, the control means C is based on various input signals and various settings input from a control panel (not shown), etc., the compressor 30 of the refrigeration mechanism E, the cooling fan 34 and the hot gas valve 36, the open / close motor 27 of the ice making mechanism D, the water supply The valve 29, the ice making water pump 28, the leakage warning lamp 50, the failure notification lamp 51 and the like are comprehensively controlled.

  Next, an operation method in the ice making machine M configured as described above will be described with reference to the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation method of the ice making machine according to the first embodiment. In the operation method of the first embodiment, as shown in the following Table 1, “normal mode” and “safe hold mode” are set as the operation modes during startup. The operation mode is automatically switched according to the state.

  The “normal mode” is an operation mode that is executed in a normal state in which no refrigerant leaks from the refrigeration mechanism E, and normal ice making operation and deicing operation are executed according to a predetermined operation program. In this normal mode, as shown in FIG. 2, during the ice making operation, the cooling fan 34 of the condenser 31 operates while being controlled to be ON, and during the deicing operation, the hot gas valve 36 is open. Only the cooling fan 34 is controlled to be OFF and stopped.

  In the “safe hold mode”, when the refrigerant detection sensor S detects the refrigerant leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E and a detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S is transmitted to the control means C, the refrigerant leaks. This is an operation mode executed when it is confirmed that the In the safe hold mode, as shown in FIG. 4, the ice making operation of the ice making mechanism D is stopped, and the cooling fan 34 of the condenser 31 is continuously turned on and continuously operated. Accordingly, the cooling fan 34 of the condenser 31 is continuously operated to stir the air in the machine room 12 to diffuse the refrigerant flowing into the machine room 12 and through the vent hole 17 provided in the housing 10. Therefore, the refrigerant is prevented from being filled in the machine room 12 and increasing its concentration. The refrigerant leaking into the ice storage chamber 11 moves to the machine chamber 12 through the piping space 45 and is then discharged to the outside of the machine through the vent hole 17. Can also be released.

  In the operation method of the first embodiment, when the refrigerant detection sensor S detects a gas such as an insecticide sprayed around the refrigerant detection sensor S, the refrigerant actually leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E is used as the refrigerant. It is possible to control the detection mode so that the operation mode can be switched from the normal mode to the safe hold mode only when the detection sensor S detects it reliably and appropriately and the refrigerant leaks. That is, while the spraying time of the insecticide sprayed around the refrigerant detection sensor S is about several seconds (1 to 2 seconds), the control means C has a fixed time (the leakage time of the refrigerant leaking from the refrigeration mechanism E). For 30 seconds or more). Therefore, in the operation method of the first embodiment, the control means C does not immediately switch the operation mode from the normal mode to the safe hold mode when the control means C receives the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S in the normal mode. When reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S is started, the refrigerant is actually received when the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S is received even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception start of the detection signal. Is determined to be leaking and the operation mode is switched from the normal mode to the safe hold mode.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S is started (hereinafter referred to as “reference time PT1” in the first embodiment). ), When a predetermined standby time WT set in advance from the reference time point PT1 has elapsed (hereinafter referred to as “elapsed time point PT2” in the first embodiment), the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S is received. If it is, the control means C switches the operation mode from the normal mode to the safe hold mode. The waiting time WT is set longer than the time required for the gas such as an insecticide sprayed around the refrigerant detection sensor S to diffuse to a concentration that cannot be detected by the refrigerant detection sensor S. For example, in view of spraying of spray-type insecticide or the like generally being 1 to 2 seconds, it is desirable that the waiting time WT is appropriately set within a range of 5 seconds to 30 seconds.

  Therefore, when the refrigerant detection sensor S detects a gas other than the refrigerant such as an insecticide sprayed around the refrigerant detection sensor S and transmits a detection signal to the control means C, FIG. 3 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, before the waiting time WT elapses, a gas such as an insecticide diffuses and the refrigerant detection sensor S enters a non-detection state, and at the elapsed time PT2 when the waiting time WT elapses from the reference time PT1 No detection signal is transmitted from the refrigerant detection sensor S, and the control means C has not received the detection signal at the elapsed time PT2. Therefore, the control means C determines that the refrigerant has not leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E, and controls the ice making machine M to continue the ice making operation and the deicing operation of the refrigeration mechanism E.

  On the other hand, when the refrigerant detection sensor S detects the refrigerant that has actually leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E and transmits a detection signal to the control means C, as shown in FIGS. The refrigerant continues to leak inside. That is, the transmission of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S continues even at the elapsed time PT2 when the standby time WT has elapsed from the reference time PT1, and the control means C receives the detection signal at the elapsed time PT2. Yes. Therefore, the control means C determines that the refrigerant has leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E, continuously operates the cooling fan 34, and controls the ice making machine M to stop the ice making operation and the deicing operation of the refrigeration mechanism E.

  In the safe hold mode, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 34 when the cooling fan 34 is continuously operated is set to be higher than the rotation speed during the ice making operation in the normal mode. Thereby, in the safe hold mode, the cooling fan 34 rotates at high speed and vigorously stirs the air in the machine room 12, so that the refrigerant leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E into the machine room 12 can be efficiently diffused.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the ice making machine M according to the embodiment includes a leakage warning lamp (warning means) 50 for notifying the occurrence of the refrigerant leakage, and promptly notifies the control means C when the refrigerant leaks. It is like that.

(Operation of the first embodiment)
In the operation method of the ice making machine of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the main power supply is turned on and the ice making machine is started, the start-up initial operation is executed first to thereby execute the ice making mechanism D and the refrigeration. A predetermined initial operation related to the mechanism E is performed (step S1), and when the startup initial operation is completed, the ice making operation and the deicing operation in the normal mode are started (step S2), and the ice making mechanism D and the refrigeration mechanism E are normally operated. Operates on.

  During the ice making operation and the deicing operation in the normal mode, the control means C confirms whether or not the refrigerant detection sensor S has transmitted the refrigerant detection signal (step S3), and if the detection signal has not been transmitted. Returning to step S2, step S2 and step S3 are executed again. That is, in the normal mode, the ice making operation and the deicing operation are executed while always confirming transmission of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S. If no detection signal is transmitted from the refrigerant detection sensor S, the ice making operation and the deicing operation are repeated until the ice storage switch 19 detects that a predetermined amount of ice lump I in the ice storage chamber 11 has been stored.

  In the operation method of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, when steps S2 and S3 are repeated in the normal mode, the refrigerant detection sensor S transmits a detection signal to the control means C in step S3. The control means C that has received the detection signal starts measuring the standby time WT with a timer or the like (step S4), and then checks whether the refrigerant detection sensor S is transmitting the detection signal (step S5). . If the refrigerant detection sensor S is transmitting a detection signal, it is checked whether the standby time WT has elapsed (step S6), and if the standby time WT has not elapsed, the process returns to step S5. And the control means C repeats step S5 and step S6, and when the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S is not received in step S5 before the standby time WT elapses, the refrigerant leaks from the refrigeration mechanism E. It is determined that it is not, and the process returns to step S2 to continue the ice making / deicing operation in the normal mode.

  On the other hand, when the standby time WT has elapsed after repeating Step S5 and Step S6, the control means C reconfirms whether the refrigerant detection sensor S is transmitting a detection signal (Step S7). If the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S has not been received after the standby time WT has elapsed, it is determined that the refrigerant has not leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E, and the process returns to step S2 to return to the normal mode. Continue ice making and deicing operations at If the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S is received even after the standby time WT has elapsed, it is determined that the refrigerant has leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E, and the operation mode is changed from the normal mode to the safe mode. Switch to hold mode. Thereby, the control means C operates the cooling fan 34 continuously (step S8), controls the lighting of the leakage warning lamp 50 (step S9), and stops the operation of the refrigeration mechanism E and ice making mechanism D of the ice making machine M (step S9). Step S10). That is, the ice making machine M prevents the refrigerant from staying in the machine chamber 12 due to the continuous operation of the cooling fan 34 even if the ice making operation and the deicing operation in the ice making mechanism D are stopped by switching to the safe hold mode. .

  Therefore, in the operation method of the ice making machine of the first embodiment, regarding the transmission of the detection signal of the refrigerant detection sensor S, the transmission of the detection signal is due to detection of a gas such as an insecticide other than the refrigerant, or actually It can be reliably and appropriately determined whether it is due to the detection of the leaked refrigerant. Accordingly, when the detection by the refrigerant detection sensor S determines that a gas other than the refrigerant has been detected, it is possible to prevent the ice making efficiency from being lowered by continuing the operation of the ice making machine M, and to detect the refrigerant detection sensor S. If it is determined that the refrigerant that has actually leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E is detected, the operation of the ice making machine M can be stopped to improve the safety and reliability of the ice making machine M. When the refrigerant leaks from the refrigeration mechanism E to the machine room 12, the refrigerant is diffused in the machine room 12 and discharged outside the machine chamber 12 by continuous operation of the cooling fan 34. Therefore, the ice making machine M can be kept in a safe state. Moreover, the waiting time WT in the first embodiment is longer than the time required for the gas such as insecticide sprayed around the refrigerant detection sensor S to diffuse to a concentration that cannot be detected by the refrigerant detection sensor S. Since it is set, it is possible to reliably and appropriately determine whether the refrigerant detected by the refrigerant detection sensor S is a refrigerant or a gas other than the refrigerant. Furthermore, since the cooling fan 34 is operated at a higher speed than during normal ice making operation, the leaked refrigerant can be appropriately diffused. In addition, since the leakage warning lamp 50 is turned on, the manager of the ice making machine M can quickly confirm that the refrigerant has leaked to the ice making machine M, and can quickly repair or replace the refrigeration mechanism E. Can be performed.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation method of the ice making machine according to the second embodiment. In the operation method of the second embodiment, as in the operation method of the first embodiment, the “normal mode” that is executed at normal time when the refrigerant does not leak from the refrigeration mechanism E, and the refrigerant from the refrigeration mechanism E. The ice making machine M is operated in a “safe hold mode” that is executed when an abnormality has occurred. Also in the second embodiment, when the refrigerant detection sensor S detects a gas such as an insecticide sprayed around the refrigerant detection sensor S, and when the refrigerant actually leaks from the refrigeration mechanism E, the refrigerant detection sensor S It is possible to control the operation mode so that the operation mode can be switched from the normal mode to the safe hold mode only when the refrigerant leaks reliably and appropriately.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the control means S confirms reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S, the control means S first sets the cooling fan 34 to a predetermined operating time RT. And when the predetermined determination time JT elapses from the time point when the operation time RT has passed and the cooling fan 34 has stopped (hereinafter referred to as “reference time point PT1” in the second embodiment). In the second embodiment, the control means C switches the operation mode from the normal mode to the safe hold mode when the reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S is confirmed before “elapsed time PT2”)). The operation time RT is set to be longer than the time required for the refrigerant detection sensor S to reach an undetectable concentration by diffusing the gas or refrigerant present around the refrigerant detection sensor S by the operation of the cooling fan 34. Yes. The determination time JT is set longer than the time required for the refrigerant that has moved to the periphery of the refrigerant detection sensor S to have a concentration that can be detected by the refrigerant detection sensor S, and is within a range of, for example, 3 to 10 minutes. It is desirable to set appropriately.

  Therefore, when the refrigerant detection sensor S detects a gas other than the refrigerant such as a small amount of insecticide sprayed around the refrigerant detection sensor S and transmits a detection signal to the control means C, FIGS. As shown in a), since the gas diffuses while the cooling fan 34 is operated over the operation time RT, the refrigerant detection sensor S is in a non-detection state. Then, before the determination time JT elapses from the reference time point PT1, since the gas has diffused, no detection signal is transmitted from the refrigerant detection sensor S. At the time point PT2, the control means C outputs the detection signal. Do not receive. Therefore, the control means C determines that the refrigerant has not leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E, and controls the ice making machine M to continue the ice making operation and the deicing operation of the refrigeration mechanism E.

  On the other hand, when the refrigerant detection sensor S detects the refrigerant that has actually leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E and transmits a detection signal to the control means C, the cooling fan 34 is turned on as shown in FIGS. Since the refrigerant once diffuses during operation for the operation time RT, the refrigerant detection sensor S is in a non-detection state. However, during the standby time WT from the reference time point PT1, the refrigerant continuously leaking from the refrigeration mechanism E stops around the refrigerant detection sensor S and can be detected by the refrigerant detection sensor S. Therefore, when the refrigerant detection sensor S detects the refrigerant and transmits a detection signal, the control means C receives the detection signal before the elapsed time point PT2. Therefore, the control means C determines that the refrigerant has leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E, and controls the ice making machine M to stop the ice making operation and the deicing operation of the refrigeration mechanism E. In the safe hold mode, as in the first embodiment, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 34 is set to be higher than the rotation speed during the ice making operation in the normal mode, and the occurrence of leakage of the refrigerant is prevented. A leakage warning lamp (warning means) 50 for informing is activated.

(Operation of the second embodiment)
In the ice making machine operating method of the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, when the main power supply is turned on and the ice making machine is started, the start-up initial operation is executed first to execute the ice making mechanism D and the refrigeration. When a predetermined initial operation related to the mechanism E is performed (step S11) and the startup initial operation is completed, the ice making operation and the deicing operation in the normal mode are started (step S12), and the ice making mechanism D and the refrigeration mechanism E are normally operated. Operates on.

  Then, during the ice making operation and the deicing operation in the normal mode, the control means C confirms whether or not the refrigerant detection sensor S has transmitted the refrigerant detection signal (step S13), and if the detection signal has not been transmitted. Returning to step S12, steps S2 and S3 are executed again. That is, in the normal mode, the ice making operation and the deicing operation are executed while always confirming transmission of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S. If no detection signal is transmitted from the refrigerant detection sensor S, the ice making operation and the deicing operation are repeated until the ice storage switch 19 detects that a predetermined amount of ice lump I in the ice storage chamber 11 has been stored. .

  In the operation method of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when step S12 and step S13 are repeated in the normal mode, the refrigerant detection sensor S transmits a detection signal to the control means C in step S13. The control means C operates the cooling fan 34 over the operation time RT (step S14). Then, after the operation of the cooling fan 34 is stopped, the control means C confirms whether the refrigerant detection sensor S transmits a detection signal before the determination time JT has elapsed from the reference time point PT1 (step S15). If the control means C fails to confirm the reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S in step S15, the control means C determines that the refrigerant has not leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E, and returns to step S12 to return to the normal mode. Continue driving at. On the other hand, if the control means C confirms reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection sensor S in step S15, the control means C determines that the refrigerant has leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E, and changes the operation mode from the normal mode to the safe hold mode. Switch to. Thereby, the control means C operates the cooling fan 34 continuously (step S16), controls the lighting of the leakage warning lamp 50 (step S17), and stops the operation of the refrigeration mechanism E and ice making mechanism D of the ice making machine M (step S17). Step S18). That is, the ice making machine M prevents the refrigerant from staying in the machine chamber 12 due to the continuous operation of the cooling fan 34 even if the ice making operation and the deicing operation in the ice making mechanism D are stopped by switching to the safe hold mode. .

  Therefore, in the operation method of the ice making machine of the second embodiment, regarding the transmission of the detection signal of the refrigerant detection sensor S, the transmission of the detection signal is due to detection of a gas such as an insecticide other than the refrigerant, or actually It can be reliably and appropriately determined whether it is due to the detection of the leaked refrigerant. Accordingly, when the detection by the refrigerant detection sensor S determines that a gas other than the refrigerant has been detected, it is possible to prevent the ice making efficiency from being lowered by continuing the operation of the ice making machine M, and to detect the refrigerant detection sensor S. If it is determined that the refrigerant that has actually leaked from the refrigeration mechanism E is detected, the operation of the ice making machine M can be stopped to improve the safety and reliability of the ice making machine M. When the refrigerant leaks from the refrigeration mechanism E to the machine room 12, the refrigerant is diffused in the machine room 12 and discharged outside the machine chamber 12 by continuous operation of the cooling fan 34. Therefore, the ice making machine M can be kept in a safe state. In addition, the determination time JT in the second embodiment is set longer than the time required for the refrigerant that has moved to the periphery of the refrigerant detection sensor S to have a concentration that can be detected by the refrigerant detection sensor S. It is possible to reliably and appropriately determine whether the detection sensor S detects a refrigerant or a gas other than the refrigerant. Furthermore, since the cooling fan 34 is operated at a higher speed than during normal ice making operation, the leaked refrigerant can be appropriately diffused. In addition, since the leakage warning lamp 50 is turned on, the manager of the ice making machine M can quickly confirm that the refrigerant has leaked to the ice making machine M, and can quickly repair or replace the refrigeration mechanism E. Can be performed.

(Example of change)
(1) In the embodiment, the operation method of the ice making machine M provided with one refrigerant detection sensor S has been described. However, the operation method of the ice making machine according to the present invention includes the two refrigerant detection sensors S shown in FIG. The present invention can also be suitably applied to an ice making machine provided with the ice making machine M and three or more refrigerant detection sensors S. As described above, in the ice making machine M including the plurality of refrigerant detection sensors S, when at least one refrigerant detection sensor S detects the refrigerant and transmits a detection signal, the operation method of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. The driving method is implemented.
(2) The standby time WT shown in the first embodiment, the operation time RT and the determination time JT shown in the second embodiment are the position of the refrigerant detection sensor S in the machine room 12 of the ice making machine M, the machine room Needless to say, the setting is appropriately changed depending on the positional relationship between the refrigerant detection sensor S and the cooling fan 34 and the installation position of the ice making machine M.
(3) The refrigerant detection means is not limited to the tin oxide semiconductor type exemplified in the embodiment, and may be any means that can appropriately detect the combustible gas used as the refrigerant.
(4) The warning means for warning the refrigerant leakage is not limited to the lamp of the embodiment, but may be a buzzer, an alarm, an e-mail sent to a personal computer, a portable terminal, or the like.
(5) In the embodiment, the injection type ice making machine in which the machine room is disposed in the lower part is illustrated, but the ice making machine in which the machine room is disposed in the upper part of the ice storage room, and the machine room is the ice storage room. Also included are ice machines placed on the left, right, or back of the machine.
(6) In the embodiment, the injection type ice making machine is exemplified, but the ice making machine targeted by the present invention is all ice making machines having a refrigeration mechanism using a refrigerant made of combustible gas.

31 condenser, 34 cooling fan, C control means, D ice making mechanism,
E Refrigeration mechanism, JT judgment time,
PT1 reference time (when detection signal reception starts, when cooling fan stops),
RT operating time, S refrigerant detection sensor (refrigerant detection means), WT standby time

Claims (2)

A refrigerant with a combustible gas is circulated in a circuit including a condenser (31) that is forced to be air-cooled by a cooling fan (34), and the cooling fan (34) is operated to perform an ice making operation of the ice making mechanism (D). An operation method of an ice making machine provided with a refrigeration mechanism (E) for deicing the ice making mechanism (D) by stopping the cooling fan (34),
While detecting the refrigerant, using the refrigerant detection means (S) that transmits a detection signal to the control means (C),
The control means (C) is a detection signal from the refrigerant detection means (S) even when the standby time (WT) has elapsed from the time (PT1) when reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection means (S) is started. The method of operating the ice making machine is characterized in that the cooling fan (34) is controlled to operate continuously when receiving the A refrigerant with a combustible gas is circulated in a circuit including a condenser (31) that is forced to be air-cooled by a cooling fan (34), and the cooling fan (34) is operated to perform an ice making operation of the ice making mechanism (D). An operation method of an ice making machine provided with a refrigeration mechanism (E) for deicing the ice making mechanism (D) by stopping the cooling fan (34),
While detecting the refrigerant, using the refrigerant detection means (S) that transmits a detection signal to the control means (C),
The control means (C) operates the cooling fan (34) for a predetermined operation time (RT) at the time when reception of the detection signal from the refrigerant detection means (S) is started,
The control means (C) is configured so that the refrigerant detection means (S) can be used before the determination time (JT) has elapsed from the time point (PT1) when the operation time (RT) has elapsed and the cooling fan (34) has stopped. When the detection signal is received, the cooling fan (34) is controlled to continuously operate.

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