JP2013024435A - Ice making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance condensation efficiency of a water-cooled condenser and to perform efficient ice making operation.SOLUTION: A third water feed valve 35 which is opened and closed under the control of control means C is arranged in a third water feed pipe 34 connected to an external water source. Cooling water amount detection means 50 of sending a water amount detection signal to the control means C is arranged at a cooling water tank 45. After ice making operation by an ice making part 21, remaining ice making water W2A remaining in an ice making water tank 26 is collected in the cooling water tank 45, and third water feed valve 35 is controlled to be opened to feed external water from the external water supply to the cooling water tank 45 until the cooling water amount detection means 50 sends out a water amount detection signal. The control means C controls the third water feed valve 35 on the basis of the water amount detection signal from the cooling water amount detection means 50 to control the feed amount of the external water (W1).

Description

  The present invention relates to an ice making machine configured to use residual ice making water generated after ice making operation as cooling water of a water-cooled condenser constituting a refrigeration apparatus.

  As an automatic ice making machine for producing ice blocks, an evaporator (evaporation tube) constituting a refrigeration device is arranged in a meandering manner between two ice making plates arranged vertically in an ice making unit, and a refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator. A flow-down type ice maker equipped with an ice making unit that generates ice blocks on the outer surface of the ice making plate by supplying ice making water to the outer surface of the ice making plate while the ice making plate is cooled is known. ing. In the ice making unit, an ice making water tank is arranged at the lower part of the ice making part and an ice making water supply device is arranged at the upper part of the ice making part, and the ice making water stored in the ice making water tank is made by a pump or the like. The ice making water is sent to the water supply device, and the ice making water is supplied from the ice making water supply device to the outer surface of the ice making plate. When the ice making water flows down the outer surface of the cooled ice making plate, a part of the ice making water freezes and adheres to the outer surface, and the ice making water that has not been frozen is the ice making water tank. It has come to be collected.

  The pure water in the ice making water freezes on the outer surface of the ice making plate in the ice making section. For this reason, the ice making water collected in the ice making water tank without icing after the required number of ice making operations (hereinafter referred to as “residual ice making water”) is not suitable for ice making due to the high concentration of impurities. . The residual ice making water that is inappropriate for such ice making is discharged from the ice making water tank.

  The residual ice making water is supplied to the ice making unit as ice making water and is sufficiently cooled, and discharging the residual ice making water as it is outside the ice making machine leads to a decrease in energy efficiency. Therefore, in the case where a water-cooled condenser is employed in the refrigeration apparatus, the residual ice-making water discharged from the ice-making water tank is collected in another tank (hereinafter referred to as “cooling water tank”) and the water-cooled condenser is collected. An ice making machine using the residual ice making water as cooling water for a water-cooled condenser has also been put into practical use. Such an ice making machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP-A-10-227546

  By the way, in the ice making machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor is the residual ice making water (ice making residual water) recovered from the ice making water tank (water tank) to the cooling water tank (drainage storage tank). Heat exchange with gas or ice-making water supplied from an external water source adjusts the temperature to increase the condensation efficiency. However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the temperature of the residual ice making water can be adjusted, but the amount of the residual ice making water cannot be adjusted. Therefore, in the ice making machine of Patent Document 1, when the amount of residual ice making water is less than the amount required for cooling the water-cooled condenser, there is a problem that the water-cooled condenser cannot be cooled to a temperature at which the condensation efficiency is increased.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems inherent in the conventional ice making machine, and it is proposed to suitably solve this problem, and it is possible to increase the condensation efficiency of the water-cooled condenser and to perform an efficient ice making operation. An ice machine that can be used is provided.

In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and achieve the intended purpose, in the invention according to claim 1 of the present application, a water-cooled condenser, a refrigeration apparatus that cools an ice making part that generates ice blocks, and ice-making water are stored. An ice making water tank that collects ice making water that has been supplied to the ice making unit and that has not been frozen; and a cooling water tank that collects and stores residual ice making water remaining in the ice making water tank after the ice making operation. In an ice making machine configured to cool the water-cooled condenser using the residual ice making water stored in a tank,
An external water supply means connected to an external water source and supplying external water from the external water source to the cooling water tank;
Controlling the external water supply means to adjust the supply amount of external water to the cooling water tank, and mixing the external water with the residual ice-making water, thereby cooling the water-cooled condenser at a required temperature. And a control means for generating water.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the condenser cooling water for cooling the water-cooled condenser is obtained by mixing the remaining ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank after the completion of the ice making operation and the external water from the external water source. Generated. Therefore, the condenser cooling water can be generated at a water temperature suitable for cooling the water-cooled condenser to a temperature at which the refrigerant condensing efficiency is the best, and the operating efficiency of the refrigeration apparatus during ice making operation can be increased. Ice making efficiency can be improved. Further, since the residual ice making water is used as the condenser cooling water, the amount of external water supplied for cooling the water-cooled condenser can be reduced, so that the ice making cost can be suppressed.

In the invention which concerns on Claim 2 of this application, It is provided with the water quantity detection means which detects the water quantity of the condenser cooling water stored in the cooling water tank,
The gist is that the control means controls the external water supply means to adjust the supply amount of the external water based on the water quantity detection signal from the water quantity detection means.
Therefore, according to the second aspect of the invention, since the external water supply means is controlled while detecting the amount of condenser cooling water stored in the cooling water tank, the amount of water necessary for cooling the water-cooled condenser is reduced. Condenser cooling water can be generated.

In the invention which concerns on Claim 3 of this application, It comprises the water temperature detection means which detects the water temperature of the condenser cooling water stored in the cooling water tank,
Based on a water temperature detection signal from the water temperature detection means, the control means controls the external water supply means to adjust the water supply amount of the external water.
Therefore, according to the third aspect of the invention, since the external water supply means is controlled while detecting the water temperature of the condenser cooling water stored in the cooling water tank, the optimum water temperature for cooling the water-cooled condenser is reduced. Condenser cooling water can be generated.

In the invention according to claim 4 of the present application, comprising a time measuring means for measuring the time from the start of water supply of the external water by the external water supply means,
The gist is that the control means controls the external water supply means to stop the supply of the external water when the time measuring means measures a preset time from the start of water supply of the external water.
Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the external water supply means is controlled by the measurement by the time measuring means, the amount of external water supplied to the cooling water tank can be adjusted appropriately.

  According to the ice making machine according to the present invention, as the cooling water for the water-cooled condenser constituting the refrigeration apparatus, the condenser cooling water obtained by mixing the residual ice-making water remaining after the ice making operation and the external water supplied from the external water source is used. Therefore, it is possible to increase the condensation efficiency of the water-cooled condenser and to reduce the amount of external water used, and to perform an efficient ice making operation.

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the structure of the ice making machine of 1st Example. It is a side view which shows the ice making unit in the ice making machine of 1st Example. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the ice making machine of 1st Example. It is a timing chart which shows the operation mode of the ice making machine of the 1st example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cooling water tank in the ice making machine of 1st Example, Comprising: (a) shows the state which collect | recovers residual ice making water in a cooling water tank, (b) shows the external water from an external water source. The state is shown in which the cooling water tank is supplied and the residual ice making water and external water are mixed to produce condenser cooling water. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the structure of the ice making machine of 2nd Example. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the ice making machine of 2nd Example. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the ice making machine of 3rd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the structure of the ice making machine provided with the water cooling condenser and the air cooling condenser.

  Next, preferred embodiments of the ice making machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the ice making machine M of the first embodiment. In the ice making machine M of the first embodiment, an ice making chamber 10 is defined at the upper part of the machine, and an ice storage chamber 11 is defined at the lower part (lower part of the machine) of the ice making room. The chute unit 12 communicates with the upper part of the ice storage chamber 11. A machine room 13 is defined adjacent to the ice making room 10 in the upper part of the machine. The ice making chamber 10 is provided with an ice making unit 20 having a plurality (two in the embodiment) of ice making units 21, and the machine room 13 includes a compressor 61 constituting a refrigeration apparatus 60, a water-cooled condenser. 62, an expansion valve 63, and the like are accommodated. Each ice making unit 21 of the ice making unit 20 is provided with an evaporator (evaporating tube) 64 constituting the refrigeration apparatus 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each ice making unit 21 of the ice making unit 20 includes two ice making plates 22, 22 arranged facing each other vertically, and both ice making plates 22, 22 of each ice making unit 21 are provided. Between 22, the evaporator 64 formed in a meandering manner is disposed in contact with the back surfaces 22 </ b> B of both ice making plates 22 and 22. Above each ice making section 21, an ice making water supply device 24 that jets ice making water W 2 to the surface 22 A that is the ice making surface of each ice making plate 22, and deicing water that jets deicing water to the back surface 22 B side of each ice making plate 22. A supply device 25 is disposed so as to extend along the upper end of each ice making plate 22. An ice making water tank 26 for storing ice making water W2 is disposed below each ice making portion 21. Between the lower part of each ice making part 21 and the upper part of the ice making water tank 26, the guide member 27 formed in the shape of a lever is arrange | positioned. The guide member 27 guides the ice blocks IC that have fallen off from the ice making plates 22 to the chute unit 12 and also passes the ice making water W2 and the deicing water flowing down from the ice making plates 22 to the ice making water tank 26. It is like that.

  The deicing water supply device 25 is formed with a large number of ejection holes (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first water supply pipe 30 connected to an external water source such as a tap water supply unit is provided. It is connected. The first water supply pipe 30 is provided with a first water supply valve 31 that is controlled to be opened and closed by a control means C (see FIG. 3). Accordingly, by controlling the opening of the first water supply valve 31 by the control means C, pressurized external water (tap water) W1 from an external water source is supplied to the deicing water supply device 25, and the external water W1 is The deicing water is ejected from the ejection holes of the deicing water supply device 25 to the back surfaces 22B of the ice making plates 22 and 22 in the ice making unit 21. Here, the deicing water has a higher temperature than the ice making plate 22 cooled to 0 ° C. or less by the ice making operation, and the ice making plate 22 is appropriately warmed by flowing down the deicing water. The ice lump IC generated in this step melts at the contact portion with the surface 22A of the ice making plate 22 and slides down from the surface 22A. It should be noted that the deicing water ejected from the deicing water supply device 25 and flowing down the back surface 22B of the ice making plate 22 falls into the ice making water tank 26 and becomes ice making water W2 in the next ice making operation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ice making machine M according to the first embodiment includes a second water supply pipe 32 that is connected to an external water source and has an outlet side facing the upper opening of the ice making water tank 26. The second water supply pipe 32 is provided with a second water supply valve 33 that is controlled to be opened and closed by the control means C. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, when the second water supply valve 33 is controlled to be opened by the control means C at an appropriate time during the ice making operation, the pressurized external water W1 from the external water source is supplied to the ice making unit 21. Water is directly supplied to the ice making water tank 26 without passing through the above.

  The ice making water supply device 24 is formed with a large number of ejection holes (not shown), and is connected to the ice making water tank 26 via a first water pipe 36 as shown in FIGS. . The first water supply pipe 36 is provided with a first water supply pump 37 whose operation is controlled by the control means C. Therefore, by operating the first water pump 37 by the control means C, the ice making water W2 stored in the ice making water tank 26 is supplied to the ice making water supply device 24, and the ice making water W2 is supplied to the ice making water supply. The ice is ejected from the ejection holes of the device 24 to the surfaces 22A of the ice making plates 22 and 22 in the ice making unit 21. A part of the ice making water W2 freezes and adheres to the surface 22A while flowing down the surface 22A of the ice making plate 22 cooled to 0 ° C. or less. The amount of ice-making water W2 stored in the tank 26 gradually decreases. The ice making water W2 that has flowed down without being frozen on the surfaces 22A of the ice making plates 22 and 22 falls into the ice making water tank 26 and then is supplied again to the ice making water supply device 24 by the first water pump 37. .

  The ice making water tank 26 is an amount of ice making necessary for generating ice blocks IC of a specified number, shape and size in one ice making operation on the ice making plates 22 and 22 of each ice making unit 21 in the ice making unit 20. It is formed in a bucket shape that can store water W2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the ice making water tank 26 is provided with ice making water detecting means 38 for detecting the amount of ice making water W2 stored in the ice making water tank 26. The ice making water detection means 38 is, for example, a float switch, and is disposed at a position where the ice making water W2 is detected when a predetermined amount of ice making water W2 is stored in the ice making water tank 26 before the ice making operation. 1 ice making water detection switch 39 and the 2nd ice making arranged in the position where ice making water W2 in ice making water tank 26 is no longer detected in the state where the specified ice block IC was generated in each ice making part 21 of ice making unit 20 The water detection switch 40 is provided. That is, in the ice making machine M of the first embodiment, when the ice making water W2 decreases until the second ice making water detection switch 40 of the ice making water detecting means 38 does not detect the ice making water W2, each ice making unit 21 of the ice making unit 20 is reduced. Therefore, it is determined that the specified ice block IC has been generated, and the ice making operation is switched to the deicing operation. In addition, an overflow pipe 41 is formed in the ice making water tank 26, and the ice making water W2 supplied to the ice making water tank 26 from the state in which the first ice making water detection switch 39 detects the ice making water W2 is further overflowed. It is configured to discharge through the pipe 41.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigeration apparatus 60 includes a compressor 61, a water-cooled condenser 62, an expansion valve 63, and the evaporator 64 that are sequentially connected via a refrigerant pipe 65 to form a closed circuit. It is configured to circulate. The refrigeration apparatus 60 includes a bypass pipe 66 that directly connects the outlet side of the compressor 61 and the inlet side of each evaporator 64, and a hot gas valve 67 is provided in the middle of the bypass pipe 66. . Such a refrigeration apparatus 60 closes the hot gas valve 67 during the ice making operation so that the refrigerant compressed and vaporized by the compressor 61 is condensed and liquefied by the water-cooled condenser 62. After the pressure is reduced, each evaporator 64 expands and evaporates to cool the evaporator 64, thereby cooling the surfaces 22A of the ice making plates 22 and 22 to below the freezing point. Further, the refrigeration apparatus 60 opens the hot gas valve 67 during the deicing operation, so that the high-temperature refrigerant (hot gas) compressed and vaporized by the compressor 61 is passed through the bypass pipe 66 to the evaporator. By supplying to 64, the evaporator 64 is heated, and the surface 22A of the ice making plates 22, 22 is warmed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ice making machine M of the first embodiment includes a cooling water tank 45 that stores condenser cooling water W3 for cooling the water-cooled condenser 62. A first drain pipe 46 branched from the downstream side of the first water pump 37 in the first water pipe 36 is disposed with its outlet side facing the cooling water tank 45. The first drain pipe 46 is provided with a first drain valve 47 that is controlled to be opened and closed by the control means C. Accordingly, by controlling the opening of the first drain valve 47 and operating the first water pump 37, the ice making water W2 stored in the ice making water tank 26 is not supplied to the ice making water supply device 24 side. In addition, the water is fed to the first drain pipe 46 side and discharged to the cooling water tank 45. Therefore, in the deicing operation after the execution of the ice making operation, when the ice making water that contains impurities and becomes inappropriate for ice making (hereinafter referred to as “residual ice making water W2A”) remains in the ice making water tank 26, this residual ice making water The water W2A is discharged to the cooling water tank 45 and used as condenser cooling water W3 for cooling the water-cooled condenser 62.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a second drain pipe 48 connected to the overflow pipe 41 of the ice making water tank 26 is connected in the middle of the first drain pipe 46 to supply water for ice making water W2 or ice making. The ice making water W2 overflowed from the ice making water tank 26 during operation is discharged to the cooling water tank 45 through the second drain pipe 48.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the ice making machine M of the first embodiment includes a third water supply pipe 34 that is connected to an external water source and has an outlet side facing the upper opening of the cooling water tank 45. The third water supply pipe 34 is provided with a third water supply valve 35 that is controlled to open and close by the control means C and serves as the external water supply means. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the third water supply valve 35 is controlled to be opened by the control means C in the latter half of the deicing operation, whereby the pressurized external water W1 from the external water source is supplied to the third water supply pipe. Water is supplied to the cooling water tank 45 through 34 and the external water W1 is used as the condenser cooling water W3 of the water-cooled condenser 62.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cooling water tank 45 is provided with a cooling water amount detecting means (water amount detecting means) 50 for detecting the amount of condenser cooling water W3 stored in the cooling water tank 45. Has been. The cooling water amount detection means 50 is, for example, a float switch that detects the water amount of the condenser cooling water W3 and sends a water amount detection signal to the control means C. A predetermined amount of condenser cooling water is supplied before the ice making operation. When W3 is stored in the cooling water tank 45, the first cooling water detection switch 51 disposed at a position for detecting the condenser cooling water W3 and the presence / absence of the condenser cooling water W3 in the cooling water tank 45 are determined. And a second cooling water detection switch 52 for detection. The first cooling water detection switch 51 is detected when the condenser cooling water W3 required for cooling the water-cooled condenser 62 during one ice making operation is stored in the cooling water tank 45. ON) and set to send a detection signal.

  That is, in the ice making machine M of the first embodiment, the residual ice making water W2A discharged from the ice making water tank 26 alone cannot secure the amount of water necessary for cooling the water-cooled condenser 62 during the ice making operation. Even if only W2A is stored in the cooling water tank 45, the first cooling water detection switch 51 is not in the detection state. For this reason, after the remaining ice making water W2A is discharged to the cooling water tank 45, the external water supplied to the ice making water tank 26 beyond the specified amount through the first water supply pipe 30 by the opening control of the first water supply valve 31. The water W1 is collected in the cooling water tank 45 through the overflow pipe 41, or the external water W1 is supplied to the cooling water tank 45 through the third water supply pipe 34 by opening control of the third water supply valve 35. When the first cooling water detection switch 51 is in the detection state, the condenser water W3 having the required amount of water is ensured by mixing the external water W1 with the residual ice-making water W2A.

  In the ice making machine M according to the first embodiment, the mixing ratio of the external water W1 and the residual ice making water W2A is set to a ratio of approximately 1: 1. Therefore, the residual ice making water W2A is external. It will be diluted about twice with water W1. Here, since the residual ice making water W2A discharged from the ice making water tank 26 to the cooling water tank 45 was supplied to the ice making unit 21 as the ice making water W2 in the ice making operation performed immediately before, When stored in the cooling water tank 45, it is cooled to about 0 to 5 ° C. On the other hand, the external water W1 supplied from the external water source to the cooling water tank 45 via the third water supply pipe 34 is in the range of approximately 5 to 25 ° C., although there are some fluctuations depending on the season. Accordingly, the condenser cooling water W3 generated by mixing the residual ice making water W2A and the external water W1 has a water temperature of about 10 ° C.

  When the water-cooled condenser 62 is cooled by the condenser cooling water W3 having a water temperature of about 10 ° C., the condensation efficiency is the highest. Even if the water-cooled condenser 62 is cooled by the condenser cooling water W3 having a water temperature of 10 ° C. or less, the condensation efficiency is improved. It is scarce. Therefore, in the ice making machine M of the first embodiment, the condenser cooling water W3 generated by mixing the external water W1 and the residual ice making water W2A at a ratio of 1: 1 has the highest condensation efficiency of the water-cooled condenser 62. The water-cooled condenser 62 is supplied in a state of water temperature.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling water tank 45 is connected to the water-cooled condenser 62 through a second water pipe 54. The second water supply pipe 54 is provided with a second water supply pump 55 whose operation is controlled by the control means C. Therefore, by operating the second water pump 55 during the ice making operation, the condenser cooling water W3 generated and stored in the cooling water tank 45 is supplied to the water-cooled condenser 62, and the condenser cooling water W3 By cooling the water-cooled condenser 62, the refrigerant of the refrigeration apparatus 60 can be suitably condensed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the water-cooled condenser 62 is provided with a third drain pipe 57 connected to a cooling pipe 62 </ b> A provided in the water-cooled condenser 62. The third drain pipe 57 is provided with a throttle valve 58 that automatically adjusts the throttle amount in accordance with the water temperature of the condenser cooling water W3 supplied to the water-cooled condenser 62. The flow rate of W3 can be adjusted. That is, the throttle valve 58 increases the throttle amount as the temperature of the condenser cooling water W3 is lower (adjusts in the closing direction) to prevent overcooling of the water-cooled condenser 62 due to excessive supply of the condenser cooling water W3, When the temperature of the condenser cooling water W3 increases, the amount of throttle is reduced (adjusted in the opening direction) to increase the amount of water supplied to the condenser cooling water W3, thereby preventing the water cooling condenser 62 from rising in temperature. . Accordingly, the condenser cooling water W3 is pumped by the second water pump 55 and the flow rate of the condenser cooling water W3 is adjusted by the throttle valve 58, whereby an appropriate amount of condenser cooling is performed with respect to the water cooling condenser 62. Water W3 is supplied.

  The control means C comprehensively controls the ice making machine M. As shown in FIG. 3, the first ice making water detection switch 39 and the second ice making water detection switch 40 of the ice making water detection means 38, Detection signals are input from the first cooling water detection switch 51 and the second cooling water detection switch 52 of the cooling water amount detection means 50, and detection signals and detection signals are also input from various measurement means and detection means not shown. The Further, the control means C is based on various detection signals and various setting conditions inputted from a control panel (not shown), the compressor 61 of the refrigeration apparatus 60, the first water pump 37, the second water pump 55, the first water supply. The valve 31, the second water supply valve 33, the third water supply valve 35, the first drain valve 47 and the like are comprehensively controlled.

(Operation of the first embodiment)
Next, the operation of the ice making machine M of the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. The ice making machine M of the first embodiment is operated by the control means C as shown in the timing chart of FIG. That is, when the main switch of the ice making machine M is turned on and the power is turned on, the deicing operation is first performed as the initial startup operation. When this initial startup operation is completed, the ice making operation and the deicing operation are alternately performed to change the ice block IC. Generate. In the ice making machine M of the first embodiment, regarding the deicing operation, the “normal deicing operation” in which the ice making water W2 remaining in the ice making water tank 26 is not discharged, and the ice making water remaining in the ice making water tank 26 are used. The “discharge deicing operation” for discharging the residual ice making water W2A is performed alternately. That is, ice making operation → normal deicing operation → ice making operation → discharge deicing operation → ice making operation → normal ice removing operation → ice making operation → discharge deicing operation. The ice making machine M is operated in this way because the ice making water remaining in the ice making water tank 26 after one ice making operation does not contain impurities that are inappropriate for ice making. This is because it can also be used as ice making water during the ice making operation. Therefore, in the ice making machine M of the first embodiment, the ice making water remaining in the ice making water tank 26 after performing the ice making operation twice is discharged as the residual ice making water W2A. The ice making operation is basically the same as a conventional ice making machine, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In the normal deicing operation, the hot gas valve 67 of the refrigeration apparatus 60 is controlled to open to supply the high-temperature refrigerant from the compressor 61 to the evaporator 64, while the second water pump as shown in FIG. 55 is stopped and the water supply of the condenser cooling water W3 to the water-cooled condenser 62 is stopped. Further, by stopping the first water pump 37 and holding the first drain valve 47 in a closed state, the ice making water W2 remaining in the ice making water tank 26 is stored in the ice making water tank 26. deep. Then, opening control of the first water supply valve 31 is performed to supply deicing water via the deicing water supply device 25, and each ice block IC generated in the ice making unit 21 is dropped from the ice making plate 22. When all ice blocks IC are dropped from each ice making section 21, the first water supply valve 31 is controlled to close after a predetermined time, whereby ice making water W2 necessary for the next ice making operation is stored in the ice making water tank 26. The In addition, when deicing water of a specified amount or more is supplied to each ice making unit 21, the excess water supply is recovered to the cooling water tank 45 through the overflow pipe 41 of the ice making water tank 26.

  Simultaneously with the closing control of the first water supply valve 31, the third water supply valve 35 is controlled to open to supply the external water W1 from the external water source to the cooling water tank 45. When the control means C receives the water amount detection signal from the first cooling water detection switch 51 of the cooling water amount detection means 50 by supplying the external water W1 into the cooling water tank 45, the third water supply valve 35 is turned on. The closing control is performed to stop the supply of the external water W1. Thereby, in the cooling water tank 45, the condenser cooling water W3 necessary for cooling the water-cooled condenser 62 during the next ice making operation is secured. When the normal ice removal operation is completed and the ice making operation is started, the hot gas valve 67 of the refrigeration apparatus 60 is controlled to close and the second water supply pump 55 is turned on after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the ice making operation. By operating and supplying the condenser cooling water W3 in the cooling water tank 45 to the water-cooled condenser 62, the water-cooled condenser 62 is cooled to a temperature at which the condensation efficiency is the highest, and the water-cooled condenser 62 has an appropriate refrigerant. Is condensed. Therefore, the ice making plates 22 and 22 of the ice making units 21 in the ice making unit 20 can be appropriately cooled, and the ice blocks IC can be appropriately generated on the surfaces 22A of the ice making plates 22 and 22.

  In the discharge deicing operation, the hot gas valve 67 of the refrigeration apparatus 60 is controlled to be opened to supply the high-temperature refrigerant from the compressor 61 to the evaporator 64. As shown in FIGS. 2 The water supply pump 55 is stopped and the water supply of the condenser cooling water W3 to the water-cooled condenser 62 is stopped. Further, by controlling the opening of the first drain valve 47 and continuing the operation for a predetermined time without stopping the first water supply pump 37, the remaining ice-making water W2A remaining in the ice-making water tank 26 is removed. Then, the water is discharged to the cooling water tank 45 through the first drain pipe 46 (FIG. 5A). Then, a discharge completion time preset in the control means C as a time required for completely discharging the residual ice making water W2A in the ice making water tank 26 by the first water pump 37 has passed, and the ice making water When the discharge of the residual ice making water W2A from the water tank 26 is completed, the operation of the first water pump 37 is stopped and the first drain valve 47 is controlled to close, and then the first water supply valve 31 is controlled to open. The deicing water is supplied through the deicing water supply device 25, and each ice block IC generated in the ice making unit 21 is dropped from the ice making plate 22. When all ice blocks IC are dropped from each ice making section 21, the first water supply valve 31 is controlled to close after a predetermined time, whereby ice making water W2 necessary for the next ice making operation is stored in the ice making water tank 26. The In addition, when deicing water of a specified amount or more is supplied to each ice making unit 21, the excess water supply is recovered to the cooling water tank 45 through the overflow pipe 41 of the ice making water tank 26.

  In addition, when it is confirmed that the first water supply valve 31 is closed by the closing control of the first water supply valve 31, the third water supply valve 35 is controlled to be opened, and the external water W1 from the external water source is supplied. Water is supplied to the cooling water tank 45 (FIG. 5B). Then, when the control unit C receives a water amount detection signal from the first cooling water detection switch 51 of the cooling water amount detection unit 50 by supplying the external water W1 into the cooling water tank 45 through the third water supply pipe 34. Then, the third water supply valve 35 is controlled to be closed to stop the supply of the external water W1. As a result, the residual ice making water W2A and the external water W1 are mixed in the cooling water tank 45, and a condenser cooling water W3 having an amount of water necessary for cooling the water cooling condenser 62 in the next ice making operation is secured. It will be done. When the discharge deicing operation is completed and the operation is shifted to the ice making operation, the hot gas valve 67 of the refrigeration apparatus 60 is controlled to close, and the second water pump 55 is turned on after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the ice making operation. By operating and supplying the condenser cooling water W3 in the cooling water tank 45 to the water-cooled condenser 62, the water-cooled condenser 62 is cooled to a temperature having the highest condensation efficiency, and the water-cooled condenser 62 appropriately supplies the refrigerant. Condensed. Therefore, the ice making plates 22 and 22 of the ice making units 21 in the ice making unit 20 can be appropriately cooled, and the ice blocks IC can be appropriately generated on the surfaces 22A of the ice making plates 22 and 22.

  That is, according to the ice making machine M of the first embodiment, the condenser cooling water W3 for cooling the water cooling condenser 62 is the residual ice making water W2A in the cooled state remaining in the ice making water tank 26 after the completion of the two ice making operations. And the external water W1 supplied from an external water source and having a temperature higher than that of the residual ice making water W2A while being detected while detecting the amount of the condenser cooling water W3. In addition, since a part of the external water W1 used as the condenser cooling water W3 is supplied to the ice making unit 21 as deicing water and then recovered from the ice making water tank 26 through the overflow pipe 41, it is removed. Effective use of thermal energy of ice water can be achieved. Accordingly, the condenser cooling water W3 is generated at a water temperature suitable for cooling the water-cooled condenser 62 to a temperature at which the refrigerant condensing efficiency becomes the best, and the operating efficiency of the refrigeration apparatus 60 during ice making operation is increased. Therefore, the ice making efficiency of the ice block IC in the ice making unit 20 can be improved. Further, since the residual ice making water W2A is used as the condenser cooling water W3, the amount of the external water W1 supplied from the external water source can be reduced in order to cool the water cooling condenser 62, so that the ice making cost of the ice block IC can be reduced. You can also

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the cooling water tank 45 in the ice making machine M of the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ice making machine M of the second embodiment. In the ice making machine M of the second embodiment, the cooling water tank 45 includes a cooling water amount detecting means (water amount detecting means) 50 for detecting the amount of condenser cooling water W3 stored in the cooling water tank 45, and the condensation. Cooling water temperature detecting means (water temperature detecting means) 70 for detecting the water temperature of the vessel cooling water W3 is provided. The cooling water amount detecting means 50 is the same as the float switch exemplified in the first embodiment, and the condensation water is cooled when a specified amount of condenser cooling water W3 is stored in the cooling water tank 45 before the ice making operation. A first cooling water detection switch 51 disposed at a position for detecting the condenser cooling water W3 and a second cooling water detection switch 52 for detecting the presence or absence of the condenser cooling water W3 in the cooling water tank 45. Yes. The cooling water temperature detecting means 70 is, for example, a thermocouple thermometer, and is generated by mixing residual ice-making water W2A cooled to near 0 ° C. and external water W1 having a higher water temperature than the residual ice-making water W2A. The water temperature of the condenser cooling water W3 is detected at any time. Therefore, in the ice making machine M of the second embodiment, the control means C receives each of the water amount detection signal from the cooling water amount detection means 50 and the water temperature detection signal from the cooling water temperature detection means 70, thereby condensing efficiency. The amount of water that can cool the water-cooled condenser 62 to a temperature at which the water-cooled condenser 62 can be cooled, and the amount of water supplied to the external water W1 is adjusted so as to generate the condenser cooling water W3 having the water temperature. The water W3 is configured to be supplied to the water-cooled condenser 62.

  In the discharge deicing operation in the ice making machine M of the second embodiment, the hot gas valve 67 of the refrigeration apparatus 60 is controlled to open to supply the high-temperature refrigerant from the compressor 61 to the evaporator 64, while the second The water supply pump 55 is stopped and the supply of the condenser cooling water W3 to the water-cooled condenser 62 is stopped. Further, by controlling the opening of the first drain valve 47 and continuing the operation for a predetermined time without stopping the first water supply pump 37, the remaining ice-making water W2A remaining in the ice-making water tank 26 is removed. The water is discharged to the cooling water tank 45 through the first drain pipe 46. Then, a discharge completion time preset in the control means C as a time required for completely discharging the residual ice making water W2A in the ice making water tank 26 by the first water pump 37 has passed, and the ice making water When the discharge of the residual ice making water W2A from the water tank 26 is completed, the operation of the first water pump 37 is stopped and the first drain valve 47 is controlled to close, and then the first water supply valve 31 is controlled to open. The deicing water is supplied through the deicing water supply device 25, and each ice block IC generated in the ice making unit 21 is dropped from the ice making plate 22. When all ice blocks IC are dropped from each ice making section 21, the first water supply valve 31 is controlled to close after a predetermined time, whereby ice making water W2 necessary for the next ice making operation is stored in the ice making water tank 26. The In addition, when deicing water of a specified amount or more is supplied to each ice making unit 21, the excess water supply is recovered to the cooling water tank 45 through the overflow pipe 41 of the ice making water tank 26.

  In addition, when it is confirmed that the first water supply valve 31 is closed by the closing control of the first water supply valve 31, the third water supply valve 35 is controlled to be opened, and the external water W1 from the external water source is supplied. Water is supplied to the cooling water tank 45. And the control means C receives the water amount detection signal from the 1st cooling water detection switch 51 of the said cooling water amount detection means 50 by the water supply of the external water W1 in the cooling water tank 45 via the 3rd water supply pipe 34. At the same time, when the water temperature detection signal from the cooling water temperature detecting means 70 reaches a predetermined temperature, the third water supply valve 35 is controlled to be closed to stop the supply of the external water W1. As a result, the residual ice making water W2A and the external water W1 are mixed in the cooling water tank 45, and the water cooling and condenser cooling with the water amount optimum for condensing the refrigerant by the water cooling condenser 62 during the next ice making operation are performed. Water W3 is secured. When the discharge deicing operation is completed and the operation is shifted to the ice making operation, the hot gas valve 67 of the refrigeration apparatus 60 is controlled to close, and the second water pump 55 is turned on after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the ice making operation. By operating and supplying the condenser cooling water W3 in the cooling water tank 45 to the water-cooled condenser 62, the water-cooled condenser 62 is cooled to a temperature at which the condensation efficiency is the highest, and the water-cooled condenser 62 appropriately supplies the refrigerant. Condensed. Therefore, the ice making plates 22 and 22 of the ice making units 21 in the ice making unit 20 can be appropriately cooled, and the ice blocks IC can be appropriately generated on the surfaces 22A of the ice making plates 22 and 22.

  That is, according to the ice making machine M of the second embodiment, the condenser cooling water W3 for cooling the water-cooled condenser 62 includes the remaining ice-making water W2A in the cooled state remaining in the ice-making water tank 26 after the completion of the ice making operation, and the external It is generated by mixing external water W1 supplied from a water source and having a higher water temperature than the residual ice making water W2A while detecting the amount and temperature of the condenser cooling water W3. In addition, since a part of the external water W1 used as the condenser cooling water W3 is supplied to the ice making unit 21 as deicing water and then recovered from the ice making water tank 26 through the overflow pipe 41, it is removed. Effective use of thermal energy of ice water can be achieved. Accordingly, the condenser cooling water W3 is generated at a water temperature suitable for cooling the water-cooled condenser 62 to a temperature at which the refrigerant condensing efficiency becomes the best, and the operating efficiency of the refrigeration apparatus 60 during ice making operation is increased. Therefore, the ice making efficiency of the ice block IC in the ice making unit 20 can be improved. Further, since the residual ice making water W2A is used as the condenser cooling water W3, the amount of the external water W1 supplied from the external water source can be reduced in order to cool the water cooling condenser 62, so that the ice making cost of the ice block IC can be reduced. You can also

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ice making machine M of the third embodiment. The ice making machine M according to the third embodiment includes a timer 71 as a time measuring means. The timer 71 measures the time from the start of water supply of the external water W1 from the external water source by the third water supply valve 35. Here, when the ice making operation is performed with the ice making water tank 26 storing the prescribed amount of ice making water W2 and the ice making operation is performed in each ice making section 21, the ice making water is produced after the ice making operation. The amount of the remaining ice making water W2A remaining in the tank 26 is substantially constant. In addition, since the amount of deicing water supplied from the external water source to each ice making unit 21 during the deicing operation is determined by the time for supplying the deicing water, the cooling water tank is discharged from the overflow pipe 41 of the ice making water tank 26. The amount of the external water W1 collected in 45 can be calculated from the supply time of the deicing water. Since the third water supply valve 35 has a predetermined flow rate per unit time when it is controlled to open by the control means C, it is possible to calculate the amount of water supplied to the cooling water tank 45 based on the open time. is there. Therefore, the ice making machine M according to the third embodiment is configured so that the amount of residual ice making water W2A, the amount of deicing water collected from the ice making water tank 26 to the cooling water tank 45, and the finally generated condenser cooling water. Based on the amount of water W3, the amount of water supply of the external water W1 supplied through the third water supply pipe 34 is obtained and the opening time of the third water supply valve 35 is calculated. The third water supply valve 35 is controlled to open and close based on the time measured by the timer 71 to generate a desired amount of the condenser cooling water W3.

  In the discharge deicing operation in the ice making machine M of the third embodiment, the hot gas valve 67 of the refrigeration apparatus 60 is controlled to open to supply the high-temperature refrigerant from the compressor 61 to the evaporator 64, while the second The water supply pump 55 is stopped and the supply of the condenser cooling water W3 to the water-cooled condenser 62 is stopped. Further, by controlling the opening of the first drain valve 47 and continuing the operation for a predetermined time without stopping the first water supply pump 37, the remaining ice-making water W2A remaining in the ice-making water tank 26 is removed. The water is discharged to the cooling water tank 45 through the first drain pipe 46. Then, a discharge completion time preset in the control means C as a time required for completely discharging the residual ice making water W2A in the ice making water tank 26 by the first water pump 37 has passed, and the ice making water When the discharge of the residual ice making water W2A from the water tank 26 is completed, the operation of the first water pump 37 is stopped and the first drain valve 47 is controlled to close, and then the first water supply valve 31 is controlled to open. The deicing water is supplied through the deicing water supply device 25, and each ice block IC generated in the ice making unit 21 is dropped from the ice making plate 22. When all ice blocks IC are dropped from each ice making section 21, the first water supply valve 31 is controlled to close after a predetermined time, whereby ice making water W2 necessary for the next ice making operation is stored in the ice making water tank 26. The In addition, when deicing water of a specified amount or more is supplied to each ice making unit 21, the excess water supply is recovered to the cooling water tank 45 through the overflow pipe 41 of the ice making water tank 26.

  In addition, when it is confirmed that the first water supply valve 31 is closed by the closing control of the first water supply valve 31, the third water supply valve 35 is controlled to be opened, and the external water W1 from the external water source is supplied. Water is supplied to the cooling water tank 45. Simultaneously with the opening control of the third water supply valve 35, the timer 71 starts measuring time, the amount of residual ice making water W2A, the amount of deicing water collected in the cooling water tank 45, and finally generated. The opening time of the third water supply valve 35 is calculated from the amount of the condenser cooling water W3. Then, after controlling the opening of the third water supply valve 35, the control means C controls the closing of the third water supply valve 35 at the same time as the time of the timer 71 passes the calculated opening time, thereby supplying the external water W1. To stop. As a result, the residual ice making water W2A and the external water W1 are mixed in the cooling water tank 45, and condenser cooling of the water temperature and the amount of water necessary for condensing the refrigerant by the water cooling condenser 62 during the next ice making operation is performed. Water W3 is secured. When the discharge deicing operation is completed and the operation is shifted to the ice making operation, the hot gas valve 67 of the refrigeration apparatus 60 is controlled to close, and the second water pump 55 is turned on after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the ice making operation. By operating and supplying the condenser cooling water W3 in the cooling water tank 45 to the water-cooled condenser 62, the water-cooled condenser 62 is cooled to a temperature at which the condensation efficiency is the highest, and the water-cooled condenser 62 appropriately supplies the refrigerant. Condensed. Therefore, the ice making plates 22 and 22 of each ice making unit 21 in the ice making unit 20 are appropriately cooled, and the ice blocks IC can be appropriately generated on the surfaces 22A of the ice making plates 22 and 22.

  That is, according to the ice making machine M of the third embodiment, the condenser cooling water W3 for cooling the water-cooled condenser 62 includes the cooled remaining ice-making water W2A remaining in the ice-making water tank 26 after the completion of the ice making operation, and the external A predetermined amount of external water W1 supplied from a water source and having a water temperature higher than the residual ice making water W2A is mixed and detected while detecting the amount of the condenser cooling water W3. In addition, since a part of the external water W1 used as the condenser cooling water W3 is supplied to the ice making unit 21 as deicing water and then recovered from the ice making water tank 26 through the overflow pipe 41, it is removed. Effective use of thermal energy of ice water can be achieved. Therefore, the condenser cooling water W3 is generated at a water temperature suitable for cooling the water-cooled condenser 62 to a temperature at which the refrigerant condensing efficiency becomes the best, and the operating efficiency of the refrigeration apparatus 60 during ice making operation can be increased. The ice making efficiency of the ice block IC in the ice making unit 20 can be improved. Further, since the residual ice making water W2A is used as the condenser cooling water W3, the amount of the external water W1 supplied from the external water source can be reduced to cool the water cooling condenser 62, and the ice making cost of the ice block IC can be reduced. You can also.

(Example of change)
(1) In each of the first to third embodiments, the refrigeration apparatus 60 provided with the water-cooled condenser 62 is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 9, the refrigeration apparatus 60 includes the water-cooled condenser 62 and the air-cooled condenser. 75 may be provided. In the ice making machine M equipped with the refrigeration apparatus 60 including the water-cooled condenser 62 and the air-cooled condenser 75 as described above, for example, when the residual ice-making water W2A and the external water W1 are mixed to generate the condenser cooling water W3. Furthermore, when the water-cooled condenser 62 cannot be cooled to the temperature at which the condensation efficiency becomes the highest with the condenser cooling water W3 of this amount of water, the air-cooled condenser 75 is operated, so that the refrigerant of the refrigeration apparatus 60 is appropriately There is an advantage that can be condensed. That is, when the refrigerant can be appropriately condensed only by cooling the water-cooled condenser 62 with the condenser cooling water W3 generated by mixing the residual ice making water W2A and the external water W1, the air-cooled condenser 75 is not operated. The air-cooled condenser 75 is operated when the refrigerant cannot be condensed properly only by cooling the water-cooled condenser 62 with the condenser cooling water W3. Since the air-cooled condenser 75 functions only as an auxiliary to the water-cooled condenser 62, it may be of a small size and a small capacity, and exhaust heat and noise can be kept low.

(2) In the first and second embodiments, the float switch is exemplified as the cooling water amount detecting means 50. However, the water amount of the condenser cooling water W3 is not limited to the flow switch. An overflow pipe disposed in the water tank 45, a flow meter disposed in the third water supply pipe 34, or the like may be used.
(3) In the second embodiment, a thermocouple thermometer is exemplified as the cooling water temperature detecting means 70, but this cooling water temperature detecting means 70 appropriately detects the water temperature of the condenser cooling water W3 stored in the cooling water tank 45. However, the present invention is not limited to the thermocouple thermometer, and various existing temperature detection means can be employed. (4) In the first embodiment, the normal deicing operation and the discharging deicing are performed in the deicing operation. Although the operation is performed alternately, the interval for executing the discharge deicing operation is not limited to this, and if the ice making water W2 remaining after the ice making operation is suitable for ice making, the execution interval of the discharge deicing operation is It can be changed every 3 times or every 4 times. Further, the drainage deicing operation may be performed once.
(5) In each of the above embodiments, the third water supply pipe 34 connected to the external water source faces the cooling water tank 45 upward, and the external water W1 from the external water source is supplied to the cooling water tank 45. However, the third water supply pipe 34 may be directly connected to the cooling pipe 62 </ b> A of the water-cooled condenser 62 to supply the external water W <b> 1 directly to the water-cooled condenser 62. If comprised in this way, the external water W1 can be supplied to the water-cooled condenser 62, without operating the said 2nd water supply pump 55, The energy which operates this 2nd water supply pump 55 can be reduced.
(6) The ice making machine M of the third embodiment may be provided with the cooling water amount detecting means 50 of the first embodiment or the cooling water temperature detecting means 70 of the second embodiment.
(7) The ice making machine targeted by the present invention is not limited to the flow-down type ice making machine exemplified in the embodiment, and various forms of ice making machines are targeted.

21 Ice making section, 26 Ice making water tank, 35 Third water supply valve (external water supply means)
45 Cooling water tank, 50 Cooling water amount detecting means (water amount detecting means), 60 Refrigeration device 62 Water cooling condenser, 70 Cooling water temperature detecting means (water temperature detecting means), 71 Timer (time measuring means)
C control means, IC ice block, W1 external water, W2 ice making water, W2A residual ice making water W3 condenser cooling water

Claims (4)

A water-cooled condenser (62) is provided, and a refrigeration device (60) for cooling the ice making unit (21) for generating ice blocks (IC) and an ice making water (W2) are stored and supplied to the ice making unit (21). An ice making water tank (26) for collecting ice making water (W2) that has not been frozen, and a cooling water tank (45) for collecting and storing residual ice making water (W2A) remaining in the ice making water tank (26) after the ice making operation. In the ice making machine configured to cool the water-cooled condenser (62) using the residual ice making water (W2A) stored in the cooling water tank (45),
External water supply means (35) connected to an external water source and supplying external water (W1) from the external water source to the cooling water tank (45),
Controlling the external water supply means (35) to adjust the supply amount of external water (W1) to the cooling water tank (45), and mixing the external water (W1) with the residual ice making water (W2A). And a control means (C) for generating condenser cooling water (W3) at a required temperature for cooling the water-cooled condenser (62). Water amount detection means (50) for detecting the amount of the condenser cooling water (W3) stored in the cooling water tank (45),
The control means (C) is configured to control the external water supply means (35) based on a water quantity detection signal from the water quantity detection means (50) to adjust the water supply amount of the external water (W1). The ice making machine according to 1. Water temperature detection means (70) for detecting the water temperature of the condenser cooling water (W3) stored in the cooling water tank (45),
The control means (C) is configured to control the external water supply means (35) based on a water temperature detection signal from the water temperature detection means (70) to adjust the water supply amount of the external water (W1). The ice making machine according to 1 or 2. It comprises time measuring means (71) for measuring the time from the start of water supply of the external water (W1) by the external water supply means (35),
When the time measuring means (71) measures a preset time from the start of water supply of the external water (W1), the control means (C) controls the external water supply means (35) to control the external water (W1). The ice maker according to claim 1, which is configured to stop water supply.

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