JP2023170908A - Ice making machinery - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ice making machinery capable of preventing the leakage of ultraviolet rays.SOLUTION: An ice making machinery 10 includes an ice producing part 11 for producing ice, a water storage tank 13 having a water storage body part 26 formed in an upward open shape, a pump 15 for feeding water from the water storage tank 13 to the ice producing part 11, an ultraviolet ray irradiation part 50 for applying ultraviolet rays to a predetermined range Y including at least part of an inner wall of the water storage body part 26, and a holder 60 mounted with the ultraviolet ray irradiation part 50, the holder 60 including a shading part 62 for blocking the ultraviolet rays from being applied to a range beyond an upper end 26C3 of the water storage body part 26, out of the predetermined range Y.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to ice making machines.

Conventionally, as an ice maker, one described in Patent Document 1 is known. Patent Document 1 describes an ice-making water tank that stores tap water (ice-making water) supplied from a water valve, an ice-making plate placed above the ice-making water tank, and an ice storage that stores ice formed by the ice-making plate. An ice making machine (flowing type ice making machine) is disclosed, which includes: and a circulation pump that sends ice making water in an ice making water tank to an ice making plate. This ice-making machine generates ice by freezing ice-making water sent from an ice-making water tank to an ice-making plate near the surface of the ice-making plate by a circulation pump. Surplus ice-making water that has not turned into ice flows into the ice-making water tank again.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-87050

Generally, tap water contains chlorine for sterilization, but since it produces a chlorine odor, water from which chlorine has been removed is sometimes used as ice-making water. In that case, there is a concern that bacteria may easily grow in the ice-making water, ice-making water tank, etc., so it is necessary to periodically drain the ice-making water and clean the ice-making water tank with a cleaning agent. Then, the ice-making water must be cooled down from the tap water temperature again, and it takes time for ice to be produced again.

In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to sterilize ice-making water, it is conceivable to irradiate ultraviolet rays toward a predetermined area, such as the inside of an ice-making water tank, for example. In that case, in order to effectively and safely sterilize ice-making water, it is necessary to prevent ultraviolet rays from being irradiated (leakage) outside a predetermined area, such as the outside of an ice-making water tank (for example, an ice storage).

The present disclosure was completed based on the above circumstances, and one of the objects is to provide an ice making machine that can prevent ultraviolet rays from leaking. Another purpose is to effectively sterilize ice-making water.

The present disclosure includes an ice generation section that generates ice, a water storage tank having a water storage body section having an upwardly opening shape, a pump that sends water from the water storage tank to the ice generation section, and at least an inner wall of the water storage body section. an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays in a predetermined range including a part of the area, and a holder to which the ultraviolet irradiation unit is attached; This ice maker is equipped with a light shielding part that blocks ultraviolet rays that are irradiated onto the ice maker.

According to such an ice maker, the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation section beyond the upper end of the water storage body are blocked by the light shielding section of the holder to which the ultraviolet irradiation section is attached. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ultraviolet rays from leaking from the upper end of the water storage main body to the outside of the water storage main body.

In the above configuration, the holder includes a holder main body to which the ultraviolet irradiation section is attached, and the light shielding section rises from the holder main body and extends between the ultraviolet irradiation section and the upper end of the water storage main body. It may be separated.

According to such an ice maker, the light shielding part blocks the ultraviolet rays that are irradiated from the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation part to the area exceeding the upper end of the water storage body and the upper end. , it is possible to reliably prevent ultraviolet rays from leaking from the upper end of the water storage main body to the outside of the water storage main body.

In the above configuration, the ultraviolet irradiation section includes a light source that generates ultraviolet rays, and a covering section that has optical transparency and covers the light source from the water storage body side, and the holder is attached to the ultraviolet irradiation section. a holder main body part that is arranged in the water storage main body part, the light shielding part that stands up from the holder main body part toward the water storage main body part and is arranged on the side of the covering part, and the water storage main part side of the covering part from the light shielding part. and a protrusion protruding toward the surface side.

According to such an ice maker, the light source can be protected from the water storage main body side by the covering portion. Furthermore, the protrusion can prevent the covering from falling off into the water storage body, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the water storage body.

In the above configuration, the inner wall of the water storage main body portion may be configured to reflect ultraviolet rays.

When the water level of the water stored in the water storage body (hereinafter sometimes referred to as ice-making water) decreases due to ice being generated in the ice-producing section, the water level between the ultraviolet irradiation section and the ice-making water (water surface of ice-making water) decreases. The distance becomes longer, and the illuminance of the ultraviolet rays irradiated onto the bottom wall of the water storage body, for example, decreases. However, according to the ice making machine as described above, even if the water level of the ice making water drops, a portion of the inner wall exposed above the ice making water can reflect ultraviolet rays toward the ice making water by the amount of the drop. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the illumination intensity of ultraviolet rays and a decrease in the sterilizing ability accompanying this. In addition, even in the inner wall of the water storage main body, the ultraviolet rays can be made to reach even parts that are difficult to be directly irradiated with the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation device by reflection on the inner walls. Thereby, the sterilizing ability of ultraviolet rays can be improved.

The ice maker includes an ice storage chamber that stores ice generated in the ice generation section, and a machine room adjacent to a wall of the ice storage chamber, and the machine room has a control unit that controls at least the drive of the pump. The electrical equipment box may be box-shaped with an opening toward the ice storage compartment, and an edge of the opening may be attached to the wall of the ice storage compartment.

According to such an ice maker, heat generated within the electrical equipment box can be transmitted to the wall of the ice storage compartment and radiated. Additionally, even if a part of the cooling equipment that cools the ice generating section (heating elements such as the compressor, condenser, and condenser fan) is installed in the machine room together with the electrical equipment box, the heat generated by these heating elements may It is possible to prevent the heat radiation of the electrical equipment box from being hindered.

In the above configuration, the machine room may be adjacent to a bottom wall forming the bottom of the ice storage compartment, and the electrical equipment box may be opened upward, and an edge of the opening may be in contact with the bottom wall. .

This type of ice maker has a relatively large surface area, and the heat generated inside the electrical box can be transferred to the bottom wall where the generated ice comes into contact. It can dissipate heat effectively. Further, dew condensation is likely to occur on the outdoor side (machine room side) surface of the bottom wall due to the cold air in the ice storage compartment. However, according to the ice maker as described above, condensation occurring on the outdoor side surface of the bottom wall can be suppressed by heat dissipation from the electrical equipment box.

In the above configuration, the ice storage compartment includes a side wall portion rising from the bottom wall portion, the electrical equipment box includes an extending edge portion of the opening edge that extends laterally than the side wall portion, and the The machine may include a spacer disposed to close a space between the side wall portion and the extending edge portion.

According to such an ice maker, the spacer can prevent foreign matter such as insects, dust, and water droplets from entering the electrical equipment box from between the side wall and the extending edge.

In the above configuration, the bottom wall section includes a first bottom wall section and a second bottom wall section disposed on the outdoor side of the first bottom wall section, and the ice storage chamber includes a first bottom wall section. a first side wall portion rising from the bottom wall portion; and a second side wall portion rising from the second bottom wall portion, disposed on the outdoor side of the first side wall portion, and partially connected to the first side wall portion. The opening edge of the electrical equipment box may be attached to the second bottom wall.

According to such an ice maker, the heat generated in the electrical box is transferred from the second bottom wall, to the second side wall, and then to the first side wall in the order of the first bottom wall, which the generated ice comes into contact with. The heat generated inside the electrical box can be dissipated more effectively.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an ice maker that can prevent ultraviolet rays from leaking. Furthermore, it is possible to provide an ice making machine that can effectively sterilize ice making water.

Schematic diagram of an ice maker according to Embodiment 1 A perspective view of the ice generation section, water storage tank, etc. seen from the rear and upper side. A perspective view of the ice generation section, water storage tank, plate members, etc. viewed from the upper rear. Perspective view of the water storage tank viewed from the front and above Cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the ultraviolet irradiation part of the ice maker (cross section taken along the line V-V in Figure 2) Cross-sectional view near the ultraviolet irradiation part of the ice maker (VI-VI line cross section in Figure 2) Perspective view of the ultraviolet irradiation unit and holder viewed from the upper left Cross-sectional view of the ultraviolet irradiation part and holder (cross-section taken along line IIX-IIX in Figure 7) A perspective view of the ultraviolet irradiation unit, holder, bracket, etc. viewed from the rear and lower side. Perspective view of the ice maker seen from above Cross-sectional view of the ice maker (XI-XI line cross section in Figure 10) Perspective view of the machine room viewed from above Perspective view of the electrical box viewed from the front and above A cross-sectional view of the area near the electrical box, viewed from the left Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the ice maker Flowchart showing control of each part by the control unit Flowchart showing ice making operation A perspective view of the ultraviolet irradiation unit, etc. according to Embodiment 2, viewed from the rear and lower side.

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17. In this embodiment, a down-flow ice maker 10 is illustrated. Each figure may be described with arrow direction F as forward, arrow direction B as backward, arrow direction U as upward, arrow direction D as downward, arrow direction L as leftward, and arrow direction R as rightward.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ice making machine 10 includes an ice generating unit 11 that generates ice I by freezing water, a cooling device 40 that cools the ice plate 12 of the ice generating unit 11, and a cooling device 40 that stores water. A water storage tank 13, an ice storage chamber 14 for internally storing ice generated in the ice generation section 11, and a pump 15 that sends water stored in the water storage tank 13 from the water storage tank 13 to the ice generation section 11. Be prepared.

The ice maker 10 also includes a first water pipe 18 that connects the ice generating unit 11 and the pump 15, and a drainage pipe that is pulled out from the middle of the first water pipe 18 and that drains the water in the water storage tank 13 to the outside. a drain valve 21 that opens and closes the drain pipe 20; a water supply pipe 29 connected to the water pipe 31; a water supply valve 30 that opens and closes the water pipe 29; and a drain valve 21 that connects the drain pipe 20 and the water supply pipe 29. It includes a second water pipe 32 and a water valve 34 that opens and closes the second water pipe 32.

The cooling device 40 includes a compressor 41, a condenser 42, an expansion valve (capillary tube) 43, and an evaporation tube 44, which are connected by a refrigerant tube 45 to form a known vapor compression refrigeration circuit ( refrigeration cycle). The cooling device 40 also includes a condenser fan 46 for air-cooling the condenser 42 and a dryer 47 for removing moisture mixed into the refrigeration circuit. The evaporation pipe 44 is brazed in a meandering manner between the two ice-making plates 12 (see FIG. 2), and when the liquid refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 43 is vaporized, the ice-making plates 12 to cool down. An ice-making plate temperature sensor 16 (temperature detection unit capable of detecting the temperature of the ice-producing unit 11 ) for detecting the temperature of the ice-making plate 12 is provided in the refrigerant pipe 45 on the downstream side of the evaporation pipe 44 .

The cooling device 40 includes a bypass pipe 49 for supplying refrigerant gas (hot gas) compressed by the compressor 41 to the evaporation pipe 44, and a hot gas valve 48, which is a solenoid valve provided in the bypass pipe 49. Be prepared. The ice maker 10 can heat the evaporator tube 44 by supplying refrigerant gas (hot gas) from the compressor 41 to the evaporator tube 44 by opening the hot gas valve 48 .

The ice generating unit 11 includes an ice making plate 12, a first water sprinkling pipe 22 and a water sprinkling guide 24 that sprinkle water to generate ice I on the ice making plate 12, and a water sprinkling guide 24 that sprays water to melt the ice I generated on the ice making plate 12. A second water sprinkling pipe 23 for sprinkling water is provided. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ice-making plate 12 is a plate-shaped body whose plate surface extends in the vertical direction, and two ice-making plates 12 are provided so as to be disposed opposite to each other in the front-rear direction. The two ice-making plates 12 have non-opposed outer surfaces serving as ice-making surfaces 12A. The ice-making plate 12 includes a plurality of partition portions 12B that extend in the vertical direction, rise outward from the ice-making surface 12A, and partition the ice-making surface 12A into a plurality of regions.

Water supplied from the water storage tank 13 to the ice generation section 11 by the drive of the pump 15 is uniformly sprinkled onto each ice making surface 12A by the first water sprinkling pipe 22 and the water sprinkling guide 24 provided on the ice making plate 12. and flows down the ice making surface 12A. As shown in FIG. 1, a plate-shaped cover 37 is provided on the outside of the two ice-making plates 12 so as to face the ice-making surface 12A. One cover 37 is disposed on the front side and the other rear side of the two ice-making plates 12, and the lower part is bent so as to be close to the cube guide 28.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second water sprinkling pipe 23 is provided above between the two ice-making plates 12, and is connected to a water pipe 31 via a water supply pipe 29 and a water supply valve 30. The ice maker 10 sprays water from the second water pipe 23 by opening the water supply valve 30, and sprays the sprayed water onto the back surface of the ice-making plate 12 (the opposing inner surface, the surface opposite to the ice-making surface 12A). ) and flow into the water storage tank 13. The second water sprinkling pipe 23 has a function of warming the ice-making plate 12 with tap water and a water supply function of supplying tap water to the water storage tank 13.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the water storage tank 13 has a box shape (concave shape) with an upward opening, and includes a water storage main body 26 in which water is stored, and a left side from the front end 26A of the water storage main body 26. The water storage extension part 25 extends to the water storage body part 26 and has a bottom surface inclined downward toward the water storage main body part 26. The water storage extension part 25 is disposed below the ice making plate 12 and can receive unfrozen water out of the water flowing down the ice making plate 12 and allow it to flow into the water storage main body part 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ice maker 10 includes a plate member 27 that is L-shaped when viewed from the side (when viewed from the left and right directions). The plate member 27 includes a first plate part 27A that extends in the horizontal direction, and a second plate part 27B that rises upward from the front end of the first plate part 27A. The first plate portion 27A covers the upper part of the water storage main body portion 26. The second plate portion 27B is arranged at the rear of the ice-making plate 12 and faces the ice-making surface 12A.

A pump 15 and a float switch (water level detection unit) 17, which is arranged behind the pump 15 and can detect the water storage level L of water stored in the water storage main body 26, are attached to the first plate portion 27A. There is. The pump 15 and the float switch 17 are attached to the first plate portion 27A in such a manner that their lower portions enter inside the water storage body portion 26 (partially submerged in water when water is stored in the water storage body portion 26). It is being Further, the first plate portion 27A includes a circular opening 27A1 that opens in the vertical direction at the rear left of the portion where the float switch 17 is attached. A holder 60, which will be described later, is attached to the opening 27A1 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). For convenience, the plate member 27 is omitted in FIG. 2, the holder 60 is omitted in FIG. 3, and the outer shapes of the upper parts of the pump 15, the float switch 17, and the holder 60 are shown by dashed lines in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the water storage main body portion 26 includes a first water storage portion 26B whose long side is in the front-rear direction, and a second water storage portion 26C that extends to the left from the left rear portion of the first water storage portion 26B. Be prepared. The first water storage portion 26B includes a first bottom portion 26B1 that constitutes most of the bottom surface, and a second bottom portion that is located on the left side of the first bottom portion 26B1 and that constitutes a bottom surface that is higher than the first bottom portion 26B1. 26B2. The third bottom surface portion 26C1 that constitutes the bottom surface of the second water storage portion 26C is at the same height as the second bottom surface portion 26B2. A pump 15 and a float switch 17 are arranged above the first bottom portion 26B1. A holder 60 (opening 27A1) is disposed above the third bottom portion 26C1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, water can be circulated between the water storage tank 13 and the ice generation section 11 by driving the pump 15. The water storage tank 13 and the ice generation unit 11 are included on two flowing water paths (a first flowing water path and a second flowing water path), and the pump 15 can circulate the water in each flowing water path. The first flowing water route is a route returning from the water storage tank 13 to the water storage tank 13 through the pump 15, the first water pipe 18, the first sprinkler pipe 22, and the ice making surface 12A of the ice making plate 12 in this order. , a route returning to the water storage tank 13 from the water storage tank 13 through the pump 15, the first water pipe 18, the drain pipe 20, the second water pipe 32, the water supply pipe 29, the second sprinkler pipe 23, and the back of the ice-making plate 12 in this order. It is. The first water flow path and the second water flow path can be switched by opening and closing the water flow valve 34.

A cube guide 28 is interposed between the water storage extension portion 25 and the ice making plate 12. The cube guide 28 is a drainboard-like member in which a plurality of passage holes are formed. Water flowing down from the ice-making plate 12 passes through the cube guide 28 and is collected in the water storage extension 25. On the other hand, the ice that has fallen from the ice making plate 12 slides down on the cube guide 28 and is thrown into the ice storage chamber 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, an ice storage chamber 14 is provided below the water storage tank 13 to store ice that has slipped on the cube guide 28. On the other hand, a piping chamber 19 in which piping such as the first water pipe 18 is provided is provided above the first plate portion 27A. The ice that has fallen into the ice storage compartment 14 is stored in a pile on the bottom wall 14A of the ice storage compartment 14. An ice storage sensor 33 is provided at the top of the ice storage compartment 14 to detect the amount of ice stored in the ice storage compartment 14 . The ice storage sensor 33 is an ice storage switch equipped with a flap plate 33A, and when ice accumulates in the ice storage chamber 14 and becomes full of ice, the flap plate 33A is pushed upward by the ice and detects the full ice.

When the water supply valve 30 is opened, the water flowing down to the water storage extension part 25 via the ice generation part 11 heads rearward from the front end 26A of the water storage main body part 26, passes through the first water storage part 26B, and flows into the second water storage part 26C. It flows towards you. In the water storage main body portion 26, the internal air also moves toward the second water storage portion 26C along with the flow of water.

As shown in FIG. 4, the inner wall of the water storage main body portion 26 has a configuration that reflects ultraviolet rays (a configuration that does not easily absorb ultraviolet rays). The inner wall of the water storage main body part 26 includes a first bottom part 26B1, a second bottom part 26B2, a third bottom part 26C1, and a water storage side wall part 26C2 rising from the third bottom part 26C1. As the inner wall of the water storage main body portion 26, a material made of metal (for example, aluminum) with a mirror-finished surface may be used. Further, a film that reflects ultraviolet rays (for example, a film made of aluminum) may be attached to the inner wall of the water storage main body 26, or a paint that reflects ultraviolet rays may be applied. Note that the inner wall of the water storage main body portion 26 is not limited to the first bottom portion 26B1, etc., and may refer to the entire inner wall surface (the side that contacts the stored water).

The pump 15 includes a motor with a variable rotational speed as a power source, and can circulate water by driving the motor and change the amount of water circulated depending on the rotational speed of the motor. As shown in FIG. 1, the float switch 17 includes a float 17A that can be vertically displaced by buoyancy according to the water storage level L of the water storage main body 26, and two reed switches (not shown). The float switch 17 changes to a first water level L1 and a water level higher than the first water level L1 (a water level higher than the first water level L1) by moving the float 17A up and down and turning on or off the two reed switches, respectively. The second water level L2 is detected in stages. The float switch 17 can detect whether the water storage level L has become equal to or higher than the first water level L1, and whether the water storage level L has become equal to or higher than the second water level L2.

In FIG. 1, the water storage level L is lower than the first water level L1, and the two reed switches are turned off. From this state, for example, when water is gradually supplied and stored in the water storage main body 26, the water storage level L rises and the float 17A rises. When the water storage level L becomes equal to or higher than the first water level L1 due to water supply, the reed switch corresponding to the first water level L1 is turned on, and the float switch 17 indicates that the water storage level L has become equal to or higher than the first water level L1. To detect. Subsequently, when the water storage level L becomes equal to or higher than the second water level L2 due to water supply, the reed switch corresponding to the second water level L2 is turned on, thereby indicating that the water storage level L has become equal to or higher than the second water level L2. 17 is detected.

After that, when the water supply to the water storage main body 26 is stopped and ice I starts to be generated on the ice making plate 12, the water stored in the water storage main body 26 gradually decreases as the ice I is generated. , the water storage level L decreases and the float 17A descends. When the water storage level L becomes less than the second water level L2 due to the formation of ice I, the reed switch corresponding to the second water level L2 is turned off, thereby indicating that the water storage level L has become less than the second water level L2. is detected by the float switch 17. Subsequently, when the water storage level L becomes less than the first water level L1 due to the formation of ice I, the reed switch corresponding to the first water level L1 is turned off, so that the water storage level L becomes less than the first water level L1. The float switch 17 detects this.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the ice maker 10 is equipped with an ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 that irradiates ultraviolet rays to a predetermined range Y (the area inside the dashed line in FIGS. 5 and 6), and an ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 that , a holder 60 made of resin that blocks ultraviolet rays, and a metal bracket 69 to which the holder 60 and a resistor 79 are attached. As shown in FIG. 8, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 includes a substrate 51, a light source (LED) 52 that is mounted on the substrate 51 and generates ultraviolet rays, and has light transmittance, with the light source 52 placed on the lower side (water storage main body 26). A cap (coating part) 53 made of soft resin that covers from the side), a case (accommodating part) 54 that accommodates these, and a heat conductive sheet 57 interposed between the upper surface of the substrate 51 and the case 54. The inside of the case 54 is filled with an adhesive (potting agent) not shown. This adhesive adheres the case 54, the cap 53, the substrate 51, and the heat conductive sheet 57. The material of the case 54 is not particularly limited, but a material that easily radiates heat generated from the light source 52 (synthetic resin, etc.) can be used. The material for the heat conductive sheet 57 is not particularly limited, but a material with relatively high heat conductivity can be used.

The wavelength of the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 52 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of improving the sterilizing effect, the wavelength is preferably in the range of 100 nm or more and 400 nm or less, and more preferably in the range of 100 nm or more and 280 nm or less (deep ultraviolet rays). The range is preferably from 260 nm to 270 nm, more preferably from 260 nm to 270 nm. The ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 irradiates ultraviolet light to a predetermined range Y where the ultraviolet light emitted from the light source 52 passes through the cap 53 and has an irradiation angle θ2 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The irradiation angle θ2 may be, for example, an angle of 130 degrees. The predetermined range Y includes at least a portion of the inner wall of the water storage main body portion 26 (first bottom portion 26B1, second bottom portion 26B2, third bottom portion 26C1, and water storage side wall portion 26C2).

The case 54 is a variable temperature section whose temperature increases (changes) as the light source 52 (ultraviolet irradiation section 50) irradiates it with ultraviolet rays. When ultraviolet light is irradiated from the light source 52, the light source 52 generates heat, which is transferred to the case 54 via the substrate 51 and the heat conductive sheet 57. When the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 operates normally, the case 54 increases the amount of ultraviolet rays by a certain amount until at least a predetermined period of time (such as 3 minutes or 10 minutes) has elapsed from the start of ultraviolet ray irradiation from the light source 52, for example. The temperature rises. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a case temperature sensor 78 is attached to the upper surface 54A of the case 54 by screws 55. As shown in FIGS. The temperature sensor 78 is in contact with the upper surface 54A of the case 54, and is capable of detecting the temperature of the case 54.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the holder 60 includes a disc-shaped holder main body 61 to which the case 54 is attached by screwing the screw 56, and an inner peripheral end (circular opening) 61A of the holder main body 61. It includes a cylindrical light shielding part 62 that rises downward from the cylindrical part, and an annular protrusion 63 that projects inward from the inner surface of the light shielding part 62. The cap 53 of the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 is partially fitted into the light shielding section 62 from the opening 61A of the holder main body section 61. The protruding portion 63 protrudes from the light shielding portion 62 toward the lower surface 53A of the cap 53 (the surface of the cap 53 on the water storage body portion 26 side). The lower surface 53A of the cap 53 is located above the protrusion 63. With such a configuration, the holder 60 can prevent the water storage tank 13 from coming into contact with the cap 53 when the water storage tank 13 is attached to the first plate portion 27A. Moreover, the holder 60 can prevent the cold air from the water storage tank 13 from flowing into the upper part of the pump 15 or the upper part (piping chamber 19) of the first plate part 27A and leaking.

The light shielding part 62 is disposed around (on the sides) of the cap 53, and its lower end 62A extends below the lower surface 53A of the cap 53. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the light shielding section 62 is configured to separate the light source 52 of the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 from the upper end 26C3 of the second water storage section 26C in the water storage main body section 26. and the upper end portion 26C3. The lower end portion 62A of the light shielding portion 62 is located below the line connecting the light source 52 and the upper end portion 26C3. The ultraviolet rays emitted from the light source 52 are partially blocked by the light shielding part 62, so that the predetermined range Y is reduced to a reduced range X having an angle θ1 smaller than the irradiation angle θ2. This angle θ1 may be, for example, 100 degrees. The light shielding part 62 is configured to irradiate a range (i.e., a range beyond the upper end 26C3) of a predetermined range Y where the light source 52 irradiates ultraviolet rays, including the upper end 26C3 and the range above the upper end 26C3 (the range beyond the upper end 26C3). This is a range in which the angle exceeds angle θ1 and is below angle θ2, for example, a range in which the irradiation angle of ultraviolet rays exceeds 100 degrees and is below 130 degrees). Note that the upper end portion 26C3 and the first plate portion 27A of the plate member 27 are spaced apart from each other, and a gap S is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, a bracket 69, which is a sheet metal bent into a crank shape, is attached to the holder body 61 with screws 68. As shown in FIGS. The bracket 69 includes a long plate portion 69A whose long sides extend in the vertical direction, and a bent portion 69B bent toward the lower left from the upper end of the long plate portion 69A. The long plate portion 69A penetrates the thick plate-shaped structure 38 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) disposed on the first plate portion 27A in the thickness direction (vertical direction). A resistor 79 is attached to the bent portion 69B side of the long plate portion 69A, and is held by an earth clamp 67 formed by bending a sheet metal (for example, an aluminum plate). The earth clamp 67 is attached to the long plate portion 69A by screws 66. The resistor 79 is a voltage dividing resistor, and is electrically connected to the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 50 and the microcomputer board 82 (see FIG. 13) via a harness so as to form a series circuit. The earth clamp 67 can radiate heat generated from the resistor 79 when the light source 52 (ultraviolet irradiation unit 50) irradiates the ultraviolet rays.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the ice making machine 10 has an upper part 10A having an ice generating section 11, a water storage tank 13, a piping room 19, an ice storage compartment 14, etc., and a machine room 5. and a lower portion 10B located therein. Moreover, the ice maker 10 is attached to the front of the upper part 10A, and straddles a bottom-opening door 2 that can open and close the ice storage chamber 14, the front of the lower part 10B, and a part (lower part) of the front of the upper part 10A. A plate-shaped front panel 3 is attached as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the ice storage chamber 14 has a bottom wall 14A that forms the bottom, which is a lower wall, and a front (side) wall that rises from the front end of the bottom wall 14A. A side wall portion 14B. The bottom wall part 14A is arranged on the outdoor side (lower side) with a space between the first bottom wall part 14A1 that receives (makes contact with the ice) the ice that has fallen from the ice generation part 11, and the first bottom wall part 14A1. and a second bottom wall portion 14A2. The second bottom wall portion 14A2 extends further forward than the first bottom wall portion 14A1. The second bottom wall portion 14A2 constitutes a ceiling that is an upper wall portion of the machine room 5. The side wall portion 14B rises from the front end portion of the first bottom wall portion 14A1, and rises from the front end portion of the first side wall portion 14B1 and the second bottom wall portion 14A2, which are in contact with the ice accumulated on the first bottom wall portion 14A1, A second side wall portion 14B2 is provided on the outdoor side (front side) with an interval from the first side wall portion 14B1. The second side wall portion 14B2 includes a lower end portion 14B21 extending further downward than the first side wall portion 14B1. The upper end portion of the second side wall portion 14B2 is connected to the upper end portion of the first side wall portion 14B1 by a connecting portion 14C having an inverted U-shape in cross section. Note that a heat insulating material such as urethane foam may be filled between the first bottom wall portion 14A1 and the second bottom wall portion 14A2 or between the first side wall portion 14B1 and the second side wall portion 14B2. .

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 (views with the front panel removed), the machine room 5 has a box shape with an upward opening, and is adjacent to the lower side of the second bottom wall portion 14A2. In the machine room 5, the upper ends of the left and right walls 5A, 5B and the upper end of the rear wall 5C are attached to the second bottom wall 14A2. The machine room 5 is provided with a compressor 41, a condenser 42, a condenser fan 46, an electrical equipment box 80, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 13, the electrical equipment box 80 includes a long plate-shaped bottom plate portion 80E whose long side is in the front-rear direction, and four plate-shaped side plate portions 80A rising from both front and rear ends and left and right ends of the bottom plate portion 80E. , 80B, 80C, and 80D, and is box-shaped and opens upward (toward the ice storage compartment 14 side). As shown in FIGS. 11 and 14, the opening edges of the electrical equipment box 80 (the upper end 80A1 of the right side plate 80A, the upper end 80B1 of the left side plate 80B, and the upper end 80C1 of the rear side plate 80C) are located at the second bottom. It is in contact with the wall portion 14A2. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the rear plate portion 80C includes a locking portion 80C2 extending rearward from an upper end portion 80C1. The locking portion 80C2 fixes the electrical equipment box 80 to the second bottom wall portion 14A2 by being inserted into a locked portion 14A21 that extends downwardly toward the front in the second bottom wall portion 14A2.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 13, and 14, the upper end 80A1 of the right side plate 80A and the upper end 80B1 of the left side plate 80B each extend further forward than the lower end 14B21 of the second side wall 14B2. The extended edge portions 80A2 and 80B2 are provided. On the other hand, the front plate portion 80D includes an upper extending portion 80D1 extending upwardly than the extending edges 80A2 and 80B2, and a piece portion 80D2 bent rearward from the upper end of the upper extending portion 80D1. The ice maker 10 includes a concave spacer 89 arranged to close the space between the lower end 14B21 of the second side wall 14B2, the extending edges 80A2, 80B2, and the upper extending part 80D1. The spacer 89 is located above the two extending edges 80A2 and 80B2, and has a spacer main body 89B that spreads in the horizontal direction, and a second side wall that rises upward from the rear end of the spacer main body 89B. It includes a rear rising part 89A attached to the lower end 14B21 of the spacer body 89B, and a front rising part 89C rising upward from the front end of the spacer main body 89B and attached to the upper extending part 80D1. The piece portion 80D2 of the front plate portion 80D extends so that its rear end portion is positioned further back than the front raised portion 89C.

As shown in FIG. 13, the electrical equipment box 80 includes a switching regulator 81 that converts DC voltage to AC voltage, a microcomputer board (control unit) 82 that controls the driving of the pump 15, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50, etc., and a relay 83. , and a harness (wiring type) not shown. Further, the electrical equipment box 80 includes a display section 84 and an input section 85 provided on the front side plate section 80D.

FIG. 15 shows the electrical configuration of the ice maker 10. The control section 82 is electrically connected to the float switch 17, the ice storage sensor 33, the ice plate temperature sensor 16, the case temperature sensor 78, the resistor 79, the ultraviolet irradiation section 50, the display section 84, and the input section 85. There is. Further, the control unit 82 is electrically connected to the compressor 41 , the dryer 47 , the hot gas valve 48 , the pump 15 , the water supply valve 30 , the drain valve 21 , and the water flow valve 34 .

When the input unit 85 is operated by the operator, the control unit 82 controls the irradiation duration M1 during which the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 continues to irradiate ultraviolet rays, and the irradiation duration M1 during which the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 continues to irradiate ultraviolet rays, and again after the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 stops irradiating ultraviolet rays. It is possible to set the irradiation interval time M2, which is the time until the start, and the ice-making continuation time M3, during which the ice-making unit 11 continues the ice-making operation (first operation) to generate ice, to arbitrary values. can. By setting the ice making duration M3, it is possible to secure the time for the ice to grow sufficiently (for example, the time required for the ice to grow to the extent that it can fall from the ice making plate 12 under its own weight). . The irradiation duration M1 may be set, for example, at a value of 5 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less, and preferably, 10 minutes. Further, the irradiation duration M1 may be set to 0 minutes, and in that case, the setting may be such that the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ray irradiation section 50 are not irradiated. The irradiation interval time M2 may be set to, for example, a value of 30 minutes to 300 minutes, and preferably 120 minutes. The ice making duration M3 is not particularly limited, but may be set to 5 minutes, for example.

Next, the flow of the control section 82 controlling each section will be explained using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. When the main power of the ice maker 10 is turned on and the ice storage sensor 33 does not detect that the ice storage compartment 14 is full of ice, the control unit 82 opens the water supply valve 30 and starts supplying water to the water storage tank 13 (S1 ). Next, the control unit 82 determines whether the water storage level L detected by the float switch 17 is equal to or higher than the first water level L1 (S2). When the water storage level L is equal to or higher than the first water level L1 (YES in S2), the control unit 82 performs an ice-making operation to generate ice in the ice generation unit 11 (S3). When the water storage level L is less than the first water level L1 (NO in S2), the control unit 82 performs the determination in S2 again.

Note that the control unit 82 performs an ice-making operation as a first operation in S3, and then performs a de-icing operation (S4 to S6) as a second operation different from the ice-making operation. After performing the deicing operation, the control unit 82 returns to S1 again, and then performs the ice making operation S3 and the deicing operations S4 to S6 again. In this way, the control unit 82 repeats the ice making operation S3 and the deicing operations S4 to S6.

As shown in FIG. 17, in the ice-making operation, the control unit 82 drives the cooling device 40 (compressor 41, condenser fan 46, etc.) to cool the ice-making plate 12 (S10). Next, the control unit 82 drives the pump 15 to circulate water, and causes the water to flow down from the water storage tank 13 to the ice-making surface 12A of the ice-making plate 12 (S20).

Next, the control unit 82 determines whether the temperature of the ice making plate 12 (ice generating unit 11) detected by the ice making plate temperature sensor 16 is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature T1 (for example, 2 degrees) (S30). . When the temperature of the ice generating unit 11 is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T1 (YES in S30), the control unit 82 starts measuring the ice making continuation time M3 (for example, 5 minutes) (S40). On the other hand, if the temperature of the ice generating unit 11 is not lower than the predetermined temperature T1 (NO in S30), the control unit 82 performs the determination in S30 again.

Next, the control unit 82 determines whether the water storage level L detected by the float switch 17 is equal to or higher than the second water level L2 (S50). When the water storage level L is equal to or higher than the second water level L2 (YES in S50), the control unit 82 turns the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 from OFF to ON and starts irradiation of ultraviolet rays in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 (S60). On the other hand, if the water storage level L is not equal to or higher than the second water level L2 (NO in S50), the control unit 82 performs the determination in S50 again. Note that the control unit 82 closes the water supply valve 30 and stops the water supply to the water storage tank 13 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the water storage level L becomes equal to or higher than the second water level L2 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 is turned on.

When the ice-making plate 12 is cooled and the temperature of the ice-making plate 12 is sufficiently lowered, ice cores (seed ice) begin to adhere to the ice-making surface 12A, mainly on the part of the back surface that is in contact with the evaporation tube 44, and this As the seed ice expands and grows, ice I of a predetermined size is generated. When the water supply to the water storage tank 13 is stopped, the water storage level L of the water stored in the water storage tank 13 gradually decreases as ice I is generated.

Next, the control unit 82 determines that the temperature increase of the case (variable temperature unit) 54 detected by the case temperature sensor 78 from when the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 starts irradiating ultraviolet rays until a predetermined time M4 has elapsed is as follows: It is determined whether the temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature T2 (S70). If the temperature increase of the case 54 until the predetermined time M4 has elapsed is less than the predetermined temperature T2 (YES in S70), the control unit 82 proceeds to S72, and if not (NO in S70), proceeds to S80. .

It is assumed that the control unit 82 can set a time shorter than the irradiation duration M1 as the predetermined time M4. This predetermined time M4 may be set at any time within the range of, for example, 1 minute or more and 30 minutes or less, preferably 15 minutes or less, more preferably 10 minutes or less, and even more preferably 5 minutes or less. Among them, the predetermined time M4 can be 3 minutes. When the predetermined time M4 is set to such a value in the control unit 82, a certain amount of time necessary for the temperature of the case 54 to rise stably is secured, and whether or not the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 is normal is determined. It becomes easier for the control unit 82 to make accurate determinations.

Further, when the predetermined time M4 is 3 minutes, the predetermined temperature T2 can be 4 degrees. Alternatively, if the predetermined time M4 is 10 minutes, the predetermined temperature T2 can be 10 degrees. Note that when the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 is operating normally, the temperature increase in the case 54 from when the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 starts irradiating ultraviolet rays until the predetermined time M4 has elapsed is equal to the temperature around the case 54. Regardless, when the predetermined time M4 is 3 minutes, the temperature is about 7.9 degrees to 8.8 degrees, and when the predetermined time M4 is 10 minutes, it is about 14.6 degrees to 16.3 degrees.

In S72, while repeating the ice making operation (S3) and the deicing operation (S4 to S6), the control unit 82 continuously determines YES in S70 (a state in which the temperature increase is less than the predetermined temperature). The number of times is counted, and it is determined whether the number of consecutive times is three or more. If YES is returned three or more times in a row in S70 during two repetitions of operation (YES in S72), the control unit 82 displays an error message such as “n32” on the display unit 84 (S74), and displays an error message on the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50. is switched from ON to OFF to stop irradiation of ultraviolet light in the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 (S90). On the other hand, in the two repetitions of operation, if YES is not returned three or more times in a row in S70 (NO in S72), the control unit 82 controls the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 without displaying an error display on the display unit 84. The switch is switched from ON to OFF to stop irradiation of ultraviolet light in the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 (S90).

In S80, the control unit 82 determines whether the water storage level L detected by the float switch 17 is lower than the first water level L1. When the water storage level L is lower than the first water level L1 (YES in S80), the control unit 82 stops the ultraviolet ray irradiation in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 (S90). On the other hand, if the water storage level L is not lower than the first water level L1 (or higher than the first water level L1) (NO in S80), the control unit 82 performs the determination in S80 again. Note that, if the water storage level L detected by the float switch 17 is lower than the first water level L1 within the irradiation duration M1, the control unit 82 prioritizes and stops the ultraviolet irradiation in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 ( UV irradiation is stopped without waiting for the elapse of the irradiation duration M1).

Next, the control unit 82 determines that the cumulative time during which the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 50 irradiated the ultraviolet rays (including the irradiation time accumulated by repeating ice making operation and deicing operation) exceeds a predetermined cumulative time M5 (for example, 10,000 hours). If it exceeds the limit (YES in S100), an error message such as "n32" is displayed on the display unit 84 (S102), and the process proceeds to S110. On the other hand, if this is not the case (NO in S100), the control unit 82 proceeds to S110 without displaying an error on the display unit 84. Subsequently, the control unit 82 determines whether the ice making continuation time M3 has elapsed (S110). If the ice-making continuation time M3 has not elapsed (NO in S110), the control unit 82 continues the ice-making operation while keeping the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 50 in the OFF state. On the other hand, when the ice-making continuation time M3 has elapsed (YES in S110), the control unit 82 finishes the ice-making operation, proceeds to S4 in FIG. 16, and starts the de-icing operation.

In the deicing operation, the control unit 82 opens the hot gas valve 48 and the water supply valve 30 to flow water from the second water sprinkling pipe 23 to the back surface of the ice-making plate 12 (S4). As a result, the ice-making plate 12 warms up, and the portion of the ice I that contacts the ice-making surface 12A melts, so that the ice I peels off from the ice-making surface 12A and falls, and is removed.

Then, when the temperature of the ice-making plate 12 detected by the ice-making plate temperature sensor 16 reaches a predetermined temperature T3 (for example, 9° C.) or higher (YES in S5), the control unit 82 closes the hot gas valve 48 (S6). , stop deicing operation. In this way, after performing a series of operations, the control unit 82 returns to S1 again and starts the ice-making operation in S3, thereby repeating the ice-making operation and the de-icing operation.

Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained. In the present embodiment, an ice generating section 11 that generates ice, a water storage tank 13 having a water storage main body section 26 having an upward opening shape, a pump 15 that sends water from the water storage tank 13 to the ice generating section 11, and at least a water storage An ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 that irradiates ultraviolet rays to a predetermined range Y including a part of the inner wall of the main body 26 and a holder 60 to which the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 50 is attached are provided. The ice maker 10 is shown including a light shielding part 62 that blocks ultraviolet rays irradiated to a range beyond the upper end 26C3 of the main body part 26.

According to the ice maker 10, the light shielding section 62 of the holder 60 to which the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 is attached allows the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 to extend beyond the upper end 26C3 of the water storage body section 26 within the irradiation range Y of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation section 50. Since the ultraviolet rays irradiated to the area are blocked, it is possible to prevent the ultraviolet rays from leaking from the upper end portion 26C3 of the water storage body 26 to the outside of the water storage body 26.

The holder 60 includes a holder main body part 61 to which the ultraviolet irradiation part 50 is attached, and the light shielding part 62 has a shape that rises from the holder main body part 61 and separates the ultraviolet irradiation part 50 and the upper end part 26C3 of the water storage main body part 26. I am doing it.

According to the ice maker 10, the light shielding section 62 prevents the ultraviolet rays from being irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 to the area beyond the upper end 26C3 of the water storage main body 26 and the upper end 26C3. Since the ultraviolet rays are blocked, it is possible to reliably prevent ultraviolet rays from leaking from the upper end 26C3 of the water storage body 26 to the outside of the water storage body 26.

The ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 includes a light source 52 that generates ultraviolet rays, and a cap 53 that is transparent and covers the light source 52 from the water storage body 26 side. It has a shape that stands up to the side, and includes a light shielding part 62 arranged on the side of the cap 53, and a protrusion part 63 protruding from the light shielding part 62 toward the surface of the cap 53 on the water storage body part 26 side.

According to the ice maker 10 as described above, the light source 52 can be protected from the water storage main body 26 side by the cap 53. In addition, the protrusion 63 prevents the cap 53 from falling into the water storage body 26, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the water storage body 26.

The inner wall of the water storage main body portion 26 is configured to reflect ultraviolet rays. When the water storage level L of the water (ice making water) stored in the water storage main body 26 decreases due to ice being generated in the ice generating section 11, etc., the distance between the ultraviolet ray irradiation section 50 and the ice making water (water surface of the ice making water) decreases. becomes longer, and for example, the illuminance of the ultraviolet rays irradiated onto the bottom surface (first bottom surface portion 26B1, second bottom surface portion 26B2, and third bottom surface portion 26C1) of the water storage main body portion 26 decreases. However, according to the ice maker 10 as described above, even if the water storage level drops, a portion of the inner wall exposed above the ice making water (for example, the water storage side wall portion 26C2) reflects ultraviolet rays toward the ice making water. can be done. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the illumination intensity of ultraviolet rays and a decrease in the sterilizing ability accompanying this. Further, even in the inner wall of the water storage main body 26, the ultraviolet rays can be made to reach the portions that are difficult to be directly irradiated with the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation device by reflection on the inner walls. Thereby, the sterilizing ability of ultraviolet rays can be improved.

The ice maker 10 includes an ice storage chamber 14 that stores ice generated in the ice generation section 11 and a machine room 5 adjacent to the wall of the ice storage chamber 14. The machine room 5 controls at least the driving of a pump 15. The electrical equipment box 80 has a box shape with an opening toward the ice storage compartment 14, and the opening edges 80A1, 80B1, and 80C1 are attached to the wall of the ice storage compartment 14. .

According to the ice maker 10 as described above, the heat generated in the electrical equipment box 80 can be transmitted to the wall of the ice storage chamber 14 and radiated. Furthermore, even if a part of the cooling device 40 that cools the ice generating section 11 (heating elements such as the compressor 41, condenser 42, and condenser fan 46) is provided in the machine room 5 together with the electrical equipment box 80, It is possible to prevent the heat radiation of the electrical equipment box 80 from being hindered by the heat generated by the heating element.

The machine room 5 is adjacent to the bottom wall 14A that constitutes the bottom of the ice storage compartment 14, and the electrical equipment box 80 is opened upward, and the opening edges 80A1, 80B1, and 80C1 are in contact with the bottom wall 14A. .

According to the ice maker 10, the heat generated in the electrical box 80 can be transferred to the bottom wall 14A, which has a relatively large area and comes into contact with the generated ice. heat can be effectively dissipated. Moreover, dew condensation is likely to occur on the outdoor side (machine room 5 side) of the bottom wall portion 14A due to the cold air of the ice storage compartment 14. However, according to the ice maker 10 as described above, the condensation that occurs on the outdoor side surface of the bottom wall portion 14A can be suppressed by the heat dissipation of the electrical equipment box 80.

The ice storage chamber 14 includes a side wall portion 14B rising from the bottom wall portion 14A, and the electrical equipment box 80 has extended edge portions 80A2, 80B2 that extend laterally than the side wall portion 14B among the opening edges 80A1, 80B1, and 80C1. In addition, the ice maker 10 includes a spacer 89 disposed to close the space between the side wall 14B and the extending edges 80A2, 80B2.

According to the ice maker 10, the spacer 89 can prevent foreign matter such as insects, dust, and water droplets from entering the electrical box 80 from between the side wall 14B and the extending edges 80A2, 80B2.

The bottom wall portion 14A includes a first bottom wall portion 14A1 and a second bottom wall portion 14A2 disposed on the outdoor side of the first bottom wall portion 14A1. It includes a first side wall portion 14B1 rising up, and a second side wall portion 14B2 rising from the second bottom wall portion 14A2, disposed on the outdoor side of the first side wall portion 14B1, and partially connected to the first side wall portion 14B1. , opening edges 80A1, 80B1, and 80C1 of the electrical equipment box 80 are attached to the second bottom wall portion 14A2.

According to the ice maker 10, the heat generated in the electrical equipment box 80 is transferred from the second bottom wall 14A2 to the second side wall 14B2 and the first bottom wall 14A1, which the generated ice comes into contact with. Since the heat generated within the electrical equipment box 80 can be transmitted in the order of the first side wall portion 14B1, the heat generated within the electrical equipment box 80 can be dissipated more effectively.

Further, the present embodiment includes a variable temperature section 54 whose temperature changes as the ultraviolet rays are irradiated by the ultraviolet irradiation section 50, a sensor 78 that detects the temperature of the variable temperature section 54, and a control section 82. 82 indicates that the ultraviolet irradiation is performed when the temperature increase of the variable temperature section 54 detected by the sensor 78 is less than the predetermined temperature T2 from when the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 starts irradiating the ultraviolet rays until the predetermined time M4 has elapsed. The ice maker 10 is shown in which the irradiation of ultraviolet rays at the section 50 is stopped.

According to such an ice maker 10, for example, by setting the rising temperature of the variable temperature section 54 when the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 normally operates as the predetermined temperature T2 in the control section 82, the temperature change section 54 is less than the predetermined temperature T2, it is assumed that the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 is not operating normally (an appropriate temperature increase was not observed in the variable temperature unit 54), and the ultraviolet rays in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 irradiation can be stopped. This prevents the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 50 from operating in an abnormal state and allows normal irradiation of ultraviolet rays. Furthermore, it is possible to determine whether the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 50 is operating normally or not using a relatively simple method without, for example, monitoring the current value flowing through the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50.

The ice making machine 10 includes a display unit 84, and the control unit 82 repeatedly performs an ice making operation in which the ice generating unit 11 generates ice and a deicing operation that is different from the ice making operation, and in the repetition, the temperature increase is less than a predetermined temperature T2. When this state continues for a predetermined number of times, a predetermined display is displayed on the display unit 84.

According to such an ice maker 10, the operator can recognize that the ultraviolet ray irradiation section 50 is out of order, and can take measures such as replacing the ultraviolet irradiation section 50.

The control unit 82 can set an irradiation duration M1 during which the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 50 continuously irradiates ultraviolet rays, and sets a time less than the irradiation duration M1 as a predetermined time M4.

According to such an ice maker 10, when the irradiation duration time M1 has exceeded and the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 has stopped irradiating ultraviolet rays, it is determined whether the detected temperature increase of the heat generating section is less than a predetermined temperature. Since the control unit 82 does not need to make any determinations, it is possible to provide the ice making machine 10 that can be operated efficiently without unnecessary control by the control unit 82.

The ultraviolet irradiation section 50 includes a case 54 that houses the light source 52 and has a sensor 78 attached thereto.The temperature changing section is the case 54, and the sensor 78 detects the temperature of the case 54.

According to the ice maker 10 as described above, the heat generated by the light source 52 can be effectively transferred to the case 54 (and thus to the sensor 78). Thereby, the temperature change of the case 54 due to the irradiation of ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiator 50 becomes more correlated, and the sensor 78 attached to the case 54 can accurately detect the heat of the case 54. Further, since the light source 52 is housed in the case 54, the heat generated by the light source 52 can be dissipated by the case 54, thereby suppressing the temperature of the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 from increasing excessively. Can be done.

Further, in this embodiment, a float switch 17 capable of detecting the water storage level L of water stored in the water storage tank 13 is provided, and the water storage level L is configured to decrease as ice is generated in the ice generation section 11, and the control The unit 82 operates to generate ice in the ice generation unit 11 when the water storage level L detected by the float switch 17 is equal to or higher than the first water level L1. When the water level is higher than the second water level L2, which is considered to be higher than the first water level L1, the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 irradiates ultraviolet rays, and when the water level L detected by the float switch 17 is lower than the first water level L1. shows an ice making machine 10 in which the ultraviolet ray irradiation in the ultraviolet ray irradiation section 50 is stopped.

According to the ice maker 10, after the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 starts irradiating the ultraviolet rays, for example, when the water storage tank 13 is removed by an operator for maintenance or the like, the water stored in the water storage tank 13 is drained, and the water stored in the water storage tank 13 is drained. When the water level L becomes lower than the first water level L1, the control unit 82 can stop the ultraviolet ray irradiation in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50. As a result, the water storage tank 13 is attached, the generation unit performs an ice-making operation (first operation) to generate ice, and when at least the water storage level L is equal to or higher than the second water level L2, ultraviolet rays are emitted onto the inner wall of the water storage tank 13, etc. , it is possible to irradiate a desired part, and as mentioned above, when the water level L becomes lower than the first water level L1, the irradiation of ultraviolet rays can be stopped, so irradiation of ultraviolet rays is carried out in a timely manner, The water storage tank 13 can be sterilized. In addition, it is possible to prevent the worker from being irradiated with ultraviolet rays.

The control unit 82 can set an irradiation duration M1 during which the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 50 continuously irradiates ultraviolet rays, and within the irradiation duration M1, the water level L detected by the float switch 17 is lower than the first water level L1. If it is low, irradiation of ultraviolet rays in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 is prioritized and stopped.

According to such an ice maker 10, the irradiation duration M1 is set, and even if, for example, the water storage tank 13 is removed and the water storage level L becomes lower than the first water level L1 within the irradiation duration M1, the ultraviolet irradiation continues. Irradiation of ultraviolet rays in the portion 50 can be reliably stopped. Furthermore, by completing the generation of ice before the irradiation duration M1 elapses, it is possible to stop the ultraviolet irradiation in the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 even if the water storage level L becomes lower than the first water level L1. Therefore, the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 can be prevented from emitting ultraviolet rays more than necessary, and the life of the ultraviolet irradiation device (the period during which it can normally operate) can be extended.

The control unit 82 can set an ice making continuation time M3 during which the ice generation unit 11 continues to generate ice, and within the ice making continuation time M3, the water level L detected by the float switch 17 is lower than the first water level L1. If the temperature is also low, the ice generation section 11 continues to generate ice, and the ultraviolet ray irradiation section 50 stops irradiating ultraviolet rays.

In order to grow ice to a certain size in the ice generating section 11, the ice making continuation time M3 for continuing the first operation may be settable by the control section 82. According to the ice maker 10 described above, even if the water storage tank 13 is removed by the operator and the water storage level L falls below the first water level L1 during the ice making duration M3, ice production continues. At the same time, the irradiation of ultraviolet light in the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 can be forcibly stopped.

The ice making machine 10 includes a temperature sensor 16 capable of detecting the temperature of the ice generating section 11, and the control section 82 controls the ice making process when the temperature of the ice generating section 11 detected by the temperature sensor 16 is below a predetermined temperature T1. The duration M3 is measured.

According to the ice maker 10 as described above, it is possible to adjust the time from when the first operation is started until the time measurement of the ice making continuation time M3 is started based on the temperature of the ice generating section 11. Thereby, it is possible to accurately grow ice in the ice generating section 11, and it is possible to provide the ice maker 10 that can efficiently perform the first operation.

The ice maker 10 includes a display section 84, and the control section 82 displays a predetermined display on the display section 84 when the cumulative time during which the ultraviolet ray irradiation section 50 irradiates ultraviolet rays exceeds a predetermined cumulative time M5.

According to such an ice maker 10, for example, the operator can recognize that the life of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 is approaching, and can take measures such as replacing the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 18. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in the above embodiment, and overlapping explanations regarding structure, operation, and effect will be omitted.

The long plate portion 69A of the bracket 69 includes a resistor 79 held between an earth clamp 67 formed by bending a sheet metal (for example, an aluminum plate), and the temperature of the resistor 79 can be detected via the earth clamp 67. A resistor temperature sensor 278 is attached. The earth clamp 67 is attached to the long plate portion 69A by screws 66 so as to be tightened together with the sensor 278. The resistor 79 is a voltage dividing resistor, and is electrically connected to the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 (see FIG. 8) and the microcomputer board 82 (see FIG. 13) via a harness so as to form a series circuit. In this embodiment, the resistor 79 is a variable temperature part whose temperature increases (changes) as the light source 52 (ultraviolet irradiation part 50) irradiates the resistor with ultraviolet rays. When the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 operates normally, the resistor 79 increases by a certain amount until a predetermined time (such as 3 minutes or 10 minutes) has elapsed after the ultraviolet irradiation from the light source 52 started. The temperature rises. Note that in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the case temperature sensor 78 is not attached to the case 54.

According to such a configuration, the sensor 278 detects the temperature of the resistor 79, which is more correlated with the temperature change caused by the ultraviolet irradiation by the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50, so that the control unit 82 can perform accurate control. Can be done. In addition, heat can be effectively radiated from the holder 60 and the resistor 79 by the bracket 69, and it is possible to prevent the holder 60 and the resistor 79 from becoming high temperature.

In this embodiment, similar to S70 shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 82 controls the resistance of the resistor detected by the resistor temperature sensor 278 until a predetermined time M4 elapses after the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 starts irradiation with ultraviolet rays. It is determined whether the increased temperature of No. 79 is less than a predetermined temperature T2. When the predetermined time M4 is 3 minutes, the predetermined temperature T2 can be 20 degrees. Alternatively, if the predetermined time M4 is 10 minutes, the predetermined temperature T2 can be 30 degrees. Note that when the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 is operating normally, the temperature rise of the resistor 79 from when the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 starts irradiating ultraviolet rays until the predetermined time M4 has elapsed is the temperature around the resistor 79. Regardless of the temperature, when the predetermined time M4 is 3 minutes, it is 26.9 degrees to 29.5 degrees, and when the predetermined time M4 is 10 minutes, it is 39.8 degrees to 42.3 degrees.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 82 controls the temperature rise of the resistor 79 detected by the temperature sensor 278 from when the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 starts irradiation of ultraviolet rays until a predetermined time M4 has elapsed to a predetermined temperature. When the upper limit temperature T4 is higher than T2 or higher, the ultraviolet ray irradiation in the ultraviolet irradiation section 50 is stopped. This can prevent parts such as the resistor 79 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 50 from becoming hot and malfunctioning, and preventing workers from getting burned by the hot parts. Such upper limit temperature T4 can be set to 40 degrees, for example, when the predetermined time M4 is 3 minutes and the predetermined temperature T2 is 20 degrees.

<Other embodiments>
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; for example, the following embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present disclosure; It can be implemented with various modifications.

(1) In addition to the above embodiments, the shape of the water storage tank can be changed as appropriate. The water storage main body portion does not need to include the second water storage portion. Moreover, the holder may be arranged above the first bottom part of the first water storage part. Furthermore, the gap between the water storage body and the plate member is not limited to between the upper end of the second water storage part and the first plate of the plate member, but also between the other upper end of the water storage body and the first plate. It may be provided between. The light blocking portion may be configured to block ultraviolet rays directed toward the gap between the water storage main body portion and the plate member.

(2) In the above embodiment, the water level detection unit is a float switch in which a reed switch is turned on or off by displacement of the float, and detects the water level in stages, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the water level detection section may be an infrared sensor that detects the distance to the water surface using infrared rays, and may be configured to quantitatively detect the water level.

(3) In the above embodiment, the machine room is located below and adjacent to the ice storage room, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the machine room may be adjacent to the left or right side of the ice storage compartment. In either case, the electrical equipment box is attached to a wall adjacent to the machine room in the ice storage compartment.

(4) The control unit may cause the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit to irradiate the ultraviolet rays when the water level detected by the water level detection unit is equal to or higher than the first water level. According to such an ice maker, when the water storage level reaches the first water level or higher and the ice making operation starts, UV irradiation from the UV irradiation section starts at the same time. Even if these steps are not taken, the generation of bacteria can be effectively suppressed in the water storage tank. Further, in the water storage tank, as the stored ice-making water decreases (or increases), the gas flowing into the water storage tank (the ratio of gas to ice-making water in the water storage tank) increases (or decreases). According to the ice making machine as described above, when the water storage level is equal to or higher than the first water level, even if the ratio of the ice making water and the gas changes, the ice making water and the gas can be suitably sterilized. For example, even when the water storage level is relatively low and the ratio of gas to ice-making water is high, sterilization in the water storage tank can be suitably performed by irradiating the ice-making water and gas with ultraviolet rays.

(5) If the control unit does not receive a signal from the sensor (temperature sensor for case or temperature sensor for resistor), it determines that the sensor is not connected (broken wire) and stops the operation of the ice maker. You may. Thereby, it is possible to prevent ultraviolet ray irradiation from being performed in a state where the sensor has a malfunction or the like.

(6) The water supplied from the water supply valve to the water storage tank may contain chlorine. In addition to the ice making operation and the deicing operation, the ice making machine may also be configured to be able to perform an operation of cleaning the water storage tank with a cleaning agent.

5... Machine room, 10... Ice maker, 11... Ice generating section, 13... Water storage tank, 14... Ice storage chamber, 14A1... First bottom wall section, 14A2... Second bottom wall section, 14A... Bottom wall section, 14B1... First side wall part, 14B2... Second side wall part, 14B... Side wall part, 15... Pump, 16... Temperature sensor for ice making plate (temperature detection part), 17... Float switch (water level detection part), 26... Water storage main body part, 26C3... Upper end part, 50... Ultraviolet irradiation part, 52... Light source, 53... Cap (coating part), 54... Case (accommodating part, temperature changing part), 60... Holder, 61... Holder main body part, 62... Light shielding part, 63...Protrusion, 67...Earth clamp, 69...Bracket, 78...Case temperature sensor (sensor), 278...Resistor temperature sensor (sensor), 79...Resistor, 80...Electrical box, 80A1, 80B1, 80C1... Upper end (opening edge), 80A2, 80B2... Extending edge, 82... Microcomputer board (control section), 84... Display section, 89... Spacer, L1... First water level, L2... Second water level, L... Water storage level

Claims (8)

an ice generation section that generates ice;
a water storage tank having a water storage main body having an upward opening shape;
a pump that sends water from the water storage tank to the ice generation section;
an ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays to a predetermined range including at least a part of the inner wall of the water storage main body;
a holder to which the ultraviolet irradiation section is attached;
In the ice making machine, the holder includes a light shielding part that blocks ultraviolet rays that are irradiated to a range beyond the upper end of the water storage body within the predetermined range. The holder includes a holder main body to which the ultraviolet irradiation unit is attached,
The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding part stands up from the holder main body and has a shape that separates the ultraviolet irradiation part from the upper end of the water storage main body. The ultraviolet irradiation section is
a light source that produces ultraviolet light;
a covering part that has optical transparency and covers the light source from the water storage main body side,
The holder is
a holder main body to which the ultraviolet irradiation unit is attached;
the light shielding portion rising from the holder main body toward the water storage main body and disposed on the side of the covering portion;
The ice maker according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a protruding portion that protrudes from the light shielding portion toward a surface of the covering portion on the side of the water storage body portion. The ice maker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner wall of the water storage main body is configured to reflect ultraviolet rays. an ice storage chamber for storing ice generated in the ice generation section;
a machine room adjacent to the wall of the ice storage compartment;
The machine room includes an electrical box having at least a control unit that controls driving of the pump,
The ice maker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrical equipment box has a box shape with an opening toward the ice storage compartment, and an edge of the opening is attached to the wall of the ice storage compartment. The machine room is adjacent to a bottom wall portion that constitutes the bottom of the ice storage room,
The ice maker according to claim 5, wherein the electrical equipment box is opened upward, and an edge of the opening is in contact with the bottom wall. The ice storage chamber includes a side wall portion rising from the bottom wall portion,
The electrical equipment box includes an extending edge portion of the opening edge that extends laterally than the side wall portion,
The ice maker according to claim 6, further comprising a spacer arranged to close a space between the side wall portion and the extending edge portion. The bottom wall portion includes a first bottom wall portion and a second bottom wall portion disposed on the outdoor side of the first bottom wall portion,
The ice storage room is
a first side wall portion rising from the first bottom wall portion;
a second side wall rising from the second bottom wall, disposed on the outdoor side of the first side wall, and partially connected to the first side wall;
The ice maker according to claim 6, wherein the opening edge of the electrical equipment box is attached to the second bottom wall.

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