JP2742002B2 - Automatic ice making equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ice making device provided in a refrigerator, which automatically rotates an ice making container to perform a de-icing operation after ice making is completed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as an automatic ice making device attached to a home refrigerator, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-291475, a water supply pump motor for supplying water into an ice making container, an ice making container, A temperature sensor attached to the outer bottom surface for detecting ice-making completion, and when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes equal to or lower than the ice-making completion temperature (for example, -12 ° C.), the ice-making container is rotated to perform an ice-releasing operation. Some include an ice release mechanism.

Further, in recent years, an automatic ice making apparatus has been shown which adds a function of allowing a user to stop automatic ice making when ice is not required in winter or at night, thereby saving electricity bills and stopping the sound of ice releasing operation. I have.

[0004] The configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. 9 and 10 show the configuration of a conventional automatic ice making device. Reference numeral 1 denotes an ice-making container which is installed in a freezing room or an independent room having a freezing temperature (-18 ° C.) when attached to a household refrigerator.

[0005] 2 is a temperature detection known means consisting thermistor for ice completion detection was attached to an outer bottom surface of the ice tray 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a water supply tank, which is installed in a refrigerator compartment when it is attached to a home refrigerator. Reference numeral 4 denotes a water supply pump motor for supplying water from the water supply tank 3 to the ice making container 1.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an ice releasing mechanism for rotating the ice making container 1 to perform an ice releasing operation. A motor 6 for rotating the ice making container 1 and a twisting device for applying a twist to the rotating ice making container to release ice. A position detecting means 8 comprising a micro switch or the like for indicating the completion of twisting, a horizontal position detecting means 9 comprising a micro switch or the like for indicating the horizontal position of the ice making container 1, and a switch for sending a signal for stopping ice making. Ice making stop means 10.

[0007] When the ice making stop means 10 is attached to a refrigerator, it may be installed in a door portion of a freezing room or a refrigerator room or in a room. An ice storage box 11 for storing the dropped ice is provided below the ice making container 1.

Next, the control circuit will be described with reference to FIG. 1
2 is a control means including a microcomputer and the like,
The temperature detecting means 2, the position detecting means 8, the horizontal position detecting means 9 and the ice making stopping means 10 are connected to the input terminals. Drive means 13 and 14 for moving the motor 6 and the feedwater pump motor 4 are connected to the output terminal. still,
The control means 12 is provided with a water supply timer 15 for counting the time during which the water supply pump motor 4 is operating.

In such a configuration, an automatic ice making operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 201,
If the state of the horizontal position detecting means 9 is ON, the ice making container 1 can be determined to be horizontal, and the process proceeds to step 202. If it is determined in step 201 that the motor is not horizontal, the process proceeds to step 203, where ON is set so that the motor 7 is operated. In step 202, the motor 7 is turned off, and the process proceeds to step 204. Step Temperature of the temperature detection known means 2 at 204 to determine whether higher or lower than the set value, and waits until the lower step 204 is higher. If it is determined in step 204 that the temperature is low, it can be determined that ice making has been completed, and the process proceeds to step 205 where the motor 7 is turned on. Therefore, the ice making container 1 is rotated. Then, the ice is released from the ice making container 1 by applying a twist in the twist portion 8.

Therefore, at step 206, the position detecting means 8
State is turned ON, ice removal can be judged to be complete, move subsequently motor 7 until the flow advances ice tray 1 is horizontal in step 207, the horizontal position detecting means 9 in step 207 is O
Wait until the state becomes N. Step 206 and Step 2
At 07, both the position detecting means 8 and the horizontal position detecting means 9 are ON.
It returns to step 206 until it becomes. When the horizontal position detecting means 9 is turned on in step 207, the ice making container 1 is determined to be horizontal, and it is determined that ice removal has been completed. In step 208, the motor 7 is stopped.

In step 209, the ice making stop means 10 is checked, and if it is on, the process waits until it is turned off in step 209. That is, when the user does not need ice making, the ice making cycle is stopped at step 209. If the ice making stop means 10 is OFF in step 209,
Proceed to step 210.

In step 210, the water supply pump motor 4 is operated to supply water to the empty ice making container 1, and in step 211, the water supply timer 15 is started and the water supply pump motor 4 is operated until the time is up in step 212.
To work. When the water supply timer 15 times out at step 212, the water supply pump motor 4 is turned off at step 213. Water supply is completed as above, and ice making cycle 1
When the cycle is completed, the process proceeds to step 204 again, and thereafter, the cycle is repeated to automatically perform ice making.

[0013]

However, in such a configuration, when the user does not need ice making, if the ice making stopping means 10 is turned on, the ice making is stopped at step 209.
That is, even after the ice making is stopped, the ice is dropped into the ice storage box 11 only once after step 205 to step 208 has passed, so that the user judges that the ice is out of order, or the ice storage is stopped by stopping the ice making. The box 11 has been removed, and ice may fall on it and melt away in other places to become water and wet. Further, while the ice making is stopped, a large amount of dust adheres to the ice making container 1 because there is no ice, and the dust on the ice cannot be easily removed even after the ice making is restarted and the number of cycles is increased. there were.

The present invention solves the conventional problems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic ice making device that prevents falling of ice after ice making is stopped and that adheres little dust and the like after ice making is restarted.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an automatic ice making apparatus of the present invention performs ice making with air cooled by a cooling means, and automatically releases ice after ice making is completed to store ice. In an automatic ice making device for storing ice in a water supply tank, an ice making container, a water supply pump motor for supplying water from the water supply tank to the ice making container, a temperature detecting means attached to the ice making container and detecting completion of ice making, An ice releasing mechanism for rotating the ice making container with a motor to release ice, ice making stopping means for outputting a stop signal for an ice making cycle, the water supply pump motor connected to the temperature detecting means, the ice removing mechanism and the ice making stopping means, and control means for outputting a drive signal to the motor of the ice removal mechanism, an ice making completion time odor
If the stop signal is not output from the ice making stop means , the control means performs the ice removing operation, and completes the ice making.
In the case where a stop signal is output from the ice making stop means , the control means interrupts the ice making cycle without performing the ice removing operation, and
, The release the interruption of the ice making cycle when the stop signal from the ice making stop means is not output, this time, the <br/> if the detected temperature of the temperature sensing means is below the set temperature T is ice removal operation And restarts the ice making cycle from the ice making operation when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is higher than the set temperature T.

[0016] Further, the present invention is, your in manufacturing ice cycle interruption period
There when the detected temperature is below the set temperature T of the temperature sensing means, said control means continues the counting of the timer, ice Sa
When the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is higher than the set temperature T during the cycle suspension period, the control means starts the timer.
While resetting and restarting the count, the interruption of the ice making cycle is released when the stop signal from the ice making stop means is no longer output .
If the detected temperature is equal to or lower than the set temperature T, and if the count value of the timer is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the ice making cycle is restarted from the ice removing operation, and the detected temperature of the temperature detecting means is set to the set temperature T.
Even in the following cases, when the count value of the timer is smaller than a predetermined value , the ice making cycle is restarted from the ice making operation.

[0017]

The configuration is an automatic ice making device described above of the present invention, if the user selects the ice making cycle is stopped, confirms the ice making cycle stopped when the ice making operation <br/> has been completed, in the case of stop, Wait until the ice making cycle stop is released without performing the ice release operation, and then set the temperature of the temperature detection means after the release
If the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the ice removing operation is performed and the normal ice making cycle is restarted.

Further, the present invention is when the user selects the ice making cycle is stopped, confirms the ice making cycle <br/> stopped when the ice making operation is completed, in the case of stopping, without ice removal operation Wait until the ice making cycle stop is released, and then touch
If the count value of the ima is more than the specified value,
Restart the ice making cycle, and count the timer
If the value is smaller than the value, the ice making cycle is restarted from the ice making operation .

[0019]

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
It will be described according to the following. The same components as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

Reference numeral 16 denotes control means comprising a microcomputer or the like. The control means 16 includes a water supply timer 14 and a timer 17 for counting time based on the temperature of the temperature detection means 2 while ice making is stopped. The timer 17 will be described. If the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 is lower than the set temperature while the ice making is stopped, the internal timer continues counting, but once the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 rises and becomes higher than the set value, the timer is stopped. Clear the value. Thereafter, when the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 decreases, the timer is counted again from 0.

In such a configuration, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. When the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 becomes equal to or lower than the set temperature in step 204 and ice making is completed, the process proceeds to step 101. Ice stopping means 10 confirms the ON or OFF at step 101, if the ice making stopping means 10 is ON step 101
Do not carry out the ice removal operation until the ice making stop means 10 is turned off.
I will wait. In step 101, the ice making stop means 10
When FF is performed, the routine proceeds to step 205, where a normal ice-removing operation is performed and an ice making cycle is performed.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the user stops ice making, the ice making is stopped at the place where the ice making is completed.
When the ice making is restarted, the ice making operation is performed, so that the ice making is not performed while the ice making is stopped. Also, while ice making is stopped,
Since the dust or the like to the ice container 1 so that the remaining ice to 1 can be prevented from adhering, even after the resumption of the post-ice making stop can make a clean ice.

Next the automatic ice making device of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The same components as those of the conventional example and the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step 204, when the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 becomes lower than the set temperature and the ice making is completed, the routine proceeds to step 301. In step 301, the ice making stop means 10 is turned on or off.
Is checked, and if it is OFF, the routine proceeds to step 205, where a normal ice making cycle is performed. If the ice making stop means 10 is ON in step 301, the process proceeds to step 302. If the ice making stop means 10 is ON in step 301, the process proceeds to step 302. In step 302, it is checked whether the ice making stop means 10 is ON, and if it is ON,
It waits until it is turned off in step 302.

In step 302, the ice making stop means 10
When FF is performed, the process proceeds to step 303. In step 303, the temperature detecting means 2 checks whether the temperature is lower than a set temperature (for example, -12 ° C). If it is low, the process proceeds to step 205, where the ice making cycle is restarted and the ice releasing operation is performed . If the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 is high in step 303, the process restarts from the ice making operation in step 303 and waits until the temperature decreases.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the user stops ice making, the ice making is stopped at the place where the ice making is completed.
When the ice making is restarted, the ice making operation is performed, so that the ice making is not performed while the ice making is stopped. Also, while ice making is stopped,
Since the dust or the like to the ice container 1 so that the remaining ice to 1 can be prevented from adhering, even after the resumption of the post-ice making stop can make a clean ice. Further, since the temperature of the ice making is detected when the ice making is restarted, it is confirmed that the temperature is a minus temperature, and by rotating the ice making container 1 , the temperature rises while the ice making is stopped, and the ice becomes water to make ice. At the time of resumption, the ice maker 1 is rotated to prevent water from spilling.

Next the automatic ice making device of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The same components as those in the conventional example, the first embodiment, and the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step 204, when the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 becomes lower than the set temperature and the ice making is completed, the flow proceeds to step 401. In step 401, the ice making stop means 10 is turned on or off.
Is checked, and if it is OFF, the routine proceeds to step 205, where a normal ice making cycle is performed. If the ice making stop means 10 is ON in step 401, the process proceeds to step 402. In step 402, it is confirmed whether or not the ice making stop means 10 is turned on. If it is turned on, the process waits until it is turned off in step 402. In step 402, the ice making stop means 10
However, when it is turned off, the process proceeds to step 403. Step 40
At 3, the timer 17 checks whether it is longer than a set time (for example, one hour). If it is longer, the process proceeds to step 205, and the ice making cycle is restarted. If the time of the timer 17 is short at step 403, the process waits until the time becomes long at step 403.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the user stops ice making, the ice making is stopped at the place where the ice making is completed.
When the ice making is restarted, the ice making operation is performed, so that the ice making is not performed while the ice making is stopped. Also, while ice making is stopped,
Since the dust or the like to the ice container 1 so that the remaining ice to 1 can be prevented from adhering, even after the resumption of the post-ice making stop can make a clean ice. Further, since the time when the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 is low while ice making is stopped when ice making is restarted is confirmed, it is confirmed that the temperature is a minus temperature for a long time, and the ice making container 1 is rotated. Due to this, while ice making is stopped, the temperature rises and the ice becomes water,
After cooling, the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 is lowered, but when ice making is resumed in a state where the ice at a location away from the temperature detecting means 2 is not sufficiently solidified, the ice making container 1 is rotated to prevent water from spilling. Can be prevented.

[0030]

As described above, according to the automatic ice making device of the present invention, when the user does not need ice and instructs to stop ice making,
In the normal ice making cycle, the ice is stopped at the place where the ice making is completed, and the ice is re-started when the ice making is restarted, so that the ice is not dropped while the ice making is stopped, so that the user is not distrusted. Also, since not to drop the ice during the ice making cycle is stopped, the self to the user
There is no Rukoto aroused the mistrust that or not than the dynamic ice-making equipment is malfunctioning, the ice-making vessel during the ice making cycle stop
With dust挨等can generate a clean ice after the ice making cycle resumption does not adhere to itself, during the ice making cycle resumes, ice is dissolved
Can prevent water from spilling even if it is
You .

Further, while the ice making is stopped, the user makes an ice making cycle.
When resuming the temperature, the ice away from the temperature detection means
Water can be prevented from spilling even when it is not stuck .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of an automatic ice making device showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the automatic ice making device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ice release mechanism of the automatic ice making device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an automatic ice making device showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an automatic ice making device showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of a conventional automatic ice making device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing control of a conventional automatic ice making device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional automatic ice making device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ice releasing mechanism of the conventional automatic ice making device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ice tray 2 temperature detection intelligence unit 3 Water tank 4 feed pump motor 5 ice removal mechanism 6 motor 10 ice making stop means 16 control means 17 timer

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An automatic ice making apparatus for making ice with air cooled by a cooling means, automatically releasing ice after completion of ice making, and storing ice in an ice storage box, comprising: a water supply tank, an ice making container, and the water supply tank; A water supply pump motor for supplying water to the ice-making container, a temperature detecting means attached to the ice-making container for detecting completion of ice-making, an ice-release mechanism for rotating the ice-making container with a motor to release ice, and an ice-making cycle. An ice making stop means for outputting a stop signal for the ice making; and a control means connected to the temperature detecting means, the ice removing mechanism and the ice making stopping means for outputting a drive signal to a motor of the water supply pump motor and the ice removing mechanism. when the stop signal from said ice making stop means at the completion is not output, the system
If the controlling means performs a de-icing operation and a stop signal is output from the ice making stopping means when the ice making is completed ,
The control means interrupts the ice making cycle without performing the ice releasing operation, and after the ice making cycle is interrupted, the ice making cycle is interrupted when the stop signal from the ice making stop means is no longer output . When the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is equal to or lower than the set temperature T, the ice making cycle is restarted from the ice removing operation. When the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is higher than the set temperature T , the ice making cycle is restarted from the ice making operation. Ice making equipment. Sensing the temperature of Oite said temperature detecting means 2. A manufactured ice cycle interrupt period when the following setting temperature T, the control
Means continue timer counting, ice making cycle interruption period
When higher than the detected temperature is the set temperature T of the temperature sensing means during the said control means resets the timer
The counting is restarted, and when the stop signal from the ice making stop means is no longer output, the interruption of the ice making cycle is released, and at this time, the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is set.
In the case where the temperature is equal to or lower than the constant temperature T and the count value of the timer is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the ice making cycle is restarted from the ice removing operation,
When the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is equal to or lower than a set temperature T,
2. The automatic ice making device according to claim 1, wherein if the count value of the timer is smaller than a predetermined value , the ice making cycle is restarted from the ice making operation.