JP3301810B2 - Ice machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ice making machine for executing an ice making step of circulating ice making water in an ice making section and freezing the same, and an ice making step of heating the ice making section to separate ice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this kind of ice maker is, for example,
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 52622 (F25C1 / 04), an evaporator of a cooling device is mounted on the upper side of an ice making chamber in which a plurality of ice making compartments that open downward are formed, and tiltable water is provided on the lower side. A dish is provided, and the refrigerant is evaporated by the evaporator in a state where the water dish closes the ice making chamber,
In addition, the ice making process is performed by fountain water for making ice into each of the ice making chambers from the fountain holes formed on the surface of the water tray, and hot gas (high-temperature refrigerant) is supplied to the evaporator with the water tray opening the ice making chamber.
, And heated to perform a de-icing process.

Therefore, when the refrigerant gas in the cooling device leaks or when the blower for the condenser of the cooling device breaks down, the predetermined cooling capacity cannot be obtained in the evaporator. If the hot gas solenoid valve that supplies hot gas for deicing to the evaporator fails, the predetermined heating capacity for deicing cannot be obtained. There is a problem that it may be damaged and cause other equipment to fail.

[0004] Therefore, in the above-mentioned publication, when a certain time has elapsed from the start of the ice making process, if the temperature of the ice making room has not dropped to 0 ° C, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred and the ice making operation is stopped. I was That is, the conventional abnormality detecting operation will be described with reference to FIG. 9. In the case where the temperature T of the ice making chamber is read at the time when a time set by the timer elapses from the start of the ice making process, the temperature T is lower than 0 ° C. Is normal,
If the temperature is 0 ° C. or higher, it is determined to be abnormal. Therefore, it is determined to be normal in the cycle on the left side of FIG.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional configuration, although the cooling capacity in the evaporator is reduced due to the occurrence of the refrigerant leakage as described above, the ice making process is not performed as shown in the right cycle of FIG. Temperature T of the ice making room from the start
Before the set time elapses.
If the temperature is lower than ℃, it is not determined to be abnormal.

When the outside air temperature is low and the temperature of the ice making chamber at the start of the ice making process is low, the temperature may drop below 0 ° C. after the lapse of the set time even if the temperature drop is slow due to the occurrence of the abnormality. There is also a problem that the occurrence of an abnormality during the ice making process cannot be accurately detected in any case because the abnormality is not determined in such a case. Furthermore,
In the configuration of the above-mentioned publication, it is not possible to judge an abnormality in the ice removing process, and therefore, when the hot gas solenoid valve is broken, there is a problem that the ice removing is not completed indefinitely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the related art, and has as its object to provide an ice making machine capable of accurately detecting an abnormality that has occurred and executing a predetermined alarm operation. And

[0008]

That is, an ice making machine according to the first aspect of the present invention circulates ice making water through an ice making section provided with a cooler.
Ice making means for making ice and heating the ice making section to release ice
Ice separating means and temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the ice making section
A time measuring means for detecting an elapsed time during ice making; and
Based on the detection means and the time keeping means, the place
Means for storing the first ice making section temperature after a fixed time has elapsed
After a lapse of the first set time from the time when the predetermined time has passed.
Means for storing the temperature of the second ice making unit after the lapse of time.
The first ice making section temperature and the second ice making section
If the difference from the temperature is smaller than the first set temperature,
Performs an alarm action and, based on fluctuations in the outside temperature of the ice machine,
Then, the first set temperature or the first set time is changed.
It is characterized by comprising control means adapted to be further modified.
Further, the ice making machine according to the second aspect of the present invention is an ice making machine in which a cooler is provided.
Ice making means for making ice by circulating ice making water in the ice section;
Ice releasing means for heating the ice part to release ice, and the temperature of the ice making part
Temperature detection means for detecting the time elapsed during ice making
Time measuring means, and the temperature detecting means and the time measuring means.
After a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of ice making, the first ice making
Means for storing the temperature of the section,
The difference from the first ice making section temperature becomes the second set temperature.
Means for storing the elapsed time required until
If the elapsed time is longer than the second set time, a predetermined alarm
Execute the operation and, based on the fluctuation of the outside air temperature of the ice making machine,
To change the second set temperature or the second set time.
And a control means.

In the ice making machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, a cooler is provided.
Ice making means for making ice by circulating ice making water through the ice making section,
An ice releasing means for heating the ice making part to separate ice, and the ice making part
Temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of
Time measuring means for detecting, the temperature detecting means and the time measuring means
Means for storing the ice maker temperature at the start of ice removal based on
And the ice making machine temperature after a lapse of a third set time from the start of ice release.
Means for storing the degree of ice;
The difference between the temperature and the temperature of the ice making section after the third set time has elapsed is
(3) When the temperature is lower than the set temperature, the specified alarm action is executed.
And based on the fluctuation of the outside air temperature of the ice making machine,
Set temperature, or, so as to change the third set time
And control means. Claim 4
The ice making machine according to the invention is provided with an ice making water in an ice making section provided with a cooler.
Ice making means for circulating ice and heating the ice making section
Ice releasing means for releasing ice, and a temperature for detecting the temperature of the ice making unit
Detecting means, and time-measuring means for detecting an elapsed time during ice removal,
Ice release is started based on the temperature detecting means and the timing means.
Means for storing the ice machine temperature at the time of
And the difference from the ice making section temperature at the start of ice removal is the fourth set temperature.
Means for storing the elapsed time required until
If the elapsed time is longer than the fourth set time, a predetermined alarm is issued.
Alarm, and based on fluctuations in the outside temperature of the ice machine.
To change the fourth set temperature or the fourth set time
And a control means adapted to perform the control.

[0010] In the above description, (within a certain period of time)
Changes in the temperature of the ice making section can be determined by the rate of temperature decrease or
Means rate.

[0011]

When the cooling capacity of the cooler is reduced due to the leakage of the refrigerant or the failure of the equipment in the ice making machine, the temperature drop rate of the ice making section cooled by the cooling during the ice making process becomes slow. According to the ice making machine of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the control means performs the operation during the ice making process.
The temperature drop rate of the ice making part at
Based on the elapsed time and the like of running predetermined alarm operation,
It is possible to promptly and accurately notify the user of the occurrence of defective ice making or impossibility due to refrigerant leakage or equipment failure. As a result, it is possible to prevent damage to other devices from occurring. Also, from the start of ice making
Since the temperature is measured after the time, the temperature of the ice making part at the start of ice making
You don't have to depend on the degree. Furthermore, if the outside air temperature fluctuates,
In this case, the cooling capacity of the cooler also fluctuates, and
The rate of temperature change also changes. That is, when the outside air temperature is high
In the case, the temperature of the ice making part is hard to decrease and the outside air temperature is low
In this case, on the contrary, the temperature of the ice making unit is likely to decrease. There
The control means sets the temperature drop rate for a set time or
Change the set temperature based on fluctuations in the outside air temperature.
When the temperature of the ice making section changes due to fluctuations in the outside air temperature
In addition, it is possible to make appropriate and quick
become.

Further, when the heating capability of the cooler is reduced due to a failure of a hot gas solenoid valve for flowing hot gas into the cooler, the rate of temperature rise of the ice making section heated by the cooler during the ice removal process is also slow. Becomes The ice making machine according to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention.
According to the above, the control means increases the temperature of the ice making section during the ice removal process.
Since the predetermined alarm operation is performed based on the rate of increase, the elapsed time until the temperature reaches the set temperature, and the like, the occurrence of ice separation failure / impossibility due to the failure of the hot gas solenoid valve or the like is promptly and accurately given to the user. Can be notified. Thereby,
It is also possible to prevent other devices from being damaged or the like. If the outside air temperature fluctuates,
The heating capacity of the ice making unit also fluctuates, and the
Come over. That is, when the outside air temperature is high,
The temperature rises easily, and when the outside air temperature is low,
Conversely, the temperature of the ice making section is unlikely to rise. Therefore, the control means
Is a set time or a set temperature for calculating the temperature rise rate.
Is changed based on the fluctuation of the outside air temperature.
If the temperature of the ice making section changes due to fluctuations in
This makes it possible to perform quick abnormality determination.

[0013]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of a control device 20 of the ice making machine I of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the ice making machine I, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the cooling device of FIG. The ice maker I of the embodiment is a so-called inverted cell type ice maker, has a large number of ice making chambers 1A opened downward, and has a cooling pipe 2 as a cooler of a cooling device arranged on an outer surface of an upper wall. The ice making section 1 is provided with a water tray 5 in which a predetermined horizontal closing position closes each ice making chamber 1A with a sufficient margin from below and has a fountain hole 3 and a return hole 4 corresponding to each ice making chamber 1A on the surface. A water tank 6 fixed to the water tray 5 and communicating with the return hole 4;
The water for ice making is supplied to the fountain hole 3 through the water supply pipe 7 and the distribution pipe 8.
, A drive device 11 including a high gear ratio reduction motor 10 capable of forward and reverse rotation for tilting and returning the water tray 5, and water when the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 is opened. The water level switch WLSW is operated by the water sprayer 13 that sprays water on the surface of the plate 5 and the float 14B in the float tank 14A communicating with the bottom of the water tank 6, and the water level detection device 14 that detects a predetermined water level of the water tank 6 is provided. It is configured.

The mounting plate 1 fixed to the support beam 15
The first and second arms 17A and 17A extending in opposite directions are attached to the output shaft of the reduction motor 10 supported by
7B, and a coil spring 18 attached to the end of the first arm 17A of the drive cam 17
Is connected to the side of the water tray 5 and the rear part of the water tray 5 is supported by a rotating shaft 19.

ASW is a water tray position detection switch for detecting a predetermined horizontal closed position and a tilt open position of the water tray 5 by opening and closing the contact. The water tray position detection switch ASW is in a positional relationship where the first and second arms 17A and 17B of the drive cam 17 are in contact with each other, and the drive cam 17 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. Then, when the water tray 5 is at the inclined open position, the second arm 17B is moved to the water tray position detection switch AS.
W, and thereby the water tray position detection switch ASW
Are closed and switched back and forth.

When the drive cam 17 rotates clockwise in FIG. 2 due to the reverse rotation of the deceleration motor 10, the first arm 17A is set to the water tray position detection switch ASW when the water tray 5 is at the horizontal closed position. The contact of the water tray position detection switch ASW is thereby opened and switched to the tilting side. Next, in the refrigerant circuit of FIG.
An auxiliary condenser 32 is connected to the discharge side of the compressor 21 that constitutes the cooling device. The pipe once returning to the compressor 21 from the auxiliary condenser 32 exits the compressor 21 again and branches at a branch point P. One is connected to a condenser 33. The outlet side of the condenser 33 is connected to an expansion valve 37 via a receiver tank 34 and a dehydrator 36, and the outlet side of the expansion valve 37 is connected to the inlet side of a cooling pipe 2 provided in the ice making unit 1. . The opening of the expansion valve 37 is adjusted based on the temperature of the outlet side of the cooling pipe 2. The outlet side of the cooling pipe 2 is connected to the suction side of the compressor 21 via an accumulator 38. The other pipe branched from the branch point P is connected via a hot gas solenoid valve 23 to the outlet side of the expansion valve 37.

The ice making section 1 is provided with an ET sensor 26 as a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature, and a pipe on the outlet side of the condenser 33 is provided with a CT as a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature. A sensor 31 is provided.
Further, a WT sensor 39 for detecting the temperature of ice making water is provided in the water tank 6, and an AT sensor 41 for detecting the outside air temperature is provided near the condenser 33.

Next, a circuit board constituting the control device 20 shown in FIG. 1 is housed in the electrical box 42 shown in FIG. In the control device 20, the operation switch 3 is connected to the power supply AC.
5, the following circuits are connected. That is, the compressor 21 is connected in series with the relay R1, and the condenser cooling fan 22 for cooling the condenser 33 is connected in series with the relay R2. The circulation pump 9 is connected to a relay R3.
The hot gas solenoid valve 23 is connected in series with the relay R7, and the water supply solenoid valve 12 is connected in series with the relay R4. The deceleration motor 10 is connected in series with a relay R5 and a switching relay R6. The switching relay R6 closes to the contact a to rotate the deceleration motor 10 forward, and switches to the contact b to rotate the deceleration motor 10 reversely.

These relays R1 to R7 are controlled by a general-purpose microcomputer 25 as control means. The input of the microcomputer 25 is connected to the water level switch WLSW and the water tray position detection switch ASW, and closes a contact when a predetermined amount of ice in an ice storage (not shown) located below in FIG. 2 is detected. The ice storage switch BSW is connected. The inputs of the microcomputer 25 are connected to the ET sensor 26, the CT sensor 31, the WT sensor 39, and the AT sensor 41, respectively, and further connected to an alarm clear switch 28.

A monitor 27 and a display 29 are connected to the output of the microcomputer 25. The display 29 is composed of 7-segment two-digit LEDs.
The microcomputer 25 has, for example, EEPRO
M is connected to the memory 30. FIG. 4 shows a program of the microcomputer 25 with the above configuration.
The operation of the ice maker I will be described based on the flow charts of FIG. 6 to FIG. 6 and the time transition of the temperature T of the ice making unit 1 shown in FIGS. After the ice maker I is installed, when the operation switch 35 is closed and the power supply AC is turned on to the ice maker I, the microcomputer 25 executes the ice making process of step S1. However, in the ice making process immediately after the power is turned on, the position of the water tray 5 is not fixed, and is the horizontal closed position, the inclined open position, or the inclined state in the middle thereof. It is possible that he is on the way back. In addition, since the fountain hole 3 and the like may be clogged with dust, the microcomputer 25 first executes an initial setting operation and an initial cleaning operation described below.

That is, the state of the water tray 5 can be classified into two types depending on the open / close state of the contact of the water tray position detection switch ASW. That is, when the contact of the water tray position detection switch ASW is open and on the tilting side, the water tray 5 is in the horizontal closed position or in the middle of tilting, and the contact of the water tray position detection switch ASW is closed and is on the return side. At one time, the water tray 5 is in the inclined open position or in the middle of the backward movement.

Then, when the operation switch 35 is closed and the power supply AC is turned on, the microcomputer 25 first determines the state of the water tray position detection switch ASW, and when the contact is open and is on the tilting side (water tray). (5 is the horizontal closed position or in the middle of tilting), the relay R5 is closed, the switching relay R6 is closed to the contact a side, the deceleration motor 10 is rotated forward, and the water tray 5 is tilted. Then, when the water tray 5 is at the predetermined inclined open position and the contact of the water tray position detection switch ASW is closed and reversed to the return side, the microcomputer 25 closes the switching relay R6 to the contact b side, and the deceleration motor 10 Is reversed to start the backward movement of the water tray 5.

The microcomputer 25 closes the relay R4 and opens the water supply electromagnetic valve 12 15 seconds before the water tray 5 is completely closed (horizontal closing position). When the water supply solenoid valve 12 is opened, water is sprayed from the water sprayer 13 onto the surface of the water tray 5, and is mainly supplied to the water tank 6 through the return hole 4. Thereafter, when the water tray 5 is at the horizontal closed position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 2) and the contact of the water tray position detection switch ASW is opened and inverted to the tilting side, the microcomputer 25 moves the water tray 5 backward. Stop.

On the other hand, if the contact of the water tray position detection switch ASW is closed and is on the return side when the power supply AC is turned on (the water tray 5 is in the inclined open position or on the way back), the microcomputer 25 Closes relay R5 and switches relay R
6 is closed to the contact b side, the deceleration motor 10 is reversed, and the water tray 5 is moved backward. Thereafter, when the water tray 5 reaches the horizontal closing position, it is stopped as described above.

As described above, when the power supply AC is turned on, the microcomputer 25 determines the state of the water tray 5 in accordance with the open / close state of the contact of the water tray position detection switch ASW. If it is determined that the water tray 5 is tilted once and then moved back to the predetermined horizontal closed position, and if it is determined that the water The plate 5 is moved back to the horizontal closed position. In any case, after the power is turned on, the ice maker I always initializes the water tray 5 to the horizontal closed position.

Thereafter, when the water tank 6 is full, the relay R4 is opened and the water supply solenoid valve 12 is closed. Then, the relay R3 and the relay R7 are closed, the circulating pump 9 is operated, and the hot gas solenoid valve 23 is opened. Circulation pump 9
Is operated, water in the water tank 6 is fountain from the fountain hole 3 into the ice making chamber 1A, and is circulated through the return hole 4 to the water tank 6. As a result, dust or water residue deposited or attached in the circulation channel is washed, and dust clogged in the fountain hole 3 is also removed. The microcomputer 25 ends the cleaning for 30 seconds.

As described above, the ice maker I performs the first cleaning operation after the power is turned on, and cleans the circulating water channel. However, before the circulating pump 9 is operated, the water tray 5 is surely horizontally closed as described above. Since it is located at the position, the inconvenience of water being sprayed from the fountain hole 3 in a state where the water tray 5 is inclined is reliably prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the lower ice storage is flooded and the generated or subsequently generated ice is damaged.

Then, the microcomputer 25 closes the relay R1 and opens the relay R7 to operate the compressor 21 and close the hot gas solenoid valve 23. As a result, the hot gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 passes through the auxiliary condenser 32, is condensed and liquefied in the condenser 33, passes through the receiver tank 34 and the dehydrator 36, and expands.
After being decompressed at 7, it is supplied to the cooling pipe 2, where it evaporates and cools the ice making unit 1. Further, the microcomputer 25 operates the condenser cooling fan 22 while supplying water by closing the relays R2 and R4, and also closes the relay R3 with a delay of 10 to 30 seconds to operate the circulation pump 9. The cooling (ice making) operation is started by circulating the water in the water tank 6 from the fountain hole 3 to each ice making chamber 1A.

Thereafter, the microcomputer 25 determines whether or not the water level switch WLSW is closed. When a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the water tank 6, and the water level switch WLSW detects a predetermined full water level and closes, the relay R4 is turned off. Open and close the water supply solenoid valve 12 to stop water supply. Due to the cooling by the cooling pipe 2, the temperature T of the ice making unit 1 rapidly decreases as shown on the left side of FIG. Then, the microcomputer 25 reads the temperature T of the ice making unit 1 by the ET sensor 26 in step S2, and when the temperature T is 0 ° C. in step S3.
It is determined whether or not the following conditions are satisfied, and if not, the process returns to step S2. When the temperature T reaches 0 ° C., it is determined that pre-cooling has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S4, where the microcomputer 25 starts counting an ice making timer having the function, and determines in step S5 whether a predetermined ice making time has elapsed. If the determination is no, the process returns to step S4 to continue the integration.

By the cooling operation, the ice making chamber 1 of the ice making section 1 is formed.
Ice is gradually generated in A, and when the ice making time elapses and the count of the ice making timer times out, the microcomputer 25 proceeds to step S6 and shifts to the following ice separation process. In the deicing process, the microcomputer 25 opens the relay R2 and the relay R3, and stops the condenser cooling fan 22 and the circulation pump 9. Next, the relays R5 and R7 are closed, and
The switching relay R6 is closed to the contact a side to rotate the deceleration motor 10 forward to start the tilting of the water tray 5 and open the hot gas solenoid valve 23. When the hot gas solenoid valve 23 is opened, the high temperature and high pressure hot gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 21 is supplied to the cooling pipe 2 as it is without passing through the condenser 33 and the expansion valve 37. The ice making unit 1 is heated by the supply, and the temperature T rises rapidly as shown on the left side of FIG. 8, whereby the ice freezing in the ice making room 1A is started.

Then, the microcomputer 25 reads the temperature T of the ice making unit 1 by the ET sensor 26 in step S7, determines whether or not the temperature T has become + 9 ° C. or more in step S8, and if not, returns to step S7. . When the temperature T reaches + 9 ° C., it is determined that the ice removal has ended, and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the microcomputer 25 determines whether or not the ice storage switch BSW is closed. If a predetermined amount of ice is stored in an ice storage (not shown), the microcomputer opens the relay R1 and the relay R7 to operate the compressor 21. The operation is stopped and the process proceeds to the ice storage process in step S10. Steps S9 and S9 are performed until the ice in the ice storage is reduced and the ice storage switch BSW is closed.
Repeat step 10 to maintain the state, and store ice switch BS.
When W is closed, the process returns from step S9 to step S1 to restart the ice making process again (however, the initial setting operation and the first cleaning operation are not performed).

As described above, the microcomputer 25 performs the ice making operation by executing the respective operation steps of the ice making process, the ice removing process, and the ice storing process. Next, the microcomputer 25 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Will be described with reference to FIG. The microcomputer 25 determines the operation steps in steps S11 and S12 during each of the above operation steps (except during the initial setting operation and the initial cleaning operation). If the operation step is the ice making step, the microcomputer 25 proceeds from step S11 to step S12. Proceeding to S13, the microcomputer 25 counts the first timer that the microcomputer 25 has as a function from the start of the ice making process. Next, in step S14, it is determined whether or not a set time t1 such as one minute has elapsed from the start of counting, and if not, the flow returns to step S13 and repeats.

When the set time t1 has elapsed from the start of the ice making process and the first timer counts up, the microcomputer 25 proceeds to step S16, and the ET sensor 26
The temperature T1 of the ice making unit 1 at that time is read and stored in the memory 30. In this case, it is assumed that the temperature T1 is, for example, + 7 ° C. as shown on the left side of FIG. Next, the microcomputer 25 proceeds to step S16, and counts a second timer as a time measuring means which the microcomputer 25 has as a function. Next, in step S17, it is determined whether or not a set time t2 such as 5 minutes has elapsed from the start of counting. If not, the process returns to step S16 and repeats.

After a lapse of a set time t1 from the start of the ice making process,
When the set time t2 further elapses from that point and the second timer counts up, the microcomputer 25 proceeds to step S18, reads the temperature T2 of the ice making unit 1 at that time by the ET sensor 26, and stores it in the memory 30. . In this case, no abnormality has occurred in the ice making machine I,
It is assumed that the ice making unit 1 is normally cooled and the temperature T2 is, for example, −10 ° C. as shown on the left side of FIG.

After reading the temperatures T1 and T2, the microcomputer 25 determines in step S19 whether or not the difference T1-T2 between the temperatures is larger than, for example, 15 ° C. (set value). As described above, if no abnormality has occurred in the ice making machine I and the ice making unit 1 is normally cooled,
Since the temperature difference is about 17 ° C., in that case, the microcomputer 25 returns from step S19 to step S11.

Here, the refrigerant gas leaks from the refrigerant circuit, or the condenser cooling fan 22 breaks down, or the condenser 33 is clogged, and a predetermined cooling capacity is obtained in the cooling pipe 2. If it disappears, the temperature of the ice making section 1 after the start of the ice making process will gradually decrease as shown on the right side of FIG. Assuming that the temperature T1 at the time when the set time t1 elapses from the start of the ice making process and the temperature T2 at the time when the set time t2 elapses from the start of the ice making process decrease to only -2 ° C. The temperature difference in step S19 becomes 10 ° C.
Since the temperature is lower than 5 ° C., the microcomputer 25 proceeds from step S19 to step S25, displays a predetermined alarm on the display 29, and forcibly stops the operation of the ice making machine I.

As described above, the microcomputer 25 comprises:
The temperature drop rate of the ice making unit 1 is calculated from the difference between the temperature T1 of the ice making unit 1 when the set time t1 has elapsed from the start of the ice making process and the temperature T2 of the ice making unit 1 when the set time t2 has elapsed therefrom. . If the temperature difference is small, it can be determined that the temperature drop rate has decreased. In this case, the microcomputer 25 executes the alarm operation as described above, so that the microcomputer 25 affects the temperature of the ice making section 1 at the start of the ice making process as in the related art. Instead, it is possible to promptly and accurately notify the user of the occurrence of ice making failure / impossibility due to refrigerant leakage or failure of other equipment. Further, since there is the set time t1 as in the embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the occurrence of an error due to the temperature fluctuation of the ice making unit 1 at the start of the ice making process.

Next, when the microcomputer 25 determines in step S12 that it is a de-icing process, the microcomputer 25 proceeds from step S12 to step S20 and proceeds to step S20.
6, the temperature T3 of the ice making unit 1 at the time of starting the ice separation process is read and stored in the memory 30. In this case, it is assumed that the temperature T3 is, for example, −15 ° C. as shown on the left side of FIG. Next, the microcomputer 25 proceeds to step S21.
The third as a timekeeping means that it has as a function
Count timer. Next, in step S22, it is determined whether or not a set time t3 such as one minute has elapsed from the start of counting. If not, the process returns to step S21 and repeats.

When the set time t3 has elapsed from the start of the ice-removing process and the third timer counts up, the microcomputer 25 proceeds to step S23, where the ET sensor 26
Then, the temperature T4 of the ice making unit 1 at that time is read and stored in the memory 30. In this case, it is assumed that no abnormality has occurred in the ice making machine I, the ice making unit 1 is normally heated, and the temperature T4 is, for example, + 4 ° C. as shown on the left side of FIG.

After reading the temperatures T3 and T4, the microcomputer 25 determines in step S24 whether the difference T4-T3 between the temperatures is greater than, for example, 10 ° C. (set value). As described above, if no abnormality has occurred in the ice making machine I and the ice making section 1 is normally heated,
Since the temperature difference is about 19 ° C., in that case, the microcomputer 25 returns from step S24 to step S11.

Here, assuming that the hot gas solenoid valve 23 fails to open due to a failure and the ice making section 1 is no longer heated by the cooling pipe 2, the ice making section 1 starts after the ice separation process starts.
The temperature T does not rise, but on the contrary, the cooling is continued and supercooled, and the temperature T falls as shown on the right side of FIG. Assuming that the temperature T4 at the time when the set time t3 has elapsed from the start of the ice-removing process has dropped to, for example, −18 ° C. due to the occurrence of such an abnormality, the temperature difference in step S24 becomes −3 ° C., which is smaller than 10 ° C. The microcomputer 25 proceeds from step S24 to step S25, displays a predetermined alarm on the display 29, and forcibly stops the operation of the ice maker I.

As described above, the microcomputer 25 comprises:
The temperature rise rate of the ice making unit 1 is calculated from the difference between the temperature T3 of the ice making unit 1 at the start of the ice removing process and the temperature T4 of the ice making unit 1 at the time when the set time t3 has elapsed. If the temperature difference is small, it can be determined that the temperature rise rate has decreased, and the microcomputer 25 executes the alarm operation as described above, so that the occurrence of ice separation failure / impossibility due to the failure of the hot gas solenoid valve 23 is used. It is possible to promptly and accurately notify the person.

Here, when the outside air temperature around the ice making machine I fluctuates, the cooling capacity or the heating capacity of the cooling pipe 2 also fluctuates, and accordingly, the temperature change rate of the ice making unit 1 also changes. That is, when the outside air temperature is high, the temperature of the ice making unit 1 is hard to decrease and easily rises, and when the outside air temperature is low, the temperature of the ice making unit 1 is easy to decrease and hardly rises. Become.

Therefore, the microcomputer 25 is arranged as shown in FIG.
The control shown in the flowchart of FIG.
2, the set values of t3 and the temperature differences T1-T2, T4-T3 are changed. That is, the microcomputer 25 reads the condenser outlet temperature TA by the CT sensor 31 in step S26 in FIG. The condenser outlet temperature TA fluctuates in proportion to the fluctuation of the outside air temperature. In step S27, it is determined whether the temperature TA is higher or lower than a predetermined set value. If the outside air temperature is high and the temperature TA is high, the process proceeds to step S28, where the set time t2 is lengthened, t3 is shortened, and the temperature difference T1 is set.
-Decrease the set value of T2 and increase the set value of T4-T3. It is assumed that the values at this time are the values described above.

On the other hand, if the outside air temperature is low and the temperature TA is low, the routine proceeds to step S29, in which the set time t2 is set shorter than the above-mentioned values, t3 is set longer, the set temperature of the temperature difference T1-T2 is set larger, and T4- Reduce the set time of T3. By reducing or enlarging the set time and the temperature difference, the abnormality detection during the ice making process or the ice removing process becomes quick, and the occurrence of the error is reduced. Thus, even when the temperature change rate of the ice making unit 1 changes due to a change in the outside air temperature, it is possible to accurately and quickly detect an abnormality without being affected by the outside air temperature.

According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, the predetermined time
Temperature drop rate or temperature rise due to temperature difference when elapsed
When the rate is smaller than a predetermined value, the invention according to claims 2 and 4
In other words, the elapsed time until the temperature difference reaches the specified value
An alarm action is performed when a warning is received. In the embodiment, the temperature drop rate or the rise rate is determined based on the temperatures at two points during the ice making process or during the ice removing process. However, the temperature may be detected more finely. In the embodiment, the fluctuation of the outside air temperature is detected based on the condenser outlet temperature. However, the outside air temperature may be directly read from the AT sensor 41.
Furthermore, in the embodiments, a so-called inverted cell type ice maker is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a so-called falling type ice maker that generates ice in the form of a disc by flowing ice-making water down a roll-bonded cooler. The present invention is also effective.

[0047]

As described in detail above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the temperature drop rate of the ice making section during the ice making process ,
Since a predetermined alarm operation is performed based on the elapsed time until the temperature reaches the set temperature in the ice, the temperature is not affected by the temperature of the ice making section at the start of the ice making process as in the related art, and is caused by refrigerant leakage or equipment failure. Immediately inform the user of the failure of ice making
It is possible to report accurately. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of breakage or the like of other devices. Further, the control means may control the temperature drop rate
Time or the set temperature which is the difference between the ice making section temperatures
Degrees are changed based on changes in outside air temperature.
When the temperature change rate of the ice making part changes due to the fluctuation of the degree
Can detect abnormalities appropriately and quickly.
It becomes.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, during the deicing process
The temperature rise rate of the ice making part at
Since a predetermined alarm operation is performed based on the elapsed time until the start of the operation, it is possible to promptly and accurately notify the user of the occurrence of ice separation failure / impossibility due to a failure of the hot gas solenoid valve or the like. . As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of breakage or the like of other devices. Ma
In addition, the control means sets a predetermined time or a set time for calculating the temperature rise rate.
Or the set temperature, which is the difference between the ice making temperatures,
The ice making part is changed based on the outside air temperature.
Appropriate and quick abnormality even when the temperature change rate of the
It will be possible to perform detection.

[0049]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of a control device of an ice making machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the ice making machine of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a refrigerant circuit diagram of the cooling device of the ice making machine of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a program of a microcomputer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a program of the microcomputer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a program of the microcomputer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a time transition of the temperature of the ice making unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a time transition of the temperature of the ice making unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a time transition of the temperature of an ice making room of a conventional ice making machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 I Ice machine 1 Ice making unit 2 Cooling pipe 5 Water tray 9 Circulation pump 10 Deceleration motor 20 Control device 25 Microcomputer 26 ET sensor 29 Display 31 CT sensor

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hideyuki Katayanagi 2-18-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-1-95255 (JP, A) 4-51330 (JP, Y2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25C 1/04 302 F25B 49/02 520 F25B 1/00 F25B 13/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] (1) Circulating water for ice making is provided to an ice making section provided with a cooler.
Ice making means for making ice by circling, and heating the ice making part to release ice
And a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the ice making unit.
Means, timing means for detecting the elapsed time during ice making,
At the start of ice making, based on the temperature detecting means and the timing means.
The first time the ice making unit temperature is stored after a predetermined time elapses
And a first set time further from the time when the predetermined time has elapsed.
Means for storing the temperature of the second ice making section after the lapse of time.
The first ice making section temperature and the second ice making section
If the difference from the temperature is smaller than the first set temperature,
Performs an alarm action and, based on fluctuations in the outside temperature of the ice machine,
Then, the first set temperature or the first set time is changed.
An ice maker comprising control means adapted to be further improved. 2. An ice making section provided with a cooler is circulated with ice making water.
Ice making means for making ice by circling, and heating the ice making part to release ice
And a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the ice making unit.
Means, timing means for detecting the elapsed time during ice making,
At the start of ice making, based on the temperature detecting means and the timing means.
The first time the ice making unit temperature is stored after a predetermined time elapses
And the first manufacturing process from the time when the predetermined time has elapsed.
The time required for the difference from the ice temperature to reach the second set temperature
Means for storing a time interval, wherein the elapsed time is set to a second setting.
If it is longer than the time, the specified alarm action is executed,
The second set temperature based on a change in the outside air temperature of the ice making machine;
Control means for changing the degree or the second set time
Ice making machine characterized by comprising a. 3. An ice-making section provided with a cooler, circulating ice-making water.
Ice making means for making ice by circling, and heating the ice making part to release ice
And a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the ice making unit.
Means, timing means for detecting the elapsed time during ice removal,
Based on the temperature detecting means and the timing means,
Means for storing the temperature of the ice making machine;
Means for storing the temperature of the ice maker after a lapse of a set time.
And the temperature of the ice making section at the start of the ice removal and the third set time
If the difference from the ice maker temperature after the time is smaller than the third set temperature,
In this case, a predetermined alarm action is executed and the outside temperature of the ice machine is
On the basis of the fluctuation degrees third set temperature, or the third
An ice making machine comprising control means for changing a set time . 4. An ice making section provided with a cooler is circulated with ice making water.
Ice making means for making ice by circling, and heating the ice making part to release ice
And a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the ice making unit.
Means, timing means for detecting the elapsed time during ice removal,
Based on the temperature detecting means and the timing means,
Means for storing the temperature of the ice making machine; and
The difference from the ice making section temperature at the start of the ice separation becomes the fourth set temperature
Means for storing the elapsed time required until
When the overtime is longer than the fourth set time, a predetermined alarm is activated.
Perform the cropping operation and, based on the fluctuation of the outside temperature of the ice making machine,
Changing the fourth set temperature or the fourth set time
An ice maker comprising the control means described above.