JP3810423B2 - Ice making equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ice making device that can quickly and efficiently produce highly transparent ice and can preserve it while maintaining high quality.

  Conventionally, various ice making apparatuses that generate ice with high transparency have been developed. As an example, there is an ice making device as in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 22, this ice making device 169 is connected to an evaporation pipe (refrigerant pipe; a refrigerant of approximately −15 ° C. to −25 ° C. is flowing) of a refrigeration cycle (not shown) and vertically arranged on one surface. The ice making plate 101 provided is adapted to spray (flow down) ice making water through the water sprinkling hole 144.

  When ice-making water flows down (circulates down) in this way, gas components (impurities) such as air dissolved in water diffuse. Therefore, only pure water forms an ice film (ice film) on the ice making plate 101 in close contact with the refrigerant pipe, and as a result, highly transparent ice is generated. In particular, the ice film grows so as to be gradually laminated, and finally becomes highly transparent ice having a substantially semicircular cross-sectional shape. Then, by removing the generated ice from the ice making plate 101 (by removing the ice), usable ice is completed.

  Therefore, for example, the ice making device 169 of Patent Document 1 melts a part of the generated ice by supplying water for deicing (deicing) onto the ice making plate 101 via the ice removing pipe 171. And let the ice de-icing.

  By the way, it is difficult for such an ice making device of Patent Document 1 to generate a plurality of separated ice on the ice making plate 101 while adjusting the shape. This is because, in order to efficiently use cold air, for example, if the ice making plate 101 is made of a material having a high cold air conductivity (thermal conductivity), continuous ice is generated over the entire ice making plate 101. is there.

  Therefore, an ice making device 169 as shown in FIG. 23 (perspective view) and FIG. 24 ((a) is a front view of FIG. 23 and (b) is a side view of FIG. 23) is considered. In this ice making device 169, a meandering refrigerant pipe 102 is attached by welding or the like on an ice making plate 101 made of stainless steel or the like having low thermal conductivity (low refrigerant conductivity). Further, the ice making device 169 is erected on the ice making plate 101 such that a plurality of ribs 111 extending in one direction (vertical direction) are arranged.

  Even in the ice making device 169 shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 without providing a horizontal partition plate, only the vicinity of the refrigerant pipe 102 is below the freezing point by using the ice making plate 101 made of stainless steel having a low thermal conductivity. can do. Therefore, the ice-making water flowing from the water sprinkling holes 144 flows down into the grooves (flowing grooves 121) on the ice-making plate 101 formed by the ribs 111. Ice).

The ice making device 169 shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 heats the ice making plate 101 by causing the hot gas immediately after compression in the refrigeration cycle to flow into the refrigerant pipe 102, thereby melting a part of the ice, Is supposed to be deiced.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-53668 (see FIG. 1)

  The ice making device 169 shown in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 is a material having a low thermal conductivity so that the entire area on the ice making plate 101 is not cooled efficiently in order to generate separated ice. It is composed. Therefore, there is a problem that a part of the refrigerating capacity due to the cold air of the refrigerant is wasted.

  Further, in both of Patent Document 1 and the ice making device 169 shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the ice is separated from the ice making plate 101 by melting (thermal melting) a part of the generated ice in the deicing step. It is like that.

  Therefore, water adheres to the surface of ice that has been deiced by melting. For example, when storing ice in an environment below the freezing point (0 ° C. or lower), a plurality of ices are re-frozen and connected. There was a problem that the shape became unsuitable for use.

  In addition, in order to prevent the formation of the ice with the above-described continuous shape, only the latent heat of the ice itself is used to keep the inside of the BOX storing the ice at about 0 ° C. to 5 ° C. to prevent refreezing. There is also a storage method. However, in this storage method, since ice is stored while melting slightly, it is difficult to store for a long time (long term). In addition, ice containing pure water as a main component has a very small content of components such as chlorine. Therefore, if the ice melted out gradually is stored for a long time, there arises a problem that germs and the like propagate.

  Above all, the above deicing method has a fundamental problem of wasting a part of the refrigerating capacity used for ice making, and is not an efficient deicing method.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. In order to generate ice by effectively using the refrigerating capacity and to preserve ice while maintaining a high quality, the present invention has been made. An object of the present invention is to provide an ice making device that prevents moisture from adhering to the ice surface.

  The present invention is an ice making device that generates ice by adhering water to an ice making part to be cooled, wherein the ice making part is composed of a first member and a second member. Yes.

  The first member and the second member may be a first cold air conducting member (first heat conducting member) and a second cold air conducting member (second heat conducting member) having different thermal conductivities. . In addition, the first member and the second member may be a first cold air conductive member and a second cold air conductive member having different thermal conductivities depending on the presence or absence of heat insulation treatment.

  In short, the present invention is an ice making device that generates ice by adhering water onto, for example, an ice making part that is cooled by a refrigerant. The ice making part has a conductivity (thermal conductivity) of cold air by a refrigerant or the like. It is characterized by being comprised from the 1st cold air conductive member and 2nd cold air conductive member from which these differ.

  In particular, the first cold air conducting member has the conductivity of cold air that maintains a temperature below the freezing point due to the refrigerant or the like, while the second cold air conducting member is the cold air that maintains the temperature exceeding the freezing point due to the refrigerant or the like. Conductivity.

  According to this, in the ice making part, the first cold air conducting member that can solidify water into ice and the second cold air conducting member that does not drop to the solidifying temperature (that is, the freezing point) are mixed. It has become. Therefore, when water is attached to the ice making part, a part where ice is generated and a part where ice cannot be generated are generated. That is, ice is not generated over the entire ice making unit. As a result, a plurality of separated lump ice pieces are formed in the ice making unit.

  In particular, due to the difference in thermal conductivity between the first cold air conducting member and the second cold air conducting member, the second cold air conducting member does not become below the freezing point due to the cold air or cold heat of the refrigerant. On the other hand, the first cold air conducting member is rapidly cooled by cold air, cold heat, or the like. For example, when the refrigerant supply pipe is connected to the first cold air conducting member that rapidly cools down, a plurality of separated ice (lump ice) can be generated, and the refrigerating capacity can be sufficiently effectively utilized (coolant cold air). For example, improving ice-making efficiency and shortening ice-making time).

  In other words, the ice making device of the present invention eliminates the need to construct the ice making unit only with a material having low thermal conductivity at the expense of the refrigerating capacity in order to generate separated lump ice as in the prior art.

  Further, the ice making unit is configured by alternately arranging the first cold air conducting member and the second cold air conducting member, and preferably, the ice making unit is alternately arranged in the direction in which the water adhering to the ice making unit flows down. It is good to be.

  According to this, in the process in which the water adhering to the ice making part flows down, the water adhering to the first cold air conducting member first becomes an ice film. On the other hand, the water that could not become an ice film flows as it is, and reaches the next first cold air conducting member through the second cold air conducting member. Then, the reached water becomes an ice film on the first cold air conducting member. By repeating this flow-down process, the ice making device of the present invention can efficiently guide the water flowing down onto the first cold air conducting member. In addition, when the first cold air conducting members are alternately positioned in the ice making unit, ice is generated by arranging a plurality of them along the direction in which the water flows down.

Various ice making units in which the first cold air conducting member and the second cold air conducting member are alternately arranged are conceivable. For example, the ice making part is overlapped on the base material part including at least a part of the first cold air conducting member (first member) while separating the second cold air conducting member (second member) at a constant interval. The first cold air conducting member may be exposed from the gap between the second cold air conducting members . In such an ice making part, the exposed first cold air conducting member and second cold air conducting member are arranged alternately.

  In addition, the ice making unit overlaps the base material part including the first cold air conducting member at least in part with the second cold air conducting member having the opening, and exposes the first cold air conducting member from the opening. It may be configured. In the ice making unit, the exposed first cold air conducting member and second cold air conducting member are alternately arranged.

  And also in these ice making apparatuses, it is preferable that the 1st cold air conduction member and the 2nd cold air conduction member are alternately arrange | positioned in the direction in which the water adhering on the ice making part flows down similarly to the above.

  In addition, in the ice making part composed of the first cold air conducting member and the second cold air conducting member, the surface of at least one member to which water adheres (for example, from the alternately arranged first cold air conducting member and second cold air conducting member) It is preferable that the surface to which water adheres and the surface of at least the first cold air conducting member constituting the ice making portion) are smooth surfaces. This is because if this is done, resistance can be prevented from flowing down to the water. In addition, if the first cold air conducting member to which water adheres has a smooth surface, there is an advantage that ice is easily generated and that it is easy to deice.

  Moreover, in the ice making part of the ice making device of the present invention, the partition part is provided so as to rise from the smooth surface of the ice making part (for example, from the second cold air conducting member constituting the ice making part). And preferably, the extending direction of this partition part (longitudinal direction of the partition part) is the same direction as the direction in which water flows down. Note that at least one partition is provided (if the partition is a plate-like body, one or more partitions may be provided).

  According to this, since the ice making part is divided by, for example, a plurality of arranged partition parts (for example, arranged in the horizontal direction), the generated ice is also divided. In particular, since the extending direction of the partition portion is the same as the direction in which water flows down (for example, the vertical direction), the ice generated and sectioned in the ice making portion is in a horizontal direction. That is, the ice generated and divided in the ice making section is in a relationship such that the ice is aligned in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction (the ice is positioned in a matrix).

  In addition, since the partition part (for example, at least one part of a partition part) is comprised from the same material as the 2nd cold air conduction member, the situation where a partition part and produced | generated ice adhere is impossible.

Moreover, in the ice making device of the present invention (for example, an ice making device that generates ice by laminating an ice film by watering water on a cooled ice making unit) , the partition portion constitutes the ice making unit. It can slide along the surface. For example, the partition portion is formed integrally with the second cold air conducting member, and the partition portion slides along the direction in which the second cold air conducting member is displaced with respect to the first cold air conducting member. It can be moved. That is, the ice making unit includes the first cold air conducting member and the second cold air conducting member, and the partition portion is erected on the surface of the second cold air conducting member. And the 2nd cold air conduction member (namely, also a partition part) provided with the partition part slides along the surface which comprises an ice making part, and deicing is performed.

  Specifically, a drive unit serving as a power source for sliding the partition unit is provided, and a transmission unit that receives power from the drive unit is provided in the partition unit. In response to this transmission, the second cold air conducting member is slid along with the second cold air conducting member so as to deviate from the first cold air conducting member.

  The sliding movement of the partition portion in this way means that the ice generated in the ice making portion (specifically, on the first cold air conducting member) comes into strong contact with the sliding partition portion. Therefore, a shearing force is applied to the ice fixed on the first cold air conducting member, the sticking between the ice and the first cold air conducting member is released, and the ice comes away from the first cold air conducting member. . In other words, the ice making device of the present invention does not need to deliberately melt the ice surface in order to release the ice from the first cold air conducting member.

  In addition, an ice storage unit for storing the ice generated in the ice making unit is provided, and if the inside of the ice storage unit is maintained below the freezing point, the size can be reduced by melting the ice. Can be prevented. In addition, since it does not melt, there is no water, and it is possible to prevent the propagation of germs and the like in the ice reservoir.

  In addition, in order to efficiently deice ice from the first cold air conducting member, it is preferable that the first cold air conducting member to which water adheres is subjected to a peeling process that makes it easy to peel off the generated ice. . For example, a fluororesin may be coated on the first cold air conducting member.

  According to this, the adhesion strength between the first cold air conducting member and ice does not increase relatively, and it is necessary to increase the sliding movement distance of the partition part or to increase the driving force of the driving part for sliding the partition part. Does not occur.

  Various cooling methods of the present invention can be assumed. For example, cooling by a refrigerant (cooling using a refrigerant; for example, cooling by cold air lowered in temperature by a refrigerant or cooling by cold heat of the refrigerant) or other cooling methods may be used.

The ice making device of the present invention has an ice making unit including a first member and a second member. And especially the surface of the 2nd member is provided with the partition part, and the partition part and the 2nd member are performing ice removal by slidingly moving along the surface which comprises an ice making part. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to melt the ice surface. In addition, the ice making device of the present invention combines the members (first member and second member) having different conductivity (thermal conductivity) of the cold air in the ice making part where ice is generated, so that the refrigerant is efficiently transmitted. Thus, a region that is below the freezing point and a region that exceeds the freezing point because the refrigerant is not efficiently transmitted are mixed. Therefore, the ice making device of the present invention can generate a plurality of ices separated on the ice making part (that is, the ice can be generated only on the first member ). In other words, the ice making device of the present invention does not form the entire ice making part with a material having low thermal conductivity as in the prior art in order to generate separated ice, and thus the ice making device effectively utilizes the refrigerant's refrigeration capacity. Can be generated.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of ice making equipment]
The ice making device of the present invention generates ice using a refrigerant supplied by a refrigeration cycle. The specific configuration is as shown in FIGS. As shown in these drawings, the ice making device 69 of the present invention includes an ice making plate unit 7 (see FIG. 4), an ice removing unit 17 (see FIG. 6), an ice removing unit drive motor (RU motor) 31, and a watering unit 47. The ice making completion detection sensor 51 (see FIG. 8), the control unit 52 (see FIG. 8), and the ice storage BOX (ice storage unit) 53 are included.

  1 is a perspective view mainly showing the ice making plate unit 7 and the ice removing unit 17 in the ice making device 69 of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) is a front view of FIG. 1, and FIG. It is a side view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating not only the ice making plate unit 7 and the ice removing unit 17 but also the watering unit 47 and the like.

<About the ice making plate unit>
As shown in FIG. 4, ice making plate unit 7 includes refrigerant pipe 2 and ice making plate 1 (first member, first cold air conducting member, first cold heat conducting member) attached to refrigerant pipe 2. It is configured. For convenience, the ice making plate 1 is provided with a mesh line.

《About refrigerant pipe》
The refrigerant pipe 2 is a pipe through which refrigerant (refrigerant gas / refrigerant liquid) flows in the refrigeration cycle. The refrigeration cycle (not shown) includes at least a compressor that compresses refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure, a condenser that condenses and liquefies the compressed refrigerant, an expansion valve that expands the condensed liquefied refrigerant, and a refrigerant. In order to return to the compressor as it is and prevent the occurrence of liquid compression that gives a very large load, an accumulator or the like for sending only gas to the compressor is included.

  And the refrigerant | coolant pipe 2 connects these components (at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an accumulator), and forms a circulation path (cycle). These constituent members are expressed as a refrigeration cycle unit 10 (see FIG. 8).

<About ice making plate>
As shown in FIG. 5 (a table showing thermal conductivity), the ice making plate 1 is a plate made of, for example, copper (Cu) or aluminum (Al) having high thermal conductivity (conductivity of cold refrigerant). is there. An ice film (ice film) is stacked on the ice making plate 1. Specifically, an ice film is stacked on the entire surface of the ice making plate 1 near the refrigerant pipe 2 by vaporization of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 2.

  The ice making plate 1 is connected to a refrigerant pipe 2 that has a meandering shape by welding or the like in order to maintain high thermal conductivity. In particular, the plurality of ice making plates 1, 1 are attached to the meandering refrigerant pipe 2 so that the extending directions (longitudinal direction of the ice making plate 1) are parallel to each other and separated from each other so as not to contact each other. It has become.

<Ice unit>
As shown in FIG. 6 (perspective view) and FIG. 7 (three views), the ice removing unit 17 includes a standing rib (partition portion) 11, a bottom plate portion (second cold air conducting member) 12, and a ball screw portion (transmission). Part) 13 is comprised. In FIG. 7, for the sake of convenience, the opening portion (opening 22) is shown filled in.

《About standing ribs》
The standing rib 11 is provided so as to rise from the bottom plate portion 12. Specifically, it is a rib that is provided (stands up) so as to rise from the bottom plate portion 12 that is arranged so that one surface is perpendicular to a horizontal plane (ground). In particular, the standing ribs 11 are disposed on the surface of the bottom plate portion 12 so as to be separated from each other and aligned in one direction.

  Therefore, when an ice making plate unit 7 and an ice removing unit 17 which will be described later are assembled, the standing ribs 11 and 11 and the bottom plate portion 12 (bottom plate piece 12a) are interposed between the standing ribs 11 and 11. ) A groove (flowing groove) 21 is formed with the ice making plate 1. Note that the flow-down groove (ice-making unit) 21 extends in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane (ground) in order to flow down the ice-making water. The one direction (the direction in which the standing ribs 11 are arranged) is a horizontal direction.

<About the bottom plate>
The bottom plate portion 12 is composed of a plurality of bottom plate pieces (second member, second cold air conducting member, second cold heat conducting member) 12a. The plurality of bottom plate pieces 12a are arranged so as to be separated from each other and arranged in the vertical direction with respect to the arrangement direction (horizontal direction) of the standing ribs 11. In particular, the extending direction of the standing ribs 11 (longitudinal direction of the standing ribs 11) and the direction in which the standing ribs 11 are aligned intersect each other at approximately 90 ° (so as to intersect).

  For this reason, an opening 22 (see the filled portion in FIG. 7) delimited by the standing ribs 11 is formed between the bottom plate pieces 12a and 12a, and the opening 22 is a fitting groove formed continuously in the horizontal direction. 23 is also formed.

  Although details will be described later, in the ice making device 69 of the present invention, ice is generated in the flow-down groove 21. Then, the ice needs to be deiced from the descent groove 21. Therefore, in order to prevent the ice and the standing rib 11 and the bottom plate portion 12 from adhering more than necessary (for example, such that it cannot be deiced), ceramics, resin, stainless steel, etc. having low thermal conductivity (see FIG. 5). ), It is preferable that the standing rib 11 and the bottom plate portion 12 are configured.

<Ball screw part>
The ball screw portion 13 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a male screw 13a and a female screw 13b. The female screw 13 b is attached to the standing rib 11 corresponding to, for example, the outermost part of the ice removal unit 17. And according to rotation of the external thread 13a, the internal thread 13b can reciprocate in the axial direction of the external thread 13a (for example, reciprocal movement of about several mm). That is, the ice removing unit 17 can move (reciprocate) with respect to the ice making plate unit 7 by the ball screw portion 13.

<About the drive motor (RU motor) for the deicing unit>
The RU motor (drive unit) 31 rotates the male screw 13 a of the ball screw unit 13. Specifically, the rotating shaft 31a of the RU motor 31 and the male screw 13a of the ball screw portion 13 are engaged with each other, and the male screw 13a rotates according to the rotation of the rotating shaft 31a. .

<About the watering unit>
A watering unit (water supply unit) 47 shown in FIG. 3 is for causing ice-making water to flow down in the flow-down groove 21. A pipe 42 and a pump 43 that is provided in the circulation pipe 42 and feeds ice-making water to the inlet of the flow-down groove 21 through the circulation pipe 42 are included.

  In addition, in order to flow down (fall) ice-making water, the extending direction (groove flow direction) of the flow-down groove 21 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane (ground). Therefore, the inlet of the downflow groove 21 is an upper part of the downflow groove 21.

  Therefore, the circulation pipe 42 located in the vicinity of the inlet of the downflow groove 21 is provided with a sprinkling hole 44 so that the ice making water sent out by the pump 43 flows down (falls) into the downflow groove 21. (See FIG. 1). The water spray holes 44 are preferably provided so as to correspond to the respective downflow grooves 21 so that a uniform amount of water flows down for each of the plurality of downflow grooves 21.

  In addition, the ice-making water flowing through the flow-down groove 21 partially becomes an ice film, while the remaining water that could not become an ice film flows through the flow-down groove 21 and flows out of the flow-down groove 21. become. Therefore, the recovery opening 41a is provided in the ice making water tank 41 so that the flowing water (unfreezing water) can be used again as ice making water. Specifically, by arranging the recovery opening 41a and the outlet of the flow-down groove 21 (that is, the lower part of the flow-down groove 21) to be close to each other, for example, uniced water is formed into ice-making water through the recovery opening 41a. It is made to collect | recover by the tank 41. FIG. In addition, in order to collect unicified water more efficiently, an introduction part (for example, a member that can be filled with uniced water) may be provided to connect the collection opening 41a and the outlet of the flow-down groove 21.

<About ice making completion detection sensor>
The ice making completion detection sensor 51 (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the like, see FIG. 8) is a sensor capable of detecting temperature, for example, and detects the temperature near the stacking point of the ice film (that is, on the ice making plate 1). It is like that. With the ice making completion detection sensor 51 capable of detecting the temperature in this way, it is possible to detect a temperature (threshold temperature) at which it can be determined that the ice has grown to be usable, for example, by stacking ice films.

  For example, the control unit 52 (see FIG. 8), which will be described later, stores this threshold temperature, enables temperature information (detection temperature) of the ice making completion detection sensor 51 to be acquired, and compares the temperature information with the threshold temperature. Thus, the ice making device 69 of the present invention can grasp the state of ice [whether usable ice (lump ice) is formed or not].

<About the control unit>
As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 52 controls and manages at least the refrigeration cycle unit 10, the RU motor 31, the pump 43, and the ice making completion detection sensor 51. The details of the function of the control unit 52 will be described later.

<About the ice storage BOX>
The ice storage BOX (ice storage unit) 53 stores ice that has been deiced (falled) from the downflow groove 21. For this purpose, it is preferably arranged at the destination of the ice drop, and is arranged below the ice making plate unit 7 and the ice removing unit 17 as shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in order to efficiently guide the ice to the ice storage BOX 53, an inclined surface 41b is provided in a part of the ice making water tank 41, and the falling ice is inclined to the inclined surface 41b. May be guided to the ice storage BOX 53.

  The ice storage BOX 53 is managed in a state below the freezing point by using, for example, a refrigerant, and the ice that has been deiced can be stored below the freezing point.

[Assembly of ice making equipment with ice making plate unit and ice removing unit]
The assembly of the ice making device by the ice making plate unit 7 and the ice removing unit 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. For convenience, the ice making plate unit 7 is shown by a dotted line.

  In the ice making device 69 of the present invention, the ice making plate unit 7 including the ice making plate 1 made of a material having high thermal conductivity, the ice removing unit 17 including the standing rib 11 and the bottom plate portion 12 made of a material having low thermal conductivity, and Is configured by combining.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 (a perspective view showing the assembly process) and FIG. 10 (a plan view showing the assembly process), a fitting groove 23 (see FIG. 7) formed in the ice removing unit 17; The ice making plate 1 of the ice making plate unit 7 is fitted together. Although this fitting method is not particularly limited, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, there is a method of fitting by sliding along the extending direction of the fitting groove 23.

  In order to fit the fitting groove 23 and the ice making plate 1 with no gap, the size / depth of the fitting groove 23 and the size / plate thickness of the ice making plate 1 are substantially matched. It is preferable. If it does in this way, the bottom (namely, the bottom which consists of the ice-making plate 1 and the baseplate part 12) in the descent | fall groove | channel 21 will become a flush state (smooth surface), and it can avoid giving resistance with respect to the water which flows down. Because.

  When the fitting groove 23 and the ice making plate 1 are fitted together in this manner, as shown in FIG. 1, the ice making plate 1 and the bottom plate pieces 12a are alternately arranged in the flow-down groove 21. More specifically, the ice making plates 1 and the bottom plate pieces 12a are alternately arranged in the direction in which the water adhering to the falling grooves 21 flows down.

[About the ice making and deicing processes of ice making equipment]
Here, the ice making process and the deicing process by the ice making apparatus 69 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11, the block diagram of FIG. In the following description, the operation step in the flowchart will be described as S. Further, the steps S1 to S6 are expressed as an ice making step, and the steps S7 and S8 are expressed as an ice removing step.

  First, the controller 52 causes the refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant pipe 2 by driving the refrigeration cycle unit 10 (S1). The refrigerant is managed by the control unit 52 so as to be about −15 ° C. to −25 ° C. (refrigerant temperature), and the ice making plate 1 is cooled by heat of vaporization. As a result, the ice making plate 1 is rapidly cooled to the same level as the refrigerant temperature.

  Next, the control unit 52 drives the pump 43 in the watering unit 47 to circulate the ice making water in the ice making water tank 41 in the circulation pipe 42 (S2). Then, the ice making water flowing through the circulation pipe 42 flows from the water spray hole 44 to the flow down groove 21 including the ice making plate 1, the standing rib 11, and the bottom plate portion 12 (S3).

  Thus, when ice-making water flows down through the flow-down groove 21, only the ice-making plate 1 having a high thermal conductivity (conductivity of the refrigerant) has the same level as the refrigerant temperature, while the thermal conductivity is low. The standing rib 11 and the bottom plate part 12 are maintained at a temperature higher than the refrigerant temperature.

  Therefore, a thin ice film is formed on the ice making plate 1 (S4). When the ice making plate 1 is continuously cooled by the refrigerant, the ice films are gradually laminated (continuously) (S5). When the ice making plate 1 is cooled to a certain temperature (threshold temperature) by the refrigerant, the stacked (grown) ice film becomes usable ice (lumped ice) (S6). ).

  In this way, in the ice making process in which ice is formed by flowing down (circulating down) the ice making water, gas components (impurities) such as air dissolved in the water diffuse. Therefore, only pure water becomes an ice film on the ice making plate 1.

  In addition, the ice-making water that flows down is an ice film on the way (it is solidified in the shape of the middle of the flowing-down water), and a new ice film is laminated on the ice film of pure water. It has become so. Therefore, when the ice film continues to be laminated and becomes lump ice, highly transparent ice having a semicircular cross-sectional shape is completed.

  By the way, the bottom of the descent | fall groove | channel 21 is arrange | positioned so that the ice-making plate 1 and the baseplate piece 12a may be located in a line by turns. Therefore, a joint is formed between the ice making plate 1 and the bottom plate piece 12a. And the vicinity of this joint is easily affected by cold air from the refrigerant. Therefore, an ice film is formed so as to cover the joint. Therefore, even if a gap occurs at the joint, the ice film formed to cover as described above plays a role of a seal (that is, to prevent water leakage in the vicinity of the joint). No need for a sealing member).

  Note that whether or not lump ice has been formed is determined by comparing the detection temperature of the ice making completion detection sensor 51 with the threshold temperature as described above. Specifically, when the detected temperature reaches a threshold temperature (for example, −20 ° C. to −25 ° C.), the control unit 52 determines that a block of ice is formed, but when the detected temperature is higher than the threshold temperature, It is judged that it is still necessary to continue the ice film.

  In S4 to S6, the ice making water that could not become an ice film is recovered to the ice making water tank 41 through the flow-down groove 21 and is guided again from the circulation pipe 42 to the flow-down groove 21. (S4, S5, S6 → S3).

  Next, in S6, if the control unit 52 can determine that the lump ice has been formed, the control unit 52 drives the RU motor 31 to rotate forward (S7). Specifically, the RU motor 31 moves (slides) the ice removal unit 17 by several millimeters in a direction (X direction; slide direction) away from the stationary ice making plate unit 7.

  In this way, when the ice removing unit 17 moves, the standing ribs 11 and 11 positioned so as to sandwich the lump ice fixed on the ice making plate 1 move in the X direction (horizontal direction). That is, the standing ribs 11 and 11 try to shift the ice block stuck on the ice making plate 1 in the X direction (forward direction) forcibly. As a result, a shearing force is applied to the lump ice, the fixation between the lump ice and the ice making plate 1 is released, and the lump ice is separated from the ice making plate 1.

  Then, due to the natural fall due to gravity, the lump ice rolls down toward the ice storage BOX 53 (S8). In S7, after the lump ice is removed from the ice making plate 1, the RU motor 31 is driven to rotate backward to move the standing rib 11 in the Y direction (sliding direction;) to return to the original position. If it is made to return to (5), new ice making water can be solidified into ice (the ice making device 69 is put into a state where ice making is possible).

[Various features of ice making equipment]
As described above, the ice making device 69 of the present invention supplies water on the flow-down groove 21 cooled by the refrigerant (specifically, on the smooth surface area (ice making part) composed of the ice making plate 1 and the bottom plate part 12). By attaching it, ice is generated. The flow-down groove 21 (which can also be referred to as an ice making part) includes an ice making plate 1 having a high cold air conductivity by the refrigerant, and a bottom plate part 12 and a standing rib of the ice removing unit 17 having a cold air conductivity lower than that of the ice making plate 1. 11.

  The ice making plate 1 has cold air conductivity (thermal conductivity) that maintains a temperature below the freezing point by the refrigerant, while the bottom plate portion 12 and the standing rib 11 have a temperature exceeding the freezing point even by the refrigerant. Has the conductivity of cold air to maintain. The ice making plate 1 is connected to a refrigerant pipe 2 for refrigerant.

  In this way, in the flow-down groove 21, the ice making plate 1 that can solidify water into ice, and the bottom plate portion 12 and the standing rib 11 that do not drop to the solidifying temperature (that is, the freezing point; 0 ° C.). Are mixed, a part where ice is generated in the downflow groove 21 and a part where ice cannot be generated are generated. That is, ice is not generated over the entire downstream groove 21, and a plurality of separated ice blocks are formed in the downstream groove 21.

  In particular, since the bottom plate portion 12 and the standing rib 11 are made of a material having a low thermal conductivity, the ice making plate 1 is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity, while the freezing air of the refrigerant does not lower the freezing point. Therefore, it is rapidly cooled by cold air. Therefore, the ice making device 69 of the present invention can sufficiently utilize the refrigerating capacity while generating a plurality of separated lump ice (the refrigerant can sufficiently utilize the cool air; for example, the ice making efficiency is improved and the ice making time is shortened). Lead to

  That is, in the ice making device 69 of the present invention, the ice making plate 1 is entirely made of a material having a low thermal conductivity (for example, stainless steel) at the sacrifice of the refrigerating capacity in order to produce separated lump ice as in the prior art. There is no need to do it.

  Further, in the ice making device 69 of the present invention, the flow-down groove 21 is configured by alternately arranging the ice making plates 1 and the bottom plate pieces 12a. Specifically, the ice making plates 1 and the bottom plate pieces 12a are alternately arranged in the direction in which the water adhering to the downflow grooves 21 flows (that is, the direction in which the water flows and the arrangement of the ice making plates 1 and the bottom plate pieces 12a). The direction is the same direction.)

  Therefore, in the process of the water (ice-making water) flowing from the inlet to the outlet of the flow-down groove 21, the water first attached to the ice-making plate 1 becomes an ice film. On the other hand, the water that could not become an ice film flows along the flow-down groove 21 as it is, and reaches the next ice making plate 1 through the bottom plate piece 12a. Then, the reached water becomes an ice film on the ice making plate 1. By repeating this flow-down process, the ice making device 69 according to the present invention can efficiently guide the water flowing down along the flow-down groove 21 onto the ice-making plate 1, and the ice block into the flow-down groove 21. It can be formed so that a plurality of them are arranged along.

  The flow-down groove 21 is delimited by standing ribs 11 that rise from a smooth surface including the ice making plate 1 and the bottom plate portion 12 (bottom plate piece 12a). That is, the area (ice making part) composed of the ice making plate 1 and the bottom plate part 12 is divided (partitioned) by the standing ribs 11.

  In particular, the extending direction of the standing rib 11 (longitudinal direction of the standing rib 11) is the same as the direction in which water flows down (the direction in which the ice making plate 1 and the bottom plate piece 12a are arranged). Therefore, the standing rib 11 is configured to partition the ice film (ice) generated in the region (ice-making unit) composed of the ice-making plate 1 and the bottom plate part 12 in the vertical direction (that is, the divided ice is separated). It ’s like a horizontal alignment).

  In addition, the standing rib 11 is formed integrally with the bottom plate portion 12, and the standing rib 11 is slid along the direction in which the bottom plate portion 12 is displaced with respect to the ice making plate 1. It can be moved.

  Specifically, the RU motor 31 serving as a power source for slidingly moving the standing rib 11 (however, the bottom plate portion 12 is included because it is integrated with the standing rib 11; that is, the ice removing unit 17). And a ball screw portion 13 that receives the power of the RU motor 31 is provided on the standing rib 11. Then, the standing rib 11 receives the power of the RU motor 31 and slides so as to be displaced from the ice making plate 1 together with the bottom plate portion 12.

  The sliding movement of the standing rib 11 in this way means that the ice (lumped ice) generated in the flow-down groove 21 (specifically on the ice making plate 1) is in strong contact with the sliding standing rib 11. It will be. Therefore, a shearing force is applied to the lump ice fixed on the ice making plate 1, the fixation between the lump ice and the ice making plate 1 is released, and the lump ice is separated from the ice making plate 1.

  That is, in the ice making device 69 of the present invention, it is not necessary to deliberately melt the ice surface in order to release the ice from the ice making plate 1. For this reason, when ice is stored in the ice storage BOX 53 managed below the freezing point, it is possible to prevent the ice blocks from refreezing due to the melted water on the ice surface. In addition, size reduction due to melting of the lump ice can be prevented. Moreover, since water does not exist (that is, it remains as ice), it is possible to prevent the propagation of germs and the like in the ice storage BOX 53.

  Further, conventionally, it has been necessary to provide a drain for discharging water accompanying melting of the ice surface from the ice storage BOX. However, in the ice storage BOX 53 in the ice making device 69 of the present invention, such a drain is used. Need not be provided.

[Embodiment 2]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the member which has the same function as the member used in Embodiment 1, the same code | symbol is attached and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The ice making device 69 according to the first embodiment generates ice on the ice making plate 1 in the flow down groove 21, while sliding at least the standing ribs 11 in the flow down groove 21 to remove the fixed ice on the ice making plate 1. I try to force the ice off.

  Certainly, with such an ice making device 69, the ice making plate 1 can be deiced without melting the ice surface. However, the higher the fixing strength between the ice making plate 1 and the ice, the larger the shear force applied to the ice by sliding the standing rib 11 in some cases. Therefore, it may be necessary to increase the slide movement distance of the standing rib 11 or increase the driving force of the RU motor 31.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a process for removing ice from the ice making plate 1 more easily (peeling process) will be described.

  As an example of the peeling treatment, for example, a coating (coating) made of a non-adhesive material may be applied on the ice making plate 1 (on the water adhesion surface) of the flow down groove 21. An example of such a material is a fluororesin.

  The fluororesin is a resin obtained by polymerization or copolymerization of an olefin monomer containing fluorine (F), and is a resin strongly bonded (C—F) to carbon (C). Therefore, the densely covered fluorine atoms protect the carbon chain. In addition, due to the close and contrasting arrangement of atoms in the molecule, the polarization of charges is extremely small, and the intermolecular cohesive force is extremely small and the surface energy is extremely small. have.

・ Excellent non-adhesiveness, non-wetting ・ Excellent lubricity (low coefficient of friction)
・ Excellent cold resistance ・ Excellent water repellency ・ Excellent wear resistance

  Therefore, if this fluororesin is coated on the ice making plate 1, it is possible to prevent a situation where ice is strongly fixed on the ice making plate 1 due to the non-adhesiveness and lubricity. Therefore, the ice can be removed from the ice making plate 1 by only a slight sliding movement of the standing rib 11 [by a slight shearing force (torque)]. In other words, the ice making plate 1 can be deiced with a slight force (torque; about 1 / 15th of the torque) compared to the case where the coating is made of a fluororesin. it can. As a result, it is possible to save the drive system or to make it compact.

  In addition, since the fluororesin has excellent cold resistance, it is extremely effective when used under a low temperature condition such as the ice making device 69. In addition, since the water repellency is also high, the fluororesin on the ice making plate 1 can not be an obstacle to the water flowing down the downflow groove 21. Moreover, since it also has abrasion resistance, even if ice is repeatedly generated and peeled off many times on the fluororesin coating, the situation in which the coating itself deteriorates cannot occur.

  However, the thermal conductivity of the fluororesin is extremely low [about 0.1 to 0.5 W / (m · K)]. Therefore, the thickness of the fluororesin coating is preferably a thin film of about several μm. In this way, if the coating is made into a thin film, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the thermal conductivity of the ice generating surface on the ice making plate 1 is deteriorated.

  Note that the coating of the fluororesin is performed by powder coating by heat melting, bonding by an adhesive, or the like. Examples of the fluororesin include, for example, tetrafluoroethylene resin, tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoroethylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene / perfluoroalkoxyethylene copolymer, ethylene trifluoride chloride, ethylene / tetrafluoroethylene. Examples thereof include a fluorinated ethylene copolymer.

[Embodiment 3]
Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the member which has the same function as the member used in Embodiment 1 * 2, the same code | symbol is attached and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Another ice making device 69 corresponding to the first and second embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a perspective view mainly showing the ice making plate unit 7 and the ice removing unit 17 in the ice making device 69 of the present invention. FIG. 13 (a) is a front view of FIG. 12, and FIG. 12 side views. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the ice making plate unit 7 and FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the ice removing unit 17. FIG. 16 is a three-side view of the ice removing unit 17.

  In FIG. 13B, a guide piece 8b (described later) is omitted for convenience. In FIG. 16, the RU motor (driving unit) 31 is omitted for convenience.

[Configuration of ice making equipment]
<About the ice making plate unit>
As shown in FIG. 14, the ice making plate unit 7 is configured to include a refrigerant pipe 2, an ice making plate 1, an auxiliary plate 8a, and a guide piece 8b. The ice making plate unit 7 of FIG. 14 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 4) except that an auxiliary plate 8a and a guide piece 8b are provided. The ice making plate 1 is preferably subjected to the above-described peeling process.

  The auxiliary plate 8a is a plate that is provided so as to fit in a gap between the ice making plates 1 that are arranged at regular intervals. And the surface of the coupling body (plate-shaped coupling body; base material portion) composed of the ice making plate 1 and the auxiliary plate 8a is in a flush state. In addition, it is preferable that this auxiliary | assistant plate 8a is comprised from the material similar to the baseplate part 12, for example, materials with comparatively low heat conductivity, such as a ceramic resin and stainless steel.

  The guide piece 8b regulates the sliding direction of the ice removing unit 17 and is erected so as to sandwich the base material portion. Specifically, one guide piece 8b stands from each of both ends of the surface of the base material portion so that the guide pieces 8b and 8b sandwich the base material portion. Further, the extending direction of the guide piece 8b (perpendicular to the rising direction of the guide piece 8b) and the longitudinal direction of the ice making plate 1 and auxiliary plate 8a constituting the base portion are orthogonal to each other.

  Therefore, when a cross section (longitudinal section) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (extending direction) of the guide pieces 8b and 8b is observed along the longitudinal direction of the ice making plate 1 and the auxiliary plate 8a, the guide piece 8b -The combined body (ice making plate unit 7) of the base material portion is concave. Therefore, the ice making device 69 is completed by fitting the ice removing unit 17 into the concave portion. In addition, it is preferable that the guide piece 8b is comprised from the material with comparatively low heat conductivity, such as a ceramic resin and stainless steel similarly to the baseplate part 12. As shown in FIG.

<Ice unit>
As shown in FIG. 15 (perspective view) and FIG. 16 (three views), the ice removing unit 17 is configured to include a standing rib (partition portion) 11, a bottom plate portion 12, and a ball screw portion 13. . In FIG. 16, for the sake of convenience, the opening portion (opening 22) is shown filled in.

  The standing ribs 11 are arranged so as to be arranged in one direction while being spaced apart at a constant interval. During this period (between the standing ribs 11, 11), the bottom plate pieces 12 a are arranged so as to be lined up in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the standing ribs 11 are arranged and spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. Yes. When the ice making plate unit 7 and the ice removing unit 17 are assembled (details will be described later), the bottom plate piece 12a overlaps the auxiliary plate 8a of the ice making plate unit 7 (that is, the bottom plate pieces 12a and 12a). The ice making plate 1 is exposed from the gap (opening 22) between each other).

  The ball screw portion 13 moves the ice removing unit 17 in the extending direction of the flow-down groove 21 (in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane). Therefore, the axial direction of the male screw 13 a and the female screw 13 b of the ball screw portion 13 is the same as the extending direction of the flow-down groove 21. The installation position of the ball screw portion 13 is not particularly limited. For example, the start point side or the end point side in the extending direction of the downflow groove 21 (the end portion of the ice removing unit 17 orthogonal to the extending direction of the downflow groove 21). Can be provided.

[Assembly of ice making equipment with ice making plate unit and ice removing unit]
The ice making device 69 of the present invention is configured by combining the ice making plate unit 7 and the ice removing unit 17. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the deicing unit 17 fits on the surface of the base member sandwiched by the guide piece 8b so that the surface of the bottom plate piece 12a faces the surface. It has become. Therefore, the distance between the guide pieces 8b and 8b, the distance between the outermost compatible ribs 11 and 11 (specifically, the distance between the inner surfaces of the guide pieces 8b and 8b, and the outermost compatible rib) It is preferable that the distance between the outer surfaces of 11 and 11 is substantially matched.

  Thus, when the ice removal unit 17 is attached on the surface of a base material part, between these standing ribs 11 * 11, these standing ribs 11 * 11 and the baseplate part 12 (bottom board piece 12a). A groove (flowing groove) 21 is formed with the ice making plate 1.

  Note that the bottom of the downflow groove 21 has a step. However, at least the surface of the ice making plate 1 exposed from the gap between the bottom plate portions 12 (between the bottom plate pieces 12a; the opening 22) is a smooth surface. Further, even if there is a step, since it is a very low step (because the thickness of the bottom plate piece 12a is extremely thin), resistance to water flowing through the downflow groove 21 does not occur.

  Note that the end of the bottom plate piece 12a located near the boundary between the bottom plate piece 12a and the ice making plate 1 may have an inclination or the like (an inclination or the like that does not block the flowing ice making water). . For example, the angle between the exposed surface of the ice making plate 1 and the end surface of the bottom plate piece 12a (side surface of the bottom plate piece 12a) may be an obtuse angle. This is because resistance to water flowing through the downflow groove 21 does not occur if this is done.

[About the ice making and deicing processes of ice making equipment]
Here, the ice making process and the deicing process by the ice making device 69 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 (flow chart) and FIGS. 17 and 18. However, since S1 to S6 (ice making process) in this flowchart are the same as the above description, S7 and S8 (ice removal process) will be described mainly. In FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the guide piece 8b is omitted for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 17 (side view), after completion of the ice making process, ice is generated on the ice making plate 1 in the base material portion. Then, if the control unit 52 can determine in S6 in the ice making process that the lump ice has been formed, the control unit 52 drives the RU motor 31 to rotate forward (S7). Specifically, the ice removing unit 17 is moved (sliding) by about several mm in a direction (V direction; sliding direction) away from the stationary ice making plate unit 7.

  As described above, when the ice removing unit 17 moves, the bottom plate piece 12a positioned between the lump ice pieces slides. That is, the bottom plate piece 12a tries to shift the lump ice fixed on the ice making plate 1 in the V direction (forward direction) forcibly. For this reason, a shearing force is applied to the lump ice, and the fixation between the lump ice and the ice making plate 1 is released. As a result, the lump ice is separated from the ice making plate 1.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the lump ice rolls down toward the ice storage BOX 53 due to the natural fall due to gravity (S8). In S7, after the lump ice is removed from the ice making plate 1, the RU motor 31 is driven to rotate backward to move the standing rib 11 in the W direction (sliding direction;) to return to the original position. If it is made to return to (5), new ice making water can be solidified into ice (the ice making device 69 is put into a state where ice making is possible).

[Various features of ice making equipment]
As shown in FIG. 12, in the ice making device 69 completed by assembling the ice making plate unit 7 and the ice removing unit 17, the flow-down groove 21 is formed from the gap between the bottom plate pieces 12a and 12a (opening 22; see FIG. 16). The formed ice making plate 1 and the bottom plate pieces 12a stacked on the auxiliary plate 8a are alternately arranged.

  That is, such a flow-down groove 21 is formed by stacking the bottom plate pieces 12a spaced apart at a predetermined interval on a base material including at least a part of the ice making plate 1, and the ice making plate 1 from the gap between the bottom plate pieces 12a. It can be said that it is the composition to express. In such a case, the exposed ice making plates 1 and the bottom plate pieces 12a are alternately arranged.

  Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, ice is not generated over the entire flow-down groove 21, and a plurality of separated lump ice is formed in the flow-down groove 21. As a result, the ice making device 69 of the third embodiment exhibits the same effects as the ice making device 69 of the present invention described above (the ice making device 69 described in the first and second embodiments).

[Embodiment 4]
Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the member which has the same function as the member used in Embodiment 1-3, the same code | symbol is attached and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The ice making device 69 of the present invention can assume still another configuration. For example, an ice making device 69 as shown in FIG.

[Configuration of ice making equipment]
<About the ice making plate unit>
As shown in FIG. 19, the ice making plate unit 7 includes a refrigerant pipe 2 meandering in a coil shape, and a cylindrical (for example, cylindrical) ice making plate 1 (cylindrical ice making plate 1 b) attached to the refrigerant pipe 2. It is comprised so that it may contain. In addition, it is preferable that said peeling process is performed to the cylindrical ice-making plate 1b. Further, instead of the cylindrical ice making plate 1b, a cylindrical base material portion constituted by the ice making plate 1 and the auxiliary plate 8a may be used as in the third embodiment.

<Ice unit>
The ice removing unit 17 is configured to include a cylindrical body 12b, a standing rib (partition portion) 11, and a ball screw portion (not shown in FIG. 19).

  The cylindrical body 12b has a cylinder (for example, a cylinder) having an inner circumference enough to fit the cylindrical ice-making plate 1b, and the surface of the cylinder is dotted with exposed openings 12bc. In addition, it is preferable that the cylindrical body 12b is comprised from the material with comparatively low heat conductivity, such as a ceramic resin and stainless steel similarly to the baseplate part 12. As shown in FIG.

  The standing ribs 11 are disposed so as to rise in the radial direction from the surface of the cylindrical body 12b while being spaced apart at regular intervals. The extending direction of the standing ribs 11 (perpendicular to the radial direction; the longitudinal direction of the standing ribs 11) is a vertical direction. During this period (between the standing ribs 11, 11), the exposed holes 12 bc are arranged in the same direction as the extending direction of the standing rib 11 while being spaced apart at a constant interval.

  When the ice making plate unit 7 and the ice removing unit 17 are assembled, that is, when the cylindrical ice making plate 1b is fitted into the cylindrical body 12b, the cylindrical ice making plate 1b and the cylindrical body 12b overlap. Therefore, the surface of the cylindrical ice-making plate 1b is exposed from the exposed opening 12bc of the cylindrical body 12b.

  The configuration of the ball screw portion is not particularly limited, but the cylindrical body 12b covering the periphery of the cylindrical ice making plate 1b is rotated.

[Assembly of ice making equipment with ice making plate unit and ice removing unit]
The ice making device 69 of the present invention is configured by combining the ice making plate unit 7 and the ice removing unit 17. Specifically, the cylindrical ice-making plate 1b is fitted into the cylindrical body 12b. Therefore, it is preferable that the outer diameter of the cylindrical ice making plate 1b and the inner diameter of the cylindrical body 12b are substantially matched.

  And when the cylindrical ice-making plate 1b fits into the cylindrical body 12b, the cylindrical ice-making plate 1b and the cylindrical body 12b will overlap. Therefore, a groove (flowing groove) 21 is formed between the standing ribs 11 and 11 by the standing ribs 11 and 11, the cylindrical body 12 b, and the cylindrical ice making plate 1 b.

  Note that the bottom of the downflow groove 21 has a step. However, at least the surface of the cylindrical ice-making plate 1b exposed from the exposed opening 12bc is a smooth surface. Further, even if there is a step, since it is a very low step (because the thickness of the cylindrical body 12b is extremely thin), resistance to water flowing through the downflow groove 21 does not occur. Further, the inner peripheral end of the exposed opening 12bc is inclined or the like (inclined so as not to block the flowing ice making water; for example, the surface of the cylindrical ice making plate 1b and the inner peripheral end of the exposed opening 12bc) May have an obtuse angle). This is because resistance to water flowing through the downflow groove 21 does not occur if this is done.

[About the ice making and deicing processes of ice making equipment]
Here, the ice making process and the deicing process by the ice making device 69 of the present invention shown in FIG. 19 will be described with reference to FIG. 11 (flow chart). However, since S1 to S6 (ice making process) in this flowchart are the same as the above description, S7 and S8 (ice removal process) will be described mainly.

  After completion of the ice making process, ice is generated on the cylindrical ice making plate 1b exposed from the cylindrical body 12b. Then, if the control unit 52 can determine in S6 in the ice making process that the lump ice has been formed, the control unit 52 drives the RU motor 31 to rotate forward (S7). Specifically, the cylindrical body 12b and the cylindrical ice making plate 1b are shifted from each other by rotating (sliding) the cylindrical body 12b.

  As described above, when the ice removing unit 17 (cylindrical body 12b) rotates (for example, forward rotation), the cylindrical body 12b positioned around the lump ice fixed on the cylindrical ice making plate 1b slides. It will be. That is, the cylindrical body 12 b tries to forcibly shift the lump ice fixed on the ice making plate 1. For this reason, a shearing force is applied to the lump ice, the fixation between the lump ice and the cylindrical ice making plate 1b is released, and the lump ice is separated from the cylindrical ice making plate 1b. Further, if the rotation of the cylindrical body 12b continues, the standing rib 11 comes into contact with the lump ice, and the lump ice is reliably deiced from the ice making plate 1.

  Then, due to the natural fall due to gravity, the lump ice rolls down toward the ice storage BOX 53 (S8). In S7, after the lump ice is deiced from the cylindrical ice making plate 1b, the RU motor 31 is driven in the reverse rotation to move the standing rib 11 in the original direction (sliding direction) (that is, in the sliding direction). If the cylindrical body 12 is reversely rotated and returned to the original position), new ice making water can be solidified into ice (the ice making device 69 is put on standby in an ice making ready state).

[Various features of ice making equipment]
As shown in FIG. 19, a cylindrical body 12b having an exposed opening 12bc is stacked on the cylindrical ice making plate 1b, and the cylindrical ice making plate 1b is exposed from the exposing opening 12bc. In the ice making device 69 provided with the groove 21, the flow-down groove 21 is configured by alternately arranging the cylindrical ice-making plate 1b exposed from the exposed opening 12bc and the cylindrical body 12b. .

  Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, ice is not generated over the entire flow-down groove 21, and a plurality of separated lump ice is formed in the flow-down groove 21. As a result, the ice making device 69 of the fourth embodiment exhibits the same effects as the ice making device 69 of the present invention described above (the ice making device 69 described in the first to third embodiments). In particular, in the case of the ice making device 69 shown in FIG. 19, since ice is generated on the cylindrical ice making plate 1b having a curved surface, ice having a curved surface is generated. It can be said that ice has a beautiful shape compared to simple square ice.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in Embodiment 3, the ice making plate unit 7 includes a base material portion in which the ice making plate 1 and the auxiliary plate 8a are mixed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ice making device 69 of the present invention may be configured such that the ice removing unit 17 is placed on the single ice making plate 1. In this case, the configuration of the ice making plate unit 7 is simplified.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 20, an ice making device 69 in which an ice removing unit 17 including a standing rib 11 having a curved surface and a bottom plate portion 12 (bottom plate piece 12a) is mounted on an ice making plate 1 having a curved surface may be used. In such a case, the dimensions in the vertical direction can be reduced, and the ice making device 69 becomes compact.

  Further, an ice making device 69 provided with a plurality of ice removing units 17 as shown in FIG. 21 may be used. This ice removing unit 17 is arranged such that two standing ribs 11 are arranged in one direction while being spaced apart at a constant interval, and between this (between the standing ribs 11 and 11), a bottom plate piece 12a is arranged. Are arranged so as to be lined up while being spaced apart at regular intervals. The ice making device 69 including a plurality of such ice removing units 17 can be slid and moved for each ice removing unit 17 by optimally combining the ball screw portion 13 and the RU motor 31. In such a case, it can be said that the force for sliding the ice removing unit 17 becomes smaller.

  Moreover, in order to flow ice-making water efficiently, it is preferable that the extending direction of the flow-down groove 21 is a vertical direction, but it is not limited to this. The extending direction of the flow-down groove 21 may be inclined by inclining the ice removing unit 17 and the ice making plate unit 7.

  Further, the sliding direction of the ice removing unit 17 is not particularly limited as long as it is a direction deviating from the ice making plate unit 7 (if it can slide). For example, it may be a vertical direction or a circumferential direction. Or you may move to the direction etc. which draw a spiral locus | trajectory. However, it should be noted that in any moving direction, there is no problem with the flow of ice-making water in the flow-down groove 21 and that the ice-making device is prevented from being enlarged.

  Further, the ice making device 69 of the present invention uses, for example, the ball screw portion 13 and the RU motor 31 (sliding mechanism) to displace (slide) the standing rib 11 (icing unit 17) from the ice making plate 1. However, it is not limited to this.

  For example, a slide mechanism using a worm gear / wheel, a slide mechanism using a rack rail and a pinion gear, or a slide mechanism using an electromagnetic solenoid actuator may be used.

  Further, in order to more firmly connect the fitting groove 23 and the ice making plate 1, an adhesive is provided in the gap between them (that is, the gap between the bottom plate piece 12 a constituting the fitting groove 23 and the ice making plate 1). Etc. may be interposed.

  Further, in the ice making device 69 of the present invention, it is determined whether or not lump ice has been generated based on the detection temperature of the ice making completion detection sensor 51, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be determined that lump ice has been generated when a certain period of time has elapsed, and the ice removal operation may be performed. In short, any determination means may be used as long as it can be determined whether or not lump ice has been generated.

  Further, in the ice making device 69 of the present invention, the inside of the ice storage BOX 53 is managed below the freezing point, but various methods for creating a temperature state below the freezing point are conceivable. For example, the refrigerant pipe 2 connected to the ice making plate 1 may be extended and connected to the ice storage BOX 53, or may be provided in a separate freezer compartment, for example.

  Note that the ice making device 69 of the present invention is used for various electrical appliances. For example, it is used in a refrigerator-freezer for home use, a large ice maker for business use, a cup-type drinking water vending machine, and the like.

  In the above description, the ice making device 69 using the refrigeration cycle unit 10 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an ice making device using a Stirling engine may be used. Various cooling methods for the ice making unit can be envisaged. The ice making unit may be cooled by, for example, cold air whose temperature has been lowered by a refrigerant, or may be cooling (heat exchange) by direct or indirect contact with a cooling fluid (refrigerant). Moreover, the ice making part which cools only with cold air | gas without using a refrigerant | coolant may be sufficient. In short, any cooling system capable of cooling to a temperature at which ice can be generated may be used. Therefore, in the case of heat exchange, the ice making plate / bottom plate portion may be expressed as a member (cold heat conducting member) through which cold heat is transmitted.

  Moreover, you may comprise an ice-making plate and a baseplate part with the material (for example, copper and aluminum) which has the same heat conductivity. However, in the case of such a configuration, it is necessary to prevent an excessively low temperature (for example, below the freezing point) of the bottom plate portion in order to exert the above-described effects of the present invention. Therefore, in the case of such a configuration, it is preferable that a heat insulating paint or the like is applied to the bottom plate portion (the heat insulating treatment may be performed). This is because, if there is such a heat insulating paint, an ice making plate and a bottom plate portion made of a material having the same thermal conductivity will become an ice making plate and a bottom plate portion having different thermal conductivities as described above. That is, the ice making plate and the bottom plate portion may have different thermal conductivities depending on the presence or absence of the heat insulation treatment.

  The ice making device of the present invention can also be expressed as follows.

  The present invention is an ice making device that cools a plate-like body (ice-making plate 1) by a refrigeration cycle or cooling means that can cool below the freezing point, and circulates water through the low-temperature plate-like body to make ice, The ice making part (the area including at least the ice making plate 1 and the bottom plate part 12) is composed of a combination of a high thermal conductivity member and a low thermal conductivity member. A feature is that a plurality of high-temperature portions (high-temperature regions) are formed.

  Further, in the ice making device of the present invention, the ice making unit is configured in multiple stages by dividing the high thermal conductivity member, and the low thermal conductivity members that are also configured in multiple stages and multiple rows are inserted into the gaps that can be divided. It is characterized by being configured.

  Further, in the ice making device of the present invention, in the ice making part, one surface which becomes the ice making surface in a state where the high thermal conductivity member and the low thermal conductivity member are combined is formed in a smooth plate shape, and this plate shape is formed. A partition portion (standing rib 11) made of a plurality of rows of low thermal conductivity members is formed vertically on the surface.

  The low thermal conductivity member configured in a multi-stage and multi-row structure in the ice making section is characterized in that it is provided with means that can move mechanically about several millimeters to the left and right (horizontal direction) after ice making.

  A non-adhesive surface treatment or coating is applied to the surface to be an ice making surface of the high thermal conductivity member divided into multiple stages in the ice making portion.

  The ice making device of the present invention is an ice making device that generates ice by flowing water in an ice making portion that is cooled by a refrigeration cycle or a cooling means that can be cooled below the freezing point. It is characterized by being composed of a combination of slidable partitioning portions that are arranged so as to cover the smooth surface. In the ice making device of the present invention, means for sliding the partition portion is provided.

  Further, in the ice making device of the present invention, the slidable partition portion is composed of a plate-like body having a single or a plurality of apertures, which is formed of a surface along the smooth surface of the ice making portion. Yes.

  In addition, the ice making device of the present invention is characterized by including a single or a plurality of partition plates installed so as to stand upright from the plate-like body.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful for an ice making device (so-called plate type ice making device) that solidifies ice making water to be dripped as ice on an ice making plate.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view mainly showing an ice making plate unit, an ice removing unit and the like in the ice making device of the present invention. (A) is a front view of FIG. 1, (b) is a side view of FIG. It is the side view which illustrated the watering unit etc. in addition to the ice making plate unit and the ice removing unit included in the ice making device. It is a schematic perspective view of the ice making plate unit used in the ice making device of the present invention. It is the table which showed the heat conductivity of the material which comprises the ice-making plate of an ice-making plate unit, or the baseplate part of a deicing unit and a standing rib. It is a schematic perspective view of the ice removal unit used in the ice making device of the present invention. It is a 3rd page figure which consists of a front view, a side view, and a bottom view of an ice removal unit. It is a block diagram regarding a control part. It is a perspective view which shows the process (assembly process) when assembling an ice making plate unit and an ice removal unit. It is a top view which shows the process (assembly process) when assembling an ice making plate unit and an ice removal unit. It is a flowchart which shows an ice making process and an ice removal process. It is a schematic perspective view of the ice making apparatus of this invention which shows another example of FIG. (A) is a front view of FIG. 12, (b) is a side view of FIG. It is a schematic perspective view of the ice making plate unit which shows another example of FIG. It is a schematic perspective view of the ice removal unit which shows another example of FIG. FIG. 8 is a three-view diagram including a front view, a side view, and a bottom view of an ice removal unit showing another example of FIG. 7. It is a schematic side view of the ice making apparatus of this invention after completion of an ice making process. It is a schematic side view of the ice making device of the present invention which is performing an ice removal process. FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the ice making device of the present invention showing another example of FIGS. 1 and 12. FIG. 20 is a schematic side view of the ice making device of the present invention showing another example of FIGS. 1, 12, and 19. It is a schematic perspective view of the ice removal unit which shows another example of FIG. 6 and FIG. It is the schematic which shows the conventional ice making apparatus. It is a perspective view of the conventional ice making apparatus which shows another example of FIG. (A) is a front view of FIG. 22, (b) is a side view of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Ice making plate (first member, first cold air conduction member, first cold heat member)
1b Cylindrical ice making plate (first member, first cold air conducting member, first cold member)
2 Refrigerant pipe 7 Ice making plate unit 8a Auxiliary plate 8b Guide piece 11 Standing rib (partition)
12 Bottom plate (second member, second cold air conducting member, second cold member)
12a Bottom plate piece (second member, second cold air conduction member, second cold heat member)
12b Tubular body (second member, second cold air conducting member, second cold member)
12bc surface opening (opening)
13 Ball screw part (transmission part)
17 De-icing unit 21 Downflow ditch (ice making part)
31 RU motor (drive unit)
41 Ice storage BOX (Ice storage part)
42 Circulating pipe 43 Pump 44 Sprinkling hole X Slide direction Y Slide direction V Slide direction W Slide direction

Claims (7)

  In an ice making device that creates ice by laminating ice films by passing water from sprinkling water on the ice making part to be cooled,
  The ice making part includes a first member and a second member, and a partition part is erected on the surface of the second member.
  An ice making device, wherein the partitioning part and the second member perform ice removal by sliding along a surface constituting the ice making part.   2. The ice making device according to claim 1, wherein a surface of at least one member to which water adheres among the first member and the second member included in the ice making unit is a smooth surface.   The ice making device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first member and the second member have different thermal conductivities.   In an ice making device that creates ice by laminating ice films by passing water from sprinkling water on the ice making part to be cooled,
  The ice making part
Including a first member and a second member having different thermal conductivities,
The first member is exposed from the gap of the second member by stacking the second member on the base material portion including at least a part of the first member while being spaced apart at a constant interval. The ice making device, wherein the first member and the second member that are taken out are arranged alternately.   An ice storage unit is provided for storing ice generated in the ice making unit, and the ice storage unit
The ice making device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the interior is maintained below the freezing point.   The ice making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first member to which water adheres is subjected to a peeling process for easily peeling off the generated ice.   The ice making apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first member is coated with a fluororesin as the peeling process.

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