JP4460658B2 - Auger ice machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an auger type ice making device, and more particularly to operation control of the auger type ice making device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in an auger type ice making machine, when making ice making operation starts, it takes time to start the refrigeration system, and the temperature of the ice making cylinder rises during the ice making operation stop period. In the initial stage, the thin ice layer formed on the inner wall of the ice making cylinder is not sufficiently formed. For this reason, the thin ice layer is scraped off by an auger, compressed and solidified by a pressing head disposed at the top of the ice making cylinder, divided by a cutter, and transported to an ice storage has a predetermined size, temperature and hardness. It will be called scrap ice. This scrap ice not only causes arching and obstructs ice removal, but also the quality of ice as a product is poor, and it is preferable to reduce it as much as possible.
[0003]
Further, the conventional auger type ice making machine is turned on when the ice storage amount in the ice storage is the upper operating value, and is turned off at the lower operation value in which the ice storage amount in the ice storage is lowered by a certain amount from the upper operation value. The ice storage is equipped with an ice storage switch. Note that the difference between the upper operating value and the lower operating value, that is, the differential is mechanically formed in the ice storage switch, so that the differential cannot be made large at present.
[0004]
The conventional auger ice making machine starts the ice making operation when the ice storage switch SW is turned off, as described in the ice making operation timing chart of FIG. More specifically, the start of the ice making operation is performed in order to adjust the thin ice formed on the inner wall of the ice making cylinder to a constant state. At the same time as the ice storage switch SW is turned off, the geared motor GM is turned on and the predetermined time t1 is delayed. The compressor CM of the refrigeration apparatus is turned on. The conventional auger type ice making machine stops the ice making operation when the ice storage switch SW is turned on. More specifically, the stop of the ice making operation is such that the compressor is stopped after a predetermined time t2 has elapsed since the ice storage switch SW is turned off in order to avoid the repeated opening / closing operation of the ice storage switch SW. Further, the geared motor GM is stopped after a delay of t3 in order to scrape off the thin ice layer on the inner wall of the ice making cylinder to make it constant. As described above, in the conventional general auger type ice making machine, the ice making operation is controlled by turning on / off the ice storage switch SW. Therefore, the ice storage amount in the ice storage is the difference between when the ice making operation is stopped and when the ice making operation is started. The ice making operation time was shortened.
[0005]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the time ratio of the time Tsi for generating scrap ice to the ice making operation time Tso is increased. Therefore, there is a problem that scrap ice increases in the ice stored in the ice storage. It should be noted that the time Tsi during which the ice scrap is generated is longer when the ice making operation is stabilized when the temperature of the ice making tube is high at the start of the ice making operation and when the temperature of the ice making tube is low at the start of the ice making operation. Depends on the temperature of the ice-making cylinder so that the time until the ice-making operation is stabilized is shortened.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. The object is to provide an auger type ice making machine that controls the ice making operation so as to reduce the generation of scrap ice.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an ice making cylinder incorporating an auger, a pressure head for compressing and solidifying ice conveyed from the ice making cylinder, and ice conveyed from the pressure head are provided. Cutter for dividing into an appropriate size, an ice storage for storing ice divided by the cutter, a refrigeration apparatus for cooling ice making water supplied into the ice making cylinder, and an amount of ice stored in the ice storage Is turned on when is the upper operating value, the ice storage switch in which the ice storage amount in the ice storage is turned off at a lower operation value that is a certain amount lower than the upper operation value, and the ice storage amount in the ice storage is calculated from the ice making operation status ice storage quantity calculating means, stops the ice-making operation when the ice storage amount calculated by該貯ice amount calculation means has increased to the upper operating value, the ice storage amount calculated by該貯ice amount calculating means said lower operating values Further reduced from the predetermined middle Characterized in that it comprises a driving control means for starting the ice-making operation when reduced to an amount value threshold.
[0008]
Therefore, in the auger type ice making machine according to the first aspect, the difference in the amount of ice stored in the ice storage becomes large when the ice making operation is stopped and when the ice making operation is started, so that the ice making operation time per time becomes longer. On the other hand, the time during which scrap ice is generated is not affected by the length of the ice making operation time per time, so the ratio of the operation time during which scrap ice is generated to the ice making operation time decreases. Accordingly, the proportion of scrap ice in the ice stored is reduced, and the amount of good quality ice is increased.
[0009]
It is preferable as 請 Motomeko 2 wherein, savings ice quantity calculation device, ice storage amount is increased to the upper operating value and resets the full ice amount value as ice storage amount for each ice storage switch is turned on, the based on the reset has been full ice amount value, subtracts the set discharge amount per unit time at the time of ice discharge, it can be configured as to calculate the ice storage amount by adding the setting ice per unit time during ice-making operation . In addition, when configured in this way, it is possible to easily grasp the ice storage amount in the ice storage without providing a special ice making detection mechanism, and it is possible to easily cope with the threshold value for starting operation appropriately set. It becomes.
[0010]
If the threshold value is reduced, the generation time of scrap ice can be reduced. However, if the threshold value is too low, there is a possibility that ice will disappear during the busy season. Further, the generation time of waste ice is affected by the temperature of the ice making cylinder at the start of the ice making operation as described above, and when the temperature of this ice making cylinder is high, the generation time of waste ice becomes long. For this reason, the threshold value is set as an ice storage amount with a certain margin so as not to run out of ice, and the threshold value can be set low in a condition where the generation time of waste ice becomes long. It is considered convenient.
The invention according to claim 3 addresses such a need, and detects the temperature of the ice making cylinder directly or indirectly and makes it possible to adjust the threshold corresponding to the detected temperature. Also, since the temperature of the ice making cylinder is considered to rise gradually as the ice making cylinder is gradually warmed by the ambient air during the ice making operation stop time, the ice making operation stop time is used instead of detecting the temperature of the ice making cylinder. be able to. From the above viewpoint, the invention according to claim 4 can detect the ice making operation stop time as an alternative to the temperature detecting means of the ice making cylinder and adjust the threshold value according to the length of the ice making operation stop time. Is.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention embodied in an auger type ice making machine will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the prior art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is simplified. As for the structure of the auger type ice making machine in the present embodiment, FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the entire auger type ice making machine, and FIG. 2 shows a specific structure around the ice making device of the auger type ice making machine. .
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the auger type ice making machine includes an ice making device 1 centering on an ice making cylinder 1 a, an ice storage 18 provided on the ice making device 1, and a side portion of the ice making device 1. The ice making water tank 5 provided, the refrigeration apparatus 14 for cooling the ice making cylinder 1a, an operation panel 31, a controller 30 and the like are included.
[0013]
The ice making cylinder 1a is vertically installed in the ice making machine body and is made of stainless steel or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, a water supply port 2 is provided at the lower part of the ice making cylinder 1 a, and one end of the water supply pipe 3 is connected to the water supply port 2. The other end of the water supply pipe 3 is connected to a water supply port 6 provided at the bottom of the ice making water tank 5 via a connection hose 4. Accordingly, the ice making water stored in the ice making water tank 5 is supplied into the ice making cylinder 1 a via the connection hose 4 and the water supply pipe 3.
[0014]
An auger 16 is disposed inside the ice making cylinder 1a. The auger 16 is provided with a spiral blade 21 around the rotating shaft portion 20, and is connected to a geared motor (GM) 15 as a driving device at a lower end portion. Reference numeral 22 denotes a mechanical seal that seals the lower end portion of the ice making cylinder 1 a at the lower end portion of the rotary shaft portion 20.
[0015]
Further, an evaporator 9 in which a cooling pipe is spirally wound is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the ice making cylinder 1a. The evaporator 9 is for cooling the ice making cylinder 1a and constitutes an evaporator of the refrigeration apparatus 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigeration apparatus 14 is formed of a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor (CM) 10, a condenser 11, an expansion valve 13, an evaporator 9 and the like are sequentially connected.
[0016]
The ice making water tank 5 is provided with a float switch 7. The float switch 7 senses the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level in the ice making water tank 5. When the float switch 7 senses the lower limit water level in the ice making water tank 5 under the control of the controller 30, the water supply circuit The water supply valve 8 provided at the open position is opened to supply ice making water into the ice making water tank 5. When the float switch 7 detects the upper limit water level in the ice making water tank 5, the water supply valve 8 is closed and the water supply to the ice making water tank 5 is stopped.
[0017]
The ice storage 18 stores ice sent from the ice making cylinder 1a. That is, ice making water is supplied from the ice making water tank 5 to the ice making cylinder 1a and the refrigeration device 14 is driven, whereby the ice making operation of the auger type ice making machine is performed. In this case, the cooling of the refrigeration device 14 is performed. By the action, the ice making water in the ice making cylinder 1a is cooled, and thin ice is formed on the inner wall surface of the ice making cylinder 1a. The thin ice is scraped off by an auger 16 that is rotationally driven by a geared motor (GM) 15, transferred to the upper part of the ice making cylinder 1a, and compressed and solidified by a pressing head 17 provided at the upper part in the ice making cylinder 1a. Then, it passes through a cutter (not shown) and is sent to and stored in an ice storage 18 provided at the upper end of the ice making cylinder 1a.
[0018]
The ice storage 18 is provided with an ice storage switch (SW) 19 similar to the conventional one. The ice storage switch 19 is turned on when the ice storage amount in the ice storage 18 reaches the upper operating value of the ice storage switch 19, that is, the full ice amount value Q _F set as the ice storage 18 is almost full. ice of the inner is configured to turn off becomes lower operating value Q _S was fixed amount reduced from the full ice amount value Q _F. Incidentally, the lower operating value Q _S, as described above, since the differential can not be taken large by a mechanism problems of ice switch 19 is a value close to the full ice amount value Q _F, the ice storage compartment 18 is substantially it is considerably large value compared to the ice storage amount Q _L of empty. Furthermore, the ice storage switch 19, upon sensing that the ice storage amount in the ice storage compartment 18 reaches the full ice amount value Q _F, outputs an ON signal to the controller 30, an ice storage amount in the ice storage compartment 18 by the use of ice Upon sensing that reaches the lower working value Q _S decreases is, and outputs an oFF signal to the controller 30.
[0019]
The ice storage 18 is provided with a discharge port for discharging ice, and an electromagnetic opening / closing door SV (see FIG. 1) is provided at the discharge port, and an ice discharge path 41 is formed via the electromagnetic opening / closing door SV. It is led out to the saucer 40. Further, in order to be able to supply water to the consumer, a water supply pipe 42 connected in parallel with the water supply valve 8 is led out to the receiving tray 40, and a water valve WV as an opening / closing valve is interposed in the middle thereof. ing.
[0020]
This auger type ice making machine is drivability controlled by the controller 30 based on an operation command from the operation panel 31. The operation panel 31 is provided with an ice making switch 32, a discharge switch 33, a selection key 34 for selecting the discharge of water and ice, and an ice making display lamp 35. The selection key 34 includes keys 34a, 34b, and 34c that enable selection of three types of dispensing contents: “water only”, “ice only”, and “water and ice”.
[0021]
The controller 30 includes a microcomputer, a memory, and the like. The controller 30 takes in the on / off signal of the ice making switch 32 and the on / off signal of the discharge switch 33 from the operation panel 31, and further takes in the on / off signals of the ice storage switch 19, the float switch 7, and the like. The apparatus and ice storage amount calculation means as ice storage amount detection means are formed.
[0022]
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the operation control apparatus. In FIG. 3, in step S1, the state of the ice storage switch 19 is confirmed. If not dropped to the ice storage amount Q _T is still lower operating value Q _S reaches the full ice amount value Q _F in the ice storage compartment 18, since the ice storage switch 19 is turned on, the ice making operation proceeds to step S4 A stop command is issued. Also, if ice quantity Q _T of the ice storage compartment 18 is less than the lower operating value Q _S, ice switch 19 is turned off, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, whether the determination threshold Q or _E below the ice storage amount Q _T is determined ice of whether to start the ice-making operation is performed. Incidentally, the ice storage amount Q _T is calculated at all times by the ice amount calculation means having an operation flow chart shown in FIG. 6 to be described later. If the ice amount Q _T is less than the threshold Q _E, the process proceeds to step S3, the ice making operation start command is issued. In the case the ice amount _{Q T} is larger than the threshold _{Q E} skips step S3.
[0023]
FIG. 4 shows a timing chart of the start or stop of the ice making operation in the operation control. That is, when the ice storage amount Q _T is the made lower operating value Q _S by reduction, although ice storage switch (SW) 19 is turned off, the ice-making operation at this point different from the conventional is not started. When reduced to the threshold value Q _E is a predetermined intermediate value between the ice storage amount full ice amount value Q _T decreases Q _F and an empty ice storage amount Q _L, the ice-making operation command is issued (step S3). At this time, the geared motor (GM) 15 is first operated in the same manner as the conventional one in order to remove the thin ice layer in the ice making cylinder 1a once and start the operation safely under a certain condition. Then, the compressor (CM) is operated after a predetermined time t1. The size of the threshold Q _E is the ice bin 18, that changes the set value by emission or the like. Specifically, it is set to 1 / 10-1 / 2 of the full ice storage amount _{Q F.}
[0024]
Thus when the ice making operation is started ice storage amount Q _T increases. When the ice storage amount Q _T reaches the full ice amount value Q _F, ice switch 19 is turned on, the ice making operation stop command is issued (step S4). When the ice making operation stop command is issued, in order to stabilize the operation of the ice storage switch 19, the compressor (CM) is first stopped after a predetermined time t2 as in the prior art. Further, the geared motor (GM) 15 is stopped after a predetermined time t3 in order to obtain a constant state in which the thin ice layer in the ice making cylinder 1a is scraped off.
[0025]
Next, extraction control is performed in step S5. The dispensing control is performed so that the dispensing selected by the water only selection key 34a, the ice only selection key 34b, and the water and ice selection key 34c shown in FIG. 2 is performed.
Next, in step S6, the threshold Q _E is calculated by f (Ts) calculated by a function of the count Ts corresponding to the ice making operation stop time. The count number Ts is counted by an interrupt process shown in FIG. Further, f (Ts) is set as shown in the graph of FIG. 5 with respect to Ts. In FIG. 5, while Ts is 0～Ts ₁ is a step after stopping the ice-making operation has not elapsed much time. Further, at this stage, the temperature of the ice making cylinder 1a rises with time. Therefore, it is set so as to decrease the threshold value Q _E proportionally. Further, when Ts is Ts ₁ or more, the temperature of the ice making cylinder 1a does not change almost to the passage of time, the threshold Q _E is set to a constant value Q _E1.
Thus, in step S6, it repeated back calculated threshold Q _E is the step S1.
[0026]
FIG. 6 shows a calculation flow of the ice storage amount calculation means as the ice storage amount detection means. To calculate the ice storage amount Q _T in ice bin used for operation control of FIG 3, the interrupt processing of FIG. 6 at regular time intervals to the operation control is executed. In step E1 of FIG. 6, it is first confirmed whether or not the ice making operation is in progress. In this step E1, when it is in the ice making operation resets the count number T _S indicating the stop time of the ice-making operation to zero, at step E2 when the ice making operation is stopped, 1 is added to the count T _S. Next, in step E4, the state of the ice storage switch 19 is confirmed. If ice switch 19 is ON, that is, when ice storage compartment 18 is almost full state, as ice storage amount Q _T in step E5, resets the predetermined full ice amount value Q _F which is previously calculated. Then, in step E6 later, ice storage amount Q _T in ice bin 18 which changes every moment on the basis of the full ice amount value Q _F which has been reset at step E5 is calculated. If it is off at step E4, step E5 is skipped and the processing after step E6 is performed.
[0027]
In step E6, it is confirmed whether or not the ice making operation is in progress. If YES, the process proceeds to step E7. If NO, step E7 is skipped. In step E7, in the ice-making operation has been made in view of the ice storage amount Q _T increases the ice amount Q _M min per unit time, ice amount Q _M per unit time is added to the ice storage amount Q _T.
In step E8, ice storage amount Q _T is full ice amount value or to determine the country exceeds Q _F, ice storage amount Q _T is ice mass in step E9, if it exceeds the full ice amount value Q _F Q the _T is corrected to full ice amount value _{Q F.} Also, when the ice storage amount Q _T does not exceed the full ice amount value Q _F skips to step E10 skips step E9.
[0028]
Next, in step E10, the state of the electromagnetic door SV provided at the discharge port of the ice storage 18 is confirmed. If it is open (when SV is on), that is, if ice is discharged, the process proceeds to step E11. If it is closed (when SV is off), that is, if ice is not discharged, step E11 is skipped. . At step E11, ice release view of the fact that ice storage amount Q _T decreases emissions Q _R component per unit time, release amount per unit time Q _R min is subtracted the ice storage amount Q _T. Then, the interruption process is terminated by this step E11 and the operation control flow is returned to.
[0029]
As described above, according to this embodiment, since the ice storage amount Q _T is calculated by the ice amount calculation means, it is possible to constantly grasp the ice storage amount Q _T. Then, since the ice-making operation is started when the ice storage amount Q _T has decreased to the threshold Q _E is a predetermined intermediate ice amount value lower than the lower operating value Q _S of the ice storage switch 19, and when the ice making operation is stopped Ice The difference in the amount of ice stored at the start of operation becomes large, and the ice making operation time per time becomes longer. For this reason, the ratio of the operation time which waste ice generate | occur | produces with respect to ice making operation time falls. Therefore, the generation ratio of scrap ice among the ice stored is reduced, and the amount of high-quality ice is increased.
[0030]
Also, ice storage amount calculation means as the ice storage amount detecting means as described above, the full ice amount value as ice storage amount Q _T for each ice switch 19 ice storage amount Q _T is increased to the upper operating value is turned on reset, based on this reset has been full ice amount value Q _F, subtracts the set discharge amount Q _R per unit time at the time of ice discharge, during ice-making operation by adding the set ice amount Q _M per unit time, and it is configured as to calculate the ice storage amount Q _T. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a special ice detection mechanism for this ice storage quantity calculating means, easily, and can always grasp the ice storage amount Q _T. Further, since changes in this way ice storage amount Q _T is grasped at all times, be set appropriately the threshold Q _E is in accordance with the specifications of the device, such as the size and emission Q _R of the ice bin 18, this comparison with the threshold Q _E and ice storage amount Q _T is extremely easy. Therefore, it is easy to set a threshold value Q _E as appropriate.
[0031]
Further, in the present embodiment, the threshold Q _E, when the ice making operation stop time becomes long, the temperature of the ice making cylinder 1a is configured to change by considering that rises. For this reason, the ice storage amount at the start of the ice making operation (that is, the threshold value Q _E ) is reasonably set in accordance with the length of the generation time of waste ice.
[0032]
In the above-described embodiment, the threshold Q _E has been set corresponding to the ice making operation stop time, the temperature of the ice making cylinder 1a directly or indirectly detected, the threshold Q _E in response to the detected value May be adjusted. For example, as a method for directly detecting the temperature of the ice making cylinder 1a, a temperature sensor may be provided at the upper part of the ice making cylinder 1a. In this case, adjusting the threshold Q _E corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. Further, as a method of indirectly detecting the temperature of the ice making cylinder 1a, the temperature of the evaporator 9 during the ice making operation stop, which greatly affects the temperature of the ice making cylinder 1a, the refrigerant pressure in the evaporator 9 during the ice making operation stop, etc. You may provide the sensor which detects this. That is, the temperature of the ice making cylinder 1a can be indirectly grasped from the detection values detected by these sensors. Further, in this case, it corresponds to adjust the threshold value Q _E thereto detected values.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the proportion of scrap ice in the ice stored is reduced, and the amount of good quality ice is increased. Also, ice arching in the ice storage is reduced.
[0034]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the ice storage amount in the ice storage can be easily grasped without providing a special ice making detection mechanism, and the threshold value for starting operation can be easily set as appropriate. Is possible.
[0035]
Further, according to the third and fourth aspects of the invention, it is possible to rationally set a threshold value for starting the ice making operation in accordance with the length of generation time of waste ice.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic overall configuration of an ice making machine of an auger type ice making machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration around an ice making device of the ice making machine.
FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of the operation control device of the ice making machine.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart of the start and stop of the ice making operation of the ice making machine in the operation control apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a threshold setting graph in the operation control device.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of ice storage amount calculation means of the ice making machine.
FIG. 7 is a timing chart of start and stop of ice making operation of a conventional auger type ice making machine.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a generation amount of scrap ice in a conventional auger type ice making machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ice making apparatus, 1a ... Ice making cylinder, 5 ... Ice making water tank, 9 ... Evaporator, 10 ... Compressor (CM), 14 ... Refrigeration apparatus, 15 ... Geared motor (GM), 18 ... Ice storage, 19 ... Ice storage switch (SW), 30 ... controller, 31 ... operation panel, 32 ... ice making switch, 33 ... release switch, 34 ... selection key, 35 ... ice display lamp, SV ... electromagnetic door, Q E _... threshold, _{Q F} ... Full ice ice amount, Q _L ... Empty ice storage amount, Q _M ... Ice making amount per unit time, Q _R ... Ice discharge amount per unit time, Q _S ... Lower operating value, Q _T ... Ice storage amount.

Claims (4)

An ice cylinder with a built-in auger,
A pressure head for compressing and solidifying the ice conveyed from the ice making cylinder;
A cutter mechanism for dividing the ice conveyed from the pressing head into an appropriate size;
An ice storage for storing ice divided by the cutter;
A refrigeration apparatus for cooling the ice making water supplied into the ice making cylinder;
An ice storage switch that is turned on when the ice storage amount in the ice storage is an upper operation value, and is turned off at a lower operation value in which the ice storage amount in the ice storage is lowered by a certain amount from the upper operation value;
Ice storage amount calculating means for calculating the ice storage amount in the ice storage from the ice making operation status;
Ice storage amount calculated by該貯ice amount calculating means stops the ice-making operation when increased to the upper operating value, the predetermined intermediate amount ice calculated is further decreased from the lower operating value by該貯ice amount calculation means An auger type ice making machine, comprising: an operation control means for starting an ice making operation when the ice amount value is lowered to a threshold value. The ice storage amount calculation means resets the full ice amount value as the ice storage amount every time the ice storage switch is turned on, and subtracts the set discharge amount per unit time when the ice is discharged based on the reset full ice amount value. 2. The auger type ice making machine according to claim 1, wherein the ice making amount is calculated by adding the set ice making amount per unit time during the ice making operation to calculate the ice storage amount.   The auger type ice making machine further includes temperature detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting the temperature of the ice making cylinder during the ice making operation stop, and the predetermined temperature is detected by the temperature of the ice making cylinder detected by the temperature detecting means. 2. The auger type ice making machine according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value is adjusted.   2. The auger type ice making machine according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value is adjusted according to a stop time of the ice making operation.

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