JP6767097B2 - Ice machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ice maker, particularly to an ice maker including a heater for heating a compression head.

An auger type ice maker, which is an ice maker having an auger provided with a blade for ice shaving, is generally known. The auger type ice machine is equipped with an ice making mechanism. In the ice making mechanism, an evaporation pipe through which a cooling refrigerant flows is wound around the outer surface of a cylinder-shaped refrigerating casing (hereinafter referred to as "cylinder"), and the inside of the cylinder can be rotated coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. It has an auger. On the other hand, the ice-making water supplied into the cylinder from the water supply pipe at the lower part of the cylinder is cooled by the refrigerant and freezes in layers on the inner surface of the cylinder. When the auger provided with the spiral blade is rotated by the geared motor, the frozen ice is scraped off like a sherbet and conveyed above the cylinder. The conveyed ice is compressed by a compression head provided at the top of the cylinder and crushed by a cutter to produce suitable granular ice.

In such an auger type ice maker, the ice making capacity, which is the amount of ice making per predetermined time, varies depending on the ambient air temperature and the water temperature of the ice making water. Therefore, if the ice making capacity becomes excessive, ice clogging may occur in the compression head. Further, since the compressed ice remains in the compression head after the start of the ice making operation, air and water layers may be formed in the ice making water without discharging the bubbles contained in the ice making water from above the cylinder at the time of water supply. In this case, the ice transported upward by the spiral blade may spin idle due to the layer of air and may be clogged in the cylinder without being transported above the layer of air.

A conventional auger type ice maker is described in Patent Document 1. In this auger type ice maker, a heater is provided so as to surround the outer circumference of the compression head. Since the heater heats the ice in the compression head to melt the surface of the ice in the compression head, the ice in the compression head is easily released.

Square root extraction No. 7-41362

However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, for a while after the start of the ice making operation, the ice is heated by the heater even when the cylinder state is unstable and the amount of ice to be made is small, so that the ice is easily melted by the compression head. There was a problem that ice was not sufficiently compressed, and ice was produced with a large amount of water and soft quality.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker that reduces the possibility of ice clogging in a compression head and produces good quality ice.

The ice maker according to the present invention is expanded by a compressor that compresses the refrigerant, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, an expansion valve that expands the condensed refrigerant in the condenser, and an expansion valve. The evaporative pipe through which the refrigerant flows, the ice-making water freezes inside by exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing in the evaporative pipe and the ice-making water, and the cylinder inside which ice is made and the auger provided inside the cylinder are rotated. The geared motor, the water supply tank that stores the ice-making water supplied to the inside of the cylinder, the compression head that compresses the ice made inside the cylinder after being shaved with an auger, the heater that heats the compression head, and the inside of the water supply tank. An ice machine equipped with a float switch that detects a high water level state in which the water level of the ice making water in the water supply tank is a predetermined high water level and a low water level state in which the water level is a predetermined low water level. Equipped with a measuring means to measure information related to the ice making capacity of the ice machine, the geared motor is driven and the heater is operated before the compressor is operated to start the ice making operation, and then ice making is performed after a preset time elapses. The operation is started, and after the start of the ice making operation, the information measured by the measuring means is compared with the preset conditions for the information, and when the information satisfies the preset conditions , the heater is operated. , The measuring means measures as information that the water level in the water supply tank drops due to the ice making operation after the float switch detects the high water level state and detects the low water level state, and the water tank is high before the start of the ice making operation. Ice making water is supplied until the water level is reached, the float switch detects a high water level state, then the heater is stopped when the ice making operation starts, and after the ice making operation starts, the water level in the water supply tank drops due to the ice making operation and is low. The heater is operated when the water level condition is detected.

According to the present invention, a heater is provided in the compression head, a measuring means for measuring information related to the ice making operation in the ice maker is provided, and the measurement is performed by the measuring means after operating the compressor to start the ice making operation. The information is compared with the preset conditions for the information, and the operation and stop of the heater are switched depending on whether or not the information satisfies the preset conditions, so that the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head may occur. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ice maker for reducing and producing good quality ice.

It is the schematic of the auger type ice making machine which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic of the ice making mechanism part of the auger type ice making machine which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic of the auger type ice machine which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the schematic of the auger type ice machine which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is the schematic of the auger type ice making machine which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is the schematic of the auger type ice machine which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is the schematic of the auger type ice machine which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is the schematic of the auger type ice machine which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention.

Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 shows an outline of an ice machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The auger type ice maker 1 includes a refrigeration cycle 2, a fan portion 3, and an ice making water flow path 4.

The refrigeration cycle 2 is configured such that the compressor 20, the dryer 21, the condenser 22, the expansion valve 23, and the evaporation pipe 240 provided in the ice making mechanism portion 24 are sequentially connected via the refrigerant pipe 25 and communicated with each other. ..

The ice making mechanism unit 24 is an ice making mechanism unit of a known auger type ice making machine, and includes a cylinder 241 as a refrigerating casing and an evaporation pipe 240 wound around the outer surface of the cylinder 241.

The fan unit 3 includes fans 30a and 30b, fan motors 31a and 31b for driving the fans 30a and 30b, and a fan motor control means 32. The fans 30a and 30b are provided in the vicinity of the condenser 22, and the condenser 22 is cooled by rotating the fans 30a and 30b and blowing air to the condenser 22. The rotation shafts of the fans 30a and 30b are connected to the fan motors 31a and 31b for driving the fans 30a and 30b, respectively. The fan motors 31a and 31b are connected to the fan motor control means 32, respectively. The fan motor control means 32 includes a microcomputer, a motor drive circuit, and the like for controlling the fan motors 31a and 31b, respectively.

In the ice making water flow path 4, a water supply tank 40, a water supply valve 41, a float switch 42 provided inside the water supply tank 40 and interlocking with the water supply valve 41, a frequency measuring means 43, a water supply pipe 44, a drain pipe 45 and a drain valve 46 are provided. include. Inside the water supply tank 40, ice-making water used for ice-making is stored. The float switch 42 is composed of a high level float switch 420 and a low level float switch 421. When the water level of the ice-making water in the water supply tank 40 is in a high water level state which is a predetermined high water level, the high-level float switch 420 detects the water level of the ice-making water, and the water supply valve 41 is closed. On the contrary, when the water level of the ice-making water is in a low water level state which is a predetermined low water level, the low-level float switch 421 detects the water level of the ice-making water, so that the water supply valve 41 is opened. Further, a number measuring means 43, which is a measuring means for measuring the number of times the high level float switch 420 and the low level float switch 421 have measured the water level, is connected to the high level float switch 420 and the low level float switch 421. ..

The water supply valve 41 is connected to a water pipe (not shown) outside the auger type ice maker 1, and when the water supply valve 41 is opened, ice-making water is supplied from the water pipe to the water tank 40. Further, the water supply valve 41 can be arbitrarily opened and closed by a water supply valve control means (not shown).

One end of the water supply pipe 44 is connected to the water supply tank 40. The other end of the water supply pipe 44 is open inside the cylinder 241 of the ice making mechanism portion 24, and the ice making water is supplied to the inside of the cylinder 241. Further, one end of the drain pipe 45 is connected to the cylinder 241. When the drain valve 46 provided in the drain pipe 45 is opened by the drain valve control means (not shown), the ice-making water inside the cylinder 241 is drained through the drain pipe 45. The water levels of the water supply tank 40 and the cylinder 241 are provided to be equal to each other. Further, the other end of the drain pipe 45 on the side not opened in the cylinder 241 is provided in a drain pan (not shown) provided below the cylinder 241 so that the ice making water can be smoothly drained from the cylinder 241. It is arranged so that the water that has passed through it is discharged.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the ice making mechanism unit 24. An evaporation pipe 240 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder 241. The evaporation pipe 240 and the cylinder 241 are surrounded by a tubular heat insulating body 242. An auger 243 is provided inside the cylinder 241 so as to be coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 241 and to be rotatable. The auger 243 is rotated by a geared motor 244. Further, the auger 243 is provided with a spiral blade 245 for ice cutting. A compression head 246 for compressing the ice shaved by the blade 245 is provided on the upper portion of the cylinder 241. A heater 247 for heating the compression head 246 is provided on the outer periphery of the position of the cylinder 241 corresponding to the axial position where the compression head 246 is provided. The heater 247 is electrically connected to the number measuring means 43 (see FIG. 1). A cutter 248 for crushing the compressed ice is provided on the upper part of the compression head 246. Further, one end of a tubular ice discharging portion 249 is connected to the upper portion of the cylinder 241, and the ice discharging portion 249 extends in the horizontal direction so as to include a cutter 248 inside. The other end of the ice discharge unit 249 is connected to an ice storage tank (not shown).

Next, the operation of the ice machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the auger type ice maker 1 starts the ice making operation, the water supply valve 41 is opened by the water supply valve control means (not shown), and the drain valve 46 is closed by the drain valve control means (not shown). In this state, ice-making water is supplied to the water supply tank 40 from an external water pipe (not shown). At this time, since the water level in the cylinder 241 and the water level in the water supply tank 40 are arranged so as to be equal to each other via the water supply pipe 44, ice-making water is supplied from the water supply tank 40 to the cylinder 241. When the water level of the ice-making water in the water supply tank 40 rises and the high level float switch 420 detects the high water level state of the water supply tank 40, the water supply valve 41 is closed. The number-of-times measuring means 43 records the number of times that the high-level float switch 420 detects the high water level state as one time. When the water supply valve 41 is closed, the water supply is stopped in a state where the ice-making water is supplied to the water supply tank 40 to a high water level.

At this time, if ice that has been frozen during the previous ice making operation remains in the cylinder 241, the ice remaining during the ice making operation will not be discharged, which may cause ice clogging in the compression head 246. there is a possibility. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the geared motor 244 is driven to operate the heater 247. When the geared motor 244 is driven while the heater 247 is operating, the ice remaining in the cylinder 241 is scraped out to the upper part of the cylinder 241 by the blade 245 of the auger 243 before the start of the ice making operation. The scraped ice is discharged from the compression head 246 while the surface of the ice is heated by the heater 247 and melted in the compression head 246. As a result, the possibility that the ice remaining in the cylinder 241 of the compression head 246 is clogged during the ice making operation is reduced. The time for driving the geared motor 244 to scrape out the ice remaining in the cylinder 241 is appropriately set in advance at the design stage of the auger type ice maker 1.

After a preset time has elapsed from the start of driving the geared motor 244, the compressor 20 is started to start the auger type ice maker 1 and the heater 247 is stopped. As shown in FIG. 1, when the compressor 20 operates, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle 2 and the ice making operation in the auger type ice maker 1 is started. First, the refrigerant is sucked and compressed by the compressor 20 to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gas. Next, the refrigerant flows into the dryer 21 to remove water. Next, the refrigerant flows into the condenser 22. The condenser 22 is cooled by blowing air from the fans 30a and 30b. The fans 30a and 30b are driven by fan motors 31a and 31b controlled by the fan motor control means 32. The high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant flowing into the condenser 22 is cooled in the condenser 22 to become a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

Next, the refrigerant flows into the expansion valve 23. The expansion valve 23 expands the refrigerant to lower the temperature and pressure, and becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant. Next, the refrigerant flows into the evaporation pipe 240 of the ice making mechanism unit 24. By exchanging heat with the ice-making water inside the cylinder 241 in the evaporation pipe 240, the refrigerant takes away the heat of the ice-making water and evaporates, and the refrigerant becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure gas. Then, the refrigerant is sucked and compressed by the compressor 20 to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gas.

The ice-making water supplied to the inside of the cylinder 241 is cooled by being deprived of heat by the refrigerant in the evaporation pipe 240, and freezes in layers on the inner surface of the cylinder 241. Then, the ice is scraped off in a sherbet shape by the auger 243 rotated by the geared motor 244 and transported above the cylinder 241. The conveyed ice is compressed by the compression head 246 and crushed into suitable granular ice by the cutter 248. The crushed ice is discharged to the ice storage tank through the ice discharge unit 249.

Immediately after the start of the ice making operation, the temperature of the cylinder 241 and the like are not stable, so that the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism portion 24 is low and the amount of ice produced is small. In the first embodiment, since the heater 247 is stopped after the start of the ice making operation, the ice is less likely to melt in the compression head 246 as compared with the case where the heater 247 is operated. Therefore, even if the amount of ice produced is small for a while after the start of the ice making operation, the compression head 246 tends to generate high-quality ice having sufficient hardness.

Further, when the ice making capacity is low and the amount of ice produced is small after the start of the ice making operation, the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head 246 is low, and it is not necessary to heat the compression head 246 with the heater 247. Therefore, the power consumption of the auger type ice maker 1 can be reduced by stopping the heater 247.

When the ice-making water in the cylinder 241 freezes and the ice is conveyed by the auger 243 and discharged, the ice-making water in the cylinder 241 is reduced by the amount of ice. When the ice-making water in the cylinder 241 decreases, the ice-making water is supplied from the water supply tank 40, so that the water level of the water supply tank 40 drops. When the water level of the water supply tank 40 drops to the position of the low water level state where the low level float switch 421 is provided, the low level float switch 421 detects that the ice making water is in the low water level state.

When the low level float switch 421 detects the low water level state, the number measuring means 43 records the number of times the low level float switch 421 detects the low water level state as one time. When the number-of-times measuring means 43 records that the high-level float switch 420 detects the high water level state and the low-level float switch 421 detects the low water level state once, the auger-type ice maker 1 After the start of the ice making operation, the ice making operation was performed until the water level of the ice making water in the water supply tank 40 changed from the high water level state to the low water level state.

At this time, since the time from immediately after the start of the ice making operation until the water level of the ice making water in the water supply tank 40 changes from the high water level state to the low water level state has elapsed, the state of the cylinder 241 is stable. Therefore, the ice making capacity of the cylinder 241 is higher than immediately after the start of the ice making operation. Therefore, by operating the heater 247, the ice scraped out by the compression head 246 is heated to melt the surface of the ice in the compression head 246, so that the ice in the compression head 246 is easily released during the ice making operation. The possibility of ice clogging is reduced. Further, the number of times the high level float switch 420 detects the high water level state and the number of times the low level float switch 421 detects the low water level state are one each, which is a preset condition for operating the heater 247. Is.

Further, when the low level float switch 421 detects a low water level state, the water supply valve 41 is opened. When the water supply valve 41 is opened, ice-making water is supplied from the water pipe to the water supply tank 40. When the water level of the water supply tank 40 becomes high due to water supply, the water supply valve 41 is closed and the water supply to the water supply tank is stopped. After that, the float switch 42 detects whether the water level of the ice-making water in the water supply tank 40 is in a high water level state or a low water level state, and the water supply valve 41 is opened / closed to make ice in the water supply tank 40. Since water is supplied, ice-making water is constantly supplied to the cylinder 241 and ice-making is continuously performed.

In this way, before the compressor 20 is operated to start the ice making operation, the geared motor 244 is driven, the heater 247 is operated, and then the heater 247 is stopped, and the water level of the ice making water in the water supply tank is stopped. Operates the ice making operation from the high water level state to the low water level state, and the low level float switch 421 operates the heater 247 when the low water level state is detected. It is possible to reduce the possibility of ice clogging and to make good quality ice.

Embodiment 2.
Next, the ice maker according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following embodiments, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same or similar components, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted. The ice maker according to the second embodiment is modified from the first embodiment so as to measure the operation time from the start of operation of the compressor 20 as a condition for operating and stopping the heater 247.

FIG. 3 shows the auger type ice maker 1 according to the second embodiment. The compressor 20 is provided with a compressor measuring means 200 as a measuring device, which is a timer for measuring the time from the start of operation of the compressor. The compressor measuring means 200 is electrically connected to the heater 247 shown in FIG. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the ice machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operation from the start of operation of the geared motor 244 until the compressor 20 starts operation and the heater 247 stops after a certain period of time has elapsed is the same as that of the first embodiment. When the compressor 20 operates, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle 2 and the ice making operation in the auger type ice maker 1 is started.

At this time, the compressor measuring means 200 starts measuring the operating time from the start of the operation of the compressor 20. After that, during the ice making operation, the heater 247 is operated when the operation time measured by the compressor measuring means 200 becomes equal to or more than the operation time threshold value as a preset condition for the operation of the heater 247. Here, the operation time threshold is the time required for the state of the refrigeration cycle 2 and the cylinder 241 to stabilize and the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 to improve with the lapse of the operation time from the start of operation of the compressor 20. It is arbitrarily set according to the outside temperature of the auger type ice maker 1 and the water temperature of the ice making water.

By stopping the heater 247 immediately after the start of the ice making operation, it becomes easy for the compression head 246 to generate high-quality ice having sufficient hardness immediately after the start of the ice making operation, and then the ice making operation time is the operation time threshold. By operating the heater 247 in the above case, when the ice making capacity is increased after a lapse of time from the start of the ice making operation, the ice in the compression head 246 is likely to be released, and the ice clogging in the compression head 246 is caused. The possibility of occurrence is reduced.

As described above, the compressor measuring means 200 is a timer for measuring the operating time of the compressor 20, and operates the heater 247 when the operating time of the compressor 20 is equal to or greater than a preset operating time threshold. Similar to the first embodiment, the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head 246 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice maker 1 can be reduced, and good quality ice can be made.

Embodiment 3.
Next, the ice machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the ice maker according to the third embodiment, the interval between the high water level state and the low water level state of the float switch 42 is measured as a condition for operating and stopping the heater 247 with respect to the first embodiment. It is a thing.

FIG. 4 shows the auger type ice maker 1 according to the third embodiment. The opening / closing interval measuring means 47, which is a measuring means for measuring the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41, is connected to the water supply valve 41. The opening / closing interval measuring means 47 is electrically connected to the heater 247 shown in FIG. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the ice machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operation from the start of operation of the geared motor 244 until the compressor 20 starts operation and the heater 247 stops after a certain period of time has elapsed is the same as that of the first embodiment. When the compressor 20 operates, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle 2 and the ice making operation in the auger type ice maker 1 is started.

As described above, when the high level float switch 420 detects the high water level state of the water supply tank 40 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice maker 1, the water supply valve 41 is closed and the low level float switch 421 is low in the water supply tank 40. When the water level state is detected, the water supply valve 41 is closed. As the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 increases, the amount of ice making water that freezes per predetermined time increases, and the water level of the ice making water in the cylinder 241 and the water supply tank 40 drops in a shorter time. As a result, the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 is shortened in order to supply ice-making water into the water supply tank 40. Therefore, the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 corresponds to the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41.

Further, in order to prevent ice clogging in the compression head 246, it is necessary to operate the heater 247 when the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 is higher than a certain level. Therefore, the ice making capacity when it is necessary to operate the heater 247 is obtained in advance at the design stage. Then, the opening / closing interval threshold value of the water supply valve 41 as a preset condition corresponding to the ice making capacity when the heater 247 needs to be operated is set and recorded in the opening / closing interval measuring means 47.

Then, when the ice making operation is started, since the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 during the ice making operation is still unknown immediately after the start of the ice making operation, the low level float switch 421 measures the low water level state of the water supply tank 40. The ice making operation is performed with the heater 247 stopped until the water supply valve 41 is opened. After that, when the opening / closing interval measuring means 47 determines that the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 measured by the opening / closing interval measuring means 47 is less than the opening / closing interval threshold value during the ice making operation, the heater 247 is operated. Further, when the opening / closing interval measuring means 47 determines that the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 measured by the opening / closing interval measuring means 47 is equal to or greater than the opening / closing interval threshold value, the heater 247 is stopped. As a result, the operation and stop of the heater 247 can be switched according to the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24.

As described above, the heater 247 is operated when the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 measured by the opening / closing interval measuring means 47 is less than the preset opening / closing interval threshold, and then the water supply valve measured by the opening / closing interval measuring means 47. Since the heater 247 is stopped when the opening / closing interval of 41 is equal to or greater than the preset opening / closing interval threshold, ice is formed in the compression head 246 according to the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice making machine 1. The possibility of clogging can be reduced and good quality ice can be made.

Embodiment 4.
Next, the ice machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The ice machine according to the fourth embodiment is modified from the first embodiment so that the outside air temperature is measured as a condition for operating and stopping the heater 247.

FIG. 5 shows the auger type ice maker 1 according to the fourth embodiment. The auger type ice maker 1 is provided with an outside air temperature sensor 5 which is a measuring means for measuring the outside air temperature of the auger type ice maker 1. The outside air temperature sensor 5 may be provided in a place where outside air can be introduced in the housing of the auger type ice maker 1. Further, the outside air temperature sensor 5 is electrically connected to the heater 247 shown in FIG. 2 via a heater control device (not shown). Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the ice machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operation from the start of operation of the geared motor 244 to the operation of the heater 247 is the same as that of the first embodiment. After a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of operation of the geared motor 244, the compressor 20 operates, so that the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle 2 and the ice making operation in the auger type ice maker 1 is started.

Generally, the higher the outside air temperature of the auger type ice maker 1, the lower the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24. Therefore, in order to facilitate the generation of high-quality ice having sufficient hardness in the compression head 246, ice making is performed by setting the outside air temperature corresponding to the ice making capacity when it is necessary to stop the heater 247 as the outside air temperature threshold. It is obtained at the design stage based on the relationship between the ice making capacity of the mechanical unit 24 and the outside air temperature.

Immediately after the start of the ice making operation, the outside air temperature sensor 5 measures the outside air temperature of the auger type ice making machine 1. When the outside air temperature immediately after the start of the ice making operation measured by the outside air temperature sensor 5 is equal to or higher than the outside air temperature threshold value which is a preset condition for switching the operation and stop of the heater 247, the heater control device is set to the heater 247. To stop.

When the heater 247 is stopped, immediately after the start of the ice making operation, even if the state of the ice making mechanism 24 is unstable and the outside temperature is high and the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism 24 is lowered, ice is generated in the compression head 246. Since a stable ice shape is formed quickly without being heated, good quality ice having sufficient hardness is likely to be produced in the compression head 246.

After that, when the outside air temperature becomes less than the preset outside air temperature threshold value, the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 is improved, so that the heater control device operates the heater 247. Further, even when the outside air temperature immediately after the start of the ice making operation is less than the preset outside air temperature threshold value, the ice making ability of the ice making mechanism unit 24 is high, so that the heater control device keeps the heater 247 operating. After that, the ice making operation is continued while the heater 247 is operating.

In this way, the outside air temperature sensor 5 for measuring the outside air temperature is provided, and when the outside air temperature immediately after the start of the ice making operation is equal to or higher than the preset outside air temperature threshold, the heater 247 is stopped and the outside air temperature is set in advance. By driving the heater 247 when the outside air temperature falls below the threshold, a stable ice shape is quickly formed even when the outside air temperature is high and the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism 24 is low, so that good quality ice can be produced. Can make ice.

Embodiment 5.
Next, the ice machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The ice machine according to the fifth embodiment is modified from the first embodiment so that the ice making temperature of the ice making water is measured as a condition for operating and stopping the heater 247.

FIG. 6 shows the auger type ice maker 1 according to the fifth embodiment. In the water supply tank 40, an ice-making water temperature sensor 48, which is a measuring means for measuring the ice-making water temperature, which is the temperature of the ice-making water, is provided. The ice-making water temperature sensor 48 is electrically connected to the heater 247 shown in FIG. 2 via a heater control device (not shown). Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the ice machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operation from the start of operation of the geared motor 244 to the operation of the heater 247 is the same as that of the first embodiment. After a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of operation of the geared motor 244, the compressor 20 operates, so that the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle 2 and the ice making operation in the auger type ice maker 1 is started.

Generally, the higher the ice making water temperature in the water supply tank 40, the lower the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24. Therefore, in order to facilitate the generation of high-quality ice having sufficient hardness in the compression head 246, the ice-making water temperature corresponding to the ice-making capacity when it is necessary to stop the heater 247 is set as the ice-making water temperature threshold. , It is obtained at the design stage based on the relationship between the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 and the ice making water temperature.

Immediately after the start of the ice making operation, the ice making water temperature sensor 48 measures the ice making water temperature in the water supply tank 40. When the ice making water temperature immediately after the start of the ice making operation measured by the ice making water temperature sensor 48 is equal to or higher than the ice making water temperature threshold which is a preset condition for switching the operation and stop of the heater 247, the heater control device. Stops the heater 247.

When the heater 247 is stopped, the ice is heated in the compression head 246 even if the ice making water temperature is high and the ice making ability of the ice making mechanism 24 is lowered in a state where the state of the ice making mechanism 24 is unstable after the start of the ice making operation. Since a stable ice shape is formed quickly without being formed, good quality ice having sufficient hardness is likely to be produced in the compression head 246.

After that, when the ice making water temperature becomes less than the ice making water temperature threshold value, the ice making ability in the ice making mechanism unit 24 is improved, so that the heater control device operates the heater 247. Further, even when the ice making water temperature immediately after the start of the ice making operation is lower than the ice making water temperature threshold, the heater control device keeps the heater 247 operating because the ice making ability of the ice making mechanism unit 24 is high. After that, the ice making operation is continued while the heater 247 is operating.

In this way, the ice making water temperature sensor 48 for measuring the ice making water temperature is provided, and when the ice making water temperature is equal to or higher than the preset ice making water temperature threshold, the heater 247 is stopped and the ice making water temperature is preset. By driving the heater 247 when the water temperature falls below the threshold, a stable ice shape is quickly formed even when the outside temperature is high and the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism 24 is low, so that good quality ice can be produced. Can make ice.

Embodiment 6.
Next, the ice machine according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The ice maker according to the sixth embodiment is modified from the first embodiment so that the central temperature of the condenser 22 is measured as a condition for operating and stopping the heater 247.

FIG. 7 shows the auger type ice maker 1 according to the sixth embodiment. The condenser 22 is provided with a condenser temperature sensor 220, which is a measuring means for measuring the condenser center temperature, which is the temperature at the center of the condenser 22. The condenser temperature sensor 220 is provided at the U bend of the copper pipe through which the refrigerant of the condenser 22 passes, and is electrically connected to the heater 247 shown in FIG. 2 via a heater control device (not shown). Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the ice machine according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operation from the start of operation of the geared motor 244 to the operation of the heater 247 is the same as that of the first embodiment. After a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of operation of the geared motor 244, the compressor 20 operates, so that the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle 2 and the ice making operation in the auger type ice maker 1 is started.

Generally, the higher the central temperature of the condenser, the lower the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24. Therefore, in order to facilitate the generation of high-quality ice having sufficient hardness in the compression head 246, the central temperature of the condenser corresponding to the ice making capacity when it is necessary to stop the heater 247 is set to the central temperature of the condenser. As a threshold value, it is obtained at the design stage based on the relationship between the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 and the central temperature of the condenser.

Immediately after the start of the ice making operation, the temperature of the condenser 22 is high and the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism portion 24 is low. Therefore, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started. Then, the condenser temperature sensor 220 measures the condenser center temperature. If the central condenser temperature measured by the condenser temperature sensor 220 is less than the central condenser temperature threshold, which is a preset condition for switching the operation and stop of the heater 247, the heater controller sets the heater 247. Leave it stopped.

If the heater 247 is left stopped, the state of the ice making mechanism 24 after the start of the ice making operation is unstable, and even if the central temperature of the condenser is high and the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism 24 is reduced. Since the ice is not heated in the compression head 246 and a stable ice shape is formed quickly, good quality ice having sufficient hardness is easily produced in the compression head 246.

After that, when the central temperature of the condenser becomes less than the preset central temperature threshold of the condenser, the ice making capacity is improved, and the heater control device operates the heater 247. After that, the ice making operation is continued while the heater 247 is operating.

In this way, the condenser temperature sensor 220 for measuring the central temperature of the condenser is provided, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started, and the heater 247 is when the central condenser temperature is equal to or higher than the preset central temperature threshold of the condenser. When the central temperature of the condenser becomes less than the central temperature threshold of the condenser, the heater 247 is driven so that the central temperature of the condenser is high and the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism 24 is lowered. Since a stable ice shape is formed quickly, good quality ice can be produced.

Embodiment 7.
Next, the ice machine according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The ice maker according to the seventh embodiment is modified from the first embodiment so that the temperature at the outlet of the evaporation pipe of the evaporation pipe 240 is measured as a condition for operating and stopping the heater 247.

FIG. 8 shows the auger type ice maker 1 according to the seventh embodiment. An evaporation pipe temperature sensor 26, which is a measuring means for measuring the evaporation pipe outlet temperature, is provided. The evaporation pipe temperature sensor 26 is provided at the outlet of the evaporation pipe 240 and is electrically connected to the heater 247 shown in FIG. 2 via a heater control device (not shown). Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the ice machine according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The operation from the start of operation of the geared motor 244 to the operation of the heater 247 is the same as that of the first embodiment. After a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of operation of the geared motor 244, the compressor 20 operates, so that the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle 2 and the ice making operation in the auger type ice maker 1 is started.

Generally, the higher the evaporator outlet temperature, the lower the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24. Therefore, in order to facilitate the generation of high-quality ice having sufficient hardness in the compression head 246, the evaporation tube outlet temperature corresponds to the ice making capacity when it is necessary to stop the heater 247. As a threshold value, it is obtained at the design stage based on the relationship between the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 and the evaporator outlet temperature.

Immediately after the start of the ice making operation, the evaporator outlet temperature is high and the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 is low. Therefore, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started. Then, the evaporation pipe temperature sensor 26 measures the evaporation pipe outlet temperature. When the evaporation tube outlet temperature measured by the evaporation tube temperature sensor 26 is equal to or higher than the preset evaporation tube outlet temperature threshold, which is a preset condition for switching the operation and stop of the heater 247, the heater control device. Keeps the heater 247 stopped.

If the heater 247 is left stopped, the state of the ice making mechanism 24 is unstable immediately after the start of the ice making operation, and even if the temperature at the outlet of the evaporation pipe is high and the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism 24 is reduced, compression is performed. Since the ice is not heated in the head 246 and a stable ice shape is formed quickly, good quality ice having sufficient hardness is easily produced in the compression head 246.

After that, when the evaporation pipe outlet temperature becomes less than the preset evaporation pipe outlet temperature threshold value, the ice making capacity is improved, and the heater control device operates the heater 247. After that, the ice making operation is continued while the heater 247 is operating.

As described above, the heater 247 is provided with the evaporation tube temperature sensor 26 for measuring the evaporation tube outlet temperature, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started, and the heater 247 is when the evaporation tube outlet temperature is equal to or higher than the preset evaporation tube outlet temperature threshold. When the temperature at the outlet of the evaporative pipe becomes less than the preset temperature threshold of the outlet of the evaporative pipe, the heater 247 is driven to raise the outlet temperature of the evaporative pipe and reduce the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24. Even in the case of ice, a stable ice shape is formed quickly, so that good quality ice can be produced.

The conditions for operating and stopping the heater 247 in the third to seventh embodiments can be used in combination as appropriate.

For example, the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 measured by the opening / closing interval measuring means 47 and the ice making water temperature measured by the ice making water temperature sensor 48 may be used as conditions for the operation of the heater 247. Specifically, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started, and then the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 becomes equal to or higher than the preset opening / closing interval threshold and the ice making water temperature becomes lower than the preset ice making water temperature threshold. In that case, the heater 247 is operated. As a result, the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 is measured based on both the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 and the ice making water temperature, and when the ice making capacity after the start of the ice making operation is low, the heater 247 is stopped and then the ice making capacity. Since the heater 247 is operated when the ice is improved, the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head 246 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice maker 1 can be reduced, and good quality ice can be made.

Further, for example, the measurement interval of the water supply valve 41 measured by the opening / closing interval measuring means 47 and the central temperature of the condenser measured by the condenser temperature sensor 220 may be used as conditions for the operation of the heater 247. Specifically, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started, and then the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 becomes equal to or higher than the preset opening / closing interval threshold and the central temperature of the condenser is less than the preset central temperature threshold of the condenser. When becomes, the heater 247 is operated. As a result, the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 is measured based on both the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 and the central temperature of the condenser, and when the ice making capacity after the start of the ice making operation is low, the heater 247 is stopped and then ice making. Since the heater 247 is operated when the capacity is improved, the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head 246 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice maker 1 can be reduced, and good quality ice can be made.

Further, for example, the measurement interval of the water supply valve 41 measured by the opening / closing interval measuring means 47 and the evaporation pipe outlet temperature measured by the evaporation pipe temperature sensor 26 may be used as conditions for the operation of the heater 247. Specifically, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started, and then the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 becomes equal to or higher than the preset opening / closing interval threshold and the evaporation pipe temperature becomes lower than the preset evaporation pipe temperature threshold. In that case, the heater 247 is operated. As a result, the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 is measured based on both the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 and the outlet temperature of the evaporation pipe, and when the ice making capacity after the start of the ice making operation is low, the heater 247 is stopped and then the ice making capacity. Since the heater 247 is operated when the ice is improved, the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head 246 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice maker 1 can be reduced, and good quality ice can be made.

Further, for example, the ice making water temperature measured by the ice making water temperature sensor 48 and the condenser center temperature measured by the condenser temperature sensor 220 may be used as conditions for operating the heater 247. Specifically, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started, and then the ice making water temperature becomes lower than the preset ice making water temperature threshold value and the condenser central temperature becomes lower than the preset condenser central temperature threshold value. In that case, the heater 247 is operated. As a result, the ice making capacity in the ice making mechanism unit 24 is measured based on both the ice making water temperature and the central temperature of the condenser, and when the ice making capacity immediately after the start of the ice making operation is low, the heater 247 is stopped, and then the ice making capacity is increased. Since the heater 247 is operated when the improvement occurs, the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head 246 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice maker 1 can be reduced, and good quality ice can be made.

Further, for example, the ice-making water temperature measured by the ice-making water temperature sensor 48 and the evaporation pipe outlet temperature measured by the evaporation tube temperature sensor 26 may be used as conditions for the operation of the heater 247. Specifically, the heater 247 was stopped when the ice making operation was started, and then the ice making water temperature became lower than the preset ice making water temperature threshold and the evaporation pipe outlet temperature became lower than the preset evaporation pipe outlet temperature threshold. In some cases, the heater 247 is operated. As a result, the ice making capacity in the ice making mechanism unit 24 is measured based on both the ice making water temperature and the outlet temperature of the evaporation pipe, and when the ice making capacity immediately after the start of the ice making operation is low, the heater 247 is stopped, and then the ice making capacity is increased. Since the heater 247 is operated when the improvement occurs, the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head 246 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice maker 1 can be reduced, and good quality ice can be made.

Further, for example, the condenser center temperature measured by the condenser temperature sensor 220 and the evaporation tube outlet temperature measured by the evaporation tube temperature sensor 26 may be used as conditions for the operation of the heater 247. Specifically, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started, and then the central temperature of the condenser becomes lower than the preset central temperature threshold of the condenser and the outlet temperature of the evaporation tube becomes lower than the preset central temperature threshold of the evaporator. When it becomes, the heater 247 is operated. As a result, the ice making capacity in the ice making mechanism unit 24 is measured based on both the central temperature of the condenser and the outlet temperature of the evaporation pipe, and when the ice making capacity immediately after the start of the ice making operation is low, the heater 247 is stopped, and then the ice making capacity is stopped. Since the heater 247 is operated when the ice is improved, the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head 246 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice maker 1 can be reduced, and good quality ice can be made.

Further, for example, the operation of the heater 247 sets the measurement interval of the water supply valve 41 measured by the opening / closing interval measuring means 47, the ice making water temperature measured by the ice making water temperature sensor 48, and the evaporation pipe outlet temperature measured by the evaporation pipe temperature sensor 26. It may be used as a condition for. Specifically, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started, and then the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 becomes equal to or higher than the preset opening / closing interval threshold, and the ice making water temperature is lower than the preset ice making water temperature threshold. At the same time, the heater 247 is operated when the evaporation tube temperature becomes less than the preset evaporation tube temperature threshold. As a result, the ice making capacity of the ice making mechanism unit 24 is measured based on the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41, the ice making water temperature, and the outlet temperature of the evaporation pipe, and when the ice making capacity after the start of the ice making operation is low, the heater 247 is stopped. After that, when the ice making capacity is improved, the heater 247 is operated, so that the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head 246 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice making machine 1 can be reduced and good quality ice can be made. it can.

Further, for example, the ice-making water temperature measured by the ice-making water temperature sensor 48, the condenser center temperature measured by the condenser temperature sensor 220, and the evaporation tube outlet temperature measured by the evaporation tube temperature sensor 26 are used to operate the heater 247. It may be used as a condition of. Specifically, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started, and then the ice making water temperature is lower than the preset ice making water temperature threshold and the condenser central temperature is lower than the preset condenser central temperature threshold. At the same time, the heater 247 is operated when the evaporation tube temperature becomes less than the preset evaporation tube temperature threshold. As a result, the ice making capacity in the ice making mechanism unit 24 is measured based on the ice making water temperature, the center temperature of the condenser, and the outlet temperature of the evaporation pipe, and when the ice making capacity immediately after the start of the ice making operation is low, the heater 247 is stopped, and then Since the heater 247 is operated when the ice making capacity is improved, the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head 246 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice making machine 1 can be reduced, and good quality ice can be made. ..

Further, for example, the measurement interval of the water supply valve 41 measured by the opening / closing interval measuring means 47, the ice making water temperature measured by the ice making water temperature sensor 48, the condenser center temperature measured by the condenser temperature sensor 220, and the evaporation tube temperature sensor. The evaporation pipe outlet temperature measured in No. 26 may be used as a condition for operating the heater 247. Specifically, the heater 247 is stopped when the ice making operation is started, and then the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41 becomes equal to or higher than the preset opening / closing interval threshold, and the ice making water temperature is lower than the preset ice making water temperature threshold. The heater 247 is operated when the central temperature of the condenser is less than the preset central temperature threshold of the condenser and the temperature of the evaporation tube is less than the preset central temperature threshold of the condenser. As a result, the ice making capacity in the ice making mechanism unit 24 is measured based on the opening / closing interval of the water supply valve 41, the ice making water temperature, the center temperature of the condenser, and the outlet temperature of the evaporation pipe, and when the ice making capacity immediately after the start of the ice making operation is low. Since the heater 247 is stopped and then the heater 247 is operated when the ice making capacity is improved, the possibility of ice clogging in the compression head 246 during the ice making operation of the auger type ice making machine 1 can be reduced and the quality is good. You can make ice.

1 Auger type ice maker (ice maker), 5 outside temperature sensor, 20 compressor, 22 condenser, 26 evaporation tube temperature sensor (measuring means), 40 water supply tank, 41 water supply valve, 42 float switch, 43 times measuring means ( Measuring means), 47 Opening / closing interval measuring means (measuring means), 48 Ice-making water temperature sensor (measuring means), 200 Compressor measuring means (measuring means), 220 Condenser temperature sensor (measuring means), 240 Evaporative tube, 241 cylinders 243 augers, 244 geared motors, 246 compression heads, 247 heaters, 420 high level float switches, 421 low level float switches.

Claims (1)

A compressor that compresses the refrigerant and
A condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed by the compressor, and
An expansion valve that expands the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, and
An evaporation pipe through which the refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve flows,
A cylinder in which the ice-making water freezes inside and ice is made inside by heat exchange between the refrigerant flowing in the evaporation pipe and the ice-making water.
A geared motor that rotates the auger provided inside the cylinder,
A water supply tank for storing the ice-making water supplied to the inside of the cylinder,
A compression head that compresses the ice produced inside the cylinder after shaving it with the auger.
A heater that heats the compression head and
An ice maker provided in the water supply tank and provided with a float switch for detecting a high water level state in which the water level of the ice making water in the water supply tank is a predetermined high water level and a low water level state in which the water level is a predetermined low water level. And
A measuring means for measuring information related to the ice making capacity of the ice machine is provided.
Before operating the compressor to start the ice making operation, the geared motor is driven and the heater is operated, and after a preset time elapses, the ice making operation is started.
After the start of the ice making operation, the information measured by the measuring means is compared with the preset conditions for the information, and when the information satisfies the preset conditions , the heater is turned on. Working,
The measuring means measures as the information that after the float switch detects the high water level state, the water level in the water supply tank is lowered by the ice making operation and the low water level state is detected.
Before the start of the ice making operation, the ice making water is supplied to the water supply tank until the high water level state is reached, the float switch detects the high water level state, and then the heater is stopped at the start of the ice making operation. An ice making machine characterized in that, after the start of the ice making operation, the heater is operated when the water level in the water supply tank is lowered by the ice making operation and the low water level state is detected.

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