JPH0250386B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention has a water storage tank equipped with an overflow device, and the water supply valve for this tank is opened upon completion of an ice-making operation to prevent the next ice-making operation from occurring during a de-icing operation. The present invention relates to a water supply control device for an ice maker that performs the water supply operation necessary for.

Conventional configurations and their problems Conventional ice maker water supply control involves installing an upper limit setting switch in the water storage tank and supplying water at a constant water level, or maintaining water supply for a predetermined time after the upper limit setting switch is activated. There was a way to close the water supply valve after allowing the excess water to overflow. In the former case, although a constant supply of water is carried out, impurities in the remaining water remain, making it unhygienic and resulting in the formation of transparent ice.In the latter case, impurities in the remaining water in the water storage tank can overflow, making it unhygienic. Although clear ice was produced, the amount of overflow was not constant due to the pressure of the ice-making water supplied into the water storage tank due to overflow over a certain period of time. In other words, when the water supply pressure is high, the amount of overflow becomes too large, making it impossible to save water, and when the water supply pressure is low, the amount of overflow is too small, making it impossible to achieve sufficient purification.

Purpose of the Invention In view of these two drawbacks, the present invention aims to determine the overflow time according to the water supply pressure supplied to the water storage tank, obtain transparent ice, and more effectively save water. .

Structure of the Invention In order to achieve this object, the present invention includes a memory circuit that stores in advance the relationship between the water supply pressure during water supply and the water level detection time from the time when the lower limit setting switch operates until the upper limit setting switch operates. When water is supplied, the water level detection time is counted, and the water supply pressure is detected by comparing the counted number with the data in the memory circuit, and the overflow time corresponding to this water supply pressure is determined, that is, the water supply valve after the upper limit setting switch is operated. The overflow time is determined by setting the closing time using a timer.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the ice making machine of the present invention. 1 is the ice making machine body formed of a heat insulating wall, and is composed of an ice making compartment 2 and a machine compartment 3. An ice-making member 5 equipped with an evaporator 4 is installed at an angle, and a water storage tank 6 for storing ice-making water and a circulating water pump device 7 are installed in this setting 6 to constitute a flowing water circulation type ice-making system. . An ice storage chamber 8 and an ice sheet cutting heater device 9 are provided below the ice making member 5, and the ice sheet cutting heater device 9 receives the ice sheets after deicing and cuts them into blocks of ice of a predetermined size. In addition, an evaporator 4 is installed in the machine room 3.
An electric compressor 10 and a condenser 11, which together form a refrigeration circuit, are arranged. 12 is an air cooling fan for the condenser 11. Further, reference numeral 13 denotes an ice storage amount detecting device having a temperature sensing portion for detecting a predetermined amount of ice in the ice storage chamber 8, and is provided so as to sense the contact temperature of ice cubes and stop all ice making operations.

A water supply valve 14 electrically opens and closes a water supply pipe 15 connected to a water source to introduce ice-making water into the water storage tank 6. Inside the water storage tank 6, there are a drain pipe 16 as an overflow device that maintains a predetermined water level and overflows surplus water, and an upper limit setting switch 18 and a lower limit setting switch 19 that detect the water level 17.
A water level detection device 20 is provided. Reference numeral 21 denotes a solenoid valve that electrically controls hot gas flowing from the electric compressor 10 to the evaporator 4 when deicing the ice generated in the ice making member 5.

Reference numeral 22 denotes a deicing detection device for detecting the completion of deicing, and this device 22 includes a thermistor 23 (hereinafter referred to as a thermistor) for the deicing detection device that is attached to the ice making member 5 and detects a predetermined temperature rise of the ice making member 5. have

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control device for the ice making machine.

The upper limit setting switch 18 constituting the water level detection device 20 described above is connected to V _CC via a resistor 24, and output signals from opening and closing are sent via an inverter 27.
It is connected to the input 29 of the AND circuit 28 and the input 35 of the AND circuit 34. Further, the lower limit setting switch 19 is connected to the power supply V _CC via a resistor 25.
The output signal due to opening/closing is the input 30 of the AND circuit 28.
, an input 37 of an AND circuit 34 via an inverter 36, and an input _D1 of a microcomputer 26 (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer). 3
2 is a counter for counting the water level detection time, the output 31 of the AND circuit 28 is connected to the set input C ₁ , the output 38 of the AND circuit 34 is connected to the reset input C ₂ , and the output 38 of the clock pulse generator 33 is connected to the reset input C 2. The clock is connected to start counting. Also, the output of this counter 32 is connected to the input D ₂ of the microcomputer 26, and the de-icing detection device 2
The signal No. 2 is connected to the input D ₃ of the microcomputer 26.

The microcomputer 26 outputs control signals from outputs O ₁ , O ₂ , O ₃ , O ₄ according to a predetermined pattern based on the signals inputted to each of the inputs D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ . In addition to the patterns for the normal operation of the machine, it also contains a memory circuit 39 and a timer 40.

In other words, the memory circuit 39 contains the lower limit setting switch 1.
9 operates until the upper limit setting switch 18 operates, that is, the water level detection time T and the water supply pressure P.
In other words, since the time T during which both the switches 19 and 18 operate changes depending on the water supply pressure P, the relationship between the two switches P and T is stored. For example, the area of water storage tank 6 is 560 cm ² and the lower limit setting switch 1
In the ice making machine in which the distance between the upper limit setting switch 9 and the upper limit setting switch 18 was 20 cm, the relationship between the water supply pressure P and the water level detection time T as shown in FIG. 3 was obtained. Specifically, when the water supply pressure P=0.5Kg/ ^cm2 , the water level detection time T=325 seconds, when P=1Kg/ ^cm2, T=265 seconds, and when P=2Kg/ ^cm2 , T=220 seconds. Therefore, conversely, if the water level detection time T is known, the water supply pressure P at that time can be determined.

Furthermore, the timer 40 in the microcomputer 26 activates the upper limit setting switch 18, and in order to purify the ice-making water in the water storage tank, surplus water exceeding a predetermined amount is removed from the drain pipe 1.
The time to control the time until the water supply valve 14 is closed after overflowing from 6 is set according to the water supply pressure. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the water supply pressure P = 0.5Kg/cm ² and the overflow time t30 seconds.
Overflow amount S=1018c.c., P=1Kg/ ^cm2 and t
= 25 seconds, S = 1056c.c., P = 2Kg/cm ² and t = 20 seconds,
S=1034c.c.

In other words, if the appropriate overflow amount is approximately 1000 c.c., when the above water supply pressure P = 0.5, 1, 2 Kg/cm ² ,
The time it takes to close the water supply valve 14 is approximately t=
It is preferable to set the time to 30, 25, or 20 seconds, and the microcomputer 26 is programmed to set the time of the timer 40 to this t based on the water supply pressure mentioned above.

Also, 41, 42, 43, 44 are each relay 4
This is a drive circuit for operating the microcomputer 5, 46, 47, and 48 using the output signals O ₁ , O ₂ , O ₃ , and O ₄ of the microcomputer 26 . Each relay 45-48
Among them, the relay 45 is connected to the circulating water pump device 7, the electric compressor 10, and the air cooling fan 12, the relay 46 is connected to the water supply valve 14, and the relay 47 is connected to the solenoid valve 2.
1, the relay 48 is connected to the ice sheet cutting heater 9.

Next, in the control operation in the above configuration, first, during ice making operation, the upper limit setting switch 18 changes from the "ON" state (signal "1" state) to the "OFF" state (signal "0" state).
state). Conversely, the lower limit setting switch 19 changes from the "OFF" state to the "ON" state. Ice making operation continues, water level 17 decreases, and lower limit setting switch 19
When changes from “OFF” to “ON”, microcontroller 2
A signal is input to the input terminal _D1 of 6 to end the ice making operation and start the deicing operation. At this time, the upper limit setting switch 18 is “OFF” and the upper limit setting switch 1
The signal is inverted by the inverter 27 connected to the AND circuit 28, and the input 29 of the AND circuit 28 becomes "1". Also, the lower limit setting switch can be changed from “OFF” to “ON”.
In other words, it changes from "0" to "1", and the input 30 of the AND circuit 28 becomes "1", and the AND circuit 28
The output 31 becomes "1" and is input to the set input _C1 of the counter 32 connected to the output 31, and the counter 32 starts counting the clock from the clock pulse generator 33.

When deicing operation starts, the water supply valve 14 is energized,
Ice-making water is introduced into the water storage tank 6 from the water supply pipe 15, the water level 17 rises, and the lower limit setting switch 19 changes from "ON" to "OFF". Furthermore, when the water supply continues and the upper limit setting switch 18 changes from "OFF" to "ON", the input 35 of the AND circuit 34 becomes "1". Also, at this time, lower limit setting switch 19
is "OFF", the signal is inverted by the inverter 36, the input 37 of the AND circuit 34 becomes "1", and the output 38 of the AND circuit 34 becomes "1". The output of this AND circuit 38 is input to the reset input C ₂ of the counter 32, and the counter 32 finishes counting the clock from the clock pulse generator 33 and sends the counted number to the input terminal D ₂ of the microcomputer 26.
Enter.

Therefore, the output of the counter 32, that is, the memory circuit 39 that stores data as shown in _FIGS . The time is set by a timer 40 in the microcomputer 26 according to the water supply pressure, that is, the water supply pressure obtained by counting by the counter 32, and after the set time has elapsed, the water supply valve 14 is closed to end the water supply.

Then, when a signal indicating the end of the ice removal operation is input from the ice removal detection device 22 to the input _D3 of the microcomputer 26, the ice removal operation is ended and the ice making operation is started.

Next, the overall operation of the ice making machine, that is, the operation according to the program of the microcomputer 26, will be explained in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, by turning on the operation switch (not shown), the output signal O ₁ of the microcomputer 26 operates the drive circuit 41, which operates the relay 45, and the circulating water pump device 7, electric compressor 10, and air cooling fan 12. Ice making starts. That is, the ice-making water in the water storage tank 6 is circulated over the ice-making member 5 by the circulation pump device 7 to form an ice layer on the ice-making member 5. (Fig. 5 A) By forming an ice layer on the ice making member 5, the water level 17 in the water storage tank 6 begins to fall, and the upper limit setting switch 18 is turned OFF.
do. (FIG. 5B) As the ice-making operation continues, the water level 17 decreases and the lower limit setting switch 19 is turned "ON" (FIG. 5C), and the ice-making operation is terminated and the ice removal operation is started. (FIG. 5D) Since the upper limit setting switch 18 is turned "OFF" and the lower limit setting switch "ON", the counter 32 starts counting. (5th
Figure E) Therefore, the output signal _O2 of the microcomputer 26 operates the drive circuit 42 and the relay 46
is activated to open the water supply valve 14 and water is supplied to the water storage tank 6 from the water supply pipe 15. (FIG. 5) At the same time, the output signal _O3 of the microcomputer 26 operates the drive circuit 43, activates the relay 47, opens the solenoid valve 21, and allows the hot gas from the electric compressor 10 to flow into the evaporator 4, causing the ice making member 5 to flow. Dehydrate the ice formed. (Fig. 5 G) When the water supply is continued, the lower limit setting switch 19 is first turned "OFF". (Fig. 5 H) When water is further supplied, the upper limit setting switch 18 is turned "ON". (Fig. 5) At this time, the upper limit setting switch 18 is "ON" and the lower limit setting switch 19 is "OFF", so the counter 32 stops counting. (Fig. 5 N) The count number of this counter 32 changes depending on the water supply pressure, and the count number is input to the input D 2 of the microcomputer 26 and the count number is input to the input D ₂ of the microcomputer 26.
The overflow time is set based on the relationship between the count number stored in the memory circuit 39 in 6 and the water supply pressure,
(Fig. 5) The timer 40 in the microcomputer 26 overflows until the set time is reached. (Fig. 5 wo) After the set time has elapsed, (Fig. 5 w) Water supply is completed. (Fig. 5 F) On the other hand, when the deicing detection device 22 attached to the evaporator 4 detects deicing (Fig. 5 Y) after the start of deicing (Fig. 5 G), this signal is input to the input D ₃ . This will complete the deicing process. (Fig. 5 T) Then, the output signal O ₄ of the microcomputer 26 operates the drive circuit 44, and the relay 48 energizes the ice sheet cutting heater 9 to cut the ice sheet that has fallen from the ice making member 5 into predetermined ice cubes. do.

Although each of the above-mentioned AND circuits 28, 34, inverters 27, 36, counter 32, and other components are shown as individual components, it is clear that they are built into the microcomputer 26 and processed on the program, so there is no need to make them individual components. It is.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, the present invention includes a water level detection device that detects a predetermined water level in a water storage tank, and a timer that closes the water supply valve after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the water level detection device detected the predetermined water level. It has a water supply control device that overflows impurities in the water by setting the overflow time according to the water supply pressure, and also minimizes the amount of water that overflows, making it hygienic and transparent ice. This is an extremely practical product that eliminates the drawbacks of the conventional method, and has the advantage of being able to produce water and saving water.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a control circuit diagram of the ice maker, Fig. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between water supply pressure and water level detection time, and Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between water supply pressure and water level detection time. A graph showing the relationship between water supply pressure and overflow amount depending on overflow time, and FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the operation. 6... Water storage tank, 14... Water supply valve, 16...
Drain pipe (overflow device), 18... Upper limit setting switch, 19... Lower limit setting switch, 26...
...Microcomputer, 32...Counter, 3
9...Memory circuit, 40...Timer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water storage tank equipped with an overflow device, a water supply valve that opens upon completion of an ice-making operation and supplies water necessary for the next ice-making operation to the water storage tank, and detects a predetermined water level in the water storage tank and determines the upper limit of the water level. a water level detection device consisting of an upper limit setting switch for setting the upper limit and a lower limit setting switch for setting the lower limit;
During water supply, a counter that counts the water level detection time from when the lower limit setting switch operates until the upper limit setting switch operates, and a relationship between the water level detection time and the water supply pressure supplied to the water storage tank through the water supply valve are stored in advance. a timer for controlling the time from the operation of the upper limit setting switch to the closing of the water supply valve; and a timer for reading the water supply pressure of the memory circuit corresponding to the time of the counter and controlling the time by the timer. An ice maker water supply control device consisting of a control device for setting the overflow time and a control device for setting the overflow time.