JPH03137470A - Automatic ice making device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make an ice having a high degree of transparency and a high degree of purity by a method wherein when a predetermined amount of water is supplied to an ice making pan, a freezing is carried out from a water surface toward a lower part under a thermal insulating action by a thermal insulating tank as well as a heating action caused by a heater from the lower surface and by a cold air within a cooling chamber and then some ice crystals are formed. CONSTITUTION:A metallic plate at a bottom surface is heated by a heater arranged at a bottom surface of a thermal insulating tank 28 in concurrent with a forced supply of cold air cooled by a cooling device 8 onto a water surface within an ice pan 33 through an air passage 60. An outer periphery of the ice making pan 33 is enclosed by a thermal insulating material within a thermal insulating tank 28 and then a cooling action from a surrounding area is restricted. A freezing action is advanced from an upper part to a lower part of the ice making pan 33 in one direction. A freezing speed is gradually delayed, thereby gaseous substance or various impurities in the water are discharged into non-freezed water. Even in case that a water supplying tank 53 is removed by a user during an ice making cycle, the non-freezed water is dropped into a water discharging pan 58 and then the water is disposed latter by the user or naturally evaporated within the refrigerating chamber 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ice-making device that is installed in a refrigerator and is particularly capable of automatically producing transparent ice.

2. Description of the Related Art An example of an automatic ice making device that has been conventionally employed in some household refrigerators is shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 17139/1983, and will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

1 is the refrigerator itself, and 2 is the outer box. It is composed of an inner box 3 and a heat insulating material 4 filled between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a partition wall that divides the interior of the refrigerator body 1 into upper and lower sections, and a freezer compartment 6. A refrigerating chamber 7 is defined in the lower part.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a cooler for a refrigeration cycle provided on the back side of the freezer compartment 6, and 9 is a blower for forcing the cold air cooled by the cooler 8 into the freezer compartment 6 and the refrigerator compartment.

Next, 10 is an automatic ice maker provided in the freezer compartment 6,
A drive device 11 that includes a motor, a group of reduction gears (not shown), etc.; an ice tray 13 that has a support shaft 12 connected and fixed to the center thereof;
．． It is composed of a frame 14 and the like for pivotally supporting the ice making tray 12 on the driving device 11. In addition, 15 is a stopper provided on a part of the outer shell of the drive device 11 in order to deform the ice tray 13 and remove ice.
6 is the ice tray 13 so as to come into contact with the stopper 15;
This is the backing plate attached to the top. Further, 17 is an ice storage box provided below the automatic ice making machine 1o.

18 is a water tank for storing water for ice making;
It is detachably provided on one side of the refrigerator compartment 7. Also 19
is the water supply port of the water supply tank 18, and is opened and closed by the valve 2o. 21 is a water storage tray provided below the water supply port 19 of the water supply tank 18). When the water supply tank 18 is set with the water supply port 19 facing downward, the valve 2o is pushed up and the water supply port 19 is opened. It is configured to be opened. Further, 22 is a water supply pump for pumping water received in the water storage tray 21, and 23 is the water supply pump 2.
This is a water supply pipe connected to the ice making machine 2 and arranged so that its outlet faces the ice making tray 13 of the automatic ice making machine 10.

'In such a configuration, when the water tank 18 filled with water is set in a predetermined position by the user, the valve 20
is pushed up, the water supply port 19 opens, and the water storage tray 21 is filled with water. After that, the filled water is pumped to the water supply pump 2.
Water is pumped up by 2 and poured into the ice tray 13 via the water supply pipe 23.

In this way, a predetermined amount of water is poured into the ice cube tray 13 into the freezer compartment 6.
The cooling effect within the container causes it to freeze, producing ice. When ice making is completed, the ice making tray 13 rotates in reverse around the support shaft 12 due to the rotational action of the drive device 11, and the ice making tray 13 is distorted and deformed due to the backing plate 16 coming into contact with the stopper 16. The ice in the ice tray 13 is removed. Further, the ice that has been released falls into the ice storage box 17 and is stored, and the ice tray 13 whose ice removal action has been completed is returned to the drive device 11.
It returns to its original state by the reverse rotation action.

Thereafter, this action is repeated until the water in the water tank 18 is used up, thereby automatically making ice and storing water.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with such an ice making method, the freezing of the water in the ice tray 13 when ice is generated is caused by the contact surface between the ice tray 13 and the water and the contact surface between the cold air and the water. As the water progresses from the contact surface to the center, gaseous components, soluble salts, and insoluble impurities dissolved in the water are trapped in the center of the ice.
The result is ice that is cloudy in the center, opaque, has low purity, and does not taste good), resulting in ice that is not sensually suitable for use in beverages such as whisky.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an automatic ice making device that can produce highly transparent and highly pure ice.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, an automatic ice making device such as a refrigerator according to the present invention is provided in a heat insulating tank provided in one section of the cooling chamber, the top surface of which is open, and a heater provided at the bottom of the inner surface. A driving device is provided for superimposing the ice making tray and rotating the ice making tray and a draining tray arranged in parallel about their respective support shafts. A drain tray and a drain pipe connected to it are installed below the drain tray, and a water supply tank, a water storage tray for receiving this water, and a water supply pump are installed outside the cooling chamber, and the water supply pipe is led to the top of the ice tray. It is composed of

According to the above-described configuration, when a predetermined amount of water in the water tank is supplied into the ice tray via the water storage tray and the water supply pipe, the water is cut off by the heat insulating tank. Due to the heating effect of the heater from below, the cold air in the cooling chamber causes a unidirectional freezing effect from the ice surface downwards, and ice crystals are formed while gaseous components and impurities in the water are discharged into the water below. It will be done. Next, when the drive device is activated when the ice reaches an appropriate thickness, the ice tray rotates and reverses to remove the ice, causing the ice to fall onto the draining tray, increasing the concentration of gaseous components and impurities. Unfrozen ice is separated, drained, and drained through the lower drain pan and drain pipe. Next, when the draining tray loaded with ice is rotated and reversed by the driving device, highly transparent and pure ice falls into the ice storage box and is stored.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an automatic ice making apparatus such as a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

Incidentally, the same components as those in the prior art are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

24 is a partition wall containing a heat insulating material 25 inside, and a freezer compartment 26. A refrigerating chamber 27 is defined in the lower part. 2
A recessed heat insulating tank with an open upper surface is arranged on the partition wall 24, and includes an outer frame 29 made of resin, a metal plate 30 (for example, an aluminum plate) arranged on the bottom of the recess, and the outer frame. 2
9. A heat insulating material 31 surrounded by a metal plate 3o, and the metal plate 3
The heater 32 is thermally conductively fixed to the back surface of the o. Reference numeral 33 denotes an ice tray whose outer shape is formed to overlap with the inner surface of the heat insulating tank 28, and an ice tray 33, which has a small section 34, a partition frame 35 that partitions this small section 34, and an ice tray formed on this partition frame to communicate between the small sections 34. The communication groove 36 is configured to allow the Reference numeral 37 denotes a lattice-shaped draining tray arranged in parallel with the ice tray 33, a first support shaft 38 at one end of the ice tray 33, and a second support shaft 39 at one end of the ice tray 37. Connection is fixed. 40 rotates the first support shaft 38 degrees and the second support shaft 39 to remove the ice making tray 33 and the draining tray 37.
It is a drive device that rotates the motor, and includes a motor, reduction gear group, etc. (not shown) inside. 41 connects the ice making tray 33 and the draining tray 37 to the first support shaft 38. to the driving device 4o. This is a frame for pivotal support via a second support shaft 39. Reference numeral 42.43 indicates a stopper provided on a part of the outer shell of the drive device 40, and reference numeral 44.45 indicates a stopper provided on a part of the outer shell of the drive device 40.
2. The ice tray 33 and the draining tray 3 are in contact with the
These are the top plates attached to the tops of the 7. Next, 46 is a first drain tray provided below the drain tray 37, and 47 is this first drain tray.
It is a drain port connected to the drain tray 46 of the heater 4.
B, 49 are arranged in a thermally conductive manner. Further, 60 indicates the first drain plate 46 below the drain plate 37 when the drain plate 37 is in an inverted position.
This is an ice storage box located adjacent to the ice box. Furthermore, 61 is a drainage device (hereinafter referred to as a drainage valve) connected to the drainage port 47,
The structure is such that drainage is performed by electrically opening the valve.

Further, 52 is a drain pipe connected to the drain valve 51.

Next, 63 is a water supply tank detachably provided in the refrigerator compartment 27, and has a water supply port 66 on the lower surface that is opened by the valve 54 when set to supply water into the water storage tray 21. A water tank 56 and a drain tank 67 whose upper surface is open to face the outlet of the distal end of the drain pipe 62 are divided and integrally formed. Reference numeral 68 denotes a second drain tray that is detachably provided and is arranged at the lower part of the water tank 63 and directly below the drain tank 57.

On the other hand, 69 is a water supply pipe for supplying the water temporarily stored in the water tank 53 and the water storage tray 21 to the ice making tray 33 by the water supply pump 22. One end is connected to the water supply pump 22 and the other end is connected to the water supply pump 22. It is opened so as to face the top surface of the ice tray 33. Further, 6° is a ventilation passage located in the freezer compartment 26 for guiding cold air to the upper surface of the ice tray 33;
detects the temperature inside the freezer compartment 26 and operates the blower 9. This is a temperature control device that controls operation and stop of the compressor 62.

In this configuration, when the water supply tank 53 filled with water is set at a predetermined position by the user, the valve 64 is pushed up, the water supply port 55 is opened, and the water storage tray 21 is filled with water. After that, the filled water is transferred to the water supply pump 22
The water is pumped up by the water pipe 59, and water starts to be supplied to the ice tray 33 via the water supply pipe 59. When water is supplied to one of the subdivisions 34 of the ice tray 33, a predetermined amount of water is supplied into the other subdivisions 34 through the communication groove 3e (a predetermined amount of water is injected by, for example, the water supply pump 2).
2). This state is shown in FIG. 3, where the draining tray 37 is in an inverted position away from the first draining tray 46.

In this state, the blower 9 forces the cold air cooled by the cooler 8 through the ventilation path 60 onto the wooden surface of the ice tray 33, thereby starting the cooling action. At the same time, the heating action of the heater 32 disposed on the bottom of the heat insulating tank 28 is started, and the metal plate 3o on the bottom is heated. Also, ice tray 33
Since the outer periphery of the ice tray 33 is surrounded by a heat insulating material 31 in the heat insulating tank 28, the cooling effect from the outer periphery is also suppressed, and the freezing effect is suppressed by the ice tray 33.
It progresses in one direction from above to below.

Therefore, if the freezing speed is appropriately slowed down (for example, s
, / h) As ice formation progresses, gaseous components dissolved in the water and various impurities contained therein are precipitated outside the ice crystals and discharged into the unfrozen water below. In this way, the ice that is produced sequentially over time has extremely high transparency and is highly pure ice with few impurities. Then, as a predetermined cooling time elapses, ice of a required appropriate thickness (for example, 25 ram) is generated. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the state diagram shows a state in which highly transparent and pure ice coexists in the upper part of each small section 34 of the ice tray 33, and unfrozen water with reduced purity coexists in the lower part. It has become.

In this state, the drive device 4o operates to move the first support shaft 38. The second support shaft 39 starts rotating, and first the draining tray 37 is reversed and set above the first draining tray 46,
Subsequently, the ice making tray 33 is rotated and removed from the heat insulating tank 28, and is reversed to a position close to the draining tray 37 that has been set above so as to overlap with it. At the same time, the heating action of the heater 32 within the heat insulating material 28 stops. Then, the contact plate 44 fixed to the ice tray 33 comes into contact with the stopper 42 provided on the drive device 40, and the drive device 4o is further moved to the ice tray 33.
By applying rotational force to the ice tray 33, the ice making tray 33 is distorted and deformed, and the ice in each small section 34 is released and falls onto a lattice-shaped draining tray 37 set below. At the same time, unfrozen water with increased concentration of gaseous components and impurities remaining in each subdivision 34 also flows out and falls, but since the draining tray 37 is formed in a lattice shape and most of the through holes are occupied, In, draining plate 3
Ice and water are separated from each other by falling directly into the first drain tray 46 instead of collecting on the top of the drain tray 46. That is, only ice with high transparency and purity is left on the draining tray 37. This state is shown in FIG. On the other hand, the unfrozen water that has fallen into the first drain tray 46 is drained from the drain port 47. The water is led to a drain pipe 52 through a drain valve 51, and drained into a drain tank 67 which is opened at the top of the water tank 53. Remaining water still stored in the drainage tank 67, water supply tank 66
When the user removes the water supply tank 63 and turns the water supply port 66 upward, i.e., turns the water supply tank 53 upside down, to supply water from a faucet, etc. , a drain tank 6 is necessarily formed integrally with the water supply tank 53 and is opened upside down from the water supply port 56.
The opening of 7 faces downward and the remaining water is discarded. Furthermore, even if the water supply tank 63 is removed by the user during the ice-making cycle, especially when unfrozen water is flowing out and falling into the drain tank 67 through the drain pipe 52, the unfrozen water is drained into the second drain. Either it falls into the tray 68 and is later thrown away by the user, or it naturally evaporates in the refrigerator compartment 27. Note that the first drain tray 46. In order to prevent the flowing water from freezing at the drain port 47, appropriate heating is performed by heaters 48 and 49.

On the other hand, since the ice thus left has moisture attached to a portion of its surface, it is cooled and dried as it is for a suitable period of time. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, the drive device 4o is operated again to rotate the first support shaft 38° and the second support shaft 39, and first the ice tray 33 is rotated and set in the heat insulating tank 28. On the other hand, the draining tray 37 is turned over from the top of the first draining tray 46, and the contact plate 45 fixed to the draining tray 37 above the ice storage box 60 comes into contact with the stopper 43 provided on the drive device 40. Then, the drive device 4o is further moved to the draining tray 37.
By applying rotational force, the draining tray 37 is distorted and deformed, and the ice placed on the draining tray 37 is released and falls into the ice storage box 6o provided below, where it is stored. This state is shown in FIG.

In this way, after the water supply tank 63 is set by the user, these series of steps are automatically repeated until the water in the water supply tank 63 is used up.

As a result, only highly transparent and highly pure ice is stored in large amounts in the ice storage box 5o, and the user can enjoy extremely sensual ice for eating and drinking without much effort. Ice can be used in abundance at any time. Furthermore, even if the water supply tray 63 is removed by the user during the ice-making cycle, unfrozen water will fall into the second drainage tray 58 and be discarded by the user later, or the unfrozen water will fall into the second drainage tray 58 and be discarded later by the user or stored in the refrigerator compartment 27. Since the liquid evaporates naturally, it is possible to prevent the liquid from leaking into the refrigerator compartment 27.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, by separating unfrozen water containing gaseous components and impurities discharged as ice formation progresses, highly transparent and pure ice can be kept in the ice storage box. Since a large amount of ice is automatically stored, the user can use a sufficient quantity of highly sensually excellent ice for eating and drinking at any time.

Additionally, even if the water tank is removed by the user during the ice-making cycle, unfrozen water will fall into the second drainage pan and be disposed of later by the user or will be returned to the refrigerator compartment to naturally evaporate. Prevents spills and falls.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of essential parts of an automatic ice-making device such as a refrigerator showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a refrigerator equipped with the automatic ice-making device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. A cross-sectional view showing the state in which water is supplied to the automatic ice making device shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the automatic ice making device shown in Fig.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which ice making has progressed from the state shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which ice has been released and water has separated from the state shown in Figure 4. A sectional view showing the operation of releasing ice into a box, FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a refrigerator equipped with an automatic ice making device showing a conventional example, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the main parts of the automatic ice making device shown in FIG. 7. It is. 21... Water storage tray, 22... Water supply pump, 26... Freezer room (cooling room), 28...
・Insulation tank, 33...Ice tray, 37...
Draining plate, 38...First support shaft, 39...
...Second support shaft, 4o...Drive device, 46.
・・・・First drain plate-47・River・・Drain port, 49・
・River/heater, 51... Drainage device (drain valve),
62. River... Drain pipe, 53... Water tank, 5
6... Water tank, 57... Drain tank, 58
...Second drainage pan, 69... Water supply pipe.

Claims (1)

[Claims] a heat insulating tank with an open top surface provided in one section of the cooling chamber; a heater disposed around the bottom of the inner surface of the heat insulating tank; an ice tray that overlaps the inner surface from the opening of the heat insulating tank; and the ice tray. a first support shaft connected and fixed to one end; a draining tray installed in parallel with the ice tray; a second support shaft connected and fixed to one end of the draining tray; a drive device that rotates the ice tray and rotates the draining tray about the second support shaft, a first draining tray provided below the draining tray, and a bottom surface of the first draining tray; an ice storage box provided adjacent to the first drainage tray; a drainage device connected to the drainage port; a drain pipe connected to the drainage device; a water tank, a water supply tank integrally formed by partitioning the drainage tank whose upper surface is open and facing the tip outlet of the drain pipe; and a second water tank provided under the water supply tank.
An automatic machine comprising a drainage tray, a water storage tray for storing water from the water supply tank, a water supply pump for pumping up the water in the water storage tray, and a water supply pipe connected to the water supply pump and led to the top surface of the ice tray. Ice making equipment.