JPH04158177A - Method for feeding water to ice making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform an accurate water feeding control and further perform an efficient ice making operation by a method wherein a temperature of a cooling device detected by a cooling device sensor is compared with a plurality of predetermined set value data corresponding to a condensing temperature detected by a condensing temperature sensor and then a high or a low water temperature of the supplied water is judged. CONSTITUTION:After starting an ice making operation, a cooling device sensor 30 detects a higher increased temperature of the cooling device and stores its temperature. Upon completion of the ice making operation, a condensing temperature at that time is detected by a condensing temperature sensor, a corresponding judging temperature is selected from a plurality of water temperature judging temperatures which are set in advance in correspondence with the condensing temperature and then stored. After this operation, a water supplying valve 12 is opened and a water pan 5 starts to incline substantially in concurrent with a starting of water dispersion. After completion of an inclination of the water pan 5, judgement data are called up and it is controlled whether or not the water dispersion is carried out on the basis of the judgement data. Temperatures are compared to each other and in the event that a maximum reached temperature of the cooling device > a water temperature judgement temperature is attained, it is judged that the water supplying temperature is high and the water supplying valve 12 is opened. However, in the event that the maximum reached temperature of cooling device <= the judgement water temperature is attained, it is judged that the water supplying temperature is low, the water dispersion is continued and then the water dispersion is continued until a returning operation of the water pan 5 is started.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a water supply method in a so-called inverted cell type ice maker.

(b) Conventional technology In addition to cooling an ice-making member having multiple ice-making compartments,
Ice making machines that make ice by circulating ice making water through this ice making member are widely used. In general, this type of ice maker has two stages: an ice-making process in which ice-making water freezes on an ice-making member, and an ice-making process in which the temperature of the ice-making member is raised using hot gas, etc. after ice-making, and the ice is separated from the ice-making member. This operation is repeated as an ice-making operation process, and the water-making operation is restricted.

In addition, during the ice making operation of this type of ice maker, water is supplied to the ice maker twice from tap water, etc. during the water making operation process.
In other words, when ice making is completed and the water tray that closes the ice making member from the bottom is tilted, water separation is performed to wash away the thin ice that has adhered to the surface of the water tray so as not to interfere with deicing. Water is supplied during the ice-making process, and water is supplied during the ice-making process to supply ice-making water for the next process to the water tank.

By the way, in the former type of water supply for cleaning, the degree of removal of thin ice depends on the temperature of the water supply, so conventionally the temperature on the surface of the water supply pipe was detected with a thermostand, etc., and the watering time was determined based on the detected temperature. A method of adjusting the amount (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-73272) was adopted.

In addition, the cooler sensor detects the cooler temperature with this improvement, and the cooler temperature detected by this cooler sensor at the initial stage after the start of ice making is compared with a preset set point temperature,
A water supply water temperature determination unit is provided to determine whether the temperature of the supply water is high or low.
The applicant of the present invention has proposed a method (Japanese Patent Application No. 2-102919) of controlling the plow watering time based on the determination result by the water supply water temperature determination section.

(No.) Problems to be Solved by the Invention As mentioned above, the temperature of the water supply is detected by the TC thermostat installed in the water supply pipe, so the thermostat is strongly influenced by the ambient temperature where the water supply pipe is located, causing errors. There was a risk of detection, and there was a drawback that accurate water supply control was not possible.

In addition, this method determines whether the feed water temperature is high or low based on the cooler temperature detected by a cooler sensor6.Since the reference temperature for comparison is constant, for example, in winter when the ambient temperature is low, the condensing temperature Since the cooling capacity is low and the refrigeration capacity is large, the cooler is cooled in a short time, and it is sufficiently cooled by the time the water supply is completed, so even if the water supply water temperature is higher than the specified value, the temperature of the 6 coolers will not reach the standard value. In some cases, the water supply water temperature determining unit may determine that the water temperature is low, which hides the drawback of wasting water, which is the original purpose.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker that can accurately control water supply and perform detailed and efficient ice-making operations.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The water supply method for an ice making machine of the present invention to achieve the above object includes a cooler having a number of divided ice making compartments that open downward, and each ice making compartment being connected from below. A water tray to be closed, a water tank fixed to the water tray, a reversible speed reducer motor provided for tilting and reciprocating the water tray, and a closed state and a fully opened state of the water tray. a drive device including an actuator switch that switches and operates to stop the speed reducer motor; a water sprinkler that sprinkles water on the surface of the water tray and supplies water to the water tank; and a circulation pump that circulates to the ice-making chamber, and the ice-making process is such that the water tray is in a closed state blocking the ice-making chamber, and the ice-making water is circulated to the ice-making chamber so as to spray water to perform ice-making operation, and the water tray is tilted. In an ice-making machine that repeats a water-removal process in which the ice is opened, de-icing is performed, and then the water is moved backward as one cycle of ice-making operation, the cooler temperature detected by the cooler sensor installed in the cooler and the ice-making temperature detected by the condensation temperature sensor are determined. A feed water temperature determination section is provided that determines whether the temperature of the supply water is high or low by comparing a plurality of set value data set in advance corresponding to the condensation temperature during the process, and based on the determination result by the feed water temperature determination section, The length of time for sprinkling water from the water sprinkler onto the water tray that tilts upon completion of ice making is controlled.

(E) Function The present invention detects the surface temperature of the cooler after ice making starts, and changes the reference temperature in correlation with the amount of change in condensing temperature, which is related to the size of the refrigeration capacity. For comparison, this detected temperature indicates a supply water temperature that is not affected by changes in refrigeration capacity due to external temperature conditions and changes in condensing temperature, and allows accurate control of watering time.

(f) Examples Examples of the present invention will be explained below based on the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a partially cutaway side view of the ice making machine of the present invention.
It has a large number of ice-making compartments IA that open downward, and has a cooler l with refrigeration system evaporation vibes 2 arranged on the outer surface of the earthen wall, and each ice-making compartment 1 is closed off from below with sufficient margin, and each ice-making compartment is placed on the surface. A water tray with a fountain hole 3 and a return hole 4 corresponding to the chamber 1; a water tank 6 fixed to the water tray 5 and communicating with the return hole 4; When the circulation pump 9 circulates from the water fountain 3 to each ice making compartment IA via the water fountain 8, the tilting device 11 including a speed reduction motor 10 capable of forward and reverse rotation for tilting and reciprocating the water tray 5, and the water supply valve 12 are opened. A water sprinkler 13 that sprinkles water on the surface of the water tray 5 and a float 14 in a float tank 14A that communicates with the bottom of the water tank 6.
A so-called inverted cell type ice maker is constituted by a water level detection device 14 that operates a water level switch 14C by B, and detects a predetermined water level in the water tank 6. First and second arms 17A and 17 extend in opposite directions to the output shaft of the deceleration motor 10 supported on a mounting plate 16 fixed to the support beam 15.
The other end of the coil spring 18 attached to the end of the first arm 17A of the cam 17 is connected to the side of the water tray 5, and the rear part of the water tray 5 is connected to a rotating shaft. I support one thing.

Further, 20 is a second arm 1 of a drive cam 17 that rotates counterclockwise due to the normal rotation of the drive motor 10 with a speed reduction mechanism.
7B is a seesaw-type changeover switch that stops the water tray 5 at a predetermined horizontal closed position after cutting off the power supply to the drive motor 10. A cooler sensor 30 is attached to the outer surface of the cooler 1 and detects the surface temperature of the cooler. Moreover, when the water tank 6 is tilted, the water level line of the water remaining in it is indicated by X.

In addition to the above-mentioned components, the ice maker is equipped with the following device parts (not shown). That is, a refrigeration unit consisting of a compressor, a fan motor, a condenser, etc. for cooling the ice making compartment IA, and a hot gas valve for supplying and stopping hot gas to warm the ice making compartment during deicing.

By the way, the water tray 5 moves back and blocks the lower surface of the cooler l,
When starting the ice-making process, the water supply valve 12 is opened and water is sprinkled onto the water tray 5, and the sprayed water enters the water tank 6 from the return hole 4 and begins to accumulate, but in the present invention, water is supplied from the water sprinkler 13. The first feature is that the cooler sensor 30 detects the water temperature. That is, the temperature of the supply water is such that it is sprayed into the cooler l and returned to the water tank 6 as circulating water for ice making.
Focusing on the fact that there is a close relationship with the cooler surface temperature, this system determines whether the water temperature is high or low based on whether the cooler surface temperature after ice making starts exceeds the set value. , can be determined with high accuracy, and the so-called water supply control can be controlled more precisely than the current system. In other words, the third
As shown in the figure, after entering the ice-making process, as water is supplied to the water tank 6, the temperature of the cooler increases under the influence of the supplied water, which has a high temperature. However,
This rising temperature varies depending on the water supply temperature. When the water supply temperature is high, the cooler sensor 30 detects the changing cooler temperature as shown by the solid line, and the reached temperature is W.

becomes.

When the water supply temperature is low, the temperature reached is WL. Therefore, a reference value Tl'T is provided to determine that the water temperature is high when wH>wET, and that the water temperature is low when TET≧WL.

Next, the operational flow of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. The ice making process and the ice removal process are repeated and continued as one ice making process,
Ice is being made, and when the ice-making process is completed and the ice-making process is started (100), the water supply valve 12, the circulation pump 9, and the fan motor start operating (101), and the water sprinkler 13 sprinkles water on the surface of the water tray 5. Water enters the water tank 6 through the return hole 4 provided on the surface of the dish 5, continues supplying water until the water reaches a predetermined water level at which the water level switch 14G operates, and when the predetermined water level is determined 102, the water supply valve 12 is closed 103. Of course, in this state, the compressor and the like are operating, supplying water to the cooler 1 from the water fountain hole 3 provided on the surface of the water tray 5, and cooling the circulating water while supplying water to the water tank 6. . At the beginning of this ice-making operation, the cooler surface temperature is detected by the cooler sensor 30, and after the start of ice-making, the highest cooler temperature is detected, and that temperature is stored in the memory 104. After that, the ice-making operation continues and the temperature of the cooler 1 gradually decreases, and when ET≦2°C, the ice-making timer starts counting 105 and the ice-making timer starts counting 106. When this count reaches a certain number of times, the ice-making timer times out 107. and stop the circulation pump 9 fan motor 1
08 to end the ice-making operation, the condensation temperature at that point is detected by the condensation temperature sensor 109, and the corresponding judgment temperature is selected from among a plurality of preset water temperature judgment temperatures corresponding to the condensation temperature. is selected and stored in the memory 110.

Then, open the water supply valve 12! , l. Almost simultaneously with the start of watering, the water tray 5 starts tilting by the driving device 11 112. Therefore, the water sprinkled from the sprinkler 13 is distributed to the water tray 50.
The water flows down the surface and washes away the ice pieces adhering to the water tray 5.

Then, the seesaw type control switch 20 detects that the water tray 5 has opened to a certain angle and completed its tilting as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
, calls 115 the aforementioned determination data, and controls whether or not to further sprinkle water on the surface of the water tray 5 based on this.

In other words, the highest cooling type temperature in the memory and the water temperature judgment temperature are called and compared 116, and if the highest cooling type temperature is greater than the water temperature judgment temperature, the water supply water temperature is judged to be high and the water supply valve 12 is closed. II7, if the highest cooling type temperature ≦ the water temperature judgment temperature, the water supply water temperature is determined to be low, and water sprinkling is continued without closing the water supply valve 12 until the return movement of the water tray 5 starts. continue.

As described above, when the water sprinkling temperature is lower than a predetermined value, the water sprinkling time is lengthened when washing the water tray to completely remove ice pieces adhering to the water tray 5, and smooth deicing is performed. Yes
To prevent troubles in the operation of an ice maker due to ice jamming when a water tray 5 is blocked with wood chips attached.

Then, it is determined that all the ice has fallen from the cooler 1.
18 Then, the hot gas valve and water supply valve 12 are closed.
9. When the water tray 5 starts to move back 120, and when the seesaw type control switch 20 detects that it has moved back to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, 121. Stop the water tray 5 122,
Clear memory of maximum cooling temperature and water temperature judgment temperature 12
After 3, the process moves on to the ice making process.

(g) Effects of the Invention According to the invention described above, the reference temperature changes in correlation with the amount of change in condensing temperature, which is related to the size of the refrigerating capacity, so the feed water temperature can be accurately determined using the cooler sensor. can be detected,
To completely remove ice by accurately controlling water sprinkling time when washing a water dish.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a partially cutaway front view of the ice maker, Figure 2 is a control flow chart, Figure 3 is a temperature chart of the water supply temperature detected by the cooler sensor, and Figure 4 is the condensation temperature and water supply water temperature determination temperature. FIG. 1-Cooler, 5..Water tray, 3o.Cooler sensor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A cooler having a number of divided ice-making compartments that open downward, a water tray that closes each ice-making compartment from below, a water tank fixed to the water tray, and a device for tilting the water tray. a drive device including a forward-reversible reducer motor provided in the holder and an actuator switch that switches and operates depending on whether the water tray is fully closed or fully opened and stops the reducer motor; and a water tray. It is equipped with a water sprinkler that sprinkles water on the surface and supplies water to the water tank, and a circulation pump that circulates the water in the water tank to each of the ice making compartments. In an ice maker, one cycle of ice-making operation repeats an ice-making process in which ice-making water is circulated and water is fed to make ice, and an ice-off process in which the water tray is tilted open to remove ice and then move back. By comparing the cooler temperature detected by the cooler sensor installed in the cooler with a plurality of set value data set in advance corresponding to the condensation temperature during the ice-making process detected by the condensation temperature sensor, the supply water is adjusted. A water supply water temperature determination unit is provided to determine whether the water temperature is high or low, and based on the determination result by the water supply water temperature determination unit, the length of time for watering from the water sprinkler to be sprinkled on the water tray that tilts upon completion of ice making is controlled. A water supply method for an ice maker characterized by: