JPH07305926A - Automatic icemaker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always continue stable icemaking by receiving excessive cold gas from a blower by icemaking temperature detecting means by continuously operating a compressor and the blower for a long period, and so sufficiently increasing an icemaking cooling time as not to complete the icemaking in an unfrozen state when it becomes impossible to follow up a water temperature in an icemaking vessel. CONSTITUTION:The automatic icemaker comprises control means 25 having a compressor continuous operation timer 27 for counting the operating time of a compressor 21, a timer 16, a water supply timer 15, a microcomputer, etc., which input from temperature detecting means 2, position detecting means 9, horizontal position detecting means 10 and outputs from driving means 13, 14, 26 for moving a motor 7, a water supply pump motor 5 and the compressor 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ice-making device which automatically rotates an ice-making container to perform ice-releasing operation after the completion of ice-making.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as an automatic ice making device attached to, for example, a home refrigerator, a water supply pump motor for supplying water into an ice making container and an ice making container disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-291475. A temperature sensor for detecting completion of ice making provided on the outer bottom surface, and when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes equal to or lower than the ice making completion temperature (eg, -12 ° C), the ice making container is rotated to perform an ice removing operation. Some have an ice mechanism.

The structure will be described below with reference to FIGS.
Follow the explanation below. 18 and 19 show a configuration of a conventional automatic ice making device. When 1 is an ice making container attached to a household refrigerator, it is installed in a freezing room or an independent room having a freezing temperature (-18 ° C). Reference numeral 2 denotes a temperature detecting means which is provided on the outer bottom surface of the ice making container 1 and includes a thermistor for detecting the completion of ice making. 3 is a water supply tank, which is installed in a refrigerating room when it is attached to a home refrigerator.

Reference numerals 4 and 5 are a water supply pipe and a water supply pump motor for supplying water from the water supply tank 3 to the ice making container 1.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an ice removing mechanism for rotating the ice making container 1 to perform an ice removing operation, and a motor 7 for rotating the ice making container 1.
And a twisting portion 8 for twisting the rotating ice making container 1 to release ice, a position detecting means 9 including a micro switch indicating completion of twisting, and a horizontal position including a micro switch indicating the horizontal position of the ice making container 1. It is composed of detection means 10. Further, below the ice making container 1, an ice storage box 11 for storing the fallen ice is installed.

Next, the control circuit will be described with reference to FIG.
Reference numeral 12 is a control means including a microcomputer and the like, and the temperature detection means 2, the position detection means and the horizontal position detection means 10 are connected to the input terminals thereof.

Driving means 13 and 14 for operating the motor 7 and the feed water pump motor 5 are connected to the output terminals. The control means 12 is composed of a water supply timer 15 which counts the time during which the water supply pump motor 5 is operated, and a timer 16 which counts time when the temperature detection means 2 becomes lower than a set temperature.

With this structure, the automatic ice making operation will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the horizontal position detecting means 10 is turned on in step 101 when the power is turned on, it can be determined that the ice making container 1 is horizontal, and the process proceeds to step 102. If it is determined in step 101 that the motor is not horizontal, the process proceeds to step 103 to turn on the motor 7.

In step 102, the motor 7 is turned off, and the process proceeds to step 104. In step 104, the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 is detected and compared with the set temperature T0. Here, if the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 seems to be high, step 1
It waits until it becomes low at 04.

When it is determined in step 104 that the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 is lower than the set temperature T0, step 105
And the timer 16 is started. In step 106, it is confirmed whether or not the time of the timer 16 is a predetermined time, and if the time is not up, step 1
Wait until the time is up at 06.

When the timer 16 times out in step 106, the process proceeds to step 107. Step 107
Then, the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 is confirmed again and compared with another set temperature T1. If the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 is high in step 107, the process waits in step 107 until it becomes low, and conversely, if the temperature of the temperature detecting means 2 is low, the process proceeds to step 108. The set temperatures T0 and T1 are T
0> T1. In step 108, the motor 7
Turn on. Therefore, the ice making container 1 is rotated. Then, the twisting portion 8 twists the ice to separate the ice from the ice making container 1.

Therefore, in step 109, the position detecting means 9
The state is turned on, and it can be determined that the ice removal is completed, the process proceeds to step 110, the motor 7 is continuously moved until the ice making container 1 becomes horizontal, and in step 110, it waits until the horizontal position detecting means 10 is turned on. In step 109 and step 110, the process returns to step 109 until both the position detecting means 9 and the horizontal position detecting means 10 are turned on. Step 110
When the horizontal position detecting means 10 is turned on in step S11, it is determined that the ice making container 1 is horizontal, and it is determined that the ice removal is completed.
At 1, the motor 7 is stopped. In step 112, the water supply pump motor 5 is operated to supply water to the empty ice making container 1, and in step 113, the water supply timer 15 is started and the water supply pump motor 5 is operated until the time is up in step 114.

When the water supply timer 14 times out in step 114, the water supply pump motor 5 is turned on in step 115.
FF. With the above, the water supply is completed and the ice making cycle ends, and the process proceeds to step 104 again, and thereafter this cycle is repeated to automatically make ice.

[0014]

However, in such a configuration, when the continuous operation of the compressor is prolonged due to an excessive refrigeration load or the forced continuous operation of the compressor when the rapid cooling function is activated, When the ice making completion temperature detection means is prolonged, the cooling air from the electric fan for cooling the inside of the refrigerator that operates in synchronization with the compressor or the electric blower for cooling inside of the refrigerator that operates independently is continuously received for a long period of time. Is overcooled, the temperature detection means can not follow the temperature of the water in the ice making container, the false detection of the ice making completion temperature, it is judged that the ice making is completed even though the water in the ice making container is not frozen There was a problem that the water in the ice making container spilled into the ice storage box, and the ice in the ice storage box was covered with water to form a large lump of ice, and normal ice could not be formed.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides an automatic ice making device which controls without the inconvenience that the water in the ice making container is unfrozen to perform ice releasing operation and water spills.

[0016]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the automatic ice making device of the present invention uses a timer for counting the continuous operation time of the compressor during the cooling period for producing ice. When it is confirmed that the continuous operation time reaches or exceeds the set value, the set time of the cooling period can be extended.

Further, when the rapid cooling function is activated in the freezing refrigerator having the rapid cooling function during the cooling period for producing ice, the set time of the cooling period can be extended.

Further, during the cooling period for producing ice, the timer for counting the continuous operation time of the electric blower and the timer for counting the continuous operation time of the electric blower set the continuous operation time of the electric blower to the set value. Upon confirming that the above has been reached, the cooling time is set so that the set time can be extended.

[0019]

With the above-described structure, the compressor or the electric blower is continuously operated during the cooling period for producing ice, and the cool air by the electric blower is directly detected by the temperature detecting means for judging the completion of ice making. By receiving the ice, it is possible to extend the set time of the cooling period and provide sufficient time to generate ice even if the temperature in the ice making container is sensed lower than the actual temperature and the completion of ice making cannot be correctly determined. It is possible to prevent the water in the container from performing an ice removing operation in an unfrozen state and dropping into the ice storage box in the state of water.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those of the related art are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a freezer-refrigerator main body, which is partitioned by a partition wall 18 into a freezer compartment 19 in the upper part and a refrigerating compartment 20 in the lower part. 21 and 22 are compressors, evaporators of the refrigeration cycle,
23 is an electric blower for forced ventilation, which is arranged in the partition wall 18. By driving the electric blower 23, the cool air from the evaporator 22 is sent to the freezer compartment 19 through the cool air duct 24.

Next, the control circuit will be described. Reference numeral 25 is a control means including a microcomputer and the like, and a drive means 26 for moving the compressor 21 is connected to the output terminal. A compressor continuous operation timer 27 for counting the continuous operation time of the compressor 21 is provided inside the control means 25.
Is configured.

The operation of this configuration will be described. Here, steps 101 to 105 are the same as those of the conventional refrigerator-freezer control device.

After the timer 16 is started in step 105, it is determined in step 201 whether the compressor 21 is in operation. If it is off, the count value of the compressor continuous operation timer 27 is set in step 202. Clear and proceed to step 106. If the compressor 21 is in operation at step 201, the compressor continuous operation timer 2 at step 203.
Determine if 7 is already counting. If counting is in progress, the routine proceeds to step 205. If not, in step 204, the compressor continuous operation timer 27 starts counting, and then the routine proceeds to step 205.

In step 205, it is confirmed whether or not the count value of the compressor continuous operation timer 27 has reached a preset time. If the set time has not been reached, the process proceeds to step 106, and if the set time has been reached, the process proceeds to step 206. In step 206, the set time at which the timer 16 is confirmed to be up is set to a value larger than a predetermined value. Reset the settings and proceed to step 106. In step 106, it is confirmed whether or not the time of the timer 16 is a predetermined time, and if not, step 20
If the time is up, go to step 107.

Here, step 107 to step 115
Up to this is the same as the control device of the conventional refrigerator-freezer.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the timer 1
The electric blower 2 in which the compressor 21 continuously operates during the ice making cooling period during which 6 is counting and is driven in synchronization with the compressor 21.
By continuously receiving the cold air to be sent in 3 for a long period of time,
Water (ice) in the ice making container 1 when the temperature detecting means 2 is supercooled
Even if the temperature cannot follow, if the continuous operation of the compressor 21 becomes a predetermined time or more, the time-up time of the timer 16 is sufficiently extended to complete the ice making even though the water in the ice making container 1 is not frozen. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the deicing operation.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described with reference to. Detailed description of the same parts as those of the conventional and first embodiments will be omitted.

Reference numeral 28 is a control means composed of a microcomputer or the like, and its input terminal has a rapid cooling command means 29 for instructing whether or not the compressor 21 is forcibly operated continuously.
Are connected.

The operation of this structure will be described. Here, steps 101 to 105 are the same as those of the conventional refrigerator-freezer control device.

After the timer 16 is started in step 105, it is confirmed in step 301 by the rapid cooling command means 29 whether the compressor 21 is in forced continuous operation, and the rapid cooling command means 29 is turned off. That is, the compressor 21
Is not in the forced continuous operation mode, the routine proceeds to step 106.

In step 301, the rapid cooling command means 29
If it is ON, that is, if the compressor 21 is in the forced continuous operation mode, in step 302, the timer 16 resets the set time confirmed as time-out to a value larger than a predetermined value, and proceeds to step 106. . Step 10
In step 6, whether or not the time of the timer 16 is a predetermined time is confirmed, and if the time is not up, the process proceeds to step 301, and if it is up, the process is step 10
Proceed to 7.

Here, step 107 to step 115
Up to this is the same as the control device of the conventional refrigerator-freezer.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the timer 1
In the ice making cooling period during which 6 is counting, the rapid cooling commanding means 29 is turned on to force the compressor 21 to continuously operate, and the electric blower 2 is driven in synchronization with the compressor 21.
By continuously receiving the cold air to be sent in 3 for a long period of time,
Water (ice) in the ice making container 1 when the temperature detecting means 2 is supercooled
Even if the temperature becomes uncontrollable, if it is confirmed that the rapid cooling command means 29 is ON during the ice making cooling period, the timer 1
By sufficiently extending the time-up time of 6, it is determined that the ice making is completed even though the water in the ice making container 1 is not frozen,
It is possible to prevent the ice removing operation from occurring.

Still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15. Detailed description of the same configurations as those of the conventional and other embodiments will be omitted.

Reference numeral 30 is a control means composed of a microcomputer or the like, and its output terminal is connected to drive means 31 for moving the electric blower 23. A blower continuous operation timer 32 that counts the continuous operation time of the electric blower 23 is configured inside the control unit 30.

The operation of this structure will be described. Here, steps 101 to 105 are the same as those of the conventional refrigerator-freezer control device.

After the timer 16 is started in step 105, it is determined in step 401 whether or not the electric blower 23 is in operation, and if it is OFF, the count value of the blower continuous operation timer 32 is cleared in step 402. Then, the process proceeds to step 106. Electric blower 23 in step 401
Is operating, it is determined in step 403 whether the compressor continuous operation timer 32 is already counting. If it is counting, the process proceeds to step 405, and if it is not counting, the count of the blower continuous operation timer 32 is started in step 404, and then the process proceeds to step 405.

In step 405, it is confirmed whether or not the count value of the blower continuous operation timer 32 has reached a preset time. If the set time has not been reached, the process proceeds to step 106, and if the set time has been reached, the process proceeds to step 406. In step 406, the set time for confirming that the timer 16 is up is set to a value larger than a predetermined value. Reset the settings and proceed to step 106. At step 106, it is confirmed whether or not the time of the timer 16 is a predetermined time, and if not, step 40.
If the time is up, go to step 107.

Here, step 107 to step 115
Up to this is the same as the control device of the conventional refrigerator-freezer.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the timer 1
Electric blower 23 during the ice making cooling period when 6 is counting
By continuously operating and continuously receiving the cool air fed by the electric blower 23 for a long period of time, even if the temperature detecting means 2 is overcooled and the temperature of the water (ice) in the ice making container 1 becomes impossible to follow, When the continuous operation of the blower 23 becomes a predetermined time or more, by sufficiently extending the time-up time of the timer 16, it is determined that the ice making is completed even though the water in the ice making container 1 is not frozen, and the ice removing operation is performed. It can be prevented.

[0042]

As is apparent from the above embodiments, in an automatic ice making cycle having a cooling period until the temperature detecting means detects a temperature equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature when a predetermined time is exceeded by a timer after supplying water to the ice making container. The compressor continuous operation timer that counts the continuous operation time of the compressor, when it reaches a predetermined time or more, since it is configured to extend the set time to time up the timer operating in the cooling period, When the compressor is continuously operated for a predetermined time or longer, cold air from an electric blower that is driven in synchronization with the compressor is continuously and long-term received by the temperature detecting means and is supercooled, and the water temperature in the ice making container is increased. Can no longer be detected correctly, it is judged that the ice making is completed even though the water in the ice making container is in an unfrozen state, and by performing the ice removing operation,
It is possible to prevent the water in the ice-making container from being dropped into the ice storage box to generate normal ice, which has a great effect.

When it is confirmed that the rapid cooling function is activated in the automatic ice making cycle having a cooling period until the temperature detecting means detects the temperature equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature when the timer exceeds the predetermined time after supplying water to the ice making container, Since the set time for the timer operating during the cooling period is extended, the electric blower driven in synchronization with the compressor when the compressor is continuously operated by the rapid cooling function. Cold air from the continuous, long-term, the temperature detection means, supercooled, it becomes impossible to correctly detect the water temperature in the ice making container, it is determined that the ice making container has completed the ice making even though the water in the ice making container is not frozen. However, by performing the ice removing operation, it is possible to prevent in advance that normal ice cannot be generated by dropping the water in the ice making container into the ice storage box, Having a large effect.

A blower that counts the continuous operation time of the electric blower in an automatic ice making cycle having a cooling period until the temperature detecting means detects a temperature equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature when the timer exceeds a predetermined time after supplying water to the ice making container. When the continuous operation timer reaches a predetermined time or more, it is configured to extend the set time for the timer operating in the cooling period to increase, so that the electric blower continuously operates for a predetermined time or more. The cold air from the electric blower is continuously received by the temperature detecting means for a long period of time and is overcooled, and the water temperature in the ice making container cannot be correctly detected, and the water in the ice making container is in an unfrozen state. By determining that the ice making is completed and performing the ice removing operation, the water in the ice making container is dropped into the ice storage box and normal ice cannot be generated. Preparative can be prevented in advance, with a great deal of effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the automatic ice making device in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ice removing mechanism of the automatic ice making device in FIG.

5 is a sectional view of the refrigerator-freezer in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart showing the operation of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the automatic ice making device in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an ice removing mechanism of the automatic ice device in FIG.

10 is a sectional view of the refrigerator-freezer in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a control block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a flowchart showing the operation of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the automatic ice making device in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an ice removing mechanism of the automatic ice making device in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the refrigerator-freezer in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a control block diagram in a conventional example.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional example.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an automatic ice making device in a conventional example.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of an ice removing mechanism of an automatic ice making device in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ice making container 2 temperature detecting means 5 water supply pump motor 6 ice removing mechanism 7 motor 15 water supply timer 16 timer 17 freezer-refrigerator 19 freezer compartment 21 compressor 22 evaporator 23 electric blower 25, 28, 30 control means 27 compressor continuous operation timer 29 Rapid cooling command means 32 Blower continuous operation timer

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A freezer-refrigerator having a refrigeration cycle including an evaporator, a compressor, etc., and an electric blower for sending cold air that has passed through the evaporator to a freezer compartment, a water supply tank, an ice making container, and the water supply tank. A water supply pump motor for supplying water to the ice making container, a water supply timer for operating the water supply pump motor for a certain period of time, a temperature detecting means attached to the ice making container, and a motor for rotating the ice making container to rotate the ice making container. An ice removing mechanism for dropping ice, a timer that starts counting when the temperature detecting means detects a predetermined temperature, a compressor continuous operation timer that counts the continuous operation time of the compressor, and the ice making container horizontal. In the first drive period for driving the motor, the temperature detection means falls below a predetermined temperature and a predetermined time elapses in the timer, following the first drive period. A cooling period until the temperature falls below another predetermined temperature again, a second driving period for rotating the ice making container after the cooling period ends, a water supply period for driving the water supply pump motor after the second driving period ends, and a water supply period ends In the cooling period of the ice making cycle, which again proceeds to the cooling period, when the continuous operation time of the compressor by the compressor continuous operation timer exceeds a predetermined time, there is provided control means for extending the set value counted by the timer. Automatic ice maker. 2. A quick cooling command means which has a refrigeration cycle including an evaporator, a compressor, and the like, and an electric blower for sending the cool air that has passed through the evaporator to a freezing chamber, and forcibly and continuously operating the compressor. In the equipped refrigerator / freezer,
An ice making container, a water supply pump motor for supplying water from the water supply tank to the ice making container, a water supply timer for operating the water supply pump motor for a predetermined time, a temperature detecting means attached to the ice making container, and a motor for rotating the ice making container. In the above, an ice removing mechanism for rotating the ice making container to drop ice, a timer for starting counting when the temperature detecting means detects a predetermined temperature, and a motor for driving the motor to make the ice making container horizontal. 1 driving period, a cooling period after the first driving period until the temperature detecting means falls below a predetermined temperature and the timer again falls below another predetermined temperature after a predetermined time elapses, and after the cooling period ends Second rotation of ice making container
Drive period, after the end of the second drive period, during the water supply period for driving the water supply pump motor, during the cooling period of the ice making cycle that proceeds to the cooling period again after the end of the water supply period, the compressor is forced by the quick freezing command means. An automatic ice making device comprising: a control means for extending the set value counted by the timer when continuously operated. 3. A refrigerating refrigerator having a refrigeration cycle including an evaporator, a compressor, etc., and an electric blower for sending cold air that has passed through the evaporator to a freezing compartment, wherein a water supply tank, an ice making container, and the water supply tank A water supply pump motor for supplying water to the ice making container, a water supply timer for operating the water supply pump motor for a fixed time, a temperature detecting means attached to the ice making container, and a motor for rotating the ice making container, rotating the ice making container, An ice removing mechanism that drops ice, a timer that starts counting when the temperature detecting means detects a predetermined temperature, an electric blower continuous operation timer that counts the continuous operation time of the electric blower, and the ice making container horizontally. In order to drive the motor in the first driving period, following the first driving period, the temperature detecting means falls below a predetermined temperature After a lapse of time, a cooling period until the temperature falls below another predetermined temperature again, a second driving period in which the ice making container is rotated after the cooling period ends, and a water feeding period in which the water feed pump motor is driven after the second driving period ends, When the continuous operation time of the electric blower by the electric blower continuous operation timer exceeds a predetermined time in the cooling period of the ice making cycle that proceeds to the cooling period again after the end of the water supply period, the control means for extending the set value counted by the timer An automatic ice making device equipped with.