JPH074803A - Automatic ice-maker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To lengthen the life of electrodes, to decrease frequency in washing of the electrodes, and to improve a capacity for making ice. CONSTITUTION:A deicing water pipe 22 for leading ice-making water to the rear side of an ice-making board 2 is provided branching from a service water pipe line 11 before a place where the water flows into an electrolytic water generator. During a deicing cycle, the water not electrolyzed by the electrolytic water generator is led to the rear side of the ice-making board 2 through the deicing water pipe 22.

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 machine for continuously producing alkaline ice or acidic ice by circulatingly supplying alkaline ionized water or acidic ionized water produced by electrolysis to an ice making section. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic ice-making machine equipped with an electrolyzed water generator that generates alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally widely used automatic ice machines use ice water supplied from an external water supply, a well, etc. as ice making water, which is cooled in an ice making section to make an ice making cycle operation. The ice having a predetermined size and shape is automatically produced by alternately performing the deicing cycle operation in which the ice is removed from the ice making unit and sent to the ice storage. The raw material water used for this automatic ice making operation is generally tap water or well water as described above, and there has been no example of performing special treatment.

In recent years, alkaline ionized water, which can be easily produced by electrolysis of water, is often drunk for maintaining and improving health, and is mixed for cooling drinking water and other liquid beverages. As the ice to be used, it has been proposed to use alkaline ice obtained by freezing alkaline ionized water. Alkaline water used for the production of this alkaline ice, for example, tap water is supplied to the electrolytic cell, by applying a voltage between the positive electrode and the negative electrode in this electrolytic cell, by electrolyzing the tap water, It is manufactured on the negative electrode side. By using the electrolyzed water generator for a long time, scales such as calcium in tap water are deposited and deposited on the electrode surface on the negative electrode side where alkaline water is produced, and the electrical conductivity decreases, so at regular intervals. The polarity of the voltage is reversed and applied to the electrode to remove the scale from the negative electrode.

By the way, as an example of an automatic ice making machine, for example, an ice block formed on the surface of a vertically extending ice making plate is
2. Description of the Related Art There is known an automatic ice-making machine in which hot gas is introduced into an evaporation pipe attached to the back surface of an ice making plate and deicing water is made to flow down to the back surface to heat the ice making plate to remove ice. Also, as another example,
In the ice making cycle, the ice generated in the ice making chamber with the ice making chamber closed with the water tray is used to tilt the water tray to remove the ice from the ice making chamber so that the ice slides off smoothly. There is known an automatic ice-making machine that removes ice adhering to the surface of a water tray by flowing down washing water.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned automatic ice making machine, when the electrolyzed water produced by the electrolyzed water producing apparatus is used as the deicing water and the washing water, the amount of electrolyzed water consumed is increased. There is a problem that the life of the electrode is shortened, scale is deposited on the surface of the electrode on the negative electrode side in a short time, the electrode must be washed frequently, and the ice making capability is reduced.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and provides an automatic ice maker which can prolong the life of the electrode and also reduce the cleaning frequency of the electrode to improve the ice making capacity. With the goal.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic ice-making machine, wherein the ice-making water is branched from an ice-making water supply system before the ice-making water flows into the electrolyzed water generator, and the ice-making water is supplied to the back surface of the ice-making unit. In the deicing cycle, the non-electrolyzed ice making water in the electrolysis generator is led to the back surface of the ice making section through the deicing water pipe.

The automatic ice making machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is
It has a washing water pipe that branches from the ice making water supply system before the ice making water flows into the electrolyzed water generator and guides the ice making water to the ice making part. The ice making water is introduced into the ice making section through the washing water pipe to wash the ice pieces adhering to the surface of the ice making section.

The automatic ice making machine according to claim 3 of the present invention is
During the deicing cycle, the application of electrolysis voltage to the electrolyzed water generator was stopped, and the unelectrolyzed ice-making water that passed through the electrolyzed water generator was led to the ice-making unit, and ice pieces adhering to the surface of the ice-making unit. Is designed to be washed.

[0010]

In the automatic ice making machine according to claim 1 of the present invention,
During the deicing cycle, electrolysis-untreated ice-making water is guided to the back surface of the ice-making unit via the de-icing water pipe, the ice is removed from the ice-making unit, and the electrolytically treated water is not used as de-icing water.

In the automatic ice-making machine according to the second aspect of the present invention, during the deicing cycle, the electrolytically unprocessed ice-making water is introduced to the ice-making section through the washing water pipe, and the ice pieces adhering to the ice-making section do not remain. It is removed by treated water, and electrolytically treated water is not used as washing water.

In the automatic ice making machine according to the third aspect of the present invention, the application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolyzed water generator is stopped during the deicing cycle, and the unelectrolyzed ice-making water that has passed through the electrolyzed water generator is The ice pieces introduced to the ice making unit and attached to the ice making unit are removed by the untreated water, and the electrolytically treated water is not used as washing water.

[0013]

【Example】

Example 1. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of an automatic ice making machine according to claim 1 of the present invention, in which 1 is an ice making water tank, 2 is an ice making plate disposed above the ice making water tank 1, Three
Is an evaporation pipe forming a part of a refrigeration circuit attached to the back surface of the ice making plate 2, 4 is a circulation pump provided in the vicinity of the ice making water tank 1, and 5 is a dispersion pump whose base end is connected to the circulation pump 4. The water pipe 6 is a drain valve attached to the ice making water tank 1. The ice making plate 2 and the evaporation pipe 3 form an ice making unit.

Reference numeral 11 is a water supply pipe as an ice making water supply system, and 12
Is a water supply valve that is attached to the water pipe 11 and has a built-in flow controller (not shown), 13 is a water purifier that is attached to the water pipe 11, 14 is a closed-type electrolytic cell made of resin such as vinyl chloride, 15 Is an permeable diaphragm that divides the inside of the electrolytic cell 14 into two parts, and defines a negative electrode chamber 16 and a positive electrode chamber 17, 18 is a negative electrode disposed in the negative electrode chamber 16,
Reference numeral 9 is a positive electrode arranged in the positive electrode chamber 17, 20 is a drain pipe extending from the uppermost portion of the positive electrode chamber 17, and 21 is a negative electrode chamber 1.
An ice making water pipe extending from the uppermost portion of 6 to guide the alkaline ionized water generated in the negative electrode chamber 16 into the ice making water tank 1.
Reference numeral 22 is a deicing water pipe branched from the water pipe 11, and 23 is a deicing water valve attached to the deicing water pipe 22. The electrolytic cell 14, the diaphragm 15, the negative electrode chamber 16, the positive electrode chamber 17, the negative electrode 18 and the positive electrode 19 constitute an electrolyzed water generator.

In the above-mentioned automatic ice making machine, during the ice making cycle operation, the alkaline ionized water which is the ice making water generated in the negative electrode chamber 16 and stored in the ice making water tank 1 through the ice making water pipe 21 is circulated by the circulation pump 4 to the sprinkling pipe 5. To the ice making plate 2. The alkaline ionized water is cooled by cold heat from the evaporation pipe 3 while flowing down the ice making plate 2. As the alkaline ionized water circulates between the ice making water tank 1 and the ice making plate 2, the alkaline ionized water approaches the freezing point, and ice 8 is gradually produced on the ice making plate 2. Then, when ice of a predetermined size is formed on the ice making plate 2, an ice making completion detecting sensor (not shown) operates, the operation of the circulation pump 4 is stopped, and the ice making cycle ends.

In the deicing cycle, when hot gas flows through the evaporation pipe 3, the water supply valve 12 is closed and the deicing water valve 23 is opened, and tap water, which is deicing water, is made through the deicing water pipe 22 to make ice. The ice-making plate 2 is heated by flowing down the back surface of the plate 2. The deicing water is discharged out of the machine through the drain valve 6 together with the alkaline ionized water remaining in the ice making water tank 1. When the heating of the ice making plate 2 progresses and the ice 8 on the ice making plate 2 melts and falls entirely, a slow ice completion detection sensor (not shown) operates and the deicing water valve 23 closes. When the tap water in the ice making water tank 1 is completely discharged, the drain valve 6 is closed and the deicing cycle operation is completed.

Thereafter, the water supply valve 12 is opened and the electrodes 18,
A voltage is applied to 19 and alkaline ionized water is supplied to the ice making water pipe 2
1 is supplied to the ice making water tank 1 and a predetermined amount of alkaline ionized water is stored, the voltage application to the electrodes 18 and 19 is stopped. This alkaline ionized water is used as ice making water in the next ice making cycle. It is to be noted that the ice making time in the ice making cycle can be shortened by flowing the refrigerant through the evaporation pipe 3 from this time to cool the ice making plate 3 in advance.

Example 2. 2 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of the automatic ice-making machine according to claim 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a mode of use of the automatic ice-making machine of FIG.
Reference numeral 31 is an ice making water tank, 32 is a water tray arranged above the ice making water tank 31 and rotatable around a support shaft 33, 34 is an injection hole formed in the water tray 32, and 35 is an ice making water tank. Three
1 is a circulation pump provided in the vicinity of 1; 36 is an ice making chamber whose opening is closed by a water tray 32; and 37 is an evaporation pipe attached to the upper surface of the ice making chamber 36. The water tray 32, the ice making chamber 36, and the evaporation pipe 37 form an ice making unit.

Reference numeral 41 is a water pipe, 42 is a water supply valve attached to the water pipe 41 and incorporating a flow controller (not shown), 43 is a water purifier attached to the water pipe 41,
Reference numeral 44 is a closed-type electrolytic cell made of resin such as vinyl chloride, 45 is the inside of the electrolytic cell 44 divided into two, and a negative electrode chamber 46 is provided.
And a positive electrode chamber 47 defining a permeable diaphragm, 48 is a negative electrode disposed in the negative electrode chamber 46, 49 is a positive electrode disposed in the positive electrode chamber 47, and 50 is a positive electrode chamber. A drain pipe extending from the uppermost part of 47, 51 extends from the uppermost part of the negative electrode chamber 46, and the alkaline ionized water generated in the negative electrode chamber 46 is stored in the ice making water tank 31 through the inflow hole 38 of the water tray 32. Is a washing water pipe branched from the water pipe 41, and 53 is a washing water valve attached to the washing water pipe 52. The electrolytic cell 44, the diaphragm 45, the negative electrode chamber 46, the positive electrode chamber 47, the negative electrode 48, and the positive electrode 49 constitute an electrolyzed water generator.

In the above-mentioned automatic ice making machine, when the ice making cycle operation is started, the operation of the refrigerating system having the refrigerant compressor, the condenser cooling fan and the like (not shown) is started, and the circulation pump 35 is also operated, The alkaline ionized water w in the ice making water tank 31 is sent to the injection pipe 39, and is jetted from the jet hole 34 toward the ice making chamber 36. At the same time, the refrigerant is sent to the evaporation pipe 37 to take heat from the outside (the ice making chamber 3
6 and the alkaline ionized water are evaporated), and when the formation of ice 40 in the ice making chamber 36 is completed, the operation of the circulation pump 35 is stopped and the deicing cycle operation is started.

In the deicing cycle operation, a well-known hot gas valve (not shown) of the refrigeration system is opened, and hot gas, that is, compressed refrigerant gas that has not been condensed is supplied to the evaporation pipe 37. Simultaneously with the opening of the hot gas valve, the water tray 32 tilts about the support shaft 33 and tilts to the position shown in FIG. afterwards,
The wash water valve 53 is opened, and tap water, which is deicing water, is sprayed from the wash water pipe 52 to the water tray 32. Many small ice pieces adhere to the water tray 32, and these ice pieces are melted and removed by the tap water. After the ice pieces have been melted and removed, the flush water valve 53
Is closed. After all the ice 40 has smoothly slid from the ice making chamber 36 along the water tray 32 without being disturbed by ice pieces,
The deicing completion detection sensor operates to start the return movement of the water tray 32.

Simultaneously with the rotation of the water tray 32, the water supply valve 42 is opened, and a positive electrolysis voltage is applied to the negative electrode 48 and the positive electrode 49, whereby the alkaline ionized water is cooled by the ice making water pipe 5.
Water is sprinkled from 1 on the water tray 32, stored in the ice making water tank 31 through the inflow hole 38, and is used for ice making in the next ice making cycle. When it is confirmed that the water tray 32 has returned to the horizontal position, the water supply valve 42 is closed and at the same time, the application of the positive electrolytic voltage to the negative electrode 48 and the positive electrode 49 is stopped.

The cleaning of the negative electrode 48 and the positive electrode 49 is
This is performed by applying an electrolytic voltage of opposite polarity to the negative electrode 48 and the positive electrode 49, which is opened at the start of the deicing cycle until the cleaning of the electrodes 48, 49 is completed. Then, the cleaning water valve 53 is closed.
Then, as soon as the cleaning of the electrodes 48, 49 is completed, the water supply valve 42
Is closed, the washing water valve 53 is opened, and the acidic ionized water adhering to the surfaces of the water tray 32 and the ice making water tank 31 is discharged to the outside by tap water.

Example 3. This embodiment is different from the second embodiment only in that the cleaning water pipe 52 of the second embodiment is removed, and the application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolyzed water generator is stopped during the deicing cycle, and the electrolysis is performed. The non-electrolyzed ice-making water that has passed through the water generator is guided to the ice-making unit, and the ice pieces adhering to the ice-making unit are removed by the untreated water.
In addition, although the above-mentioned Examples 1, 2 and 3 have all been described with respect to the automatic ice making machine for making alkaline ionized water into ice, the present invention can also be applied to an automatic ice making machine for producing acidic ice. Of course. Further, the invention according to claim 2 and claim 3 can be applied to an automatic ice making machine in which ice formed on the surface of an inclined ice making plate is removed by heat from an evaporation pipe on the back surface of the ice making plate. Of course.

[0025]

As described above, according to the automatic ice making machine of the first aspect of the present invention, the electrolytically unprocessed ice making water is transferred to the back surface of the ice making section through the deicing water pipe during the deicing cycle. Since the ice is guided and the ice is removed from the ice making unit, it is not necessary to use electrolytically treated water as deicing water, the life of the electrode is extended, and the frequency of cleaning the electrode is reduced,
This has the effect of improving the ice making ability.

According to the automatic ice making machine of the second aspect of the present invention, during the deicing cycle, the electrolytically unprocessed ice making water is introduced to the ice making section through the washing water pipe and adheres to the ice making section. Since the pieces are removed by the untreated water, the electrolytically treated water does not have to be used as washing water, the life of the electrode is extended, the frequency of washing the electrode is reduced, and the ice making capacity is improved. The same effect as that of claim 1 is obtained.

Further, according to the automatic ice making machine of the third aspect of the present invention, the non-electrolyzed ice making water that has passed through the electrolytic water producing device during the deicing cycle is guided to the ice making section and adheres to the ice making section. Since the ice pieces are removed by the untreated water, the electrolytically treated water does not have to be used as the washing water, and the same effect as that of claim 1 is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic ice making machine according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an automatic ice making machine according to claim 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a mode of use of the automatic ice maker of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Ice water tank, 2 ... Ice plate, 3 ... Evaporation pipe, 4 ...
・ Circulation pump, 8 ... Ice, 11 ... Water supply pipe, 12 ... Water supply valve, 18 ... Cathode electrode, 19 ... Positive electrode, 21 ... Ice making water pipe, 2
2 ... Deicing water pipe, 23 ... Deicing water valve, 31 ... Ice making water tank, 32 ... Water tray, 35 ... Circulation pump, 36 ... Ice making chamber, 4
0 ... Ice, 41 ... Water pipe, 42 ... Water supply valve, 48 ... Cathode electrode, 49 ... Positive electrode, 51 ... Ice making water pipe, 52 ... Washing water pipe.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An ice making section for making ice making water supplied from an ice making water supply system, and an ice making water tank provided below the ice making section for storing ice making water not frozen in the ice making section,
An electrolytic water generator having a negative electrode and a positive electrode and attached to the ice making water supply system to electrolyze the ice making water into alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, the ice making section and the ice making water tank, An ice-making cycle in which ice is generated in the ice-making part by circulating the ice-making water between them, and ice generated in the surface of the ice-making part is supplied with deicing water to the back surface of the ice-making part to heat the ice-making part. In an automatic ice making machine in which the deicing cycle of removing ice from the ice making unit is repeated, the ice making water is branched from the ice making water supply system at a position before flowing into the electrolytic water generating device, and the ice making water is made into the ice making unit. Has a deicing water pipe leading to the back surface of the ice making unit, so that during the deicing cycle, the electrolytically unprocessed ice-making water in the electrolytic generator is led to the back surface of the ice making unit through the deicing water pipe. Self characterized by Ice machine. 2. An ice making section for making ice making water supplied from an ice making water supply system, and an ice making water tank provided below the ice making section for storing ice making water not frozen in the ice making section.
An electrolytic water generator having a negative electrode and a positive electrode and attached to the ice making water supply system to electrolyze the ice making water into alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, the ice making section and the ice making water tank, In an automatic ice machine in which an ice making cycle in which ice is generated in the ice making section by circulating the ice making water between and an ice removing cycle in which the ice making section is heated to remove ice from the ice making section is repeated, Water has a washing water pipe branched from the ice making water supply system before flowing into the electrolyzed water producing device to guide the ice making water to the ice making part, and at the time of the deicing cycle, in the electrolyzed water producing device. The non-electrolyzed ice-making water is introduced into the ice-making part through the washing water pipe to wash the ice pieces adhering to the surface of the ice-making part. 3. An ice making section for making ice making water supplied from an ice making water supply system, and an ice making water tank provided below the ice making section for storing ice making water not frozen in the ice making section.
An electrolytic water generator having a negative electrode and a positive electrode and attached to the ice making water supply system to electrolyze the ice making water into alkaline ionized water and acidic ionized water, the ice making section and the ice making water tank, In an automatic ice-making machine, an ice-making cycle in which ice is generated in the ice-making part by circulating the ice-making water between and an ice-making cycle in which the ice-making part is heated to remove ice from the ice-making part is repeated. During the ice cycle, the application of the electrolysis voltage to the electrolyzed water generator is stopped, and the unelectrolyzed ice-making water that has passed through the electrolyzed water generator is guided to the ice-making unit, and the ice that has adhered to the surface of the ice-making unit. An automatic ice maker characterized by cleaning pieces.