JPS62119377A - Operation controller for ice machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (A) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an operation control device for an ice making machine that causes ice making water to flow down along a plate to form ice on the surface of the plate.

(b) Conventional technology For example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-17391, a contact point of a thermocouple is arranged in the freezing part of the ice-making compartment, and the contact point of the thermocouple that occurs in response to the temperature change of the ice formed in the ice-making compartment is When the electromotive force reaches a certain value, a certain output voltage is generated in the differential amplifier circuit connected to the thermocouple, and this output voltage energizes the relay to open the hot gas valve and perform deicing. An automatic electronic ice making control device is disclosed that is configured to perform the following steps.

p→ Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the growth of ice can be detected by the contact between the ice that has grown in the ice-making section and the thermocouple; When ice falls from the ice making room and deicing is completed, a problem arises in that, in addition to the thermocouple, an appropriate detection device must be provided to detect the completion of deicing. The present invention aims to solve the above problems.

B) Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a plate body that is spaced apart from the plate body on which ice-making water is flowed along the surface to form ice on the surface. , an ice making machine comprising: a processor that detects ml of ice-water flowing on the surface of the ice and outputs a signal; and an ice detection circuit that operates upon receiving the signal from the sensor and outputs an ice-making spouting signal. In the operation control device, based on the generation of the ice-making detection signal from the ice detection circuit, a signal is output for stopping the ice-making operation after delaying the ice for a sufficient time to further grow the ice and bring it into contact with the sensor. The present invention provides an operation control device for an ice maker equipped with a delay timer circuit.

(During the ice-making operation, ice gradually forms on the surface of the plate, and the sensor comes into contact with the water flowing on the surface of the ice and outputs a signal.
The ice detection circuit outputs an ice making detection signal, and after a delay due to the operation of the delay timer circuit, the ice making operation is stopped, and during this delay, the ice on the plate further grows and adheres to the senna.

(F) Example Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ice maker according to the present invention, and shows +11
, (1) are plates provided substantially parallel to each other with an interval, and are made of stainless steel, for example. Also, (2) is a plate (
1), the sprinkler pipe for ice making operation installed on the top of (1), (P) is a water supply pipe, one end of this water supply pipe (P) is connected to a water pipe (not shown), and the other end is connected to a water pipe (not shown). Continuing from the sprinkler pipe (P, ), the water supply pipe (P)K is provided with a solenoid valve +41) for controlling the supply of tap water. moreover,
(3) is a water storage tank provided below the plates (1) and (1), and (3P) is an overflow pipe. Here, the plates (1), (1) include a plurality of ice-making nuclei (4), (4), etc. provided at appropriate intervals in the horizontal, vertical, and vertical directions. These ice-making cores (4), (4), etc. are made of a metal with good thermal conductivity, such as copper, plated with tin.

Further, evaporation tubes (5), (5) constituting a refrigeration device are thermally conductively transferred between the opposing ice-making nuclei (4), (4). Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the refrigeration system includes an electric compressor (2e), a condenser (42, an expansion valve +43 as a pressure reducing device) that is forcedly air-cooled by a blower (41),
It is constructed by connecting evaporation tubes (5) in an annular manner. Also, (6)
is a water pipe that runs between the water storage tank (3) and the sprinkler pipe (2), and this water pipe is equipped with a water pump (power).Furthermore, (S) is a temperature sensor such as a thermistor, and this water pipe is equipped with a water pump (powered). The temperature sensor has a plate (11) and an interval between the ice making core (4).
).

Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the general operation circuit of the ice maker, in which (8) is an ice detection circuit connected to a temperature sensor (S), and (9) is a delay timer circuit. This circuit is designed to continue the ice making operation for a time sufficient for the ice to grow and contact the temperature sensor (S) after receiving the ice making detection signal from the ice detecting circuit (8). Also, 1
Reference numeral 01 denotes an output circuit that receives an ice-making completion signal from the delay timer circuit (9), and the ice-making operation is controlled based on the output of this output circuit.

In the block diagram shown in Figure 1 above, ice gradually grows during ice-making operation, water at approximately 0°C flowing on the surface of the ice comes into contact with the temperature sensor (SIK), and when the terminal voltage of the temperature sensor (S) increases, the ice grows. The detection circuit (8) operates and outputs an ice-making detection signal to the delay timer circuit (9). It is configured to operate stably even when the ice making capacity is low.For this reason, the delay timer circuit (9) operates after inputting the ice making detection signal manually, and as the ice grows, the temperature sensor (S) for a sufficient period of time, e.g. 2
It operates by outputting an ice making completion signal to the output circuit 00) after a minute has elapsed. Output circuit 00) operates upon receiving the ice-making completion signal and outputs an ice-making operation stop signal.Based on this, the compressor (to) and water pump (7) are stopped, thereby stopping the supply to the evaporator pipe (5). Refrigerant circulation and watering pipes (2
) and the ice-making operation is stopped.

Further, FIG. 2 shows an operation control circuit for the ice maker, and the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 are the same.

05 in Figure 2 is a temperature sensor (constant current diode connected in series with Sl, (16) of the ice detection circuit (8) is the first amplifier, 0η is a hysteresis comparator, and the first ratio e5
The terminal voltage of the temperature sensor (S) is input to the negative input terminal of the first amplifier 0111 via the first resistor (R8), and is also input to the second resistor (R2) and the first capacitor (C1).
) is input to the glass input terminal of the first amplifier (I61, and further input to the negative input terminal of the first comparator 0h.) Also, (R5) constitutes the feedback circuit of the first amplifier (161). The third resistor, (R4) is the fourth resistor, (R2)
is the fifth resistor that constitutes the feedback circuit of the first comparator (171).■ is the second amplifier of the delay timer circuit (9);
The output terminal of the comparator Uη is connected to the negative input terminal of the second amplifier (2) via the first diode (DI). Furthermore, (Ro) and (R1) are the sixth and seventh resistors, (R
8) is an eighth resistor connected in series with the resistor (R,), and the midpoint between the resistor (R,) and the eighth resistor (R8) is connected to the positive input terminal of the second amplifier α male. Furthermore, (R8)
is the ninth resistor (D2) that constitutes the feedback circuit of the second amplifier 4;
) and (R+o) are the second diode and the tenth resistor, respectively (
D, ) and (Rn) are the third diode and the eleventh resistor, respectively.
(C2) is a second capacitor.

Also, Qυ is a second comparator, and the second diode (D2)
is connected so that the direction from the output terminal of the second amplifier ■ to the negative input terminal of the second comparator (2+) is the forward direction, and the third diode (D,) is connected to the negative input terminal of the second comparator υ. The connection is such that the direction from the terminal to the second amplifier (2) is the forward direction. Further, (R+t) and (R18) are the 12th and 13th resistors that respectively determine the reference input voltage of the positive input terminal of the second comparator, and (RI4) is the 14th resistor that constitutes the feedback circuit.

Furthermore, K (RI5) is the 15th resistor of the output circuit 00), (T
R), the output terminal of the second comparator S1) is connected to the 15th resistor (R1).
, ) connected to the pace through a transistor, (RC
) is a relay (a popular relay coil, a relay coil (RC
) is controlled to be energized by a transistor (TR) K. Further, (D4) is a fourth diode.

1 is an energization control circuit that controls energization to the compressor α1 and water pump (7), (5) is an AC power source, (R8) is a relay switch for a relay (R), and 2 is a TVJ device.

The operation of the operation control circuit will be explained below. For example, when an ice maker user turns on the power to use the ice maker for the day, the temperature sensor (Sl) is energized via the constant current diode, and the temperature gradually rises.

Also, the first capacitor (C1) is gradually charged through the second resistor (R2), and the voltage at the negative input terminal (hereinafter referred to as negative input voltage) of the first amplifier (16) is the voltage at the positive input terminal. (hereinafter referred to as the positive input voltage), and the output of the first amplifier (161) is low. Also, the negative input voltage of the first comparator 0h is equal to the terminal voltage of the temperature sensor (S), and the positive input voltage higher, the first comparator (1'D is a low level signal (hereinafter referred to as L level signal)
Output. Therefore, the output 'voltage of the second amplifier 4 is high and the second comparator c! D outputs an L level signal. Due to this L level signal, the transistor (TI'()) continues to be off, the relay coil (RC) is de-energized, and the relay switch (R8) is off, so the water pump (power and compressor CO) is not operated. It does not start.After that, the first capacitor (
The charging voltage of C1) gradually increases, and the temperature sensor (
As the Vc temperature of Sl gradually increases and its terminal voltage gradually decreases, for example, approximately 10 seconds after the power is turned on, the temperature sensor (
When the terminal voltage of S) becomes low, the first capacitor (C1)
starts discharging.

After that, the negative input voltage of the first amplifier tt61 decreases as the terminal voltage of the temperature sensor (S) decreases, so it becomes lower than the positive input voltage, and the output voltage of the first amplifier u61 increases. When the difference between the output voltage of the first amplifier (161) and the negative input peeking pressure of the first comparator (1'D) exceeds a predetermined value, the first comparator (17+) outputs an error level signal (hereinafter referred to as H). Then, the output 'voltage of the second amplifier ■ becomes low, the positive side input voltage of the second comparator Cυ becomes higher than the negative side input voltage, and the second comparator Qυ outputs I-I The transistor (TR) is turned on by outputting a level signal.Transistor (TR)
When turned on, the relay switch (R8) is also turned on, and the water pump (7) and compressor start operation. Therefore, the refrigerant flows into the evaporation tube (5) of the ice maker, and the water for ice making flows from the sprinkler pump (2), causing the ice making nuclei (4), (4),
Ice gradually forms around...

As shown in Fig. 4, the approximately 0°C water flowing on the surface of the ice (30), G3 (+1... has grown, and the ice ω), forming a layer of 1 mm or less, is the temperature sensor (S). When you come into contact with
The temperature sensor (S) is rapidly cooled down by water distribution. Therefore, the resistance value of the temperature sensor (81) increases, and the terminal voltage increases.The rise in the positive input voltage of the first amplifier (161) lags behind the rise in the negative input voltage due to charging of the first capacitor (C2). .Therefore, the first amplifier (
The negative input voltage of Ie becomes relatively higher than the positive input voltage, and therefore, when the amplification factor of the first amplifier (161) is 1 or more, for example 1o, its output voltage decreases significantly. The negative input voltage of the comparator 01 increases as the terminal voltage of the temperature sensor (S) rises.Then, the difference between the negative input 11CaE of the first comparator Q71 and the output voltage of the first amplifier (161) increases by a predetermined value. At this point, the first comparator αη outputs a low level signal (hereinafter referred to as L level signal) which is an ice making detection signal instead of the H level signal.

The L level signal outputted by the first comparator Uη is applied to the negative input terminal of the second amplifier circuit (2) of the delay timer circuit (9). Since the resistance value of the resistor is large and the terminal voltage is high, the positive input voltage of the second amplifier ■ is higher than the negative input voltage. Therefore, the output voltage of the second amplifier The second capacitor (C7) is gradually charged by the output pressure of the amplifier ■.Then, the second comparator Qυ
The negative input voltage of the first comparator a gradually increases.
For example, after a delay of approximately one minute after η outputs the L level signal, when the negative personal power 'composition of the second comparator (21) becomes equal to or higher than the positive input voltage, the second comparator C! υ outputs an L level signal instead of an H level signal. Therefore, the transistor (TR) is turned off, the relay coil (RC) is de-energized, and the relay switch (R8) is turned off. Therefore, the compressor (to) and the water supply pump (7) are de-energized, both are stopped, and the ice-making operation is stopped. That is, since the ice-making operation is stopped with a delay after the first comparator (17i) outputs the L level signal that is the ice-making detection signal, the ice on the plate (1) further grows during the delay. Therefore, when the ice-making operation is stopped, the ice is heated to the temperature sensor (S) K@a as shown in FIG.

After the ice making operation is completed, open the solenoid valve t40 and close the water supply pipe CP.
Tap water passes through + from the sprinkler pipe (P,) to the upper space 14
51K water is supplied. The plates (1), (1), the ice-breaking nuclei (4), (4), and the evaporation tubes (5), (5) exchange heat with the tap water, and their respective temperatures rise. Moreover, between the ice-making nuclei (4) and the ice-making nuclei (4) arranged in the horizontal direction,
As shown in FIG. .Then, this water sprinkling causes the plate m, (1) and the ice-making cores (4), (4)...
As the temperature of ・ increases, the ice peels off from the plates (1), (11 and the ice making cores (4), (4)...) and falls.As the ice falls, the ice hits the temperature sensor (S). When the temperature sensor (S) is no longer in contact, its temperature gradually rises due to its own heat generation or the ambient temperature, and the terminal voltage gradually decreases, and ice-making operation is started in the same way as above.Also, the first comparator CL7i becomes H.
When the second amplifier 12 (j) outputs a level signal and outputs an L level signal, the charging voltage of the second capacitor (C2) passes through the eleventh resistor (R1,) and the third diode (D,) to the second amplifier 12 (j). The second amplifier (2u
Flows from to the ground side line (501).

Therefore, ice grows on the plates (1) and (11) during the ice-making operation, and water flowing on the surface of the ice contacts the temperature sensor (S), causing the ice detection circuit (8) to output an ice-making detection signal. After that, until the ice-making operation actually stops, a delay time is set by the operation of the delay timer circuit (9), and the ice-making operation is continued during this delay time. )
As the ice grows further, ice of a predetermined size or thickness can be obtained at a time when the ice making operation is stopped. In addition, since the ice can be brought into close contact with the temperature sensor (S), when ice falls from the plates (1), (1) during ice removal operation and also leaves the temperature sensor (S), other detection devices There is no need to provide a temperature sensor (S), and falling ice can be detected by a temperature sensor (S).

In the above embodiment, the temperature sensor (S) was a thermistor, but the temperature sensor (fS) was, for example, a thermostat or a thermocouple, and the thermostand or thermocouple was used to detect the ice that had grown on the plates (1) and (11). An ice-making detection signal may be output to the delay timer circuit (9) when the ice is cooled by water flowing on the surface.

7 is a schematic perspective view of the ice maker according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 7, and the same reference numerals as in FIG. 3 and FIG. shall be taken as a thing. Here, the plate (1
), (1) peripheral openings are closed by covers cy, 1lVC made of rubber or water, etc., which have extremely poor thermal conductivity. This cover □□□ has an upper water guide part (30A) and a lower water guide part (30B) formed in a spire shape at the top and bottom, of which a water supply passage 61) is formed in the lower water guide part (30B). are doing. In addition, water sprinkler pipes for ice making operation (
2) has an upper water guide part (30A) and an opposing water spout (
2 people), (2B) are formed, and during ice making operation, the ice making water that has passed through the water pipe (6) falls from the water sprinkling port (2 people), (2B) to the upper guide part (30A), and the plate body ( 1), (1
1 and the surface of the ice maker (4), (4)... Then, as shown in FIG. 7, individually shaped lens-shaped ice C32 is formed on the surface of the ice making machines (4), (4), . . . .

Further, a gutter for collecting unfrozen water is provided below the lower water guide part (30B), and this gutter is connected to the water storage tank (3).

Further, water sprinkling ports (Pl), (P,) are formed in the water sprinkling pipe (P3) above the space (1a) between the plates (1), (1). During the ice removal operation after the ice making operation, tap water is sprinkled from the water sprinkling ports (P, ), (P,) into the space (1a), and the plates (1), (1) and the ice maker (4), (4)・
The temperature of... increases, and the ice C3Z plate (11, (1
1 and 1fJk nuclei (4) and (4)-6- fall. In addition, the tap water that has traveled downward through the space (1a) is drained through the drainage passage C3.
+1 and falls into gutter C3,1.

(G) Effects of the Invention Since the present invention is an operation control device for an ice maker as described above, the sensor is cooled by the water flowing on the surface of the ice formed on the surface of the plate, and detects the growth of pre-distributed water. A sufficient delay time is provided by the operation of the delay timer circuit between when the ice detection circuit operates and when the ice making operation is stopped. During this delay time, the ice making operation continues and the ice on the plate further grows.
When the ice-making operation is stopped, ice of a predetermined size or thickness can be obtained.Furthermore, it is possible to keep the ice in close contact with the sensor to avoid malfunctions of the ice-making machine, and when the ice falls during the ice-removal operation, the trap is activated as described above. A temperature sensor can also accurately detect ice break-off.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a general operating circuit of an ice maker, FIG. 2 is an operation control circuit diagram of an ice maker, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an ice maker's operation control circuit. Schematic longitudinal sectional view, 4th
The figure is a partial sectional view of the ice maker when the sensor is in contact with water flowing on the surface of ice, Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of the ice maker when ice is in close contact with the temperature sensor, and Figure 6 is a schematic of the refrigeration system. A refrigerant circuit diagram, FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the ice maker according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line A--A in FIG. 7. (11... Plate, (S)... Temperature sensor, (8
)...ice detection circuit, (9)...delay timer circuit. Applicant Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. and one other agent Patent attorney Shizuo Sano Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sensor that is provided at a distance from a plate body along which ice-making water is flowed and ice is formed on the surface, and that detects the ice-making water flowing on the surface of the ice and outputs a signal; ,
An operation control device for an ice maker including an ice detection circuit that operates upon receiving the signal from the sensor and outputs an ice-making detection signal, further detecting the ice based on the generation of the ice-making detection signal from the ice detection circuit. An operation control device for an ice making machine, comprising a delay timer circuit that outputs a signal for stopping the ice making operation after a sufficient time delay for the ice to grow and come into contact with the sensor.