KR100850609B1 - Apparatus and method of making slush - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a slush manufacturing apparatus including a flow path formed to flow a supercooled liquid, and a phase converter for applying an external force to convert the supercooled liquid flowing through the flow path into a solid phase, and a flow path formed to flow the supercooled liquid, a flow path connected to the flow path. The present invention relates to a slush manufacturing apparatus including a door having an outlet through which a supercooled liquid flows out, and an energy generator for providing energy to the supercooled liquid to maintain the supercooled state, and a slush manufacturing method using the same.

Refrigerator, Subcooling, Electric Field, Slush, Dispenser, Freeze Core, Freezer, Refrigerator

Description

Slush manufacturing apparatus and slush manufacturing method {APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MAKING SLUSH}

1 is a view showing a refrigerator equipped with a dispenser disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-0107286;

2 is a view showing a refrigerator equipped with a dispenser disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-0050929,

3 is a view showing another example of a refrigerator equipped with a conventional dispenser,

4 conceptually illustrates slush manufacturing according to the present invention;

5 is a view showing one of the experimental results according to the present invention,

6 is a view for explaining a first embodiment of the slush manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention;

7 is a view for explaining a second embodiment of the slush manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention;

8 is a view for explaining a third embodiment of the slush manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention;

9 is a view for explaining a fourth embodiment of the slush manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention;

10 is a block diagram illustrating a method of operating a slush manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention;

11 to 13 show examples of the configuration of a region to which an electric field is applied;

14 shows another example of experimental results performed in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention relates to a slush manufacturing apparatus and a slush manufacturing method, and more particularly, to a slush manufacturing apparatus and a slush manufacturing method, which make a slush from a supercooled liquid using a dispenser structure of a refrigerator.

Here, subcooling means that a liquid such as water does not transition even below a phase transition temperature to a solid and maintains a high temperature phase, that is, a liquid state. In the natural state, for example, the supercooling water drop (supercooling water drop) is an example, even in the conventional refrigerator, the water or the drink may not be frozen by chance to the supercooled state. Meanwhile, as the principle of subcooling is applied to a refrigerator, there are a freezing method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. S59-151834 and a freezing method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-086967 and a refrigerator. A technique of applying a magnetic field to maintain a food in a supercooled state below a phase transition temperature is disclosed. In addition, the electrostatic field treatment method disclosed in WO / 98/41115 discloses various types of electrode structures that can be used for supercooling and thawing food.

1 is a view showing a refrigerator equipped with a dispenser disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-0107286, wherein the refrigerator 100 has a dispenser 120 in a freezer compartment door 110, and the dispenser 120 has an outlet. An operation lever 140 and a pedestal 150 are provided in the unit 130.

2 is a view showing a refrigerator equipped with a dispenser disclosed in Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-0050929, wherein the refrigerator 200 includes a dispenser 220 in a refrigerating compartment door 210.

3 is a view illustrating another example of a refrigerator equipped with a conventional dispenser, and the refrigerator 300 includes a freezing compartment 310 and a refrigerating compartment 320. An ice maker 330 is provided in the freezer compartment 310, and a dispenser 350 is provided in the freezer compartment door 340. A flow path 360 for supplying water to the ice maker 330 and the dispenser 350 is formed, the flow path 360 is connected to an external water supply source (not shown), and the flow path 360 has a first valve 370. The filter 380 and the second valve 390 are located. The first valve 370 controls the water supply from the external water supply to the refrigerator 300, the filter 380 filters the water, and the second valve 390 water to the ice maker 330 and the dispenser 350. To control the supply. Meanwhile, the first valve 370 and the second valve 390 are controlled by a control unit (not shown) of the refrigerator 300. The flow path 360 includes a flow path 361 for supplying water to the dispenser 350, and the water in the flow path 361 cools through heat exchange with the freezer compartment 310, so that the outlet 362 of the flow path 361 or It flows out through the outlet part 351 of the dispenser 350.

However, the conventional cooling device does not present an apparatus and method for making slush from the supercooled liquid.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a slush manufacturing apparatus and a slush manufacturing method for making slush from a supercooled liquid.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a slush manufacturing apparatus and a slush manufacturing method which produce a supercooled liquid and then make slush therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a slush manufacturing apparatus and a slush manufacturing method, which are applied to a dispenser structure of a general refrigerator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a slush manufacturing apparatus and a slush manufacturing method, which can be selectively provided with ice, subcooled liquid, and slush.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a slush manufacturing apparatus and a slush manufacturing method capable of artificially making a supercooled liquid. At this time, the slush can be made to the supercooled liquid made through the device, by forming a freeze nucleus outside the device (a method such as impacting the supercooled liquid in the cup can be used).

It is another object of the present invention to provide a slush manufacturing apparatus and a slush manufacturing method capable of controlling a set temperature of an artificially made supercooled liquid.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a slush manufacturing apparatus and a slush manufacturing method capable of controlling the state of slush made from a supercooled liquid.

To this end, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing apparatus comprising a flow path formed to flow the supercooled liquid and a phase converter for applying an external force to convert the supercooled liquid flowing through the flow path into a solid phase. Through this configuration, the user can obtain a slush without a separate operation. Here, slush means that the supercooled liquid is converted into the solid phase by external force. The liquid does not necessarily need to be water, but may be any subcooled state, as long as it can be slushed by external force.

The present invention also provides a slush manufacturing apparatus comprising an energy generator for providing energy to the supercooled liquid to maintain the supercooled state. Energy may be provided to liquids or supercooled liquids in the form of electric or magnetic fields, but may be provided in any form (e.g., using ultrasonic or magnetron) as long as the energy is such that the liquid remains liquid below the phase transition temperature of the liquid. It is to be understood that the invention includes this form of energy.

The present invention also provides a slush manufacturing apparatus comprising a cold air supply for providing cold air to the supercooled liquid. A cold air supply means a means for supplying cold air to lower the temperature of a liquid or subcooled liquid, which may employ a direct cooling method (using a refrigerant pipe) or an indirect cooling method (using a fan to supply cold air). May be employed. On the other hand, cold air may be transmitted in a manner of radiation or conduction. In the case of a refrigerator, a refrigeration cycle with a condenser and a compressor is used.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the flow path has a region to which the electric field is applied. This means that the supply of energy is provided in the form of an electric field, and the region to which the electric field is applied may be located on the refrigerating chamber side or on the freezing chamber side. The application of the electric field may be in the form of supplying energy by forming an electrode in the flow path itself, or may be in the form of supplying energy by forming an electrode outside the flow path.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing apparatus characterized in that it comprises a bucket containing a super-cooled liquid located on the flow path. This configuration corresponds to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing apparatus comprising an electrode for applying an electric field to the bucket.

The present invention also provides an apparatus for producing a slush, comprising an electric bomber for applying an electric force to the supercooled liquid in the bucket. This configuration makes it possible to form a freeze nucleus so that the supercooled liquid in the device can be converted into a solid phase.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing apparatus is a refrigerator having a refrigeration cycle, the cold air supply is a refrigeration cycle provided in the refrigerator.

The present invention also provides a slush manufacturing apparatus, wherein the slush manufacturing apparatus is a refrigerator having a freezing compartment in which the slush manufacturing apparatus is opened and closed by a door, and the flow passage is provided with an outlet of the liquid that is supercooled, and the outlet is formed in the freezing chamber door. This configuration corresponds to the first embodiment of the present invention, and may be referred to as a structure in which the present invention is applied to a conventional general dispenser structure.

The present invention also provides a slush manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the slush manufacturing apparatus is a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, which is opened and closed by a door and has an ice maker, and the freezer compartment door has an outlet portion through which ice and supercooled liquid from the ice maker flows out. do. This configuration corresponds to the second embodiment of the present invention, and it is possible to provide both ice and slush through the outlet.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the freezer door has a button for selecting the outflow of the ice and a button for selecting the opening of the flow path. This arrangement makes it possible to selectively provide ice, subcooled liquid or slush.

The present invention also provides a slush manufacturing apparatus, wherein the slush manufacturing apparatus is a refrigerator having a refrigerating chamber, and an energy generator is provided on the refrigerating chamber side. This configuration corresponds to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which means that the energy generator can be located anywhere in the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the energy generator is provided in the refrigerator compartment door.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing apparatus comprising a valve for opening and closing the flow path in the flow path upstream of the energy generator. Through this configuration, the supply of liquid to the energy generator side is controlled, so that the supercooled liquid in the energy generator can be stably produced.

The present invention also includes a flow path formed to flow a cooled liquid, a door connected to the flow path and having an outlet through which the supercooled liquid flows out, and an energy generator for supplying energy to the supercooled liquid to maintain the supercooled state. It provides a slush manufacturing apparatus characterized in that. This configuration makes it possible to make an artificially and supercooled liquid or slush having a desired state (subcool temperature, slush state, etc.).

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the energy generator is located on the flow path to provide energy directly to the flow path. Preferably, the electrode is inserted into the hose forming the flow path.

The present invention also provides a slush manufacturing apparatus, which is located on a flow path, includes a bucket containing a supercooled liquid, and wherein the energy generator provides energy to the bucket.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing method using a slush device including an outlet through which the supercooled liquid flows, the first step of supplying a liquid into the slush device, maintaining the cold air and the liquid in the slush device, the supercooled state And a third step of supplying energy, and a third step of flowing out the supercooled liquid to the outlet of the slush device. This essentially includes supplying cold air and energy in the apparatus to maintain the subcooling state and discharging the subcooled liquid or slush through the outlet provided in the apparatus.

In addition, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing method comprising a phase inversion step of converting to a solid phase by applying an external force to the supercooled liquid prior to the third step.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing method, characterized in that the slush device comprises a bucket in which the second step is carried out, and the phase inversion step converts the supercooled liquid in the bucket into a solid phase.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing method comprising a fourth step of converting the supercooled liquid to a solid phase by applying an external force. This means that the switch to slush takes place after the supercooled liquid exits the outlet of the device.

The present invention also provides a slush manufacturing method, wherein the fourth step applies external force to the supercooled liquid by using potential energy of the supercooled liquid flowing out from the outlet of the slush device. This can be done by forming the pedestal of the dispenser in which the container receiving the supercooled liquid is placed at a distance from the outlet to allow for sufficient freeze nucleation.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a slush manufacturing method, characterized in that the second step is to supply energy using an electric field.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

4 conceptually illustrates slush production according to the present invention, according to the present invention first placing a liquid 41 to be subjected to subcooling between the electrodes 40. Next, in the state where the cold air 42 is supplied, the electric field is applied to the liquid 41 using the alternating current power supply 43. As a result, the liquid 41 does not freeze below its phase transition temperature (for example, 0 ° C. in the case of water under 1 atm) and maintains a supercooled state. It is known that the freezing of water composed of oxygen and hydrogen is disturbed because the hydrogen bond of water is interrupted by supplying energy such as an electric field. When an external force is applied to the supercooled liquid thus produced through the phase converter 44, for example, an electrical force is applied using an igniter, and the energy or applied energy to the supercooled liquid by this force is applied. The supercooled state maintained by energy (which, depending on the conditions, can be maintained even after the energy is applied for a certain period of time) can be disrupted, forming a freeze nucleus, and the supercooled liquid rapidly converts into a solid phase. As the slush is formed. At this time, the temperature of the supercooled liquid is changed from the temperature of the supercooled state to the phase transition temperature.

The experimental results actually performed according to the present invention are as follows.

1.Installation of electrode and container

Two electrodes 100 mm in length and width were installed at a distance of 200 mm. Then, a container containing 1 L of water was placed at a distance between the two electrodes.

2. Supercooling way

The device was placed in a refrigerator at a temperature of -6.8 ° C and an electric field was applied at 40 kHz, 2 kV. The electric field was applied at the same time as the device was placed in the refrigerator, and when it was judged that the subcooling was sufficiently performed, the supercooled liquid was converted into the solid phase by using a 1500 V electric lighter. The results are shown in FIG.

5 is a view showing one of the experimental results according to the present invention, showing a correlation between the applied power and the temperature of the supercooled liquid. This result shows that both are in a nearly linear proportional relationship, which means that under a given ambient temperature, by controlling the power given by the energy generator, the set temperature of the supercooled liquid can be controlled.

6 is a view for explaining a first embodiment of the slush manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the slush manufacturing apparatus 60 includes a freezing chamber 61 and a refrigerating chamber 62. The freezer compartment 61 is provided with a freezer compartment door 61a, and the refrigerating compartment 62 is provided with a refrigerator compartment door 62b. The freezing chamber 61 has a flow path 63 through which water is supplied from the outside, and a region 64 on which the energy generator or the electric field is applied is formed on the flow path 63. The flow path 63 has an outlet 63a through which water flows out at the end thereof. Further, on the other end side, a valve 63b for controlling the water supply from the external water supply source (not shown) to the region 64 to which the electric field is applied is provided. The outlet 63a is connected to the outlet part 65 formed in the freezer compartment door 61a, and the outlet part 65 is provided with the operation lever 66 which opens and closes the outlet 63a. Between the outlet 63a and the region 64 where the electric field is applied, an electric shock 67 is provided as a phase converter. The cold air is generated in the freezing cycle 68 provided below the refrigerator 60, and is supplied to the freezing chamber 61 through the discharge port 68a connected thereto. The cold air may be supplied through a refrigerant pipe (not shown) formed to surround the freezing chamber 61.

Next, with reference to Figure 10, the operating method of the slush manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention.

When the valve 63b is opened, water is supplied to the flow path 63 from an external water supply source (not shown). The water exchanges heat with the cold of the freezing chamber 61 in the region 64 where the energy generator or the electric field is applied, and receives the energy in the form of the electric field, thereby becoming supercooled water without phase change. When the user presses the operation lever 66 by using a cup (not shown), the supercooled water flows out through the outlet 63a, and when the outflow occurs, a phase change occurs by the operation of the phase converter or the impactor 67, The subcooled water contained is converted to a solid state and is in a slush state. This operation is controlled by the control unit of the slush manufacturing apparatus that controls the refrigeration cycle 68.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a second embodiment of the slush manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. Unlike the first embodiment, the slush manufacturing apparatus 70 further includes a general ice maker 79. The slush manufacturing apparatus 70 includes a freezing compartment 71 and a refrigerating compartment 72. The freezer compartment 71 is provided with a freezer compartment door 71a, and the refrigerating compartment 72 is equipped with a refrigerator compartment door 72b. The freezing chamber 71 has a flow path 73 through which water is supplied from the outside, and an area 74 through which an energy generator or an electric field is applied is formed on the flow path 73. The flow path 73 has an outlet 73a through which water flows out at the end thereof. In addition, the flow path 74 includes a valve 73b for controlling the water supply from the external water supply source (not shown) to the flow path 73, a valve for controlling the supply to the ice maker 79, and an area 74 to which an electric electric field of water is applied ( 73c). The outlet 73a is connected to the outlet 75 formed in the freezer door 71a, and above the outlet 75, buttons 75a, 75b and 75c which select the outflow of ice, supercooled liquid or slush are provided. It is provided. A pedestal 75d is provided below the outlet portion 75, and a cup 75e is placed on the pedestal 75d. Between the outlet 73a and the region 74 where the electric field is applied, an electric shock 77 is provided as a phase converter. The cold air is generated in the freezing cycle 78 provided below the refrigerator 70, and is supplied to the freezing chamber 71 through the discharge port 78a connected thereto. The cold air may be supplied through a refrigerant pipe (not shown) formed to surround the freezing chamber 71.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the operation method of the slush manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this invention is demonstrated.

When the valve 73b is opened, water is supplied to the flow path 73 from an external water supply source (not shown). This water is supplied to the ice maker 79 and the region 74 to which an energy generator or an electric field is applied according to the operation of the valve 73c, and the ice is made in the ice maker 79 by the cold air of the freezing chamber 71. In the region 74 to which the electric field is applied, the supercooled water is made without the phase change by receiving the electric field energy. When the user places the cup 75e on the pedestal 75d and selects one of the buttons 75a, 75b, 75c, ice, subcooled liquid or slush is supplied to the cup 75e via the outlet 75. do. At this time, operating the phase changer or stun gun 77 provides a slush, and if not operating the subcooled liquid. At first glance, while the supercooled liquid is provided to the cup 75e via the flow path 73, it can be considered that a freeze nucleus is formed and changed into a slush, but the supercooled liquid made using the energy generator according to the present invention is produced. Depending on the conditions, they were not changed to slush even after being provided from the energy generator to another vessel. Therefore, it can be seen that the phase converter according to the present invention plays a role of promoting slush formation and generating a freeze nucleus for slush formation. Instead of placing a separate phase converter on the flow path 73, the pedestal 73e may be positioned such that the frozen core can be formed by the potential energy flowing out of the outlet 73a (e.g., 20 cm, Subject to conditions of subcooling). This operation is controlled by the control unit of the slush manufacturing apparatus operating the refrigeration cycle 78.

8 is a view for explaining a third embodiment of the slush manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, in which the slush manufacturing apparatus 80 includes a bucket 81 in an area to which an electric field is applied, and the electrode 82 in the bucket 81. It is the same as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, except that energy is supplied using Through this configuration, compared to the case of applying energy to the water directly supercooled on the flow path, it is possible to make and supply the supercooled water stably (see FIG. 10).

9 is a view for explaining a fourth embodiment of the slush manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, except that the slush manufacturing apparatus 90 has an area 94 to which an electric field is applied to the refrigerating compartment door 92a. Same as the first embodiment shown in FIG. In this case, the discharge port 92c is located adjacent to the region 94 to which the electric field is applied, and supplies the cold air provided from the freezing chamber 91 side through the damper 92b to the region 94 to which the electric field is applied. By providing it, it can be comprised so that water may be lowered below to a phase transition temperature (refer FIG. 10). Through this configuration, the present invention can be applied to a refrigerator having a structure in which the dispenser is provided in the refrigerating chamber. At this time, it is preferable that an area to which the electric field is applied is provided on the refrigerating chamber side. When the area to which the electric field is applied is located on the freezing chamber side, the flow path of the supercooled water becomes long, which makes it difficult to control the supercooled water and slush. Because there is.

11 to 13 are diagrams showing examples of the configuration of a region to which an electric field is applied. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the flow path 2 passes through a region 1 to which an electric field is applied, and the outside of the flow path 2 is shown. The structure with which the electrode 3a was formed is shown. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the flow path 2 passes through the area | region 1 to which an electric field is applied, and the structure in which the electrode 3b was formed directly in the hose which comprises the flow path 2 is shown. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the region 1 to which the electric field is applied is located on the flow path 2, the bucket 4 is provided in the region 1, and the electrode 3c is disposed on the side of the bucket 4. The formed structure is shown. Preferably, the region 1 to which the electric field is applied consists of an electrical insulator.

According to the slush manufacturing apparatus and the slush manufacturing method according to the present invention, the slush can be made from the supercooled liquid.

In addition, according to the slush manufacturing apparatus and the slush manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is possible to produce a super-cooled liquid through the energy generator, and then to make a slush therefrom.

In addition, according to the slush manufacturing apparatus and slush manufacturing method according to the present invention, by applying at least one of the energy generator and the phase converter in the dispenser structure of a general refrigerator, it is possible to make the supercooled liquid or slush.

In addition, according to the slush manufacturing apparatus and slush manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is possible to selectively receive ice, supercooled liquid, slush.

In addition, according to the slush manufacturing apparatus and slush manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is possible to make an artificially supercooled liquid through the energy generator, according to the experimental results by the present inventors, even if the temperature of the cold air is kept constant It is possible to control the set temperature of the artificially cooled supercooled liquid.

In addition, according to the slush manufacturing apparatus and slush manufacturing method according to the present invention, by controlling the set temperature of the supercooled liquid, it is possible to adjust the state of the slush generated therefrom.

In addition, according to the slush manufacturing apparatus and slush manufacturing method according to the present invention, it is possible to control the state of the slush made from the supercooled liquid.

Claims (23)

A flow path configured to flow the supercooled liquid; A door connected to the flow path and having an outlet through which the supercooled liquid flows out; And, And a phase converter disposed on the door and applying an external force to convert the supercooled liquid flowing through the flow path into the solid phase. The method of claim 1, And an energy generator for providing energy to the supercooled liquid to maintain the supercooled state. The method of claim 1, And a cold air supply for providing cold air to the supercooled liquid. The method of claim 1, The flow path has a region in which an electric field is applied, the slush manufacturing apparatus. The method of claim 1, Located on the flow path, the bucket containing the super-cooled liquid; Slush manufacturing apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 5, wherein Slush manufacturing apparatus comprising a; electrode for applying an electric field to the bucket. The method of claim 5, wherein An apparatus for producing a slush, comprising: an impactor for applying an electrical force to the supercooled liquid in the bucket. The method of claim 3, wherein The slush manufacturing apparatus is a refrigerator having a refrigeration cycle, The cold air supply device is a slush manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the refrigeration cycle provided in the refrigerator. The method of claim 1, The slush manufacturing apparatus is a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, The door is a slush manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the freezer compartment door for opening and closing the freezer compartment. The method of claim 1, The slush manufacturing apparatus is a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, which is opened and closed by a door and is provided with an ice maker. The freezer door is a slush manufacturing apparatus comprising a; outlet portion for flowing ice and supercooled liquid made in the ice maker. The method of claim 10, The freezing chamber door comprises a button for selecting the ice outflow; and a button for selecting the opening of the flow path; apparatus for slush manufacturing. The method of claim 2, The slush manufacturing apparatus is a refrigerator having a refrigerating compartment, An slush manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the energy generator is provided on the refrigerating chamber side. The method of claim 12, An energy generator is provided in the refrigerator compartment door. The method of claim 2, The energy generator is located on the flow path, and the slush manufacturing apparatus includes a valve for opening and closing the flow path in the flow path upstream of the energy generator. A flow path configured to flow the supercooled liquid; A door connected to the flow path and having an outlet through which the supercooled liquid flows out; An energy generator for providing energy to the supercooled liquid to maintain the supercooled state; And, And a phase converter for applying an external force to convert the supercooled liquid flowing through the flow path into the solid phase, wherein the energy generator and the phase converter are disposed in the door. The method of claim 15, The energy generator is located on the flow path, the apparatus for producing a slush, characterized in that to provide energy directly to the flow path. The method of claim 15, Located on the flow path, the bucket containing the supercooled liquid; includes, An apparatus for producing a slush, wherein the energy generator provides energy to the bucket. delete delete delete delete delete delete

Images