KR101264290B1 - Multiple condensation ice maker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A multi-condensation type ice maker is provided to improve cooling efficiency by heat-exchanging multiply. CONSTITUTION: A multi-condensation type ice maker comprises a storage unit(100), an evaporation unit(200), a main cooling unit(300), and a sub-cooling unit(400). A fixed amount of freezing water is supplied to the storage unit. The evaporation unit is arranged in the storage unit. The main cooling unit forms a main cooling circulation path. The sub-cooling unit additionally cools a refrigerant flowing in the main cooling circulation path.

Description

MULTIPLE CONDENSATION ICE MAKER}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multiple condensation ice maker, and more particularly, to a multiple condensation ice maker that can improve cooling efficiency in ice making through air-cooled and water-cooled heat exchange.

In general, ice makers are divided into a process of freezing ice using purified water and a process of deicing.

The storage container included in the ice maker is supplied with a predetermined amount of purified water, which is used to freeze ice.

And, during the defrosting, fresh water is supplied from the outside and used to defrost iced ice.

De-icing water used in de-icing in a conventional ice maker is configured to immediately drain to the outside in the storage container.

Therefore, in the related art, since the amount of water used at the time of defrosting is supplied more than several times based on the amount of water used at the time of ice making, there is a problem of waste of water due to draining immediately after the defrosting.

In addition, due to long-term use in long bodies such as compressors and condensers in cooling cycles used in conventional ice makers, there is a problem in that the freezing performance is lowered as foreign matter such as dust is caught.

In other words, if the freezing performance is reduced as described above, the problem is that the ice making efficiency is eventually reduced.

Prior art related to the present invention is Republic of Korea Utility Model No. 20-0231899 (announcement: July 19, 2001), the prior art discloses a technique for rapid ice making.

An object of the present invention, by performing the air-cooled heat exchange, and by further forming a water-cooled heat exchange using dewatering water that is drained and used during defrosting, it is possible to form a plurality of heat exchangers to efficiently improve the cooling efficiency required during ice making An ice maker having multiple condensation units is provided.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker that can efficiently cool down the temperature of the dewatering water used during defrosting to lower the refrigerant more efficiently to further improve the efficiency of the evaporator.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a storage unit comprising: a storage unit to which an amount of ice making water is supplied; An evaporation unit disposed in the reservoir and forming ice making; A main cooling unit which forms a cooling cycle with the evaporator and forms a main cooling circulation path for cooling and circulating the refrigerant to a predetermined temperature; And a sub-cooling unit further cooling the refrigerant flowing in the main cooling circulation path by using the de-icing water supplied to the storage unit from outside and drained after the de-icing after the ice making is formed. do.

The main cooling unit includes a compressor for compressing the refrigerant flowing from the evaporation unit, an air-cooled condenser for condensing the refrigerant delivered from the compressor, and an expander for expanding the condensed refrigerant and delivering the refrigerant to the evaporation unit.

Preferably, the main cooling circulation path connects the compressor, the air-cooled condenser, and the expander.

The sub-cooling unit includes a water-cooled condenser for condensing the refrigerant by using the defrosted water after the defrosting, and the water-cooled condenser is installed on the main cooling circulation path so as to be installed at the rear end of the air-cooled condenser.

The water-cooled condenser may include a drainage reservoir in which a predetermined amount of dewatering water is stored, and both ends of the sub-cooling circulation passage connecting the main cooling circulation passage are arranged in a coil shape, and are connected to the storage unit and drained after defrosting. And a first drain pipe for draining the dewatering water to the drain storage part, and a second drain pipe installed in the drain storage part and draining the dewatering water to the outside when the dewatering water is stored in a predetermined amount.

One end of the second drain pipe is preferably formed at a predetermined position on the upper side of the drain reservoir.

Both ends of the sub cooling circulation flow path are installed to be detachable at two positions of the main cooling circulation flow path, and an end of the first drain pipe is preferably installed to be detachable from the drain storage part.

The first drain pipe forms a path surrounding the circumference of the evaporation unit, and the first drain pipe may further include a drain motor for draining the dewatering water.

The evaporation unit may further include an evaporation unit extending to a predetermined length.

The extended evaporation unit is preferably in close contact with the outer circumference of the first drain pipe to cool the dewatering water drained from the first drain pipe.

In addition, a plurality of fitting protrusions may be further formed around the first drain pipe, and a plurality of fitting grooves may be further formed around the extension evaporation unit to which the fitting protrusions are fitted.

The present invention, by performing the air-cooled heat exchange, and by further forming a water-cooled heat exchanger using the de-watering water drained and drained during the defrosting, by forming a plurality of heat exchangers to effectively improve the cooling efficiency required during deicing Have

In addition, the present invention has the effect of efficiently cooling the temperature of the dewatering water used at the time of defrosting to a certain level or less to more efficiently lower the refrigerant to further improve the efficiency of the evaporator.

1 is a view schematically showing a multiple condensation ice maker of the present invention.
2 is a view showing the configuration of a multi-condensation ice maker of the present invention.
3 is a view showing the configuration of a sub cooling unit according to the present invention.
4 is a view illustrating a connection relationship between a main circulation path and a sub cooling circulation path according to the present invention.
5 is a view showing a relationship between the first drain pipe and the evaporation unit extended in accordance with the present invention.
6 is a view showing another relationship between the first drain pipe and the extended evaporation unit according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line AA.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings to explain the multiple condensation ice maker of the present invention.

1 schematically shows a multiple condensation ice maker of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the multi-condensation ice maker of the present invention is composed of a main body 10, a storage unit 100, a main cooling unit 300, and a sub cooling unit 400.

The storage unit 100, the main cooling unit 300, and the sub cooling unit 400 are installed inside the main body 10.

The main body 10 is provided with an ice making water supply unit 500.

The ice making water supply unit 500 is connected to the storage unit 100 by a tube, and supplies a predetermined amount of purified ice making water into the storage unit 100. The valve V is provided in the tube, and the opening and closing of the ice-making water supply passage is determined by opening and closing the valve V.

The storage unit 100 forms a space in which ice-making water supplied in a predetermined amount is stored, and an upper portion thereof is opened.

In addition, the main cooling unit 300 includes the evaporation unit 200 to form a cooling cycle, and cool the refrigerant to a predetermined temperature to circulate.

The configuration of the main cooling unit 300 will be described.

The main cooling unit 300 is composed of a compressor 310, an air-cooled condenser 320, and an expander 330.

Here, the compressor 310, air-cooled condenser 320, expander 330 and the evaporation unit 200 is connected to the main cooling circulation path (a). The main cooling circulation path a is a pipe through which a refrigerant flows.

Due to the cooling cycle configured as described above, the evaporation unit 200 may be lowered below a predetermined temperature by performing heat exchange with the surroundings.

The evaporation unit 200 is used as a cold plate in the ice maker.

Here, the evaporation unit 200 is disposed above the storage unit 100.

In the state where the evaporation unit 200 is lowered below a predetermined temperature, when the ice-making water supplied to the storage unit 100 is injected into the evaporation unit 200, the injected ice-making water is the end of the evaporation unit 200. It can be frozen and iced to a certain size.

Here, the present invention includes a dewatering water supply unit 600.

The dewatering water supply unit 600 supplies the dewatering water, which is formed lower than the temperature of the ice ice, to the evaporation unit 200.

The dewatering water supply unit 600 may further include an injection module 610 through which the evaporation unit 200 can spray dewatering water from the top.

The dewatering water supply unit 600 and the injection module 610 are connected to a tube having a valve V used to open and close the flow path.

Then, the sub-cooling unit 400 according to the present invention after forming the ice making as described above, when the used ice water is drained to the outside, using the drained ice water in the main cooling circulation path (a) It is configured to cool the refrigerant flowing along the sub cooling circulation path (b) is installed.

The configuration of the sub cooling unit 400 will be described in detail.

Figure 2 shows the configuration of the multi-condensation ice maker of the present invention, Figure 3 is a view showing the configuration of the sub cooling unit according to the present invention.

2 and 3, the sub cooling unit 400 includes a water-cooled condenser 410.

The water-cooled condenser 410 is composed of a sub cooling circulation flow path (b), a drain storage unit 411 having a space formed therein, and first and second drain pipes (412, 413).

The drain storage unit 411 is connected to the lower end of the storage unit 100 through the first drain pipe 412.

Preferably, the upper end of the first drain pipe 412 is connected to the lower end of the storage unit 100, the lower end is connected to the upper end of the drain storage unit 411.

Then, one end of the second drain pipe 413 is connected to the upper end of the side of the drain reservoir 411, the other end is exposed to the outside of the main body (10). Here, the second drain pipe 413 is preferably formed at a predetermined slope along the lower end of the drain reservoir 411.

In addition, the sub cooling circulation path (b) is a pipe through which the refrigerant flows.

A portion of the sub cooling circulation path (b) is located in the drain storage unit 411 is formed in a coil shape along the up and down.

Here, both ends of the sub cooling circulation flow path (b) are connected on the main cooling circulation path (a) of any position of the rear end or the front end of the air-cooled condenser 320.

One end is connected to the main cooling circulation path a between the compressor 310 and the air cooled condenser 320, and the other end is also connected to the main cooling circulation path a between the compressor 310 and the air cooled condenser 320. .

That is, the water-cooled condenser 410 of the sub cooling unit 400 may be configured in series with the air-cooled condenser 320 of the main cooling unit 300.

In addition, the water-cooled condenser 410 of the sub cooling unit 400 may be configured in parallel with the air-cooled condenser 320 of the main cooling unit (300).

The following describes the operation of the multiple condensation ice maker of the present invention.

2 and 3, the ice making water supply unit 500 supplies a predetermined amount of ice making water to the storage unit 100.

In addition, the main cooling unit 300 ices a predetermined amount of ice in the storage unit 100.

That is, the refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 310, and the compressed refrigerant is condensed through the air-cooled condenser 320 and delivered to the expander 330.

The refrigerant delivered to the expander 330 is expanded and flows to the evaporation unit 200.

Accordingly, the refrigerant is evaporated in the evaporation unit 200 to take the heat of the surrounding to receive the ice-making water supplied to the storage unit 100 serves to freeze.

Here, the ice making water is injected into the lower end of the evaporation unit 200 through an injector (not shown) installed in the storage unit 100, the ice making water is sprayed at a plurality of locations at the lower end of the evaporation unit 200 Iced to size.

After the ice making is completed as described above, the ice must be removed from the evaporation unit 200 to remove the ice.

At this time, the dewatering water supply unit 600 injects the dewatering water having a predetermined temperature to the evaporation unit 200 using the injection module 610.

Here, the temperature of the defrosted water is preferably lower than the temperature of the ice ice.

As the dewatering water is injected into the evaporation unit 200, the iced ice is defrosted from the evaporation unit 200 and dropped and stored in the storage unit 100.

In addition, the dewatering water supplied as described above also falls to the storage unit 100 and is drained to the outside through the first drain pipe 412 connected to the lower end of the storage unit 100.

The dewatering water drained to the first drain pipe 412 is stored in the drain storage unit 411. When the amount of defrosted water is increased in the drain storage unit 411, the water level is increased.

When the freezing water reaches a predetermined level in the drain storage unit 411, it may be drained to the outside through the second drain pipe 413 formed at the side of the drain storage unit 411.

At this time, the sub cooling circulation flow path b is disposed in the coil shape inside the drain storage unit 411.

Here, both ends of the sub cooling circulation flow path (b) are connected to the main cooling circulation flow path (a) located at the rear end of the compressor (310).

Accordingly, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 310 is primarily cooled through the air-cooled condenser 320, and the first cooled refrigerant passes through the interior of the drain reservoir 411 along the sub cooling circulation flow path b. Secondary cooling

As a result, while the refrigerant flows along the sub cooling circulation flow path b, the refrigerant may be indirectly contacted with the dewatering water stored in the drain storage unit 411 to be cooled to a predetermined temperature.

The cooled coolant flows to the expander 300.

Therefore, in the present invention, since the refrigerant passing through the evaporation unit 200 is condensed in multiple stages sequentially through the air-cooled condenser 320 and the water-cooled condenser 410, and supplied to the expander 330 and the evaporation unit 200, The efficiency of the evaporation unit 200 can be further improved.

In addition, since the efficiency of the evaporation unit 200 is improved, the ice making efficiency is also improved to increase the amount of ice produced per unit time.

In addition, even when a fan (not shown) included in the air-cooled condenser 320 fails or the efficiency decreases due to long-term use of the air-cooled condenser 320, the water-cooled condenser 410 is used to efficiently condense the refrigerant. Can help.

In addition, in the present invention, since the dewatered water used during the defrosting is recycled and used as a temperature transmission medium of the water-cooled condenser 410, there is a great advantage in terms of energy saving.

Although not shown in the drawings, the air-cooled condenser 320 and the water-cooled condenser 410 according to the present invention may be connected in parallel.

Both ends of the sub cooling circulation flow path b included in the water cooling condenser 410 may be detachably connected to the main cooling circulation flow path a located at the rear end of the air cooling condenser 320.

Therefore, a part of the refrigerant condensed primarily in the air-cooled condenser 320 flows to the expander 330, and another part of the refrigerant flows into the sub cooling circulation flow path b to condense in the drain storage 411 to be returned to the main. It is supplied to the cooling circulation flow path a. The condensed refrigerant is supplied to the expander 330 along the main supply circulation flow path a.

In the present invention, by connecting the water-cooled condenser 410 and the air-cooled condenser 320 in parallel as described above, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the evaporation unit 200.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, two parts of the main cooling circulation flow path a are provided with connecting members 20 for coupling both ends of the sub cooling circulation flow path b. Both ends of the connection member 20 are fastened to both ends of each of the main cooling circulation flow paths a, and an upper end thereof is fastened to an end of the sub cooling circulation flow path b.

Here, the upper end of the connecting member 20 is preferably formed to be inclined so that the introduction or discharge of the refrigerant can be easily.

In addition, in the present invention, by using other connecting members (not shown) connecting both ends of the main cooling circulation channel a as described above, the sub cooling unit 300 in the present invention can be detached.

That is, both ends of the sub cooling circulation flow path b may be installed to be detachable at two positions of the main cooling circulation flow path a.

In addition, an end portion of the first drain pipe 412 may be installed to be detachable from an opening formed at a lower end of the drain reservoir 411.

Figure 5 shows the relationship between the first drain and the evaporation unit in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first drain pipe 412 may form a path surrounding the circumference of the evaporation unit 200.

In this case, the first drain pipe 412 may be further provided with a drain motor (P) for draining the dewatering water.

The evaporation unit 200 has an evaporation efficiency is increased by the second condensed refrigerant through the air-cooled and water-cooled condensers (320,410) to easily maintain a temperature below a certain level.

Here, while passing through the circumference of the evaporation unit 200 while draining the dewatering water drained from the storage unit 100 through the first drain pipe 412, it can be easily lowered below a predetermined temperature.

Accordingly, the dewatered water drained to the drain storage unit 411 further cools the sub cooling circulation flow path b passing through the drain storage unit 411, thereby further increasing the condensation efficiency of the water-cooled condenser 410 itself. It can be shaped.

Fig. 6 shows another relationship between the first drain pipe and the evaporation elongation unit according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the evaporation unit 200 according to the present invention may further include an extension evaporation unit 210 extending to a predetermined length.

The extended evaporation unit 210 may extend from the side of the evaporation unit 200 to be in close contact with two outer sides of the first drain pipe 412.

Therefore, the first drain pipe 412 through which the dewatering water is drained is installed to be in close contact with the extended evaporation unit 210 lowered below a predetermined temperature, thereby more efficiently cooling the dewatering water drained from the first drain pipe 412. Can be.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A.

In addition, referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of fitting protrusions 412a may be further formed around the first drain pipe 412.

A plurality of fitting grooves 211 to which the fitting protrusions 412a are fitted and coupled may be further formed around the extension evaporation unit 210.

Therefore, the plurality of fitting protrusions 412a are fitted into and fixed to the fitting grooves 211, thereby increasing the contact area between the first drain pipe 412 and the extended evaporation unit 210, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency.

As mentioned above, although the specific Example regarding the multiple condensation type ice maker of this invention was described, it is obvious that various implementation variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, but should be determined by the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

It is to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects and that the scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, It is intended that all changes and modifications derived from the equivalent concept be included within the scope of the present invention.

10: main unit 100: storage unit
200: evaporation unit 300: main cooling unit
310 compressor 320 air-cooled condenser
330: expander 400: sub cooling unit
410: water-cooled condenser 411: drain storage
412: first drain pipe 413: second drain pipe
500: ice-making water supply unit 600: de-icing water supply unit

Claims (8)

A storage unit to which a certain amount of ice making water is supplied;
An evaporation unit disposed in the storage unit and forming ice making;
A main cooling unit which forms a cooling cycle with the evaporation unit and forms a main cooling circulation path for cooling and circulating the refrigerant to a predetermined temperature; And
A sub cooling unit configured to further cool the refrigerant flowing in the main cooling circulation path by using the defrosting water supplied to the storage unit from outside and drained after defrosting after forming the ice making;
The main cooling unit includes a compressor for compressing the refrigerant flowing from the evaporation unit, an air-cooled condenser for condensing the refrigerant delivered from the compressor, and an expander for expanding the condensed refrigerant and delivering it to the evaporation unit,
The main cooling circulation path is connected to the compressor, the air-cooled condenser and the expander,
The sub-cooling unit includes a water-cooled condenser for condensing a refrigerant by using the defrosted water after the defrosting, the water-cooled condenser is installed on the main cooling circulation path to be installed at a rear end of the air-cooled condenser,
The water-cooled condenser may include a drainage reservoir in which a predetermined amount of dewatering water is stored, and both ends of the sub-cooling circulation passage connecting the main cooling circulation passage are arranged in a coil shape, and are connected to the storage unit and drained after defrosting. And a first drain pipe for draining the dewatering water to the drain storage part and a second drain pipe installed in the drain storage part and draining the dewatering water to the outside when the dewatering water is stored in a predetermined amount. Is connected to a predetermined position on the side of the drain reservoir;
The first drain pipe forms a path surrounding the circumference of the evaporation unit,
The first drain pipe, the multiple condensation ice maker, characterized in that the drainage motor for draining the dewatering water is further installed.
delete delete delete The method of claim 1,
Both ends of the sub cooling circulation passage,
It is installed to be detachable at two positions of the main cooling circulation passage,
An end portion of the first drain pipe is installed so as to be detachable from the drain reservoir.
delete The method of claim 1,
The evaporation unit includes:
Further comprising an extended evaporation unit extending to a predetermined length,
The extended evaporation unit,
The condensing ice maker of claim 1, wherein the ice-cold water is cooled in close contact with the outer circumference of the first drain pipe.
8. The method of claim 7,
A plurality of fitting protrusions are further formed around the first drain pipe,
Multiple condensation ice makers are formed around the extension evaporation unit, a plurality of fitting grooves are formed by fitting the fitting projections.

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