KR20040085282A - Ice making apparatus for ice making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An ice making apparatus of an ice machine is provided to prevent wrong operation or troubles by continuously detecting the horizontal or vertical state of the support frame and sensing the size of ice, and to reduce ice making time by decreasing waiting time. CONSTITUTION: An ice making apparatus comprises a support frame(60) turned and installed in the upper part of an ice storage tank placed in an ice machine body; a base frame(70) installed in the upper part of the support frame and composed of plural ice water grooves(71) filled with ice making water; a cooling plate mounted in the upper part of the base frame, composed of cooling projections submerged under ice making water in the ice water grooves and connected to an evaporation pipe; the evaporation pipe connected to the cooling plate; a cover member(100) installed in the ice machine body to support and turn the support frame; and sensing units detecting the pose of the support frame to the cover member.

Description

Ice making machine for ice makers {Ice making apparatus for ice making machine}

The present invention relates to an ice making level sensing device of an ice maker.

An ice maker is an apparatus for making ice by cooling supplied ice making water, and FIG. 1 shows a conventional ice maker disclosed in Korean Patent No. 1002152894.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional ice maker includes a case 10 and an ice making unit 20.

Inside the case 10 is provided with an ice reservoir 11 for storing the ice made in the ice making unit 20. A refrigeration system 30 including a compressor 31 and a condenser 32 is installed below the ice reservoir 11. In addition, the case 10 is connected to a water supply pipe 12 for supplying water to the ice making unit 20 and a drain pipe 13 for discharging water not frozen in the ice making unit 20 to the outside of the ice maker body 10. do. The water supply pipe 12 is installed to extend from the water supply equipment (not shown) to the ice making unit 20, and the drain pipe 13 is installed to extend from the water collecting portion 14 installed in the ice reservoir 11 to the drainage equipment not shown. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the ice making unit 20 includes a water plate 21 filled with water, a cooling plate 22, and an evaporation tube 23. The water plate 21 is connected to the support member 25 rotatably supported by the pivot shaft 24, and the oscillation plate 26 is installed therein. The support member 25 is rotated about the pivot shaft 24 by the swing motor AM to incline the water dish 21 in one direction to discharge the water remaining in the water dish 21. The swinging plate 26 swings up and down by the swinging motor RM to swing the water in the water plate 21 to remove bubbles in the water. One side of the water plate 21 is provided with a drain guide plate 27 for guiding the water discharged from the water plate 21 to the water collecting unit 14.

The lower portion of the cooling plate 22 is provided with a plurality of cooling projections 28 that are immersed in the water to grow ice around it.

The evaporation tube 23 is installed on the upper surface of the cooling plate 2 and connected to the refrigeration system 30. A refrigerant flows into the evaporation tube 23, and the cooling plate 22 and the cooling protrusion 28 are cooled by heat exchange of the refrigerant.

According to the above structure, water freezes around the cooling projection 28 cooled below the freezing point by heat exchange of the refrigerant. After the ice having a predetermined size is formed around the cooling protrusion 28, the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor 31 is directly supplied into the evaporation tube 23 without passing through the condenser 32. Remove from (28). The water plate 21 is inclined about the pivot shaft 24 together with the support member 25 by the swing motor AM. Thus, the generated ice falls into the ice reservoir 11 and the water remaining without freezing in the water dish 21 is discharged to the drainage facility through the drain pipe 13.

By repeating this ice making operation, the ice maker 11 is operated so that a predetermined amount of ice is always stored in the ice reservoir 11.

By the way, the ice making unit having the above-described configuration should detect the size of ice iced during the ice making operation.

In addition, there is a need for an improved ice making unit for making the ice making operation easier and faster, including means for detecting the position of the water dish and the like.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker of an ice maker which is improved to make the ice making operation smooth and quick and detect the state of parts in each ice making operation. have.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a conventional ice maker.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an extract of the ice making unit shown in FIG.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an ice making device of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an ice making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the support frame is lowered in the ice making apparatus of the ice maker according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an ice making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a sensing amount of magnetic force detected by the third and fourth sensors illustrated in FIG. 4 according to a driving cycle of a cam.

Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which ice is generated in the cooling projections in the ice making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state dropping the ice from the cooling projections after lowering the support frame in the ice making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of Symbols for Major Parts of Drawings>

60 .. support frame 70. base frame

80..Cooling plate 81.Cooling protrusion

90. Evaporator 100. Cover member

111.Guide member 112.Spring

113..cam 114..cam

115..Cam drive motor 120..1st detection unit

130. 2nd sensing unit 140. 3rd sensing unit

150..4th detection unit

An ice maker of an ice maker according to the present invention for achieving the above object comprises: a support frame which is rotatably installed at an upper portion of an ice storage tank provided inside the ice maker body; A base frame installed on an upper portion of the support frame and having a plurality of shaved ice grooves formed on an upper surface thereof; A cooling plate installed on the base frame and having a cooling protrusion immersed in the ice-making water supplied to the ice-water groove; An evaporation tube connected to the cooling plate; A cover member installed at the ice maker body and supporting the support frame in a rotatable manner; And a sensing unit for sensing a posture with respect to the cover member of the support frame.

Here, the sensing unit includes: a first sensing unit for sensing whether the support frame is positioned in a horizontal position with the cover member; It is preferable to include a; the first sensing unit for detecting whether the support frame is rotated downward to convert the posture at a predetermined angle.

The first sensing unit may include a first sensor installed at a side of the cover member; A first sensing element installed on an opposite side of a rotation shaft of the support frame relative to the cover member, the first sensing element being detected by the first sensor facing the first sensor when the support frame is positioned in parallel with the cover member; It is good to include;

In addition, a groove for supporting the first sensing element is formed on an opposite side of the support frame, and a first support boss is formed to protrude a predetermined height.

In addition, the second sensing unit, the second sensor is installed on the side of the cover member; A second sensing element provided on one side of the support frame in which a rotation shaft with respect to the cover member is provided, and the support frame is detected by the second sensor by facing the second sensor at a predetermined interval when the support frame is rotated a predetermined angle downward; It is good to include;

In addition, the one side of the support frame has a receiving groove for accommodating the second sensing element, it is preferable that the second support boss protruding from one side is formed.

In addition, the sensor may be a magnetic force sensor for measuring the magnetic force generated between the sensing elements.

In addition, the lifting unit for elevating the base frame a predetermined height above the support frame; And a third sensing unit for measuring a lifting position of the base frame.

In addition, the third sensing unit, the second sensor is installed on the side of the cover member; And a third sensing element installed on one side of the base frame, and sensed by the second sensor facing the second sensor when the base frame is raised.

In addition, an accommodating groove is formed on one side of the base frame to accommodate the third sensing element, and a third support boss is formed to protrude from the one side to the second sensor.

The elevating unit may include one or more guide members disposed between the base frame and the support frame to limit and guide the elevating distance of the base frame; A spring installed between the base frame and the support frame; One or more cams installed on the upper part of the base frame to be in contact rotation, and forcibly lowering and elevating the base frame during rotation; It is preferable to include; a drive motor for driving the cam.

The cam may further include a cam shaft installed on the cover member such that a pair is installed to correspond to both ends of the base frame, and is connected to the driving motor while supporting the pair of cams.

In addition, it is preferable to further include a fourth sensing unit for sensing the rotation state of the cam.

In addition, the fourth detection unit, and the fourth sensor is installed on the upper surface of the cover member; It is preferable to include a fourth sensing element which is installed on the cam or camshaft fixed to the posture of the cam, and closes to the fourth sensor once and is sensed by the fourth sensor during one rotation of the cam.

In addition, it is preferable to include a fourth support boss positioned on an imaginary line connecting the long and short radius of the cam and protruding from the side of the cam to support the fourth sensing element.

In addition, the fourth support boss is preferably provided on the short radius side with respect to the rotation center of the cam.

Hereinafter, an ice maker of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3, 4 and 5, the ice maker of the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, the support frame 60 is rotatably installed on the upper portion of the ice storage tank () provided in the ice maker body (). ), A base frame 70 installed on the support frame 60, a cooling plate 80 and an evaporation tube 90 installed on the base frame 70, and the support frame 60. The support member is configured to include a posture detection unit for detecting the posture of the cover member 100 and the cover member 100 of the support frame 60.

The support frame 60 is installed to be rotatable and return downward at an angle, preferably about 90 degrees, from the top of the ice storage tank 51. The support frame 60 has a plate-shaped body 61 and a pair of shaft portions 63 provided on one side of the body 61. The shaft portion 63 is rotatably connected to the cover member 100. A drive shaft 65 for rotating the support frame 60 is connected to one of the pair of shaft portions 63. The drive shaft 65 is rotated by a drive motor, not shown.

The cover member 100 to which the shaft portion 63 is connected is installed at an upper portion of the ice storage tank of the ice making body. The cover member 100 has a plurality of engaging legs 101 extending downward.

The base frame 70 is installed on the upper portion of the support frame 60 to be elevated to a predetermined height. The base frame 70 is formed with a plurality of ice-water grooves 71 is filled with ice-making water on the top. The base frame 70 is connected to the support frame 60 by the guide member 111 and the spring 112, which will be described later, and is rotated together with the support frame 60. In addition, the base frame 70 is iced and the drainage path 73 is formed on one side of the upper surface to drain the remaining water in the ice-water groove 71. do. When the base frame 70 is rotated downward by 90 degrees, water is discharged through the drain passage (73). A drain container (not shown) for receiving the drained water is installed in the ice storage tank.

The cooling plate 80 is installed above the base frame 70. The cooling plate 80 is formed of a metal material having a good heat transfer rate, and a plurality of cooling protrusions 81 immersed in the water filled in the ice-water groove 71 are formed in the lower portion. An evaporation tube 90 is connected to the upper surface of the cooling plate 80. This evaporator tube 90 is connected to a refrigeration system, not shown. When a low temperature refrigerant is supplied from the refrigeration system to the evaporation tube 90, the cooling plate 80 falls to a low temperature. Therefore, the ice cubes are increased while repeatedly quenching and freezing water on the cooling protrusions 81. Then, when the ice cubes grow in the cooling projections 81 in a predetermined size or more, the hot gas is temporarily supplied to the evaporation tube 90 so that the ice cubes fall from the cooling projections 81.

On the other hand, the freezing of the ice in the cooling projection 81 is made by repeatedly lifting the base frame 70, the cooling projection 81 is repeatedly submerged in the water filled in the ice-water groove 71.

As such, a lifting unit for lifting the base frame 70 is further provided. The lifting unit includes a plurality of guide members 111 and springs 112 and a pair of cams 113 installed on the base frame 70 between the base frame 70 and the support frame 60. And a camshaft 114 and a cam driving motor 115 supporting the cams 113. One end of the guide member 111 is fixed to the lower portion of the base frame 70, and the other end is installed through the support frame 60. The spring 113 is fitted to this guide member 111. The lifting member of the base frame 70 is guided by the guide member 111. The spring 112 is compressed when the guide member 111 descends, and the compressed spring 112 provides a lifting force to the base frame 70.

The pair of cams 113 are disposed to contact the upper surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base frame 70, and each of the pairs of cams 113 is fixed to the cam shaft 114. The camshaft 114 is connected to the cam driving motor 115 supported on the side wall of the cover member 100 receives the power. When the cam 113 is rotated when the cam shaft 114 is rotated, the base frame 70 may be moved up and down by the cam motion of the cam 113.

The sensing unit is for detecting a posture of the cover member 100 of the support frame 60. The sensing unit includes a first sensing unit 120 for detecting whether the support frame 60 is positioned in parallel with the cover member 100, and the support frame 60 rotates downward to a predetermined angle, preferably. Preferably it is provided with a second detection unit 130 for detecting whether or not fully rotated 90 degrees.

The first sensing unit 120 includes a first sensor 121 installed on the side of the cover member 100 and a first sensing element 123 installed on the support frame 60. The first sensor 121 may be a sensor that detects a magnetic force acting therebetween when facing the metal material or the magnet at a predetermined interval. Therefore, the first sensing element 123 is made of a metal material so that the first sensor 121 can be detected by the first sensor 121 when it faces the first sensor 121 at a predetermined interval. The first support boss 64 for supporting the first sensing element 123 is formed to protrude to a predetermined height on the other side 61b of the support frame 60. That is, the first support boss 64 protrudes toward the cover member 100 from the side opposite to one side 61 a of the support frame 60 on which the shaft portion 63 is formed, that is, the other side 61. Preferably, the first support boss 64 may be provided at the edge close to the first sensor 121 among the other side surfaces 61b. When the support frame 60 is lowered and then raised again to return to a horizontal state, the first sensing element 123 provided at the upper end of the first support boss 64 faces the first sensor 121. When the first sensor 121 detects that the magnetic force is greater than the reference value between them, it is detected that the support frame 60 has been normally returned to perform the next operation.

The second sensing unit 130 is for detecting whether the support frame 60 is rotated downward and completely moved at a predetermined angle, that is, a 90 degree angle. The second sensing unit 130 has a second sensor 131 installed on one side 111 of the cover member 100 and one side surface of the support frame 60 to correspond to the second sensor 131. And a second sensing element 133 installed at 61a). The second sensor 131 has the same function as that of the first sensor 121, and the second sensing element 133 is formed of a material that is in contact with the first sensing element 123. The second support boss 65 for supporting the second sensing element 133 protrudes a predetermined height from one side 61a of the support frame 60. The second sensing element 133 is inserted and supported in the receiving groove provided at the upper end of the second support boss 65. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second sensing element 133 faces the second sensor 131 at a predetermined interval while the support frame 60 is rotated downward by an angle of 90 degrees. Therefore, the second sensor 131 senses the magnitude of the magnetic force acting between the second sensing elements 133 to detect the posture of the support frame 60.

In addition, when performing the deicing operation while lifting the base frame 70, further includes a third sensing unit 140 for detecting the lifting height of the base frame 70. The third detecting unit 140 detects the lift height of the base frame 70, and as a result, can detect the size of the ice frozen in the cooling protrusion 81.

The third sensing unit 140 may include a third sensor 141 installed on the side of the cover member 100, and a third sensing element installed on the base frame 70 so as to correspond to the third sensor 141. 143). The third sensor 141 is installed at a position adjacent to the first sensor 121. The third sensor 141 senses a change in magnetic force acting between the third sensing element 143 when the base frame 70 moves up and down. Therefore, as the ice size frozen in the cooling protrusion 81 increases, the ascending height of the base frame 70 gradually decreases, and then the magnetic force detected by the third sensor 141 gradually decreases. By detecting such a change in magnetic force it is possible to measure the ice size. Meanwhile, a third support boss 73 protruding toward one side of the base frame 70 and having the receiving groove for the third sensing element 143 is further provided. The third support boss 73 protrudes to the side of the base frame 70.

In addition, a fourth sensing unit 150 for sensing the position of the cam 113 is further provided. The fourth sensing unit 150 is a fourth sensor 151 installed on the upper surface of the cover member 100, and the fourth sensor unit 151 is installed on the cam 113 or the cam shaft 114 to correspond to the fourth sensor 151 Four sensing elements 153 are provided. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the fourth sensing element 153 is fitted into a receiving groove formed in the fourth support boss 113a formed integrally with the cam 113. The fourth sensing element 153 is fixed to the position of the cam 113 and rotated together. Therefore, when the cam 113 is rotated one time, the fourth sensor 151 is approached and separated from the shortest distance and the longest distance once. Preferably, the fourth sensing element 153 may be installed to be biased toward the short radius on the basis of the rotation center of the cam 113. To this end, the fourth support boss 113a is positioned on an imaginary line connecting the long and short radii of the cam 113, and protrudes from the short radius toward the side of the cam 113. Therefore, when the short radius of the cam 113 is moved upward, the distance between the fourth sensor 151 and the fourth sensing element 153 is closest, and is located farthest when moved to the opposite side. Of course, the fourth sensor 151 may also detect the magnetic force acting between the fourth sensing element 153 to determine the position of the cam 113, that is, the posture.

Referring to the operation of the ice making apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the ice making operation is started in a state where the ice water is filled in the ice water groove 71 of the base frame 70. That is, a low temperature coolant is supplied to the evaporator tube 90 so that the cooling protrusion 81 of the cooling plate 80 is cooled to a low temperature. In this state, the cam 113 is driven to rotate. Then, it is repeatedly raised and lowered by the action of the cam 113 of the base frame 70. Accordingly, the cooling projections 81 are repeatedly submerged and detached from the ice water of the ice-water groove 71, and the ice is largely buried in the cooling projections 81 with the ice water repeatedly. In this case, the magnetic force detected between the sensing elements 143 and 153 by the third sensor 141 and the fourth sensor 151 has a symmetric value that is repeatedly symmetrical as shown in the graph of FIG. 7. . That is, when the base frame 70 is raised by the driving action of the cam 113, the magnetic force in the third sensor 141 increases, and the magnetic force in the fourth sensor 151 decreases. In addition, when the base frame 70 descends, it is measured to have sizes opposite to each other. This cycle is repeated for a predetermined time on the basis of one rotation period t1 of the cam 113.

On the other hand, as the operation is repeated, as shown in Figure 7, when the ice is increased to a certain size, the base frame 70 is caught by the ice does not rise above a certain height. Even in this case, the gum 113 continues to rotate. Therefore, in this case, the magnetic forces measured by each of the fourth sensor 151 and the third sensor 141 are asymmetric with each other as shown in section B in FIG. 7. For this reason, the base frame 70 should be raised to the highest height in the state that the short radius of the cam 113 is in contact with the base frame 70, but if the size of the ice increases to the desired size, the base is caught by the ice. This is because the frame 70 does not rise. Even though the fourth sensor 151 measures the smallest magnetic force between the fourth sensing elements 153, the third sensor 141 measures the size significantly reduced than the magnetic force measured in the A section. . As described above, the control unit detects that the ice is frozen to a desired size through a detection signal passing from section A to section B. Of course, it does not go from section A to section B momentarily, but gradually.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the ice is frozen, the control unit stops driving of the cam 113. Then, the locking state of the base frame 70 is released and the driving shaft 65 is forcibly driven to rotate the base frame 70 at an angle of 90 degrees to lower it. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the second sensor 131 and the second sensing element 133 face each other at a predetermined distance. Therefore, the second sensor 131 measures the magnetic force acting between the second sensing element 133, and the support frame 60 and the base frame 70 at a 90 degree angle in the control unit based on the measured information. It will determine if it has descended.

It is confirmed that the support frame 60 and the base frame 70 are rotated at an angle of 90 degrees, and supplies the hot gas to the evaporator tube 90 to heat the cooling projection 81 of the cooling plate 80. Then, the ice that has frozen and stuck to the cooling projection 81 will fall while melting.

If all of the ice falls after a predetermined time, the drive shaft 65 is rotated to return the support frame 60 and the base frame 70 to their original positions, that is, the horizontal positions. The sensing element 123 is positioned to face the first sensor 121. Therefore, the first sensor 121 detects the magnetic force acting between the first sensing element 123 and determines whether to return the support frame 60 based on the detected magnetic force. Then, when it is confirmed that the support frame 60 is completely returned, the ice making operation to freeze ice on the cooling protrusion 81 is repeatedly performed.

According to the icemaker of the icemaker of the present invention as described above, it is possible to easily detect the malfunction or failure of the icemaker by detecting the horizontal and vertical state of the support frame.

In addition, it is possible to prevent the overload or malfunction occurring in advance by continuously detecting the size of ice to be frozen, and to reduce unnecessary waiting time, thereby reducing the ice making time.

Claims (16)

A support frame rotatably installed at an upper portion of the ice storage tank provided inside the ice maker body; A base frame installed on an upper portion of the support frame and having a plurality of shaved ice grooves formed on an upper surface thereof; A cooling plate installed on the base frame and having a cooling protrusion immersed in the ice-making water supplied to the ice-water groove; An evaporation tube connected to the cooling plate; A cover member installed at the ice maker body and supporting the support frame in a rotatable manner; And And a sensing unit for sensing a posture with respect to the cover member of the support frame. The method of claim 1, wherein the detection unit, A first sensing unit for sensing whether the support frame is positioned in a horizontal position with the cover member; And a first sensing unit configured to detect whether the support frame is rotated downward and the posture is changed by a predetermined angle. The method of claim 2, wherein the first sensing unit, A first sensor installed at a side of the cover member; A first sensing element installed on an opposite side of a rotation shaft of the support frame relative to the cover member, the first sensing element being detected by the first sensor facing the first sensor when the support frame is positioned in parallel with the cover member; Ice maker in the icemaker comprising a. The icemaker of claim 3, wherein a groove for supporting the first sensing element is formed on an opposite side of the support frame, and a first support boss is formed to protrude a predetermined height. The method of claim 2, wherein the second sensing unit, A second sensor installed at a side of the cover member; A second sensing element provided on one side of the support frame in which a rotation shaft with respect to the cover member is provided, and the support frame is detected by the second sensor by facing the second sensor at a predetermined interval when the support frame is rotated a predetermined angle downward; Ice maker in the icemaker comprising a. The icemaker of claim 5, wherein the one side of the support frame has a receiving groove for accommodating the second sensing element, and a second support boss protruding from one side thereof is formed. The icemaker of claim 3 or 5, wherein the sensor is a magnetic force sensor for measuring magnetic force generated between the sensing elements. The method of claim 1, An elevation unit for elevating the base frame by a predetermined height from an upper portion of the support frame; And And a third sensing unit for measuring a lifting position of the base frame. The method of claim 8, wherein the third sensing unit, A second sensor installed at a side of the cover member; And a third sensing element installed on one side of the base frame and facing the second sensor and sensed by the second sensor when the base frame is lifted up. 10. The ice maker of claim 9, wherein an accommodating groove accommodating the third sensing element is formed on one side of the base frame, and a third support boss is formed to protrude from the one side to the second sensor. Ice maker. The lifting unit according to any one of claims 8 to 10, At least one guide member installed between the base frame and the support frame to limit and guide the lifting distance of the base frame; A spring installed between the base frame and the support frame; One or more cams installed on the upper part of the base frame to be in contact rotation, and forcibly lowering and elevating the base frame during rotation; And a drive motor for driving the cam. The method of claim 11, wherein the cam is installed in pairs corresponding to both ends of the base frame, And a camshaft installed on the cover member so as to be connected to the driving motor while supporting the pair of cams. 13. The ice making apparatus of claim 11 or 12, further comprising a fourth sensing unit for sensing the rotational state of the cam. The method of claim 13, wherein the fourth sensing unit, A fourth sensor installed on an upper surface of the cover member; And a fourth sensing element mounted on the cam or camshaft fixed to the posture of the cam, the fourth sensing element being approached once by the fourth sensor when the cam is rotated once. Ice maker of ice maker. 15. The ice machine of claim 14, further comprising a fourth support boss positioned on an imaginary line connecting the long and short radii of the cam and protruding from the side of the cam to support the fourth sensing element. Ice maker. The icemaker of claim 15, wherein the fourth support boss is provided at a short radius side with respect to the rotation center of the cam.