RU2448310C2 - Cooling unit with ice generator - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: machine building.

SUBSTANCE: cooling unit with cooling chamber and with ice generator located in it includes fresh water tank and/or water supply tube. Water supply tube serves for supply of water required for ice preparation in ice preparation container. Ice preparation container includes filling level gauge. Filling level gauge is connected to ice generator control device; at that, control device (19) has the possibility of implementing the method and/or it is provided with an indicator.

EFFECT: use of this group of inventions allows obtaining high-quality transparent ice.

9 cl, 2 dwg

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a refrigerating apparatus with an ice maker disposed therein according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as to a method for controlling the proper supply of water to an ice maker reservoir according to the preemption of claim 9.

State of the art

The location of the ice maker in the refrigerator compartment of the refrigeration apparatus is known in the art. In this case, ice generators are used, which are filled with water and cooled outside, and the water begins to freeze outside and stops freezing inside and creates an ice cube. Further, there are so-called transparent ice ice generators in which a plurality of refrigeration rods are immersed in a reservoir filled with water. By circulating the refrigerant inside the cooling rods, they are cooled so that an ice layer builds up on the cooling rods immersed in water. As soon as the ice layer on the refrigeration rods reaches a usable value, the ice layer is disconnected from the refrigeration rods. A similar transparent ice maker is described in DE 10336834 A1. In general, such ice makers are built into the refrigeration compartment of a combined cooling and freezing apparatus.

This type of ice machine is available in various implementations. This includes fully automatic options for implementation, which are connected to the water supply with fresh water and are independently pumped into the sewer line the water remaining in the tank after ice formation. The advantage of such ice generators is their simple operation, in which transparent ice is produced, so to speak, with a simple click of a button. Such an implementation option, however, sets the condition that there should be a water supply line and a sewer line at the installation site of the refrigeration unit.

In order not to depend on the connection to the water supply system, ice generators for refrigerators were also developed, equipped with a reservoir of fresh water, which supplies the water necessary for making ice.

Functional malfunctions can occur in such ice makers, which can interfere with the further reliable preparation of transparent ice or make reliable preparation of transparent ice impossible. If, for example, the fresh water tank is empty, or the inlet pipe from the fresh water tank to the ice maker is clogged and the ice making system continues to work, then in the best case, imperfect transparent ice may be produced, and in the worst case, defects may occur as consequences in the ice making system.

Disclosure of invention

The basis of the invention is the task of preventing such malfunctions or their negative effects on the ice preparation system in advance.

According to the invention, the problem is solved by means of a refrigerating apparatus with an ice maker with the features of claim 1, as well as by a method of controlling the proper water supply to the ice maker tank with the features of claim 9.

According to the invention, a sensor is provided for detecting a filling state of an ice container. Using this sensor, the amount of water that is actually available for making ice is determined. This sensor is connected to the control system of the ice maker and / or to the indicator. Thus, in the case of a very small amount of water in the ice cube container, a reaction occurs automatically and / or the user is informed of the need for action. In order to immediately recognize defects in the water supply in the ice maker and to be able to take action immediately, according to the invention, the control mechanism is built in the place where a possible defect is negatively manifested, regardless of where it occurred. The causes of the defect may be different. For example, an empty fresh water tank, a damaged supply pipe, or a poorly flanged fresh water tank can cause insufficient water supply. In order to be able to control all of these various sources of faults using a single mechanism, the control does not take place in the place where a defect is possible (since in this case many systems would have to be controlled), but only one control mechanism is installed in a particularly efficient way. The control mechanism is installed exactly in the place where various possible defects affect. Thus, various possible problems can be controlled with only one control mechanism, and appropriate measures can be taken immediately. In particular, the level sensor installed at this location can also perform additional functions. So, for example, the fill level sensor can additionally provide protection against overfilling of the ice cube container, and thus no separate sensor is required.

In an advantageous embodiment, the fill level sensor located in the ice container is connected to a timer, and thus the proper functioning of the ice maker can be reliably monitored before a defect occurs. It should be based on the fact that the level of filling necessary for ice making during normal operation should be achieved after a certain specified time of operation of the water pump or other water supply system. If this time is exceeded and the filling level is not reached, although water continues to flow, this is an indication that, despite the fact that the necessary water is available, something is wrong with the supply system. If, after the end of the next period of time, the filling level is still not reached, but remains at its previous low level, then it should be assumed that the water supply is completely interrupted or that the water tank is empty. If the fill level sensor is connected to the timer, it is possible to set certain conditions, and after a certain time has passed, make a reliable conclusion about the possible cause of the malfunction.

In a preferred embodiment, the fill level sensor is configured so that it indicates the achievement of a certain level. In a very simple embodiment, the implementation of the refrigeration apparatus will be sufficient if the level gauge indicates exactly the level that must be reached for proper ice preparation. Such a sensor can be very simple and, thus, economical. However, it will be more advantageous in this case if the sensor can indicate at least two certain levels. Namely, in this case, the level that must be reached for ice production can be indicated, as well as the level that exceeds the above level and indicates the achievement of the capacity limit of the container for making ice and, thus, can constitute protection against overflow.

In another advantageous embodiment, the level sensor is designed as a continuous sensor. In this case, the entire filling process can be precisely controlled, and, especially in the case of a connection to a timer, a conclusion can be made about the possible causes of the malfunction. A similar implementation option is recommended for a refrigeration apparatus that contains more voluminous control mechanisms.

In a preferred embodiment, a float is provided as a level sensor. Depending on whether it is connected to a switch or to a displacement sensor, the float can be especially easily used both as a continuous sensor and as a boundary sensor. Due to this, it is possible to construct a fundamental embodiment of the implementation of ice generators for various types of refrigeration units, and they can be adapted to various quality standards of types of refrigeration units by only small changes. If the float is used as a continuous sensor, then the corresponding ice maker can be well used in the luxury version of the refrigeration apparatus, and in this embodiment there are expensive control mechanisms, and possible information about the causes of malfunctions can be used to control the ice maker or even the entire refrigerator apparatus. If, on the contrary, the ice maker is built into a simple, economical refrigeration unit, then the float can be connected to a switch that, for example, when reaching a single provided level, simultaneously turns off the water supply and turns on ice preparation when the set level is reached, but takes appropriate measures, when this level is not achieved.

In another advantageous embodiment, the sensor is made in the form of an optical sensor, for example, in the form of a fiber. Also here, in principle, it is possible both to control a small number of levels, and by controlling a large number of levels, provide for almost continuous monitoring, depending on how the sensor is made. Such sensors are widely known in the art. The advantage of these sensors is, in particular, that they are less prone to malfunctions and also allow strong temperature fluctuations that may occur in the refrigeration unit.

Another possible fill level sensor, ideal especially as a continuous sensor, is a fill level sensor that uses two electrodes to perform capacitive measurement of the fill height.

In another preferred embodiment, the fill level sensor is connected to the main switch of the ice maker. Thus, the main switch can instruct that the ice maker, when the required level is not reached, turn off or go into standby mode.

In the case of the method of controlling the ice maker proposed by the invention, in a preferred embodiment, after the end of the time provided for the water supply, it is determined whether the actual level in the container corresponds to the level necessary for ice making. If the level is not reached, the appropriate mechanism is activated. As already explained above, in this case, either the actual level of filling can be determined and used to output a detailed analysis of errors, or it can simply be checked to achieve a certain level. If the level deviates from the desired preset value, depending on the desired embodiment of the refrigeration appliance, a message for the user can be displayed on the indicator, and thus, the user will turn off the ice maker independently, add water if necessary or monitor the device, or, if automatically working machine, the ice maker in the event of a malfunction can be turned off or put into standby mode. If we are talking about a fully automatic device that is connected to the water supply system, then in the case of a detailed analysis based on a comparison of the supply time and the supplied amount of water, it is even possible to conclude that the supply system itself is in order, but the water is turned off and automatically turn on water supply.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other details and advantages of the invention arise from the dependent claims together with a description of an embodiment, which is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

They show the following.

Figure 1: schematic view of a refrigerator with a refrigerator compartment, an ice maker and a fresh water tank.

Figure 2: schematic drawing of a reservoir for fresh water and a schematic drawing of an ice maker.

The implementation of the invention

Figure 1 shows a refrigerator 1 with an open door 2 and an inner chamber 3. The inner chamber 3 is divided into a refrigerator 4 and a freezer compartment 5. For reasons of clarity, no door is shown on the freezer compartment 5. The refrigerating chamber 4 is usually divided by at least one shelf 6, which is made with the possibility of rearrangement in height. In the refrigerating chamber 4 is an ice maker 7.

The ice maker 7 is divided into a technological module 8, a tray 9 for ice and a reservoir 10 for fresh water. In another embodiment, the fresh water tank 10 may also be located outside the cooled inner chamber 3. The principle of operation of the ice maker 7 is explained in more detail using FIG. 2.

Figure 2 schematically shows an ice maker 8, that is, part of its process module 8, as well as its ice tray 9 and fresh water tank 10. The reservoir 10 for fresh water is filled with drinking water 11, which is supplied to the reservoir 10 for fresh water through the tube 12 for fresh water. The fill level switch 13 and the fresh water valve 14 are connected to the ice generator control device 19. When a certain level in the fresh water tank 10 is reached or not reached, the fresh water valve 14 is switched based on information transmitted through the level switch 13. In such a refrigerating apparatus 1, the fresh water tank 10 must be connected to a water supply, and thus, if necessary, water for preparing clear ice can be added automatically.

The fresh water tank 10 may also be completely drained through the water discharge pipe 15. For this, the water drain valve 16 is actuated. This water drain valve 16 is also connected to the ice generator control device 19.

To prepare ice, drinking water 11 is supplied by means of a pump 20 through a connecting pipe 21 to the container 22 of the ice generator 8. The pump 20 is controlled by the ice generator control device 19. In the container 22 of the ice maker there are refrigeration rods 23, which preferably have a temperature of from -2 ° C to -6 ° C and are immersed in drinking water 11. Transparent ice forms on the refrigeration rods 23, which, as soon as it is of sufficient size, is disconnected from the refrigeration rods 23 by heating them. In this case, the cubes 24 of transparent ice after their preparation are folded into the ice tray 9 and are ready for use.

To detect possible water supply defects, another fill level sensor 25 is provided on the ice maker container 22, and this fill level sensor 25 determines the fill level in the ice container 22 needed to make ice. The level sensor 25 is also connected to the ice generator control device 19. In the control device 19 of the ice maker, the operating time of the pump 20 is laid out, which is necessary to sufficiently fill the container 22 of the ice maker.

If a new portion of transparent ice 24 is to be made, then after completion of the previous production, fresh water must first be added from the fresh water tank 10. To this end, the ice generator control device 19 first checks the fill level of the fresh water tank 10 using a relay 13. Then, the ice generator control device 19 turns on the pump 20, and, in accordance with the set pump operating time, the water is added. As soon as the pump’s running time, the ice generator control device 19 turns off the pump 20 and, using the sensor 25, checks whether the water level necessary for ice production in the ice container 22 has been reached. If so, then ice production is turned on. If this is not so, then the ice generator control device 19 starts the pump again and allows it to work for a predetermined period of time. After this period of time, the pump 20 is turned off again and the filling level on the sensor 25 is checked. If the level corresponds to the set value, the ice generator control device 19 will issue a warning message that indicates a possible blockage in the water supply pipe or a pump malfunction, but then starts ice production. If after this time the required fill level has not yet been reached, then the ice generator control device 19 again checks the fill level relay 13. If the filling level of the fresh water tank 10 is too low, then the ice generator control device 19 instructs to top up the fresh water tank 10. If, on the contrary, the filling level is sufficient, a warning message is issued that indicates a serious defect in the water supply system.

Claims (12)

1. The method of controlling the proper supply of water to the container (22) for ice preparation of an ice maker (7) located in the refrigerator (1) with a refrigerator (4), characterized in that the level of water filling in the ice container (22) is determined the ice maker (7) after a predetermined supply time, is compared with a predetermined value, and if the filling level deviates from the predetermined value, a fault message is generated. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply time is determined by the duration of the pump, which serves to fill the container (22) with ice for water. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the error message is displayed on the indicator element of the refrigerator. 4. The method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the event of a malfunction message, the ice maker is turned off or put into standby mode. 5. The refrigeration apparatus (1) with a refrigerating chamber (4) and with an ice generator (7) located therein with a fresh water reservoir (10) and / or with a water supply pipe (12, 21), the supply pipe (12, 21) water is used to supply water necessary for ice preparation in the ice container (22), characterized in that the ice container (22) contains a level sensor (25), the level sensor (25) being connected to the device (19) ) control the ice generator (7), and the control device (19) is configured to method according to one of claims 1 to 4 and / or with an indicator. 6. The refrigeration unit (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the level sensor (25) is connected to a timer. 7. The refrigeration unit (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the level sensor (25) is made in the form of a fill level relay. 8. The refrigeration unit (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the level sensor (25) is made in the form of a continuous level sensor. 9. The refrigeration unit (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the level sensor (25) is filled in the form of a float switch. 10. The refrigeration apparatus (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the level sensor (25) is made in the form of an optical sensor. 11. The refrigeration unit (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the level sensor (25) is made in the form of an electric sensor. 12. The refrigeration unit (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the level sensor (25) of the filling is connected to the ice state switch.

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