WO2006098061A1

WO2006098061A1 - Ice-making device and refrigerator having the ice-making device

Info

Publication number: WO2006098061A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/021840
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shinya Takagi; Masahiro Nishiyama; Youhei Seguchi
Original assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2005-03-17
Filing date: 2005-11-29
Publication date: 2006-09-21
Also published as: JP3810427B1; JP2006292349A

Abstract

An ice-making device which makes ice through pouring water repeatedly to an ice making plate (2) being cooled to a temperature lower than the freezing point thereof, wherein it has, on the ice making plate (2), an erect rib (3a) which partitions ice in a direction being the same as that of the flow of the poured water and has an inclined side wall surface. When ice is to be separated, the erect rib (3a) supported by an axis at an end thereof is rotated and the ice (6) is pulled and separated from the ice making plate (2). The ice (6) has a dry surface, though it is prepared by a method involving pouring water, and accordingly, can be stored at a temperature lower than the freezing point thereof and thus can be preserved for a long time.

Description

Specification

Refrigerator equipped with ice making device and ice making device

Technical field

The present invention relates to a flowing water type ice making device and a refrigerator provided with the same.

Background art

As a method of generating ice, there is known a so-called water tray type ice making apparatus that makes ice by standing an ice tray in which water is stored in a freezer compartment of a household refrigerator as disclosed in Patent Document 1. It has been. In addition, as disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, water is sprinkled or sprayed on the surface of an ice making plate cooled to below the freezing point temperature, so that ice is cumulatively grown in a layered manner, so-called reverse cell type or flowing water type ice making. The device is known.

[0003] The above-mentioned flowing water type ice making device is capable of continuous operation of ice making in a notch-process where the ice making time per one time is usually as short as 20 to 30 minutes. For this reason, it is widely used as a commercial ice making device. In addition, when ice making is performed with these ice making devices, transparent and pure ice can be produced without bubbles or impurities remaining inside.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing a conventional commercial ice making device. The conventional flowing water ice making technology will be explained according to this figure. A conventional ice making device is composed of an ice making unit 60, an ice storage unit 66, a freezing cycle unit 62, an operation unit 63, a front door 64, a housing 65, and the like. Ice is made in the ice making unit 60, and the ice made in the ice storage unit 66 is stored. The operation is performed by the operation unit 63. The ice stored in the ice storage section 66 is taken out by opening and closing the front door 64! /.

[0005] The refrigeration cycle unit 62 is composed of a compressor 67, a condenser 68, an ice making funnel tube (not shown), an ice making evaporator 69, and the like. The gaseous refrigerant compressed to high temperature and high pressure by the compressor 67 is liquefied while dissipating heat in the condenser 68 to become a refrigerant liquid. The refrigerant liquid is depressurized through an ice making capillary tube (not shown), and then vaporized while removing heat from the ice making plate 70 by the ice making evaporator 69. As a result, the ice making plate 70 is cooled below the freezing point by this endothermic action.

[0006] The water to be frozen is stored in the water tray 71 and then pumped up by the circulation pump 72 and sprinkled from the water sprinkler 73 toward the ice making plate 70. Part of the water sprinkled at this time Is cooled below the freezing point and freezes on the surface of the ice making plate 70. The water that has been frozen is discharged and collected in a water tray 71. Thereafter, water is pumped up again by the circulation pump 72, and the above-mentioned flowing water operation is repeated. As this series of flowing water cycles is repeated, ice gradually grows.

Next, a method for deicing the generated ice will be described. In the case of the so-called water tray type ice making method used for a refrigerator for home use, a method of twisting the ice tray to deiculate the ice is generally used. However, the above-described reverse cell type or flowing water type ice making device has an integrated structure in which an ice making plate 70 is joined to an evaporator 69 of a normal refrigeration cycle. As a result, the structure of the ice making part is complex, and it is practically impossible to twist and remove ice like a water dish type.

[0008] For this reason, in the case of a flowing water type ice making device, a deicing method called a hot gas method as shown in Patent Document 4 has been used exclusively. This switches the refrigerant flow path so that the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant, which is also supplied with the compressor force during the deicing stage, flows directly to the evaporator. In this way, ice making is performed by heating the ice making plate. With this method, even if the structure of the ice making device is complicated, the ice can be removed without any problem.

[0009] By the way, the ice deiced by the so-called hot gas method is melted and deiced, so that the surface is wet. For this reason, when stored in an ice storage below the freezing point temperature, when the wet surface re-freezes, there is a problem that the ice is connected to adjacent ice and becomes a large lump. Therefore, it could not be stored below the freezing point temperature and was stored at a freezing point temperature or a temperature slightly higher than the freezing point temperature. Specifically, the method of preserving ice in an airtight container with high thermal insulation was used exclusively.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-85169

Patent Document 2: Actual Fairness 5-8428

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-82765

Patent Document 4: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-28371

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] With the above ice storage method, ice is consumed in a commercial ice making apparatus that consumes a large amount of ice. Can be saved. However, when it is used for applications where the amount of ice consumption is relatively low, such as a refrigerator for home use, the ratio of the amount of melting to the amount of ice used is relatively large. As a result, the energy of ice making and de-icing wasted, and there was a problem that the system became contrary to energy saving. In addition, since the ice storage was always wet, there was a problem that germs and vigor were propagated and it became immediately unsanitary.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a flowing-water type ice making device and a refrigerator that can save energy and can store hygienic ice.

Means for solving the problem

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, the ice making device of the present invention includes an ice making means for generating ice by repeatedly flowing water to an ice making member cooled to a freezing point temperature or lower, and ice produced by the ice making means. Member force It is characterized by having an icing means for icing without melting the ice when icing. According to this configuration, the ice made by running water on the ice making member is released from the ice making plate without melting. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ices from being connected to each other even if the deiced ice is stored in an environment lower than the freezing point. In addition, it can solve the problem of molds growing on the surface of ice.

[0013] Further, in the ice making device configured as described above, the ice removing means provides the ice with a peeling force that is greater than a fixing force between the generated ice and the ice making member. According to this configuration, by applying a force greater than the adhering force between the ice and the ice making member, the ice is deiced from the ice making member without melting.

[0014] Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the ice making device configured as described above, the ice making member includes a movable standing rib. According to this configuration, the standing rib moves in the direction away from the ice making member and is deiced. As a result, it is possible to give a peeling force to deicing the ice without melting it.

[0015] Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the ice making device configured as described above, an angle between a side wall surface of the movable standing rib and a surface of the ice making member is set to ¾ | ¾ angle. According to this configuration, when the standing rib is moved away from the ice making member, the ice acts so as to be hooked on the side wall surface of the standing rib and the ice is peeled off.

[0016] Further, in the ice making device having the above-described configuration, the present invention provides a sectional shape of the movable standing rib. Is characterized by a substantially triangular or trapezoidal shape.

[0017] Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the ice making device having the above-described configuration, a protrusion for catching ice when the standing rib is moved is provided on the standing rib. According to this configuration, the ice can be peeled off by the protrusions when the standing rib moves.

[0018] Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the ice making device configured as described above, one end of the movable standing rib is pivotally supported. According to this configuration, since the peeling force for ice can be gradually applied from one side, the peeling can be performed smoothly.

[0019] Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the ice making device configured as described above, the adjacent standing ribs are rotated at different angles. According to this configuration, a twisting action is given to ice sandwiched between adjacent standing ribs. As a result, the peeling force between the standing rib and ice can be increased.

[0020] Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the ice making device configured as described above, a fixed standing rib is provided adjacent to the movable standing rib. According to this configuration, a twisting action is given to ice sandwiched between adjacent standing ribs. As a result, the peeling force between the standing rib and ice can be increased.

[0021] Further, the present invention is the ice making device configured as described above, wherein the standing rib includes a strength reinforcing material. According to this configuration, the strength of the standing rib is increased and the product life of the ice making device can be extended.

[0022] Further, the present invention is characterized in that the ice making device configured as described above has a movable embedding member embedded in the ice making member. According to this configuration, the embedding member moves from the ice making member and is deiced. As a result, the ice can be removed without melting the ice.

[0023] Further, in the ice making device configured as described above, preferably, the movable embedding member is characterized in that the movable embedding member moves in a direction away from the surface of the ice making member during deicing. Yes. According to this configuration, ice is pushed out by the embedded member.

[0024] Further, in the ice making device having the above-described configuration, the present invention supports the ice making member so as to be pivotable, and the ice making member collides with a collision target member facing the ice making member by turning. It is characterized by doing. According to this configuration, the ice can be separated without melting the ice making member due to the impact when the ice making member collides with the colliding member.

[0025] Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the ice making device configured as described above, the ice making member is subjected to a water repellent treatment. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the force required to peel off the ice.

[0026] Further, the ice making device of the present invention includes an ice making member having a water surface that is installed substantially vertically, a watering nozzle that is disposed above the water surface and sprays water to the water surface, and the water water A water tray that is disposed at the lower part of the surface and receives water sprayed by the water spray nozzle, a circulation pump that pumps water from the water tray to the water spray nozzle, and the ice-making member is cooled to below the freezing point temperature. An ice making device comprising a cooling means, wherein the ice making member is provided with a plurality of standing ribs that divide the flowing water into a plurality of strips along the flowing direction of the flowing water surface, and the standing construction that pivotally supports one end. The ice on the ice making member is deiced by rotating the rib.

[0027] According to this configuration, the water pumped up by the water tray force circulation pump is sprinkled by the water spray nozzle force toward the flow surface of the ice making member, and flows down the flow surface while being diverted by the standing rib to the water tray. Return. The ice making member is cooled to below the freezing point temperature by the cooling means, and the water flowing down the flowing water surface freezes to grow into a layered ice. When the ice making is completed, the standing rib rotates around one end, and the ice is removed from the ice making member.

[0028] The refrigerator of the present invention includes the ice making device having the above-described configuration, and ice storage means for storing ice deiced from the ice making member at a temperature lower than the freezing point temperature. According to this configuration, the ice that has been deiced without being melted by the deicing means can be stored as it is by the ice storing means. For this reason, it becomes possible to preserve | save, maintaining the quality of ice. The invention's effect

[0029] According to the ice making device and the refrigerator of the present invention, transparent ice that does not become cloudy inside can be generated, and the ice is removed without melting, so that the ice can be stored at a temperature lower than the freezing point temperature. it can. For this reason, even when the ice is not used for a relatively long period of time, the ice is not melted and power can be saved. In addition, mold can be stored hygienically by preventing the growth of various germs.

Brief Description of Drawings FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a refrigerator provided with the ice making device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a refrigeration cycle of a refrigerator provided with the ice making device of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 (a) is an ice making plate and an ice making evaporator of the ice making device of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is a front view showing the ice making unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 4] (a) is a top view showing an ice making part of the ice making device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a top view showing an enlarged standing rib, and (c) is another standing construction. An enlarged top view of the rib configuration

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing an ice making part of the ice making device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 6] (a) to (c) Top sectional views showing the operation of the ice making unit of the ice making device of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an ice making unit of an ice making device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing an ice making part of an ice making device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top sectional view showing an ice making part of an ice making device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10 (a) and (b) are side cross-sectional views showing the operation of the ice making unit of the ice making device of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing an ice making part of an ice making device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing an ice making unit of an ice making device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 13] (a) Front view showing the main part of the ice making unit of the ice making device of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, (b) Side view showing the main part of the ice making unit of the ice making device of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Cross section

[FIG. 14] (a), (b) Cross-sectional side views showing the operation of the ice making unit of the ice making device of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b) are side sectional views showing the operation of the ice making unit of the ice making device of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view showing an ice making part of an ice making device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are side cross-sectional views showing the operation of the ice making unit of the ice making device of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 18] Schematic showing a conventional ice making device

Explanation of symbols

[0031] 1 Ice making evaporator Ice plate a Standing rib b Ice separation part

Ice-making water circulation path Water tray Ice

Drive gear a Rotating shaft b Seal material c Fan gear

Sprinkler Ice making part Circulation pump Impacted member Ice outlet Main evaporator Compressor Refrigerator Water tank Ice storage part Projection part Strengthening member Refrigerant circuit Rotating shaft Weight drive part Rotating gear Extruding member 56 Refrigeration cycle section

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0032] [First embodiment]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator provided with the ice making device of the first embodiment. The refrigerator 20 of the present embodiment is an application of the ice making device of the present invention to a domestic refrigerator-freezer. The refrigerator 20 includes a refrigerating room 31, a freezing room 32, and a vegetable room 33, and is a so-called three-door type refrigerator that is opened and closed by a refrigerating room door 21, a freezing room door 22, and a vegetable room door 23, respectively. The ice making device according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the refrigerator 20 to be applied.

The refrigerator compartment 31 is provided with an ice making device having an ice making unit 10 and a water supply tank 24. The water supply tank 24 may be a detachable system or a system directly connected to water. The ice making unit 10 includes an ice making evaporator 1 (cooling means), an ice making plate 2 (ice making member), a sprinkler 9, a water tray 5, a circulation pump 12, and the like. The ice making unit 10 is an ice making method called a so-called flowing water type, and ice is grown by repeatedly running water on the ice making plate 2 cooled below the freezing point.

[0034] Water used for ice making is supplied from the water supply tank 24 to the water tray 5. This water is pumped up by the circulation pump 12 and sprinkled from the sprinkler 9 to the surface of the ice making plate 2. At this time, since the ice making plate 2 is cooled below the freezing point temperature by the ice making evaporator 1, a part of the water freezes on the surface of the ice making plate 2 in the process of flowing water. Water that has not been frozen is allowed to flow down and collected in the water tray 5. The collected water is pumped up again by the circulation pump 12, and the above series of flowing water cycles is repeated. When ice is grown while water is flowing in this way, transparent and pure ice can be obtained without bubbles or impurities inside the ice.

[0035] It should be noted that the so-called water dish type ice making device used in conventional refrigerators is freezing in the surrounding cold air, so that the ice making device is provided in an environment below the freezing point temperature such as a freezing room. It was. However, since the ice making device of this embodiment directly cools the ice making plate 2 by the ice making evaporator 1, it is not necessary to install it in an environment below the freezing point temperature as described above. Rather, in order to prevent the water circulation system from freezing, the environment should be higher than the freezing point temperature such as a refrigerator. Installation is indispensable.

[0036] The freezer compartment 32 is provided with an ice storage section 26 (ice storage means). The ice 6 made in the ice making unit 10 is stored in the ice storage unit 26 through an ice discharge port 14 provided in a heat insulating wall between the refrigerator compartment 31 and the freezer compartment 32. The vegetable room 33 is controlled at a temperature of about 5 ° C, which is suitable for storing vegetables.

FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram of the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 20. Of the main components constituting the refrigeration cycle, the compressor 19 and the condenser 40 are provided at the bottom of the refrigerator 20. A main evaporator 18 for cooling the inside of the refrigerator 20 is provided in the freezer compartment 32. The ice making evaporator 1 is provided in the refrigerator compartment ³¹ .

[0038] The refrigerant (for example, chlorofluorocarbon or isobutane) is compressed to a high temperature 'high pressure' in the compressor 19, and then condensing 'liquefaction proceeds while performing heat radiation through the condenser 40. The liquefied refrigerant is guided to the three-way valve 43, and the refrigerant flow path branches into a main force-bearing tube 42 and a counter-force reed flow path, and the ice-making capillary tube 44 is divided into a force re-flow path. In this case, the direction to go is switched by this three-way valve 43. The refrigerant that has passed through the ice making capillary tube 44 is depressurized and becomes a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant liquid that flows into the ice making evaporator 1 of the ice making unit 10 and takes the heat of the ice making plate 2 to evaporate and gasify. Then, it is sent to the compressor 19 again.

On the other hand, the refrigerant that has passed through the main capillary tube 42 is depressurized to become a low-temperature / low-pressure refrigerant liquid, and then flows into the main evaporator 18 of the refrigerator 20. During ice making, the three-way valve 43 switches the refrigerant so that it flows into the ice making tube 44. When ice making is not performed, the three-way valve 43 switches the refrigerant so that it flows to the main capillary tube 42. Note that the three-way valve 43 may be controlled so that only a part of the refrigerant flows into the ice making capillary tube 44 during ice making.

In FIG. 1, the cold air generated by the main evaporator 18 is sent into the freezer compartment 32 by the blower 30 and cools the inside of the freezer compartment 32. At this time, part of the cold air is also sent to the refrigerator compartment 31 through the damper 28 provided between the freezer compartment 32 and the refrigerator compartment 31. The degree of opening and closing of the damper 28 is controlled so as to approach the target temperature of the refrigerator compartment 31. In addition, the flow of cold air is not limited to this method, so other methods do not work. FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are front views of the ice making unit 10. FIG. 3 (a) shows only the ice making evaporator 1 and the ice making plate 2 among the components constituting the ice making unit 10. FIG. 3 (b) shows an ice separator 3 b, a standing rib 3 a, a sprinkler 9, and a water tray 5 in addition to the ice making evaporator 1 and the ice making plate 2.

[0042] The refrigerant that has been reduced in pressure by passing through the ice making capillary tube 44 (see Fig. 2) flows into the ice making evaporator 1 and takes the heat of the ice making plate 2 as it evaporates. As a result, the ice making plate 2 is cooled below the freezing point temperature. It should be noted that the ice making evaporator 1 and the ice making plate 2 may be formed separately by being formed and then integrally formed by extrusion or the like.

[0043] Next, the supply and circulation of water used for ice making will be described. A predetermined amount of water used for ice making is drawn from the water supply tank 24 (see Fig. 1) to the water tray 5. The water in the water tray 5 is pumped up to the sprinkler 9 by the circulation pump 12 and then sprinkled from the sprinkler 9 toward the surface of the ice making plate 2.

The sprinkled water flows downward while being diverted by the standing rib 3 a that is erected on the surface of the ice making plate 2. At this time, a part of the flowing water freezes on the surface of the ice making plate 2 cooled to below the freezing point temperature. The ice separator 3b provided above and below the ice making plate 2 and between the ice making plates 2 is made of a material with low thermal conductivity! Therefore, the supply efficiency of cold heat is bad. For this reason, freezing does not occur in the area where the ice separation part 3b is arranged.

In this embodiment, the water surface on which water flows is made of different materials having different thermal conductivities, but may be made of a single material as another method. In this case, it is necessary to optimize the thermal conductivity of the material and the interval between the ice making evaporators 1 so that the entire water surface does not freeze and ice is made only in the vicinity of the tubular ice making evaporator 1. .

[0046] Fig. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the entire ice making section 10 of the AA cross section of Fig. 3 (b). FIG. 4 (b) is an enlarged sectional view showing the vicinity of the standing rib 3a of the AA section of FIG. 3 (b). As shown in these drawings, ice 6 frozen on the ice making plate 2 is formed along the side wall surface of the standing rib 3a. Therefore, the shape of the ice 6 is determined by the cross-sectional shape of the standing rib 3a. On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the standing rib 3a affects the performance when the ice on the ice making plate 2 described later is deiced. For this reason, each cross-sectional shape of the standing rib 3a is determined as follows.

[0047] (1) Taper angle of standing rib 3a 0 1, 0 2 (The side wall surface of standing rib 3a and the bottom surface of this rib are formed. Angle)

As will be described later, the standing rib 3a moves so as to move away from the ice making plate 2 at the time of deicing. Since the side wall surface of the standing rib 3 a is formed on the slope by the taper angles Θ 1 and Θ 2, the standing rib 3 a that moves away from the ice making plate 2 acts to catch the ice 6. As a result, since the ice 6 is deiced, the values of the taper angles 0 1 and 0 2 are important. As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that the taper angles 0 1 and 0 2 perform ice removal better as the angle is reduced. At least the taper angles Θ 1 and Θ 2 must be smaller than 80 degrees.

[0048] (2) Height of standing rib 3a HI

The height HI of the standing rib 3a is determined by the thickness of the ice 6 to be generated, and needs to be higher than the thickness of the ice 6 to be generated.

[0049] (3) Standing rib 3a width W1

The width W1 of the standing rib 3a inevitably increases as the taper angles Θ 1 and Θ 2 increase. If the width W1 becomes too large, the volume of the ice 6 will be small, so it can be determined taking into account the de-icing performance.

[0050] (4) Top α 形状 shape

The top portion oc1 of the standing rib 3a may be round or flat as in this embodiment. As a result, the cross-sectional shape of the standing rib 3a is substantially triangular or trapezoidal.

[0051] Fig. 4 (c) shows a standing rib 3a having another configuration. The standing rib 3a is provided with a strength reinforcing member 37 and a protrusion 36. Normally, the standing rib 3a is formed of grease or the like, and it is necessary to transmit the peeling force more than the adhesive force between the ice making plate 2 and the ice 6 to the ice 6 from the standing rib 3a at the time of deicing. For this reason, a large burden is applied to the standing rib 3a every time the ice is removed. As a result, when the standing rib 3a is used for a long time, the fatigue of the material increases, and in the worst case, the standing rib 3a may be damaged.

[0052] For this reason, if the strength reinforcing material 37 is provided in the standing rib 3a to increase the strength, the standing rib 3a is prevented from being damaged. The strength reinforcing material 37 is preferably a metal material having high strength. Further, the protrusion 36 is formed by a protrusion as shown in the figure at the bottom of the side wall of the standing rib 3a. Thereby, the ice 6 can be easily separated from the ice making plate 2. Protrusion 36 comes out The larger the tension length, the better the peel force, but if it is too large, the ice 6 will stick to the protruding portion 36, so about 1 to 2 mm is usually preferred.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the ice making unit 10. The ice making and deicing operations will be described with reference to this figure. The standing rib 3a is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 8a disposed at the lower part of the ice making unit 2. Further, the standing rib 3a is connected to and integrated with the sector gear 8c. The sector gear 8c is combined with the drive gear 7. Accordingly, by driving the drive gear 7, the standing rib 3a rotates about the rotation shaft 8a.

[0054] During ice making, the drive gear 7 is driven counterclockwise in the figure, and the fan-shaped gear 8c and the standing rib 3a meshing with the drive gear 54 rotate clockwise in the figure. As a result, the normal state in which the standing rib 3a is pressed against the ice making plate 2 is indicated (indicated by S1 in the figure. This state is hereinafter referred to as “normal state S1”). In this state, water is run on the ice making plate 2 and the above ice making operation is performed.

When a predetermined volume of ice 6 is obtained, watering is stopped and the ice 6 is de-iced. At the time of icing, the drive gear 7 is driven to rotate clockwise in the figure, and the standing rib 3a rotates counterclockwise in the figure via the fan-shaped gear 8c engaged with the drive gear 7. Thus, when the drive gear 7 is rotated clockwise in the figure, the standing rib 3a is deiced away from the ice making plate 2 (indicated by S2 in the figure. This state is hereinafter referred to as “separated”. Ice state S2)). The ice 6 generated on the surface of the ice making plate 2 is caught by the standing rib 3a and deiced from the ice making plate 2 when the standing rib 3a shifts from the normal state S1 to the deicing state S2. Therefore, the standing rib 3a constitutes a deicing means for deicing the ice.

6 (a) to 6 (c) are top views showing the operation at this time. Fig. 6 (a) shows the state immediately after the completion of ice making, Fig. 6 (b) shows the state immediately after the start of ice removal, and Fig. 6 (c) shows the state where the ice removal process has progressed. Five standing ribs 3a are provided, and standing ribs 3a-1, 3a-2, 3a-3, 3a-4, and 3a-5 are arranged on the end of the river. The standing ribs 3a-2 and 3a-4 are pivotally supported with the lower end as the center of the rotation axis and are rotatable ribs. On the other hand, the standing ribs 3a-1, 3a-3, 3a-5 are fixed ribs that cannot rotate. The standing ribs 3a-l, 3a-3, and 3a-5 may be movable ribs, and the standing ribs 3a-2 and 3a-4 may be fixed ribs.

As shown in FIG. 6 (b), deicing is performed by moving the movable standing ribs 3a-2 and 3a-4 so that they move away from the ice making plate 2. Standing ribs 3a-2, 3a-4 move away from ice plate 2 Then, the force acts so that the ice 6 is caught by the standing ribs 3a-2 and 3a-4 and separated from the ice making plate 2. Therefore, when the standing ribs 3a-2 and 3a-4 are moved by a predetermined amount, the ice 6 can be separated from the ice making plate 2.

[0058] When the movable standing rib and the fixed standing rib are adjacent to each other, a twisting effect is exerted on the ice 5 at the time of deicing and the deicing becomes easy. All the standing ribs may be movable and the adjacent standing ribs may be rotated at different angles. In this embodiment, the standing rib is rotated to release the ice! / But you can move the standing ribs in parallel and deicing them.

When the standing ribs 3a-2 and 3a-4 move away from the ice making plate 2 until the state shown in FIG. 6 (c), the ice 6 is completely separated from the ice making plate 2. In this state, the ice 6 falls by its own weight and is stored in an ice storage unit 26 (see FIG. 1) provided below the ice making unit 10.

[0060] According to this embodiment, even a flowing water type ice making device that has a complicated structure and cannot be deiced by twisting can be deiced without melting the ice 6. For this reason, it is possible to store ice 6 at a temperature lower than the freezing point temperature by preventing the connection between adjacent ices and clouding of the ice surface. Therefore, even when the ice 6 is not used for a relatively long period of time, the ice 6 does not melt and can save power. Also, mold 6 can be stored hygienically by preventing the growth of various germs.

[0061] The standing rib 3a may be pivotally supported at the upper end. Further, the driving method of the standing rib 3a may not be one using the sector gear 8c as in the present embodiment. The taper angles 0 1 and 0 2 of the movable standing rib 3 a may be smaller than the taper angles 0 1 and 0 2 of the non-movable standing rib 3 a.

Further, in the present embodiment, a protrusion is provided on a part of the force standing rib 3a with the side wall of the movable standing rib 3a as an inclined surface so that the ice 6 is hooked. You may make it catch. Further, it is more preferable that the surface of the ice making plate 2 or the surface of the standing rib 3a is coated with a material having high water repellency such as fluorine resin. As a result, the force required for icing can be kept small.

[0063] [Second Embodiment]

Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. 7, 8, and 9 are front and side views of the ice making unit of the ice making device according to the present embodiment. A plane view and a top view are shown. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

[0064] The ice making unit 10 includes an ice making evaporator 1, an ice making plate 2, an ice separating unit 3b, and a standing rib 3a.

The ice making plate 2 is fixed to the ice making evaporator 1. Ice separator 3 has low heat transfer coefficient such as grease

V, material force, fitted into a plurality of grooves 2a provided on the surface of the ice making plate 2 in a direction perpendicular to the flowing water direction.

The standing rib 3 a is provided in the same direction as the flowing water direction, is formed integrally with the ice separating portion 3 b and is not fixed to the ice making plate 2. For this reason, the standing rib 3a and the ice separating part 3 can be moved in the vertical direction of the ice making plate 2 by driving a driving part (not shown).

[0066] As in the first embodiment, when water is poured from above onto the surface of the ice making plate 2 cooled to below the freezing point temperature, ice 6 is generated on the surface of the ice making plate 2. Basically, no ice 6 is generated on the surface of the ice separation part 3b, but it grows slightly in the vertical direction when icing, so it actually extends to the area of the ice separation part 3b as shown in FIG. Ice 6 freezes.

FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) are side cross-sectional views showing the deicing operation of the ice making device of the present embodiment. Figure

10 (a) shows when ice making is completed, and Fig. 10 (b) shows when ice is released. When the driving gear 54 rotates, the driving force is transmitted to the ice separation unit 3b through the pushing member 55. As a result, the ice separating unit 3b moves away from the surface of the ice making plate 2.

[0068] As described above, since the ice 6 is generated not only to the ice making plate 2 but also to a part of the ice separating portion 3b, the ice separating portion 3b is separated from the ice making plate 2 when the surface force of the ice making plate 2 is also separated. Extrude the edge of ice 6 that overhangs 3b. Therefore, the ice 6 is peeled off when a force greater than that in which the ice 6 is fixed to the ice making plate 2 is applied.

[0069] According to the present embodiment, the ice 6 can be removed from the ice making plate 2 without melting it, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. As in the first embodiment, the side wall surface of the standing rib 3 may be inclined.

[0070] [Third Embodiment]

Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the ice making unit of the ice making device of the present embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. Yes. The ice making plate 2 of the present embodiment is provided with a rotating shaft 40, and the rotating shaft 40 is fixed to a support portion (not shown) of the ice making apparatus main body. Therefore, the ice making plate 2 can be rotated about the rotation axis 40 as a rotation center. Further, a weight 52 is attached to the upper end of the ice making plate 2, and the impacted member 13 is provided at a position where the surface force of the ice making plate 52 is also away.

At the time of deicing, the ice making plate 2 is vigorously rotated to cause the weight 52 to collide with the collision target member 13. The ice 6 is peeled off from the ice making plate 2 by the impact generated by the collision. The greater the strength of the impact generated by the collision, the greater the peeling effect. For this reason, taking the following measures is effective in improving the deicing performance.

(1) Increase the weight of the rotating ice making plate 2.

(2) Move the mounting position of the weight 52 away from the rotary shaft 40.

(3) Increase the rotation angle of ice plate 2 to 90 degrees or more.

(4) The urging means for urging the ice making plate 2 in the direction of the force of the weight 52 against the colliding member 13 is provided.

(5) The weight 52 and the impacted member 13 are made of a hard material.

It should be noted that the ice making plate 2 may be rotated by power (not shown) coupled to the rotary shaft 40, which may be manually performed.

[0073] According to this embodiment, the ice 6 can be removed from the ice making plate 2 without melting the ice,

The same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0074] [Fourth Embodiment]

Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 12 shows a front view of the ice making unit of the ice making device according to the present embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

The ice making unit 10 includes an ice making evaporator 1, an ice making plate 2, an ice separating unit 3b, a standing rib 3a, an extruding member 55, and a sealing material 8b. The ice making plate 2 is connected to the ice making evaporator 1 and provided independently in an island shape. The ice separation unit 3b is arranged so as to fill the space between the ice making plates 2. The standing rib 3a is provided on the ice separation part 3b in parallel with the flowing water direction. FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b) are a front view and a side cross-sectional view in which a portion of the pushing member 55 is enlarged. The push-out member 55 is inserted into an opening provided in the ice making plate 2 and is provided extending behind the ice making plate 2. The sealing material 8b fills the gap between the extruded member 55 and the ice making plate 2.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are side cross-sectional views showing the ice removing operation of the ice making unit 10. Figure 14 (a) shows the completion of ice making, and Figure 14 (b) shows the time of ice removal. The push-out member 55 is engaged with the drive gear 54 of the push-out drive unit, and moves linearly through the opening of the ice making plate 2 by the rotation of the drive gear 54.

In FIG. 14 (a), when the drive gear 54 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the pushing member 55 that meshes with the drive gear 54 moves to the right in the figure, and the state shown in FIG. 14 (b) become. As a result, the ice 6 adhering to the surface of the ice making plate 2 is pushed by the pushing member 55 and peeled off by the ice making plate 2 force.

Further, after the pushing member 55 is moved in the direction protruding from the ice making plate 2, it may be moved so as to be recessed from the ice making plate 2. As a result, even if the tip portion of the pushing member 55 is stuck to the ice, the ice 6 can be detached from the pushing member 55. In addition, if this operation is repeated several times, the deicing property is improved.

It should be noted that the pushing member 55 may have a circular cross section instead of the shape as shown in the present embodiment, and a plurality of pushing portions may protrude from the tip. Further, the method for driving the pushing member 55 is merely an example, and another method may be used as long as the pushing member 55 can be driven without the structure described in the present embodiment.

[0081] According to the present embodiment, the ice 6 can be removed from the ice making plate 2 without melting it, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Fifth embodiment]

Next, a fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the fourth embodiment. 15 (a) and 15 (b) are side cross-sectional views showing the operation of the ice making unit of the ice making device according to the present embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. Fig. 15 (a) shows the completion of ice making, and Fig. 15 (b) shows the time of ice removal.

As in the fourth embodiment, the ice making device of the present embodiment has a plurality of independent ice making units for each ice block. The ice making plate 2 with the plate 2 has no opening. The pushing member 5 is provided in contact with the back surface of the ice making plate 2. One end of the ice making plate 2 is fixed to the ice making evaporator 1, and the other end is not fixed and can move freely. Thereby, the ice making plate 2 can be bent by the pressing of the pushing member 5. The material and thickness of the ice making plate 2 must be designed appropriately so that they can be bent. For example, when titanium metal is used as the material for the ice making plate, the thickness is desirably 0.3 to 0.5 mm.

[0083] In Fig. 15 (a), when the drive gear 54 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the pushing member 55 meshing with the drive gear 54 moves to the right in the figure, and the state shown in Fig. 15 (b) become. As a result, the ice making plate 2 is bent, and the ice 6 adhering to the surface of the ice making plate 2 is peeled off from the ice making plate 2 by the bending of the ice making plate 2. Similar to the other embodiments, the surface of the ice making plate 2 can be easily peeled off by coating the surface with a material having high water repellency such as fluorine.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the ice 6 can be removed from the ice making plate 2 without melting it, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Sixth embodiment]

Next, a sixth embodiment according to the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a side sectional view showing an ice making part of the ice making device according to the present embodiment. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the same parts as those in the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b) are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The ice making device of the present embodiment has a plurality of bendable ice making plates 2 that are independent for each ice block as in the fifth embodiment. The lower end of the ice making plate 2 extends backward, bends, and is connected to the pushing member 55. The other parts are the same as in the fifth embodiment.

FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b) are side cross-sectional views showing the ice removing operation of the ice making unit 10. FIG. Fig. 17 (a) shows the start of deicing, and Fig. 17 (b) shows the completion of deicing. In FIG. 16, when the drive gear 54 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, the pushing member 55 engaged with the drive gear 54 moves in the right direction in the drawing. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17 (a), when the pushing member 55 pushes against the ice making plate 2, the ice making plate 2 is bent, and the ice 6 is peeled off.

Next, when the drive gear 54 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the drawing, the pushing member 55 is reversed in the drawing. Move left. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17 (b), the ice making plate 2 is bent in the opposite direction to FIG. 17 (a). The ice removal performance is improved by reversing the direction of bending the ice making plate 2. If this series of operations is repeated a plurality of times, the ice removal performance is further improved. Therefore, even if the ice is firmly fixed to the ice making plate 2, the ice 6 can be easily peeled off from the ice making plate 2.

According to the present embodiment, the ice 6 can be removed from the ice making plate 2 without melting it, and the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0089] In the first to sixth embodiments, the configuration for deicing using a method of directly applying mechanical force to ice has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a method. Any ice can be used as long as it can be removed without melting. For example, an ultrasonic vibration element may be provided on the back surface of the ice making plate 2 and the ice may be peeled off from the ice making plate 2 using this vibration energy at the time of deicing. Alternatively, a method may be used in which a vibration element used in a mobile phone is attached to the ice making plate 2 and vibrated, thereby causing a peeling force to act between the ice and the ice making plate 2 to release the ice. .

Industrial applicability

[0090] According to the present invention, it can be used for a flow-down type ice making device and a refrigerator using the ice making device.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[I] Ice making means for generating ice by repeatedly flowing water to an ice making member cooled to a temperature below the freezing point; and when the ice made by the ice making means is taken away from the ice making member, the ice making member is not melted. An ice making device comprising ice removing means for performing ice.

[2] The ice making device according to [1], wherein the ice removing means gives the ice a peeling force equal to or greater than a fixing force between the generated ice and the ice making member.

[3] The ice making device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ice making member includes a movable standing rib.

4. The ice making device according to claim 3, wherein an angle formed between a side wall surface of the movable standing rib and a surface of the ice making member is an acute angle.

5. The ice making device according to claim 4, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the movable standing rib is substantially triangular or trapezoidal.

6. The ice making device according to claim 3, wherein a protrusion that catches ice when the standing rib is moved is provided on the standing rib.

7. The ice making device according to claim 3, wherein one end of the movable standing rib is pivotally supported.

[8] The ice making device according to [7], wherein the adjacent standing ribs are rotated at different angles.

[9] The ice making device according to [3], wherein a fixed standing rib is provided adjacent to the movable standing rib.

[10] The ice making device according to [3], wherein the standing rib incorporates a strength reinforcing material.

[II] The ice making device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a movable embedded member embedded in the ice making member.

12. The ice making device according to claim 11, wherein the movable embedded member moves in a direction away from the surface of the ice making member at the time of deicing.

[13] The ice making member is pivotally supported so that the ice making member collides with a colliding member facing the ice making member by turning. The ice making device described in 1.

[14] The ice making device according to [1] or [2], wherein the ice making member is subjected to water repellent treatment.

[15] An ice-making member having a water surface installed substantially vertically, a watering nozzle that is disposed above the water surface and sprays water to the water surface, and is disposed below the water surface. An ice making device comprising: a water tray that receives water sprinkled by the watering nozzle; a circulation pump that pumps water from the water tray to the watering nozzle; and a cooling means that cools the ice making member to a temperature below the freezing point temperature. The ice making member is provided with a plurality of standing ribs for diverting running water into a plurality of strips along the flowing direction of the flowing water surface, and the standing rib pivotally supported at one end is rotated. An ice making device characterized in that ice on an ice making member is de-iced.

16. The ice making device according to claim 16, wherein an angle formed between a side wall surface of the standing rib and the surface of the ice making member is an acute angle.

[17] The ice making device according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 15, and ice storage means for storing ice deiced from the ice making member at a temperature lower than a freezing point temperature. Refrigerator.