WO2016146082A1

WO2016146082A1 - Ice maker and ice making method using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2016146082A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/076756
Authority: WO
Inventors: 侯义刚; 王韶辉; 马庆金
Original assignee: 斯科茨曼制冰系统（上海）有限公司
Priority date: 2015-03-19
Filing date: 2016-03-18
Publication date: 2016-09-22
Also published as: CN105485993A

Abstract

Provided are an ice maker (100) and ice making method using the same. The ice maker (100) comprises a water pan (108), configured to accommodate water made into ice, wherein water in the water pan (108) has an initial water level and a preset water level, and the initial water level is higher than the preset water level; a water level sensor (107), configured to generate a preset water level signal; and a controller (106), configured to control water in the water pan (108) to reach to the initial water level, receive the preset water level signal emitted from the water level sensor (107), and start an ice collection process, according to the preset water level signal. The ice maker (100) and using method thereof can provide an ice thickness control and adjustment structure and method of a full-automatic ice maker (100), thus having the advantages of reliably, conveniently, flexibly, and precisely controlling an ice thickness, and of more precisely recording water consumption data and using habits of a user.

Description

Ice making machine and ice making method using the same

Technical field

The invention relates to an ice making machine, in particular to a fully automatic ice making machine.

Background technique

Most of the existing automatic ice making machines are intermittent, that is, the ice making process usually includes an ice making process and an ice collecting process, and the two processes are alternated. In general, existing ice machines use two types of sensors to detect the formation of ice thickness. Two types of sensors include electrode sensors and temperature sensors.

The electrode type sensor detection method is a direct type detection method, which can relatively reliably detect the thickness of ice. The working principle is as follows: when the ice reaches a certain thickness, the water level of the circulating water increases, flows over the surface of the ice, contacts the sensor, and depends on the conductivity of the water, so that the design circuit is turned on, thereby detecting that the thickness of the ice reaches the set value. . However, the electrode sensor detection method has some disadvantages, such as water-dependent conductivity, and thus cannot work in pure water or water with low conductivity. Moreover, the electrode is often in contact with water intermittently, and after being in contact with water, is periodically exposed to the air, easily contacting impurities in the water or dust in the air, causing scale or dirt to adhere, affecting the detection accuracy, thereby causing An error signal is detected; and, in use, scale or dirt may adhere to the electrode sensor, causing cleaning and hygiene problems. In addition, since the sensor needs to be separated from the fixed surface at the beginning of the ice collecting process, when the ice making process is restarted, there is often mechanical impact and vibration, which may cause the ice thickness setting point to change, and the thickness control of the ice may be deviated. Or to avoid the slippage of the ice thickness setting caused by mechanical impact and vibration, the adjusting screw is often designed to be sufficiently fast, but it is not easy to adjust when it is necessary to change the thickness setting of the ice.

The temperature sensor detection method is another indirect detection method. The temperature of the cooling medium is used to determine the thickness of the ice, and the ice thickness can be detected relatively reliably. This method works as follows: as the thickness of the ice increases, the temperature of the cooling medium inside the evaporator for cooling water also decreases (the cooling medium is usually called a refrigerant), and the temperature is determined by detecting the temperature of the cooling medium. thickness of. But warm The degree of sensor detection also has some disadvantages. For example, the temperature of the cooling medium is affected not only by the thickness of the ice and the temperature of the ice, but also by the pressure and temperature of the side of the condenser, while the side of the condenser generally varies with the ambient temperature. When the operating parameters of the temperature sensor are set at the same temperature, the thickness of the ice cubes is different. For example, for the same temperature parameter setting, the thickness of the ice in winter and summer varies greatly, and the temperature sensor needs to be separately adjusted during use, which is inconvenient to use. At the same time, the temperature sensor works cyclically in the ice making process and the ice collecting process, that is, in an environment where the high temperature and low temperature alternately change, resulting in a lower service life.

Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved ice making machine structure and ice making method that overcomes the shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art. In particular, an improved ice making machine structure and ice making method are provided which not only overcome the disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art, but also can flexibly, economically and accurately adjust the thickness of the ice making mechanism ice.

Summary of the invention

One of the objects of the present invention is to propose a structure and method for controlling and adjusting the thickness of ice of a novel automatic ice making machine, thereby having reliable, convenient, flexible and accurate control of the thickness of ice, and at the same time can be used for relatively accurate The advantages of the user's water consumption data and usage habits are recorded.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides an ice making method using an ice making machine, the ice making machine comprising a water tray, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

Setting a first water level (or initial water level) in the water tray to put water at a first water level into the water tray;

Setting a second water level (or a predetermined water level) in the water tray, the first water level height being higher than the second water level height;

Transferring water to be iced into the water tray such that water in the water tray reaches the first water level (or initial water level);

Start the ice making process;

Detecting whether the water in the water tray is lowered from a first water level (or initial water level) to a second water level (or a predetermined water level) height;

When the water in the water tray is lowered from the first water level (or initial water level) to the second water level (or predetermined water level) height, the ice collecting process is started;

The height of the first water level (or initial water level) above the second water level (or predetermined water level) indicates the thickness of the ice making.

The ice making method described above is characterized in that it further comprises the following steps:

Enter a variable parameter specifying the first water level in the water tray;

Measuring the amount of water discharged to the water tray;

When the amount of water discharged to the water tray reaches the first water level, the water discharge is stopped.

Measuring the amount of water delivered to the water tray;

When the amount of water delivered to the water tray reaches the first water level, the water discharge is stopped.

In the ice making method described above, the ice making machine further comprises an inlet valve, a flow sensor and a water level sensor, characterized in that the method:

Using an inlet valve to open or close the delivery of water to the water tray;

Using a flow sensor to measure the amount of water delivered to the water tray to determine the arrival of the first water level;

A water level sensor is used to measure the second water level.

The ice making method described above is characterized in that:

The water level sensor is installed at the second water level (or predetermined water level) of the water pan.

The ice making method described above is characterized in that:

Converting water into ice using an evaporator;

The thickness of the ice making is determined by detecting the weight of the ice on the evaporator.

The ice making method described above is characterized in that:

Converting water into ice using an evaporator;

The difference between the first water level height and the second water level height is indicative of a target thickness of ice in the evaporator.

In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention provides an ice making machine, comprising:

a water tray for containing iced water, the water of the water tray having an initial water level and a predetermined water level, the initial water level being higher than a predetermined water level;

a water level sensor for generating the predetermined water level signal;

The controller is configured to control the water of the water tray to the initial water level, and is configured to receive a predetermined water level signal sent from the water level sensor, and start the ice collecting process according to the predetermined water level signal.

The ice making machine described above is characterized in that:

The water level sensor is configured to sense that a water level in the water tray is lowered from an initial water level to the predetermined water level, and generate a predetermined water level signal.

The ice making machine described above is characterized in that:

The water level sensor is configured to sense a quantity of injected water in the water tray to calculate a reference water level.

The ice maker described above is characterized in that it further comprises:

An evaporator for receiving water in the water tray and forming ice therein.

The ice maker described above is characterized in that it further comprises:

a water inlet valve for turning on or off water flowing into the water tray for being iced;

a flow sensor for sensing the amount of water passing through the inlet valve, when the water in the water tray reaches the initial water level, generating an initial water level signal, and feeding the initial water level signal to the controller;

The controller closes the inlet valve when an initial water level signal is received;

The initial water level signal indicates an initial water level in the water tray, the predetermined water level signal indicating a predetermined water level in the water tray.

The ice maker described above is characterized in that it further comprises:

A water pump for introducing water in the water tray into the evaporator.

The ice maker described above is characterized in that it further comprises:

Trap.

The ice making machine described above is characterized in that:

The predetermined water level height indicates a target thickness of ice in the evaporator.

The ice making machine described above is characterized in that:

The difference between the initial water level height and the predetermined water level height is indicative of a target thickness of ice in the evaporator.

DRAWINGS

The invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1A shows a block diagram of a fully automatic ice maker 100 designed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 1B shows the structure of a fully automatic ice maker 100 designed in accordance with the present invention;

2A-B illustrate an embodiment of a water level sensor 107 in a fully automatic ice maker 100 in accordance with the present invention;

3A-B illustrate an embodiment of a switching circuit 213 output circuit 300 in a water level sensor 107 in a fully automatic ice maker 100 in accordance with the present invention;

4 shows an output signal waveform when the switch 213 of FIGS. 3A-B is switched between an open state and a closed state.

detailed description

Referring to the drawings described above, the fully automatic ice maker 100 of the present invention is described as follows:

Figure 1A shows a block diagram of a fully automatic ice maker 100 designed in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, the fully automatic ice maker 100 includes a water inlet valve 101, a flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 (which includes a circuit for outputting a water flow signal), a water pump 103, a water separator 104, an evaporator 105, and a control. The device 106, the water level sensor 107, the water tray 108, and an internal memory 109 connected to the controller 106. The components connected to the controller 106 include an opening and closing mechanism in the water inlet valve 101, a water amount signal output end of the flow rate sensor (or flow meter) 102, a start and stop mechanism of the water pump 103, and a water level signal output end of the water level sensor 107. The internal memory 109 is used to store data and programs (or instructions), and the controller 106 can fetch or store programs (or instructions) and data from the internal memory 109 and can be based on programs (or instructions) that are fetched from the internal memory 109 and The data controls the operation of the fully automatic ice maker 100.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the inlet of the inlet valve 101 is connected to the water source, and the outlet of the inlet valve 101 is connected to the inlet of the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 (of course, the arrangement positions of the two can be interchanged before and after); the flow sensor The (or flow meter) water outlet (i.e., the water inlet 123 of the water tray 108 in Figure 1B) is disposed in the upper portion of the opening of the water tray 108 (or into the volume of the water tray 108) such that when the water flows through the flow sensor (or After the flow meter) 102, the water tray 108 can flow from the water outlet 123. When the opening and closing mechanism of the inlet valve 101 is in the closed position, the water source is cut off into the flow sensor (or flow rate) 102), thereby shutting off the passage of the water source into the water tray 108; when the opening and closing mechanism of the water inlet valve 101 is in the open position, the water source water flows into the water tray 108 through the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102. The water inlet of the water pump 103 is immersed in the water in the water tray 108 and is in fluid communication with the inlet of the water separator 104; the outlet of the water separator 104 is in fluid communication with the inlet of the evaporator 105; and the outlet of the evaporator 105 is connected to the water return tray. 108. When the water pump 103 is in operation, the water in the water tray 108 is driven into the evaporator 105 via the water separator 104, gradually cooled until part of the ice is formed in the evaporator 105, and the remaining water which does not form ice is circulated back into the water tray 108. .

The side surface of the water tray 108 may be provided with a scale (or height) identifying a predetermined position (or predetermined height, ie, a predetermined water level or a second water level), and the water level sensor 107 is fixed to the water tray 108 such that the water level sensor 107 The sensing center point of the sensing unit (see FIGS. 2A-B) is aligned with a predetermined position (or predetermined height) of the water tray 108 for sensing a change in water level in the water tray 108 such that when the water level is from the initial water level (or When the position of the water level drops to the predetermined water level (or the second water level), a water level indication signal (ie, a predetermined water level signal/second water level signal) is generated to indicate that the ice in the evaporator 105 has reached the desired thickness. Upon receiving the water flow signal and the water level indicating signal from the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 and the water level sensor 107, respectively, the controller 106 controls the start and stop of the water inlet valve 101 and the water pump 103 so that the water tray is before the ice making process starts. The water level of 108 is maintained at a predetermined water level/second water level; before the ice making process begins, water is dialed into the water tray 108 to raise the water in the water tray 108 from a predetermined water level/second water level to an initial water level (or first water level).

Prior to the start of the ice making operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 106 adjusts the water level in the water tray 108 to a predetermined water level/second water level (ie, the amount of water injected to calculate the reference water level) prior to the ice making process; When the water level in the water tray 108 reaches the predetermined water level/second water level, the water level sensor 107 issues a predetermined water level signal/second water level signal to the controller 106 indicating that the ice making process is ready. Before the ice making process starts, the controller 106 sends an opening control signal to the water inlet valve 101, opens the water inlet valve 101, and the water flows through the water inlet valve 101 and flows through the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 into the water tray 108. While passing through the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102, the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 continually feeds the flow of water signal to the controller 106 in real time. Since the evaporator 105 and the water tray 108 have a predetermined volume (i.e., predetermined length, width, height, and shape), the controller 106 can determine that water is in the water tray 108 by the amount of water flowing through the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102. Real time high Degree, when the water flowing into the water tray 108 reaches the initial water level (or the first water level) in the water tray 108, the controller 106 sends a shutdown control signal to the water inlet valve 101, indicating that the water level of the water tray 108 reaches the initial water level (or The first water level), thereby closing the water inlet valve 101. Then, the controller 106 sends a start signal to the evaporator 105 and the water pump 103, the ice making process begins, the water in the water tray 108 begins to enter the chiller, circulates through the evaporator 105, and a portion of the water is turned into ice at the evaporator 105.

During the ice making process, as the ice in the evaporator 105 is continuously thickened, the water level in the water tray 108 is continuously lowered; when the water level in the water tray 108 is lowered from the initial water level (or the first water level) to the predetermined water level ( Or the second water level position, the water level sensor 107 generates a predetermined water level indication signal (or a second water level indication signal) and feeds the predetermined water level indication signal to the controller 106, thereby indicating that the ice in the evaporator 105 has reached the predetermined ( Or target) thickness.

Upon receiving the predetermined water level indication signal (or the second water level indication signal) sent from the water level sensor 107, the controller 106 sends a signal to the refrigerator (not shown) and the water pump 103 to stop the ice making process. Then, a start signal is sent to the ice collecting device (not shown), and the ice collecting process starts. After the end of the harvesting process, the controller 106 can restart the above-described ice making process.

Figure 1B shows the construction of a fully automatic ice maker 100 designed in accordance with the present invention. In Fig. 1B, the same components as those in Fig. 1A are given the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 1B, the controller 106 and the memory 109 are mounted on the first circuit printed board 113, and the human-machine interactive part 115 for inputting the operating parameters is mounted on the second circuit printed board 116. The water pipe 117 is used to connect the water source, the water inlet valve 101, the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102; the water inlet 123 is disposed at the end of the water pipe 117 and above the opening of the water tray 108. In Fig. 1B, the water tray 108 is placed in the horizontal direction, and the evaporator 105 is placed in the vertical direction, so that the weight of the ice in the evaporator 105 can be utilized to facilitate the collection of ice. As shown in Fig. 1B, the evaporator 105 is composed of a plurality of ice trays, and the function of the water separator 104 is to distribute water evenly to each ice tray.

In the present invention, in the field of application of pure water, the water level sensor 107 may include a magnetic switch such as a reed switch or a Hall, which can realize a water-independent conductivity detection water level, whether in pure water or general drinking water. Can work for the purpose. In the field of non-pure water applications, the water level sensor 107 can also be a switch in the form of a water-dependent conductivity such as an electrode switch.

2A-B illustrate an embodiment of a water level sensor 107 in a fully automatic ice maker 100 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2A, the water level sensor 107 includes a float 201, a magnet block 202 disposed inside the float 201, a reed switch/Hall switch 203, a slide bar 205, and a mount 206 for fixing the water level sensor 107. The slide bar 205 is fixed by a fixed seat 206, and the reed switch/Hall switch 203 is fixed inside the float slide bar 205, and its sense center position 211 is aligned with a predetermined water level (or second water level) position on the side of the water tray 108. The water level of the water tray 108 is sensed to reach a predetermined water level (or a second water level). There is a switch circuit 213 in the reed switch/Hall switch 203, and the water level sensor 107 has a sensing center position 211. When the magnetic block 202 is located at the sensing center position 211 (or when the magnetic block 202 is located within the sensing sensitive area of the sensing center position 211), the switching circuit 213 is closed to generate a first state signal (V1), the first state signal (V1) may be a high potential signal; when the magnetic block 202 leaves the sensing center position 211 (or when the magnetic block 202 leaves the sensing sensitive area of the sensing center position 211), the switching circuit 213 is turned off to generate the second state. The signal (V2), the second state signal (V2) may be a low potential signal. Of course, those skilled in the art can also use the switch circuit 213 reverse signal can also be used to control the ice making process, that is, the first state signal (V1) can be a low potential signal; and the second state signal (V2) can be high. Potential signal. In one embodiment of the invention, the first status signal is used to indicate an electrical signal at a predetermined water level in the water tray 108.

3A-B illustrate an embodiment of a control signal output circuit 300 in a water level sensor 107 in a fully automatic ice maker 100 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 3A-B, the control signal output circuit 300 includes resistors R1 and R2, a switch 213, and a NOT gate 312. Switch 213 is connected in series between resistors R1 and R2 to form a voltage divider; NOT gate 312 is connected to R1 and R2, and the voltage divider output is output in reverse. When the switch 213 is closed under the driving of the magnetic block 202, the voltage divider output is a low potential signal, and after the reverse gate 312 is reversed, the first state signal (high potential signal V1) is output; when the switch 213 is turned off, The voltage divider output is a high potential signal, and after being inverted by the NOT gate 312, the second state signal (low potential signal V2) is output.

At some point in the work, the float 201 is guided by the sliding rod and moves up and down as the water level changes to indicate a change in the water level in the water tray 108. As shown in FIG. 2A, the water level line 204 in the water tray 108 is at a certain height, and the magnetic block 202 mounted inside the float 201 is at the sensing center position 211 of the reed switch/Hall switch 203 (or at the sensing center position). 211 within the sensing sensitive area), this At the time of the induction of the magnetic block 202, the switch circuit 213 is placed in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 2B, the water level line 204' in the water tray 108 rises to a higher water level in the water tray 108, and the magnetic block 202 installed inside the float 201 moves to the sense of the reed switch/Hall sensor 203. Further above the center position 211 (water level line 204'), the magnet block 202 is outside the sensing sensitive area of the sensing center position 211. At this time, the magnet block 202 does not sense the reed switch/Hall switch 203. Function, the switch circuit 213 is placed in the off position. However, when the water level line 204' in the water tray 108 descends, the magnet block 202 mounted inside the float 201 descends as the water level line falls, and gradually approaches the sensing center position of the sensor 107. When the magnet block 202 mounted inside the float 201 moves to the sensing center position 211 (or within the sensing sensitive area of the sensing center position 211), the switching circuit 213 in the reed switch/Hall switch 203 is reclosed. Thereby a first status signal is generated.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first state signal sent by the reed switch/Hall switch 203 to the controller 106 is used to indicate a predetermined water level indication signal.

During the ice making process, under the control of the controller 106, the water inlet valve 101 is opened and water enters the water tray 108 through the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102. As the water passes through the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102, the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 can detect the real-time flow of water as it passes through the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 in real time and feed the incoming water flow signal to At the controller 106, when the water level in the water tray 108 reaches the desired level (i.e., the initial water level or the first water level), the water inlet valve 101 is closed under the control of the controller 106. When the water level in the water tray 108 reaches the expected height (ie, the initial water level or the first water level) (or to save the total ice making time, if the water intake is slow, a predetermined time before the water level does not reach the first water level), Under the control of the controller 106, the water pump 103 is activated to continuously feed water from the water tray 108 to the water separator 104, and then the water is supplied from the water separator 104 to the evaporator 105, cooled on the surface of the evaporator 105, and then The cooled water leaves the evaporator 105 and returns to the water tray 108; this water cooling process (i.e., the water separator 104 is input from the water tray 108, and then the water is supplied from the water separator 104 to the evaporator 105, on the surface of the evaporator 105. The process of being cooled, and then the cooled water leaving the evaporator 105 back into the water tray 108) is continuously circulated. As the water cooling process continues to circulate, when the water is lowered to a certain temperature, a part of the water solidifies into ice on the surface of the evaporator 105, and the water that has not solidified into ice returns to the water tray 108, causing the water level in the water tray 108 to drop. Since the water level sensor 107 is fixed at a predetermined position in the water tray 108, the water of the water tray 108 gradually becomes When the predetermined position (or the second water level) is lowered, the water level sensor 107 can generate a predetermined water level indication signal (or a second water level indication signal) and feed the predetermined water level indication signal (or the second water level indication signal) to the controller. 106, whereby the controller 106 can determine that the ice in the evaporator 105 has reached a thickness at which ice can be harvested, and the controller 106 initiates the ice harvesting process.

During the ice harvesting process, the ice block attached to the evaporator 105 is detached from the evaporator 105 by means of a method of separating the ice from the evaporator 105, thereby completing an ice collecting process, thereby completing an ice making working cycle (including one system). Ice process and an ice harvesting process). When the ice collecting process is completed, the fully automatic ice making machine 100 performs the next ice making process, and the cycle repeats.

4 shows the output signal waveforms at its

output points

314 and 316 when the switch 213 of FIGS. 3A-B transitions between an open state and a closed state. As shown in FIG. 4, when the switch 213 shown in FIG. 3A is turned off, the output point 314 is a high potential signal (eg, 3.5-5V) and the output point 316 is a low potential signal (eg, 0.1-0.2V); When the switch 213 shown in 3B is closed, the output point 314 is a low potential signal (e.g., 0.1-0.2V) and the output point 316 is a high potential signal (e.g., 3.5-5V). In one embodiment of the invention, the high potential signal of output point 316 can be used as a signal indicative of a predetermined water level; of course, the low potential signal of output point 314 can also be used as a signal indicative of a predetermined water level. In another embodiment of the invention, the transition 402 of the output point 316 from the low potential signal to the high potential signal can be used as a trigger signal indicative of a predetermined water level; of course, the high potential signal to the low potential signal of the output point 314 The jump 406 can also be used as a trigger signal to indicate a predetermined water level. As shown in FIG. 4, the output signal of output point 314 and the output signal of output point 316 are opposite each other.

The working process of the fully automatic ice making machine 100 as shown in Fig. 1A-B is as follows:

a. Before the start of the ice making process, the controller 106 reads the ice thickness setting value or the default value on the human machine interface (or the human-machine interaction component 115), and then calculates according to the read value according to the following method. The volume of water to be fed;

According to an embodiment of the present invention, before the water is introduced into the system in the early stage of the ice making process, the controller 106 needs to calculate the amount of water that should enter the water tray, that is, the water intake amount W1; the general calculation method may be: when the ice is started Total water volume = total water volume at the beginning of harvesting, ie: (total water volume at the start of ice making: water storage in the water pan C0 + water intake W1) = (total water volume at the start of harvesting: attached on the evaporator The weight of the ice W3 + the remaining amount of water in the water tray C3 + circulating water C4 in the water pump, in the water pump, in the pipeline and on the evaporator, that is, C0 + W1 = W2 + C3 + C4, thus, W1 =W2+C3+C4-C0.

Further, since the water storage amount C0 in the water tray 108 is not easy to be known due to the start of ice making, it can be (but not limited to, in practice, the water level of the water tray can be lowered to the lowest point or exhausted by drainage measures. As the calculation reference point of the water amount C0 remaining before the start of the ice making), the water amount C0' when the water level is raised from the low position to the position where the water level sensor 107 operates is used as the actual calculation standard. The specific implementation is:

If the water level in the water tray is higher than the position of the water level sensor 107 at the beginning, before the water is added, the water level in the water tray is lowered to the position below the sensitive point of the water level sensor 107 by the drainage measure, and then the water level is added by the water inlet. The position to the water level sensor action;

If the water level in the water pan is lower than the water level sensor at the beginning, the direct water feed will add water to the position where the water level sensor is moving. In the above two cases, after the treatment, the water storage capacity of the water tray is C0'.

For a given water tray, water pump, system piping, evaporator and water level sensor fixed position, the above water volume corresponding to C3, C4, C0' is a measurable constant value, or its deviation is very small In the range. Thus, W1 = W2 + C5, C5 = C3 + C4 - C0' can be referred to as a water amount calculation correction value. In practice, there are other effects, such as evaporation of water or a little water splashing out of the ice machine, or during the deicing process, a small portion of the ice will melt into water, so the calculated correction value C5 can be made small according to the actual situation. Correction.

b. In the early stage of the aforementioned ice making process, the controller 106 opens the inlet valve 101 to cause water to flow through the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102, and after measurement, enters the water tray 108, so that the quantity sensor (or flow meter) 102 records the added The amount of water; when the amount of water entering reaches the calculated volume of water, the controller 106 closes the inlet valve 101; at this time, the water in the water tray 108 is maintained at the initial water level (first water level);

c. During the aforementioned ice making process, the water in the water tray 108 is continuously introduced into the evaporator 105 for cooling until it is slowly attached to the evaporator 105 as ice, and the water level in the water tray 108 is thick with the evaporator 105. The increase is gradually decreasing. A predetermined position in the water tray 108 (i.e., the position sensed by the water level sensor 107) is provided with a water level sensor 107. When the water level drops to a position sensed by the water level sensor 107, the water level sensor 107 generates a predetermined water level (second water level) indication. Signal, at which time the ice thickness is correspondingly at a predetermined thickness (or target thickness);

d. In practical applications, the water level sensor 107 is disposed at a suitable position in the water tray 108, and the amount of water added to the water tray 108 can be controlled by the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102, and the water tray is sensed by the water level sensor 107. The water level in 108 thus indirectly detects the thickness of the ice attached to the evaporator to achieve the purpose of sensing ice thickness.

Further, in the present invention, the above solution may be equipped with human-computer interaction components, such as LED tubes, touch screens, buttons, etc., by using human-computer interaction components, reading, displaying, and inputting and setting a flow sensor to the controller 106 (or The set value of the flow meter 102 enables the controller 106 to control the amount of water flowing into the water tray 108 by the water quantity indicating signal sent from the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102, thereby controlling the thickness of the ice to a desired value;

Further, in the present invention, the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 can accurately record the user's water consumption and record the data in the controller to achieve the purpose of understanding and recording the user's usage habits;

Further, in the present invention, the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 can sense the water inlet abnormality in a short time, such as the water pressure exceeds the allowable value of the system, the water inlet pressure is low, the water shortage is faulty, and the high is avoided. Water pressure causes damage to system components, or low water pressure and water shortage may cause the service life of the inlet valve to decrease.

In the present invention, programs (or instructions) and data for operating the fully automatic ice maker 100 may be stored in the internal memory 109, and the operation controller 106 retrieves the programs (or instructions) and data from the internal memory 109, and These programs (or instructions) and data are run to complete control of the operation of the fully automated ice machine 100.

Based on the above description, the advantages of the solution of the present invention include:

1. Compared with the common electrode type ice thickness sensor, it is not affected by water quality, and can realize the ice thickness control in ordinary drinking water and pure water ice making applications at the same time. Specifically, the electrode type ice thickness control relies on the conductivity of water and cannot be used in pure water or low conductivity water, and the control principle of the present invention does not depend on the conductivity of water, so it is irrelevant to water quality. Depending on the volume, mass, flow rate, pressure, buoyancy, etc. of the water, the flow sensor is used to record and control the amount of water added, and then the water level switch is used to record the amount of water that has not condensed into ice, thereby indirectly controlling the amount of ice attached to the evaporator. Achieve control of ice thickness.

2. In the field of spray-type ice machine, each ice block is a single individual, there is no ice bridge. It is difficult to detect the ice thickness. Generally, the temperature sensor is used, and it is difficult to accurately detect the ice thickness. This scheme can be very good. Solve this problem. Specifically, the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the cooling medium by detecting the temperature of the cooling medium, but the cooling medium is not only affected by the ice thickness, but other factors such as the condensation temperature affected by the ambient temperature have a great influence on the cooling medium, so that Accurate detection of ice thickness, the principle of the present invention, does not by detecting the temperature of the cooling medium, thereby avoiding this drawback.

3. The ice thickness control is precise, the ice thickness adjustment is simple, and the ice thickness adjustment range is wide. The adjustment mode of the invention is non-mechanical, and can be adjusted by an ordinary human-machine interaction device, which is very simple. Therefore, the invention can realize the stepless and quantitative adjustment according to the minimum control precision of the flow meter within the range of the maximum capacity of the water tray and the minimum allowable ice removal weight of the evaporator, as described above, the flow meter is mature. The product is generally of high precision, so the adjustment range is wide.

4. The flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 is disposed in the pipeline for recording the water intake amount, is not easy to scale, makes the system easier to clean, and improves system hygienicness; because the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 can be disposed in the water inlet pipeline , greatly reducing the possibility of contact with dirt, dust and bacteria in the air, thereby improving the hygienic system.

5. The flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 can sense water inlet anomalies in a very short period of time, improving system component life and reliability. Specifically, when the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 detects that the inflow water flow is very small, at this time, it reflects that the inlet water pressure is insufficient, an alarm can be given, and the water inlet solenoid valve is closed to prevent the water inlet solenoid valve from working for a long time. Reduce life expectancy. Moreover, when the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 detects that the inflow water flow is very large, at this time, it is reflected that the inlet water pressure is too large, which may cause system components such as the inlet valve to fail, leak, etc., and may prompt the alarm to avoid Excessive inlet pressure can cause damage to the system.

6. The flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 can record the actual water consumption and usage habits of the user, so that it is very convenient to inspect and record the user's needs, so as to provide customers with further and more humanized service provisioning possibilities. Specifically, the flow sensor (or flow meter) 102 can operate all the influent data when the ice machine is in operation, according to the amount of water, flow rate, etc., and the controller can record the working time of the ice machine, and the ice thickness of each working time. , ice volume, work cycle, etc., store it in memory Or reflected in the human-computer interaction device for reference. To study the use of ice machines, usage habits, etc.

7. The present invention can save water to a certain extent; since in the present invention, different ice thicknesses and different water inflows are different. Therefore, in the conventional ice thickness control scheme, all the ice thicknesses are consistent, so that when the ice thickness is set thin, excess water that is not condensed into ice is excluded from the ice machine, resulting in waste of water resources.

Claims

An ice making method using an ice making machine, the ice making machine comprising a water tray (108), characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:

Setting a first water level (or initial water level) in the water tray (108) to place water at a first water level into the water tray (108);

Setting a second water level (or a predetermined water level) in the water tray (108), the first water level height being higher than the second water level height;

Transferring water to be iced into the water tray (108) such that water in the water tray (108) reaches the first water level (or initial water level);

Start the ice making process;

Detecting whether the water in the water tray (108) is lowered from a first water level (or initial water level) to a second water level (or a predetermined water level) height;

When the water in the water tray (108) is lowered from the first water level (or initial water level) to the second water level (or predetermined water level) height, the ice collecting process is started;

The height of the first water level (or initial water level) above the second water level (or predetermined water level) indicates the thickness of the ice making.
The ice making method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

Entering a variable parameter for specifying a first water level in the water tray (108);

Measuring the amount of water discharged to the water tray (108);

When the amount of water discharged to the water tray (108) reaches the first water level, the water discharge is stopped.
The ice making method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

Measuring the amount of water delivered to the water tray (108);

When the amount of water delivered to the water tray (108) reaches the first water level, the water discharge is stopped.
The ice making method according to any one of claims 2-3, further comprising a water inlet valve (101), a flow sensor (102), and a water level sensor (107), wherein the method:

Using the inlet valve (101) to open or close the delivery of water to the water tray (108);

Using a flow sensor (102) to measure the amount of water delivered to the water tray (108) to determine the arrival of the first water level;

The second water level is measured using a water level sensor (107).
The ice making method according to claim 4, wherein:

The water level sensor (107) is mounted at the second water level (or predetermined water level) of the water pan (108).
The ice making method according to claim 5, wherein:

Converting water to ice using an evaporator (105);

The thickness of the ice making is determined by detecting the weight of the ice on the evaporator (105).
The ice making method according to claim 5, wherein:

Converting water to ice using an evaporator (105);

The difference between the first water level height and the second water level height is indicative of a target thickness of ice in the evaporator (105).
An ice making machine characterized by comprising:

a water tray (108) for containing iced water, the water of the water tray (108) having an initial water level and a predetermined water level, the initial water level being higher than a predetermined water level;

a water level sensor (107) for generating a predetermined water level signal;

A controller (106) for controlling the water of the water tray (108) to be placed at an initial water level and for receiving a predetermined water level signal sent from the water level sensor (107) to initiate the ice collecting process according to the predetermined water level signal.
The ice maker of claim 8 wherein:

The water level sensor (107) is for sensing that the water level in the water tray (108) has decreased from an initial water level to the predetermined water level and produces a predetermined water level signal.
The ice maker according to claim 9, wherein:

The water level sensor (107) is used to sense the amount of injected water in the water tray (108) to calculate a reference water level.
The ice maker according to claim 9, further comprising:

An evaporator (105) for receiving water in the water tray (108) and forming ice therein.
The ice maker of claim 11 further comprising:

a water inlet valve (101) for turning on or off water flowing into the water tray (108) for being iced;

a flow sensor (102) for sensing the amount of water passing through the inlet valve (101), generating an initial water level signal when the water in the water tray (108) reaches the initial water level, and feeding the initial water level signal to the Controller (106);

When receiving the initial water level signal, the controller (106) closes the water inlet valve (101);

The initial water level signal indicates an initial water level in the water tray (108), the predetermined water level signal indicating a predetermined water level in the water tray (108).
The ice maker of claim 12, further comprising:

A water pump (103) for inputting water in the water tray (108) into the evaporator (105).
The ice maker of claim 13 further comprising:

Water separator (104).
The ice maker of claim 13 wherein:

The predetermined water level height indicates a target thickness of ice in the evaporator (105).
The ice maker of claim 13 wherein:

The difference between the initial water level height and the predetermined water level height is indicative of a target thickness of ice in the evaporator (105).
An ice making method using an ice making machine, characterized by comprising a combination of any of claims 1-7 or any of the steps of claims 1-7.
An ice making machine comprising the combination of any of the technical features of any of claims 8-16 or any of the features of claims 8-16.