JP2002206830A - Selector valve for water-supply path of automatic icemaker, water-supply system and its control method for automatic ice-making - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a selector valve for a water-supply path having a structure, in which water leakage does not happen from a sealed discharge port, in relation to the valve for supplying water to a plurality of water-making trays for an automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. SOLUTION: Referring to the direction (indicated by an arrow) of the shortest distance to a space 1f of the main body having a flow from discharge port 1c through contact faces of an arc face 2a, an upper face 2b, a lower face 2c and a sealing face 2d of the body 1 of the valve 2, the direction is orthogonal or nearly orthogonal to the direction of the water flowing in the space 1f. The lateral pressure acts in the direction vertically approaching the current, so water does not flow in the direction of a discharge port 1d, and leakage can be positively prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic ice making device for a refrigerator, and more particularly to a branch valve provided before water flowing from a water supply tank is poured into an ice tray, thereby enabling water to be supplied to a plurality of locations. The present invention relates to a water supply path switching valve and an automatic ice making system including a water supply path switching valve. It also relates to a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, large refrigerators having an automatic ice making function have become popular, and ice making functions with higher added value have been devised. For example, JP-A-6-2
JP-A-41627 and JP-A-9-310946 have devised automatic ice making machines that supply water to a plurality of ice trays to make ice. There are many needs regarding the quality, quantity, shape, etc. of ice, and it is expected that automatic ice making machines with such functions will increase more and more in the future.

Hereinafter, the conventional automatic ice making machine will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 10 is a structural view of an automatic ice maker described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-310946. In FIG. 10, water required for making ice is pumped from a water supply tank 60 by a pump 50, and flows into a branch valve 16 through a pipe 40. In the branch valve 16, the direction of drainage is selected, and water is poured into the selected ice tray 4A or 4B. According to this publication, the branch valve 16 is constituted by a solenoid valve or the like, but details thereof are unknown.

[0005]

However, when an automatic ice maker is used by switching the water supply path, when water leaks from the branch valve 16, only one of the ice trays is repeatedly supplied with water, made ice, and separated ice. However, water (ice) leaking into the other ice tray has a drawback that it accumulates rapidly and eventually overflows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to provide a water supply path switching valve having a structure in which water does not leak from a sealed drain port of a water supply path switching valve provided in a water supply path. With the goal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic ice making system having a structure for preventing water from accumulating in an ice tray on the sealed side by using a water supply path switching valve under optimum conditions.

[0008]

In order to achieve this object, a water supply path switching valve according to the present invention uses a stepping motor or a geared motor as a means for preventing water leakage relating to a drive source of the valve. In the case where a stepping motor is used, control for stepping out the stepping motor during water supply is performed.

Further, as a means for preventing water leakage related to the material, an elastic material is used for a part or all of a power transmission path from the drive unit to the valve.

As means for preventing water leakage relating to the structure of the valve and the inlet / outlet, there are a main body having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, a valve movable to close each of the outlets, and driving the valve. The valve comprises a drive unit, the valve is configured to slide with a minimum gap with the inner surface of the main body, and the valve is configured to maximize the contact area with the main body when closing the drain port. Things.

In addition, the direction of water flow from the water inlet to the drain that is not blocked is not parallel or close to the contact surface between the valve and the main body.

In addition, a body having a water inlet and a plurality of water outlets, and a valve provided with one or more through holes, wherein one end of the through hole is positioned at the water inlet and the other end is positioned at the water outlet. The one end and the other end are provided at an angle perpendicular to or close to the surface of the valve. Further, one end is larger than the water inlet, and the other end is smaller than the drain.

[0013] Further, the apparatus comprises a main body having a water inlet and a plurality of drains communicating with the inner wall, and a valve movable to close each of the drains. A water port and a plurality of the drain ports are provided.

The apparatus has a main body having an inlet and two drains, and a valve slidable on the main body and movable so as to close each of the drains with a sliding surface. The directions are opposite to each other with the valve in between.

As means for preventing the water from leaking in the ice tray as an automatic ice making water supply system including a water supply path switching valve, a trap is provided in the middle of a plurality of water injection hoses connected to the drains of the water supply path switching valve. is there.

Further, the water outlet of the water supply path switching valve is arranged upward.

With these structures, it is possible to realize an automatic ice making water supply system in which there is no water leakage at the water supply path switching valve or even if water leakage occurs, it does not leak to the ice tray.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a water supply path switching valve according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of a water supply path switching valve according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body, which is a cylindrical water inlet 1;
b, drain ports 1c and 1d are provided. Reference numeral 2 denotes a valve, which is rotatable at the center 2a and movable so as to close the drain ports 1c and 1d. Surface 2 closing drain ports 1c and 1d in valve 2
Rubber sheets 2d and 2e are attached to b and 2c. Reference numeral 3 denotes a motor having an output shaft 3a attached to the center 2a of the valve 2.

The motor 3 is constituted by a PM type stepping motor or a geared motor. In the case of the PM type stepping motor, the output shaft 3a does not rotate easily because the holding torque is maintained even when the power is off. The same applies to the case where the motor 3 is constituted by a geared motor. When the power is turned off, the output shaft 3a does not easily rotate.

The fact that the output shaft 3a does not easily rotate means that the valve 2 does not move its position even if the power is turned off while the drain port 1c or 1d is closed, thereby preventing water leakage from the drain port. be able to.

When a stepping motor is used,
When water is supplied and rotated in the direction to close the drain port and used out of step with the drain port closed, a pressing force against the drain port is always generated, so that water leakage hardly occurs. In this case, a VR type stepping motor having no holding torque when the power is turned off can be used.

Since the rubber sheets 2d and 2e are attached to the valve 2, the drain port can be closed by the elasticity of the rubber. If the output shaft 3a is made of rubber, a twisting torque is generated, so that a pressing force can be applied to the drain port 1c or 1d.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of a water supply path switching valve according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the embodiment. 2 and 3, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 1 has a semicircular shape, and the water inlet 1b is located above the center of the drains 1c and 1d. The valve 2 can move while the arc surface 2f is in sliding contact with the main body arc surface 1a with a minimum gap. Upper surface 2b
Also, the lower surface 2c is in contact with the main body with a minimum gap. Valve 2
The arc surface 2f extends to just before the water inlet 1b, and the angle θ is the maximum that does not block the water inlet 1b.

The water flowing from the water inlet 1b flows in the main body 1 in the direction of the arrow indicating the water flow direction and is drained from the drain port 1c.
d may cause water leakage. However, since the gap is small and the contact area is large, the pressure loss is large, and this structure makes it difficult for water to reach the drain port 1d.

FIG. 3 shows a main body space 1 having an arc surface 2f, an upper surface 2b, a lower surface 2c, and a sealing surface 2d which are contact surfaces of the valve 2 with the main body 1 through the contact surface from the drain port 1c.
The shortest distance to f is indicated by an arrow. The directions of the arrows are all perpendicular to or close to the direction of the water flow flowing through the main body space 1f.

Since a lateral pressure acts on the water flow in a direction perpendicular to the water flow, a lateral pressure is generated in the direction of the arrow, and the water does not flow in the direction toward the drain port 1d. Therefore, water leakage can be reliably prevented.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a water supply path switching valve according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 5 and 6 are partially enlarged views of the embodiment. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body having a circular box shape, and a cylindrical water inlet 1b and drains 1c and 1d are provided on a side surface 1a. The water inlet 1b and the water outlets 1c, 1d are provided at an angle perpendicular to or close to the side surface 1a. Reference numeral 2 denotes a valve having through holes 2h and 2j formed in an outer peripheral surface 2g, and having a minimum gap with the side surface 1a so as to be able to rotate and slide on the side surface 1a of the main body 1. Through hole 2
Both ends of h and 2j are provided at an angle perpendicular to or close to the outer peripheral surface 2g.

When one end 2k of the through hole 2h is located at the inlet 1b and the other end 2p is located at the drain 1c (shown), water flowing from the inlet 1b is drained from the drain 1c through the through hole 2h. Is done. When one end 2m of the through hole 2j is located at the water inlet 1b and the other end 2n is located at the drain 1d (not shown), the water is drained from the drain 1d.

The water flowing from the water inlet 1b is
The water is drained from the drain port 1c through the hole h, and the direction of the water flow (arrow in FIG. 4) is perpendicular to or close to the sliding surface of the valve 2 near the inlet port 1b and the drain port 1c. . Therefore, since the lateral pressure acts on the sliding surface in the direction shown by the arrows in FIGS. 5 and 6, water does not reach the drain port 1d. That is, no water leakage occurs.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, one end 2 of the through hole 2h
The opening of k is provided larger than that of the water inlet 1b. Therefore, even if the position of the valve is slightly shifted, a lateral pressure is applied. The same applies to the drain port 1c, as shown in FIG.
The opening at the other end 2p of the valve 2 is made smaller than that of the drain port 1c, so that even if the valve 2 is slightly displaced, the lateral pressure acts to prevent water leakage.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a water supply path switching valve according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 7, the same components as those of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 7, drain ports 1c and 1d are provided in opposite directions with valve 2 interposed therebetween. When the water flowing in from the water inlet 1b goes out of the water outlet 1c, a reaction is exerted on the valve in a direction opposite to the water discharge direction, so that the water is discharged from the water outlet 1c.
It functions to hold down d and water leakage hardly occurs.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 8 is a structural diagram showing a state in which a water supply path switching valve according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention is used.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 10 denotes a water supply path switching valve. The water in the water supply tank 5 is pumped up by the pump 6, and the water supply path is selected by the water supply path switching valve 10.
Fill a or 6b with water. Rubber hoses 7a and 7b are connected to the drain of the water supply path switching valve.

The rubber hoses 7a, 7b are
c and 7d are provided. Therefore, even if there is a water leak at the drain outlet that leads to the ice tray that was not selected, it does not reach the ice tray.

(Embodiment 6) FIG. 9 is a structural diagram showing a state in which a water supply path switching valve according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention is used. In FIG. 9, the same components as those of the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 9, the water supply path switching valve 10 has drain ports 1b and 1c mounted upward. Therefore, even if there is a water leak at the drain opening to the ice tray that has not been selected, the water does not reach the ice tray.

[0039]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, a valve movable to close each of the outlets, and a drive unit for driving the valves. And a stepping motor is used for the driving unit. In the invention of claim 2 of the present invention, control is performed to supply power to the stepping motor during water supply and to step out. Further, the invention of claim 3 of the present invention has a main body having an inlet and a plurality of drains, a valve movable to close each of the drains, and a drive unit for driving the valve,
The drive unit uses a geared motor.

As a result, the holding torque acts on the valve in a state where the drain port is sealed, so that the valve can be sealed even if some vibration or the like is applied, and water leakage can be prevented.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body having an inlet and a plurality of outlets, a valve movable to close each of the outlets, and a drive unit for driving the valves. An elastic material is used for part or all of a power transmission path from the drive section to the valve.

As a result, a pressing force can always be applied at the time of sealing the drain port, so that more reliable sealing can be performed and water leakage can be prevented. When the valve is made of an elastic material such as rubber, the operation noise of the valve can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body having an inlet and a plurality of drains, a valve movable to close each of the drains, and a drive unit for driving the valves. The valve is configured to slide with a minimum clearance from the inner surface of the main body, and the valve is configured to maximize the area of contact with the main body when closing the drain port. .

This makes it difficult for water to flow to the sealed drain port, thereby reducing water leakage. Further, in the present structure, the moving distance at the time of switching the valve can be small, so that the switching time can be short.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body having a water inlet and a plurality of drains, and a valve movable so as to close each of the drains. The flow direction of the water flowing to the drain port, which is not provided, should not be parallel or close to the contact surface between the valve and the main body.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body having a water inlet and a plurality of drains, and a valve provided with one or more through holes, wherein one end of the through hole is connected to the water inlet. The water supply path can be selected by aligning the end with the drain port, and the one end and the other end are provided to be perpendicular to or close to the surface of the valve.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, one end is larger than the water inlet and the other end is smaller than the drain.

As a result, the lateral pressure is reliably generated in the gap between the valve and the main body, and the invention of claim 7 is made more reliable. Further, since the present structure generates a lateral pressure even if the stop position of the valve is slightly shifted, the effect is exhibited even when the valve is made of an elastic material or the stop position of the valve is shifted due to a driving source.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body having an inlet port and a plurality of drain ports communicating with the inner wall, and a valve movable so as to close each of the drain ports. A structure is provided in which the water inlet and the plurality of water outlets are provided at a vertical angle or an angle close thereto.

With these structures, a lateral pressure against the water flow acts on the gap between the valve and the main body, so that water does not enter and water does not reach the drain port. Further, this structure does not require any special control or use of any material, has a simple structure, and can be realized at low cost.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body having a water inlet and two drains, and a valve slidable on the main body and movable so as to close each of the drains with a sliding surface. The drain directions of the two drain ports are opposite to each other via the valve.

With this structure, the reaction at the time of drainage becomes a sealing force for sealing the other valve. Therefore, if the flow velocity and the amount of drainage are large, the sealing force will be high. This is because the sealing force is automatically increased when the head between the water supply tank and the water supply path switching valve is large or the discharge force of the pump is strong, so that it is not necessary to provide auxiliary sealing means or the like.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in an automatic ice making water supply system for pumping water from a water supply tank by a pump and selectively supplying water to a plurality of locations through a water supply path switching valve, the water supply path is connected to a drain of the water supply path switching valve. It has a plurality of water injection hoses, and a trap is provided in the middle of the water injection hose. In the invention of claim 12 of the present invention, the drain port of the water supply path switching valve is arranged upward.

In the event that water leaks from the water supply path switching valve, water accumulates around the trap and the drain, so that water does not leak to the ice tray. In addition, this structure does not require any work on the water supply path switching valve itself, and can prevent water leakage most reliably and inexpensively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a water supply path switching valve according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a water supply path switching valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same water supply path switching valve.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a water supply path switching valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the same water supply path switching valve.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the water supply path switching valve.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a water supply path switching valve according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of a water supply path switching valve according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of a water supply path switching valve according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a structural view of a conventional automatic ice maker using a water supply path switching valve.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 1b Water inlet 1c, 1d Drain 2 Valve 2b, 2c Elastic material 2h, 2j Through hole 3 Drive unit 4 Pump 5 Water supply tank 7 Water injection hose 10 Water supply path switching valve

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Akinori Tsujimoto 4-5-2-5 Takaidahondori, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka Inside Matsushita Refrigerating Machinery Co., Ltd. (72) Masatoshi Masahisa 4-chome Takaidahondori, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka 2-5 Matsushita Refrigeration Machinery Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shoji Asada 4-2-5 Takaida Hondori, Higashi Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture F-term in Matsushita Refrigeration Machinery Co., Ltd. 3L110 AA07

Claims (12)

[Claims] A body having an inlet and a plurality of outlets;
A water supply path switching valve for an automatic ice maker, comprising: a valve movable to close each of the drain ports; and a drive unit for driving the valve, wherein a stepping motor is used for the drive unit. 2. The method for controlling a water supply path switching valve of an automatic ice making machine according to claim 1, wherein a stepping motor is supplied with electric power to step out during water supply. 3. A body having an inlet and a plurality of drains,
A water supply path switching valve for an automatic ice maker, comprising: a valve movable to close each of the drain ports; and a drive unit for driving the valve, wherein a geared motor is used for the drive unit. 4. A body having an inlet and a plurality of drains,
It has a valve movable to close each of the drains, and a drive unit for driving the valve, and that an elastic material is used for a part or all of a power transmission path from the drive unit to the valve. Water supply path switching valve for automatic ice maker. 5. A body having an inlet and a plurality of drains,
A valve movable to close each of the drain ports, and a driving unit for driving the valve, wherein the valve is configured to slide with a minimum gap with the inner surface of the main body, and the valve is A water supply path switching valve for an automatic ice making machine, wherein a contact area with the main body is maximized when a drain port is closed. 6. A body having an inlet and a plurality of drains,
It has a valve movable to close each of the drains, the flow direction of the water flowing from the inlet to the drain that is not closed is parallel to the contact surface between the valve and the main body. A water supply path switching valve for an automatic ice maker, wherein the angle does not become close to that. 7. A body having an inlet and a plurality of drains,
It has a valve provided with one or more through holes, and a water supply path can be selected by aligning one end of the through hole with a water inlet and the other end with a drain port, and the one end and the other end of the valve are provided. A water supply path switching valve for an automatic ice maker, wherein the valve is provided at an angle perpendicular to or close to the surface. 8. The water supply path switching valve for an automatic ice maker according to claim 7, wherein one end is larger than the water inlet and the other end is smaller than the drain. 9. A body having an inlet and a plurality of outlets communicating with the inner wall, and a valve movable to close each of the outlets, wherein the body is formed at an angle perpendicular to or close to the inner wall. A water supply path switching valve for an automatic ice maker, wherein a water supply port and a plurality of the water discharge ports are provided. 10. A drainage device comprising a main body having an inlet and two drains, a valve slidable on the main body, and movable so as to close each of the drains with a sliding surface. The directions are opposite to each other with the valves interposed therebetween. 11. An automatic ice making water supply system for pumping water from a water supply tank with a pump and selectively supplying water to a plurality of locations through a water supply path switching valve, comprising a plurality of water injection hoses connected to a drain port of the water supply path switching valve. An automatic ice making water supply system, wherein a trap is provided in the middle of the water injection hose. 12. An automatic ice making water supply system for pumping water from a water supply tank by a pump and selectively supplying water to a plurality of locations through a water supply path switching valve, wherein a drain port of the water supply path switching valve is arranged upward. Ice making water supply system.