JPH03260571A - Operation controller for ice-making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make substantially normal ice even when a sensor is in an abnormal condition, by using a microcomputer so that an ice-making time and a period of time required for ice separation can be stored through updating upon each run of ice-making operation, and continuing the operation by use of the time data thus stored. CONSTITUTION:Pre-cooling time required for a pre-cooling step is measured by a timer-1, and the pre-cooling time data is stored in a memory-1. Ice-making time is measured by a timer-2, and the time data is stored in a memory-2. Ice separation time required for an ice-separating step is measured by a timer-3, and the time data is stored in a memory-3. The stored data is updated also when the ambient temperature varies and the times counted by the timer-1, timer-2 and timer-3 are varied. By utilizing the time data, an ice-making operation can be carried out even when a cooler sensor 32 or a condenser sensor 33 is in an abnormal condition. A microcomputer 35 controls the ice-making and ice-separating steps, based on outputs from the two sensors.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (b) Industrial application field The present invention relates to an ice making operation control device for an ice making machine.

(B) Prior Art Ice-making machines are widely used that cool an ice-making member having a large number of ice-making compartments and circulate ice-making water through the ice-making member to make ice. In general, this type of ice maker has an ice making cycle (process) in which ice making water freezes on an ice making member to make ice, and after making ice, the temperature of this ice making member is raised using hot gas or the like, and the ice is released from the ice making member. The ice-making operation is continued by repeatedly operating the ice-making cycle (stroke) as the ice-making operation cycle. In this case, the ice making capacity is greatly influenced by the environmental conditions in which the ice making machine operates. The most obvious one is the ambient temperature outside the ice maker.1For example, in the summer, the ice that is formed within a certain ice making time will be thinner than in the winter; Based on this, the present applicant has proposed an ice maker in which the ice making time can be automatically varied using a timer device, thereby making it possible to make ice with a constant ice thickness. (Special Publication No. 59-36175).

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention By the way, in the control device disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the temperature sensing element for detecting changes in the temperature of the ice maker may be out of order.
Alternatively, if the ice-making operation does not function normally, the ice-making operation may not be performed at all, or even if it is performed, the desired normal ice cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and uses a microcomputer to store the ice making time taken in the ice making process and the ice removal time taken in the ice removal process, and this time data is used to ensure that the ice making operation is normal. update and remember as long as it is done in
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an ice-making operation control device for an ice-making machine that always maintains the latest data values and can continue ice-making operation using this data value when an abnormality occurs in a temperature sensor. do.

(d) Means for solving the problem One cycle consists of an ice-making process in which ice-making water is circulated and frozen in a refrigeration system cooler having a plurality of ice-making compartments, and an ice-off process in which ice is removed from the ice-making compartments. In an ice maker that repeatedly makes ice, there is a sensor that detects the condensation temperature or pressure of the refrigeration system, and a sensor that detects the temperature of the cooler, and the ice making time is adjusted based on the output of the former sensor, and the ice making time is adjusted based on the output of the latter sensor. a microcomputer that controls the operation of the ice making machine so as to finish ice removal based on the ice making process; and a counter unit that measures the ice making time used for the ice making process and the ice removal time used for the ice removal process for each cycle of operation. .

Memory 4 → The time data of the ice making time and the time data of the ice removal time are updated and registered every cycle operation.
The ice making operation is also provided with a control means for controlling the ice making operation.

(E) Operation The ice making time and ice removal time are updated and registered in the memory section every cycle of the ice making operation, and the latest time data is always stored in the memory section. Therefore, if a sensor abnormality occurs after the ice maker has started operating, the ice maker can continue operating by using the time data from the previous operation cycle stored in this memory section.

(F) Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to an inverted cell type ice maker shown in FIG. 1 will be explained.

First, in Fig. 1, the ice maker has a large number of ice making chambers IA that open downward, and evaporation pipes 2 of the refrigeration system are installed on the outer surface of the earthen wall.
a water tray 5 which closes off each ice making compartment IA from below with sufficient margin and has a water fountain hole 3 and a return hole 4 formed on its surface corresponding to each ice making compartment IA; 5, a water tank 6 that is connected to the return hole 4, a circulation pump 9 that circulates the water in the water tank 6 from the water fountain 3 to each ice making compartment IA via the water pipe 7 and the distribution pipe 8, and the water tray. A drive device 11 including a deceleration motor 10 capable of forward and reverse rotation for tilting and reciprocating the water supply valve 5; a water sprinkler 13 that sprinkles water on the surface of the water tray 5 when the water supply valve 12 is opened; It is comprised of a water level detection device 14, etc., which operates a water level switch 14C by a float 14B in a float tank 14A, and detects a predetermined water level in the water tank 6. Thus, the attachment fixed to the support beam 15 connects the active cam 17 having first and second arms 17A and 17B extending in opposite directions to the output shaft of the deceleration motor 10 supported on the plate 16. The other end of the coil spring 18 attached to the end of the first arm 17A of the cam 17 is connected to the side of the water tray 5, and the rear part of the water tray 5 is supported on a rotating shaft 19. Further, the switch 20 is switched by the second arm 17B of the drive cam 17 which rotates counterclockwise due to the normal rotation of the drive motor 10 with a speed reduction mechanism, and the power supply to the drive motor 10 is cut off to tilt the water tray 5 at a predetermined inclination. The first arm 1 of the drive cam 17 is stopped at the open position and rotates clockwise as the drive motor 10 reverses.
7A, it is a seesaw type changeover switch that stops the water tray 5 at a predetermined horizontal closed position after cutting off the power to the drive motor 10. 30 is a thermostatic water temperature detection device connected to the water supply pipe 31 to detect the water temperature. Further, when the water tank 6 is tilted, the water level line of the water remaining in it is indicated by X. Note that, in addition to the above-mentioned components, the ice maker includes the following device parts (not shown). That is, the (COMP) and fan motor (Fill) for cooling the ice making compartment IA.

There is also a refrigeration unit that operates from a condenser, etc., and a hot gas valve (HG valve) that supplies and stops the hot gas (HG) that warms the ice making compartment during deicing.

By the way, the ice making operation of the ice making machine having the above structure basically repeats an ice making process and an ice removal process as a cycle. Strictly speaking, a water supply process is performed before the ice making process, and a precooling process for cooling the ice making chamber IA to about 0° C. is included at the beginning of the ice making process.

Next, each process will be explained in relation to FIG. At the time when the water tray 5 blocks the lower part of the ice making compartment IA.

The ice removal process is completed. Next, the water supply valve 12 is energized and opened, water is supplied to the water tank 6, and a water supply process is started.

When the water tank 6 reaches a predetermined water level (full), the water level detection device 1
4 is activated to close the water supply valve 12 and the water supply process is completed.

Next, the ice making process begins. The circulation pump 9 is driven,
The water in the water tank 6 flows from the fountain hole 3 to the ice making compartment IA to the return hole 4.
Circulatory water supply around the water tank 6 is performed. Here, the compressor motor and the like are operated from the time when the water tray 5 is closed to cool the cooler 1. However, at the beginning of the ice-making process, the temperature of the cooler 1 is high and does not reach a temperature (below 0° C.) that causes the water spouting up into the ice-making chamber IA to grow into ice.

Therefore, precooling is performed to lower the cooler 1 to about 0°C. Here, a cooler sensor 32 (see FIG. 4) is mounted on the surface of the cooler 1 to detect the temperature of the cooler 1, and when it detects 0° C., the precooling process ends. This pre-cooling process is normally 1
It takes about 0 minutes. By the cooler 1 which is set to 0℃ or less,
The circulating water gradually grows ice in the ice making compartment IA. In this case, the ice-making time required to uniformly form ice in the ice-making compartment IA is largely related to the condensing ability of the refrigerant. In other words, the cooling capacity changes depending on the condensing temperature or condensing pressure of the refrigerant.

Adjust the ice making time to be longer or shorter depending on the value.

Therefore, in a refrigerant circuit consisting of a compressor, a condenser, a cooler, etc., a sensor 33 (referred to as a condenser sensor for convenience) is provided on the surface of the refrigerant outlet pipe of the condenser to detect the condensation temperature or pressure. Based on the detected output, the time point at which the operation of the compressor motor is stopped is adjusted, and the ice making time is adjusted so that ice is evenly made in the ice making chamber 1A. The journey during this time is 1
It usually takes about 5 minutes. Therefore, the entire ice making process takes about 20 to 30 minutes. When the ice making process is completed in this way, the ice removal process begins.

In the ice removal process, the circulation pump 9 is stopped and the drive motor 10 is
is reversed to tilt the water tray 5 downward and open it. At the same time, the hot gas valve is opened to heat the ice making compartment 1A, and the ice cubes fall from the ice making compartment IA. At the same time, the water supply valve 12 is opened and water is sprinkled onto the water tray 5 from the disperser 13 to prevent ice from remaining on the water tray 5. After the water tray 5 is opened to the maximum extent, when the cooler sensor detects that the temperature of the cooler 1 is higher than the set temperature, for example, 9° C., the drive motor 10 is rotated forward again to close the water tray 5. let When this water tray 5 is closed,
The ice removal process is completed. The time required for the ice removal process is usually about 3 to 4 minutes.

As described above, the ice-making time is adjusted using the sensor 33 that detects the condensation temperature or pressure of the refrigerant circuit, and the sensor 33 that is attached to the cooler having an ice-making compartment and detects the cooling temperature The operation control of the ice maker that completes the ice removal process is being controlled.

Based on the above-mentioned control, control which is a feature of the present invention will be explained next.

First, if the ice maker is operating normally, follow the flow shown in Figure 2. If the water tray is full of water in judgment 40, YES, the process moves from the water supply process to the ice making process and starts timer 1 (process 41). Here, timer 1 counts the time from when the water tray is filled with water until the cooling sensor detects the temperature below 0°C.
This is a timer that clears when the cooling sensor detects a temperature below 0°C. Therefore, after starting timer 1, wait for the cooling sensor to become below 0°C by judgment 42, and when the temperature becomes below 0°C (YES), transfer the time data of timer 1 to memory 1 (process 43), and start timer 1. Clear (processing 44),
In other words, after the water supply process up to this point, the cooling sensor reaches 0°C.
The period until the following is detected corresponds to a pre-cooling process in which the cooler 1 is gradually cooled down, and the pre-cooling time required for this pre-cooling process is measured by the timer 1. Furthermore, the precooling time data is stored in the memory 1.

Next, start timer 2 and ice making timer (process 45).
, processing 46). Here, as shown in the control block diagram of FIG. 4, the ice-making timer is configured such that when the detection output of the condenser sensor 33 is taken into the microcomputer 35 via the interface 34, the microcomputer 35 performs calculations by the CPU 36 based on the sensor value. After processing, the appropriate ice making time is determined, and a counting operation is performed to execute the ice making time. Then, it is judged that the ice making timer counts up the determined ice making time 47
When the count is YES, the timer 2 is moved to the memory 2 (step 48), and the timer 2 is cleared.

By the way, the above-mentioned timer 2 is a timer that counts the time from when the ice making timer starts until it counts up. Furthermore, the aforementioned memory 2 is a memory that stores the time from when the ice-making timer starts to when it counts up. Therefore, the ice making time is measured by the timer 2, and the ice making time data is stored in the memory 2.

Next, when the timer 2 is cleared (process 49), the ice-making process ends, the ice removal process starts, and the timer 3 is started (process 50), and the water tray 5 is opened (process 51). detects a temperature of 9°C or higher (hot gas etc. are sent to remove ice and the temperature of the cooler 1 rises). At this point of waiting, the ice will fall.

Then, when the temperature reaches 9° C. or higher, the judgment 52 becomes YES, and the timer 3 is moved to the memory 2 (processing 53), and the timer 3 is cleared (processing 54). Then, the water tray 5 is closed (process 55) and the process returns to the water supply process. Here, the timer 3 is a timer that counts the time from when the water tray is opened until the time when the temperature of the cooler sensor 32 reaches 9° C. or higher and the water tray is closed. The memory 3 is a memory that stores the time from when the water tray is opened until the cooling sensor 32 detects a temperature of 9° C. or higher until the water tray is closed. Therefore, the ice-off time required for the ice-off process is measured by timer 3,
The time data is stored in the memory 3.

When the next ice-making operation cycle is executed, timer 1 is
, timer 2, and timer 3, the current precooling time data, ice making time data, and ice removal time data are rewritten in memory 1, memory 2, and memory 3 in place of the previous time data.

By repeating the above, even if the ambient temperature changes and the count times of timer 1, timer 2, and timer 3 change,
Stored data can be updated sequentially. in this way,
Ice-making time data and ice-off time data related to the latest ice-making operation are stored. The present invention utilizes this time data to enable ice making operation even when the cooler sensor and condenser sensor are abnormal. FIG. 3 shows a flow that can be used to cope with such an abnormality.

For example, if a sensor error occurs during the water supply process,
When the water supply process ends at decision 61 and timer 1 starts (process 62), control shifts to flow I shown by the dotted line.

Also, if an abnormality occurs in the pre-cooling process of the ice-making process, control shifts to the same flow I from that point on. The dotted line part of the flow ■ is to judge whether or not there is an abnormality in the cooler sensor 63), if it is abnormal, YES, the elapsed time up to the present counted by timer 1 which has already started, and memory 1 Comparison (timer ≧ memory 1) with precooling time data from the previous normal state stored in (judgment 64)
), timer 1 starts when elapsed time ≧ precooling time data.
The process returns to process 67 for clearing. In this way, the precooling process is automatically triggered according to the precooling time data from the previous ice making operation, and the precooling process proceeds to MtA even when the cooler sensor is abnormal. If 1 judgment 63 is No, processing 66 is performed according to judgment 65, similar to the normal flow described above. Similarly, if an abnormality occurs in the condenser sensor, start timer 2 (process 68), start the ice-making timer (
Process 69) Control moves to the flow (2) indicated by the one-dot line. That is, if it is determined in judgment 70 that there is an abnormality (YES), the elapsed time counted by the timer 2 that has already started is compared with the ice making time data stored normally in the memory 2 ( Timer 2 ≧ Memory 2) (judgment 71), and if the elapsed time ≧ ice making time data, Y
At the ES point, timer 2 is cleared (processing 74). As a result, the ice-making process is performed according to the previous ice-making time data, and ice can be formed more normally.

If judgment 70 is NO, the normal flow, that is, judgment 7
2 and process 73 are executed. Similarly, the response is the same in the case of an abnormality in the cooler sensor during the ice removal process.

That is, in the dotted line part Flow 2, the timer 3 is started, the water tray is opened (processes 75 and 76), and it is determined 77 whether or not there is an abnormality in the cooling sensor. If there is an abnormality (YES), the judgment 78 is made. Compare memory 3 stored during normal operation with timer 3 currently counting, and when timer 3 ≧ memory 3, clear timer 3 (process 81), close water tray 5 (process 82), in this case Also, if the judgment 77 is NO, the same judgment 79 and processing 80 as in the normal case are executed.

By performing the control as described above, even if an abnormality occurs in the sensor, etc., it is possible to make the same amount of ice as normal. By configuring the display to be displayed on the LED display section 92 (see FIG. 4), repairs and the like can be carried out quickly.

The above-described control flow for sensor abnormality is a case in which a sensor abnormality occurs during operation of the ice maker. However, there are cases where the sensor is out of order even when the power is turned on. At that time, since not even one ice-making operation has been performed yet, time data for each row has not been obtained, and therefore, memory 1, memory 2, and memory 3 do not contain any time data at all.

Therefore, even if a sensor abnormality has already occurred when the power is turned on, it is necessary to activate the aforementioned flows i, n, and m so as to influence the ice-making operation. For this reason, a process 60 is performed in which standard time data such as ice making process time and ice removing process time for making normal ice, which have been empirically obtained from experimental results etc., is stored in the memory when the power is turned on. That is, in the example, IO minutes (precooling time), 15 minutes (ice making time),
150 seconds (freezing time) in memory 1, memory 2,
The initial setting operation (60) for setting in the memory 3 is executed at the same time as the power is turned on. As a result, the power supply O
Even if there is an abnormality from time N and the cooling temperature and condenser temperature cannot be detected normally, the ice making operation is performed according to the initial setting values of IO minutes, 15 minutes, and 150 seconds, and the same ice as in normal times is produced.

Of course, if the first operation is performed normally after the initial setting, it goes without saying that the initial setting value will be updated to the time data during normal operation.

A schematic block diagram for executing the above control flow is shown in FIG. In the figure, 35 is a microcomputer, which includes a CPU 36, a memory 37, and a counter 38.
, a program 39 , and a data table 83 .

Various types of information are input to the microcomputer 35 from the outside via the interface 34. The microcomputer 35 processes this input information and outputs control signals to various external operating devices. The most relevant input information for ice maker operation are the output signals from cooler sensor 32 and condenser sensor 33. Cooler sensor 32
detects the cooler temperature, and the condenser sensor 33 detects the condensing temperature or condensing pressure. The microcomputer 35 controls the ice making process and the ice removal process based on the outputs of these two sensors. The counter 38 includes the above-mentioned timer 1, timer 2, and so on. There is a timer 3, and the memory 37 includes memory 1, memory 2, and memory 3. Furthermore, the data table 83 includes reference data related to control, such as temperature data such as 0°C and +9°C, and
Initial setting data such as 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 150 seconds, etc. are stored. In addition, 84 is the start SW, 85 is the ice release SW
, 86 is a water supply switch, 20 is a water change opening/closing detection Sv, 14
87 is a water level Sw, 87 is an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, and 88 is a clock circuit operated by an OSC (oscillator circuit) 89, which is connected to the counter 38, ice making timer, etc. An ice storage sensor 90 is provided in the ice storage. On the other hand, as the control equipment for each part, Il ice lamp 91. Abnormality indicator 91.
There are a water tray driving motor 10, a compressor motor 93, a fan motor 94, a pump motor 9a, a hot gas valve 95, a water supply valve 12, and the like.

(g) Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the ice making time is adjusted based on the sensor that detects the condensation temperature or pressure, and the ice removal operation is controlled using the sensor that detects the cooler temperature. The ice making machine uses a microcomputer to update and store the ice making time and the time required for ice removal each time the ice making operation is repeated, and in the event of a sensor failure, this stored time data can be used to store the ice making time and ice removal time. Since the system continues to operate, it is possible to make almost normal ice even when the sensor malfunctions.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of an inverted cell ice maker to which the ice making operation control device of the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is a control flow diagram during normal operation, and Fig. 3 is a response to sensor abnormality. FIG. 4 is a control block diagram showing a control flow diagram that allows the operation to be performed. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Cooler, LA...Ice-making chamber, 32...Sensor for detecting cooler temperature, 33...Sensor for detecting condensation temperature or pressure, 35...Microcomputer, 37... Memory section, 38... Counter section, 92
...Abnormality indicator.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Ice-making in which ice-making is repeated in one cycle, consisting of an ice-making process in which ice-making water is circulated and frozen in a refrigeration system cooler having a plurality of ice-making compartments, and an ice-off process in which ice is removed from the ice-making compartments. In the machine, a sensor detects the condensing temperature or pressure of the refrigeration system and a sensor detects the temperature of the cooler, and the ice making time is adjusted based on the output of the former sensor, and the ice-making time is adjusted based on the output of the latter sensor. a microcomputer that controls the operation of the ice maker to complete the ice making process; a counter unit that measures the ice making time used for the ice making process and the ice removal time used for the ice removal process for each cycle of operation; a memory section in which the time data of the ice making time and the time data of the ice removal time are updated and registered; a sensor abnormality detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an abnormality in each of the sensors; An operation control device for an ice-making machine, comprising: a control means for performing ice-making operation using time data from a previous operation cycle.