JPH0426858Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Field of industrial application) The present invention has a structure in which the latest driving conditions are stored as visually appealing information in relation to the past driving conditions, thereby facilitating failure diagnosis. Regarding ice machines.

(Prior Art) Ice makers that can continuously produce small ice cubes are often used in restaurants and eateries. An ice-making operation in which ice is generated by an ice-making plate acting as an evaporator by circulating stored water between the ice-making plate and an ice-removal operation in which ice is removed by flowing hot gas from the refrigeration circuit through the ice-making plate are alternately repeated. The detached ice is dropped downward and stored in the ice storage chamber, and when the ice storage chamber is filled with ice, the ice making operation is interrupted and the operation is switched to ice storage.

By the way, conventional ice makers are equipped with indicator lights, such as a red light, to indicate that they are in operation, and indicator lights, such as a green light, to indicate that ice is being stored. As disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 58-192688, the name plate provided on the front surface of the machine was illuminated through a transparent window.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) As described above, it is easy to visually identify whether the ice is being made (including during ice removal) or whether the operation is interrupted and the ice is being stored, but it may be difficult to see whether it is due to some abnormal phenomenon. If the machine restarts automatically after stopping due to excessive ice making, overload, temporary water outage, etc., there is no information about the operating status unless you directly witness the accident that occurred, so it is necessary to check the operation status afterward. Therefore, there is a problem in that the service personnel who come in response to the inspection request are unable to accurately grasp the situation and are slow to respond.

In particular, on the refrigeration equipment side, for example, the air filter installed at the suction port of the condenser often becomes clogged, resulting in overload and stopping refrigeration operation.
I guess they treated this as an accident and requested an inspection.
This is undesirable as it increases costs and waste of time, resulting in waste.

In response to the fact that conventional ice making machines cannot perform accurate failure diagnosis, the present invention was developed to improve the situation. By having a structure that stores and displays various operating information, judgment data on past operating conditions can be obtained, appropriate measures can be taken, and highly efficient operation can be maintained and equipment maintenance costs reduced. The purpose of the invention is to try to

(Means for solving the problem) The present invention is the first to achieve the above-mentioned purpose.
It has a configuration as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and includes an ice making operation that circulates stored water between a water tank 5 that stores a certain amount of water and an ice maker 1 to generate ice, and an ice maker that generates ice. The ice making operation is performed by alternately repeating the ice removal operation in which ice is removed by flowing hot gas through the ice storage chamber 12, and the ice making operation is performed based on the fullness signal of the ice storage detector 13 that detects the amount of ice in the ice storage chamber 12 where the removed ice is stored. In the ice making machine that is to be interrupted, the ice storage detector 13 and the ice making frequency counter 14 that counts the number of ice making operations are provided.
, a refrigerant temperature detector 24 that detects the state of the refrigeration circuit as a change in refrigerant temperature, a water level detector 11 that detects the amount of water in the water tank 5, and various protective devices that detect abnormalities in the compressor, water circulation system, etc. Detector 25A, 2
5B..., an input unit 2 comprising an ice making operation number, an ice making number indicator light 29 that displays the number of ice making operations by the number of blinking signals lit;
Water outage indicator light 3 that lights up to indicate that there is a water outage
0, and indicator lights 31, 32, etc., which illuminate to indicate that there is an abnormality in the refrigeration circuit, water circulation system, etc., and are arranged on the board 28 in the controller 3, the display unit 4; A control relay section 26 receives each signal from the input section 2 and controls loads such as a compressor, water pump, solenoid valve, etc., and at the same time the display section 4
and a display output section 27 that outputs an operating output that causes a corresponding indicator light to blink or turn on, and resets the operating output by canceling the transmission after the ice storage detector 13 transmits a fullness signal. It is characterized in that the controller 3 forms an ice-making operation control system.

(Function) The number of ice making operations from the time when the ice storage amount in the ice storage chamber 12 reaches a predetermined value to the next ice storage is indicated by the number of times the ice making number indicator light 29 lights up when it blinks, so the ice usage is reduced. It is possible to correctly judge whether the operation is normal or abnormal by considering the situation.

Furthermore, a water outage can be confirmed by lighting the water outage indicator light 30, and various information can be confirmed by lighting the indicator lights 31, 32, etc., so that the latest information can be obtained at the time of inspection service.

In addition, only the driving history from the time when the recent ice storage (indicating that the ice storage chamber 12 is full of ice) was released to the present is confirmed by each indicator light, and the information before that is erased. This point means that the ice storage operation was achieved through ice making and ice removal operations without any major errors, so rather, erasing the information provides meaningful information for judgment. result.

Moreover, the present invention uses the controller 3 to control those indicator lights.
By providing the information in a location that cannot be seen from the outside, the information can be provided only to the inspector without causing anxiety or unnecessary irritation to users who are unfamiliar with the technology.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on FIG. 2 and subsequent figures.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an example of the device according to the present invention,
It consists of a compression refrigeration system, a water supply system for ice making, and a controller 3 that controls operation.

Compression freezing and freezing involves a well-known refrigeration cycle consisting of a compressor 15, a condenser 16, an expansion valve 17, a cooling pipe for an ice maker 1, for example, an ice making plate 1, and an accumulator 18.
Hot gas bypass pipe 2 via deicing solenoid valve 19
0 is connected across the discharge gas pipe and the low-pressure liquid pipe, and a refrigerant circuit having a condenser 16 and an expansion valve 17 in series supplies low-pressure refrigerant to the cooling pipe of the ice-making plate 1, which acts as an evaporator. On the other hand, the hot gas bypass pipe 20 forms an ice-making refrigerant circuit that allows hot gas to flow through the cooling pipe in response to an ice-removal signal.

Note that 21 is a fan for the condenser 16, and 22 is a suction pipe thermistor attached to the suction pipe to detect the suction refrigerant temperature.

The water supply system for ice making is water supply pipe 6, this water supply pipe 6
A water supply electromagnetic valve 7 interposed in the water supply pipe 6, a water tank 5 for replenishing water from the water supply pipe 6, and collecting water flowing down the ice-making plate 1 from the lower end, a water tank 5 provided in the water tank 5. A water pump 8 for water supply, a water sprinkling pipe 9 arranged above the ice-making plate 1 and having a number of water sprinkling holes at the bottom, a discharge port of the water pump 8 and a sprinkling pipe 9
In order to control the amount of water stored in the water tank 5 to a predetermined value and determine the amount of ice made in one ice making operation, the water tank 5
The ice-making board 1 is equipped with a water level detector 11 that detects high and low water levels in the water tank 5, and a water pump 8 sends the water in the water tank 5 to the water sprinkling pipe 9 to sprinkle water onto the ice-making plate 1 from each water sprinkling hole and let it flow down. After ice is grown on the surface of the ice-making plate 1, the cold water that does not turn into ice is collected in the water tank 5, and then the water is supplied by the water pump 8 again. There is something that produces ice.

In addition, 23 is a water supply pipe thermistor attached to the water supply pipe 6 for thermal conduction, and the illustrated example is a water supply pipe thermistor attached to the water supply pipe 6.
During the ice-making operation when the fan 21 is operated, the exhaust temperature is T _A , that is, a temperature close to the condenser 16 temperature. On the other hand, when the fan 21 is stopped and the condenser 16 is inactive due to the hot gas bypass, a temperature close to the surrounding air is detected as the outside air equivalent temperature, and further deicing is performed. When water is being supplied to the water tank 5 during ice operation, it operates to detect the temperature of the water flowing in the water supply pipe 6, and one thermistor detects the temperature of the water flowing in the water supply pipe 6. The temperature of the fluid can be detected.

As the mechanical structure of the illustrated ice making machine is schematically shown in FIG. 3, the ice making unit, which includes an ice making plate 1 and a water tank 5 as elements, is located below the ice making unit, and the sides and bottom are surrounded by a heat insulating wall. An ice storage chamber 12 is provided with an open top surface, and after the ice is removed from the ice making plate 1, the ice subdivided into ice blocks falls and is stored in the ice storage chamber 1.
2.

The storage capacity of the ice storage chamber 12 corresponds to the amount of ice produced several times in one ice-making operation.

Furthermore, the ice storage chamber 12 is equipped with an ice storage detector 13 that detects when ice blocks of the storage limit are stored and sends out a fullness signal.

The ice making operation control system of the ice making machine having such a structure will be explained based on FIG. 4.

This control system includes, as input signal elements, the water level detector 11, the ice storage detector 13, the refrigerant temperature detector 24 which has the suction pipe thermistor 22 as a temperature detection part, and the water supply pipe thermistor 23 as a temperature detection part. Protective detector 25 _B and compressor 15
protection detector 25 activated by overload current of
_A , and an ice-making counter 14 that counts the number of ice-making operations based on the number of operations of the ice-release solenoid valve 19, etc., and an interface 39,
40, the central processing unit CPU37 is provided to transmit each detection signal as information.

ice making counter 14, refrigerant temperature detector 24,
The protection detectors _25A , _25B , the CPU 37, and the interfaces 39, 40 are built into a metal control box and form the components of the controller 3. , a control relay section 26, a display output section 27, and a display section 4 are also provided as constituent elements.

The control relay section 26 controls, for example, five target relays according to command information from the CPU 37.
Relay driver 3 that sends an operation output to excite and activate a specified item in X ₁ to _{X 5}
8. Each of the above-mentioned relays having one normally open contact X ₁
~ _X5 , relay _X1 applies voltage to the electromagnetic contactor 36 coil for the compressor 15 to turn on the switch by excitation, and _relay A voltage is applied to the motor 21 _M directly connected to the fan 21, and in the same manner,
Relay X ₃ applies voltage to motor 8 _M of water pump 8, relay X ₄ applies voltage to solenoid 19 _S of ice removal solenoid valve 19 to open the valve, relay X ₅
The solenoid _7S of the water supply electromagnetic valve 7 is configured to apply a voltage to each solenoid 7S to open the valve.

Next, the display output section 27 uses the command information from the CPU 37 to display the respective indicator lights 29 to 32, 35 of the target display section 4, the operation indicator light 33 provided on the nameplate of the ice maker body, and the ice storage display. It is designed to emit an operating output that lights up a designated light 34 continuously or blinking, and in particular, the indicator lights 29 to 32, 3 provided on the board 28.
5, the circuit is configured such that after the ice storage detector 13 transmits the fullness signal, the operating output is reset as soon as the transmission is canceled.

To explain each of the above-mentioned indicator lights 29 to 35, the ice making number indicator light 29 repeatedly blinks in green according to the number counted by the ice making number counter 14, and when ice making is completed and the ice storage mode operation state is entered. When the power is turned on, the number of times ice has been made since the power was turned on will be displayed as the number of lights on, for example, by turning on for 1 second and turning off for 1 second. Repeat the required number of times.

In addition, even if abnormal operation continues, the number of flashes should be at most 30 times, taking into account the capacity of the ice storage chamber 12 for several times, and if there are more counts than that, the light will turn on continuously. This can be said to be a preferable method in terms of simplifying related equipment.

Next, the water cutoff indicator light 30 indicates that even though the water level in the water tank 5 has decreased and a valve opening output has been issued to the water supply solenoid valve 7, the water supply is not sufficiently performed or is not completed at all. If the water level in the water tank 5 does not rise to a predetermined high water level even after a minute has passed, the orange display is continuously turned on.

Incidentally, it is a preferable means to flicker the green ice storage indicator light 34 at the same time as the water cutoff indicator light 30 lights up, as this will notify the user of the water cutoff state.
The purpose of the display will be fulfilled after 15 minutes have passed, so it is convenient to forcefully turn off the light.

On the other hand, the indicator lights 31, 32, and 35 may each be selected from among various abnormalities. For example, the indicator light 31 indicates that the water supply pipe thermistor 23 indicates an abnormal temperature rise in the condenser 16 during ice-making operation. When the protection detector _25B detects and sends a high temperature signal, the indicator light 32 turns on in orange continuously, and the indicator light 32 turns on in red when the temperature of the condenser 16 continues to rise. It operates so that the display lights up continuously.

The abnormal temperature rise in the condenser 16 is most often caused by human factors such as a clogged air filter at the suction port or a wind shield placed in front of the suction port. Since it is considered preferable to inform the user side as well as the materials for the purpose, it is preferable to switch the red operation indicator light 33 from continuous lighting to flicker lighting at the same time as either one of the indicator lights 31 and 32 lights up. It is even more effective and preferred to do so.

However, the lighting and flickering of the indicator lights 31 to 33 are continued until a reset signal is sent.

Next, the operation indicator light 33 lights up continuously in red while the ice-making operation and ice-removal operation are being performed normally, and is forcibly switched to a flickering light in an abnormal situation as described above, while the ice storage indicator lights up continuously. The light 34 lights up continuously in green in response to the ice storage detector 13 transmitting a full signal due to the ice storage chamber 12 being filled with ice blocks. It is forcibly switched to flicker lighting for a limited time only.

On the other hand, the indicator light 35 indicates the suction pipe thermistor 2.
This is to display when the result of determining whether or not 2 is normal is an abnormal state.
For example, if the refrigerant temperature detector 24 that receives the temperature signal (resistance change) of the suction pipe thermistor 22 is transmitting a temperature signal in which the refrigerant temperature T _R exceeds, for example, 50°C or is lower than -30°C, this is detected as described above. By determining that the thermistor 22 is in an abnormal state, the indicator light 35 is continuously lit in red.

Next, the control mode in the controller 3 is shown in FIG. 4, and FIGS. 5 and 6 showing flowcharts.
An overview will be explained using figures.

When the power is turned on, the operation indicator light 33 lights up in red (continuously) using the step controller, and at the same time, the step processor reads the status of each switch and initializes the memory of the CPU 37.

Thereafter, whether or not the suction pipe thermistor 22 is normal is constantly checked by step D. If -30℃≦T _R ≦50℃ is not satisfied at the suction refrigerant equivalent temperature, it is determined that there is an abnormality and the indicator light 35 is turned on. Lights up continuously in red.

When the above-mentioned memory initialization is completed, the process moves to the stepper mode, where the ice storage detector 13 detects whether the ice storage chamber 12 is full of ice cubes. If it is not the first time, move on to the ice making operation after the step.
If it is the first time, it will proceed to the step, and if the suction refrigerant temperature T _R detected by the suction pipe thermistor 22 is lower than 15℃, it will start ice removal operation, but if it is 15℃ or more, it will proceed to the step and turn on relay _X5. The water supply solenoid valve 7 is energized and opened to start water supply.

When water is supplied normally and the result of water level detection by the water level detector 11 at the step plate appears as the closing of the high water level contact _11H , ice making operation starts from the step line. If the contact _11H does not close and there is an abnormal water supply, the step machine checks that 3 minutes have elapsed since the solenoid valve 7 opened, and then proceeds to the step to turn off the relay _X5 and turn off the solenoid valve 7. The valve is closed, and at the same time the ice storage indicator light 34 is flickered in green and the water cutoff indicator light 30 is continuously lit in orange.

The flicker of the ice storage indicator 34 will be forced to turn off after 15 minutes have elapsed since the water supply solenoid valve 7 was closed. The water is kept lit until the water is full and the ice storage is released, and the water supply is started again by proceeding to the stepper.

When _the water tank 5 is replenished with a predetermined amount _of water and _the ice-making operation starts, the compressor ₁₅ , fan 21 and The water pump 8 is driven, and the water supply solenoid valve 7 is opened when it is closed.

In this way, the freezing operation is performed while water is flowing through the ice-making plate 1, and thereby ice generation begins.

When the result of the water level detection by the water level detector 11 indicates that the high water level contact _11H is closed at the step, that is, the amount of water in the water tank 5 reaches a predetermined amount, the process proceeds to the step, where the relay _X5 is turned off and the water supply solenoid valve 7 is turned off. Close the valve and stop water supply.

On the other hand, if the water level does not rise as specified, it is considered to be an abnormality, so
If the step determines that the water level has not risen even after seconds have passed, it will proceed to the step and relay
By turning off X ₁ , X ₂ , X ₃ and X ₅ , stopping the compressor 15, fan 21 and water pump 8, and closing the water supply solenoid valve 7, the ice making operation is stopped and at the same time proceed to the stepper. Operation indicator light 33
While turning on continuously in red to indicate that ice making operation is continuing, switch to water cutoff mode in the order of STEP, NA, LA, and M, and turn on the ice storage indicator 34 to a maximum of 15 seconds.
It flickers on for a minute, and the water cutoff indicator light 30 lights up in orange.

By the way, when the water supply is performed normally and the transition is made to the step-off mode, the amount of water in the water tank 5 decreases as ice grows on the ice-making plate 1. It detects when _L is closed and proceeds to the stepper to end the ice making operation.

On the other hand, if the amount of water in the water tank 5 does not decrease or the rate of decrease is slow, it is considered that there is an abnormality in the ice making operation, so proceed to the stepper and wait until 90 minutes have passed since the start of the ice making operation (when proceeding to the step). However, if the low water level of 11 _L is still not detected, the ice making operation is terminated by proceeding to the step machine at this time as well.

Upon completion of this ice-making operation, the process proceeds to step KE and the ice-making frequency counter 14 starts counting, and at the same time, the ice-making frequency indicator light 29 starts blinking repeatedly in green to indicate how many times the ice-making operation has been performed so far. Display.

Further, if the operation indicator light 33 is flickering, the operation goes to the step and is switched to constant lighting, and then the operation goes to the step and is switched to the ice removal operation.

Therefore, at the same time as the ice making operation starts, the temperature of the exhaust gas after passing through the condenser 16 is determined by the water supply pipe thermistor 22.
When T _A is detected and the stepper checks that the exhaust temperature T _A is within the range of 50°C < T _A ≦55°C, the controller moves to the stepper, turns on the indicator light 31 continuously in orange, and turns on the stepper. When the engine is advanced, the operation indicator light 33 flickers in red to warn that the exhaust temperature is rising due to factors such as filter clogging.

On the other hand, if the stepper checks that the exhaust gas temperature T _A is higher than T _A >55°C, the steppe moves on and lights up the indicator light 32 continuously in red in addition to the indicator light 31, thereby further progressing the abnormal situation. to display that the

In this way, the ice-making operation and the ice-removal operation are performed alternately, and if the indicator lights 30, 31, and 32 are lit during that time, they continue to be displayed as they are, and the ice-making number indicator light 29 is The blinking is repeated according to the number of times, but when the amount of water in the ice storage chamber 12 increases and the ice storage detector 13 detects that the ice storage chamber 12 is full, the ice storage mode shown in the step to move to.

That is, the ice-making number counter 14 continues counting, the ice-making number indicator 29 continues to blink, and the ice storage indicator 34 lights up continuously in green in Step 1, and the water supply solenoid valve 7 The water supply is stopped by closing the valve, and the refrigeration operation is stopped by stopping the compressor 15.

At this point, it enters the ice storage state, but after that the ice storage compartment 1
When the ice storage detector 13 at the step nu detects that the amount of ice in the ice cube 2 has been reduced by being taken out, the ice storage detector 13 moves to the step nu and turns on each indicator light 30, 3.
Turn off all the lights among 1 and 32 that were lit, then proceed to step 1 to clear the counting operation of the ice making counter 14, switch the blinking of the ice making number indicator light to OFF, and proceed to step 1 to start storing ice. The indicator light 34 is turned off.

In this way, each of the indicator lights 29 to 32 goes out and returns to the initial state, and the display of the number of times ice is made and other abnormal conditions are performed from the beginning.

The operation mode of the ice maker has been described in detail above, but by providing the ice making frequency indicator 29, the water cut-off indicator 30, and indicator lights 31, 32, and 35 to indicate various abnormalities on the board 28 in the controller 3, maintenance is possible. It is possible to provide failure diagnosis materials to inspectors, and also provides operation indicator light 33 and ice storage indicator light 34.
By making this function both as a filter clogging warning sign and a water cutoff sign, there is an advantage that the user can take prompt action by notifying the operator of an abnormality in operation on the part of the nameplate that is easily visible to the user. Cost reduction is achieved.

Note that the indicator lights 31, 32, and 35 may be configured to detect and display other abnormal phenomena different from the above-mentioned examples, such as heating of each motor, water pressure drop, voltage drop, power outage, abnormal water temperature, etc. It is also optional to increase or decrease the number of indicator lights.

(Effects of the invention) This invention displays the number of times ice is made and also displays the occurrence of various abnormal situations including water outages.
By visually observing these indicator lights 29 to 32 and 35, the past operating conditions can be recognized, and in particular, the number of ice making times, the amount of ice in the ice storage compartment 12 commensurate with that, and the shape of each ice block can be determined. This enables accurate diagnosis, improved serviceability, and prompt response.

In addition, since the present invention displays various operating conditions after the last ice storage operation in the past, an accident that occurs before the ice storage chamber 12 is filled with ice will greatly impede the ice making operation. There is an advantage in that the reliability of the information can be increased by eliminating this fact from the fact that it is not true.

Furthermore, by providing the above-mentioned indicator lights inside the controller 3, which is a place that cannot be easily seen by the user, as information necessary for specialized engineers such as service personnel, it can cause unnecessary anxiety and confusion for the user. It also has great practical effects, such as eliminating the need to give

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention;
The figure is a device circuit diagram of an ice maker according to an example of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a controller, and FIGS. 5 and 6 explain the operation of the controller. This is a flowchart. 1...Ice maker, 2...Input section, 3...Controller, 4...Display section, 5...Water tank, 11...
Water level detector, 12...Ice storage compartment, 13...Ice storage detector, 14...Ice making counter, 24...Refrigerant temperature detector, 25A, 25B...Protection detector, 2
6...Control relay section, 27...Display output section, 2
8... Board, 29... Ice making count indicator light, 30...
Water outage indicator light, 31, 32... indicator light.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] an ice making operation that generates ice by circulating stored water between a water tank 5 that stores a fixed amount of water and an ice maker 1;
The ice making operation is performed by alternately repeating the ice removal operation in which hot gas is flowed through the ice maker 1 to remove ice, and the ice is made by the fullness signal of the ice storage detector 13 that detects the amount of ice in the ice storage chamber 12 where the removed ice is stored. In an ice maker that suspends operation, the ice storage detector 13, the ice making counter 14 that counts the number of ice making operations, the refrigerant temperature detector 24 that detects the state of the refrigeration circuit as a change in refrigerant temperature, and the water tank 5 A water level detector 11 that detects the amount of water in the water, and protective detectors 25A, 25B, etc. that detect abnormalities in the compressor, water circulation system, etc.
an input unit 2 comprising an input unit 2, an ice making frequency indicator light 29 that displays the number of ice making operations by the number of blinking signals lit, and a water cutoff indicator light 30 that lights up to indicate that there has been a water cutoff;
A display section 4, which is provided with indicator lights 31, 32, etc., arranged on a board 28 in the controller 3, which indicates that there is an abnormality in the refrigeration circuit, water circulation system, etc.; and the input section 2. A control relay unit 26 receives signals from the compressor, water pump, electromagnetic valve, etc. to control loads such as the compressor, water pump, electromagnetic valve, etc., and at the same time outputs an operating output that blinks or lights up the corresponding indicator light on the display unit 4. An ice-making operation control system is formed by the controller 3, which includes a display output section 27 that resets the operating output by canceling the transmission after the detector 13 transmits a fullness signal. Machine.