JPH04371771A - Automatic ice making device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce gas constituents contained in water, keep a water temperature upon starting ice making at a low value and permit automatic and quick supply of much amount of ice having high transparency and purity by a method wherein the temperature of water supplied to an ice making pan is maintained at the lowest temperature whereat the water is not frozen by a heater, a water temperature sensor and a control unit, which are provided in a feed water tank chamber. CONSTITUTION:An automatic ice making device is constituted of a feed water tank 36, accommodated in a feed water tank chamber 61 maintained at the lowest temperature whereat water is not frozen, a heater 62, a water temperature sensor and a control unit 63, which control the temperature of water, a water reserving pan 39, a feed water pump 40, a feed water pipe 41, an ice making pan 16 and a driving device 23.

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 that is installed in a refrigerator and is particularly capable of automatically producing transparent ice.

0002

[Prior Art] Regarding automatic ice making devices that have been conventionally adopted in some household refrigerators, for example,
There is one shown in Publication No. 7139. A conventional example will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

In FIG. 7, 1 is the refrigerator body, and the outer box 2
, an inner box 3, and a heat insulating material 4 filled between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a partition wall which divides the interior of the refrigerator main body 1 into upper and lower sections, with a freezing compartment 7 in the upper part and a refrigerating compartment 8 in the lower part.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a cooler, which constitutes a part of a refrigeration cycle provided at the back of the freezer compartment 7. Reference numeral 11 denotes a blower for forcing the cold air cooled by the cooler 10 into the freezer compartment 7 and the refrigerator compartment 8.

Next, the ice making machine will be explained based on FIG. Reference numeral 51 denotes an automatic ice maker, which is installed in the freezer compartment 7, and includes a drive device 52 that includes a motor, a group of reduction gears (not shown), etc., and an ice tray 5 that has a support shaft 53 connected and fixed to its center.
4. It is composed of a frame 55 and the like for pivotally supporting the ice tray 54 on the drive device 52. A stopper 56 is provided on a part of the outer shell of the drive device 52 in order to deform the ice tray 54 and release the ice. Reference numeral 57 denotes a backing plate, which is attached to one end of the ice tray 54 so as to come into contact with the stopper 56. Further, 58 is an ice storage box, which is provided below the automatic ice maker 51 and can store ice made by the ice maker 51.

[0006] Furthermore, the water supply device to the automatic ice maker will be explained based on FIG. 7. A water storage tank 36 is for storing water for ice making, and is detachably provided in one section of the refrigerator compartment 8. A water supply port 37 is located at the lower end of the water supply tank 36 and is opened and closed by a valve 38. 39 is a water storage tray, which is connected to the water supply port 37 of the water supply tank 36;
When the water supply tank 36 is set with the water supply port 37 facing downward, the valve 38 is pushed up and the water supply port 37 is opened. Further, 40 is a water supply pump for pumping water received in the water storage tray 39, and is connected to a water supply pipe 41 so that the outlet of the water supply pipe 41 is connected to the ice making tray 54 of the automatic ice making machine 51. It is arranged so that

In the above structure, when the water tank 36 filled with water is first set in a predetermined position by the user, the valve 38 is pushed up, the water supply port 37 is opened, and the water is poured into the water storage tray 39. Filled with water. After that, the filled water is pumped up by the water supply pump 40 and the water supply pipe 41
Water is poured into the ice tray 54 through the ice cube tray 54.

[0008] A predetermined amount of water filled in the ice tray 54 is frozen by the cooling action within the freezing chamber 7, and ice is generated. When the ice making is finished, the ice making tray 54 is rotated and reversed around the support shaft 53 by the rotational action of the drive device 52, and the stopper 56 comes into contact with the backing plate 57, causing the ice making tray 54 to be distorted and deformed. The ice within 54 is released. Further, the ice that has been removed falls into the ice storage box 58 and is stored therein, and the ice making tray 54 whose ice removal action has been completed is returned to its original state by the reverse rotation action of the drive device 52. Thereafter, this action is repeated until the water in the water storage tank 36 is used up, and ice is automatically made and stored.

[0009]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the ice making device as described above, when ice is generated, the water in the ice making tray 54 freezes due to the contact surface between the ice making tray 54 and the water and the cold air. As it progresses from the contact surface with water to the center, gaseous components, soluble salts, and insoluble impurities dissolved in the water are trapped in the center of the ice, resulting in a cloudy center. The problem is that the resulting ice is opaque, has low purity, and does not have a good taste, making it unsuitable for recreational use, such as for drinks such as whisky.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an automatic ice-making device that can rapidly produce ice of high transparency and purity free of impurities.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, an automatic ice making device such as a refrigerator of the present invention includes an insulating tank with an open top surface provided in one section of the freezer compartment, and an inner bottom of the insulating tank with an open top surface. a heater disposed at the center; an ice tray superimposed on the inner surface from the opening of the heat insulating tank; a first support shaft connected and fixed to one end of the ice tray; and a drain tray placed in parallel with the ice tray; The ice making tray is rotated about a second support shaft connected and fixed to one end of the draining tray and the first support shaft.
a driving device for rotating the draining tray about a support shaft; a draining tray provided below the draining tray; a first drain pipe connected to the draining tray and having heating means; A second drain pipe connecting the bottom of the surface and the first drain pipe and having a heating means.
a drain pipe, an ice storage box installed adjacent to the drain tray, a water supply tank provided in a section of the refrigerator room whose surroundings are covered with insulation material, a heater connected to this water supply tank, and a water temperature A sensor and a control device, a water storage tray that stores water from the water tank, a water pump that pumps up the water in the water storage tray, and a water supply pipe that is connected to the water pump and leads to the top surface of the ice tray. Become.

0012

[Operation] In the present invention, when a predetermined amount of water in the water supply tank, which is maintained at around 0°C where water freezes using a water temperature sensor and a heater, is supplied into the ice tray via the water storage tray and the water supply pipe, the water is insulated. Due to the insulation effect of the tank and the heating effect of the heater from the bottom, the cold air in the freezing chamber performs a unidirectional freezing effect from the water surface downwards, expelling gaseous components and impurities from the water into the water below, and forming ice. Crystals are being formed. Next, when the first support shaft drive device is activated when the ice reaches an appropriate thickness, the ice making tray rotates and reverses to remove the ice, causing the ice to fall onto the draining tray and release the gas. Unfrozen water containing ingredients and having a high concentration of impurities is separated, drained, and drained through the drain tray and drain pipe below.

[0013] Also, the dissolved water accumulated at the bottom of the inner surface of the heat insulating tank can be drained through the drain pipe. Next, when the draining tray loaded with ice is rotated and reversed by the drive device of the second support shaft, highly transparent and pure ice falls into the ice storage box and is stored.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An automatic ice making apparatus such as a refrigerator, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

FIG. 1 shows a refrigerator main body 1, including an outer box 2.
, an inner box 3 and a heat insulating material 4 filled between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a partition wall which partitions the inside of the refrigerator main body 1, and defines a freezing compartment 7 in the upper part and a refrigerating compartment 8 in the lower part. 9 is a recessed heat insulating tank, and 10 is a cooler, which constitutes a part of the refrigeration cycle. Reference numeral 11 denotes a blower, which forcibly blows cooled air into the freezer compartment 7 and the refrigerator compartment 8.

As shown in FIG. 3, the concave-shaped heat insulating tank 9 is placed on the partition wall 5, has an open top, and has an outer frame 12 made of resin and a metal plate 13 placed on the bottom of the concave portion. (for example, an aluminum plate), a heat insulating material 14 surrounded by the outer frame 12 and the metal plate 13, and a heater 15 fixed to the back surface of the metal plate 13 in a thermally conductive manner.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 16 denotes an ice cube tray, which has an outer shape so as to overlap with the inner surface of the heat insulating tank 9, and has a small section 17, a partition frame 18 that partitions this small section 17, and an ice tray formed on this partition frame. It is constituted by a communication groove 19 that allows the small sections 17 to communicate with each other. Reference numeral 20 denotes a grid-shaped draining tray, which is arranged in parallel with the ice tray 16, with a first support shaft 21 at one end of the ice tray 16, and a second support shaft 22 at one end of the draining tray 20. are connected and fixed. Reference numeral 23 denotes a drive device that can rotate the first support shaft 21 and the second support shaft 22 to rotate the ice tray 16 and draining tray 20, and includes a motor, a group of reduction gears, etc. (Fig. (not shown) is built-in. 24 is a frame that connects the ice tray 1 to the drive device 23;
6 and a draining plate 20 are pivotally supported via the first support shaft 21 and the second support shaft 22.

Stoppers 25 and 26 are provided on a part of the outer shell of the drive device 23. Reference numerals 27 and 28 denote backing plates, which are arranged so that the ice tray 16 comes into contact with the stoppers 25 and 26 when the ice tray 16 and the draining tray 20 are inverted.
and the draining plate 20, respectively.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 29 denotes a drain tray, which is provided below the drain tray 20, and 30 denotes a first drain pipe, which is connected to the drain tray 29, and heaters 31 and 32 are connected to each other in a thermally conductive manner. It is arranged. 33 is a second drain pipe, which is connected to the inner bottom surface of the heat insulating tank 9 and the drain pipe 30, and is connected to the heater 3.
4 are arranged in a thermally conductive manner.

Reference numeral 35 denotes an ice storage box, which is provided adjacent to the drain tray 29 below the drain tray 20 when it is in an inverted position. Furthermore, in FIG. 1, the first drain pipe 30 passes through the heat insulating material 6 of the partition wall 5 and the heat insulating material 4 of the main body 1, and communicates with the machine room 42 provided at the bottom of the main body 1. . 43 is an evaporator, and a compressor 44 of the refrigeration cycle.
It consists of a heating plate 46 to which a high-temperature, high-pressure heating tube 45 piped from is attached, and an evaporation plate 47 placed on the heating plate 46. Further, a water guide pipe 48 is connected to the outlet of the first drain pipe 30 so as to lead water into the inside of the evaporating dish 47.

Referring to FIG. 1, the water supply device will be explained. Reference numeral 61 designates a water supply tank room that contains a water supply tank 36 and a water storage tray 39, and is partitioned within the refrigerator compartment 8 by a heat insulating material 64, and is set lower than the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 8 to maintain the lowest temperature at which the water in the tank does not freeze. It is controlled by a heater 62, a water temperature sensor, and a control device 63.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a water supply pipe, which is used to supply water temporarily stored in the water storage tray 39 from the water supply tank 36 to the ice making tray 16 using the water supply pump 40, and one end of which is connected to the water supply pump 40. The other end is opened so as to face the upper surface of the ice tray 16.

Although the water supply tank 36, water supply pump 40, water supply pipe 41, etc. are provided in one compartment within the refrigerator compartment 8, the present invention is not limited thereto.

Reference numeral 49 denotes a ventilation passage, which is located within the freezer compartment 7 and is capable of guiding cold air to the upper surface of the ice tray 16. Reference numeral 50 denotes a temperature control device that detects the temperature inside the freezer compartment 7 and controls the operation and stop of the blower 11 and the compressor 44.

The operation of the automatic ice making device with the above configuration will be explained. In FIG. 1, when the water supply tank 36 filled with water is set in a predetermined position by the user, the valve 38 is pushed up, the water supply port 37 is opened, and the water storage tray 39 is filled with water. Thereafter, the filled water is pumped up by the water supply pump 40, and water starts to be supplied to the ice tray 16 via the water supply pipe 41. At this time, the temperature of the supplied water is determined by the heater 62, the water temperature sensor, and the control device 63.
The temperature is controlled to the lowest temperature possible without freezing. When water is supplied to one of the small sections 17 of the ice tray 16, the communication groove 19
A predetermined amount of water is supplied into the other small compartments 17 through the pipe. Injection of a predetermined amount of water is performed by, for example, regulating the operating time of the motor of the water supply pump 40. This state is shown in FIG. 3, where the draining tray 20 is in an inverted position away from the draining tray 29.

In this state, the cold air cooled by the cooler 10 is passed through the air passage 49 by the blower 11 to the ice tray 1.
The cooling action is initiated by forcing air onto the water surface of 6. At the same time, a heater 15 is installed on the bottom of the heat insulating tank 9.
The heating action of is started and the metal plate 13 on the bottom is heated. Furthermore, since the outer periphery of the ice tray 16 is surrounded by the heat insulating material 14 in the heat insulating tank 9, the cooling effect from the outer periphery is also suppressed, and the freezing effect progresses in one direction from the top to the bottom of the ice tray 16. To go. For this reason, if the freezing speed is slowed down to an appropriate level (for example, about 5 mm/h), gas components dissolved in the water and various impurities contained in the water will be precipitated outside the ice crystals as ice forms, and the unfrozen water below will be deposited. It is discharged to In this way, the ice that is sequentially formed over time has extremely high transparency and is highly pure ice with few impurities. and,
As the predetermined cooling time elapses, ice of the required appropriate thickness (for example, 25 mm) is generated. That is,
As shown in FIG. 4, each small section 17 of the ice cube tray 16
Highly transparent and pure ice coexists in the upper part, and unfrozen water with lower purity coexists in the lower part.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 5, the drive device 23 is activated and the first support shaft 21 and the second support shaft 22 begin to rotate, and first the draining tray 20 is reversed and the draining tray 29 is rotated. The ice tray 16 is set above, and then rotated and removed from the heat insulating tank 9, and reversed to a position close to overlapping the draining tray 20 that was previously set. At the same time, the heating action of the heater 15 in the heat insulating tank 9 stops. Then, the backing plate 27 fixed to the ice tray 16 is driven by the driving mechanism 2.
3, the drive device 23 applies rotational force to the ice tray 16, thereby distorting and deforming the ice tray 16, and the ice in each small section 17 is released and set downward. The water drops onto a grid-like draining tray 20. At the same time, unfrozen water with increased concentration of gaseous components and impurities remaining in each subdivision 17 also flows out and falls.
Since the draining tray 20 is formed in a lattice shape and most of the through holes are occupied, ice and water are separated from each other by falling directly into the draining tray 29 without being collected on the draining tray 20. That is, only ice with high transparency and purity is left on the draining tray 20. This state is shown in FIG. On the other hand, the unfrozen water that has fallen into the drain pan 29 and the dissolved water in the heat insulating tank 9 are transferred to the evaporation tray of the evaporator 43 in the machine room 42 via the first and second drain pipes 30 and 33 to the water conduit 48. 47. Thereafter, the water drained into the evaporating dish 47 is evaporated by the heating action of the heating plate 46 that is brought into close contact with the heating tube 45 through which the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas from the compressor 44 flows. Incidentally, in order to prevent the running water from freezing in the drain tray 29 and the first and second drain pipes 30 and 33, heaters 31, 32, and 34 perform a heating action as appropriate.

On the other hand, since the ice thus left has water attached to a portion of its surface, it is cooled and frozen in that state for an appropriate period of time. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, the drive device 23 operates again to rotate the first support shaft 21 and the second support shaft 22, and first the ice tray 16 is rotated and set in the heat insulating tank 9. On the other hand, the draining tray 20 is turned over from the top of the draining tray 29, and the abutment plate 28 fixed to the draining tray 20 above the ice storage box 35 comes into contact with the stopper 26 provided on the drive device 23. Then, as the drive device 23 further applies rotational force to the draining tray 20, the draining tray 20 is distorted and deformed, and the ice placed on the draining tray 20 is released and placed in the ice storage box 35 provided below. falls and is stored as ice.

After the water supply tank 36 is set by the user in this way, these series of steps are automatically repeated until the water in the water supply tank 36 is used up.

As a result, only highly transparent and highly pure ice can be stored in the ice storage box 35 in large quantities and quickly, allowing the user to store ice that is excellent for drinking and drinking with little effort. can be fully used at any time.

[0031]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when water is supplied,
Since the water is supplied at a low temperature that is already on the verge of freezing, there are few gaseous components contained in the water, and ice formation begins immediately from the top surface of the ice tray, so it does not contain gaseous components or impurities discharged downward. By separating the unfrozen water, a large amount of highly transparent and pure ice can be stored automatically and quickly in the ice storage box. Therefore, ice, which is excellent for drinking and drinking, can be used in sufficient quantity at any time.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

[Fig. 1] A vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a refrigerator equipped with an automatic ice-making device.

[Fig. 2] An enlarged perspective view of the main parts of the automatic ice making device of the present invention

[Figure 3
】Cross-sectional view showing the state in which water is supplied to the automatic ice making device in Figure 2.

[Figure 4] Cross-sectional view showing a state where ice making has progressed from the state shown in Figure 3.

[Figure 5] Cross-sectional view showing a state where ice has been removed and water has separated from the state shown in Figure 4.

[Figure 6] A sectional view showing the operation of releasing ice into the ice storage box from the state shown in Figure 5.

[Fig. 7] Vertical cross-sectional view of a refrigerator equipped with an automatic ice-making device showing a conventional example

[Fig. 8] An enlarged perspective view of the main parts of the automatic ice making device shown in Fig. 7.

[Explanation of symbols]

7 Freezer room 8 Refrigeration room 9 Insulation tank 15 Heater 16 Ice tray 20 Draining plate 21 First support shaft 22 Second support shaft 23 Drive device 29 Drainage dish 30 First drain pipe 33 Second drain pipe 35 Ice storage box 36 Water tank 39 Ice tray 40 Water supply pump 41 Water supply pipe 61 Water tank room 62 Heater 63 Water temperature sensor and control device 64 Insulation material

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A heat insulating tank provided in one section of the freezer compartment with an open top surface, a heater disposed centering on the bottom of the inner surface of the heat insulating tank, and an ice tray that overlaps the inner surface from the opening of the heat insulating tank. , a first support shaft connected and fixed to one end of the ice tray, a draining tray installed in parallel with the ice tray, a second support shaft connected and fixed to one end of the draining tray, and the first support shaft. a driving device that rotates the ice tray as a shaft and rotates the draining tray about the second support shaft; a draining tray provided below the draining tray; and a heating device connected to the draining tray. a second drain pipe that connects the inner bottom of the heat insulating tank and the first drain pipe and has heating means; a water storage box provided adjacent to the drain tray; A section of the refrigerator compartment is divided by a heat insulating layer and equipped with a water supply tank equipped with a heater and a water temperature sensor, a water storage tray that stores water from the water tank, and a water supply pump that pumps up the water in the water storage tray. and a water supply pipe connected to the water supply pump and led to the top surface of the ice tray.