Water inlet pipe assembly of ice maker and water inlet pipe heating duration optimization method

Abstract

The invention discloses an ice maker water inlet pipe assembly and a water inlet pipe heating duration optimization method, and the assembly comprises a water inlet pipe which is used for conveying water; the ice turning box is positioned below the water outlet end of the water inlet pipe and is used for receiving water liquid; the temperature sensor is arranged in the ice turning box and is used for detecting the temperature of the water liquid received by the ice turning box and forming a temperature parameter; the controller is connected with the temperature sensor and is used for acquiring the temperature parameter, received by the ice turning box, of the water liquid in the water inlet pipe in each ice making circulation process, comparing the temperature parameter with a preset parameter range and outputting different instructions according to a comparison result; the heater is connected with the controller and arranged on the outer wall of the water inlet pipe, and the heating duration is adjusted according to the instruction output by the controller. The ice maker relates to the technical field of ice makers, and through the arrangement, the heating time can be optimized and shortened, energy waste is reduced, and the ice making rate of the ice maker is synchronously increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of ice making machines, and relates to a water inlet pipe heating time optimization technology, in particular to an ice making machine water inlet pipe component and a water inlet pipe heating time optimization method. Background Art

[0002] In the process of inputting water into the ice-turning box through the water inlet pipe of the ice-making machine currently on the market, the water inlet pipe is often frozen due to the influence of the cold air in the ice-making room. To solve this problem, the prior art generally uses a heater for thawing operation. However, the power and heating time of these heaters are often set to fixed values, or need to be adjusted manually. This traditional heating control method lacks flexibility, that is, it cannot be adjusted intelligently according to the actual temperature of the water inlet pipe, resulting in energy waste and reduced ice-making efficiency. Specifically, when the heating temperature of the heater far exceeds the thawing demand of the water inlet pipe and continues to heat, it will cause the subsequent water temperature output from the water inlet pipe to the ice-turning box to rise and fall. Correspondingly, in the subsequent refrigeration cycle, the corresponding refrigeration time required will also need to be extended, which will lead to a decrease in the ice-making rate. In this process, due to the heating time, it will lead to excessive waste of energy, which has certain defects.

[0003] Therefore, a water inlet pipe assembly for an ice maker and a method for optimizing the heating time of the water inlet pipe are needed to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art; to this end, the present invention proposes an ice maker water inlet pipe assembly and a water inlet pipe heating time optimization method, which can make the heating time of the heater the shortest heating time to keep the water inlet pipe in a normal state, thereby avoiding unnecessary long-term heating, that is, optimizing and shortening the heating time, which not only reduces energy waste, but also avoids the defect that the water temperature rises due to too long heating time, thereby causing the ice making rate to decrease, thereby achieving the purpose of synchronously improving the ice making rate of the ice maker. The present invention arranges a temperature sensor in the ice turning box to detect the temperature of the water input from the water inlet pipe to the ice turning box during each refrigeration cycle, and outputs the temperature parameter to the controller, the controller can compare the temperature parameter with the preset parameter range, and issue different instructions to the heater according to the comparison result, so that the heating time of the heater can be dynamically changed until the shortest heating time required to keep the water inlet pipe in a normal state is screened out, that is, the heating time is optimized and shortened, so that the purpose of reducing energy waste and synchronously optimizing the ice making rate can be achieved.

[0005] To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides an ice maker water inlet pipe assembly, comprising:

[0006] A water inlet pipe, used for conveying water;

[0007] An ice turning box, located below the water outlet end of the water inlet pipe, for receiving water;

[0008] A temperature sensor is arranged in the ice turning box, and is used to detect the temperature of the water received by the ice turning box and form a temperature parameter;

[0009] A controller connected to the temperature sensor, for obtaining the temperature parameter of the water in the water inlet pipe received by the ice turning box during each ice making cycle, comparing the temperature parameter with a preset parameter range, and outputting different instructions according to the comparison result;

[0010] The heater is connected to the controller and is arranged on the outer wall of the water inlet pipe, and adjusts the heating time according to the instruction output by the controller.

[0011] Furthermore, the preset parameter range is a temperature range of the water in the water inlet pipe received by the ice turning box when the water inlet pipe is in a normal state and the heating time of the heater is the initial time.

[0012] Further, when the controller detects that the temperature parameter is within the preset parameter range, the controller issues an instruction to make the heating time of the heater during the next ice-making cycle be (initial time - N times the single preset time), and detects the temperature parameter of the water in the water inlet pipe received by the ice turning box during the ice-making cycle through the temperature sensor until the temperature parameter detected by the temperature sensor is lower than the preset parameter range;

[0013] Wherein, N is the number of ice-making cycles of this time, and N is a positive integer not less than 1.

[0014] Further, when the controller detects that the temperature parameter is lower than the preset parameter range, the controller issues an instruction to make the heating time of the heater [initial time - (N-1) times the single preset time];

[0015] Wherein, N is the number of ice-making cycles of this time, and N is a positive integer not less than 1.

[0016] Furthermore, the initial duration ranges from 80s to 100s.

[0017] Furthermore, the single preset duration is 3s-5s.

[0018] Furthermore, the controller is also used to control the heater to be powered off;

[0019] When the controller detects that the temperature parameter is higher than the preset parameter range, the controller issues an instruction to power off the controller.

[0020] On the other hand, the present invention also proposes a method for optimizing the heating time of an ice maker water inlet pipe, comprising an ice maker water inlet pipe assembly as described in the above embodiment, specifically the following steps:

[0021] Step 1: heating the water inlet pipe by a heater for an initial heating time, and making the water inlet pipe always in a normal state during the refrigeration cycle;

[0022] Step 2: obtaining the temperature parameters of the water received by the ice turning box during the refrigeration cycle through a temperature sensor;

[0023] Step 3: Compare and detect the temperature parameter with a preset parameter range through a controller;

[0024] Step 4: when the temperature parameter is detected to be within the preset parameter range, the heating time of the heater in the next refrigeration cycle is shortened to (initial time - N times the single preset time), and steps 2 to 3 are repeated;

[0025] Wherein, N is the number of refrigeration cycles, and N is a positive integer not less than 1;

[0026] Step 5. When the temperature parameter is detected to be lower than the preset parameter range, the heating time of the heater in the next refrigeration cycle is increased to [initial time - (N-1) times the single preset time], and the heating time of the heater is controlled to remain unchanged during the subsequent refrigeration cycle.

[0027] Furthermore, when it is detected that the temperature parameter is higher than the preset parameter range, the controller determines that the heater is abnormal and controls the heater to be powered off.

[0028] Furthermore, when the temperature parameter is detected to be lower than the preset parameter range, the controller determines that ice blockage occurs in the water inlet pipe.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] By arranging a temperature sensor in the ice turning box to detect the temperature of the water input into the ice turning box from the water inlet pipe during each refrigeration cycle, and outputting the temperature parameter to the controller, the controller can compare the temperature parameter with the preset parameter range, and issue different instructions to the heater according to the comparison result, so that the heating time of the heater can be dynamically changed until the shortest heating time required to maintain the water inlet pipe in a normal state is screened out, that is, the heating time is optimized and shortened, so as to achieve the purpose of reducing energy waste and simultaneously improving the ice making rate of the ice maker. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an ice-making machine water inlet pipe assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 It is a flow chart of a method for optimizing the heating time of an ice-making machine water inlet pipe in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 The figure is a logic block diagram of a method for optimizing the heating time of an ice maker water inlet pipe in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure Number:

[0036] 1. Water inlet pipe; 2. Ice box; 3. Temperature sensor; 4. Controller; 5. Heater. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] Embodiment 1

[0039] See also Figure 1 According to a first aspect of the present invention, an ice-making machine water inlet pipe assembly is provided, comprising:

[0040] The water inlet pipe 1 is used to transport water.

[0041] The ice turning box 2 is located below the water outlet end of the water inlet pipe 1 and is used for receiving water.

[0042] The temperature sensor 3 is arranged in the ice turning box 2, and is used to detect the temperature of the water received by the ice turning box 2 and form a temperature parameter. The temperature of the water received by the ice turning box 2 is detected by the temperature sensor 3 to determine whether the water inlet pipe 1 is abnormal. For example, when the water inlet pipe 1 is in a normal state, the temperature parameter detected should be within a preset parameter range, and when the water inlet pipe 1 is in an abnormal state (such as freezing), the temperature of the water detected will drop due to the influence of freezing, so the temperature parameter detected at this time will be lower than the preset parameter range, so the critical node between the normal state and the abnormal state of the water inlet pipe 1 can be used as the judgment of the heating time of the heater 5, that is, to provide a basis for the subsequent optimization of the heating time.

[0043] The controller 4 is connected to the temperature sensor 3, and is used to obtain the temperature parameter of the water in the water inlet pipe 1 received by the ice turning box 2 during each ice making cycle, and compare the temperature parameter with a preset parameter range, and output different instructions according to the comparison result.

[0044] The heater 5 is connected to the controller 4 and is disposed on the outer wall of the water inlet pipe 1 , and adjusts the heating time according to the instruction output by the controller 4 .

[0045] It should be noted that when the heater 5 is adjusting the heating time, other parameters of the heater 5 remain unchanged, such as the output power of the heater 5 and other parameters.

[0046] The device sets a temperature sensor 3 in the ice turning box 2 to detect the temperature of the water input from the water inlet pipe 1 to the ice turning box 2 during each refrigeration cycle, and outputs the temperature parameter to the controller 4. The controller 4 can compare the temperature parameter with the preset parameter range, and issue different instructions to the heater 5 according to the comparison result, so that the heating time of the heater 5 can be dynamically changed until the shortest heating time required to maintain the water inlet pipe 1 in a normal state is screened out, that is, the heating time is optimized and shortened, so that the purpose of reducing energy waste and simultaneously improving the ice making rate of the ice maker can be achieved.

[0047] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the preset parameter range is the temperature range of the water in the water inlet pipe 1 received by the ice turning box 2 when the water inlet pipe 1 is in a normal state and the heating time of the heater 5 is the initial time. That is, the heater 5 needs to ensure the temperature of the water entering the ice turning box 2 when the water inlet pipe 1 is always in a normal state while heating for the initial time.

[0048] In one of the examples, the heating time of the heater 5 is taken as the initial time.

[0049] When the controller 4 detects that the temperature parameter is within the preset parameter range, the controller 4 issues an instruction to make the heating time of the heater 5 during the next ice-making cycle be (initial time - N times the single preset time), and detects the temperature parameter of the water in the water inlet pipe 1 received by the ice-turning box 2 during this ice-making cycle through the temperature sensor 3 until the temperature parameter detected by the temperature sensor 3 is lower than the preset parameter range.

[0050] In addition, when the controller 4 detects that the temperature parameter is lower than the preset parameter range, the controller 4 issues an instruction to make the heating time of the heater 5 [initial time - (N-1) times the single preset time].

[0051] It should be noted that the above N is the number of ice making cycles, and N is a positive integer not less than 1.

[0052] The initial duration ranges from 80s to 100s, and the single preset duration ranges from 3s to 5s.

[0053] In order to better illustrate the above judgment logic, a specific example is given here to set the initial duration to 90s and the single preset duration to 4s, and the following description is given.

[0054] Specifically, during the first refrigeration cycle, since it has been shown above that the water inlet pipe 1 is in a normal state when the heating time of the heater 5 is the initial time, the heating time of the heater 5 during the second refrigeration cycle can be set to 86s at this time, and a secondary refrigeration cycle operation is performed. At the same time, it is detected whether the temperature parameter detected in this cycle operation is within the preset parameter range. If it is still within the preset parameter range, the heating time of the heater 5 during the third (i.e. the next) refrigeration cycle is set to 82s, and this cycle is repeated until the temperature parameter detected in the Nth refrigeration cycle operation is lower than the preset parameter range. At this time, the heating time of the heater 5 is 90-4N. Therefore, the heating time of the heater 5 during the N+1th refrigeration cycle is controlled to be 90-4(N-1), so that under this heating time, the water inlet pipe 1 can be maintained in a normal state, that is, the shortest heating time for maintaining the water inlet pipe 1 in a normal state is obtained, so as to achieve the purpose of optimizing and shortening the heating time of the heater 5. By shortening the heating time, energy waste can be effectively avoided, and it is beneficial to subsequent ice-making operations, that is, the power required to overcome the water temperature during the ice-making operation is reduced, thereby improving the ice-making rate.

[0055] In other examples, the controller 4 is further configured to control the heater 5 to be powered off.

[0056] When the controller 4 detects that the temperature parameter is higher than the preset parameter range, it means that the controller 4 has a power mutation due to external interference or self-damage, and thus an abnormal situation occurs. Therefore, the controller 4 needs to issue an instruction to power off the heater 5.

[0057] In addition, the controller 4 can also perform an alarm operation to remind the operator to perform inspection or maintenance.

[0058] Embodiment 2

[0059] This embodiment further proposes a method for optimizing the heating time of an ice maker water inlet pipe based on the first embodiment, including an ice maker water inlet pipe assembly as described in the first embodiment, and specifically the following steps:

[0060] Step 1: Heat the water inlet pipe 1 by the heater 5 for an initial heating time, and keep the water inlet pipe 1 in a normal state during the refrigeration cycle; that is, ensure that the water inlet pipe 1 is in a normal state when the heating time by the heater 5 is the initial heating time, so as to pave the way for subsequently obtaining the shortest heating time to maintain the water inlet pipe 1 in a normal state.

[0061] Step 2: The temperature parameter of the water received by the ice turning box 2 during the refrigeration cycle is obtained through the temperature sensor 3, so as to be used for comparison by the subsequent controller 4.

[0062] Step three, the controller 4 compares and detects the temperature parameter with the preset parameter range. The specific comparison results can be mainly divided into two categories. For example, when the temperature parameter is within the preset parameter range, it indicates that the water inlet pipe 1 is in a normal state at this time (that is, there is no ice blockage inside); and when the temperature parameter is lower than the preset parameter range, it indicates that ice blockage occurs inside the water inlet pipe 1, resulting in a lower temperature of the water.

[0063] Step 4. When it is detected that the temperature parameter is within the preset parameter range, the heating time of the heater 5 in the next refrigeration cycle is shortened to (initial time - N times the single preset time), and steps 2 to 3 are repeated until the temperature parameter is detected to be lower than the preset parameter range in the subsequent cycle refrigeration operation.

[0064] It should be noted that N is the number of refrigeration cycles, and N is a positive integer not less than 1;

[0065] Step 5. When the temperature parameter is detected to be lower than the preset parameter range, that is, the heating time of the heater 5 in this refrigeration cycle is (initial time - N times the single preset time). Since the water inlet pipe 1 is in a normal state during the previous refrigeration cycle, the heating time of the heater 5 in the next refrigeration cycle can be increased to [initial time - (N-1) times the single preset time] (that is, the heating time of the heater 5 in the previous refrigeration cycle), and the heating time of the heater 5 is controlled to remain unchanged during the subsequent refrigeration cycle, that is, the shortest heating time of the heater 5 required for the water inlet pipe 1 to maintain a normal state is obtained, so as to optimize and shorten the heating time, so as to reduce energy waste and improve the ice making rate of the ice maker.

[0066] Through the above steps, the shortest heating time of the heater 5 required to maintain the water inlet pipe 1 in a normal state can be obtained, thereby optimizing and shortening the heating time to reduce energy waste and improve the ice making rate of the ice maker.

[0067] In this embodiment, when it is detected that the temperature parameter is higher than the preset parameter range, the controller 4 determines that the heater 5 is abnormal and controls the heater 5 to be powered off.

[0068] It should be particularly noted that when the temperature parameter is detected to be lower than the preset parameter range, the controller 4 determines that the water inlet pipe 1 is blocked by ice.

[0069] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical method of the present invention rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical method of the present invention may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical method of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ice maker water inlet pipe assembly, characterized in that: include: A water inlet pipe (1), used for conveying water; An ice turning box (2), located below the water outlet end of the water inlet pipe (1), and used for receiving water; A temperature sensor (3) is arranged in the ice turning box (2) and is used to detect the temperature of the water received by the ice turning box (2) and form a temperature parameter; A controller (4) is connected to the temperature sensor (3) and is used to obtain the temperature parameter of the water in the water inlet pipe (1) received by the ice turning box (2) during each ice making cycle, compare the temperature parameter with a preset parameter range, and output different instructions according to the comparison result; The heater (5) is connected to the controller (4) and is arranged on the outer wall of the water inlet pipe (1), and adjusts the heating time according to the instructions output by the controller (4).

2. The ice maker water inlet pipe assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The preset parameter range is the temperature range of the water in the water inlet pipe (1) received by the ice turning box (2) when the water inlet pipe (1) is in a normal state and the heating time of the heater (5) is the initial time.

3. The ice maker water inlet pipe assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the controller (4) detects that the temperature parameter is within the preset parameter range, the controller (4) issues an instruction to make the heating time of the heater (5) during the next ice-making cycle be (initial time minus N times the single preset time), and detects the temperature parameter of the water in the water inlet pipe (1) received by the ice turning box (2) during the ice-making cycle through the temperature sensor (3) until the temperature parameter detected by the temperature sensor (3) is lower than the preset parameter range; Wherein, N is the number of ice-making cycles of this time, and N is a positive integer not less than 1.

4. The ice-making machine water inlet pipe assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the controller (4) detects that the temperature parameter is lower than the preset parameter range, the controller (4) issues an instruction to make the heating time of the heater (5) be [initial time - (N-1) times the single preset time]; Wherein, N is the number of ice-making cycles of this time, and N is a positive integer not less than 1.

5. The ice-making machine water inlet pipe assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The initial duration ranges from 80s to 100s.

6. An ice-making machine water inlet pipe assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The single preset duration is 3s-5s.

7. The ice-making machine water inlet pipe assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller (4) is also used to control the heater (5) to be powered off; When the controller (4) detects that the temperature parameter is higher than the preset parameter range, the controller (4) issues an instruction to cut off the power supply to the heater (5).

8. A method for optimizing the heating time of an ice machine water inlet pipe, characterized in that: The ice maker water inlet pipe assembly comprises the following steps: Step 1: heating the water inlet pipe (1) by means of a heater (5), wherein the heating time is equal to the initial time, and the water inlet pipe (1) is always in a normal state during the refrigeration cycle; Step 2: obtaining temperature parameters of the water liquid received by the ice turning box (2) during the refrigeration cycle through the temperature sensor (3); Step 3: Compare and detect the temperature parameter with a preset parameter range through the controller (4); Step 4: when it is detected that the temperature parameter is within the preset parameter range, the heating time of the heater (5) in the next refrigeration cycle is shortened to (initial time - N times the single preset time), and steps 2 to 3 are repeated; Wherein, N is the number of refrigeration cycles, and N is a positive integer not less than 1; Step 5. When the temperature parameter is detected to be lower than the preset parameter range, the heating time of the heater (5) during the next refrigeration cycle is increased to [initial time - (N-1) times the single preset time], and the heating time of the heater (5) is controlled to remain unchanged during the subsequent refrigeration cycle.

9. The method for optimizing the heating time of the water inlet pipe of an ice maker according to claim 8, characterized in that: When it is detected that the temperature parameter is higher than the preset parameter range, the controller (4) determines that an abnormality has occurred in the heater (5), and controls the heater (5) to be powered off.

10. The method for optimizing the heating time of the water inlet pipe of an ice maker according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the temperature parameter is detected to be lower than the preset parameter range, the controller (4) determines that ice blockage occurs in the water inlet pipe (1).

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