High-efficiency ice maker refrigerating system and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-efficiency ice maker refrigerating system and a control method thereof.The high-efficiency ice maker refrigerating system comprises a water adding tank, a water tank and an ice making module which are sequentially connected, the ice making module comprises a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube and an ice making module evaporator which are sequentially connected in series, and a water tank pre-cooling evaporator is arranged on the water adding tank; the water tank pre-cooling evaporator is connected between the ice-making module evaporator and the compressor in parallel, an ice removing pipeline is connected between the outlet end of the compressor and the inlet end of the ice-making module evaporator, and a one-way valve is installed on the ice removing pipeline. Water in the water adding tank can be cooled by the residual cooling capacity of the refrigerant in the ice making process, so that the water refrigerating time in the ice making process is effectively shortened, the ice making efficiency is improved, and meanwhile, the energy consumption of ice making is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of ice-making refrigeration technology, specifically relating to a high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Ice makers, as refrigeration equipment capable of rapidly producing ice, are widely used in various scenarios such as homes, restaurants, and supermarkets. Their core requirement is to achieve efficient ice production while ensuring ice quality, thus meeting the immediate ice needs of different situations. With the improvement of people's living standards and the increase in commercial ice consumption, the market is placing increasingly higher demands on the ice-making efficiency of ice makers, making shortening the single ice-making cycle an important direction for technological improvement.

[0003] Existing ice makers utilize only one type of refrigerant cooling capacity in their refrigeration modules. The cooling capacity is applied to the immediate water flow passing through the ice-making module via the evaporator, and the remaining cooling capacity cannot be effectively recovered and utilized, resulting in serious waste of cooling capacity. Consequently, problems such as long ice-making cycles, low ice-making efficiency, and high energy consumption arise, failing to meet the market demand for efficient and energy-saving ice-making equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system and its control method to solve the problem of low ice-making efficiency in ice-making systems.

[0005] The high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system and its control method of the present invention are implemented as follows: A high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system includes a water tank, a water tank, and an ice-making module connected in sequence. The ice-making module includes a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, and an ice-making module evaporator connected in series. A water tank pre-cooling evaporator is installed on the water tank and is connected in parallel between the ice-making module evaporator and the compressor. An ice removal pipeline is connected between the outlet end of the compressor and the inlet end of the ice-making module evaporator, and a one-way valve is installed on the ice removal pipeline.

[0006] Furthermore, a three-way valve is connected between the inlet end of the water tank precooling evaporator and the outlet end of the ice-making module evaporator; The outlet end of the water tank precooling evaporator is connected to the inlet end of the compressor via a three-way pipe I.

[0007] Furthermore, the one-way valve flows from the compressor outlet to the ice-making module evaporator inlet.

[0008] Furthermore, the inlet end of the de-icing pipeline is connected between the compressor and the condenser via a three-way pipe II, and the outlet end is connected between the capillary tube and the evaporator of the ice-making module via a three-way pipe III.

[0009] Furthermore, the water filling tank is positioned above the water tank; A one-way water valve is installed on the water supply pipe between the water tank and the water tank.

[0010] Furthermore, the water tank precooling evaporator is mounted on the outer surface of the water tank.

[0011] Furthermore, a water pump is installed on the water supply pipeline of the water tank and the ice-making module.

[0012] Furthermore, a temperature sensor is installed at the bottom of the water tank.

[0013] Secondly, based on the aforementioned high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system, this invention also provides a control method for a high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system. When the water temperature T in the water tank is greater than Ton, the refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator of the ice-making module flows to the water tank pre-cooling evaporator to cool down the water in the water tank. When the water temperature in the water tank is T≤Toff, the refrigerant flowing from the evaporator of the ice-making module flows to the compressor.

[0014] Furthermore, the temperature range of Ton is 1℃~2℃; The temperature range of Toff is -1℃ to 0℃.

[0015] After adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: (1) The present invention can use the remaining cold energy of the refrigerant during the ice-making process to cool the water in the water tank, effectively reducing the cooling time of the water during the ice-making process, improving the ice-making efficiency, and reducing the energy consumption of ice-making. (2) While using the residual cooling capacity of the refrigerant to cool the water in the water tank, the present invention can monitor the water temperature in real time to prevent the water in the water tank from freezing, thereby replenishing the water tank in time and further improving the ice-making efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making module of the high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the water tank structure of the high-efficiency ice maker refrigeration system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4This is a cross-sectional view of the water tank precooling evaporator of the high-efficiency ice maker refrigeration system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the control method for a high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; In the diagram: Water tank 1, Water tank 2, Ice-making module 3, Compressor 31, Condenser 32, Capillary tube 33, Ice-making module evaporator 34, De-icing pipe 35, One-way valve 36, Three-way valve 37, Three-way pipe I 38, Three-way pipe II 39, Three-way pipe III 310, Water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4, Refrigeration panel 41, Refrigeration pipe 42, One-way water valve 5, Water supply pipe 6, Water pump 7, Temperature sensor 8, Drain outlet 9. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0020] like Figure 1-5 As shown, a high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system includes a water tank 1, a water tank 2, and an ice-making module 3 connected in sequence. The ice-making module 3 includes a compressor 31, a condenser 32, a capillary tube 33, and an ice-making module evaporator 34 connected in series. A water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4 is installed on the water tank 1 and is connected in parallel between the ice-making module evaporator 34 and the compressor 31. An ice removal pipeline 35 is connected between the outlet end of the compressor 31 and the inlet end of the ice-making module evaporator 34, and a one-way valve 36 is installed on the ice removal pipeline 35.

[0021] The compressor 31, condenser 32, capillary tube 33, and ice-making module evaporator 34 form the main refrigeration cycle of the ice-making module 3. The de-icing pipe 35 is a separate unidirectional short-circuit path connected in parallel to the main refrigeration cycle. The pipe containing the water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4 is another cold energy recovery path connected in parallel to the main refrigeration cycle for recovering residual refrigerant cold energy. This cold energy recovery path is used to initially cool the water in the water tank 1, thereby shortening the cooling and ice-making time after the water enters the refrigeration module and improving the efficiency of cooling and ice-making.

[0022] During the ice-making process, the one-way valve 36 is closed, and the compressor 31 discharges high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the condenser 32 for heat dissipation. Then, it is throttled and depressurized through the capillary tube 33 and flows into the evaporator 34 of the ice-making module for refrigeration and ice making.

[0023] During this process, the refrigerant flowing out of the ice-making module evaporator 34 can flow back into the water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4 to cool the water in the water tank 1, thereby improving the efficiency of subsequent ice-making cooling. Finally, the refrigerant flows back to the compressor 31.

[0024] During the de-icing process, the one-way valve 36 opens, and the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor 31 flows directly into the evaporator 34 of the ice-making module through the de-icing pipeline 35 where the one-way valve 36 is located, thus de-icing the surface of the ice.

[0025] During this process, the refrigerant flowing out of the ice-making module evaporator 34 flows directly back to the compressor 31 and does not pass through the water tank 2 refrigeration evaporator.

[0026] In order to control the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing out of the ice-making module evaporator 34, a three-way valve 37 is connected between the inlet end of the water tank precooling evaporator 4 and the outlet end of the ice-making module evaporator 34.

[0027] As mentioned above, during the ice-making process, the three-way valve 37 connects the ice-making module evaporator 34 and the water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4, allowing the low-temperature refrigerant flowing out of the ice-making module evaporator 34 to flow into the water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4. This utilizes the remaining cooling capacity to cool the water in the water tank 1. Then, when the water in the water tank 1 is sent to the water tank 2 and the ice-making module 3, the ice-making cooling time can be effectively shortened, the ice-making efficiency can be improved, and the ice-making energy consumption can be reduced.

[0028] During the de-icing process, the three-way valve 37 connects the evaporator 34 of the ice-making module and the compressor 31, so that the high-temperature refrigerant flowing out of the evaporator 34 of the ice-making module flows directly back to the compressor 31.

[0029] In order to connect the outlet end of the water tank precooling evaporator 4 to the pipeline where the ice-making module 3 is located, the outlet end of the water tank precooling evaporator 4 is connected to the inlet end of the compressor 31 through a three-way pipe I38.

[0030] During the ice-making process, the refrigerant flowing out from the water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4 flows back to the compressor 31 through the three-way pipe I 38, so that it can be used for subsequent ice-making or de-icing operations.

[0031] In order to directly introduce high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant into the evaporator 34 of the ice-making module to heat the surface of the ice and remove it, the one-way valve 36 is connected from the outlet end of the compressor 31 to the inlet end of the evaporator 34 of the ice-making module.

[0032] In order to connect the two ends of the de-icing pipe 35 with the main refrigeration cycle path, the inlet end of the de-icing pipe 35 is connected between the compressor 31 and the condenser 32 through a three-way pipe II 39, and the outlet end is connected between the capillary tube 33 and the ice-making module evaporator 34 through a three-way pipe III 310.

[0033] To facilitate the replenishment of water to water tank 2 using water tank 1, water tank 1 is positioned above water tank 2.

[0034] By placing the water tank 1 above the water tank 2, it is not necessary to install a power component such as a water pump on the water supply pipe 6 connecting the two. Water can be directly supplied to the water tank 2 by gravity, which further simplifies the overall structure.

[0035] To ensure the controllability of water flow, a one-way valve 5 is installed on the water supply pipe 6 between water tank 1 and water tank 2.

[0036] The one-way water valve 5 is designed to connect or disconnect the water supply pipe 6. Specifically, when the one-way water valve 5 is opened, the water in the water tank 1 can flow into the water tank 2 under the action of gravity; when the one-way water valve 5 is closed, the water in the water tank 1 cannot flow into the water tank 2.

[0037] In order to quickly cool the water in the water tank 1, the water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4 is assembled on the outer surface of the water tank 1.

[0038] Specifically, the water tank precooling evaporator 4 includes a refrigeration panel 41 attached to the periphery of the water tank 1, and a refrigeration pipe 42 attached to the outer surface of the refrigeration panel 41. When cooling the water in the water tank 1, the refrigerant in the refrigeration pipe 42 will transfer the cooling energy to the refrigeration panel 41, and heat exchange will occur between the refrigeration panel 41 and the water in the water tank 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, the surface of the cooling pipe 42 that is in contact with the cooling panel 41 is a flat surface, which can be formed by flattening. This can increase the contact area between the cooling pipe 42 and the cooling panel 41, improve the heat exchange effect and the efficiency of cooling the water in the water tank 1.

[0040] Among them, the refrigeration panel 41 and the refrigeration pipe 42 are made of aluminum, but not limited to aluminum. That is, the refrigeration panel 41 is an aluminum plate and the refrigeration pipe 42 is an aluminum pipe.

[0041] In order to quickly deliver water from water tank 2 into ice-making module 3, a water pump 7 is installed on the water supply pipeline between water tank 2 and ice-making module 3.

[0042] In order to monitor the temperature change of the water in the water tank 1 in real time, a temperature sensor 8 is installed at the bottom of the water tank 1.

[0043] The bottom of the water tank 1 is equipped with a drain outlet 9 for connecting the water supply pipe 6, while the temperature sensor 8 is installed near the drain outlet 9. The water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4 avoids the location of the drain outlet 9 to prevent ice formation at the drain outlet 9 and avoid affecting the water supply from the water tank 1 to the water tank 2.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment also provides a control method for the above-mentioned high-efficiency ice maker refrigeration system. When the water temperature T in the water tank 1 is greater than Ton, the refrigerant flowing out of the ice-making module evaporator 34 flows to the water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4 to cool the water in the water tank 1. When the water temperature T in the water tank 1 is less than or equal to Ton, the refrigerant flowing out of the ice-making module evaporator 34 flows to the compressor 31.

[0045] When using the residual cooling capacity of the refrigerant to cool the water in water tank 1, a temperature sensor 8 located at the bottom of water tank 1 is used to monitor the water temperature in real time to prevent over-cooling and freezing. By controlling the water temperature in water tank 1 between Ton and Toff, the water temperature can be kept close to 0°C and prevent freezing, thus preventing water in water tank 1 from flowing into water tank 2 for replenishment if it freezes.

[0046] Specifically, when the water temperature T in water tank 1 is greater than Ton, the three-way valve 37 is controlled to connect the ice-making module evaporator 34 and the water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4, causing the refrigerant flowing from the ice-making module evaporator 34 to flow to the water tank pre-cooling evaporator 4 to cool the water in water tank 1, and then flow back to the compressor 31. When the water temperature T in water tank 1 is less than or equal to Ton, the three-way valve 37 is controlled to connect the ice-making module evaporator 34 and the compressor 31, causing the refrigerant flowing from the ice-making module evaporator 34 to flow directly back to the compressor 31. The above control process only occurs during the ice-making process. During the de-icing process, the refrigerant flowing from the ice-making module evaporator 34 always flows directly back to the compressor 31.

[0047] In order to keep the water level in water tank 1 as low as possible without freezing, The temperature range of Ton is 1℃~2℃; The temperature range of Toff is -1℃ to 0℃.

[0048] Specifically, the temperature range of Ton is its value range, and the specific temperature value of Ton is selected from this temperature range (value range). Similarly, the temperature range of Toff is also a value range, and the specific temperature value of Toff is also selected from this temperature range (value range).

[0049] When the temperature value of Ton is set to 1℃ and the temperature value of Toff is set to 0℃: When the water temperature T in the water tank 1 is greater than 1°C, the three-way valve 37 is controlled to connect the evaporator 34 of the ice-making module and the pre-cooling evaporator 4 of the water tank to cool down the water in the water tank 1; when the water temperature T in the water tank 1 is less than or equal to 0°C, the three-way valve 37 is controlled to connect the evaporator 34 of the ice-making module and the compressor 31, and there is no need to cool down the water in the water tank 1.

[0050] The temperature ranges of Ton and Toff, as well as the specific temperature values ​​selected, will be adjusted according to changes in ambient temperature and the position of temperature sensor 8, and are not limited to the aforementioned temperature ranges and specific temperature values.

[0051] When the ice-making demand is activated, the present invention can cool the water in the water tank 1 at the same time as making ice. Except for the first round of ice making, when the second ice making begins, the water that has been preliminarily cooled flows into the ice-making module 3, which can greatly reduce the cooling ice-making time, improve ice-making efficiency, and effectively recover cold energy and reduce energy consumption.

[0052] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the inventive concept. The technical scope of this invention is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system, characterized in that, The system includes a water tank (1), a water tank (2), and an ice-making module (3) connected in sequence. The ice-making module (3) includes a compressor (31), a condenser (32), a capillary tube (33), and an ice-making module evaporator (34) connected in series. A water tank pre-cooling evaporator (4) is provided on the water tank (1). The water tank pre-cooling evaporator (4) is connected in parallel between the ice-making module evaporator (34) and the compressor (31). An ice removal pipeline (35) is connected between the outlet end of the compressor (31) and the inlet end of the ice-making module evaporator (34). A one-way valve (36) is installed on the ice removal pipeline (35).

2. The high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A three-way valve (37) is connected between the inlet end of the water tank precooling evaporator (4) and the outlet end of the ice-making module evaporator (34). The outlet end of the water tank precooling evaporator (4) is connected to the inlet end of the compressor (31) via a three-way pipe I (38).

3. The high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The one-way valve (36) flows from the outlet of the compressor (31) to the inlet of the evaporator (34) of the ice-making module.

4. The high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet end of the de-icing pipeline (35) is connected between the compressor (31) and the condenser (32) via a three-way pipe II (39), and the outlet end is connected between the capillary tube (33) and the evaporator (34) of the ice-making module via a three-way pipe III (310).

5. The high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water tank (1) is located above the water tank (2); A one-way water valve (5) is installed on the water supply pipeline (6) between the water tank (1) and the water tank (2).

6. The high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water tank precooling evaporator (4) is mounted on the outer surface of the water tank (1).

7. The high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A water pump (7) is installed on the water supply pipeline of the water tank (2) and the ice-making module (3).

8. The high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A temperature sensor (8) is installed at the bottom of the water tank (1).

9. A control method for a high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, When the water temperature T in the water tank (1) is greater than Ton, the refrigerant flowing out from the evaporator (34) of the ice-making module flows to the water tank pre-cooling evaporator (4) to cool down the water in the water tank (1); When the water temperature T in the water tank (1) is less than or equal to Toff, the refrigerant flowing out from the evaporator (34) of the ice-making module flows to the compressor (31).

10. The control method for the high-efficiency ice-making refrigeration system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The temperature range of Ton is 1℃~2℃; The temperature range of Toff is -1℃ to 0℃.

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