Ice maker

Abstract

To make washing water difficult to remain on an upper side of an ice making small chamber even when a washing operation is executed.SOLUTION: An ice maker 10 can execute: an ice making operation for making ice by jetting ice-making water supplied from water supply means into an ice making small chamber 22 cooled by a freezing device 40 through a pump 26, returning and circulating the water into a tank 25 again, and freezing the ice-making water in the ice making small chamber 22; and a washing operation for washing the tank 25 and the ice making small chamber 22 with the washing water by jetting the washing water supplied from the water supply means into the ice making small chamber 22 through the pump 26, and returning and circulating the water into the tank 25 again. In this ice maker 10, the water supply means 23 can adjust a supply water flow rate of the supplied water, and controls the supply water flow rate of the water supply means 23 to be more when executing the washing operation than when executing the ice making operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ice maker that freezes ice-making water in an ice-making chamber to produce ice, and more particularly to an ice maker that can be cleaned with cleaning water in the ice-making chamber.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of an ice maker that freezes ice-making water in an ice-making chamber to produce ice. This ice maker includes a plurality of ice-making chambers having openings formed at their lower ends for allowing ice-making water to flow in from above, a refrigeration device for cooling the inside of the ice-making chambers, a tank for storing water to be sent into the ice-making chambers, a water supply means for supplying water from a water supply source into the tank, and a pump for injecting the water in the tank into the ice-making chambers through the openings. This ice maker can perform an ice-making operation for producing ice in the ice-making chambers and a cleaning operation for cleaning the inside of the ice-making chambers. When the ice-making operation is executed, the water supplied into the tank by the water supply means is used as ice-making water, and this ice-making water is injected into the ice-making chambers cooled by the refrigeration device by the pump and then returned to the tank again for circulation. Thus, the ice-making water gradually freezes in the ice-making chambers to form ice.

[0003] In addition, the cleaning operation is set with a normal cleaning mode in which cleaning is performed with cleaning water that does not contain chemicals and a special cleaning mode in which cleaning is performed with cleaning water that contains chemicals. When the cleaning operation in the normal cleaning mode is executed, cleaning water is supplied from the water supply means into the tank, and the cleaning water in the tank is sprayed into the ice-making chamber by a pump and then returned to the tank again and circulated, so that the ice-making chamber is cleaned by the sprayed cleaning water. The cleaning operation in the special cleaning mode sequentially executes a chemical cleaning step of cleaning the ice-making chamber with cleaning water containing chemicals and a rinsing cleaning step of cleaning the ice-making chamber with rinsing cleaning water. When the chemical cleaning step is executed, cleaning water containing chemicals is supplied from the chemical supply means into the tank, and the cleaning water in the tank is sprayed into the ice-making chamber by a pump and then returned to the tank again and circulated, so that the ice-making chamber is cleaned by the sprayed cleaning water containing chemicals. When the rinsing cleaning step is executed after the chemical cleaning step, rinsing cleaning water is supplied from the water supply means into the tank, and the rinsing cleaning water in the tank is sprayed into the ice-making chamber by a pump and then returned to the tank again and circulated, so that the ice-making chamber is cleaned by the sprayed rinsing cleaning water.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In this type of ice maker, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-180474, air holes are formed in the ceiling wall of the ice-making chamber, and the ice formed by freezing in the ice-making chamber easily falls downward from the ice-making chamber due to the air flowing in through the air holes. In an ice maker having air holes formed in the ceiling wall of the ice-making chamber, when a cleaning operation is performed as in the ice maker of Patent Document 1 and cleaning water is sprayed into the ice-making chamber, the cleaning water may flow out from the air holes to the upper side of the ice-making chamber, and there is a possibility that the cleaning water remains on the upper side of the ice-making chamber. The cleaning water not only contains dirt washed during the process of circulating between the tank and the ice-making chamber, but also contains detergent in the cleaning operation in the special cleaning mode. It is not hygienically preferable for the cleaning water to remain on the upper side of the ice-making chamber. The present invention aims to make it difficult for the cleaning water to remain on the upper side of the ice-making chamber even when the cleaning operation is performed.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a plurality of ice-making chambers in which an opening for allowing the ice-making water to flow in when sprayed upward is formed at the lower end, and air holes for detaching the ice formed inside are formed in the ceiling wall, a refrigeration device for cooling the inside of the ice-making chamber, a tank for storing the water to be sent into the ice-making chamber, a water supply means for supplying water from a water supply source into the tank, and a water supply means for sending out the water sprayed from the opening including the tank into the ice-making chamber from the inside of the tank. The water supplied into the tank by the water supply means is used as ice-making water, and the ice-making water sent out by the water supply means is sprayed into the ice-making chamber cooled by the refrigeration device and then returned to the tank again for circulation, and an ice-making operation for freezing the ice-making water in the ice-making chamber to produce ice, and the water supplied into the tank by the water supply means is used as cleaning water, and the cleaning water sent out by the water supply means is sprayed into the ice-making chamber and then returned to the tank again for circulation, and a cleaning operation for cleaning the tank and the ice-making chamber with the cleaning water can be performed. The ice maker is characterized in that the water supply means can adjust the water supply flow rate of the water to be sent out, and controls the water supply flow rate of the water supply means when performing the cleaning operation to be less than that when performing the ice-making operation.

[0007] In the ice maker configured as described above, the water supply means is capable of adjusting the water supply flow rate of the water to be delivered, and controls the water supply flow rate of the water supply means when performing the cleaning operation to be less than that when performing the ice making operation. The cleaning water when performing the cleaning operation contains dirt, and the cleaning water containing dirt may flow out from the air holes to the upper side of the ice making chamber. The cleaning water is sprayed into the ice making chamber at a lower water supply flow rate (water pressure) than the ice making water, making it less likely for the cleaning water to flow out upward from the air holes in the ceiling wall portion of the ice making chamber compared to the ice making water, and making it less likely for the cleaning water to remain on the upper side of the ice making chamber.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a plurality of ice making chambers in which an opening for allowing ice making water sprayed upward to flow in is formed at the lower end, and air holes for detaching the ice formed inside are formed in the ceiling wall portion, a refrigeration device for cooling the inside of the ice making chamber, a tank for storing the water to be delivered into the ice making chamber, a water supply means for supplying water from a water supply source into the tank, and a water supply means for delivering the water sprayed from the opening into the ice making chamber including the tank from inside the tank. The water supplied into the tank by the water supply means is used as ice making water, and the ice making water delivered by the water supply means is sprayed into the ice making chamber cooled by the refrigeration device and then returned to the tank again for circulation, and an ice making operation for freezing the ice making water in the ice making chamber to produce ice, and the water supplied into the tank by the water supply means is used as cleaning water, and the cleaning water delivered by the water supply means is sprayed into the ice making chamber and then returned to the tank again for circulation, and a cleaning operation for cleaning the tank and the ice making chamber with the cleaning water is executable. The water supply means is capable of adjusting the water supply flow rate of the water to be delivered. The cleaning operation is set to a main cleaning operation in which the cleaning water is circulated between the tank and the ice making chamber to wash away the dirt adhering to the inside of the ice making chamber, and a rinsing cleaning operation in which the cleaning water is circulated between the tank and the ice making chamber to rinse the inside of the ice making chamber after the main cleaning operation. The present invention provides an ice maker characterized in that the water supply flow rate of the water supply means when performing the rinsing cleaning operation is controlled to be higher than that when performing the main cleaning operation.

[0009] In the ice maker configured as described above, the water supply means is capable of adjusting the water supply flow rate of the water to be delivered. The cleaning operation includes a main cleaning operation in which cleaning water is circulated between the tank and the ice-making chamber to wash away the dirt adhering to the inside of the ice-making chamber, and a rinsing cleaning operation in which cleaning water is circulated between the tank and the ice-making chamber after the main cleaning operation to rinse the inside of the ice-making chamber. When the rinsing cleaning operation is executed, the water supply flow rate of the water supply means is controlled to be greater than when the main cleaning operation is executed. The cleaning water when the main cleaning operation is executed contains dirt, and the cleaning water containing dirt may flow out from the air holes to the upper side of the ice-making chamber. Since the water supply flow rate of the water supply means when the rinsing cleaning operation is executed is controlled to be greater than when the main cleaning operation is executed, the cleaning water that flowed out to the upper side of the ice-making chamber when the main cleaning operation was executed is more likely to be washed away by the cleaning water that flows out more to the upper side of the ice-making chamber when the rinsing cleaning operation is executed, and the cleaning water containing dirt when the main cleaning operation was executed is less likely to remain on the upper side of the ice-making chamber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] An embodiment of the ice maker of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The ice maker of the present invention is a so-called closed cell type ice maker that freezes ice-making water in an ice-making chamber 22 of an ice-making section 21 to form ice, and is an ice maker capable of cleaning the inside of the ice-making chamber 22 with cleaning water. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ice maker 10 includes an ice-making chamber 12 and a machine chamber 13 at the upper part of a housing 11, and an ice storage chamber 14 at the lower part inside the housing 11.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the ice maker 10 includes an ice-making mechanism section 20 for manufacturing ice. The ice-making mechanism section 20 includes an ice-making section 21 for freezing ice-making water to manufacture ice, a refrigeration device 40 for cooling and heating the ice-making section 21, and a water supply means 23 for sending ice-making water to the ice-making section 21. The ice-making section 21 is disposed in the ice-making chamber 12, and a plurality of ice-making chambers 22 opened downward are formed by providing a lattice-shaped partition member inside a shallow box-shaped body with an open lower side. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an opening 22a for allowing ice-making water to flow in and be jetted upward is formed at the lower end of each ice-making chamber 22, and an air hole 22b for detaching the ice formed inside is formed in the ceiling wall portion of the ice-making chamber 22. Ice-making water is jetted and sent through the opening 22a from below into each ice-making chamber 22, and block-shaped ice is formed by freezing the ice-making water in each ice-making chamber 22. The ice formed by freezing the ice-making water in the ice-making chamber 22 falls downward from the opening 22a by the air flowing in from the air hole 22b during defrosting.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a tubular evaporator 44 that constitutes a refrigeration device 40 is disposed on the upper surface of the ice-making section 21, and the evaporator 44 has a meandering shape so as to be disposed above all the ice-making compartments 22. The refrigeration device 40 is capable of cooling or heating the ice-making section 21 by a cooling operation and a heating operation, and is disposed in the machine room 13 except for the evaporator 44 disposed above the ice-making section 21 in the ice-making chamber 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the refrigeration device 40 includes a compressor 41 that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser 42 that cools and liquefies the refrigerant pumped from the compressor 41, an expansion valve 43 that expands the liquefied refrigerant liquefied by the condenser 42 into a low-pressure liquefied refrigerant, and an evaporator 44 that vaporizes the liquefied refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 43 to cool the ice-making section 21. The refrigeration device 40 connects the compressor 41, the condenser 42, the expansion valve 43, and the evaporator 44 annularly by refrigerant pipes to form a refrigeration circuit. When the cooling operation of the refrigeration device 40 is executed, the refrigerant pumped from the compressor 41 is cooled by the condenser 42 to become a liquefied refrigerant, the liquefied refrigerant becomes a low-pressure liquefied refrigerant by the expansion valve 43, and the low-pressure liquefied refrigerant cools the ice-making section 21 by the heat of vaporization when evaporating in the evaporator 44.

[0014] Further, the refrigeration device 40 includes a hot gas pipe (hot gas path) 45 that supplies hot gas to the evaporator 44. The hot gas pipe 45 connects the downstream of the compressor 41 and the upstream of the evaporator 44 to guide the hot gas from the compressor 41 to the evaporator 44. A hot gas valve 46 is interposed in the hot gas pipe 45, and the hot gas valve 46 can open and close the hot gas pipe 45. When the refrigeration device 40 is in a heating operation, the hot gas sent from the compressor 41 is guided to the evaporator 44 by the opening of the hot gas valve 46, and the hot gas heats the ice-making section 21 when passing through the evaporator 44. Thus, the ice-making section 21 is cooled by the evaporation of the refrigerant circulating by the cooling operation of the refrigeration device 40 in the evaporator 44, and is heated by the hot gas sent from the compressor 41 to the evaporator 44 by the heating operation of the refrigeration device 40.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, water delivery means 23 for delivering ice-making water is provided below the ice-making section 21. The water delivery means 23 includes a water tray 24 that opens and closes the lower side of the ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making section 21, a tank 25 that stores ice-making water below the water tray 24, and a pump 26 that delivers the ice-making water in the tank 25 to the ice-making section 21. The water tray 24 is pivotally supported (tiltable) about a horizontal axis between a closed position (shown in FIGS. 2 and 5) that closes the lower side of the ice-making chamber 22 and an open position (shown in FIG. 6) that opens the lower side of the ice-making chamber 22. An opening / closing mechanism 27 is provided on the water tray 24, and the water tray 24 tilts between the closed position and the open position by driving an actuator motor 27a of the opening / closing mechanism 27 to open and close the lower side of the ice-making chamber 22. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an ice-making water passage 24a for sending the ice-making water sent from the tank 25 to each ice-making chamber 22 is formed in the water tray 24, and injection holes 24b for injecting the ice-making water from the ice-making water passage 24a into each ice-making chamber 22 are formed on the upper surface of the water tray 24.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, a tank 25 is integrally provided below the water tray 24, and the tank 25 can tilt together with the tilting water tray 24. The inside of the tank 25 stores ice-making water when performing ice-making operation and washing water when performing washing operation. A pump 26 is connected to the bottom of the tank 25, and the discharge port of the pump 26 is connected to the ice-making water passage 24a of the water tray 24 via a water delivery pipe 26a. The ice-making water in the tank 25 is sent to the ice-making water passage 24a by the operation of the pump 26, and is injected from the ice-making water passage 24a through the injection holes 24b into each ice-making chamber 22. The pump 26 can adjust the water delivery flow rate by controlling the rotation speed. In this embodiment, the pump 26 can adjust the rotation speed by controlling the applied voltage, and can adjust the water delivery flow rate of the water sent from the pump 26. Note that the rotation speed of the pump 26 may be adjustable by other methods to adjust the flow rate.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a drain port 25a is formed at the bottom of the tank 25, and a drain pipe 28 is connected to the drain port 25a. This drain pipe 28 is used to discharge the cleaning water in the tank 25 when a cleaning operation described later is performed. A drain valve 29 is installed in the drain pipe 28, and the cleaning water in the tank 25 is discharged above the drain pan 35 by opening the drain valve 29. An overflow port 25b is formed at the upper part of the tank 25, and an overflow pipe 30 is connected to the overflow port 25b. The overflow port 25b discharges the ice-making water that exceeds the upper limit water level of the tank 25 through the overflow pipe 30 when the water tray 24 is in the closed position, and discharges the ice-making water in the tank 25 from the overflow pipe 30 when the water tray 24 is in the open position.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 5, a water level sensor 31 is provided in the tank 25. The water level sensor 31 detects a cleaning water level L1 that defines the water level of the cleaning water required when performing a cleaning operation in the tank 25. The water level sensor 31 outputs an off signal when the water level is lower than the cleaning water level L1, and outputs an on signal when the water level is equal to or higher than the cleaning water level L1, thereby detecting a water level equal to or higher than the cleaning water level L1. The water level sensor 31 in this embodiment employs a float switch and detects the cleaning water level L1 in the tank 25 based on the position of a float that moves up and down in the tank 25.

[0019] The water tank 25 is provided with a water supply means 32 for supplying water from a water supply source such as a water supply. The water supply means 32 includes a water supply pipe 33 for supplying water from a water supply source such as a water supply, and a water supply valve 34 interposed in the water supply pipe 33. The water from the water supply source such as a water supply is supplied to the water supply pipe 33 under the condition that the water supply pressure from the water supply is applied, and is supplied to the water tank 25 through the water supply pipe 33 by opening the water supply valve 34. A drain pan 35 is provided below the water tank 25. The drain pan 35 receives a part of the ice-making water remaining in the water tank 25 after the ice-making operation from the drain outlet of the overflow pipe 30, and receives the cleaning water in the water tank 25 from the drain outlet of the drain pipe 28 after the cleaning operation. A drain pipe 36 is connected to the drain pan 35, and the ice-making water received by the drain pan 35 is discharged to the outside of the housing 11 through the drain pipe 36.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 7, the water tank 25 is provided with a chemical supply means 37 for supplying a chemical when performing a cleaning operation described later. The chemical supply means 37 includes a supply port 37a provided on the front panel of the housing 11, and a chemical supply pipe 37b extending from the supply port 37a to the water tank 25. The chemical supply pipe 37b can be inserted from the front side of the housing 11 through the supply port 37a to the upper part of the water tank 25. In a state where the chemical supply pipe 37b is inserted into the supply port 37a, the chemical supply pipe 37b extends from the front side of the housing 11 to the water tank 25. In this embodiment, a solid chemical in the shape of a low cylindrical tablet (tablet shape) is used as the chemical, and is put into the water tank 25 by the chemical supply pipe 37b. Note that the chemical is not limited to a solid chemical in the shape of a tablet (tablet shape), and a powder or granular chemical or a concentrated liquid chemical with a high concentration may be used. Further, the chemical supply means 37 may automatically supply a solid chemical, a powder or granular chemical, or a concentrated chemical to the water tank 25 using a pump or the like.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, an ice-making unit temperature sensor 38 is provided in the ice-making unit 21. By detecting the temperature of the ice-making unit 21, the ice-making unit temperature sensor 38 can detect the completion of ice-making in the ice-making operation and the completion of de-icing in the de-icing operation, which will be described later. A stored-ice detector 39 for detecting that the storage chamber 14 is filled with ice is provided in the stored-ice chamber 14. By detecting the ice deposited on the upper part in the stored-ice chamber 14, the stored-ice detector 39 can detect that the stored-ice chamber 14 is filled with ice.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 8, the ice maker 10 includes a control device 50, which is connected to a pump 26, an actuator motor 27a of an opening / closing mechanism 27, a drain valve 29, a water level sensor 31, a water supply valve 34, an ice-making unit temperature sensor 38, a stored-ice detector 39, a compressor 41, a hot gas valve 46, and an operation panel 51 provided on the front panel of the housing 11. The control device 50 has a microcomputer (not shown), and the microcomputer includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a timer (all not shown), which are respectively connected via a bus.

[0023] The control device 50 has an ice-making program for alternately and repeatedly executing an ice-making operation for freezing ice-making water in the ice-making unit 21 to produce ice and a de-icing operation for detaching and de-icing the ice frozen in the ice-making unit 21 by the ice-making operation. When the stored-ice detector 39 does not detect that the storage chamber 14 is filled with ice, the control device 50 executes an ice-making program that alternately repeats the ice-making operation and the de-icing operation as an ice-making mode to produce ice to be stored in the storage chamber 14. When the stored-ice detector 39 detects that the storage chamber 14 is filled with ice, the control device 50 waits without executing the ice-making program that repeats the ice-making operation and the de-icing operation as a standby mode.

[0024] Further, the control device 50 has a cleaning program for circulating the cleaning water between the tank 25 and the ice-making chamber 22 to clean the path through which the ice-making water passes including the inside of the ice-making chamber 22. The cleaning program includes a main cleaning operation for circulating the cleaning water between the tank 25 and the ice-making chamber 22 to wash away the dirt adhering to the path through which the ice-making water passes including the ice-making chamber 22, and a rinsing cleaning operation for circulating the cleaning water between the tank 25 and the ice-making chamber 22 after the main cleaning operation to rinse the path through which the ice-making water passes including the ice-making chamber 22. This ice maker 10 is capable of supplying a chemical into the tank 25 by the chemical supply means 37, and when executing the main cleaning operation, it is possible to clean the inside of the ice-making chamber 22 with the cleaning water containing the chemical.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 9, the main cleaning operation includes a water supply process (step 101 in FIG. 9) of supplying water to be cleaning water into the tank 25 by the water supply means 32, and after the water supply process, the hot gas is sent to the evaporator 44 to warm the ice-making section 21 and operate the pump 26, and a heating process (step 102 in FIG. 9) of heating while circulating the cleaning water in the tank 25 between the warmed ice-making section 21, a cleaning process (step 103 in FIG. 9) of circulating the cleaning water in the tank 25 between the ice-making section 21 to clean the circulation path through which the ice-making water circulates, and a drainage process (step 104 in FIG. 9) of draining the water in the tank 25 after the cleaning process. As shown in FIG. 10, the rinsing cleaning operation executes a water supply process (step 201 in FIG. 10), a cleaning process (step 202 in FIG. 10), and a drainage process (step 203 in FIG. 10) without performing the heating process shown in the main cleaning operation.

[0026] Next, the ice-making program will be described. The control device 50 executes the ice-making program during the ice-making mode to alternately repeat the ice-making operation and the defrosting operation. When the control device 50 executes the ice-making operation, it causes the refrigeration device 40 to perform a cooling operation. The refrigerant pumped from the compressor 41 is liquefied by the condenser 42 to become a liquefied refrigerant. The liquefied refrigerant expands by the expansion valve 43 to become a low-pressure liquefied refrigerant. The low-pressure liquefied refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator 44 and then returns to the compressor 41. The ice-making section 21 is cooled by the vaporization of the liquefied refrigerant in the evaporator 44. Also, the control device 50 opens the water supply valve 34 for a water supply time set to be the amount of water required to form ice in the ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making section 21 as a water supply process while tilting the water tray 24 to the closed position by the actuator motor 27a of the opening / closing mechanism 27. The tank 25 stores the ice-making water in the amount required to form ice in the ice-making section 21.

[0027] After the water supply process, the control device 50 operates the pump 26 while the refrigeration device 40 is performing a cooling operation. The ice-making water in the tank 25 is jet-sent to each ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making section 21 by the operation of the pump 26. The jet-sent ice-making water is cooled in each ice-making chamber 22 and then returns to the tank 25 again. The ice-making water is cooled in the process of circulating between the tank 25 and each ice-making chamber 22 and gradually freezes in each ice-making chamber 22. In this embodiment, the control device 50 rotates the pump 26 at a rotational speed of 2,200 rpm when executing the ice-making operation. When the ice-making water in the tank 25 decreases and the ice-making water freezes in each ice-making chamber 22 to form block-shaped ice, and the detected temperature by the ice-making section temperature sensor 38 becomes equal to or lower than the ice-making completion temperature, the control device 50 ends the ice-making operation and starts the defrosting operation.

[0028] In the defrosting operation after the ice-making operation, the control device 50 heats the refrigeration device 40 and tilts the water tray 24 to the open position by the actuator motor 27a of the opening / closing mechanism 27. By heating the refrigeration device 40, the hot gas sent from the compressor 41 is introduced into the evaporator 44 through the hot gas pipe 45 and is heated by the hot gas introduced into the evaporator 44 of the ice-making section 21. The ice formed in the ice-making chamber 22 starts to melt from the ceiling wall portion side close to the evaporator 44 where the hot gas flows in and becomes a heat source, and the air holes 22b are formed in the ceiling wall portion of the ice-making chamber 22 where the ice starts to melt. Air flows into the ice-making chamber 22 from the air holes 22b at the portion where the ice starts to melt, and the ice formed in the ice-making chamber 22 detaches downward by the air flowing in from the air holes 22b. Further, the water tray 24 is tilted to the open position by the actuator motor 27a of the opening / closing mechanism 27, and the ice detached from the ice-making chamber 22 of the heated ice-making section 21 slides down the water tray 24 and drops into the ice storage chamber 14 from the discharge port 34a.

[0029] The temperature of the ice-making section 21 gradually rises as the ice detaches. When the detected temperature of the ice-making section temperature sensor 38 becomes equal to or higher than the defrosting completion temperature that detects that the defrosting is completed, the control device 50 detects that there is no ice remaining in the ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making section 21, that is, the defrosting is completed, closes the hot gas valve 46, and tilts the water tray 24 to the closed position by the actuator motor 27a of the opening / closing mechanism 27 to end the defrosting operation. If the control device 50 does not detect that the ice storage chamber 14 is filled with ice by the ice storage detector 39, it executes again the ice-making program that alternately repeats the above-described ice-making operation and defrosting operation in the ice-making mode. If it detects that the ice storage chamber 14 is filled with ice by the ice storage detector 39, it waits without executing the ice-making program that alternately repeats the above-described ice-making operation and defrosting operation in the standby mode.

[0030] During the ice-making mode or standby mode, when an operation for executing a cleaning program is performed by the operation panel 51, the control device 50 executes the cleaning program. The cleaning program of this embodiment executes a main cleaning operation and three rinsing cleaning operations. When executing the cleaning program, a defrosting operation and draining in the tank 25 are performed in advance so that no ice remains in the ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making unit 21. The control device 50 opens the hot gas valve 46 with the compressor 41 operating to heat the refrigeration device 40, tilts the water tray 24 to the open position by the actuator motor 27a of the opening / closing mechanism 27, and opens the drain valve 29. The ice-making unit 21 is heated by the hot gas sent from the compressor 41 being sent to the evaporator 44, so that no ice remains in the ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making unit 21. Also, since the tank 25 is tilted to the open position and the drain valve 29 is opened, the ice-making water remaining in the tank 25 is discharged above the drain pan 35. Also, when the refrigeration device 40 is being heated, the water supply valve 34 is controlled to be temporarily opened, and the ice melted from the ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making unit 21 is washed away by the water supplied from the water supply pipe 33.

[0031] When the detected temperature by the ice-making unit temperature sensor 38 becomes equal to or higher than the defrosting completion temperature during the defrosting operation, the operation of the compressor 41 is stopped, the hot gas valve 46 is closed to stop the heating operation of the refrigeration device 40, and the actuator motor 27a of the opening / closing mechanism 27 tilts the water tray 24 to the closed position. The ice-making water remaining in the tank 25 is discharged above the drain pan 35 through the drain pipe 28 from the drain port 25a at the bottom. After a predetermined time set so that no water remains in the tank 25 has elapsed, the drain valve 29 is closed to end the draining in the tank 25. Since all the water remaining in the tank 25 is discharged from the drain pipe 28, the amount of cleaning water when the main cleaning operation is performed can be made constant, and the concentration of the chemical contained in the cleaning water when the main cleaning operation is performed can be prevented from becoming diluted.

[0032] When the defrosting operation of the ice-making unit 21 and the drainage in the tank 25 are completed, the control device 50 executes the main cleaning operation. As the water supply process for the main cleaning operation, the control device 50 opens the water supply valve 34 for a set water supply time so that the water level in the tank 25 reaches the cleaning water level. The control device 50 displays (notifies) on the display unit of the operation panel 51 that it is the timing to add chemicals during the water supply process. The control device 50 determines whether the water level sensor 31 has detected a water level equal to or higher than the cleaning water level L1 (an on signal has been input from the water level sensor 31) when the water supply time has elapsed. When the water level sensor 31 has detected a water level equal to or higher than the cleaning water level L1, since sufficient cleaning water has been supplied into the tank 25, the control device controls to close the water supply valve 34 to end the water supply process.

[0033] After the water supply process, as the heating process of the cleaning water, the control device 50 operates the pump 26 to circulate the cleaning water in the tank 25 between the ice-making unit 21, and after opening the hot gas valve 46, starts the operation of the compressor 41. The ice-making unit 21 is in a state heated by the hot gas passing through the evaporator 44, and the cleaning water in the tank 25 is jetted and sent to each ice-making compartment 22 of the ice-making unit 21 by the operation of the pump 26. The jetted cleaning water returns from each ice-making compartment 22 into the tank 25 again, and the cleaning water in the tank 25 is heated while circulating between the ice-making unit 21. Also, the chemicals start to dissolve in the cleaning water in the process of circulating between the ice-making unit 21, and the cleaning water comes to contain the chemicals. When the set heating time longer than the minimum operation time of the compressor 41 has elapsed and the detected temperature of the ice-making unit temperature sensor 38 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (10 °C or higher in this embodiment), the control device stops the operation of the compressor 41 and closes the hot gas valve 46 to stop the heating of the cleaning water.

[0034] When the main cleaning operation is executed, not only does the cleaning water contain dirt, but in this embodiment, the cleaning water also contains chemicals. The cleaning water sprayed into the ice-making chamber 22 may flow out from the air holes 22b to the upper side of the ice-making chamber 22, and it is not hygienically preferable if the sprayed cleaning water flows out from the air holes 22b to the upper side of the ice-making chamber 22. For this reason, the control device 50 controls the water supply flow rate of the water supply means 23 when executing the main cleaning operation to be less than that when executing the ice-making operation. In this embodiment, the control device 50 controls the rotation speed of the pump 26 when executing the main cleaning operation to be lower than that when executing the ice-making operation. Specifically, the pump 26 is rotated at 2,000 rpm. Thereby, the cleaning water when the main cleaning operation is executed is less likely to flow out from the air holes 22b to the upper side of the ice-making chamber 22.

[0035] After the heating of the ice-making part 21 by the heating treatment is stopped, the control device 50 continues to operate the pump 26 as a cleaning treatment. The cleaning water containing the chemicals in the tank 25 circulates between the ice-making part 21 and the ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making part 21 by the operation of the pump 26, and the circulation path through which the ice-making water circulates including the ice-making chamber 22 is cleaned by the cleaning water containing the circulating chemicals. When a predetermined cleaning time has elapsed during the cleaning treatment, the control device 50 stops the operation of the pump 26 as a drainage treatment and controls to open the drain valve 29. The cleaning water circulating between the ice-making part 21 and the ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making part 21 returns to the tank 25, and the cleaning water in the tank 25 is discharged from the drain pipe 28 to the upper side of the drain pan 35. When the time required for the cleaning water circulating between the ice-making part 21 and the ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making part 21 to fall into the tank 25 and the time required for the cleaning water in the tank 25 to be discharged from the drain pipe 28 to the upper side of the drain pan 35 have elapsed, the control device 50 closes the drain valve 29 to end the drainage treatment, and the main cleaning operation using the cleaning water containing the chemicals ends.

[0036] After the main washing operation using washing water containing a chemical agent, the control device 50 executes a rinsing operation to wash away the washing water containing the chemical agent and dirt when the main washing operation was performed by rinsing. As water supply processing in the rinsing operation, the control device 50 opens the water supply valve 34 to start water supply from the water supply pipe 33 into the tank 25, and operates the pump 26 when the water level in the tank 25 reaches the set water supply time for the washable water level. When the main washing operation is performed, the washing water containing dirt and the chemical agent may flow out from the air hole 22b to the upper side of the ice making chamber 22, and it is not hygienically preferable if the washing water containing dirt and the chemical agent remains on the upper side of the ice making chamber 22. The control device 50 controls the water supply flow rate of the water supply means 23 when executing the rinsing operation to be higher than when executing the main washing operation. In this embodiment, the control device 50 controls the rotation speed of the pump 26 when executing the rinsing operation to be higher than when executing the main washing operation. Specifically, the pump 26 is rotated at 2,200 rpm. Even if the washing water containing dirt and the chemical agent may flow out from the air hole 22b to the upper side of the ice making chamber 22 when the main washing operation is performed, since the injection flow rate (water pressure) of the rinsing washing water when the rinsing operation is performed is higher than the injection flow rate (water pressure) of the washing water when the main washing operation is performed, the washing water that flowed out to the upper side of the ice making chamber 22 when the main washing operation was performed is more likely to be washed away by the washing water that flowed out more to the upper side of the ice making chamber 22 when the rinsing operation is performed, and the washing water containing dirt when the main washing operation was performed is less likely to remain on the upper side of the ice making chamber 22.

[0037] In addition, since the washing water supplied into the tank 25 circulates between the pump 26 and the ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making unit 21, the water level in the tank 25 decreases compared to when the water supply time has elapsed. However, the water level in the tank 25 that has decreased by operating the pump 26 rises due to continuous water supply from the water supply pipe 33. When it becomes the additional water supply time after the water supply time has elapsed, the water supply valve 34 is closed to end the water supply process. By closing the water supply valve 34, after the water supply process for the rinsing and washing operation, the pump 26 continues to operate and the washing process for the rinsing and washing operation is executed. The washing water for rinsing in the tank 25 is ejected and sent to the ice-making chamber 22 of the ice-making unit 21 by the pump 26. The ejected washing water returns from within each ice-making chamber 22 to the tank 25 again. The washing water for rinsing in the tank 25 circulates between the ice-making chambers 22, and the circulation path including the ice-making chamber 22 washed with the washing water containing the chemical during the main washing operation is rinsed and washed with the circulating washing water for rinsing.

[0038] When a predetermined rinsing and washing time has elapsed, the control device 50 controls to stop the operation of the pump 26 and to open the drain valve 29 as a drainage process. The washing water circulating between the ice-making unit 21 returns to the tank 25, and the washing water in the tank 25 is discharged from the drain pipe 28 to the upper side of the drain pan 35. When the time required for the washing water circulating between the ice-making unit 21 to fall into the tank 25 and the time required for the washing water in the tank 25 to be discharged from the drain pipe 28 to the upper side of the drain pan 35 have elapsed, the control device 50 closes the drain valve 29 to end the drainage process, and the rinsing and washing operation using the washing water for rinsing ends. In this embodiment, the washing program is set to execute the rinsing and washing operation three times, and the washing program ends after executing the rinsing and washing operation three times. After the end of the washing program, if the ice storage detector 39 does not detect that the ice storage chamber 14 is filled with ice, it controls to execute an ice-making program that alternately repeats the ice-making operation and the defrosting operation as the ice-making mode. If the ice storage detector 39 detects that the ice storage chamber 14 is filled with ice, it controls to standby without executing the ice-making program that alternately repeats the ice-making operation and the defrosting operation as the standby mode.

[0039] The ice maker 10 configured as described above includes a plurality of ice-making compartments 22 formed with an opening 22a at the lower end for allowing ice-making water sprayed upward to flow in, and air holes 22b formed in the ceiling wall for discharging the ice formed inside; a refrigeration device 40 for cooling the inside of the ice-making compartments 22; a tank 25 for storing the water to be sent into the ice-making compartments 22; a water supply means 32 for supplying water from a water supply source into the tank 25; and a water delivery means 23 for delivering the water sprayed from the opening 22a into the ice-making compartments 22 including the tank 25 from inside the tank 25. In this ice maker 10, the water supplied into the tank 25 by the water supply means 32 is used as ice-making water, and the ice-making water delivered by the water delivery means 23 is sprayed into the ice-making compartments 22 cooled by the refrigeration device 40 and then returned to the tank 25 again for circulation, and an ice-making operation for freezing the ice-making water in the ice-making compartments 22 to produce ice, and the water supplied into the tank 25 by the water supply means 32 is used as washing water, and the washing water delivered by the water delivery means is sprayed into the ice-making compartments 22 and then returned to the tank 25 again for circulation, and a washing operation (main washing operation and rinsing operation) for washing the tank 25 and the ice-making compartments 22 with the washing water can be executed.

[0040] In this ice maker 10, the water supply means 23 is configured to be able to adjust the water supply flow rate of the water to be delivered. In this embodiment, the rotation speed can be adjusted by controlling the applied voltage applied to the pump 26, and the water supply flow rate of the water delivered from the pump 26 can be adjusted. Further, in this embodiment, when the cleaning program is executed, a main cleaning operation is performed in which the cleaning water is circulated between the tank 25 and the ice-making chamber 22 to wash away the dirt adhering to the inside of the ice-making chamber 22, and a rinsing cleaning operation is performed in which the cleaning water is circulated between the tank 25 and the ice-making chamber 22 after the cleaning process to rinse the inside of the ice-making chamber. In this ice maker 10, the rotation speed of the pump 26 when the ice-making operation is executed is set to 2,200 rpm, the rotation speed of the pump 26 when the main cleaning operation (cleaning operation) of the cleaning program is executed is set to 2,000 rpm, and the rotation speed of the pump 26 when the main cleaning operation (cleaning operation) is executed is controlled to be lower than the rotation speed of the pump 26 when the ice-making operation is executed, so that the water supply flow rate of the water supply means 23 when the cleaning operation is executed is controlled to be less than that when the ice-making operation is executed.

[0041] When the ice-making water or the cleaning water in the tank 25 is injected into the ice-making chamber 22, the ice-making water or the cleaning water may flow out upward from the air holes 22b in the ceiling wall portion. The cleaning water when the main cleaning operation is executed contains dirt. In particular, in this embodiment, the cleaning water when the main cleaning operation is executed also contains a chemical agent, and it is unhygienic if the cleaning water flows out above the ice-making chamber 22. On the other hand, the rotation speed of the pump 26 when the main cleaning operation (cleaning operation) is executed is controlled to be lower than the rotation speed of the pump 26 when the ice-making operation is executed, and the water supply flow rate of the water supply means 23 when the cleaning operation is executed is controlled to be less than that when the ice-making operation is executed. As a result, the cleaning water is injected into the ice-making chamber 22 at a lower injection flow rate (water pressure) than the ice-making water, making it less likely for the cleaning water to flow out above the ice-making chamber 22 and less likely for the cleaning water to remain above the ice-making chamber 22.

[0042] Further, in this ice maker 10, the cleaning operation includes a main cleaning operation in which cleaning water is circulated between the tank 25 and the ice-making chamber 22 to wash away the dirt adhering to the inside of the ice-making chamber 22, and a rinsing cleaning operation in which cleaning water is circulated between the tank 25 and the ice-making chamber 22 after the main cleaning operation to rinse the inside of the ice-making chamber 22. When performing the main cleaning operation, the rotation speed of the pump 26 is set to 2,000 rpm, and when performing the rinsing cleaning operation, the rotation speed of the pump 26 is set to 2,200 rpm. The rotation speed of the pump 26 when performing the rinsing cleaning operation is controlled to be higher than the rotation speed of the pump 26 when performing the main cleaning operation, and the water supply flow rate of the water supply means 23 when performing the rinsing cleaning operation is controlled to be larger than that when performing the main cleaning operation.

[0043] The cleaning water when performing the main cleaning operation contains dirt. In particular, the cleaning water when performing the main cleaning operation of this embodiment also contains chemicals, and the cleaning water containing dirt and the like may flow out from the air holes 22b to the upper side of the ice-making chamber 22. Since the rotation speed of the pump 26 when performing the rinsing cleaning operation is controlled to be higher than the rotation speed of the pump 26 when performing the main cleaning operation, and the water supply flow rate of the water supply means 23 when performing the rinsing cleaning operation is controlled to be larger than that when performing the main cleaning operation, the rinsing cleaning water that flows out to the upper side of the ice-making chamber 22 when performing the rinsing cleaning operation is more than the cleaning water that flowed out to the upper side of the ice-making chamber 22 when performing the main cleaning operation. The cleaning water that flowed out to the upper side of the ice-making chamber 22 when performing the main cleaning operation is more easily washed away by the rinsing cleaning water that flows out to the upper side of the ice-making chamber 22 when performing the rinsing cleaning operation, and the cleaning water containing dirt and chemicals when performing the main cleaning operation is less likely to remain on the upper side of the ice-making chamber 22.

[0044] The water supply means 23 of this embodiment is configured to be able to adjust the water supply flow rate by adjusting the rotation speed of the pump 26. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A flow rate regulating valve for regulating the water flow rate may be provided in the water passage such as the water supply pipe 26a, and the water supply flow rate may be adjustable by adjusting the opening degree of the flow rate regulating valve.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, when performing the main washing operation, chemicals are supplied to the washing water. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same operational effects can be obtained even when chemicals are not supplied to the washing water. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the rinsing operation is performed three times. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be any configuration in which the rinsing operation is performed one or more times. In the above-described embodiment, when performing the main washing operation, a heating process for heating the washing water is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same operational effects can be obtained even when the heating process for heating the washing water is not performed. Also, the above-described embodiment is a so-called closed cell type ice maker, but the present invention is also applicable to a so-called open cell type ice maker.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0046] 10... Ice maker, 22... Ice making chamber, 22a... Opening, 22b... Air hole, 23... Water supply means, 25... Tank, 32... Water supply means, 40... Refrigeration device.

Claims

1. A plurality of ice-making chambers having an opening for allowing ice-making water to flow in and sprayed upward formed at a lower end thereof, and air holes for allowing ice formed inside to detach formed in a ceiling wall portion, A refrigeration device for cooling the inside of the ice-making chamber, A tank for storing water to be sent into the ice-making chamber, Water supply means for supplying water from a water supply source into the tank, Water supply means for sending out water including the tank from the opening into the ice-making chamber, and comprising: Using the water supplied into the tank by the water supply means as ice-making water, spraying the ice-making water sent out by the water supply means into the ice-making chamber cooled by the refrigeration device, then returning it to the tank again for circulation, and performing an ice-making operation of freezing the ice-making water in the ice-making chamber to produce ice; Using the water supplied into the tank by the water supply means as washing water, spraying the washing water sent out by the water supply means into the ice-making chamber, then returning it to the tank again for circulation, and enabling a washing operation of washing the tank and the ice-making chamber with the washing water. An ice-making machine, The water supply means is capable of adjusting the water supply flow rate of the water to be sent out, The ice-making machine is characterized in that when performing the washing operation, the water supply flow rate of the water supply means is controlled to be less than that when performing the ice-making operation.

2. A plurality of ice-making chambers having an opening for allowing ice-making water to flow in and sprayed upward formed at a lower end thereof, and air holes for allowing ice formed inside to detach formed in a ceiling wall portion, A refrigeration device for cooling the inside of the ice-making chamber, A tank for storing water to be sent into the ice-making chamber, Water supply means for supplying water from a water supply source into the tank, Water supply means for sending out water including the tank from the opening into the ice-making chamber, and comprising: Using the water supplied into the tank by the water supply means as ice-making water, spraying the ice-making water sent out by the water supply means into the ice-making chamber cooled by the refrigeration device, then returning it to the tank again for circulation, and performing an ice-making operation of freezing the ice-making water in the ice-making chamber to produce ice; Using the water supplied into the tank by the water supply means as washing water, spraying the washing water sent out by the water supply means into the ice-making chamber, then returning it to the tank again for circulation, and enabling a washing operation of washing the tank and the ice-making chamber with the washing water. An ice-making machine, The water supply means is capable of adjusting the water supply flow rate of the water to be delivered. The cleaning operation includes a main cleaning operation in which cleaning water is circulated between the tank and the ice-making chamber to wash away dirt adhering to the inside of the ice-making chamber, and a rinsing cleaning operation in which, after the main cleaning operation, cleaning water is circulated between the tank and the ice-making chamber to rinse the inside of the ice-making chamber. An ice maker characterized in that when the rinsing cleaning operation is executed, the water supply flow rate of the water supply means is controlled to be larger than when the main cleaning operation is executed.

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