Drum type ice-making machine

Abstract

To provide a highly convenient drum type ice-making machine capable of using various kinds of ice-making water.SOLUTION: A drum type ice-making machine 1 includes a tank 3 for storing ice-making water W, a conduit 4 connecting an external tank 9 for storing the ice-making water W to be supplied to the tank 3 and the tank 3, a liquid feed pump 44 for feeding the ice-making water W from the external tank 9 to the tank 3 via the conduit 4, an ice-making drum 5 rotating around a horizontal axis J in a state of being partially immersed in the ice-making water W in the tank 3, a driving device 6 for rotating the ice-making drum 5 around the horizontal axis J, a cooling device 7 for cooling the ice-making drum 5, and a blade 8 for scraping ice produced by freezing of the ice-making water W adhered to the ice-making drum 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drum-type ice maker. [Background technology]

[0002] The drum-type ice maker described in Patent Document 1 has an ice making tank that stores ice-making water (tap water) supplied from an external water system, a cylindrical ice making drum that is journaled in the ice making tank and rotates around a horizontal axis with part of it immersed in the ice-making water inside the ice making tank, a refrigeration system that cools the ice making drum, and a cutter that thinly peels off ice formed on the outer surface of the ice making drum. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-046828 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a drum-type ice maker, ice-making water is supplied from an external water supply system, so only tap water can be used as ice-making water, which is inconvenient.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a highly convenient drum-type ice maker that can use various types of ice-making water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] These objects can be achieved by the present invention as set forth in (1) to (9) below.

[0007] (1) a tank for storing ice-making water; a conduit connecting the tank to an external tank that stores the ice-making water to be supplied to the tank; a liquid supply pump for supplying the ice-making water from the external tank to the tank through the conduit; an ice making drum that rotates around a horizontal axis while being partially immersed in the ice making water in the tank; a drive device that rotates the ice making drum about the horizontal axis; a cooling device for cooling the ice making drum; a blade that scrapes off ice produced by the freezing of the ice-making water adhering to the ice-making drum.

[0008] (2) A drum-type ice maker as described in (1) above, which has a filter provided at the end of the conduit on the external tank side, submerged in the ice-making water, and removing foreign matter from the ice-making water.

[0009] (3) At least a portion of the conduit is flexible; The drum type ice making machine according to (1) above, wherein the position and attitude of the end of the conduit on the external tank side can be changed.

[0010] (4) The ice making drum has a drum body that is partially immersed in the ice making water in the tank, The drum body of the drum type ice maker described in (1) above has a cylindrical base portion extending along the horizontal axis and having an outer peripheral surface made of a metal material, and a pair of disk-shaped terminal portions provided at both ends of the base in a direction along the horizontal axis and made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the metal material.

[0011] (5) The drum type ice maker according to (4) above, wherein the outer diameter of the terminal portion is equal to the outer diameter of the base portion.

[0012] (6) The drum type ice maker according to (4) above, wherein the outer diameter of the terminal end is larger than the outer diameter of the base.

[0013] (7) The blades include a first blade extending along the horizontal axis and provided opposite the outer peripheral surface of the drum body, and a pair of second blades provided opposite both ends of the outer peripheral surface of the drum body in the direction along the horizontal axis, One of the second blades is provided opposite to the outer circumferential surface of one of the terminal ends, The drum type ice maker according to (4) above, wherein the other second blade is provided opposite to the outer peripheral surface of the other terminal end portion.

[0014] (8) One of the second blades faces one end surface of the drum body, The drum type ice maker according to (7) above, wherein the other second blade faces the other end face of the drum body.

[0015] (9) The drum type ice maker according to (7) above, wherein the distance between the second blade and the outer peripheral surface of the terminal end portion is shorter than the distance between the first blade and the outer peripheral surface of the base portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The present invention is configured so that ice-making water is supplied to the tank from an external tank via a conduit. Therefore, by storing the desired ice-making water in the external tank in advance, various types of ice-making water can be used. This makes the drum-type ice maker highly convenient. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drum type ice maker according to a first embodiment, seen from the side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the drum type ice maker shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of an ice making drum of the drum type ice making machine shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ice making drum shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the distance between the ice making drum and the blade. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an ice making drum of a drum type ice maker according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an ice making drum of a drum type ice maker according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A drum-type ice making machine according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0019] First Embodiment Drum-type ice maker 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a housing 2, a tank 3 arranged in housing 2 and storing ice-making water W, a conduit 4 that supplies ice-making water W stored in an external tank 9 to tank 3, an ice-making drum 5 that is journaled on housing 2 and rotates about horizontal axis J while being partially immersed in the ice-making water W in tank 3, a drive unit 6 that rotates ice-making drum 5 about horizontal axis J, a cooling unit 7 that cools ice-making drum 5, a blade 8 that scrapes off ice produced in ice-making drum 5, and a control unit 10 that controls the operation of each of these parts.

[0020] The downstream end of the conduit 4 is connected to a supply port 40 provided in the housing 2, and the ice-making water W in the conduit 4 is supplied to the tank 3 via the supply port 40. The supply port 40 is also provided with a water level sensor 41 that detects the level of the ice-making water W in the tank 3. The water level sensor 41 is, for example, a float switch.

[0021] Meanwhile, the upstream end of the conduit 4 is submerged in the ice-making water W stored in the external tank 9. Also, a filter 43 is provided at the upstream end of the conduit 4 to remove foreign matter from the ice-making water W in the external tank 9. The filter 43 also functions as a weight that is submerged in the ice-making water W. Therefore, the upstream end of the conduit 4 can be kept submerged in the ice-making water W in the external tank 9, and the ice-making water W in the external tank 9 can be more reliably supplied to the tank 3.

[0022] In addition, a liquid supply pump 44 is provided in the middle of the conduit 4, and by operating the liquid supply pump 44, ice-making water W in the external tank 9 is pumped up and supplied to the tank 3 through the conduit 4. The liquid supply pump 44 is fixed to the housing 2.

[0023] Furthermore, at least a portion of conduit 4 is flexible. The position and posture of the upstream end of conduit 4 (the end on the external tank 9 side) can be changed to match the position of external tank 9. This increases the degree of freedom in the placement of drum type ice maker 1. In this embodiment, the portion of conduit 4 upstream of liquid feed pump 44 is made up of a flexible hose, tube, or the like. Note that, for example, the flexible portion may be made up of a bellows pipe or the like that can maintain its state after deformation.

[0024] The control device 10 maintains the level of the ice-making water W in the tank 3 at an appropriate height by controlling the operation of the liquid supply pump 44 based on the detection result of the water level sensor 41 for the level of the ice-making water W in the tank 3. Specifically, when the level of the ice-making water W in the tank 3 falls below a lower threshold (i.e., the float switch turns ON), the control device 10 operates the liquid supply pump 44 to start supplying the ice-making water W from the external tank 9 to the tank 3. When the level of the ice-making water W in the tank 3 exceeds an upper threshold (i.e., the float switch turns OFF), the control device 10 stops operation of the liquid supply pump 44 to stop supplying the ice-making water W from the external tank 9 to the tank 3. This method allows the level of the ice-making water W in the tank 3 to be maintained at an appropriate height with simple control. Therefore, uniform ice can be produced. However, the method of controlling the liquid supply pump 44 by the control device 10 is not particularly limited as long as it can maintain the level of the ice-making water W in the tank 3 at an appropriate height.

[0025] In this way, with a configuration in which ice-making water W in external tank 9 is pumped up and supplied to tank 3, various types of ice-making water W can be used depending on the purpose. In other words, in a conventional configuration in which an external water pipe is connected, only tap water can be used as the ice-making water W, but with this embodiment, there is no substantial limit to the ice-making water W that can be used. This makes drum-type ice maker 1 highly convenient.

[0026] The ice-making water W is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is salt water. By using salt water as the ice-making water W, ice with a melting point below 0°C can be easily produced. Furthermore, since the melting point of ice can be easily adjusted by simply adjusting the salt concentration, ice with a desired melting point can be easily produced. Furthermore, salt water has excellent biocompatibility and is highly suitable for refrigerating and preserving food, etc. For example, if the salt concentration of the ice-making water W is 1%, ice with a melting point of approximately -1°C can be obtained. This ice is suitable for storing foods such as seafood at low temperatures below 0°C without freezing them. Furthermore, if the salt concentration of the ice-making water W is 23.5%, that is, if the ice-making water W is saturated salt water, ice with a melting point of approximately -21°C can be obtained. This ice is suitable for rapid freezing foods such as seafood. However, the ice-making water W is not limited to salt water, and for example, water, sugar water, sodium hydroxide aqueous solution, calcium hydroxide aqueous solution, ethylene glycol, etc. can be used. Furthermore, the use of ice is not limited to cooling food, but may also be used to cool organs for transplantation, for example.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, ice making drum 5 has a cylindrical drum body 51 and shafts 52 protruding from both ends of drum body 51. Drum body 51 and shafts 52 are arranged coaxially along horizontal axis J. Ice making drum 5 is journaled to housing 2 at shafts 52 via bearings B. This allows ice making drum 5 to rotate around horizontal axis J relative to housing 2. As shown in FIG. 1, when an appropriate amount of ice making water W is stored in tank 3, a portion (the lower end) of drum body 51 is immersed in the ice making water W in tank 3.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , the drum body 51 has a cylindrical base 510 extending along a horizontal axis J. The base 510 has a cylindrical outer drum 511 and a cylindrical inner drum 512 inserted into the outer drum 511. A spiral groove 512a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner drum 512, and the opening of the groove 512a is closed by the inner peripheral surface of the outer drum 511. This forms a flow path 741 within the base 510. This flow path 741 functions as the evaporator 74 of the cooling device 7. The outer drum 511 is made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum (Al). In contrast, the inner drum is made of a resin material, such as PC (polycarbonate), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PPA (polyphthalamide), PP (polypropylene), or PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), and has extremely low thermal conductivity compared to the outer drum 511. This allows the cooling device 7 to cool the outer circumferential surface of the drum body 51 particularly efficiently.

[0029] The drum main body 51 also has end portions 513 and 514 provided at both ends of the base portion 510. The end portion 513 is a disc-shaped (doughnut-shaped) member provided concentrically at one end of the base portion 510 and having a through-hole at its center for inserting the shaft portion 52 therethrough. Similarly, the end portion 514 is also a disc-shaped (doughnut-shaped) member provided concentrically at the other end of the base portion 510 and having a through-hole at its center for inserting the shaft portion 52 therethrough. The outer diameters of the end portions 513 and 514 are substantially the same as the outer diameter of the base portion 510 (the outer drum 511). As a result, almost the entire area of ​​both end surfaces of the base portion 510 is covered by the end portions 513 and 514.

[0030] The terminal portions 513 and 514 are made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the metal material constituting the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 510. The thermal conductivity of the material constituting the terminal portions 513 and 514 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 10 W / m·K or less, and more preferably 1 W / m·K or less. Examples of such materials include various resin materials, various elastomers, various rubber materials, various wood materials, and various bamboo materials. In particular, in this embodiment, the terminal portions 513 and 514 are made of a resin material. This results in the terminal portions 513 and 514 having high durability and water resistance. The resin material is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include PC (polycarbonate), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PPA (polyphthalamide), PP (polypropylene), and PBT (polybutylene terephthalate).

[0031] Drive unit 6 rotates ice making drum 5 about horizontal axis J. Drive unit 6 has motor 61, which is a drive source fixed to housing 2, and the rotation shaft of motor 61 is connected to shaft 52. However, the configuration of drive unit 6 is not particularly limited as long as it can rotate ice making drum 5 about horizontal axis J. For example, drive unit 6 may have a reducer interposed between the rotation shaft of motor 61 and shaft 62, which reduces the speed of rotation of motor 61 and transmits it to shaft 62.

[0032] Cooling device 7 cools ice making drum 5. Specifically, cooling device 7 cools the outer peripheral surface of base 510. As shown in FIG. 2 , cooling device 7 includes compressor 71 that compresses low-pressure refrigerant gas to produce high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas, condenser 72 that condenses the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas from compressor 71 to produce high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid, expansion valve 73 that expands the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid from condenser 72 to produce low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas, and evaporator 74 that evaporates the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas from expansion valve 73 to produce low-pressure refrigerant gas, and the low-pressure refrigerant gas evaporated in evaporator 74 is compressed again by compressor 71. The operation of compressor 71 is controlled by control device 10.

[0033] In addition, in the cooling device 7, the compressor 71, the condenser 72, and the expansion valve 73 are disposed within the housing 2, and the evaporator 74 is disposed within the drum body 51 of the ice-making drum 5. As described above, the evaporator 74 has a flow path 741 formed within the drum body 51. In this cooling device 7, the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas mixed with liquid from the expansion valve 73 flows into the evaporator 74, evaporates, and absorbs heat from the surrounding area, thereby cooling the outer peripheral surface of the base 510. In particular, in this embodiment, the inner drum 512 is made of a resin material with low thermal conductivity, so that heat exchange between the evaporator 74 and the outer drum 511 is efficient, thereby efficiently cooling the outer peripheral surface of the base 510. The cooling temperature of the outer peripheral surface of the base 510 is not particularly limited, but is preferably, for example, approximately −50°C or higher and −40°C or lower. This allows for efficient production of ice. However, the configuration of the cooling device 7 is not particularly limited as long as it can cool the outer peripheral surface of the base 510.

[0034] Blade 8 is fixed to housing 2 and scrapes off ice produced in ice making drum 5. As shown in FIG. 4 , blade 8 includes a first blade 81 and a pair of second blades 821, 822 attached to first blade 81. Of these, first blade 81 extends along horizontal axis J, with its cutting edge facing toward drum body 51 and positioned opposite the outer circumferential surface of drum body 51 with a small gap between them. Note that first blade 81 is longer in the direction along horizontal axis J than drum body 51, and its cutting edge faces the entire outer circumferential surface of drum body 51 in the direction along horizontal axis J. Furthermore, as described above, because the outer diameter of terminal ends 513, 514 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of outer drum 511, terminal ends 513, 514 do not protrude like flanges at both ends of base 510. This makes it easier to position first blade 81 close to drum body 51.

[0035] In contrast, the pair of second blades 821, 822 are provided opposite both ends of the outer circumferential surface of the drum main body 51 in the direction along the horizontal axis J. Specifically, the second blade 821 is disposed opposite the outer circumferential surface of the terminal end 513 with a small gap therebetween, and similarly, the second blade 822 is disposed opposite the outer circumferential surface of the terminal end 514 with a small gap therebetween. Furthermore, the second blades 821, 822 do not face the outer circumferential surface of the base 510. In other words, in a plan view from a direction perpendicular to the horizontal axis J, the cutting edges (portions that scrape off ice) of the second blades 821, 822 do not overlap with the outer circumferential surface of the base 510. Note that in this embodiment, the second blades 821, 822 are fixed to the first blade 81, but this is not limiting and they may be fixed to the housing 2, for example. Furthermore, the first blade 81 and the second blades 821, 822 may be integrally formed.

[0036] The configuration of drum-type ice maker 1 has been described above. Drum-type ice maker 1 configured as described above produces ice as follows: First, cooling device 7 is driven to cool ice making drum 5 to a predetermined temperature. Next, while cooling ice making drum 5 with cooling device 7, drive device 6 rotates ice making drum 5 about horizontal axis J. This produces a thin layer of ice on the outer circumferential surface of drum body 51 immersed in ice-making water W in tank 3. As this ice floats out of the ice-making water W due to the rotation of drum body 51 about horizontal axis J, it is supercooled and becomes dry ice that does not contain moisture. The dry ice produced on the outer circumferential surface of drum body 51 is then scraped off with blade 8, producing scaly ice (flake ice). The ice produced in this manner is stored in an ice storage bin (not shown) installed below via chute 21.

[0037] In particular, in this embodiment, in a plan view from the horizontal direction, horizontal axis J is located above the surface of ice-making water W in tank 3. Also, the cutting edges of first blade 81 and second blades 821, 822 are located below horizontal axis J. As a result, ice-making drum 5 rotates 200° or more, preferably 250° or more, from the time when ice produced in ice-making drum 5 floats on top of ice-making water W until it is scraped off by first blade 81, allowing the ice to dry for a longer period of time, resulting in drier ice being produced.

[0038] During operation of drum-type ice maker 1, not only the outer circumferential surface of drum body 51 but also both end surfaces thereof are repeatedly immersed in and exposed to ice-making water W in tank 3. As a result, ice may form on both end surfaces of drum body 51. As described above, ice formed on the outer circumferential surface of drum body 51 is scraped off by blade 8, but ice formed on both end surfaces of drum body 51 continues to grow on drum body 51 without being scraped off by blade 8. As a result, the growing ice may spread to shaft 52, causing blockages or freezing of bearing B, which may impede the rotation of ice-making drum 5. If the rotation of ice-making drum 5 is impeded, the ice production efficiency decreases and the ice produced becomes uneven. For this reason, for example, it may become necessary to periodically remove ice adhering to both end surfaces of drum body 51 or shaft 52, and the operation of drum-type ice maker 1 must be temporarily stopped each time this is required. As a result, drum type ice maker 1 cannot be operated continuously for long periods of time, the ice production efficiency deteriorates, and maintenance becomes more time-consuming. To address these problems, drum type ice maker 1 has several features that make it difficult for ice to form on both end surfaces of drum body 51 and shaft portion 52.

[0039] First, as one feature, as described above, terminal portions 513 and 514 made of a resin material are arranged at both ends of the drum body 51. That is, both end faces of the drum body 51 are made of a resin material. By configuring both end faces of the drum body 51 with a resin material in this way, compared with the case where both end faces of the drum body 51 are made of a metal material, it becomes difficult for ice to be generated on both end faces of the drum body 51. Therefore, the growth of ice on both end faces of the drum body 51 is suppressed, and the drum-type ice maker 1 can be continuously operated for a long time. Also, the frequency of maintenance is reduced.

[0040] Also, as one feature, as described above, the blade 8 has second blades 821 and 822 that face both ends of the outer peripheral surface of the drum body 51. With these second blades 821 and 822, it is possible to scrape off the ice that grows so as to wrap around from the outer peripheral surface of the drum body 51 to both end faces, and it becomes difficult for ice to be generated on both end faces of the drum body 51. Therefore, the growth of ice on both end faces of the drum body 51 is suppressed, and the drum-type ice maker 1 can be continuously operated for a long time. Also, the frequency of maintenance is reduced. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the second blades 821 and 822 face the outer peripheral surfaces of the terminal portions 513 and 514, that is, the portions closer to both ends of the drum body 51, it becomes even more difficult for ice to be generated on both end faces of the drum body 51.

[0041] Particularly, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the separation distance D1 between the second blades 821 and 822 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the terminal portions 513 and 514 is shorter than the separation distance D2 between the first blade 81 and the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 510. That is, D1 < D2. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively scrape off the ice that grows so as to wrap around from the outer peripheral surface of the drum body 51 to both end faces, and it becomes difficult for ice to be generated on both end faces of the drum body 51. However, it is not limited to this, and D1 ≥ D2 may be possible.

[0042] In this embodiment, second blades 821, 822 scrape off ice formed on the surface of ice making drum 5 upstream of first blade 81 in the rotation direction of ice making drum 5. This configuration allows the ice in question to be scraped off more quickly (shorter time after it floats up from the ice making water W in tank 3), more effectively preventing the ice from wrapping around onto both end surfaces of drum body 51. However, the positions of second blades 821, 822 are not limited to this, and, for example, ice formed on ice making drum 5 may be scraped off downstream of first blade 81 in the rotation direction of ice making drum 5. This configuration increases the amount of ice scraped off by first blade 81, thereby increasing ice production efficiency.

[0043] The ice scraped off by the second blades 821, 822 may be stored in the ice storage bin via chute 21 together with the ice scraped off by the first blade 81, or may fall into tank 3 located below and be reused as ice-making water W. Alternatively, some of the ice may be stored in the ice storage bin and some may fall into tank 3. Storing the ice scraped off by the second blades 821, 822 in the ice storage bin can improve ice production efficiency. On the other hand, dropping the ice scraped off by the second blades 821, 822 into tank 3 located below prevents the ice stored in the ice storage bin from being a mixture of ice scraped off by the first blade 81 and ice scraped off by the second blades 821, 822, and improves ice homogeneity. In particular, in this embodiment, the second blades 821, 822 do not face the outer peripheral surface of the base 510, and therefore the second blades 821, 822 do not scrape off ice generated on the outer peripheral surface of the base 510, i.e., ice that should be scraped off by the first blade 81. This effectively prevents a decrease in ice generation efficiency.

[0044] The above describes the drum-type ice maker 1. As described above, the drum-type ice maker 1 includes the tank 3 for storing ice-making water W, the conduit 4 connecting the tank 3 to an external tank 9 for storing the ice-making water W to be supplied to the tank 3, the liquid supply pump 44 for sending the ice-making water W from the external tank 9 to the tank 3 via the conduit 4, the ice-making drum 5 that rotates about a horizontal axis J while partially immersed in the ice-making water W in the tank 3, the drive unit 6 for rotating the ice-making drum 5 about the horizontal axis J, the cooling unit 7 for cooling the ice-making drum 5, and the blade 8 for scraping off ice produced by the freezing of the ice-making water W adhering to the ice-making drum 5. By employing a configuration in which the ice-making water W in the external tank 9 is pumped up and supplied to the tank 3 in this manner, various types of ice-making water W can be used depending on the purpose. In other words, in a conventional configuration in which the ice-making water W is connected to an external water pipe, only tap water can be used as the ice-making water W, but according to this embodiment, there are no substantial limitations on the ice-making water W that can be used. Therefore, the drum-type ice maker 1 is highly convenient.

[0045] As described above, drum type ice maker 1 has filter 43, which is provided at the end of conduit 4 on the external tank 9 side, submerged in ice-making water W, and which removes foreign matter from ice-making water W. With this configuration, ice-making water W from which foreign matter has been removed can be supplied to tank 3. Furthermore, because the end of conduit 4 can be submerged in ice-making water W, ice-making water W can be stably supplied to tank 3.

[0046] Furthermore, as described above, at least a portion of conduit 4 is flexible, allowing the position and posture of the end of conduit 4 on the external tank 9 side to be changed. With this configuration, drum type ice maker 1 can be arranged with greater freedom.

[0047] As described above, ice making drum 5 has drum body 51, a portion of which is immersed in ice making water W in tank 3. Drum body 51 also has cylindrical base 510 extending along horizontal axis J and having an outer circumferential surface made of a metal material, and a pair of disk-shaped end portions 513, 514 provided at both ends of base 510 in the direction along horizontal axis J and made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the metal material making up the outer circumferential surface of base 510. This configuration makes it difficult for ice to form on both end surfaces of drum body 51. Therefore, ice growth on both end surfaces of drum body 51 is suppressed, allowing drum-type ice maker 1 to operate continuously for long periods of time.

[0048] As described above, in drum type ice maker 1, the outer diameter of end portions 513, 514 is equal to the outer diameter of base portion 510. With this configuration, almost the entire area of ​​both end faces of base portion 510 is covered by end portions 513, 514. This makes it difficult for ice to form on both end faces of drum body 51. In addition, it becomes easier to arrange blade 8 in close proximity to drum body 51.

[0049] As described above, blade 8 includes first blade 81 extending along horizontal axis J and provided opposite the outer peripheral surface of drum body 51, and a pair of second blades 821, 822 provided opposite both end portions of the outer peripheral surface of drum body 51 in the direction along horizontal axis J. One second blade 821 is provided opposite the outer peripheral surface of one end portion 513, and the other second blade 822 is provided opposite the outer peripheral surface of the other end portion 514. With this configuration, second blades 821, 822 can scrape off ice that grows from the outer peripheral surface of drum body 51 around to both end surfaces, making it difficult for ice to form on both end surfaces of drum body 51. This suppresses ice growth on both end surfaces of drum body 51, allowing drum-type ice maker 1 to operate continuously for long periods of time.

[0050] Furthermore, as described above, separation distance D1 between second blades 821, 822 and the outer peripheral surfaces of terminal ends 513, 514 is shorter than separation distance D1 between first blade 81 and the outer peripheral surface of base 510. With this configuration, ice that grows around from the outer peripheral surface of drum body 51 to both end surfaces can be more effectively scraped off, making it less likely that ice will form on both end surfaces of drum body 51. Therefore, ice growth on both end surfaces of drum body 51 is suppressed, and drum type ice maker 1 can be operated continuously for long periods of time.

[0051] Second Embodiment Drum type ice maker 1 according to this embodiment is the same as drum type ice maker 1 according to the first embodiment, except for the configuration of drum main body 51. In the following explanation, differences between drum type ice maker 1 according to this embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described, and explanations of similar points will be omitted. In addition, in the drawings of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components as those in the previously described embodiment.

[0052] 6, in drum type ice maker 1 of the present embodiment, the outer diameter of end portions 513, 514 is larger than the outer diameter of base portion 510, and end portions 513, 514 protrude like flanges from both ends of drum body 51. This makes it difficult for ice to move from the outer peripheral surface of drum body 51 to both end faces, making it difficult for ice to form on both end faces of drum body 51. This suppresses the growth of ice on both end faces of drum body 51, allowing drum type ice maker 1 to operate continuously for long periods of time.

[0053] The second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

[0054] Third Embodiment Drum type ice maker 1 according to this embodiment is the same as drum type ice maker 1 according to the first embodiment, except for the configuration of blade 8. In the following explanation, differences between drum type ice maker 1 according to this embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described, and explanations of similarities will be omitted. In addition, in the drawings of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for similar components to those in the previously described embodiment.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7 , in drum type ice making machine 1 of the present embodiment, second blade 821 faces one end face of drum body 51, and second blade 822 faces the other end face of drum body 51. Specifically, second blade 821 has, in addition to first portion 821a facing the outer peripheral surface of terminal end portion 513 via a small gap, second portion 821b facing the main surface of terminal end portion 513 (one end face of drum body 51) via a small gap. Similarly, second blade 822 has, in addition to first portion 822a facing the outer peripheral surface of terminal end portion 514 via a small gap, second portion 822b facing the main surface of terminal end portion 514 (the other end face of drum body 51) via a small gap. Furthermore, second portions 821b and 822b are both formed to extend from the outer edge of drum body 51 to the vicinity of shaft portion 52. With this configuration, even if ice forms on both end surfaces of drum body 51, the ice can be scraped off by second portions 821b, 822b of second blades 821, 822. This effectively prevents further growth of ice on both end surfaces of drum body 51. This prevents ice from growing on both end surfaces of drum body 51, allowing drum-type ice-making machine 1 to operate continuously for long periods of time.

[0056] In particular, in this embodiment, the distance between the second blades 821, 822 and the end faces of the drum body 51 is, like the distance D1, shorter than the distance D2 between the first blade 81 and the outer peripheral surface of the base 510. Therefore, ice is less likely to form on both end faces of the drum body 51.

[0057] The third embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

[0058] While the drum-type ice maker of the present invention has been described above based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of each part can be replaced with any configuration having a similar function. Also, any other configuration may be added to the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1...drum type ice maker, 10...control device, 2...casing, 21...chute, 3...tank, 4...conduit, 40...supply port, 41...water level sensor, 43...filter, 44...liquid supply pump, 5...ice making drum, 51...drum body, 510...base, 511...outer drum, 512...inner drum, 512a...groove, 513...end portion, 514...end portion, 52...shaft, 6...drive device, 61...motor , 7...cooling device, 71...compressor, 72...condenser, 73...expansion valve, 74...evaporator, 741...flow path, 8...blade, 81...first blade, 821...second blade, 821a...first part, 821b...second part, 822...second blade, 822a...first part, 822b...second part, 9...external tank, B...bearing, D1...separation distance, D2...separation distance, J...horizontal shaft, W...ice making water

Claims

1. A tank for storing ice-making water; a conduit connecting the tank to an external tank that stores the ice-making water to be supplied to the tank; a liquid supply pump for supplying the ice-making water from the external tank to the tank through the conduit; an ice making drum that rotates around a horizontal axis while being partially immersed in the ice making water in the tank; a drive device that rotates the ice making drum about the horizontal axis; a cooling device for cooling the ice making drum; a blade that scrapes off ice produced by the freezing of the ice-making water adhering to the ice-making drum.

2. 2. The drum type ice maker according to claim 1, further comprising a filter provided at an end of the conduit on the external tank side, the filter being submerged in the ice making water and removing foreign matter from the ice making water.

3. At least a portion of the conduit is flexible; 2. The drum type ice making machine according to claim 1, wherein the position and attitude of the end of the conduit on the external tank side can be changed.

4. the ice making drum has a drum body that is partially immersed in the ice making water in the tank, 2. The drum type ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the drum body has a cylindrical base portion extending along the horizontal axis and having an outer peripheral surface made of a metal material, and a pair of disk-shaped terminal portions provided at both ends of the base portion along the horizontal axis and made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the metal material.

5. The drum type ice maker of claim 4, wherein the outer diameter of the terminal portion is equal to the outer diameter of the base portion.

6. The drum type ice maker according to claim 4, wherein the outer diameter of the terminal portion is larger than the outer diameter of the base portion.

7. The blades include a first blade extending along the horizontal axis and provided opposite the outer peripheral surface of the drum body, and a pair of second blades provided opposite both end portions of the outer peripheral surface of the drum body in a direction along the horizontal axis, one of the second blades is provided opposite to an outer peripheral surface of one of the terminal ends, The drum type ice making machine according to claim 4 , wherein the other second blade is provided opposite to an outer peripheral surface of the other terminal end portion.

8. One of the second blades faces one end surface of the drum body, The drum type ice making machine according to claim 7, wherein the other second blade faces the other end surface of the drum body.

9. The drum type ice maker according to claim 7, wherein a distance between the second blade and the outer peripheral surface of the terminal end portion is shorter than a distance between the first blade and the outer peripheral surface of the base portion.

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