Ice maker

Abstract

To provide an ice making machine which can reuse ice making water remaining in an ice making water tank upon completion of an ice making process and can discharge substantially all of liquid stored in the ice making water tank.SOLUTION: An ice making water tank 13 is provided with an overflow pipe 25 for making ice making water remain in the tank at a second defined water level L2 in an open position of a water tray 12. An inlet 31a of siphon means SF1 arranged in the ice making water tank 13 communicates with the inside of the tank in a position which is lowest in the ice making water tank 13 at the open position of the water tray 12. A working water level L3 at which the siphon means SF1 produces a siphon action is set higher than the second defined water level L2. By setting the water level in the tank at the working water level L3 in the open position of the water tray 12, substantially all of the residual ice making water remaining in the ice making water tank 13 can be discharged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ice-making machine that circulates ice-making water stored in an ice-making water tank between the ice-making water tank and an ice-making section to produce ice in the ice-making section. [Background technology]

[0002] A jet-type ice maker (see, for example, Patent Document 1) that jets ice-making water from below into multiple ice-making chambers that open downward to produce ice blocks in the ice-making chambers is preferably used in facilities such as coffee shops and restaurants, as well as other kitchens. The outline of the ice maker's configuration is that an ice-making section is arranged horizontally in a housing, and multiple ice-making chambers that open downward are defined in a checkerboard pattern, and an evaporator that constitutes a refrigeration mechanism is closely and serpentinely arranged on the upper surface of the ice-making section. A water tray is pivotally supported below the ice-making section so as to be tiltable, and an ice-making water tank that stores a predetermined amount of ice-making water is integrally provided below the water tray.

[0003] In the ice making machine, in the ice making process, the water tray is held in a closed position that closes the ice making chamber from below, and a refrigerant is circulated and supplied to the evaporator to forcibly cool the ice making chamber, and ice making water in the ice making water tank is sent to the water tray by a circulation pump, and the ice making water is sprayed from the water tray to the ice making chamber. In the ice making process, a part of the ice making water freezes in the ice making chamber, and the remaining ice making water (unfrozen water) is collected in the ice making water tank through a return hole in the water tray and is supplied again to the ice making chamber as ice making water. Then, when ice blocks are generated in the ice making chamber, the ice making process is switched to a de-icing process, and hot gas is circulated and supplied to the evaporator to heat the ice making section, and the water tray is tilted by an opening and closing mechanism to an open position diagonally downward about a support shaft to open the ice making chamber. When the ice-making process is completed, almost all of the ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank (referred to as residual ice-making water when specifically distinguished) is discharged to the outside by tilting the ice-making water tank together with the water tray in the deicing process. In the deicing process, the frozen portion between the ice-making chamber and the ice blocks melts due to the circulating supply of hot gas, and the ice blocks fall from the ice-making chamber under their own weight, sliding down the water tray in the open position and being discharged into the ice storage chamber. When the ice blocks are released from the ice-making section, the process switches from the deicing process to the ice-making process, and the water tray returns to the closed position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-58115 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the ice making machine, the residual ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank at the time of completion of the ice-making process is cooled to nearly 0°C in the ice-making process, and it would be a waste of energy to discharge almost all of the residual ice-making water in the de-icing process. Therefore, the ice-making water tank is provided with a discharge port that opens to the outside at a position above the lowest position in the closed and open positions of the ice-making water tank corresponding to the closed and open positions of the water tray, and while the upper limit water level of the ice-making water stored in the ice-making water tank in the closed position is determined by the discharge port, only a part of the residual ice-making water is discharged from the discharge port so that a predetermined amount of residual ice-making water remains in the ice-making water tank in the open position, and the remaining residual ice-making water is reused as ice-making water for the next time.

[0006] However, repeated reuse of residual ice-making water causes impurities such as scale to form due to the concentration of minerals such as magnesium and calcium in the ice-making water. These impurities adhere to the circulation path of the ice-making water, such as the circulation pump, the water tray's spray holes and return holes, causing problems such as clogging.

[0007] In other words, the present invention has been proposed in consideration of the problems inherent in the conventional technologies described above, and aims to provide an ice maker that can reuse the ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank when the ice-making process is completed, and that can discharge almost all of the liquid stored in the ice-making water tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to overcome the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, First Measure teeth, An ice making machine including an ice making section defining an ice making chamber that opens on one side, and an ice making water supply section that can be changed in position between a closed position for closing the ice making chamber and an open position for opening the ice making chamber and that has an ice making water tank capable of storing ice making water, a discharge port that is provided so as to be able to discharge liquid in the ice-making water tank and that allows a predetermined amount of ice-making water to remain in the ice-making water tank when the ice-making water supply unit is in an open position; a siphon means having an inlet communicating with the inside of the ice-making water tank and an outlet opening outside the ice-making water tank, capable of discharging liquid in the ice-making water tank by a siphon action; and introducing means for introducing liquid into the siphon means, The siphon means is configured so that, when the ice-making water supply section is in an open position, no siphon action occurs when no liquid is introduced by the introduction means, and so that a siphon action occurs when liquid is introduced by the introduction means. This configuration In the present invention, a siphon means is provided that can discharge the liquid in the ice-making water tank, and the siphon action is generated or not generated depending on whether or not liquid is introduced into the siphon means by the introduction means, so that the ice-making water can be left in the ice-making water tank up to the discharge port when the ice-making process is completed, and the ice-making water can be reused as ice-making water for the next ice-making process. Also, by introducing liquid into the siphon means by the introduction means to generate the siphon action, the ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank can be almost entirely discharged, so that problems such as clogging caused by impurities such as scale can be prevented. In other words, the ice-making water can be reused, and almost all of the ice-making water can be discharged. hand Since it is possible to switch between full discharge and partial discharge, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as clogging caused by impurities while suppressing the waste of energy.

[0009] In order to overcome the above problems and achieve the intended purpose, Second Measure teeth, An ice making machine including an ice making section defining an ice making chamber that opens on one side, and an ice making water supply section that can be changed in position between a closed position for closing the ice making chamber and an open position for opening the ice making chamber and that has an ice making water tank capable of storing ice making water, a discharge port that is provided so as to be able to discharge liquid in the ice-making water tank and that allows a predetermined amount of ice-making water to remain in the ice-making water tank when the ice-making water supply unit is in an open position; a siphon means having an inlet communicating with the inside of the ice-making water tank and an outlet opening outside the ice-making water tank, capable of discharging liquid in the ice-making water tank by a siphon action; and introducing means for introducing liquid into the siphon means, The inlet of the siphon means opens at a position lower than the outlet of the ice making water supply unit when the ice making water supply unit is in an open position, The siphon means has a working liquid level at which a siphon action occurs when liquid is introduced by the introduction means, which is set higher than the liquid level in the ice-making water tank defined by the outlet when the ice-making water supply section is in the open position. This configuration In the present invention, a siphon means is provided that can discharge the liquid in the ice-making water tank, and the operating liquid level at which the siphon action occurs in the siphon means is set to a position higher than the liquid level in the ice-making water tank that is determined by the discharge port when the ice-making water supply unit is in the open position. This allows the ice-making water to remain in the ice-making water tank up to the discharge port when the ice-making process is completed, and the ice-making water can be reused as ice-making water for the next ice-making process. Also, by introducing liquid into the siphon means by the introduction means to generate the siphon action, the ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank can be almost entirely discharged, thereby preventing problems such as clogging caused by impurities such as scale. In other words, the ice-making water can be reused, and almost all of the ice-making water can be reused. hand Since it is possible to switch between full discharge and partial discharge, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems such as clogging caused by impurities while suppressing the waste of energy.

[0010] Third Option teeth, The siphon means has a working liquid level at which a siphon action occurs when liquid is introduced by the introduction means, which is set higher than the liquid level in the ice-making water tank defined by the outlet when the ice-making water supply section is in the closed position. This configuration In the ice making process in which the ice making water supply section is located in the closed position, the ice making water can be stored in the ice making water tank at a water level determined by the discharge port.

[0011] 4th Measure teeth, The introduction means is a water supply means for supplying water to the ice making water tank, The present invention is characterized in that the amount of water discharged per unit time from the discharge port is configured to be smaller than the amount of water supplied per unit time from the water supply means. This configuration In this system, water is supplied to the ice-making water tank by the water supply means to raise the liquid level in the tank to a level at which siphon action occurs, so there is no need to change the height of the outlet or the structure of the ice-making water tank itself, and manufacturing costs can be significantly reduced.

[0012] 5th Measure teeth, The inlet of the siphon means is configured to open at the lowest position in the ice-making water tank when the ice-making water supply section is in a closed position. This configuration In the case of the ice making water tank in the closed position, the liquid stored in the ice making water tank can be almost entirely discharged by the siphon means, so that, for example, the process of tilting the ice making water tank to discharge the chemical solution and rinse water in the ice making water tank each time cleaning and rinsing are performed during chemical cleaning can be omitted, and the time required for cleaning and rinsing operations can be shortened. Also, in a configuration in which the ice making water tank is tilted to discharge the chemical solution in the ice making water tank, there is a possibility that the chemical solution adhering to the opened ice making section will drip into the ice storage chamber, but 5th Measure In this case, the chemical solution can be discharged while the ice-making water tank is in the closed position, so that the chemical solution adhering to the ice-making section can be received in the ice-making water tank (ice-making water supply section), preventing the chemical solution from dripping into the ice storage chamber.

[0013] 6th Measure teeth, The introducing means is a water supplying means for supplying water to the inside of the siphon means, The gist of the present invention is that the water supply means supplies water to the inside of the siphon means, thereby causing the siphon means to generate a siphon action. This configurationIn the present invention, since water is supplied directly to the siphon means to generate the siphon action, the amount of water required to generate the siphon action can be reduced. Also, regardless of the position of the ice-making water supply unit or the water level of the ice-making water stored in the ice-making water tank, the ice-making water can be discharged in any state.

[0014] 7th Measure teeth, The present invention is characterized in that the siphon means is provided with a drain valve capable of opening and closing a passage through which the liquid in the siphon means flows. This configuration In this way, it is possible to prevent unintended siphoning action by the siphon means. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the ice-making machine of the present invention, it is possible to switch between reusing the ice-making water and completely discharging almost all of the ice-making water, thereby suppressing energy waste while preventing problems such as clogging caused by impurities. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view showing an ice-making mechanism of the ice-making machine according to Example 1 with the water tray in a closed position. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic front view showing an ice-making mechanism of the ice-making machine according to Example 1 with the water tray in an open position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts showing the ice making water tank, the overflow pipe, and the siphon tube according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the ice making machine according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing the ice-making mechanism of the ice-making machine according to the second embodiment with the water tray in a closed position. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing the ice making mechanism of the ice making machine according to the second embodiment with the water tray in an open position. [Figure 7]FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of an ice-making water tank in an ice-making machine according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a main part of an ice-making mechanism in an ice-making machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a longitudinal section. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing the ice-making mechanism of the ice-making machine according to the third embodiment with the water tray in a closed position. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a main part of an ice-making mechanism of an ice-making machine according to a third embodiment, showing the ice-making mechanism in a longitudinal section with the water tray in a closed position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing the ice making mechanism of the ice making machine according to the third embodiment with the water tray in an open position. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a main part of an ice-making mechanism of an ice-making machine according to a third embodiment, showing the ice-making mechanism in a longitudinal section with the water tray in an open position. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a siphon means and an introduction means according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing the ice-making mechanism of the ice-making machine according to Example 4 with the water tray in a closed position. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing the ice making mechanism of the ice making machine according to Example 4 with the water tray in an open position. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the main parts showing the ice making water tank and siphon means of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of the main parts showing the ice making water tank and siphon means of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a siphon means according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] 13 is a schematic front view of an ice making mechanism of an ice maker according to another embodiment, showing the water tray in a closed position. FIG. [Figure 20] 13 is a schematic front view of an ice making mechanism of an ice making machine according to another embodiment, showing the water tray in an open position. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Next, a preferred embodiment of the ice-making machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiment, a jet-type ice-making machine having a so-called closed-cell type ice-making mechanism will be described as the ice-making machine. EXAMPLES

[0018] The ice maker of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 has an ice storage chamber 10a defined inside box 10, and an ice making mechanism 14 consisting of ice making unit 11, water tray 12, ice making water tank 13, etc., disposed in the upper part of the inside of box 10. Specifically, ice making unit 11, which defines a number of ice making chambers (ice making chambers) 11a that open downward (to one side), is fixed and supported below mounting member 15 arranged horizontally on the top of box 10. An evaporator 16 constituting a refrigeration mechanism is closely arranged on the upper surface of ice making unit 11 in a serpentine manner, and is configured to circulate a refrigerant to forcibly cool ice making unit 11 (ice making chambers 11a) during the ice making process and to circulate a high-temperature refrigerant (hot gas) to heat ice making unit 11 (ice making chambers 11a) during the de-icing process. In addition, water tray 12 is disposed below ice-making section 11, and ice-making water tank 13 for storing ice-making water is disposed integrally below water tray 12. Although not shown, box 10 is provided with an outlet for taking out ice blocks (ice) from ice storage chamber 10a that opens forward, and a door for opening and closing this outlet is disposed. In the following description, the side with the door is defined as the front side, and the front-rear direction is indicated, and the left-right direction is indicated as the left-right direction in the state of FIG. 1 when the ice-making machine is viewed from the front.

[0019] The refrigeration mechanism is configured so that the refrigerant circulates through the compressor, condenser, expansion valve (expansion means), and evaporator 16 in that order, and in the ice-making process, the vaporized refrigerant compressed by the compressor is condensed and liquefied in the condenser, then reduced in pressure by the expansion valve, and flows into evaporator 16 where it expands and evaporates all at once, and exchanges heat with ice-making section 11 to forcibly cool said ice-making section 11 to below freezing point. The vaporized refrigerant that has evaporated and exchanged heat in evaporator 16 then returns to the compressor, repeating this cycle. In the ice-making process, the refrigeration mechanism is configured so that hot gas is supplied to evaporator 16 by switching a hot gas valve to heat the ice-making section.

[0020] 1 and 2, the water tray 12 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 17 extending in the front-rear direction relative to a support portion 15a provided at a position offset to the left side of the mounting member 15. Injection holes 12a for injecting ice-making water from the ice-making water tank 13 into each ice-making chamber 11a of the ice-making section 11, and return holes 12b for returning ice-making water (unfrozen water) that has been supplied to the ice-making section 11 but has not frozen to the ice-making water tank 13, are provided in positions corresponding to the ice-making chambers 11a in the water tray 12 (partially shown in FIG. 3).

[0021] 1 and 2, a water supply pipe 22 communicating with a water source (not shown) is provided above the water tray 12, and a water supply valve 23 is inserted in the water supply pipe 22. When the water supply valve 23 is opened, room temperature water is supplied from the water supply pipe 22 to the surface of the water tray 12. The water supplied to the surface of the water tray is stored in the ice-making water tank 13 via the return holes 12b and other holes provided in the water tray 12, and is used as ice-making water. A circulation pump 19 is provided in the ice-making water tank 13 to supply the ice-making water stored in the ice-making water tank 13 to the water tray 12, and the ice-making water supplied to the water tray 12 by the circulation pump 19 is sprayed from the spray holes 12a provided in the water tray 12 to each ice-making chamber 11a of the ice-making section 11. The ice-making water that is not frozen in the ice-making unit 11 is collected in the ice-making water tank 13 through the return hole 12b and is circulated again. In the first embodiment, the ice-making water tank 13, the ice-making unit 11, the water tray 12, and a pipe (not shown) that connects the ice-making water tank 13 and the water tray 12 via the circulation pump 19 and through which the ice-making water flows form a circulation path for circulating the ice-making water between the ice-making water tank 13 and the ice-making unit 11. In addition, a chemical injection port 13a is provided on the front side of the ice-making water tank 13 for injecting a chemical solution for cleaning the ice-making water circulation path in a cleaning mode described later. In addition, a drain pan 24 is provided below the ice-making mechanism 14 to receive wastewater (residual ice-making water, overflow water, condensation water, etc.) flowing down from the ice-making mechanism 14, and the wastewater received in the drain pan 24 is discharged outside the machine.

[0022] The ice-making mechanism 14 is provided with a tilting mechanism 18 on the opposite side (right side) to the pivot side of the water tray 12 for opening and closing (tilting) an ice-making water supply section consisting of the water tray 12 and the ice-making water tank 13 with respect to the ice-making section 11. In the ice-making mechanism 14, the water tray 12 of the ice-making water supply section is held in a closed position by the tilting mechanism 18, closing the bottom of each ice-making chamber 11a of the ice-making section 11, as shown in Fig. 1, during the ice-making process, and the ice-making water stored in the ice-making water tank 13 is sprayed by the circulation pump 19 from the water tray 12 to each ice-making chamber 11a cooled by the evaporator 16, producing ice blocks (ice) in the ice-making chambers 11a. In the ice-making mechanism 14, in the de-icing process, the water tray 12 of the ice-making water supply section is held in an open position in which it is moved downward from the ice-making section 11 by the tilting mechanism 18 to allow ice blocks to be discharged from the ice-making chamber 11a as shown in Fig. 2, and the ice blocks released from the ice-making chamber 11a heated by the evaporator 16 are guided to the tilted upper surface of the water tray 12 and fall into the ice storage chamber 10a. Note that the tilting mechanism 18 tilts the ice-making water supply section to change its position between the closed position and the open position, but in the following description, it is simply referred to as tilting the water tray 12, and the closed and open positions of the water tray 12 are also referred to.

[0023] The tilting mechanism 18 includes a cam member (not shown) that rotates in a forward or reverse direction by a motor (drive means) 20 such as a geared motor, and by rotating the cam member in a forward or reverse direction, the water tray 12 is displaced between the closed position and the open position. The tilting mechanism 18 is provided with detection means 21 (see FIG. 4) that detects when the water tray 12 has been tilted from the closed position to the open position and that detects when the water tray 12 has been tilted from the open position to the closed position, and is configured such that the detection means 21 detects the open or closed position of the water tray 12 and stops the motor 20, thereby holding the water tray 12 in the open or closed position.

[0024] The ice-making water tank 13 is provided with an overflow pipe 25 capable of discharging liquids such as ice-making water and chemicals stored in the tank. As shown in FIG. 3, the overflow pipe 25 is a cylindrical member in which a first cylindrical portion 26 and a second cylindrical portion 27 are connected in an L-shape, and an inlet 26a is formed at the open end of the first cylindrical portion 26, and an outlet (discharge port) 27a is formed at the open end of the second cylindrical portion 27. The overflow pipe 25 is attached to the ice-making water tank 13 with the inlet 26a communicating with the inside of the ice-making water tank 13 by inserting the first cylindrical portion 26 into the through hole 28a of an attachment portion 28 provided on the ice-making water tank 13 and having a through hole 28a penetrating in the inward and outward directions, and the outlet 27a opens outside the ice-making water tank 13. The overflow pipe 25 is configured to be easily attached to and detached from the ice-making water tank 13 without using tools by a fixing means 38 such as a knob bolt. The liquid discharged from the outlet 27a of the overflow pipe 25 is received in the drain pan 24.

[0025] Through hole 28a of attachment portion 28 communicates with the inside of ice-making water tank 13 at a position on the opposite side to the pivot side of water tray 12, a position a predetermined height above the lowest position in ice-making water tank 13 that is in the closed position when water tray 12 is in the closed position, and at the lowest position in ice-making water tank 13 that is in the open position when water tray 12 is in the open position. That is, inlet 26a of overflow pipe 25 with first tubular portion 26 inserted into through hole 28a communicates with the inside of tank at the lowest position in ice-making water tank 13 that is in the open position when water tray 12 is in the open position. Second tubular portion 27 of overflow pipe 25 attached to attachment portion 28 via first tubular portion 26 extends toward the pivot side of water tray 12, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Second cylindrical portion 27 is configured so that when water tray 12 is in the closed position (closed posture of ice-making water tank 13), it is substantially horizontal or has outlet 27a pointing slightly diagonally upward, and when water tray 12 is in the open position (open posture of ice-making water tank 13), outlet 27a extends in an inclined posture pointing significantly diagonally upward compared to the horizontal posture. That is, outlet 27a of overflow pipe 25 is located a predetermined height above the lowest position in ice-making water tank 13 in the closed posture and open posture in both the closed position and open position of water tray 12, and is configured so that a predetermined amount of ice-making water, etc. can be stored in ice-making water tank 13 up to lower end 27b of outlet 27a. In other words, overflow pipe 25 functions as a storage amount determining means for determining the amount of ice-making water stored in the tank at the start of the ice-making process with water tray 12 held in the closed position, and for determining the amount of ice-making water (residual ice-making water) to remain in the tank during the de-icing process with water tray 12 held in the open position. In the first embodiment, with water tray 12 held in the closed position, ice-making water is stored in ice-making water tank 13 up to a first specified water level L1 determined by lower end 27b of outlet 27a, and with water tray 12 held in the open position, the residual ice-making water is left in ice-making water tank 13 up to a second specified water level L2 determined by lower end 27b of outlet 27a.In addition, the amount of liquid such as ice-making water discharged per unit time from outlet 27a of overflow pipe 25 is set to be less than the amount of water supplied (water supply amount) per unit time from water supply pipe 22 (water supply means), and the water level (liquid level) in ice-making water tank 13 can be raised above the lower end position of outlet 27a by supplying water from water supply pipe 22 while discharging ice-making water etc. from outlet 27a.

[0026] 3, a pipe-shaped connecting portion 29 extending outward is provided in a portion corresponding to the connection portion of the second cylindrical portion 27 of the overflow pipe 25 with the first cylindrical portion 26. The overflow pipe 25 and the siphon tube 31 are connected in communication with each other by connecting one end of the siphon tube 31, which will be described later, to the connecting portion 29. A holder 30 for supporting the siphon tube 31 is provided at the outlet end of the second cylindrical portion 27 of the overflow pipe 25, and the holder 30 is configured to support a first pipe portion 33, which will be described later, of the siphon tube 31, one end of which is connected to the connecting portion 29.

[0027] The ice-making water tank 13 is provided with a siphon means SF1 capable of discharging residual ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank 13 by siphon action during the de-icing process. The siphon means SF1 of the first embodiment is composed of one siphon tube 31. As shown in Fig. 3, the siphon tube 31 is a member formed in a substantially V-shape, and includes a first pipe section 33 extending in one direction from a bent section 32, a second pipe section 34 extending in the other direction from the bent section 32, and a covering section 35 provided on the extended end side of the first pipe section 33 and detachably attached to the connection section 29 of the overflow pipe 25. The siphon tube 31 is made of a soft synthetic resin or rubber, and the siphon tube 31 is connected to the overflow pipe 25 in a communicating state by attaching the covering section 35 to the connection section 29 of the overflow pipe 25. The siphon tube 31 has an end opening on the side of the covering portion 35 of the first pipe portion 33 as an inlet (inlet of the siphon means SF1) 31a through which liquid flows into the tube, and an end opening on the side of the second pipe portion 34 away from the bent portion 32 as an outlet (outlet of the siphon means SF1) 31b through which the liquid in the tube flows out. That is, when the covering portion 35 is covered by the connection portion 29, the siphon tube 31 is configured such that the inlet 31a of the siphon tube 31 communicates with the inside of the ice-making water tank 13 via the inlet 26a of the overflow pipe 25, and the outlet 31b of the siphon tube 31 opens outside the ice-making water tank 13 so that the ice-making water and the like stored in the ice-making water tank 13 can be discharged by siphon action. Furthermore, with the covering portion 35 attached to the connection portion 29, the siphon tube 31 is configured such that the bent portion 32 is located on the outlet side of the second tubular portion 27, and the bent portion side of the first pipe portion 33 is supported by the holder 30, so that the first pipe portion 33 extends approximately parallel to the second tubular portion 27. The inner diameter of the siphon tube 31 is set according to the required discharge capacity of ice-making water, etc.

[0028] 1, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the inlet 31a of the siphon tube 31 communicates with the ice-making water tank 13 at the same position as the inlet 26a of the overflow pipe 25, the first pipe section 33 extends horizontally or slightly inclined upward toward the bent section 32, and the second pipe section 34 connected to the bent section 32 extends downward. That is, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the bent section 32 is configured to be located at the highest position in the siphon tube 31. The inner upper end (the highest position in the siphon tube 31) of the bent section 32 when the water tray 12 is in the closed position is set to be located above the lower end 27b of the outlet 27a of the overflow pipe 25 (the first specified water level L1 defined by the outlet 27a). In other words, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position and the level of the ice-making water stored in the ice-making water tank 13 is lower than the first specified water level L1, the ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13 will not flow into the siphon tube 31, and the tube will be filled with ice-making water, causing a siphon action and preventing the ice-making water from being discharged.

[0029] 2, when the water tray 12 is in the open position, the inlet 31a of the siphon tube 31 communicates with the inside of the ice-making water tank 13 at the lowest position in the tank when the tank is in the open position, the first pipe section 33 extends in an upwardly inclined position toward the bent section 32, and the second pipe section 34 connected to the bent section 32 extends downward. That is, when the water tray 12 is in the open position, the siphon tube 31 is in a mountain shape with the bent section 32 at its apex, and the bent section 32 is located at the highest position of the siphon tube 31. When the water tray 12 is in the open position, the inlet 31a of the siphon tube 31 opens to communicate with the ice-making water tank 13 at a position lower than the lower end 27b of the outlet 27a of the overflow pipe 25, and the outlet 31b of the siphon tube 31 opens at a position lower than the inlet 31a. The inner upper end of bent portion 32 in the open position of water tray 12 (the highest position in siphon tube 31) is set to be located above lower end 27b of outlet 27a in overflow pipe 25 and at a position higher than the second specified water level L2 defined by lower end 27b of outlet 27a in ice-making water tank 13 in the open position. The inner upper end of bent portion 32 in siphon tube 31 of Example 1 is set to be located at a position higher than lower end 27b of outlet 27a in overflow pipe 25 (first specified water level L1 and second specified water level L2 of the ice-making water in ice-making water tank 13 defined by outlet 27a) in both the closed position and the open position of water tray 12.

[0030] The ice making machine of the first embodiment includes introduction means IC1 for generating a siphoning action by introducing water (liquid) into the inside of the siphon tube 31 and filling the inside of the siphon tube 31 with water when the water tray 12 is in the open position. The introduction means IC1 of the first embodiment is a water supply means consisting of the water supply pipe 22 and water supply valve 23 that supply water to the ice making water tank 13, and is configured to generate a siphoning action in the siphon tube 31 by opening the water supply valve 23 when the water tray 12 is in the open position to supply water from the water supply pipe 22 into the ice making water tank 13 and raising the water level in the tank to an operating water level (operating liquid level) L3 that is equal to or higher than the inner upper end of the bent portion 32. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when the water tray 12 is in the open position, water is supplied from the water supply pipe 22 to the residual ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank 13. When the level of the residual ice-making water rises to the operating water level L3, the residual ice-making water in the tank flows (introduced) into the siphon tube 31, filling the tube with the residual ice-making water, causing a siphon action, so that almost all of the residual ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13 can be discharged. That is, in the siphon tube (siphon means SF1) 31 of the first embodiment, when water tray 12 is in the open position and water is not supplied from water supply pipe 22 into the tank, the level of the residual ice-making water in ice-making water tank 13 does not exceed operating water level L3, so that no siphon action occurs even if the residual ice-making water is introduced into siphon tube 31, whereas when water is supplied from water supply pipe 22 into the tank, the level of the residual ice-making water in ice-making water tank 13 reaches operating water level L3, and the siphon action occurs when the tube is filled with the residual ice-making water introduced into siphon tube 31. The residual ice-making water discharged from outlet 27a of siphon tube 31 is received in the drain pan 24.

[0031] Control means 36 of the ice maker is electrically connected to each device constituting the refrigeration mechanism, as well as each device such as circulation pump 19, motor 20 of tilting mechanism 18, water supply valve 23, detection means 21, etc., as shown in Fig. 4, and comprehensively controls the refrigeration mechanism and ice-making mechanism 14. When a detection signal is input from detection means 21, control means 36 is configured to output a stop signal to motor 20 to stop motor 20 and hold water tray 12 in the closed or open position. Control means 36 is provided with a water supply timer 37 that counts the time water is supplied by water supply valve 23 and water supply pipe 22, and various timers (not shown) that count the washing time and rinsing time in a washing mode described later. The control means 36 is configured to start water supply through the water supply pipe 22 and start counting with the water supply timer 37 when shifting from the deicing process to the ice making process, and to control the water supply valve 23 to close and stop water supply when the water supply timer 37 counts the first water supply time T1 during which the level of ice making water stored in the ice making water tank 13 with the water tray 12 in the closed position becomes the first specified water level L1 specified by the overflow pipe 25 (outlet 27a). Note that the first water supply time T1 is set to a time during which ice making water can be stored in the ice making water tank 13 with the water tray 12 in the closed position up to the first specified water level L1, on the premise that ice making water remains in the ice making water tank 13 up to the second specified water level L2 in the deicing process. In addition, when the water tray 12 is in the open position and there is residual ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank 13, the control means 36 is configured to start the water supply through the water supply pipe 22 and start counting in the water supply timer 37, and to control the water supply valve 23 to close and stop the water supply when the water supply timer 37 has counted the second water supply time T2 at which the level of the residual ice-making water diluted with newly supplied water reaches the operating water level L3.

[0032] The ice making machine of the first embodiment is configured such that, in the ice making process, when a temperature sensor (not shown) arranged in the ice making unit 11 detects the ice making completion temperature, the control means 36 determines that ice blocks of a predetermined size have been produced in the ice making chamber 11a, stops the circulation pump 19, completes the ice making process, and transitions to the de-icing process. Also, in the ice making machine, when the temperature sensor detects the de-icing completion temperature in the de-icing process, the control means 36 determines that all ice blocks have been detached by heating the ice making unit 11, stops the heating of the ice making unit 11 by the evaporator 16, and reversely drives the motor 20 to return the water tray 12 from the open position to the closed position, thereby completing the de-icing process.

[0033] Here, the ice-making water supplied to the ice-making water tank 13 contains various minerals such as calcium and magnesium, and by repeatedly performing an ice-making cycle consisting of an ice-making process and an ice-deicing process, impurities such as scale and limescale, which are concentrated minerals, will adhere to the ice-making unit 11, piping, and other ice-making water circulation paths. Therefore, the ice-making machine of the first embodiment is configured to be able to select between an ice-making mode in which the ice-making cycle is repeated, and a cleaning mode in which the ice-making water circulation path is cleaned with a chemical solution in the ice-making mechanism 14. In the cleaning mode, after the cleaning process in which a chemical solution is circulated through the circulation path, a rinsing process is performed in which the circulation path is rinsed with water (tap water). In the cleaning process, the ice-making water stored in the ice-making water tank 13 is almost entirely discharged through the siphon tube 31 in the same manner as when discharging the residual ice-making water, and then the water tray 12 is held in the closed position, and the chemical liquid is supplied to the ice-making water tank 13 through the chemical liquid inlet 13a provided in the ice-making water tank 13, and then the circulation pump 19 is operated for the cleaning time, thereby circulating the chemical liquid stored in the ice-making water tank 13 through the circulation path. Then, when the cleaning time has elapsed, the circulation pump 19 is stopped, the water tray 12 is tilted to the open position by the tilting mechanism 18, and almost the entire amount of the chemical liquid in the ice-making water tank 13 is discharged through the siphon tube 31, and then the water tray 12 is returned to the closed position by the tilting mechanism 18, and the cleaning process is completed.

[0034] In the rinsing process, the water supply valve 23 is opened for a predetermined water supply time to supply a predetermined amount of rinsing water (tap water) to the ice-making water tank 13. The circulating pump 19 is operated for the rinsing time to circulate the rinsing water stored in the ice-making water tank 13 through the circulation path to rinse the circulation path. When the rinsing time has elapsed, the circulating pump 19 is stopped, the tilting mechanism 18 tilts the water tray 12 to the open position, and after substantially all of the rinsing water in the ice-making water tank 13 is discharged through the siphon tube 31, the tilting mechanism 18 returns the water tray 12 to the closed position to end the rinsing process. The rinsing process is repeated a preset number of times, and when the set number of times is reached, the operation in the cleaning mode is ended.

[0035] [Function of Example 1] Next, the operation of the ice making machine according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0036] [If residual ice making water remains in the ice making water tank] During the ice-making process of the ice maker, the water tray 12 is in a closed position that closes the ice-making section 11 from below, and the ice-making water tank 13 is held in a closed position, as shown in Fig. 1. When the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the inner upper end of the bent portion 32 of the siphon tube 31 is located at a position higher than the first specified water level L1 of the ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13 that is defined by the overflow pipe 25. Therefore, the inside of the siphon tube 31 is not filled with ice-making water to cause a siphon action, and the ice-making water is stored in the ice-making water tank 13 up to the first specified water level L1 defined by the overflow pipe 25 at the start of the ice-making process. The ice-making process is performed with water tray 12 facing the closed position, and when the temperature sensor detects that ice blocks have been produced in ice-making chamber 11a, the ice-making process is terminated and the process moves to the de-icing process, and water tray 12 is tilted toward the open position by tilting mechanism 18, and when detection means 21 detects that water tray 12 is in the open position, tilting mechanism 18 stops, and water tray 12 is stopped and held in the open position as shown in Figure 2. When water tray 12 tilts from the closed position to the open position, the ice-making water in ice-making water tank 13 is drained into drain pan 24 via overflow pipe 25, and when water tray 12 is in the open position, ice-making water (residual ice-making water) remains in ice-making water tank 13 up to the second specified water level L2. Furthermore, when the water tray 12 is in the open position, the inner upper end of the bent portion 32 in the siphon tube 31 is located at a position higher than the second specified water level L2 of the ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13 defined by the overflow pipe 25. Therefore, the inside of the siphon tube 31 is not filled with residual ice-making water to cause a siphon action, and the residual ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13 is not discharged to the outside by the siphon tube 31.

[0037] While the water tray 12 is stopped in the open position, the deicing process proceeds, and the ice blocks removed from each ice making chamber 11a slide down the top surface of the water tray 12 and are discharged toward the ice storage chamber 10a. When the temperature sensor detects that all the ice blocks have fallen from the ice making section 11, the tilting mechanism 18 tilts the water tray 12 toward the closed position. When the water tray 12 starts to tilt from the open position toward the closed position, the control means 36 opens the water supply valve 23 to supply water to the ice making water tank 13 as ice making water to be used in the next ice making process, and starts counting the water supply timer 37. When the detection means 21 detects the closed position of the water tray 12, the tilting mechanism 18 stops, the water tray 12 is stopped and held in the closed position, and the ice making process begins again. When the water supply timer 37 counts the first water supply time T1, the control means 36 closes the water supply valve 23 to stop water supply. As a result, the ice making process is carried out in a state where ice making water is stored in the ice making water tank 13 of the ice making mechanism 14 up to the first specified water level L1.

[0038] [When there is no remaining ice making water in the ice making water tank] In the ice making machine of the first embodiment, if a predetermined amount of ice making residual water remains in the ice making water tank 13 during the deicing process and the ice making residual water is repeatedly reused as ice making water for the next time, problems due to impurities will occur, so after the ice making cycle is repeated a preset number of times, a total discharge deicing process is executed in which almost all of the ice making residual water is discharged. That is, in the total discharge deicing process, while the water tray 12 is held in the open position, the control means 36 opens the water supply valve 23 to supply water from the water supply pipe 22 to the ice making water tank 13. When water is supplied to the ice making water tank 13, the water level in the tank rises, and when it exceeds the second specified water level L2, the ice making residual water is discharged to the outside from the overflow pipe 25, but since the amount of ice making residual water discharged from the overflow pipe 25 per unit time is less than the amount of water supplied from the water supply pipe 22 per unit time, the water level in the ice making water tank 13 rises above the second specified water level L2. When the water level in the ice-making water tank 13 rises to the operating water level L3, the inside of the siphon tube 31 is filled with residual ice-making water, and a siphon action occurs, causing the residual ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13 to be discharged to the outside through the siphon tube 31.

[0039] In the full discharge deicing process, when the water supply timer 37, which starts counting when the water supply from the water supply pipe 22 starts, counts the second water supply time T2, the control means 36 closes the water supply valve 23 to stop the water supply. Even if the water supply is stopped, the discharge of the remaining ice-making water continues due to the siphon action of the siphon tube 31. Since the inlet 31a of the siphon tube 31 communicates with the inside of the ice-making water tank 13 at the lowest position in the tank when the ice-making water tank 13 is in the open position, the remaining ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13 is discharged almost entirely by the siphon tube 31. Note that when moving from the full discharge deicing process to the ice-making process, the water supply time is set so that the amount of water supplied from the water supply pipe 22 to the ice-making water tank 13 is greater than the amount in the normal deicing process in which the remaining ice-making water remains in the ice-making water tank 13, and the ice-making water is stored in the ice-making water tank 13 at the first specified water level L1 at the start of the ice-making process after the full discharge deicing process.

[0040] In the ice making machine of Example 1, in the washing process and rinsing process in the washing mode, as in the full discharge de-icing process, water is supplied to the ice making water tank 13 while the water tray 12 is held in the open position, and the water level (liquid level) in the tank is raised to the operating water level L3, so that almost all of the chemical solution and rinsing water remaining in the ice making water tank 13 can be discharged via the siphon tube 31. In the ice making machine of the first embodiment, when the machine is started after a long period of machine stop or when the ice making cycle by the ice making mechanism 14 is stopped by detecting that the ice storage chamber 10a is full, water is supplied to the ice making water tank 13 with the water tray 12 held in the open position, as in the full discharge deicing process, and the water level (liquid level) in the tank is raised to the operating water level L3, and the ice making residual water remaining in the ice making water tank 13 is substantially completely discharged through the siphon tube 31. This prevents the ice making residual water that has been stored in the ice making water tank 13 for a long period of time from being discharged or the ice making cycle from being stopped with the ice making residual water remaining in the ice making water tank 13, which is hygienic. The full discharge control for discharging substantially all of the ice making residual water remaining in the ice making water tank 13 may be performed when the full state of the ice storage chamber 10a is resolved and the ice making cycle by the ice making mechanism 14 is resumed.

[0041] In the ice making machine of the first embodiment, in the configuration in which a predetermined amount of ice-making residual water is left in the deicing process and reused by the overflow pipe 25, the ice-making residual water is configured to be discharged almost entirely by the siphon tube 31, so that it is possible to suppress the waste of energy by reusing the ice-making residual water cooled to nearly 0°C in the ice-making process, while preventing the occurrence of problems such as clogging caused by impurities due to continued reuse of the ice-making residual water. Also, since the existing water supply pipe 22 and water supply valve 23 are used as the introduction means IC1 that generates a siphon action in the siphon tube 31, the number of parts does not increase, the configuration does not become complicated, and the manufacturing cost does not rise.

[0042] Here, if a detection means, such as a float type or electrode type, whose detection unit contacts the ice-making water, is used as a means for controlling the water supply valve 23 to raise the water level in the ice-making water tank 13 to the operating water level L3, impurities will adhere to the detection unit over time, causing malfunctions, etc., resulting in a problem of false detection or inability to detect the water level in the ice-making water tank 13. In contrast, in the first embodiment, the water supply valve 23 is controlled by the water supply timer 37, so there is no problem associated with a configuration using a float type or electrode type detection means. In addition, since the water supply timer 37 is an existing timer provided to store a predetermined amount of ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13 in the ice-making process, there is no increase in manufacturing costs due to the provision of a dedicated part for control. In addition, in the ice maker of the first embodiment, the ice-making water tank 13 can be configured to discharge almost all of the remaining ice-making water, etc., without changing the structure of the ice-making water tank 13, only by changing the overflow pipe 25 to a configuration capable of connecting the siphon tube 31, so that an increase in manufacturing costs can be suppressed. Also, since siphon tube 31 can be attached and detached from overflow pipe 25 by the simple configuration of attaching attachment part 35 to connecting part 29, siphon tube 31 can be easily removed without using tools when cleaning or replacing siphon tube 31. Also, when the ice-making machine is installed in a restaurant or the like, a function of discharging almost all of the residual water in the ice-making machine can be easily added by simply replacing overflow pipe 25 on-site.

[0043] In the ice making machine of the first embodiment, in order to reduce the amount of residual ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank 13 during the deicing process, the posture of the overflow pipe 25 may be changed from the state shown in Fig. 1 to a low residual posture in which the outlet 27a faces downward. In this state, when the water tray 12 is tilted to the open position, the outlet 27a of the overflow pipe 25 faces upward in the open position as in the first embodiment, and the bent portion 32 is located at the highest position of the siphon tube 31, so that residual ice-making water remains in the ice-making water tank 13 at a water level determined by the lower end 27b of the outlet 27a, and the operating water level at which the siphon action occurs in the siphon tube 31 is higher than the water level determined by the lower end 27b of the outlet 27a. In contrast, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the outlet 27a of the overflow pipe 25 faces downward, and the level of the ice-making water stored in the ice-making water tank 13 in the closed position is determined by the inlet 26a of the overflow pipe 25. In this case, the inlet 31a of the siphon tube 31 is located at the highest position in the siphon tube 31, and the inlet 31a is located at a higher position than the inner lower end of the inlet 26a of the overflow pipe 25. In other words, when the overflow pipe 25 is in the low residual position, the operating water level (operating liquid level) above the inner upper end of the inlet 31a at which the siphon action occurs in the siphon tube 31 is located at a higher position than the water level in the ice-making water tank 13 determined by the inlet 26a of the overflow pipe 25. In other words, the operating water level (operating liquid level) at which siphon action occurs in siphon tube 31 needs to be equal to or higher than the liquid level in ice-making water tank 13, as determined by outlet 27a and inlet 26a, which function as outlets in overflow pipe 25 that determine the water level of residual ice-making water to be left in ice-making water tank 13, regardless of the posture of overflow pipe 25.

[0044] Next, other embodiments of the ice maker (embodiments 2 to 4 and other embodiments) will be described, focusing only on the configurations that differ from embodiment 1. Note that the same members as in embodiment 1 will be given the same reference numerals. EXAMPLES

[0045] 5 to 8 show an ice-making mechanism of an ice-making machine according to a second embodiment. The siphon means SF2 of the second embodiment is composed of a first siphon tube 41 connected to the overflow pipe 25 and disposed outside the ice-making water tank 13, and a second siphon tube 42 connected in communication with the first siphon tube 41 and disposed inside the ice-making water tank 13. The first siphon tube 41 is different from the siphon tube 31 of the first embodiment only in the shape of the second pipe portion 34, and the other configurations are the same. The second pipe portion 34 is formed so as to extend downward from the bent portion 32 and then bent toward the pivot side of the water tray 12 so as to extend substantially along the outer bottom surface of the ice-making water tank 13. The second siphon tube 42 is configured so that one end in the extending direction is inserted into the connecting portion 29 of the overflow pipe 25 and communicates with the first siphon tube 41. In the siphon means SF2 of the second embodiment, the inlet 42a, which is the end opening on the other end side of the second siphon tube 42, serves as the inlet of the siphon means SF2, and the outlet 31b of the second pipe portion 34 of the first siphon tube 41 serves as the outlet of the siphon means SF2.

[0046] 5 and 6, the ice-making water tank 13 is formed so that the pivot side of the water tray 12 is the deepest when the water tray 12 is in the closed position (closed posture of the ice-making water tank 13), and this deepest part is provided with an inlet 39 (see FIG. 8) of the circulation pump 19 that sends ice-making water to the water tray 12. The bottom of the ice-making water tank 13 is formed so as to slope downward from the side opposite the pivot side toward the deepest part when in the closed posture, and the through hole 28a of the attachment part 28 opens close to an inner bottom surface 40 on the upper end side of the slope of the bottom. The second siphon tube 42 extends along the inner bottom surface 40 of the ice-making water tank 13, and is positioned so that the inlet 42a faces the deepest part of the ice-making water tank 13. That is, inlet 42a of second siphon tube 42 (inlet of siphon means SF2) opens at the lowest position within ice-making water tank 13 when water tray 12 is in the closed position. Also, outlet 31b of first siphon tube 41 is set to be located at a position lower than inlet 42a of second siphon tube 42 when water tray 12 is in the closed position (closed posture of ice-making water tank 13). Both first siphon tube 41 and second siphon tube 42 are made of soft synthetic resin or rubber, and are configured to be easily attached and detached to and from the connection portion 29 of the siphon tubes 41, 42. Also, the inner diameter of second siphon tube 42 is set according to the required discharge capacity of ice-making water, etc.

[0047] [Function of Example 2] Next, the operation of the ice making machine according to the second embodiment, which differs from that of the first embodiment, will be described in detail.

[0048] In the ice making machine of Example 2, the positional relationship between bent portion 32 of first siphon tube 41 and lower end 27b of outlet 27a of overflow pipe 25 in the closed and open positions of water tray 12 is the same as in Example 1. That is, in the ice making machine of Example 2 as well, when water tray 12 is in the closed position, ice making water can be stored in ice making water tank 13 up to first specified water level L1 to perform the ice making process, and when water tray 12 is tilted to the open position in the de-icing process, residual ice making water can remain in ice making water tank 13 up to second specified water level L2.

[0049] In the ice making machine of the second embodiment, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position (the ice making water tank 13 is in the closed position), substantially all of the ice making water can be discharged from the ice making water tank 13. That is, when shifting from the de-icing process to the ice making process, the amount of water supplied from the water supply pipe 22 to the ice making water tank 13 is controlled, and the water level in the ice making water tank 13 is raised to an operating water level (operating liquid level) L4 (higher than the first specified water level L1 specified by the overflow pipe 25) above the inner upper end of the bent portion 32 of the first siphon tube 41 while the water tray 12 is held in the closed position as shown in Fig. 5, whereby the siphon action occurs in the siphon means SF2. The inlet 42a of the siphon means SF2 of the second embodiment faces the deepest part of the ice making water tank 13 in the closed position, so that substantially all of the ice making water stored in the ice making water tank 13 after the water supply from the water supply pipe 22 is stopped can be discharged by the siphon action of the siphon means SF2. The amount of water supplied to the ice making water tank 13 can be easily controlled by setting the water supply time counted by the water supply timer 37.

[0050] In the ice-making machine of the second embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained by the ice-making machine of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. When the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the ice-making water and the like stored in the ice-making water tank 13 can be almost entirely discharged, so that the process of tilting the water tray 12 between the closed position and the open position to discharge the chemical liquid and the rinsing water in the ice-making water tank 13 during each washing step and rinsing step in the washing mode can be omitted, and the time required for the washing mode can be shortened. That is, after the washing time in the washing step or the rinsing time in the rinsing step has elapsed, the circulation pump 19 is stopped and the water tray 12 is held in the closed position, and the water supply valve 23 is opened to supply water from the water supply pipe 22 to the ice-making water tank 13 until the water level (liquid level) in the tank reaches the operating water level L4, and then the operation is stopped. As a result, the chemical liquid and the rinsing water in the ice-making water tank 13 can be almost entirely discharged by the siphon action of the siphon means SF2.

[0051] In addition, in the cleaning mode, in a configuration in which the water tray 12 is tilted to the open position to drain the chemical liquid in the ice-making water tank 13, there is a possibility that the chemical liquid adhering to the opened ice-making section 11 may drip into ice storage chamber 10a, but in the ice maker of embodiment 2, the chemical liquid can be drained while keeping ice-making section 11 closed by water tray 12, so it is possible to prevent the chemical liquid adhering to ice-making section 11 from dripping into ice storage chamber 10a. Also, since ice-making water tank 13 is not tilted, there is no risk of the chemical liquid splashing into ice storage chamber 10a from ice-making water tank 13 while it is tilted. In addition, in Example 2 as well, the operating water level (operating liquid level) at which siphon action occurs when the overflow pipe 25 is in the low residual position only needs to be set at the highest position of the siphon tube 31 (the connection between the first siphon tube 41 and the second siphon tube 42 in Example 2) higher than the liquid level in the ice making water tank 13 defined by the inlet 26a of the overflow pipe 25. EXAMPLES

[0052] 9 to 13 show an ice-making mechanism of an ice-making machine of a third embodiment, and the siphon means SF3 of the third embodiment is composed of a first siphon tube 43 arranged outside the ice-making water tank 13, a second siphon tube 44 connected to the first siphon tube 43 and partly arranged inside the ice-making water tank 13, and a connecting pipe 45 connecting both siphon tubes 43, 44. The connecting pipe 45 is a T-shaped tee made of a first pipe body 45a extending linearly and a second pipe body 45b extending outward from the middle of the first pipe body 45a in the extending direction, and one end of the first siphon tube 43 in the extending direction is connected to one end of the first pipe body 45a, and one end of the second siphon tube 44 in the extending direction is connected to the other end of the first pipe body 45a. The siphon means SF3 of the third embodiment is attached to the ice-making water tank 13 with the second siphon tube 44 extending from the connecting pipe 45 inserted into the ice-making water tank 13 through the chemical injection port 13a of the ice-making water tank 13. Similarly to the second embodiment, the second siphon tube 44 is configured such that the portion located inside the tank extends along the inner bottom surface 40 of the ice-making water tank 13 toward the deepest part, and the inlet 44a, which is the end opening on the other end side, opens at the deepest part. That is, the inlet 44a of the second siphon tube 44 opens at the lowest position inside the ice-making water tank 13 when the water tray 12 is in the closed position.

[0053] 9, the first siphon tube 43 is formed so as to extend downward from the connecting pipe 45 and then bent towards the pivot side of the water tray 12 to extend substantially along the outer bottom surface of the ice-making water tank 13, and an outlet 43a which is an end opening on the other end side of the first siphon tube 43 is configured to open at a lower position than the inlet 44a of the second siphon tube 44. In the siphon means SF3 of the third embodiment, the inlet 44a of the second siphon tube 44 serves as the inlet of the siphon means SF3, and the outlet 43a of the first siphon tube 43 serves as the outlet of the siphon means SF3. Moreover, the siphon means SF3 of Example 3 is configured such that the connecting pipe 45 is located at the highest position in the siphon means SF3, and is located above the lower end 27b of outlet 27a in overflow pipe 25 (first specified water level L1 and second specified water level L2 defined by overflow pipe 25) in both the closed and open positions of the water tray 12. The first siphon tube 43 and the second siphon tube 44 are both made of soft synthetic resin or rubber, and the siphon tubes 43, 44 are configured to be easily attached to and detached from the connecting pipe 45.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 9 to Fig. 13, the siphon means SF3 of the third embodiment is connected to an introduction means IC2 that introduces a liquid into the siphon means SF3 and fills the inside with the liquid to generate a siphoning action. The introduction means IC2 is a water supply means consisting of a water valve 46 whose inlet 46a is connected to a water source (not shown) and a water supply tube 47 whose one end is connected to the outlet 46b of the water valve 46 and whose other end is connected to the second pipe body 45b of the connection pipe 45, and is configured to supply water from the water source to the inside of the siphon means SF3 by opening the water valve 46. The inner diameter, length, etc. of the first siphon tube 43 and the second siphon tube 44 are set so that the inside of the siphon means SF3 is filled with water when water is supplied from the water supply tube 47. The water supply tube 47 is made of soft synthetic resin or rubber, and is adapted to be movable relative to the water valve 46 arranged and fixed to the mounting member 15 in accordance with the tilting movement of the ice-making water tank 13 between the closed position and the open position.

[0055] In the ice making machine according to the third embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, when the water tray 12 is in the open position, the inside of the siphon means SF3 is filled with water, and the water level in the siphon means SF3 is set to an operating water level (operating liquid level) L5 that is equal to or higher than the inner upper end of the first pipe 45a, so that the siphon action can be generated in the siphon means SF3. Also, as shown in Fig. 9, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the inside of the siphon means SF3 is filled with water, and the water level in the siphon means SF3 is set to an operating water level (operating liquid level) L6 that is equal to or higher than the inner upper end of the first pipe 45a, so that the siphon action can be generated in the siphon means SF4. In a configuration in which the inner diameter, length, etc. of each siphon tube 43, 44 are set so that the inside is filled with water when water is supplied as in Example 3, water is filled from top to bottom when water is supplied from water supply tube 47, and no upward water surface exists in siphon means SF3, but in Example 3, the positions of the water at the inner upper end of first tubular body 45a are referred to as operating water levels L5, L6 that generate the siphon action. The operating water levels L5, L6 are set to be located above the lower end 27b of outlet 27a in overflow pipe 25 (the liquid level in ice-making water tank 13 determined by overflow pipe 25).

[0056] Next, the operation of the ice-making machine according to the third embodiment, which differs from that of the first and second embodiments, will be described in detail.

[0057] 9 and 11, in the ice making machine of the third embodiment, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position and the open position, the connection pipe 45 of the siphon means SF3 is located at a position higher than the lower end 27b of the outlet 27a of the overflow pipe 25. Therefore, in the ice making machine of the third embodiment as well, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the ice making process can be carried out by storing ice making water in the ice making water tank 13 up to the first specified water level L1, and when the water tray 12 is tilted to the open position in the de-icing process, the residual ice making water can remain in the ice making water tank 13 up to the second specified water level L2.

[0058] In the ice making machine of the third embodiment, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the water valve 46 is opened to supply water to the siphon means SF3 in order to discharge almost all of the ice making water stored in the ice making water tank 13. When the inside of the siphon means SF3 is filled with the supplied water up to the operating water level L6, the siphon action occurs. Since the outlet 43a of the first siphon tube 43 is located lower than the inlet 44a of the second siphon tube 44, when the water valve 46 is closed to stop the supply of water, the ice making water in the ice making water tank 13 is discharged through the siphon means SF3 by the siphon action. Since the inlet 44a of the second siphon tube 44 opens at the deepest part of the ice making water tank 13 in the closed position of the water tray 12, the ice making water in the ice making water tank 13 can be discharged almost entirely.

[0059] When the water tray 12 is in the open position and residual ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank 13 is to be discharged, the water valve 46 is opened to supply water to the siphon means SF3, in the same manner as when substantially all of the ice-making water, etc. in the tank is discharged in the closed position. When the inside of the siphon means SF3 is filled up to the operating water level L5 with the supplied water, a siphon action occurs, and substantially all of the residual ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13 can be discharged by the siphon means SF3.

[0060] In the ice making machine of the third embodiment, the water valve 46 is opened to supply water to the siphon means SF3 to generate the siphon action, so that the ice making water, the remaining ice making water, or the chemical solution and the rinsing water in the ice making water tank 13 can be almost entirely discharged at any time, regardless of the attitude of the ice making water tank 13 or the amount of ice making water or the remaining ice making water in the tank. In addition, since the chemical solution and the rinsing water in the ice making water tank 13 can be almost entirely discharged when the ice making water tank 13 is in the closed attitude, the tilting process of the water tray 12 in the cleaning mode can be omitted, and the chemical solution can be prevented from scattering in the ice storage chamber 10a, as in the ice making machine of the second embodiment. In addition, since the siphon action is generated by directly supplying water to the siphon means SF3, the amount of water required to generate the siphon action can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the water level in the ice making water tank 13 is set to the operating water level. EXAMPLES

[0061] 14 to 18 show an ice-making mechanism of an ice-making machine of Example 4, and the siphon means SF4 of Example 4 is composed of a first siphon tube 48 arranged outside the ice-making water tank 13, a second siphon tube 49 arranged inside the ice-making water tank 13, and a drain valve 50 that connects the first and second siphon tubes 48, 49. The drain valve 50 has an inflow portion 50a that is inserted into the connection portion 29 of the overflow pipe 25 from the outside, and one end of the second siphon tube 49 in the extending direction is connected to the inflow portion 50a inside the overflow pipe 25. The second siphon tube 49 extends along the inner bottom surface 40 of the ice-making water tank 13 toward the deepest part, as in Example 2, and is configured so that an inlet 49a, which is an end opening on the other end side, opens at the deepest part.

[0062] One end of the first siphon tube 48 in the extending direction is connected to the outflow portion 50b of the drain valve 50, and the first siphon tube 48 is formed to extend from the connection portion with the outflow portion 50b so as to substantially follow the outer bottom surface of the ice making water tank 13 as shown in FIG. 14. Also, the outlet 48a which is the end opening on the other end side of the first siphon tube 48 is configured to open at a lower position than the inlet 49a of the second siphon tube 49. In the siphon means SF4 of the fourth embodiment, the inlet 49a of the second siphon tube 49 is the inlet of the siphon means SF4, and the outlet 48a of the first siphon tube 48 is the outlet of the siphon means SF4. Both the first siphon tube 48 and the second siphon tube 49 are made of a soft synthetic resin or rubber, and the siphon tubes 48, 49 are configured to be easily attached to and detached from the drain valve 50.

[0063] The drain valve 50 opens and closes a passage 50c through which liquid such as ice-making water flows between the inlet 49a and the outlet 48a of the siphon means SF4, and is configured to generate a siphon action in the siphon means SF4 when the passage 50c is opened by the drain valve 50. The siphon means SF4 of the fourth embodiment is configured such that the passage 50c connecting both siphon tubes 48, 49 in the drain valve 50 is located at the highest position in the siphon means SF4. In the ice making machine of the fourth embodiment, the water supply pipe 22, the water supply valve 23, and the drain valve 50 constitute an introduction means IC3 that introduces liquid such as ice-making water into the inside of the siphon means SF4.

[0064] In the ice making machine of Example 4, as shown in FIG. 14, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the internal upper end of the passage 50c, which is the highest position in the siphon means SF4, is located at a position higher than the first specified water level L1 defined by the overflow pipe 25 (outlet 27a in the illustrated example) in the closed position, and when the passage 50c is opened by the drain valve 50, the water level of the ice making water, etc. in the ice making water tank 13 is raised to an operating water level (operating liquid level) L8 that is higher than the internal upper end of the passage 50c, thereby generating a siphon action in the siphon means SF4. 15, in the ice making machine according to the fourth embodiment, when the water tray 12 is in the open position, the inner upper end of the passage 50c, which is the highest position in the siphon means SF4, is located at a position lower than the second specified water level L2 defined by the overflow pipe 25, and by closing the passage 50c by the drain valve 50, the inside of the siphon means SF4 is filled with the ice-making residual water in the ice-making water tank 13, and the siphon action does not occur, but by opening the passage 50c by the drain valve 50, the inside of the siphon means SF4 can be filled with the ice-making residual water, and the siphon action can occur. That is, the siphon means SF4 of the fourth embodiment is configured so that when the water tray 12 is in the open position, when the drain valve 50 closes the passage 50c and liquid such as the ice-making residual water is not introduced, the siphon action does not occur, but when the drain valve 50 opens the passage 50c and liquid such as the ice-making residual water is introduced, the siphon action can occur.

[0065] Next, the operation of the ice-making machine according to the fourth embodiment, which differs from that of the first and second embodiments, will be described in detail.

[0066] In the ice making machine of Example 4, by closing passage 50c with drain valve 50, when water tray 12 is in the closed position, ice making water can be stored in ice making water tank 13 up to a first specified water level L1 to perform the ice making process, and when water tray 12 is tilted to the open position during the de-icing process, residual ice making water can remain in ice making water tank 13 up to a second specified water level L2.

[0067] In the ice making machine of embodiment 4, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position shown in Fig. 14 and the ice making water etc. stored in the ice making water tank 13 is to be discharged almost entirely, the drain valve 50 opens the passage 50c and the water supply valve 23 is opened to supply water from the water supply pipe 22 to the ice making water tank 13. When the water level in the ice making water tank 13 exceeds the operating water level L8, the inside of the siphon means SF4 is filled with water and a siphon action occurs, so that if the water supply is stopped, the ice making water etc. in the ice making water tank 13 is thereafter almost entirely discharged via the siphon means SF4.

[0068] 15, when the water tray 12 is in the open position, the operating water level L7 which causes the siphon action in the siphon means SF4 is lower than the second specified water level L2 defined by the overflow pipe 25. Therefore, when draining substantially all of the residual ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank 13 in the open position, simply by opening the passage 50c with the drain valve 50, the inside of the siphon means SF4 is filled with the residual ice-making water remaining in the ice-making water tank 13 at the second specified water level L2, causing the siphon action, and substantially all of the residual ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13 is drained via the siphon means SF4.

[0069] In the ice making machine of the fourth embodiment, the drain valve 50 is configured to open and close the passage 50c to switch between a state in which the siphon action can be generated by the siphon means SF4 and a state in which the siphon action cannot be generated, so that in either the closed position (closed position of the ice making water tank) or the open position (open position of the ice making water tank) of the water tray 12, the amount of water supplied to the ice making water tank 13 and the opening and closing control of the drain valve 50 can be used to switch between a normal ice making process and a full discharge in which almost all of the ice making water and residual ice making water are discharged. In addition, since almost all of the chemical solution and rinsing water in the ice making water tank 13 can be discharged when the water tray 12 is in the closed position, as in the ice making machine of the second embodiment, the tilting process of the water tray 12 in the cleaning mode can be omitted and the chemical solution can be prevented from splashing into the ice storage chamber 10a.

[0070] During the ice-making process, unfrozen water that has not frozen in the ice-making chamber 11a falls from the return hole 12b into the ice-making water tank 13, causing the ice-making water stored in the ice-making water tank 13 to ripple. In this case, the level of the ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13, particularly at the beginning of the ice-making process, is located near the passage 50c of the drain valve 50 (the uppermost part of the siphon means SF4), so there is a risk that the ripples will cause the ice-making water to flow from the second siphon tube 49 to the first siphon tube 48, causing a siphon action. However, in the ice-making machine of the fourth embodiment, the siphon action can be prevented from occurring in the siphon means SF4 by closing the passage 50c with the drain valve 50. Therefore, even if the water level near the passage 50c becomes high due to rippling of the ice-making water in the early stage of the ice-making process, the inside of the siphon means SF4 will not be filled with ice-making water and a siphon effect will not occur, and it is possible to prevent the ice-making water from being unintentionally discharged from the ice-making water tank 13.

[0071] 19 and 20 show an ice-making mechanism of an ice-making machine according to another embodiment, in which siphon means SF5 of the other embodiment has the same structure as that of the fourth embodiment, but the position of the siphon means SF5 relative to the ice-making water tank 13 is different. That is, the siphon means SF5 of the other embodiment is configured such that a second siphon tube 49 connected to an inlet portion 50a of a drain valve 50 arranged on the outside (front side) of the ice-making water tank 13 is inserted into a hole drilled in the wall of the ice-making water tank 13 and drawn into the tank. The position of the passage 50c in the drain valve 50 arranged in the ice-making water tank 13 is set so as to be located below the lower end 27b of the outlet 27a of the overflow pipe 25 when the water tray 12 is in the open position and the closed position.

[0072] In the ice making machine according to another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 20, when the water tray 12 is in the open position, the water level of the ice making water remaining in the ice making water tank 13 is raised to an operating water level (operating liquid level) L9 that is equal to or higher than the inner upper end of the passage 50c, thereby causing the siphoning action in the siphon means SF5. Also, as shown in Fig. 19, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the water level of the ice making water in the ice making water tank 13 is raised to an operating water level (operating liquid level) L10 that is equal to or higher than the inner upper end of the passage 50c, thereby causing the siphoning action in the siphon means SF5. The operating water levels L9 and L10 are both set to be lower than the lower end 27b of the outlet 27a in the overflow pipe 25 (the first specified water level L1 and the second specified water level L2 that are specified by the overflow pipe 25).

[0073] In the ice making machine of the other embodiment, when the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the operating water level L10 is set to a position lower than the first specified water level L1 defined by the overflow pipe 25, so that when the ice making water and the like stored in the ice making water tank 13 is stored up to the first specified water level L1, the inside of the siphon means SF5 is filled with ice making water, a siphon action occurs, and the ice making water and the like in the ice making water tank 13 can be discharged substantially entirely. Also, in the washing step and rinsing step of the washing mode, if the liquid levels of the chemical solution and the rinsing water in the ice making water tank 13 are set to be higher than the operating water level L10 when the water tray 12 is in the closed position, the chemical solution and the rinsing water can be discharged substantially entirely by the siphon means SF5 without tilting the water tray 12, and the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained. In addition, when the water tray 12 is in the open position, the operating water level L9 is set at a position lower than the second specified water level L2 defined by the overflow pipe 25, so that substantially all of the remaining ice-making water can be drained by the siphon means SF5 simply by opening the passage 50c with the drain valve 50 without supplying water to the ice-making water tank 13.

[0074] In an ice making machine, the size of ice to be made may be changed, and conventionally, an overflow pipe 25 was arranged in the ice making water tank 13 so that an amount of ice making water suitable for making large-sized ice could be stored during the ice making process. For this reason, when making small-sized ice, there was a problem that a large amount of ice making water was discharged from the overflow pipe 25 during the de-icing process. In the ice making machine of another embodiment, the passage 50c of the siphon means SF5 is located at a position lower than the first specified water level L1 defined by the overflow pipe 25, so that by opening the passage 50c with the drain valve 50, the amount of ice making water that can be stored in the ice making water tank 13 during the ice making process can be changed. That is, the first specified water level L1 determined by the overflow pipe 25 is set to the amount of ice-making water stored when large-sized ice is produced, and the third specified water level L11 that can be determined at the lower end of the passage 50c of the siphon means SF5 is set to the amount of ice-making water stored when small-sized ice is produced, and the amount of water supplied from the water supply pipe 22 during the ice-making process is set to an amount appropriate for each size.

[0075] In another embodiment, large-sized ice can be produced by performing the ice-making process with the drain valve 50 closing the passage 50c and storing ice-making water in the ice-making water tank 13 up to the first specified water level L1. Also, small-sized ice can be produced by performing the ice-making process with the drain valve 50 opening the passage 50c and setting the water level in the ice-making water tank 13 to the third specified water level L11. That is, by simply opening and closing the passage 50c with the drain valve 50, an amount of ice-making water corresponding to the size of the ice to be produced can be stored in the ice-making water tank 13. Therefore, if the amount of water supplied to the ice-making water tank 13 in the ice-making process is set to an appropriate amount corresponding to the size of the ice, the amount of ice-making water discharged from the overflow pipe 25 when small-sized ice is produced can be prevented from becoming too large, and water can be saved.

[0076] [Example of change] The present application is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and other configurations may be appropriately adopted. In addition, the following modified examples may be combined with each other. (1) In medium-sized and large-sized ice-making machines, the ice-making water tank is large, so impurities tend to remain in a position far away from the outlet of the overflow pipe installed in the ice-making water tank. In the de-icing process, a dilution and discharge process is performed in which water is supplied from the water supply pipe to the ice-making water tank while the water tray is held in the open position, and the impurities are diluted and discharged. The water supply time in this dilution and discharge process is set to a time when the water level in the ice-making water tank does not reach the operating water level, but a configuration can be adopted in which the water level in the ice-making water tank can be raised to the operating water level by extending this time, thereby discharging all of the remaining ice-making water. In addition, in small-sized ice-making machines, the dilution and discharge process is not performed, but the dilution and discharge process may be performed and all of the remaining ice-making water may be discharged. (2) In the first, second and third embodiments, the siphon means is attached to the overflow pipe. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the siphon means is attached to a location other than the overflow pipe, for example, by drilling a hole in the wall of the ice-making water tank and attaching the siphon means directly to the tank. (3) In the second embodiment, the first siphon tube and the second siphon tube are separate bodies. However, the two siphon tubes may be integrated into one body. (4) In the third embodiment, the first siphon tube is drawn into the tank from the chemical injection port provided in the ice-making water tank, but the first siphon tube may be drawn into the tank at a different location. For example, a through hole may be provided in the upper wall of the water tray where the return hole is provided, and the first siphon tube may be drawn into the tank from the through hole. (5) The configurations of the individual embodiments may be combined with each other within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 11 Ice making section, 11a Ice making chamber (ice making chamber), 12 Water dish (ice making water supply section) 13 ice making water tank (ice making water supply section), 22 water supply pipe (introduction means, water supply means) 23 Water supply valve (introduction means, water supply means), 27a outlet (discharge port), 31a inlet 31b outlet, 42a inlet, 43a outlet, 46 water valve (water supply means) 47 water supply tube (water supply means), 48a inlet, 49a outlet, 50 drain valve 50c Passage, SF1, SF2, SF3, SF4 Siphon means IC1, IC2, IC3 introduction method L3, L4, L5, L6, L8 Working water level (working liquid level)

Claims

1. An ice making machine including an ice making section (11) defining an ice making chamber (11a) that opens on one side, and an ice making water supply section (12, 13) that can be changed in position between a closed position for closing the ice making chamber (11a) and an open position for opening the ice making chamber (11a) and that has an ice making water tank (13) capable of storing ice making water, a discharge port (27a) that is provided so as to be able to discharge liquid within the ice-making water tank (13) and that allows a predetermined amount of ice-making water to remain in the ice-making water tank (13) when the ice-making water supply unit (12, 13) is in an open position; siphon means (SF1, SF2) having an inlet (31a, 42a, 44a, 49a) communicating with the inside of the ice-making water tank (13) and an outlet (31b, 43a, 48a) opening outside the ice-making water tank (13) and capable of discharging liquid in the ice-making water tank (13) by siphon action; and an introduction means (IC1) for introducing a liquid into the inside of the siphon means (SF1, SF2), the siphon means (SF1, SF2) are configured such that, when the ice-making water supply section (12, 13) is in an open position, no siphon action occurs when no liquid is introduced by the introduction means (IC1), but a siphon action occurs when liquid is introduced by the introduction means (IC1); The introduction means (IC1) is a water supply means (22, 23) for supplying water to the ice-making water tank (13), The amount of water discharged per unit time through the discharge port (27a) is configured to be smaller than the amount of water supplied per unit time through the water supply means (22, 23). The ice maker is characterized by:

2. An ice making machine including an ice making section (11) defining an ice making chamber (11a) that opens on one side, and an ice making water supply section (12, 13) that can be changed in position between a closed position for closing the ice making chamber (11a) and an open position for opening the ice making chamber (11a) and that has an ice making water tank (13) capable of storing ice making water, a discharge port (27a) that is provided so as to be able to discharge liquid within the ice-making water tank (13) and that allows a predetermined amount of ice-making water to remain in the ice-making water tank (13) when the ice-making water supply unit (12, 13) is in an open position; siphon means (SF2, SF3, SF4) having an inlet (42a, 44a, 49a) communicating with the inside of the ice-making water tank (13) and an outlet (31b, 43a, 48a) opening outside the ice-making water tank (13) and capable of discharging liquid in the ice-making water tank (13) by siphon action; and introducing means (IC1, IC2, IC3) for introducing liquid into the inside of the siphon means (SF2, SF3, SF4), the siphon means (SF2, SF3, SF4) are configured such that, when the ice-making water supply unit (12, 13) is in an open position, no siphon action occurs when no liquid is introduced by the introduction means (IC1, IC2, IC3), and a siphon action occurs when liquid is introduced by the introduction means (IC1, IC2, IC3); The inlets (42a, 44a, 49a) of the siphon means (SF2, SF3, SF4) are configured to open at the lowest position in the ice-making water tank (13) when the ice-making water supply parts (12, 13) are in the closed position. The ice maker is characterized by:

3. An ice making machine including an ice making section (11) defining an ice making chamber (11a) that opens on one side, and an ice making water supply section (12, 13) that can be changed in position between a closed position for closing the ice making chamber (11a) and an open position for opening the ice making chamber (11a) and that has an ice making water tank (13) capable of storing ice making water, a discharge port (27a) that is provided so as to be able to discharge liquid within the ice-making water tank (13) and that allows a predetermined amount of ice-making water to remain in the ice-making water tank (13) when the ice-making water supply unit (12, 13) is in an open position; a siphon means (SF4) having an inlet (49a) communicating with the inside of the ice-making water tank (13) and an outlet (48a) opening outside the ice-making water tank (13) and capable of discharging liquid within the ice-making water tank (13) by siphon action; an introduction means (IC1, IC3) for introducing liquid into the inside of the siphon means (SF4); a drain valve (50) provided in the siphon means (SF4) and capable of opening and closing a passage (50c) through which liquid in the siphon means (SF4) flows, The siphon means (SF4) is configured such that, when the ice-making water supplying section (12, 13) is in an open position, no siphon action occurs when no liquid is introduced by the introducing means (IC1, IC3), and a siphon action occurs when liquid is introduced by the introducing means (IC1, IC3). The ice maker is characterized by:

4. An ice making machine including an ice making section (11) defining an ice making chamber (11a) that opens on one side, and an ice making water supply section (12, 13) that can be changed in position between a closed position for closing the ice making chamber (11a) and an open position for opening the ice making chamber (11a) and that has an ice making water tank (13) capable of storing ice making water, a discharge port (27a) that is provided so as to be able to discharge liquid within the ice-making water tank (13) and that allows a predetermined amount of ice-making water to remain in the ice-making water tank (13) when the ice-making water supply unit (12, 13) is in an open position; siphon means (SF1, SF2, SF3, SF4) having an inlet (31a, 42a, 44a, 49a) communicating with the inside of the ice-making water tank (13) and an outlet (31b, 43a, 48a) opening outside the ice-making water tank (13) and capable of discharging liquid in the ice-making water tank (13) by siphon action; and introducing means (IC1, IC2, IC3) for introducing liquid into the inside of the siphon means (SF1, SF2, SF3, SF4), The inlets (31a, 42a, 44a, 49a) of the siphon means (SF1, SF2, SF3, SF4) open at a position lower than the discharge opening (27a) when the ice making water supply parts (12, 13) are in an open position, The siphon means (SF1, SF2, SF3, SF4) have operating liquid levels (L3, L5) at which a siphon action occurs when liquid is introduced by the introduction means (IC1, IC2, IC3) that are set higher than the liquid level (L2) of the liquid in the ice-making water tank (13) defined by the discharge port (27a) when the ice-making water supply section (12, 13) is in an open position. An ice maker characterized by:

5. The introduction means (IC1) is a water supply means (22, 23) for supplying water to the ice-making water tank (13), 5. The ice making machine according to claim 4, wherein an amount of water discharged per unit time through said discharge port (27a) is smaller than an amount of water supplied per unit time by said water supply means (22, 23).

6. 6. The ice making machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the inlets (42a, 44a, 49a) of the siphon means (SF2, SF3, SF4) are configured to open at the lowest position in the ice making water tank (13) when the ice making water supply sections (12, 13) are in a closed position.

7. The ice making machine according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a drain valve (50) provided in the siphon means (SF4) and capable of opening and closing a passage (50c) through which liquid in the siphon means (SF4) flows.

8. An ice making machine including an ice making section (11) defining an ice making chamber (11a) that opens on one side, and an ice making water supply section (12, 13) that can be changed in position between a closed position for closing the ice making chamber (11a) and an open position for opening the ice making chamber (11a) and that has an ice making water tank (13) capable of storing ice making water, a discharge port (27a) that is provided so as to be able to discharge liquid within the ice-making water tank (13) and that allows a predetermined amount of ice-making water to remain in the ice-making water tank (13) when the ice-making water supply unit (12, 13) is in an open position; a siphon means (SF3) having an inlet (44a) communicating with the inside of the ice-making water tank (13) and an outlet (43a) opening outside the ice-making water tank (13) and capable of discharging liquid in the ice-making water tank (13) by siphon action; a water supply means (46, 47) connected to the siphon means (SF3) for directly supplying water to the inside of the siphon means (SF3), When the ice-making water supplying section (12, 13) is in a closed position or an open position, water is supplied to the inside of the siphon means (SF3) by the water supplying means (46, 47), so that a siphon action can be generated in the siphon means (SF3). The ice maker is characterized by:

Images