JPH0663679B2 - Ice guide structure of automatic ice maker - Google Patents

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 産業上の利用分野 この発明は、第１製氷室および傾動自在な第２製氷室を
備え、両製氷室の間で球状氷等の異形氷を製造する自動
製氷機において、その除氷運転に際し第１製氷室から落
下する氷塊群を、傾動姿勢にある第２製氷室により妨げ
ることなく貯氷庫へ円滑に案内することができ、しかも
製氷機内に氷案内部材の動作を許容するための大きなス
ペースを必要としない氷案内構造に関するものである。Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic ice-making machine that is provided with a first ice making chamber and a tiltable second ice making chamber, and produces irregularly shaped ice such as spherical ice between the two ice making chambers. , The ice blocks falling from the first ice making chamber during the deicing operation can be smoothly guided to the ice storage without being obstructed by the second ice making chamber in the tilted posture, and the operation of the ice guide member in the ice making machine can be performed. The present invention relates to an ice guide structure that does not require a large space for allowing.

従来技術 各種の産業分野で、サイコロ状の角氷や所要厚みの板氷
その他フレーク状の氷片等を大量に連続製造する自動製
氷機が、その用途に応じて好適に使い分けられている。
しかるに最近の喫茶店やレストラン等の飲食施設では、
同種営業に対し種々の面で優位に立って顧客を吸引する
べく、他社との差別化を図る懸命な努力が払われてい
る。その一環として、従来からの角氷に替えボール状
（球体状）の氷塊を使用して、顧客に目先の新しい変化
を提供する試みがなされている。2. Description of the Related Art In various industrial fields, an automatic ice-making machine for continuously producing a large amount of dice-shaped ice cubes, plate ice having a required thickness, and flake-shaped ice pieces is properly used according to its use.
However, in recent eating and drinking facilities such as coffee shops and restaurants,
Various efforts are being made to differentiate itself from other companies in order to attract customers with various advantages over similar sales. As part of this, attempts have been made to provide customers with new changes for the immediate future by using ball-shaped (spherical) ice blocks instead of conventional ice cubes.

そこで出願人は、このような動向に鑑み、透明な異形氷
を大量に製造し得る製氷機を新たに開発し、その基本構
造につき昭和６３年１月２９日付けで「自動製氷機」と
して特許出願（特開平２−１７６３８０号公報参照）を
行なうと共に、除氷運転に際し第１製氷室から落下する
氷塊を円滑に貯氷庫に案内し得る機構につき、同年１１
月２２日付けで「自動製氷機の氷案内構造」として特許
出願（特開平２−１４３０６９号公報参照）を行なっ
た。本発明は、後者の氷案内構造に関連して更に新たに
提案されるものであるので、基本的な理解に資するため
に、その基本構造を先ず説明する。Therefore, in view of such trends, the applicant newly developed an ice making machine capable of producing a large amount of transparent deformed ice, and patented its basic structure as an "automatic ice making machine" on January 29, 1988. Along with the application (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-176380), a mechanism capable of smoothly guiding the ice blocks falling from the first ice making chamber to the ice storage during the deicing operation was introduced in the same year 11
A patent application (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-143069) was filed as "ice guiding structure of automatic ice making machine" on the 22nd of March. Since the present invention is newly proposed in relation to the latter ice guiding structure, the basic structure will be first described in order to contribute to a basic understanding.

第８図は自動製氷機の氷案内構造を示す一部縦断側面図
であって、多数の球状氷を製造するための製氷室10は、
機内上方に水平に固定した第１製氷室11と、この第１製
氷室11を下方から傾動開閉可能な第２製氷室12とから構
成されている。熱良導性金属からなる第１製氷室11に
は、下向きに開口する半球状の第１製氷小室13が所要の
整列パターンで多数凹設されると共に、その上面に冷凍
系（図示せず）に接続する蒸発器14が蛇行配置されてい
る。FIG. 8 is a partially longitudinal side view showing the ice guiding structure of the automatic ice maker, and the ice making chamber 10 for producing a large number of spherical ice is
It comprises a first ice making chamber 11 fixed horizontally in the upper part of the machine, and a second ice making chamber 12 capable of tilting and opening the first ice making chamber 11 from below. In the first ice making chamber 11 made of a heat conductive metal, a large number of hemispherical first ice making small chambers 13 opening downward are provided in a recess in a required alignment pattern, and a refrigeration system (not shown) is provided on the upper surface thereof. The evaporator 14 connected to is arranged in a meandering manner.

熱良導性金属からなる第２製氷室12は、第１製氷室11の
直下に軸16を中心として傾動自在に枢支され、その上面
に半球状凹部からなる第２製氷小室15が上向きに所要の
整列パターンで多数凹設されている。そして製氷運転
時には、第２製氷室12は図示しないアクチュエータによ
り付勢されて第１製氷室11を下方から閉成し、両小室間
に球形の製氷空間を形成すると共に、除氷運転時に
は、第２製氷室12は斜め下方に傾動して、第１製氷室11
を開放するようになっている。The second ice making chamber 12 made of a heat conductive metal is pivotally supported directly below the first ice making chamber 11 about a shaft 16, and a second ice making chamber 15 made of a hemispherical concave portion is upwardly provided on the upper surface thereof. Many recesses are formed in a required alignment pattern. Then, during the ice making operation, the second ice making chamber 12 is biased by an actuator (not shown) to close the first ice making chamber 11 from below to form a spherical ice making space between the two small chambers, and at the time of deicing operation, 2 The ice making chamber 12 tilts obliquely downward, and the first ice making chamber 11
Is open.

この第２製氷室12の外底部には、両製氷小室13,15に製
氷水を供給する水皿38が一体的に固定され、また該水皿
38の各第２製氷小室15と対応する部位に噴水孔27が夫々
穿設されている。更に水皿38の外底部に製氷水供給路と
しての分配管24が蛇行配置され、この分配管24は前記噴
水孔27の夫々と対応的に連通している。また水皿38の下
方に製氷水タンク19が一体的に設けられ、分配管24は該
タンク19に圧力室23を介して連通している。そしてタン
ク19中の製氷水は、製氷運転に際しポンプ22により圧力
室23および分配管24を圧送され、噴水孔27を介して両製
氷小室13,15に噴射供給される。A water tray 38 for supplying ice making water to both ice making compartments 13 and 15 is integrally fixed to the outer bottom portion of the second ice making chamber 12, and the water tray 38 is also provided.
Fountain holes 27 are formed in the portions corresponding to the respective second ice making chambers 38 of 38. Further, a distribution pipe 24 serving as an ice making water supply passage is arranged in a meandering manner on the outer bottom portion of the water tray 38, and the distribution pipe 24 communicates with each of the fountain holes 27 correspondingly. An ice making water tank 19 is integrally provided below the water tray 38, and the distribution pipe 24 communicates with the tank 19 via a pressure chamber 23. Then, the ice making water in the tank 19 is pressure-fed through the pressure chamber 23 and the distribution pipe 24 by the pump 22 during the ice making operation, and is jet-supplied to both the ice making small chambers 13 and 15 through the fountain hole 27.

なお水皿38には、夫々の噴水孔27を挟んで２つの戻り孔
29,29が、第２製氷小室15の画成数に対応して穿設され
ている。これらの戻り孔29,29は、製氷運転に際し両製
氷小室13,15中で氷結するに到らなかった製氷水を、タ
ンク19に向け排出するべく機能する。The water tray 38 has two return holes with the fountain holes 27 in between.
29, 29 are provided corresponding to the number of partitions of the second ice making compartment 15. These return holes 29, 29 function to discharge the ice making water, which has not been frozen in the ice making small chambers 13, 15 during the ice making operation, toward the tank 19.

製氷水タンク19の下方には、製氷残水を機外へ排出する
排水皿69が配設され、該排水皿69の前方でかつ水平姿勢
にある第２製氷室12の斜め下方に固設した一対の支持部
材65上に、軸68を介して氷案内板67が枢支されている。
この氷案内板67は、前記水皿38の横幅寸法より僅かに短
かく設定した横幅寸法を有すると共に、第２製氷室12の
上面全体を覆い得る縦寸法に設定されている。なお氷案
内板67の上端部は、その製氷運転中において、筺体の縦
側板70に当接して位置決めされている。A drain tray 69 for discharging residual ice making water to the outside of the machine is disposed below the ice making water tank 19, and is fixed in front of the drain tray 69 and diagonally below the second ice making chamber 12 in a horizontal posture. An ice guide plate 67 is pivotally supported on a pair of support members 65 via a shaft 68.
The ice guide plate 67 has a width dimension set to be slightly shorter than the width dimension of the water tray 38, and is set to a vertical dimension capable of covering the entire upper surface of the second ice making chamber 12. The upper end of the ice guide plate 67 is positioned in contact with the vertical side plate 70 of the housing during the ice making operation.

前記氷案内板67の軸68に近接する部位には、例えば第８
図に示す如く、氷案内板67に対し角度θをもって反転レ
バー76が突設固定されている。この反転レバー76は、後
述する除氷運転に際し傾動する水皿38の両側部に夫々垂
下的に突設した押圧部材74の移動軌跡上に臨んでいる。
従って除氷運転に際し、枢軸16を支点として第２製氷室
12および水皿38が時計方向に傾動し、その押圧部材74が
反転レバー76に当接すると、該レバー76と共に氷案内板
67が反時計方向に回動する。そして押圧部材74が更に傾
動すると、氷案内板67は軸68の上方に延在する垂線Ｐよ
り左側に移動し、遂には傾斜姿勢にある第２製氷室12の
上面に倒れ込み、上方に開放する第２製氷小室15を塞ぐ
に到る。このため、第１製氷室11から落下する球氷は氷
案内板67の上面を滑落して、下方に位置する貯氷庫（図
示せず）へ円滑に案内される。For example, in the portion near the shaft 68 of the ice guide plate 67, the eighth
As shown in the figure, a reversing lever 76 is projectingly fixed to the ice guide plate 67 at an angle θ. The reversing lever 76 faces the movement locus of the pressing member 74 that projects downwardly from both sides of the water tray 38 that tilts during the deicing operation described later.
Therefore, in the deicing operation, the second ice making chamber with the pivot 16 as a fulcrum
When the 12 and the water tray 38 are tilted in the clockwise direction and the pressing member 74 thereof comes into contact with the reversing lever 76, the ice guide plate together with the lever 76.
67 rotates counterclockwise. Then, when the pressing member 74 further tilts, the ice guide plate 67 moves to the left of the vertical line P extending above the shaft 68, and finally falls down on the upper surface of the second ice making chamber 12 in the inclined posture and opens upward. The second ice making chamber 15 is closed. Therefore, the ball ice falling from the first ice making chamber 11 slides on the upper surface of the ice guide plate 67 and is smoothly guided to an ice storage (not shown) located below.

また除氷運転が完了して、第２製氷室12および水皿38が
枢軸16を中心に反時計方向に回動すると、第２製氷室12
の傾斜上面に倒れ込んでいた氷案内板67は、水皿38の先
端部により押圧されて軸68を中心に時計方向に旋回す
る。そして、氷案内板67が前記垂線Ｐより右側に傾斜す
ると、重心移動により氷案内板67は更に時計方向に回動
して前記縦側板70に当接して位置決めされる。When the deicing operation is completed and the second ice making chamber 12 and the water tray 38 rotate counterclockwise about the pivot 16, the second ice making chamber 12
The ice guide plate 67, which has fallen on the inclined upper surface of the, is pressed by the tip of the water tray 38 and turns clockwise about the shaft 68. When the ice guide plate 67 is inclined to the right of the perpendicular P, the ice guide plate 67 is further rotated clockwise due to the movement of the center of gravity to come into contact with the vertical side plate 70 to be positioned.

発明が解決しようとする課題 先に述べた氷案内構造は、比較的小さなタイプの自動製
氷機であれば、全く問題なく好適に実用に供し得るもの
であって、その点で高く評価し得るものである。しかし
郊外レストランや大宴会場を持つホテル等の如く、氷消
費量が一般に大きい飲食施設では、自動製氷機も大型化
し、製氷室の構造もそれに伴い大型となる。例えば、第
９図に示す如く、第１製氷小室13および第２製氷小室15
の数を増大させると、必然的に製氷室10の長手方向の寸
法も長大化することになる。このため第９図(a)に示す
ように、氷案内板67は、傾動姿勢にある第２製氷室12の
上面を完全にカバーし得なくなって、一部の氷塊が上方
に開放する第２製氷小室15に引掛かり、氷案内板部材と
しての役割を果さなくなると共に、第２製氷室12の水平
復帰時に両製氷室11,12間に氷塊を噛込む重大な支障を
来すことになる。DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention The ice guiding structure described above can be suitably put into practical use without any problem if it is a relatively small type automatic ice making machine, and can be highly evaluated in that respect. Is. However, in eating and drinking establishments that generally consume a large amount of ice, such as suburban restaurants and hotels with large banquet halls, the automatic ice-making machine becomes larger and the structure of the ice-making chamber becomes larger accordingly. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first ice making compartment 13 and the second ice making compartment 15
When the number of the ice making chambers is increased, the size of the ice making chamber 10 in the longitudinal direction is inevitably increased. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the ice guide plate 67 cannot completely cover the upper surface of the second ice making chamber 12 in the tilted posture, and a part of the ice blocks is opened upward. It will be caught in the small ice-making chamber 15 and will no longer serve as an ice guide plate member, and when the second ice-making chamber 12 is returned to the horizontal position, it will cause a serious obstacle to trap the ice blocks between the two ice-making chambers 11 and 12. .

このため第９図(b)に示すように、氷案内板67の寸法
を、第２製氷室12の上面を完全にカバーし得る大きさに
設定すると共に、第２製氷室12の傾動時における開放角
度を大きく稼ぐことが必要とされる。しかしこの場合
は、製氷機における内部スペースを、横方向および高さ
方向に大きく確保する必要があって筺体は容積的に更に
大型化する欠点がある。また氷案内板67を含む各部品等
の寸法も大型化し、製造コストの上昇を伴うことにな
る。Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), the size of the ice guide plate 67 is set to a size that can completely cover the upper surface of the second ice making chamber 12, and at the time of tilting of the second ice making chamber 12. It is necessary to earn a large opening angle. However, in this case, it is necessary to secure a large internal space in the ice making machine in the lateral direction and the height direction, and there is a drawback that the housing is further increased in volume. In addition, the size of each component including the ice guide plate 67 is increased, and the manufacturing cost is increased.

発明の目的 この発明は、前述した課題に鑑み、これを好適に解決す
るべく提案されたものであって、第１製氷室および傾動
自在な第２製氷室を備え、両製氷室の間で球状氷等の異
形状を製造する自動製氷機において、その除氷運転に際
し第１製氷室から落下する氷塊群を、傾動姿勢にある第
２製氷室により妨げることなく貯氷庫へ円滑に案内する
ことができ、しかも製氷機内に氷案内部材の動作を許容
するための大きなスペースを必要としない氷案内構造を
提供することを目的とする。OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is proposed that the first ice making chamber and the tiltable second ice making chamber are provided, and a spherical shape is provided between both ice making chambers. In an automatic ice maker for producing irregular shapes such as ice, a group of ice blocks falling from the first ice making chamber during the deicing operation can be smoothly guided to the ice storage without being obstructed by the second ice making chamber in the tilted posture. An object of the present invention is to provide an ice guide structure that can be formed and does not require a large space for allowing the operation of the ice guide member in the ice making machine.

課題を解決するための手段 前述した課題を克服し、所期の目的を好適に達成するた
め本発明は、機内に固定配置され、下方に開放する第１
製氷小室を多数画成した第１製氷室と、この第１製氷室
の直下に傾動自在に配設され、上方に開放する第２製氷
小室を多数画成した第２製氷室と、この第２製氷室の下
部に固定され、各第２製氷小室に対応する噴水孔と戻り
孔とを有する水皿と、この水皿の下方に一体的に設けた
製氷水タンクとからなり、製氷運転に際し前記タンク中
の製氷水を前記噴水孔から噴射して両製氷小室内に氷塊
を形成すると共に、未氷結水は前記戻り孔を介してタン
クに回収する自動製氷機において、前記第２製氷室の斜
め下方に枢支されて、常には氷塊の落下軌跡を遮ると共
に、除氷運転に伴い第２製氷室が第１製氷室から傾動し
た際に付勢されて該第２製氷室の上面に倒れ込み、第１
製氷室から落下するる氷塊を貯氷庫に案内する氷案内板
を備え、この氷案内板は複数の板片を屈曲自在にヒンジ
接続するよう構成したことを特徴とする。Means for Solving the Problems In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and preferably achieve an intended purpose, the present invention is fixedly arranged in a machine and opens downward.
A first ice making chamber defining a large number of ice making small chambers; a second ice making chamber defining a large number of second ice making small chambers that are tiltably arranged directly below the first ice making chamber and open upward; The water tray is fixed to the lower part of the ice making chamber and has a water jet hole and a return hole corresponding to each second ice making chamber, and an ice making water tank integrally provided below the water tray. In the automatic ice maker which sprays the ice making water in the tank from the fountain holes to form ice blocks in both ice making small chambers and collects the uniced water in the tanks through the return holes, It is pivotally supported downward and always blocks the falling locus of the ice blocks, and is biased when the second ice making chamber tilts from the first ice making chamber due to the deicing operation, and falls to the upper surface of the second ice making chamber, First
An ice guide plate for guiding the ice blocks falling from the ice making chamber to the ice storage is provided, and the ice guide plate is characterized in that a plurality of plate pieces are flexibly hinged.

この場合において、水皿の両側部にガイド部材を夫々配
設すると共に、前記氷案内板の開放端両側に前記ガイド
部材に滑動自在に位置させられる誘導片を形成し、第２
製氷室および水皿の傾動開放に伴い前記誘導片が前記ガ
イド部材に案内されつつ滑動して、前記氷案内板を第２
製氷室の上面に倒れ込ませるよう構成すれば一層好適で
ある。In this case, guide members are provided on both sides of the water tray, and guide pieces slidably positioned on the guide members are formed on both sides of the open end of the ice guide plate.
When the ice making chamber and the water tray are tilted and opened, the guide piece slides while being guided by the guide member, and the ice guide plate is moved to the second position.
It is more preferable to make it fall on the upper surface of the ice making chamber.

実施例 次に、本発明に係る自動製氷機の氷案内構造につき、好
適な実施例を挙げて、添付図面を参照しながら以下説明
する。なお、実施例に示す自動製氷機の基本構造は、第
８図および第９図に関して既に説明した通りであるか
ら、同一部材については同じ符号を示すに止める。Embodiments Next, the ice guiding structure of the automatic ice making machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to preferred embodiments. Since the basic structure of the automatic ice maker shown in the embodiment is as already described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the same members are designated by the same reference numerals.

第１図および第５図に示す如く、本実施例に係る氷案内
構造の主要部をなす氷案内板67は、２枚の平坦な金属製
または硬質合成樹脂製板材31,32から構成され、両板材3
1,32は適宜数の蝶板30によって、折曲自在にヒンジ接続
されている。この２枚の板材31，32における蝶板30を介
しての折曲方向は、第２図に示す如く、一方の基部側
となる板材32は右方向に倒れて、その先端を縦側板70に
当接させて休息し、他方の板材31は枢着点を中心とし
て左方向に倒れて、その先端を第２製氷室12の上面に休
息させるような角度に設定されている。As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the ice guide plate 67, which is the main part of the ice guiding structure according to the present embodiment, is composed of two flat metal or hard synthetic resin plate members 31, 32. Both plate materials 3
1, 32 are flexibly hingedly connected by an appropriate number of butterfly plates 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the bending direction of the two plate members 31 and 32 through the butterfly plate 30 is such that the plate member 32 on the one base side is tilted to the right, and the tip thereof is moved to the vertical side plate 70. The other plate member 31 is contacted and rested, and the other plate member 31 is tilted leftward about the pivot point so that its tip rests on the upper surface of the second ice making chamber 12.

氷案内板67における板材31の開放端付近の両側部には、
鍵状に下方に向け折曲する誘導片35,35が一体形成され
ており、各誘導片35は、当該氷案内板67を取付けた際
に、後述するガイド部材34のレール溝34aに位置し得る
ようになっている。なお氷案内板67の大きさは、第１図
から判明する如く、複数の板材31，32が第２製氷室12の
上面に倒れ込んだ状態において、その第２製氷小室15を
殆ど全てカバーし得る程度の寸法に設定されている。On both sides of the ice guide plate 67 near the open end of the plate material 31,
Guide pieces 35, 35 bent downward in a key shape are integrally formed, and each guide piece 35 is located in a rail groove 34a of a guide member 34 described later when the ice guide plate 67 is attached. I'm supposed to get it. Note that the size of the ice guide plate 67 can cover almost all of the second ice making chamber 15 in a state in which the plurality of plate members 31 and 32 are laid down on the upper surface of the second ice making chamber 12, as is clear from FIG. It is set to the size of the degree.

第２製氷室12と一体的に形成される前記水皿38の対向し
合う両側端部38a,38aには、例えばステンレス板を折曲
げ形成したレール状のガイド部材34,34が配設固定され
ている。すなわち両ガイド部材34,34は、第２製氷室12
の長手方向側面に沿って平行に延在しており、後述する
除氷運転に際して第２製氷室12および水皿38が傾動する
と、これら部材と一体的に傾動し得るようになってい
る。各ガイド部材34には、前記側端部38aに沿い長手方
向に延在するレール溝34aが凹設されており、このレー
ル溝34aに前記氷案内板67の各誘導片35が、滑動自在に
受け入れられる。Rail-shaped guide members 34, 34 formed by bending a stainless plate, for example, are disposed and fixed to opposite end portions 38a, 38a of the water tray 38 integrally formed with the second ice making chamber 12. ing. That is, the two guide members 34, 34 are connected to each other in the second ice making chamber 12
When the second ice making chamber 12 and the water tray 38 are tilted during the deicing operation described later, they can be tilted integrally with these members. Each guide member 34 is provided with a rail groove 34a extending in the longitudinal direction along the side end portion 38a, and each guide piece 35 of the ice guide plate 67 is slidably movable in the rail groove 34a. Accepted.

なお図示の実施例では、氷案内板67の先端両側部に誘導
片35,35を形成し、また水皿38の両側端部38a,38aにガイ
ド部材34,34を配設する構成としたが、これは本願発明
における必須の要件ではない。従ってこれら部材の配設
を省略して、第１０図に示すように、板材31における先
端開放部を第２製氷室12の上面に直接接触させるように
してもよい。しかしこのときは、第２製氷室12の上面に
氷39が残留していると、氷案内板67の開放端がこの残留
している氷39により阻止されて、円滑に動作しなくなる
おそれがある。また氷案内板67は、長期に亘る耐久性を
持たせるために、金属等の剛固で重量のある材料を材質
とするので、これが第２製氷室12の上面を移動すると該
上面の平滑度が損われることが懸念される。従って、氷
案内板67の円滑な移動動作を確保するために、前述の如
くガイド部材34および誘導片35を設ける構成としておく
のが好ましい。In the illustrated embodiment, guide pieces 35, 35 are formed on both sides of the tip of the ice guide plate 67, and guide members 34, 34 are arranged on both sides 38a, 38a of the water tray 38. However, this is not an essential requirement in the present invention. Therefore, the arrangement of these members may be omitted, and the open end of the plate member 31 may be brought into direct contact with the upper surface of the second ice making chamber 12, as shown in FIG. However, at this time, if the ice 39 remains on the upper surface of the second ice making chamber 12, the open end of the ice guide plate 67 may be blocked by the remaining ice 39 and the ice guide plate 67 may not operate smoothly. . Further, since the ice guide plate 67 is made of a rigid and heavy material such as metal in order to have durability for a long period of time, when the ice guide plate 67 moves on the upper surface of the second ice making chamber 12, the smoothness of the upper surface of the second ice making chamber 12 is increased. Is feared to be damaged. Therefore, in order to ensure the smooth movement of the ice guide plate 67, it is preferable to provide the guide member 34 and the guide piece 35 as described above.

なお、第１図に示す実施例では、氷案内板67は２枚の板
材31,32を蝶板30によりヒンジ接続したものであった
が、それ以外の構成として、第６図に示すように氷案内
板67を３枚の板材に分割して夫々ヒンジ接続する構成と
したり、第７図に示す如く氷案内板67を多数の板材で構
成し、これら多数の板材をヒンジ接続するようにしても
よいことは勿論である。In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ice guide plate 67 is one in which two plate members 31 and 32 are hingedly connected by a butterfly plate 30, but as another configuration, as shown in FIG. The ice guide plate 67 is divided into three plate members and hinge-connected to each other, or the ice guide plate 67 is composed of a large number of plate members as shown in FIG. 7, and these many plate members are hinge-connected. Of course, it is also good.

実施例の作用 次に、このように構成した実施例に係る氷案内構造につ
き、その使用の実際を説明する。第２図に示す製氷運転
状態において、第２製氷室12は水平に位置して第１製氷
室11を下方から閉成している。そして第１および第２製
氷小室13,15の間に形成される氷形成空間に、噴水孔27
を介して製氷水が噴射供給され、該空間中には徐々に球
状氷が形成される。また氷結するに到らなかった製氷水
は、水皿38の戻り孔29を介してタンク19に回収され、ポ
ンプ22により再循環に供される。Operation of Embodiment Next, the use of the ice guiding structure according to the embodiment thus configured will be described. In the ice making operation state shown in FIG. 2, the second ice making chamber 12 is positioned horizontally and the first ice making chamber 11 is closed from below. The fountain hole 27 is formed in the ice formation space formed between the first and second ice making chambers 13 and 15.
Ice-making water is jetted and supplied via the, and spherical ice is gradually formed in the space. Further, the ice-making water which has not been frozen is collected in the tank 19 through the return hole 29 of the water tray 38 and is recirculated by the pump 22.

このとき氷案内板67は、軸68を中心として第２図に示す
姿勢をとっている。すなわち基部側の板材32は、右方向
に倒れて縦側板70に当接して休息し、他方の板材31は蝶
板30により左方向に折曲されて、その先端に設けた両誘
導片35,35を、水平姿勢を保持している前記ガイド部材3
4の前方側レール溝34aに臨ませて休息している。また氷
案内板67に設けた反転レバー76は斜め左上方を指向し、
水皿38から垂下させた押圧部材74の移動軌跡に臨んでい
る。At this time, the ice guide plate 67 takes the posture shown in FIG. That is, the plate member 32 on the base side is tilted rightward and abuts the vertical side plate 70 to rest, and the other plate member 31 is bent leftward by the butterfly plate 30, and both guide pieces 35 provided at the tip thereof. 35 is the guide member 3 which holds the horizontal posture.
The front rail groove 34a of 4 is faced to rest. Also, the reversing lever 76 provided on the ice guide plate 67 points diagonally to the upper left,
It faces the movement trajectory of the pressing member 74 hung from the water tray 38.

製氷運転が完了して除氷運転に切換わると、外部水道系
から常温の水道水が水皿38に供給されて第２製氷室12を
加温する。これにより第２製氷小室15の内壁と球状氷と
の氷結が解除される。但し、第１製氷小室13の内壁と球
状氷との氷結は依然維持される。次いで所要のセンサが
適宜のタイミングで指令を出し、アクチュエータが付勢
されて第２製氷室12および水皿38を、軸16を中心として
時計方向に傾動させることにより、第１製氷室11は徐々
に開放される。この水皿38の傾動に伴い、第３図に示す
如く、押圧部材74がその移動軌跡に臨んでいる反転レバ
ー76を当接付勢するに到り、これにより氷案内板67は軸
68を中心として反時計方向に回動させられて、傾動中に
ある第２製氷室12の上方に徐々に倒れ込んでゆく。すな
わち、氷案内板67を構成する板材32が反時計方向に傾動
することにより、これにヒンジ接続した板材31も押し倒
されることになる。このとき、該板材32に設けた誘導片
35は、ガイド部材34におけるレール溝34aに沿って滑動
するので円滑な案内が達成される。When the ice making operation is completed and switched to the deicing operation, tap water at room temperature is supplied to the water tray 38 from the external water supply system to heat the second ice making chamber 12. As a result, the freezing of the inner wall of the second ice making chamber 15 and the spherical ice is released. However, the freezing of the inner wall of the first ice making chamber 13 and the spherical ice is still maintained. Then, the required sensor issues a command at an appropriate timing, and the actuator is energized to tilt the second ice making chamber 12 and the water tray 38 in the clockwise direction about the shaft 16, whereby the first ice making chamber 11 is gradually moved. Open to the public. With the tilting of the water tray 38, as shown in FIG. 3, the pressing member 74 abuts and biases the reversing lever 76 facing the movement locus thereof, whereby the ice guide plate 67 is pivoted.
It is rotated counterclockwise about 68 and gradually falls above the tilted second ice making chamber 12. That is, when the plate member 32 forming the ice guide plate 67 tilts in the counterclockwise direction, the plate member 31 hinge-connected to the plate member 32 is also pushed down. At this time, the guide piece provided on the plate member 32
Since 35 slides along the rail groove 34a in the guide member 34, smooth guidance is achieved.

そして、第２製氷室12および水皿38が完全に傾動し終え
ると、第４図に示す如く、氷案内板67は第２製氷室12の
上面に完全に倒れ込んで、全ての第２製氷小室15を殆ど
カバーすることになる。また、図示しない冷凍系での弁
切換えがなされて、第１製氷室11に設けた蒸発器14にホ
ットガスが供給され、この第１製氷室11は次第に加温さ
れる。これにより第１製氷小室13に付着している球状氷
は、室内壁面との氷結を解除されて自重で落下し、第２
製氷室12の上面をカバーしている氷案内板67を滑落して
図示しない貯氷庫に円滑に回収される。When the second ice making chamber 12 and the water tray 38 are completely tilted, the ice guide plate 67 completely falls down to the upper surface of the second ice making chamber 12 as shown in FIG. It will cover most of 15. Further, the valve is switched in a refrigerating system (not shown), hot gas is supplied to the evaporator 14 provided in the first ice making chamber 11, and the first ice making chamber 11 is gradually heated. As a result, the spherical ice adhered to the first ice making compartment 13 is released from the freezing of the interior wall surface and falls by its own weight.
The ice guide plate 67 covering the upper surface of the ice making chamber 12 is slid down and smoothly collected in an ice storage (not shown).

全ての球状氷が貯氷庫に回収されて除氷運転が終了する
と、前記アクチユエータが逆作動して、第２製氷室12お
よび水皿38を水平姿勢に復帰させて再び次の製氷運転を
待機する。このように水皿38が反時計方向への上昇を開
始すると、当該水皿38の先端部が一方の板材32を押圧し
て、該板材32を軸68を中心として時計方向に回動させ、
元の休息位置まで倒れ込ませる動作を行なう。これに伴
い、板材32にヒンジ接続された板材31も、その誘導片3
5,35をガイド部材34,34のレール溝34a,34a中で滑動させ
ながら前方へ引出され、再び第２図に示す姿勢に復帰し
て次の氷案内動作を待機する。When all the spherical ice pieces are collected in the ice storage and the deicing operation is completed, the actuator is reversely operated to return the second ice making chamber 12 and the water tray 38 to the horizontal posture and wait for the next ice making operation again. . Thus, when the water tray 38 starts to rise in the counterclockwise direction, the tip of the water tray 38 presses one plate member 32 to rotate the plate member 32 clockwise about the shaft 68,
Perform the action of falling to the original rest position. Along with this, the plate member 31 hingedly connected to the plate member 32 also has its guiding piece 3
While sliding 5, 35 in the rail grooves 34a, 34a of the guide members 34, 34, they are pulled out forward and returned to the posture shown in FIG. 2 again to wait for the next ice guiding operation.

発明の効果 以上に説明した如く、本発明に係る自動製氷機の氷案内
構造によれば、氷案内板を複数の板材で折曲自在にヒン
ジ接続する構成としたことにより、機内に要求されるス
ペースを極めて小さく抑えることができ、製氷機の大型
化を防止すると共に、製造コストを抑えることができ
る。また氷案内板の開放端部側に誘導片を夫々設けると
共に、水皿の両側面にガイド部材を夫々設け、該部材の
レール溝中に前記誘導片を滑動自在に臨ませるように構
成したことにより、氷案内板の動作を一層円滑化させる
ことができ、従って故障を生ずることなく好適な氷案内
作用を達成し得るものである。EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As described above, according to the ice guide structure of the automatic ice making machine of the present invention, the ice guide plate is hingedly connected by a plurality of plate members so that the ice guide plate is required in the machine. The space can be kept extremely small, the ice maker can be prevented from increasing in size, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, guide pieces are provided on the open end side of the ice guide plate, and guide members are provided on both side surfaces of the water tray so that the guide pieces are slidably faced in the rail grooves of the member. Thereby, the operation of the ice guiding plate can be further smoothed, and therefore, a suitable ice guiding action can be achieved without causing a failure.

なお、球状氷を製造する製氷機に関して説明したが、本
発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、他の形状を有す
る多面体氷の製造にも実施できることは勿論である。Although the ice making machine for producing spherical ice has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that it can be applied to the production of polyhedral ice having other shapes.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

第１図は、本発明に係る氷案内構造の好適な実施例を、
その第１製氷室を除去して示す斜視図、第２図は、好適
実施例に係る氷案内構造を製氷運転状態で示す側面図、
第３図および第４図は、除氷運転中にある氷案内構造を
経時的に示す側面図、第５図は、好適実施例に係る氷案
内構造の主要部をなす氷案内板およびガイド部材の配置
関係を明確化した斜視図、第６図および第７図は、氷案
内板の別実施例を示す概略構成図、第８図は、異形氷を
製造する自動製氷機における一例としての氷案内構造の
縦断側面図、第９図(a)，(b)は出願人が既に提案した氷
案内構造に内在している欠点を概略的に示す縦断側面
図、第１０図は、複数の板材をヒンジ接続して氷案内板
を構成した場合に予想される欠点を概略的に示す縦断側
面図である。 11……第１製氷室、12……第２製氷室 13……第１製氷小室、15……第２製氷小室 19……製氷水タンク、27……噴水孔 29……戻り孔、31,32……板材 38……水皿、67……氷案内板FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the ice guiding structure according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the first ice making chamber removed, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing an ice guiding structure according to a preferred embodiment in an ice making operation state.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views showing the ice guiding structure during deicing operation with time, and FIG. 5 is an ice guiding plate and a guide member which are main parts of the ice guiding structure according to the preferred embodiment. 6 and 7 are schematic perspective views showing another embodiment of the ice guide plate, and FIG. 8 is an example of ice in an automatic ice-making machine for producing irregular-shaped ice. A vertical side view of the guide structure, FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) are vertical side views schematically showing the defects inherent in the ice guide structure already proposed by the applicant, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional side view schematically showing a defect expected when an ice guide plate is configured by connecting hinges to each other. 11 …… First ice making chamber, 12 …… Second ice making chamber 13 …… First ice making chamber, 15 …… Second ice making chamber 19 …… Ice making water tank, 27 …… Fountain hole 29 …… Return hole, 31, 32 …… Plate material 38 …… Water tray, 67 …… Ice guide plate

Claims (2)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項１】機内に固定配置され、下方に開放する第１
製氷小室(13)を多数画成した第１製氷室(11)と、この第
１製氷室(11)の直下に傾動自在に配設され、上方に開放
する第２製氷小室(15)を多数画成した第２製氷室(12)
と、この第２製氷室(12)の下部に固定され、各第２製氷
小室(15)に対応する噴水孔(27)と戻り孔(29)とを有する
水皿(38)と、この水皿(38)の下方に一体的に設けた製氷
水タンク(19)とからなり、製氷運転に際し前記タンク(1
9)中の製氷水を前記噴水孔(27)から噴射して両製氷小室
(13,15)内に氷塊を形成すると共に、未氷結水は前記戻
り孔(29)を介してタンク(19)に回収する自動製氷機にお
いて、 前記第２製氷室(12)の斜め下方に枢支されて、常には氷
塊の落下軌跡を遮ると共に、除氷運転に伴い第２製氷室
(12)が第１製氷室(11)から傾動した際に付勢されて該第
２製氷室(12)の上面に倒れ込み、第１製氷室(11)から落
下する氷塊を貯氷庫に案内する氷案内板(67)を備え、 この氷案内板(67)は複数の板片(31,32)を屈曲自在にヒ
ンジ接続するよう構成した ことを特徴とする自動製氷機の氷案内構造。1. A first unit fixedly arranged inside the machine and opened downward.
A first ice making chamber (11) that defines a large number of ice making small chambers (13), and a large number of second ice making small chambers (15) that are tiltably arranged directly below the first ice making chamber (11) and open upward. The defined second ice making room (12)
And a water tray (38) fixed to the lower part of the second ice making chamber (12) and having a fountain hole (27) and a return hole (29) corresponding to each second ice making small chamber (15), and this water It consists of an ice making water tank (19) integrally provided under the plate (38).
9) The ice making water inside is sprayed from the fountain hole (27) and both ice making chambers
In an automatic ice making machine that forms ice blocks in (13, 15) and collects unfrozen water in the tank (19) through the return hole (29), in an obliquely downward direction of the second ice making chamber (12). Being pivotally supported, it always blocks the falling trajectory of the ice blocks, and the second ice making room is accompanied by the deicing operation.
When the (12) is tilted from the first ice making chamber (11), it is biased and falls on the upper surface of the second ice making chamber (12), and guides the ice blocks falling from the first ice making chamber (11) to the ice storage. An ice guide structure for an automatic ice making machine, comprising an ice guide plate (67), wherein the ice guide plate (67) is configured to flexibly hinge-connect a plurality of plate pieces (31, 32). 【請求項２】水皿(38)の両側部にガイド部材(34)を夫々
配設すると共に、前記氷案内板(67)の開放端両側に前記
ガイド部材(34)に滑動自在に位置させられる誘導片(35)
を形成し、 第２製氷室(12)および水皿(38)の傾動開放に伴い前記誘
導片(35)が前記ガイド部材(34)に案内されつつ滑動し
て、前記氷案内板(67)を第２製氷室(12)の上面に倒れ込
ませるよう構成した ことを特徴とする請求項１記載の自動製氷機の氷案内構
造。2. A guide member (34) is provided on each side of the water tray (38), and is slidably positioned on the guide member (34) on both sides of the open end of the ice guide plate (67). Induction Pieces (35)
And the guide piece (35) slides while being guided by the guide member (34) as the second ice making chamber (12) and the water tray (38) are tilted and opened, and the ice guide plate (67). The ice guiding structure for the automatic ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the ice guiding structure is configured so as to fall on the upper surface of the second ice making chamber (12).