JPS5826513B2 - Abnormal state detection device for cooling equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an abnormal state detection device for a cooling device, and specifically, to detect an abnormal state detection device for detecting an abnormal state of an ice maker or refrigerator, or when the ice is removed.
The present invention relates to an abnormal state detection device for a cooling device capable of detecting an abnormality in an automatic water supply valve that controls cooling water of a water-cooled condenser in a defrosting state.

Conventionally, a refrigerator or an ice maker has a refrigeration system that connects a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator in a ring, and performs freezing or ice making by introducing a refrigerant gas such as fluorocarbon gas into the refrigeration system. The condenser that makes up this refrigeration system is air-cooled or water-cooled to effectively cool and liquefy the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas fed from the compressor. Usually, various devices are attached.

Among these, the condensers of medium-sized and large-sized cooling equipment use a water-cooling system, and cooling water is usually introduced from an external water system, but the condenser load fluctuates depending on the evaporator load. The amount of cooling water is not always constant, but is controlled by opening and closing an automatic water supply valve in response to the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant gas fed from the compressor.

Figure 1 shows a well-known schematic system diagram of an ice making machine as a cooling device using a refrigerated condenser.
is an evaporator, 2 is a water tray, 3 is a water tank, 4 is an expansion valve, 5 is a capillary tube, CM is a compressor, HGV is a hot gas valve,
W■ is a water supply valve, PM is a pump motor, 20 is a condenser, and 22 is an automatic water supply valve.

In FIG. 1, cooling water that has undergone heat exchange in a condenser 20 is discharged through an automatic water supply valve 22.

On the other hand, the automatic water supply valve 22 is connected to the outlet of the condenser 20 via the capillary tube 5, and transmits the pressure change of the high pressure gas in the condenser 20 to the automatic water supply valve 22, and automatically adjusts the valve opening degree. .

That is, when the outlet pressure of the condenser 20 is high, the valve opening degree is increased to allow a large amount of cooling water to flow.

As a result, the condenser 20 performs sufficient heat exchange and acts in the direction of lowering the pressure.

When the pressure is low, the valve opening is reduced, which works to increase the pressure.

In other words, in the cooling state, the outlet pressure is high, so the valve opening degree of the automatic water supply valve 22 is large, and in the deicing state, the hot gas flows from the compressor CM to the hot gas valve HGV, so the outlet pressure of the condenser 20 is increased. Since the pressure becomes low, the valve opening degree of the automatic water supply valve 22 becomes small, and as a result, the automatic water supply valve 22 closes.

In this way, as long as this automatic water supply valve is operating normally, an appropriate amount of cooling water is supplied according to the refrigeration load, and a suitable cooling effect can be achieved in the condenser.
On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs in the automatic water supply valve, various inconveniences occur.

For example, foreign objects may get inside the automatic water supply valve, making it impossible to completely close the valve seat when the valve should close, or the valve seat of the automatic water supply valve may suffer from erosion or corrosion due to long-term use. If this occurs, and eventually the valve seat itself becomes unable to seal, complete control operation cannot be achieved.

As a result, cooling water is continuously discharged, which not only wastes valuable tap water, but also causes problems such as increased water charges.

Therefore, as a result of diligent prototyping and ingenuity, the inventor of the present invention found that
In cooling devices such as automatic ice makers or electric refrigerators,
A predetermined flow rate of cooling water flowing through the automatic water supply valve is detected when the refrigeration system is in a non-operating state, that is, when the compressor is stopped, the hot gas valve is opened, or the heater is de-icing or defrosting by energizing. If the configuration is such that when the signal indicating that the cooling water is flowing at a predetermined flow rate or higher and the signal indicating the non-operating state of the refrigeration system match, an alarm signal is generated and the operator is made aware of this. It has been found that an abnormal state detection device for a cooling device can be obtained which can solve various problems at once.

As a result of further research and prototyping, we discovered that in order to relatively easily detect abnormal conditions in automatic water supply valves, we first need to detect the flow of a predetermined amount of cooling water while the compressor is stopped. We focused on the fact that this signal makes it possible to determine that there is an abnormality, that is, when the compressor normally stops cooling operation due to the internal thermostat operating, such as during the off cycle of a refrigerator, or The ice maker will stop when the water reservoir is filled with ice cubes or ice chips and the water storage switch is activated, so this compressor stop signal and
It was found that a failure of the automatic water supply valve can be easily detected when the signal of the cooling water passing over a certain flow rate overlaps with the flow signal.

In addition, when the compressor is in a defrosting or deicing state by opening the hot gas valve of the refrigerant system without stopping, a signal indicating the defrosting or deicing state and a flow of cooling water of a flow rate or higher are detected. If the excessive signal overlaps with the automatic water supply valve, a malfunction of the automatic water supply valve can be detected, and the above-mentioned signal indicating that the compressor is stopped, defrosting, or dewatering is being detected electrically or in the refrigerant system. It was discovered that it is possible to understand it by pressure or temperature.

The flow rate of cooling water is detected by receiving the amount of water discharged to the outside after passing through the condenser and automatic water supply valve into a certain container, and detecting the water level based on a predetermined amount of stored water, or by detecting the water level from the amount of water flowing out from the container. We realized that it is sufficient to detect the quantity of water or to replace the change in water level with the change in air pressure inside the container.

Therefore, the general object of the present invention is to control the amount of cooling water introduced from an external water system in order to cool a water-cooled condenser in a cooling device such as an automatic ice maker or an electric refrigerator. To provide an abnormal state detection device for a cooling device capable of detecting an abnormal state and early preventing wasteful outflow of cooling water.

In order to achieve the above object, an abnormal state detection device for a cooling device according to the present invention is applied to a cooling device equipped with a refrigeration system including a compressor, a water-cooled condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator arranged in an annular manner. ,
a device for detecting a non-cooling operating state of the refrigeration system; a device for detecting a flow rate of cooling water supplied to the water-cooled condenser; and a detection signal of the non-cooling operating state detecting device and a detection signal for the cooling flow rate. an alarm device that is energized upon receiving a detection signal of a constant flow rate or more from the device, and the cooling water flow rate detection device is connected to the condenser outlet side of the cooling water flow path,
It has a configuration characterized by comprising an overflow tank having a drainage hole and a switch disposed within the overflow tank to detect a predetermined water level.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the abnormal state detection device for a cooling device according to the present invention provides a cooling device equipped with a refrigeration system in which a compressor, a water-cooled condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are arranged in a ring shape.
a device for detecting a non-cooling operating state of the refrigeration system; a device for detecting a flow rate of cooling water supplied to the water-cooled condenser; and a detection signal of the non-cooling operating state detecting device and a detection signal for the cooling water flow rate. an alarm device that is energized upon receiving a detection signal of a constant flow rate or more from the device, and the cooling water flow rate detection device is connected to the condenser outlet side of the cooling water flow path,
It has another configuration characterized by comprising an overflow tank having a drainage hole, and a water level detection tank connected to the overflow tank via a communication pipe and equipped with a pressure type water level detection switch. ing.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description below.

Next, preferred embodiments in relation to the abnormal state detection device for the cooling device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 shows a refrigeration system installed in an ice maker or refrigerator that is configured to turn on a warning lamp when more than a predetermined amount of cooling water is flowing from the automatic water supply valve while the compressor is stopped. A circuit diagram is shown.

That is, according to this circuit, the normally closed or on-side contact of the water storage thermometer Th1 (inside refrigerator thermostat) is connected in series with the compressor CM, and the ice storage thermometer Th1 is connected in series with the compressor CM.
A cooling water flow rate detection switch SW and an alarm lamp L connected in series are connected in parallel to the normally open or off-side contact of No. 1.

The cooling water flow rate detection switch SW is configured to close when a certain flow rate or more of cooling water flows, as will be described later.

In Figure 2, during normal ice making (cooling) operation, the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW is closed because the cooling water is allowed to flow above a certain level, but the thermostat Th1 is on the normally closed contact side N.
Since it is in C, the alarm lamp does not light up.

After that, when the water storage is filled with ice or the internal temperature of the refrigerator has cooled down to a predetermined temperature, the thermometer Th1 switches to the normally open contact side, but at this time, the compressor CM stops, so the condenser The water cooling function is not necessary and the automatic water supply valve is closed to prevent cooling water from flowing, so the cooling water flow rate detection switch S
W does not close and the alarm lamp does not light up.

However, in this case, when the automatic water supply valve becomes abnormal and the cooling water continues to flow beyond the predetermined flow rate, the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW closes and the thermometer Th1 switches to the normally open contact side, so an alarm is generated. The lamp L lights up to notify that the automatic water supply valve is out of order in the non-cooling state.

FIG. 3 shows an electric circuit diagram configured to display an alarm if more than a predetermined amount of cooling water flows out from the automatic water supply valve even when the compressor of the ice maker or refrigerator is stopped or during defrosting.

In this circuit diagram, a relay
2 is connected.

In addition, a relay X1 is connected in series between the power supply and the contacts C-B of the defrost timer TM, and a parallel body of the normally open contacts X1□ and Xl3 of this relay connected in series between.

Furthermore, between the power supplies, the normally closed contact of relay
l, and normally open contact X21 of relay X2 are connected in parallel [2,
A cooling water flow detection switch SW and a warning lamp L are connected in series to this, and a normally closed contact X23 of a relay X2, a defrost thermometer Th2, and a defrost heater H are connected in series.

First, to explain the cooling operation, when the power is turned on, the contacts of the defrost timer TM are connected between C and B.
Therefore, relay X1 is energized, its normally open contacts X1□ and X13 close, and its normally closed contact opens.

At this time, since the thermostat Th1 is on the normally closed contact side NC, the compressor CM is operated and cooling progresses.

At this time, since the cooling water of the condenser flows under the control of the automatic water supply valve according to the outlet pressure of the condenser, the cooling water flows sufficiently as described above and closes the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW. Since the normally closed contact Xtt of relay X1 is open and the normally open contact X21 of relay X2 remains open, the alarm lamp does not light up.

That is, it can be seen that during the cooling operation, even if the cooling water flows, the alarm lamp indicating the abnormality signal does not light up.

Next, during the off cycle, that is, when the thermostat Th1 switches to the normally open contact side and the operation of the compressor CM is stopped, the relay X1
Normally open contacts X1□ and X1□ are open, normally closed contact Xll is also open, relay X2 is energized, and normally open contact X2
1 is closed.

Therefore, as in the case of FIG. 2, when the compressor CM is stopped, the automatic water supply valve is normally closed, the flow of cooling water is stopped, and the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW is opened, so that the alarm lamp L does not light up.

However, if the automatic water supply valve is abnormal and the cooling water is allowed to flow beyond a predetermined flow rate, the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW remains closed, so the alarm lamp L lights up and an abnormality signal is generated.

Furthermore, in the case of defrosting operation, the contact point of the defrost timer TM is set to C.
-D, so relay X1 is demagnetized, and its normally open contacts X1□ and X13 are opened, so compressor C
Stop M.

On the other hand, since the normally closed contact Xll is closed, the defrost heater H is energized via the contact X23 and the thermostat Th2, and forced defrosting is performed.

At this time, if the automatic water supply valve is normal, the flow of cooling water will stop as the compressor CM stops, and the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW will be in the open state, so the alarm lamp L will not light up, but the automatic water supply valve will stop flowing. If the valve is abnormal and the cooling water is allowed to flow beyond a predetermined flow rate, the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW remains closed, and the alarm lamp L lights up to notify that the automatic water supply valve is abnormal.

Figure 4 shows an electric circuit diagram especially for an ice maker.The difference from that for a refrigerator is that the compressor does not stop even during deicing, and the high temperature gas discharged from the compressor CM is transferred to the hot gas valve. Since the ice is bypassed via the HGV, the outlet pressure of the condenser is lower than that during ice-making operation.

Therefore, during deicing, the cooling water is prevented from flowing, and if the cooling water is flowing at a predetermined flow rate or higher, the abnormality is detected and a warning lamp is turned on.

In the figure, Th1' is the ice storage thermometer that switches to the normally open contact side NC when the water storage is full of ice, and SWl is the switch that is connected between contacts a and b during ice making, and is connected between a and b during deicing. The switch, TM', is an ice-making timer that defines the ice-making time, and when the set time is reached, contacts 34 are opened and contacts 3-5 are closed, AM is an actuator motor, Th2 is a deicing thermo, and other The parts are the same as in FIGS. 1-3.

First, the case of ice making operation will be described. The ice storage thermometer Th1 is connected to the normally closed contact side NC and operates the compressor CM.

At this time, the changeover switch SW1 is connected between contacts a and b, and the motor M of the ice making timer TM' is energized, and the pump motor PM is operated via the contacts 3 and 4. ) to circulate ice-making water to proceed with ice-making operation.

At this time, as mentioned above, the condenser cooling water flows through the control of the automatic water supply valve according to the condenser outlet pressure, so the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW is closed, but since the relay X is not energized, Normally open contact X is open and alarm lamp L does not light up.

That is, it can be seen that although the cooling water flows during the ice making operation, the alarm lamp L, which is an abnormality signal, does not light up.

Next, during the off cycle, after repeating the ice making/deicing cycle, when the water storage is full of ice, the ice storage thermo
Since h1 is switched to the normally open contact side NC, all the equipment including the compressor CM stops operating.

Since the thermometer Th1 is on the normally open contact side, if the automatic water supply valve is abnormal and the cooling water flows at a predetermined flow rate or more, the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW closes and the alarm lamp L lights up.

If the automatic water supply valve is normal, the compressor CM stops, the cooling water stops flowing, and the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW opens, so the alarm lamp L does not light up.

Furthermore, the case of deicing operation will be explained.

The ice storage thermometer Th1 is connected to the normally closed contact side and the compressor CM is operated, but the ice making timer TM', which has been set in advance at the time when the ice making operation is completed, closes the contact 3 when the set time is reached. -4 opens and contacts 3-5 close.

Then, when the pump motor PM stops, the actuator motor AM is energized and rotates, and the water tray rotates to the maximum allowable angle, the selector switch SW is simultaneously switched to the contacts a and c, and the contacts a and b are opened. Therefore, the actuator motor AM stops (because the deicing thermometer Th2 is open), and the hot gas valve HG■ and the water supply valve W■ are opened to enter the deicing cycle.

At this time, relay X is also energized, so normally open contact X is closed.

If the automatic water supply valve is normal, the hot gas valve HGV
As the valve opens, the high pressure in the condenser becomes significantly lower than during the ice-making cycle, which stops the flow of cooling water and opens the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW, so the alarm lamp L does not light up, but the automatic water supply valve is activated. If there is an abnormality and the cooling water is allowed to flow at a predetermined flow rate or higher, the selector switch SW will remain closed, so the alarm lamp will light up via the contact X and the switch SW.
Informs you of an abnormality in the automatic water supply valve.

As mentioned above, it is not abnormal even if cooling water flows during the ice making cycle, so no alarm is displayed, and cooling water normally does not flow during the off cycle (automatic stop) or water removal, but the automatic water supply valve has malfunctioned. An alarm can be displayed when an abnormal condition occurs and more than a predetermined amount of cooling water is allowed to flow.

Figure 5 is a circuit diagram that detects the timing based on the pressure of the refrigerant system, and if there is a flow of cooling water above a certain flow rate under this detected pressure, it is determined that the automatic water supply valve is abnormal, and the alarm display device is energized. In this case, a timing detection pressure switch PS is connected in series with the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW and the alarm lamp L.

Therefore, in this circuit, the timing detection pressure switch PS is connected to the high pressure side pressure cuff of the refrigerant system, OKy/crft
Pressure switch PS is set to open at a pressure of 0 or more, and the timing detection pressure setting of the automatic water supply valve is set.
7.5 to 8 slightly higher than the set value. OKp/ff1
Set it so that it opens fully at G or more.

During cooling and cooling operation, the high-pressure side pressure of the refrigerant system rises to a pressure much higher than the set value when the automatic water supply valve is fully closed (
For example, from 10 to 12 (2〆ff1G), the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW is closed, but under this pressure, the timing detection pressure switch PS is already open, so the alarm indicator lamp L does not light up. .

However, when the compressor is stopped or during defrosting or water removal, the high-pressure side gas pressure and low-pressure side gas pressure of the refrigerant system are balanced, and this high-pressure side gas pressure sets the automatic water supply valve to the fully closed state. If the required amount of cooling water is flowing below the value 7.5 to 8 Kp/cnltG, the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW will close and the alarm display lamp L will indicate an abnormality in the automatic water supply valve. It will turn on as soon as possible.

Next, a description will be given of a cooling water flow rate detection switch as a predetermined cooling water flow rate detection device for an automatic water supply valve for sequentially lighting an alarm display lamp as described above.

FIG. 6 shows a cooling water flow rate detection device 10 that detects the cooling water flow rate using a direct electrode type water level switch, a float switch, or the like.

That is, this cooling water flow rate detection device 10 consists of a cylindrical overflow tank 16 having an overflow notch 12 cut in the upper part and a drainage hole 14 in the bottom part, and a cylindrical overflow tank 16 fixed in the overflow tank 16 and having different heights. It basically consists of a water level detection switch 18 consisting of a rond.

Therefore, this cooling water flow rate detection device 10 is connected to the water-cooled condenser 2.
0 and the automatic water supply valve 22 connected to the tip of the cooling water pipe of the condenser 20, and configured to discharge the cooling water to the outside from the cooling water flow rate detection device, the flow rate of the cooling water can be maintained at all times. It will be detected by the flow rate detection device 10.

In addition, when grasping the flow rate of cooling water, it is preferable to set the relationship between the flow rate characteristics of the automatic water supply valve 22 and pressure in advance as shown in the table below.

Further, the inner diameter of the drain hole 14 of the overflow tank 16 may be determined in accordance with the cooling water flow rate (for example, 200 cc7=rt).

As a result, for example, when the cooling water received in the overflow tank 16 is less than 2oocr per minute, 7=rt, the water level is maintained lower than the water level in the tank 16, and in this case, the water level detection switch 18 is not energized either.

That is, the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW shown in the circuit diagram maintains the OFF state, but on the other hand, when the cooling water flow rate exceeds 200 cc/in, the cooling water discharged from the drain hole 14 is drained from the tank 16. As the amount of water entering the tank increases, it exceeds the water level of tank 16 and reaches water level a.
It will overflow.

Therefore, if the water level detection switch 18, that is, the cooling water flow rate detection switch SW is configured to be in the ON state at a position slightly lower than the water level a, it is possible to easily detect that the cooling water is flowing at a certain flow rate or more. can.

FIG. 7 shows a cooling water flow rate detection device 2 configured to further connect a water level detection tank 24 to the overflow tank 16 shown in FIG. 6 to detect changes in water level by replacing them with pressure changes.
6 is shown.

That is, in this cooling water flow rate detection device 26, a communication pipe 28 extends from the lowest part of the overflow tank 16, and a cylindrical water level detection tank 24 is connected to the tip of the communication pipe 28. A pressure type water level detection switch 30 capable of detecting minute fluctuations in atmospheric pressure is connected to the upper part of the air trap via a flexible tube 32.

Therefore, when the cooling water is below a certain flow rate, the water level in the overflow tank 16 is below b, and the water level in the water level detection tank 24 is also maintained below position B, and the pressure type water level detection switch 30 remains in the OFF state. .

However, if the cooling water flows past a certain amount, the cooling water gradually accumulates in the overflow tank 16 as shown in FIG. It rises and reaches water level A.

As a result, the pressure of the air trap in the water level detection tank 24 increases by the differential pressure valve between water level A and water level S, and the pressure type water level detection switch 30 is set to be in the ON state at a position slightly lower than water level A. If this is done, it becomes possible to energize the alarm lamp as shown in FIG.

According to the device of the present invention, as described above, cooling is performed using a non-cooling operation state signal related to compressor stop or defrosting or deicing operation, and a signal indicating that the amount of cooling water flowing through the condenser is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount. Since the system is configured to issue an alarm only when the flow rate increases abnormally, it is possible to easily detect abnormalities in the automatic water supply valve attached to the external water supply system for cooling the condenser, and it is possible to avoid mistakes. There is no need to issue an alarm, and it is possible to detect failures and waste of tap water at an early stage, which is particularly effective for cooling systems equipped with water-cooled condensers.

The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be used not only in refrigerators and ice makers, but also in water-cooled refrigeration equipment that has an automatic water supply valve. It is possible to apply the present invention to a device of the present invention, and an alarm buzzer may be attached instead of the alarm lamp or together with the alarm lamp, and various modifications and design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a system diagram of a typical ice maker that uses a water-cooled condenser and automatic water supply valve, and Figure 2 shows an alarm when more than a predetermined amount of cooling water flows from the automatic water supply valve while the compressor is stopped. Figure 3 is an electrical circuit diagram of the device of the present invention, which is configured to display an abnormality in the automatic water supply valve by lighting a lamp. Fig. 4 is an electric circuit diagram of the device of the present invention configured to light up a warning lamp when cooling water flows past, and is shown in Fig. 4, which shows the electric circuit diagram of the device of the present invention configured to light up a warning lamp when cooling water flows past. Fig. 5 is an electric circuit diagram of a device of the present invention configured to light up an alarm lamp when a certain amount of cooling water flows past. FIGS. 6 and 7 are electrical circuit diagrams of the device of the present invention configured to light up the cooling water flow rate detection device, respectively. sw, 10, 26... Cooling flow rate detection device, 12
...Overflow notch, 14...
Drainage head 16...Overflow tank, 18
...Water level detection switch, 20...Condenser, 22...Automatic water supply valve, 24...Water level detection tank, 28...Communication Tube, 30...
...Pressure type water level detection switch, 32...Tube.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A device for detecting a non-cooling operating state of the refrigeration system in a cooling system including a refrigeration system in which a compressor, a water-cooled condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are arranged in an annular manner. and a device for detecting a flow rate of cooling water supplied to the water-cooled condenser, further receiving a detection signal from the non-cooling operating state detection device and a detection signal of a constant flow rate or more from the cooling water flow rate detection device. an alarm device that is energized when the cooling water flow rate detecting device is connected to the condenser outlet side of the cooling water flow path, and an overflow tank having a drainage hole; An abnormal state detection device for a cooling system, comprising a switch for detecting a water level. 2. A cooling device equipped with a refrigeration system including a compressor, a water-cooled condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator arranged in an annular manner, and a device for detecting a non-cooling operating state of the refrigeration system, and a device for detecting the non-cooling operating state of the refrigeration system, and the water-cooled condenser. a device that detects the flow rate of cooling water supplied to the device; and an alarm device that receives a detection signal from the non-cooling operating state detection device and a detection signal of a constant flow rate or more from the cooling water flow detection device and operates to activate the device. The cooling water flow rate detection device is connected to the condenser outlet side of the cooling water flow path, is connected to an overflow tank having a drainage hole, and is connected to the overflow tank via a communication pipe, and has a pressure type water level detection device. An abnormal state detection device for a cooling system, comprising a water level detection tank equipped with a switch.