JPH0374404B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a liquid level control device for controlling the height of a liquid level in a water tank of an ice making machine, for example.

FIG. 3 is a structural explanatory diagram of a liquid level control device according to an invention filed by the present applicant on the same day as this application, in which a hollow case 1 is communicated with a tank 3 via a connecting pipe 2. ing. A guide portion 7 is provided within the case 1 and is oriented toward the liquid surface. Guide section 7
is provided with a float 9 that moves up and down via legs 8 in accordance with the displacement of the liquid level in the tank 3.
In case 1, the liquid level in tank 3 is higher than that in connecting pipe 2.
When the liquid exceeds the upper inner surface 2a of the liquid, a sealed chamber 6 is formed which is sealed by the liquid level.
The height of the liquid level in the case 1 after that is determined by the pressure in the sealed chamber 6, the specific gravity of the liquid, the distance between the liquid level in the tank 3 and the upper part 2a of the connecting pipe 2, the internal volume of the case 1, etc. It is easily calculated based on various factors. Further, when the liquid level in the tank 3 is the highest liquid level 4, the tip of the guide part 7 is above the highest liquid level 4a in the case 1,
The guide part 7 will not be hidden in the liquid and become dirty. Further, a lead switch (not shown) lead wire 40 housed in the guide portion 7 is drawn out from the top surface of the case 1.

This liquid level control device controls the liquid level in the tank 3 by setting the control liquid level 5 within a range in which the liquid level in the tank 3 does not exceed the upper part 2a of the connecting pipe 2 for reasons described later. , the liquid level in tank 3 is the connection pipe 2
When the liquid level rises beyond the top 2a of the tank 1, the rise in the liquid level inside the case 1 is suppressed by the internal pressure of the sealed chamber 6, making it possible to downsize the tank. tank 3
Although it has many advantages such as being able to be applied to flammable liquids without fear of fire or explosion, it has the following problems.

(1) When the specific gravity of the liquid is small, the relationship between the liquid level height in the tank 3 and the corresponding position of the float 9 is shown in FIG. 4. In other words, in the section A where the liquid level in the tank 3 does not exceed the upper part 2a of the connecting pipe 2, the liquid level displacement in the tank 3 and the displacement of the float 9 match, but in the section B where the liquid level exceeds the upper part 2a, the liquid level in the tank 3 The displacement value of the float 9 becomes extremely small with respect to the liquid level displacement value in the area, and it is difficult to control the liquid level in the tank 3 in that section. Therefore, when it is necessary to control the liquid level in tank 3 in section B, a connecting pipe must be installed near the new control liquid level in tank 3, and the control liquid level in tank 3 must be changed. It can't be done easily.

(2) Even if the specific gravity of the liquid is high, if the gas in the sealed chamber 6 is absorbed by the liquid in the tank 3, the internal volume of the sealed chamber 6 will change and the position of the float 9 will be displaced. Coupled with (1) above, control liquid level 5
tank 3 at the point where it exceeds the upper part 2a of the connecting pipe 2
It is difficult to control the liquid level inside the tank.

(3) If the control liquid level 5 does not exceed the upper part 2a of the connecting pipe 2, the liquid level in the case 1 and the liquid level in the tank 3 will be the same level, and the liquid level in the tank 3 will be the same as the liquid level in the tank 3. If there are bubbles on top, the bubbles will be directly transmitted to the liquid level in the case 1 and will prevent the float 9 from operating correctly.

Therefore, in the liquid level control device as described above, when the control liquid level 5 exceeds the upper part 2a of the connecting pipe 2, it is difficult to control the liquid level in the tank 3. 2, the bubbles on the liquid level in the tank 3 interfere with the operation of the float 9, making it impossible to accurately control the liquid level in the tank.

In order to solve this problem, the liquid level control device of the present invention includes a tank that receives liquid, and a hollow tank that is connected to the outside of the tank through a connection part so as to be able to communicate with the liquid, and whose upper part is closed. a case; a float provided in the case and displaced in accordance with the vertical movement of the liquid level in the tank; a guide part provided in the case to guide the vertical movement of the float; a communicating body having a distal end disposed within the case so as to be in fluid communication with the case and the tank above the internal upper surface of the connecting portion, and the case is configured to provide a communication body that is arranged in the case by upward movement of the liquid level in the case. The liquid level seals the case to form a sealed chamber within the case, and the liquid level height is regulated by the position of the tip of the communicating body. It is.

The float of the liquid level control device in this invention is
When the liquid level in the tank is low and no sealed chamber is formed in the case, the liquid will rise to match the liquid level in the tank, and the liquid level will rise further, causing a sealed chamber to be formed in the case. Then, from then on,
It will rise according to the liquid level inside the case. The height of the rise in the liquid level in the case is suppressed by the pressure in the sealed chamber, and is extremely small compared to the liquid level in the tank, and the displacement of the float is small compared to the displacement of the liquid level in the tank. It can be suppressed. In addition, when forming a sealed chamber, the height of the liquid level in the case is determined by the position of the tip of the communicating body, which has the same liquid level height as the liquid level in the tank, based on the principle of communicating pipes. It will be done. Therefore, when the control liquid level in the tank is at the same level, the tip of the communicating body must be adjusted above the control liquid level in the tank so that the liquid level in the tank and the liquid level in the case match. As a result, the float matches the displacement of the liquid level in the tank, and the liquid level in the tank can be accurately controlled.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the liquid level control device of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a structural explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, and the same or corresponding parts as in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. A case 10 whose upper portion is sealed is communicated with the tank 14 whose upper portion is open to the atmosphere via a connecting portion or connecting pipe 13 . This case 1
0, the tubular communicating body 11 has its tip 11a
It is erected with the lower opening facing into the case 10. The upper part of this communication body 11 is a tank 14.
Similarly, it is open to the atmosphere and communicated with the tank 14 via the connecting pipe 13. A sealed chamber 12 is formed in the case 10 as the liquid level in the tank 14 rises.
The position of the liquid level in the case 10 where the sealed chamber 12 is formed is determined by the position of the tip 11a of the communication body 11.

In the liquid level control device configured as described above, when the liquid level in the tank 14 is lower than the tip 11a of the communication body 11, the inside of the case 10 and the outside of the tank 14 are connected at least through the communication body 11. The pressure is the same, and case 1 is based on the principle of a communicating pipe.
Since the liquid level height in the tank 14 matches the liquid level height in the tank 14, the float 9 is floating on the liquid level in the tank 14. tank 1
From the point when the liquid level in 4 exceeds the tip 11a,
The liquid level within the case 10 is suppressed to near the tip portion 11a by the pressure within the sealed chamber 12. At this time, the liquid level in the communicating body 11 matches the liquid level in the tank 14 based on the principle of the communicating pipe, since the upper part of the communicating body 11 is open to the atmosphere. And, with respect to the distance H between the highest liquid level 15 in the tank 14 and the control liquid level 41, the distance h between the control liquid level 41 and the highest liquid level 15a in the case 10, at which the float 9 is displaced. is mainly regulated by the tip portion 11a and is significantly reduced. In this way, the highest liquid level 15a in the case 10 is located at the tip 1 of the communicating body 11.
It is determined by the position of 1a, and is not dependent on the position of the connecting pipe 13 provided in the tank 13. Therefore, for example, when changing the control liquid level in the tank 14 to a level higher than the highest liquid level 15a in the case 10 of this embodiment, the tip 11a of the communicating body 11 is moved to a level higher than the control liquid level in the tank 14. One way to do this is to make the connecting pipe 13 flexible so that the liquid level control device can
When the control liquid level in the tank 14 is at the tip 1 of the communicating body 11
Just lift it so that it is below 1a.

Further, when the control liquid level 41 in the tank 14 exceeds the upper part 13a of the connecting pipe 13 as in this embodiment, the liquid level in the tank 14 and the liquid level in the case 10 are connected via the connecting pipe 13. Even if bubbles float on the liquid level in the tank 14, the bubbles will not enter the case 10 of the liquid level control device that controls the liquid level, and the liquid in the tank will be separated. Surface control is accurate.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the communication body 11, the tank 1
Since the upper part of tank 4 is open to the atmosphere and has the same pressure, there is no need to connect the upper parts of communicating body 11 and tank 14, but if the tank is a closed type,
By connecting the communication body and the upper part of the tank, it is possible to match the liquid level heights of the control liquid level in the tank and the control liquid level in the case.

Next, a case in which the liquid level control device of the first embodiment is used to detect the completion of ice making in an ice making machine will be described with reference to FIG. The highest liquid level 17 in the water tank 16 that stores water for making ice is supplied with water for a certain period of time, and the excess water is poured into the overflow pipe 1.
It is obtained by being discharged to the outside by 8.
The water in the water tank 16 is sent to the water sprinkling pipe 20 by the pump 19, flows on the surface of the ice-making plate 21 through the water sprinkling hole 20a of the water sprinkling pipe 20, and then flows through the water tank 16.
It is starting to return to .

In this way, the water in the water tank 16 circulates between the water tank 16 and the ice-making plate 21, and the ice-making plate 21
1, the temperature of this circulating water gradually decreases, and finally it begins to freeze on the ice making plate 21, and accordingly, the water tank 16
The water level inside is going down. During this circulation, the liquid level control device provided outside the water tank 16 does not receive water directly or become wet due to liquid splashing from the liquid surface.

When the liquid level control device of the above embodiment shown in FIG. At this time, the position of the highest liquid level 17a in the case 23 is at the tip 24 of the communicating body 24.
It is mainly regulated by the position a, and remains slightly above the tip 24a due to the air pressure in the sealed chamber 25. Therefore, the leg sliding part 43 of the leg body 43 that is slidably provided on the guide part 30 and the guide part 30
In both case (a), even when the water level in the water tank 16 is at the highest liquid level 17 in the water tank 16, it will not be hidden underwater. Further, a reed switch 29 is provided within the guide portion 30, and a magnet 28 is attached to the leg sliding portion 43a. By bringing the magnet 28 close to the reed switch 29, the liquid level in the water tank 16 can be detected.

Next, the operation of the liquid level control device used in the ice making machine will be explained. As the ice 22 grows, the water level in the water tank 16 lowers and the position of the float 27 lowers accordingly. water tank 16
When the water level inside is higher than the tip 24 a of the communication body 24 , a sealed chamber 25 is formed inside the case 23 , and the value that the float 27 drops between the two is compared to the water level in the water tank 16 . It's extremely small. When the water level in the water tank 16 becomes lower than the tip 24a, the water level in the water tank 16 and the case 2
The water levels in the water tank 16 coincide with each other while being separated by the connecting pipe 32, and the position of the float 27 falls in accordance with the water level in the water tank 16. When the desired size of ice is obtained, that is, the float 2 reaches the detection water level 26.
7 lowers, the magnet 28 of the leg sliding part 43a
approaches the reed switch 29, activates the reed switch 29, and issues a signal indicating the completion of ice making. Thereafter, a cycle begins in which the ice 22 formed on the ice making plate 21 is harvested. At the same time, the supply of water into the water tank 16 starts; however, at this time, there is no need for the liquid level control device provided outside the water tank 16 to take special precautions against wetting during water supply. Note that when the ice 22 falls from the ice maker 21, the ice guide plate 44 prevents the ice 22 from entering the water tank 16. When the ice 22 falls from the ice-making plate 21 and water supply to the water tank 16 is completed, the ice-making process described above starts again, and when the float 27 falls to the detection water level 26, the liquid level control device is activated again. .

By the way, when you want to change the size of the ice 22 to a smaller size, that is, when you want to change the detected water level 26, use the flexible connecting pipe 32.
This can be done by simply lifting the liquid level control device by the difference between the original detected water level 26 and the newly set detected water level 31.

In addition, even if the water surface in the water tank 16 bubbles during water circulation, the connection pipe 32 allows the water tank 16 to
The water surface inside the case 23 is separated from the water surface inside the case 23, so that bubbles inside the water tank 16 will not enter the case 23 and adversely affect the operation of the float 27.

As explained above, according to the liquid level control device of the present invention, when a sealed chamber is formed in the case, the liquid level in the case is determined by the height of the liquid in the communicating body, where the liquid level is the same as that in the tank. Since it is determined by the position of the tip, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The height position of the control liquid level in the tank and the height position of the liquid level in the case can be easily matched by adjusting the position of the tip of the communicating body. The liquid level in the tank can be controlled in the section A where the liquid level displacement in the tank and the displacement of the float match, and when determining the control liquid level position in the tank, for example, the tank and the case are communicated. There are no restrictions on the location or size of the connecting pipe.

(2) The control liquid level in the tank and the liquid level in the case at that time are separated via the connection, so bubbles on the liquid level in the tank can enter the case and cause damage inside the tank. This will not cause malfunction of liquid level control.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a structural explanatory diagram showing one embodiment of the liquid level control device of the present invention, and Fig. 2 shows the structure when the liquid level control device shown in Fig. 1 is used to control the liquid level in the water tank of an ice making machine. FIG. 3 is a structural explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional liquid level control device, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the liquid level height in the tank and the position of the float. 14, 16... Tank, 10, 23... Case, 9, 27... Float, 7, 30... Guide portion, 12, 25... Sealed chamber, 11, 24... Communication body, 11a, 24a... Tip part, 13, 32...
Connection pipe (connection part).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 tanks 14, 16 receiving liquid;
Hollow cases 10 and 23 are connected to the outside of the tanks 14 and 16 via connecting portions 13 and 32 for liquid communication and have closed upper portions, and the case 1
0, 23, and the tank 14,
Floats 9 and 27 that are displaced according to the vertical movement of the liquid level in 16, guide parts 7 and 30 that are provided in the cases 10 and 23 and guide the vertical movement of the floats 9 and 27, and the connection The tip portion 11 is in liquid communication with the cases 10, 23 and the tanks 14, 16 above the internal upper surfaces of the portions 13, 32.
a, 24a are provided with communication bodies 11, 24 provided in the cases 10, 23, and the case 1
0 and 23, due to the upward movement of the liquid level in the cases 10 and 23, the liquid level seals the cases 10 and 23 to form sealed chambers 12 and 25 in the cases 10 and 23. and the liquid level height is
A liquid level control device characterized in that it is regulated by the positions of the tips 11a, 24a of the communicating bodies 11, 24.