JPH03134480A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain two functions at low product cost by enabling selective use of an automatic ice making device and a device which comprises a mixing blade which makes a reciprocating swing operated with a drive device commonly used for said automatic ice making device and a vessel which comprises a curve-shaped metal bottom wall, and a side wall. CONSTITUTION:An automatic ice cream making device is designed to be selectively used, which comprises an automatic ice making device, and a vessel which consists of a mixing blade 30, which makes a reciprocating motion by a drive device 13, a metal-made bottom wall 33a, which is curve-shaped to respond to a motion locus of the mixing blade 30, synthetic resin-made side walls into which an insulation material is internally inserted, and a top, which is open. In other words, the mixing blade 30 is mounted with the drive device 13 for the automatic ice making device and the vessel 33 for the ice cream making device is set so that the drive device 13 may be operated. Then, an ice-cream mix is cooled mainly by way of the metal-made bottom wall 33a of the vessel 33, thereby producing ice cream.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator that selectively performs automatic ice making and automatic ice cream production.

Conventional technology An example of a refrigerator with an automatic ice-making device is the
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4-17139, and its contents will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 6.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a refrigerator body, which is composed of an outer box 2, an inner box 3, and a heat insulating material 4 filled between the outer box 2 and the inner box 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a partition wall that divides the interior of the refrigerator body 1 into upper and lower sections, with a freezer compartment 6 in the upper part and a refrigerator compartment 7 in the lower part. Reference numeral 8 is a cooler for a refrigeration cycle housed in the back of the freezer compartment 6, and 9 is a blower for forcing the cold air cooled by the cooler 8 into the freezer compartment 6 and the refrigerator compartment 7.

The trench 10 is a refrigeration cycle compressor housed at the rear of the bottom of the refrigerator body 1.

Next, 11 is a water supply device 12 provided in the refrigerator compartment T, a drive device 13 provided in the freezer compartment 6, and a flexible ice tray 14.
This is an automatic ice making device consisting of an ice storage box 15. Here, the water supply device 12 includes a detachable water supply tank 16 for supplying water for ice making, a water storage tray 17 for temporarily storing water from the water supply tank 16, and a water storage tray 17 for temporarily storing water from the water supply tank 16. It consists of a water supply pump 18 and a water supply pipe 19 for pumping water. The ice tray 14 also has a support shaft 2 at its center.
0 are connected and fixed, and are pivotally supported so as to rotate and reverse around the support shaft 20 by the drive device 13 and a frame 21 formed in a substantially U-shape. In addition, 22 is the ice tray 14
23 is a stopper provided on a part of the outer shell of the drive device 13 in order to distort and deform the ice cube to remove ice; be.

In this configuration, when the water tank 16 filled with water is set at a predetermined position by the user, the water storage tray 1
7 is filled with water, the water supply pump 18 is activated, and the water supply pipe 1
Water is poured into the ice tray 14 through the ice tray 9 . In this way, a predetermined amount of water is grooved in the ice making tray 14 and is frozen by the cooling action in the freezing chamber 6 to generate ice. When ice making is finished, the drive device 13 moves the ice tray 14 onto the support shaft 2.
Rotate around o and place plate 2 on stopper 22.
3 causes distortion and deformation of the ice tray 14, and the ice is released. Further, the ice that has been removed falls into the ice storage box 15 provided below the ice tray 14 and is stored therein, and the ice tray 14 whose ice removal action has been completed is returned to its original state by the reverse rotation action of the removal device 13. Return. After that, this action is repeated until the water in the water supply tank 16 is used up to automatically make ice.
It stores water.

On the other hand, an example of an automatic ice cream manufacturing device is shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-18730.Although not particularly shown, a dedicated drive motor is installed in the freezing chamber to rotate stirring blades, and the ice cream inside the container is The device is configured to stir an ice cream mix and produce ice cream.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in these examples, whether automatic ice making or automatic ice cream production is performed, dedicated drive devices are required for each.

On the other hand, in recent years, coupled with the trend toward more upscale eating habits, gourmet food, and handmade ice cream, the use of ice has expanded from its traditional use of simply cooling food and drinks to its use as a material to decorate the dining table. There is also a growing need for automatic ice-making devices that can easily make large amounts of ice. In addition, ice cream is ranked second among 7 Japanese people's favorites (according to a 1981 NHK survey), and the number of chain stores that sell it has recently increased, especially in urban areas. It is thought that there is a strong need to make homemade ice cream at home according to the taste.

Against this background, it is conceivable to meet these needs by equipping refrigerators with both automatic ice making and automatic ice cream manufacturing functions as part of their efforts to make refrigerators more sophisticated, but as mentioned above, it is necessary to provide dedicated drive devices for each. However, this method not only increases product cost but also occupies space within the freezer, resulting in a reduction in effective space.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the refrigerator of the present invention shares the drive device of an automatic ice-making device installed in the freezer compartment, and has stirring blades that are repeatedly swung by this drive device, and an opening on the top surface. The vessel is equipped with a container consisting of a metal bottom wall with a curved surface shape that matches the trajectory of the stirring blade, and a synthetic resin side wall that is integrally formed with the bottom wall and has a heat insulating material inserted inside. It is configured so that automatic ice cream manufacturing equipment can be selectively used.

According to the above-described configuration, when using the automatic ice cream making device, the present invention attaches a stirring blade to the drive device for the automatic ice making device, sets an ice cream making container in place of the ice storage box, and drives the automatic ice cream making device. When the device is activated, the ice cream mix (dough containing ingredients) is mainly cooled through the metal bottom wall of the container, and the side wall is made of synthetic resin with insulation inserted inside, so the ice cream mix (dough containing ingredients) is cooled mainly through the container's metal bottom wall. No cooling is performed. The ice cream is then stirred by the swinging motion of the stirring blade, and ice cream is produced over time.

Embodiment Below, Figs. 1 to 4 show a refrigerator of an embodiment of the present invention.
This will be explained according to the diagram. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the parts having the same configuration as those of the conventional example, and the explanation will be omitted, and the different parts will be explained.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a drive device for the automatic ice making device 11 provided in the freezer compartment θ, and inside the drive device there is a drive motor 24, a plurality of reduction gears 25 for transmitting the rotational force, and one of the reduction gears 25. A rotational position detection device 29 consisting of a magnet 26 attached to the outer periphery of the two gears and two reed switches 27 and 28 provided oppositely on the rotation locus of the magnet 26 is housed. The device 29 outputs a signal for switching the drive motor 24 between forward and reverse rotation.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a stirring blade which is supported in place of the ice tray 14 of the automatic ice making device 11, with one end passing through the final stage gear of the reduction gear 26 in the drive device 13, and the other end passing through the frame 21 and supported by the arm. It is composed of a section 31 and a stirring section 32. 33 is a container for ice cream production installed in place of the ice storage box 15 of the automatic ice making device 11;
is a metal bottom wall 33a with an open upper surface and a curved surface shape matching the movement locus of the stirring part 32 of the stirring blade 3o.
and a heat insulating material 33c formed integrally with the bottom wall 33a and inside.
The side wall 33b is made of synthetic resin and has a side wall 33b inserted therein. and the drive device 13 frame 21. Stirring blade 30
, container 33 constitute an automatic ice cream manufacturing device 34. Further, 36 is a mixture of ice cream (for example, egg yolk, fresh cream, etc.) placed in the container 33.
A dough made by mixing ingredients such as milk, vanilla essence, and granulated sugar.Hereinafter referred to simply as mix 36
).

In this configuration, when the mix 35 is put into the container 33 and the drive device 13 is activated, the drive motor 24 starts rotating, and the reduction gear 26 also rotates in conjunction with this. When the reduction gear 26 rotates, the stirring blade 3 connected to the final gear
0 begins a swinging motion. When the reduction gear 25 continues to rotate and the magnet 26 comes to a position facing the reed switch 27, the drive motor 24 temporarily stops rotating in response to a signal from the reed switch 27 and starts rotating in the opposite direction. At this time, the stirring portion 32 of the stirring blade 30 is located at the ridgeline between the bottom wall 33a and the side wall 33b of the container 33. Then, when the reduction gear 25 rotates in the opposite direction and the magnet 26 comes to a position facing the reed switch 28, the reed switch 2
The drive motor 24 is temporarily stopped by the signal from 8, and the rotation is reversed in the forward direction again. At this time, the stirring part 32 of the stirring blade 3o is located at the other ridgeline between the bottom wall 33a and the side wall 33b of the container 33. In this way, the drive motor 24 rotates at a constant speed due to the action of the rotational position detection device 29.
The reduction gear 25 repeats normal and reverse rotation within a certain rotation angle range, and in response to this movement, the stirring blade 30 also repeats a swing motion at a certain angle. For this reason, the mix 36 in the container 33 is pushed away by the stirring part 32 of the stirring blade 30, and air is included when it flows backward over the top of the stirring part 32. At that time, the container 33 is
In addition, since the bottom wall 33& is made of metal, it is sufficiently cooled, exerting cooling power on the mix 36 inside, and removing moisture on the inner wall surface centered on the bottom wall 33a. As freezing progresses, ice crystals are formed.

On the other hand, since the wall surface of the side wall 33b is made of synthetic resin and a heat insulating material 33c is inserted inside, the cooling power is much weaker than that of a metal surface, and the mixed mix 35 is pushed closer. is actively frozen on the side wall ssb, and will not solidify and adhere to the side wall 33b without sufficient stirring. Container 3 where this freezing is progressing
By stirring and mixing the mix 35 in contact with the bottom wall 33a of the mixer 36 with the swing motion of the stirring part 32 of the stirring blade 3°, the temperature of the mix 36 is lowered, the ice crystals are also dispersed, and the viscosity is lowered. Increasing the amount of air further promotes air inclusion. At the same time, due to the stirring action, Siminox 36 is made with proteins, fat globules, ice crystals, air bubbles, etc. dispersed in the freezing temperature range (depending on the material composition, but approximately
The mixture is cooled down to a temperature of around 70°C (70°F) and becomes a so-called 70% cream state. By proceeding with freezing in this state, the desired ice cream can be obtained.

Therefore, the automatic ice making device 11 and the automatic ice cream manufacturing device 3 can be used in one refrigerator according to the user's selection, and the refrigerator can be highly functional at a low product cost. Moreover, the space in the freezing chamber θ is not wasted.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the refrigerator of the present invention provides the following effects.

(1) Since the drive device of the automatic ice making device is also used as the drive device of the automatic ice cream manufacturing device, it is possible to provide a high-performance refrigerator having both functions at a low cost.

(2) If a set of stirring blades and containers for automatic ice cream manufacturing equipment is sold as an optional sales model, consumers who do not necessarily want both functions will not be forced to spend unnecessary money, and consumers will There is a lot of room for functional selection.

(3) Ineffective space within the freezer compartment can be reduced, improving usability of the freezer compartment.

(4) By making the bottom wall of the container made of metal and the side walls made of synthetic resin with insulation inserted inside, the cooling from the side walls is further alleviated by the insulation, so the mix can be thoroughly stirred. This prevents it from solidifying and adhering to the side wall without being removed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic ice cream manufacturing device installed in a refrigerator showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the automatic ice cream manufacturing device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. Fig. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of the drive device of the automatic ice cream making device, Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the same refrigerator, and Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a refrigerator equipped with an automatic ice making device showing a conventional example. is a perspective view of the automatic ice making device. 6... Freezer room, complete... Refrigerator room, 11.
... Automatic ice making device, 12 ... Water supply device,
13... Drive device, 14... Ice tray,
16... Ice storage box, 24... Drive motor, 26... Reduction gear, 3o River... Stirring blade,
33...'8B, 33a...Container bottom wall, 33b...River/container side wall, 33c...Insulation material, 34...Automatic ice cream production Device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] a freezer compartment, a refrigerator compartment, a water supply device provided in the refrigerator compartment, a drive device including a drive motor, a reduction gear, etc. provided in the freezer compartment, an ice making tray that is rotated and reversed by the drive device, and the ice making tray. an automatic ice-making device comprising an ice storage box provided below the tray; a stirring blade repeatedly swung by the driving device; a metal bottom wall having a curved surface according to the movement trajectory of the stirring blade; An automatic ice cream manufacturing device consisting of a synthetic resin side wall formed integrally with the bottom wall and with a heat insulating material inserted inside, and a container with an open top surface can be selectively used. refrigerator.