EP0580952B1 - Eiserzeugungsmaschine - Google Patents

Eiserzeugungsmaschine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0580952B1
EP0580952B1 EP93105190A EP93105190A EP0580952B1 EP 0580952 B1 EP0580952 B1 EP 0580952B1 EP 93105190 A EP93105190 A EP 93105190A EP 93105190 A EP93105190 A EP 93105190A EP 0580952 B1 EP0580952 B1 EP 0580952B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ice
freezing
rocking
water
water tray
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93105190A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0580952A1 (de
Inventor
Tadashi c/o Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki K. Sakai
Masao c/o Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki K. Sanuki
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP5965592U external-priority patent/JP2568321Y2/ja
Priority claimed from JP1992069819U external-priority patent/JP2568323Y2/ja
Priority claimed from JP1992069820U external-priority patent/JP2568324Y2/ja
Application filed by Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Hoshizaki Electric Co Ltd
Publication of EP0580952A1 publication Critical patent/EP0580952A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0580952B1 publication Critical patent/EP0580952B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F25C1/22—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
    • F25C1/24—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds for refrigerators, e.g. freezing trays
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F25C1/08—Producing ice by immersing freezing chambers, cylindrical bodies or plates into water
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2600/00—Control issues
    • F25C2600/04—Control means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an ice-making machine according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • These three types of ice making machines all employ a forced circulation system and have a water tank for carrying therein a predetermined amount of water to be frozen, and the water in the tank is fed by a pump to the freezing cells or to the perpendicular freezing plate disposed in a freezing unit, while the unfrozen portion of the water is recovered into the tank to recirculate it to the freezing unit. Accordingly, incidental equipments such as a water tank and a pump for circulating the water to be frozen become necessary in such types of ice making machines. This causes not only complication of the structure of the machine but also production cost elevation and enlargement of the machine.
  • a more simplified ice making machine in which freezing fingers extending downward from the lower surface of a freezing base plate provided with an evaporator thereon are dipped in a predetermined level of water carried in a water tray to form ice pieces around the freezing fingers.
  • This type of ice making machine requires no mechanism for circulating the water to be frozen between the water tray and the water tank during the freezing operation, so that the structure of the machine can be simplified, leading to production cost reduction and down-sizing of the machine, advantageously.
  • the water need not be circulated during the freezing operation, as a matter of course, but maintained in a so-called "static state". Accordingly, the ice pieces gradually formed around the freezing fingers are opacified to white due to the influence of the air dissolved in the water.
  • the opaque white ice pieces generally cause no problem if they are used for the original purposes such as cooling.
  • such opaque white ice pieces if served with drinks and the like in coffee shops or restaurants, look inferior to clear and transparent ice pieces and reduce as a whole the commercial value of the drinks, disadvantageously.
  • an ice-making machine which comprises the features of the preamble of claim 1.
  • the freezing fingers are fixedly provided in the compartment filled with water.
  • water is circulated through the water tank by means of a pump.
  • This invention is proposed in view of the problems inherent in the conventional ice making machine, in which ice pieces are designed to be formed around the freezing fingers by dipping them into the water carried in the freezing chamber defined in a water tray, and with a view to overcoming them successfully. It is an object of this invention to provide an ice-making-machine for making non-opacified ice pieces which can be assembled in high efficiency and allow easy maintenance and repair of the mechanisms incorporated therein.
  • the ice-making machine of this invention is defined by the features of claim 1.
  • a multiplicity of freezing fingers formed on the lower surface of a freezing base plate are dipped in the water carried in the freezing chamber defined in a water tray to carry out a freezing operation under agitation of the water by a rocking plate disposed in the freezing chamber and form inverted dome-shaped ice pieces gradually around the freezing fingers, and the ice pieces thus formed are adapted to be released by tilting the water tray, wherein the water tray tilting mechanism and the rocking plate rocking mechanism are integrated into one unit and mounted onto an inner cover to allow assembling of the machine in high efficiency and to facilitate maintenance of the respective mechanisms.
  • the water tray tilting mechanism and the rocking plate rocking mechanism are mounted on the inner cover which is removably fitted to the opening of a box-like chamber, so that the operations of assembling the ice making machine can be facilitated.
  • this invention also enjoys advantages that the ice making machine can be down-sized and that maintenance and repair of the mechanisms can easily be carried out in a short time, since the tilting mechanism and the rocking mechanism are disposed at one position. Further, since the inner cover is designed to be positioned relative to the main frame by the engagement between protrusions and through holes, the time required for the positioning of the inner cover in the assembling operation can be reduced.
  • Fig. 1 shows schematically in partially exploded perspective view a freezing unit in the ice making machine according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 shows schematically in vertical section the ice making machine according to the embodiment.
  • Fig. 3 shows in front elevation an inner cover on which a water tray tilting mechanism, a rocking plate rocking mechanism and an ice discharging unit are mounted.
  • Fig. 4 shows in exploded perspective view the major portions of the tilting mechanism and rocking mechanism.
  • Fig. 5 shows in section the major portion of the freezing unit shown in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 6 shows schematically in perspective view the freezing unit disposed in an ice bin.
  • Fig. 7 shows in front elevation the major portion of the ice bin from which the inner cover is removed.
  • Fig. 8 shows in perspective view the appearance of the ice making machine.
  • Fig. 9 shows in exploded perspective view how the ice making machine of the embodiment is assembled.
  • Fig. 10 shows in vertical sectional side view a rectangular housing from which the mechanisms are all removed.
  • Fig. 11 shows in front elevation the ice making machine from which the front panel and the inner cover are removed.
  • Fig. 12 shows in rear elevation the ice making machine.
  • Fig. 13 shows schematically in perspective view the ice making machine according to the embodiment, in which the front panel is separated from the main frame.
  • Fig. 14 shows schematically in vertical sectional view the major portion of the front panel correlated with that of the machine chamber in the ice making machine.
  • Fig. 15 shows schematically in horizontal sectional view the major portion of the front panel correlated with that of the machine chamber in the ice making machine.
  • Fig. 16 shows in partially cut-away side view the freezing unit, in which a water tray is assuming a tilted posture.
  • Fig. 17 shows a control circuit diagram of the ice making machine.
  • Fig. 18 shows an explanatory view of the freezing unit under rocking of the rocking plate during the freezing operation and the rocking mechanism assuming a corresponding posture.
  • Fig. 19 shows an explanatory view of the freezing unit after completion of the freezing operation and the rocking mechanism assuming a corresponding posture.
  • Fig. 20 shows an explanatory view of the freezing unit after completion of the freezing operation and the rocking mechanism assuming a corresponding posture, where the rocking projection of a rocking member is retracted from the tilting orbit of the engagement piece of the rocking plate.
  • Fig. 21 shows an explanatory view of the freezing unit after completion of the freezing operation, and the rocking mechanism and tilting mechanism assuming corresponding postures respectively.
  • Fig. 22 shows an explanatory view of the freezing unit where the water tray is stopped in the tilted posture correlated with the position of the cam plate of the tilting mechanism assuming a corresponding posture and those of the second and fourth switches.
  • Fig. 23 shows an explanatory view of the freezing unit where the water tray is resetting correlated with the positions of the cam plate of the tilting mechanism assuming a corresponding posture and of the second and fourth switches.
  • Fig. 24 shows an explanatory view of the freezing unit where the water tray is counter-tilted over the horizontal posture correlated with the positions of the cam plate of the tilting mechanism assuming a corresponding posture and of the second and fourth switches.
  • Fig. 25 shows an explanatory view of the motions of the rocking mechanism for the rocking plate, where the rocking protrusion of the rocking member is retracting from the tilting orbit of the engagement piece of the rocking plate after detection of completion of the freezing operation.
  • Fig. 26 shows a control timing chart in the ice making machine.
  • FIGs. 2 and 8 each show schematically in vertical section and perspective view, respectively, an overall structure of the ice making machine according to a preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • a rectangular housing 10 constituting the main body of the ice making machine basically has defined therein a lower machine chamber 12 in which the freezing system including a compressor CM and a condenser 11 are housed, a box-like ice bin 14, disposed above the lower machine chamber 12, surrounded with a heat insulating material 100 and having an ice chamber 83 defined therein, and a freezing unit 15 disposed in the ice bin 14 at an upper position thereof.
  • the freezing unit 15 has a water tray 16 in which a predetermined level of water to be frozen is carried and a freezing base plate 18 having freezing fingers 17 to be dipped in the water to be frozen, wherein the water tray 16 is tilted to a predetermined angle upon switching to the ice releasing operation to discharge the water remaining therein to the outside of the machine through a water collecting section 19 and drain pipe 20 as well as to release the ice pieces 21 into the ice chamber 83.
  • an ice discharging mechanism 13 (to be described later) is disposed to the ice bin 14, and the ice pieces 21 stored in the ice chamber 83 are adapted to be discharged thereby to the outside of the machine.
  • the rectangular housing 10 consists of a supporting frame 101 on which the freezing system are mounted, a main frame 22 surrounding the freezing system mounted on the supporting frame 101 and the ice bin 14, and a front panel 23 disposed to the front surface of the main frame 22, and assumes as a whole a slim body having a very narrow transversal size.
  • the supporting frame 101 consists of a rectangular bottom 101a and a pair of vertical portions 101b,101c standing upright from the front and rear edges of the bottom 101a.
  • the front vertical portion 101b and the rear vertical portion 101c have a plurality of tapped holes 103 and 104 respectively at predetermined positions, which are used for fixing the supporting frame 101 in position onto the main frame 22.
  • feet 102 are attached to the bottom 101a of the supporting frame 101 at the four corners, and the ice making machine is adapted to be set on an installation surface through these four feet 102.
  • An air inlet (not shown) is defined in the bottom 101a of the supporting frame 101, while an air outlet is defined in the rear vertical portion 101c, so that the air introduced from the air inlet, by rotating the cooling fan (not shown) disposed in the machine chamber 12, is brought into contact with the condenser 11 housed in the machine chamber 12 to effect cooling thereof by heat exchange, and then the thus heated air is exhausted to the outside of the machine through an air outlet.
  • a filter 26 covering the air inlet is removably applied to the lower surface of the bottom 101a, so that clean air filtered through the filter 26 can be introduced to the machine chamber 12 through the air inlet, whereby possible reduction in the cooling capacity of the condenser 11 due to clogging to be caused by the dust deposited thereon can be prevented.
  • the filter 26 is also designed to be easily inserted to or drawn out from the front side of the rectangular housing 10.
  • the front vertical portion 101b of the supporting frame 101 has a predetermined size of opening 101d, as shown in Fig. 13.
  • This opening 101d can be opened by removing the front panel 23 from the main frame 22 so as to facilitate maintenance and repair of the freezing system housed in the machine chamber 12.
  • a heat insulating material 100 surrounding the ice bin 14 is disposed on the upper surface of the upper horizontal member 101e of the front vertical portion 101b over the full width thereof, so that the machine chamber 12 may be open to the front side through the opening 101d in the state where the front panel 23 is removed.
  • the ice bin 14 has a box-like form which is opening upward and forward and a plurality of fitting portions 14b are integrally formed on the upper opening end thereof, so that the freezing base plate 18 and the water tray 16 may be maintained horizontally by a pair of brackets 32 fixed to these fitting portions 14b (see Fig. 6).
  • the ice bin 14 also has formed integrally therewith on both sides of the front opening 79 thereof a pair of outward flanges 14c having a plurality of tapped holes 105 arranged vertically. These tapped holes 105 are used for securing the ice bin 14 onto the main frame 22 and for fitting an inner cover 27 (to be described later) to the ice bin 14.
  • a fitting panel 106 is fixed to the rear side of the ice bin 14.
  • the fitting panel 106 has tapped holes 107 at predetermined positions, which are used for fastening the ice bin 14 to the main frame 22.
  • a predetermined size of outlet 14a is defined on the bottom of the ice bin 14 at a position adjacent to the front extremity thereof, so that the ice pieces 21 carried by the ice discharging unit 13 may be delivered through the outlet 14a to the outside of the machine.
  • the outlet 14a is opening downward at a predetermined height above the upper end of the vertical portion 101b of the supporting frame 101 and at a position outer than the vertical portion 101b.
  • the right and left flanges 14c of the ice bin 14 have protrusions 84 which are used for positioning the inner cover 27 on the flanges 14c.
  • the main frame 22 consists of a rectangular top plate 22a and a pair of side plates 22b extending downward from each side of the top plate 22a.
  • the side plates 22b each have an inward flange 22c formed along the lower portion thereof.
  • These flanges 22c each have tapped holes 108 at the positions corresponding to those of the tapped holes 103 formed in the front vertical portion 101b of the supporting frame 101.
  • the side plates 22b each have an inward tongue 22d at a position spaced upward with a predetermined distance from the flange 22c, and a tapped hole 109 is formed in each tongue 22d at the position corresponding to that of a certain one of the tapped hole 105 formed in the flange 14c of the ice bin 14.
  • each side plate 22b has tapped holes 110 and 111 at the positions corresponding to those of the tapped hole 104 formed in the rear vertical portion 101c of the supporting frame 101 and of the tapped hole 107 formed in the fitting panel 106 of the ice bin 14.
  • the main frame 22 and the supporting frame 101 can be secured in position to each other by aligning each corresponding pair of tapped holes 108 and 103 (tapped holes 110 and 104) and fitting a screw 112 (113) therethrough.
  • the top plate 22a of the main frame 22 is designed to be parallel to the bottom 101a of the supporting frame 101.
  • the main frame 22 and the ice bin 14 can be secured in position to each other by aligning each corresponding pair of tapped holes 109 and 105 (tapped holes 111 and 107) and fitting a screw 114 (115) therethrough.
  • the top plate 22a of the main frame 22 is designed to be parallel to the upper opening edge of the ice bin 14 (see Fig. 10).
  • the bottom thereof (including the heat insulating material 100 and the lower end of the fitting panel 106) is designed to be brought into contact with or slightly spaced from the freezing system mounted on the supporting frame 101 or with the upper ends of the front and rear vertical portions 101b,101c (see Fig. 2), so that the position of the ice bin 14 may not be affected by the variations in the arrangement of the freezing system, heights of the vertical portions 101b,101c and the shape of the bottom of the ice bin 14.
  • the inner cover 27 to be applied to the front opening 79 of the ice bin 14 has formed along both side edges 85 thereof through holes 85a and notches 85b at the positions corresponding to those of certain ones of the tapped holes 105 as well as protrusions 84 of the ice bin 14, and these two members 14 and 27 are adapted to be positioned by fitting the protrusions 84 into the corresponding through holes 85a (see Fig. 6), while these two members 14 and 27 can be secured to each other by fitting fasteners (not shown) such as screws through the rest of the through holes 85a or notches 85b and the corresponding tapped holes 105.
  • the through holes 85a in which the protrusions 84 are to be fitted are elongated in the horizontal direction, allowing fine adjustment in the horizontal direction.
  • a tilting mechanism 33,37,36,AM for tilting the water tray 16, a rocking mechanism 38,59,RM for rocking a rocking plate 54 (to be described later), both in the freezing unit 15, and the ice discharging unit 13 are all mounted on the front surface of the inner cover 27, so that the inner cover 27 having mounted thereon these mechanisms and unit can be fixed to or removed from the ice bin 14. Accordingly, the respective mechanisms and unit can be mounted to the inner cover 27 beforehand in a separate line prior to starting assembly of the ice making machine, and the resulting inner cover 27 can be fitted on the front side of the ice bin 14, enabling to carry out the assembling operation efficiently in a short time. Meanwhile, maintenance service of these mechanisms and unit can easily be carried out, advantageously, from the front side by removing the front panel 23.
  • the front panel 23 has a bulge 23b enclosing therein the tilting mechanism 33,37,36,AM, rocking mechanism 38,59,RM and ice discharging unit 13 mounted on the front surface of the inner cover 27 and also has a recess 23c formed backward below the bulge 23b along the vertical axis thereof with a predetermined width.
  • An opening 23a larger than the outlet 14a for discharging the ice pieces in the ice bin 14 is formed on the slope 23e continuing from the bulge 23b to the recess 23c, and the outlet 14a of the ice bin 14 is adapted to be surrounded by the opening 23a, when the front panel 23 is fitted to the main frame 22.
  • the front panel 23 is formed, for example, using a synthetic resin.
  • a hollow table 24 is adapted to be removably fitted to the recess 23c locating below the opening 23a, on which a vessel such as a glass can be loaded whenever the ice pieces are to be delivered.
  • This table 24 has on the upper surface thereof a multiplicity of slits 24a for draining the water drops dripping from the outlet 14a and the opening 23a and thus preventing splitting of the water drops around the machine.
  • the bulge 23b has a power supply indication lamp L, a first switch SW 1 and a push button 25, and the ice discharging unit 13 is designed to be operated only while the push button 25 is depressed to turn on the first switch SW 1 . Namely, by depressing the push button 25 with a vessel loaded on the table 24, the ice pieces 21 carried by the screw of the ice discharging unit 13 are delivered through the outlet 14a and the opening 23a into the vessel.
  • the front panel 23 has formed therein a barrier 23d at the position corresponding to the location of the upper horizontal member 101e of the front vertical portion 101b of the supporting frame 101.
  • This barrier 23d defines the inner space of the front panel 23 into an upper cavity and a lower cavity.
  • the rear end of the barrier 23d is designed to be abutted against the front surface of the upper horizontal member 101e substantially over the full width thereof, when the front panel 23 is fitted to the main frame 22 (see Fig. 15), so that the lower machine chamber 12 is isolated from the opening 23a.
  • the barrier 23d may be abutted against the heat insulating material 100.
  • Fig. 5 shows minutely a vertical sectional view of the freezing unit 15, and the water tray 16, the structure of which is as shown in Fig. 1, is designed to carry a predetermined level of water to be frozen in the freezing chamber 29 defined therein.
  • the freezing chamber 29 is defined by a rectangular bottom 16a of the water tray 16 and four walls 16b,16c,16d,16e standing upright from the four sides of the rectangular bottom 16a, respectively.
  • a plurality of pintles 30, are integrally formed and aligned horizontally on the outer surface of the right wall 16e.
  • pintles 30 are pivotally fitted in the through holes 32a defined in the brackets 32 holding the freezing base plate 18 at an upper position in the ice bin 14, so that the water tray 16 can be pivoted sideways on the pintles 30 (see Fig. 6).
  • a water supply pipe 49 for supplying water to be frozen is removably disposed to the freezing base plate 18 at an appropriate position, and a water valve WV is connected through a feed pipe 74 thereto.
  • a predetermined amount of water to be frozen is designed to be supplied to the freezing chamber 29 by opening the water valve WV in accordance with the timing to be described later (see Fig. 26).
  • a square hole 30a is defined in the foremost pintle 30, in which a square shaft 33a protruding from the free end of a pivotal shaft 33 (to be described later) is fitted.
  • the pivotal shaft 33 is pivotally supported on the inner cover 27, and thus the water tray 16 is designed to be tilted downward and reset upward on the pintles 30 with the rotation of the actuator motor AM mounted on the inner cover 27, as shown in Figs. 21 to 24.
  • Such constitution of the water tray 16, which is designed to be tilted sideways, can reduce width of the ice making machine.
  • a cylindrical bearing 34 protruding forward is provided on the inner cover 27 applied to the ice bin 14 at a position corresponding to the location of the pintles 30 of the water tray 16, and the pivotal shaft 33 is pivotally supported in the through hole 34a defined in the bearing 34.
  • the square shaft 33a formed on the other end of the pivotal shaft 33 is fitted in the square hole 30a of the pintle 30.
  • a lever 33b is formed integrally with the pivotal shaft 33 to extend radially from the front end portion thereof, and a protrusion 33c is formed on the front surface of the lever 33b at the free end portion thereof. As shown in Figs.
  • a cam plate 36 which is a disc having a predetermined diameter and a notch on the circumference thereof, is disposed to the rotary shaft of the actuator motor AM, mounted to the inner cover 27 through a bracket 35, protruding forward through the bracket 35.
  • a connection rod 37 is pivotally supported eccentrically at one end portion thereof onto the front surface of the cam plate 36, and the other end portion of the connection rod 37 has a slot 37a in which the protrusion 33c of the lever 33b formed integrally with the pivotal shaft 33 is slidably engaged. Accordingly, the pivotal shaft 33 can be pivoted reciprocatingly within a predetermined range of angle through the cam plate 36 and the connection rod 37 by rotating the actuator motor AM, whereby to tilt the water tray 16.
  • an elliptic regulating piece 33d which can be inserted through the slot 37a of the connection rod 37 is disposed to the front end of the protrusion 33c, and this regulating piece 33d is elongated in the radial direction of the protrusion 33c, so that the connection rod 37 may not easily be disengaged from the protrusion 33c under engagement of the protrusion 33c with the slot 37a.
  • the lever 33b is designed to be shiftable within the allowance of the slot 37a relative to the connection rod 37 so as to tolerate any errors in the positions of the lever 33b and the connection rod 37 when the water tray 16 is stopped at the tilted posture.
  • an engagement piece 33e is formed on the rear side of the lever 33b, with which one end of a torsion spring 39 (to be described later) is designed to urge a fixture 38 (to be described later), on which the rocking motor (RM) is mounted, in a predetermined direction.
  • the water tray 16 has a drainage for discharging the water remaining in the freezing chamber 29 whenever the water tray 16 is tilted. More specifically, an auxiliary chamber 46 is defined backward on the rear wall 16c of the water tray 16 at that end portion which can assume the lowest position when the water tray 16 is tilted, and a duct 47 having a predetermined length is connected to the outer (rear) wall surface of the auxiliary chamber 46.
  • the water collecting section 19 for discharging the thus collected water to the outside of the machine defined at the rear side of the ice bin 14 locates below the duct 47.
  • the auxiliary chamber 46 and the freezing chamber 29 are demarcated with a dam plate 48 which is lower than the wall 16c.
  • the water to be frozen supplied to the water tray 16 is adapted to flow over the upper end of the dam plate 48 and to be discharged to the water collecting section 19 through the duct 47.
  • the water to be frozen to be carried in the freezing chamber 29 can be maintained to a predetermined level by this dam plate 48.
  • the water tray 16 Upon switching to an ice releasing operation, the water tray 16 is tilted downward to discharge the water remaining therein through the duct 47, as shown in Fig. 16. With the water tray 16 stopping in this tilted posture, a part of the water to be frozen still remains therein due to the presence of the dam plate 48 (see Fig. 22) and combined with the water supplied afresh from the water supply pipe 49 for the next cycle of freezing operation to accelerate cooling of the water to be frozen.
  • the duct 47 also serves as a stopper for the water tray 16, which is abutted against the upper edge defining the water collecting section 19 and the ice bin, when the water tray 16 is tilted downward. Since the protrusion 33c of the pivotal shaft 33 is designed to be shiftable in the slot 37a of the connection rod 37 in the tilting mechanism, any possible load to be applied to the tilting mechanism to be caused by the displacement between the stopping position of the tilted water tray 16 and the stopping position of the actuator motor AM can be obviated.
  • the freezing base plate 18 is maintained horizontally at an upper position of the ice bin through a plurality of brackets 32, and an evaporator 31 led out of the freezing system housed in the machine chamber 12 is disposed zigzag on the upper surface of the freezing base plate 18. Meanwhile, a plurality of freezing fingers 17 protrude downward from the lower surface of the freezing base plate 18, and these freezing fingers 17 are adapted to be dipped in the water to be frozen carried in the water tray 16 during the freezing operation. As heat exchange with the cooling medium in the evaporator 31 is proceeded by operating the freezing system, the freezing fingers 17 are cooled and maintained at a temperature of 0°C or lower to allow ice pieces 21 to grow gradually around the freezing fingers 17, as shown in Fig. 20.
  • the freezing base plate 18 has a plurality of through holes 18a which are formed for improving heat exchange efficiency as well as for reducing weight of the ice making machine (see Fig. 1).
  • a first cam 50 and a second cam 51 are formed on the rear surface of the cam plate 36 disposed to the actuator motor AM at radially staggered positions. Meanwhile, a second switch SW 2 and a fourth switch SW 4 are disposed to the bracket 35 at the positions corresponding to the locations of the first cam 50 and the second cam 51.
  • the lever 53 extending from the fourth switch SW 4 is designed to be brought into contact with the second cam 51 and to be spaced therefrom in accordance with a predetermined timing.
  • the fourth switch SW 4 is designed to be turned on upon contact of the lever 53 thereof with the second cam 51. As shown in Fig. 17, the fourth switch SW 4 is connected to the water valve WV to control opening thereof (as will be described later).
  • the timing of the cam actions to be effected by the second cam 51 and the fourth switch SW 4 is as shown in the timing chart of Fig. 26.
  • a rocking plate 54 is disposed in the freezing chamber 29 defined in the water tray 16 in such a way that it can be rocked freely therein.
  • the rocking plate 54 has a rectangular bottom plate 54a and side walls 54b,54c,54d standing upright from the three side edges of the bottom plate 54a, except for the side edge opposing to the left wall 16d, which is to assume the lowest position when the water tray 16 is tilted and is designed to be rocked by the rotation of the rocking motor RM.
  • a multiplicity of circular and/or square through holes 55 are defined at predetermined intervals on the bottom plate 54a and the right side wall 54b of the rocking plate 54.
  • the circumferential size of the rocking plate 54 is designed to be slightly smaller than the inner circumferential size of the bottom 16a of the freezing chamber 29, and a pair of outward protrusions 56 formed on each longitudinal side of the side wall 54b are pivotally supported on the water tray 16 by a pair of pins 57. With the rocking plate 54 pivotally supported in the water tray 16, the rocking plate 54 is brought into intimate contact with the bottom of the freezing chamber 29, as shown in Fig. 5. Incidentally, the positions of the through holes 55 are designed to locate between every two adjacent freezing fingers 17.
  • an inverted L-shaped engagement piece 58 is integrally formed with the front side wall 54c of the rocking plate 54, and the upper horizontal portion 58a thereof extends outward beyond the wall 16b of the freezing chamber 29. Meanwhile, a vertically elongated opening 27a is defined in the inner cover 27 at the position corresponding to the location of the upper horizontal portion 58a, in which a rocking member 59 rotated by the rocking motor RM is slidably fitted.
  • a rocking protrusion 59a is eccentrically formed on the rear side of the rocking member 59, which is designed to be engageable, on the rear side of the inner cover 27, with the lower surface of the upper horizontal portion 58a of the rocking plate 54.
  • the rocking protrusion 59a is rotated under engagement with the upper horizontal portion 58a, as shown in Fig. 18, by rotating the rocking member 59 counterclockwise, to lift the rocking plate 54 to a predetermined height from the bottom of the freezing chamber 29, whereas upon disengagement of the rocking protrusion 59a from the upper horizontal surface 58a, to allow the rocking plate 54 to drop by its own weight onto the bottom of the freezing chamber 29.
  • the rocking plate 54 repeats such rocking motion in the freezing chamber 29 on the pins 57, whereby the water to be frozen can constantly be agitated.
  • the rocking plate 54 has through holes 55, the water to be frozen flows through these through holes 55 upward and downward, whereby agitation of the water to be frozen can further be accelerated.
  • a vertical member 60 extending upward over the height of the freezing base plate 18 is formed on the upper edge of the right side wall 54b of the rocking plate 54.
  • one end portion of the planar fixture 38 is pivotally fitted on the bearing 34 protruding from the inner cover 27, and the rocking motor RM is disposed onto the front surface of the fixture 38 at a position spaced from the pivotally fitted portion thereof.
  • the rocking motor RM is connected to the cam 59b protruding forward from the rocking member 59 through the through hole 27a.
  • a vertical member 38a is formed on the front side of the fixture 38 at a position between the pivotally fitted portion thereof and the rocking motor RM, and one end portion 39a of the torsion spring 39 is engaged with the lower end of the vertical member 38a.
  • the engagement piece 33e formed on the lever 33b locates adjacent to the vertical member 38a, and the other end portion 39b of the torsion spring 39 is engaged with the upper end of the engagement piece 33e.
  • the upper end of the engagement piece 33e extends upward over the upper end of the vertical member 38a of the fixture 38, as shown in Fig. 18. Accordingly, in this state, the fixture 38 is constantly urged to turn clockwise on the bearing 34 under the resilient action of the torsion spring 39.
  • the fixture 38 Upon application of a predetermined external force to the rocking motor RM, the fixture 38 is designed to be pivoted by a predetermined angle on the bearing 34.
  • the torsion spring 39 functions to maintain the rocking protrusion 59a of the rocking member 59 at the operational position where it can be engaged with the engagement piece 58 of the rocking plate 54 while the water tray 16 is assuming a horizontal posture during the freezing operation. Meanwhile, when the water tray 16 is tilted upon switching from the freezing operation to the ice releasing operation, the upper end of the engagement piece 33e of the lever 33b is shifted to a position lower than the upper end of the vertical member 38a of the fixture 38, and the end portion 39b of the torsion spring 39 is engaged with the upper end of the vertical member 38a (see Fig. 25). Accordingly, the torsion spring 39 is adapted not to urge the fixture 38 while the water tray 16 is tilted.
  • a vertical slot 38b is defined in the fixture 38 at the distal end portion spaced from the pivotally supported portion thereof, and a regulating pin 61 provided on the inner cover 27 at the corresponding position is slidably fitted therein.
  • the regulating pin 61 functions to regulate the pivoting range of the fixture 38 so that the lower extremity of the slot 38b may be normally abutted against the regulating pin 61 under the resilient action of the torsion spring 39 to allow the rocking member 59 to be in the operational position (see Fig. 18).
  • a fifth switch SW 5 such as a microswitch for detecting completion of ice formation is disposed on the front surface of the inner cover 27 through a bracket 70 with the lever 62 of the switch SW 5 being on the descending orbit of the cam 59b of the rocking member 59 so as to be able to be abutted against the cam 59b as the fixture 38 (rocking motor RM) is pivoted and operate the switch SW 5 .
  • the rocking plate 54 is brought into contact with these ice pieces 21 in its upward stroke to exert a downward counterforce to the rocking motor RM through the engagement piece 58 and the rocking protrusion 59a.
  • the fixture 38 having mounted thereon the rocking motor RM is pivoted counterclockwise on the bearing 34 and allows the cam 59b to depress the lever 62 of the fifth switch SW 5 in its pivoting process to change over the fifth switch SW 5 from the contact "a" to the contact "b", and thus completion of ice formation is detected.
  • the bracket 70 is disposed to the inner cover 27 to be adjustable in the vertical direction, the position of the lever 62 of the fifth switch SW 5 can be adjusted by adjusting vertically the position of the bracket 70.
  • the size of the ice pieces 21 to be formed around the freezing fingers 17 can be changed.
  • a notch 59c is formed on the cam 59b of the rocking member 59, which can change over the fifth switch SW 5 to the contact "a” with the rocking motor RM being pivoted downward whereby to control the rocking protrusion 59a to deviate from the tilting orbit of the engagement piece 58.
  • this notch 59c is defined on the cam 59b in a positional relationship such that it may locate at a position corresponding to that of the lever 62 of the fifth switch SW 5 when the rocking protrusion 59a is spaced from the upper horizontal portion 58a of the engagement piece 58.
  • the motor RM is designed:
  • thermometal switch Th 1 for detecting completion of the ice releasing operation is disposed on the upper surface of the freezing base plate 18 in the freezing unit 15.
  • This thermometal switch Th 1 is designed to be changed over to the contact "b" upon dropping of the temperature of the freezing base plate 18 to a predetermined level by the freezing operation, or changed back from the contact "b” to the contact "a” upon detection of the sudden temperature rise caused by dropping of the ice pieces 21 from the freezing fingers 17 by the ice releasing operation.
  • the hot gas valve HV is designed to be closed, as will be described later, and the actuator motor AM is also designed to be rotated.
  • An ice discharging motor GM is disposed at the front lower position of the inner cover 27, and an screw 63 for carrying the ice pieces to be driven by the motor GM is disposed in the ice chamber 83.
  • the screw 63 and the motor GM are connected to each other by engaging the pin (not shown) provided on the shaft of the motor GM with a groove (not shown) formed on the outer end portion of the shaft of the screw 63. Meanwhile, the inner end portion of the screw 63 is rotatably fitted in a recess 64 defined at the corresponding position of the ice bin 14, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the screw 63 can be rotated at a fixed position.
  • the ice discharging motor GM is designed to be rotated only while the first switch SW 1 is turned on by depressing the push button 25 provided on the front panel 23 to carry the ice pieces 21 stored in the ice chamber 83 with the aid of the screw 63 to the outlet 14a.
  • the screw 63 is positioned when the outer end thereof is connected to the motor GM after the inner cover 27 is fitted on the front surface of the ice bin 14 with the inner end portion thereof being fitted in the recess 64.
  • a regulating plate 65 is pivotally hanging from the rear side of the inner cover 27 at the position corresponding to the location of the screw 63 and inner than the position of the outlet 14a.
  • This regulating plate 65 is designed to be pushed forward by the ice pieces 21 carried by the screw 63 to open the outlet 14a and allow delivery of the ice pieces 21 to the outside of the machine, as well as, to return to the initial position when the ice discharging unit 13 is stopped to close the outlet 14a and prevent the outer air from flowing into the ice chamber 83.
  • a separator 68 is disposed to the inner cover 27 at a position adjacent to the regulating plate 65, which functions to prevent the ice pieces 21 stored in the ice bin 14 from slipping out of the outlet 14a, as well as, to return some of the ice pieces carried by the screw 63 into the ice bin 14 and prevent clogging of the outlet 14a thereby.
  • a drain pipe 69 is provided at the bottom of the ice bin 14 adjacent to the recess 64, so that the water melting from the ice pieces 21 can be discharged to the outside of the ice bin 14.
  • a detection plate 66 is pivotally supported on the lower surface of the water tray 16, which is normally maintained in such a state that the open end side thereof may be spaced apart downward from the bottom of the water tray 16, as shown in Fig. 7.
  • a third switch SW 3 for detecting ice fullness is disposed to the front surface of the water tray 16 with its lever 67 being normally urged by the protrusion 66a formed on the front side of the proximal end portion of the detection plate 66.
  • the protrusion 66a of the detection plate 66 is adapted to be abutted against the lever 67 of the third switch SW 3 under detection of no ice piece 21, so that the ice making machine can be stopped whenever the detection plate 66 happens to drop from the water tray 16 for some reason. Accordingly, no ice piece 21 is adapted to be formed under the condition where ice fullness is not detectable. Meanwhile, the free end portion of the detection plate 66 has a comb-like form, whereby the load to be applied to the detection plate 66 when it is abutted against the ice pieces 21 can be reduced.
  • Fig. 17 shows an electric control circuit in the ice making machine according to this embodiment, in which a fuse F is interposed between a power supply line R and a joint D, and a power supply indication lamp L is interposed between the joint D and a line T.
  • the first switch SW 1 for ice discharging and the ice discharging motor GM; (2) the second switch SW 2 for the actuator motor AM, the third switch SW 3 for detecting ice fullness and a relay X 1 are interposed in series respectively between the joint D and the line T.
  • a normally closed contact X 1 -b 1 for the relay X 1 is interposed between a joint E and a joint K locating between the second switch SW 2 and the third switch SW 3 .
  • a relay X 2 Between the joint K and the line T are interposed in series respectively (1) a relay X 2 ; (2) the fourth switch SW 4 for supplying water to be frozen and the water valve WV; and (3) a normally open contact X 3 -a 1 for a relay X 3 and the actuator motor AM.
  • a normally closed contact X 2 -b 1 for the relay X 2 and a normally closed contact X 3 -b for the relay X 3 are interposed in series between the normally closed contact X 1 -b 2 of the relay X 1 connected in series to the fuse F and a joint N locating between the normally open contact X 3 -a 1 of the relay X 3 and the actuator motor AM.
  • a fan motor FM for the condenser 11 is connected to the contact "a" of the thermometal switch Th 1 for detecting completion of the ice releasing operation connected in series to the normally open contact X 2 -a of the relay X 2 , while the hot gas valve HV for supplying a hot gas is connected to the contact "b" thereof.
  • the fifth switch SW 5 for detecting completion of ice formation is connected to a joint P locating between the normally open contact X 3 -a 2 of the relay X 3 and the rocking motor RM, and a protective thermometal cut-off Th 2 is connected to the contact "a" of the switch SW 5 , while the contact "b” thereof is connected to the joint D.
  • the fan motor FM and the relay X 3 are connected in parallel.
  • the freezing system including the compressor CM and the condenser 11 is securely mounted on the supporting frame 101, while the freezing base plate 18 and the water tray 16 are disposed in the ice bin 14 through the brackets 32.
  • the freezing base plate 18 and the water tray 16 can be maintained parallel to the upper opening face of the ice bin 14, if the brackets 32 are accurately fitted to the fitting portions 14b integrally formed on the ice bin 14.
  • the main frame 22 is positioned to surround the freezing system and the ice bin 14.
  • the tapped holes 108 formed on the flanges 22c of the main frame 22 are aligned with the corresponding tapped holes 103 formed on the front vertical portion 101b of the supporting frame 101, and a screw 112 is screwed into each pair of tapped holes 108 and 103 (see Fig. 11).
  • the tapped holes 110 formed on the flanges 22e of the main frame 22 are aligned with the corresponding tapped holes 104 formed on the rear vertical portion 101c of the supporting frame 101, and a screw 113 is screwed into each pair of tapped holes 110 and 104, whereby the main frame 22 and the supporting frame 101 are secured to each other in position (see Fig. 12).
  • the main frame 22 and the supporting frame 101 can accurately be secured to each other in position such that the top plate 22a and the bottom 101a may be parallel to each other by forming the tapped holes 108,103,110,104 at accurate positions, respectively.
  • the tapped holes 109 formed on the tongues 22d of the main frame 22 are aligned with the corresponding tapped holes 105 formed on the flanges 14c of the ice bin 14, and a screw 114 is screwed into each pair of tapped holes 109 and 105 (see Fig. 11).
  • the tapped holes 111 formed on the flanges 22e of the main frame 22 are aligned with the corresponding tapped holes 107 of the fitting panel 106, and a screw 115 is screwed into each pair of tapped holes 111 and 107, whereby the main frame 22 and the ice bin 14 can be secured to each other in position (see Fig. 12).
  • the main frame 22 and the ice bin 14 can accurately be secured to each other in position such that the top plate 22a and the upper opening face of the ice bin 14 may be parallel to each other by forming the tapped holes 109,105,111,107 at accurate positions, respectively.
  • the ice bin 14 incorporated into the main frame 22, as described above, is positioned to be in contact with the vertical portions 101b,101c of the supporting frame 101 and the freezing system or to be spaced slightly therefrom (see Fig. 2). Namely, since the supporting frame 101 and the ice bin 14 are independently secured to the main frame 22 respectively in position, the horizontalness of the freezing unit 15 to be disposed in the ice bin 14 can be secured by accurately positioning each of these members. Accordingly, if the supporting frame 101 is set on a horizontal installation surface, the freezing unit 15 in the ice bin 14 can be positioned horizontally, and thus the freezing fingers 17 can be dipped in the water to be frozen carried in the water tray 16 at a fixed depth to allow formation of a uniform size of ice pieces around the freezing fingers 17. Meanwhile, when the water tray 16 is tilted after completion of ice formation, the water remaining therein can securely be discharged to the water collecting section 19.
  • a cooling medium is supplied to the evaporator 31 through a circulation pipe of the freezing system by a compressor CM powered by electricity, and cooling of the freezing fingers 17 provided on the freezing base plate 18 is started by the heat exchange action of the cooling medium. Since the freezing fingers 17 are dipped in the water to be frozen, the water starts to freeze around the freezing fingers 17 and grows gradually into inverted dome-shaped ice pieces 21. During such freezing operation, the rocking motor RM is continuously rotated. Accordingly, the rocking protrusion 59a of the rocking member 59 rotated by the motor RM is engaged with the engagement piece 58 provided on the side wall 54c to lift the rocking plate 54, as shown in Fig. 18.
  • the rocking plate 54 Upon disengagement of the rocking protrusion 59a from the engagement piece 58, the rocking plate 54 drops by its own weight and is abutted against the bottom 16a of the freezing chamber 29. Thus, the rocking plate 54 repeats such rocking motion in the water to be frozen in the freezing chamber 29 during the freezing operation to constantly agitate the water. Moreover, since through holes 55 are formed on the rocking plate 54, the water to be frozen flows through these through holes 55 as the rocking plate 54 is rocked to cause jet streams which accelerate the agitation of the water to be frozen. Since the water to be frozen is constantly maintained in a dynamic state, as described above, opacification to white of the ice pieces 21 to be formed around the freezing fingers 17 can be prevented, and transparent and clear ice pieces 21 can be obtained.
  • the rocking motor RM continues to rotate even after the fifth switch SW 5 for detecting completion of ice formation is changed over to the contact "b" when the lever 62 thereof is depressed by the cam 59b of the rocking member 59.
  • the rocking protrusion 59a is spaced from the upper horizontal portion 58a to allow the fixture 38 to turn clockwise under the resilient action of the torsion spring 39, in turn, to change over the fifth switch SW 5 from the contact "b" to the contact "a” and stop temporarily the rocking motor RM.
  • the upper end of the engagement piece 33e of the lever 33b is shifted to a position lower than the upper end of the vertical member 38a formed on the fixture 38 to allow the end 39b of the torsion spring 39 to be engaged with the upper end of the vertical member 38a, where the torsion spring 39 exerts no resilient action to the fixture 38 (see Fig. 25(b)).
  • the fixture 38 starts to turn counterclockwise on the bearing 34 by its own weight to allow the cam 59b to change over the fifth switch SW 5 from the contact "a" to the contact "b” and start the rocking motor RM.
  • the depression of the lever 62 is released when the notch 59c formed on the cam 59a comes to the position corresponding to the location of the lever 62 to change over the switch SW 5 from the contact "b" to the contact "a” and stop rotation of the rocking motor RM (see Fig. 25 (c)).
  • the rocking protrusion 59a provided on the rocking member 59 stops at a position deviated from the tilting orbit of the engagement piece 58 of the rocking plate 54, where it does not interfere with the tilting of the rocking plate 54.
  • the switch SW 2 Upon arrival of the first cam 50 provided on the cam plate 36 to the lever 52 of the second switch SW 2 , the switch SW 2 is turned on to actuate the relay X 2 and to open the normally closed contact X 2 -b 1 which interlocks therewith, as well as, to close the normally open contact X 2 -a.
  • the thermometal switch Th 1 for detecting completion of the ice releasing operation is connected to the contact "b", since ice pieces 21 are formed fully around the freezing fingers 27. Accordingly, the relay X 3 is not actuated, and the rotation of the actuator motor AM is stopped to allow the water tray 16 to stop in a tilted posture at a predetermined angle, as shown in Fig. 22.
  • the hot gas valve HV is opened to supply a hot gas, instead of the cooling medium, to the evaporator 31, as shown in the timing chart of Fig. 26, so that the freezing fingers 17 are rapidly heated through the freezing base plate 18. Accordingly, the bondage between the freezing fingers 17 and the ice pieces 21 is released, and the ice pieces 21 drop by their own weights, slide on the upper surface of the rocking plate 54 maintained in a predetermined tilted posture by the vertical member 60 and are guided into the ice chamber 83.
  • the negative temperature load applied to the freezing base plate 18 is released by the dropping of the ice pieces 21, and the temperature of the freezing base plate 18 is suddenly elevated by the passage the hot gas through the evaporator 31.
  • This temperature rise is detected by the thermometal switch Th 1 , which is immediately changed over to the contact "a" to actuate the relay X 3 , in turn, to close the normally open contact X 3 -a 1 which interlocks therewith and allows the actuator motor AM to resume rotation. Meanwhile, the hot gas valve HV is also closed to resume supplying of the cooling medium to the evaporator 31.
  • the pivotal shaft 33 is turned clockwise under the actions of the cam plate 36, connection rod 37 and lever 33b by this rotation of the motor AM, and the water tray 16 is likewise turned clockwise to start resetting to the horizontal posture. Meanwhile, the second cam 51 of the cam plate 36 comes to the lever 53 of the fourth switch SW 4 as the motor AM resumes rotation to turn on the switch SW 4 , as shown in Fig. 23, whereby the water valve WV is opened to supply water to be frozen to the freezing chamber 29.
  • resetting of the water tray 16 is designed to be carried out by turning once the water tray 16 clockwise over the horizontal posture such that the free end portion thereof (the wall 16d) may be higher than the fixed end portion thereof and then turning counterclockwise to stop in the horizontal posture.
  • water to be frozen is supplied in a sufficient amount to the freezing chamber 29 with the dam plate 48 provided in the water tray 16 locating at a high level to let the water to flow over the dam plate 48, a necessary amount of water to be frozen is adapted to be securely supplied to the freezing chamber 29 when the water tray 16 is reset to the horizontal posture.
  • possible troubles to be caused by the lack of water to be frozen can be prevented.
  • the cooling fan (fan motor FM) disposed in the lower machine chamber 12 is designed to be rotated during running thereof to suck the outer air and cool the condenser 11.
  • the opening 23a of the front panel 23 communicates to the machine chamber 12, the outer air is sucked into the machine chamber 12, and the dusts sucked through the opening 23a together with the air accumulate with time around the opening 23a to provide an insanitary condition. Therefore, in the ice making machine of the above embodiment, the rear end of the barrier 23d formed on the rear side of the front panel 23 is abutted against the front surface or the upper horizontal member 101e of the supporting frame 101 over the full width thereof so as to prevent the outer air from flowing through the opening 23a into the machine chamber 12.
  • the outer air is sucked into the machine chamber 12 only through the inlet defined on the bottom 101a of the supporting frame 101 by rotating the cooling fan.
  • the air sucked through the inlet is filtered through a filter 26 to remove completely the dusts therefrom, so that reduction in the heat exchange efficiency or troubles to be caused by overheat attributable to the dusts deposited on the condenser 11 can be prevented.
  • the opening 23a of the front panel 23 and the outlet 14a of the ice bin 14 are isolated from the lower machine chamber 12 by the barrier 23d. Accordingly, no outer air is adapted to be sucked through the opening 23a into the machine chamber 12 to prevent deposition of dusts around the opening 23a.
  • the ice pieces 21 to be discharged through the outlet 14a and the opening 13a from the ice bin 14 can be kept in a hygienic state.
  • the cool air in the ice bin 14 is not sucked out by the rotation of the cooling fan, such temperature rise in the ice bin 14 as to be caused by the escape of the cool air therefrom can be prevented to inhibit melting of the ice pieces 21 stored in the ice chamber 83.
  • the outer air is adapted to be sucked into the machine chamber 12 only through the filter 26, the dusts contained in the air is prevented from intruding into the machine chamber 12 and depositing on the condenser 11.
  • any maintenance service becomes necessary for the tilting mechanism for the water tray 16 or the rocking mechanism for the rocking plate 54 during running of the ice making machine these mechanisms can be exposed to the front side by removing the front panel 23 shown in Fig. 2, so that such maintenance and repair for the respective mechanisms can very easily be carried out from the front side.
  • the inner cover 27 is removed from the ice bin 14, the tilting mechanism, the rocking mechanism and the ice releasing unit 13 can all be removed integrally therewith to enable such maintenance and repair or replacements of parts outside of the machine. Further, since the tilting mechanism, rocking mechanism and the ice releasing units 13 are all disposed on the inner cover 27, the working efficiency in assembling the ice making machine can also be improved.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Claims (3)

  1. Eiserzeugungsmaschine mit
    einer Gefriereinheit (15), die in einem Kasten (14) vorgesehen ist, wobei die Gefriereinheit aus einem Verdampfer (31), der mit einem Gefriersystem mit einem Kompressor (CM) verbunden ist, und einem Kondensator besteht; einer Gefrierbasisplatte (18) mit einer Vielzahl von Gefrierfingern (17), die auf der unteren Oberfläche davon gebildet sind, wobei der Verdampfer (31) auf der oberen Oberfläche davon vorgesehen ist; einem Wassertrog (16), der normal in einer horizontalen Stellung gehalten wird und darin abgegrenzt eine Gefrierkammer zum Halten von zu gefrierendem Wasser aufweist, wobei die Gefrierfinger (17) zum Eintauchen ausgelegt sind; einem Neigungsmechanismus (33, 37, 36, AM) zum Neigen des Wassertroges (16) nach unten nach der Bildung von Eisstücken (21) um die Gefrierfinger (17) herum zum Freigeben der Eisstücke (21) und dann so nach oben, daß der Wassertrog (16) seine horizontale Stellung wieder einnimmt;
       dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Eiserzeugungsmaschine weiter aufweist eine Schwingplatte (54) in dem Wassertrog (16); einen Schwingmechanismus (38, 59, RM) zum freien Schwingen der Schwingplatte (54); eine entfernbare innere Abdeckung (27) zum Schließen einer Öffnung (79) des Kastens (14), wobei der Neigungsmechanismus (33, 37, 36, AM) und der Schwingmechanismus (38, 59, RM) auf der inneren Abdeckung (27) angebracht sind; und eine Frontplatte (23), die auf der vorderen Oberfläche der inneren Abdeckung (27) angebracht ist und den Neigungsmechanismus (33, 37, 36, AM) und den Schwingmechanismus (38, 59, RM) einschließt.
  2. Eiserzeugungsmaschine nach Anspruch 1,
    bei der die innere Abdeckung (27) darauf eine Eisausgabeeinheit (13) zum Liefern der Eisstücke (21), die in dem Kasten (14) gelagert sind, angebracht aufweist.
  3. Eiserzeugungsmaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
    bei der die innere Abdeckung (27) und der Kasten (14) zueinander durch den Eingriff zwischen Vorsprüngen (84) und Durchgangslöchern (85a), die entsprechend auf den Paßabschnitten dieser Teile gebildet sind, positioniert sind.
EP93105190A 1992-07-31 1993-03-29 Eiserzeugungsmaschine Expired - Lifetime EP0580952B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP59655/92U 1992-07-31
JP5965592U JP2568321Y2 (ja) 1992-07-31 1992-07-31 製氷機
JP69820/92U 1992-09-09
JP1992069819U JP2568323Y2 (ja) 1992-09-09 1992-09-09 製氷機の組立構造
JP69819/92U 1992-09-09
JP1992069820U JP2568324Y2 (ja) 1992-09-09 1992-09-09 製氷機の前面パネル構造

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0580952A1 EP0580952A1 (de) 1994-02-02
EP0580952B1 true EP0580952B1 (de) 1996-06-12

Family

ID=27296954

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93105190A Expired - Lifetime EP0580952B1 (de) 1992-07-31 1993-03-29 Eiserzeugungsmaschine

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Country Link
EP (1) EP0580952B1 (de)
KR (1) KR940005932A (de)
DE (1) DE69303120T2 (de)
ES (1) ES2090749T3 (de)
TW (1) TW218914B (de)

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KR20040039092A (ko) * 2002-10-31 2004-05-10 히데오 나까조 제빙기
US10073264B2 (en) 2007-08-03 2018-09-11 Lumus Ltd. Substrate-guide optical device
US7797961B2 (en) * 2006-12-07 2010-09-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator having improved ice-making unit configuration
US8950197B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2015-02-10 Whirlpool Corporation Icemaker with swing tray
US8695359B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2014-04-15 Whirlpool Corporation Water circulation and drainage system for an icemaker
US8756951B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2014-06-24 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical ice maker producing clear ice pieces
US9127871B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2015-09-08 Whirlpool Corporation Ice making, transferring, storing and dispensing system for a refrigerator
US8919145B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2014-12-30 Whirlpool Corporation Vertical ice maker with microchannel evaporator
US8844314B2 (en) 2011-06-22 2014-09-30 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice making system and method
IL232197B (en) 2014-04-23 2018-04-30 Lumus Ltd Compact head-up display system
KR20230066124A (ko) 2016-10-09 2023-05-12 루머스 리미티드 직사각형 도파관을 사용하는 개구 배율기
CN113031165B (zh) 2016-11-08 2023-06-02 鲁姆斯有限公司 导光装置、其光学组件及其对应的生产方法
JP7174929B2 (ja) 2017-07-19 2022-11-18 ルムス エルティーディー． Ｌｏｅを介するｌｃｏｓ照明
IL259518B2 (en) 2018-05-22 2023-04-01 Lumus Ltd Optical system and method for improving light field uniformity
US11415812B2 (en) 2018-06-26 2022-08-16 Lumus Ltd. Compact collimating optical device and system
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69303120D1 (de) 1996-07-18
TW218914B (en) 1994-01-11
KR940005932A (ko) 1994-03-22
ES2090749T3 (es) 1996-10-16
EP0580952A1 (de) 1994-02-02
DE69303120T2 (de) 1997-01-09

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