EP2636975B1 - Device for producing pieces of ice - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing ice pieces.

Pieces of ice made of water for cooling food and drinks have become indispensable in the gastronomic sector. Here are because of the required quantities devices for the production of ice pieces from time immemorial in use. However, the production of pieces of ice is becoming increasingly important and interesting for home users. For this reason, devices for producing pieces of ice as individual devices or units integrated in freezers or refrigerators are already known.
The basic structure of such a device for the production of ice pieces is always similar. Thus, in each case at least one Eisstückerzeugungseinrichtung and a collecting container for receiving the pieces of ice produced are present, which allows the user to remove the pieces of ice produced. However, the production of ice pieces in the Eisstückerzeugungseinrichtung as well as the monitoring of the level of the collection container takes place in different ways.
Sensory detections of the filling level of the collecting container are known, for example, by mechanical, electronic, electromechanical or optical sensors. However, it has hitherto been uncomfortable and disadvantageous that only two states can always be detected, namely, on the one hand, when the collecting container is filled and, on the other hand, when it is empty and requires replenishment. However, depending on the usage habits of the users, it is not always necessary or desired to have a completely filled collection container. It could also be found that the pieces of ice combine and adhere to each other when no pieces of ice are removed from the sump for a long time. The pieces of ice are then "superimposed". They also have a shrinkage process and change their shape because they lose moisture through the cooling process. With a longer storage is also to be feared that the quality of the pieces of ice generally deteriorates. Another negative aspect of such ice making apparatus is that the more unclaimed pieces of ice are produced, the less energy is consumed.

From the DE 40 20 128 C2 For example, there is known an apparatus for making pieces of ice, in which the pieces of ice are produced on cooling fingers provided with a compression refrigeration unit keep in touch. The cold fingers are immersed in a water pan and then cooled to the freezing temperature so that the surrounding water freezes on the cold fingers. The pieces of ice thus produced can then be dispensed into a collecting container by the cooling fingers undergo a short-term heating. In this embodiment, the water trough is pivotable about an axis, so that the residual water contained therein after the production of the ice pieces can be poured off. At the outer edge of the water tank also a sensing strip is present as a detection device, which serves to detect the level of the collecting container. When pouring the residual water, the water pan is pivoted, so that the movement path of the Taststreifens is blocked when reaching a certain level. This has the consequence that an electrical control device interrupts the ice production. A disadvantage of this solution, as already stated above, that the level of the collecting container must always have the same height level and as long as pieces of ice are produced until the maximum filling state of the collecting container is reached.

From the DE 10 2005 057 139 A1 goes out a similar device for the production of ice pieces. The ice pieces are produced by injecting water into a suitable ice tray, which is rotatable about an axis. After the water is frozen, the ice bowl is pivoted about its axis, with a finger during the rotation of the pieces of ice mechanically from the ice shell dissolves. For detecting the filling level of the collecting container and the regulation of the Eisstückzufuhr depending on the detected level serves as a detection device, a light barrier, which defines the upper level of the collecting container. If the light beam of the light barrier is interrupted, the production of the pieces of ice stagnates, which is implemented by a suitable control circuit. As long as the light barrier is not interrupted, ice pieces are still produced, which brings the aforementioned disadvantages. Again, the pieces of ice are therefore not produced as needed. A flexible adaptation of the production of ice cubes is therefore not possible.

The US 4,662,182 discloses a device for producing pieces of ice with a detection device for detecting the filling level. The detection device disclosed here consists of a proximity switch, which is actuated by a lever mechanism. The lever mechanism is designed so that falling ice cubes cause a movement on the lever, as long as it can swing freely in the container. If a high level blocks the lever, no movement is detected on the proximity switch, which detects a high level.

From the US 2009/0211292 A1 a device for the production of ice pieces is known, comprising a detection device for detecting the level, which consists of a signal transmitter in the form of an infrared transmitter, four mirrors for deflecting the beam and a signal sensor. To set different levels, two mirrors can be used in different angular positions, so that there is a corresponding position for the IR beam in the container.

From the US 2008/0157644 A1 a device for the production of ice pieces is known, comprising a detection device for detecting the level, which consists of three superposed signal generators in the form of infrared transmitters, ultrasonic sources or lasers, and three correspondingly mounted signal pickups.

The invention thus presents the problem of providing a device for the production of ice pieces, in which a plurality of levels of the collecting container can be adjusted as needed.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a device for producing ice pieces having the features of patent claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

A device for producing pieces of ice, which has a Eisstückerzeugungseinrichtung and a collecting container for receiving the Eisstückerzeugungseinrichtung pieces of ice and a detection device for detecting the level of the collecting container, according to the invention further developed such that the detection device consists of a signal generator and a signal sensor and the signal generator is designed adjustable.

A further apparatus for producing pieces of ice, which has a Eisstückerzeugungseinrichtung and a collecting container for receiving the ice pieces generated in the Eisstückerzeugungseinrichtung and a detection device for detecting the level of the collecting container is characterized in that the detection device consists of a signal generator, a reflector and a signal sensor and the reflector is designed to be adjustable.

The advantages of the solutions according to the invention are to be seen in particular in the fact that the adjustability makes it possible to manufacture the pieces of ice as required, thereby achieving a significant energy saving. The pieces of ice also show consistent quality and do not age anymore. In addition, a sticking together of the ice pieces is also no longer to be feared, since the residence time is reduced in the sump.

With the reflector, which can be adjusted in addition to the signal generator or alternatively to the signal generator, a greater variety of possible designs is given overall, so that a device equipped with it can be made compact and, moreover, the ease of use can be optimized.

As a first embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for producing pieces of ice, to be considered, in which the reflector is designed to be adjustable in its altitude and / or in its inclination.
In this way, the maximum allowable level of the collecting container can be set individually by simple means.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also proposed that the signal generator is designed to be adjustable in height and / or rotatable about an axis.
The subject of this solution is therefore not only a height adjustment, but also the rotatable or pivotal arrangement of the signal generator. This allows for optimal Adaptation to structural conditions. In addition, the adjustment range of the maximum permissible filling level of the collecting container can be increased in this way.
It is of particular advantage in the aforementioned solutions that they can be used independently of the sensors used.
It is even conceivable retrofitting already existing devices with a suitable adjustment.

According to another embodiment of the invention, it is further proposed that the signal generator or the reflector between at least two positions or is infinitely adjustable.
For example, it is possible to specify an arbitrary filling level of the collecting container with a scale provided on the apparatus for producing ice pieces. Depending on the model, the user can choose between the mentioned settings, so that a very flexible production of the ice cubes is possible.

To simplify the handling of said adjustment, according to one embodiment of the invention, the signal generator or the reflector by means of a lever, a handle, a rotary switch or a screw can be adjusted. The choice of one or the other control element depends on the comfort requirements or the structural conditions and is not limited to the examples mentioned.

In particular, when choosing an optical signal transmitter, it may also be of considerable advantage if the reflector has a planar, concave or convex shape. In this way, various settings of the level can be achieved in a simple manner with the help of optical laws.

As a signal generator according to the invention, a sound wave generating frequency generator, an ultrasonic transmitter, an infrared transmitter or a laser can be used, wherein the reflector and the signal sensor are designed to correspond thereto. Of course, other signaling devices are usable. For example, this could also be a pneumatic signal generator.
The corresponding design of the signal pickup and the reflector means that the reflector for processing the signals generated by the signal generator must be just as suitable as the signal sensor. The individual components must therefore fit together in order to function optimally.

A special embodiment variant of the invention consists in that the detection device is designed as a light barrier and the signal generator is a laser. This particularly simple solution is advantageous because such light barriers are available in various designs and thus the entire apparatus for the production of ice pieces can be considerably simplified. The advantage of a light barrier is also its precision.

According to a further proposal according to the invention, the output signal of the detection device is used to control the production of the pieces of ice as a function of the detected filling level of the collecting container. In other words, there is an interruption of the production of the pieces of ice when the previously set level of the collection container has been reached. This can intervene in the water cycle, for example, by interrupting the water supply or the freezing function is stopped.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments are not limiting to the illustrated variants, but are merely illustrative of a principle of the invention. The same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals. In order to be able to illustrate the mode of operation according to the invention, only greatly simplified schematic representations are shown in the figures, in which the components which are not essential to the invention have been dispensed with. However, this does not mean that such components are not present in a solution according to the invention.

Figur 1:

eine erste Ausführungsvariante einer Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Eisstücken mit einem um eine Achse schwenkbaren Signalgeber,

Figur 2:

eine weitere Ausführungsvariante einer Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Eisstücken mit einem schwenkbaren Reflektor, die nich Teil der Erfindung ist,

und

Ausführungsvariante

Figur 3:

eine dritte einer Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Eisstücken mit einem in der Höhe verstellbaren Signalgeber.

It shows:

FIG. 1:

a first embodiment of a device for producing ice pieces with a swiveling about an axis signal generator,

FIG. 2:

a further embodiment of a device for producing ice pieces with a pivotable reflector, which is not part of the invention,

and

variant

FIG. 3:

a third of an apparatus for producing ice pieces with a height-adjustable signal generator.

The FIG. 1 shows rather schematically the general and greatly simplified construction of an apparatus for the production of pieces of ice, in which a Eisstückerzeugungseinrichtung 1 serves to produce the required pieces of ice 3. The pieces of ice 3 produced in the ice-pieces production device 1 fall into a collection container 2 provided for this purpose, the level of which is produced with increasing quantity Ice pieces 3 rises. Below the ice piece generating device 1, a signal generator 4 is also present, which in the present case emits a laser beam 8. The laser beam 8 strikes within the collecting container 2 a reflector 5 which reflects the light beam and directs it to a suitable signal receiver 6. By means of the signal pickup 6, an output signal can be generated, which continues or interrupts the Eisstückeproduktion via a control. In the FIG. 1 two different positions of the signal generator 4 are shown, wherein a solid line defines a maximum level of the collecting container 2 labeled "max" and a dashed line defines a minimum level of the collecting container 2 designated "min". With the help of a rotary switch 7, the signal generator 4 can be pivoted about an axis, so that the different levels of the collecting container 2 are adjustable. The rotational movement of the signal generator 4 takes place in the direction of the double arrow "A".

It should be noted in addition to this embodiment and the following examples that the signal generator 4 can of course also be provided on the collecting container 2. Consequently, it does not necessarily have to be mounted below the ice-piece production device 1.

From the FIG. 2 goes out an apparatus for the production of ice pieces, which is not part of the invention and the largely identical to that in connection with the FIG. 1 described embodiment. The difference here is that not the signal generator 4 is rotatable about an axis, but the reflector 5 is mounted pivotably about an axis in the collecting container 2. The direction of movement of the rector 5 was indicated by the double arrow "B" in FIG. 2 characterized. With such a solution, the laser beam 8 emitted by the signal generator 4 can be deflected by the reflector 5 in several, different directions. Like in the FIG. 2 indicated, at least two levels "min" and "max" are adjustable. In the illustrated planar embodiment of the rector 5, the level line may have an inclination. To prevent this, the reflector may also have an optically curved surface.

In the FIG. 3 Finally, by way of example, a third embodiment of a device for the production of ice pieces is shown, whose essential components are also identical in construction to the two solutions described above. The decisive difference of this device is the ability to adjust the signal generator 4 in its height. This is in the FIG. 3 a guide of the signal generator 4 indicated, within which the signal generator can be moved in the direction of the double arrow "C". In this case, at least two different levels of the collecting container 2 can be detected, in turn, a maximum level by the solid, the laser beam 8 symbolizing line and the minimum level is illustrated by the dashed line of the laser beam 8. In the FIG. 3 these fill levels are marked with the terms "min" and "max". The signal generator 4 is displaceable in this solution only within its guide, but not pivotable about an axis.
However, such a combination is of course also not excluded within the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Eisstückerzeugungseinrichtung

2

Clippings

3

ice cubes

4

signaler

5

reflector

6

signal sensor

7

rotary switch

8th

laser beam

Claims (8)

1. Device for producing ice cubes, comprising an ice-cube generation apparatus (1), a collection container (2) for receiving the ice cubes (3) generated in the ice-cube generation apparatus (1), and a detection device for determining the fill level of the collection container (2), wherein the detection device consisting of a signal generator (4) and a signal pickup (6), wherein the signal generator (4) being a pneumatic signal generator (4) or a frequency generator that generates a sound wave, an ultrasonic transmitter, an infrared transmitter or a laser, and the signal pickup (6) having a corresponding design thereto, characterised in that the signal generator (4) is adjustable.
2. Device for producing ice cubes according to claim 1, characterised in that the detection device further comprises a reflector (5).
3. Device for producing ice cubes according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the signal generator (4) is height-adjustable and/or rotatable about an axis.
4. Device for producing ice cubes according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the signal generator (4) or the reflector (5) is either adjustable between at least two positions or is infinitely adjustable.
5. Device for producing ice cubes according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the signal generator (4) or the reflector (5) can be adjusted by means of a lever, a handle, a rotary switch (7) or an adjusting screw.
6. Device for producing ice cubes according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the reflector (5) is flat, concave or convex.
7. Device for producing ice cubes according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the detection device is designed as a light barrier and the signal generator (4) is a laser.
8. Device for producing ice cubes according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the output signal of the detection device can be used to control the production of the ice cubes on the basis of the determined fill level of the collection container (2).

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